[SBB] Monte Bello, Hidden Villa, etc.

Hi All,

This morning (5/9/2006) at dawn it was mild and clear (at last!) and I walked the White Oak/Stevens Creek Nature Trail (SCNT) loop at Monte Bello OSP. Usually the grassland part of this route is good for some less-common sparrows at this time of year, such as Chipping and Grasshopper. Not this time. And I think they'd have been singing, on this perfect morning, if they were present. No buntings yet either.

Absent sparrows notwithstanding, it's always a good walk. A Pileated Woodpecker called once from down by the creek. Five Black-throated Gray Warblers sang from different areas, and a migratory movement of Wilson's Warblers seems to be pushing through - I had 7, most in treetops away from water sources, including one small flock which also included a Red-breasted Nuthatch! Vireos included 1 Cassin's, 2 Warbling, and 1 Hutton's. Wild Turkeys called from across Page Mill Road in Los Trancos OSP (and slightly into San Mateo County).

At the little pond at gate MB05 yesterday 5/8, a couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers paused briefly and silently in the pondside willows; otherwise, it was mostly the usuals.

I had a presentation to give at Montebello School above Cupertino on 5/8. From the school yard I could see a singing Olive-sided Flycatcher - have to check to see if this spot is within the PA count circle. Over Stevens Creek Dam Reservoir an Osprey was cruising for fish at 3PM.

At Hidden Villa this week, Lazuli Buntings are fairly abundant, singing from lower chaparral slopes all around the farm and from the trees surrounding the fields by the entrance. They usually move on after a delay of a couple of weeks, but this is a good time to find one. Of greater interest to me, a Western Tanager has been singing lustily from points near the Duveneck House for a week now, so I believe a nesting attempt may be underway as in several recent years.

--Garth Harwood