[SBB] Monte Bello Owling 3/17/05

[Les Chibana <[[email protected]]>]

I went owling last night at Monte Bello with a few MROSD docents and 
Lisa Myers. We spent about 3 hrs. on Canyon Trail starting at 6:15p. I 
expected that activity might be low because by this date many of the 
species may be on nests and not responsive. At the meadow by the 
intersection with Stevens Creek Nature Trail, we got one, then two, 
then three or four WESTERN SCREECH-OWLS vocalizing. When I turned on 
the light beam, we heard the loud flapping of BAND-TAILED PIGEONS that 
were apparently roosting right above us. That stopped the owl calls. 
The screech-owls started up again but the pigeon alarm made it 
difficult to get a sighting. So we moved on. We continued down the 
Canyon Trail beyond the Indian Creek Trail junction with no further 
identifiably owl sounds, until we started back. We got a NORTHERN 
SAW-WHET OWL calling from the direction of Indian Creek Trail after we 
had passed that junction. It seemed like an odd area for a saw-whet to 
be calling from; there might have been some oaks in that spot, but I 
don't think there are any conifers.

The conditions weren't too bad for humans to be out, a bit chilly, only 
a few driplets. The cloud/fog overcast reflected South Bay lights into 
the area keeping it well lit. It was a bit annoying to have so much 
apparently re-routed air traffic moving overhead; it made it hard to 
hear faint sounds.

We weren't able to get any Virginia Rail response at the sag pond.


Les
---
Les Chibana
BirdNUTZ(tm) - Ornigasmic Birding
Palo Alto Baylands Birding Classes
em <[[email protected]]>
web <http://www.birdnutz.com>
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