[SBB] Orange Bishops in Milpitas

[[[email protected]] (Birdermom)]

Hi all!
Last Saturday, July 16, 2005, I went in search of the Orange Bishops spotted by Mike Rogers and found the desired birds on the Calero/Penitencia Creek near the Dixon Landing Road turnoff, as specified.  The male was proudly perching high on reeds as well as singing while the female flitted out occasionally.  Neither seemed to be particularly shy until after I studied them for about 15 minutes exclusively.  Luckily, I was able to capture two poor pictures of the male which at least illustrate the brilliance of the orange (I call it a modern sports-gear bright orange).  These can be viewed at my website (hyperlink below).  
Mike made a comment about whether or not they are a breeding pair and I was also unable to confirm, as I never saw either parent with food in their beaks without a scope.  However, there was a racket coming from a willow-like bush on the far side of the creek into which the male sneakily entered and exited a few times over the hour I viewed them - never saw the female enter or exit.  After one such visit, all chatter stopped, but I was never able to see any young or confirm that he carried any food to young.  Perhaps he was harrassing someone else's young.  On several occasions he lured me away from his main hangout, only to secretively circle back around by hopping through the reeds.  Very tricky!  The large Sibley shows a pair on p. 537.  I thought that the female looked a trifle melony in color below the whitish throat.  She could have easily been confused with the multitude of breeding female American, Lesser and House Finches in abundance, but she kept to herself and wh!
 enever she was present, the male flew after her.
Also, a recent trip to Half Moon Bay uncovered a Black Scoter in the bay.  A somewhat decent photo of this bird is also on my website.  Also, with the fog cover and little wind, lots of sea birds were close to shore!  Take care,
Jean Myers
Website:  http://community.webshots.com/user/birdermom
P.S.  Still working hard on the new Gilroy house (Casa Dos Rios).  We should move in by October and native landscaping around the house takes place after that.
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