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Shipman's field notes, Jun 1980

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1980-06-08: CA: Palo Alto Baylands

@PAB: Palo Alto Baylands
Photos are dated this day, but my field notes said I was in Point Reyes, so the date may be incorrect.
Swallow, Cliff 
@Palo Alto Baylands
Breeding: There was a muddy spot near the east end of Embarcadero where numerous Cliff Swallows were gathering mud for nesting, holding their wings high. Copulation took place on the spot, as the photos show.
1980-06-08-00121980-06-08-0026
@Palo Alto Baylands
Breeding: There was a muddy spot near the east end of Embarcadero where numerous Cliff Swallows were gathering mud for nesting, holding their wings high. Copulation took place on the spot, as the photos show.
1980-06-08-00121980-06-08-0026

1980-06-08: CA: Point Reyes

Notable:  Black Scoter
@CR: Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
@FD: Point Reyes: Fish Docks
@PRBO: Point Reyes Bird Observatory: Palomarin
@PRL: Point Reyes Lighthouse area
@Tib: Tiburon
@day: Point Reyes
Missed In theory there was a Lark Bunting in the fields east of the Nuñez ranch. Did not see it.
First time birding since work clamped down on my hours May 5. Talked to Dave DeSante about a banding-related project.
Mallard 
@Point Reyes
@Point Reyes
Scoter, Surf 
# @Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
# @Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
Scoter, Black 
2♀ @Point Reyes: Fish Docks
2♀ @Point Reyes: Fish Docks
Duck, Ruddy 
# @Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
# @Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
Quail, California 
# @Point Reyes
# @Point Reyes
Loon, Pacific 
@Point Reyes: Fish Docks
Description: White head.
@Point Reyes: Fish Docks
Description: White head.
Grebe, Western 
# @Tiburon
A raft off the docks.
# @Tiburon
A raft off the docks.
Cormorant, Brandt's 
5 @Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
Behavior: Flying in line.
5 @Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
Behavior: Flying in line.
Cormorant, Pelagic 
# @Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
# @Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
Pelican, Brown 
# @Point Reyes Bird Observatory: Palomarin
# @Point Reyes Bird Observatory: Palomarin
# @Tiburon
# @Tiburon
Egret, Great 
# @Point Reyes
# @Point Reyes
Egret, Snowy 
# @Point Reyes
# @Point Reyes
Vulture, Turkey 
# @Point Reyes
# @Point Reyes
Osprey 
@Point Reyes
Over Unspotted Owl Canyon Ridge. (Personal joke; Unspotted Owl Canyon is where Leonard Compagno and I once looked for a staked-out Spotted Owl nest without results.)
@Point Reyes
Over Unspotted Owl Canyon Ridge. (Personal joke; Unspotted Owl Canyon is where Leonard Compagno and I once looked for a staked-out Spotted Owl nest without results.)
Hawk, Marsh 
#ϕ @Point Reyes
#ϕ @Point Reyes
Hawk, Red-tailed 
# @Point Reyes
# @Point Reyes
Hawk, Rough-legged 
2 @Point Reyes Lighthouse area
2 @Point Reyes Lighthouse area
Kestrel, American 
@Point Reyes
@Point Reyes
Oystercatcher, Black 
@Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
On rocks.
Breeding: Nesting?
@Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
On rocks.
Breeding: Nesting?
Gull, Western 
# @Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
Breeding: Nesting.
# @Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
Breeding: Nesting.
Gull, Glaucous-winged 
#i @Point Reyes
#i @Point Reyes
Guillemot, Pigeon 
# @Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
# @Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
Puffin, Tufted 
1-2 @Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
Behavior: Fly-by.
1-2 @Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
Behavior: Fly-by.
Dove, Rock 
@Point Reyes
@Point Reyes
Dove, Mourning 
@Point Reyes
@Point Reyes
Selasphorus sp. 
@Point Reyes: Fish Docks
@Point Reyes: Fish Docks
Jay, Steller's 
# @Point Reyes
# @Point Reyes
scrub-jay sp. 
# @Point Reyes
# @Point Reyes
Crow, Common 
# @Point Reyes
Olema.
# @Point Reyes
Olema.
Raven, Common 
3+ @Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
Breeding: Nesting? on rock spurs of the mainland.
3+ @Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
Breeding: Nesting? on rock spurs of the mainland.
Lark, Horned 
3 @Point Reyes
3 @Point Reyes
Swallow, Tree 
@Point Reyes Bird Observatory: Palomarin
Nest box.
@Point Reyes Bird Observatory: Palomarin
Nest box.
Swallow, Violet-green 
@Point Reyes Bird Observatory: Palomarin
@Point Reyes Bird Observatory: Palomarin
Swallow, Cliff 
# @Point Reyes
# @Point Reyes
Swallow, Barn 
# @Point Reyes
# @Point Reyes
Wrentit 
@Tiburon
Vocalizations: Heard only.
@Tiburon
Vocalizations: Heard only.
Robin, American 
@Point Reyes
@Point Reyes
Starling, European 
# @Point Reyes
# @Point Reyes
Towhee, California 
@Point Reyes
@Point Reyes
Sparrow, Savannah 
@Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
Thistles and chaparral.
@Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
Thistles and chaparral.
Sparrow, Gambel's White-crowned 
@Point Reyes
Behavior: Rather tame.
@Point Reyes
Behavior: Rather tame.
Blackbird, Red-winged 
@Point Reyes
Near dairy farms.
@Point Reyes
Near dairy farms.
Blackbird, Brewer's 
# @Point Reyes
# @Point Reyes
Finch, House 
# @Point Reyes
# @Point Reyes
Goldfinch, American 
@Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
Around thistles.
@Point Reyes: Chimney Rock
Around thistles.
Sparrow, House 
@Point Reyes
Urban San Anselmo.
@Point Reyes
Urban San Anselmo.

1980-06-15: NM: Palo Alto Baylands

@PAB: Palo Alto Baylands
Swallow, Cliff 
@Palo Alto Baylands
Breeding: More of the copulation behavior: the female gathers mud and holds her wings up, fluttering, which attracts the male to mount.
1980-06-15f00131980-06-15f0022
@Palo Alto Baylands
Breeding: More of the copulation behavior: the female gathers mud and holds her wings up, fluttering, which attracts the male to mount.
1980-06-15f00131980-06-15f0022

1980-06-23: CA: Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay

@Ano: Año Nuevo
First time using the new Secret Entrance to access what used to be Merle and Janet Bickford's property north of Año Nuevo. Going south on CA-1, after crossing into San Mateo County, look for milepost “03.88 SM”, which is 3.88 miles south of the county line. A short walk leads to the beach, with a terrific tidepooling spot and an old dam (now breached). Heading south on the beach takes you to Elephant Seal territory eventually, but before you reach them, both the shorebirding and the rockbirding are very good. However, mind the tides; if the tide is in, walking back above the bluffs is heavy, sandy going.
@HMB: Half Moon Bay area
@Pond: Año Nuevo: Pond
The breached dam mentioned in the previous entry. There was still a fair amount of freshwater behind the remnant of the dam.
@RC: Año Nuevo: Rocky Corner
Good rockbirding spot just south of the old Bickford property.
@day: Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
@home: Cupertino: 10305 Calvert
First time I was allowed to trade a Monday off for a Saturday on at work.
Duck, Ruddy 
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
@Año Nuevo: Pond
@Año Nuevo: Pond
Quail, California 
1♂ @Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
On a fencepost.
1♂ @Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
On a fencepost.
Loon, Pacific 
@Half Moon Bay area
Description: White-headed. There were at least two dozen loons out here, but this is the only species about which I was sure.
@Half Moon Bay area
Description: White-headed. There were at least two dozen loons out here, but this is the only species about which I was sure.
Grebe, Pied-billed 
@Año Nuevo: Pond
@Año Nuevo: Pond
Grebe, Western 
@Half Moon Bay area
@Half Moon Bay area
Vulture, Turkey 
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Hawk, Marsh 
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Description: One was sort of a half-male plumage: brown back, but gray underparts and black wingtips.
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Description: One was sort of a half-male plumage: brown back, but gray underparts and black wingtips.
Buteo sp. 
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Coot, American 
# @Año Nuevo: Pond
# @Año Nuevo: Pond
Plover, Black-bellied 
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Description: By black axillars.
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Description: By black axillars.
Plover, Snowy 
2+ @Año Nuevo
Behavior: Using their wings to spread and lower their tail; possibly a low-intensity distraction display. They did a more intense version, beating their wings on the sand, about 50–80′ away, behind clumps of beach wrack. Either they're in the wrong stage of nesting, or I wasn't close enough to the nests. Saw a maximum of two at a time.
2+ @Año Nuevo
Behavior: Using their wings to spread and lower their tail; possibly a low-intensity distraction display. They did a more intense version, beating their wings on the sand, about 50–80′ away, behind clumps of beach wrack. Either they're in the wrong stage of nesting, or I wasn't close enough to the nests. Saw a maximum of two at a time.
Killdeer 
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Oystercatcher, Black 
1 @Año Nuevo: Rocky Corner
1 @Año Nuevo: Rocky Corner
Willet 
8 @Año Nuevo
Description: Very stripey plumage.
8 @Año Nuevo
Description: Very stripey plumage.
Godwit, Marbled 
10 @Año Nuevo: Rocky Corner
10 @Año Nuevo: Rocky Corner
Gull, Heermann's 
1 @Half Moon Bay area
Behavior: Fighting with a Western Gull.
1 @Half Moon Bay area
Behavior: Fighting with a Western Gull.
Gull, Western 
# @Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
# @Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Tern, Caspian 
100 @Half Moon Bay area
Base of the south jetty, diving on fish right near the beach.
100 @Half Moon Bay area
Base of the south jetty, diving on fish right near the beach.
Dove, Mourning 
@Año Nuevo
Grasslands above the beach.
@Año Nuevo
Grasslands above the beach.
Hummingbird, Anna's 
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Kingfisher, Belted 
@Año Nuevo: Pond
@Año Nuevo: Pond
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Bean Hollow.
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Bean Hollow.
scrub-jay sp. 
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Swallow, Tree 
# @Año Nuevo: Pond
# @Año Nuevo: Pond
Swallow, Northern Rough-winged 
# @Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Description: Brown. No breast band.
# @Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Description: Brown. No breast band.
Swallow, Bank 
# @Año Nuevo: Pond
Description: Definite breast band.
# @Año Nuevo: Pond
Description: Definite breast band.
Swallow, Barn 
# @Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
# @Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Bushtit, Common 
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Heard on CA-92.
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Heard on CA-92.
Robin, American 
@Cupertino: 10305 Calvert
@Cupertino: 10305 Calvert
Mockingbird 
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Woodside.
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Woodside.
Starling, European 
# @Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Many, even at the coast.
# @Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Many, even at the coast.
Yellowthroat, Common 
@Año Nuevo: Pond
@Año Nuevo: Pond
Towhee, California 
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Seen on CA-84.
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Seen on CA-84.
Sparrow, Savannah 
# @Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Thick in coastal scrub.
# @Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Thick in coastal scrub.
Sparrow, Song 
# @Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Near shore.
# @Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
Near shore.
Meadowlark, Western 
@Año Nuevo
Heard near the highway gate.
@Año Nuevo
Heard near the highway gate.
Blackbird, Brewer's 
@Año Nuevo: Pond
@Año Nuevo: Pond
Oriole, Hooded 
@Cupertino: 10305 Calvert
Breeding: Whole family, with at least two young, on the wire over my neighbor's backyard on the north side.
1980-06-23-00321980-06-23-0036
@Cupertino: 10305 Calvert
Breeding: Whole family, with at least two young, on the wire over my neighbor's backyard on the north side.
1980-06-23-00321980-06-23-0036
Finch, House 
@Año Nuevo
Pigeon Point.
@Año Nuevo
Pigeon Point.
Goldfinch, American 
1♂ @Año Nuevo: Pond
1♂ @Año Nuevo: Pond
Sparrow, House 
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay
@Año Nuevo (new N entrance), Half Moon Bay

1980-06-30: CA: Stevens Creek: Chestnut

@day: Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Quail, California 
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Vocalizations: Heard a covey.
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Vocalizations: Heard a covey.
Hawk, Cooper's 
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Behavior: Kicking out the trees.
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Behavior: Kicking out the trees.
Dove, Mourning 
# @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
# @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Hummingbird, Anna's 
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Vocalizations: Heard only.
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Vocalizations: Heard only.
Woodpecker, Downy 
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Flicker, Common 
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Flycatcher, Olive-sided 
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Vocalizations: Classical call.
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Vocalizations: Classical call.
Phoebe, Black 
2 @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
1980-06-30c0027
2 @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
1980-06-30c0027
Flycatcher, Ash-throated 
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Vireo, Solitary 
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Vocalizations: “Q&A” song.
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Vocalizations: “Q&A” song.
Jay, Steller's 
4+ @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
1980-06-30-00251980-06-30-0027
Photos taken with a strobe.
4+ @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
1980-06-30-00251980-06-30-0027
Photos taken with a strobe.
scrub-jay sp. 
1 @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
1 @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Swallow, Violet-green 
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Near northwest picnic table.
Breeding: Nesting.
1980-06-30b0012
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Near northwest picnic table.
Breeding: Nesting.
1980-06-30b0012
Chickadee, Chestnut-backed 
# @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
# @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Nuthatch, White-breasted 
1-3 @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Above the picnic area.
1-3 @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Above the picnic area.
Creeper, Brown 
1 @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
1 @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Wren, Bewick's 
5-6 @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Behavior: Not a bird restricted to the understory. One I detected today was in the top of a tree about 60' tall.
5-6 @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Behavior: Not a bird restricted to the understory. One I detected today was in the top of a tree about 60' tall.
Thrush, Swainson's 
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Vocalizations: Characteristic rolling song, which began with the “gwerp” note I remember from 1979-06-25, when I imitated it and a twhrush sprang to the branch 6' in front of me.
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Vocalizations: Characteristic rolling song, which began with the “gwerp” note I remember from 1979-06-25, when I imitated it and a twhrush sprang to the branch 6' in front of me.
Robin, American 
8 @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
8 @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Thrasher, California 
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Crossed the road halfway from Foothill to the Chestnut parking area.
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Crossed the road halfway from Foothill to the Chestnut parking area.
Starling, European 
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Vocalizations: Conspicuous and noisy.
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Vocalizations: Conspicuous and noisy.
Warbler, Orange-crowned 
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Description: Green over yellow, solid breast.
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Description: Green over yellow, solid breast.
Warbler, Yellow 
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Description: Red streaks on breast.
1980-06-23a0001
@Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Description: Red streaks on breast.
1980-06-23a0001
Towhee, Spotted 
# @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
# @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Towhee, California 
# @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
# @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Sparrow, Song 
# @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
# @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Junco, Oregon 
1 @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
1 @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Blackbird, Brewer's 
♀ @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Behavior: Holding heading straight up and displaying in front of a Brown Creeper on an oak limb.
♀ @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
Behavior: Holding heading straight up and displaying in front of a Brown Creeper on an oak limb.
Oriole, Bullock's 
1♀ @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
In eucalyptus.
1♀ @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
In eucalyptus.
Finch, House 
2-3 @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
In eucalyptus.
2-3 @Stevens Creek: Chestnut
In eucalyptus.
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Last updated: 2013-03-05 15:20 MST