Date: 10/5/25 1:21 pm From: janna pauser via groups.io <jannapauser...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Yellow Shafted Flicker, Guadalupe River Trail
This morning I birded the Guadalupe River Trail north from Blossom Hill Road. Soon I came across 3 YELLOW WARBLERS and thought this was going to be a good migrant day, but saw no more. I did come across a few YELLOW RUMPED WARBLERS, CEDAR WAXWINGS and some COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. A HERMIT THRUSH and BELTED KINGFISHER was heard only. Three SCALY BREASTED MUNIA were seen in flight.
Eight chattering swifts were seen at the freeway overpass. Between the overpass and the end of the trail a flash of yellow across the creek caught my eye. A YELLOW SHAFTED FLICKER, all notable field marks seen and photographed, was perched in the willows. (photos attached) Bill Bousman told me a Yellow shafted Flicker must have a pure black mustachio mark, a brown face, red crescent on nape and bright yellow under wings and tail. He wrote this on a piece of paper I've kept many years.
I saw nothing of interest on the Chynoweth recharge pond except a few RUDDY DUCKS and a GREAT BLUE HERON. Sparrows were scarce with a few singing WHITE CROWNED SPARROWS and a heard only LINCOLN'S SPARROW, 33 species in all.
Yesterday I birded Edenvale Park where I photographed a WESTERN WOOD PEWEE. photo attached
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.
