Rare Sightings - September 2024
Sabine’s Gull, from the 05/11/24 pelagic trip. Photo by Roger Adamson.
We have had relatively few true rarities since my last report in the April issue. Highlights include an Orchard Oriole found in an apple tree near the intersection of Ocean Drive and Sunset Way on the south side of Fort Bragg reported 04/09 (PP). Unfortunately, it was not refound by others. A Lapland Longspur was more cooperative and seen by numerous local birders after it was reported on the Noyo Headlands near the “punch bowl” on 05/05 (MP). We had a highly enjoyable pelagic birding trip on 05/11 motoring out of Noyo Harbor, eventually arriving about 30 miles due west of Elk where a submarine canyon meets the continental shelf. There were no real rarities for us. But enthusiasm was high for Sabine’s Gulls in the hundreds, numerous Fork-tailed and Ashy Storm-Petrels, several confiding Laysan Albatrosses, and an extraordinary showing of 80-100 Humpback Whales. While still about 25 miles off-shore we were visited briefly by a small passerine that circled the vessel before disappearing. A few birders tried to photograph the bird and only one succeeded in capturing a couple of excellent images of a Clay-colored Sparrow (TB-well done!).
Solitary Sandpiper, Virgin Creek 8/24/24. Photo by Lisa Walker-Roseman.
Skipping ahead to August 9, a Bell’s Sparrow was found at a home on Middle Ridge and has reappeared several times over the last couple of weeks (TB). More on this sparrow below. During our monthly third-Wednesday bird walk at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, we were surprised to see a Cassin’s Vireo on 08/21 (RA, TB). Cassin’s Vireo is not rare in this county, being a breeding bird inland. But they are sufficiently infrequent near the coast that it was a welcome surprise. While we are lacking rare shorebirds this summer, a Solitary Sandpiper made an appearance at Virgin Creek on 08/24 (LWR). This is only the fourth along the coast reported on eBird in the last ten years.
Bell’s Sparrow, juvenile on Middle Ridge 8/24/24. Photo by Tim Bray.
The arrival of a Bell’s Sparrow to Middle Ridge during post-breeding dispersal was unexpected primarily because the preferred habitat is relatively dry chaparral or sage scrub such as found in the Cow Mountain area southeast of Ukiah. They are relatively common in the inner coast ranges of California where they can readily be found in areas such as the western hills of Yolo County, the slopes of Mt. Diablo, the Pinnacles, and similar habitat to the south.
If you have a newer field guide, you will find that Bell’s Sparrow and Sagebrush Sparrow are the only two species listed in the genus Artemisiospiza. These two species were split about ten years ago from the previously recognized Sage Sparrow based on a variety of behavioral, morphological, and genetic data. Broadly speaking, Sagebrush Sparrow is a bird of the Great Basin.
Thanks to the following for their reports: Peter Pyle (PP), Michael Pociecha (MP), Tim Bray (TB), Roger Adamson (RA), Lisa Walker-Roseman.
First published MCAS Black Oystercatcher September 2024
