Date: 6/26/25 12:41 pm From: janna pauser via groups.io <jannapauser...> Subject: [southbaybirds] 5MR surprises in Almaden Valley
Los Capitancillos Ponds are in my 5MR. Within the last few days I birded
the east and west ponds. Birds of interest were five WOOD DUCKS on the
bank of the second house on the east ponds. A YELLOW WARBLER sang from
the creek. The COMMON RAVEN pair that nested at Valley Water were here.
HOODED ORIOLE, twelve GREAT TAILED GRACKLE, three GREEN HERON and a few
VAUX'S SWIFTS were seen. RED WINGED BLACKBIRDS were in the willows. An
ASH THROATED FLYCATCHER family were active near Meridian.
Yesterday, the west ponds had 20+VAUX'S SWIFTS, WHITE THROATED SWIFTS
and an assortment of swallows. BAND TAILED PIGEONS were feasting on
elderberries along the creek. GREAT TAILED GRACKLES were in the cattails
and two GREEN HERON were seen. WESTERN BLUEBIRDS included fledged young.
WARBLING VIREO were singing in three locations, one male WOOD DUCK and
three male RUDDY DUCKS were seen.
Capitancillos Drive is on the south side of the Guadalupe Creek. I went
there to look for the NORTHERN FLICKERS heard the previous day. Today I
saw a family of four together and another heard only. VAUX'S SWIFTS and
swallows were seen near Coleman. I walked along a footpath at the south
end of the drive and found male BLACK CHINNED HUMMINGBIRDS displaying in
two locations but never saw a female. Another surprise was PYGMY
NUTHATCH'S that few from a tall Redwood tree to the trail. A single
WARBLING VIREO and WESTERN FLYCATCHER were heard only near Camden.
A Coyote was seen near the pollinator garden.
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.
