Ornithology 3B Summary

If you miss a class, please check this page and study the listed topics in your field guide. For last year's calendar, click here.

Note: There will be a special field trip tentatively scheduled for Point Reyes, Sunday June 6th at 8:30am. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and head north on Hwy 101 to Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Go west through the towns of Kentfield, Ross, San Anselmo, and Fairfax to Olema. Turn right on Hwy 1 and then left, still on Sir Francis Drake through Inverness. Continue west out toward Point Reyes past the ranches and meet at the lighthouse parking area. Travel time about 2 hours. This will be a combined trip for all three classes. Lunch is optional. Please check back for possible last-minute changes.

May 24
We reviewed shorebirds through page 178. This was the last class for the semester. We resume Thursday September 16th. Click here for details.
May 20
We completed and reviewed the shorebirds on page 178. Note: Make-up class, this Monday, May 24th will be dedicated to shorebird review.
May 13
We completed and reviewed the Pectoral & Sharp-tailed sandpipers on page 178.
May 6
We completed and reviewed the shorebirds on page 176. Photos of a juvenile Little Stint from Baja are here and photos of a breeding plumage Little Stint from Los Angeles are here. A breeding plumage Red-necked Stint from Moss Landing is here.
April 29
We reviewed shorebirds through page 174.
April 15
We completed and reviewed the White-rumped & Baird's sandpipers on page 174. My notes on a White-rumped Sandpiper at Alviso are here. Note: There is no class next week because I will be out of town. Class resumes May 6th which will be a dedicated shorebird review.
April 1
We completed and reviewed the Semipalmated, Western & Least sandpipers on page 174. Note: There is no class next week because of Spring Break.
March 18
We completed and reviewed the shorebirds on page 172. Note: This was the last class for Part A. Please register as soon as possible for Part B which starts March 25th. You can register online, or mail or fax this registration form.
March 11
We completed and reviewed the shorebirds on page 170. My photos of the Rock Sandpiper at Half Moon Bay are here. Photos of the controversial orioles from Middle Lake are here. They appear to be Orchard Orioles.
March 4
We completed and reviewed the godwits on page 168. Photos and description of the Hudsonian Godwit from Alviso are here. Photos and description of a Bar-tailed Godwit from San Gregorio are here. Photos and analysis of the aberrant Marbled Godwit (originally identified as Bar-tailed) at Elkhorn Slough are here.
February 26
We completed and reviewed the shorebirds on page 164 & 166. Photos and description of the Crescent City & Point Reyes Bristle-thighed Curlews are here and here.
February 19
We completed and reviewed the shorebirds on page 162 and began the shorebirds on page 164. Further discussion of tattler identification and a polemic on the "nasal groove" is here.
February 12
We completed and reviewed the shorebirds on page 160. For more information on yellowlegs identification, click here. Photos and details on the Common Greenshank near Arcata are here.
February 5
We completed and reviewed the shorebirds on page 158. Pictures of two controversial American type Oystercatchers from Los Angleles are here. A hybrid index for these two species has been proposed. See here for details. A photo of an apparent hybrid between American Avocet and Black-necked Stilt and an additional link to a similar presumed hybrid are here.