Date: 5/2/26 5:52 pm From: Vinayak Hebbagil via groups.io <vinayakh7985...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Birdathon team "Curious Clickadees" at Smith Creek and Joseph Grant County Park
Hi all,
Our SCVBA Birdathon team of 7, the Curious Clickadees, birded at Smith
Creek Fire Station and Joseph Grant County Park this morning.
We began the morning at Smith Creek Fire Station, where the birding got off
to an excellent start. *Northern Rough-winged Swallows* were busy carrying
nesting material. We also soon saw a couple of *Cassin’s Vireos*, and
several melodious *Black-headed Grosbeaks* along the trail.
We then headed to Joseph Grant County Park, where the striking *Lazuli
Buntings* greeted us right away and appeared in impressive numbers
throughout the walk and the beautifully patterned *Lawrence's Goldfinches* were
observed near the ranch house as well as the Hotel trail. Spring migrants
were well represented, with *Western Kingbirds, Ash-throated Flycatchers,
Western Flycatchers, Hutton's Vireo and Warbling Vireos* all making their
presence known. We also enjoyed observing a range of spring nesting
behaviors—pairing, nest-building, feeding, and fledgling activity—including
a couple of mating pairs of *Northern Flickers*, *Bullock’s Orioles* with a
newly fledged chick, a *White-breasted Nuthatch* taking caterpillars to its
nest, and a *Blue-gray Gnatcatcher* building a nest (thanks to Chris
Overington for the tip!). We wrapped up the day with a single *Northern
Yellow Warbler* and a nice flyover *Bald Eagle*. In total, we recorded 62
species across the two locations, with 57 at Joseph Grant County Park
<https://ebird.org/checklist/S331408905> and 20 at Smith Creek Fire Station
<https://ebird.org/checklist/S331404938>.
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.
