Date: 2/16/26 10:16 am From: john tsortos via groups.io <jtsortos99...> Subject: [southbaybirds] SCVBA Raptors of Tres Pinos Field Trip Report
Hello South Bay Birders,
On Valentine's Day, myself, Connor Christensen, and Vicki Silvas-Young led
a group of 12 birders down the rural roads outside of Tres Pinos in search
of raptors. We had a fantastic day, tallying 53 species and witnessing some
really interesting behaviors. I am including our trip report narrative, but
the full trip report can be found here (https://ebird.org/tripreport/476595 ):
Highlights of the trip included four pairs of Loggerhead Shrike--one of
which we observed hunting a vole (although it flew off with its prey before
we witnessed any impaling), seven Ferruginous Hawks, two separate Prairie
Falcons eating their prey right in front of us, several looks at Lark
Sparrows with great lighting, a beautiful male Phainopepla, at least two
Rock Wrens, and--the main highlight of the trip for many--a pair of
gorgeous Mountain Bluebirds which not only posed for photos, but also
demonstrated their kiting behavior while foraging for food.
While some of the passerines might've stolen the show at times, we still
saw two Bald Eagles, several Golden Eagles, over two dozen Red-tailed Hawks
(many of which were paired up and either courting each other or
nest-building), and so many American Kestrels. San Benito County never
fails to deliver! :)
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.
