Date: 6/5/26 11:04 pm From: Karen via groups.io <karush111...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Field Notes: Birding at Sierra Vista
We had 23 hardy birders ready to head out the Aquila Loop Trail this morning. I would like to thank John for keeping the bird list and keeping us straight about Tanagers and Pam for bringing up the rear with what I am sure was interesting discussions. There were quite a few people on this trip and many helped in conveying information up and down the line...so thank you to the human telegraph.
We may not have gotten ahead of the heat, but we definitely had a jump start on the birds from the beginning with our cooperative female Horned Lark in the parking lot. We also had Red-winged Blackbirds, Brewer's blackbirds and Meadowlarks singing nearby from the parking lot. We started down the trail where the flock of mixed blackbirds kept just ahead of us and we finally had some looks at the Meadowlarks. Walking along here we had at least one Grasshopper Sparrows singing with their electric insect song and possibly another 2 and the first of several Lark Sparrows. Down in the valley with the oaks and the pond we had a Red-tailed Hawk, California Scrub-jay and some Acorn Woodpeckers. Then we hit the trail's oaks which offered some shade and gave us a few more Lark Sparrows, Chestnut-backed Chick-a-dee and Oak Titmouse and THE TREE. In this area we had a family of rowdy Northern House Wrens, nesting Violet-green Swallows and the Western Kingbirds' nest with young. The nest was made of several different lichens. A few caught a glimpse of a Western Tanager (not a tanager). We finished off the hike with a posing Black Phoebe and Rock Wren. The Horned Lark was still at the parking lot when we returned and a Raven and another Western Kingbird appeared. John Harshman continued down to the Kestrel Trail where they saw an American Kestrel. We really did have some wonderful appearances with several lifers for people, but the nesting Kingbirds were a real highlight.
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.
