[SBB] Sunday blues

[Al Eisner <[[email protected]]>]

    Just after 8 AM, the Almaden Lake LITTLE BLUE HERON was readily found
at an islet just south of the main island.  About five minutes later it
flew off; I'm not sure where it came down.  (This was certainly not helped
by a speedboat circling the island a few minutes later.)  Also here was
one femaile COMMON MERGANSER and several CANADA GOOSE families (a theme
of the day).
    My next stop was the Agua Caliente trail at Ed Levin Park.  I walked
to the hang-glider launch area, but mainly hung out at the lowest sycamores
at the draw, since I figured water here might attract birds in.  There was
an active BULLOCK'S ORIOLE family here (with two or three fledgelings);
a singing LAZULI BUNTING occasionally perched in the barest tree; and a
bit further up the trail was a coperative RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW, singing
by the trail.  A male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (singing) came in twice.
Finally, at about 10:30, a male BLUE GROSBEAK (silent) paid a brief
visit.  I only saw it as it was leaving -- it perched in a neaarby tree
for a couple of minutes before heading up the draw.  This bird (bulkier
than the Lazuli) had striking broad buffy-orange wingbars, a deep blue
head (with the blue extending down the breast), and a largish bill with
black around its base.  Leaves obscured the back, so I couldn't definitely
age it, but I had the impression of an adult.
    Finally, about midday I visited A16, walking the length of the levee
separating it from the New Chicago Marsh.  I didn't want to walk farther,
so I scoped the north side (despite some heat waves).  I didn't find
either of the recent rarities, although given the viewing conditions I
could have missed the Little Blue against the far shore. (One thing
puzzled me about Dave's post:  he referred to a break in the levee.
Does that mean one cannot walk all the way around A16?)  I also had no
sign of Black Tern.  But still a pretty good day.
                                                              Al Eisner

_______________________________________________
Do not post admin requests to the list. They will be ignored.
South-Bay-Birds mailing list      ([[email protected]])
Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription:
http://plaidworks.org/mailman/listinfo/south-bay-birds_plaidworks.org