From south-bay-birds-bounces+south-bay-birds-archive=[[email protected]] Wed Nov 27 09:26:51 2002 Received: from www.plaidworks.com (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by plaidworks.com (8.12.2/8.12.2) with ESMTP id gARHOe7s004445 for <[[email protected]]>; Wed, 27 Nov 2002 09:24:41 -0800 (PST) Received: from imo-d04.mx.aol.com (imo-d04.mx.aol.com [205.188.157.36]) by plaidworks.com (8.12.2/8.12.2) with ESMTP id gARHO8ZS004406 for <[[email protected]]>; Wed, 27 Nov 2002 09:24:08 -0800 (PST) Received: from [[email protected]] by imo-d04.mx.aol.com (mail_out_v34.13.) id t.1ac.ca411f6 (16109) for <[[email protected]]>; Wed, 27 Nov 2002 12:23:58 -0500 (EST) Received: from oemcomputer.cs.com (acac6ec1.ipt.aol.com [172.172.110.193]) by air-id12.mx.aol.com (v89.21) with ESMTP id MAILINID121-1127122357; Wed, 27 Nov 2002 12:23:57 -0500 Message-Id: <[[email protected]]> X-Sender: [[email protected]] X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 5.1.1 Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 09:23:34 -0800 To: [[email protected]] From: Eric Feuss <[[email protected]]> Subject: RE: [SBB] late nesting Black Phoebes - final notes/story Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed X-BeenThere: [[email protected]] X-Mailman-Version: 2.1b4+ Precedence: list List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: South Bay Birding List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Sender: south-bay-birds-bounces+south-bay-birds-archive=[[email protected]] Errors-To: south-bay-birds-bounces+south-bay-birds-archive=[[email protected]] Frustrated that I didn't have my binoculars with me yesterday, I invited my mother, who lives nearby, to meet me along Technology Drive near the end of the day ... with her binoculars! I must say, what a difference there is having and using good optics. We heard a Black Phoebe on top of the Siemens' building as we approached. There was one adult phoebe there; not known whether this individual was part of the family unit or not. Interestingly enough, he/she was perched on top of the building right below which was a fully intact, fresh looking Black Phoebe nest, presumably the nest associated with the now mobile family. A mud and grass somewhat long, cup-shaped nest attached to the second story wall right under the over-hang of the roof. We walked back behind the Siemens' building and heard and then saw the phoebe family in the maples across the parking lot behind the building and the row of ash trees previously mentioned. Walking closer, we had great looks at the trio fly catching from the tops of the maples, captured beautifully in the great late afternoon light (at this point the time was just prior to 4:00 PM). To my great surprise, the trio this time consisted of one adult fly catching and feeding TWO juvenile birds. In the good light conditions (and with binoculars), it was very easy to see distinctive cinnamon wing bars (edging on greater and middle wing coverts) on both of the juvenile phoebes. As previously mentioned, the adult had very crisp plumage. The juveniles had brownish-black flight feathers and those young looking faces - kind of dull, muddied black with a broad fleshy base to the bill. One even showed a little speckling was very submissive, sitting quietly until the parent flew over to stuff an insect in its mouth. The other was more assertive, more often than not flying after the parent to receive its attention. The parent was very dutiful, providing both young with almost equal attention. Having observed THIS trio, I have to wonder if the adult Black Phoebe seen in the front of the Siemens' building was the other parent. I wonder if the urge to find a separate wintering territories is starting to occur. Who knows. Also, upon reflection, I had seen four Black Phoebes yesterday in the row of ash trees behind the Siemens' building. I had assumed one was a separate individual who was chased off at one point, but now believe that fourth individual was the other juvenile partaking in the play I had described (chases, etc.). So ends my notes and story. Thanks for reading, Eric Feuss _______________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. They will be ignored. south-bay-birds mailing list ([[email protected]]) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: http://www.plaidworks.com/mailman/options/south-bay-birds/south-bay-birds-archive%40plaidworks.com This email sent to [[email protected]]