[SBB] MB05 this morning 9/29/2006

Hello All,

A very large group of Violet-green Swallows arrived at the little pond at Monte Bello's gate 5 pond this morning 9/29/2006 just before 8AM. At least 600 clustered on the telephone lines (I counted the ones on one of the 3 lines and tripled it) and there were more still arriving. I checked them over several times but was unable to spot any other swallow species among them - in general, I have found these staging flocks of migrant VGSW to be pure or nearly so. There were 2 Vaux's Swifts flying among them, but of course these did not perch.

A Wilson's Snipe flew away from the pond well before sunrise, while 2 Great Horned Owls were still conversing. A Red-breasted Nuthatch was down in the willows by the pond, and a House Wren was among oaks. Continuing birds included a Sora, Green Heron, and two Pileated Woodpeckers calling back and forth 'way down below.

Early on Tuesday 9/26/2006, an adult male Black-throated Gray Warbler was in the willows here.

--Garth Harwood