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Monthly Archives: July 2024

misc, and upcoming weekend double pelagic trips

11:05 am

First, some quick miscellanea.  6 Lesser Yellowlegs continued in the Tijuana River Valley (west of Hollister) on 29 July. The past several days have seen the arrival of juvenile shorebirds of the following species: Marbled Godwit, Long-billed Curlew, Least and Western Sandpipers, and Red-necked Phalarope. A summering flock of 17 Surf Scoters is near the mouth of San Diego Bay (bait barges area). A July 31st visit to outer Point Loma in search of early autumn landbird transients produced 2 migrant Black-headed Grosbeaks. Fall is here!
For those going on one or both of the AUGUST 3rd AND 4th PELAGIC TRIPS:

This is a reminder about the Buena Vista Audubon
sponsored pelagic birding trips out of Seaforth Landing in Mission Bay
this coming weekend.
There are trips on both Saturday and Sunday, so double-check your reservation date! The Saturday trip is full. The Sunday trip has only a few spaces remaining (as of early Weds).
Those
of you signed up for the trip(s), plan to arrive and check in at the office
between 6 and 6:15 AM. Then go to the patio to sign the boat manifest (have
your receipt in hand ), and the eBird shared-checklist sign-in if interested. Then an orientation will commence at 6:30AM.
Please be aware that fishing is good and parking will be limited. Importantly, park only in the landing’s parking lot or on the street. Both are free. Parking lots to the east and west require a permit and they may tow your vehicle. If you have questions about parking, ask the office staff or the birding leaders before boarding. 
We
will board about 6:45. The boat will depart at 7AM. FYI, if
you’re not on board at that time, we will not wait.
Looks like we have a nice
weather and seas forecast. As always do plenty of sunscreen, even if
overcast, a hat, sunglasses, and stay hydrated. If you take motion
medications (better safe than sorry!), take them well beforehand. We recommend layers of clothing, as it
can be cool in the morning and fairly warm in the afternoon.
The boat has snacks and drinks for purchase, but you will likely wish to bring your own more substantive food.
The next scheduled pelagic birding trip out of San Diego (Mission Bay) is Sunday Aug. 25th. There are also three trips in September. For details see www.sandiegopelagics.com. You may also book directly at www.sdwhale.com.


Paul Lehman, Dave Povey, and others, San Diego

Re: Gray Catbird

6:19 pm

People are asking how early is early. Dawn is fine as fine as you’re respectful which of course, another Duh, we always are!!

I’d put my cell here but it feels weird for some reason – Happy to give it if you respond here just to me. I’ll get there early haha. Whatever that means.

Gray Catbird

5:30 pm

We just had Gray Catbird – residential Point Loma off Silvergate – Owner is Holly McMillan and Jim Chute. They welcome people tomorrow early to their back yard. The large yard is newly renovated with incredible natural looking fountains and native plants There is a viewing area and if you can enter quietly from Silvergate starting early – and come into the gate and down towards the back yard quietly they say you’re ok.

Problems: Huge construction on Silvergate roads – Will be loud after 7 am.

Catalina, left on Rosecroft, right on Silvergate. Address is 420 Silvergate – a very long driveway and pass several homes before you get to the last home. You’d be walking right into their driveway area. Then turn right and you’ll see wooden gate before you get to house. They’ll prop gate open Walk next to house towards back – It’s all a little rocky and full of roots. You’ll see a big bench and there’s space to sit there or behind it. I think the bird scares easily. (Duh). There are two gorgeous rocky fountains and lots of bird feeders. The Gray Catbird actually followed a Hooded Oriole to a grape jelly feeder, then went off to back of yard in tall redwood.
If you know me you can text me – I’ll go early tomorrow. Parking will be tricky perhaps with the road work. There’s parking on Trudy Lane and a sneaky way to get to their driveway. They say it’s ok.

Of course one never knows. But maybe that bird liked the water and jelly and could return. They had one here a couple years ago and although many tried the next day, it didn’t return. Tried for photos of this one but missed when going for camera.

Total bird-watching yard so at least you’ll see something!!!

Re: Yellow-green Vireo continues at Zoo

9:32 am

Good morning SD,

Yellow-green Vireo continues in the same general area as described. Silent. Seen with Escondido Mike (?) at approx. 0915. Last seen heading SE of the Grill. Currently trying to refind for better views.

Happy Hunting,
Sylvia Afable :))
Huntington Beach

Re: Stint at J Street

1:03 pm

After photo review by several, the bird appears to be the infamous Little Stint, returning for its seventh winter. This appears to be the first time this bird has ever been seen at J Street!
—
Nick Thorpe
University Heights

Stint at J Street

10:33 am

I just had either a Red-necked or Little Stint at J Street, which has unfortunately flushed towards Saltworks with 1000 WESAs with the incoming tide. Not sure if there’s shorebird habitat in Pond 20 right now, but high tide is at 4pm. Some photos in a checklist, with more to be added.
 
—
Nick Thorpe
University Heights

American Oystercatcher, new Neotropic

4:39 pm

A new, adult Neotropic Cormorant was present at dawn Saturday morning at the upper end of Sweetwater Reservoir, roosting with about a dozen Double cresteds. The birds only spend the night there and go elsewhere during most of the day. It is a long ways to those trees so a good scope is needed.

The potential American Oystercatcher present the last several days at La Jolla, particularly near Children’s Pool, was photographed extensively this morning at rest by Nancy C. Scoring her photos by several people produced a “Jehl Scale” total of between 30 and 32, all of which are within the countable American total which starts at 30 and goes up. As shown in Nancy’s photos, there is also a more obvious hybrid there as well, so be careful which bird you see. Perhaps this is the same bird that was present at the same time of year last year, as a juvenile, on almost the same rocks.
Paul Lehman, San Diego 

Re: Early Zoo entrance

2:08 pm

Membership that includes early entrance one day a month: (not the ones with blockout dates)
San Diego Resident Premium
Wildlife Protector Premium
Wildlife Guardian
Wildlife Champion
On Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 01:58:42 PM PDT, Nancy Christensen <nancy.r.christensen@…> wrote:
One day a month the zoo opens an hour early for members only. July 28 (Sunday) morning is the day this month. Looking at the website for the zoo, it looks like it takes a certain level of membership to be eligible. I’m not sure of those details. But for those who keep missing the YG Vireo by just a few minutes – check your membership level and give it a try!
Nancy Christensen
Ramona
A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.
Chinese Proverb

Early Zoo entrance

1:58 pm

One day a month the zoo opens an hour early for members only. July 28 (Sunday) morning is the day this month. Looking at the website for the zoo, it looks like it takes a certain level of membership to be eligible. I’m not sure of those details. But for those who keep missing the YG Vireo by just a few minutes – check your membership level and give it a try!

Nancy Christensen
Ramona

A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.
Chinese Proverb

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