[SBB] atlas block 9545

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All,

This morning 6/26/05, I spent just over 3.5 hours looking for breeding birds in the urban portions of breeding bird atlas block 9545, which straddles the Santa Clara/Alameda County line from northern Milpitas to the Warm Springs area of Fremont.

I started out along Zapotec Drive east of I680 in Warm Springs, hoping to confirm breeding by a PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER I had heard singing here on 6/11/05. Eventually, I did find a pair, with one bird carrying food for young (new confirmation or "CO" for this block). Also here was a family of COMMON RAVENS with a one fledgling begging from the top of a fir tree for almost an hour (new CO). Nearby, at the end of Curtner Road a pair of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS was carrying food for young (new CO) and a precocial young KILLDEER was in the horse pasture. Begging young of both BULLOCK'S and HOODED ORIOLES were also nearby. Ten WILD TURKEYS were up the hillside (new species for the block). Over at Yakima Drive were a pair of RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS  (new species), 2 SELASPHORUS HUMMINGBIRDS in redwoods (presumably breeding ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRDS - new species), DARK-EYED JUNCOS (new species), and a pair of CALIFORNIA QUAIL.

Next I headed south to Scott Creek Road, hiking up along Scott Creek east of I680.  I found 6 more WILD TURKEYS here, along with more WESTERN BLUEBIRDS, a HUTTON'S VIREO (new species), a WESTERN KINGBIRD (new species), a STELLER'S JAY, several SPOTTED TOWHEES, and a BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK.

Some of these new species were likely just overlooked during the years we gathered data for our breeding bird atlas, but it is quite possible that the presence of bluebirds and juncos in the block are recent phenomena, as these two species are expanding into urban areas over in Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and Moffett Field as well.  According to the new San Diego breeding bird atlas, juncos are colonizing urban areas in San Diego as well. Species like Wild Turkey and Red-shouldered Hawk are also expanding their range and being detected more widely than ten years ago.

We have no breeding confirmation for MALLARDs in this block yet, and the only ones I found (a pair in Scott Creek west of Millmont Drive) had no young. Undoubtedly they breed up at the Summitpointe Golf Club, but I didn't work on getting access there.

My last stop was along Calera/Penitencia Creek south of Dixon Landing Road in Santa Clara County. COMMON YELLOWTHROATS were still singing on territory (probable breeding) and I saw a SONG SPARROW carrying food for young. AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES were all over, but not providing any obvious evidence of breeding.  The real surprise here though was a pair of ORANGE BISHOPS, with the female carrying nest material to a hidden nest while the incredibly bright male courted and brought food to her. I believe this is only the second documented breeding attempt in the county.

A pond near the Dixon Landing Road intechange had 5 young PIED-BILLED GREBES, but no Mallards...

Mike Rogers
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