Parent
From email@hidden Fri Dec 01 06:17:25 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
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Yesterday, 30 Nov 00, I went to look again at the Tropical Kingbird along
San Francisquito Creek, but was unable to find it, on either side of the
creek. The Hooded Mergansers were gone from the golf course pond as well. I
did see a MERLIN fly by, though.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Fri Dec 01 10:03:35 2000
Subject: [SBB] Peregrines
--------
SBBirders---
Sometimes you don't need your binoculars for a breathtaking birding episode.
This morning, Dec. 1 2000, at 9:20 AM I was walking through a
parking lot at the southwest end of the Stanford Medical Center.
Just across Campus Drive to the west, there is a facility that spews
vapors into the air, and I have seen numerous raptors ride these
artificial "thermals," including 4 GOLDEN EAGLES at once last July.
(I know, it's hard to believe that hot air is emanating from a
University building, but it's true.)
When I heard some sharp chirping sounds from not too far above me
this morning, I immediately thought raptor vocalization. Sure
enough, less than 100 feet up, two large falcons were diving and
wheeling, almost colliding but not really aggressively fighting.
Without binoculars, I couldn't get field marks; they just appeared as
darkish silhouettes, but I'm certain they were PEREGRINE FALCONS.
One bird was significantly smaller than the other, so I'm wondering
if this was courtship by a mated pair, or merely a skirmish for air
space rights.
At any rate, it was an exciting moment. I watched the two birds
for about three minutes, and they were still interacting casually,
coming together 2 or 3 more times for a little aerobatic tumbling,
then drifting apart. This is the first time I've seen 2 PEFAs at
this location; over the past three years I have had single birds on
several occasions, mostly in fall and winter.
---Grant Hoyt
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From email@hidden Fri Dec 01 13:52:49 2000
Subject: [SBB] American Bittern, Hooded Merganser and Osprey
--------
All,
Despite the Tule fog this morning, Frank Vanslager and I saw 2 American
Bitterns in Ogier Ponds (a third was heard to call and fly). We also saw an
adult male Osprey and two pair (male & female) Hooded Mergansers. Big misses
were Wood Ducks and American Kestrels.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:47 PM, 12/1/00
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From email@hidden Fri Dec 01 13:55:16 2000
Subject: [SBB] BUOR
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All,
I could not locate the golfcourse Tropical Kingbird again today,
probably because I had my camera....
There was however, a BULLOCK'S ORIOLE in the eucalyptus trees in the
parking lot at the end of Geng Road in Palo Alto. I heard the chatter
above me by the head of the bike trail and had with some difficulty was
able to locate the source. The bird flew to another tree in the parking
lot and I had a brief look at it. The bird was overall warm gray/yellow
with a noticeably contrasting white/grey belly. I did not detect much of
a facial pattern, but as I said, the look was very quick. I recall Jesse
Conklin reported three Orioles earlier in the week from the same area.
There was also a male MERLIN on the power lines about half way out
toward the foot bridge.
That's it for now,
Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net/
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From email@hidden Sat Dec 02 06:24:09 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I went to the Palo Alto FCB today, 2 Dec 00, and met Dick Stovel on the
trail that goes along Matadero Creek. When we got to Byxbee Park, there was
a large flock of CANADA GEESE, and Dick picked out some different birds.
They turned out to be a single adult SNOW GOOSE, a single adult ROSS' GOOSE,
and a single immature GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. A BURROWING OWL was also
present in the same binocular view as the geese.
I drove to the end of Geng Road, but returning birders gave negative
indications on the presence of the kingbird, so I didn't make the walk.
However, one female BULLOCK'S ORIOLE was in the eucalyptus next to the
parking lot, and 3 HOODED MERGANSERS (1 male, 2 females) were on the golf
course pond.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Sat Dec 02 17:20:13 2000
Subject: [SBB] Calero Reservoir
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
Late in the afternoon on Thursday and Friday I scoped Calero Reservoir
from the boat launch. Still not finding any loons or Bald Eagles there, but
on Thursday there were 350+ CANADA GEESE at the east end of the reservoir,
the largest number of geese I've ever seen at Calero. Friday evening the
geese were seen flying back over the hills to the Coyote Valley, and there
were 26 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS on the reservoir.
Today (Sat.) I revisited Calero Reservoir. There was a lot of birdlife
this afternoon at the east end. Birds there included 1 HORNED GREBE, the 26
AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, large (but diminished) numbers of CANADA GEESE
(including 1 small bird that appeared to be of the race minima), most of the
usual puddle ducks, 2 CANVASBACK, lots of BUFFLEHEAD and COMMON GOLDENEYES,
2 female HOODED MERGANSERS, COMMON MERGANSERS, a WHITE-TAILED KITE (seen
ripping furry chunks off the front end of a small rodent), 1 COMMON SNIPE,
50+ LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, 30+ LEAST SANDPIPERS, BLACK-NECKED STILTS, and 1
lingering FORSTER'S TERN. A large blackbird flock across from the park
headquarters contained at least 5 male TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS, but I couldn't
find a single cowbird. For the last 3 days I've also seen NORTHERN HARRIERS
near the reservoir--
John Mariani
email@hidden
www.birdswest.com
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From email@hidden Sat Dec 02 19:36:41 2000
Subject: [SBB] Pectoral Sandpiper
--------
Today there was a Pectoral Sandpiper in the Charleston Slough about a quarter mile out the dike from the pumphouse. Also a Barrow's Goldeneye, many Common Goldeneye and two Horned Grebes on Shoreline Lake, twelve Black Skimmers on the island in the slough and only three Blue-winged Teal in the flood control basin.
Charles Coston
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From email@hidden Sun Dec 03 09:35:10 2000
Subject: [SBB] White Throated sparrow
--------
For the second year in a row, we have a White Throated Sparrow in our
back yard. He has been here since early November. He is a beautiful,
adult male. We will be gone for the Palo Alto Christmas count, but he'll
be here.
--
Richard C. Carlson Full-time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker
Palo Alto, California Part-time Economist
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Sun Dec 03 13:23:48 2000
Subject: [SBB] Belated report of BRPE inland at Mountain View
--------
Hi SBB,
My brother Keith Suddjian and his daughters Michelle and Cindy saw a juvenile
BROWN PELICAN at a man-made lake in a condo complex at 505 Cypress Point
Drive, Mountain View, on 11/23/00. It could fly, and did so, leaving the area
when they approached too close for its comfort. The lake is freshawater with
many koi.
David Suddjian
Capitola
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Sun Dec 03 18:07:10 2000
Subject: [SBB] Barrow's Goldeneye and Surf Scoter at Shoreline Lake
--------
Hi All,
This morning (Sunday) at around 11 AM, the BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was present at Shoreline lake in a mixed flock of COOTS and COMMON GOLDENEYE.
Also of interest was a SURF SCOTER in the middle of the lake, hanging out by the floating dock. A number of HORNED GREBES were present, as were many EARED GREBES and a PIED-BILLED GREBE. A number of ducks were scattered around the pond as well.
A walk around the Alviso EEC was generally uneventful. Lots of EARED GREBES on the ponds.
On the way home I stopped by Calero Reservoir. Lots of ducks, the usual suspects. The most interesting event was watching a CROW and MERLIN in a dogfight for about a half-minute over the hillside east of the reservoir. The crow appeared to be the winner, chasing off the Merlin. Other raptors in the area were RED-TAILED HAWKS, a male NORTHERN HARRIER, a few KESTRELS, and a WHITE-TAILED KITE.
Good birding!
Andy Pedler
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From email@hidden Sun Dec 03 19:04:02 2000
Subject: [SBB] Merced County birding
--------
Hello Friends:
This morning I dashed off to Merced County with visions of off-course
seaducks and montane irruptive passerines dancing in my brain only to have my
feathered fantasies come to an abrupt halt as I crossed the Merced County
line: an impenetrable wall of wicked whiteness enveloped the landscape
(yes--the dreaded tule fog)!
I arrived at Merced N.W.R. at 8:30 AM. Temperature was a brisk 38º F. The
sounds of geese and cranes filled the skies but none could I see due to the
fog. Visibility was limited to less than 50 feet. I drove the Auto Tour
Loop and stopped at the Meadowlark Trail parking lot where a sharp,
phoebe-like call caught my ear. Out popped a swamp sparrow from the marshy
edge of the trail--a great bird for Merced County! Peering out from the
nearby observation platform through a gap in the fog, I spotted a pair of
blue-winged teal.
Passing through Los Banos at noon I noted that the temperature had risen to a
relatively balmy 43º, but the fog was still thick. At the O'Neil Forebay it
was pointless to scope for ducks since the water was obscured by fog so I
turned my attention to sparrows once again. A vesper sparrow foraged along
the weedy edge of the gravel road on the southeast corner of the Forebay.
Finally, I ended up at the Los Banos Landfill on Billy Wright Rd where the
usual concentration of gulls awaited me and my scope. I picked out 3
glaucous-winged and one Thayer's gulls before a red-tailed hawk flew in to
scare them all up into the fog. Two cattle egrets were here picking through
the garbage.
Cheers!
Peter J. Metropulos
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From email@hidden Sun Dec 03 20:15:40 2000
Subject: [SBB] Red-breasted Sapsucker at Ulistac
--------
Hi,
A very nice family walk through Ulistac Natural Area in Santa Clara this
afternoon yielded a Red-breasted Sapsucker. We also saw at least two
Ruby-crowned Kinglets and a pair of American Kestrels.
Don Ganton
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 04 07:46:01 2000
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
This morning, 12/4/2000, there were three BROWN PELICANS in Shoreline
Park: an imm. over Shoreline Lake and a sub-adult and an imm. on Salt Pond
A2W. A male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE continues at Shoreline Lake near the boathouse
and 12 BLACK SKIMMERS continue on Charleston Slough.
Bill
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 04 07:57:39 2000
Subject: [SBB] Oka/Campbell Ponds
--------
On Saturday, Dec 2, an SCVAS field trip visited the Oka and Campbell Ponds
at Los Gatos Creek Park. At the Oka Ponds we saw approximately twelve
HOODED MERGANGERS. It was difficult to get an accurate count as the ducks
flew from pond to pond, but two more were also seen in the creek. Also seen
in Los Gatos Creek were a GREEN HERON by the foot bridge, three COMMON SNIPE
on "snipe island" in the middle of the creek, and a nice male COOPER'S HAWK
on the far bank who circled around and over the creek and then was up an
away. Two loons were on the main Campbell Pond - a PACIFIC LOON well seen by
all, and more illusive COMMON LOON seen by some. Of interest among the
gulls were an adult GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL perched on the cormorant-roosting
tree and an adult MEW GULL on a small settling pond. In total we saw 40+
species of birds including a good selection of ducks: Mallard, Gadwall,
American Wigeon, Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Common
Goldeneye, and Ruddy Duck. A good field trip on a sunny fall morning.
Ann
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 04 10:45:06 2000
Subject: [SBB] Weekend Birds
--------
"cc:Mail Note Part"
--------
Saturday:
Almaden Reservoir - Very cold morning, no WOOD DUCKS sighted. The only birds
seen were a handful of MALLARDS and one GREAT BLUE HERON. The water level has
gone down quit a bit during the past month.
Calero Reservoir - The only things to add to John Mariani's report are: PINTAIL
DUCK, the EURASIAN WIDGEON and a perched NORTHERN HARRIER. While scoping the
lake from the east end during a period of about 30 minutes, wave after wave of
CANADA GEESE came over the hill from Coyote Valley. We estimated the number at
500+. Also of note: a TOWNSEND WARBLER at the top of the first oak tree north of
the ranger station and two CALIFORNIA THRASHER at the base of the same tree.
Sunday:
Pre-CBC scouting of Santa Teresa Park - 2 SAYE'S PHOEBE, 2 WHITE-TAILED KITE, 1
NORTHERN HARRIER and numerous ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS.
Grant Webb
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 04 13:05:34 2000
Subject: [SBB] Pacific Loon no Common Loon, Osprey
--------
All,
This morning I made a quick trip to Los Gatos Creek Park/Oka Ponds and just
as quickly found the juvenile/first winter Pacific Loon in the northern most
(largest) pond. The bird had a gray head, nape and back of neck with a will
defined line between it and the white front of the neck, throat and lower
face. The upperparts had a well defined scaly appearance (white edges of
feathers forming lines across the back). The bird also had a grayish chin
strap. The basically gray bill had smooth edged dagger shape. After having
watched the loon for several minutes while trying to located the second
reported loon I lost sight of the bird for 15-20 minutes. Later I refound
the bird near one of the islands and so assume that the bird had been on the
far side of the islands when I couldn't locate it. In all I spent over an
hour looking for diving loons. A Horned Grebe, a pair (biblical sense) of
Hooded Mergansers, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye and an adult male Osprey
provided some distraction. One interesting observation was that after the
Osprey finished eating a fish it flew down from the top of the bare tree on
one of the islands low over the water to drag it's feet in the water (twice)
and then flew back up to the top of the tree to clean/sharpen it's bill on
the branches.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 12:09 PM, 12/4/00
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 04 13:05:36 2000
Subject: [SBB] Ogier Ponds
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All,
On Sunday's field trip to Ogier Ponds we had good views of a Prairie Falcon,
a male and a female Osprey (at the same time), Hooded Mergansers, a Common
Merganser (over flight), a Spotted Sandpiper, a Greater Yellowlegs, a calling
Sora and three American Bittern (one posed in the reeds until after we left).
Ducks included large numbers of Ring-necked Ducks (a good year for them?),
Canvasback and Lesser Scaup (the later two not always seen there). The
normal Gull species count was boosted by the presence of an adult Mew Gull,
an adult Thayer's Gull and a first winter Glaucous-winged Gull (having
several sharp-eyed birders didn't hurt). It would seem that the cold
mornings might be taking a toll on the passerines as the quality and quantity
of these species was very low. Big misses include Wood Duck, American
Kestrel and Northern Harrier.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:01 PM, 12/4/00
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 05 13:07:49 2000
Subject: [SBB] County birding
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All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I birded Almaden Lake Park and a portion of
Alamitos Creek above the lake. The water level of the lake is several inches
higher than I remember it being and the small island near the outflow of the
creek is under water. Some gulls still use the island but it would seem to
be undesirable for them to be standing in an inch or so of water (but then
perhaps that's the idea). This is still one of the best places that I know
to view gulls up close and personal. Where else can you see a first year
Glaucous-winged Gull standing alongside a first winter Thayer's Gull (with
light primaries). A great opportunity for comparison of size and markings.
Today we had a couple first year Glaucous-winged Gulls, three to four first
year (and an adult) Thayer's Gulls, three to four Mew Gulls, a couple
Ring-billed Gulls, a few California Gulls and the remainder (the bulk)
Herring Gulls. Other birds seen included a Spotted Sandpiper (running along
the top of the bare area on the large island), an adult male Common
Merganser, at least four Scaly-breasted Munia/Nutmeg Mannikins, several
Lincoln's Sparrows, Red-shouldered Hawk(s) and a Red-breasted Sapsucker.
I would sure hate to see the lake reduced to being just a bathing stop for
the gulls (long distance views and no legs). Here's hoping that the small
island remains when the water level is once again lowered.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:03 PM, 12/5/00
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 05 20:27:54 2000
Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto CBC
--------
If anyone has a couple hours on Monday Dec. 18 and
wants to count shorebirds and ?? at the eastern end of
Dumbarton bridge (Dumbarton Point), please let me
know. First come, first served :)
Jack Cole
__________________________________________________
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 05 22:29:23 2000
Subject: [SBB] Cooper's Hawk behavior
--------
Fellow birders,
Below is a description of hawk behavior I observed today that I found
most surprising. I would appreciate any comments from others who have
watched similar behavior.
Around 9:30 this morning I discovered a Cooper's Hawk on a ground level
platform in my back yard. This platform is used for feeding birds, but has
been out of use for a few days because I've had problems with rats joining
the feast. The platform is next to a slightly overgrown garden. Before
long the hawk flew into the tree above the garden and a morning of great
bird observation began. I took the time to sit and watch for most of the
morning. At least twice during the morning the hawk flew into the fenced
garden after prey, almost certainly rodents. During the first time into the
garden, I saw the hawk run through the picket fence after a rat and then
reverse when the rat reentered the garden. I think the rat won this foot
race. Afterwards, the hawk returned to the tree spending most of his time
just sitting, but from time to time the possibility of prey in the garden
below would catch his attention. Eventually the hawk again quickly dropped
into the garden after prey. I do not know for sure whether he succeeded or
not, but for the next 10 minutes or so he stayed in the garden. For most of
this period I could catch glimpses of him looking for prey ON FOOT. I
couldn't believe what I was seeing. The hawk actually walked about in the
garden apparently hoping to flush something. After this prolonged period on
the ground, he again returned to the tree and remained there till about
11:45. This last period in the tree was mostly spent just sitting mixed
with a bit of preening.
Rosalie Strait
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 06 10:02:12 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Cooper's Hawk behavior
--------
At 10:29 PM 12/5/00 -0800, R. Strait wrote:
>Fellow birders,
>
> Below is a description of hawk behavior I observed today that I found
>most surprising. I would appreciate any comments from others who have
>watched similar behavior.
> Around 9:30 this morning I discovered a Cooper's Hawk on a ground level
>platform in my back yard. This platform is used for feeding birds, but has
>been out of use for a few days because I've had problems with rats joining
>the feast. The platform is next to a slightly overgrown garden. Before
>long the hawk flew into the tree above the garden and a morning of great
>bird observation began. I took the time to sit and watch for most of the
>morning. At least twice during the morning the hawk flew into the fenced
>garden after prey, almost certainly rodents. During the first time into the
>garden, I saw the hawk run through the picket fence after a rat and then
>reverse when the rat reentered the garden. I think the rat won this foot
>race. Afterwards, the hawk returned to the tree spending most of his time
>just sitting, but from time to time the possibility of prey in the garden
>below would catch his attention. Eventually the hawk again quickly dropped
>into the garden after prey. I do not know for sure whether he succeeded or
>not, but for the next 10 minutes or so he stayed in the garden. For most of
>this period I could catch glimpses of him looking for prey ON FOOT. I
>couldn't believe what I was seeing. The hawk actually walked about in the
>garden apparently hoping to flush something. After this prolonged period on
>the ground, he again returned to the tree and remained there till about
>11:45. This last period in the tree was mostly spent just sitting mixed
>with a bit of preening.
I saw a juvenile Cooper's Hawk "ground hunting" at the Baylands in October.
I'm not sure whether it was after a rodent or a sparrow. It didn't catch
anything.
--Peter
------------------------------------------------------
Peter LaTourrette
North American Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.birdphotography.com/
Jasper Ridge Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.stanford.edu/~petelat1/
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 06 10:08:06 2000
Subject: Fw: [SBB] Cooper's Hawk behavior
--------
I've had a Cooper's in my backyard going through the bushes. I've also seen
one, perhaps the same, at "my farm" ground hunting.
gloria leblanc
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter LaTourrette"
To: "R. Strait"
Cc: "South-bay Bird List"
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2000 10:02 AM
Subject: Re: [SBB] Cooper's Hawk behavior
> At 10:29 PM 12/5/00 -0800, R. Strait wrote:
> >Fellow birders,
> >
> > Below is a description of hawk behavior I observed today that I found
> >most surprising. I would appreciate any comments from others who have
> >watched similar behavior.
> > Around 9:30 this morning I discovered a Cooper's Hawk on a ground
level
> >platform in my back yard. This platform is used for feeding birds, but
has
> >been out of use for a few days because I've had problems with rats
joining
> >the feast. The platform is next to a slightly overgrown garden. Before
> >long the hawk flew into the tree above the garden and a morning of great
> >bird observation began. I took the time to sit and watch for most of the
> >morning. At least twice during the morning the hawk flew into the fenced
> >garden after prey, almost certainly rodents. During the first time into
the
> >garden, I saw the hawk run through the picket fence after a rat and then
> >reverse when the rat reentered the garden. I think the rat won this foot
> >race. Afterwards, the hawk returned to the tree spending most of his
time
> >just sitting, but from time to time the possibility of prey in the garden
> >below would catch his attention. Eventually the hawk again quickly
dropped
> >into the garden after prey. I do not know for sure whether he succeeded
or
> >not, but for the next 10 minutes or so he stayed in the garden. For most
of
> >this period I could catch glimpses of him looking for prey ON FOOT. I
> >couldn't believe what I was seeing. The hawk actually walked about in
the
> >garden apparently hoping to flush something. After this prolonged period
on
> >the ground, he again returned to the tree and remained there till about
> >11:45. This last period in the tree was mostly spent just sitting mixed
> >with a bit of preening.
>
> I saw a juvenile Cooper's Hawk "ground hunting" at the Baylands in
October.
> I'm not sure whether it was after a rodent or a sparrow. It didn't catch
> anything.
>
> --Peter
>
> ------------------------------------------------------
> Peter LaTourrette
> North American Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.birdphotography.com/
> Jasper Ridge Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.stanford.edu/~petelat1/
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 06 11:09:04 2000
Subject: [SBB] Cooper's Hawk behavior -Reply
--------
While on one of my many trips to the Klamath Basin Refuges a few years
ago, we witnessed an Adult GOLDEN EAGLE running around on the ice
chasing a tiny little mouse. It was actually really funny to see.
The mouse got away.
Alan W.
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 06 11:29:34 2000
Subject: [SBB] Santa Cruz Mountain Species
--------
Folks:
At its southern end, the great Pacific Coastal forest extends to the
Santa Cruz Mountains in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, with a minor
extension in some of the canyons on the Big Sur coast. Commercial logging
started in these Santa Cruz Mountain forests in the 1850s and there has been
limited surveys of the breeding birds of any kind until the most recent
decades. A puzzle for all who are interested in birds is whether some of the
characteristic breeding species of this coastal forest have always been here
or whether they have expanded their range southward in recent decades. These
puzzling species are summarized below.
Marbled Murrelet. On 15 Jun 1957, a fledgling was found floating in a creek
in Portola SP, San Mateo County and on 18 Aug 1960, an immature bird was found
on the ground in Big Basin SP, Santa Cruz County (Pacific Discover
25(3):25-26). Later, in 1974, the famed first nest of the species was
discovered in Big Basin SP (Wilson Bull. 87:303-319).
Red-breasted Sapsucker. Grinnell and Miller (1944) considered the southern
edge of this species range to be the middle of Mendocino County. Nesting
birds were found along the Gualala River at Skaggs Springs Road in Sonoma
County in 1979 (Burridge 1995) and two were confirmed during Marin County's
breeding bird atlas (Shuford 1993). The first nesting record for the Santa
Cruz Mountains occurred in March on 1995 when Bert McKee found them nesting
near Pescadero (Field Notes 49:306). The next year, David Suddjian found an
adult feeding fledglings at Big Creek, Santa Cruz County, on 23 Jun 1996
(50:993). Surprisingly, this year a nestling was found in Vacaville, Sonoma
County (fide Robin Leong).
Pileated Woodpecker. By the time of Grinnell and Miller (1944) Pileated
Woodpeckers were being seen on a regular basis Sonoma and Napa counties and
casually in Marin County. In 1948, breeding was confirmed in Napa County when
dependent young were observed on Howell Mountain (Audubon Field Notes 2:214).
Although Gordon Bolander considered a Pileated he saw in Sonoma County in
April 1963 to be a vagrant (AFN 17:431), a nest was found that June at Jack
London Ranch, Sonoma County (AFN 17:482) for a first county breeding record.
Although Pileateds had been known from Marin County by 1944, no proof of
breeding was obtained until nesting was observed Lake Lagunitas in 1976
(AB 30:884). The first report of Pileated Woodpeckers in the Santa Cruz
Mountains (at least in recent times) was in April 1972 when Viola Anderson saw
a pair at Big Basin SP, Santa Cruz County (AB 26:805). By early September
1972 Bruce Elliott had seen this woodpecker at Portola CP in San Mateo County
as well (AB 27:116). The first evidence of breeding in the Santa Cruz
Mountains, however, was 15 years later on 30 Jun 1987 when David Suddjian
confirmed breeding in Big Basin SP (AB 41:1484). The 1990s provided evidence
of Pileateds in new locations with birds in the interior counties around San
Francisco Bay and in Monterey County. Finally (for us Santa Clarans), a pair
with young was found by David Suddjian at Lake Elsman, Santa Clara County on
18 Jun 1998 (FN 50:993-994).
Varied Thrush. The southern edge of the Varied Thrush's breeding range has
long been considered to be Del Norte, Humboldt, and Trinity counties. In
1986, there were a surprising number of summer records south of this boundary
including Pt. Reyes, Marin County, Old La Honda Rd. and La Honda, San Mateo
County, and Kenwood, Sonoma County (AB 40:1253). Such excursions are usually
assumed to be non-breeders. However, in 1991, David Suddjian found nesting
birds at Butano SP and Butano Creek, San Mateo County and at Cascade Creek,
Santa Cruz County (AB 45:1159).
Red Crossbill. Red Crossbills have been considered sporadic invasion species
up through the late 1940s (see Junea Kelly, Gull 30:25-26). However, during
the 1950s, birds were repeatedly seen in the Mt. Hermon area of Santa Cruz
County. Lelah Miller and Emily Smith considered the birds present in the
summer of 1951 to have nested (AFN 5:303). In the summer of 1955 a juvenile
was seen at a bird bath (AFN 9:402). Lelah Miller commented that the species
had been present in small numbers since 1945. The first demonstration of
breeding beyond finding dependent(?) juveniles occurred in April 1960 when
birds were seen gathering nesting material on Inverness Ridge, Marin County
(Shuford 1993). In Jun 1974 adults were found feeding young in Lincoln Park,
San Francisco County (AB 28:946). Nesting was confirmed in Santa Cruz County
in 1988 (AB 42:480) and in San Mateo County in 1989 (AB 43:1366).
It has been said, succinctly, that the absence of evidence is not
evidence of absence. Thus, have all these species been in the Santa Cruz
Mountains all these years, but just in small numbers that have been
overlooked? Surely, the Marbled Murrelet fits this category, but what of
Red-breasted Sapsucker and the generally noisy Pileated Woodpecker? Are there
people on the Peninsula Birds or the South Bay Birds lists that have lived or
actively birded in any of the areas where these birds are breeding now whose
records include a reasonable span of time and would like to comment?
Bill
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 06 11:48:14 2000
Subject: [SBB] Re: Santa Cruz Mountain Species
--------
Bill Bousman wrote:
> Red-breasted Sapsucker. Grinnell and Miller (1944) considered the southern
> edge of this species range to be the middle of Mendocino County. Nesting
> birds were found along the Gualala River at Skaggs Springs Road in Sonoma
> County in 1979 (Burridge 1995) and two were confirmed during Marin County's
> breeding bird atlas (Shuford 1993). The first nesting record for the Santa
> Cruz Mountains occurred in March on 1995 when Bert McKee found them nesting
> near Pescadero (Field Notes 49:306). The next year, David Suddjian found an
> adult feeding fledglings at Big Creek, Santa Cruz County, on 23 Jun 1996
> (50:993). Surprisingly, this year a nestling was found in Vacaville, Sonoma
> County (fide Robin Leong).
and:
> It has been said, succinctly, that the absence of evidence is not
> evidence of absence. Thus, have all these species been in the Santa Cruz
> Mountains all these years, but just in small numbers that have been
> overlooked? Surely, the Marbled Murrelet fits this category, but what of
> Red-breasted Sapsucker and the generally noisy Pileated Woodpecker? Are there
> people on the Peninsula Birds or the South Bay Birds lists that have lived or
> actively birded in any of the areas where these birds are breeding now whose
> records include a reasonable span of time and would like to comment?
There has been two recent records of nesting Sapsuckers along Gazos Creek in
San Mateo County: one in 1997 or 1998 (I don't quite remember which) and one
in 2000. I believe that this area (not far from Bert's initial San Mateo
record) was being well enough covered in the decade prior to those years that
they wouldn't have been missed. The same is probably true for higher-up areas
which David Suddjian has been studying, although he can surely provide a much
more definitive answer.
Al Eisner
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 06 12:45:05 2000
Subject: [SBB] Common Loon, Pacific Loon and Snow Goose at Los Gatos Creek Park
--------
All,
This morning I received a note from Linda (no last name) saying that
yesterday she had seen what she thought was and briefly described as a Common
Loon in the large pond at Los Gatos Creek Park. Thinking many different
thoughts I decided on a quick trip to the park. Shortly after I got there I
found the Pacific Loon and shortly thereafter an adult Snow Goose in with a
flock of 63 Canada Geese. A thorough search of all three of the larger ponds
and the creek (I didn't really expect to a loon in the two smaller ponds or
the creek) failed to yield a COLO. Then just as I was leaving a COLO
surfaced less the 50 feet from me. I subsequently had both loons in one
scope view only to later lose the PALO for several minutes. The COLO was a
nice addition to my county year list. Thanks Linda!
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 12:44 PM, 12/6/00
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 06 13:23:45 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Santa Cruz Mountain Species
--------
A very interesting post, about which I have many thoughts. But, briefly...
Marbled Murrelet: there are records from inland localities in Santa Mateo
County from 1904 and inland localities in Santa Cruz County from 1914 and
1930.
Red-breasted Sapsucker: there are now four confirmed breeding localities in
Santa Cruz County, plus other new ones in southern San Mateo County. One spot
I studied (since 1991) on private land in San Mateo County had no nesting
RBSA for 4-5 years, but a pair has been there most years since. All four
Santa Cruz County breeding localities had no evidence of this species'
presence during coverage in years prior to discovery of nesting.
Pileated Woodpecker: It is worth noting that breeding bird censuses and
winter bird population studies conducted at Big Basin in the late 1950's and
1960's failed to record this species. These occurred in a part of the park
where the species has been continually present since the early 1970's.
Varied Thrush: there are also quite a few other localities now where breeding
has been confirmed since the early 1990's, in both southern San Mateo and
Santa Cruz Counties. Some of these had prior coverage, without nesting VATH,
but others have very little to no historic coverage.
My votes:
MAMU - here "all along"
RBSA - a recent colonist
PIWO - a recent colonist
VATH - a recent colonist
RECR - probably always a sporadic nester, since historic records cover all
seasons and surely suitable nesting conditions would have coincided with
invasions from time to time.
Another species that Bill left out that shows a similar pattern in the S.C.
Mountains region is COMMON MERGANSER... a recent colonist showing a dramatic
expansion
since the late 1980's. Also, COMMON RAVEN, although exhibiting some historic
presence, has taken over the Santa Cruz Mountains region in a whole new way
since the 1970's, and especially in the last 12-15 years.
Then there are those occasional reports of SPOTTED OWLS from recent years,
with no historic evidence of the species presence....
David Suddjian, Capitola
Santa Cruz Bird Club
Bird Records Keeper
email@hidden
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 06 14:19:07 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Common Loon, Pacific Loon and Snow Goose at Los Gatos Creek Park
--------
I'm glad you found that COLO, Bob. Penny and I had found it last Saturday on our weekly visit to those ponds. I was beginning to think that perhaps we had miss-ID'd it... Regretfully, we missed the PALO, but hope to find it in the next few days...
Dusty Bleher
San Jose, Ca.
----- Original Message -----
From: email@hidden
To: email@hidden
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2000 12:45
Subject: [SBB] Common Loon, Pacific Loon and Snow Goose at Los Gatos Creek Park
All,
This morning I received a note from Linda (no last name) saying that
yesterday she had seen what she thought was and briefly described as a Common
Loon in the large pond at Los Gatos Creek Park. Thinking many different
thoughts I decided on a quick trip to the park. Shortly after I got there I
found the Pacific Loon and shortly thereafter an adult Snow Goose in with a
flock of 63 Canada Geese. A thorough search of all three of the larger ponds
and the creek (I didn't really expect to a loon in the two smaller ponds or
the creek) failed to yield a COLO. Then just as I was leaving a COLO
surfaced less the 50 feet from me. I subsequently had both loons in one
scope view only to later lose the PALO for several minutes. The COLO was a
nice addition to my county year list. Thanks Linda!
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 12:44 PM, 12/6/00
--------
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 06 15:20:25 2000
Subject: [SBB] Snow and Ross' Geese
--------
I think someone has already reported these birds, however, it's probably
worth reporting again that this morning 12/6/00 there were a Snow Goose
and a Ross' Goose in a flock of about 200 Canada Geese at Byxbee Park in
Palo Alto. They're both white phase with the Snow Goose not a lot
larger than the Ross'.
Yesterday there were two pairs of Hooded Mergansers at the golf course
pond at Geng Rd. in Palo Alto.
Rosalie Lefkowitz
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 06 18:09:29 2000
Subject: [SBB] Salt Pond A9
--------
All,
This afternoon 12/6/00, I again helped out on the "low tide" SFBBO
survey of Salt Pond A9. No huge surprises, but a few nice birds.
NORTHERN SHOVELER numbers were down compared to last month (only
2180), while a couple thousand NORTHERN PINTAILS represented a
substantial increase for that species. Rare ducks included a pair of
BLUE-WINGED TEAL and two adult male EURASIAN WIGEONS. A single
immature BROWN PELICAN lingered with the AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN flock
on the A9/A10 dike. Two PEREGRINE FALCONS were foraging out over the
ponds and an AMERICAN BITTERN flushed to the marsh opposite pond A11
on the way out. Also of interest were two CLAPPER RAILS heard north
of the northeast corner of pond A9.
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 06 18:57:29 2000
Subject: [SBB] Cooper's Hawk Hunting Styles
--------
All,
Some years ago I saw a Cooper's Hawk fly into a bottlebrush shrub, which
was full of frightened ( I surmised) House Sparrows. The hawk peered
into the shrub and deftly extended a talon into the shrub and plucked
out a hapless sparrow! The accipiter then flew off with his prize!
Screech.
--
Paul L. Noble
"Screechowl"
email@hidden
^ ^
@ @
( v )
( )
/ \
m m
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From email@hidden Thu Dec 07 06:54:30 2000
Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto CBC counters wanted
--------
Help is needed counting birds in Menlo Park, Atherton, and parts of
Redwood City Monday, December 18. This is Region 3 of the Palo
Alto CBC. If you live or work in or near this area, this would be a
fun, easy way to take part in the count -- from one to a few hours
would make a difference. Please call or e-mail me if you can help.
Thanks, Marti Oetzel (650) 854-2385, email@hidden
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From email@hidden Thu Dec 07 18:57:56 2000
Subject: [SBB] White-headed RUDDY DUCK and white-and-black AMERICAN COOT
--------
Hi all!
It's been another great week out on the salt ponds and we've still got tomorrow to go. Along with the birds mentioned by Mike Rogers, Sue Macias and I saw the white-headed RUDDY DUCK during yesterday morning's high tide survey at pond A9. We had time for a better look at it (compared to two weeks ago) and saw that the head was entirely white except for some black just over the bill and a few black feather tips on either side of the head where the normal black on the head would be ending.
At pond A4 over in Sunnyvale this morning we saw an unusual AMERICAN COOT just north of the second set of pilings (from the north) on the Guadalupe Slough side of the pond. It had an all-white back, white wings with black tips, an all-white head except for a black triangle at the eye and a white rump streaked black. There were also RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, a pair of EURASIAN WIGEON, several AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS and one BROWN PELICAN. The strange AMERICAN COOT wasn't there for the low-tide survey this evening, but may have been in the slough (as other coots were).
Midafternoon today, pond A16 by the Alviso EEC had a PEREGRINE FALCON perched on a post in the north end. A RING-NECKED PHEASANT was in the brush on the right on the road in toward the EEC.
Cheryl Millett
Biologist
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
PO Box 247
1290 Hope Street
Alviso, CA 95002
phone 408/946-6548
fax 408/946-9279
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From email@hidden Thu Dec 07 19:32:35 2000
Subject: [SBB] RE: Oka Ponds/Los Gatos Creek Park
--------
Good Evening All,
Today I ran back to Oka Ponds/Los Gatos Creek Park today to check on the
Loons. Both the Pacific and the Common where in the same large pond. The
Common Goldeneye where also there. Must be lots of fish in the large pond,
the Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons and the Double-crested
Cormorants where lined up by the edge of the large pond having a great time
feeding. The Gulls have doubled in numbers! The four (4) Common Snipe where
still there, with the Northern Shovelers in the creek.
If you go to the Oka side, first pond by the Euc tree, there are six pairs of
Hooded Mergansers, along with Buffleheads, American Widgeons, Ruddy Ducks,
Gadwalls and the resident Green Heron.
Wishing you a great birding weekend.
My best regards,
Linda Sullivan
Saratoga CA
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From email@hidden Fri Dec 08 06:40:12 2000
Subject: [SBB] Calero Reservoir
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
Yesterday morning (Thurs.) as I drove by Calero Reservoir I saw a buteo
hovering /flapping near the boat launch. Overall it was whitish, showing a
white tail with broad black terminal band and large white wing patches.
Based on flight style and what little I saw I am pretty sure it was a
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, but by the time I was able to turn around and go back it
was gone. Other birds there in the afternoon included 8 AMERICAN WHITE
PELICANS and a very late (for Calero) lingering FORSTER'S TERN--
John Mariani
email@hidden
www.birdswest.com
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From email@hidden Fri Dec 08 15:56:13 2000
Subject: [SBB] Blue-winged Teal "flock"
--------
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I saw 18 Blue-winged Teal in the Palo Alto
Flood Control Basin. Sixteen in the northeast corner of North Pond included
four females and one partial eclipse male. Another partial eclipse male and
an adult male were in the pond northeast of the area where the path (that
runs on the east side of North Pond) is blocked by water. I'm not sure if
this constitutes a flock but it is the most BWTE that I have seen at any one
time in California.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 12/8/00
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From email@hidden Sat Dec 09 03:33:36 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I visited the Los Gatos Creek Percolation Ponds this morning, 9 Dec 00. I
easily found the immature PACIFIC LOON on the big pond. It was diving
repeatedly, providing little time between dives for viewing. There was also
a pair of HOODED MERGANSERS on this pond.
The southernmost pond had 3 HOODED MERGANSERS (2 males, 1 female), the creek
itself had a female HOODED, and the Oka ponds had 8 more HOODED MERGANSERS
(5 males, 3 females). There were also 2 GREEN HERONS at the Oka ponds.
On the way back I checked the big pond again and, as if by magic, the COMMON
LOON had joined the PACIFIC and was foraging in the middle of the pond. I
don't know where it was hiding previously.
The gulls that were present included numbers of MEW, RING-BILLED,
CALIFORNIA, HERRING, and a single adult THAYER'S.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Sat Dec 09 05:29:34 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
Along the Guadalupe River today, 9 Dec 00, I found the HARLAN'S HAWK where
Trimble Rd crosses. I believe that this is the fifth straight winter for
this bird.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Sat Dec 09 10:53:30 2000
Subject: [SBB] Great Blue Heron and Coyote
--------
The Great Blue Heron was not seen at Guadalupe Oak
Grove Park yesterday. Could it be that the "good
sized", now resident Coyote has scared it away? I
suspect that the coyote may have had to find new
territory due to the sizeable area near Almaden Lake
that is being turned into a golf course. We are also
seeing fewer ground squirrels in the park. No sign of
the Red Tailed and Red Shouldered Hawks. The Kestral
can still be seen occasionally.
Barbara Harkleroad
Almaden Area
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From email@hidden Sun Dec 10 16:14:37 2000
Subject: [SBB] Ed Levin 12/10/00
--------
All,
Raptors were well-represented here today, with Red-tailed Hawk, Northern
Harrier, American Kestrel, Cooper's Hawk, White-tailed Kite, and Merlin.
Also seen: Yellow-billed Magpie, Say's Phoebe, Golden-crowned and
Rufous-crowned Sparrows, and a pair of male Lesser Scaup in Sandy Wool Lake.
Michael Wienholt
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 11 02:27:17 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
As Ann mentioned, I ran into her at Calero Reservoir on Saturday afternoon,
9 Dec 00. I had seen an adult BALD EAGLE perched near the more southerly dam
on the reservoir. I guess that Ann missed it - I didn't see it later after
talking to her.
I saw the SNOW GOOSE that Ann had seen, but there were 4 "minima" CANADA
GEESE, rather than the 2 that Ann reported.
I saw a GOLDEN EAGLE over Bailey Rd in Coyote Valley.
A friend of mine, Mark Nass, reports 3 or 4 PINE SISKIN at his feeder.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 11 08:16:50 2000
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
This morning, 12/11/2000, I saw a female HOODED MERGANSER on Shoreline
Lake near the boathouse. The 12 BLACK SKIMMERS on Charleston Slough
continuously circled their favored island.
I neglected to mention that last Thursday, 12/7/2000, I saw a
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW along the path next to Adobe Creek that was one of
those 'cistic's that I can neither spell nor pronounce. The bird was an
overall gray tan with no apparent darker pigments. Whereas an adjacent
Golden-crown showed an intense black-and-tan pattern on its back, this
sparrow's back was uniformly colored. This was quite striking in flight as
the wings, wing coverts, and tail were all the same tan-gray (not unlike the
impression given by an immature cowbird in flight). I could also
see the head pattern and there was gold on the forecrown, suggestive of a
first-winter bird. I did not see the throat, breast, or underparts.
Bill
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 11 09:39:43 2000
Subject: [SBB] Spizella at Shoreline
--------
Among a flock of white- and golden-crowned sparrows at Shoreline Lake
Sunday (12/10) was a smaller, paler sparrow with a plain breast and a
brown ear patch that lacked a distinct black border. A good look from
the front showed a pinkish bill, fine dark streaking in the crown, an
indistict malar stripe, and a small amount of brown on the sides of
the breast.
My guess is that this was a brewer's sparrow, but I'm not sure I can
rule out chipping sparrow.
I glimpsed a similar bird in the same general area a month ago, so I
suppose this to be a long-term visitant.
To find this bird go to the Shoreline Park entrance at the east end of
Terminal Way (via San Antonio Rd) and take the paved path along the right
side of the lake past the "pull-out" where the lake can be viewed. After
this the path goes south of the golf course, which is between the path and
the lake. Look for a good sized flock of zonotrichs any where in the next
200 yards and look carefully through them. I suggest you come with plenty
of time, patience, a good working knowledge of spizella ids, and whatever
luck you can bring.
- Dick
Richard Stovel email@hidden
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 11 09:59:13 2000
Subject: [SBB] Calero Reservoir
--------
Hello All,
Here is a report of birds seen (and not seen) at Calero Reservoir on
Saturday, Dec 9.
One the mudflats at the eastern end, two 'MINIMA" CANADA GEESE and one SNOW
GOOSE were with the large Canada Goose flock. Over twenty AMERICAN WHITE
PELICANS were also present. I did not see the male Eurasian Wigeon this
time (doesn't mean it wasn't there, but I just didn't see it - a number of
ducks were flying hither and yon at the time).
Over thirty TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS were with a large mixed blackbird flock in
the horse pasture.
An finally I met Mike Mammoser as I was heading out and he reported a BALD
EAGLE in a tree near McKean Rd. He may want to fill in details and add
anything else that I didn't see.
Ann
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 11 15:40:47 2000
Subject: [SBB] Pipits, Pheasant and a leucistic Robin
--------
James Gilroy and I did some brief birding on a trip up to some SFO as its
back to blighty for Xmas for James
We looked for Longspurs in the ploughed fields just N of Pigeon Point on
Highway 1. No Longspurs though a good sized flock of AMERICAN PIPITS was
found.
Next stop was Crystal Springs reservoir - we parked up by the 92/280
interchange (the road alongside the reservoir was closed to cars - bicycles
only on Sunday). As we walked around the path James pointed out a bird to
me - I immediately said White Tailed Kite - "Look again, size deception"
This time I used the binoculars and found a leucistic American Robin. The
bird was not all white - it did have a similar look to the kite plumage. It
had a slightly pink breast - altogether quite a surprising and beautiful
bird.
I birded Shoreline Lake on the way back from SFO, hoping to find the Barrows
Goldeneyes that had been reported recently. Found plenty of COMMON
GOLDENEYE, but no Barrows. Walking back from the lake I did spot a RING
NECKED PHEASANT in the marsh on the Charleston Slough side of the path
Andy Stone
SQA Engineer
PUMATECH, Inc.
voicemail 831-420-0170 x217
Coming Soon:
www.intellisync.com < http://www.intellisync.com/>
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 11 19:04:03 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] -
--------
"Leucistic" is one of those 'istics' and I remembered another that Steve
Rottenborn graced us with, schizochroistic... bipolar color morph?
Les Chibana
On Monday, December 11, 2000, email@hidden wrote:
>Folks:
>
> This morning, 12/11/2000, I saw a female HOODED MERGANSER on Shoreline
>Lake near the boathouse. The 12 BLACK SKIMMERS on Charleston Slough
>continuously circled their favored island.
>
> I neglected to mention that last Thursday, 12/7/2000, I saw a
>GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW along the path next to Adobe Creek that was one of
>those 'cistic's that I can neither spell nor pronounce. The bird was an
>overall gray tan with no apparent darker pigments. Whereas an adjacent
>Golden-crown showed an intense black-and-tan pattern on its back, this
>sparrow's back was uniformly colored. This was quite striking in flight as
>the wings, wing coverts, and tail were all the same tan-gray (not unlike the
>impression given by an immature cowbird in flight). I could also
>see the head pattern and there was gold on the forecrown, suggestive of a
>first-winter bird. I did not see the throat, breast, or
>underparts.
>
> Bill
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 11 20:39:00 2000
Subject: [SBB] Lake Cunningham
--------
I checked the lake this afternoon. The LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was in the usual place south of the island. There was an immature white SNOW GOOSE with the domestic and CANADA geese on the south end of the lake, and a SAY'S PHOEBE popped up as I exited onto Tully Road.
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 11 20:39:00 2000
Subject: [SBB] Lake Cunningham
--------
I checked the lake this afternoon. The LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was in the usual place south of the island. There was an immature white SNOW GOOSE with the domestic and CANADA geese on the south end of the lake, and a SAY'S PHOEBE popped up as I exited onto Tully Road.
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 11 23:34:14 2000
Subject: [SBB] Common Loon at Calero Reservoir, Calero-Morgan Hill CBC
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
In addition to all the birds previously reported by Mike Mammoser and
Ann Verdi, Jim Danzenbaker reports that a COMMON LOON was seen at Calero
Reservoir on Sat., Dec 30th.
Last winter Coyote Ridge produced some of the most interesting finds of
the Calero-Morgan Hill CBC--Bald Eagle and Mountain Bluebird were among the
goodies. Along Coyote Ridge, which is just east of Coyote Valley, there is
heavily grazed pastureland very similar to that along Sierra Road where
longspurs have been found. This habitat type is more extensive upon Coyote
Ridge, and scouting has shown the area to be full of Horned Larks and
American Pipits. With searching I think it likely that longspurs could be
found. We do have a party covering this area on the upcoming CBC, but they
could use some help, especially from birders who have experience with
longspurs and other grassland species. This is an opportunity to search for
rarities and explore an area to which there is no regular access. If you are
interested in birding Coyote Ridge on the count please contact me at
email@hidden
John Mariani
email@hidden
www.birdswest.com
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 11 23:34:14 2000
Subject: [SBB] Common Loon at Calero Reservoir, Calero-Morgan Hill CBC
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
In addition to all the birds previously reported by Mike Mammoser and
Ann Verdi, Jim Danzenbaker reports that a COMMON LOON was seen at Calero
Reservoir on Sat., Dec 30th.
Last winter Coyote Ridge produced some of the most interesting finds of
the Calero-Morgan Hill CBC--Bald Eagle and Mountain Bluebird were among the
goodies. Along Coyote Ridge, which is just east of Coyote Valley, there is
heavily grazed pastureland very similar to that along Sierra Road where
longspurs have been found. This habitat type is more extensive upon Coyote
Ridge, and scouting has shown the area to be full of Horned Larks and
American Pipits. With searching I think it likely that longspurs could be
found. We do have a party covering this area on the upcoming CBC, but they
could use some help, especially from birders who have experience with
longspurs and other grassland species. This is an opportunity to search for
rarities and explore an area to which there is no regular access. If you are
interested in birding Coyote Ridge on the count please contact me at
email@hidden
John Mariani
email@hidden
www.birdswest.com
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 12 07:00:19 2000
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
Last evening, 12/11/2000, there was a single GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
in a flock of 100-300 CANADA GEESE grazing at Shoreline just before the rain
started. I suspect that this flock include birds from the north edge of the
FCB, where a Greater White-front has been seen this year. Keep your eyes out
for large flocks of Canadas--there's goodies out there.
Bill
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 12 10:14:17 2000
Subject: [SBB] Spizella Stovell
--------
I saw Dick's spizella sparrow this morning on the SW side of Shoreline
Lake, in the location he described: along the paved service road south of
where the road veers from the Lake. It was with a flock of about 2 dozen
White-Crowneds, although it sometimes behaved a bit independently. I had
at least 3 minutes of good scope views at distances as close as 15-20 yards
at about 10:00. Before that, I had had only one distant look, without a
clear ID; i.e., the bird didn't always come out with the White-Crowns; but
when I finally had my good looks (after nearly an hour) it was about the
closest bird. Unfortunately, there's occasional traffic from Park vehicles.
I'd say it is a Clay-Colored, although one feature gives me pause.
First, spizellaness: smaller than the White-Crowns, with a proportionately
longer tail; brown, with a clear gray nape. The lores were pale, and the
facial pattern was dominated by the triangular auricular patch rather than by
an eye line. That pattern appeared more contrasty than I'd expect for a
Brewer's: prominent slightly buffy supercilium (especially behind the eye);
well auricular patch, with darker still markings around the rear corner.
The dark malar line also contrasted well with the pale sub-moustachial
region, although the malar wasn't particularly sharp (i.e., slightly blurry).
The underparts were mainly white, with some buffy across the breast (precise
pattern not noted). In short, the bird was moderately bright, and well within
the range of Clay-Colored; I'm not sure Brewer's would approach this. HOWEVER:
the crown was finely streaked with a slightly paler central stripe; however,
that stripe was not prominent and not white.
I had hoped to get another look, both to see if it might reveal something
different on the crown if it spread its feathers (I have no reason to suspect
that, however), and to study the bill -- I did NOT have an impression of a
really tiny bill, but that's not a solid ID point. So: I'll be interested in
what others have to say. It seems like the bird is staying, at least for now!
A quick scan of the Lake didn't turn up many Goldeneyes (and no Barrow's);
a few dozen Egrets were feeding, with Cormorants and about 12 Bonaparte's
Gulls active in the same region. Unfortunately, I got squeezed between the
earlier rain and a later commitment (which I'm already slightly late for),
so I didn't have a chance to really check out the Lake or surrounding areas.
Cheers, Al
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 12 11:19:15 2000
Subject: [SBB] Fwd: [SFBirds] finding ST Sparrows?
--------
If anyone wants to help Jay out with his query, please reply to his address
and not to SBB, as he will not see an SBB posting.
Les
--
Les Chibana
List Bureaucrat
South-Bay-Birds List
email@hidden
--------------------------------------
Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2000
From: Jay Withgott
Dear birders --
I'll be birding at the Palo Alto Baylands & vic. tomorrow (Wed.), and
wonder if anyone can give me advice on finding Sharp-tailed Sparrows
there. (i.e., are there particular locations, particular tides or times
of day, etc., that are best? And just how many are thought to be there
in winter?)
Also, any advice on Black Rail and Short-eared Owl would be welcome.
Please reply to: email@hidden. Many thanks,
Jay Withgott
San Francisco
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 12 14:21:43 2000
Subject: [SBB] CCSP, WFGO, BRPE
--------
All,
Today 12/12/00 at noon, I headed to the Palo Alto Baylands for the
high tide . On the way I stopped quickly at Shoreline Park and had
great looks at the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. The bird was with SAVANNAH
SPARROWS and CROWNED SPARROWS by a metal utility box on the east side
of the path about 100 yards south of where it bends away from the
southwest corner of Shoreline Lake. The bird's median crown stripe is
narrow, but it is there and the warm gray neck collar, lack of an eye
ring and warm buff in the wing do not fit Brewer's Sparrow. The
unmarked lores and tan rump eliminate Chipping Sparrow. Also nearby
were a large CEDAR WAXWING flock and a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER.
On the way out I refound Bill's GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE in with a
flock of CANADA GEESE on the hill above the northwest corner of the
lake. The bird is an immature with no barring below, but a fairly
well developed "white front".
The "high" tide at the Baylands was not so high, barely reaching into
the lower letter "C" on the post at the corner. Consequently the most
interesting birds I saw were two BROWN PELICANS (1 adult and 1
immature).
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 12 15:39:34 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] CCSP, WFGO, BRPE
--------
Mike:
> Today 12/12/00 at noon, I headed to the Palo Alto Baylands for the
> high tide . On the way I stopped quickly at Shoreline Park and had
> great looks at the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. The bird was with SAVANNAH
> SPARROWS and CROWNED SPARROWS by a metal utility box on the east side
> of the path about 100 yards south of where it bends away from the
> southwest corner of Shoreline Lake. The bird's median crown stripe is
> narrow, but it is there and the warm gray neck collar, lack of an eye
> ring and warm buff in the wing do not fit Brewer's Sparrow. The
> unmarked lores and tan rump eliminate Chipping Sparrow.
I forgot to mention the lack of an eyering in my earlier report. I'd taken
a look at Sibley at home this morning - he indicates Brewer's CAN have a pale
median crown stripe, which is why I raised that point.
Did you in fact see a white stripe? (As I noted, the narrow stripe I saw
didn't appear white, but the bird could have been concealing it.) Not that
I have any doubt about the ID, especially after your comments.
Al
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 12 16:13:29 2000
Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto CBC -- Help Needed in Menlo Park
--------
I'm still looking for two people to go out together to count in Menlo
Park on Monday, December 18. Please contact me if you can give
an hour or two to count birds in the area bordered by Marsh, Bay,
Willow, and Middlefield Roads -- the seminary, Flood Park, and the
lush residential neighborhood just north of M-A High School, and
the creek. Interesting birds are known to pop up there.
Phone 650-854-2385, or e-mail email@hidden.
Thanks!
Marti Oetzel
----------------
George Oetzel
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 12 17:43:27 2000
Subject: [SBB] Correction
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
A correction - the date of Jim Danzenbaker's Common Loon sighting was
not Dec. 30th (which would involve some real clairvoyance) but Sat., Dec.
9th.
Just visited Calero Reservoir. The water level has fallen further.
Unfortunately there was some guy at the east end of the reservoir running
his dog off leash, and I arrived just in time to see over 1000 waterfowl
flush and disappear. There was still a flock of AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS out
in the middle of the reservoir. If you see (or have seen) similar incidents
involving off-leash dogs in the county parks I would encourage you to call
Santa Clara County Park Dept. (Administration: 408-358-3245). Maybe the
rangers will actually start to issue citations if more people report
incidents that clearly effect wildlife.
John Mariani
email@hidden
www.birdswest.com
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 12 23:34:50 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] TRKI
--------
Birders:
Hi there, just back from a trip to Belize where I got to see many
Tropical and Couch's Kingbirds, often side by side, so it was interest that
I caught up on the notes posted on the San Francisquito kingbird. Several
folks noted the bill shape, or tail shape as important ID features. Also
the primary spacing was noted at least on one occasion. From my experience
this is a horrendously tough ID and non-calling birds are not safely
identifiable in many cases. The bill shape is a good pointer, but by no
means diagnostic. Tail shape has no value at all. Perhaps the best feature
is primary spacing, but this is still being figured out. My observations
(Belize, Bolivia and Argentina) of Tropical Kingbirds is that the outer
three primaries (usually only two tips visible) are very close together,
then there is a gap (between P8 and P7) that is noticeably greater. I have
not had really good looks at Couch's to figure out the primary spacing, but
apparently the gaps between P9, P8 and P7 are more equivalent in magnitude.
Kingbirds have 10 primaries, with the outermost being P10. However, this
varies depending on age and maybe even sex so more observations are needed.
The only truly reliable way to know which species on is dealing with,
particularly in a vagrant individual, is through vocalizations. If this
bird was never heard, I don't know that one can identify the bird with any
known degree of confidence. Having said all that mumbo jumbo, I bet it is a
Tropical - the odds are overwhelmingly in its favour. Just my 2 cents.
cheers,
Al
Alvaro Jaramillo
Biologist
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
P.O. Box 247
Alviso, CA 95002
(408)-946-6548
http://www.sfbbo.org/
Home of the California Fall Challenge!!
email@hidden
Birds of Chile and
New World Blackbirds at : http://www.sirius.com/~alvaro
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 13 06:35:50 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
Today, 13 Dec 00, I searched for the Clay-colored Sparrow at Shoreline,
without success. I think I found the flock of sparrows that Bill had this
morning, because it was in the same location. Just no luck with this
particular sparrow.
While searching, however, I did have a FERRUGINOUS HAWK soar overhead and
then head out over the golf course. I don't recall seeing any reddish
leggings, so it might have been an immature. There was a small form CANADA
GOOSE with the flock on the golf course. It had a thick black chin strap and
a somewhat flat head, but no white neck ring, in spite of the fact that it
looked to be adult. So, I'm not sure what race it might be. Also, the female
HOODED MERGANSER was still on Shoreline Lake.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 13 07:33:16 2000
Subject: [SBB] Rufous-capped Warbler
--------
Folks:
If your interest in birds extends beyond just ticking off a new bird on
a list, then your first step should be to subscribe to North American Birds,
which provides quarterly reports on the most significant avian changes across
all of North America. And, if you are a subscriber, then you may very well
have received your winter season issue in the mail yesterday and seen a lovely
color photo of a RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER, taken last February by Mike Rogers in
Arizona's French Joe Canyon. Congratulations, Mike!
This photo is also on Joe Morlan's web site as well
, although I couldn't connect to it when I
tried a few minutes ago. If this address is incorrect, I'm sure Joe will tell
us.
Bill
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 13 09:27:40 2000
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
Bob Reiling and Frank Vanslager were looking for Dick Stovel's
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, when I arrived at 8:45 am this morning, 12/13/2000, at
Shoreline Park. Immediately after, John and Maria Meyer joined the group and
the five pairs of eyes were immensely valuable. For the next 35 minutes we
pursued the Zonotrichia flock between the second and third pullouts after the
closed park road leaves Shoreline Lake at the first pullout. The Zono flock
often foraged on the down side of shrubbery west of the park road and we
followed the flock, mostly White-crowned Sparrows (20-30), with a few
Golden-crowns, we once followed it over to the flagged-off Intuit building.
We found the Clay-colored fairly soon in this pursuit, but had difficulty
getting either close views or scope views as the flock moved frequently. The
Clay-colored was significantly smaller than the White-crowned Sparrows, which
made it easier to follow. About 9:10 am, the Clay-colored abandoned the Zono
flock and returned to the road and started foraging in the third pullout by
itself. At this point we all got good views of this somewhat pale
Clay-colored. A pale or white median stripe was noticeable in head-on views,
the loral area was a pale tan, the same as for most of the facial feathers and
supercilium, a very pure gray nape extended to the shoulder and was noticeably
broad, and there was some buff at the side of the breast at the shoulder.
Bill
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 13 09:50:21 2000
Subject: [SBB] Goose's Guardian
--------
Back in 1982, while taking a course at Moss Landing in Marine Birds and
Mammals, I birded Ano Nuevo. Not far south of the cave swallow colony, I
came up from the beach and saw a small white goose near a female elephant
seal. As I approached to about fifteen feet of the animal, the goose
retreated to within about two feet of the seal's head and then gave me
the impression that she felt quite secure. It intrigued me that this
goose was probably living with the huge animal and was using the seal as
a guardian angel. I never did get a good enough look at the bill to
determine whether it was a Ross or a Snow. Also, I can't imagine what
benefit the seal derived from this menage a deux.
Lee Lovelady. EEC Volunteer Naturalist.
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 13 12:35:41 2000
Subject: [SBB] Great Blue Heron
--------
I saw, once again, the Great Blue Heron today at the
Guadalupe Oak Grove Park. I hadn't been there for a
few days, so perhaps I just missed finding it the last
time. Now there are two very visible coyotes in the
park.
Barbara Harkleroad
Almaden Area
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 13 15:22:28 2000
Subject: [SBB] "My Farm"
--------
Working 100 hour weeks on my retail web sites, takes its toll on birding. I took a stress-relief break this morning and walked to "my farm." Very birdy. I had 27 species in 30 minutes. 4 CALIFORNIA THRASHERS, 2 HERMIT THRUSHES and a TOWNSEND's WARBLER were my best birds.
Yesterday I had a PINE SISKEN at my feeder in the backyard, my first of the winter. 90% of my thistle eaters are AMERICAN GOLDFINCH these days.
Thank you, birds, for making today more enjoyable!
Gloria LeBlanc
www.wallstreetgifts.com
"largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts"
www.cowscowscows.com
"site for the Chicago and NYC cows"
www.lgsia.com
"money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios"
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 13 19:35:31 2000
Subject: [SBB] Santa Clara Co. Bird List 2000
--------
Bill Bousman Wrote:
The total county list reached 287 in November. The new species were
Rough-legged Hawk (4 Nov, John Mariani), Tundra Swan (7 Nov, Chris Illes),
Summer Tanager (8 Nov, Harriet Gerson, Lou Beaudet), and Tropical Kingbird
(26 Nov, Dick Stovel).
There is only one "4" left to see, White-winged Scoter, and this is
probably misclassified--it should probably be a "5". There are only 11 "5's"
left, but some, such as Gray and Dusky Flycatcher are most unlikely.
But Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow and Evening Grosbeak are excellent December
possibilities. However, December even with all the CBC activity usually
doesn't bring in more than two or three new species. So, 290 is my rough
estimate for the year, but don't let me discourage the active birders!
The full statistics can be found on:
South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU)
http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/
Kendric
-----------------------------------------
Kendric C. Smith, Ph.D.
927 Mears Court
Stanford, CA 94305-1041
(650) 493-7210 (voice or fax)
email@hidden
http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/
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From email@hidden Thu Dec 14 06:34:17 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I stopped by Shoreline again at lunch time yoday, 14 Dec 00. Not much in the
way of sparrows, but I had a nice adult male MERLIN perched in the top of a
tree next to Shoreline Lake. I was able to get scope-filling views from as
close as 50 feet. A very cooperative bird. A male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was on
the lake and the 12 BLACK SKIMMERS continue at Charleston Slough.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Thu Dec 14 15:09:42 2000
Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto
--------
From Byxbee Park this afternoon, I saw a Greater White-Fronted Goose with
a flock of about 3 dozen Canada's feeding near the north end of the Flood
Control Basin. It had a moderately extensive "white front", but little
barring below. The bird was often entirely invisible in the vegetation,
and I only got brief look at the underparts. While I saw a couple of other
groups of Canada's, i didn't pick out any small ones or any white geese.
There was an adult Peregrine Falcon on a tower by the Bay. While I thought
the cloudy weather might bring out an early owl, I hadn't spotted any by the
time I had to leave about 3.
In a brief stop at the end of Geng Road, I quickly found a young male
Bullock's Oriole. It was moving between a nicely flowering Euc at the end
of the parking area and a tall dense Euc nearby on the golf course, and was
occasionally vocal. I didn't have the time to see if there were any others.
Hopefully whoever is covering this area on the CBC will be aware of the
Oriole(s) here; I think there's a very good chance the flowers will continue
to hold it here. Also present: at least 2 dozen Waxwings, and 5 Hooded
Mergansers (2M, 3F) at the golf course pond.
Cheers, Al
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From email@hidden Thu Dec 14 19:11:57 2000
Subject: [SBB] Earthquake Jolt
--------
Hi, Birders,
The tectonic plate on which I am riding gave one hard jolt at 10:59 this
morning. Was anyone birding then and, if so, how did it affect the
birds? Has anyone ever observed birds during an earthquake?
Lee Lovelady, EEC Volunteer Naturalist.
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From email@hidden Fri Dec 15 12:50:28 2000
Subject: [SBB] Sandhill Crane in Saratoga
--------
Folks:
I received a message from Jim Stallman about Sandhill Crane in Saratoga
today:
"Saratoga Creek @ Crestbrook Drive 7:30AM Friday, December 15th, 2000.
Photographed. Contact Jim Stallman @ 408/867-9797."
I asked if I could post his sighting:
"Yes, you may post the sighting. The person at Audubon Society Santa Clara
County office said that the Sandhill Crane would normally only be found out
in the Central Valley. The bird preferred to stroll but did do some hops to
cross obstructions like a 5 foot gate along the way. It spread its wings
once, perhaps just stretching, so I could see its full beauty. The bird was
quite a healthy specimen.
It was found on a maintenance road along the upper bank of Saratoga Creek in
a Oak tree wooded area. It went out to the cross street and across over
into the back yard of the next house upstream along the creek which had a
heritage Creek Sycamore canopy and lush landscaping."
Bill
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From email@hidden Fri Dec 15 17:08:02 2000
Subject: [SBB] Bald Eagle at Calero Reservoir
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
This afternoon at about 4:30pm there was an adult BALD EAGLE perched atop an
oak on the west (dam) side of Calero Reservoir. Also, at the east end of the
reservoir there were 3 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS. Waterfowl were unusually low
in numbers--but then dogs were again being run along the shore at the east
end where the waterfowl are normally concentrated. If you visit the park and
see dogs running off-leash or vehicles being driven off-road please inform
the rangers, they do seem to care about the wildlife, and with encouragement
they make take steps to curtail violations--
John Mariani
email@hidden
www.birdswest.com
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From email@hidden Sat Dec 16 13:06:57 2000
Subject: [SBB] CBC scouting
--------
All,
This morning 12/16/00, Mike Mammoser and I took advantage of our
recently obtained Cargill Salt permits to scout the salt ponds north
of Moffett Field for the Palo Alto CBC. There weren't many surprises
out there, but several BROWN PELICANS are lingering for the count. We
had 6 on Salt Pond A2W and at least two others at Salt Pond A3N. Tens
of thousands of shorebirds were on the bay, but no scaup flock (low
tide). The duck flock on the big pond at the Sunnyvale Water
Pollution Control Plant had thousands of CANVASBACKS and NORTHERN
SHOVELERS, but the only unusual duck we could find was an immature
male RING-NECKED DUCK. At least 8 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were on
Salt Pond A3W to the west. The channel north of the Moffett Golf
Course had a BELTED KINGFISHER and a GREEN HERON, the latter sometimes
hard to find on the CBC. An immature PEREGRINE FALCON was hunting
from the towers at the Sunnyvale WPCP and Mike had a MERLIN over
Moffett Field.
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Sat Dec 16 17:17:02 2000
Subject: [SBB] Oka Pond Hooded Mergansers
--------
South Bay Birders:
Two pair of Hooded Mergansers were still present at the southern-most of
the Oka Ponds in Campbell today.
--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, Alameda County
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From email@hidden Sat Dec 16 23:49:28 2000
Subject: [SBB] Out of Area (Turkey Birding Trip)
--------
Hi Birders,
Sharon and I took advantage of the fact that our daughter was flying to
Turkey to spend a month visiting her boyfriend in October. She wanted to see
if a young American woman could possibly live in Turkey after spending her
first 27 years in California. We decided to go over before she did, bird for
a couple of weeks, then meet up with them for another week.
It was the fall there, and according to all reports I had read, it was not
the best birding season. Nevertheless, we saw just under a hundred new life
birds while we were there (I was hoping for 60). We had some great
adventures, and if you want to read about them, you can go to
http://www.24birds.net/Turkey2000/turkey2000_frontpage.html
We learned many new things about life in Turkey, but mostly we learned that
it is a very enjoyable and American-friendly country. And as everywhere else
we've been in our travels, the birds were fantastic.
Have fun.
Bob
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 18 13:43:26 2000
Subject: [SBB] Alviso Birds
--------
Hello All:
I spent an hour behind the cannery (SFBBO) in Alviso this morning (0800 to
0900) in remote hopes of seeing a wagtail, but to no avail. There was an
OSPREY here. On returning to work, I found a flock of geese on Zanker Rd.
just north of 237. It had 195 CANADA GEESE and 15 ROSS' GEESE.
Steve Miller
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 18 18:11:15 2000
Subject: [SBB] [Fwd: [SFBirds] CBC Info]
--------
--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, Alameda County
--------
Message
--------
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] CBC Info
--------
My friend David McIntyre found and identified an adult male Black-backed
Wagtail on private property (Cargill Ponds) in Alviso during yesterday's
(12/17) San Jose CBC. He located Mike Rogers (birding elsewhere in Alviso
during the CBC) who confirmed the ID and photographed the bird.
David had a 2-day permit to enter the Cargill Ponds property and this
afternoon I was lucky enough to return with him and relocate the wagtail.
We had great views of this stunning bird as it actively dashed about, flew,
and called.
Perhaps someone on the SouthBayBirds [sp.?] listserv will be arranging
additional access; you may want to check in with your contacts down that
way.
[I don't know the other results of the San Jose CBC.]
Paul Saraceni
email@hidden
-----Original Message-----
From: email@hidden
To: email@hidden
Date: Sunday, December 17, 2000 5:00 PM
Subject: [SFBirds] CBC Info
>Hi All,
> I am sure that Mark will allow this slight detour from the normal
"mission"
>of SFbirds but with the Birdbox down would anybody who may have done the
>weekends CBC's please give a brief summary of the highlights, numbers etc.
>Thanks,
>Hugh
>
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 18 19:46:34 2000
Subject: [SBB] Black-backed wagtail
--------
I'd greatly appreciate if someone could email me the directions to Cargill
ponds, as well as the procedure to obtain permission for access. Will there
be a group w/permit going to look for the BB wagtail anytime this week?
Thank you
cagan
Cagan H. Sekercioglu
Stanford University Center for Conservation Biology
Department of Biological Sciences 371 Serra Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-5020
http://jasper1.stanford.edu/~cagan/main.htm
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From email@hidden Mon Dec 18 20:40:16 2000
Subject: [SBB] San Jose/Crystal Springs Xmas Count Rarities
--------
Dear Friends:
I spent the past weekend tallying up the birdies on two of our local Xmas
Counts and
found a few notable species in the process.
On the Crystal Springs CBC,Sat.Dec.16,my assigned area was Princeton
Harbor.In the
morning I found an adult Black-and-white warbler in the chickadee/bushtit
flock along
Westpoint Dr.at the willow thicket and marsh at the N.W.corner of the
harbor.This may be the same bird that wintered here last year.In the
afternoon I found a palm warbler among the mixed insectivore flock behind the
Mezza Luna Restaurant along the creek near the bridge that leads to the
airport.Also noteworthy was the extraordinary numbers of glaucous-winged
gulls roosting on the jetties in the harbor.I counted 2700 birds here 80-90%
of which were first-year birds.
On Sunday the 17th Al Demartini and I participated on the San Jose CBC.On the
Guadalupe River at Trimble we started the day off by seeing the Harlan's Hawk
which I understand is wintering at this location for the fifth consecutive
year.Also in this area we found a Western Tanager,and one each ,winter and
house wrens.Later in the day along Coyote Creek between Montague and Hwy.880
we spotted a male MacGillivray's Warbler in a hedgerow of oleander and ivy on
the levee at the east side of the creek across from a refinery.
Merry Christmas Counts and a Happy New Year List !
Peter J.Metropulos
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 19 06:42:13 2000
Subject: RE: [SBB] Black-backed wagtail
--------
Cagan and South Bay Birders:
I am sure that Cagan is not alone in showing interest in seeing the
Black-backed Wagtail. I for would be especially interested, and I am sure
there are others as well.
Is it possible to get permission from Cargil to get permission for a group
of us to enter the area where the Wagtail was reported even for a limited
time and a limited-size group?
Several years ago on a San Jose CBC I birded this same area which had
several Sanderlings on one of the ponds, and I recall on one later San Jose
CBC where a "White" Wagtail was seen near this same area, but was not
refound.
Mike Feighner
THAAD WSEIT SCM
Phone (408) 756-7367
Fax (408) 742-6187
email@hidden
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Cagan Sekercioglu [SMTP:email@hidden]
> Sent: Monday, December 18, 2000 7:47 PM
> To: Mike Feighner; South Bay Birds
> Cc: Paul Saraceni
> Subject: [SBB] Black-backed wagtail
>
> I'd greatly appreciate if someone could email me the directions to Cargill
> ponds, as well as the procedure to obtain permission for access. Will
> there
> be a group w/permit going to look for the BB wagtail anytime this week?
> Thank you
> cagan
>
>
>
>
> Cagan H. Sekercioglu
> Stanford University Center for Conservation Biology
> Department of Biological Sciences 371 Serra Mall
> Stanford, CA 94305-5020
> http://jasper1.stanford.edu/~cagan/main.htm
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> email@hidden
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 19 07:58:08 2000
Subject: [SBB] TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE in Region 7
--------
All,
Thanks to all of you who paricipated in the Palo Alto Christmas Bird
Count. It will take a day or two for me to compile all the numbers and
when that is done I will post a summary on SBB. The dinner at the
Troetschler's was great fun! Thanks to them, all the Regional
Coordinators and Participants, especially all the new faces... I hope
you all had a great day.
Sue and Jerry James, who covered Coal Mine Ridge in Region 7 were unable
to attend the count down dinner but dropped off their paperwork last
night at my appartment They had a good day and reported a TOWNDEND'S
SOLITAIRE. Their encounter was brief, but at close range (30') and in
good light. The desciption of the location is as follows:
"Coal Mine Ridge, aproximately 500 foot from Toyon Trail/Coal Mine Trail
intersection"
I have their write up, but specific questions should be directed to Sue
and Jerry James at: email@hidden
Thanks,
Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net/
P.S. For PACBC people... if you haven't yet returned your paperwork and
tally sheets, I will need those as soon as possible so I can begin the
compiling. The black regional binders and participant fees can be left
at my door which is at:
4129 El Camino Way, Apt. K
Palo Alto CA 94306
tel: 650.858.0847
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 19 10:20:02 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
On Sunday, 17 Dec 00, I did the San Jose CBC, just freelancing around the
count circle. I started at Lake Cunningham, where the LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL was quite cooperative. The immature SNOW GOOSE was also present,
choosing to spend its time with the domestic geese, rather than the large
flock of CANADAS.
I then headed for Sierra Road, where I had permission to walk the Open Space
inside the fence. However, the wind was blowing fiercely and most birds were
not making themselves available. I managed to flush up 1 ROCK WREN and did
have an adult GOLDEN EAGLE overhead, but saw no sign at all of Horned Larks
or pipits. I think the grass here is too long and thick now, and other
parties seemed to have better luck with these species on adjacent property,
where the grass is still grazed by cattle.
Heading back down to Alviso, I stopped at the EEC, on the off chance that
one of this summer's skimmers might still be around. Instead, I had a nice
1st year GLAUCOUS GULL loafing on the island just in front of the EEC. I
checked out other Alviso areas, without any luck (unfortunately, I was out
of earshot of David McIntyre's cries of joy).
So, I headed for the Guadalupe River, where I easily found our returned
HARLAN'S HAWK. I wrote it up, even though it's not a separate species. The
overflow channel refused to produce a Swamp Sparrow.
I checked the San Jose airport from almost every conceivable angle, looking
for Ferruginous Hawk, without success.
So, I finished up at the Sunnyvale Baylands Park, where I was able to find 3
LESSER YELLOWLEGS.
On Monday, 18 Dec 00, I did the Palo Alto CBC, working the salt pond levees
between Stevens Creek and the Sunnyvale Sewage Ponds. I had an
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER in with the many YELLOW-RUMPEDS working the eucs
along Caribbean. Coming around the old dump, I scoped out the sewage pond
that was part of the count circle. There were 1950 CANVASBACKS out there,
which seems like a larger number than we usually see at this location. I
also managed to pick out 2 adult male EURASIAN WIGEON, which were still
transitioning out of eclipse plumage. Two VIRGINIA RAILS called from the wet
area on Lockheed property.
Salt pond A3W had the only aechmophorus grebes for my day, with 16 WESTERN
and 9 CLARK'S, and an additional 19 too far away to ID. This was really the
only pond I surveyed that had RED-BREASTED MERGANERS, with 10 tallied.
Coming behind Moffett Field, where the golf course borders the end of the
runway, I flushed a male BLUE-WINGED TEAL from a small channel.
Salt pond A3N had 2 BROWN PELICANS and a perched adult PEREGRINE FALCON.
When I got to the Bay edge, the tide was well out, with the water's edge
maybe a half mile away. I estimated about 12000 WESTERN SANDPIPERS spread
out across the mud, with maybe 10000 more "peeps" on the other side of the
Coyote Creek channel. Over 800 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS and 140 SEMIPALMATED
PLOVERS were identifiable. Many birds at the water's edge were difficult to
make out, but I did record numbers for LONG-BILLED CURLEW, MARBLED GODWIT,
WILLET, DUNLIN, and DOWITCHERS.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 19 10:38:59 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I forgot to mention that on Monday's Palo Alto CBC I had 29 additional BROWN
PELICANS in salt pond A2W, bringing the day's total to 31.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 19 16:04:17 2000
Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto Baylands
--------
Today at noon Tom Stewart and I went to Palo Alto Baylands. As we walked
the planks from the Nature Center towards the bay we were pleasantly
surprised to see a VIRGINIA RAIL. It was just past the power line access
intersection in the stream/ditch below us. I'd never seen a rail before, so
this was quite an unexpected treat.
Other birds included SNOWY EGRET, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, BLACK PHOEBE, and (of
course) AVOCETS and BLACK-NECKED STILTS. There were some MARBLED GODWITS
poking around in the mudflats just before the parking lot, and also what
looked like 3 Red Tailed Hawks circling near a power line tower past the
parking area.
Another suprise were the California Poppies in full bloom at the corner of
the airport parking lot at the end of Embarcadero Road. It felt like
spring!
On an unrelated topic, following is some information on recent changes to
park fees. If you're interested in park fees, read on...
National Parks: A few months ago I went to renew my Golden Eagle Passport at
a National Park and was told that it had changed to a National Parks Pass.
It was $50 for a year, so I figured the name changed, no big deal. Wrong.
The Nation Parks Pass is good only at National Parks, as I found out a
couple of weeks ago when I tried to use it at a BLM area that accepted
Golden Eagle Passports. The good news is that you can "upgrade" your
National Parks Pass to a Golden Eagle Passport by paying the $15 price
differential (Golden Eagle Passports cost $65/year). You give them $15, and
they put a holographic sticker on your National Parks Pass. For more
information on Golden Eagle Passes, see
http://www.ca.blm.gov/caso/recpasses.html
State Parks: The annual pass has been reduced to $35 for a year, and instead
of a sticker you now get something to hang on your rearview mirror which is
transferrable to other vehicles. For more information, see
http://parks.ca.gov/NEWS/news00/may01e13.htm
And, locally, you probably already know that during these winter months
access to Sunnyvale Baylands Park is free. From May through October the
entrance fee is $3.50 per car. For more information, see
http://www.ci.sunnyvale.ca.us/baylands/index.htm
Happy Holidays,
-karen
(email@hidden)
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 19 16:30:42 2000
Subject: [SBB] Pacific Loon still at Los Gatos Creek Park
--------
Hi,
Today at Los Gatos Creek Park, my son Will and I saw the Pacific Loon in
the large pond adjacent to the main entrance. I could see a dark
"moustache" that I had not noticed in previous sightings. I'm not sure it's
significant, but I don't see this mark illustrated in either the NGS guide
or Sibley. We had close scope views, so I'm fairly certain that I'm not
mistaken in this.
We did not see the Common Loon. There were two Green Herons on the shore
close to the parking lot.
Don Ganton
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From email@hidden Tue Dec 19 21:13:55 2000
Subject: [SBB] Behavior of Birds During Earthquake
--------
Dear Friends:
Back on 12/14 Lee Lovelady asked:"Has anyone ever observed birds during an
earthquake?" An interesting question.
I have not,however my friend,J.R.Blair,was birding at Pescadero Marsh during
the big Loma Prieta quake in October l989. He says that when the trembler hit
all the waterfowl got up at once and flew in circles high overhead,obviously
greatly distressed.
I was in the shower at the time and was also greatly distressed.
That's all folks!
Peter J.Metropulos
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 20 06:46:07 2000
Subject: [SBB] Request for help with Almaden Lake / Alamitos Creek
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
Alan Thomas has informed me that he may not be able to take part in the
count due to illness--is there someone out there who would be interested in
leading the group covering Almaden Lake / Alamitos Creek on the upcoming
Calero-Morgan Hill Christmas Bird Count? This is a prime birding area with a
lake, two ponds, marsh, and plenty of riparian. If anyone out there would
like to take on this area please contact me via the email address below--
John Mariani
email@hidden
www.birdswest.com
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 20 06:46:07 2000
Subject: [SBB] Request for help with Almaden Lake / Alamitos Creek
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
Alan Thomas has informed me that he may not be able to take part in the
count due to illness--is there someone out there who would be interested in
leading the group covering Almaden Lake / Alamitos Creek on the upcoming
Calero-Morgan Hill Christmas Bird Count? This is a prime birding area with a
lake, two ponds, marsh, and plenty of riparian. If anyone out there would
like to take on this area please contact me via the email address below--
John Mariani
email@hidden
www.birdswest.com
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 20 06:52:03 2000
Subject: [SBB] Request for help with Almaden Lake / Alamitos Creek
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
Alan Thomas has informed me that he may not be able to take part in the
count due to illness--is there someone out there who would be interested in
leading the group covering Almaden Lake / Alamitos Creek on the upcoming
Calero-Morgan Hill Christmas Bird Count? This is a prime birding area with a
lake, two ponds, marsh, and plenty of riparian. If anyone out there would
like to take on this area please contact me via the email address below--
John Mariani
email@hidden
www.birdswest.com
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 20 09:30:36 2000
Subject: [SBB] Parakeet in Mountain View
--------
A single parakeet, presumably an escapee, is hanging around the
eaves of the building where I work in Mountain View, causing
excitement among the house sparrows that inhabit the eaves and the
humans who inhabit the building. We're at the corner of Shoreline
and Villa near downtown Mountain View.
-- Lennie Stovel (Dick's sister -- he got all the good birding genes)
To: email@hidden
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 20 09:40:09 2000
Subject: [SBB] Parakeet in Mountain View - it's a budgie
--------
Actually, it seems to be a budgerigar. I stand corrected. Sorry.
-- Lennie
>A single parakeet, presumably an escapee, is hanging around the
>eaves of the building where I work in Mountain View, causing
>excitement among the house sparrows that inhabit the eaves and the
>humans who inhabit the building. We're at the corner of Shoreline
>and Villa near downtown Mountain View.
>
>-- Lennie Stovel (Dick's sister -- he got all the good birding genes)
To: email@hidden
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 20 09:51:49 2000
Subject: RE: [SBB] Parakeet in Mountain View
--------
Which Parakeet is it? Is it a budgerigar or one of the larger ones from
Australia or So. America?
Carol Estades, Mountain View Resident
-----Original Message-----
From: Madeleine Stovel [mailto:email@hidden]
Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2000 9:31 AM
To: email@hidden
Subject: [SBB] Parakeet in Mountain View
A single parakeet, presumably an escapee, is hanging around the
eaves of the building where I work in Mountain View, causing
excitement among the house sparrows that inhabit the eaves and the
humans who inhabit the building. We're at the corner of Shoreline
and Villa near downtown Mountain View.
-- Lennie Stovel (Dick's sister -- he got all the good birding genes)
To: email@hidden
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email@hidden
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 20 17:34:38 2000
Subject: [SBB] Mt. Hamilton CBC
--------
All,
Today 12/20/00, Mike Mammoser and I covered the eastern portion of
Isabel Valley for the Mt. Hamilton CBC. The weather was nice, which
made the count very enjoyable. We missed some birds that we normally
see (e.g. Merlin, Prairie Falcon, Lark Sparrow, House Finch!), but
found some less common species to make up for that. Also, Grant Hoyt
and Al DeMartini, who covered the western portions of the valley,
managed to find most of the species we missed.
The four of us started out where San Antonio Valley Road crosses
Isabel Creek at 6:30am and soon found 5 WESTERN SCREECH-OWLS, 2 GREAT
HORNED OWLS, and a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL.
The valley is always good for raptors, and today was no exception.
All four of us enjoyed two adult BALD EAGLES at the main reservoir and
two adult FERRUGINOUS HAWKS nearby (one of these birds had hardly any
rufous below, but the upperparts were typically adult). Mike and I
had two more FERRUGINOUS HAWKS later (a heavily marked adult and an
immature). Grant and Al managed to locate both a MERLIN and a PRAIRIE
FALCON, and two adult GOLDEN EAGLES were also around in the afternoon.
There were few insectivores around, with only a half-dozen or so
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS and a single YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. Five
LINCOLN'S SPARROWS was a good total for here, with four together along
the dam of the main reservoir. A MARSH WREN at the upper reaches of
the reservoir was also unusual.
The number of LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS was impressive. Mike and I had a
conservative 28 and Grant and Al had an additional 11 birds.
PHAINOPEPLAS made a good showing as well, with two males and a female
at different locations. I managed to locate a single SAGE SPARROW in
the same spot that has harbored this species the past two years. Fair
numbers of LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES were around; Mike and I found 12 and
Grant and Al turned up 11. Mike and I also had three PINE SISKINS,
several PURPLE FINCHES, and 26 CEDAR WAXWINGS.
As always, a nice variety of waterfowl graced the many reservoirs and
stock ponds, including 2 HOODED MERGANSERS (an adult male and a female
on two different ponds), 32 WOOD DUCKS, and an adult male EURASIAN
WIGEON (apparently a count first). Another unusual stock pond visitor
was a single LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER.
At least 56 ELK and 16 PRONGHORN graced the valley - and I got great
looks at a BOBCAT along the road as I left.
More on the San Jose and Palo Alto counts later,
Mike Rogers
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From email@hidden Wed Dec 20 18:21:48 2000
Subject: [SBB] EEC
--------
A search of the island in front of the EEC at 12:30 - 1:15 PM today failed
to find the Glaucous Gull reported there on the 19th. There was a single
female Red-breasted Merganser here and a Turkey Vulture consuming an expired
gull on the island.
I walked down to the second island in hopes of finding the Glaucous Gull
with no luck.
On the way out, an adult Peregrine Falcon was perched atop the transmission
tower closest to the entrance gate.
Michael Wienholt
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From email@hidden Thu Dec 21 06:50:54 2000
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
I took a ramble through San Antonio Valley yesterday, 12/20/2000, for
the Mt. Hamilton CBC. Although I had six species of woodpeckers, these did
not include Lewis's Woodpeckers, which appeared to be absent from the
valley--I'm glad they are doing well in the Isabel Valley. I saw a single
male PHAINOPEPLA (also from the road at M.P. 16). The chamise food crop was
spotty, good in some places and poor in others. Six SAGE SPARROWS seemed
about normal and the Golden-crowned Sparrows seemed to be about the same. The
big surprise was the almost complete absence of Fox Sparrows as I saw only one
Sooty-type. Two LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES along San Antonio Creek were nice.
After my ramble, I found a single LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE along the road in the
valley.
Bill
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From email@hidden Thu Dec 21 07:14:32 2000
Subject: [SBB] Mt. Hamilton CBC
--------
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dr. Michael M. Rogers"
>
> two adult FERRUGINOUS HAWKS nearby (one of these birds had hardly any
> rufous below, but the upperparts were typically adult).
This particular bird was studied at length - and discussed at length. Some
of us felt that it may have been brighter above than normal, but that the
underparts were typically immature. :-)
> The number of LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS was impressive. Mike and I had a
> conservative 28 and Grant and Al had an additional 11 birds.
After Mike left we added 2 more to bring the total for Isabel to 41 birds.
Impressive indeed.
> PHAINOPEPLAS made a good showing as well, with two males and a female
> at different locations.
Grant, Al, and I later added another, upping the total to 4 in the valley.
> and I got great
> looks at a BOBCAT along the road as I left.
As it turns out, after talking with Mike, it seems that Grant, Al, and I saw
the same cat at the exact same spot when we were leaving hours later.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Thu Dec 21 07:40:20 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] -
--------
----- Original Message -----
From:
>
> big surprise was the almost complete absence of Fox Sparrows as I saw only
one
> Sooty-type.
Mike and I had 13 Fox Sparrows in Isabel Valley, a number that I thought was
pretty low as well.
In contrast, I thought that the mistletoe crop was quite good. I have no
recollection of seeing Cedar Waxwings in Isabel on previous counts, but Mike
and I had 26 yesterday. This might also account for the good numbers of
Phainopepla.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Thu Dec 21 13:18:27 2000
Subject: [SBB] Bathing Beauties
--------
The birds at "My Farm" are clean birds!
As I entered "My Farm" at 10:10 AM I noticed a lot of activity in a 6 ft length of Smith Creek. I moseyed over and under a large bush and watched for 15 minutes. There was a flock of about 40 robins that 4 or 5 at a time bathed in the creek. Also bathing during the 15 minutes were 4 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, about 30 HOUSE FINCHES, 2 YELLOW-RUMPS, 1 SCRUB, 20 or so GOLDEN-CROWNED another 10 of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS...all in a 6 foot section of the creek in a 15 minute time frame...It was busy! I have never encountered such frenzied bathing behavior by SO many birds.
As I continued through the park there was another area of the creek where another large flock of robins and other birds were bathing.
I had 23 species and hundreds of birds in my 45 minute visit. it was REALLY birdy.
Best bird probably was a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER. With all the birds it would have been nice to check them out and see if there was something exciting...another day.
Also looks as if a 3rd colony of ACORN WOODPECKER'S are settling in near the Bicknell entrance.
I know Christmas is approaching, my retail web sites are slowing so I can bird again :-)
Merry Christmas or Happy Hanakuh (sp?) to you all.
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos
www.wallstreetgifts.com
"largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts"
www.cowscowscows.com
"site for the Chicago and NYC cows"
www.lgsia.com
"money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios"
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From email@hidden Fri Dec 22 06:02:02 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
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Today, 22 Dec 00, on a lunch time walk along San Tomas Aquino Creek between
Scott and Mission College Blvd, I had a COMMON SNIPE and a male HOODED
MERGANSER.
An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was in the trees at the intersection of San Tomas
Xway and Scott.
Mike Mammoser
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From email@hidden Fri Dec 22 10:28:48 2000
Subject: RE: [SBB] Parakeet in Mountain View - it's a budgie
--------
Thank you for letting me know that it was a budgie. If it had been any
other Parakeet I would have made an effort to go see it.
Carol Estades
-----Original Message-----
From: Madeleine Stovel [mailto:email@hidden]
Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2000 9:40 AM
To: email@hidden
Subject: [SBB] Parakeet in Mountain View - it's a budgie
Actually, it seems to be a budgerigar. I stand corrected. Sorry.
-- Lennie
>A single parakeet, presumably an escapee, is hanging around the
>eaves of the building where I work in Mountain View