[SBB] Monte Bello Gate 5, 8/15/2006

Funny Dave Weber should ask...I just got back in town and resumed my work schedule which nicely accommodates regular visits to Monte Bello OSP. A visit this morning 8/15/2006 turned up 37 species including some interesting landbirds. A mixed insectivore flock was composed mostly of Bushtits, but also had CB Chickadees and Oak Titmice mixed in and at least 2 Black-throated Gray Warblers including an adult female and a juvenile. More strangely for the location, a female Common Yellowthroat was in this flock. At the pond a silent Warbling Vireo and a 'Western' Flycatcher skulked in the willows, along with 2 much more forthcoming young Wilson's Warblers. No interesting sparrows yet.

On the telephone wires there were 43 Violet-green Swallows (not regular at the pond) and 3 Barn Swallows. When they took flight a lone Vaux's Swift appeared from somewhere and flew with them for a while. A Pileated Woodpacker called just once from their usual haunts far down-canyon at the low point of the Stevens Creek Nature Trail.

Tick season is over, but visitors to the pond should take chigger precautions such as bug spray for lower legs and feet. Also, the Star Thistle is brutal there right now - it has closed over parts of the pondside trail entirely and makes shorts a painful choice. You can see why the birds often have it to themselves!

Good birding,

Garth Harwood