[SBB] Breeding Bird Survey - 5/27/07

[[[email protected]] (Mike Rogers)]

All,

This morning 5/27/07, I surveyed my Breeding Bird Survey route for the 14th consecutive year. The survey consists of fifty 3-minute roadside stops, each spaced a half-mile apart.

I ended up with 82 species, close to the 14-year average of 82.7, but the numbers were better, with 1140 individuals (4th highest total) being well above the 14-year average of 1052.8. New high counts were obtained for 7 species (Double-crested Cormorant (7), Great Blue Heron (5), Mallard (45), Nuttall's Woodpecker (20), Violet-green Swallow (24), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (24), and House Finch (97)) and previous high counts tied for 3 more (Pacific-slope Flycatcher (11), Western Bluebird (9), and California Towhee (41)).

No new species were found on the route this year. On the negative side, Western Wood-Pewee was missed for the first time ever (14-year average of 4.3). Cassin's Vireo was missed as well. On the first 7 years of the survey 21 Cassin's Vireos were found; only 4 have been found in the past 7 years. Olive-sided Flycatcher was missed again also (first 7-year total of 12; recent 7-year total of 2, both in 2002).

Highlights today included:

east Metcalf/San Felipe Road: 6 Great Horned Owls (survey starts at 5:14am!).

Metcalf Road at/east of the motyorcycle park: 3 Grasshopper Sparrows, 1 Lawrence's Goldfinch (1 mile east of summit).

Metcalf Canyon: 5 Lazuli Buntings, 2 Rufous-crowned Sparrows.

Parkway Lakes: 2 Common Mergansers, 1 Osprey with a fish.

Monterey Highway south of Blanchard Road: 10 Cedar Waxwings.

Bailey Road at western IBM entrance: Common Yellowthroat.

McKean Road opposite Fortini Road: 1 singing Grasshopper Sparrow.

Almaden Reservoir: 1 male Wood Duck and single Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, and Snowy Egret.

Mike Rogers
Sunnyvale

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