SCVAS 2007 Spring Birdathon
Wild Women Birders Team Report
Saturday, April 21, 2007 - 135 Species Identified
This was the fifth year our team participated in Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society's Spring Birdathon. Lori Cuesta, Donna Heim, and I (Dotty Calabrese) birded this year's quest. Following the Birdathon guidelines - bird for a 24-hour period between March 31 and April 22, anywhere in Santa Clara County - our plan for our Birdathon day, Saturday, April 21, was to spend from before dawn until after dark birding all over Santa Clara County. We began at Upper Stevens Creek along Stevens Canyon Road then continue to Stevens Creek County Park. These two adjoining areas are forested hills in the coastal mountain range, with creek and reservoir. We would then drive to several to the marshes and bayfront habitats in Palo Alto and Mountain View for the low tide, to Alviso, at the south end of the San Francisco Bay, and continue on to Ed Levin County Park on Highway 237 in Milpitas. Next we would drive through the East Foothills in Milpitas on Calaveras Road, Felter Road, and Sierra Road to finish the day. We would record each species positively identified by at least two of our birding team members, either by sight or by sound.
We were hoping to beat our 2004 count of 121 birds but realized this would be difficult due to the forecasted rain. We used the scouting information we had amassed from our 2004, 2005, and 2006 planning, and scouted much of the route for at least two weeks ahead. We carefully chose our date and sequence of stops, based on tides in the bay, as well as a backup rain date that would work for the three of us. We pulled out all stops on fundraising, mailing and e-mailing letters to nearly everyone we know, again amazed and gratified by the overwhelming, positive response. Weather forecasts in the days ahead were iffy.
We used my minivan again for this year's adventure. With some of the seats removed, we had seating for three, leaving ample space for binoculars, spotting scopes, bird books, layers of clothes, changes of clothes and shoes in case of rain, bags of food, water, and snacks. The minivan also provided easy entry/exit for all three of us, as we drove from location to new location, jumping in and out of the car all day long.
At 5:15 a.m. on 4/21, Donna and Lori arrived at my house. By 5:25a.m., we were on the road, driving in the dark to Steven's Canyon Road and Upper Stevens Creek County Park. At 5:40 a.m. we parked the minivan in the Cooley Picnic Area, assembled our gear, and stood still in the dark, hearing a GREAT HORNED OWL as our first species of the day. Next came the sounds of the AMERICAN ROBIN, STELLAR'S JAY, SPOTTED TOWHEE, MOURNING DOVE, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE.
In the dawning light, we walked up the paved road to the clearing above the Costanoan Girl Scout Camp, and saw both an American Robin and a CALIFORNIA TOWHEE. Next we heard BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, WRENTIT, BEWICK'S WREN, WARBLING VIREO, HUTTON'S VIREO, DARK-EYED JUNCO, and saw two CALIFORNIA QUAIL. We heard, then saw, an ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD, and heard a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. A pair of COMMON MERGANSERS flew overhead, followed by a BAND-TAILED PIGEON, then a DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, a few minutes later. A STARLING alighted at the top of a nearby tree, while a Stellar's Jay sat a few limbs below. We could hear a nearby ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER. Just as we were deciding to leave shortly for our next stop, a KINGFISHER called loudly while flying overhead. We next heard an ACORN WOODPECKER.
We drove up Steven's Canyon Road to the “infamous” third bridge to see the AMERICAN DIPPER, exactly where it has been seen so many times before, and were also treated to the song of a PACIFIC SLOPE FLYCATCHER,
We drove back to the Cooley Picnic area, where we saw a SONG SPARROW, several Dark-Eyed Juncos, and heard a CASSIN'S VIREO. Back on Steven's Canyon Road we saw Chestnut-Backed Chickadees. Across from the Sycamore Grove, a PURPLE FINCH called from a tall tree. A VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW zoomed over us as we viewed a DOWNY WOODPECKER in a nearby tree, and a MALLARD flying by.
Back on Stevens Canyon Road, right above the reservoir, we stopped to see a Great-Horned Owl sitting on its nest in a roadside tree, and found LESSER GOLDFINCHES in another tree in the same area. A distant RAVEN flew by. Soon, we noticed an AMERICAN CROW on a power pole.
At the upper end of the reservoir, we found a VAUX'S SWIFT flying with a group of NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS over the reservoir. Next, we stopped at the lower end of the reservoir. Lori found an OSPREY sitting in a tree at the far edge. We located a KILLDEER and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER along the reservoir's edge.
Back in the main parking lot we found an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER perched in a tree. As we walked into the Chestnut Picnic Area, we heard a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK call, and also heard the “quick three beers” call of the OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, and then saw the same bird. Lori spotted a WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH foraging in a nearby tree. We next heard an OAK TITMOUSE, a YELLOW WARBLER, and viewed a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. A drumming sound caught out attention, and turned out to be a HAIRY WOODPECKER. A loud, singing WILSON'S WARBLER graced our list next, followed by a good look at a NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER.
On we walked to the Ranger Station on Steven's Canyon Road. As we approached the station, we saw a NORTHERN FLICKER (Red-Shafted) and a WESTERN WOOD PEEWEE.
In the field beyond Villa Maria, a WILD TURKEY caught our attention, as did a RED-TAILED HAWK atop a nearby power pole, and the call of a CALIFORNIA THRASHER. Next, a GREAT BLUE HERON flew overhead. A Yellow Warbler alighted in a tree near to us. After much searching and listening, Lori and Dotty finally heard the buzzy call of a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.
A quick drive back to the Steven's Creek Reservoir yielded a CASPIAN TERN flying over. At 10:40 a.m., we drove out of Steven's Creek Park, and by 10:46 were inside a Pete's Coffee shop, refueling for the next leg of our journey. In the parking lot, we spotted a HOUSE SPARROW.
A quick drive to the Deep Cliff Golf Course parking lot netted a HOUSE FINCH and a flock of BUSHTITS.
Our next stop was McClellan Ranch where we found the resident BARN OWL asleep in the barn, a GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW beneath some bushes, chattering HOODED ORIOLES, and a beautiful BULLOCK'S ORIOLE. Along the edge of the parking lot were several BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS, but a walk along the creek trail failed to turn up the nesting Wood Ducks. As we were leaving, Mike Rogers and his Birdathon team arrived.
Rancho San Antonio was our next stop, where we hoped to find the recently reported Western Screech Owl. No luck on the owl, but we did see ACORN WOODPECKERS.
Driving toward the bay, we glimpsed a COOPER'S HAWK in flight near the intersection of El Camino Real and Page Mill Road in Palo Alto. Our first Bay stop, at the Geng Road end of the small pond & marsh on the Palo Alto Golf Course, turned up CANADA GEESE, AMERICAN COOTS, a PIED-BILLED GREBE, a pair of RUDDY DUCKS, and a RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. Along the trail at the end of Geng Road, in San Francisquito Creek, on the Santa Clara County side, we found a CINNAMON TEAL and a SNOWY EGRET. Walking back along the trail to the parking lot, Lori spotted a white goose among a flock of Canada Geese flying in from the bay to the golf course. We turned around and ran back to the trail, finding a ROSS'S GOOSE foraging along the fairway with a flock of Canada Geese. On our second trip back to the car, we found a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD.
Next, we stopped at the Duck Pond and the mudflat across from the Duck Pond, counting WILLETS, a heard-only MARSH WREN, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS, a GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, RING-BILLED GULLS, CALIFORNIA GULLS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, GADWALL, MARBLED GODWITS, WESTERN GULLS, and ROCK PIGEONS. Suddenly, we looked up to see a battle taking place between a male NORTHERN HARRIER and a WHITE-TAILED KITE. On the Duck Pond we found both LESSER SCAUP and GREATER SCAUP. At the edge of the Duck Pond we viewed AMERICAN AVOCETS and BLACK-NECKED STILTS. Flying over the Duck Pond were BARN SWALLOWS. In the marsh behind the Duck Pond were SHORT- and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, WESTERN SANDPIPERS, a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, and a GREAT EGRET. Next to the parking for the Duck Pond were a pair of BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS.
We crossed the street to the old Yacht Club parking lot, and saw a WHITE-THROATED SWIFT overhead.
Back we went into the car, and drove off to the next parking lot at the Environmental Center, where we looked back over the marsh and found CLARK'S GREBES, WESTERN GREBES, and LEAST SANDPIPERS. We also heard a RING-NECKED PHEASANT. Off behind the Environmental Center on foot on the boardwalk went our team in search of a Clapper Rail. No rails were found along Rail Alley. At the Bay end of the Boardwalk, we saw a WHIMBREL and a PINTAIL. Walking back along the boardwalk we moped, realizing this would be our first Birdathon without a clapper rail when a very cooperative CLAPPER RAIL sauntered out into the open in the pickle weed, and remained visible to us for about five minutes.
Next, we drove off to the nearby boat ramp where we tallied CLIFF SWALLOWS, a female BUFFLEHEAD, FORSTER'S TERNS, and saw the Ring-Necked Pheasant and a SAVANNAH SPARROW. We also heard a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and saw an EARRED GREBE and a female COMMON GOLDENEYE.
At the ponds along the Frontage Road, heading south to San Antonio Road, we counted SHOVELERS.
Next, we found SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS at Charleston Slough, along with a DUNLIN, and CANVASBACK. In the Coast Casey Forebay, we saw GREATER YELLOWLEGS and a Yellowthroat. At one end of Shoreline Lake we added SURF SCOTER. At the other end, we walked to Salt Pond A-1, and found over twenty BLACK SKIMMERS on an island near shore.
Then we drove on to Alviso, where we added BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, a perched KESTREL, a WESTERN MEADOWLARK, and a pair of BURROWING OWLS at State and Spreckles, and Grand and Spreckles. On Zanker Road, while looking for elusive Long-Billed Curlews that we didn't locate, we found a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE.
By now it was sprinkling, with rain not far off. We would spend most of the rest of our time birding from or near the minivan. We drove onto Route #237 and off we went to Milpitas. At the corner of Calaveras Boulevard and Park Victoria Drive we found a TURKEY VULTURE soaring over the hillside.
In Ed Levin Park we drove directly to the Hang Glider Area, where Donna and I heard the “tinkle” of LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES in the adjacent trees, as well as saw a WESTERN KINGBIRD. Lori stayed dry in the car. In another section of the park we viewed a WESTERN BLUEBIRD, heard a HOUSE WREN, and saw a family of Wild Boar, with one adult and four piglets.
Next, we drove out Calaveras Road to the BALD EAGLE nest and were able to see the eyes, bill, and white head feathers of an adult hunkered down on the nest through Donna's spotting scope set up under the liftgate of my minivan. It was raining too hard, by this point, to set up the scope in the open. On the drive back down Calaveras Road to Felter Road, we found a LARK SPARROW in bushes by the side of the road. With dusk fast approaching, we headed up Felter Road, hoping for just a few more birds. By this point we were not thinking clearly, and forgot to stop at the small pond to look for Ring-Necked Ducks. By the time we reached the corral at the summit on Sierra Road, it was too dark for the Horned Larks. We headed home, checking each power pole on Sierra Road for an owl, and found one Great Horned Owl to end our day. We had completed the day with 135 (!) species, a new record for the Wild Women Birders. Our species list is below.
Our fifth Birdathon was a success on all levels. We had great fun exploring local habitats, got plenty of exercise, and helped raise funds for environmental education. As of the day of our Birdathon, our team had raised over $5000.00 for Audubon's youth environment education programs. Now, we are looking forward to next year's Spring Birdathon! We appreciate your generosity and would like to thank you very much for your support.
Good Birding!
Dotty Calabrese
Mountain View
SPECIES LIST - 135 Species Identified in Santa Clara County
Eared Grebe S
Pied-billed Grebe S
Western Grebe S
Clark's Grebe S
Double-crested Cormorant S
Great Blue Heron S
Great Egret S
Snowy Egret S
Black-crowned Night Heron HS
Ross's Goose S
Canada Goose HS
Mallard S
Northern Pintail S
Cinnamon Teal S
Green-winged Teal S
Northern Shoveler S
Gadwall S
Canvasback S
Greater Scaup S
Lesser Scaup S
Surf Scoter S
Common Goldeneye S
Bufflehead S
Common Merganser S
Ruddy Duck S
Turkey Vulture S
Northern Harrier S
White-tailed Kite S
Cooper's Hawk S
Red-shouldered Hawk H
Red-tailed Hawk S
Osprey S
Bald Eagle S
American Kestrel S
Ring-necked Pheasant HS
Wild Turkey S
California Quail HS
Clapper Rail HS
American Coot S
Black-bellied Plover S
Semipalmated Plover S
Killdeer S
Black-necked Stilt S
American Avocet S
Greater Yellowlegs S
Willet S
Spotted Sandpiper S
Whimbrel S
Marbled Godwit S
Dunlin S
Western Sandpiper S
Least Sandpiper S
Long-billed Dowitcher HS
Short-billed Dowitcher HS
Ring-billed Gull S
California Gull S
Western Gull S
Glaucous-winged Gull S
Caspian Tern S
Forster's Tern S
Black Skimmer S
Rock Pigeon S
Band-tailed Pigeon S
Mourning Dove HS
Barn Owl S
Great Horned Owl S
Burrowing Owl S
Vaux's Swift S
White-throated Swift HS
Anna's Hummingbird HS
Belted Kingfisher HS
Acorn Woodpecker HS
Nuttall's Woodpecker HS
Downy Woodpecker HS
Hairy Woodpecker HS
Northern Flicker S
Olive-sided Flycatcher HS
Western Wood-Pewee HS
Pacific-slope Flycatcher H
Black Phoebe HS
Ash-throated Flycatcher S
Western Kingbird HS
Violet-green Swallow S
Northern Rough-winged Swallow HS
Cliff Swallow S
Barn Swallow S
Steller's Jay HS
Western Scrub-Jay HS
American Crow S
Common Raven S
Chestnut-backed Chickadee HS
Oak Titmouse H
Bushtit HS
White-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
House Wren
Marsh Wren
American Dipper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Western Bluebird
American Robin
Wrentit
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
California Thrasher
Loggerhead Shrike
European Starling
Cassin's Vireo
Hutton's Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Black-headed Grosbeak
Spotted Towhee
California Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Brewer's Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Hooded Oriole
Bullock's Oriole
Purple Finch
House Finch
Lawrence's Goldfinch
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow
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