[SBB] SCVAS Ogier Ponds trip (GLAUCOUS GULL, REDHEAD)

The trip to Ogier Ponds today was very successful. The weather was beautiful and the air very clear. We started off with a bang with a PEREGRINE FALCON on a power tower near the parking area. We quickly found a pair of NUTTALL’S WOODPECKERS in the big sycamore and then a male DOWNY WOODPECKER in the same tree. In the first pond north, a number of ducks were enjoying the morning including GADWALL, COMMON GOLDEN-EYE, RING-NECKED DUCKS, COMMON MERGANSERS, GREATER SCAUP, and LESSER SCAUP. Also in the area were a BELTED KINGFISHER, EARED GREBES, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, BUSHTITS, an OAK TITMOUSE, and a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. Walking north along the side of the pond, we found two LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES in the fields to the side along with a SAVANNAH SPARROW.

In the second pond to the north where all the gulls hang out, we found numerous CALIFORNIA GULLS, HERRING GULLS, with a few THAYER’S GULLS mixed in. Just as we were starting to get a better look, the whole flock took off. So, we started looking around at what else was there. We found an AMERICAN BITTERN in the reeds along the side and a SORA in the reeds on the island. A couple of RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS were perched in the trees to one side and an entire kettle of TURKEY VULTURES in the back trees along with a couple of RED-TAILED HAWKS, AMERICAN KESTRELS, and a WHITE-TAILED KITE. A small portion of the gull flock came back and settled in the pond. Bob Reiling alertly found a first winter GLAUCOUS GULL in the mix. The gull had a large pink bill with a black tip. The back was a barely there grayish shade with completely white primaries. The under tail coverts had barring. When the flock took flight again, it was easily picked out because of its all over white look underneath. With the gulls gone, we resumed looking and found a second AMERICAN BITTERN perched in a different corner of the reeds. Another NUTTALL’S WOODPECKER and a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER were foraging in a nearby tree while a SONG SPARROW sang from the reeds.

We headed to the southern ponds. In the first southern pond, we were looking at a SNOWY EGRET when an OSPREY joined us by repeatedly flying over the pond and diving in. At first we thought it was fishing. However, it would get in the water, spread its wings, and duck its head in the water. It would take off, shake itself off, and start all over again. It certainly seemed to be bathing. In the second pond, we found a number of ducks including a pair of COMMON MERGANSERS, four HOODED MERGANSERS, RUDDY DUCKS, BUFFLEHEAD, RING-NECKED DUCKS, and a female REDHEAD. The Redhead spent a lot of time sleeping at first which made it harder to pick out for people. Later, however, it was up and active and spent some time near a female Ring-Necked for good comparisons. The Redhead had an overall grayish-brown back (Ring-Necked had two-tone brown), a round head (as opposed to peaked in the back), plain face (white eye-ring and white around bill), with a bill where the white separating the black tip from the bluish rest of the bill was faint and thin. The only new pick-up in the final pond was a pair of CANVASBACKS. Some CALIFORNIA QUAIL ran along the edge of the pond.

We stopped by the Model Airplane Park to check out the SAY’S PHOEBE hanging out there. While there, some people checked out the ridgeline and found GOLDEN EAGLES perched there. Despite the distance, the clarity of the air made the look through the scopes quite good. The golden heads were very visible. On the way back, we found a female DOWNY WOODPECKER doing some excavating. She was actively spitting out wood chips and occasionally making a soft “pik”. We checked out the back ponds on the way back but didn’t find much of anything there. We did, however, get a flock of 20-30 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS flying overhead. In the field nearby, we had various raptors perched in the trees including the OSPREY, a couple of WHITE-TAILED KITES, and a pair of AMERICAN KESTRELS. A NORTHERN RED-SHAFTED FLICKER checked out a hole in one the trees below the Osprey.

Flush with success, Rich Page and I decided to try for the Redstart. Roland and Pat were kind enough to lead us to the spot where it has been seen. After just a few minutes, we found it bathing in a little creek-let running through the brambles. Once done, it sat on top of the brambles for a little bit, turning every which way. It disappeared finally into the oaks. Also in the same area were RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, a BEWICK’S WREN, and DARK-EYED JUNCOS. We parked inside the gate for the golf course. On the way back to the car, we had a group of very unwary CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES that came very close so we started looking for warblers. We soon found a pair of TOWNSEND’S WARBLERS.

Rich and I then went to try for the Northern Waterthrush. We were skunked on both the Waterthrush and the Winter Wren. We did find 20+ CEDAR WAXWINGS.

Best Regards,

Kirsten R. Holmquist

408.747.0988

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