Date: 10/19/25 8:19 am From: Guy McCaskie via groups.io <guymcc...> Subject: [CALBIRDS] Alan Craig
I am saddened to learn that Alan Craig is no longer with us. I spent many
hours with Alan working on the establishment California Birds/Western Birds
at his home on Point Loma, as well as birding around San Diego and
elsewhere. Alan, along with his wife Jean, Pierre Devilers, Ginger Johnson,
Cliff Lyons and myself, met regularly at his home on Point Loma to socialize
and discuss the need for a Rarities Committee similar to that in Great
Britain. At that time we knew that a new journal in witch to publish the
Committee's conclusions would be required. After many months, a new journal,
California Birds (later to become Western Birds), was published with Alan as
the editor. That journal contained pier reviewed articles and notes
pertaining Field Ornithology, all vetted by Alan. I am convinced that
California Field Ornithologists (later to become Western Field
Ornithologists) would not exist today without the hard work and skill of
Alan as the editor of the journal. California's birders have much to thank
Alan for.
On Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 11:08:17 AM PDT, Kimball Garrett via groups.io <cyanolyca818...> wrote:
California birders,
Having very recently learned of the October 15th passing of Gene Cardiff, it was another jolt today to learn of Alan Craig's passing early yesterday, October 17th. These two men had a huge impact on birding and scientific ornithology in California and beyond. Younger birders might not have met either of them, but they should certainly know (or learn) about their contributions. I'm sure these will be memorialized in detail on-line and in the journal Western Birds in future weeks and months.There are already many tributes to Gene on the Inland Counties birding listserv.
Alan Craig was a founding member of California Field Ornithologists in 1969-1970 (an organization soon rechristened as Western Field Ornithologists). Critically, he was the first editor of California BIrds/Western Birds, admirably filling that position through the always difficult early years of a fledgling publication and developing it into a major journal by the time he retired as editor in 1986 when current editor Phil Unitt took the helm. He lived in Arizona and New Mexico for decades after leaving California.
Both Gene and Alan served on the California Birds Records Committee in its earlier years (for 7 and 8 years, respectively).
I know others can provide much more detail and personal remembrances, but I did not want to let the loss of these two important and beloved figures who lived long and full lives and contributed so meaningfully to our field to go unnoticed for too long.
Kimball GarrettJuniper Hills, CA
Date: 10/18/25 11:08 am From: Kimball Garrett via groups.io <cyanolyca818...> Subject: [CALBIRDS] We've lost two giants of California field ornithology
California birders,
Having very recently learned of the October 15th passing of Gene Cardiff, it was another jolt today to learn of Alan Craig's passing early yesterday, October 17th. These two men had a huge impact on birding and scientific ornithology in California and beyond. Younger birders might not have met either of them, but they should certainly know (or learn) about their contributions. I'm sure these will be memorialized in detail on-line and in the journal Western Birds in future weeks and months. There are already many tributes to Gene on the Inland Counties birding listserv.
Alan Craig was a founding member of California Field Ornithologists in 1969-1970 (an organization soon rechristened as Western Field Ornithologists). Critically, he was the first editor of California BIrds/Western Birds, admirably filling that position through the always difficult early years of a fledgling publication and developing it into a major journal by the time he retired as editor in 1986 when current editor Phil Unitt took the helm. He lived in Arizona and New Mexico for decades after leaving California.
Both Gene and Alan served on the California Birds Records Committee in its earlier years (for 7 and 8 years, respectively).
I know others can provide much more detail and personal remembrances, but I did not want to let the loss of these two important and beloved figures who lived long and full lives and contributed so meaningfully to our field to go unnoticed for too long.
Many thanks to Lucas Corneliussen, Lucas Stephenson Ethan Monk and all the other spotters for leading the trip and spotting the bird.
Glen Tepke Santa Cruz
On 10/6/2025 10:33 PM, Chuck Dresel via groups.io wrote: > I had the good fortune to be on the Redwood Region Ornithological > Society boat out of Bodega Bay yesterday. For those of you who may not > have searched for the ebird lists which are full of excellent photos, > I am including a link to a few images I took of this incredible bird. > https://photos.app.goo.gl/QvuW2VCmVpQRpwCu6 > -- > Chuck Dresel > Napa, CA. >
I had the good fortune to be on the Redwood Region Ornithological Society boat out of Bodega Bay yesterday. For those of you who may not have searched for the ebird lists which are full of excellent photos, I am including a link to a few images I took of this incredible bird.
Date: 9/22/25 11:46 am From: Stan Walens via groups.io <stan.walens...> Subject: Re: [CALBIRDS] Question about past member
This is Mary Beth Stowe, formerly of San Diego.
She moved to Texas about 7 or 8 years ago.
There is an archive of her very useful San Diego County birding-sites posts available online.
Stan Walens, San Diego
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Date: 9/22/25 11:24 am From: Susan Crawford via groups.io <dreamzville...> Subject: [CALBIRDS] Question about past member
Hello - I'm re-enjoying CalBirds after a long time of being off-list. Do we still have a member with the handle "MiriamEagl" here? I still had a personal archive of her posts, they were incredibly thorough. ~Susan, San Luis Obispo (formerly of Ojai/Ventura)
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