Hello, and welcome to the Plumas County "Birder's
News." This page contains copies of e-mails sent by birders from
all over Plumas County. If you'd like to add bird sightings to
it, just join the list (above) and send your message. We'll post
new messages here as we receive them.
July 28,2010
David Arsenault
Hi Birders,
I saw a Long-billed Dowitcher in Red Clover Valley
yesterday on Red Clover Creek by the corral (private
land just west of Dixie Creek confluence).
The list has been updated so please respond to all
recipients of this message for your next posting.
Good birding,
David
July
26, 2010
Scott & Amber Edwards
Hi
Birders,
Yesterday, on Plumas Audubon’s bird walk on the Mill
Creek Trail along Bucks Lake
we tallied 29 species of birds. While still in the
parking area we heard a SWAINSON’S THRUSH singing from
deep in the woods across the road. As soon as we set off
on the trail we found a male WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER
that flew from tree to tree seemingly escorting us in.
Upon reaching the lakeshore we started hearing YELLOW
WARBLERS. We found 7 warbler species in total, some
allowing great views. A HERMIT WARBLER was foraging
unusually low in a tree right beside the trail & a male
WILSON’S WARBLER posed in a bush right in front of us,
providing perfect views for all. Also seen were many
WARBLING VIREOS, one feeding babies next to the trail.
Another highlight was an easily seen pair of WESTERN
TANAGERS chasing around in the open. At mid-day we had
lunch at Rocky Point enjoying the beautiful view of the
lake while a chipmunk circled us hoping for a scrap.
After lunch we began heading back and on the way a FOX
SPARROW was foraging in the middle of the trail, we
watched it shuffle back & forth looking for food for a
few minutes before moving along. All in all a lovely
walk on a beautiful woodland trail full of
Swallow-tailed Butterflies, Leopard Lilies and lots of
breeding birds. Good Birding! ~Amber & Scott
The
complete bird list in order as found:
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Swainson’s Thrush
Dark-eyed Junco
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Mountain Chickadee
White-headed Woodpecker
Western-wood Pewee
Mallard
Yellow
Warbler
Song
Sparrow
American Robin
Warbling Vireo
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Hermit
Warbler
Western Tanager
Orange-crowned Warbler
Dusky
Flycatcher
Common
Merganser
Cassin’s Vireo
Nashville
Warbler
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Wilson’s Warbler
Fox
Sparrow
MacGillivray’s Warbler
Stellar’s Jay
Turkey
Vulture
Bald
Eagle
Brown
Creeper
Purple
Finch
July 23, 2010
Scott and Amber Edwards
Tony Hall has
organized this trip for next
Saturday July 24.
Mill Creek Trail follows the
shore of Buck’s
Lake through a beautiful woodland habitat and
has lots of breeding birds, butterflies and wildflowers.
Bucks Lake: Plumas
Audubon Society Bird Walk starting at 8 am at Mill
Creek trailhead on the right hand side of Bucks Lake
Rd. 0.3 mile past Whitehorse Campground led by Scott and
Amber Edwards. Bring binoculars, and food and drinks for
a picnic along the trail if you wish to walk past noon.
We hope to see you there.
July 21, 2010
Linda and Harry Reeves
Sally Yost tells us she woke at about 7:30 AM to the
sound of a bobwhite quail calling nearby. Around 8:00 AM
she went out in the yard and the bobwhite was calling
from a neighboring rooftop. How the quail showed up in
Taylorsville is anybody's guess.
July 14, 2010
Colin Dillingham
This morning I saw 3 rufous hummingbirds at the feeders. I have been
watching the feeders extensively last 4 days, and this was the first ones
at my feeders this "fall". Yes, it is the beginning of the fall migration
for rufous hummingbirds. They will start dominating your hummingbird
feeders with their aggressive behavior in the next 1 - 2 weeks. I have
about 20 calliope and 8 or so Anna's also coming in right now. It is
always interesting to watch the hummingbird species change as the rufous
show up. Male calliope are already uncommon as some of them have left for
other environs (higher elevation I suppose).
July 13, 2010
David Arsenault
River and I camped at Willow Lake
Sunday night. There were numerous
Sora calling through the night and some Spotted Owl
fledglings calling from across the lake.
In the morning we heard a Yellow Rail that was
pretty close to the trail just past the “x”.
River wondered why we couldn’t see the bird and
we were both impressed by its call.
We saw a Lincoln’s Sparrow feeding hidden young in the
marsh in the same location. There
was a Bald Eagle, Sandhill Crane, and Belted Kingfisher
around the lake. Tons of great birds at this amazing
spot! And we also generously fed a plethora of
mosquitoes.
Note that the last few messages accidentally added
sierra-nevadabirds@yahoogroups.com to the list.
This message is sent to an updated list so please
respond to all recipients for your next posting.
July 9, 2010
Colin Dillingham
The Great-tailed Grackle group at Hansen's pond (Quincy, American Valley
at Quincy Junction Rd and Chandler Rd intersection) is still present.
Angie Dillingham and I saw 1 male and at least 3 females last evening. We
were attempting to verify breeding (young), but were unable to confirm
adults feeding young.
July 8, 2010
Scott & Amber
Hi
Birders,
The YELLOW RAILS are
still present & calling at the West end of
Willow
Lake. We were there this
morning around 6:30, we heard the first one calling
incessantly from the tall grasses as we neared the “X”
and then we realized a second one was calling from
further West, a little bit closer to the trail. This is
a beautiful location full of really cool bog plants that
need to be protected - we were very careful not to
trample.
Amber
& Scott
July 6, 2010
David Arsenault
I
wanted to let you know about a Flammulated Owl mother
lode near Lake Davis. It’s along the
west side of Crocker Mountain, mostly along forest road
24N76Y, which starts across from Grasshopper Flat
campground. The population is a bit
of work to get to because the road has been
decommissioned so you have to hike about 1.5 miles on
the road to get to the owls. You can
also get there from above by taking forest road 24N53YA,
which starts across from Lighting Tree Point.
Along about a mile stretch of road 24N76Y between
6,400 and 7,000 feet elevation you can hear 2-4
Flammulated Owls from any given point.
There are probably at least 10 territories in a 1
square km area. This is the largest,
most concentrated population I have found in Plumas or
Lassen counties.
I also wanted to report on the
Burrowing Owls in Sierra Valley.
Several people have reported on the owls along Heriot
Lane at the county line and on A-24 at the corner with
the railroad cars just down from the Maddalena Ranch.
On June 11, my son River and I checked these two
locations and found active nesting burrows at each.
The nests were in old badger burrows.
The attached pictures show the nesting burrow
found along A-24 just on the other side of the railroad
cars. If you can’t see it well,
River is pointing it out in the second picture!
On June 20, Bob Battagin reported 2 fledgling
burrowing owls at the Heriot Lane nest, so they started
coming out of the burrow sometime between June 11 and
20. On June 11, River and I also
checked other locations where burrowing owls have been
seen earlier this year and in historic years around
Sierra Valley including Maddalena Road north of 70, Hwy
49 south of Dyson, and Hwy 49/89 west of Sierraville.
We didn’t find any owls in those locations.
June 28, 2010
Francis Oliver
Decided to go find the YELLOW
RAIL today, so I left my house really early. After
stumbling around I finally found the road to Willow
Lake, and saw Peter Gaede as he was driving
out. After stopping to give me directions to the
site I was on my way. And upon my arrival at the
lake I found friends from Alta-cal Audubon camping
there, so Warren Patten decided to join me in my
quest.
We walked along the trail that
skirts the lake and marsh on the east side,
eventually stopping at the marker that Peter had
placed along the L side of the trail. From here you
could easily hear the YELLOW RAIL calling. The rails
called on & off throughout the morning. We heard at
least 2 maybe 3. Its a beautiful marsh, with lots of
other birds nesting there. Some highlights were:
SORA, W. SNIPE, SANDHILL CRANES, SONG SPARROWS
(lots of mosquitoes for food!!!). And around the
lake are lots of trees with nests of HAIRY
WOODPECKERS, RB SAPSUCKERS, PILEATED WOODPECKERS,
MT. CHICKADEES, WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, etc.(these are
just a few of the birds we saw carrying food or
feeding young during my brief time there).
Oh and my friends, they had
already heard the rails yesterday during their hike
along the trail on the way to the geysers in Lassen
Park. I think Peter had stopped by and let them know
of this bird as well. And later this morning the
ranger stopped by and let us know that this has been
a known location since 2006! Oh well, it was a great
find anyway by Peter anyway.
DIRECTIONS: From Chester take the
road NW (Feather River drive?) that goes toward
Warner Valley & Juniper Lake. In a short distance
the road splits. Stay L - called Warner Valley Rd?
(road to the R will go to Juniper Lake). Stay L
again when the road splits (toward Mineral), road to
the R becomes Warner Valley Rd toward Drakesblad).
In a short distance, along the R side of the road,
you will see a spray painted sign that says WILLOW
LAKE.. Take that road. It eventually ends at Willow
Lake. Park over by the bathroom and walk E along the
lake & marsh. Keep walking through the trees to you
to you almost run out of marsh. You will see an "X"
along side the L side of the trail. Between the 2
trees that are decaying and are laying along side
the marsh you will hear the rails.
June 25, 2010
Anthony Hall
Twenty of us had an excellent bird walk on Spanish
Ranch led by Darrel Jury and Darla DeRuiter on the
morning of June 19. We saw 34 bird species listed
below. On leaving our cars on Bucks Lake Road we
were serenaded by Western Wood-Pewees in the trees.
A Pygmy Nuthatch came so close we didn't need to use
binoculars and we got a good view of a Red-breasted
Sapsucker. When crossing Spanish Creek we
saw Yellow Warblers, Black Phoebes and a Common
Merganser. In the meadow on the utility lines and
in nest boxes installed by Darrel there were many
Tree Swallows and some Cliff Swallows. A Wilson's
Snipe flew by. As we walked towards the lower end
of Spanish Creek we saw an Orange-crowned Warbler.
At the bridge there was a nest of an American Dipper
and one of the dippers spent much time on a rock
giving everyone close views. The high-light for me
was a male Lazuli Bunting that spent much time on
top of a pine tree on a dirt road at the entrance to
the old Meadow Valley lumber mill. The Spanish
Ranch and adjacent dirt road to the old lumber mill
are an excellent area for taking a bird walk.
Western Wood-Pewee, Pygmy Nuthatch, Steller's Jay,
Song Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, Evening Grosbeak,
Mourning Dove, European Starling, Red-breasted
Sapsucker, Dark-eyed Junco, Brewer's Blackbird,
Spotted Towhee, Black Phoebe, Cliff Swallow,
Black-headed Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Common
Merganser, Tree Swallow, Wilson's Snipe, Lesser
Goldfinch, American Robin, Calliope Hummingbird,
Turkey Vulture, Orange-crowned Warbler, Pine Siskin,
American Dipper, Chipping Sparrow, Red-winged
Blackbird, Northern Flicker, Nashville Warbler,
Cassin's Vireo, Mountain Chickadee, House Wren and
Lazuli Bunting.
June 19, 2010
Bob Battagin
I've been in Sierra Valley the last two days. As
Mac McCormick mentioned to me, there is a dirth of
Marsh Wrens - I heard and saw only two.
Today there were two Peregrine Falcons and two adult
Bald Eagles along the unpaved section of Dyson
Lane. The Burrowing Owls being reported on the west
side of Heriot Lane at the Plumas/Sierra County line
were there this afternoon. There were four Barn
Owls in the open hay barn across from the entrance
to the Roberti Ranch on Dyson Lane (A24). Also at
this location there were two Long-billed Curlews in
a field across Dyson Lane from the barn. The
Swainson Hawks and their nest are still active on
Dyson Lane in the trees just west of the junction of
Dyson Lane and Harriet Lane. Driving along the
Antelope Valley Road loop both a Rubber Boa and
a Western Rattlesnake were on the road.
Yesterday we saw a Prairie Falcon at the Loyalton
city park/museum. Near the two small bridges east
of the junction of Dyson Lane and A23 we heard three
separate American Bitterns calling. At the Rotary
Park a couple miles up Smith Neck Road out of
Loyalton there were two Golden Eagles.
Driving into Quincy this evening I saw eight
White-faced Ibis cruising over Thompson Valley and
there was a fly-over Common Nighthawk along Jackson
Ave in Quincy proper.
June 17, 2010
Francis Oliver
Today I finally had the
opportunity to visit the
Maddalena Ranch Wildlife
Preserve. What
a beautiful day it was! Everywhere you looked was a
carpet of flowers. I scanned the wetlands carefully
over the next hour looking for the reported pair of BLUE-WINGED
TEALS. After about an hour the pair finally
showed up. They were S of
the tower in the grassy area. But what was even a
bigger surprise was the COMMON MOORHEN
that appeared from the grassy area in the NW corner
of the preserve. Now if I could only find an area
like this in Sierra!
After leaving the preserve I
checked out the railroad flatbed cars (along
A24) and found a BURROWING OWL. The
owl was hunched down and barely visible. I stopped
to scope the cars from where the road curves to the
South.
After tearing myself away from
Sierra Valley I headed up to Quincy. I stopped to
bird along Chandler Rd, the creek, Main Ranch Rd,
and some bird feeders (corner of Chandler & Quincy
Junction Rd), progressing uphill to the chaparral
along Mt. Hough Rd.
Highlights were: 2
CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRDS; many
singing NASHVILLE WARBLERS
& LAZ BUNTINGS; 2 WRENTITS; a male GT
GRACKLES; PS FLYCATCHERS;
an OC & YELLOW WARBLER, HOUSE WRENS (carrying food),
WARBLING VIREO, etc.
The most unusual heard only
bird was an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER.
I noticed it since I had just spend 3 days down in S
Cal. mountains & desert and they were everywhere.
But as I thought about it I realize that it
probably was a very unusual sighting for Plumas. I
can only say it was along Chandler Rd around the
creek. So maybe one of you can track it down better.
I looked for it later and I couldn't re-find it.
Sorry!
June 12, 2010
Raymond Gipson
You
can not miss that pecking and neat color. My wife
caught him landing in tree right in front of her. Nice
Red-breasted Sapsucker with all the right colors and
plumage in order. Enjoy
June11, 2010
Bob Battagin
I spent most of the day birding with Golden Gate
Audubon Society in Sierra Valley. Although a bit
windy and cool in the morning, the weather improved
as the day went on and we had great time seeing the
abundant and varied bird species. Always of
interest are Vesper Sparrow, Sage Thrasher, and
Brewer's Sparrow and we saw all three species. The
were two BARN OWLS in the open barn across from the
entrance to the Roberti Ranch along Dyson Lane/A24.
At the Loyalton sewer ponds we had a SWAINSON'S HAWK
and two COMMON NIGHTHAWKS. At the Rotary Park up
Smith Neck Road were the expected Lewis's
Woodpeckers, Lazuli Buntings, and just as we were
about to leave, two GOLDEN EAGLES soared over. At
the end of the day I checked for Burrowing Owls
along Heriot/Harriet Lane with no luck, but going on
a posting from Jim Lomax earlier in the week did
find one BURROWING OWL along A24 where it parallels
the RR tracks for a 1/4 mile just east of the
Maddalena Ranch.
The owl was perched on one of the RR container flat
cars.
Yesterday I looked for the Great-tailed Grackles at
Hanson's Pond along Quincy Junction Road in American
Valley and found four individuals. One male and
three females types. Either we've got polygamy
going on or there was a successful nesting at that
pond.
June 10, 2010
Bob Battagin
Hi Plumas Birders,
Yesterday I birded sections of Indian Valley and
North Arm. In the willows just below the bridge at
the Taylorsville "T" I saw and heard at least four
YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS. In the field north of
Stampfli Lane between Highway 89 and the RR tracks
there was a WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. I noticed seven
SANDHILL CRANES while driving around various parts
of Indian Valley and North Arm. Colin, I know
you're keeping an eye on EUROPEAN
COLLARED-DOVES....there were two in the cottonwoods
at 4368 Nelson St. in Taylorsville.
June 10, 2010
Scott & Amber
Hi Birders,
Today we went canoeing
out from Maddelena Ranch, the wildflowers were amazing
and the marsh was full of nesting birds. We saw a mostly
albino MALLARD, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL,
PINTAIL, REDHEAD, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, WHITE-FACED IBIS,
WILSON’S SNIPE, SAVANNA SPARROW, WILSON’S PHALAROPE &
WILLIT (two buzzed us as we passed). Upon leaving we
were surprised to see that several of the new nest boxes
are already in use by TREE SWALLOWS
May 30, 2010
Phil Gordon
Greeting Plumas Birders,
The
following birds were found at the Maddalena
Ranch on Saturday, May 29 during the dedication
of the viewing platform, bird walk, canoeing,
and barbeque by the Plumas Audubon and Feather
River Land Trust
Canada Goose 30 +/-
Gadwall 10
Mallard 20 +/-
Blue-winged Teal 2 (pr.) (PAG & others)
Cinnamon Teal 2 (pr.)+ (PAG & others)
Northern Pintail 2 (pr.)
Green-winged Teal 5
Redhead 4 (2 pr.)
Pied-billed Grebe 1 (PAG)
Am. White Pelican 6
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret 1
White-faced Ibis 80 +/-
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1 (sub-adult - 3rd
yr.?) (chased Osprey that had a carp)
Am. Coot 5 +
Sandhill Crane 5
Killdeer 2
Black-necked Stilt 2 (pr.)
Am. Avocet 4 (another reported as
seen on NEST?)
Willet 15 +/- (much
displaying w/ high, flight calls;( two
aggressively attacked and chased( each other
-
courtship? territoriality?)
Wilson's Phalarope 2 (pr. in bright
alternate plumage)
Ring-billed Gull 20 +/-
Mourning Dove 4 +
Common Nighthawk 1
Common Raven 3 +
Horned Lark h (heard only)
PURPLE MARTIN 1 female (Cliff Swallows
flying nearby - (over channels in marsh)
(PEG)
Cliff Swallow 20 +/-
Sage Thrasher 10 + (many singing atop
tall Great Basin Sage; (others on fences and
posts)
(one
continuously sang without any longer
(pauses for a count of 54
seconds-astounding!)
Brewer's Sparrow 8 - 10 (several singing
- up to 5 - 6 seconds [ not full 8 sec.]
Savannah Sparrow 10 + (several singing
atop marsh plants)
Song Sparrow 2 h
Red-winged Blackbird 3 +
Western Meadowlark 4 + h
Yellow-headed Blackbird 15 + (included a few
females)
Brewer's Blackbird 40 +/-
Phil E. Gordon (PAG = Pat Gordon)
Hayward, Alameda County
May 30, 2010
Francis Oliver
Yesterday, John Luther,
Jim Rowoth, Liz West and I birded mostly in
Plumas Co. WE started out at a private
residence hoping to see the HOODED ORIOLE
that had been coming to a feeder in
Graeagle. We met some wonderful folks from
the Plumas birding community (Collin & Henry
D., Scott & Amber, Rob & Sharon), saw some
great birds at the feeders, but
unfortunately the Hooded Oriole was MIA.
Birded around Graeagle for awhile,
then around Davis Lake, and finished out the
day in Sierra Valley.
The highlights included:
2 FRANKLIN'S GULLS along
Marble Hot Springs Rd, 3 BLACK TERNS &
an adult BALD EAGLE along
Heriot Ln. After crossing into Sierra Co we
found 2 BURROWING OWLS
standing out in the field W of the road,
which is the same area as last year.
The FRANKLIN'S
GULLS were in a mixed group of
gulls along the S side of Marbled Hot
Springs Rd. before the bridge. John first
noted a dark hooded gull and when it was
confirmed that it was a Franklin's we
noticed that there was a second one in the
flock.
The BLACK TERNS
were first found by Scott & Amber along
Heriot Ln and reported to us when we saw
them again later in the day.
All in All in was a
great day to be out!
May 27, 2010
Raymond Gipson
We
have about a half dozen green-tailed towhees in our yard
this year and we have had more than 8 pairs of Black
Headed Gross beaks around the yard all the time. There
were less in the past as these are often in and around
the feeders and pond all at one time.
May 27, 2010
Scott and Amber
Hi birders, today
during the storms we were treated to the sight of a
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE doing his shuffle among the
manzanitas right outside our window. He stayed around a
few hours and even posed on a log several times, but no
we did not get a picture.
J
Amber & Scott
May 25, 2010
David Arsenault
Hi Birders,
Scott,
Amber, Tony, and I went out to Sharon and Rob Adams'
house in Graeagle to try and see a male Hooded Oriole
that they have had at their house for several days. We
stayed from about 9-11 am with no luck, but Sharon and
Rob had seen it at around 7:30 this morning. This is
only the second record for Hooded Oriole in Plumas
County. Sharon took the awesome picture that is
attached.
May 21, 2010
Raymond Gipson
Yesterday
I went out in the valley and just after crossing the
Steel Bridge coming from the west, I ran into this
female, and her hubby nearby, nesting just a couple of
hundred feet from the road in the grasses right at the
east end of the bride. She seemed to not be scared,
just cautious and male had just flown off to feed
farther out in the marsh area. The one that was nesting
in big pond near house is gone and seems to have had her
nest flooded over. So do not know if she hatched before
that happened as little island is gone under water right
now. Nice Black crowned night heron out there also that
was the grayest all over that I have every seen.
Beautiful bird. The other usual were scattered around
the area but is was fairly windy. Also ran into Garby
Hayes the photographer out there with his 600 MM lens
checking things out also. He does good work. Can see
his stuff in Sierraville gallery and in Gold Rush in
shop in Graeagle if you have not seen his work.
May 17, 2010
Colin Dillingham
I've
been paying close attention to the expansion of collared
doves in Plumas and Sierra County the past 4-5 years
when they were first sighted in the county. There seem
to be firmly established populations in Chester, Quincy,
Loyalton and Vinton, but all the populations are still
small. I have yet to find more than 10 in a single day
birding, but almost never go with an intense day of
birding without seeing one if I visit one of the 4
mentioned towns above. During our Sierra Valley birding
day on Saturday, we didn't see any. I have never seen
one in Beckwourth so your sitting is notable.
May 14, 2010
Raymond Gipson
We saw our first pair of Eurasian Doves out here
under our big feeder. I ran to get the camera but as I
got back they took off so no photo. I waited to see if
they came back. One of them was back under feeder
tonight at about 5:45 pm and again it took off before we
could get the camera. Have these doves ever been
sighted out here before. We are right next to
Beckwourth just north of where HWY 70 and A23 come
together. I am hoping since at least one was back
tonight that they may be hanging around here for awhile.
May 10, 2010
Colin Dillingham
David Arsenault and I
broke the record for the most number of species of birds
found in Plumas County in a single 24 hour period. We
found 152 species during our marathon birding adventure,
which broke the previous record of 150 species. We met
at 4:00 AM and birded until 10 PM, searching for owls
and rails in the dark and everything else from dawn to
dusk. Our travels took us all over the county. We
birded American Valley, Butterfly Valley, Indian Valley,
Sierra Valley, Little Last Chance Creek Canyon and
Frenchman Reservoir, Lake Almanor, Keddie Ridge Rd (out
of Indian Valley), Peppard Flat Rd (out of Quincy),
Boyle Ravine (Quincy), Sloat/Long Valley and Delleker.
What great fun!
Our highlights include: A grand
slam on all 6 species of wrens possible in Plumas
County, probably the first time I've ever accomplished
that.
Great-tailed Grackles - 3 at
Hansen's pond including one male and 2 females, one of
which was carrying nesting material and a 4th grackle by
call only in Chester on 2nd Avenue.
Canyon Wren - Beckwourth Butte
off of Money Rd in Sierra Valley
Ducks - many species of migrant
ducks that were late leaving this year at both Sierra
Valley and Lake Almanor. We found 17 species yesterday.
Terns - Black, Forster's and
Caspian at Almanor
Grebes - Horned and Eared in
breeding plumage at Lake Almanor near Canyon Dam boat
ramp.
Owls - 5 species
May 8, 2010
Scott & Amber
Today we birded around
Lake
Almanor and the
Humbug Valley.
Here are the highlights - we saw OSPREY in the nest by
the dam and fishing in nearby Geritol cove along with 3
COMMON LOONS in breeding plumage, several WESTERN GREBES
and a HORNED GREBE. About 40 FORSTER’S TERNS were on a
small rock island (with a tattered flag) alongside
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS. Near the drainage canal, we
were surprised to find a WESTERN KINGBIRD, and an
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. Also present in this area was a
SPOTTED SANDPIPER, WHITE PELICAN, BALD EAGLES, and TREE
SWALLOWS using a Wood Duck box in which they had their
own small entrance holes, who made these holes?
Nuthatches? On the way up to Humbug at the aspen grove
we found WILLIAMSON’S SAPSUCKER, RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER,
DOWNEY WOODPECKER, CASSIN’S VIREO & HERMIT WARBLER. At
the turnoff to the spring in
Humbug Valley
there was an especially bright WILSON’S WARBLER, YELLOW
WARBLERS, & YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS. In the meadow
behind the old cabin we found a GRAY FLYCATCHER, HORNED
LARKS, MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD & a young WESTERN BLUEBIRD, no
“fitz-bew” yet.
May 4, 2010
Julie Newman
I saw two male lazuli buntings around our house
on the south slope above Chandler this weekend (one with
non-breeding plumage - brown feathers on head).
Yesterday evening, we saw three males and one female at
one of our feeders. This is the first time we have seen
them at our feeders which we hung up in 2004. Are they
common in this area? - soooo beautiful!
May 3, 2010
Colin Dillingham
The La Porte Rd/Thompson
Valley sandhill crane nest appeared to be abandoned and
I was afraid the nest might have been flooded out.
However, I noticed the adults about 100 yards away and
they had 2 tiny sandhill crane chicks yesterday morning
(May 2). Pretty early for crane chicks!
I also saw 6 Eurasian collared-doves on my bike ride
yesterday, well scattered along Chandler, Quincy
Junction and Bell Lane. I still haven't found 10
collared doves in a single day in Plumas and/or Sierra
county.
May 3, 2010
Scott and Amber
Today we hiked up Boyle
Ravine looking for WINTER WREN and found one singing
where the trail takes a sharp left up the side hill away
from the creek. Also present were several PACIFIC SLOPE
FLYCATCHERS. Throughout the ravine there were so many
HERMIT WARBLERS singing we could not count them all, the
most we’ve ever seen in one place and doing many
variations of their typical song. It seemed like a
singles gathering with many chasing each other about
acting very frisky. A YELLOW WARBLER was also singing at
the start of the trail. A great hike & very birdy!
Near the corner of
Chandler and
Quincy Jct. Rd. at Hansen’s
Pond there was a YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD and both the
male and female GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE were present.
April 24, 2010
Anthony Hall
I just saw a group (6) of Red-breasted Sapsuckers on
Clear Creek Road about 60 yards from Quincy Junction
Road. They were chasing each other vigorously in
pairs then landing on oak trees or a fence post or
on boards around a fire wood enclosure and rapping
moderately loud. I guess it is that time of year.
I have also seen a male Wood Duck in the small marsh
north of this same area. He doesn't fly when I walk
by but hides in the willows. I suspect his spouse
is sitting on eggs in one of the nearby bird houses
which are attached to the same oak trees.
April 23, 2010
Ryan Burnett
On Tuesday afternoon after the
brunt of this storm had passed there was a Gray
Flycatcher and Green-tailed Towhee in my yard (the
latter yard bird 132). Then yesterday there was a
Townsend’s Solitaire on the telephone wires on 3rd
Street in Chester – looking rather out of place.
Also a Large-billed Fox Sparrow (the local breeding
race) was in the yard with a flock of 20+ White-crowned
Sparrows. I believe this is the first megarhyncus
Fox Sparrow I have seen in my yard – fox sparrow are
rare in winter here in Chester when it appears they are
almost all the slate-colored subspecies from the
Rockies and in the fall the coastal Sooty’s are
abundant.
To all those bird enthusiasts with seed feeders still
out if the cowbirds have found your feeder now is a good
time to stop feeding for the summer – all that seed just
goes to producing more eggs to lay in all the other
birds nests (not to mention we are finding more and more
evidence that cowbirds regularly kill nestlings and poke
holes in eggs to get their hosts to relay so they can
parasitize them).
April 19, 2010
Raymond Gipson
We
were out in the valley today and saw a bit of everything
but the best was seeing this crane nesting. She is in
the west end of the pond by the house near where the
dirt road comes to paved road.
April 18, 2010
Scott & Amber
A Sandhill Crane on the
nest is visible in the wetland near the junction of Hwy
70 and La
Porte Rd. It is about 50
yards out in the wetland off hwy 70 near the sign that
has mileage to Portola and
Reno. Stopping along the hwy is
probably too close to the nest and unsafe as well, so
viewing from the corner of hwy 70 and
La Porte road is probably the
best idea.
April 17, 2010
David Arsenault
In Sierra Valley yesterday, the
water birds were numerous. Along
Marble Hot Springs Road, I saw good numbers of WILLET,
AMERICAN AVOCET, and CINNAMON TEAL.
Down Heriot Lane, there was a flock of 250+ WHITE-FACED
IBIS, and 50+ GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE.
VESPER SPARROW, BREWER’S SPARROW, SAVANNAH
SPARROW, and SAGE THRASHER were all singing.
Raptors were diverse too, and I saw AMERICAN
KESTREL, NORTHERN HARRIER, BALD EAGLE, and
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. The most
interesting pair of raptor observations was a SWAINSON’S
HAWK at the corner of Hariet and Dyson, just down the
road from where a pair bred last year, and then ten
minutes later down Hariet near the county line I saw a
male ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK! I never
thought I’d see those two species on the same day.
I didn’t see the Burrowing Owls yet at the county
line. Finally, near the Sierraville
airport, I saw two WILSON’S SNIPE out in the road and
many were calling in the adjacent meadow as was a
deafening cacophony of PACIFIC TREE FROGS.
Mellouise Curry reported in from
her trip in Arizona that “On April 9th we were at the
south rim of Grand Canyon NP. During the 3pm "Condor
Interpretive Talk" a California Condor flew right over
the rim as if on schedule. The amazing thing is it was
followed by five more California Condors. There were
times when I could look through my binoculars and see
four Condors in my field of view! It was an amazing
sight!”.
Also, in the April Plumas Audubon
Society newsletter “The Mountain Quail”
Harry Reeves and Linda Blum share their recent trip to
Pinnacles national Monument to see the Condors. If you
are not already a member of Plumas Audubon, the
newsletter is one of the many benefits. Plumas Audubon
appreciate the support of local members, which helps
with education, events, and other Audubon programs and
activities. See
www.plumasaudubon.org for more info.
April 15, 2010
Anthony Hall
I just saw my first Cliff Swallow for the year
flying high above the bridge over the Greenhorn Creek on
Quincy Junction Road. These swallows make nests under
this bridge. A Pygmy Nuthatch was chipping out a hole
to make a nest in a tree near our cabin in Galeppi
Ranch. I have been out of town for a month looking at
east coast birds but I have enjoyed your various emails
on bird sightings in Plumas County.
April 14, 2010
David Arsenault
Hi Birders,
The Fox Sparrow in my East Quincy yard is back on his
territory singing this week. The Spotted Towhees and
Dark-eyed Juncos have been really active too. They
should start nesting in the next few weeks. No
Nashville Warblers yet, but I bet this is the week.
April 13, 2010
Ryan Burnett
I keep hearing
from folks all over Northern California about
neotropcial migrant sightings but we have been left out
in the rain (well actually snow – as it is falling as a
write this) up here in Chester so it was exciting
yesterday afternoon to see a flash of bright yellow
flitting around in the willows in my yard – a male
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT – the first warbler and all bright
yellow bird I have seen up here in many months.
April 12, 2010
Mark Serumgard
Hi Birders, we saw a partial albino American
Robin at the Quincy airport a few days ago.
Partial albino as it still had the orange breast
but the rest of its coloring was white or a
light cream color. I read on the internet that
completely white or albino Robins are extremely
rare and that up to 8% of robins are born as
partial albinos. Enjoy.
April 6, 2010
Colin Dillingham
This morning I saw a
large flock of approximately 25 white geese in the field
on the NW side of Quincy Junction road immediately
opposite Lee Road intersection. I presume they were
SNOW GEESE, but they were a bit distant in the field and
I was without binoculars today on my bike ride to work.
There was also a WESTERN
BLUEBIRD along Quincy Junction Rd near the American
Valley Farms field.
April 6, 2010
Ryan Burnett
Spring here in
Chester is still evident even if
the weather seems like mid winter. There has been some
bird movement in the last couple of weeks.
March 24 – Diana Humple and I had a PRAIRIE FALCON out
on the causeway chasing ducks and an adult BALD EAGLE
carrying nesting material into the forest around the
upper causeway area. 2 male EURASIAN WIGEON were 100
feet apart among the many ducks north of the causeway as
well as a relatively large number of RING-NECKED DUCKS
(+50) – the most I have seen on the lake at any given
time.
About the same time two weeks ago I had a Chipping
Sparrow down the street and a PEREGRINE FALCON zip past
the house.
About a week ago I had 2 early VAUX’S Swifts flying
around with the Tree Swallows outside my living room
window and also had a GOLDEN EAGLE fly over the house –
the latter a new yard bird.
March 29 I woke up to a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER drumming
on the telephone pole outside my bedroom window (a sure
sign of spring).
This weekend White-crowned Sparrows were singing outside
(haven’t seen them since November) and there was a
noticeable increase in the number of Ruby-crowned
Kinglets flitting about.
Today in a cottonwood down the street from my house
there was a tundra subspecies of MERLIN and I also saw
my first YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD of the spring fly
through the scope when I was checking out the Merlin.
Over a foot of snow in
Chester yesterday so not the best
day to be a robin or a junco here.
April 1, 2010
Mark Serumgard
Hi Birders, spotted a group of around 15 Yellow-rumped
Warblers along Spanish Creek yesterday and a pair of
Killdeer along the runway. Watched an immature bald
Eagle hunt the Thompson stock pond until it was harassed
by a falcon, not sure what kind. Was able to get up
close to 20 some vultures working on a deer carcass. A
great example of an all organic recycling project.
March 31, 2010
Raymond Gipson
Yesterday
in middle of snow storm in Portola this guy was outside
my window looking for the feeder and boy, did he seem
cold and missed the feeder as it was totally covered
with snow.
Cassin's Finch
March 31, 2010
David Asenault
Hi Birders,
Terri Rust saw two Townsend's Warblers at her house in
Meadow Valley yesterday morning. That's an early
sighting, but not unexpected for a warbler that winters
along the west coast. The Audubon's Warblers have been
around for over a month now and we should expect to see
the first Nashville and Black-throated Gray Warblers
within two weeks.
March 29, 2010
Colin Dillingham
Gary
Rotta reported seeing a White-throated sparrow at his
feeder in the vicinity of Jackson and Goodwin Streets in
Quincy on Friday and Saturday March 28 - 29. He had
seen it also on Feb 28 but it has been scarce a while.
March 18, 2010
Ryan Burnett
I have noticed in
Chester that Evening Grosbeaks and Cassin’s Finch (as
well as goldfinch) appear in relatively large numbers
(100’s of each) each spring even in years where they
were rare in the winter (as you probably recall we had
very few of either of thes species on the CBC this
year). Their arrival seems to coincide with the aspen
setting seed and especially the cottonwood bud break.
They stay around from mid March – early May. I was
wondering if you were seeing them in cottonwoods as well
down in Quincy?
In other bird news: 2
Say’s Phoebe here in Chester last week, lots of
waterfowl still on the lake including Hooded and Common
Merganser’s, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, C.
Goldeneye, Pintail, A. Wigeon, Ruddy, Bufflehead,
Gadwall and Mallard and somewhere between 700 – 1000
Tundra Swans. I saw all of these from the causeway with
only binoculars last Sunday. The swans should be heading
north before the end of the month. Still lots of snow
on the ground here in
Chester but Tree Swallows are
courting and I saw my first Tortoiseshell Butterfly
yesterday – spring is coming soon!
March 18, 2010
Darla DeRuiter
Darrel and I arrived on campus this morning to the sight
of a mature bald eagle putting down its landing gear to
perch next to one of the Hatchery fish ponds. He
gingerly walked down to the edge of the pond, his eye
obviously on something gastronomically delightful. He
proceeded to wade into the shallows, picked up something
with his talons (dead fish parts?), brought it back on
shore and gobbled it up. He went in a few more times,
sometimes putting his beak in the water to get the
goodies. He would grab what he wanted, then quickly get
out of the water as if it felt cold. Made us giggle.
March 16, 2010
Colin Dillingham
Sat, Mar 13 - a MOUNTAIN
BLUEBIRD was in Sierra County along Hwy 89 near Calpine.
Sun, Mar 14 - one male EURASIAN WIGEON was in Plumas
County in Sierra Valley in a pond near Vinton at Green
Gulch Ranch. Also at the pond were 3 CINNAMON TEAL and
one male REDHEAD. (also seen by Henry Dillingham)
Sun, Mar 14 - one SAY'S PHOEBE was in the field adjacent
to the Quincy Sewage Treatment Ponds (also seen by Henry
Dillingham and Dante Knowles)
March 3, 2010
Raymond Gipson
We had the first band tailed pigeons show up to
our feeders today. I take it they have been sighted
around Quincy for awhile? The came in during middle of
snow storm.
March 3, 2010
Anthony Hall
Hi Birders,
I saw some Western and some Mountain Bluebirds on
the fence posts next to the Clear Creek Road
marsh (they also can be seen by looking east from
Quincy Junction Road). They looked brilliant
against the snow. The marsh also has a large
population of noisy tree frogs and I anticipate that
some birds will be coming in for a frog feed. A
Great Blue Heron already has been checking out the
marsh.
March 1, 2010
Bob Battagin
Hi Plumas Birders,
Its been a couple days now since
David made the observations below. I visited the
QSCD sewer ponds this morning and found the ducks
David reported plus a Greater Scaup, four Wood
Ducks, and a few Gadwall. Three Tree Swallows
winged over while I was there. The sewer ponds have
much to offer right now.
Additionally, I checked Hansen's
Pond near the corner of Quincy Junction Road and
Chandler Road. In the adjacent field there were
nine Ring-billed Gulls (I don't see gulls much
around American Valley and when I do they're usually
at the parking lot at Safeway), two Sandhill
Cranes, one Violet-green Swallow, and a River Otter
in the pond itself.
February 25, 2010
David Arsenault
Hi Birders,
River and I enjoyed the beautiful weather today with
a mid-day trip from Hwy 70 along Spanish Creek to
the Quincy ponds. There were a
good number of ducks at the ponds including a pair
of Barrow’s Goldeneye plus Common Goldeneye,
Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, American
Wigeon, American Coot, one female Northern Shoveler,
and a lot of Canada Geese. Along
the Spanish Creek side of the main pond we saw a
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s), Hermit Thrush,
Sharp-shinned Hawk, and singing Bewick and Marsh
Wrens as well as at least 5 Ruby-crowned Kinglets.
We also saw a flock of 12 Tree Swallows,
which are right on schedule for the year.
In 2008, I noted them at the Quincy ponds on
March 2 and Ryan Burnett reported the following:
“I
saw the first Tree Swallow of the year today (Feb
28, 2008) flying over the Feather River. Below are
the first sightings of Tree Swallow from the last
few years. They always show up on a warm clear days
then disappear on cold and cloudy days until late
March.
2008 –
2/28
2007 –
2/18
2006 – 2/9
2005 –
2/26
Ryan
Burnett”
Also note that the list has
been updated.
February 21, 2010
Julie Newman
Hello birders,
My friend and I went birding for a couple of hours in
the sunshine on Saturday afternoon, before what turned
out to be 8 inches of snow.
Highlights of our trip were close-up views of Townsends'
solitaire and loggerhead shrike on Chandler Road. We
saw 2 common mergansers and six ring-neck ducks as well
as 14 Canada geese at the pond across from New England
Ranch. We also saw a red tailed hawk and kestrel
nearby. On Quincy Junction Road further west we saw a
nothern harrier and an adult bald eagle.
Then we drove out to the pond in Thompson Valley and saw
two sandhill cranes, two Trumpeter swans, 8 hooded
mergansers, 6 ruddy ducks. Also mallards and Canada
geese.
February 20, 2010
Bob Battagin
Hi Plumas Birders,
Today at the Quincy Community Services District
sewer ponds there were four Barrow's Goldeneyes
along with 53 Common Goldeneyes. As I was watching
the goldeneyes, 120 Snow Geese and one Ross's Goose
flew high overhead on a northly heading.
There were two Tundra Swans at the Thompson Valley
stock pond and three Sandhill Cranes at Feather
River College.
February 2, 2010
Ryan Burnett
140+ robins in Chester
late last week (usually <10 on CBC) so they have started
moving back in and there was a Yellow-shafted x
Red-shafted Flicker integrate at my feeder yesterday.
It had Yellow shafts (maybe a hint of orange to it),
partial red crescent on the nape, red malars intermixed
with black, and an interesting mix of brown and gray on
the face and crown half way between what both should
be. I will try and get a picture if he comes back.
February 2, 2010
Anthony Hall
On Sunday I saw a flock of kinglets in the marsh
at the end of Carol Lane East. They were in the willows
and mainly were Golden-crowned with two Ruby-crowned
mixed in. I waited quietly next to a willow. The
kinglets had been dispersed among several willow bushes
but they all came to the willow next to me and appeared
to be checking me out. I was very quiet, I was not
pishing. Some came as close as four feet away. A
marvelous photo opportunity but I didn't have a camera.
On Monday I saw a Tundra Swan in the Thompson Valley
pond and an American but not an Eurasian Wigeon. The
wigeon I have seen in this pond have been close to the
near side of the pond and often are hidden from view by
the bank. Today I saw a Hermit Thrush along Clear Creek
Road in the Galeppi Ranch and a Bison was grazing in a
small paddock on the west side of Quincy Junction Road.
January 31, 2010
Raymond Gipson
Today
we went out into the Sierra Valley and found a few hawks
but got one good one and noticed it was banded. It took
off right after we got the shot though. Thought others
might enjoy the bird shots.
January 31, 2010
Scott & Amber
Hi Birders,
At Hansen’s Pond
by New England Ranch we were surprised to find a
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE and three SANDHILL CRANES.
We went out to
the Thompson Valley pond and did not re-find the
Eurasian Widgeon or the Redhead, however we did find
three CANVASBACK, at least 3 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, & 1
GADWALL, amongst the BUFFLEHEAD, RUDDY DUCK, RING-NECKED
DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER, MALLARD and COOT. Also in the
area were 30
CANADA
GEESE & 6 BALD EAGLES (4 juv.)
Near the
Chandler Rd. bridge over
Spanish Creek we saw 3 more BALD EAGLES.
A 9 Eagle day!
January 19, 2009
David Arsenault
Hi Birders,
Thanks Tony and Julie for the heads up on Great Horned
Owls in the northeastern part of American Valley. Last
night, I saw a Great Horned Owl perched on a telephone
pole along Quincy Junction Road near Greenhorn Creek and
I stopped and got out with my son because he has really
wanted to see an owl lately, but the owl flew before we
got close enough to see it. We keep checking the Dowe
barn too for Barn Owls with no luck yet this year. Some
Great Horned Owls will start breeding as early as
January and pairs will duet during courtship where the
male hoots and then the female (higher-pitched) follows
in a coordinated way creating the illusion that it is a
single bird calling.
Thanks Bob for reminding the locals about all the good
birds we're not out seeing. It motivated River, Mark
Serumgard, and I to go see the Eurasian Widgeon at
Thompson Pond on Thursday. That was my first Eurasian
Widgeon in the Quincy area. We also saw the Barrows
Goldeneye at the sewage ponds. Other good birds
recently in Quincy include a Fox Sparrow along the bike
path and a Merlin in downtown Quincy that I was seeing
the first week of January.
Please note that the list has been updated. Some e-mail
addresses have been removed and others have been added.
Please respond to all recipients of this message for
your next posting.
January 19, 2009
Colin Dillingham
The photo is of an immature
sharp-shinned hawk. The tail is too long, the gray tail
bands too broad to be Merlin. Merlin also have a dark
eyebrow line (supercilium) and a mustachial stripe. The
pale colored and round face is typical of sharp-shinned
hawk as well as the white back spots typical for
immature sharp-shinned.
Yesterday - Tony Hall and I went birding in the mild
rain (Ha Ha!) and resighted the male European Widgeon
and male Redhead in the Thompson Valley ponds. We saw
over 300 waterfowl in the ponds, perhaps the most I've
ever seen there. A single Ross' goose came in with a
flock of over 100 Canada geese. We also saw an adult
sharp-shinned hawk kill a mourning dove on Carol Lane
East.
January 18, 2010
Karen Robinson
Hi Birders,
This
e-mail made me wonder about the attached bird. At
first I thought it was a Merlin. . then after
looking through a bird watchers digest I then
thought it was a sharp shinned Hopefully this year
I can meet up with some of you folks who can help me
learn to identify them. (there are so many raptors
in Sierra Valley) This bird has made our backyard
an occasional hunting ground and does very well.
We have spotted several male kestrels and wonder if
some stay here year round or are returning.
We are really enjoying our feeders with a lot of
activity.
Happy Birding
January 16, 2010
Julie Newman
Tony, that is great, and to be able to
distinguish between the male and female! I have been
hearing a great-horned call near us on the north side
of the valley from you over about the last 3 weeks (not
very close however). I must go listen to the CD again
now to see if I can distinguish male and female.
Also a note to Bob re Townsend's solitaire - I went on
a walk in the scrubby area above the railroad tracks at
Quincy Junction yesterday in the afternoon and saw
two Townsend's solitaires flying and singing together
(for a very short time - maybe 30 seconds). Then one
disappeared into the woods, and one sat where I could
see it. They sounded single note calls back & forth for
several minutes afterwards.
January 16, 2010
Anthony Hall
Hi Birders,
On some evenings for the past few weeks a Great
Horned Owl has been calling in the forest around my
home in the Galeppi Ranch. Last Thursday evening
starting before dusk there were many calls from at
least two Great Horned Owls that lasted for several
hours. On Friday evening I sat on my porch and
listened and there appeared to be two owls calling
to each other from different parts of the forest.
After a while they both came to the top of a tall
tree next to where I was sitting and kept calling.
Then one flew to another group of pine trees about
100 yards away and a little later the second flew to
the same group of pine trees. I have now listened
to the CD that David gave us when we went with him
on the very enjoyable Owl Prowl last May. The owl
that had been calling for several weeks was a male
Great Horned Owl, whereas the owl that has now
joined him is a female. But she has not been using
a contact call does this mean she is not yet ready
for mating?
January 13, 2010
Bob Battagin
Hi Plumas Birders,
I birded various locales in
American Valley today.
At the Quincy Community Services
District sewer ponds there was a Barrow's Goldeneye
in with a couple dozen Common Goldeneyes and many
other ducks.
In the Thompson Valley Ranch
stock pond there was a Redhead and a Eurasian
Widgeon. I've seen Eurasian Widgeons in other parts
of the county, but that was my first for the
Quincy/American Valley area.....and the Redhead is
only the third I've seen in the Quincy area in the
last eleven years.
A single Tundra Swan remains in
Spanish Creek a half mile or so below the Chandler
Road bridge (thanks for the heads up Scott and
Amber).
