Date: 5/21/25 10:22 am From: Matthew Dodder via groups.io <mdodder...> Subject: [southbaybirds] McClellan upate
It’s odd that the Hooded Orioles that have been such constant noise makers at the Ranch the past few years have fallen quite silent. Instead of constant chattering and “veek” sounds, I have heard them only occasionally the past couple of weeks. Perhaps they have moved to other fan palms up the creek. They are still around, for sure, but not as constantly as before.
Both male and female Black-headed Grosbeaks have visited the feeders the past few days. I haven’t detected a pattern of their visits yet, but they have been vocal and first thing in the morning the male’s song is hard to miss near the creek trailhead. The past few days, a Western Tanager has also been signing outside my office door.
There are several Warbling Vireos singing all day along the creek, primarily in the large oak trees and sycamore. Heard, but not seen, was a Wilson’s Warbler as well as an Orange-crowned Warbler. I think there are at least three Western Flycatchers distributed along the trail.
After an entire winter without the huge flocks of Band-tailed Pigeons, finally a few—perhaps 5-10 at a time, have been flying over the meadow. Pygmy Nuthatches continue to visit the feeder regularly and seem to have adopted a palm tree near the Blackberry Farm playground.
Notably, Tree Swallows are utilizing the boxes we have set out at the Preserve. As far as I know, this is the first time in a long time they have done so. Carolyn has not detected them in the past seven years, however they have frequently been observed overhead.
Finally, the Black-chinned Hummingbirds are doing well, making frequent visits to the feeder by our Nature Shop door. There appear to be as many as three individual females but the male has been absent from view for several days. Hopefully, we will have a young ones again this year.
Matthew
SPEAKER SERIES TONIGHT
Dragonflies of the Bay Area
Kathy Biggs and Sandra von Arb tonight at 7:00 PM (via zoom)
Join Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance for an exploration of the Bay Areas Dragonflies with noted authors Kathy Biggs and Sandra von Arb as they discuss the Dragonflies found it the Bay Area. They will present their newest work, a completely revised edition of the seminal work, Dragonflies of California.
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.
