Tag Archives: Cornell Lab of Ornithology

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Rich Trissel keeps a "yard list," a list of birds he sees in their yard north of Gualala. A few days ago he added a Rough-legged Hawk to  his list. Nancy got the photo.

Here is what the Cornell Lab of Ornithology says about these autumn/winter visitors: "The Rough-legged Hawk spends the summer capturing lemmings on the arctic tundra, tending a cliffside nest under a sun that never sets. Winter is the time to see this large, open-country hawk in southern Canada and the U.S., where it may be perched on a pole or hovering over a marsh or pasture on the hunt for small rodents. Found globally across northern latitudes, this species occurs in both light and dark forms."

Nancy photographed a light form, adult Rough-legged Hawk.

To hear their calls, here is the link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Rough-legged_Hawk/sounds

Here is a close-up photo I found on the web, from the Audubon handbook.

I hope I get to see one of these magnificent hawks! The Trissels and I are neighbors, as the Raven flies!

Thanks to Nancy for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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Diane Bley noticed these two mature Bald Eagles perched in a tree near Goat Rock in Jenner on Friday, Oct 20th.

We have hopes that this pair will nest in the Jenner area early next year. Here is what the Cornell Lab of Ornithology says about these beautiful eagles:

"The Bald Eagle has been the national emblem of the United States since 1782 and a spiritual symbol for native people for far longer than that. These regal birds aren’t really bald, but their white-feathered heads gleam in contrast to their chocolate-brown body and wings. Look for them soaring in solitude, chasing other birds for their food, or gathering by the hundreds in winter. Once endangered by hunting and pesticides, Bald Eagles have flourished under protection."

To hear the call of a Bald Eagle, here is the link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bald_Eagle/sounds

It is surprising how weak their calls are! I didn't know that until I listened while composing this post.

Thanks to Diane for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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I haven't seen these birds before, but I'm not the best birder in the world, that's for sure! The birdhouse is an old bluebird birdhouse that has remained empty through the years. Boy, were Rick and I surprised to see two Bewick's Wrens entering the birdhouse from an opening by the roof, and then exiting through the entrance/exit hole, a few minutes apart. Squeaks were heard from the chicks inside.

This wren, which is described as "noisy and hyperactive," has a distinctive call. It ends with a lispy "twee, twee, twee." I've been wondering what bird was making those calls, so I'm happy to come face to face with this little bird with the white eyebrows. Nice to meet you, Bewick's Wren! Glad you brought your entire family to our place in Anchor Bay.

To hear their call, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bewicks_Wren/sounds

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White-tailed Kites have been sighted recently here on the Mendonoma Coast. Sometimes affectionately called "Hover Birds," they are seen hovering in the sky while they search for a tasty rodent. Allen Vinson got this beautiful photograph.

white-tailed-kite-by-allen-vinsonHere's another photo of Allen's where the Kite landed on top of a tree.

white-tailed-kite-by-allen-vinsonThese raptors have a rather musical chirp. Here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology if you'd like to hear it: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-tailed_Kite/sounds

Thanks to Allen for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see more of Allen's nature photography, here is the link: http://allenvinson.smugmug.com/

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Craig Tooley photographed this Semipalmated Plover "taking a walk on the beach."

semipalmated-plover-taking-a-walk-on-the-beach-by-craig-tooleyWe see them in the spring and then in the autumn, during their migration. To hear the sound of this shorebird, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Semipalmated_Plover/sounds

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: www.ruffimage.com