Re: [SBB] Birding Trip from San Benito to Merced County 18-19 Feb. '06

Here are highlights for the Ohlone Audubon Soc. Annual Trip San Benito Co. & Fresno Co..Portion - 18 Feb.2006 followed by the portion on Merced County.

The first day, Saturday, two good birds were found before arriving at Paicines Reservoir. In Hollister, Pat Gordon spotted an EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (of a population present about 10 years; fide, Don Roberson), and along Hwy 25, just before the reservoir, Jerry and Judy Steenhoven found a GREATER ROADRUNNER. The Ohlone Audubon Soc. group met in Paicines at the reservoir at 8:30 AM. At the reservoir was a sizable flotilla of about 7 CANVASBACKS, 12 RING-NECKED DUCKS, one AMERICAN WIGEON, and 7 COMMON MERGANSERS; while a WHITE-TAILED KITE flew along the far shore. Here also an adult and 2nd year BALD EAGLE interacted in flight together.

Moving east along Panoche Road special species included: a pair of CALIFORNIA THRASHERS (several singing on territories); SHARP-SHINNED AND COOPER'S HAWKS; MERLIN (the first of 5 individuals); ACORN WOODPECKER; CASSIN'S KINGBIRD (a pair? perched near a Merlin - at the School House in the Valley); PHAINOPEPLA; LARK SPARROWS (flock of at least 70, many in full and/or whisper song); TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD (flock of 200+ near the school); BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (7+/- in a mixed blackbird flock at the Panoche Tavern). At the Silver Creek ford (into Fresno County) we saw a small kettle of hawks along the southeast hill horizon that fortunately came in and out of view enough to put scopes on and discover 4 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS and two RED-TAILED HAWKS in the same thermal. Returning along Panoche Rd. we found our best Telephone Pole bird, our fifth FERRUGINOUS HAWK; shortly followed by our 11th raptor (not counting Turkey Vulture) of the day, a flying and perched (great views) Prairie Falcon. We elected to boycott the Mercy Hot Springs Campground and Spa, so not to have cars waiting off the premises while some were willing to pay the $5 per head to see the Long-eared Owls known to roost there. We felt that a carload of five people charged $25 was exorbitant. Also, the $235.00 they received from another birding group this day would certainly more than compensate what we "withheld". Along Little Panoche Rd. (above Shotgun Pass) Pat and Judy heard ROCK WREN, but no Chukars.

Just before the sumptuous dinner at Woolgrower's Inn, Los Banos, Gerry and Judy heard a BARN OWL.

Highlights for the Ohlone Audubon Soc. Annual Trip Merced County Portion - 19 Feb.2006

The Sunday meeting at 8:30 AM was at the O'neil Wildlife Preserve 1 mile south of Santa Nella. Again, with the heavy rain forecast and light snow on most of the surrounding hills; and under a light drizzle (enough for some to don rain pants) we headed out on the trail/road preceded by dog trial hunter/trainers. A large flight of TREE SWALLOWS were moving over head and in the cottonwoods we found our only NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER and 2 NORTHERN ("RED-SHAFTED") FLICKERS. While walking in we saw a "charging", black Labrador Retriever running long stretches (but, without a "master") that flushed a "red-tailed" Chukar. We had been told by the supervising C.F.& Game Warden that only Northern Bobwhites are now being released here for hunting (which we did not see). Later, on horseback, the Lab owner asked where we had seen his (lost?) dog. Shortly, we began hearing Varied Thrush-like calls - the hunter's dog call; we hoped the man and his dog got together. At the trailside cattail ponds we found both SORA and VIRGINIA RAILS. Here and further along the slightly muddy trail we found ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD; 2 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS; BUSHTITS; SONG SPARROW; and MARSH WREN.

Later at Madeiros Gate of the O'Neil Forebay the usual waterbirds were present, especially a large number (hundreds) of GREATER SCAUP. No Barrow's Goldeneyes were found among many COMMON GOLDENEYES. LEAST and WESTERN GREBE were expected with 4 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS in the small marsh adjacent to some of the lakeside camping ramadas. At the lake edge we had our first GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and a rarity at this inland location was an adult WESTERN GULL. A cooperative RED-SHOULDERED HAWK perched in a lakeside willow when driving out.

Although no Swans were in the Volta Pond on Henry Miller Rd., lots of BLACK-NECKED STILTS were in smaller pasture ponds nearby. Here we many YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIES, but we couldn't locate the flock of Cattle Egrets seen by Phil and Pat Gordon the week before. Several more RED-TAILED HAWKS and AMERICAN KESTRELS and one BELTED KINGFISHER were here on telephone poles and/or wires along the way to Los Banos State Wildlife Refuge and beyond. On a brief stop at the Refuge (with its new "Banos") we found the flock of GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES (about 50). The sun was shining brightly for lunch at the Merced National Wildlife Refuge and ROSS'S GEESE and SANDHILL CRANES were in close to the ponds by the entry observation platform. There were a Blue Snow and a Blue Ross's Goose in the group. Pat found the first of the 4 BLUE-WINGED TEAL (2 pair) from the picnic table. Later a couple of WILSON'S SNIPE preened and foraged along the water edge.
Larry Gentry took us to where he'd had an AMERICAN BITTERN, and we found two near the main bend on the Tour Rd. Also, here we great looks at WHITE-FACED IBIS, and a large flock of dowitchers (DOWITCHER SPECIES) flew around. One HERRING GULL flew by, but wasn't found with the several clubs of RING-BILLED GULLS. In a clump of Willow trees we found a male and female GREAT HORNED OWL, but no nest, which she would normally be sitting in - with eggs. On the back Rd. about 4,000 geese of mixed Ross's and SNOW GEESE, went "berserk", calling both high and low frequency notes, flying in several directions when an adult Bald Eagle flew overhead. Later in the afternoon, in front of another such flight, Phil spotted a 1st year male PEREGRINE FALCON coursing by - raptor number 15. By walking the Meadowlark Trail we heard more rails (both Virginia and Sora) and found HERMIT THRUSH. On the back observation platform Jerry spotted a male COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and out first AMERICAN AVOCET. Pat and Phil I.D.'d the huge flock (300+) of BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS huddled in shallows of the big east pond. Last raptor of the day was the lone BURROWING OWL in the grassy Calif. Ground Squirrel flat along the eastmost Rd. As the sun was beginning to drop much lower we stopped for one more look at the geese and cranes which were flying in, and soon the geese began flying out - spectacular. During this one of two Coyotes that walked down the end of the tour route and one did some mouse pouncing within close view of the platform viewing parking lot. Phil got a few reasonable pictures on his new Coolpix.

- - thanks to the many sharp eyed observers, we ended up with 122 species for a very satisfactory birding weekend. Thanks also to Rusty Scalf & Bob Power with their classes for sharing their observations.

Reported by Phil Gordon Co-leader