CALIFORNIA & ARIZONA
ITINERARY
FIRST TRIP:
2nd August, 1986 : Left Gatwick on Northwest Orient for Minneapolis. Changed planes and flew on to San Francisco arriving 9pm. Everywhere booked due to Motor race so slept on someone’s front lawn.
3rd August : Spent morning at Pt. Reye’s and the afternoon at Bodega Bay and Bodega Head.
4th August : Spent early morning at Moss Landing and then drove to Yosemite spending the evening at the Chevron Meadow.
The Condour lookout on our first trip.
Views in Yosemite National Park.
5th August : Spent morning at the Bridalveil campground area and the afternoon at the Crane Flat area.
Four more Views taken at Yosemite
National Park.
6th August : Spent the early morning at the Crane Flat area, then on to White Wolf over the Tioga Pass spending the evening at the Mono Lake HQ.
7th August : Spent early morning at Mono Lake before visiting the Mammoth Lake area before trying Bodie in the afternoon and back to Mono Lake in the evening.
Mono Lake, California
8th August : Spent early morning at an area just north of Crowley Resevoir then south to Bigpine visiting Tollhouse Springs, the Ancient Bristlecone Forest and Deep Springs.
Tollhouse Springs.
The
ancient Bristlecone Forest.
Chipmunk feeding on a Bristlecone pinecone.
9th August : Woke early and drove to Death Valley spending the morning at Furnace Creek Golf Course before driving to Kingman, Arizona via Boulder Dam.
Furnace Creek Golf Course, Death Valley.
Quick visit to Las Vegas
10th
August : Spent most of the day at the Grand Canyon then late afternoon at Oak
Creek Canyon
11th August : Early morning at Oak Creek Canyon and then drove south to Lake Roosevelt and on to Dudleyville spending the evening in the Aravaipa Canyon.
12th August : Spent all day at Mt. Lemmon.
13th August : Spent all day at Madera Canyon.
14th August : Spent the morning at various sites along Sonoita Creek and the afternoon at Scheelite Canyon and Garden Canyon.
15th August : Spent the early morning at Garden Canyon before moving on to Ramsey Canyon spending the afternoon and evening along the road leading to Guadalupe Canyon.
16th August : Spent the morning in the Cave Creek area before moving on to Rustler Park area in the afternoon with a quick visit to the Willcox Sewage Ponds in the evening.
17th August : Spent the morning in Madera Canyon and the afternoon at the Saguaro National Monument with an evening visit to Tuscon Sewage Works.
Leading into Maderia Canyon.
Spider in Maderia Canyon.
Frilled Lizard type in
Maderia Canyon
18th August : Spent the early morning at Aravaipa Canyon and Dudleyville before driving west spending the evening at the north end of the Salton Sea.
View taken in Arizona.
Butterfly at Dudleyville
19th August : All day around the Salton Sea.
Salton Sea bathed in evening light
20th August : Early morning at the Salton Sea with the rest of the day spent in the San Bernardino mountains.
Road leading up to the Chiricahua Mountains
21st August : Early morning spent at Palmdale and then onto the Lancaster Sewage Ponds before moving in to the Mt. Pinos Mountain range for the afternoon and evening.
California Hills leading to Mt. Pinos.
Condor lookout.
22nd August : Early morning spent on Mt. Pinos and then moving on to Maricopa and then south to Santa Barbara.
Maricopa Ranch.
Doreen with huge Cactus in
the Sonora Desert
23rd August : Morning spent at the Nojoqui Falls and the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens with the afternoon spent at Surf before heading back to Santa Barbara.
California Poppy near the
coast.
Dutch Town in California
24th August : Morning spent at sites around Santa Barbara and the afternoon spent at the Santa Maria River Mouth.
Early morning mist over the California Hills.
25th August : Morning spent at various sites along the Big Sur coast and the afternoon at Pt. Pinos.
Views along the Big Sur Coast
26th August : Morning spent on a fishing boat off Monterey with the afternoon spent at Moss Landing and the Elkhorn Slough.
27th August : Morning spent at Ano Nuevo and Pigeon Point with the afternoon spent at Moss Landing.
Ano Nuevo Reserve.
Elephant Seals at Ano Nuevo Reserve.
28th August : Pelagic trip into Monterey Bay with the evening spent at Livermore.
California Sea-lions in Monterey Bay.
Finn Whale in Monterey Bay.
White Sided Dolphins with young from the Monterey pelagic.
29th August : Left San Francisco Airport soon after dawn bound for London.
Californa sunset.
SECOND TRIP
2nd November: San Francisco Area including Lake Merced, Foster City Lake & Shoreline, & Mount Diablo State Park.
San Francisco Bridge.
Looking across the Bay to San Francisco.
California’s North Coast
4th November: Drove north to Mendociono County Coast & visited Van Damme State Park, Russian Gulch State Park Lake Cleone and shoreline.
.5th November: Van Damme State Park, Russian Gulch State Park & then drove south stopping various sites en-route and stayed overnight at Bodega Bay with an evening visit to the harbour and headland.
6th November: All day Pelagic from Bodega to Cordell Banks & beyond.
7th November: Visit to Bodega Bay & Headland, then drove to the Bolinas Lagoon and on south to the Monterey Peninsula stopping en-route at Moss Landing with an evening visit to Fisherman Wharf.
California coast.
8th November: All day pelagic out into Monterey Harbour with evening visit to Monterey rocky shoreline.
Fisherman Wharf, Monterey Bay.
California Sealion as we were leaving Monterey Bay on our pelagic.
White Sided Dolphin on the Monterey pelagic.
Harbour Seal in Monterey Harbour.
Sea-Otters in Monterey Harbour.
Sea-lions on the Monterey pelagic.
Whale on the Monterey pelagic.
9th November: Monterey shoreline then drove & birded the 17 mile drive to Carmel.
The Lonesome Pine near Carmel.
Squirrel near Carmel.
10th
November: Visited Moss Landing, Elkhough Slough & Ano Novo State Reserve.
Young Elephant Seals at Ano Nuveo Reserve.
11th November: Panoche Valley Area & onto Los Banos Wildlife area, San Luis Reserve & Merced Refuge Area.
Panoche Valley.
12th November: Panoche Valley Area & then drove along the Big Sur Coastal road & finally sea-watched from Point Pinos.
13th November: Carmel River Valley north to Peeble B shoreline area. Stayed overnight at Petaluma.
14th November: All day at Pt. Reynes State Park with overnight at Bodega Bay with an evening drive around the Bay.
15th November: Bodega Bay & Headland & Doran Park.
16th November: Bolinas Lagoon, Muir Woods drove to San Francisco Airport where we departed back to the UK.
Systematic List
First Trip
Red-throated Loon - Gavia stellata C
At Moss Landing 8 were seen on the 4th and 2 on the 27th, and at the Santa Maria River mouth 1 was seen on the 24th.
Second Trip
Only identified on the 13th when 30 were found feeding close inshore of Peeble Beach but we probably overlooked birds on other days.
First Trip
Pacific Loon - Gavia pacifica C
A single bird was seen at Pt. Reye’s on the 2rd, 3 were seen along the Big Sur Coast on the 25th and 1 was seen on the pelagic trip off Monterey on the 28th.
Second Trip
Large numbers seen virtually daily with exceptional numbers were moving in large flocks of up to 300 birds in a flock out to sea. On the 13th in half an hour sea-watch produced 1,000 birds moving and again on the 15th over 1,500 were seen moving in less than an hour. This kind of movement we saw on most days of our visit.
First Trip
Common Loon - Gavia immer C
Seen along the Californian coast with 6 seen at Pt. Reye’s on the 3rd, 3 at Surf on the 23rd, 1 at the Santa Maria River mouth on the 24th and 5 along the Big Sur Coast on the 25th.
Second Trip
Small numbers seen virtually daily with up to 10 on a day.
Common Loon in Bodega Bay.
First Trip
Pied-billed Grebe - Podilymbus podiceps podiceps C
Only seen in California where recorded on seven dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 6 recorded on both the 4th and 23rd.
Second Trip
Very common and seen virtually daily with a maximum of 50 on the 2nd.
Second Trip
Horned Grebe – Podiceps auritus
Common and under-recorded. Seen on most coastal lagoons and on the sea with a daily maximum on 30 on the 3rd.
First Trip
Eared Grebe - Podiceps nigricollis californicus C
Seen on five dates but at only two locations being Mono Lake and the Salton Sea with a daily maximum of 50 seen at the former location on the 7th.
Second Trip
Common and under-recorded. Similar status to Horned Grebe although seen in smaller numbers. Daily maximum of 10 on the 3rd but many small grebes were left unidentified.
First Trip
Western Grebe - Aechmophorus occidentalis occidentalis C
Only seen in California where recorded on eight dates with a daily maximum of c.300 (including a raft of c.200 birds) seen on the Salton Sea on the 20th. Clark’s Grebe A.clarkii has subsequently been accorded full species status and was quite possibly overlooked.
Second Trip
Large numbers were seen feeding in rafts on the sea with smaller numbers on most lagoons and lakes which we visited. Daily maximum was 200 on the 13th.
Western Grebe at Moss Landing.
Second Trip
Clarks Grebe – Aechmophorus clarkii
Three singles were identified as follows: 1 on the 4th & 5th with Westerns on the sea from Van Damme State Park and on the 10th & 15th at Bodega Bay.
Second Trip
Red Necked Grebe – Podiceps grisegena holboellii
One seen on the sea from Van Damme State Park on the 5th, with 3 together in Monterey Bay on the 8th and 2 on the 10th.
Second Trip
Black Footed Albatross – Diomedea nigripes
One of the birds of the trip. Upto 3 individuals seen from the pelagic out of Bodega on the 6th in the deep water beyond the Cordell Banks.
Black Footed Albatross on the Bodega Pelagic,
First Trip
Northern Fulmar - Fulmarus glacialis rodgersii C
A total of 3 were seen from the Monterey Pelagic trip on the 28th.
Second Trip
Up to 100 were seen on the pelagic from Bodega on the 6th, with 20 on the pelagic from Monterey on the 8th. Five were seen on the 9th sea-watching from Monterey with 1 on the 10th, 6 on the 12th and 1 on the 15th.
“Blue Phase” Northern Fulmar on the Monterey pelagic
Northern Fulmar on the Monterey pelagic
First Trip
Pink-footed Shearwater - Puffinus creatopus C
An estimated 10 were seen from the pelagic trip off Monterey on the 28th.
Second Trip
60 seen on the Bodega pelagic on the 6th and 40 from the Monterey pelagic on the 8th.
Pink Footed with other Shearwaters on the Monterey pelagic.
Second Trip
Flesh-footed Shearwater – Puffinus carneipes
One seen from the Headland on the 5th with 15 on the pelagic on the 6th from Bodega and 1 on the pelagic on the 8th from Monterey.
Flesh Footed Shearwater off the Bodega Pelagic
First Trip
Buller’s Shearwater - Puffinus bulleri C
A superb species being a highlight of the Monterey Pelagic trip when 2 were seen on the 28th.
Second Trip
Amazing views of 70 seen from the Bodega pelagic on the 6th but only 1 seen on the Monterey pelagic on the 8th. This bird was seen very close feeding on plankton while swimming on the sea.
Bullers Shearwater on the Bodega Pelagic.
Bullers Shearwater feeding on plankton on the Monterey pelagic
First Trip
Sooty Shearwater - Puffinus griseus C
Seen on five dates along the Californian coast with a daily maximum of an estimated 5,000 being seen moving north off the Santa Maria River Mouth.
Second Trip
200 were seen on the pelagic from Bodega on the 6th and 50 on the Monterey pelagic on the 8th, otherwise just 6 seen on the 12th.
Sooty Shearwater on the Monterey pelagic.
Second Trip
Short-tailed Shearwater – Puffinus tenvirostris
Four identified on the Bodega pelagic on the 6th but excellent views on the Monterey pelagic on the 8th when 30 were seen.
#
Short Tailed Shearwater on the Monterey Pelagic.
Second Trip
Black-vented Shearwater – Puffinus opisthomelas
Four seen on the Bodega pelagic on the 6th but large numbers on the 8th from the Monterey pelagic when at least 300 were seen. Good numbers also seen on the 12th on an evening sea-watch from Monterey when at least 250 were seen.
Black Vented Shearwater on the Monterey Pelagic.
Second Trip
Black Storm-Petrel – Oceanodro melania
At least 10 identified with the large flock of Ashy on the Monterey pelagic on the 8th. Other observers considered that up to 100 were present.
Second Trip
Ashy Storm-Petrel – Oceanodroma homochroa
A superb flock of at least 500 were seen from the Monterey pelagic on the 8th.
First Trip
American White Pelican - Pelecanus erythrorhynchos C
Only seen at the Salton Sea where a maximum of 2,000 were seen at the northern end on the 19th.
Second Trip
30 seen in Bodega Bay on the 5th, 20 on the 11th at Merced Wildlife Refuge, 20 at Bodega Bay on the 15th and 15 near Bolinas Lagoon on the 16th.
Part of a flock of American White Pelicans at the Salton Sea.
First Trip
Brown Pelican - Pelecanus occidentalis californicus C
Very common along the Californian coast with a daily maximum of 3,000 recorded at Moss Landing on the 27th.
Second Trip
Very common, recorded daily with a maximum of 60 on the 3rd.
Brown \Pelican flying over Moss Landing.
First Trip
Double-crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus C
Common along the Californian coast.
Second Trip
Again very common especially on inland waters
.
Double Crested Cormorant at Foster Lake.
Brandt’s Cormorant - Phalacrocorax penicillatus C
First Trip
Common from Monterey northwards with a daily maximum of 1,000 seen at Pt. Pinos on the 25th.
Second Trip
Common along the rocky shoreline of the Monterey Penisular.
Brandt’s Cormorant with Brown Pelican in Monterey Bay.
Brandt's Cormorant at Monterey Bay.
Pelagic Cormorant - Phalacrocorax pelagicus resplendens C
First Trip
Fairly common from Monterey northwards with a daily maximum of 70 at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd.
Second Trip
Small numbers seen at most coastal locations with a daily maximum of 60 on the 10th.
Record shot of two distant Pelagic Cormorants along the Big Sur Coast.
American Bittern – Botaurus lentiginosus
Second Trip
One gave good flight views as it departed from a small pool at Ano Nuveo on the 10th.
American Bittern at Ano Nuveo.
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias herodias C
First Trip
Seen on seventeen dates in both California and Arizona with a daily maximum of 150 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.
Second Trip
Very small numbers seen virtually daily with a daily maximum of 6.
Great Blue Heron with Snowy Egrets at Bodega Bay.
Great Egret - Ardea alba egretta C
First Trip
Seen on nine dates whilst in California with a daily maximum of an estimated 400 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.
Second Trip
Small numbers recorded on 10 dates with a daily maximum of 12.
American Great Egrets with Herons & White Pelicans etc at Bodega Bay.
Snowy Egret - Egretta thula thula C
First Trip
Seen on seven dates in California with a daily maximum of 200 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.
Second Trip
Only small numbers seen on 10 dates with a daily maximum of 15.
Snowy Egret along the Big Sur Coast.
Green Heron - Butorides virescens C
First Trip
Seen on five dates with 1 seen at Dudleyville, Arizona on the 11th, a total of 12 at the Salton Sea on the 18th, 19th and 20th and 3 at Surf on the 23rd.
Black-crowned Night-Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli C
First Trip
Seen on seven days whilst in California with a daily maximum of 250 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.
Second Trip
Just 5 birds seen on 4 dates.
Black Crowned Night Herons in the heat at Salton Sea.
Least Bittern - Ixobrychus exilis exilis C
First Trip
Only seen at the north end of the Salton Sea where 3 were seen on the 19th.
Second Trip
Sandhill Crane – Grus canadensis
A superb sight with 3000 present at Merced Wildlife Refuge on the 11th. A number were watched “dancing”, and many were seen in flight in the evening leaving for their roost.
Sandhill Cranes at the Merced Wildlife Refuge.
White-faced Ibis - Plegadis chihi C
First Trip : We saw 2 at Death Valley on the 9th, 50 flying south just north of Nogales on the 13th and a total of 63 at the Salton Sea over two dates.
White Faced Ibis
Greater White Fronted Goose – Anser albifrons
Second Trip[
A flock of 250 were seen at Merced Wildlife Refuge on the 11th.
Greater White Fronted Geese with Sandhill Cranes at the Merced Wildlife Refuge.
Second Trip
Snow Goose – Chen caerulesansu
A flock of 600 including several “blues” at Merced Wildlife Refuge on the 11th.
Second Trip
Ross’s Goose – Chen rossii
At least 150 were identified in the flock of Snow Geese including 2 “blues”. They proved quite easy to pick out especially in flight by the noticeably smaller size, shorter neck and wings and smaller bill.
First Trip
Canada Goose - Branta canadensis C
We saw 3 at the Salton Sea on the 19th.
First Trip
Black Brant - Branta bernicla nigricans C
We saw 2 at the Salton Sea on the 19th.
Second Trip
An adult and an immature were seen at Bolinas Lagoon on the 16th were our only sightings.
Black Brants at the Bolinas Lagoon.
First Trip
American Wigeon - Anas americana C
A total of just 6 birds seen over three dates at the Mecca fishponds on the 18th and 19th and at Surf on the 23rd.
Second Trip
Recorded in fair numbers on 8 dates with a daily maximum of 500 on the 7th at Bolinas Lagoon.
Pair of American Wigeon on Bolinas Lagoon.
Party of American Wigeon on Bolinas Lagoon.
Second Trip
Eurasian Wigeon – Anas penelope
An adult drake was picked out with small numbers of American Wigeon at a lake north of Bodega Bay on the 14th.
First Trip
Gadwall - Anas strepera strepera C
A single individual was seen at the Lancaster Sewage Ponds on the 21st.
Second Trip
Just 2 seen at Lake Cleone on the 4th.
First Trip
Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca carolinensis C
Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen at the Salton Sea on the 20th.
Second Trip
Recorded on 7 dates with a daily maximum of 60, although it was probably under-recorded by ourselves.
First Trip
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos/diazi C
The form platyrhynchos was seen on nine dates whilst in California with a daily maximum of 100 seen at the Salton Sea on the 18th. We also saw 12 Mexican Ducks A.p.diazi at the Willcox Sewage Ponds on the 16th.
Second Trip
Small numbers seen virtually daily with a maximum of 100 on the 11th.
First Trip
Northern Pintail - Anas acuta C
We saw 10 at Willcox Sewage Ponds on the 16th, 1 at the Salton Sea on the 19th and 6 at the Lancaster Sewage Ponds on the 21st.
Second Trip
Recorded in fair numbers on 7 dates with a maximum of 500 on the 7th at Bolinas Lagoon.
First Trip
Blue-winged Teal - Anas discors C
We saw just 2 at Moss Landing on the 4th.
First Trip
Cinnamon Teal - Anas cyanoptera septentrionalium C
Seen on seven dates with daily maximums of 150 at Willcox on the 16th and 110 at the Tuscon Sewage Ponds on the 17th.
Second Trip
A flock of 20 dropped into Merced Refuge Area on the 11th.
First Trip
Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata C
Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 8 at Moss Landing on the 4th.
Second Trip
Only small numbers recorded on 5 dates with a maximum of 20 on the 16th at Bolinas Lagoon.
Second Trip
Redhead – Aythya Americana
Only a female seen at Pt. Reynes on the 14th.
Second Trip
Ring-necked Duck – Aythya collaris
Ten seen on the 3rd and 15 on the 14th both at Pt. Reynes.
Second Trip
Lesser Scaup – Aythya affinis
All the Scaup identified were “Lessers” but were under-recorded. Seen on 9 dates with a daily maximum of 15.
Second Trip
Black Scoter – Melanitta nigra
4 seen on the 3rd and 10 on the 14th all at Pt. Reynes.
Second Trip
White-winged Scoter – Melanitta fusca
2 flew past out to sea on the 5th at Van Damme State Park and 5 gave fine views feeding in Bodega Bay on the 15th.
Drake White Winged Scoter at Bodega Bay.
First Trip
Surf Scoter - Melanitta perspicillata C
Seen on six dates with a total of 51 birds seen with a daily maximum of 14 seen at Bodega Bay on the 3rd. Birds were seen at Moss Landing on every visit there.
Second Trip
Very common, and seen virtually daily, with a maximum of 500 on the 4th.
Drake Surf Scoter at Moss Landing
Flock of Surf Scoters along the Mendociono County Coast.
Second Trip
Harlequin Duck – Histriunicus histrionicus
One of the highlights of our second trip, with a fine pair at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd and another pair at Ano Nuvo on the 10th.
Second Trip
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Bucephala islandica
Another highlight, with 3 fine drakes gave superb views in excellent light at Bolinas Lagoon on the 7th.
Second Trip
Common Goldeneye – Bucephala clangula
Four on the 4rd, 12 on the 7th and 20 on the 16th at Bolinas Lagoon with 2 on the 10 at Ano Nuvo.
Second Trip
Bufflehead – Bucephala albeola
Good numbers seen of this fine duck including many drakes. Recorded on 8 dates with a maximum of 150 on the 7th.
Party of female type Buffleheads at the Bolinas Lagoon.
Drake Bufflehead at Bolinas Lagoon.
Second Trip
Common Merganser – Mergus merganser
A party of 6 including 1 drake on a coastal lagoon north of Bodega on the 5th and 2 on the 12th on a lagoon along the Big Sur Coast.
First Trip
Red-breasted Merganser - Mergus serrator C
We saw 2 at the Arroyo Seco rivermouth on the 25th.
Second Trip
Small numbers recorded virtually daily all females with a daily maximum of 10.
Second Trip
Hooded Merganser – Lophodytes cucullatus
Six females seen on a lake north of Bodega Bay on the 5th.
First Trip
Ruddy Duck - Oxyura jamaicensis jamaicensis C
Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 300 being seen at the Lancaster Sewage Ponds.
Second Trip
Common, recorded on 10 dates with a maximum of 100 but was probably under-recorded.
Second Trip
Wood Duck – Aix sponsa
A female seen on Monterey Park Lake on the 13th was our only sighting.
First Trip
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura aura C
Seen on twenty dates with a daily maximum of 250 seen between Tuscon and the Salton Sea on the 18th.
Second Trip
Common around San Francisco and North with up to 40 on a day.
First Trip
California Condor - Gymnogyps californianus C
We were fortunate enough to watch an adult for an hour from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on the 21st whilst it fed at a carcass for 40 minutes and then soared around for 20 minutes approximately a quarter of a mile beyond ‘the sign’ which was a regular site for carcasses to be provided. It was finally lost to sight soaring east towards ‘the sign’. There were only three Condor still in the wild, and these 3 were about to be taken into capativity to assist with a breeding programme with Condors alreardy in this breeding programme.
First Trip
Osprey - Pandion haliaetus carolinensis C
We saw 3 at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd, 1 at the Salton Sea on the 18th and 19th and 2 flew east over the Condor’s Carcass on the 21st.
Second Trip
One found roosting on a yacht mast in Bodega Bay on the 15th.
First Trip
White-tailed Kite - Elanus leucurus majusculus C
Seen on three dates with 1 at Surf on the 23rd, 6 at Elkhorn Slough on the 26th and 1 at Ano Nuevo and 2 at Moss Landing on the 27th.
Second Trip
Recorded on seven dates, with a daily maximum of 6 on the 11th.
White Tailed Kite near Elkhorn Slough.
First Trip
Mississippi Kite - Ictinia mississippiensis C
We saw 6 at Dudleyville over fields before reaching the river on the 18th.
Record shots of a Mississippi Kite over Dudleyville.
First Trip
Northern Harrier - Circus cyaneus hudsonius C
Seen on eight dates with a total of 11 individuals seen.
Second Trip
Small numbers seen on 10 dates with 50 seen on the 11th with many coming into roost at the San Luis Refuge.
Northern Harrier at Ano Nuveo.
Ringtail Northern Harrier at
Mono Lake.
First Trip
Sharp-shinned Hawk - Accipiter striatus velox C
A single individual seen at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd, 1 seen in Yosemite on the 6th and 1 seen near Flagstaff on the 11th.
Second Trip
Odd birds seen on 7 dates.
First Trip
Cooper’s Hawk - Accipiter cooperii C
We encountered a total of 7 birds over four dates often being seen whilst travelling. A daily maximum of 3 were seen between Moss Landing and Yosemite on the 4th.
Second Trip
One seen at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd, and 2 seen along the Panoche Valley on the 11th.
First Trip
Northern Goshawk - Accipiter gentilis atricapillus C
Singles were seen in Yosemite at the Bridalveil Campground on the 5th and near White Wolf on the 6th.
First Trip
Common Black Hawk - Buteogallus anthracinus anthracinus C
We saw 3 adults in the Aravaipa Canyon on the 11th and 2 adults and a juvenile there on the 18th.
First Trip
Harris’ Hawk - Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi C
We saw 4 all sat on telegraph poles along Highway 177 north of Tuscon on the 18th.
First Trip
Grey Hawk - Asturina nitida plagiata C
A single individual was seen over the Sonoita Creek Ranch and 2 were seen briefly in trees at the Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14th.
First Trip
Red-shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus elegans C
Only seen in California where a total of 9 were noted over six dates. Often perched close to roads.
Second Trip
Two seen on the 3rd on the trip to Pt. Reyes, with 1 on the 4th, 1 on the 8th and 1 on the 15th.
Red Shouldered Hawk near Saint Barbara.
First Trip
Swainson’s Hawk - Buteo swainsoni C
Seen on six dates mostly in Arizona and only in small numbers with a daily maximum of 28 between Douglas and Cave Creek Canyon on the 16th. In California we saw 2 near the north end of the Salton Sea on the 18th.
Swainsons Hawk near Cave Creek Canyon.
First Trip
Zone-tailed Hawk - Buteo albonotatus C
Singles were seen in Aravaipa Canyon on the 11th and on Mt. Lemmon soaring alongside 2 Turkey Vultures on the 12th.
First Trip
Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis calurus C
Seen on twenty-three dates proving to be widespread in small numbers with a daily maximum of 20 seen between Moss Landing and Yosemite.
Second Trip
Very common and seen virtually daily with 20 on the 3rd at Pt. Reyes, 50 on the 11th along the Panoche Valley. The subspecies “Harlans Hawk”, very dark brown was seen at Bodage Headland.
Red Tailed Hawk near Pt. Reyes.
Second Trip
Rough Legged Hawk – Buteo lagopus
A single bird gave excellent views along the road north of Bodega Bay on the 5th. Superb.
Second Trip
Ferruginous Hawk – Buteo regalis
Two seen on the 11th and 2 on the 12th both in the Panoche Valley. A nice clean looking Hawk with an exceptionally pale tail and wing coverts.
A distant Ferruginous Hawk in the Panoche Valley.
First Trip
Golden Eagle - Aquila chrysaetos canadensis C
Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 7 seen at the carcass near the Condor Sign on the 22nd.
Second Trip
Excellent vies of one standing on a rock along the Panoche Valley on the 11th.
Golden Eagle sat along the Big Sur Coast.
First Trip
American Kestrel - Falco sparverius sparverius C
Seen every day but three in small numbers with a daily maximum of 12 seen on the 24th.
Second Trip
Very common, seen in fair numbers virtually daily with a maximum of 60 along the Panoche Valley on the 11th.
American Kestrel along the Big Sur Coast.
Second Trip
Merlin – Falco columbarius
One flew along the shoreline in Monterey Harbour on the 8th, and 1 on the 14th at Pt. Reyes.
First Trip
Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus anatum C
Singles were seen at Ano Nuevo and Moss Landing on the 27th.
Second Trip
One seen on the 10th at Moss Landing, 1 on the 12th along thew Big Sur Coast and another on the 14th at Pt. Reyes.
Juvenile Peregrine at Moss Landing.
First Trip
Wild Turkey - Meleagris gallopavo merriami C
We saw a party of 3 along the Mines Road just south of Livermore.
Second Trip
Pheasant – Phasianus colchicus
Four seen on the 11th in the Central Valley Refuges.
First Trip
Blue Grouse - Dendragapus obscurus C
A single individual was seen at Westfall Meadow in Yosemite on the 5th. The favoured area on the right in the trees near the small stream just as you reach the meadow on the trail from the Bridalveil Camp. It proved exceptionally tame. Superb.
Female Blue Grouse at Westfall Meadow, Yosemite.
First Trip
Mountain Quail - Oreortyx pictus C
We saw 8 near the Westfall Meadow in Yosemite on the 5th, 20 next to the Ranger’s Station at the base of Mt. Abel on the 21st and 11 at the summit of Mt. Pinos on the 22nd.
First Trip
Scaled Quail - Callipepla squamata pallida C
A party of 11 were seen on the road to Guadalupe Canyon near Douglas on the 15th.
First Trip
California Quail - Callipepla californica C
Only seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 8 seen at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd.
Second Trip
Seen on 8 dates often in large numbers with a daily maximum of 50 on the 12th in the Panoche Valley.
California in the Panoche Valley.
Adult male California Quail at Mt. Pinos.
First Trip
Gambel’s Quail - Callipepla gambelii fulvipectus C
Seen on six dates often in small flocks with a daily maximum of 60 seen on the road to Guadalupe Canyon.
Gambel’s Quail along the road towards The Grand Canyon.
First Trip
Chukar - Alectoris chukar C
We saw 40 at Tollhouse Springs just east of Bigpine on the road to Westguard Pass on the 8th.
First Trip
Common Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus cachinnans C
Seen on six dates being encountered in both California and Arizona.
First Trip
American Coot - Fulica americana americana C
Seen on thirteen dates with a daily maximum of 2,000 seen on Baldwin Lake on the 20th.
Second Trip
Very common, with a daily maximum of 250+.
American Coot near Carmel.
First Trip
Black Oystercatcher - Haematopus bachmani C
We saw 2 at Bodega Bay on the 3rd and 3 at Pt. Pinos on the 25th.
Second Trip
Recorded on 8 dates on the rocky shoreline with a daily maximum of 30 at Fort Bragg on the 4th.
Black Oystercatchers along the Big Sur Coast.
First Trip
Black-necked Stilt - Himantopus mexicanus mexicanus C
Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 1,000 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.
Second Trip
15 seen on the 10th at Elkhough Slough, with 70 at Merced Refuge on the 11th and 1 on the 13th.
Black Necked Stilts etc at the Salton Sea.
Black Necked Stilt in the
evening sunlight at the Merced Wildlife Refuge.
First Trip
American Avocet - Recurvirostra americana C
Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 80 seen at the Salton Sea on the 18th.
Second Trip
Recorded on 5 dates with good numbers seen at Bolinas Lagoon with 200+ on the 16th.
American Avocets at the Salton Sea.
American Avocet at Bolinas Lagoon.
First Trip
Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola C
Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen at Ano Nuevo on the 27th.
Second Trip
Common chiefly at the coast.
Grey Plover in winter plumage along the Big Sur Coast.
First Trip
Semipalmated Plover - Charadrius semipalmatus C
Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.
Second Trip
Just 10 seen at Moss Landing beach on the 10th.
First Trip
Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus vociferus C
Seen on seventeen dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen at Furnace Creek in Death Valley on the 9th.
Second Trip
Recorded in fair numbers on 9 dates, with a maximum of 70 in a freshly ploughed field at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd
.
Killdeer at the Bolinas Lagoon.
Second Trip
Pacific Golden Plover – Pluvalis fulva
A fine party of 20 gave excellent close views at Pt. Reyes on the 14th.
Pacific Golden Plover at Pt. Reyes.
First Trip
Kentish (Snowy) Plover - Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus C
Seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen at Surf on the 23rd.
Snowy Plover at Surf.
First Trip
Common Snipe (Wilson’s) - Gallinago gallinago delicata C
A total of 3 birds were seen over two dates whilst at Mono Lake.
Second Trip
Singles seen on the 3rd and 10th with 40 on the 11th at the Merced Refuge.
First Trip
Short-billed Dowitcher - Limnodromus griseus C
Seen on nine dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th. In Arizona we saw 8 at Willcox on the 16th.
Short Billed Dowitchers at
the Salton Sea..
First Trip
Long-billed Dowitcher - Limnodromus scolopaceus C
We saw 8 at the Salton Sea on the 19th.
Second Trip
The only Dowitcher which we identified, and all of our records have been included under this specie. Small numbers recorded on 9 dates, with a maximum of 50 on the 16th at Bolinas, but again under-recorded.
Long Billed Dowitcher with
Willets roosting at high tide in San Francisco Bay.
First Trip
Marbled Godwit - Limosa fedoa C
Seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 120 seen at Bodega Bay on the 3rd.
Second Trip
Common, with some good high tide roosts, containing 500+ birds. Recorded on 9 dates.
Marbled Godwit at Moss Landing.
Marbled Godwith with Willets in San Francisco Bay.
First Trip
Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus C
Seen on five dates with all observations in California with a daily maximum of 70 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.
Second Trip
Small numbers recorded on 5 dates with 10 on the 4th in the north.
First Trip
Long-billed Curlew - Numenius americanaus C
Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 30 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th. In Arizona a single individual was seen at the Tuscon Sewage Ponds on the 17th.
Second Trip
Two seen at Bolinas Lagoon on the 3rd, with 1 on the 7th, 6 at Elkhough Slough on the 10th and 2 at Bolinas on the 16th.
