[SBB] Alum Rock Park (SCVAS field trip)

[Al Eisner <[[email protected]]>]

   Today's SCVAS field trip to Alum Rock Park provided a productive long
"morning" for 14 birders, under overcast but dry and calm skies.  Even the
trails were dry.  We had a total of approximately 53 species.  Among the
highlights were surely the two stake-out GREAT HORNED OWLs:  one in full
view, and apparently on nest, at the rock face just past the end of the
last parking area; the other rather difficult to see in a crevice on
Alum Rock.  While TURKEY VULTUREs were usually in view, at one point
forming a circling flock of about 18, raptors were in relatively low
numbers, but did include a duo of  GOLDEN EAGLEs (which I unfortunately
missed!).  We saw or heard three or four WILD TURKEYs, including a
displaying male high across the canyon to the south.   And Woodpeckers
provided an unusual "clean sweep" of six species, included a pair of
HAIRY WOODPECKERs along the North Rim Trail, and a close-by motionless
RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER in a pepper tree near the east end of that trail.
A couple of the chapparal residents were less cooperative:  Rufous-
crowned Sparrow was not found at all, while neither of our two singing
CALIFORNIA THRASHERs showed himself.
   But we were kept busy with the "spring birds".  We found approximately
three male ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRDs, perched to provide stunning views, and
one of them doing its shallow-arc display.  While we had two or three
singing HOUSE WRENs, none was yet at the traditional lamppost nests
upstream from the YSI.  We usually get about one BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK
on this trip, but today we had three singing males and one or two
females, with a number of nice views.  A single male HOODED ORIOLE at
the palms above the North Rim trail was a nice addition to the approx.
eight BULLOCK'S ORIOLEs we saw or heard.
   Warblers were represented by many Yellow-rumped, one ORANGE-CROWNED
(singing), and at least four (probably more) TOWNSEND'S WARBLERs, most
in a flock with Yellow-rumped at the west end of the Visitor's Center
area.  Unusual for this trip were two separate singing WILSON'S WARBLERs
(neither one seen).  And especially unusual at this date were a group
of three WESTERN TANAGERs, two adult males and one immature male, well
seen in the same vicinity as the Townsend's flock.  (Roland Kenner was
the first to find one.)
   All in all, a fun trip.  Thanks to the participants, all of whom
contributed greatly to the sightings.
							     Al Eisner
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