[SBB] Willow Flycatcher(s) after all

Hi All,

I didn't require expert consultation this morning 8/24/2006 at Monte Bello's Gate 5 pond - one of the small flycatchers suspected of being a Willow Flycatcher on Tuesday 8/22 (then at a distance of 150 feet in oak woodland, uncharacteristically flycatching from the top of a low tree with a twin bird) was undeniable today, hanging around the edge of the pond in the cattails, bulrushes, and willows at distances as close as 15 feet for long periods. Today, it was flycatching from perches within 6 feet of the ground and/or water surface - often perching just a foot or two off the ground, and not shy at all. All of the "missing" features from Tuesday's observation were obvious today, although the second bird wasn't. It's not often that you get a second chance at something like this - I am surprised and grateful.

Other notables were an Osprey circling high in the vicinity of Horseshoe Lake, a (the?) female-plumaged Lazuli Bunting, a House Wren (usually only found here during fall migration, in my experience), and a dark-form Red-tailed Hawk. The mixed swallow/swift flock was present for most of my visit; today Violet-green Swallows outnumbered swifts by at least 3 to 1, but all were equally interested in drinking from the pond.

Some kind of construction is in progress across the road within Coal Creek OSP. I called the District office to find out what's up and was told that a long-standing construction permit by an inholder is finally being acted on. The new construction will have some impact on this nearly-pristine wild spot, but hopefully not too much - depends on how much of their land they decide to clear, I suppose. Within Monte Bello, MROSD has mowed two fairly large grassland areas at the top of the White Oak Trail this week. I have not seen any work like it in the past ten years up there. I hope this does not harbinge further development of some kind!

--Garth Harwood