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Date: Sat, 29 Jun 2002 18:45:08 -0700
From: Dennis Braddy <[[email protected]]>
To: SouthBayBirds <[[email protected]]>
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Subject: [SBB] Phalaropes, Owls, and Rails
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SouthBayBirders,

Having birded Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline first thing in the morning,
we arrived at the gate to the EEC about 8:00 A.M. Of course the gate doesn't
open until 10:00 A.M. on Saturday. (The birding day is half over by then!)
We parked outside and began to hike in. We had barely started when three
BURROWING OWLS appeared on a mound north of the road. As we marched on
COMMON YELLOWTHROATS entertained us and MARSH WRENS chided us. Shortly after
arriving at the pond directly north of (behind) the EEC building we spotted
our first two WILSON'S PHALAROPES of the year. Heading west along the levee
we found the natives less than friendly. Scores of BLACK-NECKED STILTS and
FORSTER'S TERNS created a cacophony while making repeated aerial attacks.
The terns were particularly adept at releasing their loads in well-timed
strafing runs. Some pretty fancy footwork and a lot of luck kept the optics
clean. From New Chicago Marsh six AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS took implausibly
slow flight and vectored northwest. On the third linear island were a few
more Wilson's Phalaropes bringing the total for the day to 256! (Yes, the
anal-retentive one (he) counted every last phalarope.) On the same island
were a pair of BLACK SKIMMERS. One hugged the ground while the other stood
tall nearby. Back at the parking lot we saw a fourth Burrowing Owl to the
west.

Just then we ran into Linda Sullivan who offered us a ride back to our car.
Hallelujah! Furthermore, Linda volunteered to lead us over to Arzino Ranch
where earlier she had had some great sightings. We gratefully accepted.
Before we could even get out of the car at the ranch we ticked several
Burrowing Owls and several RING-NECKED PHEASANTS including juveniles. At one
point we estimated that 30 owls (sitting on the ground, perched in bushes,
balanced precariously on over-burdened weeds, and standing at attention on
fence posts) were visible simultaneously. Wow! As we were about to leave,
Linda asked if we had a copy of "Birding at the Bottom of the Bay" and when
we admitted that we didn't, she promptly gave us her copy. (He: Now I'll
have to think of something else to ask for for my birthday.) Thanks again
Linda. We owe ya big-time.

About 11:30 A.M. we arrived at a windy Palo Alto Baylands to follow up on a
posting by, who else, Linda Sullivan. We tip-toed (Linda's advice) out the
boardwalk behind the visitor's center moving slowly and being very quiet.
(Well, accept for when he banged the railing with the spotting scope tripod.
Dang. Twice. Dang, dang.) We (she) almost immediately spotted an adult
CLAPPER RAIL strolling out from under the boardwalk at our (her) feet. It
seemed unconcerned at our presence, but retreated into thick vegetation on
the approach of other people. Later, just as we were leaving, we (she)
caught sight of a juvenile Clapper Rail in the micro-slough that passes
under the boardwalk. We watched it for several minutes from about ten feet
away. Eventually a second adult rail materialized right next to the
juvenile. It seemed a bit smaller and more colorful than the first adult.
Eventually this adult seemed to tire of our attention. It called loudly
several times and in its own good time disappeared back into the vegetation.
The juvenile also grew bored with us and wandered off. What a great
encounter! Thanks yet again Linda.

Dennis and Patricia Braddy
San Ramon

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Subject: [SBB] Today's Birding.......
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Good evening all....

Had quite a long day of birding today. I first went over to the EEC but the 
gate was not open so I went over to Arzino Ranch.  I was thrilled to see the 
Ring-necked Pheasants with their young.  There were Burrowing Owls everywhere 
today, just wonderful to see they are doing so well.  Had a White-tailed 
Kite, Ravens, Meadowlarks, Mockingbirds and a pair of Red-tailed Hawks 
calling as they were flying over the ranch.  

From there I went back to the EEC, mainly to take some pictures.  I managed 
to find a single Black-necked Stilt fledgling, but the parents kept screaming 
and flying over my head, I quickly retreated.  Managed to see the Burrowing 
Owl on the other side of the slough.  Did see the Black Skimmers (2) on the 
first island and the nesting Forster's Terns.  Avocets and their young were 
about the levee. Lots of Marsh Wrens calling from the reeds.

I met the Pat and Dennis Braddy, a really wonderful couple.  A true pleasure 
to have met them and we went over to the Arzino Ranch together.  From there I 
went over to Mission College to check on the Burrowing Owls.  I managed to 
find about a dozen spread out over three different "Burrowing Owl Areas". 

 Since I was on a role with Owls I decided to check the Sunnyvale Water 
Treatment Center but didn't find any.  Did take some photos of Ruddy Ducks in 
breeding plumage.  A pair of Coots with a single new fledgling.  A 
Pied-billed Grebe off its nest that had only one egg.  I watched a Red-winged 
Blackbird bringing nesting material to build a new nest, very interesting to 
see it weave it to the cattails.  

Around 3PM I ran over to Steven's Creek Park to look for the Lawrence's 
Goldfinch.  I ran into Don Ganton and Will Valdez birding there who pointed 
out the four Lawrence's Goldfinch.  The Western Wood-Peewee made an 
appearance.  Did not see the Ash-throated Flycatcher today...wonder if the 
nestlings fledged?  Did see the Western Bluebird family again.

Okay, tomorrow is another day of birding....wishing you good birding and my 
best regards.
Linda Sullivan