[SBB] Around the County

[Jennifer Rycenga <[[email protected]]>]

Scouting for the SCVAS Big Day I am running tomorrow, I and a friend
traveled around the county.  We began with a BARN OWL over I-280 near El
Monte, then along Summit Road we heard distant COMMON POORWILLS, GREAT
HORNED OWLS, a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, three CALIFORNIA
THRASHERS, and other expected birds.

Fearing the rain predictions, we headed to Ed Levin County Park.  The
LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH were plentiful, both across from the Hang-gliding park,
and in a mixed goldfinch flock near the Sycamore Grove.  A single
YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE perched atop a tree near the Hang-gliding area.
BULLOCK'S ORIOLES are plentiful, as are WESTERN KINGBIRDS.  Along the trails
to the sycamore grove, we heard numerous GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS, then saw a
RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW on the fenceline below the grove.  The BALD EAGLE was
on her nest at the reservoir.

The rains had started, so we decided to go for an early lunch.  Afterwards,
we were off to Alviso, where we had our first major surprise - a late
lingering/migrant SAY'S PHOEBE at Arzino Ranch.  WILSON'S SNIPE were on the
same small pickleweed island that they were seen on earlier this winter, and
across the way a BLUE-WINGED TEAL pair were present.  At the EEC, we
couldn't find the Barn Owl in the box, but instead we picked out an FOY
VAUX'S SWIFT from amidst a huge number of swallows.  At State and Spreckles,
there were a number of DUNLIN in breeding plumage, as well as BLACK-BELLIED
PLOVERS in various stages of molt, and SEMI-PALMATED PLOVERS.  Our biggest
surprise, however, occured enroute to the Alviso Marina.  A small rain
squall had passed through the area.  I looked up the roof of a house, and
saw a bird I first thought was an accipiter.  But upon closer examination,
it turned out to be a bedraggled MERLIN!

At Charleston Slough, we found one CANVASBACK female, heard the croaking of
a RING-NECKED PHEASANT, and added a COOPER'S HAWK to the list.  We could not
find the Cattle Egret in Palo Alto, but a single female BUFFLEHEAD and a
CLARK'S GREBE were a nice way to end a 119-species day.

Good luck to all searchers - bird on!

Jennifer Rycenga
Half Moon Bay, CA


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