[SBB] Continuing Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, Pajaro River

All,

Fairly early this morning Frank Vanslager and I saw the continuing ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK in the Elderberry Trees on the west side of the Pajaro River (between the river and the railroad tracks) a couple hundred feet short (north) of the 1/4 marker on the railroad tracks. We saw the bird about three times for several minutes total as it fed on the Elderberries over a two hour period. I even managed to get a few (not to good) digiphotos.

One of the nice things about being there earlier was that there was no wind and the birds were more active; we actually saw a couple SWAINSON'S THRUSH (we normally only hear them sing there), CALIFORNIA THRASHER and a first for us in the area LARK SPARROW. There were, of course, lots of BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS and the adult male BLUE GROSBEAK continues to sing (while carrying food). (If you think that's easy just try singing with food in you mouth.) At least two juvenile Blue Grosbeaks would at various times be near the male but over a half hour viewing period we never saw a bird that we could definitely identify as an adult female although it would seem that they may be trying for a second hatch. Later, in Ogier Ponds we had a pair of WOOD DUCKS in the pond south of the entrance road, a male GREATER SCAUP and three juvenile/female COMMON MERGANSER in the first pond north of the entrance road.

Take care,

Bob Reiling

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