Date: 10/26/24 1:40 pm From: Ryan L. via groups.io <ryanbirding...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Valley Water HQ - 10/26/24
This morning I visited the Valley Water Headquarters. The main pond was quite full, covering some vegetation on the edges. The water in the Guadalupe River didn’t appear to be flowing as much as at other times and was more quiet.
Seasonal visitors were abundant, including Yellow-Rumped Warblers, White-Crowned Sparrows, Golden-Crowned Sparrows, and Ruby-Crowned Kinglets. In the main pond, there was a nice variety of waterfowl, including a Ring-Necked Duck, a female American Wigeon, a female Common Merganser, three female Buffleheads, and a raft of Ruddy Ducks. A group of Killdeer kept flying around the pond and calling. On the south side, a flock of Great-Tailed Grackles hung out in a bare tree. On the north side, Snowy and Great Egrets roosted in a tree. I found a Northern Flicker on the top of a street lamp, and a Belted Kingfisher landed on the east side of the main pond.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
