[SBB] Table Mtn. 1/9/2006

Hello All,

I started early at the Charcoal Road trailhead in Upper Stevens Creek County Park this morning 1/9/2006 (it's OK to park there anytime after 6). By starting in the dark on this clear morning I hoped to find a few owls, but there was nothing doing on that front. I walked down to the Table Mountain loop to see if any winter finches were around, but except for 14 PURPLE FINCHES, I had no luck on that either. Two PILEATED WOODPECKERS called back and forth throughout my time there, however, starting at about 7:45. I was able to observe the male for a while as he drummed on and called from a fir snag. It was surprisingly difficult to see his red cheek stripe; I had to wait for just the right head angle.

There were plenty of VARIED THRUSHES about; at least 50 were distributed along the way including flocks of 20-plus and 10-plus that startled up from the ground beneath Madrone stands.

A total of 46 BAND-TAILED PIGEONS was only fair for the conditions, I thought.

Last Friday 1/6, an adult male CANVASBACK at Monte Bello's Gate 5 pond was the first I'd seen there. There were also 3 female-plumaged HOODED MERGANSERS once again.

--Garth Harwood