[SBB] San Martin Waterbirds

Dear SBBers:

I take my daughter to riding lessons on Church Ave. in San Martin twice a week and check the two percolation ponds on this street while there (between Monterey HW and HW101. Last week about 113 Ring-necked Ducks arrived. They appear to still be there this week, although I didn’t have a chance to count them as they were widely spread around this week. In addition, there are about 3 dozen Ruddy Ducks, 3 dozen Double-crested Cormorants and numerous American Coot.

Today, however, joining these birds were one female Common Merganser and one Western Grebe (not a common South County bird)! Also in this pond were Snowy Egret, Mallard, Great Blue Heron and Pied-billed Grebes. Last week there were also Black-crowned Night Heron and about 200 Swallows, mostly Cliff with some Tree. I hope these ponds get counted in the X-Mas count. Good Birding!

Jean Myers

P.S. The hardscaping portion of our landscaping is in place and we are just beginning on the softscaping portion of our 1.5 acre native garden! About 6 more months ‘till completion.