Date: 4/19/24 2:41 pm From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Inspiration Point - High MacG Warbler count & more
P.S. Dominick Mosur helpfully informed me that April 18th would be well
before the earliest documented egg-laying date for MacGillivray's Warblers,
so my assumption that this was a food carry (to feed nestlings) was
probably hasty. This male (a first year bird I believe) was singing while
moving around with the caterpillar in his bill. Perhaps just a meal for
later. I wasn't able to find info on whether food might be used by this
species in attracting a mate or pair bonding.
On Fri, Apr 19, 2024 at 1:21 PM Zac Denning <zdenning1...> wrote:
> Yesterday, Jack Hayden and I went up to Inspiration Point. We were truly
> amazed to find 8 singing MacGillivray's Warblers - the most I've ever
> encountered in Tilden!
>
> Other highlights include 2 Black-throated Gray warblers and 1 Hermit
> Warbler (all close to the parking lot or within the first 1/2 - 3/4 mile)
> and a singing Western Tanager in the big Eucalyptus grove at about
> (37.9203491, -122.2549474). We saw and heard numerous gnatcatchers, singing
> thrashers, flyover GBH's, Caspian Tern and DC cormorants, plus some distant
> birds (including a white pelican) seen with our cameras on San Pablo
> Reservoir; 60 species in all. It was a beautiful warm day, and rewarding
> bird-wise. Among the few misses: we didn't find Lazuli Bunting, Cassin's
> Vireo, WT Swift and didn't see any harriers or kites.
>
> Starting at Inspiration Point, we walked on Nimitz Way as far as the
> Conlon Trail junction, explored the Conlon hilltop (which was quiet by that
> time), then backtracked, taking the Inspiration Trail through EBMUD land
> for part of the return.
>
> The 8 MacGillivray's Warblers were all at separate locations (except two
> that were counter-singing in one spot). Most were along Nimitz way, with
> one from the Inspiration Trail on EBMUD land. The closest MacG to the
> parking lot was toward the North end of the first pine grove from the
> parking lot (after the hill, at about 37.906470, -122.247537
> <https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ta5jzeAntWTsQEAv5>). I took some low quality
> photos of that bird carrying a caterpillar in its bill, so it appears to be
> feeding young. It's certainly possible that some of the other MacGs were
> migrants, singing en route.
>
> Here's an ebird list (including more info on locations, plus photos /
> audio for 5 of the 8 MACGs). https://ebird.org/checklist/S169210301 >
> For what it's worth, my wife reports today that Merlin suggested MACG
> (possibly a 9th bird), she heard singing on the Laurel Canyon fire road
> (just uphill from the junction with the spur trail that leads to the
> Wildcat Peak Trail/Nimitz junction). She's not a confident ear birder, but
> a 9th bird seems plausible at least, based on the numbers we encountered.
>
> Happy birding,
>
> Zac Denning
> Albany
>
>
>
