[SBB] Yellow-headed Blackbird, Red-necked Phalaropes at Calero

Here is a brief report of some interesting birds seen this morning (Fri, 9/1) at Calero Reservoir and County Park.

An adult female YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was seen around 8:30 am this morning in the horse corral opposite the parking area at Calero County Park. She flew in to perch on a telephone wire along with her smaller cousins, Red-winged and Brewer's Blackbirds. The bird's bright yellow head and breast plus its slightly larger size made it stand out from the other blackbirds. To look for this bird, probably the best time of day would be early morning while blackbirds are congregated in the horse corral and before human activities really get under way.

Eight juvenile RED-NECKED PHALAROPES were seen in and near the vicinity of Bailey Cove. "Bailey Cove", so named by John Mariani, is an extension of Calero Reservoir at the upper end near the intersection of McKean and Bailey Rds where a conduit supplying water from San Luis Reservoir pours into Calero Reservoir. Because of "no parking" restrictions all along McKean and Bailey Roads, the only way to access this site is to park at the Calero Reservoir boat ramp and hike along the periphery of the reservoir. (Phalaropes are much easier to see at Alviso and other bay front locales, but because this is an inland site, I thought these migrant shorebirds might be of interest.)

Some first-of-fall-season ducks seen at Bailey Cove included one AMERICAN WIGEON, four N. SHOVELERS, and three female-type CINNAMON TEAL.

Other birds of interest included an OSPREY seen at the upper end, and a GOLDEN EAGLE pursued by two Red-tailed Hawks seen from the boat ramp.

Ann Verdi

San Jose