[SBB] Blue Grosbeak continues - Pajaro River/101

["Kris Olson" <[[email protected]]>]

Finally saw the male Blue Grosbeak this AM, around 9:30 or 10AM, by the 1/2
marker along the RR. There was another bird perched underneath the male on
the phone  pole when I arrived-- tan/brown and a bit smaller than the male--
but it disappeared into the bushes.  I believe that it was a Blue Grosbeak
as I continued to hear the same "chip" sound from both the visible male and
the invisible bird in the bushes. At one point the male and another bird
flew across the RR together, but I did not get a good look at the other
bird. The male sat on top of 2 low phone poles or bush tops, chipping and
singing. I then walked down to see the 2 Northern rough-winged Swallows
(still outside their cliff-side nest hole and quite unhappy with my
presence). On my way back, the male Blue Grosbeak flew off at 10:30AM, back
towards where the car was parked, and I did not hear or see any other
grosbeaks. [Well, near the gate at the start of the trail, I had seen a
"first winter" male Black-headed Grosbeak when I set out. It kept "pik-ing"
and circling back around to its high bush. But I did not see it when I
returned.]

Other birds of interest: Western Kingbird, 2 Ash-throated Flycatchers
(separately), 2 Loggerhead Shrikes (not 3 as previously reported); American
Kestrel, female, chasing the Kingbird.  I heard no Swainson's Thrushes
today.  Neither today nor July 8 did I see or hear a Grasshopper Sparrow,
despite listening and watching intently, especially today.

I then drove down Betabel Road, in San Benito County, to see what is there--
someone had reported seeing a Grosbeak. I got distracted by a Golden
Eagle---Red-tailed Hawk interaction and watched the eagle for some time.
There was an immature White-tailed Kite near this road, too. 

Driving north again, I passed a second Golden Eagle, this one in Santa Clara
County. I also passed a gazillion cars going to the Garlic Festival. I am
very glad I missed that traffic! It was backed up to highway 85 coming
south.

Good birding,

Kris Olson, Menlo Park CA



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