[SBB] Vasona & Eagles

Howdy all....

Went over to Vasona today to get a good count for Sunday's Salute to Great Blue Herons Day.....Had the following:

Nest 1- 1 chick, Nest 2 - 3 chicks, Nest 7 - 3 chicks, Nest 9 - 2 chicks, Nest 10 - 1 chick and Nest 12- 1 chick.... Nests 2 and 7 have the same number of chicks as last year...other nests are all down in numbers. With one nest empty and one nest taken apart this year and twigs used in other nests. Last year we successfully fledged 25 chicks....

While at Vasona today, two people told me of seeing a Golden Eagle eating a bird under the Colony (literally sitting under the colony), they believe it was feeding on a Coot.... this was just this week....so to date we have had a Golden Eagle in the park (since Feb) 5 times...each time feeding on a Coot.

Went to Campbell ponds to check on the progress of the GBHE nesting there (Freddie Howell had called me) and we have one nest with two chicks. Also seen at Okaponds a single male Goldeneye....and Foster's Terns have returned...

In my yard I have added some new feeder birds (actually eating high out of the feeder)....a male and female Red-winged Blackbird, a Cowbird, a Brewer's Blackbird. I know have 8 Black-headed Grosbeaks at the feeders.....The Oaktitmouse is feeding young in the nest box....While walking Rinconada last night, I watched a male Western Bluebird feed a chick at the hole of the box....Also, had a magnificent Rufous Hummingbird ....Unbelievable solid orange on this bird! Just fantastic....Still have tons of Gold-crowned Sparrows...only one or two White-crowned Sparrows....

Wishing you all good birding and my best regards,

Linda Sullivan

Los Gatos

Come out and learn about our GBHEs at Vasona on Sunday, April 23 from 11-2...Great pictures and loads of fun.....