Parent
From email@hidden Wed Apr 01 08:46:05 1998
All,
While trying to find the Prothonatary Warbler at North Lake in Golden Gate
Park I noted that there were at least three male Selasphorus Hummingbirds with
gorgets and extensively red backs. One bird had only a small amount of green
in the middle of it's back and a green crown back to the rufous nape. My
questions are 1) In the spring, how much green does it take to make the bird
an Allen's Hummingbird?, 2) Does a rufous mantle make it a Rufous
Hummingbird? and 3) Would we expect to see Rufous Hummingbirds doing
territorial displays this far south?
Thanks,
Bob Reiling, 7:19 AM, 4/1/98
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 01 09:49:55 1998
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--
Richard C. Carlson
Palo Alto, California
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Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1998 08:57:15 -0500
Reply-To: "Laviolette, Lance"
Sender: "National Birding Hotline Cooperative (Chat Line)"
From: "Laviolette, Lance"
Subject: [BIRDCHAT] New species found in Ecuador
To: email@hidden
X-UIDL: cf368363f2d4293c54f951445a16031a
X-Mozilla-Status: 0001
Hi Chatters,
I thought this might be of interest.
Lance
=====================
Lance Laviolette
Glen Robertson, Ontario/
Montreal, Quebec
email@hidden
=====================
==================
Birds That Really Dig Their Environment
By Frank Knott ...New York Times April 1, 1998
CORDILLERA DE HUACAMAYOS, Ecuador -- Dr. Avril Pioneer, working in the
mountainous area of Cordillera de Huacamayos, Ecuador has discovered a
colony of subterranean birds.
The bird, newly named the flute-billed tunnel-hermit, apparently spends
almost it's entire life underground living on insects and worms.
"It only ventures above ground when it's time to breed," said Dr.
Pioneer, speaking at a press conference in Quito. "The birds must gather
grass and plant fiber to line their nests."
Dr. Pioneer has been studying birds and their behavior in Ecuador for
over ten years but only stumbled across the tunnel-hermit by accident
three months ago.
"As is often the case," Pioneer explained, "the most important
discoveries are made serendipitously. I was trying to find the source of
some unusual vocalization and I literally dropped in on a colony of the
birds."
The birds are supremely adapted to their life underground. Their beaks
are the size of a toothbrush and shaped like a long spade.
Dr. Pioneer has discovered that they excavate their labyrinth of tunnels
by inserting their beaks into the earth and violently rotating their
entire body in a corkscrew manner by thrusts of their powerful legs.
Dislodged earth is propelled behind the bird at the same time where it
is scooped up by what Dr. Pioneer refers to as 'helper' birds and thrown
out of tunnel entrances.
The extensive rains in the area quickly wash away this loose soil,
leaving no evidence of the burrowing activity.
Dr. Pioneer described how sometimes birds would get stuck and have to be
pulled free by those behind.
"The cooperative nature of the birds in the colony is astounding," Dr.
Pioneer said, "It far exceeds any previously documented behavior in the
bird world."
The tunnel-hermit is flightless as might be expected.
"They have very small, vestigial wings which we at first believed served
only to anchor birds when moving through the tunnel system. It was only
later that we were able to observe a male moving his wings along his
beak at the same time a beautiful, flute-like vocalization was emitted."
"This was the same wonderous sound that first drew me to the area,"
explained Dr. Pioneer. "We have since had the opportunity to observe
tiny holes, spaced at regular intervals down both sides of the beak. The
melody is so dazzlingly beautiful and has such an incredible ephemeral
quality that we have informally called the song the 'Melody of Fools'."
==================
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 01 10:00:48 1998
REPLY RE: Our male Selasphorus Hummingbirds
RREILING2 wrote:
>1) In the spring, how much green does it take to make the bird an
>Allen's Hummingbird?,
The new Pyle's "Identification Guide to North American Birds" says
that After Second Year males can have up to 40% rufous on their
backs. Right now, After Second Year means birds hatched before last
year, or in the spring of '96 or earlier.
>2) Does a rufous mantle make it a Rufous Hummingbird? and
A good view of an all rufous back is probably indicative of rufus.
Pyle notes that Second Year males can show up to 50% green on
their backs. Right now, Second Year means a bird hatched last spring.
>3) Would we expect to see Rufous Hummingbirds doing territorial
>displays this far south?
I believe that they are seen displaying in the area in the midst of
migration. Brushing up for the breeding grounds?
Another possibly see-able fieldmark is notched R2's, which are
the second pair of retrices (tail feathers) from the central, and
largest, pair. This can be nearly impossible to see on a hovering
bird. Sometimes a good photo will pick this up. Also, if you can
distinguish the difference between 1.8 and 1.9 mm in the field,
look at the outer tail feathers (R5). On rufus they are wider than
1.9 mm and on sasin, narrower than 1.8 mm. In between those
measures, just call it a selasphorus hummer. Some folks say that
they can distinguish between the vocalizations, wing buzz, and
display flight. I'll leave that to those who are confident about
these keys.
Les Chibana, Palo Alto email@hidden
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 01 11:03:50 1998
I suspect this species should be renamed the "April Fool Tunnel Hermit" !
At 08:49 AM 4/1/98 -0800, you wrote:
>--
>Richard C. Carlson
>Palo Alto, California
>email@hidden
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>Encoding: 70 TEXT
>Message-ID:
>Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1998 08:57:15 -0500
>Reply-To: "Laviolette, Lance"
>Sender: "National Birding Hotline Cooperative (Chat Line)"
>
>From: "Laviolette, Lance"
>Subject: [BIRDCHAT] New species found in Ecuador
>To: email@hidden
>X-UIDL: cf368363f2d4293c54f951445a16031a
>X-Mozilla-Status: 0001
>
>Hi Chatters,
>
>I thought this might be of interest.
>
>Lance
>=====================
>Lance Laviolette
>Glen Robertson, Ontario/
>Montreal, Quebec
>email@hidden
>=====================
>==================
>Birds That Really Dig Their Environment
>By Frank Knott ...New York Times April 1, 1998
>
>CORDILLERA DE HUACAMAYOS, Ecuador -- Dr. Avril Pioneer, working in the
>mountainous area of Cordillera de Huacamayos, Ecuador has discovered a
>colony of subterranean birds.
>
>The bird, newly named the flute-billed tunnel-hermit, apparently spends
>almost it's entire life underground living on insects and worms.
>
>"It only ventures above ground when it's time to breed," said Dr.
>Pioneer, speaking at a press conference in Quito. "The birds must gather
>grass and plant fiber to line their nests."
>
>Dr. Pioneer has been studying birds and their behavior in Ecuador for
>over ten years but only stumbled across the tunnel-hermit by accident
>three months ago.
>
>"As is often the case," Pioneer explained, "the most important
>discoveries are made serendipitously. I was trying to find the source of
>some unusual vocalization and I literally dropped in on a colony of the
>birds."
>
>The birds are supremely adapted to their life underground. Their beaks
>are the size of a toothbrush and shaped like a long spade.
>
>Dr. Pioneer has discovered that they excavate their labyrinth of tunnels
>by inserting their beaks into the earth and violently rotating their
>entire body in a corkscrew manner by thrusts of their powerful legs.
>Dislodged earth is propelled behind the bird at the same time where it
>is scooped up by what Dr. Pioneer refers to as 'helper' birds and thrown
>out of tunnel entrances.
>
>The extensive rains in the area quickly wash away this loose soil,
>leaving no evidence of the burrowing activity.
>
>Dr. Pioneer described how sometimes birds would get stuck and have to be
>pulled free by those behind.
>
>"The cooperative nature of the birds in the colony is astounding," Dr.
>Pioneer said, "It far exceeds any previously documented behavior in the
>bird world."
>
>The tunnel-hermit is flightless as might be expected.
>
>"They have very small, vestigial wings which we at first believed served
>only to anchor birds when moving through the tunnel system. It was only
>later that we were able to observe a male moving his wings along his
>beak at the same time a beautiful, flute-like vocalization was emitted."
>
>"This was the same wonderous sound that first drew me to the area,"
>explained Dr. Pioneer. "We have since had the opportunity to observe
>tiny holes, spaced at regular intervals down both sides of the beak. The
>melody is so dazzlingly beautiful and has such an incredible ephemeral
>quality that we have informally called the song the 'Melody of Fools'."
>==================
>
Nick Lethaby
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Elanix, Inc.
Tel: 408 941 0223
Fax: 408 941 0984
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 01 12:58:52 1998
Chatters,
I updated my website at http://hills.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan with a new
photo quiz (two sparrows) and "answers" to last month's controversial
bunting and hawk pictures. Also there are new photos of Dusky Warbler,
Eurasian Dotterel, Slaty-backed Gull and Couch's Kingbird.
In addition an archive of the March 1998 South-bay-birds messages has
been posted.
The City College network gurus have apparently solved the problem with
their new firewall so the website should be easier to access and
faster now.
Feedback and comments are always welcome.
--
Joseph Morlan SF Bay Area birding, Rarity photos, ID quizes.
380 Talbot Ave. #206 http://hills.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/
Pacifica, CA 94044 email@hidden
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 02 10:44:35 1998
South-Bay-Birders:
Yesterday, 4-1-98, I found a singing male YELLOW WARBLER in Sunnyvale at
9:30 AM at the creek at north side of El Camino Real across from Falore
Nissan.
Later at 12 noon, I found a WESTERN KINGBIRD at the north-west-most pond
of the LOCKHEED-MARTIN PONDS in Sunnyvale. A BURROWING OWL was also
present.
--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, email@hidden (home)
Sunnyvale, CA, email@hidden (work)
Please reply to both addresses above for a quicker response. Thanks.
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 02 14:51:29 1998
All,
Today I saw a Caspian Tern fly from/over Sandy Wool Lake to the pond located
in the Spring Valley Golf Course. I also had my first Bullock's Oriole (a
nice bright orange male) for the year.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:28 PM, 4/2/98
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 03 08:29:16 1998
A gorgeous male Hooded Oriole enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at one of
our hummer feeders this morning, on Altschul Ave. in Menlo Park.
First of the season.
================================
George Oetzel Menlo Park, CA
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 04 14:33:43 1998
I went birding down in the south county today. There were 2 male
Yellow-headed Blackbirds at the dairy on Hwy 152 W of San Felipe Lake.
Along San Felipe Lane the Cassin's Kingbirds were in the middle Eucaplyptus
along with a male Allen's Hummingbird. A Western Kingbird was also nearby,
with another at the dairy. The slop pond at the dairy looks great for
Solitary Sandpipers - certainly they are regular in OR in spring at these
type of spots.
Nick Lethaby
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Elanix, Inc.
Tel: 408 941 0223
Fax: 408 941 0984
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 05 13:22:49 1998
Birders,
While conducting a point count survey today I saw a Western Kingbird at
CCRS, sitting on one of the snags just upstream from the trailers. Lots of
Yellow-rumped Warblers around today, most of them Myrtle. The banders
notified me that today they caught what could have been an intergrade
Myrtle x Audubon's warbler.
All for now.
Al
Alvaro Jaramillo
Half Moon Bay,
California
email@hidden
Helm guide to the New World Blackbirds, Birding in Chile and more, at:
http://www.sirius.com/~alvaro
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 05 17:55:16 1998
All,
During the SCVAS field trip on Saturday (4/4) I saw a Violet-Green Swallow
(quite high so this is a best guess) chase a White-Throated Swift, for several
seconds, in a straight line until they went out of sight beyond the ridgeline.
A few WTSW were feeding in the same area as a large flock of swallows (several
VGSW verified) when the incident occurred. The swallow was quite close to the
back of the swift during the chase but it never seemed to get closer or to
make contact.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 5:52 PM, 4/5/98
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 05 18:23:27 1998
Bob Reiling provided an eventful field trip at Ed Levin Park, mud et al. A
WILD TURKET that "buzzed" us as it flew out of some underbrush past us was
a highlight.
Bob asked me if the MERGANSERS were still at Oka Ponds. Since they're
practically in my backyard, I decided to check it out today. Didn't see
them. There were 22 BUFFLEHEAD, and if my new binocs were powerful enough,
I'd say there were 2 CLARK'S GREBEs (looked like the eye was in white to
me) at the largest of the perc ponds. Lots of SWALLOWS too.
I spent about 20 minutes watching a GREEN HERON pull at reeds, grass, etc
in an attempt that looked like "it" was putting together a nest of some
sort. I'm clueless as to what type of a nest they make, or where it
generally is located, but that's why South Bay Birds is so wonderful cuz I
know there are those of you out there who know. The action that I saw was
located---ok, here goes.
If your back is facing #17 and you are on the paved path closest to 17, go
to the junction where the gazebo is directly in front of you. The paved
path will cross a very small irrigation ditch as it heads towards the
gazebo. After the irrigation ditch you can turn right on a gravel path.
There is a very large deciduous tree in front of you then. Closer to you
than the tree is a slight protrusion of the land. Past the tree is a
larger protrusion. From the small protrusion look across to the large
protrusion. About 2/3 of the way out onto the protrusion, and a couple of
feet from the water's edge, is where this heron was busily working. Maybe
this is a known site. I've just never seen a Green Heron doing anything
like this before.
the HOODED ORIOLE is at my feeder 2 or 3 times a day. No sign of his woman
yet....the 41 BAND-TAILED PIGEON may eat out of house and home, but they do
make my gardener's job easier with less to clean up! Several times a day
I'll have 41 pigeons, 23 quail and a half dozen MODO's feeding together
inches apart. I find it interesting that the LESSER AND AMERICAN
GOLDFINCH'S prefer my safflower seed to the thistle or the Dr. Geus mix I use.
The joys of being a birder.....Gloria
http://www.lgsia.com and http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 05 19:38:48 1998
Sunday at noon I went down to the Almaden area. The pair of
AM. DIPPERs was still at the first bridge upstream from Twin Creeks
on the Alamito Creek. They were flying back and forth from near
the bridge to about 100yds. upstream. A STELLER'S JAY was also there.
Near the marsh at the upper end of Almaden Reservoir, saw the following:
2 HOUSE WREN's, copulating(?) LESSER GOLDFINCHES, calling
PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, WARBLING VIREO, BULLOCK'S ORIOLE,
a handsome male COMMON MERGANSER, a pair of WOODUCKSs. Further north
on Alamito Creek, large flocks of BAND-TAILED PIGEONS, a calling and
flying RED-SHOULDERED HAWK.
Later at Shady Oaks Park, did not see the Eastern Phoebe this time.
However, a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was in the orchard right next to the
blue jungle gym, which may not bode well for our vagrant friend.
A RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD flew eastwards across the creek. From the bridge
saw another male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE and a silent female
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK.
Was glad to finally be able to get out for some spring birding.
Vivek Tiwari
email@hidden
Santa Clara
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 06 13:12:17 1998
I failed to see these on Friday. The main area I checked was around and
upstream of a road bridge about a quarter mile beyond the main cluster of
buildings in Twin Creeks.Is this the "first bridge upstream of Twin Creeks"?.
Nick Lethaby
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Elanix, Inc.
Tel: 408 941 0223
Fax: 408 941 0984
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 06 13:35:57 1998
> I failed to see these on Friday. The main area I checked was around and
> upstream of a road bridge about a quarter mile beyond the main cluster of
> buildings in Twin Creeks.Is this the "first bridge upstream of Twin Creeks"?.
> Nick Lethaby
Hi Nick,
I think you are describing the right place. Twin Creeks has a cluster of houses
by the creek and a cluster of small bridges. Go past these. The road narrows
to almost a single lane and climbs up. Then it crosses the creek. This is the
bridge.
The pair I saw on Sunday was flying back and forth from near the bridge to
about
100 yds. upstream.
Vivek Tiwari
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 06 15:10:22 1998
On Saturday, 4 Apr 98, I went up to Castle Rock State Park and birded
around the parking lot. Here I was able to find a female HERMIT WARBLER
amongst the numerous TOWNSEND'S. On the trail into Sanborn Park from
Black Road I found a WINTER WREN. Down Charcoal Road, off of Skyline, 2
to 3 HAIRY WOODPECKERS were being very vocal and chasing each other
around. A HERMIT THRUSH was in this area as well.
On Sunday, 5 Apr 98, I took a hike in Henry Coe State Park, wandering
out to Manzanita Point. A number of HOUSE WRENS have arrived and are
setting up territories. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS are in abundance as
well, but other migrants seem sparse. I did have a male RUFOUS
HUMMINGBIRD flash by, heading north. WILD TURKEYS were gobbling
everywhere, with one tom displaying to a female at Manzanita Point. The
point also had a couple of singing BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS, and a
few singing PURPLE FINCHES.
It was interesting to watch a group of 5 AMERICAN CROWS robbing an ACORN
WOODPECKER granary. Most of them pried acorns out while perching on
branches, but one actually hovered along side the trunk to pry at an
acorn. The crows would then hammer the acorns open with their beaks and
eat them.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 07 10:29:07 1998
On Saturday, 4 Apr 98, I went up to Castle Rock State Park and birded
around the parking lot. Here I was able to find a female HERMIT WARBLER
amongst the numerous TOWNSEND'S. On the trail into Sanborn Park from
Black Road I found a WINTER WREN. Down Charcoal Road, off of Skyline, 2
to 3 HAIRY WOODPECKERS were being very vocal and chasing each other
around. A HERMIT THRUSH was in this area as well.
On Sunday, 5 Apr 98, I took a hike in Henry Coe State Park, wandering
out to Manzanita Point. A number of HOUSE WRENS have arrived and are
setting up territories. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS are in abundance as
well, but other migrants seem sparse. I did have a male RUFOUS
HUMMINGBIRD flash by, heading north. WILD TURKEYS were gobbling
everywhere, with one tom displaying to a female at Manzanita Point. The
point also had a couple of singing BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS, and a
few singing PURPLE FINCHES.
It was interesting to watch a group of 5 AMERICAN CROWS robbing an ACORN
WOODPECKER granary. Most of them pried acorns out while perching on
branches, but one actually hovered along side the trunk to pry at an
acorn. The crows would then hammer the acorns open with their beaks and
eat them.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 07 15:04:02 1998
All,
This morning I had three male Yellow-headed Blackbirds in the bare tree behind
the dairy farm on Hwy 152 (next to San Felipe Lake). Unfortunately there were
lots of birds in the three Eucalyptus trees on Dunne Lane(?), 2nd "T" with Hwy
152 east of the lake, but no kingbirds (of any kind). There was a nice orange
male Bullock's Oriole, American Robins, Acorn Woodpeckers, Tree Swallows,
Lesser Goldfinches, Yellow-rumped Warblers, House finches, White-crowned
Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Dark-eyed Junco's (including an all gray one that I
could not see the wing on and subsequently lost, most likely Slate-colored),
Anna's Hummingbirds, Mourning Doves and a Red-tailed Hawk. I even had a
female Belted Kingfisher perched on a post in the middle of the field east of
the middle tree (can't be that much water very near).
I then went to the pullout just before the first car bridge above Twin Creeks
(Almaden area) where I saw a pair of American Dippers. One bird was busy
bringing something to what I assume is a nest under the car bridge (I saw it
take a fairly large orange object there from about 100 yds upstream). I saw
it make 3-4 trips. The second bird stayed under the bridge but on at least
one occasion flew part way up under the bridge and back down as the first bird
left. I tried to get a better look but this caused the second bird to fly
about a hundred feet downstream. I would suggest that if anyone goes to see
the birds that they not get closer than 20-30 ft to the edge of the bridge
when near the stream. You should also be aware that the road from Twin Creeks
is one lane with two-way traffic.
I then returned to the Eucalyptus trees south of Hwy 152 to once again try for
the kingbirds. I found none.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 2:57 PM, 4/7/98
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 07 18:07:13 1998
>I tried to get a better look but this caused the second bird to fly
>about a hundred feet downstream. I would suggest that if anyone goes to see
>the birds that they not get closer than 20-30 ft to the edge of the bridge
>when near the stream.
I'd just like to back up Bob's statement here. While looking from the
bridge today I had one of the birds fly up the stream towards the bridge
and then turn back and call as soon as it saw me. I immeditately left the
bridge (which I needed to do anyway to get better views). In general, I
haven't been hanging around the bridge on either of my trips for the bird.
Certainly, we should avoid standing on the bridge for more than a minute or
so and definitely no one should go down to the stream to look under the bridge.
Nick Lethaby
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Elanix, Inc.
Tel: 408 941 0223
Fax: 408 941 0984
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 07 21:19:05 1998
This afternoon, Monday (4-7-98) while I was photographing Clapper Rails at
the Palo Alto Baylands , a Sage Thrasher landed on the railing of the
walkway. I was near the spot where the power lines cross the boardwalk. I
had an excellent look at it and the pale eye and streaked breast were
unmistakable. It did not stay put quite long enough to get a photo
(sorry). It flew out over the marsh, banked hard, showing the white-tipped
tail and then landed on the rooftop of the Interpretive Center building.
The bird checklist available at the Center lists Sage Thrasher with 2 known
records.
Bruce E. Webb
email@hidden
Granite Bay, CA
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 08 09:57:58 1998
Enjoyed a Merlin in my Stanford Med Center courtyard (Edwards Bldg) this
morning (9:45). Maybe looking for the doves that attempt to nest on the
window ledges and airconditioner tops every Spring. No luck - so it moved
on eastward.
Linda Lloyd
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 08 12:42:24 1998
All:
Today (8 April), I scoped the flooded fields west of Zanker Road
and north of Hwy. 237 in Alviso, seeing 23 GREATER and 2 LESSER
YELLOWLEGS. Five CATTLE EGRETS were at Arzino Ranch. At 2:55
this afternoon, as I was sitting in traffic on I-880 just north
of the county line near Dixon Landing Road, I saw a light-morph
adult SWAINSON'S HAWK flying slowly to the ENE in the vicinity of
the old landing strip just east of the Newby Island Landfill.
The bird flew over 880, almost over my truck, and continued
to the ENE; very close to Santa Clara County airspace, but in
Alameda County during the entire observation.
Some recent observations from Scott Terrill: On 29 March, he had
a singing male BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER and a PILEATED WOODPECKER
at his house in Santa Cruz County not too far from the Santa Clara
County line. That same day, he estimated (conservatively, based on
the maximum number in sight at one time) 16 ANNA'S, 9 female
SELASPHORUS, 5 male ALLEN'S, and 1 male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD at his
feeders. On 3 April at Shoreline Lake, he saw the BLACK SCOTER
(still showing no black feathering and only a thin yellowish stripe
on the bill), a RED-NECKED GREBE just beginning to show a hint of the
alternate head pattern but still largely in basic plumage, a female
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (but only 4 COMMONS), and 303 SURF SCOTERS.
Steve Rottenborn
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 08 15:00:24 1998
All,
This morning during the SCVAS Field Trip to Almaden Quicksilver County Park we
had an Ash-Throated Flycatcher near the parking lot. Later we had one and
possibly two calling Northern Pygmy-Owls. We also had several Blue-gray
Gnatcatchers and a House Wren, which seemed to be setting up house by throwing
debris out of a hole in a tree (dead branch) near the trail.
Another observation of note: A Hermit Thrush was seen to spend considerable
time and energy chasing House Finches that were carrying twigs. This chase
occurred at elevations of 20 to 50 ft in trees along the edge of Alamitos
Creek.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 2:47 PM, 4/8/98
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 08 16:44:32 1998
All,
I spent lunch wandering around Ed Levin Park from the Elm Picnic
Area up to the sycamores above Sandy Wool Lake today 4/8/98.
Not many SELASPHORUS HUMMINGBIRDS about, but of the 5 or 6 males
I encountered I was able to ID only 2 RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS. Lots
of BULLOCK'S ORIOLES around, at least 1 WESTERN KINGBIRD, and
many swallows, with surprisingly many TREE SWALLOWS for this
spot. Up at the sycamores I had a pair of HOUSE WRENS and
4 RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS, including a very agitated pair with
one bird carrying food for young. This is quite a bit earlier
than our earliest atlas record (CF on 4/27), but we have had
other pretty early breeding here (CF on 4/30, Feeding Young on
5/6). Had an adult SHARP-SHINNED HAWK make a pass at an agitated
KILLDEER - maybe he saw the young I couldn't see. More interesting
were two other SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS in apparent breeding condition
back near the quarry along Calaveras Road - breeding in this area
is not impossible.
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 09 07:18:27 1998
All,
The following hard won bird "watching" experience is from Bill Bousman and in
my opinion is well worth sharing with you. I'm sure he won't mind.
"One of my periodic questions for good birders is how familiar they
are with the calls of Merriam's Chipmunk. I've some experience with
both Merriam's Chipmunk and Pygmy Owl and there was a short period
where I actually convinced myself that I could separate the two. Then
one day I heard a took-took-took call and I carefully studied the sound
quality, timber in the call, and cadence and concluded that it was
a Pygmy. I then worked up on it an found my chipmunk. So that's
another problem beyond my capability.
For what it's worth:
1. Merriam's does not call at night as far as I know.
2. Merriam's does not seem to respond strongly to imitations, and
when it is doing its "took" thing it doesn't move.
3. Pygmy's will sometimes become sufficiently irritated by
my feeble imitations that they fly. At least then I can track
their calls.
4. Pygmy's will speed up their cadence sometimes. I've not
heard Merriam's do that."
I had been aware that a certain chipmunk gave a Pygmy Owl call as a result of
a previous experience. The bottom three items listed above should be
considered when a "Pygmy Owl" is heard calling during the day (it was about 10
AM). As a result I am convinced that I was in fact hearing Merriams Chipmunks
(probably two).
Where else can you get this kind of expert, considerate advice?
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 7:10 AM, 4/9/98
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 09 07:21:39 1998
All,
The following hard won bird "watching" experience is from Bill Bousman and in
my opinion is well worth sharing with you. I'm sure he won't mind.
"One of my periodic questions for good birders is how familiar they
are with the calls of Merriam's Chipmunk. I've some experience with
both Merriam's Chipmunk and Pygmy Owl and there was a short period
where I actually convinced myself that I could separate the two. Then
one day I heard a took-took-took call and I carefully studied the sound
quality, timber in the call, and cadence and concluded that it was
a Pygmy. I then worked up on it an found my chipmunk. So that's
another problem beyond my capability.
For what it's worth:
1. Merriam's does not call at night as far as I know.
2. Merriam's does not seem to respond strongly to imitations, and
when it is doing its "took" thing it doesn't move.
3. Pygmy's will sometimes become sufficiently irritated by
my feeble imitations that they fly. At least then I can track
their calls.
4. Pygmy's will speed up their cadence sometimes. I've not
heard Merriam's do that."
I had been aware that a certain chipmunk gave a Pygmy Owl call as a result of
a previous experience. The bottom three items listed above should be
considered when a "Pygmy Owl" is heard calling during the day (it was about 10
AM). As a result I am convinced that I was in fact hearing Merriams Chipmunks
(probably two).
Where else can you get this kind of expert, considerate advice?
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 7:10 AM, 4/9/98
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 09 08:30:07 1998
Hi South Bay birders,
This is a pretty interesting problem. I've spent quite a lot of time
listening to Merriam's Chipmunks and N. Pygmy and N. Saw-whet owls, as
all three are common at my house. While I agree that telling Merriam's
from pygmy-owls can be problematic, I'd like to point out that their
calls are often even closer to those of the saw-whet owl. Of course,
Merriam's only calls in the day and saw-whet mostly at night, but
problems can arise when you think you hear a saw-whet in the day.
Several years ago, when I thought I knew Merriam's calls very well, I
had an experience similar to the one Bill described, but involving a
chipmunk that I thought was a Saw-whet. Ever since, I've been very
skeptical of any reports of saw-whets calling in the day. This winter,
however, several excellent birders told me that they had actually seen
saw-whets calling in the day, and finally, in late January, I heard one
myself calling at mid-day (this bird was high in a redwood, so I don't
think it was a chipmunk!). What can I say--saw-whets do call in the day,
and chipmunks can sound almost identical to them.
Chipmunks can sound pretty similar to pygmy-owls, but I don't think I've
ever had trouble telling them apart after listening for a while. The
calls are fairly different in quality. Pygmy-owls give a low, hollow,
slightly drawn-out whistle. The chipmunk's call is slightly less drawn
out and it often sounds a bit wavered or watery, as opposed to the owl's
more even, steady whistle. Cadence is also important (see below). A
couple of comments on Bill's message...
> 1. Merriam's does not call at night as far as I know.
This is definitely true; I've never heard a Merriam's calling at night.
However, pygmy-owls don't call very much at night either; I only rarely
hear them well-after dark (although Barry Sauppe tells me that an
occasional bird will get it into its head to call all night). Most of
their calling is done at dawn and dusk, but the good news is that
Merriam's doesn't call much at these times either. The biggest problems
will be in the middle of the day, when both chipmunks and pygmy-owls
call very regularly.
> 2. Merriam's does not seem to respond strongly to imitations
This is generally true, although chipmunks can get excited at just about
any commotion (this is the same phenomenon that makes saw-whet owls
respond to a slammed car door better than anything else!).
> 4. Pygmy's will speed up their cadence sometimes. I've not
> heard Merriam's do that."
Merriam's is pretty variable in cadence, but there are some helpful
clues. Chipmunks can give their calls fairly rapidly, say, up to once
per second (maybe more), but they never run it together in a trill.
Pygmy-owls often mix a trill call in with their slow series of whistles.
When they are just giving slow whistles, pygmy-owls average a bit slower
than chipmunks. Also, if the animal stops calling at your approach, it's
probably a chipmunk; pygmy-owls are pretty tame. Finally, if it suddenly
bursts into a sputtering series of "pit" notes, it's definitely a
chipmunk!
Bert McKee
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 09 10:22:09 1998
Last week when I went in search of the dippers on Alamitos Creek, I was
stopped by the sign at Twin Bridges that said "No Unauthorized Vehicles
or Persons Beyond This Point". Since then, I have noted that at least
three and probably more birders have proceded beyond this sign and seen
the dippers, so I am wondering 1) Do they know something I don't know
about access to the area? 2) Is the sign not intended for birders? 3) Are
we jeopardizing ourselves and/or our code of ethics or the law?
I spoke with Vivek about this, and she said that she talked to a couple
residents who did not indicate that she should not proceed beyond the
sign. However, I would be curious to know if anyone has additional
information about this area.
Jack Cole
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 09 10:51:36 1998
This morning a walk upstream from the area of the Office at Lower Stevens
Creek Park produced these spring birds: Pacific-Slope Flycatcher, Warbling
Vireo, Wilson's Warbler, and Black-Headed Grosbeak. There was also a singing
Townsend's Warbler. (I had Bullock's Orioles on my last visit here, but I
didn't locate any today.)
The trail up to the reservoir is now open, and my walk up was rewarded by
a pair of Osprey. To be precise, one of the interacting birds was a calling
male, and the behavior did not appear aggressive, although I didn't actually
sex the other bird. Shortly thereafter, I watched the (a?) male twice dive
for fish, the second time successfully. On leaving the park, I drove up the
road a bit, and saw one (probably male) perched in a bare tree toward the
south end of the reservoir. So, these birds might be hanging around.
Cheers, Al Eisner
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 09 12:20:28 1998
I was surprised to have about 50 CEDAR WAXWINGS in a tree in my yard
yesterday. Hadn't seen any for awhile. Saw my first BULLOCK'S ORIOLE while
on my morning jogging route. It was at the dairy on Bicknell where it was
last year too. I was watching my HOODED ORIOLE eating yesterday when an
orange hummer appeared. Even though I know they are around I had never had
a good enough look at a RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD to be able to put it on my life
list. So, I was excited. A life bird and in my backyard at that. Then I
got to watch the oriole and the hummer dual for the feeder. My oriole still
doesn't have a woman in his life....Isn't it wonderful the smiles that
birds bring to our faces?!!!
Gloria LeBlanc
near Quito Road in Los Gatos
http://www.lgsia.com and http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 09 12:49:29 1998
Folks,
Bartshe Miller of the Mono Lake Committee send me this message.
Please do circulate the message. I am currently not on CALBIRD,
so if someone can post this there, it will be a big help.
Thanks,
Vivek Tiwari
email@hidden
---------
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
MONO LAKE SPRING SHOREBIRD COUNT
April 25, 1998
This is a chance to explore remote parts of Mono Lake and count shorebirds, ducks, and other
birds. Since 1994, Mono Lake has risen over 8 feet!! Help us monitor birds as changes to
lakeshore habitat occur.
In April you can expect to find American Avocets, Eared Grebes, White-faced Ibises, Western and
Least Sandpipers, ducks and geese, Violet-green Swallows with the potential to see Golden
Eagles, Snowy Plovers, Dunlins, Dowitchers, phalaropes, and much more!! Please join us for a
fun "wild-wader Saturday".
WHAT TO BRING: Plan on a half to full day hiking. Weather can be variable in April-from
summer-like to winter-like, so be prepared with layered clothing and sun protection. Bring
plenty of water and food for a full day in the field. There's a high probability of hiking
through some mud or soggy areas. Binoculars are essential. Participants need to have a working
knowledge of the common shorebirds. A spotting scope and 4WD vehicle would be useful, but not
necessary.
CALL: Bartshe at 760.647.6595 at the Mono Lake Committee for more information.
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 09 13:15:29 1998
Alamitos Road as it branches to the right at Twin Creeks is a public road.
That is where the dippers are. The road that branches left is private, and
belongs to the Twin Creeks people. I asked the not-real-friendly guy who
seemed to be speaking for Twin Creeks if I could explore that road and he
said no, but affirmed that the other one is a public road and no one could
stop me walking up it.
-- Tom Grey Stanford CA email@hidden
On Thu, 9 Apr 1998, John A Cole wrote:
> Last week when I went in search of the dippers on Alamitos Creek, I was
> stopped by the sign at Twin Bridges that said "No Unauthorized Vehicles
> or Persons Beyond This Point". Since then, I have noted that at least
> three and probably more birders have proceded beyond this sign and seen
> the dippers, so I am wondering 1) Do they know something I don't know
> about access to the area? 2) Is the sign not intended for birders? 3) Are
> we jeopardizing ourselves and/or our code of ethics or the law?
>
> I spoke with Vivek about this, and she said that she talked to a couple
> residents who did not indicate that she should not proceed beyond the
> sign. However, I would be curious to know if anyone has additional
> information about this area.
>
> Jack Cole
>
> _____________________________________________________________________
> You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
> Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
> Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
>
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 09 13:55:37 1998
All,
I personally did not see the sign in question or I probably would not have
gone on up to the bridge (of course I had a pre-conceived notion that it was
O.K. to go there). Furthermore I did not see the sign in three attempts at
going past Twin Creeks! First I drove part way up and stopped and went back
when the road became one lane (I had some problems as to what type of bridges
were being talked about as there are lots of people bridges over the creek to
homes). Next I walked about 3/4 of the way to the bridge before I became
uncomfortable (dogs, etc) and decided to drive up the road to try and find the
bridge in question.
When birding I do tend to walk with my head in the sky but I would not ignore
such a sign, especially if it looked official. Even unofficial signs can mean
some kook doesn't want you there. Is it a private road? It shows on my AAA
map of southern San Jose and Morgan Hill as Alamitos Rd. By the way, the
creek at this point is called Herbert Creek not Alamitos Creek (per AAA).
Take Care,
Bob Reiling, 1:49 PM, 4/9/98
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 09 17:18:09 1998
On Thu, 9 Apr 1998, RREILING2 wrote:
> (snip, snip)... The bottom three items listed above [about Merriam's
> Chipmunk] should be considered when a "Pygmy Owl" is heard calling
> during the day....
Yes, this chipmunk can fool you. In Santa Cruz, they call from the slopes
in several of the forested canyons, and along Waddell Creek they do, too,
where Pygmy Owls also hang out. Their call's resemblance to a Pygmy Owl's
is so close -- any yet, and yet... something about it gives one pause.
Maybe a sonogram would reveal the matter. Usually, I find, you have to
listen for more than just this basic note if you are going to separate the
two. Fortunately, the chipmunk often will squeak and give the game away,
or the owl will give its tremulo call.
Todd Newberry
Santa Cruz
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 09 18:34:49 1998
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
--------------3B2F65C06F7D
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
South-Bay-Birders:
Sorry that I forgot to include South-Bay-Birds in on my reply....
--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, email@hidden (home)
Sunnyvale, CA, email@hidden (work)
Please reply to both addresses above for a quicker response. Thanks.
--------------3B2F65C06F7D
Content-Type: message/rfc822
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Disposition: inline
Message-ID:
Date: Thu, 09 Apr 1998 18:12:24 -0700
From: Mike Feighner
Reply-To: email@hidden
X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.01C-PBXG (Win16; U)
MIME-Version: 1.0
To: John A Cole
Subject: Re: Dippers
References:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Jack:
Those signs have been in place for some time. A couple of years ago I
birded the same area, and the same sign were in place. I hink up the
hill along the creek until I saw one of the two Dippers. Soon there was
a man patrolling the area who asked me to leave. By the way, Vivkek is
a guy.
--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, email@hidden (home)
Sunnyvale, CA, email@hidden (work)
Please reply to both addresses above for a quicker response. Thanks.
John A Cole wrote:
>
> Last week when I went in search of the dippers on Alamitos Creek, I was
> stopped by the sign at Twin Bridges that said "No Unauthorized Vehicles
> or Persons Beyond This Point". Since then, I have noted that at least
> three and probably more birders have proceded beyond this sign and seen
> the dippers, so I am wondering 1) Do they know something I don't know
> about access to the area? 2) Is the sign not intended for birders? 3) Are
> we jeopardizing ourselves and/or our code of ethics or the law?
>
> I spoke with Vivek about this, and she said that she talked to a couple
> residents who did not indicate that she should not proceed beyond the
> sign. However, I would be curious to know if anyone has additional
> information about this area.
>
> Jack Cole
>
> _____________________________________________________________________
> You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
> Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
> Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
>
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--------------3B2F65C06F7D--
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 09 18:40:19 1998
Tom:
This same "public" road is the same one I just referred to in my earlier
e-mail, the one that goes up the hill to the west away from the private
homes...from where I was asked to leave.
Tom Grey wrote:
>
> Alamitos Road as it branches to the right at Twin Creeks is a public road.
> That is where the dippers are. The road that branches left is private, and
> belongs to the Twin Creeks people. I asked the not-real-friendly guy who
> seemed to be speaking for Twin Creeks if I could explore that road and he
> said no, but affirmed that the other one is a public road and no one could
> stop me walking up it.
>
> -- Tom Grey Stanford CA email@hidden
>
> On Thu, 9 Apr 1998, John A Cole wrote:
>
> > Last week when I went in search of the dippers on Alamitos Creek, I was
> > stopped by the sign at Twin Bridges that said "No Unauthorized Vehicles
> > or Persons Beyond This Point". Since then, I have noted that at least
> > three and probably more birders have proceded beyond this sign and seen
> > the dippers, so I am wondering 1) Do they know something I don't know
> > about access to the area? 2) Is the sign not intended for birders? 3) Are
> > we jeopardizing ourselves and/or our code of ethics or the law?
> >
> > I spoke with Vivek about this, and she said that she talked to a couple
> > residents who did not indicate that she should not proceed beyond the
> > sign. However, I would be curious to know if anyone has additional
> > information about this area.
> >
> > Jack Cole
> >
> > _____________________________________________________________________
> > You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
> > Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
> > Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
> >
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Please reply to both addresses above for a quicker response. Thanks.
--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, email@hidden (home)
Sunnyvale, CA, email@hidden (work)
Please reply to both addresses above for a quicker response. Thanks.
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From email@hidden Thu Apr 09 19:16:00 1998
The current Mayor, Dick Rosenbaum, is determined to
bring back fireworks shows over the Palo Alto Baylands,
beginning this Fourth of July. He has not paid any attention
to staff recommendations that this would not be a good idea,
to put it mildly, over this delicate preserve. He said the rockets
would be fired over the landfill and it wouldn't have any impact
on the animals in the preserve. He should have asked the
Burrowing Owls and Clapper Rails first.
Anyway, if you have opinions, complaints or enviromental
concerns about this issue, PLEASE, call the mayor at:
work - 650-329-2384 or fax him at 650-328-3631.
I'd rather you not mention my name please.
If you would like any more information, please E-mail me
or call me at the Baylands Nature Center - 650-329-2382.
P.S. The Black Skimmers are here just about every day.
Deborah Bartens
City Naturalist
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 10 13:46:55 1998
All,
This morning I went to Alum Rock Park. When I got there I thought, "If a
Canyon Wren calls in the park will it be heard?" Does anyone know when the
park will reopen? I then went to Ed Levin Park and birded the area above
Sandy Wool Lake. I had a Western Kingbird on top of the hill, several Rufous-
crowned Sparrows (two at one time within six inches of each other with their
beaks jammed with food), a pair of (male and female) Bullock's Orioles,
several calling (and seen) House Wrens and one Lincoln's Sparrow. I spent
several minutes watching a female Anna's Hummingbird bringing spider wed to a
nest under construction. Unfortunately the nest is located on a broken branch
which is barely being held in place by one small branch looped over another
small branch on the tree. Even small winds caused the branch to move and I
suspect that it will soon fall. I also saw a House Wren taking nesting
material from a nest half way up the hill to one located further down the
hill. Fly-overs included a Prairie Falcon and an adult Golden Eagle. In the
parking lot I had a 2nd (?) Western Kingbird with a 3rd (?) flying beyond the
hang glider landing area and another (?) male Bullock's Oriole. I also had
one White-throated Swift feeding among 30-40 swallows (mostly Cliff) with no
chases. When I got home I saw a Chestnut-backed Chickadee carrying food to a
bird-box located in a Camphor (SP) tree in my front yard (a first for the
bird-box).
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:42 PM, 4/10/98
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 10 14:21:07 1998
There are 7 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES (feeding as I write this)in brilliant
yellow plumage in my backyard. I've just had my first BLACK-HEADED
GROSBEAK of the season appear. (Last year I had 7 that fed regularly)
Which is correct? Spring is coming? or, Spring is here? My mom would say
on Sunday, Easter, it would be here. I guess the scientest would use March
21. Whatever, Happy Easter or Passover to you all.
Gloria LeBlanc
in Los Gatos off Quito...
http://www.lgsia.com and http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 10 17:07:09 1998
During my walk along Coyote Creek at lunch today, 10 Apr 98, I saw a
pair of WOOD DUCKS, the brood of MALLARDS, a lot of singing
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, and my first BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK of the
season.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Fri Apr 10 17:37:56 1998
I have just seen my female HOODED ORIOLE for the first time this season.
The pair are taking turns feeding at my feeder. gloria le blanc
http://www.lgsia.com and http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 11 09:29:49 1998
Greetings:
I am trying to catch up after 2 weeks in Costa Rica and Panama. I hope to
organize my bird list soon.
Anyway, there are some new things on SBBU.
1. Mike Rogers has updated the 1998 SANTA CLARA COUNTY YEAR LIST.
2. I have added a direct link to the South Bay Birders' Mailing List Archives
maintained by Joe Morlan.
3. I have added a page of Search Engines and Directories.
4. The link to the Bay Area Birding Calendar now goes directly to Larry
Tunstall's home page.
5. Merlie has headed back to Alaska, on the same day he left last year. A
very punctual bird. We hope to see Merlie in Alaska in May-June.
Cheers:
Kendric
South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU)
http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 11 11:41:01 1998
It's noon and Sharon and I just got down off Guanella Pass between Denver and
Vail, about 15 miles south of Interstate 70. Gorgeous weather, saw 14 White-
tailed Ptarmigan from the summit road. I climbed up in the snow to join four
professional photographers to get a few shots. Birds were tolerant, as
advertised. Can't wait to develop the pictures.
Tried to find them last July in same place, but couldn't locate them.
A guy from Denver came over and asked what we were seeing in our scope. He
said he was looking for Bighorn Sheep. Can you imagine? Looking for Bighorn?
Had to tell somebody...
Bob & Sharon Lutman
P.S. Oh yeah, forgot to mention - our new granddaughter, Samantha Marie, is
gorgeous.
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 11 11:54:07 1998
All,
Today on a wet SCVAS field trip to Stevens Creek County Park I added four
county year birds; the Black-headed Grosbeak, Townsend' s Warbler, Warbling
Vireo and a Cassin's Vireo. The park was loaded with birds but yhey were hard
to see with fogged glasses, wet binoculars and a wet (later fogged) scope.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 11:51 AM, 4/11/98
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From email@hidden Sat Apr 11 19:59:00 1998
Vivek Tiwari and I did a Big Day today that was soggy early, snowed out
middle, and very windy late, but all in all lots of fun.
Our somewhat weather-impacted and deriparianized route was: Alviso, Ed
Levin Park, Joseph Grant Park, NOT Smith's Creek because we found the Mt
Hamilton Rd closed above Grant Park on account of snow, CCRS, Sunnyvale
WPCP, Shoreline Park, Palo Alto Baylands Park.
Our best birds of the day were a RED-NECKED GREBE and a first winter male
BLACK SCOTER on Shoreline lake. (I haven't been keeping close tabs on
earlier descriptions, so I'm not sure if this is "the" or "one of the"
previously seen Black Scoter(s?), or a new one.)
We also had as reward for a wet and muddy hike up to the Magic Sycamore
Grove above Sandy Wool Lake, a RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW, 2 singing male
HOUSE WRENS, a pair of BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, at least two WESTERN KINGBIRDS,
several LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, a GREAT HORNED OWL, and a pair of ANNA'S
HUMMINGBIRDS feeding a full grown fledgling. We had one each of RUFOUS and
ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRDS down by the lakeside.
On one of the pylons along the entry road into the EEC in Alviso, an adult
GOLDEN EAGLE. Two BURROWING OWLS were along Disk Drive.
Total for the day, 112 species.
I also learned the happy news that Vivek and Gargi Lal are getting married
in New Delhi on May 16. South-Bay-Birders Felicitations!
-- Tom Grey Stanford CA email@hidden
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 12 10:49:50 1998
Hi Everyone--
A male HOODED ORIOLE is setting up shop in a palm tree near the corner of
Bernardo and Knickerbocker in Sunnyvale. On Lockheed Martin property, I'm
watching 2 groups of BURROWING OWLS for signs of nesting: one along the
fence separating Lockheed Martin from Moffett Field between Manila Drive and
11th Avenue, the other on a berm separating 11th Avenue from building 107.
KILLDEER attempted to nest in a field near building 107, but were foiled by
one of those trucks that spray grass seed mixed with fertilizer; their nest
disappeared under a layer of blue-green slime. Between Lockheed Martin and
the Sunnyvale WPCP, there are about 10 flightless NORTHERN SHOVELLERS
roosting, GADWALL and RUDDY DUCKS are pairing off (on Friday, one Ruddy Duck
was wooing the women with a courtship display that included bubble rings
bouncing off his chest), AMERICAN COOTS are on nests, and MALLARDS have
chicks. Two COMMON MOORHEN were wandering around the pond at the inlet to
the pumphouse where the Lockheed Martin levee meets the main trail out to
the radar station. Two BONAPARTE'S GULLS in snappy alternate plumage were at
the main WPCP pumphouse. A male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD stopped by my feeder in
Mountain View on Friday. A selasphorus sp., presumably ALLEN'S, has been
visiting for a month now (it's a male with a partial throat patch).
Mark
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From email@hidden Sun Apr 12 20:48:59 1998
Birders:
A few birds of interest to me (I live near where Branham Lane intersects
Almaden Expressway):
Saturday:
Two male HOODED MERGANSERs on the pond immediately southeast of where route
85 crosses over Almaden Expressway. I didn't see them there on Sunday.
One CASPIAN TERN flying north over route 85 just west of Almaden Expressway.
One ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER in my backyard (only the third sighting in spring).
One male HOODED ORIOLE in my backyard feeding in the grapefruit tree.
Sunday:
One ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER still in my backyard feeding in the blossoming
grapefruit tree.
One male HOODED ORIOLE again in the grapefruit tree.
A pair of RUFOUS HUMMIINGBIRDs in the grapefruit tree. This is a new yard
bird and is the fourth hummer species for the yardlist. I'm keeping my
eyes open for Black-chinned and Calliope (one record).
Note, I have found that when there are spring storms, migrating birds get
kicked out of the mountains and end up in the valley. My best spring birds
(MacGillivray's Warbler, Lazuli Bunting) have come on cloudy spring days.
Hopefully something good will come down and visit.
Happy birding!
Jim Danzenbaker
San Jose, CA
408-264-7582 (408-ANI-SKUA)
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 13 07:49:07 1998
Hi All,
An early Easter morning jaunt through Stevens Creek County Park included
the regulars that Bob mentioned including BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS,
TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS and PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS. At the Reservoir, two
OSPREY continue to be seen. One was soaring high over the reservoir
while the other was on a snag across the water from the main picnic
area.
Cheers
Nick
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 13 08:48:33 1998
About noon Saturday, after I returned from the SCVAS trip to Stevens
Creek, Marty & I enjoyed about five minutes watching a male Rufous
Hummingbird tank up at our feeder. He took several long drinks,
perching in nearby bushes in between. Our resident Anna's is normally
very aggressive with interlopers, but didn't show for this one.
================================
George Oetzel Menlo Park, CA
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 13 09:24:03 1998
8:00AM this morning I saw what I believe was a BURROWING OWL in Canoas
Creek at Branham Lane in south San Jose. This is roughly near the
intersection of Branham Lane and Hwy 87. On the north side of Branham
Lane is an old concrete railroad footing and sitting on top of that was
an owl. It's distinguishing markings were very long legs. It is a common
spot for interesting birds to sun themselves on cold mornings. Had I not
been driving 40MPH to catch the Light Rail I would have locked up the
wheels and grabbed a better look.
I've seen many waterfowl along this creek and several Belted Kingfishers,
but this Burrowing Owl at the creek is a first for me in over 9 years.
As this is a bird who's nesting is of interest to the group I thought I'd
share the observation.
regards,
Ken Schmahl
email@hidden (home)
email@hidden (work)
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 13 09:43:05 1998
Hi all,
Pete LaTourrette and I did our monthly survey of Jasper Ridge on
Sunday. Conditions were a bit cloudy and cold, but we managed a
respectable 57 species (our high count in this section stands at 60 last
April). Some remaining wintering birds (e.g. Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
Golden-crowned and Fox Sparrows, Hermit Thrush, Cedar Waxwings) helped
while we also had most of the expected summer residents back except for
the flycatchers (Warbling Vireo, Wilson's and Black-throated Gray
Warblers, Black-headed Grosbeak, Pacific-slope Flycatcher). Migrants
included 1 Chipping Sparrow and 2 singing Cassin's Vireos. Other birds
of note on our survey route included 2 Cooper's Hawks doing a bit of
courtship flight, 2 adult Golden Eagles which put on a great performance
zooming past quite close then soaring above us, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk,
and 1 White-tailed Kite. The best bird of the day, however, was on
Searsville Lake (not part of our assigned route). We had one Pacific
Loon near the dam which swam rapidly away as we crossed over to reach
our starting point. This was a basic-plumaged bird. I could not
relocate it later in the day after our survey.
Richard Jeffers
Tandem Computers
P.S. my new email address is email@hidden. The old one
will continue to work for some time.
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 13 10:57:58 1998
All,
On Saturday 4/13/98 I joined Mike Mammoser for a morning of rainy
south-county birding. We started off at the Bettencourt Dairy looking
for Yellow-headed Blackbirds without success. The flooded mud pits
behind the dairy had numerous BLACK-NECKED STILT, a few WHIMBREL, and
a GREATER YELLOWLEGS. San Felipe Lake had 8 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS
and at least 10 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS that appeared to be mostly
adults in breeding condition. The best we have for breeding by this
birds is a "Spring" nest building record with no date. If anyone sees
better please let me know for the postatlas database.
The we moved on to Dunne Lane/San Felipe Road. After a bit of a wait
Mike spied a Cassin's Kingbird flying from east to west, only to
disappear in the orchard. We waited quite a bit longer before we had
a (presumably different as it came from the east too) CASSIN'S
KINGBIRD calling from atop the middle eucalyptus while carrying nest
material. Five more WHIMBREL flew overhead and a WHITE-TAILED KITE
was carrying food here as well. The only one of the male selasphorus
HUMMINGBIRDS I could ID (looking at the top of a tall eucalyptus in
the rain makes this tough) was a male ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD.
Another stop at the dairy revealed still no YHBL, although we had 4
precocial young KILLDEER.
Next we headed up Canada Road, finding at least 5 RUFOUS-CROWNED
SPARROWS and 3 LARK SPARROWS in the sage as you come out into the
grassland area. Plenty of WHITE-CROWNED, GOLDEN-CROWNED, and even a
few LINCOLN'S SPARROWS along Canada Road as well. A few lingering
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, "AUDUBON'S" YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, and HERMIT
THRUSH were also about. We had 8 WILD TURKEYS in two locations near
the Jamieson Road turnoff. A mile south of Gilroy Hot Springs Road we
happened across our first (and one of very few) flocks of migrants
thanks to a singing WARBLING VIREO. Among the 6+ ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLERS, 3 WILSON'S WARBLERS, and 2 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS I picked
out a silent HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER, which eventually provided nice
looks. After turning to Gilroy Hot Springs we had another silent
HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER, followed shortly by a very vocal bird with
another small warbler flock. At the end of the road near the bridge
we had two more vocal HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS chasing each other and
perching atop oaks while calling loudly. Five birds suggests that
there was quite a movement of these flycatchers Saturday -
interestingly only a single heard-only PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER
(position note => female?).
Ducks of interest included 2 male and 1 female COMMON MERGANSER in
Coyote Creek and a WOOD DUCK with 7 small young near the Gilroy Hot
Springs bridge. Also had 3 BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS along Coyote Creek
in this area and numerous singing HOUSE WRENS and WARBLING VIREOS.
Lots of singing SONG SPARROWS near the bridge are in an area where we
still have no confirmation of breeding. Also of interest was an adult
RED-TAILED HAWK carrying a dead BAND-TAILED PIGEON in its talons.
Just as the weather cleared up it was time to leave :( One more check
of the dairy again failed to produce YHBL, but at least 3 WESTERN
KINGBIRDS were now out, 3 CASPIAN TERNS foraged over San Felipe Lake,
and 3 occupied GREAT BLUE HERON nests now had more active adults at
them. A single distant aechmophorus grebe appeared to be a CLARK'S
GREBE based on bill color. The drive home produced 5 CASPIAN TERNS at
some ground water recharge ponds along San Thomas Expressway near
highway 17.
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 13 11:04:07 1998
That date should have been Saturday 4/11/98, not 4/13/98...
Sorry,
Mike
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 13 11:20:43 1998
On Saturday afternoon I checked a few areas at the south end of Santa
Clara Co. On Dunne Lane (east of San Felipe Lake), in addition to the pair
of CASSIN'S KINGBIRDs: there was a BARN OWL roosting in the pines at the
house just north of the county line; and LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH was also in
the same area. (I had a quick look at a male, and no look at the bird with
it.)
At the dairy at the northwest corner of San Felipe Lake, I did not find
any Yellow-Headed Blackbirds; indeed, I did not see large numbers of Blackbirds
total, so the main flock may have been out of sight. Then again, since I also
didn't spot the slop pond Nick referred to, maybe it's just me.... Perhaps of
most interest: an adult KILLDEER with three half-sized young, in the muddy
enclosure near the highway.
Finally, back at the Palo Alto Baylands, birds included an adult PEREGRINE
FALCON (chasing shorebirds at the estuary mouth), the continuing GREATER WHITE-
FRONTED GOOSE at the Duck Pond, and the usual BLACK SKIMMERs (loafing of
course -- do they do anything else?). Shorebirds are coming into nice spring
plumage, but I didn't see any unusual species.
On Sunday, David Powell and I visited the San Antonio Valley. My intent
was to head over Mt. Hamilton, checking a number of spots en route, but we
found this road was closed. So, instead, we went in via Mines Road, and out
via del Puerto Canyon. Santa Clara Co. highlights included three LEWIS'S
WOODPECKERs at separate locations (approximate locations, using the old white
mileposts, were approximately 1.9, 2.3, 3.6); four PHAINOPEPLAs (a pair and
an interloper male near the cattle guard north of the junction, about 5.5; and
another male at about 4.3); one adult CHIPPING SPARROW along del Puerto Road
not far east of the junction; and two heard-only singing SAGE SPARROWs (one
south of the aforementioned cattle guard, and one about a mile east of the
junction on Del Puerto Road). The latter birds were singing weakly and infre-
quently, and were not very cooperative -- perhaps a result of chilly and some-
what windy conditions. Also, Dave (but not I) saw one VAUX's SWIFT south of
the junction. WESTERN KINGBIRDs were present in good numbers, but spring
birds seemed generally scarce; I felt that the trees were behind schedule in
leafing out. We saw only small numbers of LESSER GOLDFINCHes, and didn't find
any Lawrence's at all. The Hummingbird feeders at the junction were quite
active, but only ANNA'S were seen.
Of most interest along Mines Road, Alameda County, was one bright Nashville
Warbler in a small flock of migrants. Del Puerto Canyon in Stanislaus Co. was
largely a bust, due in large part to many hundreds of cars in the lower canyon
(families celebrating Easter).
Al Eisner
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 13 11:23:05 1998
Hello All:
On Saturday, 4/11, I got into Smith Creek Fire Station before they closed
Mt. Hamilton road. It was a crisp 38 degrees F, with light rain, and I
could see snow falling only 500 feet above me. Very quiet in general but
one bird of note. I saw a HAMMONDS FLYCATCHER foraging in the red alders
where the creek is immediately next to the trail. It liked the low branches
just a few inches above the water. It was flicking its tail up and down
nervously and flicking its wings. The primary projection was about half-way
down the tail. It showed a cap-like effect on the crown, being slightly
darker green. It seemed small headed. The eye-ring was of uniform
thickness. The breast was distinctly vested without any contrast under the
throat. The center of the breast was white with a slight olive tone and
then a greyish suffusion on the flanks. The winges showed two wide wing
bars and some browish tones on the coverts. It called once in my 10 minutes
of observation, a short two-toned whistle ("seepit").
On Sunday, 4/12, Rancho San Antonio Co. Park had two VAUX'S SWIFT amongst
the VIOLET-GREEN, CLIFF, BARN, and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS.
Steve Miller
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 13 11:39:57 1998
All: Maria and I tried Gilroy Hot Springs and Canada Roads Sunday morning,
looking for Hammond's Flycatchers. No luck (no flocks). We did see a
Nashville Warbler and a Black-Throated Gray Warbler in the trees near the
bridge at the end of the road. And a perched Green Heron by a pond north of
the road west of
Coyote Reservoir. And a Caspian Tern foraging over the Reservoir.
Yours, John Meyer
********************************************************************
John W. Meyer, Dept. of Sociology, Stanford U., Stanford, Cal. 94305
email@hidden (650) 723 1868
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 13 12:40:51 1998
All:
On 9 April, a MERLIN was near the junction of Lawrence Expwy.
and Hwy. 101.
On 10 April, I conducted surveys on private property in the
Silver Creek hills in south San Jose. Highlights included
17 GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS (14 singing males), 17 RUFOUS-CROWNED
SPARROWS (12 singing males; 1 nest with young). I heard the
buzz of a Passerina Bunting (Lazuli/Indigo-type) flying over,
heading north.
Today (13 April), Scott Terrill spotted a VAUX'S SWIFT flying
outside the office window. It hung around with a foraging
flock of swallows, and I saw it several times over the course
of the day.
Steve Rottenborn
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 13 13:00:38 1998
On Saturday, 11 Apr 98, Mike Rogers and I went down to the south county.
We assumed that the rain would be intermittent, but it remained fairly
constant the whole morning. Our first stop was the dairy along hwy 152,
which failed to turn up any Yellow-headed Blackbirds among the
RED-WINGED, TRICOLORED, and BREWER'S, even though we made 3 stops here
during the course of the day. A brood of 4 precocial young KILLDEER was
in the cow pen. The wet area behind the dairy contained some shorebirds,
including 4 WHIMBREL.
San Felipe Lake was abuzz with activity, seemingly blanketed by swallows
of at least 3 different species. GREAT BLUE HERON nests were evident in
the willows out in the lake, though young couldn't be seen until later,
when the rain had stopped. A number of BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS in
high-hormone condition were at the lake, indicating a potential for
local breeding. Eight AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were foraging in the lake,
and later in the day we had 3 CASPIAN TERNS there.
We moved down to San Felipe Road to check the eucalyptus trees here for
kingbirds. We stood in the rain for some time without much luck, until a
kingbird flew over us, heading from the open field into the orchard. In
a brief look at the bird going by, it seemed to be a Cassin's. More time
standing in the rain. Finally a CASSIN'S KINGBIRD flew to the top of the
middle eucalyptus, where we were able to study it and hear it vocalize.
This bird was carrying nesting material, and eventually flew into the
vegetation with it, reappearing a few minutes later without it. Can we
assume it is nest-building?
We then proceeded up Canada Road to look for migrants. Bird activity
seemed a little slow in the rain, with the exception of flocks of
sparrows along the road. A few LINCOLN'S SPARROWS were still around. We
had 3 WILD TURKEYS at one spot and then 5 more near the junction with
Jamison Road. Continuing up Canada Rd past Jamison, we finally heard a
WARBLING VIREO and, upon stopping, found a nice flock of migrants that
included 6+ ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, 3 WILSON'S WARBLERS, 2 WARBLING
VIREOS, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE, etc.
Eventually, Mike found a HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER, which we were able to
study fairly well through binoculars. It was silent but had classic
field marks for this species.
Once on Gilroy Hot Springs Road, we headed upstream along Coyote Creek.
A flitting bird in the trees above us turned out to be another HAMMOND'S
FLYCATCHER, and we quickly found a third one that was calling. Finally,
at the end of Gilroy Hot Springs Road, we had 2 more Hammond's calling
and chasing each other, bringing our day's total of this species to 5. A
pair of COMMON MERGANSERS was on the creek. At the end of the road, we
had 7 WOOD DUCK downy young that were peeping incessantly after being
swept downstream from their mother, who merely sat upstream calling as
they struggled to get back to her. They finally succeeded in returning
to her side, but it wasn't easy for them. Also here, we saw an adult
RED-TAILED HAWK fly by clutching a prey item that turned out to be a
BAND-TAILED PIGEON! We had no idea how this hawk managed to snatch such
a prey.
On the way home, we had 5 CASPIAN TERNS on a small perc pond just off
San Tomas Xway near Winchester.
On Sunday, 12 Apr 98, I took a hike out to Table Mountain. Thankfully,
the rain was a little more intermittent than the previous day. CASSIN'S
VIREOS, YELLOW-RUMPED and BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS were singing
along the way. When I got to Table Mountain, the hardest rain squall of
the morning hit and I took refuge under a tree. It let up in about 5
minutes, and that's when I heard it. A PILEATED WOODPECKER calling from
just down the trail! I eased up the trail to the "Y" where the loop
begins and headed left, from where the calling had come. Suddenly, the
bird started calling from the right of the junction. I crept in that
direction and got a brief look at the woodpecker in a tree off the
trail, before it disappeared.
I then headed down the right (east) side of the loop to look for more
target birds. Nothing interesting happened until I nearly completed the
loop, coming around the west side of the mountain top. I again heard the
Pileated Woodpecker calling just in front of me, and saw movement from
an area of dead standing pine stubs. I moved slowly up the trail to a
better viewing position, but was unable to see anything. I stood waiting
for many minutes. Finally, a call came from downslope, that was
immediately answered from the pine stubs in front of me. Two birds were
in the area! Still, I could see nothing.
Soon, I became distracted by a commotion behind me. A number of small
passerines; CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS,
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, etc. were scolding and flitting back and forth in
a black oak tree. A quick search produced a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL sitting
in the open at the top of the tree. It seemed relatively oblivious to
the ruckus being raised in its honor. What was interesting was that all
the small birds stopped scolding, and dispersed, after about 5 minutes,
with the owl still sitting there.
I decided to make another round of the loop, and headed back down the
east side. Shortly, I had a pair of RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES calling
around me. When I got back to the west side pine stub area, A PILEATED
WOODPECKER flew to the top of one stub and gave me many minutes of
excellent viewing. Its red mustache marked it as a male.
As I started back up the trail out of Table Mountain, I could hear PYGMY
NUTHATCHES calling and I stopped to find them. A pair of these birds was
gathering nesting material and carrying it into a small cavity in a
douglas fir.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 13 14:28:27 1998
All,
Tom Grey reported a Black Scoter from Shoreline Lake Saturday 4/11/98
that he described somewhat differently from the bird being reported
there previously. His bird was an obvious immature male with yellow
on the bill. I headed out to Shoreline Lake over lunch today to try
and compare this bird to the bird I had seen there previously on
3/2/98 and 3/9/98. The immature male BLACK SCOTER was easy to find,
swimming near the pier at the Terminal Ave. end of Shoreline Lake.
This bird is obviously an immature male BLACK SCOTER. The yellow
"knob" on the bill is complete and bright, although it does not appear
"swollen" at all yet. The head and body plumage is still very
transitional, with fresher dark blackish-brown feathers coming in over
worn tan ones. The face pattern is still discernible, but significant
dark brown mottling is present under the chin and in front of the eye
as well as coming down from the crown. The chest is now mostly
blackish brown (not glossy black like the male Surf Scoters though -
first-years not as black?) but with pale tan scalloping mixed in. In
general the pattern is reversed from what I saw earlier; now tan bars
and splotches are mixed in on dark instead of dark bars on tan. There
is still significant pale tan in the upper mantle and on the lower
back, although this latter area is partly covered by long fresh dark
scapulars. Having last seen a BLACK SCOTER here a month ago, I would
have no problem assuming that these were the same birds. The face has
become more mottled, the bill has become more yellow, and some fresher
darker feathers have appeared, especially on the chest. However,
according to Steve Rottenborn, the Black Scoter Bert McKee saw here on
3/31/98 still was largely female-like, as was the bird seen by Scott
Terrill on 4/3/98. We have seen how fast some shorebirds (Curlew
Sandpiper, Ruff) can molt while staging here in Fall, so perhaps the
"female-like" bird could have changed this much in 8 days, but if
Scott's bird really showed no signs of advancing molt then it seems
likely that two birds might be involved. So I checked every one of
the 277+ other scoters in the area (185+ on Salt Pond A1 and 92+ on
Shoreline Lake), hoping to find a second bird - but they were all SURF
SCOTERS. A surprising number of these birds were immature males, many
just now starting to show significant black feathering. It seems that
late molt in these birds is more frequent than the literature
suggests.
Interestingly, there was a report on the Bird Box from Matthew Dotter
of 2 BLACK SCOTERS flying over Shoreline Lake on 3/29/98 - no notes on
plumage, age, or sex though...
If anyone ever sees the female-like bird again please let us know. In
the meantime it's hard to be sure how many Black Scoters we are
actually dealing with.
Also on Shoreline Lake were the Red-necked Grebe and a female-plumaged
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. The nearby trees has a singing WILSON'S
WARBLER, a male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, and a fly-over AMERICAN PIPIT.
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Mon Apr 13 20:39:55 1998
On Saturday I checked Sunol Regional Wildeness both along the main Alameda
Creek section and on Welch Creek Rd. I failed to find any Dippers (although
the section up to Little Yosemite is closed off right now) or any
interesting migrants (Black-headed Grosbeak was the highlight). Best birds
were a pair of Common Mergansers and Canyon Wren, the latter along Welch
Creek Rd.
On Sunday, my plans to bird the draws up towards Monument Peak in Ed Levin
Park were thwarted when my baby daughter kept my wife awake all night. To
give my wife a rest, I took Natasha with me up the trails but unfortunately
they were closed after a while and I didn't fancy scrambling over gates etc
with a baby. Anyway I saw Western Kingbirds, orioles, a Rufous-crowned
Sparrow, and a Golden Eagle.
Today, at least 2 Vaux's Swifts were over Hall Lake in Milpitas.
Nick Lethaby
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Elanix, Inc.
Tel: 408 941 0223
Fax: 408 941 0984
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 14 10:18:03 1998
Between 9:30-10 this AM, while bicycling between buildings at SRI in
downtown Menlo Park, I passed within about 20 feet of a Killdeer. It
was on a patch of dirt & wood chips. When I returned a few minutes
later, it was gone.
Both Ravens and Red Shouldered Hawks are so common here that I
suspect nearby nests, but I haven't been able to locate them yet. Our
population of Acorn Woodpeckers has declined noticeably in the past
few years. A couple of oak trees have died or suffered substantial
storm damage. In addition, some granary utility poles have been
replaced.
>From my office window, I can watch MODOs tending a nest. Other
on-campus nests I've identified include Titmouse, Starling, and House
Finch.
================================
George Oetzel Menlo Park, CA
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 14 13:42:10 1998
Hello all---
Today (14 Apr) at noon I was taking a wet and chilly walk
across Stanford campus when I heard the familiar "braawk!" of a
COMMON RAVEN quite close by. I stopped in front of the old
Chemistry building and there was the bird, carrying a large twig in
its beak. It paused on a second-story ledge for a minute, then flew
to a window alcove and set the twig down. I couldn't see any
other sticks or nest evidence, but the angle was not good. A minute
later, a second bird flew over from the back of the building and
they took off towards the central part of campus.
It seems this species has been getting more common in urban
areas, but I couldn't remember if it had been recorded nesting on
Stanford land or in this atlas block. I also wondered if the
twig-carrying indicated actual nest-building or was merely a
courtship gesture.
I'll try to check this site again to verify nesting. If
anyone's interested, it's on the east-facing side of the Chem
building, which has been fenced off since the '89 quake, on the
upper-left window alcove, visible from Lomita Drive.
Nothing else unusual to report, except that BLACK PHOEBES in my
south Los Altos neighborhood seem more common than I've ever noted
in 23 years there, being seen and heard blocks away from their
familiar Permanente Creek breeding habitat.
To: email@hidden
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 14 15:53:59 1998
All,
Today in Henry Coe Park just north of the end of Gilroy Hot Springs Road Frank
Vanslager and I had a non-calling Hammond's Flycatcher north of a small creek
(name?) which joins Coyote Creek from the east. Just before that we had a
nice male Wilson's Warbler, a House Wren and I had a Black-throated Gray
Warbler. Earlier we had a Green Heron, several Black-headed Grosbeaks, a
Bullock's Oriole, several Common Mergansers, two Warbling Vireos, Orange-
crowned Warblers
and I had seen an over-flying pair of Wood Ducks. On Canada Road we had a
female Western Bluebird, a male White-breasted Nuthatch, two Lark Sparrows and
perhaps a dozen Western Kingbirds. We were unable to locate any Yellow-headed
Blackbirds at the dairy farm. To see the "Slop Pond" do you have to go
through the gate and walk down the road? Has anyone ask for permission to
walk down the road on the east side of the dairy? Finally Frank and I went to
San Felipe Road where we had two Cassin's Kingbirds in the field, one in each
scope, when a third Cassin's Kingbird flew from the field to the middle
Eucalyptus tree. We then verified that the other two CAKI were still in the
field. We also had one, possibly two Western Kingbirds in the field and in
the first Eucalyptus tree. At one point a CAKI and a WEKI were quite close to
each other without interacting. An adult male Bullock's Oriole was also in
the middle Eucalyptus tree. When I got home I heard and then saw an adult
male Hooded Oriole in my back yard.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 3:46 PM, 4/14/98
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 14 17:15:20 1998
Grant Hoyt's post about Ravens possibly building a campus nest
reminded me to post the following quote:
--------------
The Kestrels are nesting again in the hole-under-the-roof of Bldg. 160
(Political Science) in the Main Quad. I hear them doing their "coming
home" screech as they zoom in. They fly like Spitfires!
From: "H. GRANT-PETERKIN"
---------------
They had a successful nest there last year.
----------------
George Oetzel
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From email@hidden Tue Apr 14 18:09:13 1998
This will be old news to many, but may be new news to other fringe
birders like myself. Hearing about Grant Hoyt's raven sighting reminded
me that you can read about his flamingo and other sightings with the Kenn
Kaufman's in Africa in the current issue of "Bird Watcher's Digest".
Sounds like a fabulous trip, Grant.
Jack Cole
_____________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 15 11:18:53 1998
Finding New and Used Books on the Internet
I recently needed to find 3 out-of-print books in a hurry. I logged on to
www.interloc.com, and quickly located the dealers that had the books I
wanted, and soon the books were at may door. I told other people about
interloc.com, and Scott Spencer then sent a list of other internet dealers.
I list them all below.
I searched all of these for Stiles and Skutch, Birds of Costa Rica
Used Books:
www.interloc.com (where I found my copy ($26, mint condition), but they
are out now)
www.bibliofind.com (found 4 books, but the prices were outrageous, one was $80)
www.abebooks.com (1 book at $30)
www.books.com (no copies)
Mostly for new books:
www.amazon.com (couldn't log on, are they part of the currrent AT&T problem?)
www.barnesandnoble.com (they had 3 copies, probably new)
Good reading!
Kendric C. Smith
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 15 13:50:52 1998
I watched the female Black Scoter at Shoreline Lake (to the west of the
island) on Wednesday, April 15, from 8 to 8:30 a.m. This bird has essentially
not changed its appearance during my numerous sightings since I first observed
it on March 8. I had described it to Les Chibana on 3/20 as follows:
"The bird was a mottled brown underneath (with some black, or wet, down the
breastbone line), which ended in a sharp demarcation line on the neck, where
it changed to a constant off-white color. That line extended up the back of
the neck and curved around to end at the lower back of the eye. The bill
appeared to have just a hint of a bump on the ridgeline above the nostril.
The appearance was almost identical to what's shown for the female Black
Scoter on page 51 of Peterson's western guide, or page 58 of Birds of North
America by Robbins, et al., with the following 2 exceptions: 1) There were
horizontal yellow streaks on the bill below each nostril, which ended in an
upward curl around the nostrils towards the tip end. 2) The demarcation line
down the back of the neck appeared to be sharper than what's shown in the
books."
That description still fits. This bird does not show any hint of a growth on
the ridgeline of its bill. Nor does it exhibit any of the brighter white
spots on the sides of its head and the blurring of the demarcation line from
the off-white to the brown, that I think the immature male is supposed to
exhibit.
Frank Vanslager
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 15 14:49:24 1998
All,
Kendric's e-mail earlier today about locating rare books prompts me to
remind everyone that the annual SCVAS "silent auction" of books takes place
at tonight's General Meeting (7:30 PM, Palo Alto Cultural Center, featuring
Burrowing Owl experts Dr. Lynne Trulio and SCVAS' own Craig Breon). Among
other things, a copy of Stiles & Skutch's out-of-print book Birds of Costa
Rica will be available.
--garth Harwood
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 15 14:49:27 1998
All:
A report on McClellan birds as of yesterday's routine check of the 24
nestboxes we maintain here:
5 baby-blue WESTERN BLUEBIRD eggs were in the nestbox on the metal pole at
mid-field; the adults were perched on the nearby walnut trees.
Baby OAK TITMICE are within a few days of fledging in one of our boxes; a
second clutch just outside our office window contains 7 eggs, and a third
titmouse clutch was, alas, devoured by a predator which chewed away part of
the nestbox top (raccoon?). Titmouse mating was observed as recently as
Monday 4/13...amazing for a species which began inspecting these nestboxes
as early as last December.
The WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES are now feeding young in the red nestbox on
the telegraph pole near the start of the nature trail. (I can't open that
box to do a head count, although I did remove a colony of native bees from
it early this spring - stingless, I found out to my great relief).
HOUSE WRENS have arrived and have tossed a few speculative twigs into one
box so far...last year they did so with 5 boxes, which apparently warned
off potential competitors, since these boxes went unused after such
"marking" (HOWR will poke holes in other birds' eggs, of course, so I
presume the non-use of these boxes to be a case of active avoidance).
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS are usually a major user of our nestboxes here but
haven't begun serious scoping yet. They moved in in one big rush the first
week of May last year.
Of the non-cavity nesters, CALIFORNIA TOWHEES were carrying food yesterday
and BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS were nest-building. PURPLE FINCHES are still in the
park in the orchard area, although no breeding activity has been observed.
ORANGE-CROWNED and WILSON'S WARBLERS, both uncommon in the park, were
observed singing yesterday, and I believe I heard the first YELLOW WARBLER
of the (McClellan) season this morning.
Someone dumped a load of young FERAL CATS here a month or so ago, and they
have begun taking birds near our feeders...the authorities have been
notified.
--Garth Harwood
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 15 15:51:42 1998
Jim Yurchenco sent the following URL, an "uber" engine that searches all of
the other book finders with one search entry.
http://mxbf.com/
Kendric
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From email@hidden Wed Apr 15 15:53:33 1998
APRIL 15, 1998 SANTA CLARA COUNTY YEAR LIST UPDATE
Migration is in full swing and the composite list is growing fast. A
few targets to chase over the next few days include Common Poorwill,
Black-chinned Hummingbird, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee,
and Swainson's Thrush.
Mike
P.S. Some advice from Kendric:
[To make the columns line up, please copy this list to a word processor, and
change the font to a monospaced font (Monoco, Courier, etc.), and set the
right hand margin to 7.5 inches.]
________________________________________________________________________
Recent progress of the composite list:
OOPS, forgot to list these at the top (they were in the main list)
215: 1/17/98 OSPREY
216: 2/ 8/98 RED-THROATED LOON
217: 2/ 8/98 RED PHALAROPE
218: 2/ 8/98 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW
219: 3/21/98 HOUSE WREN
220: 3/29/98 AMERICAN DIPPER
221: 3/31/98 CHIPPING SPARROW
222: 4/ 2/98 CASPIAN TERN
223: 4/ 4/98 YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD
224: 4/ 5/98 CASSIN'S VIREO
225: 4/ 5/98 BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK
226: 4/ 7/98 SAGE THRASHER
227: 4/ 8/98 ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER
228: 4/11/98 HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER
229: 4/12/98 PILEATED WOODPECKER
230: 4/12/98 VAUX'S SWIFT
231: 4/12/98 NASHVILLE WARBLER
232: 4/12/98 SAGE SPARROW
233: 4/10/98 GRASSHOPPER SPARROW
234: 4/10/98 Passerina BUNTING sp.
Please send any additions, corrections, or comments to Mike
Rogers, email@hidden.
SANTA CLARA COUNTY YEAR LIST - 1998
SCR MMR MJM COMP SOURCE
377 197 185 190 234+ICGU
% OF COMPOSITE FOR 1998
% OF 377 (Iceland Gull not counted)
Red-throated Loon 2/16 2/ 8 2/ 8 SBT
Pacific Loon 2/21 SBT
Common Loon 2/ 8 2/11 2/14 1/ 2 AVe
Pied-billed Grebe 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Horned Grebe 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Red-necked Grebe 1/ 2 1/16 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC
Eared Grebe 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Western Grebe 1/ 2 2/11 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Clark's Grebe 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH
Northern Fulmar
Sooty Shearwater
Ashy Storm-Petrel
Brown Booby
American White Pelican 1/ 2 1/16 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC
Brown Pelican 1/ 6 2/ 8 1/ 4 JMa
Double-crested Cormorant 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Brandt's Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Magnificent Frigatebird
American Bittern 1/16 2/28 1/15 CWh
Least Bittern
Great Blue Heron 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Great Egret 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Snowy Egret 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Little Blue Heron
Cattle Egret 1/ 2 1/ 2 SCR
Green Heron 1/ 6 2/11 2/13 1/ 1 DJC
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
White-faced Ibis
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Tundra Swan 1/ 2 1/ 7 1/ 3 1/ 1 CKS,JML,DJC
Greater White-fronted Goose 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH
Snow Goose 1/ 2 1/ 3 1/ 2 SCR
Ross' Goose 2/ 8 1/19 1/16 1/16 MJM
Brant
Canada Goose 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Wood Duck 4/11 1/18 1/ 1 AVe,CH
Green-winged Teal 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Mallard 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Northern Pintail 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Garganey
Blue-winged Teal 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH
Cinnamon Teal 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Northern Shoveler 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Gadwall 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Eurasian Wigeon 1/26 2/24 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM
American Wigeon 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Canvasback 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Redhead 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH
Ring-necked Duck 1/ 2 1/ 7 1/31 1/ 1 m.ob.
Tufted Duck 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM
Greater Scaup 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Lesser Scaup 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Oldsquaw
Black Scoter 3/ 8 3/ 2 3/ 8 3/ 1 JMe
Surf Scoter 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
White-winged Scoter 2/11 1/ 6 2/13 1/ 6 MMR
Common Goldeneye 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Barrow's Goldeneye 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC
Bufflehead 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Hooded Merganser 1/ 4 2/28 2/28 1/ 1 AVe,CH,NLe
Common Merganser 1/ 2 1/ 7 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Red-breasted Merganser 1/16 2/11 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM
Ruddy Duck 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Turkey Vulture 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
California Condor
Osprey 3/ 2 1/19 1/18 1/17 JMa,JLa
White-tailed Kite 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 2 SCR,MJM
Bald Eagle 2/ 8 2/16 1/16 SGu
Northern Harrier 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1/ 2 1/19 1/ 2 SCR
Cooper's Hawk 1/ 2 1/ 6 2/22 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Northern Goshawk
Red-shouldered Hawk 1/ 2 1/16 1/ 3 1/ 1 DJC
Broad-winged Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Ferruginous Hawk 1/ 2 1/19 1/ 2 SCR
Rough-legged Hawk 1/ 3 1/ 3 SCR
Golden Eagle 1/ 6 1/ 7 1/17 1/ 1 DJC
American Kestrel 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Merlin 1/ 9 2/ 9 1/ 3 1/ 2 fide CKS
Peregrine Falcon 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC
Prairie Falcon 3/ 4 1/25 NLe
Ring-necked Pheasant 1/ 6 1/13 2/22 1/ 6 SCR
Wild Turkey 3/16 4/11 4/ 5 1/ 1 JMa
California Quail 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/18 1/ 1 SCR,DJC
Mountain Quail
Yellow Rail
Black Rail 1/12 1/12 2/ 8 1/ 9 VTi,RWR,FVs
Clapper Rail 1/12 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Virginia Rail 1/ 2 1/12 1/31 1/ 2 SCR
Sora 1/ 2 1/16 2/ 8 1/ 2 SCR
Common Moorhen 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
American Coot 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Sandhill Crane
Black-bellied Plover 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC
Pacific Golden-Plover
American Golden-Plover
Snowy Plover
Semipalmated Plover 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM
Killdeer 1/ 1 1/ 7 1/18 1/ 1 m.ob.
Mountain Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Black-necked Stilt 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
American Avocet 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Greater Yellowlegs 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC
Lesser Yellowlegs 1/ 6 1/ 6 SCR
Solitary Sandpiper
Willet 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Wandering Tattler
Spotted Sandpiper 2/ 8 2/16 1/ 1 AVe,CH
Whimbrel 1/ 6 1/ 6 2/ 8 1/ 4 CKS,JML
Long-billed Curlew 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Hudsonian Godwit
Bar-tailed Godwit
Marbled Godwit 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Ruddy Turnstone
Black Turnstone
Red Knot 1/ 6 1/ 6 SCR
Sanderling 1/ 6 1/ 6 MMR
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Least Sandpiper 1/ 2 1/ 6 2/14 1/ 1 AVe,CH
White-rumped Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Dunlin 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH
Curlew Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpiper
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Ruff
Short-billed Dowitcher 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Long-billed Dowitcher 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 2 SCR,MJM,AVe
Common Snipe 1/ 5 3/ 8 1/ 1 DJC
Wilson's Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope
Red Phalarope 2/11 2/ 8 2/ 8 SBT
Pomarine Jaeger
Parasitic Jaeger
Long-tailed Jaeger
Laughing Gull
Franklin's Gull
Little Gull
Black-headed Gull
Bonaparte's Gull 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC
Heermann's Gull
Mew Gull 1/ 2 1/19 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,TGr
Ring-billed Gull 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
California Gull 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Herring Gull 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Thayer's Gull 1/ 2 1/16 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH
??Iceland Gull 1/16 1/16 SBT,SCR,AJa,MH
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1/18 3/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM
Western Gull 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Glaucous-winged Gull 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,TGr
Glaucous Gull 1/ 6 2/24 1/ 6 SCR
Black-legged Kittiwake
Sabine's Gull
Caspian Tern 4/11 4/11 4/ 2 RWR
Elegant Tern
Common Tern
Arctic Tern
Forster's Tern 1/ 6 2/ 8 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM
Least Tern
Black Tern
Black Skimmer 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC
Common Murre
Ancient Murrelet
Cassin's Auklet
Rock Dove 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Band-tailed Pigeon 1/ 1 3/27 3/15 1/ 1 SCR
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Greater Roadrunner
Barn Owl 1/ 9 1/ 9 MMR,RJe
Flammulated Owl
Western Screech-Owl 1/ 1 JMa
Great Horned Owl 1/14 3/22 1/ 1 DJC
Northern Pygmy-Owl 1/ 1 4/12 1/ 1 SCR,JMa
Burrowing Owl 1/ 5 1/20 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl 3/ 7 RiC
Northern Saw-whet Owl 1/ 1 JMa
Lesser Nighthawk
Common Nighthawk
Common Poorwill
Black Swift
Chimney Swift
Vaux's Swift 4/13 4/12 DPo,SMi
White-throated Swift 1/18 1/21 2/22 1/ 8 RWR,FVs
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Anna's Hummingbird 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Costa's Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird 3/16 4/ 8 4/ 5 3/16 SCR
Allen's Hummingbird 3/ 4 4/11 3/15 1/25 AME
Belted Kingfisher 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/17 1/ 1 DJC
Lewis' Woodpecker 1/ 6 NLe,RWR,FVs
Acorn Woodpecker 1/ 1 1/ 6 2/28 1/ 1 SCR,JMa,DJC
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1/ 2 1/ 1 CKS,JML
Red-naped Sapsucker 1/ 6 1/ 6 MMR
Red-breasted Sapsucker 1/ 2 1/ 7 1/17 1/ 1 m.ob.
Williamson's Sapsucker
Nuttall's Woodpecker 1/ 2 1/ 7 1/ 3 1/ 2 m.ob.
Downy Woodpecker 1/ 1 3/ 4 1/ 3 1/ 1 SCR,CKS,JML
Hairy Woodpecker 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 SCR,JMa,DJC
Northern Flicker 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Pileated Woodpecker 4/12 4/12 MJM
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Western Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Hammond's Flycatcher 4/11 4/11 4/11 MMR,MJM
Dusky Flycatcher
Gray Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher 3/28 3/27 3/18 1/ 4 CCRS
Black Phoebe 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Eastern Phoebe 1/ 2 3/ 4 3/ 1 1/ 2 SCR
Say's Phoebe 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/18 1/ 2 SCR
Ash-throated Flycatcher 4/ 8 RWR
Tropical Kingbird
Cassin's Kingbird 4/11 4/11 3/ 1 DRo,RCa
kingbird sp. 2/ 8 AGu
Western Kingbird 3/16 4/ 8 4/11 3/16 SCR
Eastern Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Horned Lark 3/16 3/15 1/25 AME
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow 1/18 1/19 3/ 1 1/17 LCh
Violet-green Swallow 2/ 5 1/19 2/22 1/18 JDa
Nor. Rough-winged Swallow 2/ 8 2/25 2/28 2/ 8 SCR
Bank Swallow
Cliff Swallow 3/ 2 3/ 1 3/ 8 2/26 TRy
Barn Swallow 1/ 2 1/19 3/ 1 1/ 2 SCR
Steller's Jay 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/17 1/ 1 m.ob.
Western Scrub-Jay 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob.
Clark's Nutcracker
Black-billed Magpie
Yellow-billed Magpie 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob.
American Crow 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Common Raven 1/ 1 1/ 5 2/13 1/ 1 m.ob.
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 1/ 1 1/16 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob.
Oak Titmouse 1/ 3 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 CKS,JML,DJC
Bushtit 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob.
Red-breasted Nuthatch 4/12 1/ 1 JMa
White-breasted Nuthatch 1/ 3 1/ 6 1/13 1/ 1 DJC
Pygmy Nuthatch 1/ 1 4/12 1/ 1 SCR,JMa
Brown Creeper 1/ 1 1/17 1/ 1 m.ob.
Rock Wren 3/ 16 1/19 1/13 1/13 MJM
Canyon Wren 1/ 1 JSa,HGe
Bewick's Wren 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob.
House Wren 3/29 4/ 8 4/ 5 3/21 LAY
Winter Wren 1/ 1 4/ 4 1/ 1 SCR
Marsh Wren 1/12 1/12 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM
American Dipper 4/11 3/29 TGr
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1/ 2 1/ 2 SCR
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3/27 3/29 1/ 5 CJC
Western Bluebird 1/ 2 1/ 6 2/16 1/ 1 DJC
Mountain Bluebird 1/17 JLu
Townsend's Solitaire
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/13 1/ 1 SCR,JMa
American Robin 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/13 1/ 1 m.ob.
Varied Thrush 1/ 1 1/ 1 SCR
Wrentit 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/17 1/ 1 SCR,JMa,DJC
Northern Mockingbird 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob.
Sage Thrasher 4/ 7 BWe
Brown Thrasher
California Thrasher 1/ 1 1/ 6 2/28 1/ 1 SCR
Red-throated Pipit
American Pipit 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC
Bohemian Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing 1/ 2 1/14 3/28 1/ 1 JMa
Pha