Watsonville Cuckoo

Have you guys heard of this Common Cuckoo that showed up in Watsonville, CA yesterday?

I was tempted to make the drive, but we've got a Scazzero sighting in SB this weekend...couldn't bail.

Anyhow, its the first mainland record of the bird EVER in the lower 48.  Usually hangs out in Alaska, and has only been seen ONCE before on Martha's Vinyard in 1981.   I heard a birder say that, "this is probably the bird of the year, maybe the decade."  Cool.

I guarantee there are birders driving and flying right now to come see this bird.  Incredible.

Photos:

http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/CAbirdsCOCU.html

White Ibis

Got a great look at a WHITE IBIS this morning.  This bird in incredibly special.  From what I hear, it was the first Santa Barbara county record - and only the 5th White Ibis recorded in California.  It's been in a Carpinteria farm pond for about 5 days now.  Along with it were about 8 Pectoral Sandpipers, Greater Yellowlegs, Western Sandpipers.  Another spot turned up Black and White Warblers, Wilsons, Townsends, Orange Crowned, and Yellow Warblers.   It's a great week of migration birding here.  

More ibis photos to be seen here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/chaparralbrad/8019708231/in/photostream

Great morning of birding with Micah Schloss.   

Activity is increasing. Here is a Bald Eagle

Hi guys,  my drive to the job site is beautiful.  Usually I can get a good look at a Greater Roadrunner, an American Kestrel, a Red Shouldered Hawk, or Brown Pelicans soaring.  The other day though I had an unexpected jolt!  Bald Eagle perched majestically looking over the ocean.  I got a few camera phone pictures, not too close, but the scene is dramatic!

I followed up with an eagle organization around here in SB, and we were able to identify the bird by tracking device and tag number.  This bird is part of the Santa Cruz Island colony, so this being on the mainland was really interesting, but not unheard of.  Pretty good way to start the day.