Date: 5/22/19 6:35 pm From: William Pelletier via Groups.Io <wrpelletier=<yahoo.com...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Question about the breeding status of Tricolored Blackbirds in the San Antonio Valley
Steve,
It seems that the breeding colonies of Tri-colored Blackbirds shift as their habitat can be short lived. I checked our Breeding Bird Atlas and learned a few interesting tidbits. Nest building observed between April 8th to June 4th with adults observed carrying food for young between May 13th to June 28th with fledged young observed in a similar range from May 3rd to July 7th.
In terms of habitat, the breeding atlas says "Habitat suitability at breeding locations is often short-lived, owing to livestock grazing, flooding, and succession. Consequently, Santa Clara County colonies have generally not been present at any given location for more than a few years."
We have found large groups over in San Antonio Valley. Sometimes dozens or even a hundred or more. Most of our sightings of that size have been December or January, but we did have 30+ birds making a lot of noise last year in mid May on Del Puerto Canyon Rd.
Hopefully others on SBB have more info. For example, Steve Rottenborn wrote the species accounts quoted above. I'd sure be interested to find out more.
Good birding,Bill
On Wednesday, May 22, 2019, 4:59:52 PM PDT, SteveLombardi <hotrock175...> wrote:
Hi,
People regularly report large flocks (100 - 200 birds) of Tricolored Blackbirds in the San Antonio Valley (Santa Clara Co.) and on nearby Del Puerto Canyon Rd in the spring, as late as mid-May.
Does anyone know if these birds are breeding here? Trikes breed from February in the south San Joaquin Valley through May or June farther north. So based on their breeding phenology, it would seem late for the birds to be hanging around if they are not breeding.
In looking at eBird records, I don't seen anyone having used breeding codes for these birds, although several posts refer to "colonies" around the various ponds.
Thanks for any insights.
Steve Lombardi
San Ramon
(also posted this to the GGAS chat group)
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Date: 5/22/19 6:18 pm From: Marion Farber via Groups.Io <marion_farber=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Stile Ranch trail in Santa Teresa park, Wednesday 5/22
I did an afternoon walk on the Stile Ranch / Fortini trail loop. At the top of the switchbacks, I got good views of a Grasshopper Sparrow singing from the fence line. A little farther up is where I saw a pair of Lark Sparrows a few days ago, but not today. The Horned Larks were singing in the grassy area across the fence to the west, but never showed themselves, as usual. In the first dip where there is a small bridge over a creek, two male Lazuli Buntings were singing, one was accompanied by a female. At the next dip with another small bridge, another Lazuli Bunting was singing, and a few Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were fussing around in the trees. All along the loop, I heard Rufous-crowned Sparrows singing, but only got distant views of two of them, perched on the top of prominent rocks.
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Date: 5/22/19 4:59 pm From: SteveLombardi <hotrock175...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Question about the breeding status of Tricolored Blackbirds in the San Antonio Valley
Hi,
People regularly report large flocks (100 - 200 birds) of Tricolored Blackbirds in the San Antonio Valley (Santa Clara Co.) and on nearby Del Puerto Canyon Rd in the spring, as late as mid-May.
Does anyone know if these birds are breeding here? Trikes breed from February in the south San Joaquin Valley through May or June farther north. So based on their breeding phenology, it would seem late for the birds to be hanging around if they are not breeding.
In looking at eBird records, I don't seen anyone having used breeding codes for these birds, although several posts refer to "colonies" around the various ponds.
Thanks for any insights.
Steve Lombardi
San Ramon
(also posted this to the GGAS chat group)
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Date: 5/22/19 3:07 pm From: Bob Reiling <rreiling2...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Shoreline Park
All,
This morning (5/22) there were at least seven BLACK SKIMMERS on the island in Shoreline Lake with a few FORSTER'S TERNS, BLACK-NECKED STILTS and AMERICAN AVOCETS. The only other notable sight was of four, about to fledge, young WHITE-TAILD KITES seen in the top of an evergreen tree on the South side of the parking lot located on the East side of the Lake being fed by their parents (best viewed from the middle of the parking lot). Otherwise it was nice out but very slow birding.
Take care,
Bob Reiling
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Date: 5/22/19 10:37 am From: Frank Vanslager via Groups.Io <Vanslagerf=<aol.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] A Pygmy Nuthatch at Cuesta Park on 5/22/2019
All:
At about 8:30 I had a close Pygmy Nuthatch working a Sycamore tree in the middle of the park. (I've noted that Garrett Lau photographed one near the horseshoe pit on May 1). This make my 4th sighting of single birds this year, all of them at different spots in the park. None of them doing the very high flocking-type behavior that I used to see.
Note that Cuesta Park always has a lot of people, and dogs, and noise makers of various kinds.
Frank Vanslager
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This morning, 5/20/19, I birded Arastradero Preserve. Swallows were foraging near the ground and at least one VAUX'S SWIFT was with them. The Palo Alto Summer Bird Count is in 10 days; over the last 38 years we have averaged two Vaux's on the count. A CASSIN'S VIREO was singing along the Woodland Star Trail (road) at the point where the creek passes beneath the road and has gouged a deep channel. Last year we had none on the count. I suspect this was a late migrant as the B of NA account shows their migration extending into the first week in June. I heard the "whup" call of a SWAINSON'S THRUSH along Arastradero Creek, also a late migrant I suspect.
Bill Bousman Menlo Park
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Date: 5/20/19 12:08 pm From: Hugh McDevitt <hdmcdevitt...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Almaden Los Alamitos Creek birds
Deb and I took a walk in the light rain yesterday afternoon. Near the Camden bridge, we saw two female Common Mergansers, two Vaux's Swifts (among a flock of swallows), and two Belted Kingfishers. This morning, I heard and saw my FOS Black-Headed Grosbeak near the same spot. Hugh McDevitt
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Date: 5/18/19 3:36 pm From: Eve Meier <eve_m_meier...> Subject: [southbaybirds] SCVAS TRIP - Coyote Creek
Sorry for the earlier message. I accidentally bumped "send" before I was finished.
Today, I led a SCVAS field trip along Coyote Creek Trail starting at the Anderson Lake County Park Visitor Center. Highlights were several ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS flycatching in the old orchards. We also observed a pair of nesting WESTERN KINGBIRDS high in a sycamore near the bridge. The pair would occasionally leave the top of the sycamore to hunt over the small meadow below. As we returned to the Visitor Center following the narrow nature trail that runs alongside Coyote Creek, we spotted a female WOOD DUCK with approximately 6 ducklings trailing behind her, one SWAINSON'S THRUSH who briefly posed on a branch in the understory, and one OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER that perched on top of a bare branch of an old walnut tree.
Date: 5/18/19 3:17 pm From: Eve Meier <eve_m_meier...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Coyote Creek SCVAS field trip
Today, I led a SCVAS field trip along Coyote Creek Trail starting at the Anderson Lake County Park Visitor Center. Parking lot for EURASIAN COLLARED DOVES. For the first part of the trip, we walked through an old orchard with scattered oak trees and observed an ASH THROATED FLYCATCHER, WHITE BREASTED NUTHATCH, RED WINGED BLACKBIRD.
Date: 5/18/19 11:18 am From: Lisa Myers <lisa...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Fortini Road Purple Martin
Morning -
Had our Los Gatos Birdwatcher / Let's Go Birding Saturday morning bird walk today at Fortini Road off McKean. It was cold and breezing with most birds hunkered down. In fact we saw very few species, but one of our first for the morning was a PURPLE MARTIN. It was flying along the ridge line around 8:30 AM. We did walk up to the top of the Stiles trail and once up there some in the group spotted another Purple Martin.
We did hear Rufous Crowned and Grasshopper Sparrows, but seeing them proved futile.
Lisa Myers
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This morning, 5/17/19, I visited the Sunnyvale WPCP ponds. I saw four VAUX'S SWIFTS (or one bird four different times at four different locations). A few have been found foraging near the WPCP in past May visits. There were typical numbers of Cliff and Barn Swallows, but higher numbers of VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS (38 vs a mean of two in previous May visits) and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS (13 vs two). I think these might have been displaced by the wet weather. Certain migrants included a WESTERN KINGBIRD and a male YELLOW WARBLER. Two male and two female GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES were in the bulrushes near the plant outfall to the Moffett Channel when I started out. On my return, a local mockingbird was doing a great job of fitting the Great-tailed's "song" into his repertoire.
Bill Bousman Menlo Park
P.S. Yesterday, on Hwy 101, I was passed by two "Golden Eagle Charter" busses (out of Fresno). Painted on their sides was an American flag blending into an adult Bald Eagle. Keep you eyes peeled.
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I started the day with a singing WILSON'S WARBLER and WARBLING VIREO in the backyard. I entered Hicks Road from Camden at 7 am. A Bobcat and Gray Fox were seen along the road. NO. FLICKER and HAIRY WOODPECKER nest cavities discovered. Fewer birds due to cool and cloudy conditions but the usual PACIFIC SLOPE FLYCATCHER, BLACK HEADED GROSBEAK, WARBLING VIREO, CAL. QUAIL, HOUSE WREN, WESTERN WOOD PEWEE all seen at the dip.
Hicks and Mt. Umunhum Road; BLACK THROATED GRAY WARBLERS, 2 males singing, one an unusually fast song heard before on the Barlow trail, the other typical. ASH THROATED FLYCATCHER, BLUE GRAY GNATCATCHER, HUTTON'S VIREO, ORANGE CROWNED WARBLERS heard here. Three or four LAZULI BUNTINGS seen or heard near Bald Mt trailhead. Yerba Santa in bloom but no butterflies due to cool, cloudy conditions. I didn't continue on the trail.
Twin Creeks; TURKEY HEN and 10 adorable poults seen on the O'Day property. Two WESTERN WOOD PEWEE, WESTERN SCREECH OWL and PURPLE FINCH heard only.
Bertram Road; begging BULLOCKS ORIOLES fledglings fed by adults and a family group of BLACK HEADED GROSBEAKS seen. CASSIN'S VIREO, PSFL, DOWNY WOODPECKER heard only. VAUX'S SWIFT entered a chimney here. I had seen VASW brake off dry twigs from top of tree further south a week ago and assumed they were nesting nearby but was still surprised by the sight.
Janna Pauser San Jose
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Date: 5/17/19 3:00 pm From: Bob Reiling <rreiling2...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Sunnyvale Baylands Park & Environmental Education Center
All,
Best birds seen in Sunnyvale Baylands Park this morning (5/17) included a female HOODED ORIOLE, male and female BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, an interacting pair of WESTERN KINGBIRDS and lots of CEDAR WAXWINGS. I should note that there will be limited parking there on Wednesday, 5/22. Best birds at the Environmental Education Center included an adult Barn Owl with at least three young in the nest box South of the main building. Lighting and rain drops on my autofocus camera resulted in lousy photos but my scope provided good views of at least three young Owls. A couple of the SAVANNAH SPARROWS along the boardwalk in New Chicago Marsh had much more yellow on the head than I seem to recall seeing in the past. Quite striking!
Take care,
Bob Reiling
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This morning, 5/16/19, I visited Ulistac to see if the weird May weather brought anything unusual. I had good variety and a 25-minute rain squall to pay my dues, but nothing unusual. Possible or likely migrants included a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, a silent PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, three WARBLING VIREOS, three SWAINSON'S THRUSHES giving their "whip" call and one followed up with a song a couple of times, 85+ CEDAR WAXWINGS, five WESTERN TANAGERS (mix of males and females), and a silent BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK.
Bill Bousman Menlo Park
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Just in the parking lot we had 17 species as we gathered for the morning hike. It had been raining pretty good before we got to the park, but the drizzle faded at the start of the hike, returning periodically, usually with time for us to take shelter under the oak trees. Near the start of our hike we had seven WILD TURKEYs blocking our path. After our narrow escape from those giant birds we found a WESTERN TANAGER in one of the eucalyptus trees (unfortunately difficult to see), then circled the pond where we found WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE and got good looks at a pair of WRENTITs. We heard several CALIFORNIA THRASHERs, but none showed themselves this time.
On the Bear Meadow Trail, we found a pair of STELLER’S JAYs making a ruckus and someone suggested they might be mobbing a predator. Sure enough, we found a GREAT HORNED OWL standing his ground on a limb as the jays repeatedly dive-bombed and screamed. The owl moved around enough for everyone to get glimpses through the brush. We found another WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE flitting between a series of branches above the trail, followed by a PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER who gave good views to several of us.
We heard, but never saw, several HUTTON’S VIREO.
We saw an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER near the bridge that crosses the creek uphill from the pond on the Zinfandel Trail. We had heard several calling at different points, but this was the first to show itself. Orange crown and everything.
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERs called at several points along the trail, sometimes with brief views, but near the end of the hike three came out and sang and chattered in the old orchard area and everyone had satisfying looks at this beautiful, tiny wonder. The light was hitting them just right, showing the blue in the gray.
After Ginger and I had a picnic lunch in the parking lot, we then lead a young Girl Scout troop back to the ephemeral pond on a nature and conservation hike. The turkeys gave a show for them, the mallard family was out on the lake, they found frogs and tadpoles, spittle bugs and roly-polys, and they taught us the whole poem for how to recognize poison oak:
Leaves of Three,
Let it be,
If it’s shiny
Watch your heiny
It’s no joke,
It’s poison oak!
Barry & Ginger Langdon-Lassagne
~
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Date: 5/15/19 10:38 am From: William Pelletier via Groups.Io <wrpelletier=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Even more at Gilroy Ponds
All,
Kitty & I decided to check Gilroy wastewater treatment plant again this morning. We could only find one single WHITE-FACED IBIS of the 18/19 that have been here the last couple days. We did find a nesting pair of VIRGINIA RAIL in the same pond where we found the Ibis on Monday. Carrying nesting material and vocalizations.
We also found WOOD DUCK on the wood bridgeway in the front pond as we pulled in. 2 SPOTTED SANDPIPER were flying about in that same pond. We also heard a RING-NECKED PHEASANT and then managed photos of a male on the levee. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE have been avoiding us lately, but we got great views today.
Good luck,Bill & Kitty
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I’ve posted a couple photos of a few of 19 White-faced Ibis re-found by Frank Vanslager this morning as well as a couple photos of a silent Olive-sided Flycatcher seen displaying its white rump patch.
Date: 5/14/19 12:44 pm From: Frank Vanslager via Groups.Io <Vanslagerf=<aol.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] The 18 White-faced Ibis Continue at Giloy on 5/14/2019
All:
At 8:40 I was on a dirt road at the Gilroy Wastewater Treatment Facility when I spotted 2 White-faced Ibis. That dirt road is right alongside the south side of the Municipal Plant. The reason I mention this is that for an hour or more the 18-member flock remained, more or less, right in this general area. Three times while I waited close to the fence, the flock made a large flight, and then returned to the same area. There is a slight depression where the entire flock can disappear from view. My photos of a half-dozen feeding birds are useless.
While I kept finding the flock, I couldn't seem to find Bob Reiling or Mike Mammoser, so I went to see if they'd checked out. But then I saw Bob's car approaching and I led him back to the south edge of the Municipal Plant where we, with Mike, saw all of the flock out in the open. The 3 of us seemed to agree on 19 birds, but I had thought I'd counted 18 birds each time in their 3 flyovers.
Frank Vanslager
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Date: 5/13/19 2:14 pm From: William Pelletier via Groups.Io <wrpelletier=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] White-faced Ibis & Wilson"s Phalarooe @ Gilroy ponds
Folks, Right now at Gilroy ponds Garrett Lau and I are looking at 18 white-faced ibis and a single Wilson's Phalarope. they are in the second-to-last pond in the northeast corner of the water treatment plant. It is the last pond on the backside with any water in it. There were also a dozen snowy egrets, no cattle egret we egret to reform you ;) Enjoy!Bill P
On 5-12-2019 when I got to the no name pond across from Coast Casey forebay a /*Common galllinule */was frantically calling from very close i assumed to warn chicks of the two/*Gadwall*/ which landed on the pond. Eventually the gadwalls left and in short order i saw two adult common gallinules and 5-6 chicks. The chicks seemed to be about two weeks old- still black with red bills and eyes. They disappeared into the reeds very quickly and could not refind them.
Juliana Manoliu
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Date: 5/11/19 11:09 pm From: William Pelletier via Groups.Io <wrpelletier=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Harris's Hawk at Coyote Creek Trail - RESCUED!!!
Folks,
This afternoon Kitty and I decided to walk the Coyote Creek trail from the small parking lot on McCarthy Ranch Blvd out to the Dixon Landing bridge. Just before we got to the bridge we saw a dark hawk lodged awkwardly in a tree out in the middle of the marsh. Soon, we realized that it was a falconer's Harris's Hawk and it's tethers were wrapped around a snaggy branch of the tree. This bird was sure to die if not rescued.
With the help of a local bird pro that we called in, we bushwhacked through the marsh to reach the bird. The hawk became agitated as we approached but we were able to calm it and attempt to untie the tethers. This was impossible due to the way the leather straps were twisted around the brand. Instead, we broke the branch off the tree and carried the bird out of the marsh on the end of this stick.
The hawk calmed down once we had it out of the marsh and it could perch on the horizontal stick. We then got the bird in the car and went to the humane society of silicon valley in Milpitas but they are no longer able to accept wild animals and they sent us to the city of San Jose animal care center on Monterey Rd. After about an hour of riding around in the backseat of my car (so chill the whole time) we pulled into the back entrance of the animal care center where they pulled us into a garage and closed the doors to prevent another escape.
The folks there were terrific and helped free the bird's entanglement and get it into a crate. They will hold the bird overnight and work to figure out where to move it to next. We have a case number and can look up the progress of this escapee as things move forward. We will update as we hear news.
It's a special day when we are out looking for birds and get the lucky chance to rescue a Harris's Hawk! A satisfying but exhausting experience.
Good night,Bill & Kitty
p.s We named the bird Shadow and already miss our pal
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Date: 5/11/19 5:30 pm From: Hugh McDevitt <hdmcdevitt...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Calero County Park
This afternoon, Deb and I hiked the Los Cerritos trail loop at Calero County Park. It was a pretty birdy trip (37 species + 5 eBird taxa). Best birds were a flyover Osprey, 1 very patient Ash-Throated Flycatcher, a tree that seemed to have a whole flock (mostly like only 2 or 3) Hutton's Vireos, and 2 beautiful Lark Sparrows. A very beautiful afternoon!
Hugh McDevitt
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Date: 5/11/19 12:31 pm From: Frank Vanslager via Groups.Io <Vanslagerf=<aol.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] A Comment About My Dunlin Posting of 5/10/2019
All:
I was on the eastern edge of the Alviso Marina when I spotted the birds across the RR tracks near the northern edge of New Chicago Marsh. The birds were probably at a water depth between swimming and walking, and they were milling around like Phalaropes -- but I could finally see that their bills seemed too long and down-curved. When those hundreds of Dunlin took off it was easy to track that large swarm with my image-stabilized binos. After a very long aerobatic display they finally snaked up and over a dike to the northwest and disappeared.
Sibley mentions "...large flocks ...", iBird, under Facts, says, "Dunlin flocks are often huge, and are most impressive when they display their coordinated aerial maneuvers ...", and Pete Dunne's Essential Field Guide Companion states, "...winter flocks often number in the hundreds and thousands. ... when evading falcons, birds fuse into tightly packed flocks that move as a single entity ..."
Frank Vanslager
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Date: 5/11/19 12:14 pm From: robinchen2k via Groups.Io <robinchen2k=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] McClellan Ranch beginner's bird walk
This morning from 9 to 11, I led a beginner's bird walk at McClellan Ranch. The four eager participants and I saw/heard 31 species. Highlights include a white-breasted nuthatch at the feeders, a Western bluebird bringing insects to its nestbox, observing the red-shouldered hawk and its young on their nest, a great close up view of a Pacific slope flycatcher, and some Vaux's swifts overhead. We tried to see the great horned owls at their nest but were unsuccessful. It was lovely weather for a walk but the parking lot was very crowded due to multiple events happening at the same time!
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Date: 5/11/19 11:55 am From: Bill Bousman <barlowi...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Ed levin Addendum
Folks:
TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS are always of interest because of their declining numbers. A group of 40 birds including females are probably looking for a breeding site (the trikes on Del Puerto Road about a week ago were still nest building). Keep and eye out for them.
-------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: Ed levin Addendum Date: Sat, 11 May 2019 11:01:23 -0700 From: juliana manoliu <juliana.manoliu...> Reply-To: <j.manoliu...> To: Bill Bousman <barlowi...>
hello Bill,
when I descended the hill yesterday there was a flock of blackbirds which I pegged as all tricolored. About 40+ mostly males, but I found at least 2 females in my photos.
Best regards,
juliana
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Date: 5/10/19 1:37 pm From: Matthew Dodder <mdodder...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Stevens Creek Park this morning
Following up on Dave Zittin’s report from today, I also visited the Villa Maria picnic late morning. I found many of the same birds Dave reported, but missed the Band-tailed Pigeons. The OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCER was at the extreme south end of the frisbee golf course, and stationed on the tallest dead conifer.
Date: 5/10/19 11:11 am From: Frank Vanslager via Groups.Io <Vanslagerf=<aol.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Some Alviso Area Birding on 5/10/2019
All:
At a little before 8 I found 2 flocks of about 30 Red-necked Phalaropes still present on salt pond A12. Then in the distance to the east I had a bino view of a 100-plus flock of birds doing a somewhat similar type of feeding, which I though were probably Dunlin. However they flew away before I could get the scope focused. Almost all of the shorebirds have left.
Later going CCW around pond A16, I found that some Bonaparte's Gulls were still in the area. (See the first two photos). Then I went out to the observation deck and looked to the 3rd island to the north to find the usual Caspian Terns. (See the third photo.) The many tern decoys on most of the islands didn't seem to have scared them away.
Frank Vanslager
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Date: 5/10/19 10:56 am From: David Zittin <dzittin...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Olive-sided Flycatcher
Hi Birders,
Floy and I walked the disk golf area at Villa Maria this morning. It was fairly birdy compared to our last trip there a few days ago.. I think the secret to birding this area is to get there early in the morning on weekdays, before the golfers show up.
Some highlights ( 23 species in about 1 hour):
- Black-throated Gray Warbler
- Olive-sided Flycatcher (quiet, but clearly seen flycatching from snags. Reported in previous post)
- Blue-gray Ganatcatcher working tree tops
- Loudly singing Black-headed Grosbeak. Female seen.
Date: 5/9/19 10:18 am From: Laurie Alaimo via Groups.Io <environmom95112=<yahoo.com...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Possible leucistic bald eagle over Coyote Creek
This seems a great opportunity to track territory. Easily recognizable individual. It is exciting to follow.
Laurie
> On May 9, 2019, at 9:45 AM, Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr...> wrote:
>
> There is a leucistic bald eagle that's been seen around Coyote Valley for a number of months. I think that is your friend here.
>
> the last time I saw a mention of him here was 4/26 when he (it...) was seen at Chesbro. I've been meaning to get out there to try to find the bird, but it's evidently moving around a fair bit, too.
>
>> On May 8, 2019 at 3:03:59 PM, Clear Jane (<jsclear...>) wrote:
>>
>> On a dead tree over the water a large pale sea eagle was eating some prey. I think it was a leucistic bald eagle, its head and tail were true white, its back was pale grey and it's front was specked with darker colours. It sat there eating for at least half an hour and then flew South.
>
> Chuq Von Rospach - http://www.chuqui.com > Email: <chuqvr...>
> Twitter: @chuq
> Silicon Valley, California
>
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Date: 5/9/19 9:46 am From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Possible leucistic bald eagle over Coyote Creek
There is a leucistic bald eagle that's been seen around Coyote Valley for a number of months. I think that is your friend here.
the last time I saw a mention of him here was 4/26 when he (it...) was seen at Chesbro. I've been meaning to get out there to try to find the bird, but it's evidently moving around a fair bit, too.
On May 8, 2019 at 3:03:59 PM, Clear Jane (<jsclear...>) wrote:
On a dead tree over the water a large pale sea eagle was eating some prey. I think it was a leucistic bald eagle, its head and tail were true white, its back was pale grey and it's front was specked with darker colours. It sat there eating for at least half an hour and then flew South.
Chuq Von Rospach - http://www.chuqui.com Email: <chuqvr...> Twitter: @chuq Silicon Valley, California
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Date: 5/8/19 4:32 pm From: Eve Meier <eve_m_meier...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Rancho Cañada del Oro, 5/8
Hi Everyone,
This morning, 19 birders visited Rancho Cañada del Oro on a SCVAS field trip. We started with the flat paved Llagas creek trail, checked out the back parking lot, and did a small portion of the Longwall Canyon Trail. We heard/observed 43 species in all. We had especially good luck with the flycatchers: Western Wood Pewees, an Olive-sided Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatchers, Ash-throated Flycatchers, and Black Phoebes (of course).
On Monday, May 6th, 19 birders made it out to Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve for a joint Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society/Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority bird walk with Eve Meier and me. The hike started with a caravan from the lower Malech Rd. entrance to the upper entrance on Metcalf Rd., and while waiting for the rest of the group, the folks in the first caravan saw an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, a pair of GOLDEN EAGLES, and one BALD EAGLE. The pair of Goldens were seen throughout the day, soaring together on the east side of the ridge; at one point one individual displayed some courtship behavior, climbing high in the sky and stooping steeply down and back up again. We also saw 2 AMERICAN KESTRELS and 4 RED-TAILED HAWKS throughout the day. HORNED LARKS and GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS were abundant, and the group got numerous good looks, as well as great examples of song, for both species. LARK SPARROWS and RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS were also spotted in smaller numbers. A YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE and a female BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD were both seen perched on a cow, go figure!
A total of 21 bird species were seen, and although this was sort of a low count for the preserve, the group was rewarded with spotting a coyote, a gopher snake missing its tail, and a herd of about 9 tule elk including at least one calf. Check out the eBird checklist for some excellent pictures of birds taken by our talented camera-carrying birders! Thanks go to Eve for recording the eBird checklist.
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S55941227
Dani Christensen
South San Jose
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Date: 5/8/19 3:04 pm From: Jane Clear <jsclear...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Possible leucistic bald eagle over Coyote Creek
[Edited Message Follows]
This morning (Thurs May 8) as we were walking along Coyote Creek South of Metcalf Park, perhaps 1 mile South where the stable is, two adult bald eagles flew over heading North. A little further South the Coyote Creek trail passes some lakes on the left, and just before the 8.5 mile marker (walking South) there is a very large lake. On a dead tree over the water a large pale sea eagle was eating some prey. I think it was a leucistic bald eagle, its head and tail were true white, its back was pale grey and it's front was specked with darker colours. It sat there eating for at least half an hour and then flew South.
I managed to get some photos of it but they are a bit blurry (it was at the limit of my zoom and my ability to hold my camera steady) but attached is the clearest one. Hopefully someone can confirm or help me identify it.
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Date: 5/8/19 3:02 pm From: Jane Clear <jsclear...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Possible leucistic bald eagle over Coyote Creek
This morning (Thurs May 8) as we were walking along Coyote Creek South of Metcalf Park, perhaps 1 mile South where the stable is, two adult bald eagles flew over heading North. A little further South the Coyote Creek trail passes some lakes on the left, and just before the 8.5 mile marker (walking South) there is a very large lake. On a dead tree over the water a large pale sea eagle was eating some prey. I think it was a leucistic blad eagle, its head and tail were true white, its back was pale grey and it's front was specked with darker colours. It sat there eating for at least half an hour and then flew South.
I managed to get some photos of it but they are a bit blurry (it was at the limit of my zoom and my ability to hold my camera steady) but attached is the clearest one. Hopefully someone can confirm or help me identify it.
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Date: 5/8/19 2:09 pm From: William Pelletier via Groups.Io <wrpelletier=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] SCVAS field trip to Mitchell Canyon & Valle Vista Sunday 5/12 8:30am
Folks,
Kitty and I are co-leading an SCVAS field trip exchange with Golden Gate Audubon. They will host us this Sunday 5/12 for Mitchell Canyon in the morning and Valle Vista in the afternoon. In return, we will host them next month at Alum Rock and then Alviso in the afternoon. Here is the write up from the GGAS web site:
Co-listed with Santa Clara Valley Audubon
Contra Costa Spring Birding, Part 1
(Walk will be followed by an afternoon walk at Valle Vista, see below)
Mitchell Canyon, Mount Diablo State Park, Clayton
Sunday, May 12, 8:30 a.m.–noon
Leaders: Various. Questions? Contact Steve Lombardi, <hotrock175...>
Join us for a spring birding walk along Mitchell Canyon and Red Road trails. We will walk about 4 miles through oak savannah, mixed woodland, riparian habitats, and a little way up into chaparral/sage scrub. The route has some ups and downs and total elevation increase of up to 500 feet, depending on how far up Red Road Trail we go.
We hope to see many residents and early spring migrants, including warblers, nuthatches, various woodpecker species, vireos, flycatchers, and hummingbirds. We’ll be listening for songs and calls to refresh our birding-by-ear skills. This time of year the trail is also famous for wildflowers, including the rare endemic Mount Diablo globe lily (also called fairy lantern), and butterflies.
Restrooms are available at the staging area. Please bring binoculars, water, and also a hat/sunscreen, as needed. You may want to bring snacks (or even lunch if you’d like to picnic at the tables near the park entrance).
Entry fee is $6 ($5 senior) cash or check only at the old-time fee-envelope entry station (which is unstaffed and unmechanized). The staging area is at the south end of Mitchell Canyon Rd. in Clayton, 10 miles (20 minutes) from I-680 at the Ygnacio Valley exit in Walnut Creek. Here’s a Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/Lux1K9yA92H2
Contra Costa Spring Birding, Part 2
(Walk preceded by a morning walk at Mitchell Canyon, see above)
Valle Vista Staging Area, Upper San Leandro Reservoir, Moraga
Sunday, May 12, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Leaders: Various. Questions? Contact Steve Lombardi, <hotrock175...>
This EBMUD watershed land features a great variety of habitats: chaparral and scrub, grassland, pine-oak woodland, marsh, and the top of the reservoir. Likely birds include raptors, sparrows, California Thrasher, nuthatches, wrens, and the shy Wood Ducks. Walking is on hard-packed trails, with some gentle up- and downhill. There is a pit toilet at the staging area, but no drinking water.
We’ll be walking about 2 miles. Meet at the Valle Vista Staging Area parking lot. From CA-24, take exit 9, the Orinda-Moraga exit. Head toward Moraga. Go about 4.5 miles to the T intersection, then turn right onto Canyon Rd. Go about 1 mile and turn left into the Valle Vista Staging Area parking lot. Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/XBCSo4xHjzq And here is a link to the event on the SCVAS site to register online:
Field Trips
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Field Trips
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Please let me know if you have any questions on this.
Thanks,Bill & Kitty408.644.5583
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Date: 5/7/19 5:51 pm From: J Deck via Groups.Io <manaos2=<yahoo.com...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Blue Grosbeaks - Ed Levin County Park 5/6/19
Seen again today Both male and female blue grosbeaks present 100 yds up trail from sycamores in mustards around 9:00am. Same place as yesterday.
Joe Deck
San Jose
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Date: 5/7/19 4:40 pm From: Ryan Phillips via Groups.Io <harpiabz=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Shoreline Lake Highlights
Hi Birders,Today (May 7) at Shoreline Lake I observed the following highlights:
27 BLACK SKIMMERS on the island and flying in a single flock as a pair of PEREGRINE FALCONS flushed 375 DOWITCHERS and the skimmers, as well as the nesting AMERICAN AVOCETS. There are for sure 2 skimmer nests with eggs.
We have added more sand to the island and it appears to be paying off as this is the highest count we have recorded and appears to be the highest ever recorded at the lake. If anyone has seen more please let me know.
The continuing immature male COMMON GOLDENEYE continues. Seen at the North end on the boardwalk.
Here is the eBird list with photos to see the frenzy the peregrines caused. eBird Checklist - 7 May 2019 - Shoreline Park--Shoreline Lake area - 18 species
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eBird Checklist - 7 May 2019 - Shoreline Park--Shoreline Lake area - 18 species
Submitted by Ryan Phillips.
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Good birding,Ryan
Ryan Phillips
NorCal Birding
www.norcalbirding.com
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This morning (5/7) Frank Vanslager and I first went to the Eastern ponds of the Gilroy Water Treatment Facility, three of the ponds had water in them but no sign of either the White-faced Ibis or the Cattle Egret. Still no joy when we checked out the ponds on the west side of the Llagas creek. We then walked the road from the southern most pond to Bloomfield Avenue but were unable to see or hear a Yellow-breasted Chat. Best birds for us in the Western ponds were a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE (in what appeared to be basic plumage), a small black legged sandpiper with a black decurved bill in first summer plumage (I thought Western Sandpiper), a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, a SPOTTED SANDPIPER and a male WOOD DUCK. We then birded the Western portion of the Pajara River where we had a singing SWAINSON THRUSH, a WESTERN TANAGER and several singing ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS. All in all a pretty slow day of birding.
Take care,
Bob Reiling
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Brooke Miller and I birded the Gilroy Water Treatment Ponds this morning. We ended up with 67 species during our 2 1/2 hour visit, but unfortunately were not able to find any of our targets. We did, however, find a flock of 20+ WHIMBREL calling loudly as they flew over the eastern ponds. They seemed to be rising from the pond, yet we had already circled around the ponds without seeing them, so we were not sure where they had been hiding. Other birds of interest were two male WOOD DUCKS along the left pond as we entered the facility, and a TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD. We really enjoyed seeing four SPOTTED SANDPIPERS with their namesake spotted plumage! LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was seen twice in grassy open areas, as well as a glorious male RING-NECKED PHEASANT. There were several PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS, WARBLING VIREOS and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS singing along the creek. WILSON’S WARBLER was heard, but never seen in the same area.
Date: 5/6/19 10:34 pm From: William Pelletier via Groups.Io <wrpelletier=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] SCVAS bird-a-thon Sharpies results
Folks,
The Sharpies team of birders did our big 24-hour bird-a-thon in support of the SCVAS and on Saturday May 4th we were aligned with the global big day. Despite a slow start, due to cold, foggy conditions we ended up netting 141 species on the day. We started at Alum Rock Park at 5:30am and saw a COMMON POORWILL on the trail, heard GREAT HORNED OWLS, got BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, but dipped on the Canyon Wren.
This year we tried a new location. At 7am we birdied Los Alamitos Creek Trail from the Pfeiffer parking lot. The cool, foggy weather kept the birds down at first, but things got busy a bit later, so we stayed past our deadline to get a surprise SWAINSON’S THRUSH along with VAUX’S SWIFT and COMMON MERGANSERS up at the lake. Next we went to Ed Levin - Sandy Wool and had great looks at the 2 BLUE GROSBEAK, a lot of LAZULI BUNTING, GRASSHOPPER SPARROW and an abundance of BULLOCK’S ORIOLE. A single YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE did a fly by on the distant horizon. Since the BALD EAGLE hadn’t shown at Ed Levin, we stopped by Hall Memorial Park and noticed that the mother eagle had two young eaglets on the nest.
Next up the bay. We got 3 BURROWING OWL at Arzino and hit Alviso Marina where we ate our picnic lunch. We made good time at Don Edwards EEC and saw a single BONAPARTE’S GULL and CASPIAN TERN. Due to our slow start we still needed some flycatchers, woodpeckers and warblers so we decided to hit Steven’s Creek and McClellan Ranch where we caught a lot of our needs for the day including DOWNY WOODPECKER, WESTERN WOOD PEWEE but Kenni the W. Screech Owl seems to have moved on from the barn to nest.
Timing the tides, we then went to Palo Alto Baylands and Shoreline Lake & Charleston Slough, where we bagged a bunch of great shorebirds and a single CANVASBACK, our only of the day. We were surprised to find a flock of 15 WHIMBREL. The island on Shoreline Lake has nesting BLACK SKIMMERS and we got to watch as they came over to Charleston Slough and skimmed the water repeatedly. I particularly enjoyed the SURF SCOTER.
The longest drive of the day took us down to Coyote Valley, where we added ROCK WREN and our first BREWER’S BLACKBIRD of the day. On our way to Stiles we stopped in at Calero Resevoir to add both CLARK’S and WESTERN GREBE. We closed the day at the Stiles Ranch trail at Santa Teresa. We had HORNED LARK, RUFOUS CROWNED SPARROW, LARK SPARROW, COMMON POORWILL, and more ROCK WREN.
Tired and happy we had a team dinner at BJ’s and laughed about the days travails. Funny to think that we never saw a Flicker all day :-/
Good fun,Bill & Kitty
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This morning, 5/6/19, I visited the South County Regional Wastewater Authority treatment ponds in Gilroy (weekdays only). I started out along Llagas Creek and the South Ponds (half of which had some water). At one point, I heard a cock RING-NECKED PHEASANT calling towards the west. I heard some tentative calls of a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT to the south of the southernmost pond. When I arrived, the male started a bout of whistles and croaks from 0903-0908 hr. I then walked down to Bloomfield Avenue. When I came back the male was singing again in the small copse in the corner just south of the levee at the southern end of the South Pond, 0950-1003+ hr. Try as I could, I could never see him, even though I moved around two sides of the copse on the levee path. Driving north on the west side of the South Ponds, I saw a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE carrying food to a nest site next to the levee. This was the only one I saw all morning. I crossed over to the Obata Ponds (all dry). The easternmost of the Shriner Ponds had water and there I saw my first SPOTTED SANDPIPER of four that I tallied (I only got a good look at the underparts of one of these and it was still in basic plumage). Presumably these were all migrants. I circled the entrance pond and saw two male WOOD DUCKS on the divider. A male GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE was also on the divider, preening and singing. With just a little bit of time left, decided to visit the East Ponds across Llagas Creek. The plant is pumping water into the two central ponds. I spotted a CATTLE EGRET in the dry edge of the northernmost pond. While trying to take a photo, two WHITE-FACED IBIS flew up from near the northern levee of this pond. They flew over the levee to the southern pond and landed (disappeared) into marsh grass. I took a few more photos of the Cattle Egret and then drove the levee between the two ponds and then south where I was unsuccessful in finding the ibis. I then returned by the central levee and was delighted to see the ibis back at the edge of the opposite levee. Both were adults, but relatively dull.
Bill Bousman Menlo Park
gtgr, ms wodu, 2 caeg, 1 wfib, 2
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Date: 5/6/19 1:34 pm From: J Deck via Groups.Io <manaos2=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Blue Grosbeaks - Ed Levin County Park 5/6/19
Male and female seen on Agua Caliente trail in some mustard stalks around 9am today. Seen right off trail about 100 yds up the trail from the sycamores/seep area. They quickly flew uphill towards the upper hang glider launch area.
Joe Deck
San Jose
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Date: 5/6/19 12:52 pm From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Townsend’s Solitaire at Mountain Winery Saratoga 5/5
Yesterday May 5 I saw a Townsend’s Solitaire flying over Mountain Winery in Saratoga while I was there attending a wedding. Indeed, it flew right over the ceremony area but I refrained from shouting out, “Solitaire!” as it went by. At least 6 Vaux’s Swifts were flying around there all afternoon, with a good deal of calling.
David Suddjian
Littleton CO
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Date: 5/6/19 11:38 am From: Frank Vanslager via Groups.Io <Vanslagerf=<aol.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] The Henry Coe Field Trip of May 5
Bill and Kitty:
Thanks for the great Northern Pygmy Owl photos. I was really looking forward to attending your trip because it's my old astronomy site. However, at the last minute I decided not to because I felt the publicity will have led to more response than the12 attendee limit, and that it might be a bit of a mess if they don't use the parking tricks that we used. I realized that I might get special consideration, but I don't think that's fair to those, out there, who honored a restricted attendance by not attending.
In the past, with no limit, l led many trips with 20 to 25 attendees, and once with 50+, but I don't think people suffered as a result. Perhaps I'm wrong. Maybe others can weigh-in with how a numerical attendee limit has affected them. Regardless, my intent is not to complain but to inform future leaders that it's much more important to figure out possible parking problems and emergency solutions (other than attendee limits) than it is to figure out all the bird names.
Frank Vanslager
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Date: 5/5/19 10:53 pm From: William Pelletier via Groups.Io <wrpelletier=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] SCVAS Field trip to Henry Coe + more
Folks,
We had a great field trip at Henry Coe today. The morning greeted us with cold fog and wind at 42F. There were 16 birders in the group and as we headed up the Monument Trail toward Frog Lake, the heavy weather lifted and the birds began to sing and fly about. A few early highlights included ASH THROATED FLYCATCHER and TOWNSENDS WARBLERS. After we got into the mixed forest we heard BROWN CREEPER telling us about “trees trees beautiful trees” with its high pitched vocalizations. We were all thrilled with seeing YELLOW BILLED MAGPIES flying about.
We had loads of wild flowers and heard great vocalizations from CASSIN’S VIREOS and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS on the Flat Frog Trail. Then we came upon a NOTHERN PYGMY OWL roosting just at eye level on a branch that extends toward the trail. At first we got some quick photos. Then Kitty suggested we each calmly walk by one-by-one and take our turn with this bird at an arm’s reach away. It looked tiny ... really, really tiny. It was fearless. The bird posed for each passing birder, with many great photos taken. All 16 birders managed to quietly walk past the bird. As we walked away it remained stubbornly on its perch. When out of its view, we all collectively exhaled. What a thrill!
We totaled 48 birds on the morning hike. The park is HUGE. Kitty and I decided to bird the Dowdy entrance in the afternoon. We had 15 LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH, more YELLOW BILLED MAGPIES, two GOLDEN EAGLES, continuous LARK SPARROWS, WESTERN KINGBIRDS, and WESTERN MEADOWLARKS. We also had a contingent of wild boars with about 4 different sizes in the group.
We just got home after a big weekend and were greeted with a GREAT HORNED OWL as we pulled up our street on Mount Hamilton.
Sweet dreams,Bill & Kitty
eBird Checklist - 5 May 2019 - Henry Coe SP--NW Region (HQ and trails access) (SCL Co.) - 48 species
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eBird Checklist - 5 May 2019 - Henry Coe SP--NW Region (HQ and trails access) (SCL Co.) - 48 species
By Bill Pelletier
Submitted by Bill Pelletier.
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Date: 5/5/19 10:05 pm From: jan hintermeister <jan.hintermeister...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Lawrence's Goldfinch and Barn Owl at Grant Ranch
This morning, I visited Grant Ranch to check on my Great Blue Heron colony
for SFBBO (two nests with at least two chicks on each nest). While there I
got a great long look at an adult male LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH in the vicinity
of Quimby and Mount Hamilton Road. I also saw a BARN OWL flying around
noon.
Jan Hintermeister
Santa Clara, CA
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Date: 5/5/19 3:18 pm From: janna pauser <jannapauser...> Subject: [southbaybirds] west Los Capitancillos Ponds
Seven VAUX'S SWIFTS were over Meridian at Oslo Lane when I arrived at west Los Capitancillos Ponds this morning. All but the west most pond had some water. Hundreds of swallows and swifts were flying over the ponds. VASW were difficult to count among all the swallows but I believe I saw at least twenty. CLIFF, VIOLET GREEN, TREE, NOR. ROUGH WINGED SWALLOWS and six WHITE THROATED SWIFT were seen. A male GREAT TAILED GRACKLE called from a prominent perch. A female RUDDY DUCK frantically paddled across the water then dove and swam into the cattails suggesting I was close to a nest. An ASH THROATED FLYCATCHER, 2 BLACK HEADED GROSBEAK, WILSON'S WARBLER and 2 WARBLING VIREO were along the creek. A female HOODED ORIOLE flew off with prey. Two WESTERN BLUEBIRD pair and a male were seen. I was dive bombed by a male RED WINGED BLACKBIRD while viewing a close blackbird fledgling sprouting feathered horns. Two FORESTER TERN, a CEDAR WAXWING flock, AM. GOLDFINCH and COOPER HAWK were other birds of interest.
Recent backyard birds include Black-headed Grosbeak, Pacific-slope Flycatcher and Western Tanager. One Golden-crowned Sparrow remains.
Janna Pauser Almaden Valley
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Date: 5/5/19 12:59 pm From: Scott Smithson <wscottsmithson...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Ed Levin Park 4/4: Blue Grosbeaks, etc
Hello birders,
Yesterday, my PAAS birding class enjoyed 3 hours of observing some great birds, including the previously reported BLUE GROSBEAKS (one male, one female) atop the sycamores along the Agua Caliente Trail, several posing LAZULI BUNTINGS, and two heard only GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS. Near the dog park, we had great views of WESTERN TANAGERS, BULLOCK'S & HOODED ORIOLES, WESTERN BLUEBIRDS, and CEDAR WAXWINGS.
Good birding,
Scott Smithson
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Date: 5/5/19 10:42 am From: tgrey41 <tgrey...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Stanford Golden Eagle
Yesterday afternoon (5/4/19) I checked out Frenchman's Park, near my house. Surprise was an adult GOLDEN EAGLE <https://pbase.com/tgrey/image/169144826> seen flying in the distance to the southeast with Turkey Vultures, the first GOEA I've photographed on (or near) the Stanford campus.
Also seen and photographed, a singing PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER <https://pbase.com/tgrey/image/169144825>, presumably the one that has been a regular in the park at least since February 6th; it probably overwintered and now seems to be paired.
-- Tom Grey www.pbase.com/tgrey tgreybirds.com
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Date: 5/5/19 9:22 am From: Steven Tucker via Groups.Io <talkingtrees80=<yahoo.com...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Belgatos Park, 5/4
The Swainson’s Thrush is still here this morning, it came out briefly for a nice look and is calling and singing as well. Nice find Eve!
Steve TuckerSan Jose
On Saturday, May 4, 2019, 1:00 PM, Eve Meier <eve_m_meier...> wrote:
This morning I had an extra hour or so between errands so decided to visit my favorite local park - Belgatos (Los Gatos). It was a little late in the morning but I was pleasantly surprised by a singing SWAINSON’S THRUSH. I had some nice looks at the bird as well. The thrush was along the gravel fire road close to the parking lot. I also enjoyed watching a CASSIN’S VIREO try to collect some ribbon for nesting material. The bird was unsuccessful because the ribbon was much too long and tangled in a bush.
Eve Meier
San Jose
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Date: 5/4/19 1:01 pm From: Eve Meier <eve_m_meier...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Belgatos Park, 5/4
This morning I had an extra hour or so between errands so decided to visit my favorite local park - Belgatos (Los Gatos). It was a little late in the morning but I was pleasantly surprised by a singing SWAINSON’S THRUSH. I had some nice looks at the bird as well. The thrush was along the gravel fire road close to the parking lot. I also enjoyed watching a CASSIN’S VIREO try to collect some ribbon for nesting material. The bird was unsuccessful because the ribbon was much too long and tangled in a bush.
Eve Meier
San Jose
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Date: 5/4/19 12:07 pm From: Frank Vanslager via Groups.Io <Vanslagerf=<aol.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Some Birding at Charcoal Road on 5/4/2019
All:
Before 8 the birding on Charcoal Road itself was very sparse, but the trail that parallels Hwy35 had a fair amount of song, and lots of Band-tailed Pigeons. And I did find a target year-bird, the Black-throated Gray Warbler, A pair of them were working over an old nest (probably squirrel) and, just for the heck of it, I did try to get a photo (attached). On the right-hand side of the nest you can barely see about 3/4 of one bird.
Later several groups of mountain bikers roared past. And then even a family group of mountain bikers edged past me. I suspect that weekends are not the best time to bird this trail.
Frank Vanslager
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Date: 5/4/19 11:03 am From: tracy_farrington via Groups.Io <tracy_farrington=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Ed R. Levin Co. Park, Grasshopper Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting
At 8:25, this morning, I was able to rather quickly find a singing GRASSHOPPER SPARROW
in a lone mustard plant on the east side of the Agua Caliente trail, above and east of the
dog park. In addition, I was able to get good looks at three LAZULI BUNTINGS, two perched
and singing from mustards along the trail, and one individual high up in an old Sycamore
where the trail bends westward. I was, however, unable to find the previously reported
Blue Grosbeak.
This was my first visit to Ed. Levin, and I'd like to send thanks to Matthew Dodder for providing
some excellent directions and assistance in locating the sparrow.
Good birding, all.
Tracy Farrington
Walnut Creek
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Date: 5/4/19 12:34 am From: Dan Bloch <danbloch...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] SCVAS field trip this Sunday 5/5/19 - HENRY COE STATE PARK
I'd be up for that.
On Fri, May 3, 2019 at 1:22 PM Susan Weinstein <sue...> wrote:
> I wouldn't mind carpooling. Carpoolers, want to meet at Safeway (840 E > Dunne Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037) at 7:15am? > > Susan > > On Thu, May 2, 2019 at 11:44 AM William Pelletier via Groups.Io > <wrpelletier=<yahoo.com...> wrote: > >> Folks, >> >> Kitty and I will be leading a field trip to one of the county's most >> unique birding locations. Henry Coe State Park has many of the birds that >> you can get "only" in the west valley mountains, like Red-breasted >> Nuthatch, Swainson's Thrush, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Pileated Woodpecker and >> the like. By pushing to the limits of the south-east part of the county we >> also stand a chance of getting some unusual/difficult birds for Santa Clara >> county, like Lawrence's Goldfinch or Olive-sided Flycatcher. As you have >> likely noticed, the migration is in full swing, birds are singing and we >> are in for a stretch of great weather. >> >> Here is the write up from SCVAS: >> >> *8 am to noon* >> >> *Register >> here: https://ticketbud.com/events/4aff2df8-5ca2-11e9-85f8-42010a717005 >> <https://ticketbud.com/events/4aff2df8-5ca2-11e9-85f8-42010a717005>* >> >> *Directions:* From Hwy 101 in Morgan Hill, take East Dunne Ave exit and >> go east past Anderson Lake to the end of the 10 mile winding road to park >> headquarters. If you are using a phone or navigation system, use full >> address to ensure you come to the right entrance: 9000 East Dunne Ave., >> Morgan Hill. >> >> *Highlights:* Many difficult birds to find in Santa Clara county can be >> found including Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, Band-tailed >> Pigeon, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Black-chinned Sparrow and more. >> >> *Difficulty:* 4 miles, strenuous >> >> *Notes:* $8 parking fee, cash or credit. Consider carpooling! Limited to >> 12 participants. >> >> See you there! >> Bill & Kitty >> 408.644.5583 >> >> > >
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Date: 5/3/19 9:02 pm From: Bill Bousman <barlowi...> Subject: [southbaybirds] San Antonio Valley Transect
Folks:
Today, 5/3/19, I did a reverse transect starting from the summit of Mt. Hamilton and finishing at the Alameda County line on Mines Road. I found three LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS at separate locations between the junction and the dogleg on Hwy 130 about 2.1 mi. to the south. There is a stock pond (or former stock pond) west of the former Mallison Ranch that is 1.1 mi. south of the junction. The stock pond cannot be seen from the road, but in a number of prior years it appeared that the pond was used for nesting by hundreds of TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS and I could make a lower estimate of numbers by watching foraging flocks from the road. Today, I saw a single male near the road, and possibly three female-type blackbirds. My guess is that there is no longer water in that pond (just as for the first "pond" east of the junction on Del Puerto Road). After, I drove east on Del Puerto Road 1.7 mi. to the second pond. Trikes were "singing" in the cattails. I counted at least 14 males and 8 females, but I think there were considerably more. I saw one female carrying nesting material, so I think the colony is still in the nest-building phase. I was not successful in finding migrants on the east side of Mt. Hamilton as I drove down. The only certain migrants were a male and female TOWNSEND'S WARBLER at Sky Ranch and a heard only SWAINSON'S THRUSH in the chaparral east of the China Grade Summit. A WARBLING VIREO at Sky Ranch was likely a migrant, based on the dry habitat.
Bill Bousman Menlo Park
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Date: 5/3/19 5:35 pm From: Eve Meier <eve_m_meier...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Sanborn Park at Sunnyvale Mountain
Today, I visited the Sunnyvale Mountain Trailhead entrance to Sanborn County Park. This hot spot is located on Hwy 35 (Skyline Blvd.) between Black Rd. and Hwy 9. The best birding is always from the parking lot. My favorite sightings were the HERMIT WARBLER with at least 3 TOWNSENDS WARBLERS in the trees at the edge of the parking lot and hearing at least two RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES. I tried spotting these guys but couldn’t. Also, there were plenty of BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, WARBLING VIREOS, AND WESTERN TANAGERS. This is one of my favorite spots!
Eve Meier
San Jose
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Date: 5/3/19 2:21 pm From: janna pauser <jannapauser...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Rancho Canada Del Oro 5-03
Casa Loma Road was very birdy at 7:30 this morning. I stopped to find a LAZULI BUNTING before meeting Karen Burnson at the Open Space Preserve parking lot. The Longwall trail was rather quiet until we got to the Open Space green gate. Here we found a singing male HERMIT WARBLER high in an oak. A TOWNSEND'S WARBLER was heard here and another seen on the way back. Two PACIFIC SLOPE FLYCATCHERS were seen here and a few more along Casa Loma Rd. ASH THROATED FLYCATCHER and WESTERN WOOD PEWEE were numerous, with nine each. We had just one more LAZB and one BLUE GRAY GNATCATCHER. BLACK HEADED GROSBEAKS were near the parking lot and again at the green gate and meadow loop. A grosbeak pair was collecting nest material on Casa Loma Rd. where we found a HAIRY WOODPECKER. We had six each; WILSON'S WARBLER, HUTTON'S VIREO and WARBLING VIREO. ORANGE CROWNED WARBLERS were chipping from the bush and some males still singing. A CASSIN'S VIREO was vocalizing from the creek area off the meadow loop where three WILD TURKEY were seen.
Date: 5/3/19 1:23 pm From: Susan Weinstein <sue...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] SCVAS field trip this Sunday 5/5/19 - HENRY COE STATE PARK
I wouldn't mind carpooling. Carpoolers, want to meet at Safeway (840 E Dunne Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037) at 7:15am?
Susan
On Thu, May 2, 2019 at 11:44 AM William Pelletier via Groups.Io <wrpelletier=<yahoo.com...> wrote:
> Folks, > > Kitty and I will be leading a field trip to one of the county's most > unique birding locations. Henry Coe State Park has many of the birds that > you can get "only" in the west valley mountains, like Red-breasted > Nuthatch, Swainson's Thrush, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Pileated Woodpecker and > the like. By pushing to the limits of the south-east part of the county we > also stand a chance of getting some unusual/difficult birds for Santa Clara > county, like Lawrence's Goldfinch or Olive-sided Flycatcher. As you have > likely noticed, the migration is in full swing, birds are singing and we > are in for a stretch of great weather. > > Here is the write up from SCVAS: > > *8 am to noon* > > *Register > here: https://ticketbud.com/events/4aff2df8-5ca2-11e9-85f8-42010a717005 > <https://ticketbud.com/events/4aff2df8-5ca2-11e9-85f8-42010a717005>* > > *Directions:* From Hwy 101 in Morgan Hill, take East Dunne Ave exit and > go east past Anderson Lake to the end of the 10 mile winding road to park > headquarters. If you are using a phone or navigation system, use full > address to ensure you come to the right entrance: 9000 East Dunne Ave., > Morgan Hill. > > *Highlights:* Many difficult birds to find in Santa Clara county can be > found including Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, Band-tailed > Pigeon, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Black-chinned Sparrow and more. > > *Difficulty:* 4 miles, strenuous > > *Notes:* $8 parking fee, cash or credit. Consider carpooling! Limited to > 12 participants. > > See you there! > Bill & Kitty > 408.644.5583 > > >
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Date: 5/3/19 12:30 pm From: William Pelletier via Groups.Io <wrpelletier=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Field trip exchange with Golden Gate Audubon
Folks,
Mark your calendar!We have a fun new concept in play with Golden Gate Audubon Society (GGAS) where they will host us for a pair of field trips next weekend and we will return the favor with a pair of field trips in June. Mitchell Canyon and Valle Vista are top notch birding locations and should prove to be quite fruitful.
Here is the write-up from the GGAS website for next weekends outings:
Co-listed with Santa Clara Valley Audubon
Contra Costa Spring Birding, Part 1
(Walk will be followed by an afternoon walk at Valle Vista, see below)
Mitchell Canyon, Mount Diablo State Park, Clayton
Sunday, May 12, 8:30 a.m.–noon
Leaders: Various. Questions? Contact Steve Lombardi, <hotrock175...>
Join us for a spring birding walk along Mitchell Canyon and Red Road trails. We will walk about 4 miles through oak savannah, mixed woodland, riparian habitats, and a little way up into chaparral/sage scrub. The route has some ups and downs and total elevation increase of up to 500 feet, depending on how far up Red Road Trail we go.
We hope to see many residents and early spring migrants, including warblers, nuthatches, various woodpecker species, vireos, flycatchers, and hummingbirds. We’ll be listening for songs and calls to refresh our birding-by-ear skills. This time of year the trail is also famous for wildflowers, including the rare endemic Mount Diablo globe lily (also called fairy lantern), and butterflies.
Restrooms are available at the staging area. Please bring binoculars, water, and also a hat/sunscreen, as needed. You may want to bring snacks (or even lunch if you’d like to picnic at the tables near the park entrance).
Entry fee is $6 ($5 senior) cash or check only at the old-time fee-envelope entry station (which is unstaffed and unmechanized). The staging area is at the south end of Mitchell Canyon Rd. in Clayton, 10 miles (20 minutes) from I-680 at the Ygnacio Valley exit in Walnut Creek. Here’s a Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/Lux1K9yA92H2
Co-listed with Santa Clara Valley Audubon
Contra Costa Spring Birding, Part 2
(Walk preceded by a morning walk at Mitchell Canyon, see above)
Valle Vista Staging Area, Upper San Leandro Reservoir, Moraga
Sunday, May 12, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Leaders: Various. Questions? Contact Steve Lombardi, <hotrock175...>
This EBMUD watershed land features a great variety of habitats: chaparral and scrub, grassland, pine-oak woodland, marsh, and the top of the reservoir. Likely birds include raptors, sparrows, California Thrasher, nuthatches, wrens, and the shy Wood Ducks. Walking is on hard-packed trails, with some gentle up- and downhill. There is a pit toilet at the staging area, but no drinking water.
We’ll be walking about 2 miles. Meet at the Valle Vista Staging Area parking lot. From CA-24, take exit 9, the Orinda-Moraga exit. Head toward Moraga. Go about 4.5 miles to the T intersection, then turn right onto Canyon Rd. Go about 1 mile and turn left into the Valle Vista Staging Area parking lot. Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/XBCSo4xHjzq Then in June, we will host the following field trips:Sunday June 16th 2019 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday June 16th, 2019 8:00am-noon at Alum Rock, then 1:00pm-4:00pm at Don EdwardsLeaders: Bill Pelletier and Kitty O’Neil (408) 644-5583
Directions: From Hwy 101 or I-680 take McKee Rd northeast toward hills then left on Toyon Ave, right on Penitencia Creek Rd, and continue into park. Pass under bridge and meet at far end of Rustic Lands parking lot (free).
Highlights: Variety of habitats, including chaparral, riparian, mixed forests, grassland, and rocky terrain. We will look for Great Horned Owl, Hermit Thrush, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, California Thrasher, Acorn Woodpeckers, raptors, and more. This trip will be followed by an optional extension to the Environmental Education Center in Alviso where Hooded Oriole is possible, plus White-tailed Kite, Black-necked Stilt, American White Pelicans, American Avocet and a variety of shorebirds.
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous 3-mile walk; Alviso is flat, easy walking on graded dirt and boardwalk.
Please contact me if you have questions or comments.Thanks,Bill <Pwrpelletier...>
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Since there are so few spring pelagic trips, I wanted to let you know that we are going this Saturday offshore from Half Moon Bay. Our captain saw a big increase in shearwaters on Monday, and albatross within ten miles from shore. So there seems to be a lot out there. The weather is predicted to be very calm, so this should be a good day for photography, and finding smaller birds on the ocean as well as whales/dolphins. Breeding plumaged alcids, as well as migrant phalaropes in good colors are expected, and hopefully we can find something more unusual such as a Laysan Albatross if we can find concentrations of albatross. Looks like it will be a fun day to be out. If you are interested, email me, or book here:
Last Friday I made the ill-advised decision not to go try for the yellow-breasted chat at Vasona out of nothing but laziness. I tried to make up for that today by checking out the Gilroy Sewage Treatment Plant, a traditional county spot for chat and where Mike Mammoser reported one a few days ago. Unfortunately, I struck out on the chat but on my way out right along the lane that connects the road along Llagos Creek and the northeast corner of the facility I found a SOLITARY SANDPIPER. A very nice consolation! I then went up to Mt. Madonna and walked from the Henry Miller Site parking area down the Ridge Road to and a bit beyond the archery range. Around the archery range I had calling PILEATED WOODPECKER and just below that some singing SWAINSON'S THRUSHES. On the way back up the Ridge Road near the truck trailers I had a group of 4 TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS with a single HERMIT WARBLER.
Steve TraceySan Jose
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Date: 5/2/19 12:02 pm From: Brooke Miller via Groups.Io <idbirds=<me.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Los Gatos Creek Trail Upstream from Meridian Ave
This morning I had 2 SWAINSON’S THRUSHES and a NASHVILLE WARBLER along the trail between the St. Elizabeth Ave. entrance and Meridian Avenue I was alerted to the Swainson’s Thrushes first by a ‘pit’, then several ‘weeps’, then I briefly saw 1 in the foliage on the North side of the trail where there is a section of very thick, maybe 12-14 ft tall bushes/vines (same area as previous years), before it jumped back into the foliage, and after a few seconds it start singing. Down the trail towards St. Elizabeth Ave. I detected a second bird. The Nashville Warbler was fairly high in a willow tree almost directly across from where I found the first Swainson’s Thrush.
I walked to the metal bridge and back, and there were plenty of BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, WESTERN TANAGERS, both HOODED and BULLOCK’s ORIOLES, 2 PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS, a BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD and 2 WARBLING VIREOS, among others.
Good spring birding!
Brooke Miller
San Jose
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Date: 5/2/19 11:44 am From: William Pelletier via Groups.Io <wrpelletier=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] SCVAS field trip this Sunday 5/5/19 - HENRY COE STATE PARK
Folks,
Kitty and I will be leading a field trip to one of the county's most unique birding locations. Henry Coe State Park has many of the birds that you can get "only" in the west valley mountains, like Red-breasted Nuthatch, Swainson's Thrush, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Pileated Woodpecker and the like. By pushing to the limits of the south-east part of the county we also stand a chance of getting some unusual/difficult birds for Santa Clara county, like Lawrence's Goldfinch or Olive-sided Flycatcher. As you have likely noticed, the migration is in full swing, birds are singing and we are in for a stretch of great weather.
Here is the write up from SCVAS:
8 am to noon
Directions: From Hwy 101 in Morgan Hill, take East Dunne Ave exit and go east past Anderson Lake to the end of the 10 mile winding road to park headquarters. If you are using a phone or navigation system, use full address to ensure you come to the right entrance: 9000 East Dunne Ave., Morgan Hill.
Highlights: Many difficult birds to find in Santa Clara county can be found including Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, Band-tailed Pigeon, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Black-chinned Sparrow and more.
Difficulty: 4 miles, strenuous
Notes: $8 parking fee, cash or credit. Consider carpooling! Limited to 12 participants.
See you there!Bill & Kitty408.644.5583
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Date: 5/1/19 2:30 pm From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Ed Levin Sandy Wool 5/1
I made a short run out to the dog park at Ed Levin today, partly to see if I got lucky with the grosbeaks and partly because I wanted out of the house because it was just too nice. I spent about 40 minutes there around noon.
No luck on the Grosbeaks, but it was hard to see them in the trees around the dog park because of a good number (at least 7) western bluebirds and a large, noisy and chaotic flock (25ish) of Cedar Waxwings, which made seeing quieter birds rather problematic. Also seen were a Bewick's Wren, house finches, Red-Winged Blackbirds and starlings, making for a busy and noisy set of trees. Fun, but maybe the Grosbeaks moved nearby to avoid being deafened.
Otherwise the park seemed pretty quiet, probably because I'm again birding at high noon, well-known to be the best possible time to birdwatch...
A quick drive to the end of Marsh and back turned up some more bluebirds (2 on the road down and two near the stream, which still has a bit of water), quail, and two kingbirds but not much else and no hint of lark sparrows, which I was hoping I might get lucky on (nope). But it was really rather pleasant to be out, so I'm not complaining.
Chuq Von Rospach - http://www.chuqui.com Email: <chuqvr...> Twitter: @chuq Silicon Valley, California
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Date: 5/1/19 9:05 am From: Barry Langdon-Lassagne via Groups.Io <wilmot=<me.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Swainson's Thrush, Western Wood-Pewee in Stevens Creek CP
Yesterday afternoon, on the Creek Trail about 1/2 mile from Cooley Picnic Area in Stevens Creek County Park, Ginger and I got our first-of-year SWAINSON’S THRUSH and WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE. Both were at the steep section of the trail just before it ends in the rushing creek.
Also, just below the dam on Stevens Creek, we found a singing LAZULI BUNTING in the same treetop as an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER.
Date: 5/1/19 7:50 am From: stracey53 via Groups.Io <stracey53=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Elegant Terns - Alviso A16
Just checked out A16 this morning and found 2 Elegant Terns on a little mound in the middle of A16. Eventually 1 flew off towards the north end of A18 while the other flew off a few minutes later apparently as I was scoping other birds. In addition to the terms were millions of midges (or whatever bug they are) forming ominous dark clouds 25 feet high over the levy viewed from 100 yards away... just glad they don’t bite!!
Steve TraceySan Jose
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Date: 5/1/19 5:31 am From: <southbaybirds...> Group Moderators <southbaybirds...> Subject: [southbaybirds] South Bay Birds Monthly Reminder #guidelines
Thank you for being a member of South Bay Birds. This is our monthly reminder sent to the list with information about the group.
South Bay Birds is a list intended for reporting interesting and rare bird sightings in Santa Clara county. It is not a general discussion list, for that we have two options: a Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/110996713065201/ ) and a Flickr group ( https://www.flickr.com/groups/siliconvalleybirders/ ). The Flickr group is also where we encourage you to share photos you've taken around the county and share the interesting birds you've seen. We've created a web site Birdwatching in Silicon Valley ( https://siliconvalleybirding.org ) with subscription information and links to the other parts of the Silicon Valley Birding community, and we encourage you to share that with those you know who might be interested in joining our group.
If you ever need to unsubscribe from this list, an unsubscribe link is at the bottom of ever message, or you can go to https://groups.io/g/southbaybirds/. That's also where you can view the list archives, set up a vacation hold, change your email address, or modify your subscription in any way.
South Bay Birds ( https://groups.io/g/southbaybirds/ ) and Birdwatching in Silicon Valley ( https://siliconvalleybirding.org ) are affiliated with the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society ( http://www.scvas.org ), which offers classes and outings around the county, so if you're interested in learning more about birding in the county or joining other birders in going out birding, they can help you find an outing that matches your interests.
If you ever need help with your South Bay Birds discussion, please contact Chuq Von Rospach at <chuqvr...>
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Date: 4/30/19 9:06 pm From: Bill Bousman <barlowi...> Subject: [southbaybirds] New Chicago Marsh
Folks:
I checked New Chicago Marsh this morning. WESTERN SANDPIPERS are still coming through in large numbers, 4 digits, and DUNLIN in 3 digits. A surprise for me scoping north from Gold and Elizabeth streets were the number of SNOWY PLOVERS revealed when the nervous flocks of peeps flew off--14 snowies. One or two more were along the south side of the State and Spreckles pond. Six alternate LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS near the EEC boardwalk were the only ones seen.
Bill Bousman Menlo Park
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Went down to the Gilroy Sewage Ponds today, 30 Apr 2019, and found a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT along Llagas Creek at the southeast corner of the facility.
Other birds of note included an immature BALD EAGLE, a SPOTTED SANDPIPER, and a single male TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD.
Michael Mammoser
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Date: 4/30/19 5:28 pm From: Brooke Miller via Groups.Io <idbirds=<me.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] March 2019 Cumulative Bird Report
Hi South Bay Birders!
Before I report on March, I have a couple of additions to prior months. In January, somehow I missed Short-billed Dowitcher, which was found on 3-January. I got a late report of a Long-tailed Duck seen on 24-February by Richard Jeffers, Mike Mammoser, and Mike Rogers on Salt Pond A8. That brought the total at the end of February to 211. There were 12 new birds found in March (13 is the average), for a total of 223 birds (average is 222) at the end of March. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.
The 12 birds that were recorded for March, with rarity codes in parentheses are:
1. 1-Mar Hermit Warbler (4), found by Steve Tracey along the John Nicholas Trail in Sanborn County Park;
2. 3-Mar Black Rail (5), three were heard in the Alviso Marina County Park marsh by Larry Maurin;
3. 3-Mar Cliff Swallow (1), thirty individual were seen by Steve Tucker above the Guadaluupe River Trail between Blossom Hill and Chenowyth;
4. 3-Mar Rufous Hummingbird (4), was seen by Brooke Miller at the Spring Valley unit of Ed Levin County Park;
5. 9-Mar Red-throated Loon (4), was seen by Bob Foehring at the Palo Alto Baylands;
6. 11-Mar Golden-crowned Kinglet (3), detected by Brooke Miller at Sanborn County Park;
7. 15-Mar Hooded Oriole (3), found in a West San Jose Yard
8. 16-Mar Caspian Tern (2), seen by Mike Shafto at Charleston Slough/Coast Casey Forebay;
9. 16-Mar Warbling Vireo (2), found at 2 separate locations; Pete Dunten found one at McLellan Ranch, and Hugh McDevitt found one along the Calero Creek Trail;
10. 16-Mar Wilson’s Warbler (1), found at Rancho Canada del Oro by Steve Tucker;
11. 25-Mar Black-throated Gray Warbler (3), heard at Foothills Park by Garth Harwood; and
12. 29-Mar Cassin’s Vireo (2), found by Steve Tracey and shared with Matthew Dodder at Stevens Creek County Park at the Cooley-Canyon Picnic Areas.
Date: 4/30/19 4:35 pm From: Lisa Myers <lisa...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Back in the day - Blue Grosbeak pic, etc.
Hi all -
Back in the day of Les Chibana field trips, we could find Blue Grosbeak on the corner of Calaveras Blvd. and Piedmont Road just as you start to climb. They liked the grasses that grew along the south/east corner of the road. I guess that was back in the 90's. Developers built a row of homes right along that strip a few years back and no one has mentioned grosbeak there since.
Lisa Myers
On 4/30/19 3:42 PM, tgrey41 wrote: > At the sycamore grove above Sandy Wool Lake this morning (4/30/19) I > joined forces with San Francisco birder David Tomb. After an hour or > more moving back and forth between the sycamores and the hang glider > launchpad we had a brief view, yielding a not-great photo on my part, > of an adult male BLUE GROSBEAK <https://pbase.com/image/169126846> > down at the fence below the trail a short distance beyond the sycamores. > > I got better photos of a LAZULI BUNTING > <https://pbase.com/tgrey/image/169126843>near the launchpad, and a > RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW <https://pbase.com/tgrey/image/169126844>not > far past the sycamores. > > David came upon a RATTLESNAKE on the trail leading up from the lower > to the upper launchpad! > > -- > Tom Grey > www.pbase.com/tgrey <http://www.pbase.com/tgrey> > tgreybirds.com <http://tgreybirds.com> >
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Date: 4/30/19 3:49 pm From: Ryan Phillips via Groups.Io <harpiabz=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Shoreline at Mountain View Black Skimmers
Hi Birders,At 13:30 today (April 30) I had 12 BLACK SKIMMERS on the Lake island. This is the highest count I have ever had at this location. Copulation was also observed. Good Birding,Ryan
Ryan Phillips
NorCal Birding
www.norcalbirding.com
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Date: 4/30/19 3:42 pm From: tgrey41 <tgrey...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Blue Grosbeak pic, etc.
At the sycamore grove above Sandy Wool Lake this morning (4/30/19) I joined forces with San Francisco birder David Tomb. After an hour or more moving back and forth between the sycamores and the hang glider launchpad we had a brief view, yielding a not-great photo on my part, of an adult male BLUE GROSBEAK <https://pbase.com/image/169126846> down at the fence below the trail a short distance beyond the sycamores.
Date: 4/30/19 7:48 am From: Bob Reiling <rreiling2...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Previous Ed Levin Blue Grosbeak sightings
All,
From my records, such as they are, my last sighting of Blue Grosbeak in Ed Levin County Park was of a male above the "Sycamore gulch" on May 8, 2006. My records show that the species was well seen yearly in the park between April 1997 and May 2000. A female was definitely seen in 1997 and possibly seen in 1999 (I'm Sure Bill Bousman has much better records). In any case the hike up to the "gulch" above Sandy Wool Lake beats the heck out of trying to find the species in Santa Clara County along the Pajaro River.
Take care,
Bob Reiling
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Date: 4/29/19 3:33 pm From: Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
Chuq
The bicolored aspect of the wings on a Turkey Vulture you see from below. The original photo is from above. The contrastingly paler primaries are because they are worn and retained, inner ones are newer and fresher. A typical pattern seen in Turkey Vultures (adults). Turkey Vultures are actually not black, they are brown. In good and strong light they will look brown, in poor light they look blackish. Wear and fading further accentuates the brown coloration.
From: <southbaybirds...> <southbaybirds...> On Behalf Of Chuq Von Rospach
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2019 3:18 PM
To: Hauns Froehlingsdorf <hauns...>; <southbaybirds...>; Chris Johnson <ryanjohnson77...>
Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
(we are well and truly down a rabbit hole, just like the rabbit that saw the eagle coming... grin)
Chris -- agree with you completely on coloration. What caught me here was the lack of that "bi-color" aspect in the wings you see so often on overhead on TVs, and the outer primaries. If you compare his image to the one I just posted, I don't think they're too long for Eagle. The drooped head is an interesting detail, but the eagle I got to watch Friday had their head down enough to make me make a mental note of it, at least before the Kite arrived to try to encourage it to leave (hint: it didn't work and for a bit the eagle tried to ignore it, and then the legs came down and it engaged in return, after which the kite kind of declared victory and moved off)
I wouldn't make an ID from that image, myself (younger me would have, happily, of course). But I did want to suggest some reasons why TV wasn't a slam dunk to me. That said, Ryan is a much better judge than I am of this, so I defer to his call happily.
Email: <chuqvr...> <mailto:<chuqvr...> Twitter: @chuq
Silicon Valley, California
On Apr 29, 2019, 3:08 PM -0700, Chris Johnson <ryanjohnson77...> <mailto:<ryanjohnson77...> >, wrote:
Chuq,
Perhaps I missed something... it is after all a photograph. But I think a Golden Eagle would not show a uniformly dark tail and there is more contrast between the flight feathers and coverts for GOEA as well. The "fingers" of this bird are too long for an eagle IMHO. Another point to TV is the drooped head. The absolute coloration of BIFs from above is highly dependent on the lighting/photographing conditions and is less reliable than things like color contrast and shape.
Best,
Chris
_____
From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr...> <mailto:<chuqvr...> >
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2019 5:56 PM
To: Hauns Froehlingsdorf; <southbaybirds...> <mailto:<southbaybirds...> ; Chris Johnson
Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
it looks far too brown to be a turkey vulture, which is very dark and blackish. Also, when lit from above the TV tends to show an almost translucent aspect to the ends of the feathers. This shows none.
Given I spent part of yesterday at Coyote Valley OSP's big sit discussing the fun of telling Golden Eagle and TV apart at altitude, I'm going to go out on a small limb here and say this looks very much like an eagle to me, and likely a golden eagle. I wanted at first glance to make this a red-tail, but not with those wing tips.
Date: 4/29/19 3:29 pm From: Hauns Froehlingsdorf <hauns...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
Ok, great feedback and thanks everyone!
So, if this helps at all I did observe it for several minutes. It was swooping down close to the cat tails and was being mobbed by other birds.
When he got close to the shore, several mallards flew away.
I have never observed this type of behavior before with a TV. But to be fair, my raptor identification skills are neophytic.
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Date: 4/29/19 3:18 pm From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
(we are well and truly down a rabbit hole, just like the rabbit that saw the eagle coming... grin)
Chris -- agree with you completely on coloration. What caught me here was the lack of that "bi-color" aspect in the wings you see so often on overhead on TVs, and the outer primaries. If you compare his image to the one I just posted, I don't think they're too long for Eagle. The drooped head is an interesting detail, but the eagle I got to watch Friday had their head down enough to make me make a mental note of it, at least before the Kite arrived to try to encourage it to leave (hint: it didn't work and for a bit the eagle tried to ignore it, and then the legs came down and it engaged in return, after which the kite kind of declared victory and moved off)
I wouldn't make an ID from that image, myself (younger me would have, happily, of course). But I did want to suggest some reasons why TV wasn't a slam dunk to me. That said, Ryan is a much better judge than I am of this, so I defer to his call happily.
Chuq Von Rospach - http://www.chuqui.com Email: <chuqvr...>
Twitter: @chuq
Silicon Valley, California
On Apr 29, 2019, 3:08 PM -0700, Chris Johnson <ryanjohnson77...>, wrote:
> Chuq,
>
> Perhaps I missed something... it is after all a photograph. But I think a Golden Eagle would not show a uniformly dark tail and there is more contrast between the flight feathers and coverts for GOEA as well. The "fingers" of this bird are too long for an eagle IMHO. Another point to TV is the drooped head. The absolute coloration of BIFs from above is highly dependent on the lighting/photographing conditions and is less reliable than things like color contrast and shape.
>
>
> Best,
>
> Chris
>
> From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr...>
> Sent: Monday, April 29, 2019 5:56 PM
> To: Hauns Froehlingsdorf; <southbaybirds...>; Chris Johnson
> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
>
> it looks far too brown to be a turkey vulture, which is very dark and blackish. Also, when lit from above the TV tends to show an almost translucent aspect to the ends of the feathers. This shows none.
>
> Given I spent part of yesterday at Coyote Valley OSP's big sit discussing the fun of telling Golden Eagle and TV apart at altitude, I'm going to go out on a small limb here and say this looks very much like an eagle to me, and likely a golden eagle. I wanted at first glance to make this a red-tail, but not with those wing tips.
>
>
>
> Chuq Von Rospach - http://www.chuqui.com > Email: <chuqvr...>
> Twitter: @chuq
> Silicon Valley, California
> On Apr 29, 2019, 2:50 PM -0700, Chris Johnson <ryanjohnson77...>, wrote:
> > Looks like a Turkey Vulture. Long "fingers", dark center of back, and lighter but still dark primaries.
> >
> > From: <southbaybirds...> <southbaybirds...> on behalf of Hauns Froehlingsdorf <hauns...>
> > Sent: Monday, April 29, 2019 4:59 PM
> > To: <southbaybirds...>
> > Subject: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
> >
> > Did a lunchtime walk at Alviso today https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S55565500.
> >
> > I was thinking a possible Ferruginous but wasn't able to get a positive ID. This is the closest shot I could get unfortunately.
> >
> > Thanks for your help!
> >
> > -Hauns Froehlingsdorf
> >
> > <IMG_8870.JPG>
> >
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Date: 4/29/19 3:16 pm From: Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
All
It is a Turkey Vulture, ignore the color first just look at the shape. Long hand, very long fingers. Long tail and looks headless. Those features alone make it a Turkey Vulture.
From: <southbaybirds...> <southbaybirds...> On Behalf Of Nick 23 via Groups.Io
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2019 3:09 PM
To: <southbaybirds...>; Hauns Froehlingsdorf <hauns...>
Cc: <southbaybirds...>
Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
Nothing like a good bird quiz to have fun. Good comments from Chris and Chuq! My vote though is juvie Red-tail. It's got the elongated wings found on Juvie's and to me it doesn't have enough eagle characteristics.
The photo doesn't seem to have the right coloration for TV and do i see patagials or am I making them up? LOL
But hey that's just me :).
Thanks for sharing and challenging us!
Nick
On Monday, April 29, 2019, 2:24:50 PM PDT, Hauns Froehlingsdorf <hauns...> <mailto:<hauns...> > wrote:
Date: 4/29/19 3:10 pm From: Nick 23 via Groups.Io <nickyatsko=<yahoo.com...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
Nothing like a good bird quiz to have fun. Good comments from Chris and Chuq! My vote though is juvie Red-tail. It's got the elongated wings found on Juvie's and to me it doesn't have enough eagle characteristics.The photo doesn't seem to have the right coloration for TV and do i see patagials or am I making them up? LOLBut hey that's just me :).Thanks for sharing and challenging us!Nick
On Monday, April 29, 2019, 2:24:50 PM PDT, Hauns Froehlingsdorf <hauns...> wrote:
Date: 4/29/19 3:10 pm From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
I'll defer to Ryan (because I'm not an idiot), but it still looks a lot like the eagle I was watching friday...
Chuq Von Rospach - http://www.chuqui.com Email: <chuqvr...>
Twitter: @chuq
Silicon Valley, California
On Apr 29, 2019, 2:58 PM -0700, Ryan Phillips <harpiabz...>, wrote:
> It is a turkey vulture that is worn. Color is not a good indication of ID. Overall shape and appearance is much better. Dihedral.
> Ryan
>
> Ryan Phillips
> NorCal Birding
> www.norcalbirding.com
>
> > On Mon, Apr 29, 2019 at 2:57 PM, Chuq Von Rospach
> > <chuqvr...> wrote:
> > it looks far too brown to be a turkey vulture, which is very dark and blackish. Also, when lit from above the TV tends to show an almost translucent aspect to the ends of the feathers. This shows none.
> >
> > Given I spent part of yesterday at Coyote Valley OSP's big sit discussing the fun of telling Golden Eagle and TV apart at altitude, I'm going to go out on a small limb here and say this looks very much like an eagle to me, and likely a golden eagle. I wanted at first glance to make this a red-tail, but not with those wing tips.
> >
> >
> >
> > Chuq Von Rospach - http://www.chuqui.com > > Email: <chuqvr...>
> > Twitter: @chuq
> > Silicon Valley, California
> > On Apr 29, 2019, 2:50 PM -0700, Chris Johnson <ryanjohnson77...>, wrote:
> > > Looks like a Turkey Vulture. Long "fingers", dark center of back, and lighter but still dark primaries.
> > >
> > > From: <southbaybirds...> <southbaybirds...> on behalf of Hauns Froehlingsdorf <hauns...>
> > > Sent: Monday, April 29, 2019 4:59 PM
> > > To: <southbaybirds...>
> > > Subject: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
> > >
> > > Did a lunchtime walk at Alviso today https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S55565500.
> > >
> > > I was thinking a possible Ferruginous but wasn't able to get a positive ID. This is the closest shot I could get unfortunately.
> > >
> > > Thanks for your help!
> > >
> > > -Hauns Froehlingsdorf
> > >
> > > <IMG_8870.JPG>
> >
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Date: 4/29/19 3:08 pm From: Chris Johnson <ryanjohnson77...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
Chuq,
Perhaps I missed something... it is after all a photograph. But I think a Golden Eagle would not show a uniformly dark tail and there is more contrast between the flight feathers and coverts for GOEA as well. The "fingers" of this bird are too long for an eagle IMHO. Another point to TV is the drooped head. The absolute coloration of BIFs from above is highly dependent on the lighting/photographing conditions and is less reliable than things like color contrast and shape.
Best,
Chris
________________________________
From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr...>
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2019 5:56 PM
To: Hauns Froehlingsdorf; <southbaybirds...>; Chris Johnson
Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
it looks far too brown to be a turkey vulture, which is very dark and blackish. Also, when lit from above the TV tends to show an almost translucent aspect to the ends of the feathers. This shows none.
Given I spent part of yesterday at Coyote Valley OSP's big sit discussing the fun of telling Golden Eagle and TV apart at altitude, I'm going to go out on a small limb here and say this looks very much like an eagle to me, and likely a golden eagle. I wanted at first glance to make this a red-tail, but not with those wing tips.
Chuq Von Rospach - http://www.chuqui.com Email: <chuqvr...>
Twitter: @chuq
Silicon Valley, California
On Apr 29, 2019, 2:50 PM -0700, Chris Johnson <ryanjohnson77...>, wrote:
Looks like a Turkey Vulture. Long "fingers", dark center of back, and lighter but still dark primaries.
________________________________
From: <southbaybirds...> <southbaybirds...> on behalf of Hauns Froehlingsdorf <hauns...>
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2019 4:59 PM
To: <southbaybirds...>
Subject: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
Date: 4/29/19 3:01 pm From: Ryan Phillips via Groups.Io <harpiabz=<yahoo.com...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
It is a turkey vulture that is worn. Color is not a good indication of ID. Overall shape and appearance is much better. Dihedral. Ryan
Ryan Phillips
NorCal Birding
www.norcalbirding.com
On Mon, Apr 29, 2019 at 2:57 PM, Chuq Von Rospach<chuqvr...> wrote:
it looks far too brown to be a turkey vulture, which is very dark and blackish. Also, when lit from above the TV tends to show an almost translucent aspect to the ends of the feathers. This shows none.
Given I spent part of yesterday at Coyote Valley OSP's big sit discussing the fun of telling Golden Eagle and TV apart at altitude, I'm going to go out on a small limb here and say this looks very much like an eagle to me, and likely a golden eagle. I wanted at first glance to make this a red-tail, but not with those wing tips.
Chuq Von Rospach - http://www.chuqui.com Email: <chuqvr...>
Twitter: @chuq
Silicon Valley, CaliforniaOn Apr 29, 2019, 2:50 PM -0700, Chris Johnson <ryanjohnson77...>, wrote:
Looks like a Turkey Vulture. Long "fingers", dark center of back, and lighter but still dark primaries.
From: <southbaybirds...> <southbaybirds...> on behalf of Hauns Froehlingsdorf <hauns...>
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2019 4:59 PM
To: <southbaybirds...>
Subject: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso Did a lunchtime walk at Alviso today https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S55565500.
I was thinking a possible Ferruginous but wasn't able to get a positive ID. This is the closest shot I could get unfortunately.
Thanks for your help!
-Hauns Froehlingsdorf
<IMG_8870.JPG>
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Date: 4/29/19 2:57 pm From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
it looks far too brown to be a turkey vulture, which is very dark and blackish. Also, when lit from above the TV tends to show an almost translucent aspect to the ends of the feathers. This shows none.
Given I spent part of yesterday at Coyote Valley OSP's big sit discussing the fun of telling Golden Eagle and TV apart at altitude, I'm going to go out on a small limb here and say this looks very much like an eagle to me, and likely a golden eagle. I wanted at first glance to make this a red-tail, but not with those wing tips.
Chuq Von Rospach - http://www.chuqui.com Email: <chuqvr...>
Twitter: @chuq
Silicon Valley, California
On Apr 29, 2019, 2:50 PM -0700, Chris Johnson <ryanjohnson77...>, wrote:
> Looks like a Turkey Vulture. Long "fingers", dark center of back, and lighter but still dark primaries.
>
> From: <southbaybirds...> <southbaybirds...> on behalf of Hauns Froehlingsdorf <hauns...>
> Sent: Monday, April 29, 2019 4:59 PM
> To: <southbaybirds...>
> Subject: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
>
> Did a lunchtime walk at Alviso today https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S55565500.
>
> I was thinking a possible Ferruginous but wasn't able to get a positive ID. This is the closest shot I could get unfortunately.
>
> Thanks for your help!
>
> -Hauns Froehlingsdorf
>
> <IMG_8870.JPG>
>
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Date: 4/29/19 2:50 pm From: Chris Johnson <ryanjohnson77...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
Looks like a Turkey Vulture. Long "fingers", dark center of back, and lighter but still dark primaries.
________________________________
From: <southbaybirds...> <southbaybirds...> on behalf of Hauns Froehlingsdorf <hauns...>
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2019 4:59 PM
To: <southbaybirds...>
Subject: [southbaybirds] ID Help with Hawk sp. at Alviso
Date: 4/29/19 2:11 pm From: Bob Reiling <rreiling2...> Subject: [southbaybirds] More on the Blue Grosbaks
All,
FWIW, At about 10 AM Brooke Miller and I saw the BLUE GROSBEAKS once again copulate near the top of a Sycamore above the trail. The male then flew toward the south over the hill above the trail, shortly followed by the female. I would also like to note that the female seemed to have a fairly bright reddish-brown coloring to its underparts. Unfortunately, no photos as they would be briefly seen, would then disappear for several minutes only to pop up in a new location.
Take care,
Bob Reiling
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Date: 4/29/19 1:11 pm From: Matthew Dodder <mdodder...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Ed Levin Blue Grosbeaks
I arrived at Ed Levin County Park this morning as they were opening the gate. Bob Reiling and I hiked up to the sycamore grove together to find Chris Johnson already in position. After a short time, Frank Vanslager, Dave Weber also joined us, followed by Bill Bousman showed up as well. I saw Brooke Miller on her way up as I was returning to my car.
We waited 100’ from the grove, and eventually, I heard the loud “think!” of a BLUE GROSBEAK just beyond the sycamore grove and below the trail. A brilliant adult male eventually appeared perched near the fence in the yellow flowers. It didn’t leave that area, but only showed itself a couple of times. We also saw a female, which flew away from him up above the trees to the nearby artemisia and rocks. Based on what Frank reported yesterday, it seems there were two birds today (adult male and female) and a third (sub-adult) bird in his earlier report.
Also present on the trail leading up were several GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS, RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS and at least 10 LAZULI BUNTINGS. At the lake I saw several BULLOCK’S ORIOLES, three GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES, and a single TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD among many more RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS. A CASPIAN TERN and a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON made a quick pass over the lake, and WARBLING VIREO and a couple of BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS were singing boisterously.
Matthew Dodder
Mountain View
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Date: 4/29/19 11:34 am From: Ann Verdi <aeverdi235...> Subject: [southbaybirds] SCVAS Spring Birdathon - Almaden Eagles
All -
On Saturday, Apr 27, the Almaden Eagles team (Kirsten Holmquist, Rich Page, Ann Verdi) went out to count in the Almaden area plus other nearby South County sites including parts of Mt Umunhum, New Almaden, Stile Ranch, Canada del Oro, Coyote Valley, and reservoirs (Guadalupe, Almaden, Calero, Chesbro).
Our final total for the day was 99 species, one short of our hoped for target of 100 species. We noticed that many of the wintering sparrows and Yellow-rumped Warblers had now left, but we saw and heard a good selection of spring migrants. So, here are some of the highlights of our day, as well as a couple of "low lights".
First of all, since we call ourselves the "Almaden Eagles" we always hope to find at least one eagle during our day. This year, we got both an adult Bald Eagle at Calero Reservoir and an adult Golden Eagle on a transmission tower along McKean Rd. In the past, there have been some years when we found no eagles, so finding both species was a plus for us.
We started early in the morning along Hicks Road and had heard-only W. Screech-Owl and Common Poorwill during this time. As the sun rose, we continued on finding spring migrants and other birds for the rest of the day.
As a brief summary, we had the following: 5 warbler species including Black-throated Gray Warbler on Mt Um and a newly-arrived Yellow Warbler along Laguna Ave in Coyote Valley - 5 flycatcher species including W. Wood-Pewee on Hicks Rd and W. Kingbird along McKean Rd & in Coyote Valley - 5 swallow species - 4 duck species including Wood Duck at Chesbro - 4 sparrow species, including Grasshopper & Lark, but missed Rufous-crowned (a unfortunate miss) - 2 tern species (Caspian at Calero & Forster's at Chesbro) - 3 vireos (Hutton's, Warbling & Cassin's) - and here are a few other notable spring-time birds of the day (W. Tanager & Blue-gray Gnatcatcher on Mt. Um, Bullock's & Hooded Orioles at Casa Grande in New Almaden, Lazuli Bunting at Stile Ranch, and Black-headed Grosbeak at several locations.
Our only "low lights" had to do with some of the locations where we had planned to count - a biker rally was going on at the New Almaden Community Center - and our last stop of the day was to be at Almaden Lake, but there was a very large event going on with lots people streaming in - music, food & vendor trucks, and no parking! - so we had to skip that. Except for all of that, we had a good day finding some good spring migrants, and we hope to do it again next year.
Ann Verdi San Jose
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Date: 4/29/19 10:27 am From: Dave Weber <dwbirdster...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Blue Grosbeaks Apr 29
Grosbeaks disappeared after the initial view, possibly going uphill. At 9:35am just before descending to the gate, Frank V looked back and saw a male. After going back, several of us standing about 50 yds before the seep, saw a male and female on the barbed wire fence below the trail after it passes the trees, in other words, we were looking across the ravine. Copulating was observed. The pair seemed to remain in the weeds.Dave Weber,MilpitasBy phone -------- Original message --------From: Dave Weber <dwbirdster...> Date: 4/29/19 8:53 AM (GMT-08:00) To: South Bay Birds <southbaybirds...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Blue Grosbeaks Apr 29 Now being seen at Sycamores above dog park at Ed Levin CPDave Weber,MilpitasBy phone
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Date: 4/29/19 8:53 am From: Dave Weber <dwbirdster...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Blue Grosbeaks Apr 29
Now being seen at Sycamores above dog park at Ed Levin CPDave Weber,MilpitasBy phone
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Date: 4/29/19 7:05 am From: William Pelletier via Groups.Io <wrpelletier=<yahoo.com...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Continuing Blue Grosbeaks - Ed Levin
Anyone who has walked the tracks at Pajaro (torture) to find Blue Grosbeak will be glad for this new location for it’s easier access. I sure hope they stay! In that spirit I would urge us NOT to use playback to try and find these birds. I feel like that may risk driving them off, which would break my heart. Please show restraint in taping in birds especially in breeding season and especially for these Grosbeaks who may decide to nest there unless we convince them otherwise by disrupting their world with outside songs & calls.
Thanks,Bill P
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Date: 4/28/19 8:37 pm From: Frank Vanslager via Groups.Io <Vanslagerf=<aol.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] A Comment About the Blue Grosbeaks That I Saw at Ed Levin
All:
Looking over all the photos that I took, I can make out one adult male, one (or two) sub-adult males, but no sign of a female. However, I clearly saw her on the edge of the nearby bushes that the male flew into. I had the bird in my image-stabilized 10X binos, while I compared the field marks with Sibley on my iPod Touch. I just couldn't find her in my 50X Questar before she flew back into those bushes. If anyone sees a possibility, please report it to southbaybirds.
Frank Vanslager
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Date: 4/28/19 7:46 pm From: Dave Weber <dwbirdster...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Continuing Blue Grosbeaks - Ed Levin
Strange. I met Frank as he was coming down after seeing the grosbeaks. I spent an hour at the sycamores without seeing any. Maybe they moved uphill for a while. Plenty of Lazulis. Also checked the Tularcitos trail loop with Mike Mammoser as a grosbeak was reported somewhere along it. Nothing.Dave Weber,MilpitasBy phone -------- Original message --------From: "stracey53 via Groups.Io" <stracey53=<yahoo.com...> Date: 4/28/19 4:06 PM (GMT-08:00) To: South Bay Birds <southbaybirds...> Cc: <southbaybirds...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Continuing Blue Grosbeaks - Ed Levin I had other plans this morning but by noon my day was free and I had just seen Frank's post on the Blue Grosbeaks from this morning along the Agua Caliente trail at Ed Levin Park, so I headed off to try my luck. I arrived just before 1:00PM and climbed up to the Sycamores. I first heard a loud "tink" call and then a bird flew from one sycamore to another giving good views of a male BLUE GROSBEAK. This bird was not in full breeding plumage with still a good bit of brown mixed in with blue on the breast. Eventually in the lowest most sycamore, I saw a good looking adult male. Later I saw a nice blue male and then a darker browner bird chasing in the grass just past the seep just below the trail. My best guess is that these were 2 of the 3 Frank saw this morning and the two birds I had seen earlier.Steve TraceySan Jose
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Date: 4/28/19 4:06 pm From: stracey53 via Groups.Io <stracey53=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Continuing Blue Grosbeaks - Ed Levin
I had other plans this morning but by noon my day was free and I had just seen Frank's post on the Blue Grosbeaks from this morning along the Agua Caliente trail at Ed Levin Park, so I headed off to try my luck. I arrived just before 1:00PM and climbed up to the Sycamores. I first heard a loud "tink" call and then a bird flew from one sycamore to another giving good views of a male BLUE GROSBEAK. This bird was not in full breeding plumage with still a good bit of brown mixed in with blue on the breast. Eventually in the lowest most sycamore, I saw a good looking adult male. Later I saw a nice blue male and then a darker browner bird chasing in the grass just past the seep just below the trail. My best guess is that these were 2 of the 3 Frank saw this morning and the two birds I had seen earlier.
Steve TraceySan Jose
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Date: 4/28/19 3:10 pm From: janna pauser <jannapauser...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Thompson Creek, Lake Cunningham Park
Best sighting at Thompson Creek; 3 SPOTTED SANDPIPERS seen at various locations west of Tully. Fledglings were swimming along behind CANADA GEESE and MALLARD pairs. NO. ROUGH WINGED and many CLIFF SWALLOWS were flying about and gathering mud for nests. A single LONG BILLED DOWITCHER was probing the mud flats and two GREEN HERON flew past.
Karen Burnson and I birded only a small portion of Lake Cunningham Park and found a GREATER WHITE FRONTED GOOSE near the Marina. An EARED GREBE in breeding plumage and several aechmorphus grebes were on the lake with a few RUDDY'S. We saw two FORSTER TERNS and only six GREAT TAILED GRACKLES. Two GREEN HERON pair flew to possible nest sites. Driving the perimeter road we heard two PACIFIC SLOPE FLYCATCHER, three YELLOW WARBLER and a WESTERN TANAGER. Three more SPOTTED SANDPIPER were feeding along edges of the flooded field.
Leaving the park, we spotted a Gopher Snake crossing Tully Road. I pulled over and we both charged out of the car. I stopped traffic while my brave friend Karen grabbed the large snake and rushed back to the car. Karen wrestled the snake while I drove back into the park and found safe refuge for this harmless and beneficial snake.
Date: 4/28/19 2:33 pm From: Eve Meier <eve_m_meier...> Subject: [southbaybirds] SCVAS trip to Santa Clara Valley Water District (4/28)
Hi Everyone,
Today, Robin Chen and I led a short SCVAS bird walk for about 15 people at Santa Clara Valley Water District. Our favorite sightings were a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a Great-tailed Grackle, pair of Hooded Orioles, and a Scaly-breasted Munia with nesting material. Ebird List: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S55514723
Eve Meier
San Jose
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Date: 4/28/19 11:42 am From: Frank Vanslager via Groups.Io <Vanslagerf=<aol.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Three Blue Grosbeaks In the Sycamore Trees Above Turlacitos Trail in Ed Levin on 4/28/2019
All:
At about 8 as I was approaching the first Sycamore Tree, I spotted a male Blue Grosbeak in the top of the tree (see photos 1 & 2). After a minute or two it flew down into the nearby yellow-flowered bushes. While I was looking for it with my binos, I saw a reddish-looking female grosbeak perched on the near edge of that patch. I couldn't seem to find it with my Questar, even though I could clearly see it with my binos. It finally flew back to where the male had disappeared.
Later, much further away, I saw a perched male (see photo 3). I was entertained by two fighting male Lazuli Buntings for some time. Then, in the distance I saw two interacting male BLGRs flying towards me, followed by what I think was the female. The males landed in the Sycamore (see photo 4). Sorry about the poor photos, but I had great Questar looks at one of them. And I was pleasantly distracted by Lesser Goldfinches, and Song Sparrows, and Western Bluebirds, and a House Wren sitting on a fence post.
I never did get all the way to the Sycamores.
Frank Vanslager
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Date: 4/28/19 10:48 am From: Matthew Dodder <mdodder...> Subject: [southbaybirds] DPC and San Antonio Valley (PAAS field trip report)
I led my Palo Alto Adult School birding class on a full day of birding on Del Puerto Canyon and San Antonio Valley Roads yesterday. Conditions were sunny and mild, but perhaps a bit too early in the season for some of our targets.
Our trip began outside of Patterson, and we worked our way toward the junction with Mines Road, stopping for lunch at the Frank Raines picnic area.
Highlights
STANISLAUS COUNTY:
Grasshopper Sparrow — (2) in the grassland section of DPC near old orchards
Rufous-crowned Sparrow — difficult to miss as we entered the rocky sections
Lark Sparrow — began appearing just before Graffiti Rock
Phainopepla — several seen beginning with Graffiti Rock
Yellow Warbler — (2) cottonwood grove near Graffiti Rock
Prairie Falcon — (1) at creek crossing around MP 12
Golden Eagle — creek crossing and again a few miles further
Common Raven — nesting at creek crossing above pullout
Canyon Wren — (1) below road before Stanislaus Parks region
Western Tanager — (1) Frank Raines picnic
Black-headed Grosbeak — (2) Frank Raines picnic
SANTA CLARA COUNTY:
Bell’s Sparrow — (1) one heard in appropriate chaparral near county line
Tricolored Blackbird — (50?) small group at usual pond east of Junction.
Lewis’s Woodpecker — (2) south of large pond before road veers west and up hill
Bald Eagle — (1) appeared to be 1st year bird after road bends again to the south
I’m hoping that on our follow-up visit next month with he second half of class we will succeed in finding the species we missed yesterday… fingers crossed.
Matthew Dodder
Mountain View
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Date: 4/28/19 10:14 am From: Matthew Dodder <mdodder...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Salt Pond A2E (5MR)
Just a quick not to say that my ride along the Bay Trail near Moffett Field and Pond A2E on Friday was a wonderful opportunity to see EARED GREBES in full breeding plumage, and displaying to each other. As well, the BONAPARTE’S GULLS were numerous and a nice mixture of immature birds and full adults in glorious black-hooded plumage.
At the moment a WESTERN TANAGER is calling loudly outside my office window at home. A female HOODED ORIOLE put in a brief appearance in our back yard as well, just outside the bedroom window.
Matthew Dodder
Mountain View
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Date: 4/27/19 1:29 pm From: Frank Vanslager via Groups.Io <Vanslagerf=<aol.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Some Shorebirding on 4/27/2019
All:
By 7:30 I'd spotted 3 pairs of Black Skimmers on the island in Shoreline Lake. But there was a slight breeze and not much on the lake except a Clark's Grebe. So I drove back to the Crittenden area and again found the chirping 1st year Bullock's Oriole by the Pump House (see photo 1). Then I went out along Salt Pond A2E, and found that some of the migrating Bonaparte's Gulls (see photos 2 & 3), and the blue-billed Ruddy Ducks (see photo 4) were still there.
I looked at my AyeTides on my iPod Touch and decided that I might be able to see migrating shorebirds at the mouth of Steven's Creek. So I made the half-hour walk out there. But even though the mud flats were being gradually exposed, there were still no birds on them. There were plenty of shorebirds to the east on Salt Pond AB1, but too far to identify except for Dowitchers and Willets and Dunlin (with their black bellies.) By 10 there some minor flyovers, but still no mass movements, so I decided that I'd get more sun exposure than I planned on if I waited, so I quit.
Frank Vanslager
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Date: 4/27/19 11:45 am From: Barry Langdon-Lassagne via Groups.Io <wilmot=<me.com...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Bald Eagle at Ed Levin Park
We didn’t get the Bald Eagle there, but we picked it up at Hall Memorial Park.
Barry
~
> On Apr 27, 2019, at 11:20 AM, madeleinestovel via Groups.Io <madeleinestovel=<me.com...> wrote:
>
> The Bald Eagle sat in a eucalyptus tree across Downing Road (the entrance road) from Sandy Wool Lake, not too far from the entrance to the Sandy Wool group area, where the Sharpies showed me a Great Horned Owl earlier. I hope they saw the eagle.
> Possible nearby coordinates 37.454455,-121.863361
>
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Date: 4/27/19 11:21 am From: madeleinestovel via Groups.Io <madeleinestovel=<me.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Bald Eagle at Ed Levin Park
The Bald Eagle sat in a eucalyptus tree across Downing Road (the entrance road) from Sandy Wool Lake, not too far from the entrance to the Sandy Wool group area, where the Sharpies showed me a Great Horned Owl earlier. I hope they saw the eagle.
Possible nearby coordinates 37.454455,-121.863361
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Date: 4/27/19 10:26 am From: Barry Langdon-Lassagne via Groups.Io <wilmot=<me.com...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Blue Grosbeak at Ed Levin
Barry
~
> On Apr 27, 2019, at 8:50 AM, Barry Langdon-Lassagne <wilmot...> wrote:
>
> We are out practicing for our upcoming Birdathon with team Sharpies, and Gordon Rhyquist just found a BLUE GROSBEAK on the Turlacitos Trail above the Sandy Wool Lake Dam. 8:45am.
>
> Barry
> ~
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Date: 4/27/19 8:50 am From: Barry Langdon-Lassagne via Groups.Io <wilmot=<me.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Blue Grosbeak at Ed Levin
We are out practicing for our upcoming Birdathon with team Sharpies, and Gordon Rhyquist just found a BLUE GROSBEAK on the Turlacitos Trail above the Sandy Wool Lake Dam. 8:45am.
Barry
~
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Date: 4/26/19 10:36 pm From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Coyote Valley OSP 4/26
I spent 90 minutes down in Coyote Valley OSP today -- 12:30PM - 2PM -- doing a bit of pre-scouting for my big sit there this sunday. total number of species was lower than I'd hoped at 15, but was made up for by some really nice and interesting species and actions.
When I was there 10 days ago I saw a Bullock's Oriole male, and it made one quick appearance but was mostly a non-visitor today. The Western Kingbird, on the other hand, was around and about and I got good looks at it. There are Brewer's Blackbirds nesting on one side of the parking lot, red-winged blackbirds on the other, so it was never quite.
A Northern flicker came in and spent some time grubbing the stump near the fence at the base of the rock hill, then sat up on it for an extended preen and a lot of squawking. Comparing it to photos now that I'm home, it looks like a female red-shafted.
Raptors were very missing early, but closer to 2, I started getting some kettling turkey vultures in the area. Interestingly, I started seeing one bird in the kettle getting harassed (ones by a white-tailed kite, another time by a raven, which was then harrassed by some of the blackbirds when it dropped altitude), while the other birds in the kettle were ignored. That made me think one of the "vultures" was actually an eagle, but the height and mid-day glare made it a tough call in the field. Coming home with photos later, I could clearly see the bird was a golden eagle, and showing bits of plumage indicating a 2nd year bird. It's possible a second bird in the kettles was also an eagle but I can't make the call.
Magpies were out and about. the rock wrens weren't. I did see the pair of Western Bluebirds that seem to be nesting near the parking lot, and while I never saw them, Meadowlarks were calling from moderate distance the entire time I was there.
Sunday's weather is trending cooler and a bit cloudier, which will hopefully lead to more birds and less glare, but that there were eagles hanging around is always a good start to a visit there...
I did have a couple of swallows/swifts, but they never started long enough for me to get a good view. I believe they were likely Vaux's Swifts, 3-4 who swooped around the area out by the equestrian lot a couple of times but never for long, and I hope they return for better views Sunday.
Chuq Von Rospach - http://www.chuqui.com Email: <chuqvr...> Twitter: @chuq Silicon Valley, California
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Date: 4/26/19 4:35 pm From: William Pelletier via Groups.Io <wrpelletier=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Yellow-breasted Chat continues
Folks,
I just heard that a few more birders have shown up at Vasona and the bird is still skulking in the oak and vocalizing regularly. Go in the Vasona Park main entrance on Blossom Hill and head a little ways in on the left just before the bathrooms. It is the last huge oak on the left, where there are some picnic tables and a water fountain. I got a few photos posted on the following eBird checklist:eBird Checklist - 26 Apr 2019 - Vasona Lake County Park - 33 species
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eBird Checklist - 26 Apr 2019 - Vasona Lake County Park - 33 species
Submitted by Bill Pelletier.
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Good luck!Bill P
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Date: 4/26/19 3:18 pm From: Ron Baron <ronald.baron...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] White eagle at Chesbro reservoir
Hi all,
The eagle was present at the same location this morning until ~10am when it flew southeast across the reservoir.
-Ron
On 4/26/2019 11:17 AM, Frank Vanslager via Groups.Io wrote: > Marion: > > I was glad to see your post of a strange-looking eagle.?? As my posting > today (4/26/2019) illustrates, a photo does not have to be a > work-of-art -- just so long as it potentially is of interest to the > current, local, world of birders. > > Before 8 this morning I found that Salt Pond A2E was full of breeding > plumage Bonaparte's Gulls.?? My photo was an attempt to show that a > great many breeding-plumage birds are migrating through.?? A large > number of the Ruddy Ducks had blue bills, and the Eared Grebes were > showing some ears.?? (My photo cropped off the breeding BOGUs.)?? There > is a very small window for viewing these migrants -- and it may be > already closing. > > Frank Vanslager > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Marion Farber via Groups.Io <marion_farber=<yahoo.com...> > To: southbaybirds <southbaybirds...> > Cc: southbaybirds <southbaybirds...> > Sent: Thu, Apr 25, 2019 5:07 pm > Subject: [southbaybirds] White eagle at Chesbro reservoir > > We were on a wildflower romp through the south county, and drove down > Old Oak Glen Ave next to Chesbro reservoir, and my friend pointed out > this beauty up in a sycamore tree standing in water in the upper > reaches of the reservoir.?? It must be the same eagle that was seen > along Coyote Creek during the winter, don't you think??? It posed very > nicely for us.?? I've never posted a photo before, I hope it comes > through. > >
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Date: 4/26/19 2:21 pm From: William Pelletier via Groups.Io <wrpelletier=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Yellow breasted chat at Vasona
Folks,We have been unable to re-find Eve's MacG"s but true to picnic table effect form, Ozzy just spotted a Yellow-breasted Chat up in an oak. We also heard the bird chatter from down by the stream.
Good birding,Bill P
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Date: 4/26/19 11:21 am From: Frank Vanslager via Groups.Io <Vanslagerf=<aol.com...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] White eagle at Chesbro reservoir
Marion:
I was glad to see your post of a strange-looking eagle. As my posting today (4/26/2019) illustrates, a photo does not have to be a work-of-art -- just so long as it potentially is of interest to the current, local, world of birders.
Before 8 this morning I found that Salt Pond A2E was full of breeding plumage Bonaparte's Gulls. My photo was an attempt to show that a great many breeding-plumage birds are migrating through. A large number of the Ruddy Ducks had blue bills, and the Eared Grebes were showing some ears. (My photo cropped off the breeding BOGUs.) There is a very small window for viewing these migrants -- and it may be already closing.
Frank Vanslager
-----Original Message-----
From: Marion Farber via Groups.Io <marion_farber=<yahoo.com...>
To: southbaybirds <southbaybirds...>
Cc: southbaybirds <southbaybirds...>
Sent: Thu, Apr 25, 2019 5:07 pm
Subject: [southbaybirds] White eagle at Chesbro reservoir
We were on a wildflower romp through the south county, and drove down Old Oak Glen Ave next to Chesbro reservoir, and my friend pointed out this beauty up in a sycamore tree standing in water in the upper reaches of the reservoir. It must be the same eagle that was seen along Coyote Creek during the winter, don't you think? It posed very nicely for us. I've never posted a photo before, I hope it comes through.
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Date: 4/26/19 10:39 am From: Eve Meier <eve_m_meier...> Subject: [southbaybirds] MacGillivray’s Warbler at Vasona
A MacGillivray’s Warbler is at Vasona right now (10:30). I’m in the first parking lot as you come in the main entrance. Bird is hanging out in oak in picnic area between parking lot and creek.
Eve Meier
San Jose
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Date: 4/25/19 6:26 pm From: Dan Bloch <danbloch...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] SCVAS Birdathon: The Piratical Flycatchers 24-hour Big Day
What an amazing day.
On Thu, Apr 25, 2019 at 2:58 PM Barry Langdon-Lassagne via Groups.Io
<wilmot=<me.com...> wrote:
> Ginger and I (The Piratical Flycatchers) began our Big Day by camping
> Sunday night beside Coyote Lake east of Gilroy. We had never started in the
> south county before and were curious how well we could do with a route from
> south to north. We’d also never started a Big Day by camping, so this was a
> grand experiment in multiple ways.
>
> Soon after midnight on Earth Day (Monday, 4/22) we were rewarded with
> GREAT HORNED OWLs and later a BARN OWL calling. Our alarm went off at
> 4:30am and of course we hit “snooze” after being kept up all night by owls,
> but then a WESTERN SCREECH-OWL called above our camp and we were infused
> with energy to start our day. The thermos of hot coffee we’d made the night
> before helped out a bit as well.
>
> Downing our morning beverage, we drove to Coyote Dam where we stood on the
> east side and listened as the birds began calling. COMMON POORWILL,
> BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER and CALIFORNIA THRASHER
> started off the dawn chorus. At 6am we heard two CANYON WRENs calling, one
> from the pump house right next to us! As it grew light, we were able to see
> our first birds, starting with COMMON MERGANSERs on the lake and a flyover
> WOOD DUCK. Before leaving the dam, a young BALD EAGLE soared over us and
> across the lake.
>
> Oak Flat Picnic Area gave us a WESTERN TANAGER, HOUSE WREN, PURPLE FINCH,
> CASPIAN TERN and WESTERN & CLARK’S GREBEs among others. A second BALD
> EAGLE, this one an adult, flew over the lake. We stopped at our campsite
> where we heard a WARBLING VIREO and picked up a few more forest birds.
>
> Our side trip up Gilroy Hot Springs Road gave us YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIEs,
> PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, WILSON’S WARBLER and the first of many EURASIAN
> COLLARED-DOVEs, but no Wood Ducks, which made us really appreciate the
> early-morning flyover.
>
> It was now 8:30am and we needed to head north. Wary of rush-hour traffic,
> we took the freeway only a few exits before switching to the Monterey
> Highway and making our way to Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve. In that
> area we found WESTERN KINGBIRDs, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERs, WHITE-BREASTED
> NUTHATCHes, more YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIEs and a WHITE-TAILED KITE. From the
> parking lot as we were leaving, we saw a ROCK WREN singing atop the hill.
>
> A quick dash out Laguna Avenue was not productive and we didn’t get
> another new bird until we reached Calero Reservoir around 10:15am, where
> all we picked up was COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and CLIFF SWALLOW. We stopped at
> the San Vicente Parking Area, but didn’t hike there and got no new birds. I
> was surprised to see a flock of peeps fly over the field though, and
> wondered where they might be hanging out, but never saw them after that.
>
> Hiking up Stile Ranch Trail from the Fortini Trailhead gave us nine new
> species for the day, including a RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, BAND-TAILED PIGEONs,
> RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWs, LARK SPARROWs, HORNED LARKs (over 25!) and a
> GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. We also heard then saw a HOODED ORIOLE in the palm and
> ironwood trees on the opposite side of San Vicente Avenue.
>
> It was now well after rush hour. In fact, it was noon, so we drove to
> Almaden Lake City Park and made a little picnic lunch while picking up
> GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE, CEDAR WAXWING and a few lake regulars. There were
> zero munias hanging about.
>
> We made it to the baylands at 1:40pm and started with the Gold Street
> Bridge where we were surprised to find a pair of COMMON GOLDENEYEs resting
> under the railroad trestle on the west side. A BURROWING OWL cooperated on
> a mound by Disk Drive, and Grand & Spreckles gave us the hoped-for SNOWY
> PLOVERs along with many SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and DUNLIN.
>
> The EEC’s gate was open so we drove in and scoped pond A16 which had
> FORSTER’S TERNs, three NORTHERN PINTAIL and a pair of REDHEADs along with
> more common wetland birds. A single WESTERN GULL rested on one of the
> islands with many CALIFORNIA GULLs. A small flock of BONAPARTE’S GULLs flew
> over us on their way toward Zanker Recycling.
>
> At the Alviso Marina we sat on the L-shaped boardwalk and enjoyed a few
> minutes of rest and solitude, undisturbed by any rails. We then trotted out
> to Salt Pond A12 and found a few EARED GREBEs and 19 RED-NECKED PHALAROPE,
> some close enough for good binocular views.
>
> The Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant had its reliable BROWN-HEADED
> COWBIRD, but no Green Heron and no other new birds for the day.
>
> Shoreline Lake at Charleston Slough had seven BLACK SKIMMERs — only a few
> were visible at first, but some disturbance briefly flushed them from the
> island. We were surprised to find another COMMON GOLDENEYE at Charleston
> Slough in the pond by the restrooms at the west end of Terminal Blvd. All
> in all we had 8 new species at this stop.
>
> Next was the Palo Alto Baylands, where we found a pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL
> in the water on the southeast side of the road as we were pulling in to the
> parking lot near the visitor center. We walked on the new boardwalk for our
> first time: the boardwalk was very nice, but not very birdy, and the wind
> was kicking up so we saw nothing out on the greater bay. The waterway by
> the visitor’s center did have one CANVASBACK however, and we found several
> WHIMBREL there as well.
>
> The day was getting on and we were getting weary. Sunset was still an hour
> out. We parked in the lot by the entrance to Palo Alto Baylands and
> strolled toward Byxbee Park from there. We sat on a bench to look out over
> the marsh and there we saw a male NORTHERN HARRIER fly across the wetlands,
> swoop down and catch something. We then watched in awe as the female
> Harrier approached the male and they performed an incredible, acrobatic
> mid-air transfer of prey. I managed to photograph the pair performing this
> maneuver:
>
>
>
> Following that, we couldn’t ask for any more from our day. But Byxbee Park
> rewarded us with dozens of flyover BONAPARTE’S GULLs and a calling
> RIDGWAY’S RAIL anyway.
>
> After a nice dinner out, we returned well after dark to our lakeside
> campsite, where two WESTERN SCREECH-OWLs bid us goodnight.
>
> Our total for the day was 135 species, beating by six our previous high
> count back in 2008. Notable misses on this glorious day were: Peregrine
> Falcon, White-throated Swift, Ring-billed Gull, Cooper’s/Sharp-shinned Hawk
> and American Goldfinch. New-for-the-year birds were: Common Poorwill,
> Canyon Wren and Snowy Plover.
>
> Barry & Ginger
> The Piratical Flycatchers
> ~
>
>
>
>
>
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Date: 4/25/19 5:18 pm From: Ryan Phillips via Groups.Io <harpiabz=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Shoreline at Mountain View Regional Wildlife Area
Hi Birders,A few highlights from today (April 25) around the Shoreline at Mountain View Regional Wildlife Area.
An immature male COMMON GOLDENEYE on the edge of the lake island.
6 BLACK SKIMMERS on the island. We (City of Mountain View) have been managing this island for skimmers and nesting birds and this year we have been testing various substrates to see the preference. 3 pairs have been present the past couple of weeks on the island and engaged in courtship. Historically the most skimmers that have nested has been 2, so we are hoping we have more this year! Looking good so far.
4 BONAPARTE'S GULLS (immatures with black terminal tail bands) soaring high over A1.
12 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS in Charleston Slough during low tide.
3 CANVASBACKS at the mouth of Charleston Slough
5 DUNLINS in the Charleston Slough mouth of inlet area during low tide (closed to public, but can see it with scope from trail)
2 GREATER SCAUPS on A1
Good Birding-Ryan
Ryan Phillips
NorCal Birding
www.norcalbirding.com
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Date: 4/25/19 5:17 pm From: Marion Farber via Groups.Io <marion_farber=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] White eagle at Chesbro reservoir
[Edited Message Follows]
We were on a wildflower romp through the south county, and drove down Old Oak Glen Ave next to Chesbro reservoir, and my friend pointed out this beauty up in a sycamore tree standing in water in the upper reaches of the reservoir. It must be the same eagle that was seen along Coyote Creek during the winter, don't you think? It posed very nicely for us. Thanks to Monica Hojda for the photo..
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Date: 4/25/19 5:08 pm From: Marion Farber via Groups.Io <marion_farber=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] White eagle at Chesbro reservoir
We were on a wildflower romp through the south county, and drove down Old Oak Glen Ave next to Chesbro reservoir, and my friend pointed out this beauty up in a sycamore tree standing in water in the upper reaches of the reservoir. It must be the same eagle that was seen along Coyote Creek during the winter, don't you think? It posed very nicely for us. I've never posted a photo before, I hope it comes through.
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Date: 4/25/19 3:57 pm From: William Pelletier via Groups.Io <wrpelletier=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Diablo Foothills OSP Field Trip this Sunday 4/28
Folks,
Kitty and I are leading a field trip at Diablo Foothills OSP at 10am. This pristine park is located in the hills east of Gilroy ... a great chance to bag some migrants and returning birds! This is a special opportunity to investigate some habitat that is normally off limits. The OSA will open the gates for us to document some of the birds that are at this location. We birded it from the road last year and have the only checklists at this hotspot, so your help is needed to get more data into eBird!
The event is free and will include a moderately strenuous, two hour walk. For more details, check out the Event Brite notice:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/diablo-foothills-public-access-weekends-tickets-59019347457
We hope to see you there!Bill & Kitty
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Date: 4/25/19 3:01 pm From: Barry Langdon-Lassagne via Groups.Io <wilmot=<me.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] SCVAS Birdathon: The Piratical Flycatchers 24-hour Big Day
Ginger and I (The Piratical Flycatchers) began our Big Day by camping Sunday night beside Coyote Lake east of Gilroy. We had never started in the south county before and were curious how well we could do with a route from south to north. We’d also never started a Big Day by camping, so this was a grand experiment in multiple ways.
Soon after midnight on Earth Day (Monday, 4/22) we were rewarded with GREAT HORNED OWLs and later a BARN OWL calling. Our alarm went off at 4:30am and of course we hit “snooze” after being kept up all night by owls, but then a WESTERN SCREECH-OWL called above our camp and we were infused with energy to start our day. The thermos of hot coffee we’d made the night before helped out a bit as well.
Downing our morning beverage, we drove to Coyote Dam where we stood on the east side and listened as the birds began calling. COMMON POORWILL, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER and CALIFORNIA THRASHER started off the dawn chorus. At 6am we heard two CANYON WRENs calling, one from the pump house right next to us! As it grew light, we were able to see our first birds, starting with COMMON MERGANSERs on the lake and a flyover WOOD DUCK. Before leaving the dam, a young BALD EAGLE soared over us and across the lake.
Oak Flat Picnic Area gave us a WESTERN TANAGER, HOUSE WREN, PURPLE FINCH, CASPIAN TERN and WESTERN & CLARK’S GREBEs among others. A second BALD EAGLE, this one an adult, flew over the lake. We stopped at our campsite where we heard a WARBLING VIREO and picked up a few more forest birds.
Our side trip up Gilroy Hot Springs Road gave us YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIEs, PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, WILSON’S WARBLER and the first of many EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVEs, but no Wood Ducks, which made us really appreciate the early-morning flyover.
It was now 8:30am and we needed to head north. Wary of rush-hour traffic, we took the freeway only a few exits before switching to the Monterey Highway and making our way to Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve. In that area we found WESTERN KINGBIRDs, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERs, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHes, more YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIEs and a WHITE-TAILED KITE. From the parking lot as we were leaving, we saw a ROCK WREN singing atop the hill.
A quick dash out Laguna Avenue was not productive and we didn’t get another new bird until we reached Calero Reservoir around 10:15am, where all we picked up was COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and CLIFF SWALLOW. We stopped at the San Vicente Parking Area, but didn’t hike there and got no new birds. I was surprised to see a flock of peeps fly over the field though, and wondered where they might be hanging out, but never saw them after that.
Hiking up Stile Ranch Trail from the Fortini Trailhead gave us nine new species for the day, including a RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, BAND-TAILED PIGEONs, RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWs, LARK SPARROWs, HORNED LARKs (over 25!) and a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. We also heard then saw a HOODED ORIOLE in the palm and ironwood trees on the opposite side of San Vicente Avenue.
It was now well after rush hour. In fact, it was noon, so we drove to Almaden Lake City Park and made a little picnic lunch while picking up GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE, CEDAR WAXWING and a few lake regulars. There were zero munias hanging about.
We made it to the baylands at 1:40pm and started with the Gold Street Bridge where we were surprised to find a pair of COMMON GOLDENEYEs resting under the railroad trestle on the west side. A BURROWING OWL cooperated on a mound by Disk Drive, and Grand & Spreckles gave us the hoped-for SNOWY PLOVERs along with many SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and DUNLIN.
The EEC’s gate was open so we drove in and scoped pond A16 which had FORSTER’S TERNs, three NORTHERN PINTAIL and a pair of REDHEADs along with more common wetland birds. A single WESTERN GULL rested on one of the islands with many CALIFORNIA GULLs. A small flock of BONAPARTE’S GULLs flew over us on their way toward Zanker Recycling.
At the Alviso Marina we sat on the L-shaped boardwalk and enjoyed a few minutes of rest and solitude, undisturbed by any rails. We then trotted out to Salt Pond A12 and found a few EARED GREBEs and 19 RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, some close enough for good binocular views.
The Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant had its reliable BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, but no Green Heron and no other new birds for the day.
Shoreline Lake at Charleston Slough had seven BLACK SKIMMERs — only a few were visible at first, but some disturbance briefly flushed them from the island. We were surprised to find another COMMON GOLDENEYE at Charleston Slough in the pond by the restrooms at the west end of Terminal Blvd. All in all we had 8 new species at this stop.
Next was the Palo Alto Baylands, where we found a pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL in the water on the southeast side of the road as we were pulling in to the parking lot near the visitor center. We walked on the new boardwalk for our first time: the boardwalk was very nice, but not very birdy, and the wind was kicking up so we saw nothing out on the greater bay. The waterway by the visitor’s center did have one CANVASBACK however, and we found several WHIMBREL there as well.
The day was getting on and we were getting weary. Sunset was still an hour out. We parked in the lot by the entrance to Palo Alto Baylands and strolled toward Byxbee Park from there. We sat on a bench to look out over the marsh and there we saw a male NORTHERN HARRIER fly across the wetlands, swoop down and catch something. We then watched in awe as the female Harrier approached the male and they performed an incredible, acrobatic mid-air transfer of prey. I managed to photograph the pair performing this maneuver:
Following that, we couldn’t ask for any more from our day. But Byxbee Park rewarded us with dozens of flyover BONAPARTE’S GULLs and a calling RIDGWAY’S RAIL anyway.
After a nice dinner out, we returned well after dark to our lakeside campsite, where two WESTERN SCREECH-OWLs bid us goodnight.
Our total for the day was 135 species, beating by six our previous high count back in 2008. Notable misses on this glorious day were: Peregrine Falcon, White-throated Swift, Ring-billed Gull, Cooper’s/Sharp-shinned Hawk and American Goldfinch. New-for-the-year birds were: Common Poorwill, Canyon Wren and Snowy Plover.
Barry & Ginger
The Piratical Flycatchers
~
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Date: 4/24/19 12:27 pm From: Frank Vanslager via Groups.Io <Vanslagerf=<aol.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] A Western Wood-Pewee at Mount Umunhum on 4/24/2019
All:
At the Peak of Mount Umunhum it was calm, and clear, and almost bird-less. But just as I was getting ready to leave, a flycatcher landed in the very top of a distant evergreen. In the Questar I had a very brief look at what I thought was the side view of an Olive-sided Flycatcher -- before it got scared off. Then I drove a very short distance down to where I stopped at the turnout on the left, because I saw a flycatcher doing its thing. In the Questar I had many looks at a face-on Western Wood-Pewee.
Earlier I had stopped on Winfield by Almaden Lake and found the Scaly-breasted Munia where I reported it on April 2. I had good bino views through the leaves as the bird stayed by the nest. But the leaves made it impossible for my small camera to focus correctly.
Frank Vanslager
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Date: 4/24/19 11:04 am From: jm_danzenbaker_alt via Groups.Io <jm_danzenbaker_alt=<yahoo.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Alviso Black Rail and Cassin's Kingbird
The Black Rail continues to sing in the same area as described in other posts (4 days in a row now), and Red-necked Phalaropes remain in A12. There was seemingly an exodus of Am. Pipits overnight, with numbers dropping from about 40+ to about 5 this morning. As I was leaving I was surprised to see a Cassin's Kingbird fly past me heading due north; while Westerns occasionally show up here about now I've never seen a Cassin's here.
Mike Danzenbaker Mtn View
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At the top, in the water-tank area, there were several LAZULI BUNTINGS singing; they were hard to get close to, but I hung around the ever-birdy dead tree, and finally managed this <https://pbase.com/tgrey/image/169100152> photo of a singing male in the high grass between the tree and the trail. Lazulis never perched on the tree, but as always, it was the best place to get close shots like this one <https://pbase.com/tgrey/image/169100155> of perched VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS. A surprise visitor to the tree was a NORTHERN FLICKER <https://pbase.com/tgrey/image/169100153>. HOUSE WRENS were regular there as well.
Walking down the Coyote (formerly PGE) Trail I heard and/or saw BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS; and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, and WILSON'S WARBLERS were singing along the creek.
-- Tom Grey www.pbase.com/tgrey tgreybirds.com
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Date: 4/23/19 3:47 pm From: jason altus <jaltus2...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Apparent Dusky Flycatcher West Valley College
There is currently what I believe to be a Dusky Flycatcher at West Valley College. The bird wagged its tail upwards, has short primary projection, and I am fairly certain I heard a "whit" call from it.
The bird is in some oaks along the creek to the north of Language Arts/Social Science. These oaks are on the northeast side of a bridge and next to the Station 5 sign. Note that north is to the left on the college's maps.
Ozzie Altus
Campbell
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I visited Alviso Marina Park today at midday. A quick scan across the heat shimmer on A12 revealed a large number (conservatively 50) RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, many quite colorful females. Also looking splendid were alternate plumaged DUNLIN, WESTERN and LEAST SANDPIPERS—just stunning!
On my way back to the parking lot I heard a BLACK RAIL calling 10-12 times between 1:45 - 2:00 PM. It was deeper in the marsh than others have reported, but still close enough to hear clearly.
Matthew Dodder
Mountain View
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Date: 4/23/19 12:26 pm From: Frank Vanslager via Groups.Io <Vanslagerf=<aol.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Birding at Sylvan, Whisman, and Cuesta Parks on 4/23/2019
All:
All 3 of these small parks were, essentially, bird-less today. However, at Cuesta at about 9:30 I had a close Pygmy Nuthatch for a half-hour, or so. This is the 10th time that I've reported them in this park, and the only time in April. The bird was continually moving but mostly staying on the low, thin, horizontal branches of some large evergreens. I would often lose it, but then find it close by, but always moving so that I never snapped a picture with the bird in it. Once I saw something fly in and I took a quick picture -- but it turned out to be an Anna's Hummingbird on a nest. (See the attachment, just barely above center, at high magnification.)
I doubt the pygmy will stay, but this is where I was looking: If you enter Cuesta Park at the first entrance across from Nilda Avenue, your straight run of asphalt through the parking lot would smash you into the big evergreens where the bird was.
Frank Vanslager
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Date: 4/23/19 11:16 am From: Bob Bolles <robertcbolles...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Continuing Black Rail calling in Alviso Marina
All ... This morning from 6:50AM till 7:00AM there was a loud Black Rail calling near the short (middle) walkway. After that there was a pause for five minutes or so, and then he started again for ten minutes. Joyous birding! ... Bob
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Date: 4/22/19 3:48 pm From: Bill Bousman <barlowi...> Subject: [southbaybirds] New Chicago Marsh and Pond A16
Folks:
This morning, 4/22/19, I started in New Chicago Marsh and then walked out to the observation platform on Pond A16. There is still a pair of SNOWY PLOVERS on the south side of the pond at State and Spreckles. The migrating SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS have increased to 74 birds. A pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL was in Artesian Slough. There are still lots of shovelers in Pond A16. Some lingering ducks included a pair of REDHEAD on island #17. In various spots, I saw two SY male COMMON GOLDENEYE and also a female. A few winter gulls remain. I saw a SY GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL and counted about 6 SY RING-BILLED GULLS. As the wind picked up late morning, migrant BONAPARTE'S GULLS were on the move heading into the northwest winds. I counted at least 6 adults and about nine others, most not seen well enough to age.
Bill Bousman Menlo Park
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After I ran into Frank Vanslager this morning, viewed the RED-NECKED PHALAROPES in Salt Pond A16 and having heard the calling BLACK RAIL (half way between the two boardwalks) we decided to checkout the ULISTAC NATURAL AREA. We started at the Southern entrance to the area on the Western most trail and as neared the Northern entrance at about 9:30 we spotted two pristine adult white-striped WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS feeding on the path in front of us. Attached is a photo of one of the birds (the other had then moved into the brush on the East side of the path, still visible but not a photographic.
Take care,
Bob Reiling
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Hellyer Co. Park was birdy along the Coyote Creek trail close to Hellyer Ave. this morning. Pacific-slope Flycatcher 3, Western Tanager 3 males, Ash throated Flycatcher 3, Bullocks Oriole h, Black-headed Grosbeaks 2, Hooded Oriole 2, were on either side of Hellyer Ave. A Red-shouldered Hawk fed chicks on the nest. I found one female Black-chinned Hummingbird just south of Hellyer and a Chickadee fed young in a low cavity. Warbling Vireo 3, Hutton's Vireo 1 and Am. Goldfinch were heard. Another BHGB, PSFL and several more ATFL were just south of the 101 overpass. I heard White-tailed Kites, and a Bullocks Oriole before I returned.
Janna Pauser San Jose
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Date: 4/22/19 1:30 pm From: Brooke Miller via Groups.Io <idbirds=<me.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Lawrence's Goldfinches - Grant County Park - Mon Apr 22
This morning on my way back down the hill from Smith Creek where it was quite breezy to windy, I stopped to bird near the ranch house. I found two (one male and one female) LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH in a mixed goldfinch flock, with Lessers and Americans, just outside the bridge (the area with the picnic tables) that goes to the ranch house. Also of interest in this area were 4 ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS, a PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, a WARBLING VIREO, BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, and WESTERN TANAGER.
Earlier, at Smith Creek, it was difficult birding, especially up on the hill. The breezy conditions at the creek turned into windy conditions higher up. I heard one “quick three beers” of an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, also of interest were 4 PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS, 2 ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS, 2 HUTTONS VIREOS, 1 CASSIN’S VIREO, 4 WARBLING VIREOS, 4 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS, 1 WRENTIT, 4 PURPLE FINCH, 1 BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, 3 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, 1 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, 4 WILSON’S WARBLERS, and 6 BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS.
Happy Spring Birding!
Brooke Miller
San Jose
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Date: 4/22/19 11:46 am From: Frank Vanslager via Groups.Io <Vanslagerf=<aol.com...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Some Alviso Marina and Ulistac Birding on 4/22/2019
All:
At 7:45 while I was walking through the Alviso Marina parking lot I heard a couple of preliminary grrs of the Black Rail, followed shortly by a couple of authentic ki-ki-keers. From the shore of A12 I used the Questar to check out all the Red-necked Phalaropes, hoping to find something different. There did seem to be less of them, and they were further away -- but the only thing different I found was a Bonaparte's Gull. Bob Reiling had showed up to help me look.
Then we went to Ulistac, where we immediately went to the southern ramp up to the levee, and we found both California Thrashers right by where I reported them the other day. The other major sighting we had was of 2 spectacularly colorful White-throated Sparrows. I think Bob with post a picture.
Frank Vanslager
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Date: 4/22/19 10:50 am From: Rick Herder <rick.herder...> Subject: [southbaybirds] SCVAS Field Trip to Canada de los Osos, Saturday, April 20
16 birders explored the California Fish & Wildlife Canada de los Osos
Ecological Reserve in the south county on Saturday, April 20. The reserve
is just south of Henry W. Coe State Park and not generally open to the
public. The first half of our walk was along a 60-box bluebird trail
maintained by students from Gavilan College, and we met with some of the
students several times during the day as they made their rounds monitoring
the boxes. We had great close-up comparative views of TREE and
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, and in this grassy area with a few large oaks also
found AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, HOUSE WREN, WESTERN BLUBIRD,
and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER visiting the flat valley. After the
grassland we walked through a dense oak and laurel forest where we heard
more birds than we saw. We had great looks at a PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER
but except for a noisy RED-SHOULDERED HAWK it was quiet on this dark and
chilly day. On our way to the reserve we saw many YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE
and LARK SPARROW and a lone WESTERN KINGBIRD. The fields along Jamieson
Rd are full of fiddleneck and Lawrence’s Goldfinches are found here most
years, but no luck with them on this trip.
13 species observed on the road to the reserve, 28 in the grasslands, 24 in
the wooded area. Here are links to the eBird lists, with many thanks to
Mike Ambrose for compiling them.
Date: 4/22/19 8:38 am From: tgrey41 <tgrey...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Stevens Creek Park birds, pix
Yesterday, Easter Sunday (4/21/19) I set out on a beautiful morning to photograph what I planned would as my FOS Lazuli at Rancho San Antonio. Oops, curses, at 8 pm all parking spaces taken! Plan B, on to Stevens Creek Park.
As I parked near the disc golf area at Villa Maria I could hear a substitute FOS, an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. And looking up, there it was, perched high <https://pbase.com/tgrey/image/169091317>. The "golfers" were getting busy, and the best I could do around the "holes" were heard-only HUTTON'S VIREO and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS.
Drove up the canyon, but usual birdy picnic areas jammed with early noisy picnickers, maybe to be expected on a gorgeous Easter morning. Hey there were having fun, as was I. Anyway, I turned back and stopped at my old reliable non-picnic spot, the pull-out by the bridge at the upper end of the reservoir. Yay, no less than four singing FOS birds, even actual views, though often seen through foliage: WARBLING VIREOS, heard, then wow, surprise, one seen <https://pbase.com/tgrey/image/169091322>; later, singing CASSIN'S VIREO, well heard, but only camera view a fuzzy buttshot <https://pbase.com/tgrey/image/169091320>; BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, much singing, with views here <https://pbase.com/tgrey/image/169091318> and here <https://pbase.com/tgrey/image/169091319>; finally, first by ear, then momentary glimpse, a WILSON'S WARBLER <https://pbase.com/tgrey/image/169091325>.
-- Tom Grey www.pbase.com/tgrey tgreybirds.com
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