Date: 6/20/18 6:22 pm From: Ronald- Thorn via Groups.Io <Tronthorn=<aol.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] Ancient Murrelets and Tufted Puffin and other recent notes
This morning driving down the coast, I could not resist stopping off at Pigeon Point for a seawatch. Good visibility with a high overcast and a light west wind. Arriving late I only got in just under two hours of seawatching
Lately tubenoses have been way out at the horizon. What I manage to pull out of the distance were a small number of Pink-footed Shearwaters and Sooty Shearwaters. A giant among the shearwaters I mostly get in March and April during a brisk northwest wind was a BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS seen a number of times banking well above the surface of the water. There were small numbers of Common Murres, Rhinoceros Auklets and a occasional Marbled Murrelet. A breeding plumaged TUFTED PUFFIN was in with ( 4 ) Common Murres flying north and were only one half way out to the horizon. The highlight of the seawatch which took me by surprised were ( 3 ) ANCIENT MURRELETS that got off the water near the rock off the lighthouse and flew north. Over the years I have seen only a few Ancient Murrelets during the summer and they were all lone individuals. The ocean temperature has been cold and may explain the lingering Ancient Murrelets. An oddball sighting was a male Gadwall in with Common Murres flying north. There are still some loons moving north. There were breeding plumaged Pacific Loons which at this time of the year are in low numbers. ( 20 ) Breeding plumaged Red-throated Loons were way more than expected at this time of the year.
I checked the large gull flock at San Gregorio State Beach and among mostly California Gulls was a very worn first-cycle HERRING GULL.
Recent notes
Hiking the Ridge Trail at the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve there was a BELL'S SPARROW. I kept on flushing the Bell's Sparrow along trail in the extensive chaparral. Bell's Sparrows were at this location in 2007 and 2012. The Ridge Trail can be reached from Alpine Pond or Horseshoe Pond by other trails.
Shorebirds are now arriving on the bayside. June 18, ( 8 ) breeding plumaged Willets arrived at Redwood Shores. The next day there were ( 100 ) Willets. On time was the first arriving breeding plumaged Greater Yellowlegs with ( 2 ) yesterday at Redwood Shores.
The pair of Ospreys have returned to their nest site from last year on the P.G.E. tower along Belmont Slough. Last year was the second record of confirmed breeding in the county. The first record of confirmed breeding in the county was on the coast side some years ago.
Ron Thorn
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Date: 6/20/18 12:42 am From: Aaron Maizlish <aaron.maizlish...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Harlequin Ducks very close to shore
Thanks Ron,
Makes sense that there would be no relationship given that the resident male is indeed year round. I wonder what is keeping the young male there, and if he’ll take off next year (presumably at breeding age). The one scaup too seems to be sticking round with the non-migrating scoters. I guess some strength in numbers for resident ducks. On the other hand there has been a single solo Lesser Scaup in front of my office in Emeryville for at least the past month that somehow failed to migrate and has not paired up with any other ducks, always alone.
Aaron
> On Jun 19, 2018, at 9:09 PM, Ronald- Thorn via Groups.Io <Tronthorn=<aol.com...> wrote:
>
> Hi Aaron
>
> I am lost in your words about his offspring.
>
> I guess you do not get It, that the RESIDENT male Harlequin Duck is always at Coyote Point, but occasionally wanders over
> to the airport or the San Mateo Bridge. So where do you get where it bred at since it NEVER leaves the bay and does NOT
> breed at Coyote Point. The young male show up last winter and is not the first to over summer. Years ago I got my lifer Harlequin
> Ducks at the Ano Nuevo State Reserve. A pair was together for several years without ever leaving. The species does not breed
> in salt water, but breeds in fast moving streams or rivers in the mountains.
>
> Ron
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Aaron Maizlish <aaron.maizlish...>
> To: peninsula-birding <peninsula-birding...>
> Sent: Tue, Jun 19, 2018 7:11 pm
> Subject: [pen-bird] Harlequin Ducks very close to shore
>
> Pen-birders
>
> Took a short walk out to the end of Coyote Point this evening. High tide, and mostly midsummer-like lulls.
>
> Two male HARLEQUIN DUCKS were very close in at the end of the point, hanging out with about 8 Scoters and a Greater Scaup. It was great to see them both up close, at about 10 yard’s distance. The last few times I’ve been here I’ve had to play the distant-black-speck identification game with just
> one. One of the males has a pronounced white forehead stripe, only slightly tawny, extending far back in the head (2nd year?). The other had the normal rusty stripe. If I’d had my camera with me I could have “crushed” it.
>
> It’s reassuring to note that probably the same duck that I chased seven or eight years ago when it was my life bird is still there in 2018, with what I assume is his offspring.
>
> There was one LEAST TERN on the outer rocks with a handful of Forster’s.
>
> Aaron Maizlish
> San Francisco CA
>
>
>
>
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Date: 6/19/18 9:09 pm From: Ronald- Thorn via Groups.Io <Tronthorn=<aol.com...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Harlequin Ducks very close to shore
Hi Aaron
I am lost in your words about his offspring.
I guess you do not get It, that the RESIDENT male Harlequin Duck is always at Coyote Point, but occasionally wanders over
to the airport or the San Mateo Bridge. So where do you get where it bred at since it NEVER leaves the bay and does NOT
breed at Coyote Point. The young male show up last winter and is not the first to over summer. Years ago I got my lifer Harlequin
Ducks at the Ano Nuevo State Reserve. A pair was together for several years without ever leaving. The species does not breed
in salt water, but breeds in fast moving streams or rivers in the mountains.
Ron
-----Original Message-----
From: Aaron Maizlish <aaron.maizlish...>
To: peninsula-birding <peninsula-birding...>
Sent: Tue, Jun 19, 2018 7:11 pm
Subject: [pen-bird] Harlequin Ducks very close to shore
Pen-birders
Took a short walk out to the end of Coyote Point this evening. High tide, and mostly midsummer-like lulls.
Two male HARLEQUIN DUCKS were very close in at the end of the point, hanging out with about 8 Scoters and a Greater Scaup. It was great to see them both up close, at about 10 yard’s distance. The last few times I’ve been here I’ve had to play the distant-black-speck identification game with just
one. One of the males has a pronounced white forehead stripe, only slightly tawny, extending far back in the head (2nd year?). The other had the normal rusty stripe. If I’d had my camera with me I could have “crushed” it.
It’s reassuring to note that probably the same duck that I chased seven or eight years ago when it was my life bird is still there in 2018, with what I assume is his offspring.
There was one LEAST TERN on the outer rocks with a handful of Forster’s.
Aaron Maizlish
San Francisco CA
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Date: 6/19/18 9:07 pm From: Jane Tatchell <Jane...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Owl encounter - ID needed
Thanks Leonie. That makes sense. I just didn't know that vocalization. We do hear the bouncing ball song from time to time.
Jane
---- On Tue, 19 Jun 2018 20:32:22 -0700 <leonie.batkin23...> wrote ----
Hi Jane,
That is a Western Screech Owl. They nest in your neighborhood. I would recommend that you listen to Voices of North American Owls. A perfect match to those recordings. Nice to hear these vocalizations in our Redwood City neighborhoods.
Thanks for sharing,
Leonie Batkin
Redwood City
On Jun 19, 2018, at 2:57 PM, K Arul <karul2...> wrote:
maybe Saw-whet Owl...the “ksew” call (alarm call) of adult, and you can just hear the begging call of juvenile in background at end.
Kumaran Arul
Santa Cruz
On Jun 19, 2018, at 2:38 PM, Jane Tatchell <Jane...> wrote:
I believe I've attached the recording.
The adult calls start around the 40-second mark.
---- On Tue, 19 Jun 2018 14:20:24 -0700 <leonard.janetl...> wrote ----
there are several small owls. A recording would help.
Jan Leonard
hmb
On Tue, Jun 19, 2018 at 2:01 PM, Jane Tatchell <Jane...> wrote:
Yesterday evening, June 18, about 9:40 p.m. I took a stroll round my neighborhood (unincorporated Redwood City near Atherton) and heard a noise I didn't recognize in a tree by the sidewalk. There were two indistinct shapes in the tree and only when one of them flew did I realize that they must be owls rather than squirrels or, ahem, other rodents.
The flying bird landed on an unlit outdoor light and I saw its silhouette from the light of the nearby streetlamp. It was a small owl with no visible ear-tufts and it perched with its body slanted at about 45 degrees.I did not see any paler markings on its face or body, but despite the streetlamp, the viewing conditions were distinctly poor!
I'm guessing that the bird that remained in the tree was a youngster - it made sounds that I noted at the time as "persistent low soft squeaky chatter". The other bird, which I'm guessing was an adult flew into a different tree, then flew back close by me to the original tree and then swooped even closer, so I decided that I was affecting its behavior and left before it made its point plainer with its talons on my scalp. While it was in both the original tree and the second one, it made calls that were a series of 5 or so yelping or chirping hoots, evenly spaced, close together, each vocalization two-toned.
I have a recording if anyone wants to help me identify these birds. Unfortunately, my phone did not pick up the young bird's chatter, but I did get a couple of the adult bird's hoots. I know that we have Western Screech Owls nearby but the sounds from these birds did not sound like a noise that a WESO would make.
Good birding, even when you don't expect it!
Jane Tatchell
--
Janet L. Leonard
<OWLS Audio recording 2018-06-18 21-41-11.wav>
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That is a Western Screech Owl. They nest in your neighborhood. I would recommend that you listen to Voices of North American Owls. A perfect match to those recordings. Nice to hear these vocalizations in our Redwood City neighborhoods.
Thanks for sharing,
Leonie Batkin
Redwood City
> On Jun 19, 2018, at 2:57 PM, K Arul <karul2...> wrote:
>
> maybe Saw-whet Owl...the “ksew” call (alarm call) of adult, and you can just hear the begging call of juvenile in background at end.
> Kumaran Arul
> Santa Cruz
>
>> On Jun 19, 2018, at 2:38 PM, Jane Tatchell <Jane...> wrote:
>>
>> I believe I've attached the recording.
>> The adult calls start around the 40-second mark.
>>
>>
>> ---- On Tue, 19 Jun 2018 14:20:24 -0700 <leonard.janetl...> wrote ----
>>
>> there are several small owls. A recording would help.
>>
>>
>> Jan Leonard
>> hmb
>>
>> On Tue, Jun 19, 2018 at 2:01 PM, Jane Tatchell <Jane...> wrote:
>> Yesterday evening, June 18, about 9:40 p.m. I took a stroll round my neighborhood (unincorporated Redwood City near Atherton) and heard a noise I didn't recognize in a tree by the sidewalk. There were two indistinct shapes in the tree and only when one of them flew did I realize that they must be owls rather than squirrels or, ahem, other rodents.
>>
>> The flying bird landed on an unlit outdoor light and I saw its silhouette from the light of the nearby streetlamp. It was a small owl with no visible ear-tufts and it perched with its body slanted at about 45 degrees.I did not see any paler markings on its face or body, but despite the streetlamp, the viewing conditions were distinctly poor!
>>
>> I'm guessing that the bird that remained in the tree was a youngster - it made sounds that I noted at the time as "persistent low soft squeaky chatter". The other bird, which I'm guessing was an adult flew into a different tree, then flew back close by me to the original tree and then swooped even closer, so I decided that I was affecting its behavior and left before it made its point plainer with its talons on my scalp. While it was in both the original tree and the second one, it made calls that were a series of 5 or so yelping or chirping hoots, evenly spaced, close together, each vocalization two-toned.
>>
>> I have a recording if anyone wants to help me identify these birds. Unfortunately, my phone did not pick up the young bird's chatter, but I did get a couple of the adult bird's hoots. I know that we have Western Screech Owls nearby but the sounds from these birds did not sound like a noise that a WESO would make.
>>
>> Good birding, even when you don't expect it!
>> Jane Tatchell
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Janet L. Leonard
>>
>> <OWLS Audio recording 2018-06-18 21-41-11.wav>
>
>
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Date: 6/19/18 7:11 pm From: Aaron Maizlish <aaron.maizlish...> Subject: [pen-bird] Harlequin Ducks very close to shore
Pen-birders
Took a short walk out to the end of Coyote Point this evening. High tide, and mostly midsummer-like lulls.
Two male HARLEQUIN DUCKS were very close in at the end of the point, hanging out with about 8 Scoters and a Greater Scaup. It was great to see them both up close, at about 10 yard’s distance. The last few times I’ve been here I’ve had to play the distant-black-speck identification game with just
one. One of the males has a pronounced white forehead stripe, only slightly tawny, extending far back in the head (2nd year?). The other had the normal rusty stripe. If I’d had my camera with me I could have “crushed” it.
It’s reassuring to note that probably the same duck that I chased seven or eight years ago when it was my life bird is still there in 2018, with what I assume is his offspring.
There was one LEAST TERN on the outer rocks with a handful of Forster’s.
Aaron Maizlish
San Francisco CA
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Date: 6/19/18 2:57 pm From: K Arul <karul2...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Owl encounter - ID needed
maybe Saw-whet Owl...the “ksew” call (alarm call) of adult, and you can just hear the begging call of juvenile in background at end.
Kumaran Arul
Santa Cruz
On Jun 19, 2018, at 2:38 PM, Jane Tatchell <Jane...><mailto:<Jane...>> wrote:
I believe I've attached the recording.
The adult calls start around the 40-second mark.
there are several small owls. A recording would help.
Jan Leonard
hmb
On Tue, Jun 19, 2018 at 2:01 PM, Jane Tatchell <Jane...><mailto:<Jane...>> wrote:
Yesterday evening, June 18, about 9:40 p.m. I took a stroll round my neighborhood (unincorporated Redwood City near Atherton) and heard a noise I didn't recognize in a tree by the sidewalk. There were two indistinct shapes in the tree and only when one of them flew did I realize that they must be owls rather than squirrels or, ahem, other rodents.
The flying bird landed on an unlit outdoor light and I saw its silhouette from the light of the nearby streetlamp. It was a small owl with no visible ear-tufts and it perched with its body slanted at about 45 degrees.I did not see any paler markings on its face or body, but despite the streetlamp, the viewing conditions were distinctly poor!
I'm guessing that the bird that remained in the tree was a youngster - it made sounds that I noted at the time as "persistent low soft squeaky chatter". The other bird, which I'm guessing was an adult flew into a different tree, then flew back close by me to the original tree and then swooped even closer, so I decided that I was affecting its behavior and left before it made its point plainer with its talons on my scalp. While it was in both the original tree and the second one, it made calls that were a series of 5 or so yelping or chirping hoots, evenly spaced, close together, each vocalization two-toned.
I have a recording if anyone wants to help me identify these birds. Unfortunately, my phone did not pick up the young bird's chatter, but I did get a couple of the adult bird's hoots. I know that we have Western Screech Owls nearby but the sounds from these birds did not sound like a noise that a WESO would make.
Good birding, even when you don't expect it!
Jane Tatchell
--
Janet L. Leonard
<OWLS Audio recording 2018-06-18 21-41-11.wav>
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Date: 6/19/18 2:40 pm From: Jane Tatchell <Jane...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Owl encounter - ID needed
I believe I've attached the recording.
The adult calls start around the 40-second mark.
---- On Tue, 19 Jun 2018 14:20:24 -0700 <leonard.janetl...> wrote ----
there are several small owls. A recording would help.
Jan Leonard
hmb
On Tue, Jun 19, 2018 at 2:01 PM, Jane Tatchell <Jane...> wrote:
Yesterday evening, June 18, about 9:40 p.m. I took a stroll round my neighborhood (unincorporated Redwood City near Atherton) and heard a noise I didn't recognize in a tree by the sidewalk. There were two indistinct shapes in the tree and only when one of them flew did I realize that they must be owls rather than squirrels or, ahem, other rodents.
The flying bird landed on an unlit outdoor light and I saw its silhouette from the light of the nearby streetlamp. It was a small owl with no visible ear-tufts and it perched with its body slanted at about 45 degrees.I did not see any paler markings on its face or body, but despite the streetlamp, the viewing conditions were distinctly poor!
I'm guessing that the bird that remained in the tree was a youngster - it made sounds that I noted at the time as "persistent low soft squeaky chatter". The other bird, which I'm guessing was an adult flew into a different tree, then flew back close by me to the original tree and then swooped even closer, so I decided that I was affecting its behavior and left before it made its point plainer with its talons on my scalp. While it was in both the original tree and the second one, it made calls that were a series of 5 or so yelping or chirping hoots, evenly spaced, close together, each vocalization two-toned.
I have a recording if anyone wants to help me identify these birds. Unfortunately, my phone did not pick up the young bird's chatter, but I did get a couple of the adult bird's hoots. I know that we have Western Screech Owls nearby but the sounds from these birds did not sound like a noise that a WESO would make.
Good birding, even when you don't expect it!
Jane Tatchell
--
Janet L. Leonard
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there are several small owls. A recording would help.
Jan Leonard hmb
On Tue, Jun 19, 2018 at 2:01 PM, Jane Tatchell <Jane...> wrote:
> Yesterday evening, June 18, about 9:40 p.m. I took a stroll round my > neighborhood (unincorporated Redwood City near Atherton) and heard a noise > I didn't recognize in a tree by the sidewalk. There were two indistinct > shapes in the tree and only when one of them flew did I realize that they > must be owls rather than squirrels or, ahem, other rodents. > > The flying bird landed on an unlit outdoor light and I saw its silhouette > from the light of the nearby streetlamp. It was a small owl with no visible > ear-tufts and it perched with its body slanted at about 45 degrees.I did > not see any paler markings on its face or body, but despite the streetlamp, > the viewing conditions were distinctly poor! > > I'm guessing that the bird that remained in the tree was a youngster - it > made sounds that I noted at the time as "persistent low soft squeaky > chatter". The other bird, which I'm guessing was an adult flew into a > different tree, then flew back close by me to the original tree and then > swooped even closer, so I decided that I was affecting its behavior and > left before it made its point plainer with its talons on my scalp. While it > was in both the original tree and the second one, it made calls that were a > series of 5 or so yelping or chirping hoots, evenly spaced, close together, > each vocalization two-toned. > > I have a recording if anyone wants to help me identify these birds. > Unfortunately, my phone did not pick up the young bird's chatter, but I did > get a couple of the adult bird's hoots. I know that we have Western Screech > Owls nearby but the sounds from these birds did not sound like a noise that > a WESO would make. > > Good birding, even when you don't expect it! > Jane Tatchell > > > > > >
-- Janet L. Leonard
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Date: 6/19/18 2:01 pm From: Jane Tatchell <Jane...> Subject: [pen-bird] Owl encounter - ID needed
Yesterday evening, June 18, about 9:40 p.m. I took a stroll round my neighborhood (unincorporated Redwood City near Atherton) and heard a noise I didn't recognize in a tree by the sidewalk. There were two indistinct shapes in the tree and only when one of them flew did I realize that they must be owls rather than squirrels or, ahem, other rodents.
The flying bird landed on an unlit outdoor light and I saw its silhouette from the light of the nearby streetlamp. It was a small owl with no visible ear-tufts and it perched with its body slanted at about 45 degrees.I did not see any paler markings on its face or body, but despite the streetlamp, the viewing conditions were distinctly poor!
I'm guessing that the bird that remained in the tree was a youngster - it made sounds that I noted at the time as "persistent low soft squeaky chatter". The other bird, which I'm guessing was an adult flew into a different tree, then flew back close by me to the original tree and then swooped even closer, so I decided that I was affecting its behavior and left before it made its point plainer with its talons on my scalp. While it was in both the original tree and the second one, it made calls that were a series of 5 or so yelping or chirping hoots, evenly spaced, close together, each vocalization two-toned.
I have a recording if anyone wants to help me identify these birds. Unfortunately, my phone did not pick up the young bird's chatter, but I did get a couple of the adult bird's hoots. I know that we have Western Screech Owls nearby but the sounds from these birds did not sound like a noise that a WESO would make.
Good birding, even when you don't expect it!
Jane Tatchell
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Date: 6/18/18 11:39 pm From: maliadances via Groups.Io <maliadances=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] Franklin's Gull 6/18 Pilarcitos Creek Half Moon Bay
Today I birded some local spots. Lately there has been a large (600+) gull flock at Venice Beach/Pilacitos Creek mouth. Mostly consisting of California gulls. I wanted a more intimate look at what was on the beach so crossed the creek. While scanning the gulls, a group of 30+ Caspian Terns caught my eye and there with them was a FRANKLIN'S GULL. The gull and tern flock flushed multiple times due to beach-goers, but I was able to get a few photos before the flock completely dispersed.
Later around 7:00pm Chris and I scoured the state beaches from Francis to Venice to Dunes beaches with no luck in re-finding this gull. We also checked the harbor on the out-going tide.
Malia DeFelice
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Date: 6/18/18 3:29 pm From: Frances Oliver <hummer52...> Subject: [pen-bird] 2018 VENTURA WFO CONFERENCE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
WFO is looking forward to having you join us in Ventura for this year’s conference. We have an excellent lineup of workshops and field trips, including two, all-day pelagic trips to Santa Cruz Island (for Island Scrub-Jay) and pelagic waters beyond. The banquet's keynote speaker is David Ainley, of H.T. Harvey & Associates, whose address will be: “Population dynamics of seabirds in response to their prey, in the Gulf of the Farallones, 1980s to the present.” The plenary speaker at the Science Sessions will be Paul Collins from the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. You'll enjoy hearing and seeing Nathan Pieplow's sound quiz and Ed Harper’s photographic quiz. Meeting this year’s group of enthusiastic Youth Scholars is always heartwarming and fun!
Date: 6/18/18 3:24 pm From: Gerry McChesney <gerry.mcchesney...> Subject: [pen-bird] Devil's Slide Brown Booby, Gannet, Peregrines, Common Murres
Sorry for the late post, but I'm just back from being out of town. Last Thursday, June 14, my Devil's Slide field biologists had a *Brown Booby* on Devil's Slide (Egg) Rock. Unfortunately, it has not been seen since.
The *Northern Gannet* continues on the Devil's Slide mainland cliffs. It has been aggressive towards the nesting Brandt's Cormorants and has caused some nest failures. When present, the gannet can be viewed from the south end of the South Parking Lot of the Devil's Slide Trail County Park. Look north to the large cliff face about 500 meters away, with a Brandt's Cormorant and Common Murre nesting colony. The gannet sits among the cormorants on the lower portion of the colony. A spotting scope is highly recommended.
The nesting *Peregrine Falcons* still have two chicks in the nest. They are close to fledging, which means they should be easier to see now but won't be in the nest much longer. When they fledge, they should be flying about the area for at least a couple weeks before dispersing. The falcon nest is on the same cliff face as the gannet, but high on the mainland ("right' when viewed from the south) side. It's viewed most completely from the South Parking lot but also can be seen from much closer from near the south end of the Devil's Slide Trail.
*Common Murre *chicks are hatching on Devil's Slide Rock, although they are hard to spot in the dense mass of birds. They will be easier to see in July when they get bigger.
Gerry McChesney
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Date: 6/17/18 5:30 pm From: Al Eisner <eisner...> Subject: [pen-bird] Salt Pond SF2
I checked out the CASPIAN TERN colony at Salt Pond SF2 (along the southeast side of the Dumbarton Bridge) for the Palo Alto summer bird count on June 2. But the birds are distant, and heat waves made for difficult viewing, so it was difficult to determine how many of the apparent adults were decoys. With this morning's (June 17) largely overcast conditions, viewing was much better. There appeared to be few or no decoys (I wonder if they had been removed), and I counted 107 adults plus 22 chicks. (Some chicks were no doubt missed due to island topography or being hidden by adults.) Also noted (mostly staying apart from the Caspians) were 6 BLACK SKIMMERs on nests; 5 had their partners adjacent, making for a total of 11 Skimmers. (Potential photographers should be aware that all of the above birds are quite far from potential observation points.)
FORSTER'S TERNs are nesting elsewhere on the pond, favoring grassy islands. Given that, I was unable to detect young, but from birds seen on nest plus total numbers, there must be at least 2 dozen nests. Very few shorebirds are using this pond (and nothing of note).
Al Eisner
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Date: 6/16/18 11:19 am From: Troy Pittock <troypittock...> Subject: [pen-bird] Lower La Honda Creek OSP Grasshopper sparrows galore
Heard and seen all along first 2/3 miles. Counted 8, probably more out there. American Kestral a surprise. Ebird list 28 species. https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46588593 Earlier in morning at Thornewood OSP, great walk with 26 species. https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46585043 Thank you everyone for your posts/ reports throughout the week. Always invigorates me for weekend birding.
Troy Pittock San Carlos
Please excuse typos and brevity. Sent from my handheld device.
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I walked the Mindego Hill Trail at Russian Ridge OSP this morning 6-13-2018 and found 50 species, including a singing male Audubon's race Yellow-rumped Warbler (photographed from a distance), a Red-breasted Nuthatch, and a Lawrence's Goldfinch among many other interesting species. The Yellow-rumped is of special interest because breeding records are very few indeed for our county - in fact the official breeding atlas records show just one, which may actually have been just out of county, but within an atlas survey block that included a snippet of SMC. So, it got included in the results. In short, a confirmation would be pretty cool! This bird was about 3/4 mile in where the trail skirts a small hill to the right side, into an area of tall firs.
This may be one of the most under-birded public access spaces in the county - nobody but me has submitted an bird report from the route since early March, and since Nov. 2016, I've submitted 11 checklists while all others combined have submitted just 3. This is not to blow my own horn but to give a big shout-out to the birding community about this open space gem. The habitats are diverse and the views sublime - yet its birdlife is still something of a mystery. There is even a lake at the lower end of the trail - a pair of Greater White-fronted Geese actually wintered there last winter.
Hoping you'll check it out and enjoy it as much as I have, Garth Harwood Pescadero
-- *Garth Harwood *Director of Education, The Trust for Hidden Villa 26870 Moody Rd., Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 *(650) 949-8643*
<gharwood...>
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Date: 6/13/18 9:59 am From: Adam Dudley <adam.dudley...> Subject: [pen-bird] South SanFrancisco Bay Trail 6/13
Hi folks, the Bay Trail near Genentech has been very quiet recently, with only a few Western Gulls loafing around and hordes of recently-fledged starlings dominating the creek.
However, on my regular pre-work walk this morning I was very surprised to see a female BULLOCK’S ORIOLE along the creek! This is my first record of this species here, and species no. 132 for the eBIrd hotspot. I was also surprised to see a male RED-BREASTED MERGANSER actively diving and feeding by the creek mouth, unusual for this time of the year.
A beautiful morning to be out birding!
Adam
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Date: 6/12/18 9:45 pm From: Kent Forward via Groups.Io <kforward=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] Purple Martins at Moss Beach (Rancho Corral de Tierra) - 6/12/2018
Good Evening Folks,
Around 7:20 PM this evening while wrapping up a birding hike in Rancho Corral de Tierra in the Moss Beach area I saw 2 PURPLE MARTINs foraging above the upper pond that can be viewed from the lower section of the public Farmer Daughter's Trail (just up the hill from the Ember Ridge Equestrian center area at the end of Ranch Road - access from Etheldore Street). Similar to my experience at this same location in April 2017 when I also saw 2 Purple Martins, there were a lot of Swallows, and also Blackbirds, including European Starlings in the area, and at first I was ever so briefly flummoxed as to why one of the "Starlings" actually "landed" on the surface of the water to drink/forage briefly like a swallow then taking off again, and as I got my binoculars on it I soon noted the forked tail, deep purple/blue sheen, dark bill etc. of a Purple Martin! There was also a female with pale underparts. They circled around the pond and repeated this behavior over several minutes before heading off in a northeasterly direction. I wonder if these Martins are coming down from the nesting area back up in the water shed to forage, or if they may actually be a different set of Martins setting up some nesting closer by? At any rate, always cool to see a Martin.
There were also some notable signs of breeding including a pair of adult PYGMY NUTHATCHES taking turns bringing food into a small hole in the side of a dead pine tree. Also on the pond where the Martins were was a pair of RUDDY DUCK attending to 3 downy young swimming alongside.
Finally, an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was of interest as a first for me at this location. In many areas where I frequently bird in San Mateo County there seems to be a preponderance of this species this year, much more abundant than in recent years?
Bountiful Birding,Kent ForwardEl Granada
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Date: 6/12/18 9:23 am From: sonny mencher via Groups.Io <soccerquiz=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] GBH Rookery Pescadero Marsh
Did survey of Great Blue heron Rookery at Pescadero marsh on 6/8/18. Had total of 18 nests with 21 adults, 17 chicks and one Cormorant.Photos at: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46497010Sonny Mencher
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Date: 6/11/18 2:14 pm From: maliadances via Groups.Io <maliadances=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] Cumulative yearlist for May 2018 - San Mateo County
Greetings San Mateo County Birders!
A few missed birds from previous months are as follows: Dorian Anderson rode over to the coast on his bike and reported the first PIGEON GUILLEMOT (2) on March 4 th during a Moss Beach Distillery seawatch. Ron Thorn noted the first CASSIN’S AUKLET (4) on March 7 th during a seawatch at Pigeon Pt. BANK SWALLOW (2) were first seen by Zack Mikalonis April 8th at their nesting site at Ano Nuevo. Birders in May added 14 new species. Missed birds plus new birds bring our end of May total to 284.
As you read through the list of birds below, please note, the number in parenthesis next to the bird name, is the rarity code assigned for San Mateo County. The definitions for the rarity codes can be found below the current month's list at the link below. From the link, you can also download a checklist which shows seasonality, frequency, and county breeding information. A full list of the birds observed so far in 2018, their finders plus the rarity code definitions can be found at this link as well: http://www.sequoia-audubon.org/SMCbirds.php
May birds, where they were observed, and their finders are as follows:
During a repositioning cruise heading through off-shore waters in San Mateo County, Ron Thorn and Leonie Batkin noted MURPHY’S PETREL (6) and LONG-TAILED JAEGER (3). Alvaro Jaramillo found a MANX SHEARWATER (5) during a seawatch at Pigeon Point. During a seawatch at Ano Nuevo State Park, Steve Miller spotted a HORNED PUFFIN (5). Leonie Batkin and Ron Thorn located LEAST TERN (4) at Coyote Point. The first BLACK SWIFT (4) for the year were seen on the same day in two locations by Malia DeFelice, at Ano Nuevo, and Garth Harwood along the ridge. Clive Beavis found and photographed an EASTERN KINGBIRD (5) at Pillar Pt. Harbor. Will Brooks documented both a WILLOW FLYCATCHER (5) and a TENNESSEE WARBLER (4) along Tunitas Creek Rd. NORTHERN PARULA (4) was found by Ron Thorn at Water Lane. At Coyote Point, Adam Dudley found YELLOW WARBLER (2). A male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK came to Alane Gray’s backyard feeder. Along Higgins Canyon Rd., Ron Thorn found a female BLUE GROSBEAK (4). Chris Hayward and Chris O’Connell birded Tunitas Creek Rd. and just downstream from the junction with Lobitos Creek Cut-off, they found several LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH (4).
I put this report together monthly as a volunteer for Sequoia Audubon Society (SAS). San Mateo is a diverse and bird rich county and SAS hopes to inspire you to get out there and explore. Want to know where to bird in San Mateo County? Check out SAS’s online San Mateo County Birding Guide http://birding.sequoia-audubon.org/. Want to join a field trip? All field trips are free and welcome birders of all skill levels. For a schedule of upcoming field trips offered by SAS look here http://www.sequoia-audubon.org/fieldtrips.html.Want to become a member of Sequoia Audubon Society? Join here http://www.sequoia-audubon.org/membership.html
Please post all your bird sightings to <peninsula-birding...>
and/or www.eBird.org ( http://www.eBird.org ). As always, when posting to Pen-bird, please include the date of your sighting in either the subject line or in the body of your email. Thank you!
If you have questions or comments regarding this report, please email:
<maliadances...>
Good birding all!
Malia DeFelice
Chris Hayward
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Date: 6/11/18 1:35 pm From: Jane Tatchell <Jane...> Subject: [pen-bird] Coal Mine Ridge OSP (Sunday June 10)
I had a delightful hike yesterday in Coal Mine Ridge OSP, starting at the main entrance, going up the hill on Old Spanish Trail, spending a little while at the lake at the top, and then going back down Toyon Trail. A warning about Toyon Trail - there's a bees' nest in an oak tree near the top of the trail. The bees took absolutely no notice of me as I walked by, but there were a LOT of them! If you're worried by bees or have children with you, I recommend taking the very close by leg of Old Spanish Trail.
There were lots of young birds around, especially Chestnut-Backed Chickadees, Dark-Eyed Juncos, and Spotted Towhees. At the top of the hill, near the large pond that's half covered in pond weed, I saw a female Black-Headed Grosbeak feeding a begging, newly fledged youngster. At the edge of the pond, there was an immature American Robin with one other robin. About half way back down the hill, I was able to spot an adult male Black-Headed Grosbeak. Also on the Toyon Trail, I heard an Olive-Sided Flycatcher somewhere down-slope and a couple of fairly distant Swainson's Thrushes. On the way up, on the Old Spanish Trail, fairly near the start of the trail, I heard and then saw a male Black-Throated Gray Warbler, and heard a Cassin's Vireo. I tried to get a recording of the latter, but unfortunately it didn't come through. The lake was pretty quiet, nothing particular to report from there.
Date: 6/10/18 8:05 pm From: SequoiaAudubon Society via Groups.Io <sequoia_audubon_society=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] Las Gallinas Ponds, San Rafael; Sat June 16; 7:30-11:00am
Las Gallinas Ponds, San Rafael : Least Bittern OdysseySaturday June 16, 7:30am - 11:00amFor the last few years Least Bitterns have bred at Las Gallinas Ponds. If the birds return in 2018 this trip coincides with when the birds should be starting their breeding activity. We have a good chance of hearing, and maybe seeing, the smallest North American heron. This is also an excellent area to view a wide variety of waterfowl and other wetland birds, and maybe even have a chance to see one of the resident River Otters. These are level trails along a series of levees. This is a slow-paced trip, excellent for all levels of birding. A scope is useful here, if you have one, but many of the birds are close enough for great photo opportunities. Directions: From Highway 101 in San Rafael take the Smith Ranch Road exit, then go east on Smith Ranch toward the McInnis Park entrance. Turn left immediately after crossing the railroad tracks, staying on Smith Ranch, and go about .5 miles to the end of the road, at the Las Gallinas Ponds parking lot. Meet in the parking lot. Heavy rain cancels. Leader: Adam Dudley Contact: <Adam.Dudley...>
View this event on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/569999256712450/ Learn more & join us at:
www.sequoia-audubon.org
www.facebook.com/SequoiaAudubon
Date: 6/10/18 4:37 pm From: Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> Subject: [pen-bird] Singing male Chestnut-sided Warbler at Shamrock Ranch in Pacifica.
[Edited Message Follows]
Birders,
Robbie Fischer, Jeff Morlan and I jhad good views of a singing male Chestnut-sided Warbler in the willows directly across (east) from the Shamrock Ranch parking lot at the south end of Peralta Road in Pacifica. Voice recordings posted at....
Date: 6/10/18 1:23 pm From: Robbie Fischer <robbie22...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Singing male Chestnut-sided Warbler at Shamrock Ranch in Pacifica.
By 12:45 PM the warbler had moved on to the private property of the shamrock ranch. It could still be heard singing from the public road. Please do not infringe on the no trespassing policy at Shamrock Ranch.
Robbie Fischer
Pacifica
> On Jun 10, 2018, at 12:34 PM, Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> wrote:
>
> Birders,
>
> Jeff Morlan and I just had good views of a singing male Chestnut-sided Warbler in the willows directly across (east) from the Shamrock Ranch
> parking lot at the south end of Peralta Road in Pacifica. Voice recording attempted, but no photos yet. Map...
>
> https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-b0ii47W5qSy-CBAU6Hp1DZXd3xYclsO&usp=sharing >
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Date: 6/10/18 12:34 pm From: Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> Subject: [pen-bird] Singing male Chestnut-sided Warbler at Shamrock Ranch in Pacifica.
Birders,
Jeff Morlan and I just had good views of a singing male Chestnut-sided Warbler in the willows directly across (east) from the Shamrock Ranch
parking lot at the south end of Peralta Road in Pacifica. Voice recording attempted, but no photos yet. Map...
Date: 6/8/18 2:14 pm From: SequoiaAudubon Society via Groups.Io <sequoia_audubon_society=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] SAS: Arastradero; SUNDAY 6/10; 8:00am - Noon
Please note this field trip is on SUNDAY 6/10 (NOT Saturday 6/9)
Enid Pearson Arastradero Preserve Sunday, June 10, 8:00am - 12:00pm Arastradero is a wonderful park with rolling hills, oak trees and meadowland. We will look for Western Bluebirds, swallows, Lazuli Bunting, Acorn Woodpeckers and several hawk species. Golden Eagle and Bald Eagle are also possible here. We will walk 2-4 miles at birders’ pace. It can get hot here so bring water and sun protection. Directions: Take highway 280 south. Exit Page Mill Rd. and go west (right). Turn right on Arastradero Road. The parking lot will be on the right. Leader: Ginny Marshall. Contact: <ginnybirder...> Learn more & join us at:
www.sequoia-audubon.org
www.facebook.com/SequoiaAudubon
Date: 6/8/18 9:18 am From: Adam Dudley <adam.dudley...> Subject: [pen-bird] Bell’s sparrow Windy Hill 6/8
Hi folks, just a quick note that the Bell’s sparrow was singing at the same location as reported yesterday at 7:30am this morning. Just north of the Anniversary Trail parking lot at Windy Hill. It was quite distant, sang for a maximum of 30s, and has not been heard since. I managed a brief recording but unfortunately Jane and I did not see it before we had to leave for work at 9am.
Good birding,
Adam
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Date: 6/7/18 10:20 pm From: Kent Forward via Groups.Io <kforward=<yahoo.com...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] (pen-bird] Willow Flycatcher and BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW at Burleigh Murray SP 6-6-2018
Hi All,
Just a quick note that Burleigh Murray SP was open when I dropped by after work tonight (gate open etc.), so it is back in action. I dipped on both recently reported rarities, but a really nice abundance of the regulars were present (40 species in all were either heard or seen). Of particular interest was the preponderance of recently fledged birds about, including WILSON'S WARBLERs, and a first for me, two recently fledged PACIFIC WRENs that were not shy at all and whose nearby parents were beseeching mightily to quickly adopt a lower profile! BIrd-song abounded throughout the just over 1 mile walk back to the old barn, and I managed to capture a decent recording of a SWAINSON'S THRUSH and a PURPLE FINCH (doing one of my favorite ascending, then stacatto descending songs).
Hi Birders,
The Bell’s Sparrow that we saw today was at Windy Hill OSP a very short walk N from the Anniversary Trail parking and picnic area off Skyline Blvd. Sorry for any confusion—it was a first visit, and the MROSP brochure map is a little unclear as to naming this small section of trail—which appears to be an end leg of the Spring Ridge Trail. We assume this is the same bird reported by Aaron. I know, should have read the signs.
Russ Bright
SF
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Date: 6/7/18 5:02 pm From: bitanangan <birdbright...> Subject: [pen-bird] Continuing Bell’s Sparrow at Windy Hill OSP.
Hi Birders,
David Tomb, Rob Cullison and myself enjoyed a delightful morning and early afternoon of birding at Russian Hill OSP and Windy Hill OSP, and besides having close contact with numerous singinging Lazuli Buntings and Grasshopper Sparrows we refound the singing Bell’s Sparrow recently reported by Aaron Maizlish. Unfortunately we dipped on photos, but it might be found walking on/towards (?) the Anniversary trail in the nearest chaparral to the parking lot. Ebird checklist with description pending.
Russ Bright
SF
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Date: 6/7/18 9:49 am From: Malia DeFelice <malia.defelice.sas...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] (pen-bird] Willow Flycatcher and BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW at Burleigh Murray SP 6-6-2018
We went to Burleigh this morning but did not go in because the gate was locked and there was a stick and orange cone placed blocking the foot entrance. It appeared to be an intentional attempt to kept people out of the park. Just wanted to give a heads up for what it’s worth.
Malia And Chris
> On Jun 6, 2018, at 8:59 PM, Garth Harwood <gharwood...> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I went to Burleigh Murray today to check in on the continuing Willow
> Flycatcher in its preferred hemlock patch just past the second wooden
> bridge. I could not locate it on my way in at about 9:30, perhaps because
> it was still gloomy at that hour with a steady cold wind. But it was easy
> to find on my way back at
Date: 6/6/18 8:59 pm From: Garth Harwood <gharwood...> Subject: [pen-bird] Willow Flycatcher and BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW at Burleigh Murray SP 6-6-2018
Hi All,
I went to Burleigh Murray today to check in on the continuing Willow
Flycatcher in its preferred hemlock patch just past the second wooden
bridge. I could not locate it on my way in at about 9:30, perhaps because
it was still gloomy at that hour with a steady cold wind. But it was easy
to find on my way back at about 11, singing from the very same bush (now
deceased with brown leaves) where it first turned up 2 years ago.
Perhaps because I spent such a long time loitering around that spot
initially, I began to detect a weirdly familiar yet out-of-context bird
song from the chaparral slope across the canyon. It took a long time and a
couple of dozen iterations of its song to become confident about what I was
hearing - a Black-chinned Sparrow! I poked around a bit trying to find some
way to bushwhack over there but could not do it due to abundant poison oak,
nettles, and brambles, so no visuals or photos.
The song was a match for this one on xeno-canto.org:
XC391163 · Black-chinned Sparrow
<https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Spizella-atrogularis> Its voice was often drowned out by closer birds, and also grew stronger and
weaker at times as if moving closer then farther away. This would be a
tough one to capture on a recording, but might well be worth the effort if
you've got the technology!
By comparison, 4 Red Crossbills that flew over close to the entrance were
anticlimactic, but still pretty cool.
BTW, the gate was never unlocked this AM even though there was no signage
suggesting a closure was in effect. I had to walk in from the nearest legal
spot along the road.
Happy trails, Garth Harwood
--
*Garth Harwood
*Director of Education,
The Trust for Hidden Villa
26870 Moody Rd., Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
*(650) 949-8643*
Date: 6/6/18 8:59 pm From: Jennifer Rycenga <gyrrlfalcon...> Subject: [pen-bird] Hermits (Thrush and Warbler) at El Corte de Madera
When I chose to make the western trails of El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve one of my regular hikes, I imagined a day like this one, sonically. There were numerous singing HERMIT THRUSH, HERMIT WARBLERS, and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS. A PILEATED WOODPECKER called, too.
Date: 6/6/18 6:39 pm From: Ronald- Thorn via Groups.Io <Tronthorn=<aol.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] American Redstart along Gazos Creek Road.
Started out the morning seawatching at Pigeon Point. It was a short seawatch, as activity over the ocean was very slow. A late Long-billed Curlew was a nonbreeder flying north. The first I have noted at Pigeon Point were three Wild Turkeys. No, they were not flybys over the ocean, but were in the field at the south end of the Pigeon Point Road at Highway 1.
I spent the rest of the morning checking riparian corridors along the coast. The highlight was along Gazos Creek Road at the big pullout between Highway 1 and the junction with Cloverdale Road. This is where there is a sign "sharp bend" and a Redwood Tree is very close to the road. There was a female AMERICAN REDSTART moving among the Red Alders along the creek.
Date: 6/5/18 10:09 pm From: Jane Tatchell <Jane...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Hermit Thrush singing at Wunderlich Park
I heard one in the same area back on May 13 and saw a Pileated Woodpecker, also in the same area, a week later. There are a lot of good birds there in the Spring.
Jane Tatchell, Redwood City
---- On Tue, 05 Jun 2018 14:36:01 -0700 <rwjohnsonmail...> wrote ----
Today at 11:30 AM, I heard 2 or 3 Hermit Thrush singing north of the Bear Gulch Trail about half way between the Redwood Trail junction and the Meadows, at about 1200 foot elevation. What a treat.
Date: 6/5/18 3:02 pm From: Rick Johnson <rwjohnsonmail...> Subject: [pen-bird] Hermit Thrush singing at Wunderlich Park
Today at 11:30 AM, I heard 2 or 3 Hermit Thrush singing north of the Bear Gulch Trail about half way between the Redwood Trail junction and the Meadows, at about 1200 foot elevation. What a treat.
Rick Johnson
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Date: 6/5/18 9:57 am From: Garth Harwood <gharwood...> Subject: [pen-bird] A grand day out: Russian Ridge OSP 6-4-2018
Hi All,
Seems like Russian Ridge OSP is coming into its own as a birding destination this year - and about time, too! I took a long early-AM walk under clear skies yesterday 6-4 and while I dipped on the reported Bell's Sparrow, I did turn up a singing Chipping Sparrow, the first reported at RROSP in many years. Photos and a location description are in my ebird list here: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46304293 .
Other birds of note included a flight of 4 Black Swifts, alas too distant and, er, swift for photography. These were headed steadily north past Borel Hill, the high point of the preserve. There was also a calling Pileated Woodpecker and two singing W Tanagers, plus the continuing Lawrence's Goldfinches (3 on this walk, including a pair, all along the Ridge Trail near Borel Hill. Three W Wood-pewees singing well apart from each other were a surprise - probably late migrants, but who knows? Oodles of Lazuli Buntings, too. And all of this while enjoying some of the finest views in the entire Bay Area, with wildflowers to boot!
Happy trails, Garth Harwood, Pescadero
-- *Garth Harwood *Director of Education, The Trust for Hidden Villa 26870 Moody Rd., Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 *(650) 949-8643*
Date: 6/4/18 5:46 pm From: maliadances via Groups.Io <maliadances=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] June 2 Palo Alto Summer Bird Count - La Honda Creek OSP (upper)
Chris and I took part in the Palo Alto Summer Bird Count last Saturday, June 2. We covered the La Honda Creek OSP , the upper area that requires a permit for access.We spent 4 hours hiking 4.5 miles on the various trails in the preserve. We counted 31 species total at this location but had some highlights.
We encountered a total of (5) HERMIT WARBLERS. Along the Cielo Trail, we first heard a singing male and stopped to try to spot it. To our delight, be saw not only the male but also a female. The two birds were staying very close together as they moved through the tree canopy. We were able to get good photos of the male and a few blurry photos of the female. We moved on, and about 50 yards away we heard another male Hermit Warbler singing. That bird was very close to the trail and were able to photograph it. On another trail we had a 3rd Hermit Warbler singing but could not get a visual. Back at our car at then end of our survey, as we ate lunch we could hear yet another male singing.
Also on the Cielo Trail we heard several HERMIT THRUSHES and with the air devoid of plane or distant motorcycle noise, got a fairly decent audio recording. I think I have this right that these are the C. g. slevini subspecies?. Our winter Hermit Thrushes leave in spring to breed elsewhere to the north and this subspecies arrives to breed in the Santa Cruz Mountains. A Golden Eagle was seen perched on the metal power tower. And Golden-crowned Kinglets were seen and heard singing along the Coho Vista Loop Trail. Our ebird checklist for the area with photos and audio is here https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46247554
To access this part of La Honda Creek OSP one needs to apply for a permit. Info for obtaining a permit can be found here: https://www.openspace.org/preserves/la-honda-creek This is a fantastic area with sweeping views of the hills out to coast. Looking forward to doing more exploration of this area.
A single Bell’s Sparrow was calling actively this morning from the chaparral, close to the trail at the top of Windy Hill OSP, at Skyline. About 50 yards down the trail, near an oak, about 20 ft downslope. Never showed well and eventually moved down the canyon a bit.
Date: 6/4/18 10:59 am From: Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Adult SHARP-SHINNED HAWK in El Granada, 04June2018
Keith et al.
Sharp-shins are said to breed up in the forests above the coastside, However on two occasions in late summer I have seen Sharp-shins acting odd at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in the big cypress forest there. I have wondered if they may breed in there. Unlike Cooper’s, Sharpies can be very quiet in breeding areas, particularly outside of the early morning hours when they can call a bit.
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of keith_in_eg via Groups.Io
Sent: Monday, June 4, 2018 9:48 AM
To: <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: [pen-bird] Adult SHARP-SHINNED HAWK in El Granada, 04June2018
Hello,
Shortly after 09:00, I had an adult male Sharp-shinned Hawk fly low over the house. It was heading west over the open space that is the CUSD surplus property south of Coral Reef Avenue. It was being chased by a Brewer's Blackbird. The small Sharpie was slightly larger than Robin-sized with rusty barring below, short squared-off tail, and not much head projecting beyond the leading edge of the wings. It displayed the typical flap-flap-flap-flap-glide flight behavior. So all of the ID stuff aside, the presence of an adult Sharpie on June 4th is unusual and suggests to me the possibility of local nesting activity. I do know that there is a resident breeding pair of Cooper's Hawks in the neighborhood along with the Red-tails and Red-shoulders. So if you're in the EG neighborhood, and poking around, look out for for the possible Sharpie adult and maybe juvenile(s)!
Date: 6/4/18 9:47 am From: keith_in_eg via Groups.Io <keith_ineg=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] Adult SHARP-SHINNED HAWK in El Granada, 04June2018
Hello,
Shortly after 09:00, I had an adult male Sharp-shinned Hawk fly low over the house. It was heading west over the open space that is the CUSD surplus property south of Coral Reef Avenue. It was being chased by a Brewer's Blackbird. The small Sharpie was slightly larger than Robin-sized with rusty barring below, short squared-off tail, and not much head projecting beyond the leading edge of the wings. It displayed the typical flap-flap-flap-flap-glide flight behavior. So all of the ID stuff aside, the presence of an adult Sharpie on June 4th is unusual and suggests to me the possibility of local nesting activity. I do know that there is a resident breeding pair of Cooper's Hawks in the neighborhood along with the Red-tails and Red-shoulders. So if you're in the EG neighborhood, and poking around, look out for for the possible Sharpie adult and maybe juvenile(s)!
Date: 6/3/18 8:47 pm From: Eric S <ericbs1975...> Subject: [pen-bird] Waterdog lake 6/3
Today my son and I decide to revisit Waterdog Lake since it has been a
few weeks since we were there last. We ended up being there from about
12-4, not necessarily an ideal time. We were initially treated by OAK
TITMOUSE and a singing BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (heard only). It was quite
birdy given the was the hottest part of one of the busy days of the week.
Some of the highlights include the following:
2 CALIFORNIA THRASHERS
8 ORANGE CROWNED WARBLERS (conservative estimate. 4 seen, at least that
many heard)
2 PACIFIC SLOPE FLYCATCHER
4 HUTTONS VIREO
1 WILSONS WARBLER
5 WRENTITS in a bush adjacent to trail giving great looks. Many more
calling from the hillsides.
1 CASPIAN TERN - flew over the lake and continued through the valley
towards crystal springs.
There were a few calls I couldn’t place, so there may still yet be more
there to discover. Unfortunately 2-3 of the large oaks the great horned
owls had been using were cut down and we haven’t been able to relocate them
since. In addition to the birds we found a blue tailed skink, a fair
variety of butterflies, and a giant turtle floating along in the middle of
the lake.
Date: 6/3/18 7:18 pm From: Bill Bousman <barlowi...> Subject: [pen-bird] Palo Alto SBC, 6/2/18, Region 2, vicinity Shoreline Park
Folks:
Yesterday, 6/2/18, I covered areas near Shoreline Park in Region 2 for the Palo Alto SBC. John Unger (from Virginia) and Julie Amato joined me during the morning. John and I were at the Mountain View Forebay at sunrise. As we were passing Charleston Slough, we saw a 1st-cycle BONAPARTE'S GULL foraging on the mud flats (later, I saw this or a similar bird while driving out on the Pond A1 levee in the afternoon). There was no sign of the adult Common Gallinule that I had seen a week ago in the seasonal pond west of the forebay, but just as good was a pair of CINNAMON TEAL in the pond. They have become quite rare in the summer, no one mentioned finding any other Cinnamons at the count down.
We then drove over to the Lakeside Cafe and walked along the north side of the lake. We saw multiple GREEN HERONS, and John saw one break off a stick and take it to a nearby tree. The two female-plumaged SURF SCOTERS were on the lake for an easy tick. Once to Pond A1, we returned along the south shore of A1 and met up with Julie. We walked east along Pond A2W and saw our one BURROWING OWL for the day. Someone has put up nest boxes towards the east end of the park in recent years and at least one was visited by TREE SWALLOWS. We returned to Shoreline Lake by the maintenance road and at the pond at Michaels saw a male GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE, our only one for the day.
In the afternoon, after John and Julie left, I drove the Pond A2W and A1 levees. WESTERN GULLS are getting scarce, so I was pleased with a pair on an island near the east side of A2W. The tide was out, but the only shorebird at the Stevens Creek mouth was a single LONG-BILLED CURLEW. Much better was an OSPREY munching on something off of Long Point. The best birds on A1 was a female-plumaged CANVASBACK immediately outside of the Charleston Slough gates and a sub-adult PEREGRINE FALCON on a tower on the outer edge of the pond. I saw two DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT ground nests on the northwest islands in A1, the first I've seen there. With the rising water, the islands are getting smaller and there were far fewer California Gulls nesting there than in past years.
The Palo Alto SBC count circle is half in Santa Clara County and half in San Mateo County. Yesterday, 6/2/18, was the 38th consecutive summer count. A tentative total is about 149 species, one more than our average over 37 years.
Some highlights for the count include a male REDHEAD (10 years) in (closed) Pond A3W (both Western and Clark's Grebes are attempting to nest in that pond as well). At least two OSPREY (9 years) were seen in the South Bay, there is a nest in a tower near the junction of Coyote Creek and Alviso Slough this year outside the circle, but the probable nest owners were in the circle. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (13 years) was in the Santa Cruz Mountains in San Mateo County. A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL (12 years) was heard. PILEATED WOODPECKERS (16 years) are continuing to do well. At least 4 SAY'S PHOEBES (7) were found near Moffett Field where they have nested in recent years. Both GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS (7) AND HERMIT THRUSH (6) were sound in the Santa Cruz Mountains in San Mateo. LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES (12) were found in multiple locations in both counties, so a good year for them. A BELL'S SPARROW (6) was found in Jasper Ridge Biological Reserve, a modern record*. A single male GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (9) was at Michaels at Shoreline.
Thanks to all who came out on this hot June day!
Bill Bousman Menlo Park
*Bell's Sparrow has never been common in San Mateo County. Here is a smattering of records: 1 May 1910 2 nests with eggs, Redwood City (Chase Littlejohn). This was when there was pasture there by the Bay. 7-13 May 1910 1 nest with eggs, hills behind San Carlos (Chase Littlejohn) 14 May 1955 1, Jasper Ridge (/fide/ Robert M. Row) 6 Jun 1974 1 singing, San Carlos (/Am. Birds/ 28:947)
Date: 6/3/18 9:46 am From: maliadances via Groups.Io <maliadances=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] ebird reports of Bell's Sparrow from 6/2/18
Just a heads up for those who do not subscribe to eBird rare bird alerts. There were two separate reports of Bell's Sparrow in San Mateo county yesterday, 6/2/18.
One report came from the Palo Alto Summer Bird count. The bird was observed at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve where there is
no general public access.
The second report came from Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve, which has public access. The eBird checklist describes where the bird was seen:
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46249939
The fact that there were 2 separate observations, on the same day, in our county is quite remarkable!
With 2 of the more recent previous accounts of this species, per eBird (2012 and 2007) the birds stayed for more than one day.
Date: 6/2/18 4:31 pm From: Ronald- Thorn via Groups.Io <Tronthorn=<aol.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] Seawatch and other sightings
On June 1, I headed out to Pigeon Point for a seawatch after the brisk northwest wind the day before. I wanted to see if any birds had been blown closer to shore and any migration that was still underway. The sky was part cloudy. A light west wind. The visibility was clear to near the horizon. I spent just over two hours seawatching.
Pacific Loon ( 680 alternate plumage, 410 basic plumage, high number for the late end of migration )
Common Loon ( 6 alternate plumage, 10 basic plumage )
NORTHERN FULMAR ( 1 nonbreeder )
Sooty Shearwater (1,430 )
Pink-footed Shearwater ( 1 )
Brown Pelican (213, 30 juveniles are the first arrivals I have noted )
Brandt's Cormorant ( 80 )
Pelagic Cormorant ( 1 )
Long-billed Curlew ( 1 nonbreeder )
Bonaparte's Gull ( 4 second cycles )
California Gull ( 275 nonbreeders )
Western Gull ( 30 )
Heerman's Gull ( 19 second cycles, 2 adults )
Caspian Tern ( 3 )
Common Murre ( 2,800 )
Pigeon Guillemot ( 8 )
Marbled Murrelet ( 4 )
Rhinoceros Auklet ( 28 )
TUFTED PUFFIN ( 2 adults with a Rhinoceros Auklet, all my sightings from Pigeon Point have been of lone individuals flying by, best view ever from shore, only one quarter of the way out to the horizon )
Other sightings
Today, while doing a skywatch in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a female PURPLE MARTIN was near Scraper Peak.
On May 24, a female BLUE GROSBEAK was feeding in a weed patch next to a agricultural field along Higgins Road in Half Moon Bay.
Once a common breeder in San Mateo County, American Kestrel has become a scarce breeder. Single American Kestrels have been recently noted along Lobitos Creek Cutoff Road and of all places foraging along the Highway 101 at Ralston Avenue in Belmont.
New locations along the bayside for Western Bluebirds which may be breeding. A pair was at Sea Cloud Park in Foster City and a female was along Twin Dolphin Drive in Redwood Shores.
The lost Wild Turkey, Leonie noted in Redwood Shores was seen again looking at it's reflection in a glass window of an office building along Twin Dolphin Drive in Redwood Shores.
Date: 6/1/18 11:02 am From: Christopher Hayward <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Willow Flycatcher Burleigh Murray S.P. 6/1/18
Hi Folks,
This morning I enjoyed a very pleasant hike at Burleigh Murray State Park.The highlight was the return of the Willow Flycatcher for a third straight year.This bird was I believe first reported by Garth Harwood in 2016. The bird was located in the identical location where it showed up the the last two years. After I crossed the second bridge heading in and started up the short incline , I could hear it making it's unmistakable fitz-bew calls. Once I reached the top of the slope I could see the bird moving around in the weeds just to the left of the trail and it's calls were obvious. Incredible to me how rarities show up in identical locations for multiple years !
Date: 5/31/18 3:33 pm From: Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...> Subject: [pen-bird] Eastern Kingbird in the Harbor a few days ago
HI folks
I was alerted this morning to the photo taken on the 28th by Clive Beavis of an Eastern Kingbird by the kayak rental place in the harbor. I checked today, did not find anything. In any case, we found out late about this bird, but you never know, it could be in the area. For subscribers, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213645023933130 <https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213645023933130&set=gm.2168243706 527117&type=3&theater&ifg=1> &set=gm.2168243706527117&type=3&theater&ifg=1 It is on the California Birding Facebook site.
Hi Folks,
I began the day checking riparian areas at Water Lane in Pescadero and Gazos Creek from the Cloverdale Intersection down to Hwy. 1. nothing unusual to report at either local. I then checked gull flocks from Gazos back up to San Gregorio. At Gazos there was a very bleached almost pure white Glaucous-winged Gull. I noted Bonaparte's Gulls at four different locations , 2 at Gazos , 2 in the lagoon at Pescadero Creek , 1 in the north pond at Pescadero and 6 in the gull flock at San Gregorio State Beach. At San Gregorio there were 2 Adult Heermann's Gulls.
Date: 5/30/18 8:35 pm From: tracy_farrington via Groups.Io <tracy_farrington=<yahoo.com...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Northern Gannet continues at Devils Slide area 5/29 and misc.
At 12:30 this afternoon, the Northern Gannet was present along the Devil’s Slide area looking north from the southern most parking lot on the south end of the Hwy. 1 tunnels, as previously described. All tucked and asleep when finally spotted, I only had to wait but five minutes before it unfurled, providing me a nice display.
I highly recommend the use of a scope.
Continued good birding, all.
Tracy Farrington
Walnut Creek
Date: 5/30/18 11:49 am From: maliadances via Groups.Io <maliadances=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] Northern Gannet continues at Devils Slide area 5/29 and misc.
Yesterday I did some local birding along the coast enjoying observations of our local breeding birds with lots of singing, territorial behavior, nest material and food carrying. A lone Western Wood-Pewee was seen in the first part of the eucalyptus grove at the Mirada entrance to Quarry Park in El Granada. In the open fleld, I watched a Coyote digging for whatever in the mowed area. At Rancho Corral de Tierra in Montara there was a pair of interacting White-tailed Kites.
At the Devils Slide trail, Egg Rock is covered in Common Murres as well as some Brand't Cormorant nests. It's quite the sight! Also noted along the trail were a pair of Rock Wrens. Photographers have set up to photograph the nesting Peregines. The NORTHERN GANNET was seen from the south parking lot area. Here is my eBird checklist with some very poor photos of the gannet so you can get the perspective:
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46141386
On the home front, there is a pair of Hooded Orioles nesting in a palm on our street. In the evening we sit out and watch both the male and female fly back and forth carrying food back to the nest. When we stand at the base of the palm we can hear the young as the adults fly in with food.
Date: 5/28/18 10:20 pm From: Jennifer Rycenga <gyrrlfalcon...> Subject: [pen-bird] Purisima Creek Redwood OSP hike
Today I took a hike with some lichenologist friends of mine along the North Ridge Trail at Purisima. There were a number of good birds in the first .25 of a mile of the trail - PILEATED WOODPECKER, 2 HERMIT WARBLERS, and the first of a number of audible singing GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS. Where the trail splits with the Whittmore Gulch Trail, there was a calling RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, and another group of Golden-crowned Kinglets. Another .4 of a mile along the North Ridge Trail, you enter into an open area, with spectacular views of Half Moon Bay; you can see clear to Burleigh Murray and Pigeon Point. Here there was extensive chaparral, and I heard one CALIFORNIA THRASHER. As we were turning around at this point, I heard the high pitched minor-second flight call of the LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH - distinctly two birds. They were flying northeast over my position, which implies they could have been coming from the Tunitas Creek area. But it also makes me wonder if the not-yet-open space preserve at Miramontes Ridge (clearly visible from this section of the North Ridge Trail) might hold small populations of Lawrence’s. Beautiful day to be out and about in our wondrous home county!
Date: 5/28/18 12:33 pm From: Kent Forward via Groups.Io <kforward=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] Lawrence's Goldfinch, Cassin's Vireo 5/27/18
Good Afternoon Birders,
I decided to bird Coal Creek OSP yesterday, it was my first time there and I was amazed at the variety of birds that were present. A few of the highlights were hearing CASSIN'S VIREOs at several locations (complete details in the eBird checklist link below). There may have been two at the Crazy Pete's trail location in the oak grove near the field w/old barn (just down the trail from Skyline Boulevard where the pavement ends). It was a three vireo day with WARBLING VIREO and HUTTON'S VIREOs also present. It was a four warbler day with the biggest surprise being several MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLERs, also BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERs, large numbers of ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERs and a lone WILSON'S WARBLER. LAZULI BUNTINGs were everywhere on the upper stretches near Skyline. A pair of WESTERN TANAGERs also made a brief but lovely appearance.https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46085134
After hiking Coal Creek OSP, it was a quick walk across Skyline Boulevard to Russian Ridge OSP on the other side of the road where I wanted to see if the LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH were still present, and sure enough they were still in the same area I found them on May 12th. The upper 1/4 mile or so of Charquin Trail (access from Vista Point parking lot on Skyline Boulevard). There were six flying around feeding on what is left of the Fiddleneck flowers and also Thistle that is now going to seed. As was the case on the 12th, many LAZULI BUNTING and LESSER GOLDFINCH were sharing the same area. https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46085176
Date: 5/28/18 10:08 am From: SequoiaAudubon Society via Groups.Io <sequoia_audubon_society=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] SAS: Burleigh Murray SP; Sat June 2; 8:00am - 11:00am
Burleigh Murray State ParkSaturday, June 2, 8:00 am-11:00Burleigh Murray State Park hosts a wonderful trail through lush riparian, with patches of scrub and eucalyptus groves. The site has many breeders that are uncommon elsewhere in the county, including Western Wood-Pewee, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and MacGillivray's Warbler. It also has great potential for wandering eastern songbirds that tend to show up late in spring. We'll do a lot of listening, enjoying the early morning chorus of our local songbirds. Expect about 2 miles of walking in total. There are bathrooms on site. Directions: Burleigh Murray State Park is located on Higgins-Purisima Road in Half Moon Bay. From Hwy One, the park is about 1.5 miles east on Higgins-Purisima Road, on the left side. Leader: Donna Pomeroy Contact: <dpom...>
View this event on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/229031744308268/ Learn more & join us at:
www.sequoia-audubon.org
www.facebook.com/SequoiaAudubon
Date: 5/26/18 7:49 pm From: maliadances via Groups.Io <maliadances=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] Another Black-legged Kittiwake 5/26 - Venice Beach Half Moon Bay
On 5/20 Chris and I found a Black-legged Kittiwake in amongst the sizeable gull flock that has been hanging out along Pilarcitos Creek at Venice Beach State Beach. That date seemed quite late for that species.
Date: 5/26/18 12:06 am From: maliadances via Groups.Io <maliadances=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [pen-bird] Lawrence's Goldfinch 5/25 and unusual Common Merganser
Just a very quick note. While birding the intersection of Tunitas Creek Rd and Lobitos Creek Cut-off, this morning, a male LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH was noted as it flew up into an alder from the roadside. The location was about 20 yards east of the dirt pullout at this intersection. We had a second observation, of a male LAGO (possibly the same bird), seen just a little bit further upstream in the Fiddleneck Flowers also in the unmowed roadside verge. LAGO were previously reported from this general area on 5/10 by Chris Hayward and Chris O'Connell.
Also we stopped this afternoon at San Gregorio State Beach. There were 3 Common Mergansers. One looked to be partially leucistic. It's body was almost all white but it's head was a light rusty color. We hope to upload some photos to our eBird lists soon.
Sorry if I'm telling you something you already know but since you labeled it sp. I thought I'd let you know that in that area your weasel was a long-tailed weasel, Mustela frenata, as there's only the one species. Really cool sighting!
-Jake
On Tue, May 22, 2018, 7:59 PM <stevejisawesome...> wrote:
> Hello birders, > I visited several spots from Pescadero south to Wilder Ranch SP this > afternoon, failing to find any Black Swifts. But there were a few > highlights, as follows. > > Pescadero (south, free parking section) - 16 Surfbirds > > Pigeon Point - a flock of 100+ Band-tailed Pigeons on the telephone wires, > by far the largest flock I've ever seen. Probably the same bunch reported > there earlier this month. > > Just S of Ano Nuevo SP - 3 Purple Finches, and a White-throated Swift > making no attempt at all to imitate a Black Swift > > Wilder Ranch SB - Brant (at the mouth of the creek), and two Northern > Harriers, including an adult male. > > I also a weasel spp on the bluffs along the Old Cove trail. I was > watching a White-crowned Sparrow with a moth in its bill, and we both saw > the weasel cross the path into the shrubs near the Sparrow. It remained > perched high with the moth, looking around, for several minutes. It then > flew to perch atop a nearby shrub, near two prominently perched Song > Sparrows, and continued to look around with the moth in its bill. I guess > the WCSP did not want to visit the nest, while the weasel was around. > > cheers, > Steve Johnson > visiting from Virginia > > > > >
Sorry I didn't mean to reply all, but since I did I guess I should sign my name correctly.
Jake Kirkland East Palo Alto
On Tue, May 22, 2018, 10:16 PM Jake Kirkland <kirklandj...> wrote:
> Sorry if I'm telling you something you already know but since you labeled > it sp. I thought I'd let you know that in that area your weasel was a > long-tailed weasel, Mustela frenata, as there's only the one species. > Really cool sighting! > > -Jake > > > On Tue, May 22, 2018, 7:59 PM <stevejisawesome...> wrote: > >> Hello birders, >> I visited several spots from Pescadero south to Wilder Ranch SP this >> afternoon, failing to find any Black Swifts. But there were a few >> highlights, as follows. >> >> Pescadero (south, free parking section) - 16 Surfbirds >> >> Pigeon Point - a flock of 100+ Band-tailed Pigeons on the telephone >> wires, by far the largest flock I've ever seen. Probably the same bunch >> reported there earlier this month. >> >> Just S of Ano Nuevo SP - 3 Purple Finches, and a White-throated Swift >> making no attempt at all to imitate a Black Swift >> >> Wilder Ranch SB - Brant (at the mouth of the creek), and two Northern >> Harriers, including an adult male. >> >> I also a weasel spp on the bluffs along the Old Cove trail. I was >> watching a White-crowned Sparrow with a moth in its bill, and we both saw >> the weasel cross the path into the shrubs near the Sparrow. It remained >> perched high with the moth, looking around, for several minutes. It then >> flew to perch atop a nearby shrub, near two prominently perched Song >> Sparrows, and continued to look around with the moth in its bill. I guess >> the WCSP did not want to visit the nest, while the weasel was around. >> >> cheers, >> Steve Johnson >> visiting from Virginia >> >> >> >> >>
Hello birders,
I visited several spots from Pescadero south to Wilder Ranch SP this afternoon, failing to find any Black Swifts. But there were a few highlights, as follows.
Pigeon Point - a flock of 100+ Band-tailed Pigeons on the telephone wires, by far the largest flock I've ever seen. Probably the same bunch reported there earlier this month.
Just S of Ano Nuevo SP - 3 Purple Finches, and a White-throated Swift making no attempt at all to imitate a Black Swift
Wilder Ranch SB - Brant (at the mouth of the creek), and two Northern Harriers, including an adult male.
I also a weasel spp on the bluffs along the Old Cove trail. I was watching a White-crowned Sparrow with a moth in its bill, and we both saw the weasel cross the path into the shrubs near the Sparrow. It remained perched high with the moth, looking around, for several minutes. It then flew to perch atop a nearby shrub, near two prominently perched Song Sparrows, and continued to look around with the moth in its bill. I guess the WCSP did not want to visit the nest, while the weasel was around.
Date: 5/22/18 7:54 am From: susan hons <susieturtlewings...> Subject: [pen-bird] Burleigh Murray Park. 5/21/18.
The birds were out in the lovely sunshine yesterday morning. We had a gorgeous
Lazuli Bunting make an appearance and coming back from the barn we saw one of
the Great-horned Owls was sitting in full view in front of a nice bunch of greenery on
the side of the hill just before you pass their nest tree.
Here is our list:
> California Quail
> Great Blue Heron
> Turkey Vulture
> Red-tailed Hawk
> Band-tailed Pigeon
> Great Horned Owl
> Allen’s Hummingbird
> Nuttall’s Woodpecker
> Downy Woodpecker
> Olive-sided Flycatcher
> Western Wood-Pewee
> Pacific-slope Flycatcher
> Black Phoebe
> Hutton’s Vireo
> Steller’s Jay
> California Scrub-Jay
> Common Raven
> Barn Swallow
> Chestnut-backed Chickadee
> Pygmy Nuthatch
> Bewick’s Wren
> Pacific Wren
> Swainson’s Thrush
> American Robin
> Wrentit
> Cedar Waxwing
> Orange-crowned Warbler
> MacGillivray’s Warbler
> Wilson’s Warbler
> Spotted Towhee
> California Towhee
> Song Sparrow
> Black-headed Grosbeak
> Lazuli Bunting
> Brewer’s Blackbird
> Purple Finch
If at night the crow does fly,
Does one see feathers or the sky?
Garth Harwood discovered a vantage point where you can see the Mainland area where the Northern Gannet has been recently, as well as nesting seabirds and a full view of the Peregrine nest. The gannet wasn't there yesterday but we checked out the spot and found you can see the area from there. The vantage is from the far south parking area of the Devil's Slide Trail south entrance. Its pretty far though, probably 500 meters.
From the far south parking area, look north to the large south-facing cliffs of the Devil's Slide bunker hill. The gannet has been down low in the main group of nesting Brandt's Cormorants and Common Murres. The Peregrine nest is high up on the right (eastern) side of the cliff face, in a large crevice. If the gannet isn't there, its still a good idea to check Devil's Slide (Egg) Rock.
Gerry McChesney
On May 19, 2018, at 4:44 PM, Gerry McChesney <gerry.mcchesney...> wrote:
Update from the Common Murre Restoration Project monitoring of seabirds at Devil's Slide. Common Murres are just beginning to lay eggs on Devil's Slide (or, Egg) Rock. About 1500 murres are present daily. Several active Brandt's Cormorant nests are on the rock along with one Western Gull nest.
The Northern Gannet continues to be seen regularly, although in recent days its been hanging out with Brandt's Cormorants and murres on a mainland cliff which unfortunately is not visible from the trail.
The Peregrine Falcons have three downy chicks in the aerie, located on the tall south facing-cliffs of Bunker Hill. To see the chicks, you must view the aerie from as far south as possible (near the South Parking Lot). They're pretty tucked back in. We watched an adult feeding the young in the aerie today from the trail.
Plenty of rock wren activity.
Gerry McChesney
Fremont, CA
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