Date: 11/14/26 5:56 pm From: Ryan L. via southbaybirds <ryanbirding...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Field Notes: SCVBA trip to Penitencia Creek Trail and Ponds
This morning Heather, Dan, and I led a field trip to the Penitencia Creek Trail and the Dr. Robert Gross Water Reclamation Ponds in East San Jose.
When we arrived we were greeted by Say’s Phoebe and Black Phoebe perched almost side-by-side on the chain link fence. We found over a dozen or more roosting Turkey Vultures in a few trees.
Earlier this month Valley Water drained the ponds for maintenance (a sign said they will be empty until March.) This concentrated a number of birds into a small area and provided close views of many and allowed us to compare sizes. There were many Snowy and Great (American) Egrets, Great Blue and Green Herons. On the edge of the water we found two Wilson’s Snipe, four Greater Yellowlegs, and Killdeer. In addition, there were Mallards, American Coots, Canada Geese, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, and Double-crested Cormorant. The pond next to the creek had at least 100 Mallards and one Pied-billed Grebe. Above this pond was perched an immature Black-crowned Night Heron.
A Cooper’s Hawk flew over the (empty) ponds and flushed a number of birds. Blackbirds (Brewer’s or Red-winged or both) harassed the hawk until it soared high up overhead and away. Other birds of note were a pair of Nuttall’s Woodpeckers and a cooperative Hermit Thrush. We heard a Red-breasted Nuthatch.
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.
