I mentioned some time ago in a BLOG post that all of the Mendocino County bird records are archived at the UC Hopland Research & Extension Center. Some of these records date back to the 1800s and early 1900s, but most are from the last thirty years. 410 species of birds have now been documented in Mendocino County.
One of the highlights was the discovery on February 28, 1994 of a Laysan Albatross at Point Arena Cove on the southern Mendocino coast. Subsequent sightings of this bird confirmed that the bird routinely uses this cove each winter as a rest area, and has returned now for 19 consecutive winters. The locals, including the surfers, have adopted "AL" as a kind-of mascot... and there seems to be a mutual relationship between bird and man. On December 31st I photographed a surfer passing by "AL" and stopping to say hello to the bird ... and "AL" was observed paddling over to the surfer for the anticipated greeting.
This is probably the only place in North America where one can stand on solid ground (not a boat) and see a Laysan Albatross. Here is a summary of the historical observation records for this bird:
????? to 28 February 1994 when first discovered by Todd Easterla and Jim Booker – fed anchovies by Todd
> 30 Nov 1994 to 27 Mar 1995 report of two birds in synchronized flight beyond the "cove"
> 5 Dec 1995 to 14 Mar 1996
> 3 Dec 1996 to 26 Mar 1997
> 27 Nov 1997 to 8 Mar 1998
> 12 Dec 1998 to 21 Mar 1999
> 4 Dec 1999 to 12 Feb 2000 with a fly-by-the-cove (same bird?) on 2 Apr 2000 (G.Chaniot)
> 26 Nov 2000 to 26 Feb 2001
> 28 Nov 2001 to 24 Mar 2002
> 21 Nov 2002 to 12 Mar 2003
> 25 Nov 2003 to 28 Feb 2004
> 28 Nov 2004 to 21 Feb 2005
> 26-30 Nov 2005 to 19 Mar 2006
> 25 Nov 2006 to 16 Mar 2007
> 7 Dec 2007 to 5 Mar 2008
> 22 Nov 2008 to 23 Mar 2009 5:26 PM
> 18 Nov 2009 to 23 Mar 2010
> 22 Nov 2010 to 28 March 2011
5 Dec 2011 to wait and see??
