Date: 12/7/25 3:58 pm From: Vicki Silvas-Young via groups.io <mrnngwrblr...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Joint OSA/SCVBA Birding at Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve field trip, 12-7-2025
Good afternoon, South Bay Birders, With great anticipation, John Harshman and I met with 18 seasoned birders in the avian rich lands of Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve on this brisk (44 degrees F) foggy morning to see what was shakin'. With great vision (and hearing) 24 species were seen, heard, and discussed. It did not seem like a very good raptor day, but 4 species were seen, even a fog-shrouded White-tailed Kite! The Yellow-rumped Warblers just about never woke up, but there were a satisfying number of Yellow-billed Magpies, Brewer's Blackbirds, American Robins, and Western Bluebirds. While we were hoping to hear/see American Pipits, there on the barbed-wire fence were 2 Lark Sparrows, looking a bit chilly. What a surprise! On the plant side of the world, Desert Olive resides in a gully along the Heart's Delight Trial. The question is why is it there with the nearest population much further south *in the desert*. Eighteen birders know now.......come next year to find out the answer. A late appearing Ferruginous Hawk made a couple of flybys just below the parking lot. Too late to be enjoyed by the group and to be included in the eBird list. Many thank yous to John for being the keeper of the list today. Here it is https://ebird.org/checklist/S287734359 Sign up for one or two Christmas Counts, https://scvbirdalliance.org/christmas-bird-count Vicki
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.
