Date: 11/8/26 7:12 pm From: Karen via southbaybirds <karush111...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Field Notes: Los Capitancillos Ponds, Nov. 8.
I have to say we had a pretty amazing walk this morning with a total of 58 bird species. The group was enthusiastic and we worked as a team to see all these birds.
We started off from Singletree Way with a hunkered down Turkey Vulture, Western bluebirds, Golden-crowned sparrows, California scrub-jay and a Northern mockingbird at Singletree Way. As we walked along the tree-lines path we had the first of many Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit thrush, Downy woodpecker, Anna's hummingbird, Chestnut-backed chickadee, Lesser goldfinch, California towhee, Acorn woodpeckers, Yellow-rumped warblers and a Townsend's warbler. We heard but never saw the Northern flicker and a Red-shouldered hawk. A lot of the birds vocalized so everyone could start to put the birds' vocalizations together with the visual cues. Considering we couldn't have gone any more than 1/4 mile I already knew we were off to a very good start.
The percolation ponds were very full and at the first of the western ponds we had Mallards, Buffleheads (both male and female), Gadwall, American Coots. We scanned for Wilson's snipe, but no luck. The next pond was full of ducks: more Gadwalls, American Wigeons, Ring-necked ducks, Mallards, American Coots and Pied-billed grebes. Along the trees we had our first of many American goldfinches. As we made our way east we could hear Killdeer and a male Belted kingfisher. As we caught up with them 2 Green herons flew by us and around the pond as 2 Wilson's snipes flew from the other direction. You didn't know where to look first. At the last of the west ponds there was a female Hooded merganser preening close by among the Canada geese about 15 feet from us.
We decided to keep going to the East ponds. This is where we had the Common gallinule, Great blue heron, Hairy woodpecker and the happy surprise, White-throated sparrow, in a flock of White-crowned and Golden-crowned sparrows. Thank you Melody. We had great looks as the bird moved from tree to tree and posed in between. We had several more species on the way back, but no gulls on the ponds! We saw a Red-tailed hawk and to top it all off a Peregrine falcon perched in the electrical pylons near our parked cars when we arrived back.
I would like to thank everyone for helping out with bird ID's, finding birds and helping everyone get on the birds. It's what makes our field trips so enjoyable for everyone.
The list is here https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/checklist/S409130484
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.
