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Monthly Archives: December 2021

preliminary results of Rancho Santa Fe CBC 12-30-21

preliminary results of Rancho Santa Fe CBC 12-30-21
By – 4:03 pm
Sorry for the delay in posting, but thanks to all those who participated in yesterday’s Rancho Santa Fe area Christmas Bird Count.  All data have not yet been received, but I wanted to pass along highlights and preliminary results.  At least 49 parties (many consisting of solo individuals) reported 186 species (the annual number of species reported on this count in the past has ranged from 145 to 204).  So far, missed species include snow & Ross’ geese, cattle egret, green heron, stilt & avocet, Wilson’s snipe, canyon wren, and Bell’s sparrow.  Rarities included:
Common goldeneye reported continuing at Lake Miramar by Bruce Rideout and Paul Lehman, and at Penasquitos Lagoon by Dan King.
Black-footed albatross and Nazca booby (adult) reported offshore from Torrey Pines by Stan Walens.
Masked/Nazca booby sp. (immature) reported offshore from Cardiff by Paul Lehman.
Lewis’ woodpecker reported continuing in Penasquitos Canyon by Paul Chad.
Olive-sided flycatcher reported continuing in Harmony Grove by Patti Koger, Kathy Aldern, Carol Manning, and Jane Mygatt.
Vermilion flycatcher reported in Fairbanks Ranch by Paul Lehman (one continuing) and Phil Unitt (same one continuing plus two new males).
Swinhoe’s white-eye reported continuing in Del Mar by Robert Patton, in Solana Beach by Paul Lehman, and in Encinitas by Sue Smith, Gretchen Nell, and Manolo Turner.
Grace’s warbler reported continuing in Encinitas by Sue Smith and Rita Campbell.
Magnolia warbler reported continuing at San Dieguito Park by Paul Lehman, Joni Ciarletta, Denise Riddle, and Lesley Marples.
Green-tailed towhee found at San Diego Botanic Garden by Gretchen Nell and Manolo Turner.
White-throated sparrow reported continuing in Encinitas by Sue Smith, Eve Martin, and Rob Farber.
 
Eurasian wigeon male reported continuing at San Elijo Lagoon by Sean Buchanan.
Greater scaup female reported continuing at San Elijo Lagoon by Robert Patton and Sean Buchanan.
Yellow-crowned night-heron reported continuing at Del Mar Public Works by Joni Ciarletta, Jerry Bischoff, Denise Riddle, and Lesley Marples.
Zone-tailed hawk reported continuing at lake Hodges by Tracy Henchbarger, Clark Mahrdt, Stacy McCline, Ed Hall, Ken Weaver, and Jim Zimmer.
Golden-crowned kinglet reported continuing near Crest Canyon/San Dieguito Lagoon by Dan King.
Summer tanager reported continuing in Solana Beach by Paul Lehman.
Western tanager found in El Camino Memorial Park by Hank Ingersoll, and at San Diego Botanic Garden by Manolo Turner and Gretchen Nell.
Dark-eyed (slate-colored) junco found at Sandburg Park in Mira Mesa by Jeff Spaulding and family.
Bullock’s oriole reported continuing in Solana Beach by Paul Lehman.
Lawrence’s goldfinch reported continuing in Fairbanks Ranch by Paul Lehman.
 
Greater white-fronted goose reported in San Dieguito River Valley by Paul Lehman, Phil Unitt, and David Trissel.
Cackling goose reported in San Dieguito River Valley by Phil Unitt and David Trissel.
Wood duck reported in Poway by Kirsten Winter and Jack Daynes.
Hooded merganser reported in Rancho Bernardo by Tim Burr, and in San Dieguito River Valley by Phil Unitt.
Northern fulmar reported offshore by Robert Patton, Stan Walens, and Paul Lehman.
Least bittern reported at Lake Miramar by Bruce Rideout.
Thayer’s gull reported continuing at Lake Miramar by Bruce Rideout and Paul Lehman.
Glaucous-winged gull reported continuing at Lake Miramar by Bruce Rideout and Paul Lehman, and at Torrey Pines beach by Robert Patton.
Caspian tern reported off Del Mar by Robert Patton.
Parasitic jaeger reported offshore by Robert Patton, Stan Walens, and Paul Lehman.
Sapsucker sp. reported in Harmony Grove by Patti Koger, Kathy Aldern, Carol Manning, and Jane Mygatt.
Downy woodpecker reported at San Elijo by Sean Buchanan, and in Encinitas by Barbara Swanson.
Barn swallow reported along the beach at Torrey Pines by David Holway.
Mountain chickadee reported in Harmony Grove by Kathy Aldern’s group, at Stagecoach Park by Tuck Russell, in Encinitas by Steve Cameron, Sue Smith, and Rita Campbell, and in Poway by Kirsten Winter and Jack Daynes.
Red-breasted nuthatch reported in Del Mar by Robert Patton.
White-breasted nuthatch reported by multiple groups.
Yellow-rumped (myrtle) warbler reported in Solana Beach by Paul Lehman.
Black-throated gray warbler reported in Del Mar by Paul Lehman, and photographed in Encinitas by Barbara Swanson.
Wilson’s warbler reported at San Dieguito Park by Joni Ciarletta’s group, and in Olivenhain by Betsy Vixie.
Purple finch in Harmony Grove by Kathy Aldern’s group.
Pine siskin reported in Rancho Bernardo by Tim Burr and by Allen Bond.
 
American wigeon x green-winged teal hybrid reported at San Elijo by Sean Buchanan.  Glaucous-winged x herring gull hybrid reported continuing at Lake Miramar by Bruce Rideout and Paul Lehman.  Costa’s hummingbird male reported in Del Mar by Robert Patton.Birds seen within the week of the count but not on the day of the count included Bald eagle at Lake Hodges reported by Lisa Ruby.
 
 I apologize for any mistakes, misspellings, etc.  Thanks again to all who participated.Happy new year!Robert PattonSan Diego, CA

Rhinoceros Auklet record irruption! hybrid oystercatcher

Rhinoceros Auklet record irruption! hybrid oystercatcher
By – 12:19 pm
Several of us were seawatching today, 31 Dec, at La Jolla starting at dawn. Started out pretty calm and with several thousand Black-vented Shearwaters very, very, very close to shore. One Brown Booby. No alcids. But then at 9:45 all of a sudden flocks of southbound Rhinoceros Auklets started streaming by. Groups ranged in size of singles up to the low 20s. They passed by in substantial numbers for an hour, and then for another hour in much smaller numbers. By noon the count was at 453 Rhino Auklets, by far a high total for the county, by over 2x. Certainly have never seen anything like it off southern California. (And with all those Rhinos, just 2 Common Murres were mixed in.)Also at La Jolla today, the high count of 10 Black Oystercatchers continue, as does the hybrid American X Black Oystercatcher. Good photos obtained. This could well be the same bird that was present there briefly in spring and then again for a more extended period in summer. Looks largely the same, and the uppertail coverts may even be slightly darker than they were in summer…alas!–Paul Lehman, San Diego

Kendall-Frost Nelson’s

Kendall-Frost Nelson’s

By – 11:06 am
The tide was high enough this morning (12/31/21) to push the NELSON”S SPARROW out of Kendall-Frost Marsh into its usual bush.It became active at 8:30, moved and perched until 8:40 when it flew back out into the Marsh. Jim Roberts University City

several-day miscellanea; gull issues at Miramar Lake

several-day miscellanea; gull issues at Miramar Lake
By – 5:52 am
On 30 Dec, a Masked/Nazca Booby off Cardiff may have been the same bird reported off Torrey Pines earlier the same day and a couple days before that at La Jolla. Maybe. In Solana Beach, the Magnolia Warbler continued but seems to have gotten less reliable in that same part of the park, a Summer Tanager continues, as does a couple Bullock’s Orioles and a wayward, coastal White-breasted Nuthatch. In Fairbanks Ranch a Vermilion Flycatcher and 5+ Lawrence’s Goldfinches continue, a Black-thr. Gray Warbler was in Del Mar, and there was a flock of 19 Greater White-fronted Geese in the eastern/inland section of the Surf Athletic Fields off Via de la Valle. On 29 Dec, yet another pugetensis White-crowned Sparrow was present locally, this one bordering Montgomery Field. On 28 Dec, the count of 25 Northern Fulmars from La Jolla is symptomatic of the good numbers present off the CA coast this year, and there were 3 Western Tanagers in Villa La Jolla Park.At Miramar Lake, the long-staying seven Common Goldeneyes (including two drakes) continue on the 30th, as does the interesting mix of white-winged gulls. There is “certainly” one first-cycle “Thayer’s” Iceland Gull, up to three first-cycle Glaucous-winged Gulls, and at least one first-cycle Glaucous-winged X Herring Gull. As well as a couple or more first-cycle Herrings. In reviewing eBird submissions of “Thayer’s” Gulls from that site over the past 3+ weeks, I’ve seen photos of the Thayer’s, of Glaucous-wingeds, and of the hybrid. (The hybrid looks very much like a Thayer’s, plumage wise, but is overall a bit large and definitely larger billed.) Anyway, take care when identifying these birds there, and it currently seems to be a good place to study these confusing taxa! Mid-day and afternoons are best for gull numbers there.–Paul Lehman

New Year’s Day pelagic trip reminder

New Year’s Day pelagic trip reminder

By – 10:06 am
Hello all, and Happy New Year,Just a reminder to those of you who signed up for the San Diego Field Ornithologists New Year’s Day Pelagic trip.We will meet just before 6:30 a.m.,Saturday morning at Seaforth Sportfishing Landing, in Mission Bay. Do not check in at the office.  Meet us on the patio area between the office and the docks. We will check you in and have you sign the boat manifest there.Parking in front of the landing and on the street is plentiful and free. Do not park in the lots to the east or west of the designated Seaforth Sportfishing parking area.That could get expensive.The weather and seas forecast currently seems to be much improved for Saturday, and we will keep an eye on that. Offshore conditions right now are a mess. Predictions, as of this morning, are that it will start to come down Friday ( maybe even sooner, as it’s sunny and near calm here at this moment ??). I will keep you posted if conditions, other than weather service predictions occur.At minimum I would be prepared for cool temperatures and motion, and of course we will not go into unsafe conditions.I have not checked with the landing on any new covid protocols, but I would have a mask along incase. I need not remind you if you are sick or showing symptoms don’t show and don’t go. We do have a small number of spaces available, if you get a last minute urge to come along with us. I would suggest you show up Saturday morning with cash or a check to SDFO in the amount of $65 for current (2022 ) members and their guests, or $85 for non members. Certainly you can pay your 2022 SDFO membership at that time if you wish.I hope your New Year is healthy, prosperous, and full of good birds.Dave PoveyDulzura

continuing north county rarities 12-29-21 and RSF CBC still scheduled 12-30-21

continuing north county rarities 12-29-21 and RSF CBC still scheduled 12-30-21
By – 2:53 pm
The Lewis’ woodpecker continued this morning around 8:50 at eastern Penasquitos Canyon, perching and giving single note “peek” calls from the top of the tallest sycamore just off the SW edge of the pipe corral about 100-200 yds west of the adobe ranch house.The magnolia warbler continued in upper San Dieguito Park around 11 am, foraging in the tallest eucalyptus on the east side of the parking lot opposite & to the NE of the tot lot & playground area where it was previously frequenting.The Rancho Santa Fe Christmas Bird Count will continue as scheduled tomorrow.  I’m praying that the weather tomorrow will follow that of each day this week – dismal forecasts of rain all day being frequently revised & at least enough pockets of no or light rain to make birding possible.  I encourage participants to regularly check local doppler radar and hourly forecasts.  Stay safe but please at least attempt a token effort to cover your pre-assigned areas.  (Due to covid precautions, there will be no compilation meeting or lunch, but please try to get at least a species list to me before Fri morning so we can share preliminary results.  If it’s easier for you than submitting the previously sent checklist & forms, I’ll accept results on eBird lists as long as those lists are either shared to me through eBird or copied and pasted into an email, and the time and mileage effort are forwarded.)Thanks & good luck!Robert PattonSan Diego, CA  

La Jolla Cove, 12/29

La Jolla Cove, 12/29
By – 1:11 pm
Still huge numbers of black-vents near shore. A handful of close fulmars. Huge numbers of people; negative number of parking spaces. With people clambering all over the rocks, no sign of oystercatchers reported this morning on eBird. Stan Walens, San DiegoDec 29, 2021; 1:10 pm

Favorite County Birding Hotspots?

Favorite County Birding Hotspots?
By – 11:42 am
As a recently moved to San Diego birder, I am looking to compile a list of favorite birding hotspots.  I live in North County and frequent Batiquitos and San Elijo Lagoons, and La Jolla Cove but I would love to hear other recommendations and I am willing to travel nearly anywhere.  You can reply to me individually or to the group if you prefer.  Thank you in advance.

Preliminary Results for Oceanside CBC – 26 December 2021

Preliminary Results for Oceanside CBC – 26 December 2021
By – 7:35 am
Not all areas have been completely tabulated for the December 26, 2001 Oceanside CBC, but the preliminary estimate is 179 species, a bit under what we have had in the past few years. Several areas were not counted due to offshore weather conditions and lack of participants, but we were able to get on Camp Pendleton once again. We had 81 participants, about the same as last year (further recruiting of SD birders necessary).Notable species include Greater White-fronted Goose (Libby Lakes), Common Murre (seawatch), Iceland Gull (Buena Vista Lagoon), Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (San Luis Rey River), Red-naped Sapsucker (Gopher Canyon- north), Plumbeous Vireo (Las Palmas St. Carlsbad), Cactus Wren (Camp Pendleton), Purple Finch (Leo Carrillo, Gopher Canyon- south), Grasshopper Sparrow (Camp Pendleton), Green-tailed Towhee (Carlsbad Outlet), Hermit Warbler (Buddy Todd), Palm Warbler (Carlsbad Outlet, Fire Mountain), Yellow Warbler (Carlsbad residential, Oceanside WWTP), Wilson’s Warbler (Buena Vista Lagoon, San Luis Rey River), Summer Tanager (El Arbol Carlsbad), Western Tanager (Carlsbad residential).Thanks to everyone who participated in our CBC. Much gratitude to Paul Lehman for conducting the compilation, filling the gaps of coverage, and being most helpful throughout. Buena Vista Audubon hosted the event at the Nature Center and many thanks to the Board of Directors/staff/volunteers, including Joan and Bo Bockman, Pat Brown, Annette Schneider, and Natalie Shapiro. Thanks to Tim Burr for coordinating efforts at Camp Pendleton, and monumental thanks to Joni Ciarletta for compiling the data.Jane MygattCarlsbad

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