Outdoor Recreation

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.

January 8, 2011
Jill Hanna

Yes I saw it Saturday, January 7 at around 2pm. it is still feeding around the first platform and many other birders were there that helped me get on the bird. It is really beautiful. I recommend a visit if going down that way.

January 8, 2011
Tony Hall

Hi Birders,

This is an update of the bird alert list that you should reply to (to all) when you want to send an email about bird observations. Did anyone see the Falcated Duck in Colusa?

December 26, 2011
Ryan Burnett

Cool- I just saw one at dusk flying out from hwy 89 over the Mt Hough golf course towards Indian creek about 1/3 of a mile north of the Taylorsville T.

December 26, 2011
Scott and Amber Edwards

Hi birders, about 1:00 PM today we saw a SHORT-EARED OWL fly by near the bridge that crosses Spanish Creek on Chandler Road. It flew from the Oakland Camp direction and then out into the middle of the valley. Is this the first sighting in the American Valley??? or at least in recent history?

December 23, 2011
Scott and Amber Edwards

Hi birders,
Yesterday afternoon we found a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW along Carol Lane West in Quincy. It was in the willows with Golden-crowned Sparrows just past house number 840.

December 19, 2011
Ryan Burnett

A first year Merlin (one of the darker races) zipped by my office window this afternoon and landed in the same tree I have seen the other two merlins from my yard in.  It is interesting how different individuals of the same species are drawn to the same perch like that.  It is the tallest cottonwood around with open branches at the top. We had our Christmas bird count on Lake Almanor last Wednesday – a very chilly morning but by afternoon it was one of the warmest and most snow free any of us could remember.  Unofficially I believe we had 86 species. Highlights included:

Unusual Species

1 Golden Eagle (6^th count)

1 - Peregrine Falcon (5^th count)

2 - Dunlin (8^th count)

1 - Barn Owl (I forgot to mention that one at the wrap up; 2^nd count)

1 - Virginia Rail (3^rd count)

2 – Cedar Waxwing (4^th count)

1 – Savannah Sparrow (2nd count)

1 – Marsh Wren (5^th count)

Record High Counts:

404 Green-winged Teal (previous high 275)

28 Herring Gull (previous high 18)

13 Common Loon (previous high 12)

61 Eurasian Collared Dove (20 previous high – 1^st record was in 2008)

15 Yellow-rumped Warblers (2^nd highest count).

274 Evening Grosbeaks (2^nd highest count)

Also of interest we had 907 Western Grebes (many young of the year). The last time we had high numbers like this was 2006 the last really high water year on Almanor.  The young probably stay on the lake longer and thus it might be interesting to compare water levels in the lake with grebe numbers on Christmas bird counts for the last 30 years.

Also last week the day before “count week” started Alden and I saw 6 cackling geese and a dowitcher (presumed long-billed) just north of the river mouth. 

December 19, 2011
Tony Hall

Hi Birders,

About every three months the Feather River Bulletin publishes an article on birding in their Sports and Recreation section that is prepared by the Plumas Audubon Society. From talking to people I got the impression that some of you may not have seen the last article on "Fall Berries and Fruit Attract Birds", which was published on November 16, so I have attached a copy. I would appreciate feedback from anyone who has used the birding method in the article describing the plant species that were attractive and the bird species they attracted.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a happy new year.

December 12, 2011
Paul Hardy

Great observation, Scott and Amber. Although I generally like the new David Lukas "Sierra Nevada Birds" book, I'm finding that it is inaccurate for a number of species, including Hooded Mergansers, which Lukas indicates do not breed in the Sierra. The book is also inaccurate re: the location and number of breeding Sandhill Cranes and Willow Flycatchers; the Western Grebe, Short-eared Owl, Swainson's Thrush, Yellow-breasted Chat accounts also appear to be inaccurate. Perhaps an well-referenced commentary letter to the Lukas, generated by someone in this group, is in order? Ryan and/or David would be best.

December 9, 2011
Darrel Jury

Darla & I just saw a 1st fall Horned Grebe on pond #2 at the FRC Hatchery.

Zach Parks, the Hatchery Director, called to let us know there was a grebe on the pond. Lo and behold it is a Horned Grebe with a whitish tip on the bill and white feathers between the bill and eye. It is easy to get close to and observe how the gape extends to the lores.

We’ll see if it hangs around until the American Valley CBC – next Saturday 12/17. Meet at Dunn’s Coffee at 7:15 am. See you there!

November 22, 2011
Colin Dillingham

This morning there was a nice flock of Ross, Snow and White-fronted Geese along Quincy Junction road. There were some by Bell Lane (2) and the rest were opposite Lee Road Junction.

American Valley--Quincy Junction Rd. at Bell Ln., Plumas, US-CA

Nov 22, 2011 7:50 AM - 8:20 AM

Protocol: Traveling

2.0 mile(s)

Comments: Bike ride to work

18 species:

Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) 4

Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) 3

Ross's Goose (Chen rossii) 10

Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) 1

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 1

Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) 1

Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) (Colaptes auratus [cafer Group]) 1

Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) 2

Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 2

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 2

Common Raven (Corvus corax) 5

Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli) 1

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 15

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 10

Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) 55

Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 11

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 12

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Tony mentions that Gray Lodge Wildlife Area might not be as good on hunt days (Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday). I think the opposite - the hunters hunt the private rice fields and huntable portions of the wildlife refuges during the day, forcing the birds to go to the closed areas on the wildlife refuge. The Gray Lodge Automobile Tour Loop goes through the closed area, where tens of thousands of birds hide during the day. If you have never experienced the "flyoff" on during the waterfowl hunting season, it is a "must do" for all birders. I'm considering a trip down there tomorrow to take my Australian Exchange Student.

Tonight is Quincy's first showing of "The Big Year" - a movie about 3 birder's who set out to see as many species of birds as they can in a one year period in North America. It is a comedy, with Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Steve Martin. I'm really excited to see it tonight. Hope to see some of you at the Town Hall Theater at 7 PM.

Christmas Bird Count Season is just around the corner

Almanor Christmas Bird Count Dec 14

Sierra Valley CBC - Dec 15 - call me if you are interested 283-1133 eves or 283-7881 daytime

American Valley CBC - Dec 17

Darla & I just saw a 1st fall Horned Grebe on pond #2 at the FRC Hatchery.

Zach Parks, the Hatchery Director, called to let us know there was a grebe on the pond. Lo and behold it is a Horned Grebe with a whitish tip on the bill and white feathers between the bill and eye. It is easy to get close to and observe how the gape extends to the lores.

We’ll see if it hangs around until the American Valley CBC – next Saturday 12/17. Meet at Dunn’s Coffee at 7:15 am. See you there!

November 21, 2011
Tony Hall

Bretta and I went to the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area near Gridley today (Monday Nov 21). We had a great time birding, there were lots of wildfowl and other bird species. I recommend a visit to Gray Lodge at this time. The two walks out of parking lot 14 including the two blinds and the viewing platform were very productive especially when using a scope. I have avoided going to Gray Lodge on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays because I heard that people hunt in this area on these days of the week and I thought that it might have a negative impact on the birding experience. It takes a little over two hours to drive from Quincy to Gray Lodge when the road is clear.

Best Regards

November 21, 2011
Ryan Burnett

A good morning out my office window today:

White throated Sparrow and Slate-colored Fox Sparrow continue at the feeder

A rather late lutescens race of Orange-crowned Warbler flitted by

An adult Cooper’s Hawk made a visit by the feeder followed by a Northern Harrier soaring overhead

A likely Northern Shrike was chasing a junco or finch up high over the railroad track. Very long tail, undulating flight, and time of year all lead me away from Loggerhead. I am going to go take a look out there now to confirm – this would be the first Northern Shrike I have seen here in 3 years and first for the all important yard list!

I also got a report from a novice birder on the west shore of an almost entirely white crow to raven sized raptor with a buffish colored head with some black markings on the wings. That sounds interesting. Might have to go check that out.

November 11, 2011
David Lind

November 9, 2011
Ryan  Burnett

A White-throated Sparrow just flew past my office window and is foraging in my native garden. He is with an interesting mixed species flock of chickadees, American goldfinch, yellow-rumped warblers, ruby crowned kinglets, juncos, and song sparrows. I will throw some seed out and feel free to stop by if you want to try and see him.

November 8, 2011
Colin Dillingham

This morning, at 8:15 AM, I saw the mocker fly from the New England Ranch across the road and land in the trees adjacent to the house closest to Hansen's Pond.  It was feeding in the tree with the red berries.  Good luck if you go on a mocker search!  There was a rough-legged hawk in the meadow as well.  On Sunday afternoon, I saw a flock of 120 American pipits, 8 Mtn Bluebirds and 7 Western Bluebirds in Thompson Valley.

November 8, 2011
Amber & Scott Edwards

November 4, 2011
Rob & Sharon Adams

While shoveling snow this afternoon I saw a shadow go over, I looked up and saw this hawk. He circled long enough for me to grab the camera and get several shot before he was to high and out of range.

November 4, 2011
Nils Lunder

November 2, 2011
Amber & Scott Edwards

October 27, 2011
David Arsenault

Hi Birders,

Plumas Audubon will be installing two artificial burrowing owl burrows in the Sierra Valley tomorrow (Friday).  We will be digging the holes by hand so could use some extra help.  If anyone is interested, please let me know.  We will be leaving Quincy at noon, Beckwourth at 1, and returning by about 5:30.

Good birding
 

October 24, 2011
Amber & Scott Edwards

Hi Birders,

Today we birded around Quincy, some spots were quite birdy with large mixed flocks. Along Chandler Rd just upstream from the bridge a group of Mt Chickadees, Juncos, Kinglets and Goldfinches were mobbing a NORTHERN PYGMY OWL. At the sewage ponds we were happy to find a HUTTON’S VIREO with a large mixed flock past the first pond in the willows along Spanish Creek, also nearby there were 40 CEDAR WAXWINGS. In the middle pond there were 4 WHITE FRONTED GEESE. In the afternoon while walking our dog behind our house we were very surprised to find a PACIFIC WREN working a pile of trimmed branches, yea! a new yard bird.
 

October 10, 2011
Colin Dillingham

Scott and Amber Edwards and I had a nice day birding Sierra Valley today.
Highlights were 23 ferruginous hawks, including 19 in Sierra County on
A-24 between Loyalton and the Plumas County Line. 3 of them were dark
phase ferruginous hawks. We also found 125 red-tailed hawks and a total
of 60 species.
 

September 27, 2011
Ryan Burnett

Many thanks to Colin and team - your support of our work is greatly appreciated these unrestricted funds though small are important as they are what let's me spend a few days a year doing bird walks and like today banding with the Chester elementary school and inspiring the next generation of bird lovers and conservationists. 

September 27, 2011
Colin Dillingham

For those of you interested - I've attached the results of our PRBO
Conservation Science Bird-a-thon results from our Big Day in Glenn County
on Sunday.  Several of you sponsored our team - which included Tim Rodenkirk 
from Coos Bay, Oregon; Dennis Vroman from Grants Pass, Oregon;
Bruce Deuel from Red Bluff; and myself.  Bob Battagin was there in spirit,
but had banged up his knee on Saturday so was unable to participate.

We started at 2:26 AM at the Blue Gum Motel parking lot in the Central
Valley of California when fellow birder Tim Rodenkirk woke us up to listen
to the Great Horned Owl calling in our motel parking lot. We had heard
barn owls at the Motel the evening before, but they were silent as we
waited for Bruce to arrive for our planned 3 AM start time.  Bruce arrived
on time and the Great Horned was still calling.  We drove up west into the
Mendocino National Forest through oak savannah habitat (screech owl and
barn owl) and arrived at a high elevation site in old growth forest
(Plaskett Meadows) where we heard a spotted owl in the light rain.

We birded our way down through the conifer forest (mountain quail, brown

creeper, Townsend's warber and solitaires were cooperative), into the

chaparral (Wrentit and California thrasher), down into the grasslands

(Meadowlark), then Oak Savannah (Lark Sparrow). The roadrunner we found

scouting on Saturday didn't cooperate again on our big day. We enjoyed the

little town of Elk Creek where we found a good diversity of songbirds

including bushtit and yellow warbler. We headed up to Stony Gorge

Reservoir and birded at Fig Point, where the fig trees and the abundant

ripe fruit pulled me away from scoping the lake for a few minutes

(delicious!).


We drove down to Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and had a wonderful

couple of hours on the Auto Tour Route and trail around the Headquarters

(Peregrine Falcon, thousands of ducks, Tule Greater White-fronted Goose,

shorebirds). After that we headed north through the town of Willows and

back to our Blue Gum motel where our stakeout wild turkey and northern

mockingbird cooperated. We headed west through agricultural fields (58

Swainson's Hawks!) to the Sacramento River, where Tree Swallows and Cedar

Waxwings were our last species of the day. Our total was 123 species, and

we all were happy. A quick swim in the motel pool after dark with barn

owls and great blue herons flying overhead was a nice way to end the day.

September 20, 2011
Ryan Burnett

Sunday morning out in a kayak on Lake Almanor ½ a mile south of the Feather River delta an American Bittern flushed up out of the meadow and flew NE towards the river mouth.  It is the first bittern I have seen on the lake.  There were also a number of Common Loons (as we observed on the grebe survey a week or so ago) -  there seem to be an unusual number of Common Loons on the lake right now with most in alternate plumage.  I also  saw five species of grebe from kayak as well:

Western
Clark’s

Eared

Horned

Pied-billed

September 19, 2011
Amber & Scott Edwards

September 19, 2011
Amber & Scott Edwards

September 17, 2011
Amber & Scott Edwards

Hi Birders,
We just re-found the juvenile BLACK-THROATED SPARROW that was spotted yesterday by Terry & Jerry Williams (big thanks!). It is working both sides of Quincy Junction Road between Clear Creek and New England Ranch, flying back and forth from thistles to the ditch alongside the road, frequently perching on the fence providing really good views.
 

September 14, 2011
Amber & Scott Edwards

September 11, 2011
Tony Hall

Hi Birders:

The birding list has been updated again and here is a contribution from Brad Bentz.

From: Bentz <creature@frontiernet.net>
Subject: Indian Valley egret
To: anthonyehall@sbcglobal.net
Date: Saturday, September 10, 2011, 11:14 AM

This egret hung around for about a week at the ponds at Stampfli Lane and Hwy. 89. Occasional/uncommon visitors to Indian Valley. I’ve lived here for 27 years and seen egrets 6 or 8 times. Brad Bentz.

September 6, 2011
Harry Reeves

Yesterday, Monday, Sep. 5, while kayaking at Antelope Lake we saw an impressive show of raptors near the Lost Creek Cove. A mature and a young bald eagle, a golden eagle (probably 3rd yr.), several ospreys and a nest, turkey vultures, and two red-tailed hawks. One osprey had a trout in its talons and circled upward in a thermal until it was barely visible, then glided at a fast downward angle straight to its nest tree.

There were several western grebes on the lake, some with good sized young, but we were not able to get an accurate count, or get to the nesting area.

Harry & Linda

September 5, 2011
Tony Hall

Hi Birders,

I cruised Marble Hot Springs road in Sierra Valley last Thursday. I saw the usual birds: Sandhill Cranes, White-faced Ibis, two American Bitterns, an Osprey with a ? in its talons and various blackbirds. But I also saw a Sharp-shinned Hawk and a Proghorn Antelope that was close enough for me to get the attached photo without using my scope. This is one of my favorite animals.

September 1, 2011
Nils Lunder

Hey all of you bird folks. I am trying to coordinate an event and would like feedback on a time and date to have an event. Please follow this link and help me plan an event that can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.

This event does not need to be on both lakes. Almanor is closer, but Eagle Lake is an incredible place.


Nils Lunder
Education and Outreach Coordinator
California Grebe Project
Plumas Audubon
530 258 6936 cel
530 283 0455 office

 

August 31, 2011
Harry Reeves

Regarding Clark's nutcrackers, Linda and I were camped at Cottonwood Campground on Hwy 89 south of Sierraville two weeks ago, Aug. 20-21, and saw and heard a few nutcrackers around the campground and up the lookout point trail. Cottonwood Creek is a nice place to see a nice variety warblers, flycatchers, etc.

August 28, 2011
Bob Battagin

August 28, 2011
Amber & Scott Edwards

Hi Birders,

Today Bob Battagin found a GREEN HERON across from the High School . Thanks Bob!! We were able to find it a few minutes later and got the attached photo. Also in the nearby willows, a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT was calling as it foraged along with a SONG SPARROW and a WESTERN TANAGER. As we were leaving, a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK flew in.

August 28, 2011
Colin Dillingham

The Diamond Mountains, from Red Rock to Thompson Peak Lookout and
following the escarpment all the way south to Beckwourth Pass are great
places to find Clark's Nutcrackers. We are also beginning the best time
of year to try to find the ever elusive Pinyon Jay in the same area.

I heard 2 nutcrackers west of Sierraville (about 1 air mile due west) on
Friday as well as seeing a goshawk circle over the forest canopy (Sierra
County).
 

August 25, 2011
Tony Hall

Hi Birders,
I went to the lookout on Mount Hough today --- what a magnificent view.
I talked to the man at the lookout about different lookouts in the area.
He showed me photos he had taken of a pair of Clark's Nutcrackers ( an
adult feeding a young one) at the Red Rock lookout in earlier years. They
may not be there now, I visited the Red Rock lookout two weeks ago and did
not see any. Note that Red Rock lookout is located in Plumas County in
the Diamond Mountains and can be accessed by taking a road from the North
Arm of Indian Creek towards Susanville. This lookout is closed and the access road
also is is closed and the walk to the lookout is somewhat strenuous in that it climbs
about 600 feet. The view from the Red Rock lookout also is very good.
 

August 19, 2011
Raymond Gipson

We also saw a Swainson's Hawk with nice head when we saw the black crowned night heron. It was on the telephone pole between Beckwourth and Vinton on the north side of highway. I saw him again today when I went to Reno for an appointment. Keep you eye out to see if anyone else spots it.
 

August 19, 2011
Raymond Gipson

We went out yesterday and saw a few of the usual for the Sierra Valley but this guy was hunting edges near road and we were able to get a good shot of his antics.
 

August 18, 2011
Paul Taillee

I have had Northern Pygmy Owls along that road by the Silver Fire each the past 4 years before this year (before the Silver Fire burned as well). They love it in there. Thats cool that Black-backs moved in as well.

August 18, 2011
Paula A Shaklee

Last evening just before sunset, as I was hiking out to a survey station up above the Silver Fire I came across a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER happily working at one of recently deceased pines up near the ridge top. I also encountered a NORTHERN PYGMY OWL on my hike back, calling from a dead pine not far from where I saw the woodpecker. It's been very quiet for us for 'other owls' this year, so was very nice to hear one of our other nocturnal residents for a change, it's been far too quiet lately.

 

August 15, 2011
Amber & Scott Edwards

Hi Birders,

Today we birded around Lake Almanor searching for shorebirds. At the Chester Sewage Ponds we found 1 DUNLIN, 3 LEAST SANDPIPERS, 1 WESTERN SANDPIPER, and 3 WILSON'S PHALAROPES. At the Causeway we found 1 BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, 3 WESTERN SANDPIPERS, and 9 LEAST SANDPIPERS, all working one of the few exposed mudflats. There was a dead Badger on the causeway, we've never seen one in our county before, are they uncommon here? Also of interest we saw a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK at the super ditch. We checked out the river mouth but the water was so high still it just wasn't good for shorebirds.

August 14, 2011
Tony Hall

Hi Birders,

When walking along Quincy Junction road this evening near the bridge over Greenhorn Creek I saw a Common Nighthawk flying high in the sky. I also saw a young beaver swimming in the creek. My guess is that it is in its third summer and has left its family and is looking for a new place to build a dam and lodge.

August 10, 2011
Mel Preston

Hey all,

Since we were talking about porcupines earlier just thought I'd share that today I saw a porcupine in Harvey Valley, in Lassen County. I was collecting some data in an aspen stand that had huge lava rocks strewn about and I walked up on a boulder right over the porcupine, after which it crawled into a den under the lava rocks and I didn't get to see it again, but saw several scat at the entrance. And on a birding note, many Red Crossbills detected throughout the day in Harvey Valley, with one even singing several times, which is a rare treat!
 

August 8, 2011
Paula A. Shaklee

There is a Western Giant Ichneumon (Megarhyssa nortoni) which kind of fits your description. Seems to be associated with fires. From Insects of the Pacific Northwest: "Found throughout the region at higher elevations. Adults may be common two or more years after a forest fire. Look for them nectaring on plants like Angelica spp. in mountain meadows." They list the ovipositor at 50-76 mm.

August 6, 2011
Amber & Scott Edwards

Hi Birders,

Sorry this report is a little late.

On Thursday we found a GREATER YELLOWLEGS at the Quincy Sewage Ponds, it was in the pond that's visable from the trail on the backside of the main pond.

In the afternoon we waded (& floated the deep spots) down Spanish Creek from Gansner Park to the Chandler Rd Bridge, the highlights were 4 BELTED KINGFISHERS, a LINCOLN'S SPARROW, at least 7 pairs of SPOTTED SANDPIPER plus 1 still fluffy fledgling, and 18 BANK SWALLOWS around the colony area.

Also this week a very interesting insect landed in the oak outside our kitchen window. It was an Ichneumonid Wasp but at least twice as big as the ones in the Laws Guide on page 200. Overall it was reddish orange and more than 3" long, it had a red/orange and black striped abdomen, reddish hued wings, and a straight ovipositor that could have been more than 4" long! This is the most amazing insect I have ever seen. Has anyone else seen one of these??

August 1, 2011
Paula Shaklee

Claire tells me she saw one in 2002 along the Big Creek road near McFarland Creek.