[SBB] Rose-breasted And Blue Grosbeaks

[[[email protected]] (Peggy Don)]

SBBers,

This morning, 07/16/07, Bill and I birded along the RR tracks on the Santa Clara County side of the Pajaro River.  Just before a 1/4 sign I put the scope on what I initially thought was a female BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK in an elderberry bush for Bill.  I had seen one earlier in another elderberry bush.  However, this one was a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.  I noticed the coarse streaking on the buffy flanks and breast.  The crown strip was very dark and the supercilium was white.  We watched it for a few minutes feasting on the berries.  I was able to digiscope a few pictures before it was flushed by a CALIFORNIA THRASHER.  We were not able to refind it for Bob Reiling and Frank Vanslager who came 15 minutes later.  

Bob and Frank then showed us the area where they had seen a male BLUE GROSBEAK a couple of weeks ago.  It was still there along with a couple of probable juveniles.  We had the same birds as them:  LAZULI BUNTING, GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN KINGBIRD, and singing SWAINSON'S THRUSH.  Earlier near the parking area we saw 3 other California Thrashers.  They appeared to be young birds because their bills were not very long.

BTW if you bird there, please be aware that trains do pass through.  I was engrossed in studying one of the young BLGRs and did not notice an approaching train until Bill yelled, "A train is coming!"  The engineer did sound its horn.  It wasn't really a close call but do be careful.

Good birding,
Peggy Don

_______________________________________________
Do not post admin requests to the list. They will be ignored.
South-Bay-Birds mailing list      ([[email protected]])
Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription:
http://plaidworks.org/mailman/listinfo/south-bay-birds_plaidworks.org