Date: 6/15/26 11:44 am From: Vicki Silvas-Young via groups.io <mrnngwrblr...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Today's First Day of Summer at Lake Cunningham for Beginning Birders and Native Plant Botantizers, 6-14-2026
Good morning, South Bay Birders, Yesterday with a bit of a nice breeze and cooler temperatures, the California Native Plant Society, Open Space Authority, and Santa Clara Bird Alliance co-sponsored a field trip to Lake Cunningham to discover and identify the birds and native plants just waiting for the 19 attendees and 5 leaders. Despite the recent hot weather, things started off quickly. While we assembled in the parking lot, Western Bluebirds and Lesser Goldfinches enticed us to start. Then from the heavens, floated down to us what appeared to be ashes, but the "ashes" turned out to be the feathers of a Mourning Dove, probably from a Cooper's Hawk getting a meal or a near-meal. Later one of the attendees discovered a nest belonging to a Cooper's Hawk at the end of the parking lot, allowing us to understand that we probably had witnessed "the circle of Life." It was a Northern Rough-winged Swallow day as they were the dominant swallow with a few Tree Swallows here and there over Lake Socayre/Great Meadow. Cuteness of the day were the Pied-billed Grebes and American Coots with their young loudly and persistently trying to get an adult to feed them. Sexiest male of the day award went to the two male Ruddy Ducks, of course. Two Great Blue Herons circled overhead before landing, reminding us of how close birds are to dinosaurs. Green and Blue Darners, Flame Skimmers, and a couple of Saddlebag dragonflies danced around the edge of the lake as did California Buckeyes and Monarchs. (Yeah, I know they are insects, but I report on "bird food", too!) While watching not one, but three Green Herons at once we were serenaded by Song Sparrows, a male and female Hooded Oriole, and Great-tailed Grackles. Many California Gulls came after lunching at Kirby Canyon landfill to land in the middle of the lake to digest with Canada Geese and one lone Double-crested Cormorant. A pair of Red-tailed Hawks rode the thermals coming off the park, black ptegials and all. As we entered the Native Garden, Anna's Hummers, Lesser Goldfinches, Song Sparrows and House Finches greeted us for the tour. Here is the list for the day........https://ebird.org/checklist/S357554936 Happy Summer with some cool day, Vicki
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.
