Fort Bragg CBC 2023 Preliminary Report

Lucy’s Warbler by Tim Bray

We had unusually good weather for the Fort Bragg Christmas Bird Count on Saturday December 30 - it only rained on us a few times, and there was hardly any wind. Compared to the last few years it was quite nice!

A lot of birders took advantage of that and spent a productive day counting birds all over the Circle. We had teams walking, bicycling, driving, and kayaking. I had hoped to get a boat out for seabirds, but the 16-foot swell made that idea seem less appealing. A few of us started the day early, going out in the predawn darkness to survey for owls. We were treated to rainbows in the morning and a beautiful sunset as well. The birding was generally good and the teams were happy with their day.

Forty people showed up for the Tally Dinner at the Caspar Community Center and enjoyed hot lasagna fresh from the oven, with salad and garlic bread, which was a real treat after a long day of birding. BIG thanks to Mary Rogers, Pam Huntley, and Peter Steele, for managing the hall and feeding us all. That really made the event a success and put everyone in a great mood for the tally-up. It was wonderful to once again see the hall filled with happy birders laughing and sharing their experiences.

Led by Sue Coulter, we took a few moments to remember and celebrate those who were such key parts of past Counts but are no longer with us: Matt Coleman, Ron LeValley, Warren Wade, and Art Morley. As David Jensen observed, such remembrance makes us appreciate these gatherings more keenly.

Our preliminary total is 142 species, though I am still getting some reports and we could add one or two more (anyone see a Pileated Woodpecker?).

Notable finds included:

Lucy’s Warbler - found on the Noyo Headlands trail near the Alder Street entrance, well seen and photographed. If accepted this will be the third Mendocino County record for this species.

Marbled Murrelets - two found by Sean MacAllister off Ward Avenue

Blue-winged Teal - drake and hen on the Ocean Shores pond

Burrowing Owl - just south of Johnson Rock on the Noyo Headlands trail

Bullock’s Oriole and (2) Nashville Warblers - Rose Memorial cemetery

Black-headed Grosbeak - reported from a feeder watch on Benson Lane

For a more complete list, see the eBird Trip Report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/173997

First published MCAS Black Oystercatcher January 2024