21st Christmas Bird Count Is Coming to Sea Ranch!

National Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count is just around the corner!

Mark your calendars now for 21st Annual Sea Ranch Christmas Bird Count. This count supports the National Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Everyone- old and young, new and experienced birders- are welcome to take part!

When: Saturday, December 2, 2017:

What: A walk to get in practice for winter birding will be led by Cheryl Harris and Dorothy Gregor. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Del Mar Center parking lot.

When: Thursday, December 28, 2017 (NOTE–Date Change)

What: Participants are encouraged to attend the Organizational Meeting from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Del Mar Center House for group sign-ups and to meet leaders. Meeting places will be determined at the December 28th Organizational Meeting.

When: Saturday, January 6, 2018 (Count Day):

What: Experienced birders will lead participants to 10 areas of The Sea Ranch to count.  All birds seen on that day will be recorded. Bluff top, meadows and forest areas will be covered. Bring binoculars and a field guide, and dress for all kinds of weather (severe weather moves count day to January 7). Also don’t forget to stock your feeders. New and experienced birders welcome.

When: Sunday, January 7, 2018

We will meet at the Del Mar Center House from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. to count and share sightings. Bring some lunch or snacks to share.

Call us with questions and for more information. We look forward to seeing you.
Diane Hichwa (dhichwa@earthlink.net) or Cheryl Harris (707-294-6423).

Longest Running Citizen Science Survey

Citizen Science engages volunteers in the collection of ecological information. In this case, National Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count is the longest running Citizen Science Survey in the world. In this case, the holiday bird counts calculate bird populations at a time when migrating and native birds are “wintering.” Once again, this year’s Christmas Bird Count is by people just like you.

The Sea Ranch Joins in with an Unofficial Christmas Bird Count

Some localities, such as The Sea Ranch and vicinity, hold an unofficial count. Naturally, bird lovers flock to join in this low-key fun effort by counting the species and individual birds present on The Sea Ranch on a particular day or weekend.

Recording the Birds

Their recording area includes the ocean area visible from The Sea Ranch and north to the adjacent Gualala River and estuary area in the hope that they have a more inclusive count. Coupled with the Madrone Audubon Society, Sea Ranchers have teamed up with t to focus on the coastal areas including the California Coastal National Monument: rocks, islands and pinnacles exposed above mean high tide.

While the data are recorded, and a count is logged for the community’s information, they are not published within the the official results. Ultimately we do it for pleasure and to learn more about our birds on the Ranch.

Volunteers monitor seabirds in the following areas:

Your help is welcome; if you want to volunteer, please contact contact Diane Hichwa at dhichwa@earthlink.net, telephone: 707-785-1922 (Sea Ranch), 707-483-3130 (cell).

Include the Christmas Bird Count in Your Vacation Plans

The Christmas Bird Count is one of the annual special events held at The Sea Ranch. Planning and count dates are usually announced by November. This traditional event is held early in the first week of January. An orientation meeting is held after Christmas. .

Exchanging Notepads for Guns

Since 1900, this long held tradition started on Christmas Day.  Ornithologist Frank M. Chapman was an early officer in the then newly formed Audubon Society. Before this, huntsmen would often hold a Christmas “Side Hunt.” Sides would be selected and the teams would hunt the field with their guns. The winning team would be whoever brought in the biggest pile of game (both feathered and furred).

 A New Holiday Tradition

Chapman initiated a new holiday tradition –  a “Christmas Bird Census”- that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them. (See: pdf of the first Audubon Christmas Bird Count of 1900)

Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count told by Chan Robbins from Audubon Science on Vimeo.

Join the National Christmas Bird Count

All Christmas Bird Counts are conducted between December 14 to January 5, inclusive dates, each season. Notably, this year will be no different. A map view of the circles expected to be included in the 118th CBC can be found here. If you’re interested in participating this season, check out the map to find a count near you. Of course, more circles will be added as they are approved for the 118th CBC and beyond. Up to the present time, green and yellow circles are open for new participants, and red circles are full. Please note online registration will not be available for the 118th Count—please contact compilers by email using the information from the pop-ups on the map

Then the count results are published online by National Audubon and Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Everyone can participate no matter ability and there is no limit to the number of counts you may attend!

When and Where Will the National Christmas Bird Counts Be Held in California?

 

To find a Christmas Bird Count near you in California visit Nature Alley’s Website.  In the side column you will find all the dates, locations, and team leaders to date.

Be aware these may be placeholder dates for some. Only those with an asterisk are confirmed dates. Check back here for updates and date confirmations.  Many counts are weather permitting. Make sure you contact your compiler to verify that the count hasn’t been postponed or cancelled.

Mendocino County Christmas Bird Count Locations:

•  Fort Bragg (CAFB), Saturday, December 30, 2015. Mendocino County, Compiler: Tim Bray, Phone: (707) 937-4422  Tim Bray at 937-4422 or email.
• For the Manchester count, contact the count compiler Dave Jensen at 964-8163 or email.

Redwood Region Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count Locations:

• Arcata, Humboldt County, Saturday, December 16, 2017,  Compiler: Tony Kurz
• Tall Trees, Humboldt County, January 2, 2018, Ken Burton, Phone: (707) 499-1146

Marin County Christmas Bird Count Locations:

• Point Reyes Peninsula, Saturday December 16, 2015
• Southern Marin County: Compilers: Ed Nute and Bob Hinz

Sonoma County Christmas Bird Count Locations:

• Area Leader Contact List 2017  (pdf)
• Santa Rosa CBC Sunday, December 17, 2017, Contact Bill Doyle
• Sonoma Valley CBC Friday, December 29, 2017 Contact Gene Hunn or call 981-7301.
• Saturday, December 30, 2015 – Western Sonoma County, Sonoma County: Compiler: Veronica Bowers: Phone: (707) 829-2955
• The Sea Ranch, January 7, 2018
• Spring Lake Regional Park CBC4Kids, Saturday, December 16, 2017, 10:00am to 12:00pm, Questions or Sign-ups: Susan Kirks or call 707-241-5548.

Golden Gate Audubon /San Francisco Christmas Bird Count locations

• To register click here
• Oakland occurs Sunday, December 17, 2017 (Registration is now closed for our Oakland count.)
• San Francisco, December 27, 2017

How Does Participation Work?

Of course, being a scientific study, there is a specific methodology to the CBC. First, all participants must make arrangements to participate in advance with the circle compiler within an established circle. Anyone can participate, including youth. Typically participants are assigned to teams based on their bird identification skill level and endurance.

All birds are to be counted, not just a specific species.

• Participants are typically assigned to teams based on their bird identification skill level and endurance
• Each count takes place in an established 15-mile wide diameter circle
• The count compiler organizes the group
• Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile (24-km) diameter circle
• Every bird seen and heard all day is counted to give an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day

Bird Watching and Counting at The Sea Ranch

Bird watching is a wonderful way to get outdoors, walk the trails, and enjoy all the marvelous creatures inhabiting Sea Ranch. Of course, whether you are able to join us for the Christmas Bird Count, or simply wish to observe the many bird species that call Sea Ranch home , we definitely have you covered at Abalone Bay. Besides binoculars,  you’ll find bird books and trail maps to make it easy for you to try your hand at bird watching.  In fact, at Sea Ranch you’ll discover more than 100 different species of birds that live in or frequent the area every year.

Sea Ranch- An Active Bird-watching Community

And you will most likely not be alone in your endeavors. In fact The Sea Ranch has a very active bird-watching community that

• maintains a list of birds that sighted at The Sea Ranch and its vicinity since its inception in 1964
• conducts an annual  unofficial Christmas Bird Count in January
• sponsors a monthly bird walk, usually on the first Monday
• participates in local counts and research projects

So feel free to join in when you are a guest staying at Abalone Bay!

Species You May Encounter When Bird Watching

If you try your hand at bird watching you may find these various bird species. Note the seasons when you could expect to view them:
Ocean Birds     Coastal Birds     Meadow Birds
Mixed Wood Birds     Forest Bird

Bird Watching Guide for Sea Ranch

Below is a listing made in 2007 of 221 birds is based on the sightings of various individuals, including notably, local birders, Al Wool and John Arnold. Of great interest to birders is“The Sea Ranch and Vicinity”which includes the ocean visible from The Sea Ranch and the adjacent Gualala River.

This list of birds includes a Sea Ranch Abundance Code as follows:

• C=Common seen >90% of time
• FC=Fairly common 50-90% of time
• U=Uncommon 10-50% of time
• R=Rare <10% of time
• X=Extremely Rare (fewer than 10 sightings in TSR history

Resources for Sea Ranch, Mendonoma Birders

“Birders” find greater detail and resources in one or more of the following resources:

• Arnold, John R., Birds of The Sea Ranch and Adjacent Gualala River – An Annotated Field list , 27 pp.; find the unpublished manuscript at the library section of the Gualala Point Park, Gualala, CA, circa 1976-7.
• Burage, Betty, Ed. Sonoma County Breeding Bird Atlas, Madrone Audibon Society, 1995.
• Bolander, Gordon L. & Benj. D. Parmeter, Birds of Sonoma County, California – An Annotated Checklist and Birding gazetteer, Redwood Region Ornithological Soc., publ. By Benjamin D. Parmeter, 1978.
• Keiffer, Robert J., Field Checklist of the Birds of Mendocino Co., CA, privately published by author, P. O. Box 354, Hopland CA 95449 (For sale at Gualala Books, Gualala, CA), 1993.
• Tobkin, Dorothy Checklist of the Birds of MacKerricher State Park, Mendocino Area Parks Assoc. P. O. Box 1387, Mendocino, CA 95460, March 26,1996.
• Wool., Al, Ecotopia, wildlife in the “Life on the Sea Ranch Series”, available from TSR Association, 1993.

Birds sighted at The Sea Ranch and Vicinity

Common Name	Scientific Name	Abundance
Red-throated Loon	Gavia stellata	U
Pacific Loon	Gavia pacifica	FC
Common Loon	Gavia immer	FC
Pied-billed Grebe	Podilymbus podiceps	U
Horned Grebe	Podiceps auritus	FC
Red-necked Grebe	Podiceps grisegena	U
Eared Grebe	Podiceps nigricollis	FC
Western Grebe	Aechmophorus occidentalis	FC
Clark’s Grebe	Aechmophorus clarkii	U
Wandering Albatross	Diomedea exulans	X
Pink-footed Shearwater	Puffinus creatopus	X
Flesh-footed Shearwater	Puffinus carneipes	X
Sooty Shearwater	Puffinus griseus	X
Brown Pelican	Pelecanus occidentalis	C
Brandt’s Cormorant	Phalacrocorax penicillatus	C
Double-crested Cormorant	Phalacrocorax auritus	C
Pelagic Cormorant	Phalacrocorax pelagicus	C
Magnificent Frigatebird	Fregata magnificens	U
Great Blue Heron	Ardea herodias	C
Great Egret	Ardea alba	FC
Snowy Egret	Egretta thula	U
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis	R
Green Heron	Butorides virescens	U
Black-crowned Night-Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	U
Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura	C
Canada Goose	Branta canadensis	C
Brant	Branta bernicla	C
Wood Duck	Aix sponsa	U
American Wigeon	Anas americana	U
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	C
Cinnamon Teal	Anas cyanoptera	U
Northern Shoveler	Anas clypeata	U
Northern Pintail	Anas acuta	U
Green-winged Teal	Anas crecca	FC
Harlequin Duck	Histrionicus histrionicus	FC
Surf Scoter	Melanitta perspicillata	FC
White-winged Scoter	Melanitta fusca	FC
Black Scoter	Melanitta nigra	U
Bufflehead	Bucephala albeola	C
Common Goldeneye	Bucephala clangula	U
Hooded Merganser	Lophodytes cucullatus	U
Common Merganser	Mergus merganser	FC
Red-breasted Merganser	Mergus serrator	FC
Ruddy Duck	Oxyura jamaicensis	FC
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	C
White-tailed Kite	Elanus leucurus	C
Bald Eagle	Haliaeetus leucocephalus	R
Northern Harrier	Circus cyaneus	FC
Sharp-shinned Hawk	Accipiter striatus	U
Cooper’s Hawk	Accipiter cooperii	U
Red-shouldered Hawk	Buteo lineatus	FC
Broad-winged Hawk	Buteo platypterus	R
Red-tailed Hawk	Buteo jamaicensis	C
Ferruginous Hawk	Buteo regalis	U
Rough-legged Hawk	Buteo lagopus	U
Golden Eagle	Aquila chrysaetos	R
American Kestrel	Falco sparverius	FC
Merlin	Falco columbarius	U
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus	U
Wild Turkey	Meleagris gallopavo	C
California Quail	Callipepla californica	C
Virginia Rail	Rallus limicola	R
Sora	Porzana carolina	R
American Coot	Fulica americana	C
Black-bellied Plover	Pluvialis squatarola	FC
Pacific Golden-Plover	Pluvialis fulva	U
Semipalmated Plover	Charadrius semipalmatus	FC
Killdeer	Charadrius vociferus	C
Black Oystercatcher	Haematopus bachmani	C
American Avocet	Recurvirostra americana	UC
Greater Yellowlegs	Tringa melanoleuca	UC
Lesser Yellowlegs	Tringa flavipes	R
Willet	Catoptrophorus semipalmatus	C
Wandering Tattler	Heteroscelus incanus	FC
Spotted Sandpiper	Actitis macularia	C
Marbled Godwit	Limosa fedoa	U
Ruddy Turnstone	Arenaria interpres	U
Black Turnstone	Arenaria melanocephala	C
Surfbird	Aphriza virgata	FC
Sanderling	Calidris alba	C
Western Sandpiper	Calidris mauri	FC
Least Sandpiper	Calidris minutilla	FC
Baird’s Sandpiper	Calidris bairdii	R
Pectoral Sandpiper	Calidris melanotos	R
Dunlin	Calidris alpina	FC
Short-billed Dowitcher	Limnodromus griseus	UC
Long-billed Dowitcher	Limnodromus scolopaceus	UC
Wilson’s Phalarope	Phalaropus tricolor	R
Red-necked Phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	U
Red Phalarope	Phalaropus fulicaria	R
Pomarine Jaeger	Stercorarius pomarinus	R
Long-tailed Jaeger	Stercorarius longicaudus	R
Bonaparte’s Gull	Larus philadelphia	UC
Heermann’s Gull	Larus heermanni	C
Mew Gull	Larus canus	C
Ring-billed Gull	Larus delawarensis	C
California Gull	Larus californicus	C
Herring Gull	Larus argentatus	FC
Thayer’s Gull	Larus thayeri	R
Western Gull	Larus occidentalis	C
Glaucous-winged Gull	Larus glaucescens	C
Glaucous Gull	Larus hyperboreus	R
Black-legged Kittiwake	Rissa tridactyla	R
Caspian Tern	Sterna caspia	FC
Elegant Tern	Sterna elegans	R
Forster’s Tern	Sterna forsteri	U
Common Murre	Uria aalge	FC
Pigeon Guillemot	Cepphus columba	C
Ancient Murrelet	Synthliboramphus antiquus	R
Rhinoceros Auklet	Cerorhinca monocerata	R
Rock Dove	Columba livia	FC
Band-tailed Pigeon	Columba fasciata	C
Mourning Dove	Zenaida macroura	C
Barn Owl	Tyto alba	R
Western Screech-Owl	Otus kennicottii	U
Great Horned Owl	Bubo virginianus	U
Northern Pygmy-Owl	Glaucidium gnoma	U
Burrowing Owl	Athene cunicularia	R
Spotted Owl	Strix occidentalis	R
Northern Saw-whet Owl	Aegolius acadicus	R
Common Nighthawk	Chordeiles minor	R
Common Poorwill	Phalaenoptilus nuttallii	X
Vaux’s Swift	Chaetura vauxi	U
Anna’s Hummingbird	Calypte anna	C
Rufous Hummingbird	Selasphorus rufus	C
Allen’s Hummingbird	Selasphorus sasin	C
Belted Kingfisher	Ceryle alcyon	C
Acorn Woodpecker	Melanerpes formicivorus	C
Red-breasted Sapsucker	Sphyrapicus ruber	FC
Downy Woodpecker	Picoides pubescens	C
Hairy Woodpecker	Picoides villosus	C
Northern Flicker	Colaptes auratus	C
Pileated Woodpecker	Dryocopus pileatus	FC
Olive-sided Flycatcher	Contopus cooperi	FC
Western Wood-Pewee	Contopus sordidulus	FC
Willow Flycatcher	Empidonax traillii	R
Pacific-slope Flycatcher	Empidonax difficilis	C
Black Phoebe	Sayornis nigricans	C
Say’s Phoebe	Sayornis saya	U
Ash-throated Flycatcher	Myiarchus cinerascens	X
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher	Myiodynastes luteiventris	X
Western Kingbird	Tyrannus verticalis	R
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Tyrannus forficatus	X
Loggerhead Shrike	Lanius ludovicianus	R
Cassin’s Vireo	Vireo cassinii	FC
Hutton’s Vireo	Vireo huttoni	C
Warbling Vireo	Vireo gilvus	C
Gray Jay	Perisoreus canadensis	R
Steller’s Jay	Cyanocitta stelleri	C
Western Scrub-Jay	Aphelocoma californica	C
Common Raven	Corvus corax	C
Purple Martin	Progne subis	FC
Tree Swallow	Tachycineta bicolor	FC
Violet-green Swallow	Tachycineta thalassina	FC
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	Stelgidopteryx serripennis	FC
Cliff Swallow	Petrochelidon pyrrhonota	C
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica	C
Chestnut-backed Chickadee	Poecile rufescens	C
Oak Titmouse	Baeolophus inornatus	U
Bushtit	Psaltriparus minimus	FC
Red-breasted Nuthatch	Sitta canadensis	FC
White-breasted Nuthatch	Sitta carolinensis	U
Pygmy Nuthatch	Sitta pygmaea	FC
Brown Creeper	Certhia americana	C
Rock Wren	Salpinctes obsoletus	X
Bewick’s Wren	Thryomanes bewickii	U
House Wren	Troglodytes aedon	U
Winter Wren	Troglodytes troglodytes	C
Marsh Wren	Cistothorus palustris	R
Golden-crowned Kinglet	Regulus satrapa	U
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Regulus calendula	FC
Western Bluebird	Sialia mexicana	FC
Townsend’s Solitaire	Myadestes townsendi	R
Swainson’s Thrush	Catharus ustulatus	C
Hermit Thrush	Catharus guttatus	C
American Robin	Turdus migratorius	C
Varied Thrush	Ixoreus naevius	FC
Wrentit	Chamaea fasciata	C
Northern Mockingbird	Mimus polyglottos	U
European Starling	Sturnus vulgaris	C
American Pipit	Anthus rubescens	FC
Cedar Waxwing	Bombycilla cedrorum	FC
Orange-crowned Warbler	Vermivora celata	C
Nashville Warbler	Vermivora ruficapilla	U
Yellow Warbler	Dendroica petechia	U
Yellow-rumped Warbler	Dendroica coronata	C
Black-throated Gray Warbler	Dendroica nigrescens	R
Townsend’s Warbler	Dendroica townsendi	C
Hermit Warbler	Dendroica occidentalis	C
Palm Warbler	Dendroica palmarum	R
MacGillivray’s Warbler	Oporornis tolmiei	U
Common Yellowthroat	Geothlypis trichas	FC
Wilson’s Warbler	Wilsonia pusilla	C
Yellow-breasted Chat	Icteria virens	R
Western Tanager	Piranga ludoviciana	R
Spotted Towhee	Pipilo maculatus	C
California Towhee	Pipilo crissalis	C
Chipping Sparrow	Spizella passerina	U
Vesper Sparrow	Pooecetes gramineus	R
Savannah Sparrow	Passerculus sandwichensis	FC
Grasshopper Sparrow	Ammodramus savannarum	X
Fox Sparrow	Passerella iliaca	FC
Song Sparrow	Melospiza melodia	C
Lincoln’s Sparrow	Melospiza lincolnii	U
White-throated Sparrow	Zonotrichia albicollis	X
White-crowned Sparrow	Zonotrichia leucophrys	C
Golden-crowned Sparrow	Zonotrichia atricapilla	FC
Dark-eyed Junco	Junco hyemalis	C
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	Pheucticus ludovicianus	X
Black-headed Grosbeak	Pheucticus melanocephalus	R
Lazuli Bunting	Passerina amoena	R
Red-winged Blackbird	Agelaius phoeniceus	C
Western Meadowlark	Sturnella neglecta	C
Yellow-headed Blackbird	Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus	R
Brown-headed Cowbird	Molothrus ater	C
Bullock’s Oriole	Icterus bullockii	U
Purple Finch	Carpodacus purpureus	U
House Finch	Carpodacus mexicanus	C
Red Crossbill	Loxia curvirostra	U
Pine Siskin	Carduelis pinus	FC
Lesser Goldfinch	Carduelis psaltria	U
American Goldfinch	Carduelis tristis	C
House Sparrow	Passer domesticus	FC

 

More Resources for Bird Watching and Christmas Bird Count in Mendonoma

Visit Nature Alley for more information on all CBC’s

Sonoma County Bird Watching Spots

California – National Audubon Society

Madrone Audubon Society: The Sonoma County Chapter of the National Audubon Society

Mendocino Coast Audubon Society

Birders tally up species in 48th annual West Sonoma County Christmas Bird Count: 2014 Press Democrat

Audubon article on Frank Chapman’s bird count in 1886. He counted the feathers of 40 species of birds on women’s hats in Manhattan – the impetus for the Christmas Bird Count.

National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count Information

Birdwatching – How to Bird Watch – Ornithology

 

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