Date: 3/2/25 5:07 pm From: Connor Christensen via groups.io <connor.r.christensen...> Subject: [southbaybirds] SCVBA Field Trip to Los Gatos Creek County Park and Oka Ponds 3/2/25
Hello all,
This morning, Liz Frith, Lidna Sullivan, and I led a brave group of birders through wind, rain, and sunshine to enjoy the Los Gatos Creek County Park and Oka Ponds. The weather this morning was mixed, but I think the birding was a rousing success! The Oka Ponds were decently ducky with Buffleheads, Ruddy Ducks, Mallards, and a Lesser Scaup. The favorites, though, were probably the two beautiful male Cinnamon Teal on the main Oka pond that flew off but eventually returned. We eventually also saw some Gadwalls at the County Park ponds and a pair of Common Mergansers. There was a third merganser alone in the Creek.
The birds didn't seem to mind the rain too much as we were treated to the beautiful sight of dozens of Violet-green Swallows and a few Northern Rough-winged Swallows flying and feeding around the north Oka pond in the rain. The rain eventually mostly cleared up, and we enjoyed some nice sunshine to dry us off. We enjoyed a few raptors, getting a good look at a Red-tailed Hawk, a passing glance at a juvenile Cooper's Hawk, and the occasional call of the local Red-shouldered Hawk.
Along County Park Pond 3, we spotted almost a half dozen juvenile Black-crown Night Herons roosting with a few adults in the large tree that they usually have a nesting colony in. We also stopped by the Anna's Hummingbird nest, which I knew about, and enjoyed two nestlings huddled together in their nest. In total, we saw 51 species and almost 500 individuals! Here is a link to that checklist ( https://ebird.org/checklist/S216313228 ). It was tempting to stay warm and dry inside today, but I think we were well rewarded for our efforts braving the elements. I want to give a special thanks to Linda for sharing all of her knowledge and love of birds and this park with us!
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.
