[SBB] Yellow-bellied Sapsucker still at Ed Levin

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

Better late than never!  I went to Ed Levin today, to finally search for the
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.  I knew this would either be a mission of
self-fulfilling embarrassment, or a boon to all who are attempting Big Days
for the SCVAS fundraiser.  I am happy to report that the YELLOW-BELLIED
SAPSUCKER, in smart breeding plumage, was in the (disputed) tamarisk grove
just east of the Spring Valley Picnic Area parking lot (off of Calaveras
Boulevard).  There was one RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER there, too.  The RBSap was
at the far eastern end of the grove, while the YBSap was more to the western
end.  I had both of them from the safe (park) side, though I tried the
roadside as well.

This section of Ed Levin park was new to me, and what a treat it was.  I was
out there from 1-2:15, and in  addition to the two sapsuckers, had 40 other
species.  Among those were my FOY WESTERN KINGBIRD, PACIFIC-SLOPE
FLYCATCHER, and CLIFF SWALLOW (in a small four-species swallow flock flying
over the pond).  As I was nearing the end of my hike around the pond, I
heard CEDAR WAXWINGS of a sudden, looked up, saw the flock, then saw a
COOPER'S HAWK breeze in (the Waxwings all escaped, BTW).  This COOPER'S HAWK
was either in heavy heavy molt, or had lost a substantial number of its
feathers on its trailing left wing.  Only a very narrow band of feathers
connected the left wing's lower edge to the body of the bird.  About 1/4 of
its trailing feathers were missing.  I've seen this on some Turkey Vultures
before, but can't remember such a dramatic instance on an accipiter.  There
were at least three tom WILD TURKEYS calling the whole time I was there, but
I never saw one.

I then went to the area where one searches for Rufous Hummingbirds along the
golf course fence.  Between a Society for Creative Anachronism event in
process of being set up, and a change in the vegetation in the area, I saw
only ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS - not even any Allen's at this spot.  Have the
likely areas for Rufous Hummingbirds in the park changed the past few years?

Good birding - 

Jennifer Rycenga
Half Moon Bay, CA


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