[SBB] Ed Levin 05-06-06

[Matthew Dodder <[[email protected]]>]

All,

The Palo Alto Adult School birding class visited Ed Levin today and  
was treated to excellent views of several target species, as well as  
brief looks at  a Bill Bousman, who was also birding in the area.  
WESTERN KINGBIRDS were vocalizing from almost every patch of trees  
around the entrance road and a single WESTERN WOOD PEWEE was spotted  
as well. One member of the group found a male WESTERN TANAGER, and at  
the lake we found  a single CASPIAN TERN foraging over the water.

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was heard many times, and seen at close range in  
the field uphill from the dog run. Further up trail we turned toward  
the sycamore grove, finding that RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS far out  
numbered the Song Sparrows that were also in the area.  LAZULI  
BUNTINGS were conspicuous with perhaps 6 individuals being seen (even  
2 mating). At one point we saw a Rufous-crowned Sparrow and a Lazuli  
Bunting perched side by side on the barbed wire fence.

We continued to climb to the paragliding plateau, and found a  
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD that was imitating Ash-throated Flycatcher,  
Steller's Jay and Western Tanager... truly amazing! And while we  
listened, we spotted two GOLDEN EAGLES against the sky above the  
rocks. We returned to the sycamore grove and with great patience  
awaited the appearance of our most-wanted species. We were about to  
give up and had in fact started back down hill when a male and female  
BLUE GROSBEAK appeared in the top of the highest sycamore. It was  
just luck that we had glanced back to see them fly in. Almost as  
quickly as they appeared they dropped below the trail. Soon the male  
reappeared close to the trail and then made is way back toward the  
trees. The female must have remained in the mustard. An possible  
second male, that appeared younger and with more rufous on the back,  
also appeared uphill and while our looks were brief, we finally all  
saw the birds.

We ate lunch at the lower picnic area and found many Owl pellets, but  
did not find any Long-eared or Barn Owls. A single GREAT HORNED OWL  
was perched out in the open on the far side of the picnic area by the  
entrance kiosk. Most interesting were a nesting pair of AMERICAN  
KESTRELS who went in and out of a tree above the group picnic tables.  
We were also a bit surprised at finding an imm. SHARP-SHINNED HAWK.

Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net



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