Date: 5/4/25 3:04 pm From: Matthew Dodder via groups.io <mdodder...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Blue Grosbeaks and other birds at Ed Levin
Like a lot of birders, I was stuck in a line of cars at the entrance to Ed Levin today while the ranger prioritized the vehicles entering for the fishing event that was happening today. Once I got in I parked near the dog run (the only parking still available) and walked across the lawn toward the Calera Creek Trailhead (on the northwest corner of the lake).
A one mile hike to the location of the Blue Grosbeak was very productive. In addition to the target bird (a male), I also came across many Grasshopper Sparrows, Lark Sparrows, Lawrence’s Goldfinches, a single Say’s Phoebe and more Lazuli Buntings than I could count. It was very birdy trail!
This was an unfamiliar trail to me, so I was happy to have some guidance from Chris Overington who was ilnformed me of the last location the bird 37.4646518, -121.8753461
The weedy basin located at these coordinates is beside the trail and immediately across a small muddy creek. When I arrived, a large group of birders was already on the bird which was perched on the wires over the fennel patch. I saw it return to the wires a couple of times, but I never saw the female the other group had seen briefly.
Matthew
Matthew Dodder (he/him)
Executive Director
Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance
22221 McClellan Rd.
Cupertino, CA 95014
408-252-3748
<director...>
scvbirdalliance.org
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.
