Date: 4/4/26 1:36 pm From: m_m_rogers via groups.io <m.m.rogers...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Mountain View salt ponds
All,
Today 4/4/26, Richard Jeffers, Mike Mammoser, and I surveyed the Mountain View salt ponds for Snowy Plovers. Water levels in most ponds were pretty high, but we saw three Snowies in Crittenden Marsh (they appeared to be the same three I saw and digiscoped there on Tuesday). Also there were two adult male EURASIAN WIGEON (together). Five GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES flying towards Shoreline Park was somewhat of a surprise and a SAY'S PHOEBE at the buildings at the southwest corner of the marsh is likely attempting to breed. A single adult BROWN PELICAN was across Stevens Creek over Pond A2W.
Heading east on the Bay Trail, from the ninety-degree bend in the trail, we were able to scope an OSPREY building a nest on a tower in the distance over Guadalupe Slough (they have bred there in past years). Nine BLACK SKIMMERS were at the southern end of Pond AB1. Another two singing males GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES were near the southeast corner of Pond A3W.
We headed out to the Stevens Creek delta as the tide came in and thousands of shorebirds were present, including hundreds of BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, WILLETS, and DUNLINS, many in full alternate plumage. We searched unsuccessfully for any knots, but at 12:15pm, I picked out a RUDDY TURNSTONE and we were able to enjoy that bird bathing and preening for five minutes until it disappeared when we weren't looking.
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.
