Date: 4/19/26 9:16 pm From: Howard Friedman via groups.io <howardnfriedman...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Joseph D Grant County Park 4/17/26
It is always great when the birding is hot, even if the morning starts off cold and breezy. Melissa and I led a group of highly enthusiastic birders Friday morning up at Joseph D. Grant County Park some of whom had never visited the park. Their skillsets ranged from experienced to novice, but everyone had their game on. Let’s just say JD Grant did not disappoint.
We started off our observations around the parking lot near the ranch house and moved on to the ranch house and fountain after looking for the seemingly disappeared Vermilion Flycatcher. We did find a few Western Warbling Vireos, two Western Flycatchers, many Yellow-rumped Warblers (looking gooding good in their breeding plumage), Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bullock’s Oriole (these males in caused a lot of excitement), Orange-crowned Warblers, a Wilson’s Warbler and many other year round residents.
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Once we left the ranch house area, we hit the south/southwest trails which truly did not disappoint. On the asphalt loop trail we were able to observe a calling Western Warbling Vireo, Western Flycatcher, Wilson’s Warbler, and Orange-crowned Warbler mixed in with lovely Yellow-rumped Warblers. To our surprise, a beautiful Black-throated Gray Warbler was feeding in the treetops above us giving everyone a nice long viewing of it. Moving down the trail our group had a breathtaking surprise on some barbed wire fencing, Lawence’s Goldfinches, Lazuli Bunting, and Bullock's Oriole were perched altogether. They stayed long enough for everyone to oooh and ahh (and get some nice photos.) From here we watched a pair of mated American Kestrels fending off a Red-tailed Hawk which was quickly dispatched. We came to a copse of Valley Oak that are traditional breeding ground for Bullock’s Oriole’s Acorn Woodpeckers, and Western Kingbird, with all being present. We got some great looks at the orioles as they chased around the oaks looking for mates. As we came to the return trip, we found more Lazuli Buntings, Ash-throated Flycatchers, and got our first looks at Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers.
On our return trip we watched a few more Yellow-rumped Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers, and Acorn Woodpeckers before it was lunch and time to head home. A few of us stayed for lunch and hoped for the return of the Vermilion Flycatcher. Even though we did not see it, the day was so fabulous, we managed to still appreciate the wonderful day we did have.
Many thanks to the group for their delightful and positive dispositions, kind comments, good humor, and patience. Thanks to Melissa Johnson for being the best fun and super spotter. You made this trip even more fun being present and helpful. (check out our bird lists below)
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.
