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Monthly Archives: May 2018

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Thursday morning May 31, there is a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak visiting feeders at the Community Gardens in the TRV. Space 63 has multiple feeders up. Also present are several Lawrence’s Goldfinches, including several young being fed by a male. About a dozen American Goldfinches also present, some almost completely molted into breeding plumage.

Nancy Christensen
Ramona

A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.
Chinese Proverb
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports

minor miscellanea

On May 29th, there was still 1 late-lingering breeding-plumaged Dunlin at the saltworks. On May 30th, there was an Olive-sided Flycatcher along with just small numbers of typical late-season passerine migrants in residential Pt. Loma / PLNU.  And on May 31st, a 90-minute early-morning seawatch at La Jolla was fairly slow, with the "highlights" being ca. 250 Black-vented Shearwaters, 6 Red-necked Phalaropes, and a getting-late or summering Parasitic Jaeger.

–Paul Lehman,  San Diego
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports

Migrants

While nothing like it was at the start of the month, I've had a decent morning for migrants (especially for May 31st) in my Encinitas yard.

-Gjon
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports

Tierrasanta swifts

Following Mark’s message this afternoon, I drove down to Clairemont Mesa Blvd. and 15, where I saw 3 or 4 swifts flying in the distance. The flight pattern — slow, shallow wingbeats — was good for black swifts, but they were too far to be sure. They soon disappeared, and I gave up. But as I drove off, a large, dark, bulky swift flew close by at eye  level. Unfortunately, it disappeared before I could get binoculars on it. Renewing my search, I saw a few swifts across the freeway over the Kaiser hospital. Fighting rush hour traffic, I drove over only to discover that those swifts were white throated.  So, maybe I saw black swifts, maybe I didn’t. Darn birds. 

Dennis Parker
Tierrasanta

Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports

Laguna birding

A group of us visited the Desert View Rd area (Thing Valley Rd is marked on Sunrise Hwy) this morning, Wednesday May 30, the same spot I visited on Monday. In comparison, the level of bird song was less (I arrived mid-morning on Monday), but a definite increase in Dusky Flycatcher activity. Several were perched and singing/calling today, moving around in fairly restricted areas. As we walked, we attempted to measure the distance between the singers. I believe we had at least 3 Dusky FC territories along the road, though we actually saw 4 individual birds. The spacing between singing individuals was about a quarter mile between 1 and 2, and a tenth of a mile between 2 and 3.  Cassin’s Vireos were also singing, but ranged much more erratically. We were not certain if there were two pairs or only one. We also had the Black-throated Gray Warbler singing. We only saw male(s) – possibly 2, about ¼ mile apart. The Olive-sided FC made an early appearance, but was never heard or seen after the first five minutes. Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46162626

 

We also stopped at the Fire Info Pullout at milepost 28.5 of the Sunrise Highway. We were treated to several Purple Martins flying about. A pair of Loggerhead Shrikes and a juvenile were seen there, as well as singing Black-chinned Sparrows. Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46160062

 

Nancy Christensen

Ramona

 

Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports

Fishing/Pelagic: Offshore South San Diego County and Northern Mexican Waters (5/28/18)

Hi Birders,

I was fortunate to get on a friends boat for some fishing on May 28, 2018. We departed from Mission Bay and were on the open ocean by 4:15 a.m, headed straight out to the 30-mile Bank. We arrived there at first light, before dawn. Later we also visited and spent most of the day at various seamounts/banks  while flying a kite and fishing for tuna  etc.  We were 30-50 miles offshore for the most part in SD County and in Mexico Waters  It was no less than a bumpy day with a mixed swell and wind waves. A tough day to be out there even though the NOAA forecast was to be one of the better days out—-We returned to the harbor at about 3:00 pm.
Taking pictures on this day was not realistic opportunity for the most part. If a true goody came by i 'm sure I would have managed though.But nothing to report of high-end caliber.
Birds of Note:
* US Waters
** US/MEX Waters
*** MEX Waters Only 
*Pomarine Jaeger  (1)
**Scirpp's Murrelet (13) No chicks

**Sabine's Gull  (23) Most in SD

*Common/Arctic Tern (3/4)
*ARCTIC TERN (1) –At least one of these terns appeared to be ARCTIC with dainty appearance, shorter necked and smaller head and a tiny bill vs.Common Tern
**Black-footed Albatross (2)
** Brown Booby (2)
*MASKED/NAZCA (1)–SUB-ADULT Unable to get photo. Was NOT an imm Blue-footed Booby or Red-footed. Dark tail, no indication of white in the tail or upper rump-   
*** Western Tanager–Female that did not want to land on boat and kept flying
Other Species in all waters– 
Black Storm-Petrel
Sooty Shearwater
Pink-footed Shearwater
Good Birding,
Jimmy McMorran
Leucadia, CA

—
Good Birding,
Jimmy McMorran,
Leucadia, CA
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports

Indigo Bunting at Zoo

A zoo visitor named Marcia Siggins Jonas took a picture of a mature Indigo Bunting on top of the Hummingbird Aviary at the Zoo yesterday morning (28 May 18). She posted the picture on the "Focusing on the San Diego Zoo & Safari Park" Facebook page (I have her permission to post this here). After seeing her post, I visited the aviary for about 15 minutes during my lunch break around 11 am. I was not able to relocate the bird then and had to take off after work. I will attempt to find it again tomorrow morning if I have time. Please keep an eye out for it if you're in the area. I'm sure there's many other fun vagrants passing thru as well.

Cheers,

Kim Roth Nelson
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports

Audubon’s Western Rivers Bird Count

I’m forwarding this as some SDFO members might be interested in participating, especially those who use eBird regularly. 

The Mission Dam region of the SD River might be one good spot to survey.  
Click on the “protocols” link, below, for the rules. 
Something different to do on your next birding outing! 
Phil Pryde 
San Carlos 

Begin forwarded message:


From: "Karyn Stockdale, National Audubon Society" <chapter_services@…>
Subject: Join Audubon’s Western Rivers Bird Count—Help Your Local Birds
Date: May 29, 2018 at 12:32:36 PM PDT
To: "Phil Pryde" <philpinsd@…>

 
National Audubon Society
Summer Tanager.
Summer Tanager.
Dear Audubon Chapter Leader,

Help protect your local birds and the places they need by participating in the Western Rivers Bird Count.

Water sustains millions of people as well as some of America’s richest diversity of birdlife. By collecting bird counts along rivers across the southwestern U.S., you will provide important data on critical areas for biodiversity in the arid West.

Dates, Protocols, and Map
The Western Rivers Bird Count runs throughout May and June. Here are the count protocols and a map to help you plan your count. Submit your checklists at eBird.org or on the eBird app. Please choose to share your eBird checklists to westernwater@….

Toolkit of Resources
We have also created a toolkit of resources which you can use to encourage your members and others in your local community to take part in the count.

Thank you for taking part in this important initiative for our water work. If you have any questions, please contact us at westernwater@….

Karyn Stockdale
Senior Director, Western Water Initiative
National Audubon Society
Photo: Mitch Walters
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National Audubon Society
225 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014 USA
(844) 428-3826 audubon.org

© 2018 National Audubon Society, Inc.

Update your email address or unsubscribe
 

Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports

American Redstart in Point Loma

An American Redstart female is (right now, 12:25, May 29) in the
thick Cape Honeysuckle on Albion St. in the middle of the block between
Talbot and Jennings. The street is closed to traffic and some of the
sewer construction crew are working nearby, but the bird doesn't seem
bothered by them. It's moving around mostly within a foot of the
ground.

—
===================
Sara Baase Mayers
Point Loma (San Diego)
===================
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports

Laguna Dusky flycatchers

Russ and I took a late morning walk along Desert View Road in Mt Laguna. Although it was quite late to start birding for the day, we were treated to numerous bird songs. As soon as we parked I heard a Dusky Flycatcher calling east of us, but we were unable to locate it. Got distracted by an Olive-sided Flycatcher (life bird for Russ) and lost track of the Dusky. Walking just under 1/3 of a mile, we encountered a calling Dusky Flycatcher (another life bird for Russ) who was very busy foraging. There was actually a pair there, so the bird that kept reappearing was probably not always the same bird. In the same area there was a pair of Cassin’s Vireos, one of which sang almost non-stop. The pair scolded and attacked a larger bird (a crow?), making us think this pair will nest right there. A singing male Black-throated Gray Warbler was also right there, plus House Wren, Spotted Towhee, Purple Finches, Pewees and a vocal Ash-throated Flycatcher. Not bad for noon…

 

Checklist for our walk: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46114679

 

We pulled off Sunrise Hwy onto Desert View Rd (note that the sign says Thing Valley Rd) and drove about 50 yards to where it forks. We parked at the fork and walked south (to the right). The road beyond that point gets pretty rough, and even the entrance road could be challenging for a low clearance vehicle. I asked at the Visitor Center, and parking is allowed at the Redtail Roost right across the street, but you MUST display the Adventure Pass. You probably also need to display it if you parked where we did. During the 1 ½ hours we were there we saw 2 cars and 2 horses, this on a holiday weekend, so a nice quiet alternative to the busy Agua Dulce area.

 

 

 

Nancy Christensen

Ramona

 

Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports

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