Parent
From email@hidden Sun Apr 01 10:29:02 2001
Subject: [SBB] Screech Owl Egg
--------
My neighbor has informed me that the WESTERN SCREECH OWL was finally able to
secure his home from the squirrel and there is one egg today. This will be a
rough year for him to provide us with much info since they have a very major
construction project underway.
Gloria LeBlanc
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 01 16:43:31 2001
Subject: [SBB] "Eurasian" GWTE
--------
All,
Today, while skating along the Stevens Creek Trail at Shoreline Park, we
saw a "Eurasian" Green-winged Teal among the standard Americans in the
narrow water way near Crittenden Marsh. The bird was about 100 yards
down the channel that leads out of the pumphouse at 2100 Crittenden Lane
and parallels the bike path. I was able to get a few photos of the bird,
but I expect they will not be great.
A family of Burrowing Owls has also set up an easily viewed home in a
small grassy hill along the main road shortly before the bridge leading
into the Shoreline Lake parking lot.
That's all,
Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net/
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 01 18:10:33 2001
Subject: [SBB] More Sibley Guide Corrections?
--------
All:
In my edition of Sibley (generously given to me by Nick Yatsko) there are
some things that I'm not positive are simple errors: There are doubled-up
Male/Female symbols on pages 84, 501, 513, 525, 529, and probably others that
I've missed; and on page 52 there is the notation N>S. Does anyone know for
sure if the author intended something more complicated?
Frank Vanslager
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 01 18:45:28 2001
Subject: [SBB] Dark-backed Aythya at Sunnyvale WPCP
--------
At 5PM today while biking around the ponds, I saw a lone dark-backed duck on
the West Pond that resembled a Tufted Duck. The wind was blowing stiff and I
got a glimpse of what appeared to be longer feathers on the back of the
neck.
The bird was in the middle of the pond and I had no scope, just 10 X 42's.
I've seen Tufted Duck in late February in San Diego, so what is the
likelihood of this being a Tufted?
Michael Wienholt
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 01 19:40:58 2001
Subject: [SBB] Oka Ponds
--------
Good Evening,
Ran to Oka Ponds tonight and in the first pond was a male RING-NECKED DUCK
with two females. In the second pond, a pair of BUFFLEHEAD, and in the third
pond, three pairs of AMERICAN WIDGEONS, three pairs of GADWALLS. The
NORTHERN-ROUGHED WINGED SWALLOWS have increased to about thirty.
In the largest pond where three pairs of BUFFLEHEAD.
Other than that it was quiet (except for the huge bullfrog!).
Good birding to you....
Linda Sullivan
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 01 19:45:08 2001
Subject: RE: [SBB] More Sibley Guide Corrections?
--------
Maybe another typographical error?
It looks like you've caught some errors that are not even on Sibley's web
site. See http://www.sibleyart.com/updates.htm for his list.
Jonathan Hays
-----Original Message-----
From: email@hidden
[mailto:email@hidden]On Behalf Of
email@hidden
Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2001 6:11 PM
To: email@hidden
Subject: [SBB] More Sibley Guide Corrections?
All:
In my edition of Sibley (generously given to me by Nick Yatsko) there are
some things that I'm not positive are simple errors: There are doubled-up
Male/Female symbols on pages 84, 501, 513, 525, 529, and probably others
that
I've missed; and on page 52 there is the notation N>S. Does anyone know
for
sure if the author intended something more complicated?
Frank Vanslager
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 01 19:50:17 2001
Subject: RE: [SBB] More Sibley Guide Corrections?
--------
I note that these errors occur only in sentences. Is it possible the doubled
up symbols refer to the plural nouns "males" and "females" (which would be
grammatically correct if substituted in those particular sentences) ?
Jonathan
-----Original Message-----
From: email@hidden
[mailto:email@hidden]On Behalf Of
email@hidden
Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2001 6:11 PM
To: email@hidden
Subject: [SBB] More Sibley Guide Corrections?
All:
In my edition of Sibley (generously given to me by Nick Yatsko) there are
some things that I'm not positive are simple errors: There are doubled-up
Male/Female symbols on pages 84, 501, 513, 525, 529, and probably others
that
I've missed; and on page 52 there is the notation N>S. Does anyone know
for
sure if the author intended something more complicated?
Frank Vanslager
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 05:11:45 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
A walk along San Tomas Aquino Creek in Santa Clara today, 2 Apr 01, produced
a MOURNING DOVE carrying nesting material and a pair of AMERICAN KESTRELS
nesting in an opening of a power tower along the creek.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 08:05:54 2001
Subject: [SBB] Another N. Pygmy-Owl
--------
Hello All,
On Saturday, Mar 31, I found another N. PYGMY-OWL - this one was perched on
a sycamore branch over Herbert Creek along Alamitos Road by the O'Day
property near Hicks/Alamitos Rds. By the way, all my recent N. Pygmy-Owl
sightings have been early in the morning before 8:00 am.
Not much else to report. Six WOOD DUCKS were seen in Almaden Reservoir with
two males engaging in some sort of squabble with much splashing and flapping
about; a female was nearby. Over 100 BAND-TAILED PIGEONS flew about the
blue oaks hillside near the reservoir. Many VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS skimmed
over and about the reservoir, with lesser numbers of N. ROUGH-WINGED
SWALLOWS seen farther down Alamitos Rd near the Twin Creek area. A
displaying male WILD TURKEY was near the junction of Hicks/Alamitos Roads
with more heard in the surrounding hillsides. Near the confluence of
Guadalupe and Rincon Creeks along Hicks Road, a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER was seen
with a mixed flock of chickadees, juncos, and Yellow-rumped Warblers. An
AMERICAN ROBIN was building a nest with bits of lichen in a forked limb
overhanging the road at the Rincon Creek bridge.
And finally, pairs of RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS were seen along the Stile
Ranch/Fortini Trail in the Santa Teresa Hills - a good time to visit this
area not only for birds, but also for special serpentine flowers which are
beginning to make their appearance.
Ann
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 08:49:46 2001
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
This morning, 4/2/2001, there were three AM. WHITE PELICANS on the North
Pond of the Palo Alto FCB--I assume either late migrants or oversummering
birds. Also in the North Pond were two male BLUE-WINGED TEAL. In the last
month, the female-plumaged HOODED MERGANSERS in the channel across the bike
path from Adobe Creek in the FCB leave early, but are found roosting in the
evening. I saw only one this morning, just after sunrise. Two CASPIAN TERNS
over the Mountain View Forebay are the first I've seen this year. The BLACK
SKIMMER count has increased to 11 on Charleston Slough. The two BURROWING
OWLS continue in the artificial mound across from the entrance to the GC at
Shoreline.
Bill
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 08:59:06 2001
Subject: [SBB] Sibley Guide
--------
Frank and all-
My guess is that the doubled gender symbols indicate
the plural usage. It's a strange way to do it, but
each one you mentioned, and a few others I found, are
in the plural form. i.e. "some females...." As for
N>S, this would appear to indicate that the Pelagic
Cormorant is larger in the north than in the south,
since > is the symbol for greater. You will notice
that he uses the greater symbol when the female is
greater than the male in species like the raptors.
Jack Cole
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 10:10:57 2001
Subject: [SBB] Greater White-Fronted Geese
--------
Yesterday afternoon (April 1) there were 5 Greater White-Fronted Geese
at the Arzino Ranch in Alviso. By their barring or lack of barring, two
appeared to be adults and the others immatures. I also picked out four
Burrowing Owls, but didn't do a thorough check.
Cheers, Al
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 10:15:02 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] More Sibley Guide Corrections?
--------
This is correct. Pyle and other references double the sex symbol in
place of the plural forms "males" and "females". I think that Jack
Cole has it right about the North > South indication. These codes
are not mentioned in the key to the guide on the inside front cover.
Les Chibana
On Sunday, April 1, 2001 7:50 PM, Jonathan Hays wrote:
>I note that these errors occur only in sentences. Is it possible the doubled
>up symbols refer to the plural nouns "males" and "females" (which would be
>grammatically correct if substituted in those particular
>sentences) ?
>
>Jonathan
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: email@hidden
>[mailto:email@hidden]On Behalf Of
>email@hidden
>Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2001 6:11 PM
>To: email@hidden
>Subject: [SBB] More Sibley Guide Corrections?
>
>
>All:
>In my edition of Sibley (generously given to me by Nick Yatsko) there are
>some things that I'm not positive are simple errors: There are doubled-up
>Male/Female symbols on pages 84, 501, 513, 525, 529, and probably others
>that
>I've missed; and on page 52 there is the notation N>S. Does anyone know
>for
>sure if the author intended something more complicated?
>
>Frank Vanslager
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>email@hidden
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>email@hidden
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 10:46:51 2001
Subject: [SBB] Alum Rock field trip (April 1)
--------
A group of 23 birders participated in a long and pleasant walk through
Alum Rock Park on April 1. Cloud cover kept things cool during all of the
uphill walking, but the sun came out a bit later. We saw about 50 species,
but missed the more unusual specialties this year, and even a few of the
regulars (Golden Eagle, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Allen's Hummingbird). But we
did find three Rufous-Crowned Sparrows (including one bird singing up close
for all of us), a posing California Thrasher, several Brown Creepers, and
a male American Kestrel that appeared to be repeatedly catching mice, taking
them alive to a perch, but then dropping them. One Turkey was heard calling.
The only spring migrants were Northern Rough-Winged Swallows, House Wrens (at
least 7 birds singing), Bullock's Orioles (at least 6), and a couple of unco-
operative Western Kingbirds (uphill from the top of the Todd Quick trail).
Lingering winter birds included several sparrow species (one birder saw a
Lincoln's), several Hermit Thrushes, a singing Townsend's Warbler (seen I think
by just one person), and a few Kinglets and Yellow-Rumps. Raptors included
both accipters and a White-Tailed Kite, along with numerous Red-Tails. We were
told at the YSI that the captive Swainson's Hawk had died a few months ago at
the age of nearly 30; an injured Red-Tailed Hawk was out for air.
Thanks to all the participants for their contributions to the trip.
Al Eisner
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 12:16:01 2001
Subject: [SBB] Marsh loop Sunday
--------
Another lovely day on the bay yesterday. We saw our first Moorhen in the
Forebay (to the right as you approach the pumphouse from the parking lot at
the end of San Antonio) and enjoyed the swoops of Cliff Swallows and Barn
Swallows overhead and the Terns and Skimmers on the bay. Two of the Black
Skimmers seemed to be courting--they would fly up together, then flutter at
each other before swooping back down. Maybe we'll have baby Skimmers this
summer? The male Common Yellow-throats were trying to get some courting in
as well--we heard several call and saw one handsome fellow posing in the
sunshine (there's nothing "common" about these little bandits--gotta wonder
about the imagination of the person who named them!). It was terribly
windy and not many hawks were hunting, but we did see one Kite and a male
Harrier struggling along the hill line.
What an amazing place.
Natasha
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 12:19:59 2001
Subject: [SBB] Nesting Season
--------
Folks:
With the nesting season underway, this is a reminder that Mike Rogers
and I are still collecting breeding records for the post-atlas data base. A
"record" includes the species, the breeding evidence you saw, the date, and a
precise location. By precise location I mean a description sufficiently
detailed that Mike or I can locate it from a topo sheet. For urban records,
this normally means you need to give us the street (including which side), the
nearest cross street, and where in the block it is located ("2/3rds towards .
. .). We try to locate records to within 50 m. For wildland records this is
more difficult.
It is difficult to succinctly tell you what is of most interest.
Generally we are interested in all raptor records, as they are high on the food
chain, and certainly records of uncommon or rare species. We are saturated
with European Starling, California Towhee, House Finch, and House Sparrow
records. However, away from the northern Santa Clara Valley, even these
records may be of interest.
Bill
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 12:49:47 2001
Subject: [SBB] Backyard birds
--------
This past Friday, 3/30/01, my wife saw a tree full of Hooded Orioles in our
South San Jose neighborhood (south of Santa Teresa Boulvard). I did get to
enjoy the privilege however. Sunday afternoon we observed three calling
Red-shouldered Hawks with their 'windows' showing clearly as they circled
high above our back yard with a couple of Red-tailed Hawks nearby. We still
have two Pine Sisken coming to our thistle feeders (one seems ill at times)
and about six White-crowned Sparrows and one Gold-Crowned Sparrow with
obvious evidence of molting to adult plumages. One brightly colored male
Rufous Hummingbird buzzed our neighbors orange tree while we were on our
patio enjoying our morning cup of coffee. About a dozen Cedar Waxwings
zipped across the house but didn't stop to visit.
The birds are there for those who are aware.
Karl
We change best when
we learn from the past and
plan for the future,
while enjoying the present. _SJ
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 13:20:13 2001
Subject: [SBB] Immature Lark Sparrows on SCVAS field trip
--------
All,
On Saturday's SCVAS field trip to Gilroy Hot Springs Road we picked up most
of the desired species (Wood Duck, Common Merganser, Greater Yellowlegs,
Golden Eagle, Wild Turkey, Warbling Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Purple Finch,
House Wren, Hermit Thrush, Western Bluebird, Bullock's Oriole, Orange-crowned
Warblers (heard only) and Lark Sparrow). Some big misses included Tree
Sparrow and Northern Harrier seen the day before. The timing of this years
spring migration (local over wintering birds leaving earlier than usual,
breeding starting earlier than usual and more southerly migrating birds
arriving later than usual (or simply bypassing our neck of the woods)
resulted in some of the more interesting observations. Two out of three Wild
Turkey sightings were of solitary females apparently heading of to nest sites
on the hillsides, male Purple Finches either did not sing or seldom got it
right and at one stop along Canada Rd. we were fortunate to see three
immature Lark Sparrows in a bush alongside the road from which they were
apparently unable or unwilling to leave (in spite our close proximity). I
got the impression that they were fresh out of the nest and just learning to
move among the branches. An adult Lark Sparrow nearby was not quite so
reluctant. We also could not help but notice that water flow in Coyote Creek
was significantly lower than usual and that expected wet spots along Canada
Rd. were dry.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 12:45 PM, 4/2/01
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 13:20:14 2001
Subject: [SBB] County birding
--------
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I did some birding around Charleston Slough
in the faint hopes that something might have blown in (other than us). Lots
of Scaup (both) and many small rafts of Ruddy Duck were actively feeding,
lots of dowitchers (resting, as were most sandpipers), a few of most of the
usual ducks (no Wigeon), several Forster's Terns, three Bonaparte's Gulls, at
least nine Black Skimmers (usual place in Charleston Slough), one Greater
Yellowlegs, one female Surf Scoter, one brightly marked adult male American
Goldfinch and at least two Common Snipe (in the brush piles in Adobe Creek
with Least Sandpipers tuck in and around them).
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:15 PM, 4/2/01
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 13:39:33 2001
Subject: [SBB] Immature Lark Sparrows (part 2)
--------
All,
I should have mentioned that a really big miss was the Western Kingbird (none
seen in two days birding the area). The immature Lark Sparrows that were in
a bush on the East side of Canada Rd, were down hill from a hilltop home
about a quarter of a mile south of the MM Ranch.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:37 PM, 4/2/01
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 13:52:56 2001
Subject: [SBB] Mime-Version: 1.0
--------
Just after I left Tom Grey at Frenchman's meadow on Saturday, I heard my
first Pacific Slope Flycatcher of the season near the intersection of
Frenchman's and Mayfield. Last week I had the treat of hearing Hermit
Thrush sing its full song in my backyard on campus.
Dave
Division of Immunology/Transplantation Biology
Dept. of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine
CCSR Building, Room 2115B
300 Pasteur Drive
Stanford, CA 94305-5164
Tel: (650)498-4189 FAX:(650) 498-6077
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 15:41:39 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] -Hooded Mergansers
--------
Along with the female/immature Hooded Mergansers near the pumphouse, a
beautiful mature male and a female have been in the flood basin channel at
the end of the Shoreline salt ponds. They have been there from February
through at least last Tuesday.
Richard C. Carlson
Full Time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker
Part-time Economist
Palo Alto, CA
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 15:48:31 2001
Subject: [SBB] White-headed Ruddy Duck redux
--------
Sue Macias and I saw the white-headed Ruddy Duck again in pond A9 (by the mouth of Alviso Slough at Coyote Creek). It was in the corner by the levee between A9 and A10 (on the Alviso Slough side). The pond has several hundred Ruddy Ducks, as well as American Coots, American Wigeon, Canvasbacks, Pied-billed Grebes, Mallards, Lesser and Greater Scaup, Red-breasted Mergansers, Double-crested Cormorant, Western and Clark's Grebes, American Avocets and gulls galore. The levee between A9 and A10 is full of pre-nesting California Gulls and some Double-crested Cormorants (and one American White Pelican). It was unpleasantly windy out there today and we had some hilarious looks at California Gulls bathing at the mouth of Alviso Slough that were blown off-kilter as they opened their wings to bathe.
Cheryl Millett
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
PO Box 247
1290 Hope Street
Alviso, CA 95002
phone 408/946-6548
fax 408/946-9279
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 16:11:32 2001
Subject: [SBB] WT Swifts 4/2/01
--------
I had a WHITE-THROATED SWIFT over Coyote Creek, south of Tasman Ave
yesterday (4/2/01).
(Not sure if they have been reported yet).
I am back as a Santa Clara County resident. Apt. on River Oaks Dr. near the
Cisco Agnews Devastated Area.
Does anyone bird the Coyote Creek between Tasman and Montague regularly?
Would appreciate tips on access/parking.
Thanks,
Vivek
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 17:41:50 2001
Subject: [SBB] Immature Lark Sparrows (part 3)
--------
All,
Oooops! Tree Sparrows should read Tree Swallows.
Sorry,
Bob Reiling, 5:42 PM, 4/2/01
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 17:56:56 2001
Subject: [SBB] What a morning for RUHUs
--------
This morning proved to be a good day to observe Rufous Hummingbird
psychology at a feeding site when “weathered in” during migration. I
arrived at my banding site in the Diablos (near Felter and Sierra Roads)
early this morning to 38 degree temperature and low 100 % cloud cover. The
change in weather from last week was tremendous. For the last couple of
weeks the mild pleasant weather was great not only for humans but also for
migrating RUHUs. I had been netting few of the few hummers that came in to
the pink eucalyptus flowers. Occasionally I could actually see and hear the
male birds (perhaps an Allen’s in there?) zipping overhead heading generally
in a north direction.
This morning was a different story altogether. Straight off in the garden
area, hummer activity was high. I could hear chattering Anna’s and
squealing, zinging Selasphorus, and could see flashing gorgets of magenta
and orange. The ANHU seemed upset at the intrusion of so many other bossy
birds and though they tried valiantly to defend their turf, the RUHUs seemed
to be winning. My extremely rough estimate of hummers in the small garden
for the morning was about 5-8 ANHU and 8-12 RUHU. I never saw a female RUHU
flying around, but their subtle presence was detected by netting 6 of them.
Several different male RUHU took turns chasing each other, other hummers,
one poor scrub jay that happened by, and, when the area was swept clear of
anything with wings, rested atop prominent perches to glare to the left and
right. This went on continuously.
I caught, in addition to the 6 females, 3 male RUHU, 2 adult male, 1 adult
female, and 2 young ANHU. There was no visual fat levels on the RUHU, their
weights were normal, though. But several of the earlier captured birds (in
March) did have quite a bit of fat and were thus heavier in weight. One of
the male RUHU had 75% green on his back. One of the female RUHU was a
second-year bird (born last year) because she had retained 4 juvenal tail
feathers.
I never cease to be amazed at the tenacity, perseverance, and resiliency of
these beautiful little birds.
Rita Colwell
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 21:32:11 2001
Subject: [SBB] Alviso EEC and Arzino Ranch
--------
Hi,
Late this afternoon, I took advantage of the extra hour of daylight and
birded the EEC in Alviso and Arzino Ranch. While walking along the entrance
road to the EEC, I flushed a Burrowing Owl. There were several Eared
Grebes, one coming into breeding plumage in the salt pond. A Northern
Pintail flew over as did a few Bonaparte's Gulls. I had a Loggerhead Shrike
near the shelter that is across from the EEC.
I then drove over to Arzino Ranch to see the Greater White-fronted Geese
reported by Al Eisner. I found them easily enough, along with two more
Burrowing Owls. I am also fairly certain that I saw a Cattle Egret fly from
Arzino Ranch and land near Grand and Spreckles, but by the time I drove
over for a closer look, it was gone. It appeared smaller than a Great
Egret. The bill was more orange than yellow and the legs were dark. I know
Cattle Egrets have been seen in this area before. Have any been seen
recently?
Thanks,
Don Ganton
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 02 22:18:08 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Alviso EEC and Arzino Ranch
--------
Could be one, Don. I've seen one hanging around the large Oka pond
several times this winter.
Haven't seen many, or that one for some time though. But I know they're
around...
Dusty Bleher
Campbell, Ca.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Ganton"
To: "South Bay Birds Mailing List"
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2001 21:32
Subject: [SBB] Alviso EEC and Arzino Ranch
> Hi,
>
> Late this afternoon, I took advantage of the extra hour of daylight
and
> birded the EEC in Alviso and Arzino Ranch. While walking along the
entrance
> road to the EEC, I flushed a Burrowing Owl. There were several Eared
> Grebes, one coming into breeding plumage in the salt pond. A Northern
> Pintail flew over as did a few Bonaparte's Gulls. I had a Loggerhead
Shrike
> near the shelter that is across from the EEC.
>
> I then drove over to Arzino Ranch to see the Greater White-fronted
Geese
> reported by Al Eisner. I found them easily enough, along with two more
> Burrowing Owls. I am also fairly certain that I saw a Cattle Egret fly
from
> Arzino Ranch and land near Grand and Spreckles, but by the time I
drove
> over for a closer look, it was gone. It appeared smaller than a Great
> Egret. The bill was more orange than yellow and the legs were dark. I
know
> Cattle Egrets have been seen in this area before. Have any been seen
> recently?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Don Ganton
>
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 03 05:41:37 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I stopped by the Arzino Ranch in Alviso today, 3 Apr 01, and saw the 5
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE. Two of them had barring consistent with adults,
while the other 3 had barring that ranged from sparse to none. A single
CATTLE EGRET was also present in the pasture.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 03 09:37:32 2001
Subject: [SBB] Wings,a free MAC database for bird records
--------
Wings is a FREE relational database that manages bird records that
works on a Mac. Version 2.0.2k was released on March 31, 2001
Information and downloads:
http://homepage.mac.com/wings_4d/
Kendric
South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU)
http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/
-----------------------------------------
Kendric C. Smith, Ph.D.
927 Mears Court
Stanford, CA 94305-1041
(650) 493-7210 (voice or fax)
email@hidden
http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/
------------------------------------------
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 03 12:18:27 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Alviso EEC and Arzino Ranch
--------
> I then drove over to Arzino Ranch to see the Greater White-fronted Geese
> reported by Al Eisner. I found them easily enough, along with two more
> Burrowing Owls. I am also fairly certain that I saw a Cattle Egret fly from
> Arzino Ranch and land near Grand and Spreckles, but by the time I drove
> over for a closer look, it was gone. It appeared smaller than a Great
> Egret. The bill was more orange than yellow and the legs were dark. I know
> Cattle Egrets have been seen in this area before. Have any been seen
> recently?
Not exactly recent, but we had a good look at a Cattle Egret at
Arzino Ranch during the CBC. Perhaps that bird has stuck around
for the past several months.
================================
George Oetzel Menlo Park, CA
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 03 21:14:13 2001
Subject: [SBB] Tuesday birds, Almaden Valley
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
Today I did a little birding near home. BULLOCK'S ORIOLES and WILSON'S
and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were singing near the footbridge at Almaden Lake
Park. At the inflow to the lake there was an odd hybrid goose (Canada x
domestic?) and the usual stuff--1 COMMON MERGANSER, the resident COMMON
MOORHEN, and the regular gull flock (mostly CALIFORNIA GULLS--the Herrings
appear to have departed).
farther upstream, along the Alamitos Creek Trail, there were singing
WILSON'S, ORANGE-CROWNED, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS. Other birds seen
upstream included CLIFF and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, WESTERN BLUEBIRD,
CALIFORNIA THRASHER, HOODED ORIOLE, more BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, and LINCOLN'S
SPARROW.
This afternoon I briefly visited Calero Reservoir, where I saw an adult
GOLDEN EAGLE but not much else. Sunday night (April 1st) I heard a COMMON
POORWILL calling near my parent's house at the foot of the Santa Teresa
Hills.
John Mariani
email@hidden
www.birdswest.com
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 03 21:29:44 2001
Subject: [SBB] Pine Siskins, Salmonella and Megabacteria
--------
I had a chance to talk to Hillary Stern of For the Birds today about the
Megabacteria and Salmonella outbreaks. Unfortunately, with megabacteria,
there's a lot of "we dunno", but here is what I found out today.
It's an oral-fecal transmission, so cleanliness of and around the feeder
is important. If you see signs of sick birds around your feeders, take
the feeders down -- Hillary's taken hers down for at least a month to
avoid having the birds congregate and pass it around. If you have ill
birds, you want them dispersed and not around the feeders.
It's unknown how transmissible megabacteria is, and whether it's a
primary infection or showing up in birds already weakened by salmonella.
Hillary said the sisken she treated responded to anti-fungals, but not
all of the common ones worked on the megabacteria.
The megabacteria IS transmissible among different birds. there is
literature that it will infect poultry -- so don't assume it'll stay
with the siskens, and if you keep other birds, use caution with your
sanitation. There is some very limited data that it can move to mammals,
but how infectious it is isn't known (Hillary said they aren't treating
it like they would Chlamydia, which can move to humans easily - she
doesn't feel the need to be paranoid about it, but suggests being
careful)
If people have information about outbreaks, I'd like to hear about it so
I can pass it along. And if you have other questions, let me know. The
ones I can't answer I'll run by her when I see her....
--
Chuq Von Rospach, Internet Gnome
[ = = ]
Yes, yes, I've finally finished my home page. Lucky you.
It's a thankless job, but I've got a lot of
Karma to burn off.
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 04 11:02:30 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Tuesday birds, Almaden Valley
--------
Hello, all,
I too did some birding at Almaden Lake yesterday, and besides the BULLOCK's
ORIOLES, I saw a pair of KILLDEER, a female BELTED KINGFISHER, some ACORN &
NUTTALL WOODPECKERS, an OAK TITMOUSE, and a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK in a tree
just before the path dips under the underpass. He groomed himself a long
time, so I had a good, leisurely look.
Best,
Sue Field
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 04 11:07:59 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Vaux's Swift
--------
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul L. Noble"
> I have seen Vaux's Swifts & N. Rough-wing Swallows entering the overpass
> structure at I280 & Arastradero Road in PA for the past 10 days ( since
> about 3/25). They sure get into those holes at speed!
Are you implying that Vaux's Swifts are breeding in this overpass? Or do you
really mean White-throated Swifts? I may be wrong, but I don't think we have
any Santa Clara County breeding records of Vaux's Swift in anything but
chimneys.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 04 14:41:28 2001
Subject: [SBB] HOODED ORIOLES
--------
For the first time this season I have BOTH a female and male HOODED ORIOLE
in my backyard - together :-) they always make me feel like I've wandered
into the tropics...they're so gorgeous...
gloria leblanc
Los Gatos off Quito
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 04 16:42:39 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] HOODED ORIOLES
--------
On Wednesday, April 4, 2001, at 02:41 PM, Gloria LeBlanc wrote:
> For the first time this season I have BOTH a female and male HOODED
> ORIOLE
> in my backyard - together :-
I think my orioles are here. I came home this afternoon and the feeder
was empty. Either the orioles are here, or half the hummingbirds in the
state had a convention here this morning.
Chuq Von Rospach, Internet Gnome
[ = = ]
Yes, yes, I've finally finished my home page. Lucky you.
How about never? Is never good for you?
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 04 18:50:09 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Vaux's Swift
--------
I have seen Vaux's Swifts & N. Rough-wing Swallows entering the overpass
structure at I280 & Arastradero Road in PA for the past 10 days ( since
about 3/25). They sure get into those holes at speed!
Screech
Tom Ryan wrote:
> Hi all,I observed my first Vaux's Swift of the year today (4/4/01).
> There was just one individual flying with a mixed species group of
> swallows over wetlands near the intersection of Zanker Rd & Hwy
> 237. Cheers,Tom
--
Paul L. Noble
"Screechowl"
email@hidden
^ ^
@ @
( v )
( )
/ \
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 04 20:40:30 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Vaux's Swift
--------
Whoops!
I meant white-thoated swifts. Duhh!
Screech.
P.S. Boy are you guys on your toes!
Michael Mammoser wrote:
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Paul L. Noble"
>
> > I have seen Vaux's Swifts & N. Rough-wing Swallows entering the overpass
> > structure at I280 & Arastradero Road in PA for the past 10 days ( since
> > about 3/25). They sure get into those holes at speed!
>
> Are you implying that Vaux's Swifts are breeding in this overpass? Or do you
> really mean White-throated Swifts? I may be wrong, but I don't think we have
> any Santa Clara County breeding records of Vaux's Swift in anything but
> chimneys.
>
> Mike Mammoser
>
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Paul L. Noble
"Screechowl"
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 05 07:43:10 2001
Subject: [SBB] EEC
--------
This morning there were two beautiful Pintails just
inside the gate at the EEC. A little farther down the
road, I got a glimpse of a nice Cinnamon Teal too.
One last invite to the EEC this Saturday evening.
Gates will be open later for a twilight walk at 5:30
pm followed by a nice slide show presented by Freddy
Howell, owner of Wild Bird Center and SCVAS member.
Shade grow coffee tasting too! No reservations
necessary. Tell your friends!
Thanks.
Sharon Lee
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 05 07:59:46 2001
Subject: [SBB] apologies
--------
Regarding International Migratory Bird Day Pre-Fligh
event, slide show is at 7pm, NOT 7:30pm.
Thanks
__________________________________________________
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 05 09:52:49 2001
Subject: [SBB] Vaux's Swift
--------
Hi all,
I observed my first Vaux's Swift of the year today (4/4/01). There was just
one individual flying with a mixed species group of swallows over wetlands
near the intersection of Zanker Rd & Hwy 237.
Cheers,
Tom
--------
Attachment
1.1 KBytes
--------
From email@hidden Thu Apr 05 09:57:28 2001
Subject: [SBB] Caspian Tern
--------
Sorry for the delay & double posting, but I also observed a single Caspian
Tern over the SCVWD pond at the corner of Coleman and Almaden Expressway
last week on 3/28/01.
Tom Ryan
--------
Attachment
799 bytes
--------
From email@hidden Thu Apr 05 11:10:03 2001
Subject: [SBB] HOME, BLSK
--------
All,
At sunset yesterday 4/4/01 I walked out along Charleston Slough.
A female HOODED MERGANSER was still in the channel opposite the
Forebay and 12 BLACK SKIMMERS were in Charleston Slough. Upon
leaving, another female HOODED MERGANSER flew into the channel
next to the first bird (this was at 8:00pm and it was already
quite dark).
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 05 12:32:50 2001
Subject: [SBB] Hooded Mergansers, Peregrine
--------
Wednesday morning, April 4, there were 3 Hooded Mergansers -- 2 in the
channel by the Forebay and one in Shoreline Lake.
Also, a young Peregrine was harassing the shorebirds near the outer end of
the Flood Basin.
Richard C. Carlson
Full Time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker
Part-time Economist
Palo Alto, CA
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 05 13:55:10 2001
Subject: [SBB] Yellow Warbler and Cassin's Vireo return to Almaden Valley, etc.
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
Just returned from visiting some sites around the Almaden Valley. At
O'Day's Lovely Dell, along the road into Twin Creeks, I was buzzed by a
Selasphorus-type hummingbird and had my first YELLOW WARBLER for the season
(a singing male). Other birds there included HOUSE WREN, ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLER, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, etc. Didn't see any Wood
Ducks, but there was a SNOWY EGRET and bunches of Western Pond Turtles at
the upper end of Almaden Reservoir.
Across the road from the New Almaden entrance to Almaden Quicksilver
Park there were 2 PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS holding down territories along
the creek.
In the Santa Teresa Hills I walked part of the Fortini Trail from the
trailhead at the end of Fortini Road. Best bird was an unseen CASSIN'S VIREO
singing from oak woodland beside the trail. Other birds here: RED-TAILED
HAWK (apparently nesting again in the crown of a redwood), YELLOW-BILLED
MAGPIE, PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, HOUSE WREN, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH,
BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, CALIFORNIA THRASHERS, 2 singing RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS,
etc.
John Mariani
email@hidden
www.birdswest.com
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 05 19:24:04 2001
Subject: [SBB] Hermit Thrush etc.
--------
In the neighborhood near University in Los Altos, I saw a Hermit Thrush
this afternoon. Since I often have glimpses of _possible_ thrushes but
very few good sightings, I was very glad to see this one. Not much song;
the nearby Bewick's Wren was hogging all the airtime! That wren has been
singing his heart out recently, so I'm hoping for a nest! Also found my
first Townsend's Warbler in that area since late 2000. The Goldfinches are
out in force the last few weeks--includes mostly very bright Lesser
Goldfinches, but also some American Goldfinches. It was a lovely day,
albeit a bit nippy for April.
--Natasha
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 05 23:08:06 2001
Subject: [SBB] Osprey
--------
All,
Just when I thought my OSPREY had left, she returned after just a little
over 2 week's absence. She was still on her perch overlooking Vasona
Reservoir this evening when darkness closed in.
Jean
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 06 08:23:15 2001
Subject: [SBB] BAND-TAILED PIGEIONS
--------
I'm living a Kodak moment. I have 61 BAND-TAILED PIGEONS in my backyard. In
the center of my patio I have a tree whose branches I cut off every winter
so there are just stubs...sorry I have no idea what type of tree it
is...anyway, it's like I have very large leaves EVERYWHERE. The tree is
absolutely covered with pigeons--shoulder to shoulder. Don't think another
one could get on the tree if it tried. I also have some on the
ground....this is my largest number of Band-taileds this year...
Gloria LeBlanc
http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 06 08:51:23 2001
Subject: [SBB] Geese and Weather
--------
Folks:
Al posted two independent queries, both interesting, and both perhaps
unanswerable.
Concerning Canada Geese, Grinnell and Miller (1944) considered the
subspecies _canadensis_ to nest in the northeastern marshes and felt that most
of the Great Central Valley wintering birds were also of this subspecies.
They note that these birds reached a minimum at the beginning of the 20th
century but recovered. Most notable in this recovery was an isolated local
breeding record on Crystal Springs Reservoir in 1932 (see: Moffitt, J. 1939.
Notes on the distribution of Whistling Swan and Canada Goose in California.
_Condor_ 41:93-97; _Bird-Lore_ 35:112). It seems likely that this subspecies
constitutes the wintering flocks recorded at Crystal Springs and Calaveras
reservoirs over the last 50 years.
Locally, breeding Canada's date from 1959 or so, but their origin and
exactly what happened in the first few years is uncertain. Lidicker and
McCollum believed that the birds nesting at Brooks Island, Contra Costa
County in 1959 (see: Lidicker, W. Z. and F. C. McCollum. 1979. Canada Goose
established as a breeding species in San Francisco Bay. _West. Birds_
10:159-162), were the origin of our birds, but there is some evidence that
there was a second source at Lake Merritt, based on captive birds, and I don't
recall if the subspecies were identified in either case. The spread of
Canada's from one or both of these spots seems clear, however.
As concerns the effects of weather on spring and fall migration along
the Pacific Coast, I recommend you take an afternoon and sit down with
_Audubon Field Notes_ and read all of the Middle Pacific Coast Region reports
from the late 1950s to 1970. What will amaze you is the number of very bright
people exploring a great many hypotheses which, in the end, came to naught.
New hypotheses are greatly to be desired, but a careful review of the past
history is needed first.
Bill
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 06 11:50:03 2001
Subject: [SBB] Fwd: Geese and winds.
--------
There is some problem with e-mail between the SBB listserver and
Alvaro's ISP, so this didn't get through. This is the message
that Bill Bousman referenced in his recent post.
To Al's #2 point, since we record wind direction at Coyote Creek
for banding data, the prevailing winds there seem to be from WNW.
It seems that large storm systems will cause winds to shift to
come from the south, or high pressure to the north and east will
shift winds to come from those directions. But these are temporal
events.
Les
--
Les Chibana
List Bureaucrat
South-Bay-Birds List
email@hidden
--------------------------------------
Date: Thursday, April 5, 2001 10:47 PM
From: Alvaro Jaramillo
Birders,
I am cross-posting to Pen birds and South-Bay birds, sorry for the
duplicate messages some of you will receive. I have been wondering about a
couple of things and maybe you can help me out with these questions.
1) Canada Geese- I know we have had discussions on the identification of
the small Canada Geese that show up here every once in a while, but what
about the larger ones. I guess this is really two questions which I have
not been able to solve. The Canada Geese that summer here and breed are
presumably from an introduced population and were not historically part of
the avifauna. Nevertheless does anyone know which subspecies they belong
to? Any records of where the original stock was from? Secondly, in winter
the wild migratory large geese that winter in the Central Valley, what
form are they? Are these all "Lesser" Canada Geese (parvipes) or are they
something else?
2) winds in the spring - I have been keeping track of the winds recently
and at least here on the coast it is clear that the winds are almost always
either from the northwest or west. This is true at this season when birds
are trying to head north. I guess with these head winds or winds that are
likely to blow things inland its no mystery why the coast is not
necessarily packed with northbound landbird migrants in the spring
(unfortunately). I have also noticed that often there are south winds
locally in the Santa Clara Valley while winds may be from teh W or NW
elsewhere in the Bay Area and this makes me wonder if this is why places
like Coyote Creek are pretty good places for migration in the spring as is
the Diablo range (at least the west flank). Has anyone looked into this
locally? Also, is there anything out there that studies the effects of
winds on small migrants and makes a determination of what ideal migration
winds are? I assume that strong tailwinds are bad, as are strong head
winds? How about cross winds or winds at an angle to the flight line? Since
weather can be pretty static in the Bay Area during migratory periods,
particularly the fall, its possible that local wind directions and
strengths are more important in concentrating migrants in the area. It
would be nice to set up a general hypothesis and see if it works or not.
All for now,
Al
Alvaro Jaramillo
Biologist
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
P.O. Box 247
Alviso, CA 95002
(408)-946-6548
http://www.sfbbo.org/
Home of the California Fall Challenge!!
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Birds of Chile and
New World Blackbirds at : http://www.sirius.com/~alvaro
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 06 12:43:56 2001
Subject: [SBB] Re: [pen-bird] Geese and winds.
--------
Hi Al --
I suspect that your local breeding form is the Western (also called
"Giant") Canada Goose (_Branta canadensis moffitti_). This is the form
that was intoduced and breeds in the Monterey Bay region, and is the most
commonly introduced and established form in other parts of the world (e.g.,
England and New Zealand). _B. c. moffitti_ is what Grinnell and Miller
called _B. c. canadensis_. The latter is now the name for the Atlantic
Canada Goose, which breeds and winters in eastern North America. The large
Canada Geese in the valley in winter are the Western and the Lesser (_B. c.
parvipes_). Palmer's Handbook of North American Birds (Vol. 2; 1976)
covers the identification and distribution of Canada Goose subspecies
fairly well.
The winds come from the same direction down here, yet places like the Big
Sur and Carmel River mouths are regularly packed with northbound migrants
in spring. I doubt that these spring winds have much of an impact on where
migrants appear. This is because winds generally don't pick up until after
sunrise, which is well after most landbird migrants have set down and even
after their "morning flights."
Jeff Davis
Santa Cruz, CA
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 06 13:57:25 2001
Subject: [SBB] Fwd: Canada Goose subspecies
--------
I checked with Andy Engilis at UCDavis who is involved with some
waterfowl studies. He had some additional comments to Jeff Davis's.
Les Chibana
--------------------------------------
Date: Friday, April 6, 2001 1:46 PM
From: Andrew Engilis, Jr.
Les - Some to add, but for most part Jeff is accurate. The term Giant
Canada Goose is usually reserved for B. c. maxima; B. c. moffitti is the
Great Basin (Western or Moffitt's Canada Goose). The latter is native to
intermountain states, East of Sierra, but has been widely introduced all
over the western US (and world). No doubt Monterey large geese are of this
form. The large form thus in California is generally regarded as all B. c.
moffitti. B. c. maxima has, in the past been introduced, from game farms
(where it only exists, wild populations extinct), into Northern Sacramento
Valley. Some birds are still reported and some gene mixing could have
occurred between introduced Great Basin and Giants. I am unaware of any
other large forms in California (B. c. canadensis or B. c. interior).
That is it for large forms. As for Lessers, which I do not consider large
forms, the two most common wintering are B. c. taverneri and B.c. parvipes.
They are regular in the Central Valley but are rare along the coast, but am
sure they wander your way from time to time. Separation in the field is
very difficult if not impossible. Should be able to separate Common or
Large forms from Lessers in the field.
Hope this helps -- Andy
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 07 07:18:03 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I wandered around today, 7 Apr 01, stopping first at CCFS and birding the
riparian corridor. I was hoping that the recent rains may have downed some
migrants. There were good numbers of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS (some singing),
with side-by-side views of a bright male Audubon's and a bright male Myrtle.
A couple ORANGE-CROWNED, WILSON'S, and the ever-present COMMON YELLOWTHROAT
rounded out the warblers. A few HERMIT THRUSHES were present as well. But no
real migration fallout. I heard a GREAT HORNED OWL calling along the creek,
but was unable to see it. A pair of RED-TAILED HAWKS has a nest in the
cottonwoods just north of the trailer. One hawk would stand on the nest for
some time, while the other one perched nearby. I don't think they have any
eggs yet, because there is no incubating going on. I counted 12 active GREAT
BLUE HERON nests in the rookery and 7 of GREAT EGRET. One of the egret pairs
has just started a nest, laying down the foundation sticks only now. A pair
of WHITE-TAILED KITES was perched in a willow near the rookery, and were in
a location where they have bred in the past. A flyby adult accipiter
couldn't be positively identified.
Next stop was the Sunnyvale sewage ponds. At least 3 BURROWING OWLS were
along the side of the old landfill. The immature SNOW GOOSE is still
present. It's been doing some molting, and has acquired a fully white back.
The dusky feathers seem limited to the wings and the head now.
The North Pond of the Palo Alto flood control basin seemed to be carpeted
with swallows, mostly CLIFF. There was also a group of 13 CANVASBACKS and 4
GREATER SCAUP here.
Stops at other places didn't produce much of note. FORSTER'S TERN numbers
seem to be building nicely, with about 20 counted around Shoreline and the
FCB, and about 200 BONAPARTE'S GULLS were at the Palo Alto Estuary.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 07 07:30:34 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] thrush questions
--------
----- Original Message -----
From: "amphibian"
>
> I'm a little concerned about timing, since it looks like we're at best on
> the edge of the year-round habitat. Can someone clarify whether Hermit's
> sometimes stay in Santa Clara for the spring?
There is some localized breeding of Hermit Thrushes in the Santa Cruz
Mountains above Santa Clara Valley, but they will certainly vacate the
valley floor and foothills during the breeding season. But that won't happen
for another month or so (I'm sure someone has more accurate info). There's
plenty of Hermit Thrushes around right now. Also, my impression is that we
are a couple weeks away yet from the start of Swainson's Thrush migration
(again, someone may have more accurate info on this timing).
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 07 11:45:00 2001
Subject: [SBB] RE: OKA PONDS
--------
Good Morning,
A quick run to Oka Ponds this morning produced a beautiful pair of HOODED
MERGANSERS in the large pond by the bridge. The Swallow are in great
numbers, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED, BARN and VIOLET GREEN. The RED-WINGED
BLACKBIRDS were calling. A few CANADA GEESE thrown in to the mix, other than
that very quite. Did do a car run over to Los Gatos Creek Park, the large
pond as you drive in was loaded with Swallows, a few Canada Geese and four
White Domestic Geese? Only a three CORMORANTS and a handful of PIED BILLED
GREBES!
Good Birding to you all and best regards,
Linda Sullivan
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 07 13:08:51 2001
Subject: [SBB] thrush questions
--------
OK, so the other day I saw a lovely thrush in Los Altos, and the only two
plausible candidates were the Swainson's and the Hermit Thrush. As
reported, not much chance to hear its song. Good view of face (very
distinct eye ring, distinct yellow malar swoop) and chest (very distinct
dark chest spots). I did _not_ see colored lores such as Sibley shows in
the Swainson's. I didn't get a good view of its tail, however, so I'm left
without that color key. Working mostly from Sibley, using these details
and the fuzzy logic of my "a ha!" recognition upon turning the page to
Hermit Thrushes, I identified it as a Hermit--and I now fear I was
premature in doing so. Here are my questions:
I'm a little concerned about timing, since it looks like we're at best on
the edge of the year-round habitat. Can someone clarify whether Hermit's
sometimes stay in Santa Clara for the spring?
Also I've noted that several other sources suggest that the Hermit's eye
ring is much less distinct than what I saw and Sibley suggests. Any
thoughts on local Hermit eye rings?
It's also unclear whether we would have mostly "interior west" or "pacific"
thrushes here--or a mixture. Seems like the Scrub Jays, for example, are
mixed. Among other reasons, I ask because Sibley's "pacific" Swainson's is
described as having "less bold spectacles and less distinct spotting on
breast"--and if those are the ones we've got, it seems much more likely
that I saw a Hermit Thrush!
Thanks much,
Natasha
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 07 13:27:54 2001
Subject: [SBB] Frenchman's Meadow, Stanford
--------
On this cold morning, a singing HERMIT THRUSH near the playground.
Tom Grey
Stanford Law School
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 07 15:11:29 2001
Subject: [SBB] OAK MEADOW/VASONA
--------
Good Afternoon,
Decided to check Oak Meadow/Vasona. The WESTERN BLUEBIRDS have returned to
nest in box H2 across from the playground on the Vasona side. Last year this
box produced three little babies (and great pictures). The parents are back
and going in the box with big bugs....
At Oak Meadow, the BULLOCK'S ORIOLES are back nesting in the same trees as
last year. A ROBIN was sitting on her nest as I took pictures of the
Orioles. There were approx. 30 CEDAR WAXWINGS, ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS where all
over and YELLOW RUMP WARBLERS abound.
Have a great birding day and best regards,
Linda Sullivan
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 07 15:51:53 2001
Subject: [SBB] goslings
--------
A family of Canada Geese including 7 goslings made two
appearances today at the EEC.
Sml
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 07 16:11:41 2001
Subject: [SBB] Re: Hermit Thrush
--------
Dear Natasha, Herm, the Hermit Thrush that spends every winter in the
side yard of my house on the flats of Los Gatos, was still here as of three
days ago. I don't see him every day, but did see him then. Kathy P.
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 07 18:20:40 2001
Subject: [SBB] Opsrey & Forster's Tern
--------
Good Evening,
Read Mike Mammoser note on "searching for what the winds might have blown
in", and with that I ran back to Los Gatos Creek/Oka Ponds. The Osprey was
having a hard time flying with all the wind. The first of the seasons
Forster's Tern was a real treat. Other than that the winds were really
strong and the Mergansers were still in the large pond on the Oka Ponds side.
Good birding and best regards,
Linda Sullivan
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 07 18:37:14 2001
Subject: [SBB] Herm
--------
Kathy Parker---glad to hear about your Hermit Thrush...it's like hearing
from a ghost...you haven't posted for months!!!
I've been lucky that a PURPLE FINCH pair have begun to grace by yard...a
nice splash of color from him. I seem to have a covey of quail in my front
yard and another in my back...or am I just seeing double?
Gloria LeBlanc
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 07 18:56:56 2001
Subject: [SBB] Ash-throated Flycatcher arives, more Hermit Thrushes, etc.
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
This morning myself and a group from my class did some birding along
Alamitos Road and Hicks Road. We started at the trailhead parking area in
New Almaden. Across the road, in the riparian near La Foret Restaurant, we
found PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, WARBLING VIREO, a singing YELLOW WARBLER
(heard only), YELLOW-RUMPED (MYRTLE) WARBLER, and PURPLE FINCH, plus to add
to the other HERMIT THRUSH reports we saw one high in a tree along the
creek, and later heard one singing there.
While birding there we also bumped into Ann Verdi, who birded with us
off and on this morning, since we were making our rounds of the same places.
At the intersection of Alamitos Road and Hicks Road near Almaden Reservoir
we heard and briefly saw an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, our first for this
spring. In this same area a WARBLING VIREO and HOUSE WREN were singing, and
we later saw a displaying WILD TURKEY on a hillside near the intersection.
Ann had seen a few WOOD DUCKS before we arrived at Almaden Reservoir,
but by the time we arrived they couldn't be refound. We did see a SPOTTED
SANDPIPER walking along the far shore, under shady oak woodland and dry
brush above the waterline. It's choice of habitat seemed unusual, especially
when it left the water to forage under bushes.
From there we walked Alamitos Road to Twin Creeks. Birds found between
the reservoir and Twin Creeks included VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, a CASSIN'S
VIREO (heard only), HOUSE WREN, 2 singing YELLOW WARBLERS, BLACK-HEADED
GROSBEAK (heard only), PURPLE FINCH, BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, a pair of
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS, and a displaying WILD TURKEY (even when we couldn't
see any turkeys we could hear their loud gobbling).
Along Hicks Road we stopped to check the riparian upstream from
Guadalupe Reservoir. We heard HOUSE WRENS, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, and
WARBLING VIREO singing, but otherwise it was pretty quiet--we listened for
Wilson's Warbler but didn't hear any on this trip. Ann did find and share
with us an AMERICAN ROBIN on its nest near the creek confluence.
John Mariani
email@hidden
www.birdswest.com
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 08 15:14:24 2001
Subject: [SBB] County birding
--------
All,
On Saturday's SCVAS field trip to Stevens Creek we had an adult male Osprey
flying North over us from the reservoir following which it turned west, great
looks at some low and slow flying White-throated Swifts (a possible Vaux's
but it was alone and never came in close enough), we had good looks at
Warbling Vireo (one chasing another for a while), Pacific-slope Flycatcher,
Hermit Thrush, Black-headed Grosbeak (another chase), Bullock's Oriole (a
first year male and later an adult male) and Orange-crowned Warbler. We also
had fair looks at Hutton's Vireo and Purple Finch (one a singing first year
male). I also had a singing Cassin's Vireo for a short time for a county
year bird. At one point Wrentits were gathering nesting material from a
bush, in the open about ten feet from us, later Bushtits did the same in a
tree just over our heads. One question coming out of the trip that I
certainly don't know the answer to is "Do Hutton's Vireo's do as many as six
to eight rapid, single note calls in their song?" My feeling is that perhaps
three is the maximum. We heard a call that was slow for a Junco (and did not
fall off at the end) and just didn't sound right (to me) for a Towhee (it had
a bell like quality and was fairly loud).
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 3:00 PM, 4/8/01
--------
Attachment
1.5 KBytes
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 08 17:13:49 2001
Subject: [SBB] Re: thrush questions
--------
Natasha the amphibian wrote:
> OK, so the other day I saw a lovely thrush in Los Altos, and the only two
> plausible candidates were the Swainson's and the Hermit Thrush. As
> reported, not much chance to hear its song. Good view of face (very
> distinct eye ring, distinct yellow malar swoop) and chest (very distinct
> dark chest spots). I did _not_ see colored lores such as Sibley shows in
> the Swainson's. I didn't get a good view of its tail, however, so I'm left
> without that color key. Working mostly from Sibley, using these details
> and the fuzzy logic of my "a ha!" recognition upon turning the page to
> Hermit Thrushes, I identified it as a Hermit--and I now fear I was
> premature in doing so. Here are my questions:
(etc.)
At this time of year, basically Hermit Thrushes are still here from the
winter, and Swainson's haven't yet arrived. (The latter are possible, but
no-one has reported one yet that I've heard, and the numbers don't pick up
until late in the month.) The spotting description better matches Hermit;
I have no idea what a "swoop" is. Did you get a look at the uppertail, which
in Hermit would be a strongly contrasting rufous? There's an excellent
set of articles on Thrush identification by Alvaro Jaramillo in Birding
magazine last year, and perhaps he'll elaborate. By the way, he notes (and
illustrates with photos) that it isn't quite the lores on Swainson's which are
buffy, but the region immediately above the lores, forming a sort of spectacled
look (although to my mind much less prominently so than on a Cassin's Vireo).
In short, I think your first reaction was probably correct, but it's always
good to check for all possibilities.
Cheers, Al Eisner
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 09 05:35:59 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
On Sunday, 8 Apr 01, I went to check the south county. My first stop at San
Felipe Lake showed at least 5 active GREAT BLUE HERON nests. Plenty of
swallows overflying the lake, but I didn't concentrate on identifying them.
San Felipe Road produced no kingbirds; the eucalyptus trees were inhabited
only by TREE SWALLOWS, BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, and HOUSE FINCHES.
A WRENTIT was singing along Llagas Creek right at Bloomfield Ave, which
seemed totally out of place for this species. Also, a pair of AMERICAN CROWS
was building a nest in the willows along the creek about a hundred yards
north of Bloomfield (new COnfirmation for the block?).
Further north along Llagas Creek, near Watsonville Road, the GREAT BLUE
HERON rookery in the eucalyptus tree had at least 7 active nests. A pair of
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES was hunting east of Chesbro Reservoir, along Willow
Springs Road near Hale Rd.
Today, 9 Apr 01, San Tomas Aquino Creek in Santa Clara produced a female
COMMON MERGANSER, a COMMON SNIPE, a female MALLARD with a single downy young
chick, a LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and a BLACK PHOEBE building a nest under the hwy
101 overpass.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 09 08:14:33 2001
Subject: [SBB] "My Farm"
--------
One really feels part of nature when you're standing under a tree to stay
dry during a shower. And, afterwards the sun came out and "my farm"
glistened. (La Rinconada Park)
I saw an AMERICAN ROBIN carrying nesting material. Didn't see one warbler!
Did see a LINCOLN'S SPARROW as well as the 2 crowned sparrows- although they
weren't together. A BULLOCK'S ORIOLE was a pretty sight. The pair of
MALLARD's continue to inhabit the little creek.
NUTTALL'S seemed to be everywhere and very vocal.
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos off Quito
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 09 08:19:00 2001
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
This morning, 4/9/2001, I saw six AM. WHITE PELICANS in the North Pond
of the Palo Alto FCB; one had a nuptial horn. A GREEN HERON was just north of
the boathouse at Shoreline Park, perched at the top of a tree and
squawking--territorial behavior? One female HOODED MERGANSER was in the
channel across the bike path from Adobe Creek. The BLACK SKIMMER count was
11. Two BURROWING OWLS continue in the mound at Shoreline across from the GC
entrance; they've been there at least since 3/8/2001.
Bill
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 09 08:50:02 2001
Subject: [SBB] More Almaden stuff
--------
Hello All,
John Mariani has covered pretty much all of what was seen and heard around
the Almaden area this weekend. I have only a few more things to add.
On Saturday, Apr 7, before I met up with John's group I was checking out the
riparian area by the New Almaden Community Center off Bertram Road and found
a PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER in the willows and a singing (chattering) HOUSE
WREN in the brush by a large old rusting metal relic (presumably from the
mining days). Two BULLOCK'S ORIOLES were back there as well. Of the four
WOOD DUCKS seen, a pair was seen heading upstream and two males were headed
in the direction of Larrabee Gulch. I also had three WILD TURKEYS by the
O'Day property, one of which swooped in low over my head, another landed in
the top of a willow tree plucking off little willow buds, and the third was
seen in the hillside.
On Sunday, Apr 8, my son and I hiked some trails around Mt Umunhum, starting
at Barlow Road (an old fire road), then heading down to the Woods Road Trail
- in all a hike of about 5 miles. It was a great hike, especially for
wildflowers, but not too many birds were seen on this cold wintery-like day,
but here are a few birds of interest seen: a pair of HUTTON'S VIREOS
engaging in nest material gathering about 1/2 mile down Barlow Rd from the
start of the trail. Feeding ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were also seen here.
Otherwise, pretty quiet - mostly juncos, chickadees, Lesser Goldfinch,
Bushtit, Spotted Towhee, N. Flicker, and oh yes, Anna's Hummingbird. The
Barlow Rd trail shows good promise of more and varied birds on a better day
with stands of Grey Pine, Knob-cone Pine, Douglas Fir, and Calif Nutmeg, as
well as a good variety of oaks and chaparral scrub - but it is a
"knee-cruncher" trail, very steep in places.
Later in the day I checked back along Alamitos Road by the O'Day property
and saw a CASSIN'S VIREO. My "m.o." of birding these days is to look for
movement, then point my binoculars and hope for something interesting, and
in this case it was. The vireo was feeding on grubs and didn't appear to be
singing. Also saw a lone male WILD TURKEY displaying.
That's it for now - Ann
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 09 10:14:32 2001
Subject: [SBB] thrush migration timing
--------
All,
Thrush ID is indeed difficult, especially when views are incomplete
(as is often the case with these skulkers). As others have noted, it
is a bit early to be finding Swainson's Thrushes still, while Hermit
Thrushes have a few more weeks with us.
The first Swainson's Thrushes to arrive are our local breeders. These
birds can be found singing on their territories along Skyline by
mid-April or slightly earlier. In rare cases we hear of records as
early as the first week of April. The migrants (which outnumber our
breeding birds but can go largely undetected since most are not
singing) pass through quite a bit later. The Swainson's Thrush does
not breed at the Coyote Creek Field Station, so banding data are good
for determining the migration periods of this species. The first
migrants are usually found in the last week of April, with 80% moving
through between roughly May 10 and the end of May. The last 10%
straggle through to mid-June and beyond, making this species one of
our latest spring migrants (along with Willow Flycatcher).
In fall the bulk of the migrants pass through between about 10 Sep and
early October, with a few birds being found until the last few days of
October. These late birds are probably not our local breeders. For
instance a bird I saw along Stevens Creek on 10/26/99 was apparently
(by color and call note) one of the Alaska breeding subspecies.
Hermit Thrushes, on the other hand, arrive in mid-September and are
still present throughout April, with a few birds found until about 10
May. Besides these overwintering/migrant birds, a few Hermit Thrushes
breed up along Skyline and there have been some surprise summer
banding records from CCFS, perhaps of failed or dispersing local
breeders.
Thus during the year there are two periods, from mid-April through the
first week or so of May and from mid-September through October, when
one has a reasonable chance of finding both of these species in the
county and careful consideration should be given to both species.
Outside these periods extreme care should be used for claims of the
less expected species. Our breeding Swainson's Thrushes and many of
our migrating birds are actually very rusty above, often leading to
incorrect claims of Veery in California. These birds are quite
distinctive and should be readily separable from our Hermit Thrushes.
For other birds the distinctions may be more subtle and careful
attention should be paid to face pattern and back/rump/tail contrast.
Happy thrushing,
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 09 10:45:37 2001
Subject: [SBB] More thrushing
--------
Hello all,
Having read the various posts on thrush migration, I believe the pretty
thrush I saw in my Palo Alto backyard this morning is a Hermit. I'm always
surprised and pleased when I see anything other than the usual finches,
juncos, titmouses and hummingbirds.
Nancy Teater
--
Nancy R. Teater Hamilton Communications phone: +1 650 321 0252
email@hidden http://web.hamilton.com fax: +1 650 327 4660
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 09 21:41:21 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Re: thrush questions
--------
At 05:13 PM 4/8/01 -0700, email@hidden wrote:
>Natasha the amphibian wrote:
>
> > OK, so the other day I saw a lovely thrush in Los Altos, and the only two
> > plausible candidates were the Swainson's and the Hermit Thrush. As
> > reported, not much chance to hear its song. Good view of face (very
> > distinct eye ring, distinct yellow malar swoop) and chest (very distinct
> > dark chest spots). I did _not_ see colored lores such as Sibley shows in
> > the Swainson's. I didn't get a good view of its tail, however, so I'm
> left
> > without that color key. Working mostly from Sibley, using these details
> > and the fuzzy logic of my "a ha!" recognition upon turning the page to
> > Hermit Thrushes, I identified it as a Hermit--and I now fear I was
> > premature in doing so. Here are my questions:
>
>(etc.)
>
>At this time of year, basically Hermit Thrushes are still here from the
>winter, and Swainson's haven't yet arrived. (The latter are possible, but
>no-one has reported one yet that I've heard, and the numbers don't pick up
>until late in the month.) The spotting description better matches Hermit;
>I have no idea what a "swoop" is. Did you get a look at the uppertail, which
>in Hermit would be a strongly contrasting rufous? There's an excellent
>set of articles on Thrush identification by Alvaro Jaramillo in Birding
>magazine last year, and perhaps he'll elaborate. By the way, he notes (and
>illustrates with photos) that it isn't quite the lores on Swainson's which
>are
>buffy, but the region immediately above the lores, forming a sort of
>spectacled
>look (although to my mind much less prominently so than on a Cassin's Vireo).
All,
First, I am flattered that Al liked the thrush ID articles. I am even
more amazed that anyone actually read them, thanks!
I think that Al covered the main points. The only thing I would add is that
Hermits have this nice habit of cocking and flicking their tail, often
accompanied by a quick droop or flick of the wings. This happens almost
invariably when landing, or sometimes after a quick run or movement.
American Robins do this too, but Swainson's Thrushes do not tend to do it.
If you saw a nervous tail flick it tips the scales towards Hermit. Here
close to the Ocean the subspecies of Hermit Thrush we see are very small
with petite bills, they look cute and in bill size and shape are more like
a bluebird. Swainson's Thrushes are bigger with larger bills. These
differences are subtle, but once you begin looking for them they can really
help you out in the field.
cheers.
Alvaro
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 09 22:39:38 2001
Subject: [SBB] Lawrence's Goldfinches, nesting at Arastradero
--------
All,
During nestbox checks at Arastradero this morning (4/9/2001), I made a
careful check of the 80-odd goldfinches in the ripening fiddlenecks at the
extreme southeastern corner of the preserve. As in the past at this
location, there was at least one male and one female Lawrence's Goldfinch in
among the Lessers.
Other birds of potential interest at this location were a Selasphorus hummer
(heard better than seen), a noisy House Wren which appears to be nesting in
one of my boxes, and several excited Savannah Sparrows in the fiddlenecks
with the goldfinches. About 20 Pine Siskins were foraging in nearby Blue Oak
foliage. A pair of Western Bluebirds building a nest at the parking area
provide excellent close-range viewing, and a male Northern Harrier coming
into full adult plumage was hanging around at close range too.
Several Chestnut-backed Chickadees and Oak Titmice are incubating their eggs
this week, as is a single pair of WEBL (most are still in the
nest-construction stage.)
At Hidden Villa this evening there was a Vaux's Swift in among a large and
fast-moving swallow flock. Two or three White-throateds have been around
consistently for most of the spring.
--Garth Harwood
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 09 23:09:27 2001
Subject: [SBB] Arastradero OSP
--------
All,
On Saturday, I took my Palo Alto Adult School Beginning Birding class to
Arastradero OSP and we were treated to great views of BLUE-GRAY
GNATCATCHERS near the golfcourse and a BULLOCK'S ORIOLE in the willows
by the pond. A nesting pair of RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS were also seen and
heard above the pond. A WILSON'S WARBLER and a "Myrtle" YELLOW-RUMPED
WARBLER were near the small bridge by the water as well. Many TREE
SWALLOWS, and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS foraged over the fields and a few
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS by the pond. There was also a lone VAUX'S
SWIFT among the many WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS near the entrance.
A full report can be found at my site:
http://www.birdguy.net/trip_report.html
That's all for now,
Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net/
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 09 23:20:44 2001
Subject: [SBB] PSFL
--------
All,
I heard my first PACIFIC SLOPE FLYCATCHER (six of them, infact) on
Wednesday, April 4 along the San Francisquito Creek in Palo Alto between
Alma and the pedestrial bridge. As well, the area seems to have good
numbers of Swallows, mostly VIOLET-GREENS, but a few TREE, CLIFF and
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED. Haven't seen a Barn in the area yet this Spring.
TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS and both forms of YELLOW-RUMPED are present as well.
Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net/
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 10 10:21:14 2001
Subject: [SBB] Re: {SBB] Lawrence's Goldfinches, nesting at Arastradeo
--------
Garth wrote:
> During nestbox checks at Arastradero this morning (4/9/2001), I made a
> careful check of the 80-odd goldfinches in the ripening fiddlenecks at the
> extreme southeastern corner of the preserve. As in the past at this
> location, there was at least one male and one female Lawrence's Goldfinch in
> among the Lessers.
> Other birds of potential interest at this location were a Selasphorus hummer
> (heard better than seen), a noisy House Wren which appears to be nesting in
> one of my boxes, and several excited Savannah Sparrows in the fiddlenecks
> with the goldfinches. About 20 Pine Siskins were foraging in nearby Blue Oak
> foliage. A pair of Western Bluebirds building a nest at the parking area
> provide excellent close-range viewing, and a male Northern Harrier coming
> into full adult plumage was hanging around at close range too.
>
> Several Chestnut-backed Chickadees and Oak Titmice are incubating their eggs
> this week, as is a single pair of WEBL (most are still in the
> nest-construction stage.)
Garth: A perhaps careless reading of the title of your post suggested at
first that you had nesting Lawrence's Goldfinches; however, the comma likely
mean you didn't intend that. What's the story? Also, I'd guess the location
isn't far from the main parking lot, perhaps along Arastradero Road. About
how far from there is it, and is it accessible by a sanctioned trail?
Thanks, Al
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 10 10:28:53 2001
Subject: [SBB] Locally Breeding Hermit Thrush
--------
Mike's comment on locally breeding Hermit Thrushes prompts me to describe an
odd population of likely breeders here in San Mateo County. I know this is
out of the South Bay Birds area, but I think it is relevant information for
the area. Perhaps this phenomena occurs elsewhere in our region.
In May of 1996 while doing field work for the San Mateo County Breeding Bird
Atlas I heard (and saw) a Hermit Thrush on Sherwood Point, a peninsula that
juts southward into Lower Crystal Springs Lake (Atlas Block 5050). I
assumed it was a late migrant and did not include it in my atlas sightings.
On June 7, 1997 Peter Metropulos and I were again doing atlas work in the
same area. This time we counted up to 6 individuals all singing in the
area, with a few more on the adjoining atlas block (5055). All were still
present and singing when we returned to check on the area on June 14, 1997.
Conventional wisdom in SM County is that our breeders are restricted to the
higher elevation areas along Skyline Boulevard, most likely in coniferous
forest with limited understory. These birds were at approximately 800 feet
in an isolated patch of chamise/chaparral.
Because of the difficulties in arranging access to this closed area within
the San Francisco Watershed, I have not been back since to check on these
birds. I do hope to go in early May of this year to see if this population
is still present. With a little luck I can also arrange a later visit.
The only conclusion here at this point is that there is still much we don't
know about Hermit Thrush breeding in the San Francisco Bay Area!
Francis Toldi
Burlingame, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: email@hidden
[mailto:email@hidden]
On Behalf Of
Dr. Michael M. Rogers
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2001 10:15 AM
To: email@hidden
Subject: [SBB] thrush migration timing
Hermit Thrushes, on the other hand, arrive in mid-September and are
still present throughout April, with a few birds found until about 10
May. Besides these overwintering/migrant birds, a few Hermit Thrushes
breed up along Skyline and there have been some surprise summer
banding records from CCFS, perhaps of failed or dispersing local
breeders.
Thus during the year there are two periods, from mid-April through the
first week or so of May and from mid-September through October, when
one has a reasonable chance of finding both of these species in the
county and careful consideration should be given to both species.
Outside these periods extreme care should be used for claims of the
less expected species. Our breeding Swainson's Thrushes and many of
our migrating birds are actually very rusty above, often leading to
incorrect claims of Veery in California. These birds are quite
distinctive and should be readily separable from our Hermit Thrushes.
For other birds the distinctions may be more subtle and careful
attention should be paid to face pattern and back/rump/tail contrast.
Happy thrushing,
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 10 10:32:57 2001
Subject: [SBB] Wilson's are back too
--------
Unless I missed it, no one has mentioned the arrival of WILSON'S WARBLERS.
I've got several singing around my yard in Felton since, I think Thursday
or Friday of last week (4/5 or 6).
--
Paul Stevens email@hidden
Tivo, Inc. http://www.tivo.com
P.O. Box 649101 408-519-9194
Alviso, CA 95164-9101 Fax: 408-519-5339
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 10 14:28:50 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Locally Breeding Hermit Thrush
--------
In a message dated 4/10/01 10:37:21 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
email@hidden writes:
> Conventional wisdom in SM County is that our breeders are restricted to the
> higher elevation areas along Skyline Boulevard, most likely in coniferous
> forest with limited understory. These birds were at approximately 800 feet
> in an isolated patch of chamise/chaparral.
>
That is not the case, as the species is a widespread breeder on the coastal
slope in the southern part of SM County, occuring in varied conifer forest
and chaparral settings. Many are at moderate to high elevation, but I think
the distribution of suitable habitat is more significant than elevation. Many
in the Pescadero, Butano and Gazos watersheds are at elevations below 400'
for example. They do generally avoid any near proximity to the coastal zone.
David Suddjian, Capitola
--------
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 10 14:48:53 2001
Subject: RE: [SBB] Locally Breeding Hermit Thrush
--------
So much for conventional wisdom!
Thanks for the clarification. That puts the northern county location in
much better perspective. Sherwood Point is consistent with the areas you
describe. It is a microhabitat with a distinctly interior feel.
Could you describe in more detail the specific habitat for our local
breeders, be they in San Mateo or Santa Clara (or Santa Cruz) Counties?
Incidentally, the breeding records that David describes are amply
represented in our soon to be published Breeding Bird Atlas data set.
Francis Toldi
Burlingame, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: email@hidden [mailto:email@hidden]
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2001 2:29 PM
To: email@hidden; email@hidden
Subject: Re: [SBB] Locally Breeding Hermit Thrush
In a message dated 4/10/01 10:37:21 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
email@hidden writes:
Conventional wisdom in SM County is that our breeders are restricted to the
higher elevation areas along Skyline Boulevard, most likely in coniferous
forest with limited understory. These birds were at approximately 800 feet
in an isolated patch of chamise/chaparral.
That is not the case, as the species is a widespread breeder on the coastal
slope in the southern part of SM County, occuring in varied conifer forest
and chaparral settings. Many are at moderate to high elevation, but I think
the distribution of suitable habitat is more significant than elevation.
Many
in the Pescadero, Butano and Gazos watersheds are at elevations below 400'
for example. They do generally avoid any near proximity to the coastal zone.
David Suddjian, Capitola
--------
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 10 14:58:18 2001
Subject: [SBB] County birding, Twin Gates and Smith Creek
--------
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and birded Twin Gates (left side of road above
Grant Ranch County Park) and Smith Creek (beyond that). Best birds at Twin
Gates were Pine Siskens (a moving flock of about 20 birds), Bullock's Oriole
(two adult males battling over territory and a female), Western Bluebird (a
few males), Oak Titmouse (two) and White-breasted Nuthatch (two). Best birds
at Smith Creek were Lawrence's Goldfinch (two females and an adult breeding
plumage male), Chipping Sparrow (two singing birds, one a well seen adult),
Purple Finch (heard only), Orange-crowned Warbler (heard only), Bullock's
Oriole, Wild Turkey (a lone female), and House Wren (two). We may also have
had two to three singing MacGillivray's Warblers. The problem is that the
birds were not doing the full song (although at least two birds did the same
song) and we cannot positively rule out Yellow Warbler (doing a partial
song). The song sounded like "sweeter sweeter sweeter wit to wit." Big
miss of the day however, was a darkish gray looking Flycatcher that I thought
was most probably a Hammond's but that I was only able to get two extremely
short glimpses of it before it disappeared. In general the birding was slow
but well worth the effort.
People should be advised that they are working on the bridge over Smith Creek
(only one lane open) and that parking is very limited near the fire station.
My guess is that the bridge work will take all summer.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 2:46 PM, 4/10/01
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 10 17:00:32 2001
Subject: [SBB] RUFF in Alviso
--------
All,
I made a quick stop at Alviso this afternoon 4/10/01. Not many
shorebirds were in the wet fields, although I did have 3 LONG-BILLED
CURLEWS (one chased off by a pair of BURROWING OWLS), 1 WHIMBREL, and
1 heard-only GREATER YELLOWLEGS.
Across the road in the marsh at State and Spreckles, I had a female
RUFF (=REEEVE) in with 60 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS. This basic-plumaged
bird showed little signs of molting in any alternate plumage, the legs
were yellow, and there were still warm buff tones in the
hindneck/upper back, suggesting perhaps a first-spring bird. Given
that last fall's birds that spent from 29 Aug to 28 Oct here were
thought to be an adult female and a juvenile male, this would be a
different bird if it is indeed this age. Today's bird seemed to be
molting in some new tertials, as the lower tertials were white-edged
(rather than buff/yellow as on the upper tertials) and one on the
right side was shorter than the one above it (regrowing). In flight
the bird looked a little worn, but on the ground there was no obvious
fraying or wear. Initially, the Ruff spent much of its time well
concealed in the vegetation, but later it flew out to a more open
pool. Unlike the dowitchers, it was actively foraging.
Several pairs of dabbling ducks in full breeding condition were also
around, including two pairs of AMERICAN WIGEON (they bred at Hayward
last summer, so keep an eye out for a potential first county breeding
record!), a pair of NORTHERN PINTAIL, four pairs of CINNAMON TEAL, and
many pairs of NORTHERN SHOVELERS. A newly hatched KILLDEER was also
racing over the gravel pond edge.
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 10 17:34:26 2001
Subject: [SBB] Warblers
--------
Today ( 4/9) had a small flock of warblers working the oaks along Creek
Drive in Menlo Park. Most notable were a singing Black-thoated Gray
warbler and a singing Hermit Warbler. Many Townsend's Warblers and a
couple Orange-crowned Warblers thown in.
Screech.
--
Paul L. Noble
"Screechowl"
email@hidden
^ ^
@ @
( v )
( )
/ \
m m
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 10 17:42:42 2001
Subject: [SBB] more on pine siskins
--------
Talked to Dr. Stern again today. She's been talking to the national
wildlife lab. They're interested in getting samples of the birds for
study. If you're willing to help, here's what to do: if you find a dead
siskin, refrigerate it (please don't freeze it), and either take it to
For the Birds in Los Gatos, or contact them -- they can get you
instructions on how to get it to the labs for study.
--
Chuq Von Rospach, Internet Gnome
[ = = ]
Yes, yes, I've finally finished my home page. Lucky you.
To the optimist, the glass is half full.
To the pessimist, the glass is half empty.
To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 10 18:11:40 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Locally Breeding Hermit Thrush
--------
In a message dated 4/10/01 2:57:19 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
email@hidden writes:
> Could you describe in more detail the specific habitat for our local
> breeders, be they in San Mateo or Santa Clara (or Santa Cruz) Counties?
>
>
Forest nesting habitat in the Santa Cruz Mountains is principally Redwood -
Douglas fir forest, old or young, with a hardwood component (tan oak,
madrone, live oak). In such forest they are most numerous away from streams,
up on slide slopes and ridges, often where the hardwood component is well
developed and there is a fair amount of tall understory vegetation
(huckleberry, sapling tan oak, etc.). On the coastal slope of the S.C.
Mountains they are also found in manzanita - knobcone scrub, and can be
pretty numerous in such areas. The scrub habitat is mostly used where there
is a lot of seasonal fog. In the southern Santa Cruz Mountains (south of
Soquel Creek) they are especially attracted to small brushy clearings in
generally forested areas.
One of my favorite experiences is sitting out along one of the high ridges,
like Butano Ridge, amid the knobcone scrub, watching the sunset and listening
to the Hermit Thrushes sing.
David Suddjian, Capitola
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 10 23:52:44 2001
Subject: RE: [SBB] RUFF in Alviso
--------
I reached the intersection of Spreckles and State at 7:00PM after seeing
Mike's message.
Forgot about the small matter of the tides. The tide was in and there were
no shorebirds.
A RING-NECKED PHEASANT was calling at the end of Spreckles street.
A male NORTHERN HARRIER was being harassed by RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDs.
On the way out, I found a/the RUFF in Arzino Ranch. It was with 6 Dowitchers
in
a patch of water west of the where the railway line crosses Zanker Rd.
Did not have a scope. Would have needed that to compare this bird with
Mike's notes.
Vivek
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 11 05:55:52 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I visited Alviso at lunch time today, 11 Apr 01. Checking the marsh at State
and Spreckles produced nothing unusual (Jim Danzenbaker was there as well
and saw nothing). The pond across the road at Arzino Ranch was equally
unproductive. So, I went over by the railroad tracks, where a wet area in
the field was present. All I found here of note was a LESSER YELLOWLEGS.
Steve Miller showed up and continued to scope this area after I left. Maybe
he has something more to report. Arzino, near the Jubilee Center, had 3
BURROWING OWLS.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 11 10:45:06 2001
Subject: [SBB] Band Tailed Pigeons
--------
I had two Band-tailed Pigeons at my feeder this
morning. The remaining Gold Crowns and White Crowns
are in beautiful breeding plumage, and the Lincoln's
Sparrow continues to show up frequently as it has for
several months now. This morning it was feeding and
then flew into the shrubs just below our dining room
window. I have constantly tracked it on the calendar
and am beginning to wonder just how long it's going to
stay around. Where is its major breeding area?
The quail crowd has lessened, but I still have
several feeding and calling.
Barbara
Almaden Area
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 11 10:56:07 2001
Subject: [SBB] Band-tailed Pigeons
--------
I had two Band Tailed-pigeons at my feeder this
morning. Also, the remaining Gold Crowns and White
Crowns are in beautiful breeding plumage, and the
Lincoln's Sparrow continues to show up frequently as
it has for several months. This morning it was
feeding and then flew into the shrubs just below our
dining room window. I have constantly tracked it on
the calendar and am beginning to wonder just how long
it's going to stay around. What is their primary
breeding area?
The quail crowd has lessened, but still there are
several feeding in small groups.
Barbara Harkleroad
Almaden Area
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 11 13:45:10 2001
Subject: [SBB] Northern Pygmy-Owl
--------
Wednesday noon, Shirley Gordon spotted a Northern Pygmy-Owl at Almaden-Quicksilver County Park. The bird was 6' down in a tall sycamore at the first big, right-hand, nearly hairpin turn a 1/4 mile up Mine Hill Trail from the New Almaden/Hacienda parking area. The lone sycamore is off to the left as one goes uphill, near the sharpest part of the turn. (I think this is the same turn in the trail, though not the same tree, in which Ann Verdi reported seeing a pair of Northern Pygmy-Owls on March 10th.)
Thanks to Shirley's spotting and Frank Vanslager's scope, all those who were still there at the end of the SCVAS birdwalk which Shirley led were treated to wonderful views of the bird.
Roland Kenner
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 12 03:37:48 2001
Subject: [SBB] Fwd: Undelivered mail for email@hidden
--------
>
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
--------
Message
--------
--------
Final-Recipient: rfc822; email@hidden
Action: failed
Status: 5.1.1
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Message
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Subject: nesting boxes occupants
--------
Hi,
Two of my three nesting boxes in my Cupertino garden/yard have birds raising
families in them. Bewicks Wrens and Chestnutbacked Chicadees.
There is also a Bushtit nest suspended from a lower branch of my back yard
California Pepper Tree.
Last year I had a Bushtit nest in the front yard Pepper Tree. Unfortunately
it was deserted. In the fall I opened up the nest and found a Cowbird egg
and 3 Bushtit eggs in it. I took pictures of this.
Dirk Thiele,
Cupertino
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 12 05:43:08 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I went to Alviso today, 12 Apr 01, and stopped at the EEC. There were a few
hundred breeding-plumaged EARED GREBES on the salt pond. I saw GREAT EGRET,
SNOWY EGRET, and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON in the rookery. An ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLER was present near the Center and a female AMERICAN GOLDFINCH was
carrying nesting material.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 12 10:02:04 2001
Subject: [SBB] Frenchman's Meadow, Stanford
--------
There was quite a scene in the meadow this morning, the first really
spring-like morning in several days. One pair of HOODED ORIOLES is
established in the more northeasterly of the two fan palms; I located the
nest woven below one of the palm fronds, and saw the female carrying a
piece of down to it. The male was perched nearby, chattering occasionally
and looking domestic. In, around and about the other fan palm 3 males were
chasing one female while trying to chase each other off at the same time,
chattering constantly, and regularly giving their high sharp flight call,
along with occasional fragments of song. I watched the spectacle for a half
an hour, but had to leave with the struggle unresolved.
A male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE was on top of one redwood, singing; one of the
local nesting pair of RED-TAILED HAWKS was perched atop another. I also
heard my first of the year PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER singing nearby, as well
as a singing TOWNSEND'S WARBLER. A couple of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were
around, including a very bright male Audubon's. Several BROWN-HEADED
COWBIRDS lurked. The regular summer squadron of VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS were
overhead, and COOPER'S HAWK circled briefly.
-- Tom Grey Stanford Law School email@hidden
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 12 10:47:44 2001
Subject: [SBB] Location of Frenchman's Meadow
--------
In answer to several requests: Frenchman's Meadow is at the end of
Frenchman's Road on Stanford campus. Coming from the Palo Alto side, take
the circular Campus Drive around to the south side of the Quad (toward the
hills), go east on Mayfield, then right on Frenchman's. The meadow is where
the two palm trees are.
Coming from the foothill side, turn off Junipero Serra onto Santa Maria,
turn right onto Gerona, which will take you to the meadow.
The street on Frenchman's is marked for residential parking only, but I
don't believe this is enforced.... but for unimpeachable legality, turn up
Estudillo a block or so and park on the street.
I hope the HOOR show is still going on!
-- Tom Grey Stanford Law School email@hidden
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 12 11:41:59 2001
Subject: [SBB] HOODED ORIOLE
--------
Good Morning,
Just thought I would post that a HOODED ORIOLE showed up just moments ago in
backyard. He was here for the first time last year on Easter, amazing how
close he came to arriving at Easter again this year!
Best regards,
Linda
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 12 12:21:06 2001
Subject: [SBB] thrush subspecies
--------
Natasha,
Hopefully this will help address your question of whether we have
"Interior West" or "Pacific" thrushes in the valley.
Checking Grinnell & Miller "The Distribution of the Birds of
California" (1944) - available reprinted from Artemisia Press for only
about $25 I believe - you can see we are listed as having 5 subspecies
of Hermit Thrush (Hylocichla guttata=Catharus guttatus) and 2 of
Swainson's Thrush (Hylocichla ustulata=Catharus ustulatus) in the
state. These are:
Alaska Hermit Thrush - guttatus
Dwarf Hermit Thrush - nanus
Monterey Hermit Thrush - slevini
Sierra Hermit Thrush - sequoiensis
Great Basin Hermit Thrush - polionota
(the first two being winter visitors from the north (Alaska and
British Columbia) and the latter three being summer visitor breeding
birds, with "slevini" accounting for our local San Mateo County
breeders)
and
Rocky Mountain Swainson Thrush - almae (=swainsoni)
Russet-backed Swainson Thrush - ustulatus (including oedicus)
(both of these being summer visitors, with "ustulatus" (including what
is now oedicus) accounting for all California breeders except those in
the Great Basin).
Pyle's "Identification Guide to North American Birds" (1997) is more
recent and has a complete list of subspecies for the whole United
States. Also, these subspecies are listed in "groups" of the kind
illustrated in Sibley. For Hermit Thrush, the first three subspecies
are in the "guttatus" group, whereas the last two are in the
"auduboni" group (it also appears that there may be more California
subspecies now then in Grinnell & Miller's time). For Swainson's
Thrush, "ustulatus/oedicus" are in the "ustulatus" group, whereas
"almae" is part of the Olive-backed group.
Now, to match up the names in the Sibley guide to subspecies or
subspecies groups, go to the Sibley website at www.sibleyart.com and
check out the subspecies page http://www.sibleyart.com/taxa.htm:
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus
Pacific C. u. ustulatus group
Taiga/Interior West C. u. swainsoni group
Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus
Taiga/Eastern C. g. faxoni group
Rocky Mountains C. g. auduboni group
Pacific C. g. guttatus group
Thus you can see that our local breeding Swainson's Thrushes
("ustulatus") are depicted as "Pacific", whereas "almae" is part of
the Taiga/Interior West group. Grinnell and Miller do not list other
subspecies for California, but some migrants of other subspecies do
presumably pass through California, e.g. "incanus" from Alaska - a
grayer-backed member of the "Pacific" group.
Both our wintering and breeding Hermit Thrushes are "Pacific" birds,
but gray-backed Interior West/Rocky Mountain birds are also found in
the state (and may be found especially during migration).
Both Grinnell & Miller and Pyle are outstanding references and well
worth buying. With them you can do this kind of analysis for all our
birds.
Hope this helps,
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 12 15:33:08 2001
Subject: [SBB] Alviso Ruff
--------
All,
This morning shortly after nine and again at noon Frank Vanslager and I saw a
basic plumaged Ruff in the weeds on the far side of the pond located at
Spreckles & State St. in Alviso. Frank originally located the preening Ruff
among a group of sleeping Dowitchers about 100 yds north of the intersection
along a line with a wire fence which extends toward the pond. At noon the
bird was actively feeding with Dowitchers and Black-necked Stilts in the
weeds between the railroad tracks and the pond directly east of the
intersection. In both cases it was hard to see all of the bird (it was
behind an Avocet, Dowitchers and Pickle Weed in the morning and was moving
through heavy Pickle Weed later) but it was fairly easy to find (a whitish
fronted, small-billed bird among the warmly marked long-billed birds).
Hardest to see were the legs (color) and the best we got was that they were
yellowish (with no green). Sexing is also a bit of a problem in that the
bird appeared to stand somewhat taller than the Dowitchers but also somewhat
shorter in length (bill length difference?). My guess then is that this Ruff
is most likely Mike Rogers Reeve. The slightly decurved bill, about the
length of the head, seemed to be all black (at least at the distances we
viewed it we could see no (expected) color at the base of the bill). The
throat and the lower portion of the face were quite white with the chest,
belly and undertail coverts appearing a light shade of gray (dirty?). It had
a small, whitish supercillium and a dark eyeline. The crown was a fairly
dark, uniform grayish-brown with a minimal amount of white at the base of the
upper bill. The head, itself, often appeared to be quite small. The
scapulars and the primaries were dark brownish-black centered with buffy
edges. The white sides of the upper rump and the dark terminal tail band
were well seen as it preened (the central stripe however, was not confirmed).
During most of the noon sighting, as the bird fed, the feathers of the
mantle were raised.
Other notable birds included Whimbrel and Long-billed Curlew in "the pond"
Pickle Weed, a huge yellowish Canada Goose chick on the far side of the
tracks, five to six Common Snipe (in the weeds) and a gorgeous strutting cock
Ring-necked Pheasant in Arzino Ranch (three to four Burrowing Owls there
also). Coyote Creek Field Station was dead but we did have at least two
almost all white gulls (whitish primaries) in Salt Pond A18. The whitest
gull was quite large with an all black bill (probably a bleached out first
winter Thayer's Gull) while the other somewhat darker shaded gull was the
size and shape of a California Gull, had a bicolored bill with a dark tip
(your guess on this one is probably better than mine).
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 3;30 PM, 4/12/01
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 12 19:57:01 2001
Subject: [SBB] RE: Caspian Tern(s)
--------
Good Evening,
Went to a few place to bird this late afternoon and evening bird.
Oak Meadow: Was really busy with birds. I counted two pair of Bullock's
Orioles (between the restrooms and the children's playground), but I do think
there may be more than that present. Cedar Waxwings(30) still present in the
same area. Lots of Robins, Bushtits and Towhees. The Acorn Woodpeckers (7)
are always a treat to watch.
Vasona: A Bullock's Oriole was spotted by the boat launch (they had a nest
there last year). At the rookery there was a nesting (?) Black-crowned Night
Heron with a Snowy Egret standing next to him! A Green Heron was there too.
Oka Ponds: The Canada Goose is still incubating in the first pond towards the
fence by the freeway. Two pair of American Wigeons present, along with four
pairs of Bufflehead, a single pair of Hooded Mergansers and a single pair of
Gadwalls in the large pond by the bridge.
Just as I was leaving I spotted a tern. I followed it back over the bridge to
the Los Gatos Creek Ponds side.....okay I ran.....A single Caspian Tern flew
over the ponds, and after watching it for ten minutes, in flew six others.
WOW.... Four Great Egrets where flying what looked like, back to Vasona, and
a beautiful Red-tail Hawk circled the ponds. Four Ruddy Ducks, three female
and one male in the large pond.
Lots of Swallows (50) Northern Rough-winged and Barn.
Good birding to all and best regards,
Linda Sullivan
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 13 05:38:56 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I went back again to Alviso today, 13 Apr 01, this time finding the RUFF in
the marsh at State and Spreckles. The bird was behind the small fenced-off
area that is just south of the intersection. It was in a wet area of
pickleweed that is just adjacent to the open water. This bird spends a great
deal of time hidden in the vegetation, so patience is recommended. My
impression was that the size of this bird indicates a female, but recalling
Bob Reiling's statement that it stood taller than the dowitchers made me
wonder whether this might be the same bird we discussed at length last fall.
Other than the mottled dark markings on the breast, which is expected for a
spring bird that may be molting, I don't think this bird looked much
different than the one last year. I wonder if it may have returned on its
spring migration, or possibly been here all winter?
Also in the marsh here was a WHIMBREL. A BARN OWL was roosting in the nest
box at the EEC and another was roosting at SFBBO. Further up State Street
from the marsh there was a very young juvenile EUROPEAN STARLING, with only
minimal feathering and a huge bright yellow beak. It certainly looked to be
out of the nest quite early. I don't imagine that it's long for this world,
considering that it was sitting in the middle of the street.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 13 08:52:56 2001
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
This morning, 4/13/2001, I saw five AM. WHITE PELICANS in the North Pond
of the Palo Alto FCB, none with nuptial horns. In the channel across the bike
path from Adobe Creek, a female and imm. male HOODED MERGANSER remain. White
feathers are coming into the 'hood' of the imm. male. Eleven BLACK SKIMMERS
are still on Charleston Slough and a BURROWING OWL is at the mound across from
the entrance to Shoreline GC.
Bill
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 13 11:25:43 2001
Subject: [SBB] Re:Ruff
--------
All,
This morning Mike Rogers sent me a note on my post on the Ruff (Reeve) that
Frank and I saw in Alviso yesterday. In my post I said that the "primaries
were dark brownish-black centered with buffy edges." Mike advised me that
these feathers are in fact "the tertials, which completely cover the
primaries when at rest." Although I was aware of my error shortly after
sending my original message I had decided to let it slide. This was not a
good idea, identification of feather groups of different types of birds is
difficult enough without letting false statements stand and possibly
adversely influence those who need to know. One of the better things about
Sibley's new book is the section on bird topograph. In it he not only gives
us a nice general drawing of a passerine and it's feather groups (included in
most field guides) but he also gives several additional drawings to aid in
identifying the different groups and how they might look depending on how the
bird is positioned. More importantly he gives detailed drawings on the
feather groups of shorebirds (our Ruff), ducks and gulls. Detailed written
descriptions of rare birds seen are important for a number of reasons and
these drawings will aid in this description (more importantly they will aid
in the proper identification of the rare bird).
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 11:21 AM, 4/13/01
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 13 13:56:00 2001
Subject: [SBB] Alviso Ruff
--------
Hi all,
This morning at about 8:30 I went over to Alviso to look for the RUFF seen by Bob Reiling and Frank Vanslager. I found it in the same area as described by Bob as follows:
On the far East side of the pond located at Spreckles & State Street, about 100 yds north of the intersection along a line with a wire fence which extends toward the pond. The bird was at the edge of the water next to the pickle weed in front of the railroad tracks.
Amy McDonald
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 13 14:26:34 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] -
--------
The outer pond of the Flood control basin has about 20 White Pelicans, most
with nuptial horns. Are these just unsuccessful males of the season???
Dick
Richard C. Carlson
Full Time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker
Part-time Economist
Palo Alto, CA
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 13 17:43:56 2001
Subject: [SBB] S.C. Co. List as of March 31
--------
March was not quite bursting with spring, but added six new species, all
of them typical early arrivals of locally breeding birds, excepting Common
Poorwill, which may be partially resident. That brings us to 202.
Caspian Tern, Common Poorwill, Western Kingbird, Warbling Vireo,
Wilson's Warbler, Grasshopper Sparrow
Bill Bousman
The complete list can be viewed on:
South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU)
http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/
New Additions to SBBU Birding Sites on the Internet.
Over 500 Bird Audio Songs and Calls
eNature
http://www.enature.com/
Bird Families of the World and Birds in Monterey Co.
Creagrus @ Monterey Bay
http://montereybay.com/creagrus/
Merlie (the Merlin) has apparently headed back North to Alaska(?)
(average departure date 3/20). I hope I will see him again on
October 20, as usual.
Today, Jamie (the unusually marked female Red-tailed Hawk mentioned
before) was on Merlie's tree. She looked so big (in comparison to
Merlie) that I thought it had to be a Golden Eagle, but in the scope
it was just Jamie.
Kendric
-----------------------------------------
Kendric C. Smith, Ph.D.
927 Mears Court
Stanford, CA 94305-1041
(650) 493-7210 (voice or fax)
email@hidden
http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/
------------------------------------------
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 13 21:15:49 2001
Subject: [SBB] Western Screech Owl web site
--------
Even though it's unlikely we'll be able to view the owl in person this
year...you can keep track of what's happening in the nest box of the WESTERN
SCREECH OWL in Los Gatos.
Science teachers love the site...and you will too!...check out
www.parkers/to/owls
Gloria LeBlanc
http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
"largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts"
http://www.cowscowscows.com
"site for the Chicago and NYC cows"
http://www.lgsia.com
"money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios"
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 14 06:29:58 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
Mike Rogers and I went up into the Diablo Mountains today, 14 Apr 01, to
look for migrants. Starting at Smith Creek, the fire station had at least 3
HOUSE WRENS, 3 CHIPPING SPARROWS, and many BULLOCK'S ORIOLES.
We hiked the hillside above the road behind the fire station, where we came
upon a couple small flocks of warblers. These included at least 3
ORANGE-CROWNED, 1 NASHVILLE, many YELLOW-RUMPED, at least 4 BLACK-THROATED
GRAY, 1 TOWNSEND'S, and 1 WILSON'S. Many PURPLE FINCHES were singing, while
the undergrowth still contained many HERMIT THRUSHES and CROWNED SPARROWS.
Back down by the creek BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS were singing, as were BROWN
CREEPERS and a pair of WARBLING VIREOS. The resident pair of HAIRY
WOODPECKERS was being quite vocal, and both of us heard and saw our first
HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER of the year.
We then walked up the road from the fire station, seeing and hearing more
BLACK-THROATED GRAY and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS. Suddenly, a calling NORTHERN
PYGMY-OWL flew across the road carrying, what Mike thought to be, a small
mammal. After briefly alighting with its prize, it flew to the neighboring
tree and presented it to its patiently-waiting mate (PRobable breeding
record). Even more, the 2 small agitated passerines that were excitedly
scolding the owl were both HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS, and were later joined by
an OAK TITMOUSE.
Moving down to Grant Lake, we ran into Matthew Dodder and his birding class,
who were looking at a couple of the 5 WESTERN KINGBIRDS that were in the
area. The lake had a number of duck species still hanging around including
AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN SHOVELER, RING-NECKED DUCK, and BUFFLEHEAD. An
immature GOLDEN EAGLE flew overhead, the many gaps in its wings indicating
that it was in active molt.
I left Mike at the lake, as he was going to continue birding the area. So,
he may have more to report.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 14 12:07:07 2001
Subject: [SBB] Arastradero, LAGOs et al
--------
I took a walk up the Corte Madera Trail in Arastradero Preserve this morning, and along the creek above the lake I heard or saw ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS (8+), WILSON'S WARBLERS (5+), PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS (3), WARBLING VIREOS (2), PURPLE FINCH (2), and HOUSE WREN (1). I heard what I am pretty sure was a Black-headed Grosbeak, and also heard what I thought was a Yellow Warbler, but I didn't see either and was a bit unsure of the i.d. in each case. There was a GREEN HERON at the upper pond.
I ran into Garth Harwood leading a group in as I came out, and we'll see if Garth picked up either of my doubtfuls. He said the Goldfinch flock in the fiddlehead field was small (only about 10) with no Lawrence's. Apparently it picks up as the day goes on, because when I got back to the entrance at about 11 am (the field in question is on your left behind the sign as you enter the main part of the Preserve after crossing the road from the parking lot) it was up to around 40 mostly Lesser Goldfinch, among which I found 2 LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH. One if these perched briefly on a coyote bush right next to the trail at the entrance, as you cross the road! The main flock was feeding about 50-75 yards in to the left off the trail when I was there, but they appear to move around.
Tom Grey
Stanford Law School
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 14 13:19:03 2001
Subject: [SBB] owl web site
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She's sitting on FIVE eggs. See the website http://www.parkers.to/owls
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 14 14:58:55 2001
Subject: [SBB] Alviso RUFF
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The RUFF (Reeve) found by Mike Rogers near the intersection of State
and Spreckles Streets in Alviso was still present today around noon.
When I left, it was still being seen by Matthew Dodder and a few other
birders. As Mike Mammoser pointed out, this bird is a real skulker and
some patience is useful to locate it. It was seen from the east side
of the fenced-in area, almost straight out in line with the northern
fence. It spent all of its time foraging in the vegetation on the far
side of the pond. I got only split-second full views of the bird,
and otherwise had to be content with views of the head or of the back.
Les Chibana
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 14 19:58:04 2001
Subject: [SBB] LAGO, RCSP
--------
All,
Our Palo Alto Adult School Beginning Birding class field trip to Joseph
D. Grant County Park this morning was a success with many good looks at
BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, 5 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS and a single male LAWRENCE'S
GOLDFINCH near the farmhouse. Other interesting birds, although not
unusual were certainly nice. HOUSE WRENS were singings at various spots
along the creek, three WESTERN KINGBIRDS, large numbers of TREE,
VIOLET-GREEN, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED, CLIFF and BARN SWALLOWS and a
single imm. GOLDEN EAGLE (thanks to Mike Mammoser who bumped into us
along with Mike Rogers) near Grant Lake. There was also a pair of
RING-NECKED DUCK on the water near the small island.
A full report of the trip will be posted on my site shortly:
http://www.birdguy.net/trip_report.html
After that, Kenneth Petersen, Phil and Joan Leighton and I went to see
the Alviso REEVE which was, as reported, hard to get a good look at...
Les Chibana had already arrived and pointed us toward the bird. Patience
was rewarded with good (but brief) looks at the bird as it skulked
around the weeds opposite the fenced area at the corner of State and
Spreckles in Alviso.
Kenneth Petersen and I later visited Ed Levin Park to find many more
BULLOCK'S ORIOLES a few Selasphorus Hummingbirds, two of which were
definately RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS, and a RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW near the
sycamore trees on the hillside near the hang gliders.
Finally, I went to Charleston Slough where there appeared to be 13 BLACK
SKIMMERS on the island including one immature. A bit farther out along
the main trail there were 85+ WHITE PELICANS soaring above Adobe Creek,
many with large breeding horns on their bills and roughly 30 BONAPARTE'S
GULLS with full black heads.
Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net/
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 15 07:21:02 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
On Easter Sunday, 15 Apr 01, I drove down to Gilroy Hot Springs Road. Where
this road intersects Canada Road I had a small flock in a valley oak that
included 4 PURPLE FINCHES, 3 LAWRENCES GOLDFINCHES (2 males and a female), a
male BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, and a male HERMIT WARBLER. A BLACK PHOEBE
was sitting on a nest here under the bridge and I heard at least 3 CASSIN'S
VIREOS singing nearby (my first of the season). Also in this area, I had 2
WILD TURKEYS gobbling from up the road, a flyby adult COOPER'S HAWK, and a
soaring adult SHARP-SHINNED HAWK.
Further up Coyote Creek I had 2 male COMMON MERGANSERS and a male WOOD DUCK.
A BAND-TAILED PIGEON was performing some kind of display flight, where it
would fly around in a circle at a rather slow speed with very shallow,
almost fluttery, wingbeats. It then would land in the top of a tree and call
for a while before repeating the display (courtship?).
At the bridge entrance to Gilroy Hot Springs I heard my first PACIFIC-SLOPE
FLYCATCHER of the season. A BLACK PHOEBE was building a nest at this bridge,
and I heard a calling RED-SHOULDERED HAWK nearby.
At the intersection of Canada and Jamison I saw a soaring GOLDEN EAGLE.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 15 18:28:48 2001
Subject: [SBB] Grant Ranch CP - 4/14/01
--------
All,
On Saturday 4/14/01 I birded Grant Ranch County Park. Mike Mammoser
joined me for the morning and we started at Smith's Creek Ranger
Station just before 8:00am. At least 3 CHIPPING SPARROWS and several
BULLOCK'S ORIOLES and HOUSE WRENS were around the station, but we
fairly quickly headed up into the oaks in the surrounding hillsides to
look for migrant warblers and to escape the rescue dog training that
was going on. We did find a few warbler flocks but, as expected for
this early in April, the variety and numbers were a little limited.
Highlights included a single NASHVILLE WARBLER, a WILSON'S WARBLER,
three TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS, 1 WARBLING VIREO, 7 BLACK-THROATED GRAY
WARBLERS, 13 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS (some probably local breeders),
and 6 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS. We later checked along the creek,
finding 2 WARBLING VIREOS, 3 more ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, and several
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS (total for Smith's Creek was 10). On the way
out I heard a HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER and we were able to track the bird
down and get decent views.
Next we made a check of the willows at milepost 15.48 on the way back
to Grant Ranch. I again heard a HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER from up the
road. Heading in that direction turned up two agitated HAMMOND'S
FLYCATCHERS mobbing a pair of NORTHERN PYGMY-OWLS (almost 11am!). One
owl (presumably the male) brought a small rodent to the other and
offered it in courtship. Also along the road here were two more
BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS, a HUTTON'S VIREO, and the day's second
(and last) BAND-TAILED PIGEON.
After this we headed to Grant Lake, where Mike located an immature
GOLDEN EAGLE while I purchased a new annual park pass. The lake had
the usual assortment of waterfowl (5 species of dabbling ducks
including a male AMERICAN WIGEON, a pair of BUFFLEHEAD, and a male
RING-NECKED DUCK) and foraging swallows. Mike had to leave, but I
stayed and after diligently working through all five species of the
expected SWALLOWS was rewarded with two low-flying VAUX'S SWIFTS.
Also of interest at the south end of the lake were two easy-to-see
SORAS out in the open in the small reed patches (one even flew to the
cover of the Coyote bushes on shore) and numerous migrating COMMON
YELLOWTHROATS (at least 24 around the lake and the ranch house).
A loop east of the lake on the Canal Trail added 2 BLUE-GRAY
GNATCATCHERS, 3 ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS and raised the total of
WESTERN KINGBIRDS to 7. There were also a BELTED KINGFISHER, a
singing RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW and a flyover PINE SISKIN in this area.
After crossing the road, I headed to the ranch house on the Hotel
Trail. Along the trail here there were 5 LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES
(including singing males on the fence), 4 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, many
COMMON YELLOWTHROATS, and 3 more PINE SISKIN. Carefully working the
sparrow flock along the creek in front of the ranch house turned up
both races of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, a few GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS,
and two more LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, but not the White-throated Sparrow I
found here last fall. At least one GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was singing in
the meadow between the ranch house and the road.
Finally I headed to milepost 10.50 and walked in past the "White Barn"
to the Washburn Trail. Highlights here included two more HAMMOND'S
FLYCATCHERS along Aguague Creek, 3 more CHIPPING SPARROWS, another
HUTTON'S VIREO, and single adult males of both SHARP-SHINNED and
COOPER'S HAWKS, both likely half of a local breeding pair. From the
windmill at the northern park boundary, I looked back at a stock pond
and was amazed to see a CANADA GOOSE nesting in a tire on top of a
post at the pond edge. This pond is far enough from Grant Lake that
it is in a different atlas block and represents the first breeding
confirmation (or even presence of this species!) for block 1035. Also
heard WILD TURKEYs calling from here. I bushwhacked down to the pond
to get a better look at the goose, which hissed violently at me
without budging. Nearby it's mate flattened itself to the ground to
the point of being nearly invisible. Also on the pond were a pair of
BUFFLEHEAD, a pair of GADWALL, two MALLARDS, and the day's second
GREATER YELLOWLEGS.
Throughout the day a total of 5 male SELASPHORUS HUMMINGBIRDS had
zinged past me on their way north. I could only identify one
definitively as a RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, but have little doubt that's
what they all were.
There are still plenty of wintering birds about, with totals for the
day including 18 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, 7 HERMIT THRUSHES,
28+ YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS (all ID'd being AUDUBON'S except for a
pure flock of 5 MYRTLEs in the willows in front of the ranch house),
7 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, 73+ GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS, and 33+ WHITE-CROWNED
SPARROWS.
Breeding confirmations were few; besides the CANADA GOOSE, I had a
WESTERN BLUEBIRD carrying nest material and three BLACK PHOEBE nests
(one still under construction). Plenty of birds checking out the many
nest boxes though.
All-in-all a nice Spring day, with 95 species of birds seen (or heard)
in the park.
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 15 19:08:21 2001
Subject: [SBB] Bayshore Birdathon 4/15/01
--------
Today I led 4 first-time birders (who I had met at a party) to a birding
trip at Mtn. View Forebay starting at 8AM.
Highlights for me included SORA at the south-west corner of the Forebay, a
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK and a calling
RING-NECKED PHEASANT in the trees at the north-west corner of Shoreline
lake, 1 female HOODED MERGANSER, and a SURF SCOTER
at Shoreline lake. Also a distant COMMON LOON.
A WESTERN MEADOWLARK calling from atop a pine tree!
A SEMIPALMATED PLOVER on the dry western side of the Forebay.
Ducks include MALLARD, GADWALL. CINNAMON and GREEN-WINGED TEAL, N.
SHOVELLER, CANVASBACK, RUDDY DUCK and GREATER SCAUP.
1 imm. male and 2 female HOODED MERGANSERs in the pound west of Adobe creek.
We ended up with 62 species in 3 hrs, in essentially just a walk around the
Forebay!
Made a quick stop at PA Duck Pond (LESSER SCAUP) and then at Sunnyvale WPCP.
The 2 BURROWING OWLS near the parking-lot
did not disappoint. A flyby SHARP-SHINNED HAWK was appreciated by all. The
SNOW GOOSE continues. A COMMON MOORHEN
and a WESTERN KINGBIRD.
Last stop Alviso and EEC. A male RING-NECKED PHEASANT and a couple of
RED-TAILED HAWKS (one flying with a kill) put on
a good show, couple of LOGGERHEAD SHRIKEs and AMERICAN WIDGEON.
At the EEC, the BARN OWL in its nest box drew rave reviews. A kettle of
soaring RAVENS and 3 NORTHERN HARRIERs was very interesting. Also a distant
flock of AMERICAN PELICANS the seems headed in a north-east direction
towards the Diablo hills.
Closed with a BONAPARTE's GULL at the water-treatment plant.
Ended with ~80 species at 2PM.
Incidentally, at the end, the trip was upgraded into an SCVAS Birdathon! I
offered the option to the trip participants, they were enthusiastic and
agreed to donate some money to SCVAS, and were signed up as Birdathon'ers.
Nice 6 hours of birding on a great day.
Vivek Tiwari
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 16 09:17:23 2001
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
This morning, 4/16/2001, I saw 4 AM. WHITE PELICANS in the North Pond of
the Palo Alto FCB. These are likely a part of the larger flock that people
have been seeing in the outer basin. The imm. male and female HOODED
MERGANSERS remain in the channel across the bike path from Adobe Creek. Both
birds were foraging and the male came up with a 5-cm crayfish. He did not
share. In the outer Palo Alto FCB I picked up on a male NORTHERN HARRIER
putting together the linked U's of the courtship 'sky-dance'. I counted 16
more linked U's as the bird moved across the basin. He did not follow a
straight line and the ground trace of the flight included a large loop. I
counted at least 12 BLACK SKIMMERS at Charlestson Slough. Along Salt Pond
A2W, in the new-mown grass, I watched two WESTERN KINGBIRDS--my first in 295
commutes. I saw five plus birds at the Stanford dish yesterday, indicating a
good migratory movement of these non-resident birds.
Bill
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 16 17:05:33 2001
Subject: [SBB] County birding
--------
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I tried for all those warblers at Smith
Creek Fire Station. Unfortunately the "gods of bird migration" or our skill
let us down as we only encountered one small flock (by we I mean Frank as I
was looking somewhere else at nothing) and Frank got a Townsend's Warbler for
our efforts. Best birds were a singing Cassin's Vireo that moved rapidly
past us heading north, three to four Chipping Sparrows (in close and
constantly singing), several Black-headed Grosbeaks, one singing Warbling
Vireo, one singing Hutton's Vireo and House Wrens. Later Frank and I stopped
by Lake Cunningham Park where we saw one each Ross's Goose and a Snow Goose
(both in alternate plumage) on the small island on the north side of the lake.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 5:09 PM, 4/16/01
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 16 17:13:27 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Grant Ranch CP - 4/14/01
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Well, I tried Smith's Creek on Sunday, not having heard Mikes' reports
from Saturday at the time. I found much less activity: not even a House
Wren or Warbling Vireo to be heard, although there was a good supply of
Black-Headed Grosbeaks, and one singing "Solitary" Vireo which didn't come
down the hill to where I could track it down visually. I also tried up on
the hill above the old barn, but didn't run into any flocks. The only Warblers
I had were a singing Wilson's, and two uncooperative chipping birds which
sounded like Orange-Crowned. The highlight of my visit was a number of
cooperative (and singing) Chipping Sparrows at the fire station yard. That's
birding, I guess!
Al
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 16 20:50:16 2001
Subject: [SBB] SCVAS field trip to Quicksilver on Saturday 4-14-01
--------
Since our leader, Shirley Gordan, is not on SBB and Bob Reiling hasn't
posted, I will step up to the plate and list the highlights of the SCVAS
trip to Quicksilver.
For me, the highlight was watching a pair of HOUSE WRENS adding to the nest
in a hollow of a tree at La Foret, right by the bridge and the road.
We saw 6 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER's up in their normal spot at the "plateau"
... we had 3 BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, 1 BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK and another 34
species. The Northern Pygmy Owl was a no-show.
A feel-good moment came when one of the other SCVAS-ers on the field trip
(Tom) told me that because of my postings to SBB he had taken a friend of
his to "my farm" (La Rinconada Park). His friend can't walk far, so the
frequent benches along the path in the park is perfect for him. How nice of
Tom to think of his friend and take him to "my farm." It made me feel good.
Gloria LeBlanc
http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
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"site for the Chicago and NYC cows"
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"money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios"
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 16 20:58:06 2001
Subject: [SBB] CEDAR WAXWINGS
--------
A flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS was in my yard on Saturday afternoon. Perhaps, the
same flock was at "my farm" on Sunday (just a mile away). I guess I
shouldn't be surprised these birds are still in town. I just looked at Bill
Bousman's chart and see they're here until mid-May.
The HOODED ORIOLES are thankfully frequent visitors at my feeder now...so
gorgeous. Unfortunately a pair of COWBIRD's have also arrived.
My neighbor with the Western Screech Owl told me he got Chickadee babies
yesterday in a box at his house. My Chickadee nest hasn't yielded any
yet....guess I should look to see if there are eggs!
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos off Quito
http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
"largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts"
http://www.cowscowscows.com
"site for the Chicago and NYC cows"
http://www.lgsia.com
"money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios"
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 16 21:30:59 2001
Subject: [SBB] COLO on Shoreline Lake
--------
All,
This evening 4/16/01 I checked Shoreline Lake at 6:25pm. Vivek's
COMMON LOON was easily visible from the Terminal Ave. end of the
lake, swimming lazily near the island (not foraging). It is a
first-spring bird in basic-like plumage. Also present were our
resident injured SURF SCOTERS (1 adult male, 1 female) and male
GREATER SCAUP.
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 16 21:37:38 2001
Subject: [SBB] Monte Bello OSP & Alpine Rd.
--------
All,
This message is cross-posted because some of these birds were probably
passing over the county line during my oservations this morning. Sorry to
those who got it twice!
Three Chipping Sparrows and a Cassin's Vireo were present at Monte Bello this
morning, 4/16/01, mostly in the grove of large oaks and bays just east of the
green gate that marks the White Oaks Trailhead (a couple of the CHSP spent a
lot of time out of view in the grasses by the gate, but the one which stayed
in the trees was singing loudly, as the Cassin's did). This has been a good
spot for Lazuli Buntings in the past and seems likely for Grasshopper
Sparrow, but there were no traces of either of those today.
An adult Sharp-shinned Hawk with a missing central tail feather was working
the sky over the small pond a quarter-mile inside Gate 5 (definitely SCL Co.).
Along Alpine Road in San Mateo County, a Lark Sparrow was singing from fence
wires and from a couple of isolated cedar trees on Alpine Rd. 2.7 miles west
of Skyline. A LASP remained nearby as I headed home a few minutes after 6PM,
this time just a few yards from the isolated residence at 275 Alpine. Two
other birds which flew before I got a good look were probably LASP too. A
pair of Western Bluebirds was also present by the cedar trees in the morning.
A group of 34 Common Ravens was circling then as well.
--Garth Harwood
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 16 23:45:33 2001
Subject: [SBB] Sharpies courting (?) in Santa Clara
--------
Well, at least I hope they're courting! Caught a quick, mostly unaided
look at what were almost certainly two Sharp-shinned hawks circling around
about each other overhead today. Guessing their location to have been
about a block south of the intersection of Warburton and Flora Vista, and
possibly a block east as well. We've seen a Sharpie here on a number of
occasions and I'm hoping for a breeding neighborhood pair! What kind of
trees do they like? I'd like to keep an eye out for a nest...
Natasha
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 17 04:53:33 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Sharpies courting (?) in Santa Clara
--------
----- Original Message -----
From: "amphibian"
> certainly two Sharp-shinned hawks circling around
> about each other overhead today. Guessing their location to have been
> about a block south of the intersection of Warburton and Flora Vista
The accipiters such as Sharp-shinned, Cooper's, and Northern Goshawk are
forest hawks. Built for quick sprints and maneuverability, they are well
adapted for chasing their main prey, birds, through the trees and
undergrowth.
They are also known as fierce nest defenders. Of course their fierceness is
directly proportional to their size, with Goshawk being the most aggressive.
This tendency towards aggressive nest defence has led many people to assume
that they would only nest in isolated areas of deep forest (to avoid
interactions with other animals, such as humans, which would trigger a
defence response).
During the late 1980s and early 1990s field work was conducted for a
breeding bird atlas in Santa Clara County. It was surprising to the
participants that a number of urban nest sites were discovered for Cooper's
Hawk. Most of these nests were in parks and riparian corridors and, as such,
still relatively isolated from the mainstream traffic. However, one nest was
found in 1997 that was built overhanging a residential street. In keeping
with reputation, the parent birds regularly divebombed passersby. In spite
of the lack of seclusion, the burgeoning Mourning Dove population evidently
enticed this pair and allowed them to fledge three healthy young.
In the past Sharp-shinned Hawk was thought to be only a winter resident in
Santa Clara County; a nonbreeder. However, the atlas field work turned up a
number of nest records for this species as well. In contrast to their
cousin, however, these nest sites were all in rather isolated areas of the
Santa Cruz and Diablo Mountains. No urban nest sites were ever discovered.
Therefore, it is of great local interest if Sharp-shinned Hawk were nesting
in the urban environment here. Needless to say, proper identification is
important and, as all birders know, separating these two species is not a
trivial matter. If such a nest site is found, please note the exact location
and, by all means, let us know.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 17 09:39:01 2001
Subject: [SBB] Coe Birds
--------
Amy and I took a three day walk from Bell Station along highway 152 to the most northermost point (and back) in Coe State Park over the Easter weekend. The wildflowers were varied and abundant. Bird activity was high, but only one rarity was encountered, a fly over Peregrine Falcon, which to the best of my knowlege, is a first park record.
Of interest were the large numbers of Lawrence's Goldfinchs present; many hundreds were seen and heard, often outnumbering the Lesser's in mixed flocks. Also of interest was the large numbers of Western Kingbirds we encountered. Normally we see one or two birds a day in the area. We saw probably 50 different kingbirds on this trip. Numerous Poorwills were calling at night.
James Yurchenco
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 17 13:15:53 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Sharpies courting (?) in Santa Clara
--------
Such vigorous nest defense isn't limited to accipiters. I think it was
in the early '70s that a pair of Red-tailed hawks nested between
Stanford Stadium and El Camino. They regularly divebombed
runners, a fact that was reported in the Palo Atlo Times.
A friend and I were jogging there one day when another runner,
about 50 yds ahead of us received the treatment. He didn't stop to
nurse wounds, so it must have been just a close pass, rather than
a really sharp peck on the head. It was quite impressive to see,
though.
Of course, I've been pecked on the head by nesting Mockingbirds. I
suspect many others in this forum have also.
================================
George Oetzel Menlo Park, CA
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 17 14:44:02 2001
Subject: [SBB] Coe Birds
--------
Amy and I took a three day walk from Bell Station along highway 152 to the most northermost point (and back) in Coe State Park over the Easter weekend. The wildflowers were varied and abundant. Bird activity was high, but only one rarity was encountered, a fly over Peregrine Falcon, which to the best of my knowlege, is a first park record.
Of interest were the large numbers of Lawrence's Goldfinchs present; many hundreds were seen and heard, often outnumbering the Lesser's in mixed flocks. Also of interest was the large numbers of Western Kingbirds we encountered. Normally we see one or two birds a day in the area. We saw probably 50 different kingbirds on this trip. Numerous Poorwills were calling at night.
James Yurchenco
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 17 20:16:10 2001
Subject: [SBB] OSPREY
--------
All,
The good news is that my OSPREY is back. The bad news is that she has a
fishline hanging from her mouth, indicating that she has probably swallowed a
fish hook. The line extends below her talons so that it drapes over her
perch. I'm concerned that it will become entangled on a limb, making her
unable to fly.
Does anybody have any good ideas?
Jean
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 17 22:13:34 2001
Subject: [SBB] LAGOs at Arastradero Preserve
--------
Both Monday and Tuesday mornings there were a few Lawrence's Goldfinches
with the Lessers feeding on the fiddlenecks by the entrance trail on the
south side of Arastradero.
--Peter
------------------------------------------------------
Peter LaTourrette
North American Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.birdphotography.com/
Jasper Ridge, Hawai'i, New Zealand: http://www.stanford.edu/~petelat1/
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 18 02:41:42 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Sharpies courting (?) in Santa Clara
--------
----- Original Message -----
From: "George Oetzel"
> Such vigorous nest defense isn't limited to accipiters. I think it was
> in the early '70s that a pair of Red-tailed hawks nested between
> Stanford Stadium and El Camino. They regularly divebombed
> runners, a fact that was reported in the Palo Atlo Times.
Some birds simply refuse to obey the rules. In Life Histories of North
American Birds of Prey, Arthur Cleveland Bent says of the Red-tailed Hawk:
"These hawks are not at all courageous in the defense of their nest; they
generally keep a safe distance or disappear entirely; only on rare occasions
has one been known even to attempt to attack a climber; I have seen it only
once."
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 18 10:24:41 2001
Subject: [SBB] Frenchman's Meadow, Stanford
--------
A female HOODED ORIOLE was weaving a nest in the southerly (hillward) of
the two fan palms in the meadow this morning, and yesterday as well. (The
Birder's Handbook shows nest construction for this species as "MF?") There
is a completed nest in the other palm. Two male BULLOCK'S ORIOLES were
actively pursuing females around the meadow. The RED-TAILED HAWK nest is
visible from the road about 20 feet down from the top of the tallest of a
clump of redwoods at the back of 607 Gerona. HOODED ORIOLES are frequenting
the fan palm at 635 Gerona, also visible from the road. In or near the
meadow a PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER was singing yesterday, and a WILSON'S
WARBLER today; several YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were singing both mornings.
As far as lingering winterers go, besides the Yellowrumps, I saw or heard
WHITE-CROWNED and GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS, CEDAR WAXWINGS, and a single
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. A HERMIT THRUSH was singing here about ten days ago,
but no sign of any since then.
A HAIRY WOODPECKER was at the corner of Coronado and Mayfield.
-- Tom Grey Stanford Law School email@hidden
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 18 13:35:09 2001
Subject: [SBB] Birds of Stanford Web site
--------
I don't recall if this Web site was called to everyone's attention.
It might have been and I was looking the other way. But just in case
it wasn't, here's the URL
or you can access from Kendric Smith's South Bay Birders Unlimited
Birding Web Sites page
.
I found it very useful because the applicable species accounts and
essays from the Birder's Handbook are on-line. A great resource for
checking out details about the local birds. Don't overlook the
Introduction and Sources links.
Les Chibana
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 18 13:59:33 2001
Subject: [SBB] Almaden Birds
--------
Good Afternoon,
This morning's birding took me to the Almaden Area.
I started at Guadalupe Oak Grove. I thought it rather quiet. There were
Acorn and Nuttall's Woodpeckers. White-breasted Nuthatches (5), Red-tailed
Hawk, a pair of Canada Geese flying overhead. Heard were a Killdeer and
California Quail.
>From Guadalupe Oak Grove I headed to Almaden Quicksilver parking area to find
the flycatchers that had been posted. I was disappointed in not finding
them, but found by LaForet, a House Wren, (2) Black-headed Grosbeaks, (20)
Cedar Waxwings, (2) male Bullock's Orioles. I walked down past LaForet to
the New Almaden Community Center and thought it was just awesome. I saw (6)
male Black-headed Grosbeaks, (8) male Bullock's Orioles, (3) female Bullock's
Orioles, Cedarwaxwings, American Goldfinch, Lesser Goldfinch and (4) Robins.
>From here I went for a quick stop to Lake Almaden: Saw a single Common
Merganser (sunning herself on her usual rock by the bridge) , (2) Caspian
Terns, (4) Forster's Terns, on the sand bar (for the lack of a better
description) also there was a Canada Goose sitting on her nest next to the
sandbar. The rookery was loaded with Snowy Egrets (6) and 5 on and around
the sandbar, (3) Great Egrets, (2) Black-crowned Night Herons. Killdeer (3)
on the sand bar.
>From there I decided to go to the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD)
Ponds. In the main pond there was a single male Ruddy Duck in full breeding
plumage (great blue bill) and three female Ruddy Ducks, Green Heron, a single
Forster's Tern, Great Egret. A pair of Canada Geese with four babies. Walking
around the main pond I found, lots of turtles, a Muskrat, Killdeer,
Black-crowned Night Heron, (10) Cedarwaxwings, a pair of Red-winged
Blackbirds chasing off a pair of Brown-headed Cowbirds.
Okay, that's it. Good birding to all.
My best regards,
Linda Sullivan
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 18 16:33:08 2001
Subject: [SBB] Best Birds
--------
Phil Dean and I did some birding around the area this
week. The best birds (our opinion) were an early
Western Tanager in Steven's Creek Park near the Cooley
Picnic Area on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, a Northern
Pygmy Owl along Gilroy Hot Springs Road; a Hammond's
Flycatcher near the Hunting Hollow entrance to Henry
Coe Park; the Golden Eagles at the nest near Calero
Reservoir, and a Spotted Sandpiper on the sandbar at
Lake Almaden.
Jack Cole
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 18 16:57:46 2001
Subject: [SBB] Black Phoebe nest building
--------
I have a question for any and all takers;
There is a pair of Black Phoebe's building a nest on a neighbors
spotlights under the eves of the house. Problem is they have been at it
for over 40 days!
I cannot find anything in the literature that describes length of time
for a nest to be built, particular to this species. I cannot see if
eggs are present, but I never see any brooding activity. The birds are
active around the nest site, but do not seem interested in starting any
incubation. Since sexes are alike, I have surmised that they may be of
the same sex! Any ideas?
Screech.
--
Paul L. Noble
"Screechowl"
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 18 17:23:03 2001
Subject: [SBB] Shoreline Park PA Baylands
--------
My morning bike and bird found 2 western kingbirds: 1 behind the Palo
Alto dump and the other in the meadow near the Shoreline park gate.
That meadow/hill area had several groups of Burrowing Owls and about 50
Pipits (late for pipits ??). The Common loon has left the lake as have
the Goldeneyes. Very few diving ducks left anywhere -- a few laggard
Canvasbacks and Scaup hanging around, plus 1 eared grebe and 1 Clark's
grebe. The mitigation pond had 4 Whimbrel and 20 Semi-palmated Plovers
along with many western Sandpipers, Willet and Godwits. There are now
14 Skimmers, including 2 (preparing to nest??) on the island in the
second salt pond. One Hooded Merganser near the pump house.
The Charleston Slough water management appears to have changed once
again, allowing unlimited tidal flow in and out. Most of the old
nesting islands are flooded at high tide, but it's now all mud flat at
low tide.
The Peregrine I saw on Sunday did not reappear. Relatively few hawks;
no kites, no Redtails and only 2 Harriers.
Dick
--
Richard C. Carlson Full-time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker
Palo Alto, California Part-time Economist
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 18 17:34:29 2001
Subject: [SBB] Re: Black Phoebe nest building
--------
For the 3rd year in a row, we have Black Phoebes nesting on our home
near the San Mateo/Santa Clara County line along Skyline Blvd. They
use a spot on top of the centerbeam of the roof under the eaves. I
haven't been able to keep track of what they've been carrying into
the nest area each time they fly in, be it nest or food material.
But I'm seeing a similar thing to what Paul describes, albeit, not
for 40 days. I wondered if the cold wave slowed down their nesting
building.
I just checked the Birds of Stanford web site, with the subset of
the Birder's Handbook on it, and it notes that it may be only the
female that builds the nest. But I think that Paul's surmission
('zat a woid?) is certainly a new way to look at sexing birds:
since certain species are sexually monomorphic by plumage, they
must be the same sex. :-)
Les Chibana
On Wednesday, April 18, 2001 4:57 PM, Paul L. Noble wrote:
>I have a question for any and all takers;
>
>There is a pair of Black Phoebe's building a nest on a neighbors
>spotlights under the eves of the house. Problem is they have been at it
>for over 40 days!
>I cannot find anything in the literature that describes length of time
>for a nest to be built, particular to this species. I cannot see if
>eggs are present, but I never see any brooding activity. The birds are
>active around the nest site, but do not seem interested in starting any
>incubation. Since sexes are alike, I have surmised that they may be of
>the same sex! Any ideas?
>
>Screech.
>
>--
>Paul L. Noble
>
>"Screechowl"
>
>email@hidden
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 18 17:50:09 2001
Subject: [SBB] Re: [pen-bird] Re: Black Phoebe nest building
--------
Sorry, I forgot to mention that the nearest available water for
the phoebes to use at my home is about a quarter mile away at
Peters Creek. This seems very odd to me because most references
indicate that they're found nesting very near water.
Les
On Wednesday, April 18, 2001 5:34 PM, Les Chibana wrote:
>For the 3rd year in a row, we have Black Phoebes nesting on our home
>near the San Mateo/Santa Clara County line along Skyline Blvd. They
>use a spot on top of the centerbeam of the roof under the eaves. I
>haven't been able to keep track of what they've been carrying into
>the nest area each time they fly in, be it nest or food material.
>But I'm seeing a similar thing to what Paul describes, albeit, not
>for 40 days. I wondered if the cold wave slowed down their nesting
>building.
>
>I just checked the Birds of Stanford web site, with the subset of
>the Birder's Handbook on it, and it notes that it may be only the
>female that builds the nest. But I think that Paul's surmission
>('zat a woid?) is certainly a new way to look at sexing birds:
>since certain species are sexually monomorphic by plumage, they
>must be the same sex. :-)
>
>Les Chibana
>
>On Wednesday, April 18, 2001 4:57 PM, Paul L. Noble wrote:
>>I have a question for any and all takers;
>>
>>There is a pair of Black Phoebe's building a nest on a neighbors
>>spotlights under the eves of the house. Problem is they have been at it
>>for over 40 days!
>>I cannot find anything in the literature that describes length of time
>>for a nest to be built, particular to this species. I cannot see if
>>eggs are present, but I never see any brooding activity. The birds are
>>active around the nest site, but do not seem interested in starting any
>>incubation. Since sexes are alike, I have surmised that they may be of
>>the same sex! Any ideas?
>>
>>Screech.
>>
>>--
>>Paul L. Noble
>>
>>"Screechowl"
>>
>>email@hidden
>
>
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 18 19:24:51 2001
Subject: [SBB] Starling nests, Cooper's drama
--------
Starlings are particularly good at adapting human structures--saw two
families nesting side by side in a pair of thingamabobs up on a telephone
pole today. Yeah, that's a technical term ;). I have no idea what to call
these devices, but they act as arms to hold wires away from the pole
itself. Instead of the old style wooden cross bar, this pole has things
which look from a distance like horizonal springs. Where the springs join
the pole the "spring" look disappears and there's simply a metal tube--with
a nice access port just big enough for a large bird to maneuver
through. Since there's a "spring" on both sides of the pole, it's a
duplex! In case anyone is interested, the pole is located on Fremont by
Marymeade Park. It's the one located just past the bus stop.
On a much more dramatic note, _something_ attracted two cats AND one of
"our" Cooper's to suddenly all head for the same place simultaneously this
afternoon. One cat rushed ahead. The trailing cat was looking around a
little and caught sight of the Cooper's swooping into the action right
overhead--and the cat leaped for the hawk! Fortunately for all concerned,
he missed. Location: right on Milverton, a house or two in from
University. I'm awfully glad I got to go home instead of rushing around
all night taking various predators to the ER..
--Natasha
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 18 19:42:47 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] OSPREY
--------
Call the Wildlife Center, they will know what to do about the Osprey.
Janna
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 18 20:04:54 2001
Subject: [SBB] Birds along the NW County line
--------
All,
[Note: My email apparently malfunctioned and failed to send this to SBB
birders. Pen-bird subscribers got this a couple of days ago.]
This message is cross-posted to SBB and Pen-Bird because some of these birds
were probably passing over the SCL/SMC county line during my oservations this
morning. Sorry to those who got it twice!
Three Chipping Sparrows and a Cassin's Vireo were present at Monte Bello this
morning, 4/16/01, mostly in the grove of large oaks and bays just east of the
green gate that marks the White Oaks Trailhead (a couple of the CHSP spent a
lot of time out of view in the grasses by the gate, but the one which stayed
in the trees was singing loudly, as the Cassin's did). This has been a good
spot for Lazuli Buntings in the past and seems likely for Grasshopper
Sparrow, but there were no traces of either of those today.
An adult Sharp-shinned Hawk with a missing central tail feather was working
the sky over the small pond a quarter-mile inside Gate 5 (definitely SCL Co.).
Along Alpine Road in San Mateo County, a Lark Sparrow was singing from fence
wires and from a couple of isolated cedar trees on Alpine Rd. 2.7 miles west
of Skyline. A LASP remained nearby as I headed home a few minutes after 6PM,
this time just a few yards from the isolated residence at 275 Alpine. Two
other birds which flew before I got a good look were probably LASP too. A
pair of Western Bluebirds was also present by the cedar trees in the morning.
A group of 34 Common Ravens was circling then as well.
--Garth Harwood
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 19 09:28:22 2001
Subject: [SBB] Bald Eagle - Skyline Blvd
--------
This past Monday an adult Bald Eagle flew from the direction of Montebello
Ridge in S-Clara County, west over my land in SM County and continued
towards Portola Redwoods State Park in SM County.
It's rainy and cool here today at 2400 ft. - this morning at 6:30 it was 37F.
Happy Spring :-)
Georgia Stigall
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 19 13:42:43 2001
Subject: [SBB] Calliope Hummingbird at Ed Levin County Park
--------
All,
This morning at about 9:30 AM Frank Vanslager and I had good views of an
adult male Calliope Hummingbird in a Pepper tree northeast of Sandy Wool Lake
where the trail to "Sycamore Gulch" begins. The tiny bird had short
straight bill, a green back (from the bill to the tail), had a dark "V"
shaped gorget (some dark reddish-purple color noted but the angle to the sun
was poor) with whitish streaks throughout gorget, it had a white line running
from the gape to neck (between the gorget and the eye), the chest and upper
belly below the gorget was white forming a "V" with the greenish flanks, the
wings were long and appeared to reach the tip of the tail (most of our
sighting was of the right side, somewhat from the rear and we never had a
true side view). When last seen the bird flew up into a Eucalyptus tree to
the east only to almost immediately fly southwest as it was chased by an
obviously larger hummingbird. After a short search we continued birding up
to and past the Sycamore Gulch to the east. Best birds were Grasshopper
Sparrow (1), Rufous-crowned Sparrow (2+), Western Kingbird (a closely
associating "pair"), Bullock's Oriole (two adult males and at least one
female) Loggerhead Shrike and Golden Eagle (several sightings). On our way
back out we checked the area where we last saw the Calliope Hummingbird only
to quickly find Rufous Hummingbirds (at least two red-backed adult males but
with many sightings). Only one Anna's Hummingbird and one green-back
Selasphorous hummer (assumed Allen's) were seen, in addition to the Rufous.
Many of the hummers would suddenly fly up, up and away to the north and out
of sight.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:41 PM, 4/19/01
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 19 15:22:02 2001
Subject: [SBB] Re: [pen-bird] Re: Black Phoebe nest building
--------
All:
As Black Phoebes have moved into residential areas, I have noticed
that they seem to get along in areas where water from sprinklers or
bird baths are readily available. I no longer think that they are
restricted to creeksides.
Ruth Troetschler
---------------
At 5:50 PM -0700 4/18/01, Les Chibana wrote:
>Sorry, I forgot to mention that the nearest available water for
>the phoebes to use at my home is about a quarter mile away at
>Peters Creek. This seems very odd to me because most references
>indicate that they're found nesting very near water.
>
>Les
>>
--
Ruth Troetschler
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 19 16:43:44 2001
Subject: [SBB] Re: urban Black Phoebe nest building
--------
I suspect there was a Black Phoebe nest in the SRI-Burgess Park
area last year. For quite awhile, I was convinced there were at least
3 BLPH in the park quite regularly. It's still fairly common to see
one either in the park or at SRI, but they do seem to have
dispersed.
The nearest good water supply is the civic center duck pond. There
are a couple of places at SRI where the watering system pretty
reliably creates muddy patches.
----------------
George Oetzel
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 19 16:53:25 2001
Subject: [SBB] Houston, we have incubation.
--------
Just as I was suspecting the pair of Black Phoebes in my neighbors yard
were just faking, I saw one of the pair on the nest this afternoon. Now
if they can just avoid detection by the neighbor ( who destroyed the
nest under construction last year) they might pull off a brood. Will
keep up the surveillance.
Screech.
--
Paul L. Noble
"Screechowl"
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 20 15:13:45 2001
Subject: [SBB] shorebirds at Palo Alto
--------
All,
On the way back from Stanford to NASA today 4/20/01, I made a quick
stop at the Palo Alto Baylands. The timing was just right for the
mudflats in the old yacht harbor to begin uncovering, and these flats
were loaded with alternate-plumaged shorebirds, mostly MARBLED
GODWITS, WESTERN SANDPIPERS, and DOWITCHERS (both LONG-BILLED and
SHORT-BILLED being present, but apparently mostly SHORT-BILLED). Also
present were 10 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 6+ WHIMRELS (with another on the
lawn at the nearby Palo Alto airport), and many alternate-plumaged
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS and DUNLIN. Only a few WILLETS and a couple of
LEAST SANDPIPERS around.
The COMMON RAVEN nest on the tower at the yacht harbor mouth has six
large young in it. No wonder this species is increasing in numbers
locally! An adult PEREGRINE FALCON was perched on one of the towers
further north.
Still a lingering YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER in the trees across the road
from the duck pond.
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 20 16:52:05 2001
Subject: [SBB] Stevens Creek Marsh This Morning
--------
I mostly ignored the rain and cold this morning and walked to the Stevens
Creek Tidal Marsh in the Mtn. View Baylands this morning. I saw a probable
Peregrine Falcon on one of the electric transmission towers, two Marsh
Wrens with nesting material, Barn and Cliff Swallows, Black Phoebes, a few
Black-Bellied Plovers, Cinnamon and Green-Winged Teal, several Whimbrel,
and several (heard only) Common Yellowthroats. Also various other
shorebirds, whose IDs I'm a little shaky on. My only company was a few
joggers who were doing their best to ignore the weather too.
Here's hoping for better weather for the SCVAS trip to Jasper Ridge on Sunday.
Nancy Teater
--
Nancy R. Teater Hamilton Communications phone: +1 650 321 0252
email@hidden http://web.hamilton.com fax: +1 650 327 4660
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 21 05:22:59 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
Today, 21 Apr 01, I started the day at CCFS, hoping that the previous
night's rain may have grounded some migrants. I found ORANGE-CROWNED,
WILSON'S, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, as well as HERMIT THRUSHES, all in
about equal numbers (around 6-8 each). Also found were a single WARBLING
VIREO and PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER.
I then headed for Ed Levin Park, where I walked up the trail from Sandy Wool
Lake to the sycamore bend. There I found Pete LaTourette and we stood and
chatted, watching BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, a HOUSE FINCH building a nest, LESSER
GOLDFINCHES, a HOUSE WREN, SONG and LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, and a couple
RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS. Then, while looking at a NORTHERN HARRIER flying
by, I got on a bird that flew through my field of view and noticed it was
blue with some rusty brown on the upperwing. I mentioned to Pete that it
looked like a BLUE GROSBEAK and proceeded to climb the hill to the point
where it had landed. I didn't get very far when I heard Pete call that the
bird had just come in to the top of the sycamore. We watched this adult male
BLUE GROSBEAK for a minute while it sang from its perch before flying off.
We saw it a couple more times later up the hillside and in the mustard along
side the trail. Afterwards, I walked a little further up the trail, where I
saw 1 and heard 2 GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS. Later, back by the parking lot, I
met Dusty Bleher and we watched a female selasphorus and a few ANNA'S
HUMMINGBIRDS in the eucalyptus, before he went up to look for the grosbeak.
Back at the Elm Picnic Area I had about 5 WILSON'S WARBLERS singing from the
trees, obviously migrants.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 21 09:56:12 2001
Subject: [SBB] International Migratory Bird Day
--------
Hello Birders.
The annual International Migratory Bird Day is swiftly
approaching on Saturday May 12th. I'd like to invite
all of you to drop by the Alviso Environmental
Education Center's main event between 10am and 4pm.
Here are the details:
-SFBBO will be doing mist netting demonstrations
weather permitting
-free shade grown coffee tasting (this year's IMBD
theme)
**an SFBBO lead bird walk from 8:30am-10am
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED at 408-262-5513
-An afternoon presentation by SFBBO. This is a
great chance to learn about the organization and what
they're doing here in the South Bay
-Sulphur Creek Nature Center will be doing two
presentations with various live birds...reservations
will be taken starting at 10am on May 12th, the
presentations will be at 1pm and 1:30pm
**we will be raffling off a pair of Swift 10x42
binoculars generously donated by the Wild Bird Center.
Also to be raffled off, a few pounds of shade grown
coffee
-Santa Clara Valley Audubon will be making pine
cone feeders with visitors during the event
-there will be arts and crafts for the younger
birders as well as children's bird walks
-the International Migratory Bird Day Poster
contest awards (and if anyone is interested in the
contest, e-mail or call me...it's still going on)
AND, if anyone is interested in leading a bird walk in
the afternoon, please let me know!! I'm having
children's bird walks separately, so the audience
would probably be primarily adults.
By the way, everything listed here is FREE!
To make reservations for the morning birdwalk with
SFBBO, or if you're interested in leading an
afternoon walk, e-mail me at email@hidden or
give me a call at the EEC 408-262-5513.
Thanks all!
Sharon Lee
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 21 10:17:45 2001
Subject: [SBB] Stevens Creek CP
--------
A quick jaunt near the Bay Tree picnic area this morning produced sightings
of a pair of Night Herons, a Red-shouldered Hawk chasing off a Cooper's
Hawk, a Spotted Sandpiper looking quite spotted, an Olive-sided Flycatcher,
a Hermit Thrush and Black-headed Grosbeaks. I also heard Pacific-slope
Flycatchers, Warbling Vireos and, I think, Western Wood-pewees if they are
the hoarse sounding ones.
There were several other noises I couldn't recognise. It's not fair: you
only get about two months every year to practise the summer bird songs.
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 21 12:41:50 2001
Subject: [SBB] Stevens Creek Park
--------
This morning (Sat) I walked the creek from the dam to a ways below the park
headquarters, including Villa Maria; and then checked the Camp Costanoan
area above the reservoir. Quite birdy!
Below the dam, first of the year birds for me were a beautiful male WESTERN
TANAGER, an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE (2), a CASSIN'S
VIREO. and a YELLOW WARBLER. 2 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS and a HOUSE WREN up
at Villa Maria, a singing BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK right by the ranger
station, and 2 each of PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER and ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER
(so, with the usual Black Phoebes, a 5-flycatcher morning). Plenty (5+) of
singing WARBLING VIREOS, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, and WILSON'S WARBLERS. A
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was calling, an accipiter sp (prob Sharpie) circled
overhead, and a BELTED KINGFISHER patrolled the creek.
At the Costanoan area, another WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, 2 singing male
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS quite close to each other, and another singing
CASSIN'S VIREO.
I noticed again how Lesser Goldfinch do a Cassin's Vireo thing -- not
exactly an imitation, because they do it in their characteristic plaintive
call note tone, but the same rhythm --
Up-pause-Down-pause-Up-pause-Down-pause-pause-repeat...
-- Tom Grey Stanford Law School email@hidden
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 21 15:28:50 2001
Subject: [SBB] RDCR
--------
All,
Our Palo Alto Adult School Birding Class had a productive class field
trip to Ano Nuevo this morning where we found many BANK SWALLOWS but few
surprises. A full report will be posted on my site later this weekend:
http://www.birdguy.net/trip_report.html
After the trip Kenneth Petersen, Brian Christman, Julie Ayres and myself
visited Skylawn Cemetary at the corner of Hwy 92 and Skyline this
afternoon where we refound the pair of RED CROSSBILLS near the flagpole
near the main parking lot. The birds were easily found after we heard
their soft chattering calls. The remained close to the lawn and
obviously showed a preference for the confers.
After that a trip through Frenchman's Curve on Stanford Campus produced
several HOODED ORIOLS among the palm and eucalyptus trees.
Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net/
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 21 18:41:42 2001
Subject: [SBB] Kite nest in Gilroy
--------
Hi Folks,
A number of us from SCVAS attended the Gilroy Earth Day event today, in
Christmas Tree Park along the Uvas Creek, where we had a White-tailed Kite
nest. At first we were looking at a single kite on the top of a tree, and
then I noticed a nest with two adult kites present a few trees to the right.
They were feeding one or more chicks, tearing prey items for them. I was
curious about the close proximity of the single kite to the pair and their
nest. According to the Monterey Breeding Bird atlas, White-tailed Kites may
breed "semi-colonially and show only week territoriality," citing Clark and
Banks, 1992.
Best regards,
Leda Beth Gray
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 21 21:02:19 2001
Subject: [SBB] White-Throated Sparrow at Arastradero
--------
I took a morning walk at Arastradero Preserve in Palo Alto and found a
White-Throated Sparrow where the Corte Madera and Acorn Trails meet. As I
approached a eucalyptus near the Meadowlark Trail, I saw a raven fly into
the tree from the opposite side. Suspecting nesting, I circled the tree
searching for a raven's nest, and instead found myself eyeball-to-eyeball
with a Great Horned Owl. The owl and not a nest was the object of the
raven's attention.
Other interesting birds included a Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher and House Wren. I
heard but didn't see Wild Turkeys and California Thrasher. Warblers
included several Yellow-Rumped, two Wilson's and two Orange-Crowned. On the
lake, at various times, I had a female Hooded Merganser, a displaying Ruddy
Duck, Mallard with 8 ducklings, Double-Crested Cormorant and a Green Heron.
Jan Hintermeister
Santa Clara, CA
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 22 13:02:51 2001
Subject: [SBB] LAGO Arastradero
--------
Yesterday 4/21, I was at Arastradero around 4PM.
In the field left of the main entrance, there were many Goldfinches.
The bushes east of the field, next to the road had many
LESSER GOLDFINCHES calling from within.
At one point a SCRUB JAY dove into the bushes and emerged with
a bloody clump that looked like a small bird.
In a clump of Fiddlenecks in the middle of the field were a
dozen feeding LEGOs. One male LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH was feeding
with them, tending to stay lower than the LEGOs.
A RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD above the parking lot was vigorously
harassing a RED-TAILED HAWK, at times literally landing on
the hawk's back. Quite a sight.
Vivek Tiwari
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 22 15:52:03 2001
Subject: [SBB] Backyard birds
--------
Hi all,
On this beautiful spring day, I was confined to home due to cold symptoms.
While sitting out in the yard enjoying the warm sun, my wife and I hear a
Red-Shouldered HAwk calling. We finally located a pair circling high above
the neighborhood in South San Jose, near the Santa Teresa Hills. The
'windows'in the wings were plainly visible. Later, we saw about 50-60 CEdar
WAxwings flying overhead and comeing to rest in a tree across the street.
We were able to set up by 80mm Swarovsky scope on them and show my visiting
mother-in-law the 'drops-of-red-wax' in the wings.
We are still enjoying the visits of White-Crowned and Golden-Crowned
SParrows to our feeders along with brilliantly colored male AMerican
GOldfinchs mixed in with the LEsser Goldfinches (which usually remained
year-round). It seems that they are remaining in the area much latter than
in years past.
We change best when
we learn from the past and
plan for the future,
while enjoying the present. _SJ
_______________________________________________________
Send a cool gift with your E-Card
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 22 17:15:52 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] RDCR
--------
Mathew and San Mateo County Birders:
Today at just before 2:30 PM I spotted the pair of Red Crossbills at Skylawn
Memorial Cemetery in San Mateo County. They were likewise near in pines near the
flagpole. For directions see below...
Matthew Dodder wrote:
> All,
>
> Our Palo Alto Adult School Birding Class had a productive class field
> trip to Ano Nuevo this morning where we found many BANK SWALLOWS but few
> surprises. A full report will be posted on my site later this weekend:
> http://www.birdguy.net/trip_report.html
>
> After the trip Kenneth Petersen, Brian Christman, Julie Ayres and myself
> visited Skylawn Cemetary at the corner of Hwy 92 and Skyline this
> afternoon where we refound the pair of RED CROSSBILLS near the flagpole
> near the main parking lot. The birds were easily found after we heard
> their soft chattering calls. The remained close to the lawn and
> obviously showed a preference for the confers.
>
> After that a trip through Frenchman's Curve on Stanford Campus produced
> several HOODED ORIOLS among the palm and eucalyptus trees.
>
> Matthew Dodder
> http://www.birdguy.net/
>
> -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, Alameda County
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 22 17:30:15 2001
Subject: [SBB] Mt. Hamilton
--------
I attempted to bird Alum Rock Park this AM, but the entrance from Alum Rock
Ave. was closed. So I headed up to the Twin Gate trailhead and hiked to the
Line Shack and back. In the first group of oaks near the parking lot, I had
Western Bluebird, several White-breasted Nuthatches, Oak Titmouse, a bright
male American Goldfinch, 2 male and one female Lawrence's Goldfinches, and
three Bullock's Orioles (one female and 2 males). Further up the trail was a
large flock (about 20 birds) of Amercan Goldfinch gorging on oak buds. There
were a few more Lawrence's Goldfinches mixed in with this flock. Further
still up the trail I had good looks at Horned Lark and Lark Sparrow.
Savannah and Golden-crowned Sparrows were also seen. At the wet meadow on
the approach to the Line Shack were many raptors, including 5 Red-tailed
Hawks, a White-tailed Kite, several American Kestrels and a brief glimpse at
an accipiter. I also had a brief glimpse of a Myiarchus-type flycatcher
which I assume was an Ash-throated. On the way back to Twin Gate I had a
lone flyover White-throated Swift headed toward Grant Lake. Hoped-for
Grasshopper Sparrow was neither seen nor heard on this 9 mile walk. I saw 2
bobcats. The wildflower display is impressive.
A quick stop at Smith Creek at 15:30 turned up 2 House Wren (one carrying
nesting material) and a Brown Creeper.
Good birding,
Michael Wienholt
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 22 19:51:23 2001
Subject: [SBB] HOOR and BUOR at Audubon / McClellan Ranch
--------
This afternoon I stopped off at the Audubon / McClellan Ranch. There were
two male and two female BULLOCK'S ORIOLES chattering in the sycamores above
the nature trail entrance. In additional, there was a male and female HOODED
ORIOLE feeding at the nectar feeder in front of the Nature Shop. The HOODED
pair seemed to be quite interested in the large palm tree in front of the
old Blacksmith Shop.
Kenneth
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 22 19:55:19 2001
Subject: [SBB] "My Farm" (La Rinconada Park)
--------
Mama Mallard now has 10 fuzzy ducklings in the creek.
A pair of ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERs are quite interested in a nest box on the
border of the park. Linda Sullivan was describing to me very weird behavior
that she had witnessed yesterday and she had come back to look today. She
left before I saw them at 6:30 pm. She and I'd seen TITMOUSE going in and
out of the box...what I saw was one of the ASH-THROATED looking in the hole
of the box, sitting on top of the box, sitting on the wire next to the box,
and repeating those positions over and over again.... while the 2nd one
flittered near by. The box appears to be the size of a bluebird box.
I'll let Linda tell her story about yesterday...we were trying to speculate
on why they were behaving this way.
I also saw a BARN SWALLOW and some NORTHERN-ROUGH WINGED and 2 VAUX SWIFTS.
One of the 3 BUSHTIT nests appears to still be OK.
The ACORN WOODPECKERS have drilled a lot of holes in a tree by the Bicknell
entrance and seem to be nesting there, about a city block away from their
nesting hole of last year. I saw STARLINGS coming and going out of their old
hole in the huge Euc tree and no woodpeckers there today. In fact it looked
like a baby Starling peeking out of the entry.
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos off Quito
Gloria LeBlanc
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 23 03:44:48 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
On Sunday, 22 Apr 01, I drove up to Henry Coe State Park for a hike, getting
a nice look at a BOBCAT that was walking the road while I drove slowly along
behind. I hiked from the headquarters out to Manzanita Point and back,
taking the Springs Trail on the way out and the Forest Trail on the way
back.
Shortly after starting I came upon a small flock that included 3
BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS and 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, as well as a
WARBLING VIREO. Later, along the Springs Trail, I came into another flock
that included at least 3 BLACK-THROATED GRAYS, 2 YELLOW-RUMPEDS, a WILSON'S,
an ORANGE-CROWNED, and 2 NASHVILLE WARBLERS (one singing persistently). Also
with these birds was a single HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER.
Out at Manzanita Point there were a number of BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS,
which I presume are on territory (they were not in flocks, but were spread
out and singing from the tops of the oaks). Also out here were 3
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS, 3 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS, and at least 3 CHIPPING
SPARROWS. WILD TURKEYS were calling from various places along the hike.
On the way back, along the Forest Trail, I had another HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER.
This bird was silent but I was able to study it at length, and felt I could
differentiate it from Dusky Flycatcher. The lower mandible of this bird
seemed to have more extensive orange than is typical of Hammond's. This
would be more in line with Dusky, but probably not beyond the range of
variation for Hammond's. Other characters all added up fine for Hammond's;
more grayish head and throat, large-headed and short-tailed look, and, most
telling to me, a long primary extension. Also along this trail I heard my
first WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE of the season.
There seemed to be a good number of GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS still about, but
I only saw 1 WHITE-CROWNED. I had 2 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS flush from a seep
along the Springs Trail.
I stopped briefly at Ogier Ponds on the way home, where I had a male COMMON
MERGANSER and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 23 08:12:46 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Backyard birds
--------
All:
Beginning about 4/15 the number of Lesser Goldfinches using our 2
thistle feeders increased exponentially. The Goldfinches are either
eating at the feeder or sitting in our young (40 ft) oak chattering.
The feeders are nearly emptied daily. Obviously these birds have not
begun to breed.
(Mourning Doves move below gathering up the spills).
A pair of Oak Titmice are feeding young--feeding pieces of our
homemade lard/peanutbutter/oatmeal/cornmeal/flour mixture.
Golden-crowned Sparrows are fattening on the same mixture.
Ruth Troetschler
Los Altos
--
Ruth Troetschler
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 23 09:02:14 2001
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
Yesterday morning, 4/22/2001, I birded along Mt. Hamilton Road,
starting over Halls Valley at M.P. 13.28 and spending most of my time at
Smiths Creek. A RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW was in the California sage at M.P.
13.28 in the morning fog, but was silent. Best birds at Smiths Creek were a
female COMMMON MERGANSER grunting as she flew over and two adult SHARP-SHINNED
HAWKS. One of these had fluffed out undertail coverts, indicating an active
breeder somewhere nearby. I ran into Al Eisner and we struggled to find any
migrants in the oaks. Many black oaks on south facing slopes are fully open,
while blue and a few valley oaks have barely started. I was lucky to find a
single singing BLACK-THROATED GRAY and WILSON'S WARBLERS, the only certain
migrants I found.
This morning, 4/23/2001, I saw five AM. WHITE PELICANS in the North Pond
at the Palo Alto FCB. These are probably birds that are oversummering. At
least one female HOODED MERGANSER remains in the channel near the Mountain
View Forebay pumphouse. I counted 14 BLACK SKIMMERS at Charleston Slough. A
BURROWING OWL was at the mound across from Shoreline GC and a second bird was
over a mound west of the Stevens Creek Tidal Marsh.
Bill
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 23 10:21:27 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] "My Farm" (La Rinconada Park)
--------
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERs will nest in BB boxes. They build a very distinctive
nest that can be identified by nose from as far as 2 meters...
I fledged one nest last year at Ed R. Levin, and have seen two others being
attended.
Best regards,
Dusty
Campbell, Ca.
...
> A pair of ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERs are quite interested in a nest box on the
> border of the park. Linda Sullivan was describing to me very weird behavior
...
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 23 10:45:21 2001
Subject: [SBB] Frenchman's Meadow, Stanford
--------
This morning I saw an adult RED-TAILED HAWK incubating in the nest near the
corner of Gerona and Santa Maria.
The HOODED ORIOLE nest in the southerly palm that I saw being woven by a
female weaving is now completed -- I saw her carrying plant down to it two
days ago. A first-year male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE was singing in the meadow
this morning; two adult males were perched at the top of nearby redwoods,
calling but not singing. At least 3 male HOODED were present.
I've heard singing WILSON'S WARBLERS each morning, and a PACIFIC-SLOPE
FLYCATCHER yesterday.
As far as "latish" bird go, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS are thinning out -- saw
a single one this morning. (Didn't see or hear any at Stevens Creek on
Sat.) No Zono sparrows. Flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS still regularly present.
Saw a single HERMIT THRUSH.
-- Tom Grey Stanford Law School email@hidden
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 23 10:56:04 2001
Subject: [SBB] Re:Peninsula flycatcher
--------
It's a little out of the SSB area, but had my first spring WW Peewee yesterday
at Edgewood Park
Also some Semip Plovers in first plowed field inside gate at Webb Ranch on
Alpine Road, allong with a Killdeer
------------ Previous Message from Tom Grey on
04/23/2001 10:45:21 AM ----------
To: email@hidden
cc:
Subject: [SBB] Frenchman's Meadow, Stanford
This morning I saw an adult RED-TAILED HAWK incubating in the nest near the
corner of Gerona and Santa Maria.
The HOODED ORIOLE nest in the southerly palm that I saw being woven by a
female weaving is now completed -- I saw her carrying plant down to it two
days ago. A first-year male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE was singing in the meadow
this morning; two adult males were perched at the top of nearby redwoods,
calling but not singing. At least 3 male HOODED were present.
I've heard singing WILSON'S WARBLERS each morning, and a PACIFIC-SLOPE
FLYCATCHER yesterday.
As far as "latish" bird go, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS are thinning out -- saw
a single one this morning. (Didn't see or hear any at Stevens Creek on
Sat.) No Zono sparrows. Flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS still regularly present.
Saw a single HERMIT THRUSH.
-- Tom Grey Stanford Law School email@hidden
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 23 12:30:34 2001
Subject: [SBB] Pinnacles trip on Saturday
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
This is a little outside our area, but I thought it may be of interest
to some Santa Clara County birders. Saturday we had a post-class field trip
to Pinnacles National Monument. We started from the east, and walked the
"Old Pinnacles Trail" from the Chalone Creek Picnic Area around the
Pinnacles to the western entrance to the monument (this involved going
through a cave at one point, flashlights required). Weather was dry but
cool, a bit breezy at times.
In the morning we encountered A LOT of singing migrants. Looks like the
rainy weather on Friday precipitated a fallout of birds on Saturday. At the
Chalone Picnic Area we had flocks of crowned sparrows, also 1-2 CHIPPING
SPARROWS. Within the first mile along the trail we had numerous WILSON'S
WARBLERS singing. Other migrants and breeding birds found within the first
mile or so included HAIRY WOODPECKERS, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS, HOUSE
WRENS, CASSIN'S VIREOS, WARBLING VIREOS, several NASHVILLE WARBLERS,
BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS, TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS,
AUDUBON'S WARBLERS, and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS. At various points along the
trail we had HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS (about 4 total), and farther on we had 2
WESTERN TANAGERS, numerous PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS, and a possible (too
briefly heard) Yellow-breasted Chat. WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS were abundant,
especially when we got near the cliffs, and the air was sometimes full of
their rattling calls.
Near the Chaparral Picnic Area at the western entrance to the park there
were nesting BLACK PHOEBES and a few LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES. A Fox Sparrow
was singing from one of the willow clumps by the restrooms, and a HERMIT
THRUSH later emerged from there. On the hike back we saw a PEREGRINE FALCON
flying back and forth along the Balconies (Prairie Falcons are supposed to
nest there, but we didn't see any). Also near the Balconies we heard and had
brief glimpses of CANYON WREN. Generally the hike back was pretty quiet--the
migrants that were singing everywhere in the morning were quiet or absent in
the afternoon. The change in activity was pretty dramatic.
On my way out of the park I stopped by the store at the private
campground on the eastern entrance road. The manager there noticed my
binoculars and told me I could go check the feeders in her yard--there I saw
ANNA'S, RUFOUS, and BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRDS, also PINE SISKINS and
AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES at the seed feeders. It really pays off sometimes to
keep your binoculars on!
Mammals seen in the park included a COYOTE and MERRIAM'S CHIPMUNK. It
was too cold for reptiles to be out, and I think only one lizard was seen
the whole day.
John Mariani
email@hidden
www.birdswest.com
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 23 13:34:58 2001
Subject: [SBB] Re: {SBB] Migration north
--------
Andy wrote:
> Apologies if this seems a little out of area. There was
> quite a heavy passage of birds off Santa Cruz yesterday
> afternoon. I was confident that the large straggly flocks
> flying close to the water were Brants. There were also
> flocks flying very high and in some kind of strung out
> formation. They may have been Brants but I have seen
> cormorants flying like this -- although not in their
> hundreds as these flocks numbered.
>
> Another group of birds had about a dozen per flock, flew
> close to the water and looked like loons. I fancied Red-
> throated from a slight drooping of the heads. Large
> straggly flocks of smaller birds completed the
> procession – scoters?
Observers in both San Mateo Co. and Santa Cruz County on Sunday reported
thousands of Brant going by - a really large push. The Loons at this time
of year are mainly Pacific, with smaller numbers of Common's (often flying
a bit higher).
Al
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 23 14:04:00 2001
Subject: [SBB] Red Crossbill
--------
Monday morning at about 11:00 Frank Vanslager and I found the previously reported Red Crossbills at Skylawn Cemetery at Hwy 92 and Skyline. We saw a pair near the tops of pines near the big flagpole.
Roland Kenner
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 23 14:49:20 2001
Subject: [SBB] Blue Grosbeak no-show Sunday PM
--------
Yesterday 2-3PM at the Sycamore "bend" at Ed Levin Park,
the Blue Grosbeak was a no show. I did not climb up the draw but
scanned the hillside quite a lot, to no avail.
2 RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWs were feeding on the path.
Vivek Tiwari
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 23 17:34:24 2001
Subject: [SBB] Smith Creek and Joe D. Grant CP 4/21/01
--------
My class did a field trip to the Smith Creek-Joe D. Grant CP area
on Saturday. We were stalled at the Grant CP entry by the road
closure of Mt. Hamilton Rd. because of the expected snowfall. There
was only a dusting of snow visible at Lick Observatory and the road
was opened a little before 9:00. 80 species for the day.
Here are some of the highlights:
PRAIRIE FALCON flying over the lake area
possible NASHVILLE WARBLER at Grant CP, appeared to a female
CHIPPING SPARROW, several active and vocal at Smith Creek Firestation
LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH, one male, at the Grant CP lake parking lot
Spring arrivals/migrants:
Western Flycatcher, silent, at Grant CP
Western Kingbird, 2 at Grant CP
Warbling Vireo, heard at Smith Creek
Swallows: No. Rough-winged, Violet-green, Tree, and Barn at Grant CP lake
House Wren
possible Black-throated Gray Warbler, heard-only
Wilson's Warblers, silent
Black-headed Grosbeaks
Bullock's Oriole
Breeding activity:
Great Blue Herons, on-nest and carrying nesting mat'ls, Halls Valley
American Coot, on nest in the Grant CP lake, mate brought nesting mat'l
Lingering winterers/migrants and sometimes marginally occuring species:
Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead on the Grant CP lake
Sharp-shinned Hawk at Smith Creek
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush, one of the sagey areas btwn Smith Creek and Grant CP
Yellow-rumped Warblers: 2 Myrtle's, several Audubon's
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Pine Siskin, flock of about 20 at Smith Creek area
Also seen, Golden Eagle, Wild Turkey, Orange-crowned Warbler, 2 feral pigs
(sus scrofa)
General impressions: quantities of birds seemed a bit low; although the
was a lot of vocalizations at times, it seemed that many birds that were
seen were silent; only a few flycatchers.
Les Chibana
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 23 18:12:40 2001
Subject: [SBB] Migration north
--------
Apologies if this seems a little out of area. There was
quite a heavy passage of birds off Santa Cruz yesterday
afternoon. I was confident that the large straggly flocks
flying close to the water were Brants. There were also
flocks flying very high and in some kind of strung out
formation. They may have been Brants but I have seen
cormorants flying like this -- although not in their
hundreds as these flocks numbered.
Another group of birds had about a dozen per flock, flew
close to the water and looked like loons. I fancied Red-
throated from a slight drooping of the heads. Large
straggly flocks of smaller birds completed the
procession – scoters?
None of these birds was really close enough to get any
more than an impression of their general colour
scheme. The sun was also coming round to behind
them to make matters more difficult.
Anyone any ideas? In any case it was certainly a sight
worth seeing.
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 23 20:10:25 2001
Subject: [SBB] Brants and Loons
--------
All,
This afternoon about 1:00 along the western side of Pillar Point Harbor were four Brants feeding in shallow water and at least one Common Loon diving out in the deep water. In adddition were a great variety of shorebirds including Blackbellied Plovers and Black Turnstones both in full formal courting attire.
John
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 24 07:28:11 2001
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
Yesterday, 4/23/2001, I saw a COMMON LOON on Shoreline Lake, perhaps the
same bird seen there last week. A GREEN HERON was in flight over the Mountain
View Forebay and along Shoreline Lake.
Bill
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 24 08:51:03 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Cliff Swallows NB near Skyline Blvd.
--------
----- Original Message -----
From: "Les Chibana"
> There are some homes in the area where
> the swallows were picking up supplies, but I wonder if these might
> be using a natural substrate? That would be novel.
Cliff Swallows are quick to use the eaves of houses for nest substrates.
However, during the Breeding Bird Atlas field work years I found nests of
this swallow on a natural cliff face near the spillway of Anderson
Reservoir.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 24 09:29:08 2001
Subject: [SBB] HOME
--------
The female HOME was seen late yesterday, 4/23, in the small pond immediately north of the paved walking path north of Mt. View Forebay, just west of the intersection with the Adobe Creek Trail.
James Yurchenco
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 24 12:53:53 2001
Subject: [SBB] Black Skimmers at EEC
--------
Early this morning (6:30-7:30am) there were 3 Black Skimmers flying over salt pond A16 adjacent to the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Wildlife Refuge's Environmental Education Center in Alviso. They were calling and feeding in the pond near the tern islands. The tern islands are full of courting Forster's Terns, American Avocets and Black-necked Stilts, and there were also about 20 Bonaparte's Gulls in breeding plumage by the southwest corner of the pond.
Cheryl Millett
Biologist
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
PO Box 247
1290 Hope Street
Alviso, CA 95002
phone 408/946-6548
fax 408/946-9279
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 24 13:06:50 2001
Subject: [SBB] Lazuli Bunting, Ed Levin Park
--------
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I decided to try for (and missed) the Blue
Grosbeak seen by Mike M. and Peter L. up above Sandy Wool Lake in Ed Levin
Park. A nice year bird however, was an adult male Lazuli Bunting that Frank
found singing in the top of one of the Sycamores. Later we had nice views of
Lazuli Bunting singing at three to four different places on the hillside. At
one point we saw that adult male Red-winged Blackbirds would chase the
bunting, unfortunately they also chased two other small, bluish birds that we
did not get a good look at. Other "mentionables" include at least two
Grasshopper Sparrows on the ridge above the green gate (three to four
sightings), Rufous-crowned Sparrows at various places on the hillside,
Western Kingbird near the parking lot, many Bullock's Orioles, House Wren and
Lesser Goldfinch. We also had both Crowned Sparrows, the only hummers seen
were Anna's Hummingbirds, several (8-10) Forster's Terns were over the lake
and a flock of about twenty American White Pelicans were circling over the
hills to north of the park.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:07 PM, 4/24/01
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 24 15:08:06 2001
Subject: [SBB] Oka Ponds - Los Gatos Creek
--------
Good Afternoon All.....
I ran over to Los Gatos Creek this morning before work....I was very
surprised to find no ducks other than male Mallards (12) in both Los Gatos
Creek and Oka Ponds side. Not even a Cormorant, only two Coots!
At the bridge, I came across approx. 100 Cliff Swallows, flying under the
bridge and perching on the beams under foot. I could see them through the
spaces in the floor boards. The gosling is getting big and still with its
parents. The Canada Goose down by the Oka Lane entrance is still incubating.
Had about 50 Cedar Waxwings in the large trees and a single male Hooded
Oriole (first for me at Oka) in the trees by the Oka Lane entrance.
On the way back to the car I walked the around the ponds on the Dell Avenue
side, and found about two hundred Swallows gathering mud. Male Anna's
Hummingbirds were doing displays. Back at the car were five goslings sitting
in a puddle with both parents standing on each side of them. The sign above
their heads read," No Standing". Where's the camera when you need one.
Okay, good birding to all.
Best regards,
Linda Sullivan
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 24 16:14:35 2001
Subject: [SBB] Cliff Swallows NB near Skyline Blvd.
--------
This morning I saw several Cliff Swallows picking up mud at a small
roadside puddle along Skyline Blvd. between Skyline Ridge and Long
Ridge OSPs, indicating nest building. I don't recall seeing them
engaged in this activity at this elevation in this area before,
unless I've just missed seeing them doing this at Horseshoe Lake or
Alpine Pond at Skyline Ridge. There are some homes in the area where
the swallows were picking up supplies, but I wonder if these might
be using a natural substrate? That would be novel.
Les Chibana
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 24 17:10:09 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Cliff Swallows NB near Skyline Blvd.
--------
A friend and I once hiked a few miles up Panoche Creek from where it
intertsects Silver Creek (April as I recall) and we saw a huge cliff
swallow colony using a natural cliff face ( 100' up from the creekbed) Must
have been several hundred to a thousand nests. All of this despite the fact
clff swallows were using the I-5 overpasses for nesting not 10 miles away. I
have never encountered natural substrate nesting cliff swallows in SC Co.
Screech
----- Original Message -----
From: "Les Chibana"
To: "South Bay Birders"
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2001 4:14 PM
Subject: [SBB] Cliff Swallows NB near Skyline Blvd.
> This morning I saw several Cliff Swallows picking up mud at a small
> roadside puddle along Skyline Blvd. between Skyline Ridge and Long
> Ridge OSPs, indicating nest building. I don't recall seeing them
> engaged in this activity at this elevation in this area before,
> unless I've just missed seeing them doing this at Horseshoe Lake or
> Alpine Pond at Skyline Ridge. There are some homes in the area where
> the swallows were picking up supplies, but I wonder if these might
> be using a natural substrate? That would be novel.
>
> Les Chibana
>
>
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email@hidden
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 24 19:31:37 2001
Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto Summer Bird Count!
--------
All,
Mark your calendars! Saturday, June 2 has been set for this year's
Annual Palo Alto Summer Bird Count. I'd like to get you all started
thinking about how you can help. The Count covers all the same regions
as the familiar Christmas Bird Count, but provides much needed
information about breeding bird species in our area. Because it's set
for Saturday, and the weather is likely to be great, there's really no
reason not to spend a few hours helping the effort. I think we'd all be
birding anyway...
All eight Regions will need to be covered as in winter, with Regional
Coordinators to help assign teams to various spots within that Region.
The Regions are as follows:
Region 1 (Redwood City and East Palo Alto waterfronts)
Region 2 (Palo Alto Baylands, Shoreline Park and Moffet Field)
Region 3 (Residential Menlo Park, Atherton and Redwood City)
Region 4 (Residential Palo Alto, Mountain View and Sunnyvale)
Region 5 (Woodside)
Region 6 (Los Altos Hills)
Region 7 (Skyline Open Space Areas)
Region 8 (Lower Skyline, Foothills Park and Montebello)
I would like to ask the people who Coordinated these Regions to take
them again and help ensure this year goes as smoothly as December did.
It was a huge success! As the date gets closer, I will have a better
idea which areas still need volunteers and I may send out another plea
for help.
Until the Regional Coordinators have committed, you may contact me
regarding opportunities for the Count.
Finally, to make sure I stay on topic, I'd like to add that I saw a
NASHVILLE WARBLER by the dumpster of my apartment complex. This is the
first time I've detected this species in my neigborhood, which is only
one block from El Camino Real and typically not a real warbler hot spot.
That's all for now,
Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net/
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 24 21:03:04 2001
Subject: [SBB] W Tanager, GOEA etc. at Hidden Villa 4/24/2001
--------
All,
A Western Tanager was singing loudly in the central part of Hidden Villa
today, 4/24/2001. With any luck it will nest here again, as WETA have for at
least the past 2 seasons.
A single adult Golden Eagle showed up as well (also seen on Friday 4/20), and
was chased off by an angry Red-tailed Hawk. A RTHA sallied forth when I saw
the Friday bird too, but strangely enough, it was a Band-tailed PIgeon that
was pestering and alternately being pursued by the GOEA as it flew down Adobe
Creek along Moody Road.
A House Wren has been singing loudly from the big maple by HV's cow shed
lately, and 2 separate Hutton's Vireo pairs have been observed carrying food
in the past week.
Butterflies currently flying at Hidden Villa include Bramble Green
Hairstreak, Pale Swallowtail, Chalcedon Checkerspot, Propertius Duskywing,
Buckeye, Spring Azure, Gray Hairstreak, Mourning Cloak, West Coast Lady,
Yellow-orange Sulfur, California Ringlet, Cabbage White, and Veined White. I
have seen at least 6 or 8 others there this spring, but not this week.
For those who don't already know, the 1600-acre Hidden Villa Ranch is
private, but open to the public for a $5 parking fee every day except Monday
until summer camp starts in mid-June. There are 1600 acres of mixed habitats
that rival any local open space for species diversity. It is 1.7 miles west
of Foothill College at 26870 Moody Road in Los Altos Hills.
--Garth Harwood
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 24 22:53:10 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] W Tanager, GOEA etc. at Hidden Villa 4/24/2001
--------
In a message dated 4/24/01 9:03:55 PM Pacific Daylight Time, email@hidden
writes:
> A single adult Golden Eagle showed up as well (also seen on Friday 4/20),
> and
> was chased off by an angry Red-tailed Hawk. A RTHA sallied forth when I
saw
> the Friday bird too, but strangely enough, it was a Band-tailed PIgeon
that
> was pestering and alternately being pursued by the GOEA as it flew down
> Adobe
> Creek along Moody Road.
Thanks for this info Garth! I was working at the CNPS native plants nursery
at Hidden Villa this afternoon - and I did look up from time to time (I've
seen GOEA there a few times) but missed him/her. I'll be there again over
the next several days so perhaps I'll get a sighting too. If so, I'll post
here.
Georgia Stigall
Four Winds Nature Preserve
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 25 02:45:37 2001
Subject: [SBB] accipiters
--------
I want to correct a couple things about my recent accipiter posting. I had
mentioned that the fierceness of nest defense was proportional to the size
of the accipiter. However, in reading Bent's Life Histories of North
American Birds of Prey, it mentions that Sharp-shinned Hawk is considered
more aggressive around the nest than Cooper's. Perhaps this explains why
Cooper's seems to be more readily found in the urban areas. More tolerant
maybe?
Also, I stated that Sharp-shinned Hawk was thought to be a local nonbreeder
in the past. This was based on my own experience and conversations I had
with others. Bill Bousman kindly pointed out a few historical references to
scarce local breeding in the literature. Certainly the Breeding Bird Atlas
showed a more consistent and numerous breeding effort than was previously
thought.
Sorry for any confusion.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 25 11:18:12 2001
Subject: [SBB] Tanager, BT Gray Warbler
--------
I took a moment this morning to look for a bird singing an unfamiliar song
around my home along Skyline Blvd. near Long Ridge OSP. I found a female
WESTERN TANAGER (not the singing bird) and heard BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERs
and PURPLE FINCHes singing. I don't think I can describe the song adequately,
but it was reminiscent of a Purple Finch's song in tonal quality and length,
but it was delivered much slower with more space between notes.
I saw our nest-building Black Phoebes carrying mud to their nest site
on our house this morning. And one Cliff Swallow carried mud toward one
of the nearby homes or the area of the cliff face at the Peters Creek
waterfall in Long Ridge OSP.
Last night I found a HUGE bug below our garage light. I looked it up in
several field guides: a GIANT WATER BUG, Lethocerus americanus, aka "Toe
Biter", "Electric Light Bug". It's supposed to be the largest No. American
true bug. It's capable of nailing humans with its proboscis and delivering
a painful load of chemistry designed to stun prey. It's about 2.5 in. in
body length, 3 in. counting its forelegs held out in front. It was bigger
than any flying cockroach that I grew up with in Hawaii!
Les Chibana
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 25 16:31:48 2001
Subject: [SBB] San Francisquito Creek
--------
All,
On my lunch time walk along the Creek I decided to visit my old haunts
near University Drive and Creek Drive. The area had a pair of HOODED
ORIOLS squabbling in a large palm tree and perhaps 7 BULLOCK'S ORIOLES.
As well there were a pair of NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS, a NUTTALL'S
WOODPECKER in a nest hole, a singing WARBLING VIREO, a singing CHIPPING
SPARROW and an unidentified SELASPHORUS HUMMINGBIRD.
I found it interesting that while this portion of the Creek was
seemingly saturated with Orioles, on the other side of El Camino Real
(from Alma to the pedestrial bridge near Sunset Magazine) I have not yet
encounted a single Oriole this spring. No doubt this is just a fluke
because the habitat seems identical.
That's all for now,
Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net/
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 26 14:43:17 2001
Subject: [SBB] Stevens Creek CP
--------
All,
I took advantage of the lingering overcast this morning 4/26/01 and
made a late-morning trip to Stevens Creek County Park, hoping for a
few recently arrived year birds and perhaps some migrants. As usual
for this time of year, the park was very birdy, with 64 species being
found, the first 50 of these in about an hour - great spot for a Big
Day stop!
Flycatchers were well represented, with 9+ OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS,
8 WESTERN WOOD-PEWEES, 5+ ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS, and numerous
PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS. Also had all three species of VIREOS, many
WILSON'S WARBLERS, and a single pair of YELLOW WARBLERS between the
upper end of the reservoir and Camp Costanoan. Six singing male
WESTERN TANAGERS throughout the park likely included some breeders,
although the bird at the Villa Maria Picnic Area was clearly a
migrant. Two YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS included a singing male
AUDUBON'S. A single OSPREY circled over the reservoir. Other birds
of interest included 3+ WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS, 2 unidentified male
SELASPHORUS HUMMINGBIRDS, 4 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS, a RUFOUS-CROWNED
SPARROW, and a pair of HOODED ORIOLES.
No kinglets, no Lincoln's Sparrows, no White- or Golden-crowned
Sparrows, no Hermit Thrushes...
Breeding confirmations for 13 species were obtained, the most
interesting being occupied nests of WARBLING VIREO, HAIRY WOODPECKER,
NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER, and BULLOCK'S ORIOLE.
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 26 21:12:15 2001
Subject: [SBB] Stevens Creek oddity
--------
I was near the start of the Lookout trail this evening when I heard a very
rich song coming from within a tree. I couldn't begin to describe it but it
was way beyond anything I was expecting to hear. I couldn't trace the bird
and then the song stopped. I started to walk past the tree and noticed
something very dark hopping up the branches. Steller's Jay, I thought from
what I could see of it. It reached the branches directly above me, about 50
feet up say, and began to preen itself. With the backlight all I could
really say was that it was dark with a long black tail but I could pick no
hint of blue out of it. It also seemed smaller than Steller's Jay. However,
as it preened I could see a very ragged crest, which seemed too wispy for a
jay.
I couldn't figure it out then but on looking through my Sibley at home I am
struck by Phainopepla. Is this possible?
Anyway there were certainly Great Horned Owls calling further up the trail.
Also there seems to be a number of Bullock's Orioles actually down on the
bay. I have seen one couple at the Rengstorff House and a female at the
Sunnyvale WPCP. The Snow Goose continues there too.
A great time of the year, what?
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 27 09:16:22 2001
Subject: [SBB] Arastradero
--------
I finally got a chance this morning to pay a brief visit to the southeast
part of Arastradero Preserve as described by Garth. A flock of about 20
Lesser Goldfinches included one male Lawrence's Goldfinch; I didn't spot a
female. Also here I saw my first Ash-Throated Flycatcher of the year. A
pair of Western Bluebirds were taking food to a nest box near the hilltop,
and a House Wren was singing atop another box.
Al
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 27 18:03:05 2001
Subject: [SBB] Lake Cunningham
--------
Hi. My name is Riccardo Magni and I'm new to the
list.
I saw some neat birds at Lake Cunningham in San Jose
yesterday. New ones for me were the GREEN HERON, a
pair of EARED GREBES, and four CASPIAN TERNS. The
terns were active in a mating display, opening that
big red beak very wide.
Riccardo
__________________________________________________
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 27 20:35:21 2001
Subject: [SBB] Nesting CAGO
--------
My wife, linda, tells me that a pair of CAnadian GEese have successfully
nested in a planter box on the second story balcony of the Main
Administration Building (BLDG 12) of IBM Corp. on Cottle Rd. The newly
hatched goslings (3 of 4)were carried from the second story balcony to a
ground level patio (patio box and all) by IBM security. The goslings were
escorted by 'mom and dad' to a small lake on plantsite about 500 yards from
the building. This is the second successive year they have nested in this
box. IBM security secures the area from intruders (resident employees
included) to allow them to successfully begin their family.
We change best when
we learn from the past and
plan for the future,
while enjoying the present. _SJ
_______________________________________________________
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 27 23:41:36 2001
Subject: [SBB] Nesting Orioles, Cooper's, & Nuttall's & BH Grosbeak
--------
Many thanks to Tom Grey for revealing the secret of Frenchman's Meadow to
someone who would have never otherwise stumbled onto it! We visited after
work yesterday and found both of the Hooded Oriole nests. Fabulous
construction--and if you weren't looking, you'd never see them... Got good
looks at several males and quick glimpses of probable females. Also
found: apparently nesting pair of Nuttall's in a tree behind and to the
right of the right-hand palm as you stand on Frenchman's looking at the
Meadow. The great reports of this spot brought out another couple in
search of Orioles last night and it was thanks to them that we also saw a
male Black-headed Grosbeak in the same area as the Nuttall's. Apart from
the very numerous mosquitoes it was a very successful trip.
Today was another great day--I found our Cooper's nest in Los Altos! This
is the third year we've known them to nest in the same rough area, but last
year we couldn't find their nest. I had the impression today that they're
still building--or at least filling in the fluffy interior. Lots of trips
back and forth, and plenty of time with both off the nest. I wonder if
they're feeling anxious: my first view today was of one joining a couple
of crows in harrassing a local Red-tail. The new location is more exposed
than the one we knew two years ago, but looks sturdy and stable. Of course
I'm thrilled to have such a good view of all the action--looking forward to
things to come and hoping the hawks are as successful this year as the last
several.
--Natasha
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 28 18:53:43 2001
Subject: [SBB] Arastradero
--------
A quick (three hours!) turn round the north of the preserve finally located
the male Lawrence's Goldfinch near the junction of the Meadowlark and Corte
Madera trials. I had never hiked the section north of Arastradero Road but
at this time of the year it produces all five species of swallow and Vaux's
and White-throated Swifts. Plus Western Bluebirds and distant views of a
pair of Golden Eagles over the Stanford dish.
There are still plenty of calling birds that I cannot recognise but I may
have nailed Western Tanager at last. It's kind of distinctive?
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 29 07:44:32 2001
Subject: [SBB] "Imperial" Eagle
--------
During the last Christmas count at Coyote Ridge, several birders enjoyed
watching an unusually marked golden eagle at the dump. Someone nicknamed
it "Headlights" but I prefer to call it the "Imperial" eagle. This big
adult has much white on the "shoulders" and neck and is very striking.
Last week I saw it twice, Friday and Saturday, along 101 between the dump
area and the new golf course. In both cases it was flying low, eastward
and upslope, apparently hunting the highway median strip. It was less than
20 feet off the ground and very easy to see even from the car. The white
is easy to see from a great distance, but the effect is especially strking
when the bird is coming right at you! This bird is worth watching for if
you're at the Ogier Ponds or along the bike trail near the golf course.
Rick Herder
email@hidden
Morgan Hill
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 29 11:42:22 2001
Subject: [SBB] Birdathon, Solitary Sandpiper, Swainson's Thrush, etc., etc.
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
On Sat., April 28th, the "Almaden Eagles" team (Ann Verdi, Jim Danzenbaker,
Amy Monborquette, Grant Webb, and myself) did a birdathon in the South
County (only covering areas on the west side of the Santa Teresa Hills from
Chesbro Reservoir north to Blossom Hill Road). We started at the ungodly
hour of 4:30am, and birded until the last of us succumbed to exhaustion in
the late afternoon. Our total was 107 species, which is a lower count than
we got the last two years (our record high was 118 in 1999). Migrants and
lingering winter birds were especially scarce, some of the resident birds
were also AWOL, and weather (windy, cool, foggy, etc.) probably played a
role. Next time we may alter our route to cover different areas earlier in
the day when birds are more active. Not only were there many misses, but a
relatively high proportion of the birds were "heard onlys."
Even so, we had a good day with some great birds! We got Golden Eagle
early, redeeming our team name after last year's embarrassing miss. Our best
bird was a SOLITARY SANDPIPER that was seen from a pullout at the upper end
of Chesbro Reservoir. It flushed from the stream just above where it flows
into the reservoir, and we only got to see it in flight. What I saw was a
small tringa sandpiper, with entirely dark brown wings and upperparts, dark
rump, white outer tail feathers with black central tail feathers. It was
much smaller than a Greater Yellowlegs that simultaeously flushed, and it
flew upward with characteristic zig-zag flight--didn't hear it call. Jim
confirmed the identification. It circled but didn't return, and may have
flown to a small stock pond, creek, or other body of water across the road
from the reservoir. We checked likely places, but didn't refind it (not
surprising, as there are shores there with emergent vegetation where it
could easily have hidden). Our other best bird was an early SWAINSON'S
THRUSH that Jim found in New Almaden, in the riparian near La Foret
Restaurant.
Most of the regular breeding migrants were found in decent numbers.
YELLOW WARBLERS were in New Almaden (1-2), at Twin Creeks (3-4 males
singing), and at the SCVWD Pond (1 singing male). OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS
and WESTERN WOOD-PEWEES were in New Almaden and Twin Creeks. Evidence of
breeding included a WOOD DUCK with 7 young along LLagas Creek near Chesbro
Reservoir, a CANADA GOOSE on a nest at Almaden Lake Park, a MALLARD with 11
young (location I've forgotten), BLACK PHOEBE nest at the Community Center
in New Almaden, and a WESTERN BLUEBIRD going to a nest hole at Calero County
Park. Here is the entire list:
1. Pied-billed Grebe
2. Western Grebe - 4 at Calero Reservoir
3. Double-crested Cormorant
4. Ruddy Duck
5. Canada Goose - On nest at Almaden Lake Park
6. Wood Duck - 3 at Almaden Reservoir, female with young near Chesbro
Reservoir
7. Gadwall
8. Mallard - Female with young
9. Lesser Scaup - 2, Calero Reservoir
10. Common Merganser
11. Great Blue Heron
12. Snowy Egret
13. Great Egret
14. Green Heron
15. Black-crowned Night-Heron
16. Turkey Vulture
17. Osprey - 2 at Chesbro Reservoir
18. White-tailed Kite
19. Sharp-shinned Hawk
20. Cooper's Hawk
21. Red-shouldered Hawk - Only 1?
22. Red-tailed Hawk
23. Golden Eagle - McKean Road, near nest tower
24. American Kestrel
25. Wild Turkey
26. California Quail
27. American Coot
28. Greater Yellowlegs - 1 at Chesbro Reservoir
29. Solitary Sandpiper - 1 where creek flows into Chesbro Reservoir
30. Killdeer - Young seen near Chesbro Reservoir
31. California Gull
32. Caspian Tern
33. Forster's Tern
34. Rock Dove
35. Band-tailed Pigeon
36. Mourning Dove
37. Western Screech-Owl - New Almaden
38. Great Horned Owl - New Almaden, Guadalupe Reservoir
39. Northern Pygmy-Owl - Heard distantly near Guadalupe Reservoir
40. Common Poorwill - Hicks Road near Guadalupe Reservoir
41. Vaux's Swift - 1, Alamitos Creek Trail
42. Belted Kingfisher
43. Acorn Woodpecker
44. Nuttall's Woodpecker
45. Downy Woodpecker
46. Hairy Woodpecker
47. Northern Flicker
48. Olive-sided Flycatcher
49. Western Wood-Pewee
50. Pacific-slope Flycatcher
51. Black Phoebe - Nest at Community Center in New Almaden
52. Ash-throated Flycatcher
53. Western Kingbird
54. Steller's Jay
55. Western Scrub-Jay
56. Yellow-billed Magpie
57. American Crow
58. Hutton's Vireo
59. Cassin's Vireo
60. Warbling Vireo
61. Cedar Waxwing
62. Western Bluebird - At nest hole in Calero County Park
63. Swainson's Thrush - 1 in New Almaden near La Foret
64. American Robin
65. Northern Mockingbird
66. California Thrasher
67. European Starling
68. White-breasted Nuthatch
69. Brown Creeper
70. Bewick's Wren
71. House Wren
72. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
73. Bushtit
74. Tree Swallow
75. Violet-green Swallow
76. Northern Rough-winged Swallow
77. Barn Swallow
78. Cliff Swallow
79. Wrentit
80. Chestnut-backed Chickadee
81. Oak Titmouse
82. House Sparrow
83. Pine Siskin - Trail to Bald Mountain, Sierra Azul OSP
84. Lesser Goldfinch
85. Purple Finch
86. House Finch
87. Orange-crowned Warbler
88. Nashville Warbler - Heard before dawn along Hicks Rd. near Guadalupe
Reservoir
89. Yellow Warbler
90. Black-throated Gray Warbler - Mt. Umunhum Rd.
91. Common Yellowthroat - Singing at SCVWD Pond
92. Wilson's Warbler - Mt. Umunhum Rd., near Twin Creeks, and along Llagas
Creek
93. Song Sparrow
94. Golden-crowned Sparrow
95. Dark-eyed Junco
96. Rufous-crowned Sparrow - Mt. Umunhum Road and Stile Ranch Trail
97. Spotted Towhee
98. California Towhee
99. Western Tanager - Guadalupe Res., also along Llagas Creek near Chesbro
Res.
100. Black-headed Grosbeak
101. Lazuli Bunting - Heard near Chesbro Reservoir
102. Hooded Oriole
103. Bullock's Oriole
104. Red-winged Blackbird
105. Western Meadowlark
106. Brewer's Blackbird
107. Brown-headed Cowbird
John Mariani
email@hidden
www.birdswest.com
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 29 13:28:51 2001
Subject: [SBB] Almaden birds
--------
Birds from a couple of hikes Debbie and I took in Almaden in the past
week:
Yesterday at the IBM Research facility, we had several Western Bluebirds
and Lark Sparrows.
Last Monday, we hiked from the Mockingbird Hill entrance to Almaden
Quicksilver County Park out to New Almaden via Cape Horn pass and had
the following highlights:
Closest to Mockingbird Hill: singing Warbling Vireo, singing Blue-Grey
Gnatcatcher (including one sitting on a nest near Cape Horn pass),
Ash-throated Flycatcher, Orange-Crowned Warbler (heard only), Wrentit
(heard only), accipiter (sp?), Violet-Green Swallow
Nearer to and in New Almaden: House Wren, Purple Finch, Black-Headed
Grosbeak, Bullock's Orioles, Olive-sided Flycatcher (heard only),
Pacific Slope Flycatcher (heard only), unknown warbler (maybe Yellow?)
that wouldn't sit still
Hugh McDevitt
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 29 16:52:01 2001
Subject: [SBB] California Gulls starting to nest
--------
On Wednesday morning I saw my first dozen California Gulls carrying nesting material to their traditional nesting site on the levee between ponds A9 and A10 by the mouth of Alviso Slough at Coyote Creek. Sue Macias and I had been watching them gather there and at the Knapp in recent weeks, but this is the first nest-building I've noticed there.
Cheryl Millett
Biologist
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
PO Box 247
1290 Hope Street
Alviso, CA 95002
phone 408/946-6548
fax 408/946-9279
--------
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935 bytes
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 29 19:10:17 2001
Subject: [SBB] "My Farm"
--------
A disturbing situation is happening at "my farm" (La Rinconada Park) - the
EUROPEAN STARLINGS have arrived en masse. It appears as if the long time
"home" of one colony of ACORN WOODPECKERS has been taken over by the
starlings. Then, the Woodpeckers moved to the perimeter of the park. Today
that tree was also overwhelmed with Starlings. I've never seen more than a
handful of starlings on any given day in the park...and I've had months
seeing none. In fact just this year, I saw one starling on Jan 12, none in
Feb or March. There were lots and lots today.
Another increase in population has occurred with the RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS.
I saw none in January. Once February began there were a half dozen...now
there are lots. But, not as many as starlings.
I'm afraid these "varmits" are going to ruin "my farm"...
On the happy side, I saw one ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER carrying nesting
material - same location. On both Friday and Saturday I had over 100 CEDAR
WAXWINGS eating, today only saw 2. Had a dozen VAUX SWIFT no swallows...Some
days its swallows but no swift...and other days neither one. They seem to
like to fly above the creek and gather bugs.
The coyote is becoming a regular sight...he is not shy. A neighbor's cat has
been killed.
There were at least 3, maybe more, BULLOCK'S ORIOLES high atop the Euc -
never saw an adult male.
a pretty day...
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos off Quito
http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 29 21:23:23 2001
Subject: [SBB] A surprise at Sunnyvale Dump
--------
This evening I went to Sunnyvale Sewage Treatment Plant to see the SNOW
GOOSE. While crossing the fairly full creek near the parking lot I saw 2
COMMON MOORHENS, one on each side of the bridge. The pair of BURROWING OWLS
on the hill ignored the jack rabbit hopping by. The other burrow (around
to the right) had only 1 Burrowing Owl present tonight.
After backtracking to walk along the water towards the geese there was a 3'
piece of driftwood floating by. It was just beyond the algae "pond". But
wait -- the driftwood seems to have a black tail. Looking closer, this
driftwood also has eyes and a nose: it's a BEAVER! A few stray MALLARD
DUCKLINGS quickly scoot out of the way as the beaver drifts closer. The
beaver looks up and dives under water as a SECOND BEAVER surfaces from the
other direction. What a surprise!
There were at least 4 MALLARD families in this portion of the creek. Each
family had 3 to 9 ducklings, their heads glistening yellow in the low sun.
The ducklings could actually run atop the algae, an amusing sight. Other
birds included a pair of GADWALLS, RUDDY DUCKS, AMERICAN COOTS (harassing
the ducklings and the beaver), a BLACK PHOEBE, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, a
FORSTERS TERN, and a "mystery bird" hiding in the reeds. It seemed to be
sitting on a nest (or possibly beaver twigs?) and it resembled a grouse with
a white forehead and a dark band around the throat. I have no idea what it
was, but it soon disappeared never to be seen again.
All in all, an exciting evening at the dump.
Karen DeMello
(email@hidden)
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 29 23:29:29 2001
Subject: [SBB] Vasona Osprey & White-throated Sparrow
--------
All,
As reported earlier, the Vasona OSPREY was last seen on the evening of
4/17. The WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, along with the last GOLDEN-CROWN, was last
seen on 4/24.
Jean Dubois
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 30 03:29:49 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
On Saturday, 28 Apr 01, I drove down to the south county, specifically to
San Felipe Road off of hwy 152. Here I found a pair of CASSIN'S KINGBIRDS
occupying the middle eucalyptus in the line of three that are growing along
this road. They alternately would forage in the adjacent vinyard and then
move into the euc, where they looked to be prospecting for nest sites. This
is the same tree in which a pair nested in at least one previous year. Also
in this vicinity were 2 WESTERN KINGBIRDS, a pair of RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS,
at least 1 BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, and many TREE SWALLOWS.
On the way home I found a male OSPREY perched by the northern-most pond of
the Parkway Lakes chain. This is just south of hwy 101 and Bernal.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 30 06:08:51 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] A surprise at Sunnyvale Dump
--------
Beaver, Nutria or Muskrat?? They look pretty similar, but beaver are
unheard of, muskrat fairly common, I don't know about Nutria in Cal.
Richard C. Carlson
Full Time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker
Part-time Economist
Palo Alto, CA
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 30 06:36:57 2001
Subject: [SBB] Sierra Spring
--------
Strange Spring here at Tahoe. It's warm and dry but birds are late. Pine and Evening Grosbeaks hanging around in good number near lake level -- Lord, are they gorgeous. Only a few pussy willows, little remaining snow.. Only warbler is Yellow-rumped; no vireos, many Bluebirds.
Lower down at Sierra Valley, the meadows are pretty dry and cattails still brown. Huge numbers of mostly male Yellow- headed blackbirds on farms near Steel Bridge -- few in marshes. Saw only 6 Cranes, 10 phalaropes, 1 Avocet, no Stilts, few ducks, many Ibis, and 3 Harriers. Surprising bird was Lark Sparrow near marshes!!
Woodpecker Weekend June 2-4 should be interesting.
Richard C. Carlson
Full Time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker
Part-time Economist
Palo Alto, CA
email@hidden
Richard Carlson
Chairman, Spectrum Economics
Palo Alto, CA
650-324-2701
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 30 06:37:23 2001
Subject: [SBB] Woodpecker Weekend
--------
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory has space for one more couple at it's third "Wine, Wildflowers and Woodpecker Weekend" at Tahoe June 2-4. We see most of the Sierra specialties including White Headed, Black-Backed, & Hairy Woodpeckers and Red-Breasted and Williamson's sapsuckers. We also see Sandhill Cranes, Calliope hummers, Cassin's Finch and Evening Grosbeaks. This year Pine Grosbeaks are hanging around - maybe they'll stay.
Richard C. Carlson
Full Time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker
Part-time Economist
Palo Alto, CA
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 30 08:02:15 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] A surprise at Sunnyvale Dump
--------
Beaver are not unheard of in Calif. anymore. While on a field trip with
Garth Harwood to Phipps Ranch last year, we saw evidence of beaver in the
small creek there. He would be the beaver expert on this list and hopefully
will respond and enlighten us all. (OK, it's not bird related exactly, but
let's just say they do impact bird habitat)
Amy Summerfelt
(in Texas now, but still subscribing)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Carlson"
To: "Karen DeMello" ;
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 8:08 AM
Subject: Re: [SBB] A surprise at Sunnyvale Dump
> Beaver, Nutria or Muskrat?? They look pretty similar, but beaver are
> unheard of, muskrat fairly common, I don't know about Nutria in Cal.
>
> Richard C. Carlson
> Full Time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker
> Part-time Economist
> Palo Alto, CA
> email@hidden
>
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> server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
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email@hidden
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 30 09:00:02 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] LEWO
--------
> Of greatest interest, however, were Lewis' Woodpeckers. At least three
> birds were seen in the vicinity of Eagle Lake near the southern boundary of
> the park. Two birds were interacting in way that was likely territorial
> behavior. The site they were found at is very similar to known nesting
> areas in San Antonio Valley: large valley oaks surrounding a shallow pond
> located in a flat area. The Santa Clara County Breeding Bird Atlas had no
> breeding confirmations west of Mt. Hamilton. If the birds at Grant are
> breeding, it probably represents a range expansion for this species. This
> siting is also of interest considering the LEWO seen last autumn in the same
> park (although not in the same location).
>
> We did not have the time to stay and look for a confirmation, but access to
> the site is relatively easy, slightly less that 1.5 miles from the Smith
> Creek Ranger Station entrance. If anyone is interested in documenting a
> possible range expansion of an interesting and beautiful species, here is an
> opportunity.
Two weeks ago my wife and I saw a single Lewis' Woodpecker flying
from San Antonio Valley Road on the other side of Mount Hamilton.
Daniel Bump
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 30 09:25:02 2001
Subject: [SBB] LEWO
--------
Amy and I spent the day at Grant Park Sunday 4/29. All the expected migrants were there. Highlights were a Nashville Warbler and a couple of Hermit Warblers.
Of greatest interest, however, were Lewis' Woodpeckers. At least three birds were seen in the vicinity of Eagle Lake near the southern boundary of the park. Two birds were interacting in way that was likely territorial behavior. The site they were found at is very similar to known nesting areas in San Antonio Valley: large valley oaks surrounding a shallow pond located in a flat area. The Santa Clara County Breeding Bird Atlas had no breeding confirmations west of Mt. Hamilton. If the birds at Grant are breeding, it probably represents a range expansion for this species. This siting is also of interest considering the LEWO seen last autumn in the same park (although not in the same location).
We did not have the time to stay and look for a confirmation, but access to the site is relatively easy, slightly less that 1.5 miles from the Smith Creek Ranger Station entrance. If anyone is interested in documenting a possible range expansion of an interesting and beautiful species, here is an opportunity.
James Yurchenco
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 30 11:49:20 2001
Subject: [SBB] Breeding news, Frenchman's Meadow (Stanford)
--------
An adult RED-TAILED HAWK was standing for a considerable time this morning
on the edge of the nest near the intersection of Santa Maria and Gerona --
so maybe they've hatched (it's about the right time). The fan palm behind
635 Gerona has a visible HOODED ORIOLE nest to add to the two visible nests
in the palms in the meadow itself.
-- Tom Grey Stanford Law School email@hidden
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 30 12:47:49 2001
Subject: [SBB] Picid road rage
--------
This weekend I came across two Acorn Woodpeckers slugging out in the middle of Sandhill Road, right across from Jasper Ridge entrance. It looked like a ball of B&W feathers rolling around on the pavement. Two gang members were flying down to egg them on. Being the good cop that I am, I pulled over to break it up but all the perps fled the scene.
I recall seeing two flickers do this once before - is beak-to-beak combat typical of woodpeckers?
Ah spring! When a young woodpecker's fancy turns to ......thrashing the neighbor???
Janet Tashjian Hanson
Executive Director
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
P.O. Box 247
Alviso, CA 95002
email@hidden
408/946-6548
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 30 14:52:28 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Picid road rage
--------
Dear Janet --
Walt Koenig and his colleagues at Hastings Reserve in Carmel Valley have
shown that these types of physical interactions are associated with what
they've called "power struggles." These occur when there are vacancies of
either sex in the breeding colony and are most intense with a female
vacancy. Did you notice if the birds you saw were females?
Physical combat seems to be more unusual in other woodpecker species.
Flickers, for example, reportedly resolve most of their territorial
disputes with ritualized "dancing," where two birds of the same sex swing
their heads side to side with their bills pointed upwards, sometimes while
also giving "wicka" calls.
Best,
Jeff Davis
Santa Cruz, CA
>This weekend I came across two Acorn Woodpeckers slugging out in the
>middle of Sandhill Road, right across from Jasper Ridge entrance. It
>looked like a ball of B&W feathers rolling around on the pavement. Two
>gang members were flying down to egg them on. Being the good cop that I
>am, I pulled over to break it up but all the perps fled the scene.
>I recall seeing two flickers do this once before - is beak-to-beak combat
>typical of woodpeckers?
>Ah spring! When a young woodpecker's fancy turns to ......thrashing the
>neighbor???
>
>Janet Tashjian Hanson
>Executive Director
>San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
>P.O. Box 247
>Alviso, CA 95002
>
>email@hidden
>408/946-6548
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>This weekend I came across two Acorn
>Woodpeckers slugging out in the middle of Sandhill Road, right across from
>Jasper Ridge entrance. It looked like a ball of B&W feathers rolling
>around
>on the pavement. Two gang members were flying down to egg them on. Being the
>good cop that I am, I pulled over to break it up but all the perps fled the
>scene.
>I recall seeing two flickers do this once
>before - is beak-to-beak combat typical of woodpeckers?
>Ah spring! When a young woodpecker's fancy
>turns to ......thrashing the neighbor???
>
>Janet Tashjian
>Hanson
Executive Director
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
P.O. Box
>247
Alviso, CA 95002
>
>
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 30 15:57:42 2001
Subject: [SBB] Fw: Mallards & their offspring
--------
----- Original Message -----
From: "Susan Field"
To:
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 15:39
Subject: Re: Mallards & their offspring
> Greetings, all,
> This morning at Almaden Lake, a pair of mallard ducks with nine ducklings
> swimming upstream -- so cute! A little later, I heard a commotion and saw
> that another brood swimming downstream had converged with this one. The
> adult females were very vocal. I wondered how the little ones would
> disentangle themselves & watched as one female climbed the bank, made a
> semicircle on land (followed by her offspring), then all got back into the
> water farther down. Lots of fun to watch!
>
> The lake was also busy with common & Caspian terns, killdeer, a spotted
> sandpiper, coots, egrets, geese, common mergansers, and redwinged
> blackbirds.
> Best,
> Sue Field
>
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 30 17:33:17 2001
Subject: [SBB] April 29th Big Day
--------
All,
Sorry for the length of this report, but a long day's birding
generates a lot to talk about :)
Yesterday 4/29/01, I joined up with Grant Hoyt, Mike Mammoser, and
Dick Stovel ("The Vagrants") to do a Santa Clara County Big Day. Our
goal was to try and beat 158 species, the number of species seen on
the Vagrant's best previous Spring Big Day several years ago. This
record was achieved by starting in the San Antonio Valley and working
back towards the Bay and our itinerary yesterday was planned to follow
a similar route. It began at 3:45am at the Denny's in Milpitas and
didn't finish up until more than 17.5 hours later at the same
location. End result was 158 species, a tie (although at the time,
owing to missing a few species on the tally sheet, we thought we had
fallen three short). Considering the late date (we missed many
wintering birds, like Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and
White-crowned, Lincoln's, and Fox Sparrows), we felt this was a pretty
good performance.
We arrived at the Santa Clara/Alameda County line on Mines Road (via
Livermore) at 4:55am. As soon as we got out of the car, we were
treated to a calling COMMON POORWILL over the ridge to the east.
Playing tapes of owl calls induced a response from WESTERN
SCREECH-OWLS (we had at least six at our two stops) and three GREAT
HORNED OWLS were calling of their own accord. As it got light,
whistled imitations of NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL brought out at least two
of these birds as well.
When we arrived at the Biel Ranch entrance, it was already quite
light. Nonetheless, another COMMON POORWILL, 3 more GREAT HORNED
OWLS, and at least one NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL were still calling. As the
sun came up and warmed our frozen bones (it was really cold back
there!), the birds began to sing in earnest, and we quickly logged
chaparral species such as CALIFORNIA THRASHER, WRENTIT, and BEWICK'S
WREN, as well as many other expected species.
A stop near the "South Pocket" added more species, including BULLOCK'S
ORIOLE, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, HAIRY WOODPECKER, and HUTTON'S VIREO.
The chaparral further up the road failed to produce any sparrows, a
telling sign that April 29th is a little late for a Big Day.
Descending down to Colorado Creek, we heard an unusual warbler song.
We speculated that it was likely a NASHVILLE WARBLER - which was
confirmed when Grant managed to find the bird way up the other
hillside and we got it in the scope. Copulating NORTHERN FLICKERS,
another singing HUTTON'S VIREO, and our first ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS
of the day were also nice.
The riparian area near "Ruthie's Shopping Mall" was a little quite,
but did produce a single lingering GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW, while the
oaks across the road harbored at least one WESTERN TANAGER, a pair of
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS, and yet another HUTTON'S VIREO. The pond
further along the road added the day's first LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES, a
species which was seen later at many locations.
A stop at the cattle guard north of San Antone Junction (the junction
with Del Puerto Road) was very fruitful, producing at least 6 singing
"BELL'S" SAGE SPARROWS and a "singing" GREATER ROADRUNNER (this latter
bird being heard only).
At the fire station near the junction we tallied more LAWRENCE'S
GOLDFINCHES, the day's only YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS (two, at least one
a "MYRTLE"), and three PURPLE FINCHES (1 adult male, 2 females) mixed
in among the CHIPPING SPARROWS. I heard the mewing call of a
SAPSUCKER from some pines west of the road, but couldn't believe it
until the bird called again. I alerted the others and we searched in
vain to try and see the bird from the road. Grant managed to hear it
once more later, but we had to leave this as a "SAPSUCKER SP" for our
list. Any sapsucker is very rare after the first few days of April in
Santa Clara County. Perhaps the lingering snows in the Diablo Range
fooled the bird into thinking it wasn't Spring yet.
At the junction itself, the hummingbird feeders were loaded with
hummingbirds - unfortunately for our effort, they were all ANNA's.
Across the road we added the day's first WESTERN KINGBIRD and WESTERN
WOOD-PEWEE, both of which were encountered in numbers thereafter.
The pond east of the junction added a male WOOD DUCK, but no other
ducks. Heading south again on Mines Road from the junction, Grant
soon spotted our only VAUX'S SWIFT for the day, winging it's way low
over the road. A stop further south failed to produce Say's Phoebe,
which has nested here in the past, but did add a singing TRICOLORED
BLACKBIRD, our only one of the day. There was also a lingering
SAVANNAH SPARROW near the bridge here.
Near the Gehri Bridge we added PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, CLIFF
SWALLOW, and a large flock of lingering PINE SISKIN. Our only LEWIS'S
WOODPECKER came 3.3 miles south of the San Antone junction, along with
a singing LARK SPARROW, and a third WOOD DUCK - but no Phainopepla
(they have bred here in the past).
By now we were well behind schedule and the pace quickened. A quick
stop at the top of China Grade produced 3 more singing SAGE SPARROWS
and at least 2 LAZULI BUNTINGS. A few other migrants, such as
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS and a WILSON'S WARBLER were also foraging in
the chaparral here. Quick stops for Rock Wren and at the Arnold Pond
failed to produce anything new, so we headed on to the Mt Hamilton
summit. Again the hummingbird feeders had only ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS,
but a singing BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER nearby was nice (one had a
territory here last year as well).
The descent to Smith's Creek was quick, adding BAND-TAILED PIGEON and
WARBLING VIREO from the car, and we arrived at the Smith's Creek
Ranger Station at 10:43am, almost an hour and a quarter behind
schedule :( and fairly late in the morning to hope to hear singing
migrants. A NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW on the wire here was
apparently hoping that the earth bank excavated by the bridge
construction would furnish a nesting site. This species was not
recorded in this block during our breeding bird atlas, as suitable
breeding habitat was lacking then.
We first headed east along Smith's Creek, adding the expected CASSIN'S
VIREOS, BROWN CREEPERS, and more LAZULI BUNTINGS. Two BLACK-THROATED
GRAY WARBLERS singing upslope may well have been local breeders, and
the only real signs of migration were 10+ singing WILSON'S WARBLERS.
We were about to give up on finding migrant flocks, when I pleaded for
5 more minutes to check the oaks southwest on the ranger station. I
had used up most of my minutes, when I finally heard the wheezy songs
of migrant warblers. Further investigation turned up a large flock
here, with 5+ HERMIT WARBLERS (3 females, 2 males), 3+ TOWNSEND'S
WARBLERS, single BLACK-THROATED GRAY and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, a
WARBLING VIREO, and 4+ WESTERN TANAGERS - a real splash of color for
our day!
A quick stop at milepost 15.48 turned up another Bird-a-thon team, but
not many birds (it was now almost noon!). However, a quick walk up
the road led to the discovery of a tooting NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL, right
where the courting pair was two weeks ago! The trip over to Grant
Lake added 3 more LAZULI BUNTINGS, but no Rufous-crowned Sparrows,
making a stop at Ed Levin Park later in the day a necessity.
Grant Lake boosted our totals greatly, adding several ducks, including
5 "female" BUFFLEHEAD and a male RING-NECKED DUCK. Grant had been put
on raptor detail, and scanned the area while the rest of us scoped the
lake; he did admirably, coming up with a pair of GOLDEN EAGLES perched
atop an oak way up the hillside and a distant ACCIPITER (our only one
for the day!) that we felt was likely a Cooper's Hawk. The loop
around the Canal Trail added a male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD that flew by
the front of our group near the eucalyptus grove here, 5 more LAZULI
BUNTINGS, 4 more LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES, another pair of WOOD DUCKS,
2 more GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS, 2 WESTERN TANAGERS, and nice scope
views of our second (and last!) LARK SPARROW for the day.
We left Grant Lake at 1:10pm, stopping quickly for RED-SHOULDERED HAWK
at Quimby Road, and then headed to Ed Levin Park. A single
WHITE-THROATED SWIFT low over the car as we drove in was the only one
for the day, making both our swifts drive-by birds :). The eucalyptus
trees at the parking lot had no selasphorus hummingbirds, but were
loaded with lingering CEDAR WAXWINGS. Sandy Wool Lake added our only
WHITE-TAILED KITE and 2 CASPIAN TERNS. A quick hike up to the
sycamores failed to produce the hoped for Blue Grosbeak, but did add
another LAZULI BUNTING, a couple of RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS, and two
GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS. Given how late it was, we skipped the Elm
Picnic Area, leading to our missing Allen's Hummingbird for the day.
We arrived at the Coyote Creek Field Station at 3:05pm and quickly
began adding ducks and shorebird to our list from the nearby sewage
ponds. A quick hike along the creek added AMERICAN GOLDFINCH and
brief views of at least 2 male BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRDS, but failed
to produce the normally dependable Downy Woodpeckers, a species we
missed for the day! The nearby waterbird pond held more ducks and
shorebirds, including nice breeding plumage WESTERN and LEAST
SANDPIPERS, and DUNLIN. A RING-NECKED PHEASANT squawked a few times
from nearby.
We bypassed the ducks at Arzino Ranch to get into the EEC before it
closed. Here were a pair of BLACK SKIMMERS, the day's first WILLET,
the day's only EARED GREBES, and an adult PEREGRINE FALCON that Mike
spied through the heat haze sitting on a post below the dike. Back
out at Arzino Ranch, our ducks were suddenly gone - and we ended up
missing American Wigeon for the day :(. The marsh at State and
Spreckles held no Ruff, but the BARN OWL was roosting at SFBBO as
usual. Scoping Arzino Ranch from the Jubilee Christian Center added
4 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS and 4 BURROWING OWLS to our list.
A stop at the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant added another
BURROWING OWL and the immature SNOW GOOSE, but no Green Heron or
Common Moorhen. At 5:22 pm, we left to catch the incoming tide at the
Palo Alto Baylands, seeing another flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS over
Highway 101 on the drive north. Shorebirds were indeed filling the
old yacht harbor basin when we arrived, and we added MARBLED GODWIT,
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, a SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, and 11+ WHIMBRELS in
short order. Both WESTERN and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS were also
well-represented on the mud flats, along with 125+ BONAPARTE'S GULLS
and 10 GREEN-WINGED TEAL. The duck pond across the street added
3 LESSER SCAUP, an injured female GREATER SCAUP, a "female" COMMON
GOLDENEYE, and a male CANVASBACK, boosting our previously feeble bay
duck total. Two unidentifiable AECHMOPHORUS GREBES were well out on
the Bay off the yacht harbor mouth. Given the time, we had to pass on
walking out the boardwalk to get Clapper Rail.
A quick stop at the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin added 10 AMERICAN
WHITE PELICANS, but no BLUE-WINGED TEAL. Unusual here were two
calling SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS in among many LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS;
except for periods of peak migration (now) this species is usually
found only at the immediate bay edge in the county.
At 6:22pm, we arrived at the Mountain View Forebay. We lucked into a
GREEN HERON, but had trouble again with Moorhen. The COMMON LOON was
easily visible on Shoreline Lake, as were the two resident injured
SURF SCOTERS, 2 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and another "female" COMMON
GOLDENEYE. Close to shore in southern Salt Pond A1 we had a WESTERN
GREBE, at which point many of us were sure those Aechmos off of Palo
Alto must have been Clark's Grebes :). At least 14 more AMERICAN
WHITE PELICANS flew into the island in the northwest corner of Pond A1
as well. At least 9 BLACK SKIMMERS were on the island in Charleston
Slough and tenth bird seen later in Adobe Creek was likely a different
individual. Careful scoping of the hundreds of closely packed MARBLED
GODWITS turned up two BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, our last "expected"
shorebird species needed for the day. Five LESSER SCAUP and another
male CANVASBACK were far out in Charleston Slough. At least 45
SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS were roosting on the Forebay mud flats, some
mixed in with breeding-plumaged WESTERN SANDPIPERS. There were no
Hooded Mergansers in their usual channel opposite Adobe Creek, but a
COMMON MOORHEN there finally gave us our only look at this species for
the day. Playing taped rail calls around the Forebay failed to elicit
any response.
Faced with limited remaining daylight, we opted to head for Stevens
Creek County Park, in hopes of Hooded Oriole, Olive-sided Flycatcher,
Yellow Warbler, Spotted Sandpiper, and other goodies. This was
largely a bust, as the birds we needed were no longer singing
(although others were, such as at least 5 WESTERN WOOD-PEWEES and a
WESTERN TANAGER!). There were no Hooded Orioles at the fan palm just
outside the park (one was here Thursday!); the sudden exodus of four
people with binoculars from Dick's van only provided entertainment for
two people on a nearby balcony, who must have wondered what was so
special about that particular tree. Despite missing our target
species, we did find an AMERICAN DIPPER along the creek above Camp
Costanoan and added two more BELTED KINGFISHERS to our day list.
We quickly sped back to McClellan Ranch, wondering whether Hooded
Orioles ever fed in the dark. Only a minute after our arrival at
8:08pm, we were treated to 2 noisy HOODED ORIOLES returning to their
favored fan palm.
Desperate for a few more species, we once again headed back to the
Forebay. A flashlight revealed a MALLARD where the MOORHEN had stood
before - but still no Hooded Mergansers. Any rails that might have
been present were equally unresponsive after dark, but a BARN OWL
carrying food was nice.
Heading back across Highway 237 to the Dennys in Milpitas, we stopped
at the Alviso Marina. Once again we failed to get a response from any
rails :(. We parted ways in Milpitas thinking we had reached 155
species, well short of the hoped for goal of 160. But Snow Goose,
Ruddy Duck, and Song Sparrow had somehow been left off the list. We
were actually at 158. A trip to Monte Bello for Saw-whet Owl and a
stop at the Baylands for Clapper Rail would have done it. Or not
having missed Downy Woodpecker and American Wigeon. Or maybe a week
earlier we could have had a few more wintering sparrows. And so there
is nothing left to do but get ready for next year! :)
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 30 20:17:06 2001
Subject: [SBB] Re: Mallard assault!
--------
Speaking of spring 'events' I saw a horrifying scene in Redwood shores today. Six male Mallards were raping a hapless female mallard in the middle of a quiet lane. I broke up the assault, and the bloody hen managed to fly away followed by two of the males. Three of the remaining four males turned on one of the males and began to assault him. At this point I gave up and moved on. Ahh, spring....!
Screech.
----- Original Message -----
From: Janet T. Hanson
To: South Bay Birders
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 12:47 PM
Subject: [SBB] Picid road rage
This weekend I came across two Acorn Woodpeckers slugging out in the middle of Sandhill Road, right across from Jasper Ridge entrance. It looked like a ball of B&W feathers rolling around on the pavement. Two gang members were flying down to egg them on. Being the good cop that I am, I pulled over to break it up but all the perps fled the scene.
I recall seeing two flickers do this once before - is beak-to-beak combat typical of woodpeckers?
Ah spring! When a young woodpecker's fancy turns to ......thrashing the neighbor???
Janet Tashjian Hanson
Executive Director
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
P.O. Box 247
Alviso, CA 95002
email@hidden
408/946-6548
--------
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2.8 KBytes
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