How to read Shipman's field notes
1978-09-02: CA: Palo Alto: 3101 Middlefield
@day: Palo Alto: 3101 Middlefield
I've been throwing peanuts onto the roof outside my
apartment window for some time. There seem to be two
groups of jays coming to retrieve them. The ones from
what I call the “home team” are quite
blasé, taking their sweet time, finding the
heaviest ones to take first. The ones from the
“away team” are furtive and quick. My
theory is that the roof is just inside the home team's
territory.
Today I observed a quite remarkable sequence of complex
behaviors involving two jays (one from each team) and a
couple of California Towhees. The Away Jay was caught in
the act of stealing a nut by one of the Home Jays. They
squared off a few inches apart and went through a
sequence of different postures. I'm not sure of the
exact sequence, but there were roughly four phases.
One jay stretched up vertically, pointing its bill up,
and leaned back slightly. I thought I saw the tip of its
tail actually projecting forward between its legs. Then
the other jay mimicked this posture.
One jay leaned very far forward, its bill nearly touching
the gravel roof, and stretching its tail straight up.
The other jay mimicked this posture after a slight delay.
The denouement happened very rapidly. I think it started
when both birds leaped up, as if each wanted to be on top
during the wrestling phase. They fell back down,
possibly grappling or pushing with their feet, probably
trying to peck each other. Somewhere around this point
one of the towhees that had been watching from a foot or
two away darted in and started pecking the jays. Quickly
a second towhee jumped in from the opposite side and
started pecking too. That was apparently too much for
the jays, who broke off and each chased a towhee.
The entire incident took maybe ten or twenty seconds. I
watched it all from about ten yards away and was left
with my jaw hanging slack, trying to remember the exact
sequence for the notes. This should be fairly accurate.
scrub-jay sp. @Palo Alto: 3101 Middlefield
Towhee, California @Palo Alto: 3101 Middlefield
1978-09-02: CA: Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
@day: Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Scoter, Surf @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Merganser, Red-breasted @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Loon, Red-throated @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Loon, Pacific @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Loon, Common @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Grebe, Pied-billed @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Cormorant, Brandt's @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Cormorant, Pelagic @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Pelican, Brown @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Heron, Great Blue @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Egret, Snowy @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Hawk, Red-tailed @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Kestrel, American @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Merlin @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Coot, American @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Plover, Black-bellied @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Plover, Snowy @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Stilt, Black-necked @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Avocet, American @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Yellowlegs, Greater @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Willet @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Whimbrel @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Curlew, Long-billed @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Godwit, Marbled @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Turnstone, Ruddy @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Turnstone, Black @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Sanderling @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Sandpiper, Least @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Dowitcher, Short-billed @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Dowitcher, Long-billed @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Phalarope, Northern @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Gull, Heermann's @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Gull, Ring-billed @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Gull, Western @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Gull, California @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Gull, Glaucous-winged @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Tern, Caspian @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Tern, Forster's @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Tern, Elegant @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Murre, Common @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Dove, Rock @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Dove, Mourning @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Hummingbird, Anna's @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Kingfisher, Belted @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Shrike, Loggerhead @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Jay, Steller's @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
scrub-jay sp. @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Crow, Common @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Swallow, Barn @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Starling, European @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Sparrow, Savannah @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Sparrow, Song @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Sparrow, White-crowned @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Meadowlark, Western @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Blackbird, Brewer's @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Finch, House @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
Sparrow, House @Pescadero; Moss Landing; Pajaro R mouth
1978-09-05: CA: Stevens Creek
Quail, California @Stevens Creek
Hawk, Red-tailed @Stevens Creek
Dove, Rock @Stevens Creek
Dove, Mourning @Stevens Creek
Kingfisher, Belted @Stevens Creek
Woodpecker, Acorn @Stevens Creek
Flicker, Common @Stevens Creek
Jay, Steller's @Stevens Creek
scrub-jay sp. @Stevens Creek
Chickadee, Chestnut-backed @Stevens Creek
Bushtit, Common @Stevens Creek
Wren, Bewick's @Stevens Creek
Wrentit @Stevens Creek
Towhee, Rufous-sided @Stevens Creek
Towhee, California @Stevens Creek
Sparrow, Song @Stevens Creek
Finch, House @Stevens Creek
Goldfinch, Lesser @Stevens Creek
Goldfinch, American @Stevens Creek
1978-09-07: CA: Stevens Creek
Quail, California @Stevens Creek
Hawk, Red-tailed @Stevens Creek
Tern, Caspian @Stevens Creek
Dove, Rock @Stevens Creek
Dove, Mourning @Stevens Creek
Hummingbird, Anna's @Stevens Creek
Kingfisher, Belted @Stevens Creek
Woodpecker, Acorn @Stevens Creek
Phoebe, Black @Stevens Creek
Jay, Steller's @Stevens Creek
scrub-jay sp. @Stevens Creek
Swallow, Violet-green @Stevens Creek
Chickadee, Chestnut-backed @Stevens Creek
Titmouse, Oak @Stevens Creek
Bushtit, Common @Stevens Creek
Creeper, Brown @Stevens Creek
Wren, Bewick's @Stevens Creek
Wrentit @Stevens Creek
Starling, European @Stevens Creek
Towhee, Rufous-sided @Stevens Creek
Towhee, California @Stevens Creek
Sparrow, Song @Stevens Creek
Junco, Oregon @Stevens Creek
Blackbird, Brewer's @Stevens Creek
Goldfinch, Lesser @Stevens Creek
Goldfinch, American @Stevens Creek
1978-09-08: CA: Pt Reyes (bobcat)
@PRL: Point Reyes: Barracks above lighthouse
@day: Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Mallard @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Quail, California @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Grebe, Pied-billed @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Cormorant, Brandt's @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Cormorant, Pelagic @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Pelican, Brown @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Heron, Great Blue @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Egret, Great @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Egret, Snowy @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Hawk, Marsh @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Hawk, Red-shouldered @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Hawk, Red-tailed @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Kestrel, American @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Plover, Semipalmated @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Killdeer @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Avocet, American @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Yellowlegs, Greater @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Willet @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Whimbrel @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Curlew, Long-billed @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Godwit, Marbled @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Sandpiper, Western @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Sandpiper, Least @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Sandpiper, Baird's @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Gull, Heermann's @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Gull, Ring-billed @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Gull, Western @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Gull, Glaucous-winged @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Tern, Caspian @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Tern, Forster's @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Murre, Common @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Dove, Rock @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Dove, Mourning @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Kingfisher, Belted @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Shrike, Loggerhead @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Jay, Steller's @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
scrub-jay sp. @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Crow, Common @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Raven, Common @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Swallow, Cliff @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Swallow, Barn @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Bushtit, Common @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Robin, American @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Starling, European @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Towhee, California @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Sparrow, Savannah @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Sparrow, Song @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Sparrow, White-crowned @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Junco, Oregon @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Blackbird, Red-winged @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Meadowlark, Western @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Blackbird, Brewer's @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Finch, House @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
Sparrow, House @Pt Reyes (bobcat)
1978-09-16: CA: Pt Reyes (Chandik)
@FD: Point Reyes: Fish Docks
@day: Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Mallard @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Scoter, Surf @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Quail, California @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Loon, Common @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Cormorant, Brandt's @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Cormorant, Double-crested @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Cormorant, Pelagic @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Pelican, White @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Heron, Great Blue @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Egret, Great @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Egret, Snowy @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Night-Heron, Black-crowned @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Vulture, Turkey @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Hawk, Marsh @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Hawk, Red-shouldered @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Hawk, Red-tailed @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Kestrel, American @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Coot, American @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Plover, Black-bellied @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Killdeer @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Willet @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Whimbrel @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Godwit, Marbled @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Sandpiper, Pectoral @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Gull, Heermann's @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Gull, Western @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Gull, Glaucous-winged @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Jaeger, Pomarine @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Murre, Common @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Dove, Rock @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Dove, Mourning @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Owl, Great Horned @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Hummingbird, Anna's @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Phoebe, Black @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Phoebe, Say's @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Jay, Steller's @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
scrub-jay sp. @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Crow, Common @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Raven, Common @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Lark, Horned @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Swallow, Barn @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Bushtit, Common @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Wren, Bewick's @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Wrentit @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Bluebird, Western @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Starling, European @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Waxwing, Cedar @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Warbler, Yellow @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Warbler, Audubon's @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Towhee, California @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Sparrow, Chipping @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Sparrow, Savannah @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Sparrow, Song @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Sparrow, White-crowned @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Junco, Oregon @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Grosbeak, Black-headed @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Blackbird, Red-winged @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Blackbird, Tricolored @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Meadowlark, Western @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Blackbird, Yellow-headed @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Blackbird, Brewer's @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Cowbird, Brown-headed @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Finch, House @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Siskin, Pine @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Goldfinch, Lesser @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Goldfinch, American @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
Sparrow, House @Pt Reyes (Chandik)
1978-09-17: CA: Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
@day: Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Mallard @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Scoter, Surf @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Albatross, Black-footed @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Shearwater, Pink-footed @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Shearwater, Flesh-footed @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Shearwater, Buller's @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Shearwater, Sooty @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Storm-Petrel, Ashy @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Storm-Petrel, Black @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Cormorant, Brandt's @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Cormorant, Pelagic @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Pelican, Brown @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Night-Heron, Black-crowned @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Vulture, Turkey @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Coot, American @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Killdeer @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Willet @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Sanderling @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Phalarope, Northern @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Phalarope, Red @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Kittiwake, Black-legged @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Gull, Heermann's @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Gull, Western @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Gull, California @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Gull, Glaucous-winged @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Tern, Elegant @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Jaeger, Pomarine @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Jaeger, Parasitic @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Murre, Common @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Guillemot, Pigeon @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Auklet, Cassin's @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Dove, Rock @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Dove, Mourning @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Owl, Great Horned @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Kingfisher, Belted @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
scrub-jay sp. @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Crow, Common @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Starling, European @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Blackbird, Red-winged @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Blackbird, Brewer's @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
Sparrow, House @Monterey pelagic (GGAud)
1978-09-21: CA: GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
@HM: GGNRA: Hawk Mountain (Hill 129)
@day: GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Wigeon, American @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Mallard @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Shoveler, Northern @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Vulture, Turkey @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Hawk, Cooper's @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Hawk, Red-tailed @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Kestrel, American @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Coot, American @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Killdeer @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Gull, Western @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Gull, California @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Gull, Glaucous-winged @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Dove, Rock @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Dove, Mourning @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Hummingbird, Anna's @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Kingfisher, Belted @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Flicker, Common @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
scrub-jay sp. @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Swallow, Barn @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Chickadee, Chestnut-backed @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Bushtit, Common @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Wren, Winter @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Wrentit @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Warbler, Orange-crowned @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Towhee, California @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Sparrow, Fox @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Sparrow, Song @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Junco, Oregon @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Blackbird, Red-winged @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Blackbird, Brewer's @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Finch, House @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
Sparrow, House @GGNRA: Hawk Mt; GGP
1978-09-24: CA: Palo Alto
@PAB: Palo Alto Baylands
@day: Palo Alto
@home: Palo Alto: 3101 Middlefield Road
Partial notes.
Mockingbird @Palo Alto
1978-09-27: CA: Palo Alto
@PAB: Palo Alto Baylands
@day: Palo Alto
@home: Palo Alto: 3101 Middlefield Road
