[SBB] Purple Martin at SWPCP

[Matthew Dodder <[[email protected]]>]

All,

I led my Palo Alto Adult School birding group to Sunnyvale Water 
Pollution Control Ponds for a morning walk. Migrant Warblers were 
conspicuous in the channel leading out of the parking area and in the 
weedy ditch to the left of the trail. Small groups consisted mostly of 
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and YELLOW WARBLER. One ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was 
also seen among and our first YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER of the season. 
SAY'S PHOEBE perched on a pole up hill to our left and mixed in with 
the flocks of BARN, VIOLET-GREEN and TREE SWALLOWS, a single NORTHERN 
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW appeared and perhaps 20 VAUX'S SWIFTS during our 
walk. COOPER'S HAWK patrolled the area, occasionally flushing all the 
HOUSE FINCHES and EUROPEAN STARLINGS that were gathered on the hill. 
Two GREEN HERON and several BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS allowed 
themselves to be viewed near the fenced enclosure, as well as AMERICAN 
COOT and COMMON MOORHEN. PIED-BILLED GREBE appeared several times 
during our walk, some still showing the bill stripe, while others did 
not. Stripe-faced young remained mostly hidden, but did appear at one 
point.

As we approached the radar station a large group of Swallows perched on 
the wires overhead. Ashutosh Sinha called our attention to one bird 
that appeared larger than the rest. Immediately upon getting it in our 
binoculars and telescopes it became obvious that we were looking at a 
PURPLE MARTIN. The dark bird was dark charcoal on the back with a black 
around its eyes and considerable smudging on its breast. What struck us 
all, beyond the relative size of the bird, was the ashy-gray collar 
that swept up behind the auricular area and to the nape. Judging from 
the amount of white on the forehead and smooth grayish smudges on its 
breast, most of us agreed it was likely a female. In flight it seemed 
quite large with long wings and long notched tail. For the most part it 
remained separate from the other Swallows, but the 2-3 times it was 
seen among the others, a good size comparison was possible.

After that thrilling find, we continued toward the pump house, stopping 
near the reeds to coax out 5 VIRGINIA RAILS with the help of my iPod 
and a tiny speaker. Worked like charm! Within a few seconds of 
broadcasting a short pumping call, the marsh was loud with their 
voices. Another minute later and our group, which was stretched out 
over a 20 yard length, were pointing to the various birds as they 
peeked out to investigate.

Little else was seen near the pump house save numerous EARED GREBE, 
RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, and NORTHERN SHOVELER. Small numbers of GADWALL 
and a single GREATER SCAUP (female) were located toward the center of 
the large pool and of course RUDDY DUCKS abounded. I forgot to mention 
earlier that a flock of 10 BROWN PELICANS circled high over the main 
pool earlier, but now an enormous flock of AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were 
entering the scene.

Among the many Gulls, RING-BILLS seemed to be in the majority, with 
fewer CALIFORNIA GULLS and only 3 BONAPARTE'S GULLS. The most unusual 
Gull located was a HERRING GULL quite segregated from the rest.  
FORSTER'S TERNS perched on the levy farther out along the trail, all 
wearing their black masks, and two CASPIAN TERNS flew over the pond.

After returning to our cars, most of the group relocated to the State 
and Spreckles intersection in Alviso, There we encountered both GREATER 
and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, sleeping DOWITCHERS as well as many LEAST 
SANDPIPER, WESTERN SANDPIPER, BLACK-NECKED STILT and AMERICAN AVOCET. 
Along the train tracks by the EEC we found SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, 
KILLDEER, and additional peeps but nothing unexpected.

An OSPREY perched along the entrance road to the EEC and beckoned us to 
continue in. So we did, making a short loop in the marsh along the 
boardwalk and leaving via the main pool. Among the mostly CALIFORNIA 
GULLS, 3 WESTERN GULLS perched. Several more WHITE PELICANS were among 
them. In the native garden by the parking area more Warblers were 
appearing, 3 COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, YELLOW and another YELLOW-RUMPED. 
BUSHTITS also chirped in the shrubs, our last bird for the day.

That's all for now,
Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net/reports/costa_rica05.0.html

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