Date: 8/28/26 1:50 pm From: janna pauser via groups.io <jannapauser...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Valley Water, TJ Martin
I heard frantic baby bird calls behind Valley Water headquarters as a
Cal.Scrub Jay flew off with a Scaly-breasted Munia nestling. The adults
were perched nearby and did nothing as the nest irrupted in calls.
Several more Munia pair were seen or heard along the east side of the
property.
It was sprinkling this morning, but instead of bringing in more birds it
was extremely quiet around the nearly deserted pond. On the east side, I
found a vocal House Wren. It could be the same bird I saw and
photographed yesterday on the Guadalupe River trail. photo attached Sora
and Virginia Rail were heard in the river channel. I came across a tree
that was felled by a Beaver. see photo. I have yet to see the Beaver
that has been around for years.
A family of seven Pied billed Grebes were in the south corner of the
pond. Several tiny young clung to its mothers back as the male brought
food.
Later I birded at TJ Martin, hoping to see the Chipping Sparrow I'd seen
a few days earlier in the company of a Savannah Sparrow. I found just
one CHSP in the same area and wandered around the freshly cut grass.
Western Bluebirds, were everywhere. I counted fifty five on my last
visit. Lots of Dark eyed Juncos and numerous House Finch scattered as I
approached. I counted nine Vaux's Swifts flying over the Redwood Grove
at the west end of the park.
Recent visitors to our backyard fountain include a family of bluebirds,
Western Tanager and f. Black-headed Grosbeak. Great Horned Owls have
been calling from our neighbors pines most evenings.
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.
