[SBB] Black-chinned Sparrow, Loma Prieta

[Kumaran Arul <[[email protected]]>]

Hi all.  This morning, I went up to Loma Prieta with Shantanu P. where we had spectacular views of the singing BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW found by Kris Olson and then found another on the way down in a different spot.  Take Summit Rd exit from Hwy17 which becomes Highland, left to Mt.Bache which becomes Loma Prieta Ave.  Veer left at the first fork and then park at the large pull out that is beyond the guard rail on the left.  Here there are three dirt roads that go up to Loma Prieta.  The bird was seen mostly around the right most road about halfway up to the white gate.  It was also near the bottom of the road near the parking lot, but also as far up the hill as beyond the gate and up towards the top of the mountain.  After hearing it more or less as soon as we arrived, we heard it head up hill and lost it.  We waited about 30 minutes and then heard it returning.  At this point it staked out the area below the gate and was found perched on a dead snag just near a bay laurel.  It remained more or less in view for the next 20 minutes.  It foraged and sang in bushes right by the road where we had amazing close range views.  

As we headed back down, we stopped again at the first fork in the road and heard and saw another Black-Chinned Sparrow in the distance on the hill on the north side of the road (the right side as you drive down from Loma Prieta).  This bird was right on the ridge of the hill.

Also, earlier in the morning I had two singing YELLOW WARLBERS in Meder Canyon in Santa Cruz, along with a few Warbling Vireos, Swainson's Thrush, Ash-throated Flycatcher, etc.

Good birding,

Kumaran Arul
Santa Cruz, CA

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