[SBB] Bittern, Merlin, Osprey, Peregrine at SCVWD

[Janna Pauser <[[email protected]]>]

I went out after lunch as the sun broke through the clouds. On the Guadalupe River Trail north of Coleman Rd. I found two WILSON'S SNIPE on the mud flats on the west side of the river channel. An OSPREY flew overhead and perched in the bare Sycamore at the north east corner of the water district property. A pair of GOLDEN EAGLES were seen soaring over Guadalupe Oak Grove Park, then flew off to the west just as they did yesterday. A Belted Kingfisher, Lincoln's Sparrow, juv. Red tailed Hawk and 2 Green Herons were also seen at this location.

As I drove over the Coleman bridge I saw a bird fly in and perch atop a Cedar tree at the corner of Almaden Ex. and Coleman Rd. I parked at the Santa Clara Valley Water District and walked through the maintenance yard to get a good look at my first fall MERLIN. A pair of Red shouldered Hawks were perched together in a near by tree. I decided to walk around the pond and found a Common Moorhen and two more Green Herons. I checked the fenced area in the back for a Sora and was surprised to find an AM. BITTERN staring back at me only 25' away. I tuned my back to check my field guide for markings. When I turned around the bittern was in a relaxed posture and hunting. I quickly left and continued around the property finding a Hermit Thrush, Fox Sparrow and 3 Nutmeg Mannikins on the north side. Ruddy Ducks, several pair of L. Scaup and Gadwall were seen on the pond. I walked around again to find the bittern still hunting, and watched a PEREGRINE FALCON fly to its perch at exactly 2!
 :30. This was the juv. I reported yesterday but today it looked gray. It has juvenile plumage and was repeating a soft rising call. No adult was seen today.

I found a confusing Lincoln's Sparrow on the south side of the pond. It had all the LISP markings but lacked a buffy breast and had dark bold lateral throat stripes and central dot. It's weak call was similar to a Song Sparrow. Two Belted Kingfishers chased each other around as I left. 

Janna Pauser  San Jose



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