San Diego to Monterey mid October (1 Viewer)

Dear all,
request for several pieces of info, based on the following: we expect to go to San Diego in mid October for a conference, but also expect to have some time around that period for birding. SO:

Monterey pelagic: is that worth our time at that time of the year? What can one expect to see? (we are interested in both mammals and birds)

I have an '85 Lane's guide to birding southern California. I expect that one to be out of date, but what is better?

How does one get to see Island Scrub Jay? From where does one sail, and would they be on for mid october?

California Condor? Cackling Goose? (both in mid October)

Thanks
Niels

PS: one more: Bell's Sparrow

Hi Niels,

Let me get started on a few of your questions (SoCal = southern California).

Your best source of info for SoCal pelagics is: http://www.socalbirding.com
A table with what to expect when, pelagic-bird-wise is: http://www.californiatargetbirds.com/pelagic_birding.htm

The best current birding guide for SoCal has to be Brad Schram's "A Birder's Guide to Southern California": http://www.aba.org/siteguides/scal.html

To get the Island Scrub-Jay you have to visit Santa Cruz Island using Island Packers in Ventura (http://www.islandpackers.com). The crucial point is to get off the boat at Prisoners Harbor (not Scorpion Anchorage). Those birds are there year round and they are not going anywhere.

Re California Condor, Cackling Goose and Bell's Sparrow, I would start out using eBird to see what your options are. There should be several.

Best
Wim

Neils,
Firstly big thanks for the heads up on the preconditions regarding visiting the Oil Birds at Dunstan cave/gorge - I managed to visit and it was the birding highlight of my short trip.

I have birded the area between San Diego and Monterrey and surrounds a number of times so maybe I can help.

shearwater journeys - http://www.shearwaterjourneys.com/index.shtml has a link which shows what may be seen at various times of year. definitely worth doing a pelagic from there any time of year.

I think you use ebird - this is definitely your best resource for pinpointing target species

http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=...ar=2013&eYear=2014&continue.x=76&continue.y=9

The best places for condor are the big sur and pinnacles NP - If you are a 'serious' twitcher I'm not sure if you can count these yet - I'm not and enjoy seeing them regardless.

California condor:-
http://ebird.org/ebird/map/calcon?b....531&env.maxX=-114.129&env.maxY=42.01&gp=true

bells sparrow:-
http://ebird.org/ebird/map/belspa2?....531&env.maxX=-114.129&env.maxY=42.01&gp=true

Cackling goose is a wierd one to go after - I guess it must be a bogey bird for you in the US - typically it is an easy bird in many places

Cackling goose:-
http://ebird.org/ebird/map/cacgoo1?...=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=range&byr=2013&eyr=2014

I find this guide helpful-
http://www.sibleyguides.com/2007/07/identification-of-cackling-and-canada-goose/

off the top of my head other species in your area which you may find interesting that may be around are:
Lawrences goldfinch (my bogey bird - I dipped again approx 3 weeks ago near laguna beach), mountain quail, mountain plover, Craveri's Murrelet, Thick-billed Kingbird, Black-throated Magpie-Jay, Le Conte's Thrasher, and others I'm sure.

Thank you both, and also thank you to the BF member who answered in a PM.

Mike, I am happy my posts were helpful for you re TT! My only possible Cackling was an overflying flock of Canadas in the mid 90ties where one bird was massively smaller than the rest. That happened in Wisconsin, so who knows what it might have been. Since the split happened, I have been in Vancouver at the wrong time of year, in New Mexico about 2 weeks after they left, etc.

My single observation of Lawrence's Goldfinch happened in Anza Borrego SP in 1998.

I have a list of about 100 species I am missing that are on the California state list. I assumed that most of those would be rare visitors, but I might find another couple that I want to ask about down the line.

Niels

Neils
BTW in my experience you rarely get one Cackling amongst a group of Canadas and vice versa - though it can happen. Typically Canada and Cackling geese flocks and individuals tend to stay separated - also I find that Sibley guide helpful. I don't rely on size - (except for the tiny cackling ssps)

With a bit of prep and luck I expect you will see a # of new species.

cassowary said:

Neils
BTW in my experience you rarely get one Cackling amongst a group of Canadas and vice versa - though it can happen. Typically Canada and Cackling geese flocks and individuals tend to stay separated - also I find that Sibley guide helpful. I don't rely on size - (except for the tiny cackling ssps)

With a bit of prep and luck I expect you will see a # of new species.

Click to expand...

In the SoCal I know, Cackling Geese are almost always found in small numbers among a majority of Canada Geese. Every now and then a single Cackling Goose shows up. I have never seen or heard of a flock of solely Cackling Geese in the Santa Barbara County area or its surroundings.

Wim

Monterey pelagic trip

Monterey is a great place for pelagic birds, sea lions, whales. When in Monterey, go to Fisherman's wharf: there are several boat (whale watching) tours available. Whales might be migrating south in mid-October.

There's also beautiful shoreline scenery in Monterey and Pacific Grove. Don't miss the place.

Thanks All,
our trip starts next week. I have a reservation on a boat with Shearwater from Monterey, but will stay in the area one extra day for other experiences.

Niels

One additional question: when we visit Prisoner's harbor site, are there any other subspecies that are localized to that island we also need to keep an eye out for? I think I remember reading something like that, but do not remember where ...

Niels

njlarsen said:

One additional question: when we visit Prisoner's harbor site, are there any other subspecies that are localized to that island we also need to keep an eye out for? I think I remember reading something like that, but do not remember where ...

Niels

Click to expand...

Pacific-slope flycatcher if they are still around in October? Didn't sound too different to mainland birds to my ears though! Also saw blue whales and scripp's murrelet on the trips there and back this may, but only 1 brief view of a couple of jays as I got off the boat!

Thanks To Peter who answered offline. According to Scram (ABA guide) the list is Allan's Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike, Orange-crowned Warbler, Rufous-crowned and Song Sparrows.

Niels