Re: [SBB] Gilroy Wastewater Treatment Facility

Bob & SBBers,

Sorry for the confusion. Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park was the new name given to Coyote Lake County Park after the Ranchlands were incorporated into the Park last Spring. Although I do not know the exact policy or rationale for the trail closures, I can say from experience that the trails are long, and if people or horses were to get injured or stuck on the soggy trails, it would likely be a major effort to rescue them this time of year. The Harvey Bear Ranch portion of the Park is a significant remaining foraging and breeding habitat for birds and other wildlife out here; and hopefully, a balance can be created where visitors can get some good views; and wildlife along with the habitat will not be impacted by our activities.

Fortunately for me (since I prefer cars to walking), all the bird species that I can ever remember seeing in both the Coyote Lake County Park (proper) and the Harvey Bear and Mendoza Ranchlands can be view directly from the public roads on the way into the Park. The area where we twice saw the White-throated Sparrow was beyond the Ranger Station in the original Park proper at the Campgrounds. The White-throated Sparrow has been seen beyond the restrooms as you drive through the Campgrounds. It was first seen foraging below a tree shaded area amongst White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows (being harassed by them); and was later seen behind the restrooms, foraging amongst two Spotted Towhees. The White-throated Sparrow stays under the shade of the trees, but is not at all wary of people or cars, so a close look shouldn't be difficult. A warm, clear day will likely be necessary this time of year for it to be active.

I promise to better explain the portion of the Park and the entrance roads in the future. It is now a REALLY big place.

Linda Adams in San Martin

----- Original Message -----

From: [[email protected]]

To: south-bay-birds@plaidworkscom

Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 4:03 PM

Subject: [SBB] Gilroy Wastewater Treatment Facility

All,

This morning Frank Vanslager and I decided to do some deep south county birding. We first hoped to look for a White-throated Sparrow seen recently in Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park. Unfortunately there were at least three problems with this; first there are two park entrances labeled Coyote Ranch-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park (same exact sign), one off E San Martin and one off Roop Road (the latter apparently for the exclusive use of the horse-back riding set), the third problem involved the fact that these parks are closed. (Big signs say until 6/1/06 because of trail conditions? They might decide to open sooner.) Three park rangers made sure that I understood this fact as I apparently couldn't read (or understand the need for such a closure). Their biggest concern seemed to be that as the weather got nicer even more people might want to hike the trails. Imagine that! We then went to the Gilroy Wastewater Treatment Facility where we had four GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (all adults), a male BLUE-WINGED TEAL and a male EURASIAN WIGEON. Earlier on our way to the closed park we tried for but missed the Ferruginous Hawk off Santa Teresa and at New and Rucker Ave's in Gilroy.

Take care,

Bob Reiling
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	>[SBB] Gilroy Wastewater Treatment Facility (From: [[email protected]])