[SBB] Yellow-breasted Chat @ Coyote Creek Field Station

Hello Everyone,

Even though we got rained out banding this morning we were there long enough to hear a Yellow-breasted Chat singing at the Field Station. It was in the large group of shrubs just northeast of the lower road where the trail from the trailer comes down the steps. It was singing most of the morning.

I know most of you know, but in case you don't to gain access to the field station you need to be a member of the bird observatory. For information on that please see our website www.sfbbo.org.

Happy Birding,

Roy Churchwell
Landbird Program Director
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
524 Valley Way
Milpitas, CA 95035
(408) 946-6548 ext. 11
[[email protected]]

NOTICE NEW ADDRESS

----- Original Message -----

From: Kay Partelow

To: [[email protected]]

Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 10:42 AM

Subject: [SBB] Early evening birding at Monte Bello OSP

Hello Birders,

Last night (May 1) Debbi Brusco, Karen DeMello and I birded the White Oak trail at Monte Bello OSP in preparation for an upcoming woodpecker hike ("Picidae Picnic") for MROSD. The visible members of the family were ACORN WOODPECKERS, though NORTHERN FLICKER, and NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER were also heard. Much to our delight we had numerous LAZULI BUNTING sightings, with a few singing individuals. In one oak tree we observed at least 4 of them, in addition to a WESTERN BLUEBIRD, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, and PURPLE FINCH--the latter 3 species were all singing.

Other goodies: a "laughing" Purple Finch in the distance (the "hee hee hee" vocalization we sometimes hear), followed by ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN TANAGER, singing SONG SPARROW, WHITE-SHOULDERED KITE, and a solitary BAND-TAILED PIGEON. Very vocal CALIFORNIA TOWHEE and SPOTTED TOWHEE joined the crepuscular chorus along with a singing AMERICAN ROBIN.

The best treat was an excellent look at a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW that eluded us for minutes before perching motionless at the base of Coyote Bush, giving us all stunning looks even with the fading daylight. We all remarked how well the auricular patch stood out on the relatively unmarked cheek. A "flat" head and unstreaked breast/sides helped confirm our i.d. The bird was vocalizing, but not quite a full song. A lovely backdrop of fog-shrouded hills in the sunset made this magnificent scene quite dramatic.

Back at the Page Mill Park and Ride, a GREAT HORNED OWL made an albeit brief appearance before dashing behind the trees into the evening.

Happy Birding!

Kay Partelow

Palo Alto

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References:
	>[SBB] Early evening birding at Monte Bello OSP (From: Kay Partelow <[[email protected]]>)