Re: Brewer's Blackbirds
Tue, 16 Oct 2001 15:57:30 -0700
From: Larry Tunstall
I spoke today with someone at the animal hospital of Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek. They said that they do not know of any disease going around that would account for significant changes in populations of Brewer's Blackbirds.
The alert they issued earlier this year was about salmonella poisoning occurring at feeders, not likely to affect a flock of blackbirds feeding on the street. There is avian pox always going around, and it does affect blackbirds. However, they know of no instances where large numbers of birds have been killed.
As far as they know, avian conjunctivitis has not reached the west coast. The finches seen at feeders with swollen and crusty eyes are, in their experience, suffering from avian pox.
If you can capture a sick bird or retrieve a body of one that died of disease, you can take it to the museum for diagnosis. For directions, hours, telephone, etc., see
Best wishes,
Larry Tunstall
El Cerrito CA
Original Message Subject Index
A (not so) big day
Tue, 16 Oct 2001 17:44:54 -0700
From: Vijay Ramachandran
Hi.
A friend from Sacramento and I went on a "big day" this Saturday in Alameda County. Due to various tactical blunders, and a distinct lack of cooperation from some bird groups, we ended up with a disappointing 96 SFBBO CFC species (101 overall).
The big mistakes commited were getting lost en route to Redwood Regional Park, and reaching the Albany shoreline at high instead of low tide (due to an incorrect reading of tide tables). Also, ducks and grebes were not to be found anywhere - the only species seen were Mallard, American Wigeon, Ruddy Duck, and Northern Shoveler, and Pied-billed Grebe and Horned Grebe. Maybe the hot weather kept them from migrating? Other disappointments were completely missing all accipiters and falcons (except American Kestrel).
This was our first big day, though, hopefully we can use this opportunity to plan better next time!
Highlights were a solitary Northern Rough-winged Swallow, and 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, in Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont.
Thanks to all of you who suggested places/itineraries to me.
good birding,
Vijay
Info on Demoiselle Crane?
Fri, 19 Oct 2001 07:23:47 -0700
From: Arlene Gemmill
Could some kind soul please tell me if the Demoiselle Crane is still being seeing in the Woodbridge/Lodi area?
What are best hours to find it? Before 10 AM is my understanding.
And exact location where it is best to look?
A masochistic birding friend and I were going to make a run for the crane on Sunday early.
Please advise. All info greatly appreciated.
cheers,
Arlene
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Re: Info on Demoiselle Crane?
Fri, 19 Oct 2001 08:30:38 -0700
From: Mike Feighner
Arlene and others:
I received this information regarding the Demoiselle Crane. The bird was last seen both on Woodbridge Rd and Statten Rd off the west end of Thorton Rd. At the bottom you will see what I had posted (directions) on October 7, 2001. I would suggest more East Bay Birders to start a subscription to Central Valley Birds at
Also, the archives are public.
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, Alameda County
Subject: Demoiselle crane?
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2001 15:48:25 -0400 (PDT)We went out for a couple hours this morning to try and find the Demoiselle Crane and didn't find it. We talked to 4 or 5 different carloads of birders, and none of them had seen it either (this was around 11:00 AM, and some had been there since 8:00 AM or before!).
The Sandhill Cranes are putting on a magnificent show, however, and we saw many shorebird species, Rough-legged Hawks, Swainson's Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, etc. I would say that it would still be a great trip for your Ohio friends! And, who knows ... you might get lucky!
Dee Warenycia
Roseville, CA------------------October 7, 2001:----------------------
All:I made to the Demoiselle Crane site on Woodbridge Rd near Lodi in San Joaquin County this morning at 10 AM as the President was just commencing to address the nation on the current air attacks on Afghanistan. A group of birders were already assembled viewing the Demoiselle Crane among the numerous Sandhill Cranes. The location was north of the road [Woodbridge Road] across from 2192 Woodbridge Road. Originally I had learned the house was pink, but apparently the owners did a quick over-night paint job. The house is now painted beige; the trim is burgundy. At the north side of the road there is a red sign "ITSI". The heat waves did hinder viewing slightly. Most of the time the Demoiselle Crane was stooping in a ditch, and once in a while it would raise its long neck. After about an hour the entire flock decided to take off to the east and disappeared.
I had said that birders driving up from the south on I-5 could exit Hwy 12 east and then turn left onto Thorton Rd. This road is now closed at this intersection for construction. Continue north on I-5 to the next exit "Turner" Rd east and continue north to Woodbridge Rd and then turn left (west).
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RFI: Cooper's Hawks on UC Berkeley campus
Fri, 19 Oct 2001 10:34:03 -0700
From: Larry Tunstall
Hi EBBers,
Corrine Louise Paff e-mails me that she is writing an article about the breeding pair of Cooper's Hawks on the UC Berkeley campus. She says that she has been seeing them and their youngsters for three years, but she read in the EBB archives for June 1998 that Emily had been seeing them for four years before that. Unfortunately, Emily apparently is out of town, so Corrine would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who has long-term information about the hawks.
If you have information about Cooper's Hawks nesting on the UC Berkeley campus before 1999, please send info to me at birds@folkbird.net and I will forward it to Corrine.
Thanks, Larry
Larry Tunstall
El Cerrito CA