Parent
From email@hidden Tue Feb 01 11:46:08 2000
Subject: [SBB] Testing, please delete this message
--------
Sorry for the bother, just testing the system in the absence of real postings.
Les
--
Les Chibana
List Bureaucrat
South-Bay-Birds List
email@hidden
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Tue Feb 01 20:41:55 2000
Subject: [SBB] Lesser Black-backed Gull, Ross's Goose
--------
All:
Work took me to lower Coyote Creek today, where I saw the adult LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULL in one of the WPCP ponds along the levee road
north of the CCFS banding trailer. About 100 THAYER'S and 400 HERRING
GULLS were in these ponds, although there weren't nearly as many first-
year birds as there were last year when the pale Kumlien's-type birds were
present, and none of today's first-years were nearly as pale as some of those
birds last February.
Accompanying 130 large CANADA GEESE on the WPCP ponds visible from
the CCFS levee were one medium-small CAGO with coloration and proportions
similar to the larger ones, and two that were even smaller, darker, proportionately
shorter-necked, and block-headed (these latter two possibly Aleutians). An imm.
ROSS'S GOOSE was also present. Twenty-five RED-TAILED HAWKS were in
the area, mostly concentrated north of the banding trailer. Five TREE SWALLOWS
were present, and an adult male COMMON GOLDENEYE was in the waterbird pond.
Steve Rottenborn
--------
Attachment
2.0 KBytes
--------
From email@hidden Tue Feb 01 21:50:13 2000
Subject: [SBB] Fwd: Palo Alto birds
--------
>From: "Dirk Thiele"
>To: email@hidden
>Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2000 20:16:26 PST
>
>Hi All,
>
>The Mute Swan is back at the Palo Alto Duck Pond. Quite an unusual arrival
>time(Jan.31, 2000).
>Here are some dates I recorded:
>Arrival: Departure:
>
>June 2, 95 Sept. 1, 95
>June 3, 96 Sept. 4, 96
>June 13, 97 ?
>May 26, 98 (left again and came back June 11)
> Departure:
> Sept. 1, 98
>absent 99 absent 99
>Jan. 31, 2000
>
>There is a female Mallard at the Duck Pond that has a white neck ring and
>white outer primary feathers.
>
>Birds seen at Byxbee Park: Western Meadoe Larks, Savannah Sparrows, one
>Loggerhead Shrike, 2 Pied-billed Grebes.
>
>Dirk Thiele, Cupertino
>
>
>
>
>
>
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
>
>-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
>This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
>server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
>message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to
>email@hidden
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 02 07:51:11 2000
Subject: [SBB] Some birds
--------
All,
A couple of late notables:
1/28/00 - About 9:45 AM a Merlin in the orchard south of Shady Oaks Park.
1/30/00 - About 8:20 AM, an Osprey carrying a nice sized fish flying south
(east of the Hwy 101/Blossom Hill overpass and east of Coyote Creek).
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 8:00 AM, 2/2/00
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 02 10:49:23 2000
Subject: [SBB] A Good Day!
--------
Totally awesome. I gave myself an extra 15 minutes this morning to
seriously bird "my farm" which I pass through on my 3 mile walk. One of
the first birds I saw was a CALIFORNIA THRASHER which was a year bird for
me. Saw another thrasher at the other end of the park. Came home to type
this, and there's a thrasher sitting in my backyard!!! 3 in one day...must
be going to be a very good day :-)
Also at "my farm" (La Rinconada park) in my 15 minutes of viewing (which
expanded to 20 minutes :-()
Townsend's Warbler
White-breasted Nuthatch
Nuttall's & Acorn Woodpeckers
Scrub & Stellar Jay (first view of Stellar this year at my farm)
sitting in trees: Red-shouldered & Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Flicker
Hermit Thrush
Ruby-Crowned Kinglets
Yellow-rumps
a pair of Mallards (unusual at "my farm")
etc...23 total
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos off Quito
"We can't change the financial winds, but we can adjust the sails"
http://www.lgsia.com http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 02 13:10:36 2000
Subject: [SBB] Ospreys
--------
Hi Birders-
Either I am birding more this year (a fact) or there is an increase in the
winter osprey population. In January I saw birds at the Ogier Ponds, the
Campbell Perculation Ponds, and Calero Reservoir, seemingly far enough apart
that these could be individual birds. There have been reports from many
other places. Is this unusual?
Jack Cole
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 02 13:18:43 2000
Subject: [SBB] Geese
--------
This morning, Wednesday, the Canada Goose flock grazing at the corner of
Marsh and Felter Roads outside of Milpitas contained 1 ROSS"S GOOSE and 1
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. Kathy Parker
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 02 14:46:58 2000
Subject: [SBB] Peregrine's bad table manners
--------
Today (2/2) I observed a Peregrine Falcon dining on a pigeon (Rock Dove)
on the top of the City of Palo Alto government building. As the hapless
pigeon was being consumed, numerous feathers, entrails, feet and wing
bones rained down on not-so-amused passers-by.
Screech.
--
Paul L. Noble
"Screechowl"
email@hidden
^ ^
@ @
( v )
( )
/ \
m m
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 02 15:15:23 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Peregrine's bad table manners
--------
Darn! It sounds like my University Ave. winter Peregrine has moved to
the Civic Center. I think he drove off all my local pigeons last year.
--
Richard C. Carlson
Chairman, Spectrum Economics
Palo Alto, CA
email@hidden
650-324-2701
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 02 17:44:03 2000
Subject: [SBB] reported Sandhill Crane
--------
All,
Yesterday Joe Morlan forwarded to me an email regarding an apparent
Sandhill Crane found along Santa Teresa Blvd north of Gilroy. The
bird is noted as having a "bustle" and red on the crown, which would
suggest that it is not just a Great Blue Heron. It has been seen
almost daily for "a week" always in the morning betwen 9:15 and 9:45am
and usually in foggy conditions. It has been found on the east side
of Santa Teresa between Day Rd and Fitzgerald (the Marsten exit off
Highway 101) and apparently favors the area up near the new houses
being built just south of Fitzgerald. It has not been seen in the
afternoon or evenings.
Today 2/2/2000 at mid-day I headed down there, hoping to refind the
bird. No luck! The fog had already burned off and driving around
that area did not turn up a crane. I did have an OSPREY perched at
Parkway Lakes on the drive down though.
If anybody has a chance to be out in this area in the early am it
could be worth a check. The stubble field habitat certainly looks
decent. Maybe this is the same construction-site loving bird that
spent 19 Oct to 25 Oct in Pacifica (and possibly also the same bird as
the ones seen flying over the peninsula on 17 Oct and 28 Oct?).
This afternoon at Stanford I had at least 7 WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS
noisily inspecting the eaves of the Old Chemistry building.
Mike
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 02 23:32:23 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Ospreys
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
In response to Jack Cole, we noted what seemed an unusually high number of
Osprey on the Calero-Morgan Hill Count, with a minimum of 3 birds in the
Coyote Valley, a couple of sightings in the Hamilton Range just east of the
Coyote Valley, and another seen at Chesbro Reservoir. My conservative guess
is that about 5 birds were in the count area that day, which does seem like
a whole lot of Osprey.
John Mariani
email@hidden
----- Original Message -----
From: Jack Cole
To:
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2000 1:10 PM
Subject: [SBB] Ospreys
> Hi Birders-
>
> Either I am birding more this year (a fact) or there is an increase in the
> winter osprey population. In January I saw birds at the Ogier Ponds, the
> Campbell Perculation Ponds, and Calero Reservoir, seemingly far enough
apart
> that these could be individual birds. There have been reports from many
> other places. Is this unusual?
>
> Jack Cole
> ______________________________________________________
> Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
>
> -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
> This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
> server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
> message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to
email@hidden
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 03 09:23:56 2000
Subject: [SBB] Gilroy
--------
I checked the area this morning from which the Sandhill Crane had been
reported, but did not see any such bird. I did find a RED-TAILED HAWK
building a nest about a half mile north of Fitzgerald along Santa
Teresa.
Mike Mammoser
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 03 09:39:33 2000
Subject: [SBB] Gilroy
--------
South-bay-birders,
I also checked the area of the Sandhill Crane report and came up empty. My
consolation prize was a FERRUGINOUS HAWK riding the air currents about 3/4
miles west of Santa Teresa on Day Road.
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 03 10:59:13 2000
Subject: [SBB] SACR
--------
Steve Rottenborn just reported that the SANDHILL CRANE was north of
Gilroy today. It was north of the stubble field that is south of
Fitzgerald Rd on the east side of Santa Teresa. He said that it was
actually in the housing subdivision there and could be easily
overlooked.
Mike Mammoser
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 03 11:50:29 2000
Subject: [SBB] SACR
--------
I did find the SANDHILL CRANE this morning in Gilroy at Santa Theresa and
Fitzgerald. At 8:15 it was in the field on the east side of Santa Theresa
just past the new development. It was about 50 feet in from the road. It is
not an adult. The body plumage is mostly the gray adult color, with a bit
of brown still in the wings. The face area around the eyes and overthe
forehead is dull red, but there is no red on the crown. At 9:15 I passed
that way again and the bird was in the housing development poking around a
small stream that has been built in there. Kathy Parker
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 03 12:31:31 2000
Subject: [SBB] Sandhill Crane
--------
All,
About 10:20 AM I received a call from Steve Rottenborn that the SACR was in a
wet area adjacent to a stubbled field and to new homes on Santa Teresa Blvd
south of Fitzgerald Rd in northwest Gilroy. Frank Vanslager and I found the
bird (about 11:15 AM) in the southwest corner of a fenced-in area (a wet area
and new homes) on the east side of the Santa Teresa Blvd about 75 yds from
Fizgerald Rd (adjacent to the first stubbled field). When we left the crane
was standing about 100 ft from the backdoor of someone's new home. From Hwy
101 take the Masten Ave exit which becomes Fitzgerald Rd after you cross
Monterey Hwy.
The bird is an overall gray with some brown feathers sprinkled on the wings
and has a red forehead. I will leave it for Steve to age it.
Good luck,
Bob Reiling, 12:40 PM, 2/3/00
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 03 13:03:14 2000
Subject: [SBB] SACR found
--------
At lunch time today I went down to Gilroy and found the SANDHILL CRANE,
right where Steve had said it was. Take 101 towards Gilroy and exit at
Masten Rd, going west. As you pass Monterey Highway this road becomes
Fitzgerald. At Santa Teresa Blvd, turn left and you will see a housing
subdivision immediately on your left. When you get to the end of this
subdivision (couple hundred yards), pull to the side of the road and
look into the backyards of the houses that border the field. The bird
was in a wet gully between two houses, and adjacent to a largish wet
area in one of the yards.
This looks to be an adult bird, with the bare red forehead and lores,
and grayish feathering. It has some pale tan feathering in the wing
coverts. It also seems a little smaller than many birds I have seen in
the past, and I wonder about its being one of the Lesser subspecies.
Mike Mammoser
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 03 16:48:15 2000
Subject: [SBB] birds and visiting CCFS.
--------
Birders:
While surveying at CCFS (Coyote Creek Field Station, formerly CCRS) I had
a few goodies. First of all, the LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was at the
waterbird pond with a huge number of assorted gulls. Also, the goose flock
visible from the levee road just north (downstream) from the CCFS trailers
had the immature ROSS'S GOOSE and three tiny CANADA GEESE. I am not sure if
they are the same ones that Steve Rottenborn saw the other day, but I came
up with 2 Cackling and 1 Aleutian. The two smallest ones are very dark
breasted, with the breast slightly browner than the body, they lack a neck
ring. I figured these were Cackling. The other one is marginally larger
than the two Cacklers. It is paler, has a paler breast, which is still
darker than that of the large Canada Geese, and a white neck ring. The size
difference between this paler bird and the darker Cacklers is very small.
Since Aleutian Geese tend to have a neck ring and average larger than
Cakling Geese I identified it as such, but I admit to being confused by
Canada Goose subspecies in general. I have yet to study specimens in a
museum. What was interesting about the three small geese was that they were
noticeably greyer than the browner Large Canada Geese. The super bonus
highlight for me was an AMERICAN BITTERN which flew up from the SE corner
of the pond and flew over to Coyote Creek, this was the first Bittern I
have seen at CCFS.
Also, on my way back to Half Moon Bay I stopped briefly in Redwood Shores.
There was a male EURASIAN WIGEON at the sewage ponds on Radio Road, by the
dog park. There was another male EURASIAN WIGEON on a small pond at the
intersection of Salt Court and the continuation of Shearwater Rd.
Now, with regards to access to CCFS. We are hoping to start a new system by
which SFBBO (San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory) members are allowed to
visit the site and go birding, as long as they obide by a certain number of
guidelines. If you are interested in having this priviledge, send me a
private e-mail and I can send you an attachment of the Access Agreement
form which you will need to mail back to SFBBO after it has been signed. We
want birders to visit and to report back to us with their exciting finds,
there is a lot to be seen out there. I hope that this document will clarify
the details of access to CCFS, and help to gain your assisstance in
documenting the birdlife of the site.
You are the first group of birders to be told of the new access agreement,
but pass on the information to birders you know. But note that you must be
a member to have free access to the site.
good birding:
Al
Alvaro Jaramillo
Senior 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
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 03 18:55:08 2000
Subject: [SBB] Sandhill Crane Continues in Gilroy
--------
South Bay Birders:
Upon hearing of others' success in refinding the Sandhill Crane in
Gilroy earlier in the day, I headed out to Gilroy to take my chance on
this bird. Weather was not the greatest, but that did not seem to
impair the success. I had started searching around the construction
site at Fitzgerald and Santa Teresa where others had their success
earlier in the day. ...no such luck. Then I drove south on Santa
Teresa just past the the housing development and parked along the side
the road and scanned the stubble field to the east. The Sandhill Crane
was foraging within 100 feet of the road. This was at about 3:30 PM.
Its feet were so thickly packed in mud that it seemed to slow down the
crane's movement. I agree with Mike Mammoser that this is an adult of
the "Lesser Subspecies". The crane did have the familiar red facial
patch and was generally gray.
Over the years I have birded in Santa Clara County this is the first one
I am aware of that is actually chaseable. Others have been fly-overs
over Highway 237 in Milpitas on the the Hamilton Range.
--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, email@hidden
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 03 21:21:34 2000
Subject: [SBB] Clay-colored Sparrow
--------
All:
Yesterday (2 Feb.), Dave Johnston and I saw a SPOTTED SANDPIPER at
Lexington Reservoir.
This morning (3 Feb.) I had work to do in Morgan Hill, so I stopped by
the spot where the SANDHILL CRANE had been reported. I didn't see
the bird in the corn stubble field, but was surprised to see it foraging in
a wet grassy ditch in the new residential development to the north. Here
I watched it from a distance of only 10-30 meters from about 10:00 to
10:40. I haven't looked into the timing of molt in juvenile Sandhill Cranes,
but I would guess that this bird is an immature (first-year) bird, as it
still had a few brownish (not appearing stained) feathers on the crown
and hindneck, and its upperwing coverts were a mixture of fresh, new,
blue-gray "adult-type" feathers and old, worn, tan juvenile feathers. The
juv. lesser coverts were all or mostly tan, while those median and greater
coverts that were retained from juvenal plumage had pale gray bases and
broad tan tips. The red skin on the face and forecrown seemed fairly dull
for an adult, although I don't know how much seasonal variation there is
in adults. A neat bird in a strange place!
While I was in the area, I decided to stop by the Morabito goose farm on
East Middle Avenue to see how their minima Canada Geese compared to
the three small-form birds I saw at CCFS the other day. As I pulled up in
front of the house, a few sparrows flushed up to the fence. The first one
I looked at was a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW! The bird flew to the pen
holding the minima CAGO right in front of the house, and I had 15 minutes
of good views as the bird foraged with Zonotrichia here (it was still present
when I left). The CCSP was smaller and more slender than a White-crowned
Sparrow but was proportionately longer-tailed. In flight, its "tsip" call was
higher and more sibilant than that of the WCSP. The underparts were pale
grayish-white or off-white except on the breast and sides, which had a pale
wash of fairly cold clay-buff. The lores were pale creamy-tan, much paler
than the dark postocular stripe, moustachial stripe, or lateral crown stripes
but no paler than the pale supercilium. The contrasty head pattern consisted
of a moderately pale buff, fairly bold supercilium and even paler, grayish-white
malar stripe which contrasted with the dark postocular stripe, moustachial stripe,
and lateral crown stripes. There was a fairly broad buff median crown stripe. A
gray "collar" consisted of broad gray patches on the sides of the hindneck which
met in a narrower, unstreaked gray area on the hindneck. The broad pale edging
on the blackish-centered feathers of the upperparts was a warm sandy-buff. The
lower back and uppertail coverts were tan.
The Morabito goose farm has long had 8 flightless Snow Geese, as well as at
least two captive Greater White-fronted Geese (completely caged) and Canada
Geese of a number of races; these were present today. Also here today were
9 ROSS'S GEESE (not 8 as I reported to the RBA) and 1 GREATER WHITE-
FRONTED GOOSE that were not pinioned and were apparently free-flying,
wild birds. This spot can be reached by taking Tennant Avenue west from
Highway 101, turning left on Monterey Road, then left on E. Middle Avenue
(or, from the south, take San Martin west from Highway 101, turn right on
Monterey Road, then right on E. Middle Avenue). Take E. Middle Avenue
east across 101, and the ponds with the geese will be on your right. I don't
think the owners mind if birders look into the ponds from the road, but stay
on the road!
Other birds present in the South County today included 2 OSPREYS at the
Parkway Lakes; 1 female or imm. columbarius MERLIN in Gilroy; 1 adult
FERRUGINOUS HAWK over Santa Teresa Blvd. and Tennant Ave. in Morgan
Hill; 1 OSPREY, 1 SPOTTED SANDPIPER, and 30 COMMON MERGANSERS
at Uvas Reservoir; and 1 SPOTTED SANDPIPER at Calero Reservoir.
At Hellyer Park in south San Jose, a flock of 10 DARK-EYED JUNCOS included
a male SLATE-COLORED.
Good birding,
Steve Rottenborn
--------
Attachment
7.3 KBytes
--------
From email@hidden Fri Feb 04 08:36:13 2000
Subject: [SBB] Unidentified Loon at Shoreline
--------
Folks:
This morning, 2/4/2000, I saw a loon at Shoreline Lake that was too
distant to indentify with binoculars. However, it was not one of the pale
Red-throated Loons that have been here in December and early January. It was
darker backed and showed more of the two-toned look of a Pacific. It was too
far away to clearly determine head and bill shape, but it appeared smaller
headed than a Common Loon.
There were 8 BLACK SKIMMERS at Charleston Slough.
Bill
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 04 09:30:49 2000
Subject: [SBB] Shoreline Lake
--------
All,
Since Shoreline Lake is so close to work, I decided to make a
quick check there just now (2/4/00) to see whether a scope could
help identify the loon Bill reported.
Unfortunately, by the time I got there the only loons I could
find were 2 immature RED-THROATED LOONS. A female HOODED MERGANSER
was near the boat launch and there are still many SURF SCOTERS and
the immature male apparent hybrid GOLDENEYE on the lake.
Mike Rogers
P.S. Wonder where those two loons have been hiding since 16 Jan?
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 04 13:04:06 2000
Subject: [SBB] Ferruginous Hawk
--------
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager, Roy Carlson and I saw a light phase FEHA
perched in a tan colored power tower located on the hillside at the end of
and inline with Highland Ave in Gilroy [a new construction site called
Cortedella(sp?)]. The Sandhill Crane was in the same fenced-in backyard as
described yesterday (although it's about 200 yds, not 75 yds) southeast of
Fitzgerald Rd on Santa Teresa Blvd (if you are heading toward Gilroy this
will be on the left side of the road). The crane is only about 1/2 mile
southeast of where the FEHA was perched. The free flying Greater
White-fronted Goose was still at the Morabito Goose Farm (with four caged
GWFG) and several free flying Ross's Geese. The Clay-colored Sparrow was not
seen up until we left (Kathy Parker, Roy Carlson and another birder were
still there).
I would caution birder's against trying to find the CCSP in front of,
alongside of or behind the house. This will anger the lady of the house.
The farmer, himself, doesn't seem to mind birder's and will be glad to talk
about his stock (he volunteered that the GWFG just showed up one day).
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:13 PM, 1/4/00
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 04 13:18:45 2000
Subject: [SBB] Two CCSP!!
--------
At lunch today I went down to the Morabito goose farm and was able to
find two! CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS there (now officially a wintering
flock). When I arrived, Nick Lethaby and Jack Cole were both present and
we were able to get reasonable views of a CCSP. After the two of them
left, I went and got my scope for further study. As I scanned through
the vegetation, I was surprised to see the two CCSP in the same scope
view. I didn't see any noticeable distinctions between the two birds
that might let one know that one bird was different from the other, if
they were being seen singly. These birds were foraging on the ground
around the conifers between the house and the large goose pond.
Also, I saw the free-flying GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (there were 4 of
these geese captive in the cage), 8 ROSS' GEESE, and 8 SNOWS.
Mike Mammoser
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 04 13:49:18 2000
Subject: [SBB] Sandhill Crane in Gilroy...?
--------
Hi all! I was on my way back from a quick visit to Barry Breckling (the
ranger) at the Coe Park hq. building, and decided to see if I could add a
SACR to my local sightings...
I caroused around that whole Day Rd. - Santa Teresa - Fitzgerald area
(getting Penny's truck wonderfully mud coated). While I didn't see 'im, I
did have a great time playing in the mud and dirt! I did however see a
juvenile baldy, a golden, several Whitetailed kites, WEBL, Loggerhead
Shrike, YR warblers, and lots and lots of one of my favorite birds: the
Western Meadowlark.
My best catch of the day was a Phainopepla along the road just above
Anderson Reservoir: A gorgeous example of the male of that species! My
best non-avian sighting of the day was a young female bobcat ambling across
the road at the "BGR" ranch driveway about 3 miles from the park. She
stayed within 50 ft. of the road for nearly 10 min. and provided an
excellent view...
Best regards,
Dusty Bleher
Campbell, Ca.
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 04 14:05:04 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] CCSP
--------
Jack Cole, Mike Mammoser and I saw the CCSP at the goose farm at lunch
today. It was feeding E of the main pond and also further E to the yard of
the next house. The crane is still around.
Nick Lethaby
Technical Marketing Manager
CoWare, Inc.
Tel: 408 845 7646
E-mail: email@hidden
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 04 14:48:00 2000
Subject: [SBB] CCSP
--------
Giving credit where credit is due, John Luther from Oakland first found the
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW this morning shortly after Nick and I arrived at about
11:30. The bird was two houses down from the goose farm, to the left of the
driveway of the red house, so it pays to broaden your search down the street
for this bird(s).
Jack Cole
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 04 16:12:57 2000
Subject: [SBB] Gilroy Sandhill Crane - yes
--------
South Bay Birders,
At about 7:45 this morning, the SANDHILL CRANE was about 40 feet from Santa
Teresa Boulevard in the northwest corner of the field immediately south of
the new housing development on the east side of the road near the
intersection of Fitzgerald & Santa Thersa. Interesting to watch it with
music playing and seeing it step in time to the music! The FERRUGINOUS
HAWK was perched in an oak about a mile east of Santa Theresa on Day.
At Alviso this afternoon, a long walk provided good results with Mike
Rogers' immature male TUFTED DUCK in (roughly) the southeast quadrant of A9
with a loose flock of Canvasbacks. Also, one male EURASIAN WIGEON and the
RED-THROATED LOON in A9. Many NORTHERN HARRIERS constantly graced the sky
with quite a few calling. Other than that, the usual cast of avian
characters. I'd have stayed longer but I wanted to beat rush hour!
Good birding.......
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 04 17:05:16 2000
Subject: [SBB] Barrow's Goldneye at Calero Reservoir
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
Late this afternoon I saw a male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE near the east end of
Calero Reservoir. This is most likely the same bird that has been seen off
and on since Jan.2nd. There were also many COMMON GOLDENEYES, BUFFLEHEAD,
RING-NECKED DUCKS and scaup (among the latter at least a dozen were GREATER
SCAUP) , a small flock of CANVASBACKS, and lots of BUFFLEHEAD. Didn't see
any loons or eagles today.
John Mariani
email@hidden
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Sat Feb 05 01:41:06 2000
Subject: [SBB] Barrow's Goldeneye at Calero Reservoir
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
You may be getting this message twice--not sure if it went through the first
time. Friday afternoon (Feb. 4) I saw a male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE near the
east end of Calero Reservoir. This is most likely the same bird that has
been seen off and on since Jan.2nd. There were also many COMMON GOLDENEYES,
BUFFLEHEAD,
RING-NECKED DUCKS and scaup (among the latter at least a dozen were GREATER
SCAUP) , a small flock of CANVASBACKS, and lots of BUFFLEHEAD. Didn't see
any loons or eagles.
John Mariani
email@hidden
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Sun Feb 06 11:09:09 2000
Subject: [SBB] Sandhill Crane - Gilroy
--------
This morning (Sunday) I went to see the SACR in Gilroy. I arrived about
9:05 and found it immediately and right where it was supposed to be. I
watched it until 9:40 when I had to leave. The directions that Mike
Mammoser gave were right on.
Don Ganton
--------
Attachment
614 bytes
--------
From email@hidden Sun Feb 06 17:34:31 2000
Subject: [SBB] CCSP
--------
This morning between 9:45 and 10:30, Al Eisner and I had looks at the
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW at the Goose Farm on E. Middle in San Martin. We found
the bird with a flock of White-crown Sparrows in the tangle of grape vines,
pussy willow bush and bare tree along the back fence of the goose farm. We
had one short but nice look and then later one very good look at the bird
sitting and preening in the bare tree. It pays to hunt around abit for the
sparrow flock. Kathy Parker
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Sun Feb 06 19:28:15 2000
Subject: [SBB] Eurasian form of Green Winged Teal
--------
Today at Stevens Creek Shoreline Area we saw two Eurasian Green Winged Teals.
They were on the bay side of the wooden bridge, just past the narrow strip
of land where the Swamp Sparrow is usually seen.
Martha O'Neal
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Mon Feb 07 08:27:58 2000
Subject: [SBB] Birds & Stories
--------
I have just gotten 2 new year birds for my backyard. Last Friday Kathy
Parker spotted 23 BAND-TAILED PIGEONS sitting on the wire, while she was
looking for my White-throated Sparrow. Best sparrow she saw was a LINCOLN.
The Band-taileds are, once again, begun to eat me out of house and home.
This morning I have a male PURPLE FINCH, a year bird.
Sunday I birded "my farm" (La Rinconada Park) still seeking my first view
of a Brown Creeper this year. I saw a WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. Then, saw
another, then another. There were 8 of them all together. This is what
Pygmy's do--but these were White-breasted. Just one Steller Jay (my
apologies to all who have pointed out my previous StellAr.)
A couple of weeks ago at Oka Ponds I was showing a couple the resident
COMMON SNIPES that live on the island. There were 3 visible. As we were
watching the Snipe, a female HOODED MERGANSER that was swimming with her
mate stabbed a fish with her bill. The fish was about 10 inches long and 3
inches wide. The male merganser started chasing her. A SNOWY EGRET ran
after her. I've never seen an egret move so fast without flying. But, the
female was able to swim off with the fish on her bill. She swam up to the
island where the Snipe were and went ashore. There she switched the fish
from the stabbing position to where she could eat it. Did this in a couple
of minutes. Then, she swam off again by herself. She seemed to nibble at
the fish. Then, while it was still quite large, she did the rolling neck
routine (like a roller coaster) and swallowed the whole fish. Seemed like a
pretty big fish for a bird her size, but it all went down.
Bird behavior can be so fascinating....and you never know when it's going
to happen...which is why we're all on this list!
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos off Quito
"We can't change the financial winds, but we can adjust the sails"
http://www.lgsia.com http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Mon Feb 07 08:40:44 2000
Subject: [SBB] La Rinconada Park Bird List
--------
For anyone interested, the attached is the list for "my farm" (La Rinconada
Park) that will be distributed there as of today. This is the first Los
Gatos park (there are 17) to post a list. I approached the LG Park
Commission and got permission to do this. This is a test to see if people
like having the list. If it is successful, the LG Park commission would
like to have a list compiled for Oak Meadow Park. I never bird there, maybe
someone reading this does and could compile a list. First, we need to see
how successful the handout is at La Rinconada.
La Rinconada Park is located at the corner of Wedgewood and Granada. It's
perhaps halfway between Winchester and Quito Roads. South of Pollard/Knowles.
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos off Quito
--------
Attachment
Bird--La Rinconada Park.doc
39.5 KBytes
--------
--------
"We can't change the financial winds, but we can adjust the sails"
http://www.lgsia.com http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
From email@hidden Mon Feb 07 08:52:38 2000
Subject: [SBB] Wood Ducks
--------
Hello All -
Nothing too inspiring to report, but thought I'd mention that 53 WOOD DUCKS
were still present at Almaden Reservoir (seen Sunday, Feb 6).
Bye for now - Ann
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Mon Feb 07 09:52:38 2000
Subject: [SBB] GT Towhee + other birds
--------
All:
On Saturday, I checked out CCFS. Lots of gulls, with plenty of Thayer's. I
saw all 3 small Canada Geese. As far as I could tell, the Aleutian Goose
looked smaller and thinner-necked than the two Cackling Geese. No sign of
the Ross's Goose. There were 2 Greater Scaup on the waterbird pond.
Sunday morning, I refound Al Jaramillo's Green-tailed Towhee, along the W.
Bank of Coyote Creek, N. of Tasman. As Al stated, it is roughly opposite
the 4th power line pole north of Tasman. Please note, the towhee is along
the old levee that runs right along the creek, not the main driveable levee
that runs by the power lines. I also had a nice tan-striped White-throated
Sparrow a bit closer to Tasman.
On a family visit to Alum Rock Park, I saw a Canyon Wren along the stream
by the last parking lot.
At Hidden Lake, I saw about 30 Thayer's Gulls, including about 8 juv/1W.
There are now 5 Common Mergansers here. The regular Peregrine was on the
Power Lines nearby. Along Berryessa creek, I saw 16 Wilson's Snipe.
Regards, Nick
Nick Lethaby
Technical Marketing Manager
CoWare, Inc.
Tel: 408 845 7646
E-mail: email@hidden
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Mon Feb 07 09:57:45 2000
Subject: [SBB] SBB Sandhill Crane
--------
When I spotted the Sandhill Crane on Sunday afternoon around 2:30 p.m.
it had moved from the rear of the new housing development to an
adjacent, recently plowed, field.
I missed seeing the bird at first because it was too close to the road.
When I found the bird it was no more than 20 or 30 yards from the
shoulder the road. Frame filling views with my 8x32 bins.
Lou Beaudet
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Mon Feb 07 10:22:28 2000
Subject: [SBB] birds
--------
On Saturday, 5 Feb 00, I stopped at Lake Cunningham, but was unable to
find the Lesser Black-backed Gull or any unusual geese. I did have a
flock of about 20 swallows overhead, accompanied by an equal number of
WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS. The swallows were mixed, with both TREE and
VIOLET-GREEN being represented by at least 3 individuals of each.
At Shoreline Lake I had one immature RED-THROATED LOON, at least until a
couple of wind surfers got it up and flying around (I didn't notice if
it stayed at the lake or not). Also present was one adult male BARROW'S
GOLDENEYE.
On Sunday, 6 Feb 00, I made a quick stop at the Morabito goose farm, but
was unable to find any flock of sparrows. The free-flying WHITE-FRONTED
GOOSE was still at the pond, as was a BLACK-NECKED STILT. There were 9
ROSS' GEESE present this day. For a kick, people might want to drive the
road across the freeway here and check out the captive RHEAS in a field
along the freeway.
Further south, the SANDHILL CRANE was still present, in the stubble
field just south of the housing complex. Driving the backroads here, I
found a SAY'S PHOEBE but no Ferruginous Hawk.
At the Ogier Ponds, there was a large flock of gulls on the big pond;
mostly CALIFORNIA with a few HERRING and RING-BILLED thrown in. Three
COMMON MERGANSERS flew by heading south, and 3 female RING-NECKED DUCKS
were on the small channel along the bike path near the model airplane
park.
At Anderson Dam there were RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS on the sage-covered
hillside along the spillway. An adult GOLDEN EAGLE was soaring over the
ridge, a male COMMON MERGANSER was at the base of the dam, and a half
dozen WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS were overhead.
On the way home I found a female OSPREY perched in a low tree at the
small pond near the entrance to the Coyote Ranch, just south of Parkway
Lake.
Mike Mammoser
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Mon Feb 07 11:40:23 2000
Subject: [SBB] Black-headed Grosbeaks
--------
A customer is reporting two BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS feeding at her feeders up
off Quito Road in Saratoga. One has been there for at least two weeks. The
second one showed up this weekend. I told her it was very early to be
seeing these birds. I am confident she can recognize. Is this particularly
unusual?
Pat Curtis
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Tue Feb 08 09:46:03 2000
Subject: [SBB] Harris's Sparrow Not Seen Monday
--------
Hi All,
Sharon and I spent from 12:30 pm yesterday, Monday Feb 8, to 4:00pm across
from the chain link fence at 41 Bay View Road without seeing the Harris's.
When we arrived, there were two other vehicles already there.
After a time, Sharon asked the first one how long they'd been there. The
answer was four hours, with a break in there somewhere. Jim Danzenbaker was
also there. he had been there an hour and a half, and left perhaps a half
hour after we got there. This was rare proof that Jim does some land birding
in addition to his pelagic trips, where we first met him.
Lots of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS, a female
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, a couple of OAK TITMOUSES, several CROWS and a couple
of WESTERN SCRUB-JAYS were evident.
I added about ten handsful of shelled sunflowers seed to the millet-type seed
already on the ground, about fifteen minutes after our arrival.
Well, that's what makes birding so special, when you DO get your target bird.
Which we HAD done the day before, at El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach
-- the BLUE MOCKINGBIRD, of course.
Good Birding,
Bob and Sharon Lutman
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Tue Feb 08 15:12:12 2000
Subject: [SBB] Green-tail Towhee
--------
Found the GREEN_TAIL TOWHEE this morning about 10:30. It was a bit farther
downstream working among the small trees and a patch of brambles growing
along the path with 2 California Towhees. Did not see the White-throated
Sparrow.
Kathy Parker
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Tue Feb 08 16:15:41 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Green-tail Towhee
--------
At 03:12 PM 2/8/00 -0800, Joe Parker wrote:
>Found the GREEN_TAIL TOWHEE this morning about 10:30. It was a bit farther
>downstream working among the small trees and a patch of brambles growing
>along the path with 2 California Towhees.
For what it's worth, I saw this bird with 2 CAL Towhees as well.
>Did not see the White-throated
>Sparrow.
> Kathy Parker
>
>
>-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
>This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
>server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
>message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
Nick Lethaby
Technical Marketing Manager
CoWare, Inc.
Tel: 408 845 7646
E-mail: email@hidden
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Tue Feb 08 16:19:51 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Green-tail Towhee
--------
Directions in this note "father downstream in the brambles" have set a
new standard for useless. What stream? What county? What city? What
street?
--
Richard C. Carlson
Chairman, Spectrum Economics
Palo Alto, CA
email@hidden
650-324-2701
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Tue Feb 08 16:43:06 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Green-tail Towhee
--------
Dick,
This is the same Green-tailed Towhee that has been reported
to south-bay-birds by both Al Jaramillo and Nick Lethaby. It
is about 500 yards north of Tasman along the west bank of
Coyote Creek - on the dike near the creek, not the one along
the west edge of the flood control channel. The 500 yards
corresponds to about the 4th or 5th gray high voltage tower
downstream.
Given that the location of this bird has been previously
described by two different people I do not find it surprising
that the directions were not re-iterated. Certainly calling
someone's post a "new standard for useless" is unwarranted.
We should encourage people to report what they find - not
post rude complaints.
Mike Rogers
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 09 10:58:02 2000
Subject: [SBB] Black-headed grosbeaks
--------
Hi Birders!
This morning at about 9:15, Pat Curtis and I saw a male and female
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK at the home of Sally Baumwell off Quito Road in
Saratoga. The birds came to black oil sunflower feeders which were
positioned in a small three about four feet off the ground and four feet
outside the dining room window. Sally and her husband have photos, and Pat
also took several photos, which will be forthcoming. Viewing distance; about
ten feet!
Both birds came to the feeders at once, and remained for 3-4 minutes, the
female slightly longer. The massive bills of each bird were dark, the upper
mandible being the darkest. The male had a white supercilium and moustachial
strip surrounding a dark brown ear patch, with some light feathering on the
crown. Two white wing bars were created by the white tips of the midian and
greater coverts, with some white at the tips of the secondaries as well. The
primaries and other wing feathers were dark brown, but not black, and the
back was a rich brown. The throat, breast and underparts were all the same
shade of rich buffy orange, with little or no visible streaking. There was
no evidence of red feathering. The head of the female was similar to the
male, although not as dark, and the moustachial stripe was not as
pronounced. The back was a softer brown, with buff edging to the scapulars,
and the wing bars were similar to the male. The breast color was lighter
than the male, and extended about half way down, becoming lighter, with some
narrow streaking along the sides but no streaking in the center. The
undertail coverts were whitish.
My apologies to those who can describe birds much better and in greater
detail than I. email@hidden will advise how to see or obtain
photos, and thanks to Sally for allowing us into her home this morning.
Jack Cole
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 09 11:07:42 2000
Subject: [SBB] Posting of recurring sightings
--------
SBBers,
It might be of service to many, when you post a note about continuing
bird presence, that you include the original post or directions to the
site. There apparently is a problem currently with the Pacbell mail
service that is preventing those SBB members from receiving all of the
posts, or in a timely manner. So, postings loosely refering to a bird
and it's location may be of little use for others.
This problem can arise for any mail server and could affect any of you.
So, if we can make our postings with a bit of background, in some cases,
it could be very useful for others. And, we could avoid the flaming that
we have been so very lucky to be free of for so long.
The current problem could be related to the recent spate of Web portal
hammering that's been going on. The perpetrators or others like them
could be turning their attention to major ISP mail servers, or the heavy
traffic on a Web server could be slowing down the mail server.
Additionally, I have received notices of a few ISPs and mail servers
that are beginning to filter out what is perceived to be relayed SPAM.
One service indicated that the Stanford listservers are identified as
a possible entry point of relayed SPAM, of which I haven't seen much
evidence. But until the managers of the Stanford listservers get caught
up with this issue, it's possible that an increasing number of you may
be subject to future failures to receive postings. Your mail from
indiduals may still come through, but SBB distributions may be prevented.
--
Les Chibana
List Bureaucrat
South-Bay-Birds List
email@hidden
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 09 12:29:32 2000
Subject: [SBB] GTTO, WTSP
--------
All,
Today 2/9/00 over lunch, I relocated the GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE along the
west side of Coyote Creek north of Tasman. It was along the creek in
brush just opposite the first WOODEN telephone pole, which is the next
one past the 5 gray metal towers north of Tasman (another gray tower
is south of Tasman). Best way to find the bird is to listen for its
scratching as it forages. Today it was with a single Fox Sparrow, but
no California Towhees.
This location is the same as the southern edge of the previous
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE's range (I have seen it under this same bush
before). That bird was seen
about 2/16/94 thru 3/13/94
1/29/95 thru 4/15/95
It was not found in 95/96, but I doubt it was looked for since then.
Also, it may have moved slightly because of all the construction on
the overflow channel happening then. Al Jaramillo felt it might be a
first-winter bird, and therefore a different individual, but I think
it is likely an adult. It is very bright and highly colored, with a
bright red crown and crisply demarcated throat and moustachial streak.
There are no retained juvenile greater coverts or tertials. I will
check Pyle's book tonight to see whether anything I saw is definitive
as far as ageing the bird. If it is the same bird (and I think this
is a possibility), then it is at least 6.5 years old (probably not
a longevity record yet).
On the way back out I found the WHITE-THROATED SPARROW in the vines
under the trees halfway between the first and second gray towers north
of Tasman. The bird has a dingy whitish lateral crown stripe and I
tend to agree with Al Jaramillo that it is likely a first-winter
white-striped bird. Also here were a male TOWNSEND'S WARBLER, a flock
of 45 CEDAR WAXWINGS, and a couple vocal TREE SWALLOWS.
Mike Rogers
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 09 12:53:47 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Black-headed grosbeaks
--------
Jack
Thanks for taking the trouble with Pat to check these out. This is a pretty
nice record. Pity they are something really rare.
Nick
Nick Lethaby
Technical Marketing Manager
CoWare, Inc.
Tel: 408 845 7646
E-mail: email@hidden
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 09 14:20:42 2000
Subject: [SBB] Cassin's Finch?
--------
This morning I had what I think is a male CASSIN'S FINCH in a conifer at
28080 Loma Prieta Way in the Santa Cruz Mtns. It was a single male bird
sitting on the top of a conifer about 50 yds fom me, in the sun. It was the
size and shape of a House Finch with a red forehead and crown. The red
ended abruptly with the back of the head and the back being streaky brown.
At times, the crown was sort of fluffed up so I could see the demarcation.
The face pattern was not very distinct, but I could see the cheek patch.
The bird was sitting away from me, so I could not see the underparts well,
but the flanks were white with distinct brown streaks. The bill was light
colored. Unfortunately, the bird didn't turn around or call. Could this
have been a Cassin's Finch? Kathy Parker
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 09 14:25:09 2000
Subject: [SBB] GRSP, VESP, LBBG
--------
All:
This morning (9 Feb.) I conducted a Burrowing Owl survey
on private property in the Evergreen area of eastern San
Jose (right at the edge of the valley floor). A 250-foot
radius circle around last year's owl burrow was not disked
when the rest of the property was disked last summer, so
currently this circle provides an "island" of tall vegetation
surrounded by much shorter grassland. Because of this, 100+
SAVANNAH SPARROWS were concentrated in this small area. Of
greater interest were a VESPER SPARROW and at least 5
GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS, one of which was singing repeatedly
from the top of a small coyote bush! This is several miles
from the area in the Silver Creek Hills where I had up to 3
Grasshopper Sparrows in December, so obviously there are more
than a few GRSP in these grasslands, at least this winter.
At Lake Cunningham, the LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was still
present this morning.
Steve Rottenborn
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 09 17:07:01 2000
Subject: [SBB] Cassin's Finch?
--------
I forgot to say that the tail was notched. Kathy Parker
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 09 22:01:43 2000
Subject: [SBB] geese problems.
--------
Birders
I am not more confused than ever after looking at the small geese at the
Coyote Creek Field Station today. The two small ones were now showing pale
neck collars as well as dark central lines to the throat. I am sure I did
not see the pale collars the other day, and this is one of the reasons I
discounted ALEUTIAN GOOSE as an identification for those two. I was looking
carefully and taking notes as I watched them through the scope the other
day, so I was shocked to see them appear different today. As well, today
the two were hanging around together while the other day the two were not
hanging around together. This makes me think that there may be more geese
that come in to this flock than we think, but then maybe I just couldn't
see the collars the other day and I could today? The ROSS'S GOOSE does not
seem to be with this flock all the time, and to my surprise there was a
WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE in with them today. So, the geese do move around and if
multiple birds are involved this could explain why Steve and I came to
different conclusions on the ID of the small Canada Geese present there.
Numbers of TREE SWALLOWS have increased dramatically lately, and I was sort
of shocked to see a BARN SWALLOW in with the swallows over CCFS today.
Should I assume that this was a northern winterer, or could it be a migrant
already?
Al
Alvaro Jaramillo
Senior 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
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 09 23:20:32 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] geese problems.
--------
In a message dated 2/9/00 10:08:23 PM Pacific Standard Time,
email@hidden writes:
<< Should I assume that this was a northern winterer, or could it be a migrant
already? >>
Coastward over in Santa Cruz County we had at least 5 winter birds (late
Dec. and early Jan.) at Sunset State Beach, and 1 other at College Lake on
January 25. There is a pattern in SCZ of occasional individuals from late
January through mid-February, with normal migrant influx in late February. My
suspicion is the odd late January - mid-February individuals are mostly early
migrants vs. over-wintering. Maybe some winter north of the main wintering
areas and travel north with Trees and Violet-greens that are moving into
central California by late January.
David Suddjian, Capitola
email@hidden
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 10 09:55:05 2000
Subject: [SBB] Barn Swallows
--------
email@hidden wrote:
> email@hidden writes:
>
> << Should I assume that this was a northern winterer, or could it be a migrant
> already? >>
>
> My
> suspicion is the odd late January - mid-February individuals are mostly early
> migrants vs. over-wintering.
Last year, I had a Barn Swallow a few weeks later than this one, but still seemingly
early. Vancouver is already reporting a Barn Swallow as well. So perhaps these birds do
represent the vanguard of migration.
Mike Mammoser
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 10 11:04:11 2000
Subject: [SBB] Barn Swallows
--------
Just out of curiosity, I checked a copy of the county notebooks that Bill
Bousman has kept and provided me access to (Bill, I hope this is an
acceptable use). From winter 1993-94 to winter 1998-99 the average arrival
date over 7 years has been 31 January, the range is 9 Dec to 28 February.
December and January records were in 1995-96 and 1997-98.
Just looking at February & March records for each year, their average
arrival date would be 27 February, range 21 February to 8 March.
My guess would be that migrants are "normally" arriving in in late February
to early March, and the December/January birds are probably birds that
either did not migrate, migrated from elsewhere, but are overwintering in
central CA, or are individuals migrating northward earlier than "normal".
All for now,
Tom
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 10 11:47:56 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] geese problems.
--------
There are at least 3 small Canada Geese in the flock, so there may in fact
be 4 or more birds, two with neck collars and two without. I am quite
certain that 2 of the small one I saw did NOT have neck collars. The other
bird obviously did.
At 10:01 PM 2/9/00 -0800, Alvaro Jaramillo wrote:
>Birders
>
> I am not more confused than ever after looking at the small geese at the
>Coyote Creek Field Station today. The two small ones were now showing pale
>neck collars as well as dark central lines to the throat. I am sure I did
>not see the pale collars the other day, and this is one of the reasons I
>discounted ALEUTIAN GOOSE as an identification for those two. I was looking
>carefully and taking notes as I watched them through the scope the other
>day, so I was shocked to see them appear different today. As well, today
>the two were hanging around together while the other day the two were not
>hanging around together. This makes me think that there may be more geese
>that come in to this flock than we think, but then maybe I just couldn't
>see the collars the other day and I could today? The ROSS'S GOOSE does not
>seem to be with this flock all the time, and to my surprise there was a
>WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE in with them today. So, the geese do move around and if
>multiple birds are involved this could explain why Steve and I came to
>different conclusions on the ID of the small Canada Geese present there.
>
>Numbers of TREE SWALLOWS have increased dramatically lately, and I was sort
>of shocked to see a BARN SWALLOW in with the swallows over CCFS today.
>Should I assume that this was a northern winterer, or could it be a migrant
>already?
>
>Al
>
>
>
>Alvaro Jaramillo
>Senior 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
>
>-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
>This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
>server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
>message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
>
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 10 14:04:45 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Barn Swallows
--------
Tom (or Bill B. ?), are these records on-line? Would you please be so kind
as to post a link if they are. I think that many of us might like a peek at
them.
Dusty Bleher
Campbell, Ca.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Ryan"
To: "SBB"
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2000 11:04
Subject: [SBB] Barn Swallows
> Just out of curiosity, I checked a copy of the county notebooks that Bill
> Bousman has kept and provided me access to (Bill, I hope this is an
> acceptable use). From winter 1993-94 to winter 1998-99 the average
arrival
> date over 7 years has been 31 January, the range is 9 Dec to 28 February.
> December and January records were in 1995-96 and 1997-98.
>
> Just looking at February & March records for each year, their average
> arrival date would be 27 February, range 21 February to 8 March.
>
> My guess would be that migrants are "normally" arriving in in late
February
> to early March, and the December/January birds are probably birds that
> either did not migrate, migrated from elsewhere, but are overwintering in
> central CA, or are individuals migrating northward earlier than "normal".
>
> All for now,
> Tom
> -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
> This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
> server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
> message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to
email@hidden
>
>
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 10 14:28:39 2000
Subject: [SBB] County Notebooks
--------
Folks:
To answer Dusty's question about the partial County Notebooks that Tom
Ryan mentioned, they are not on line. They are a searchable archive that are
created by concatenating the quarterly County Notebooks which are the basis
for my reports to _North American Birds_. I have discussed the process of the
County Notebooks in considerable detail in my annual message which is posted
each year shortly after 1 Jan.
I will provide anyone an electronic file on an individual basis
following direct communication as long as they agree to a number of
stipulations--basically, no further distribution of any sort, and reference to
source if the information is used in any publication.
Bill
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 11 07:40:36 2000
Subject: [SBB] Barn Swallows (more)
--------
Folks:
Not to push this thread too far, but Barn Swallows are interesting in
that they are not secretive birds or difficult to observe, so winter reports
are probably highly reliable and the bird is so rare here in the winter that I
suspect a larger proportion of observations have probably been reported to me.
Over the last 20 years I have 3 from Dec, 7 from Jan, and 13 from Feb. If I
break this down into five year periods (1980-84 for Dec and 1981-85 for Jan
and Feb, and so on), the results are much more interesting.
Dec Jan Feb
1980+ 0 0 2
1985+ 0 0 3
1990+ 0 0 5
1995+ 3 7 3
This indicates that Dec and Jan records are of recent vintage, while the
February records are regular. However, to raise the interest level all of the
February records are from the last two weeks of the month (I've not included
February 2000 results in this table). Thus, a Barn Swallow in the first two
weeks of February is problematic. Is it an extension of the recent pattern of
very casual and rare winter birds, or just an earlier first migrant? You pays
your money and you makes your choice, as the saying goes.
Bill
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 11 11:43:41 2000
Subject: [SBB] BROWN CREEPER
--------
In the midst of our liquid sunshine this morning my backyard had an
incredible number of birds in it. I decided to take my normal 3-mile
mid-morning walk through "my farm" (La Rinconada Park). I took my binocs
and told my asst I might be gone a little bit longr than normal.
As I entered "my farm" the BELTED KINGFISHER greeted me as he was patroling
Smith Creek. I counted 20 CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES amidst perhaps 50
warblers. The lighting was dismal but I was able to pick out a male
TOWNSEND'S among the YELLOW-RUMPS. (I always think of a Townsend as wearing
a helmet...and one should always wear a helmet when in town.)
There was lots of squawking between the 2 jay species. And, lots and lots
of birds. 3 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were working the trees, and then,
ole!, my first BROWN CREEPER for the year at "my farm". then, a second one!
The liquid sunshine was getting to me, so I left, so I could get back to work.
Oh, yes, I attended the Town of Los Gatos Bikes & Trail Commission meeting
last night, having been invited by one of the members. They are planning a
new trail along the RR. They would like to know how they could help
birders. Could they get a bird list for trails? They would like to be more
"bird aware" themselves.
So solutions, just questions.
The Town of Los Gatos has no one assigned to write grants and miss out on a
lot of grant money. The Parks commissions and the Bike & Trail commission
would like to be more proactive. There was discussion if they could share a
grant-writer with other organizations. Any one have any suggestions? This
is way outside my area of expertise....
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos off Quito
"We can't change the financial winds, but we can adjust the sails"
http://www.lgsia.com http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 11 13:41:41 2000
Subject: [SBB] Some birds
--------
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I saw a Prairie Falcon flying between the
Newby Island Dump and the southern end of Fremont Blvd. It was carrying
prey, heading northwest but was not seen it in the "right" county. Also not
in the "right" county was a Peregrine Falcon on a power tower at the northern
end of Fremont Lagoons. Despite the fact that the lagoons were full of gulls
we were unable to find a Glaucous Gull, our target bird. Finally we tried
for the Green-tailed Towhee but spent most of our time looking for it in the
wrong place (as Nick would say). Take my advice (it's free) do not look for
this bird on the dike nearest Cisco (Tasman), it's terrible habitat for a
GTTO. Instead, bird the dike across the flood control basin as this is the
dike which is on the west side of Coyote Creek (It has bushes and trees
growing on it!). We never found the GTTO.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:44 PM, 2/11/00
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Sat Feb 12 16:45:19 2000
Subject: [SBB] Some continuing birds
--------
Actually I think I'm being persecuted. Just about every day I have a
chance to get out birding, it rains.
Anyway: on my way back from a visit to Moss Landing, I did some (mainly)
car-birding in the south county. Continuing birds include: the Sandhill
Crane, which was close to the road (Santa Teresa Blvd.) in the field just
south of the usual development; the Ferruginous Hawk, perched a bit east of
Santa Teresa, about 1/4 mile south of Highland; an Osprey in the "Osprey tree"
at the southwest of the Ogier ponds; and another Osprey perched near the
southeast corner of Parkway Lakes. Also, a pair of Burrowing Owls continues
along Disk Drive in Alviso, so they are hanging on there. (What are those
ominous-looking little white flags along the edge of this field?)
Cheers, Al
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Sun Feb 13 20:02:40 2000
Subject: [SBB] Moss Landing Harris's Sparrow / Resident Request
--------
All,
As we were putting in our three hours waiting for the Harris's Sparrow, a
light-blue station wagon pulled along beside us, and the driver rolled down
the window, so I did the same.
He asked me to pass along a request to future birders who visit to bring a
rake to smooth out the ruts that we have made over the last few weeks. I
asked if he were the owner, meaning of 41 Bay View Drive, but he thought I
meant where we were parked. He said that he imagined the area was public,
but he said some of the neighbors had been complaining.
I apologized, and said I'd put the word out.
So if you plan to be in the area soon, and can do this, please do. Depending
on whether the ground is wet or dry, a shovel might work better. The next
time we're going down there, I'll bring both, but that might not be for a
couple of weeks.
Of course, this also brings up the problem of whether to park in this rutted
area any more.
The bird news is that after waiting over three hours, from 10:50am till
1:55pm (approaching our 2:00pm drop dead departure time), we got great views
of the Harris's Sparrow, as it flew in with a number of other sparrows. You
can see six frames taken off video at
http://home.earthlink.net/~blutman/harris.html
Good birding,
Bob Lutman
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Mon Feb 14 10:13:28 2000
Subject: [SBB] Gilroy area
--------
All,
On Saturday 2/12/00, Alma Kali and I headed down for a look at the
SANDHILL CRANE north of Gilroy. It was quite obliging, right near
Santa Teresa Road in the little housing development just south of
Fitzgerald. On the way down we also had an OSPREY perched on the
usual tree between Parkway Lakes and Highway 101.
We next headed over to the Morabito goose farm, but on the way got
distracted at the junction of Maple Ave and Murphy Ave by a couple of
doves perched on the wire. Pulling over and checking these birds
revealed them to be apparent EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES. A third bird
noted was perhaps inbred with domesticated RINGED TURTLE-DOVES, as it
was paler and lacked an obvious collar (it also appeared to have a
bill deformity). Although the doves were a little skittish, I did
manage some photos. Unfortunately (?) it does not appear that these
are wild birds, as there was an aviary in the yard at 15255 Murphy Ave
that likely houses these birds. Also, even the two cleaner looking
birds had primaries and undertail coverts that were somewhat paler
than they perhaps should have been, suggesting perhaps that they may
have some Ringed Turtle-Dove genes in them as well.
An hour at the goose farm turned up the free-flying adult GREATER
WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (in addition to the four caged birds), 9 ROSS'S
GEESE, and 8 (all feral?) SNOW GEESE. Most of the Ross's Geese
appeared to be free-flying adults, but at least one bird is apparently
pinioned, with many feathers missing from its right wing. It has not
had either halux (heel toe) removed though. Despite a healthy
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW/HOUSE SPARROW flock in the area, we failed to
locate a Clay-colored Sparrow.
On the way back from a late lunch in the Gilroy mall, we stopped again
at the goose farm and this time managed two brief looks at a
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. First it was in the leafless tree right of the
olive behind the aviary in back of the house and twenty minutes later
it flew across the main pond and sat in the top of a willow for 30
seconds or so before continuing west. Also had a LINCOLN'S SPARROW
and a couple GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS here.
Mike Rogers
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Mon Feb 14 12:45:10 2000
Subject: [SBB] birds
--------
I did some driving on the weekend, not really getting out of the car,
and managed a few interesting birds.
On Saturday, 12 Feb 00, I had the adult BALD EAGLE at Calero Reservoir,
an OSPREY at Chesbro Reservoir, and another OSPREY at Parkway Lake.
On Sunday, 13 Feb 00, I had the SANDHILL CRANE along Santa Teresa north
of Gilroy, a FERRUGINOUS HAWK along San Martin west of Monterey Hwy, an
OSPREY at Ogier Ponds, and again an OSPREY at Parkway Lake. It would
seem that there are 3 Ospreys in the area right now (and I believe that
someone recently reported seeing as many in a single day).
Mike Mammoser
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Mon Feb 14 13:38:43 2000
Subject: [SBB] Cedar Waxwing
--------
We have a single cedar waxwing down at the Wildlife Center that has been
rehabilitated and is ready for release. We need to release this bird with
others of its kind. Please let me know if you've seen any active flocks.
Thanks for your help,
Trudi Burney
Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Mon Feb 14 13:39:29 2000
Subject: [SBB] weekend birds
--------
On Saturday, I had at least 77 Thayer's Gulls (40 2W, 25 juv/1W,5 3W, & 6
Ad) at Hidden lake.
Brief checks of CCRS on Saturday and Sunday revealed little of interest on
the ponds, except 5 Greater Scaup on the waterbird pond. No geese of interest.
On Sunday, I checked out the pond at Marsh & Felter Road. The immature
Ross's Goose was still here and I expect this is the bird Al J. saw at CCRS
since I regularly see Canada Geese flocks commuting over Milpitas. There
were also 6 Hooded Mergansers here.
Nick Lethaby
Technical Marketing Manager
CoWare, Inc.
Tel: 408 845 7646
E-mail: email@hidden
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Mon Feb 14 19:04:08 2000
Subject: [SBB] Arques & Lawrence
--------
Today around 4PM about 50 cedar waxwings stopped over in the tall trees
on the Applied Materials campus across from Fry's. There is an old farm
well on the site that has the engineers stymied on how to cap it -- I've
watched for two years as each attempt to staunch the flow has failed.
I've dubbed it "Arques Creek" and have watched as tules, killdeer,
mallards, robins, Audubon's warblers and others have used the flowing
water and adjacent tall trees over that time.
Last Tuesday, February 8th, around 1:30PM, as I sat on Lawrence
Expressway waiting to turn west onto Arques I looked in the open field
on the southwest corner for the two red-tailed hawks that hang out
there. Imagine my surprise to see one of the hawks barrelling towards
me at eye level. It swooped up and I caught a glimpse above me of two
other hawks. I immediately drove to the top of the six story parking
garage where I work and got out my binoculars. I could hear their cries
above me. For about 15 minutes I watched as two of the three hawks
dropped their talons midair, flew at each other, one tumbling the other
a couple of times. The other hawk soared high above the two. Only two
were interacting. I watched them fade into pinpoints to the South.
Can someone tell me what kind of behavior I might have been seeing? I
looked in my Dunne's "Hawks in Flight" book, but didn't find anything
about this behavior of three hawks in early February.
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Mon Feb 14 22:05:07 2000
Subject: [SBB] Action Needed--San Jose Burrowing Owl Plan
--------
FOLKS,
I understand that, in general, we are not supposed to use this list
for conservation purposes, and typically I do not. That said, I thought
this important enough to break that rule.
We may have our last, best chance to keep a viable owl population
in the South Bay. San Jose has been drafting a Burrowing Owl Habitat
Conservation Plan for more than two years. They now will have two public
meetings to gather opinion, and then a City Council hearing on the issue.
>
>>> These public meetings are very important. The message below
>>>explains where and when they are, starting this week.
>>>
>>> If you can, it would be very helpful to attend one of these, and
>>>ask others to do the same. City staff will explain parts of the plan
>>>and take opinions or questions. While I can't go into detail here about
>>>what the plan does, suffice it to say that it's the best thing we've
>>>seen yet on the local scene, although there's no guarantees it would
>>>keep a healthy population of BUOWs in San Jose. It's good, but by no
>>>means perfect. Besides, helping owls, it would help other grassland
>>>species and preserve open space.
>>>
>>> It is going to be very difficult to convince the San Jose Council
>>>to pass this, both because it charges all development in the city $5000
>>>per acre--regardless of whether they have owl habitat or not--and asks
>>>the city to set aside lots of public lands over time and manage them for
>>>owls.
>>>
>>> We will need the biggest showing at a council meeting of
>>>undetermined date in the future. However, these public meetings are
>>>also important, because they set the tone for the staff report on the
>>>issue, and the council will hear about how well they are attended.
>>>
>>> Whether you reside in SJ or not, please try to attend one of these
>>>meetings, and be prepared to come to the council meeting if possible.
>>>Also, if you have any friends who have expressed interest or concern in
>>>the owl, please forward this email and give them a call, asking them to
>>>attend.
>>>
>>> If you attend the meeting, please speak, even if briefly. This is
>>>a regional issue, so people from outside of San Jose can speak as well
>>>about the regional importance of this type of plan.
>>>
>>> If possible, let me know if you can come and who else you might
>>>have contacted. I can use all the help I can get on these meetings, so
>>>if you can lend a hand in calling people or doing something else, please
>>>let me know.
>
> Thanks.
>>>
>>>Craig Breon
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>>From: Jan Hintermeister
>>>>To:
>>>>Sent: Monday, February 07, 2000 7:54 PM
>>>>Subject: [open-space] San Jose Burrowing Owl Plan
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> At the Burrowing Owl Consortium Meeting on Saturday, we were given a
>>>>summary
>>>>> of the City of San Jose's proposed Burrowing Owl Habitat Conservation
>>>>> Strategy. There will be two public meetings that will discuss the
>>>>concepts
>>>>> proposed in the plan; both meetings will cover the same material. First
>>>>> meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 16 from 3 to 5 in room 202A of
>>>>the
>>>>> Health Building at 151 West Mission Avenue. Second meeting is Wednesday,
>>>>> February 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 in room 106 of City Hall, 801 North First
>>>>> Street.
>>>>>
>>>>> You can get a copy of a summary memo on the plan or further
>>>>>information by
>>>>> calling Valerie Peterson at 408-277-4576.
>>>>>
>>>>> Jan
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>> What's better than getting a Great Deal?
>>>>> Getting a Great Deal delivered right to your email in-box!
>>>>> http://click.egroups.com/1/1239/3/_/114619/_/949981985/
>>>>>
>>>>> -- Create a poll/survey for your group!
>>>>> -- http://www.egroups.com/vote?listname=open-space&m=1
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Tue Feb 15 13:43:31 2000
Subject: [SBB] Hawk antics
--------
SB Birders---
Clysta Seney's account of Red-tailed Hawks staging aerial
skirmishes in the skies over Santa Clara sounds like classic
territorial behavior. Talon-to-talon battles are not that uncommon;
my wife Karen, a raptor rehabber, has received several RTHA's over
the past 10 years that were wounded in such battles. Deep puncture
wounds, internal injuries, and even fatality can result from these
altercations, which are literally matters of life and death for the
birds as they defend breeding territory.
It's certainly the right time of year, as resident raptors set up
their territories early. A non-birding friend reported to me last
week that she observed a pair of Red-tails building a nest at El
Camino Park in Palo Alto on Feb. 3. I have not verified this report.
She said it was atop a light pole.
Speaking of territorial disputes, Karen observed a PEREGRINE
FALCON harrassing, striking, and eventually locking talons with a
RTHA over the west parking lot at Stanford Med Center on Feb. 4 (they
disengaged and flew off). I know falcons tend to be aggressive, but
I hadn't heard of such dramatic confrontation with a larger species.
Makes you wonder about the possibility of a local PEFA nest site.
A friend of mine who lives near Cowper and Lytton in Palo Alto says
that a pair of Peregrines has been roosting atop the multi-story
building at that corner for the last two winters, but leaves in the
Spring. And if I'm not mistaken, Dick Carlson reported PEFA
sightings elsewhere in downtown P.A., too.
---Grant Hoyt
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Tue Feb 15 16:39:54 2000
Subject: [SBB] Re: PEFA
--------
Grant Hoyt wrote:
>
> Makes you wonder about the possibility of a local PEFA nest site.
> A friend of mine who lives near Cowper and Lytton in Palo Alto says
> that a pair of Peregrines has been roosting atop the multi-story
> building at that corner for the last two winters, but leaves in the
> Spring. And if I'm not mistaken, Dick Carlson reported PEFA
> sightings elsewhere in downtown P.A., too.
>
> ---Grant Hoyt
I have reported in the past that I have seen a PEFA on the Palo Alto Government
Building eating lunch (pigeon). I have seen PEFA's on this building in the past
as well, but cannot recall if only in winter or spring/summer. I'll keep an eye
on the building this spring.
Screech
>
> -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
> This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
> server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
> message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
--
Paul L. Noble
"Screechowl"
email@hidden
^ ^
@ @
( v )
( )
/ \
m m
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Tue Feb 15 17:09:09 2000
Subject: [SBB] Reservoir highlights
--------
Today (2/15/00) we observed 6 TREE SWALLOWS at the Ogier Ponds. What are
their early arrival dates? : )
At Calero Reservoir we observed a REDHEAD, CANVASBACK, 2 BARROW'S GOLDENEYE
+ what I believe was the hybrid Goldeneye, 3 SURF SCOTERS (be careful the
female has a really bright & small white patch behind her eye,it fooled me
until she lifted her head and I saw the rest of her face), PEREGRINE FALCON,
GOLDEN EAGLE, OSPREY. Another OSPREY was observed at Chesbro Reservoir.
All for now,
Tom Ryan
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Tue Feb 15 19:37:30 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Re: PEFA
--------
I forwarded Grant's original SBB post from today re: Peregrines to Janet
Linthicum of the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group. She responded to
say:
"One of the females that breeds on the Bay Bridge has killed at least three
red-tails while people were watching."
If anything should come of the speculation of potential nesting in Palo Alto
be sure to pass along word to Janet at the SCPBRG asap, at
email@hidden.
David Suddjian, Capitola
email@hidden
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Tue Feb 15 20:19:19 2000
Subject: [SBB] Barn Swallows and speculation.
--------
Birders:
As is the general case, Neotropical migrant landbirds which breed west of
the Rockies tend to winter farther north and west than birds which breed
east of the Rockies. This applies to western species as well as western
populations of more widespread species. So most of our neotrops winter in
Mexico or slightly further south in northern Central America. The actual
movements and wintering areas of different populations of Barn Swallows are
not known. However, they are one of the only North American breeding
landbirds which reach Tierra del Fuego in Chile and Argentina. Barn
Swallows winter in South America south of the Amazon basin as well as along
the Andes but probably not in the Amazon Basin, they also winter in Central
America north to S. Mexico. Like most real long distance migrants, the Barn
Swallow delays its complete moult (change of wing and tail feathers as well
as the entire body plumage) until in the winter quarters. Immature Barn
Swallows moult their wings significantly later than adults. The wing moult
takes around 185 days (based on African wintering Barn Swallows Ginn, H.B.
and D.S. Melville 1983. Moult in Birds. BTO Guide 19.) which is a pretty
long time. If you assume that to get to South America (not even the
southernmost part) it takes a month since this is what Swainson's Hawks
appar to take to get to Argentina from the US/Canada, then this is two
months to go there and back. Of course Barn Swallows are not Swainson's
Hawks, but I could not find any good data to figure out how long it takes
"Barnies" to get south. So you add it all up (185+60 = 245 days = 8 months)
and it is a lot of time, even assuming that American "Barnies" moult
quicker than African ones and the whole shebang takes 7 months it is still
a lot of time. To do all of this a February arriving Barn Swallow would
have to have left California in August (or July assuming 8 months). In fact
this is what occurs in northeastern North America, Barn Swallows leave
early in the season with most adults gone by August and they arrive
considerably later in the spring. However, here in California they appear
to stick around for longer in the fall and arrive earlier in the spring. I
speculate that the only way that this can happen is for the California Barn
Swallows to winter considerably north of South America (cutting those 60
days in migration down), they likely winter in Mexico or a litte farther
south. Also, since juvenile Barn Swallows leave later in the fall and
moult later in the winter, it is predicted that the earliest arriving Barn
Swallows must be adults. This doesn't explain why there are early arriving
Barn Swallows, but it suggests that they probably winter further north than
the rest of the population.
Now I stop avoiding the work that I have to do....
Al
Alvaro Jaramillo
Senior 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
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Tue Feb 15 22:08:22 2000
Subject: Fwd: [SBB] Hawk antics
--------
I thought I might offer some comments on this note to anyone who might be
interested in this sort of thing.
One of the major "natural" causes of mortality (as opposed to being shot,
poisoned, etc by man) is fighting over territories. Most raptor
populations have a nearly equal number of floating adults waiting to get a
breeding territory as there are in those territories. That way the good
territories are always occupied by successful, highly competing (good
genetics) individuals. We have found this to be true in the large, dense,
Altamont area golden eagle population and the increasing western peregrine
falcon population. Even during winter, territoriality is severe. On the
Farallone Islands there have been several peregrines killed in recent years
in territorial squabbles. In Alaska where bald eagle populations are
densest, productivity decreases due to competition and fighting between
adults for resources and territories.
Nesting season is based on a variety of factors, including increasing
daylight which stimulates atrophied gonads to enlarge and produce necessary
hormones etc. The shortest day of the year is 21 December, and as day
length increases eventually the birds become territorial, begin to copulate
and nest build, and then lay eggs. Most birds in California have long
enough days by early March to breed if nest site, food abundance, and
predatory efficiency come together at the same time.
Red-tail hawks kill baby peregrines. Peregrines are very defensive against
most raptors. Golden eagles usually provide the greatest danger since they
can kill young and adults so eagles are the most aggressively attacked.
The female peregrine nesting on the Oakland Bay Bridge has been known to
kill a few red-tailed hawks in territorial defense.
Peregrines are common winter residents on buildings in Palo Alto, Foster
City, Oakland, San Francisco, Petaluma, Seaside, San Jose, and many other
coastal or bay area communities. Most of the birds leave by mid-March.
However there are many nests on the bridges and it is now very possible for
the average bird watcher to discover a new nest on a building most anywhere
in the SF or Monterey Bay area. The population is expanding in wilderness
and urban areas (10% of population nests on structures). We do not know of
a nest in Palo Alto or San Mateo where we get many reports. We think these
are wintering birds, but a nest is feasible and could be undiscovered.
They do not nest on top of buildings. They nest on the sides, most
commonly facing the morning sun and shaded from afternoon sun, but any
orientation could be possible in our mild climate. They would likely be on
higher building, but not necessarily the highest or not necessarily at the
top stories.
Keep an eye on bay side buildings, bridges, wind tunnels, airport hangers,
and the electrical transmission towers. You may be writing off peregrines
as red-tailed hawks on the transmission towers, they look pretty similar
at quick glance.
Please do not think we know every nest or resident. We are always happy to
get reports and information. Check out our website for other raptor stuff.
>>X-Sender: email@hidden
>>You wrote:
>>SB Birders---
>> Clysta Seney's account of Red-tailed Hawks staging aerial
>>skirmishes in the skies over Santa Clara sounds like classic
>>territorial behavior. Talon-to-talon battles are not that uncommon;
>>my wife Karen, a raptor rehabber, has received several RTHA's over
>>the past 10 years that were wounded in such battles. Deep puncture
>>wounds, internal injuries, and even fatality can result from these
>>altercations, which are literally matters of life and death for the
>>birds as they defend breeding territory.
>> It's certainly the right time of year, as resident raptors set up
>>their territories early. A non-birding friend reported to me last
>>week that she observed a pair of Red-tails building a nest at El
>>Camino Park in Palo Alto on Feb. 3. I have not verified this report.
>>She said it was atop a light pole.
>> Speaking of territorial disputes, Karen observed a PEREGRINE
>>FALCON harrassing, striking, and eventually locking talons with a
>>RTHA over the west parking lot at Stanford Med Center on Feb. 4 (they
>>disengaged and flew off). I know falcons tend to be aggressive, but
>>I hadn't heard of such dramatic confrontation with a larger species.
>> Makes you wonder about the possibility of a local PEFA nest site.
>>A friend of mine who lives near Cowper and Lytton in Palo Alto says
>>that a pair of Peregrines has been roosting atop the multi-story
>>building at that corner for the last two winters, but leaves in the
>>Spring. And if I'm not mistaken, Dick Carlson reported PEFA
>>sightings elsewhere in downtown P.A., too.
Brian James Walton, Coordinator
Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group
Long Marine Lab, University of California
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 459-2466 or 458-3413 messages
(831) 458-3413 or 459-3115 (FAX)
http://www2.ucsc.edu/~scpbrg
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Wed Feb 16 09:45:41 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Re: PEFA
--------
I thought that Peregrines had been recorded nesting at St. Joseph's
seminary in Menlo Park???
--
Richard C. Carlson
Chairman, Spectrum Economics
Palo Alto, CA
email@hidden
650-324-2701
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 17 08:40:43 2000
Subject: [SBB] BWTE, HOME
--------
Folks:
This morning, 2/17/2000, I saw a male and female BLUE-WINGED TEAL in the
North Pond in the Palo Alto FCB near the bike path. A female HOODED MERGANSER
was near the boathouse on Shoreline Lake. I counted nine BLACK SKIMMERS on
Charleston Slough, one up from recent counts.
Bill
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 17 13:51:48 2000
Subject: [SBB] Green-tailed Towhee
--------
All,
This morning at about 9:30 Frank Vanslager and I saw the GTTO near the trail
on the west bank of Coyote Creek 1/3 to 1/2 mile north of Tasman Dr. (Half
way between the fourth gray power tower and first wooden power tower.) We
first saw two CATO on the path ahead of us about 15 yds south of a five ft
high, six inch diameter, natural metal standpipe located on the west side of
the trail. A third bird with a raised, rufous crest was also vaguely seen
under bushes on the east side of the trail. As we moved closer to view this
bird it flew about five feet north into some weeds and out of sight. Shortly
thereafter the two CATO flew about 20 yds south of us. Not long after that
the GTTO appeared in a bush on the east side of the trail above where we
first saw the CATO. It then flew down and into Raspberry brambles on the
west side of the trail and out of sight for good. We then birded some local
hotspots finding four Burrowing Owls (two flag marked areas) on Disk Dr. and
a single BUOW and a single Common Snipe in Arzino Ranch.
Directions to GTTO: Park in a location near where Tasman Dr. crosses Coyote
Creek (your choice where you park). From the northwest corner of the bridge
walk north a short distance and take the path down into the flood control
basin (this is not Coyote Creek) and toward the concrete "dam". Walk across
the "dam" and up the bank on the far side, to the right, to the top of the
dike where you will find a well marked trail. Take this trail north to the
location previously described above. This is a pleasant if not very birdy
walk once you're across the flood control basin. People should be aware that
at least one homeless person appears to be camping on this dike.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 2:00 PM, 2/17/00
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Thu Feb 17 16:00:17 2000
Subject: [SBB] Black Rail
--------
This morning, Thursday, I saw 1 BLACK RAIL at Rail Corner at the Baylands.
The tide was not particularly high, even with all of the rain, but the bird
was caught out in some of the shorter vegetation so had to come in about 15
minutes before the highest tide. I doubt if it would have appeared had it
been in the taller vegetation. Kathy Parker
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 18 07:30:19 2000
Subject: [SBB] White Pelicans
--------
Folks:
Yesterday afternoon, 2/17/2000, I counted 13 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS on
Salt Pond A1 in Mountain View. They are fairly unusual at this time of year.
I did not see any with nuptial horns.
Bill
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 18 08:54:04 2000
Subject: [SBB] Pelagic Cormorant, Foster City
--------
Belated report:
On Sunday 2/18, I had a PELAGIC CORMORANT fly right in front of
our apt. in Foster City. I actually saw it from our kitchen!
Our apt. faces the waterway/canal in Foster City, between
Foster City Blvd. and Shell Dr. It was flying towards Shell Dr.,
i.e. towards the lake in the center of the down.
(I am still not sure of the drainage of these waterways in Foster City).
Question: What's the status of PELAGIC CORMORANTs in the Bay?
They are very rarely reported in Santa Clara County. Are they
more common in the San Mateo area?
Out apt. is probably a mile from the Bay. Is it very unusual for
a PELAGIC CORMORANT to fly in that far?
Thanks,
Vivek
email@hidden
PS: We moved to Foster City in Dec due to my wife's job change.
I regretted leaving Santa Clara County, since the county birding
in SC County is a HUGE quality-of-life multiplier.
I still work at Intel and though I commute to the South Bay everyday,
I haven't had a chance to bird at all this year. Hopefully I will be
able to resume SC county birding soon.
In the meantime, birding from my porch has made up for the inconvenience
of a long commute. Have about 40 species from my porch so far
(am still missing Am. Crow, N. Mockingbird, Am. Robin etc), including
such improbable yard birds as CANVASBACK, BUFFLEHEAD, C. GOLDENEYEs,
3 species of grebes, 5 species of gulls including THAYER'S,
WESTERN and GLAUCOUS-WINGED, R-B. MERGANSER, Am. PELICANs,
GREATER YELLOWLEGS, etc.
The highlights have been a PEREGRINE FALCON (which circled around the
apt for over 2 minutes, until of course I remembered my camera),
and this PELAGIC CORMORNANT.
And then there's the egret-roost - about 50 SNOWY EGRETS roost in pine
trees behind the apt. Around dusk, they start lining up on the side
of the waterway right outside the apt. and then fly in to the roost.
I am playing with a digital camera and may post some pictures if time allows.
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 18 09:09:41 2000
Subject: [SBB] sparrow, clear breast, center dot
--------
In a walk around my neighborhood on the Stanford campus the other evening,
I saw a sparrow feeding at a neighbor's feeder that had a completely clear
breast with a center black dot. It did not have the strongly marked head
plumage of a Lark Sparrow (which in any case I've never seen in our
neighborhood, though they do appear up by the Dish). The only other detail
I was able to note before the bird flew away was a bill that was relatively
small and thin for a sparrow, and with considerable yellow in it. I've been
back several times to try and refind the bird, without success -- I plan to
keep trying, and will report any results.
What is the status of American Tree Sparrow in Santa Clara Co?
-- Tom Grey Stanford Law School email@hidden
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 18 09:22:40 2000
Subject: [SBB] ATSP Status
--------
Tom and others:
There is a banding record from the mid-1970s, I think. Date was 10/25 a
and it was banded by Dick Mewaldt in Alviso. Keep looking.
Bill
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 18 09:51:56 2000
Subject: [SBB] January archive online; mystery duck.
--------
South Bay Birders,
The January messages have been archived at:
http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/southbay.htm
I have updated my web site with two new mystery birds, a nighthawk and
the controversial duck currently at the Baylands Duck Pond. Comparing
it to the "Brewer's Duck" on the photo gallery does not seem to me to
be a very good match. Any further ideas? At this point I'm not at all
sure what this bird is. Help!
The URL is
http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/
Follow the link to "California Birding."
Enjoy!
--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA 94044: mailto:email@hidden
California Birding; Mystery Birds: http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/
California Bird Records Committee: http://www.wfo-cbrc.org/cbrc/
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 18 11:10:08 2000
Subject: [SBB] Almaden Lake Gulls
--------
All:
At about 10:00 this morning (18 Feb.), I briefly checked
Almaden Lake. Among the 600 or so gulls were 80+
THAYER'S. Also present (on the gravel bar at the upper
end of the lake) was one of those dreaded Kumlien's-
type gulls. Like our previous Kumlien's candidates,
this was fairly large, being as large as some of the
Herring Gulls present and having a moderately large
bill with a prominent gonydeal angle. The primaries
and rectrices seemed whiter than on all but one of the
previous birds (that one being the largest bird last
year). I'm looking right now at Mike Rogers' excellent
photos of what was perhaps the most Kumlien's-like of
all the birds last year, and today's bird definitely had
whiter primaries and rectrices. The greater and median
coverts were also more extensively white, and the tertials,
scapulars, and back were very whitish as well. Like some
of the previous birds, the uppertail and undertail coverts
had conspicuous dark brown bars, contrasting noticeably
with the whitish tail.
However, this bird was moderately worn, and the muted creamy
and tan tones in the interiors of the tertials, primaries,
and tail (slight though they are), suggest that this bird's
whitish appearance may be the result of fading to some extent.
In any case, this is an interesting bird, as it typifies the
problem of distinguishing pale and/or faded Thayer's Gulls in
late winter from Iceland Gulls.
There will be no mistaking this bird if you see it -- the
primaries and tail look virtually pure white except when
seen well through a scope. For what it's worth, none of the
other 50 or so first-winter Thayer's Gulls even approached
this or any of the birds we've previously called Kumlien's-
types.
Also present were several other odd gulls. One adult Herring
had an extremely bright orange bill. Another gull was ostensibly
a medium-sized adult Thayer's, with a medium-dark brown eye and a
very densely streaked head and neck, although the upperparts were
noticeably darker than on any Herring or Thayer's present (almost
as dark as a California Gull), and the darker areas on the under-
sides of the primaries were black, not gray.
Other interesting local birds lately include a large, dark
MERLIN (apparently female or immature) over I-680 near Alum
Rock Avenue on 14 Feb., a male COMMON MERGANSER flying south
over the Guadalupe River at Capitol Expwy. on 17 Feb., and a
MERLIN (age/sex unknown) over Lawrence Expwy. near Stevens
Creek Blvd. in Santa Clara this morning.
Steve Rottenborn
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 18 11:36:30 2000
Subject: [SBB] Night Flights...
--------
just thought I'd pass this along as an FYI.
last night about 10PM, sitting in the hot tub and staring at the full
moon, we were surprised to see a flock of something cross the moon.
They were quite high up, and it was definitely not a V formation, but
more of a flock, and I counted 30-40 birds across the moon in what
seemed to be a larger flock. They were headed almost due east.
--
Chuq Von Rospach - Plaidworks Consulting (mailto:email@hidden)
Apple Mail List Gnome (mailto:email@hidden)
And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar
and say 'Man, what are you doing here?'"
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 18 12:55:07 2000
Subject: [SBB] Some late reports
--------
Sorry for this late report, but if you're planning to go to Panoche
Valley...
I did two field trips to the area from Paicines Res., Panoche Road
through Visitor's Valley into Panoche Valley, to Shotgun Pass.
Saturday, 2/12, was cloudy but without rain, Sunday. 2/13, had showers.
Highlights
Paicines Res.:
One ad. BALD EAGLE; a FERRUGINOUS HAWK; many RING-NECKED DUCKS;
some CANVASBACKS; one male REDHEAD; one fem. COMMON MERGANSER;
a pair of PHAINOPEPLA (at south end from Cienega Rd); one CASSIN'S
KINGBIRD (on Sunday, south end); couple of VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS;
one coyote. The water level was low with about 2/3 of the area
submerged.
Visitor's Valley, Cottonwood Rd. (.75 mi. off Panoche Rd.):
2 pairs of PHAINOPEPLA (male fed female); FERRUGINOUS HAWK around home
on ridge
Visitor's Valley, Panoche Rd.:
A GREATER ROADRUNNER dashed across road then across field; PHAINOPEPLA
at the Lewis' Woodpecker snag (LEWO not seen this trip).
Panoche Valley, Panoche Rd.:
2 GOLDEN EAGLES (on fencepost and feeding on ground south of Panoche Rd.
just east of Silver Creek Ranch), VESPER SPARROW (came to pishing on
south side just before end of pavement), 2-3 LARK BUNTING across 1st
house east of intersection with New Idria Rd. (house address is 33941
Panoche Rd., seen with LARK SPARROWS). Several more FERRUGINOUS HAWKS
seen in Panoche Valley, all light morphs.
Shotgun Pass, Little Panoche Rd.:
PRAIRIE FALCON (on the south side of pass, near typical Rock Wren rocks),
a MERLIN (zipped through pass).
We saw only 68 sp. for both days, including 9 sp. of raptors, but there
was still lots of activity. No Mtn. Bluebirds, no Mtn. Plover (checked
Little Panoche Rd. fields more than north of Panoche Rd. east of New
Idria Rd. junction). On Saturday we saw large numbers of Common Raven
flying south through the pass, one group numbered 40 birds. At the end
of our day (about 5:00p) there were 100+ ravens in the field at the
Panoche-Little Panoche Rd. junction.
Monte Bello owls
On 1/22, I took a group of MROSD docents owling at Monte Bello.
We were "skunked" for most of the trip until near the end. We had
two WESTERN SCREECH OWLS calling along the Canyon Trail about halfway
between the sag pond and the meadow (Stevens Creek Nature Trail
junction). We were able to watch one for about 10 minutes.
On 2/5, I led an owl hike to the same area. The rains had just abated
and the skies cleared. We had 12 WESTERN SCREECH OWLS calling between
the sag pond and the Indian Creek Trail junction, but could not see
any of them. Only heard distant GREAT HORNED OWLS for other species.
I couldn't get any Northern Saw-whet Owl response on either trip,
and I have not heard them around my home yet this year. Last night,
my wife, Mary, saw a large owl-like bird (prob. Great Horned)
"investigating" two of our cats who were out on their exercise time
last night. They didn't stay out much longer!
I should note that the Midpeninsula Open Space District wants to
know if people are going to be on the preserves after sunset and
before sunrise, so it's best to arrange for a permit for access
during these times. Chances are that you will only be allowed in
as part of a request hike accompanied by docents.
Les
--
Les Chibana, Palo Alto, CA email@hidden
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 18 14:18:38 2000
Subject: [SBB] Mountain View 2/18
--------
Hi Everyone--
A flock of 8 WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS was circling around the Central
Expressway overpass of highway 237 this morning.
Mark Miller
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 18 16:27:00 2000
Subject: [SBB] Glaucous Gull
--------
All:
Scott Terrill and I just checked Almaden Lake (15:30).
No pale Thayer's/Kumlien's types, and fewer gulls than
this morning. There was a GLAUCOUS GULL present on the
gravel bar, although I'm not at all sure of its age.
The bird looked like an adult (pale eye, all adult-like
gray back, upperwing coverts, underwing coverts, and
tertials) except for the primaries (which were actually
mostly white, lacking the gray bases typical of an adult),
the tail (which had a very small amount of barely visible
vermiculation), and the bill (which was pink [no yellow
tones] with a fairly large amount of subterminal dark
pigment). The bill was typical of a second-year bird,
but the mantle, scapulars, upperwing coverts, and tertials
were more adult-like (without any darker markings) than on
some third-year birds. I think it was either a 2nd or 3rd
year bird, although the bill color doesn't fit the
plumage regardless of the age.
Steve Rottenborn
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 18 17:44:48 2000
Subject: [SBB] even more "Kumlien's" Gulls.
--------
Birders:
While eating my lunch at Hidden Lake in Milpitas I had one of these pale
things that could pass for a "Kumlien's" Iceland Gull. There were also over
50 Thayer's Gulls there. The Iceland type gull was very pale, looked to be
in its juvenile/first winter plumage, had largely white primaries but with
dark central areas. The tertials were white with a couple of darker bars,
but definitely not solid. I didn't take good notes as I spent my time
trying to get photos of this bird. I gather this one is not as pale as
Steve's Almaden lake bird from today, but it is comparable to the birds
that we were calling "Iceland" gulls the last couple of years. Again, this
bird was in size and structure no different than the Thayer's Gulls. It
also wasn't very worn, just pale. Also there was a female Brewer's
Blackbird with gleaming yellow eyes.
There was a juvenile/first basic Glaucous Gull at the CCFS waterbird pond
as well as a "Nelson's Gull". Nelson's Gull is a hybrid between a Glaucous
and Herring Gull. I presume this is what this bird was as it was a fine
Glaucous Gull except it had pale brownish primaries. The bill was typical
of Glaucous, and the body plumage was very pale, nearly whitish. Not sure
of the age of this bird, either first or second winter.
One Golden Eagle flew over the Water Pollution Control Plant.
Al
Alvaro Jaramillo
Senior 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
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Fri Feb 18 17:54:22 2000
Subject: [SBB] revise that Barn Swallow diatribe.
--------
Birders:
Today at CCFS I saw another Barn Swallow in with the Tree Swallows. In
the last e-mail I sent about Barn Swallows I speculated about their place
of origin and moult timing. Well, this bird today was still undergoing the
wing moult! This is entirely unexpected as Barn Swallows moult in the
wintering grounds. The late timing of the moult of this individual (only
half way through the primaries) is strongly suggestive of this bird being
one in its first spring as they moult later than adults. Also, the tail was
short. The bird the other day looked like a fully moulted, fresh, and
striking adult male. So this is definitely a second bird. But what is
noteworthy is that it was moulting at all, this really suggests that this
bird wintered somewhat nearby, at least probably within the state. Birds do
not moult and migrate at the same time in most cases, specifically Barn
Swallows appear to migrate north after they are finished their moult, so I
think this bird most likely wintered close by. This got me thinking about
how odd it is that the Barn Swallows showed up with the first real good
influx of Tree Swallows, and it suggests that they all wintered together
somewhere. Maybe in the Central Valley? Who knows. Definitely having
moulting young Barn Swallows here in February means we are likely not
talking about the long-distance migrants which are wintering in Mexico or
further south.
regards
Al
Alvaro Jaramillo
Senior 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
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to email@hidden
From email@hidden Sat Feb 19 07:52:08 2000
Subject: [SBB] Vaux's Swifts
--------
Yesterday, 2/18, at about 11:00 am, I had a flock of 5 Vaux's Swifts in
downtown San Jose, near my workplace on the San Jose State campus (10th and
San Antonio). We have Vaux's on campus every year, usually during
migration, but this was the earliest date ever for my seeing them - I had
always marked them returning about the same time as the swallows, well in to
March. Is this an unusually early date for their return?
More subjectively, to be enjoying the beautiful sunlight after so many rainy
days lately, then to hear the high-pitched conversation of a
quickly-approaching flock of swifts, brought on an exhiliration of
springtime, quickly confirmed by the sight of them. They rapidly
circumambulated the business tower, then flew east, having brightened my day
considerably.
Jennifer Rycenga
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If