Hi Group,

Last August I filmed birds migrating
over the Blue Moon over Dana Point and posted a video of it on my
YouTube Channel. I was never happy with that 15+ minute video and have
replaced it with a 48 minute video of migrating birds over the Sept. 20th (and
days before and after) Harvest Moon. The new video has more examples, and
more information for people who want to moon watch for birds. Heres my
film notes and the video link. Enjoy Joel Weintraub Dana
Point, CA

Migrating Birds Across The Harvest Moon: Information,
Examples & Filming Protocols Sept.
2021
On the nights of September 17 th through 21st,
2021, a Harvest Moon time period, I
mounted a Nikon P1000 camera on a motor driven equatorial mount and recorded
sequences of migratory birds flying
over the moon's disk. My
location was an urbanized area of Dana Point, California, on the Pacific
flyway. A total of about 270 minutes of filming
was done, and 42 objects detected flying over the moons disk, or about 1 event
every 6.4 minutes. Most birds appeared smaller than the size of Tycho crater,
some just as moving dots until slow motion revealed wing flapping. Ten video sequences from the 42
events are shown both in real time
and at 300% zoom and 1/16 th reduced speed. One event was a satellite that was
clearly seen. Information
about bird migration, hints about what to expect including what to observe, equipment to use, and protocols of
filming are presented. A
graphical way of presenting the path bearings for 38 birds is shown, and most
were going southward as expected for fall migrating birds.
Note: I have removed a previous video watching moon birds during a Blue
Moon ((More Than) Once In A Blue Moon: Birds, Bats, & UFOs) from my
YouTube channel as the current video has much more information and examples.

https://youtu.be/Y4zyal7jWAs

 
  
   
  
 
 
  
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I contacted the person who posted a 3:30 checklist on Friday for the Lesser-sand Plover. He saw the bird on Thursday, September 23 NOT FRIDAY. He is very sorry for the mistake and has now corrected his list.
Carole Rose Monterey County

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My apologies to Marshall Mathers.
So there was an eBird report from early this morning including photographs in which the person reporting states that a peregrine falcon captured, killed and ate the Lesser Sand Plover. Now I see a new report from 3:30 p.m. today for the same Sand Plover. So...which is it I was going to escort a friend tomorrow morning from LA to look for this bird and now I don't know if I'm sleeping in or getting up early in the morning.

Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont, LA County
909.241.3300
"If you track their productivity, people are more productive when allowed to work from home." --Steven Novella, M.D.

Hello all, It started very slow, thick fog, no birds. It took forever to see our first Sooty Shearwater. But once we were at the Pioneer Canyon, Sabines, Bullers Shearwater, jaegers, Black Storm-Petrel, they all started to show up. It was calm and windless, and the fog lifted giving great visibility. It was an unusual day in many respects, the calm weather was one, but also the fact that there was warm (61F water) that was blue-green. A distant murrelet (likely Scrippss) started our murrelet searches. In the end we saw 16 murrelets including all that we identified as Scrippss or were too distant to identify. Additionally two Guadalupe Murrelets were in the Pioneer Canyon (SF county) https://ebird.org/checklist/S95041081 Guadalupe Murrelet is among the rarest of the worlds alcids. Only 5000 breeding individuals are thought to exist, some put the population at 7500 total. They breed on offshore islands, and keep to warmer and deeper water than Scrippss Murrelets so are much less likely to be found on a pelagic than its close relative. As such, they are perhaps the hardest alcid to find in North America, and certainly worldwide it is not much easier. So we were elated to see two of them offshore. This species is Endangered. All three jaegers were found with an estimate of 8 South Polar Skuas, at one time two were together on the water. That is a lot of bird muscle out there! Hundreds of Sabines Gulls were offshore, basically all over the place. We topped it off with a big Black Storm-Petrel flock of two thousand approximately. Four species of storm-petrel were seen, the others were Ashy, Wilsons and Fork-tailed. Great views of Bullers Shearwaters wowed folks on the boat. We also may have seen at least one Guadalupe Fur Seal. If the warm water feel is what you are getting from this day, you would be right. It was unusual in that the ocean was dominated by a warmer/offshore water component that included many jumping tuna! We photographed a couple poorly, and saw some close by we think these were big Bluefin, not Albacore. Record numbers of offshore murrelets, along with the tuna, this was not a normal situation but a lucky one in water types we usually do not encounter here. To top it off, a Minke Whale was seen on our way back to port. And we started with wonderful views of Marbled Murrelets, and saw three Tufted Puffins on the trip. What a day to be out!!! We are sold out currently on available dates. But when I get a minute we will be adding two dates as the boat is available to do so. Both late season trips which should be good for albatross, Short-tailed and Flesh-footed shearwaters, and perhaps something unusual! The dates will be Oct 23 and Nov 13. We seldom get out there in November, this is a good date for Laysan Albatross and if we are to find an offshore and non-injured Short-tailed Albatross November might be the time. I will send out a message when we have the dates available on the website. You can email me ( alvaro@... ) if you want to be penciled in for either of those dates. Alvaro Alvaro Jaramillo alvaro@... www.alvarosadventures.com

USFWS created a blog about the Short-tailed Albatross which includes a few photos of our recent CA bird, the viewing guidelines and a bit of info on the species. Feel free to share widely. Thank you!
https://usfws.medium.com/dont-chum-the-albatross-3c29ce75b48a

Gerry McChesney

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Hello birders, You are invited to join LA Birders for next weeks webinar and our other upcoming programs -- please feel free to share with any other folks or groups you think may be interested! And dont forget that nearly all of our past programs are recorded and easily viewable any time on YouTube ! Warbler ID Made Easy(er) with Tom Stephenson, Tuesday, Sep 21, 2021 7:00pm via YouTube North American warblers are some of the most beautiful birds in the world. But their beautiful colors often blind birders to many of their most important ID points. This problem is compounded by the often brief and obstructed views we have in the field. This talk discusses many of these very important but often overlooked ID points such as overall contrast, subtle facial features, color impressions, feather edging, rump contrast, and foraging style, location, and behavior. And fortunately, viewing a warbler from below can reveal some of the most important ID points for many species. Learn how many tail and undertail covert patterns are, in fact, diagnostic alone or when combined with one other ID point.Individual species, especially the most challenging to identify, will also be discussed with outlines of the important ID points, comparisons with similar species, and illustrations of how even partial views can be used to identify many of even the most challenging warbler species. Join us for an evening of warbler identification without getting warbler neck! This webinar will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel ; it will also be recorded and made available on YouTube for later - or repeat - viewing.
Birding 101 with Mark Scheel and Ron Cyger - begins October 18 Are you interested in learning about bird identification in a fun and safe in-person environment, both in the classroom and in the field Look no further! Mark & Rons Birding 101 is the beginning birding class thats been successful for over a decade and is designed to give budding birders the structure, knowledge, and tools to bird with confidence. This course consists of three classroom sessions in Monrovia from 6:30-9:30pm on October 18, 25, & November 1, plus two field trips beginning at 8am on October 23 & 30 at to-be-determined LA-area locations. More information and sign up here! BECOME A MEMBER! Though our webinars will always remain free and available to all, members of Los Angeles Birders have access to live webinars via Zoom and also receive priority sign-up for LAB events and discounts on paid LAB programs (like Birding 101). To learn more about membership, please see our website ! And lastly... SAVE THE DATE(S): * 10/12 - Junco identification with Jon Dunn & Kimball Garrett (Zoom webinar) * 10/18 - Birding 101 course begins ( in-person! sign-up & tuition required ) * 10/19 - Slashes, sp.s, and identification (or not): Identification of Passerines in Flight with Ryan Terrill (Zoom webinar) * 11/9 - Population dynamics, Lead Toxicity and California Condors with Myra Finkelstein (Zoom webinar) * 11/16 - Slashes, sp.s, and identification (or not): Parrots of Southern California with Larry Allen (Zoom webinar plus in-person parrot chase field trip on to-be-announced date) Good birding, Rebecca Marschall Valley Village, CA for LosAngelesBirders@... www.losangelesbirders.org

--
Rebecca Fenning Marschall rebecca.fenning@...

Please see below and forward to anyonewho might come into contact with the Short-tailed Albatross that has been lingering just off the California coast since at least June. Thank you.
Gerry McChesney U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

From: Boldenow, Megan L
< megan_boldenow@... >

Sent: Friday, September 17, 2021 12:26 PM
Subject: Update on the short-tailed albatross off the central California coast, with guidelines for low impact viewing

Dear All:

As you are likely aware, a juvenile short-tailed albatross has been sighted off the coast of California this summer, most recently in Central California. This bird is exciting news for the region, as short-tailed albatross breed in Japan and are not regular
visitors to California waters. The bird does have a metal ring on its leg; this is a band with a unique identifying number that will tell us more about the bird.
We believe it likely fledged from a colony on Torishima Island, in Japan.

This bird is also a federally listed endangered species, protected under federal law and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service is monitoring the bird's status, with the help of local biologists, wildlife managers, and law enforcement personnel in state and federal agencies. Observers have noted
this bird has apparent damage to its flight feathers, suggesting it may have experienced some sort of line entanglement in its recent past. The bird is also undergoing natural wing molt at this time, which makes its feathers look a bit rough. At
this time, the bird exhibits what appears to be normal behavior for a young albatross; it is able to conduct a straight and balanced flight, is exhibiting normal preening behavior, and can find the typical food items it needs to stay healthy.

Species experts and managers agree that the best thing for this bird is to give it plenty of space to be a wild, young albatross.

Short-tailed albatross are high strung, sensitive birds that are not well acclimated to humans. These are heavy-bodied seabirds, and it is energetically taxing for them to run along the
water to move away, or to lift off the water into flight. Giving the bird plenty of space by maintaining the required distance will ensure we do not add to stress the bird may already be experiencing during a sensitive time (molting of feathers).

We are requesting the following help from the local community:

Should you observe the bird, please maintain a distance of 100 meters (330 feet) from the bird. This is an area roughly the length of a football field. Do not approach the bird head on with your vessel. Do not flush the bird for any reason. Do not chum or bait the bird to attract it, or otherwise feed the bird. Improper diet can negatively affect the bird's health. Ensure your fishing gear remains 100 meters (330 feet, or roughly a football field in length) from the bird.

This bird is a federally listed endangered species, and every bird matters. The Service is counting on the birding, fishing, maritime, and other communities to exercise good judgment and ensure your
actions do not affect the bird's behavior.

In addition to protecting the bird, these recommendations also protect you from violating federal law.

Short-tailed albatross are protected under the Endangered Species Act, which means it is illegal toharass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect this bird, or to attempt
to engage in any such conduct.Under the Act, harassme nt means an intentional or negligent act or omission which creates the likelihood of injury to wildlife by annoying it to such an extent
as to significantly disrupt normal behavioral patterns which include, but are not limited to, breeding, feeding, or sheltering.

The Service thanks you in advance for your help keeping this truly special endangered seabird safe in the wild. Please share this email widely.

Megan Boldenow
Fish and Wildlife Biologist

(she/her)

Anchorage
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

I acknowledge that I live on
the traditional lands of the Denaina Athabascans, and I work throughout the ancestral territory
of the Indigenous Peoples of Alaska . I
am grateful for their continued care and stewardship of this land.

Update:
Earl Lebow reports that the Short-tailedAlbatross has been seen off Santa Cruz in the northern Monterey Bay today.
--
Bernardo Alps
Wildlife Biologist California Whales & Wildlife www.photocetus.com
whalephoto@...
310.597.0449
P.O. Box 1667
San Pedro, CA 90733

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Hi Tom.
The Short-tailed was seen close to shore for a while on Wednesday morning. It was seen further out in the Bay later that day and has not been reported since. This being pelagic birding, the thingto do is to get on the water and keep your fingers crossed.
I will be leading an eight-hour trip for Monterey Seabirds on Sunday but that boat is sold out. Monterey Bay Whale Watch boats have spent time with the albatross on all their trips that found it on Wednesday and are very likely to do so again if the bird is refound. https://www.montereybaywhalewatch.com/
Good luck!
Bernardo
--
Bernardo Alps
Wildlife Biologist California Whales & Wildlife www.photocetus.com
whalephoto@...
310.597.0449
P.O. Box 1667
San Pedro, CA 90733

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Hi, I'm wondering if anybody has plans for a boat trip or to take a whale watching boat to try to see the refund short-tailed albatross in Monterey Bay that apparently is close to shore Please feel free to use reply all because others might also be interested.

Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont, LA County
909.241.3300

Hi All,

Yesterday morning 9/16 Dessi Sieburth and I stumbled upon an actively calling apparent EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE at the Point Reyes Lighthouse in Marin county. The bird was evidently first heard (but not seen or identified) in the morning by Bob Atwood at 8am and remained through the day.

Recordings of the bird can be found here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S94761794

Many other vagrants out there including a Painted Bunting at the same spot found by Ethan Monk in the evening.

Best,

Logan

Hi all.

We did not find any mega rarities on our eight-hour pelagictrip aboard the Pt. Sur Clipper last Sunday (9/12) but we again had a steady stream of birds throughout the day, great looks at most species, and favorable weather conditions and sea state.
Buller's Shearwaters have been a bit erratic this year, the five-day Searcher trip didn't find any last week and neither did we on our previous two trips, but this time we hit the mother lode, over 150 birds. We also had at least one, but likelythree, Short-tailed Shearwaters, a species that appearsto be making its way down from the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska earlythis year. We had Sooty and Pink-footedShearwaters in good numbers and several cooperative Black-footed Albatrosses. Our only three storm-petrels were Ashys and we had a few NorthernFulmars.
The jaeger show was spectacular, especially Pomarine and Long-tailed Jaegers of which we had over a dozen aroundthe boat several times. The victims were mostly Sabine's Gulls this time as numbers of both Artic and Common Terns were lower than during previous trips. Numbers of California Gulls continue to increase. We found a few Cassin's Auklets, including a very cooperative one, as well as high numbers of the expected Rhinoceros Auklets and Common Murres. All phalaropes were Red-necked. And one pelagicTownsend'sWarbler was running the gauntlet of Western Gulls.
Thank you to co-leader Bill Hubick. In my last report, I forgot to thank co-leaders Eli Gross, Don Roberson, Mark Kudrav, and Joshua Stacy.
We have a couple of spots open on our eight-hour trip this coming Sunday and we have three more trips coming up in October, https://www.montereyseabirds.com/ . The Short-tailed Albatross was in the Bay on Wednesday, will it stick around
Take care,
Bernardo
--
Bernardo Alps
Wildlife Biologist California Whales & Wildlife www.photocetus.com
whalephoto@...
310.597.0449
P.O. Box 1667
San Pedro, CA 90733

Hi all.
Thebest bird of our Monterey Seabirds 8-hour pelagic birding trip on the Monterey Bay last Sunday was again a Manx Shearwater; unfortunately not as cooperative as the one on our previous trip and not seen by everyone. We had a good jaeger show with all three species well represented and seen well. The victims of the jaegers, Arctic and Common Terns as well as Sabine's Gulls were also present in good numbers. A handfulof Red Phalaropes were seen in addition to numerous Red-necked Phalaropes. And again several Black-footed Albatrosses put on a good show. Sooty and Pink-footed Shearwaters were present in large numbers. A single Pigeon Guillemont, a handful of Cassin's Auklets, and a couple of dozen Rhinoceros Auklets rounded out the alcid show with the abundant Common Murres.
Mammals were represented by a small pod of Baird's Beaked Whales and many HumpbackWhales, a couple of which called attention to their presence close to the Pt. Sur Clipper with a spectaculardouble breach.
A quick not on sea surface temperature. Unlike on our previous trip, on Sunday we couldn't identify any areas of warm water within reach. And while we covered very similar tracks on both trips, the difference in temperatureshowedin some of the species observed. For one, after the storm-petrel bonanza two weeks ago, we had none on Sunday. Two weeks ago, we had eight fur seals, three of which for sure and probably all were Guadalupe Fur Seals. Last Sunday, we saw approximately 25 fur seals, six of which for sure and probably all were Northern Fur Seals.
Next Sunday's trip is sold out, but we have space on our upcoming trips on September 19, and October 3, 10, and 17, https://www.montereyseabirds.com/ .
Take care,
Bernardo
--
Bernardo Alps
Wildlife Biologist California Whales & Wildlife www.photocetus.com
Whalephoto@...
310.597.0449
P.O. Box 1667
San Pedro, CA 90733