[SBB] Golden Eagles at nest

[Janna Pauser <[[email protected]]>]

We did our third annual hike on the Barlow/Woods trail in Sierra Azul
Open Space Preserve this morning. Driving along Hicks Rd. I heard W. Wood
PeWee, Yellow Warbler, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Hutton’s Vireo, House
Wren, No. Flicker, Warbling Vireo, Black headed Grosbeak and
Orange-crowned Warbler. Several Wild Turkeys were on a hillside near the
parking lot on Hicks Rd. 
 
At the gate on Mt. Umunhum Rd. Wrentit, W. Vireo, Cal. Quail, Cal.
Thrasher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher were heard.
A singing Lazuli Bunting was seen on the walk to the Barlow trail
head.
 
On the steep 2.2 mile Barlow trail many wildflowers were still blooming.
Mylitta Crescents, Anise Swallowtails, and many Chalcedon Checkerspot
Butterflies flitted along the trail before us. I believe I heard bird
song the entire five mile hike, which was unusual.
A mammal darted off the trail in front of us near a creek crossing. The
small dark pup ran to the opposite side and hid in the brush. After a few
minutes we heard a loud bark. It must have been a Coyote, but both
animals looked very dark to me. I had 6 Hutton’s Vireo, 6 Warbling Vireo,
an accipiter, 5 Cal. Thrasher, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Cal. Quail, No.
Flicker, Yellow Warbler, 5 Orange-crowned Warblers, 2 Red tailed Hawks,
Lesser Goldfinch pair, and 7 Wrentits along this trail. The highlight was
a close male Purple Finch feeding a begging fledgling. 
 
We got on the more level Woods trail at 11:20 with 2.7 miles to go. A
Hairy Woodpecker was heard here. I got an amazing look at a Black
throated Gray Warbler which came in close when pished. Seven more
Orange-crowned Warblers, 5 Huttons Vireos, 6 Warbling Vireos, and other
common woodland birds seen or heard along this wooded trail. A Coopers
Hawk flew across the sky in an open area. Here I saw a pair of Golden
Eagles leave a Douglas Fir tree. One adult GOEA returned several
times with a tree branch and loud chirping was heard as he approached the
tree. We found a clear view further along the trail where I could barely
make out the nest on the right side of the tree. The nest was large with
drooping brown vegetation. We saw a GOEA fly to this same tree last year
on Memorial Day. The many birds, wildflowers, butterflies and perfect
weather made this a splendid hike.
 
Janna Pauser  San Jose


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