From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 01 08:46:05 1998 All, While trying to find the Prothonatary Warbler at North Lake in Golden Gate Park I noted that there were at least three male Selasphorus Hummingbirds with gorgets and extensively red backs. One bird had only a small amount of green in the middle of it's back and a green crown back to the rufous nape. My questions are 1) In the spring, how much green does it take to make the bird an Allen's Hummingbird?, 2) Does a rufous mantle make it a Rufous Hummingbird? and 3) Would we expect to see Rufous Hummingbirds doing territorial displays this far south? Thanks, Bob Reiling, 7:19 AM, 4/1/98 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 01 09:49:55 1998 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------401C17A068C0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit -- Richard C. Carlson Palo Alto, California [[email protected]] --------------401C17A068C0 Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Return-Path: <[[email protected]]> Received: from dns.ccit.arizona.edu (dns.CCIT.Arizona.EDU [128.196.139.46]) by fh101.infi.net (8.8.8/8.8.8) with ESMTP id JAA26034; Wed, 1 Apr 1998 09:01:35 -0500 (EST) Received: from dist (dns.CCIT.Arizona.EDU [128.196.139.46]) by dns.ccit.arizona.edu (8.8.8/8.8.8) with ESMTP id GAA59902; Wed, 1 Apr 1998 06:59:29 -0700 Received: from LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU by LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU (LISTSERV-TCP/IP release 1.8c) with spool id 2441112 for [[email protected]]; Wed, 1 Apr 1998 06:55:14 -0700 Received: from mailgw3.lmco.com (mailgw3.lmco.com [192.35.35.23]) by listserv.arizona.edu (8.8.8/8.8.8) with ESMTP id GAA43860 for <[[email protected]]>; Wed, 1 Apr 1998 06:55:12 -0700 Received: from emss04g01.ems.lmco.com ([166.17.13.122]) by mailgw3.lmco.com (8.8.8/8.8.8) with ESMTP id IAA01911 for <[[email protected]]>; Wed, 1 Apr 1998 08:55:11 -0500 (EST) Received: from mon-exchange.lmcda.lmco.com ([158.183.100.43]) by lmco.com (PMDF V5.1-10 #20546) with SMTP id <[[email protected]]> for [[email protected]]; Wed, 1 Apr 1998 08:55:04 -0500 (EST) Received: by mon-exchange.lmcda.lmco.com with SMTP (Microsoft Exchange Server Internet Mail Connector Version 4.0.995.52) id <[[email protected]]>; Wed, 01 Apr 1998 08:57:19 -0500 X-Mailer: Microsoft Exchange Server Internet Mail Connector Version 4.0.995.52 Encoding: 70 TEXT Message-ID: Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1998 08:57:15 -0500 Reply-To: "Laviolette, Lance" <[[email protected]]> Sender: "National Birding Hotline Cooperative (Chat Line)" <[[email protected]]> From: "Laviolette, Lance" <[[email protected]]> Subject: [BIRDCHAT] New species found in Ecuador To: [[email protected]] X-UIDL: cf368363f2d4293c54f951445a16031a X-Mozilla-Status: 0001 Hi Chatters, I thought this might be of interest. Lance ===================== Lance Laviolette Glen Robertson, Ontario/ Montreal, Quebec [[email protected]] ===================== ================== Birds That Really Dig Their Environment By Frank Knott ...New York Times April 1, 1998 CORDILLERA DE HUACAMAYOS, Ecuador -- Dr. Avril Pioneer, working in the mountainous area of Cordillera de Huacamayos, Ecuador has discovered a colony of subterranean birds. The bird, newly named the flute-billed tunnel-hermit, apparently spends almost it's entire life underground living on insects and worms. "It only ventures above ground when it's time to breed," said Dr. Pioneer, speaking at a press conference in Quito. "The birds must gather grass and plant fiber to line their nests." Dr. Pioneer has been studying birds and their behavior in Ecuador for over ten years but only stumbled across the tunnel-hermit by accident three months ago. "As is often the case," Pioneer explained, "the most important discoveries are made serendipitously. I was trying to find the source of some unusual vocalization and I literally dropped in on a colony of the birds." The birds are supremely adapted to their life underground. Their beaks are the size of a toothbrush and shaped like a long spade. Dr. Pioneer has discovered that they excavate their labyrinth of tunnels by inserting their beaks into the earth and violently rotating their entire body in a corkscrew manner by thrusts of their powerful legs. Dislodged earth is propelled behind the bird at the same time where it is scooped up by what Dr. Pioneer refers to as 'helper' birds and thrown out of tunnel entrances. The extensive rains in the area quickly wash away this loose soil, leaving no evidence of the burrowing activity. Dr. Pioneer described how sometimes birds would get stuck and have to be pulled free by those behind. "The cooperative nature of the birds in the colony is astounding," Dr. Pioneer said, "It far exceeds any previously documented behavior in the bird world." The tunnel-hermit is flightless as might be expected. "They have very small, vestigial wings which we at first believed served only to anchor birds when moving through the tunnel system. It was only later that we were able to observe a male moving his wings along his beak at the same time a beautiful, flute-like vocalization was emitted." "This was the same wonderous sound that first drew me to the area," explained Dr. Pioneer. "We have since had the opportunity to observe tiny holes, spaced at regular intervals down both sides of the beak. The melody is so dazzlingly beautiful and has such an incredible ephemeral quality that we have informally called the song the 'Melody of Fools'." ================== --------------401C17A068C0-- ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 01 10:00:48 1998 REPLY RE: Our male Selasphorus Hummingbirds RREILING2 wrote: >1) In the spring, how much green does it take to make the bird an >Allen's Hummingbird?, The new Pyle's "Identification Guide to North American Birds" says that After Second Year males can have up to 40% rufous on their backs. Right now, After Second Year means birds hatched before last year, or in the spring of '96 or earlier. >2) Does a rufous mantle make it a Rufous Hummingbird? and A good view of an all rufous back is probably indicative of rufus. Pyle notes that Second Year males can show up to 50% green on their backs. Right now, Second Year means a bird hatched last spring. >3) Would we expect to see Rufous Hummingbirds doing territorial >displays this far south? I believe that they are seen displaying in the area in the midst of migration. Brushing up for the breeding grounds? Another possibly see-able fieldmark is notched R2's, which are the second pair of retrices (tail feathers) from the central, and largest, pair. This can be nearly impossible to see on a hovering bird. Sometimes a good photo will pick this up. Also, if you can distinguish the difference between 1.8 and 1.9 mm in the field, look at the outer tail feathers (R5). On rufus they are wider than 1.9 mm and on sasin, narrower than 1.8 mm. In between those measures, just call it a selasphorus hummer. Some folks say that they can distinguish between the vocalizations, wing buzz, and display flight. I'll leave that to those who are confident about these keys. Les Chibana, Palo Alto [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 01 11:03:50 1998 I suspect this species should be renamed the "April Fool Tunnel Hermit" ! At 08:49 AM 4/1/98 -0800, you wrote: >-- >Richard C. Carlson >Palo Alto, California >[[email protected]] >Return-Path: <[[email protected]]> >Received: from dns.ccit.arizona.edu (dns.CCIT.Arizona.EDU [128.196.139.46]) > by fh101.infi.net (8.8.8/8.8.8) with ESMTP id JAA26034; > Wed, 1 Apr 1998 09:01:35 -0500 (EST) >Received: from dist (dns.CCIT.Arizona.EDU [128.196.139.46]) > by dns.ccit.arizona.edu (8.8.8/8.8.8) with ESMTP id GAA59902; > Wed, 1 Apr 1998 06:59:29 -0700 >Received: from LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU by LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU (LISTSERV-TCP/IP > release 1.8c) with spool id 2441112 for > [[email protected]]; Wed, 1 Apr 1998 06:55:14 -0700 >Received: from mailgw3.lmco.com (mailgw3.lmco.com [192.35.35.23]) by > listserv.arizona.edu (8.8.8/8.8.8) with ESMTP id GAA43860 for > <[[email protected]]>; Wed, 1 Apr 1998 06:55:12 -0700 >Received: from emss04g01.ems.lmco.com ([166.17.13.122]) by mailgw3.lmco.com > (8.8.8/8.8.8) with ESMTP id IAA01911 for > <[[email protected]]>; Wed, 1 Apr 1998 08:55:11 -0500 (EST) >Received: from mon-exchange.lmcda.lmco.com ([158.183.100.43]) by lmco.com (PMDF > V5.1-10 #20546) with SMTP id <[[email protected]]> for > [[email protected]]; Wed, 1 Apr 1998 08:55:04 -0500 (EST) >Received: by mon-exchange.lmcda.lmco.com with SMTP (Microsoft Exchange Server > Internet Mail Connector Version 4.0.995.52) id > <[[email protected]]>; Wed, 01 Apr 1998 > 08:57:19 -0500 >X-Mailer: Microsoft Exchange Server Internet Mail Connector Version 4.0.995.52 >Encoding: 70 TEXT >Message-ID: >Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1998 08:57:15 -0500 >Reply-To: "Laviolette, Lance" <[[email protected]]> >Sender: "National Birding Hotline Cooperative (Chat Line)" > <[[email protected]]> >From: "Laviolette, Lance" <[[email protected]]> >Subject: [BIRDCHAT] New species found in Ecuador >To: [[email protected]] >X-UIDL: cf368363f2d4293c54f951445a16031a >X-Mozilla-Status: 0001 > >Hi Chatters, > >I thought this might be of interest. > >Lance >===================== >Lance Laviolette >Glen Robertson, Ontario/ >Montreal, Quebec >[[email protected]] >===================== >================== >Birds That Really Dig Their Environment >By Frank Knott ...New York Times April 1, 1998 > >CORDILLERA DE HUACAMAYOS, Ecuador -- Dr. Avril Pioneer, working in the >mountainous area of Cordillera de Huacamayos, Ecuador has discovered a >colony of subterranean birds. > >The bird, newly named the flute-billed tunnel-hermit, apparently spends >almost it's entire life underground living on insects and worms. > >"It only ventures above ground when it's time to breed," said Dr. >Pioneer, speaking at a press conference in Quito. "The birds must gather >grass and plant fiber to line their nests." > >Dr. Pioneer has been studying birds and their behavior in Ecuador for >over ten years but only stumbled across the tunnel-hermit by accident >three months ago. > >"As is often the case," Pioneer explained, "the most important >discoveries are made serendipitously. I was trying to find the source of >some unusual vocalization and I literally dropped in on a colony of the >birds." > >The birds are supremely adapted to their life underground. Their beaks >are the size of a toothbrush and shaped like a long spade. > >Dr. Pioneer has discovered that they excavate their labyrinth of tunnels >by inserting their beaks into the earth and violently rotating their >entire body in a corkscrew manner by thrusts of their powerful legs. >Dislodged earth is propelled behind the bird at the same time where it >is scooped up by what Dr. Pioneer refers to as 'helper' birds and thrown >out of tunnel entrances. > >The extensive rains in the area quickly wash away this loose soil, >leaving no evidence of the burrowing activity. > >Dr. Pioneer described how sometimes birds would get stuck and have to be >pulled free by those behind. > >"The cooperative nature of the birds in the colony is astounding," Dr. >Pioneer said, "It far exceeds any previously documented behavior in the >bird world." > >The tunnel-hermit is flightless as might be expected. > >"They have very small, vestigial wings which we at first believed served >only to anchor birds when moving through the tunnel system. It was only >later that we were able to observe a male moving his wings along his >beak at the same time a beautiful, flute-like vocalization was emitted." > >"This was the same wonderous sound that first drew me to the area," >explained Dr. Pioneer. "We have since had the opportunity to observe >tiny holes, spaced at regular intervals down both sides of the beak. The >melody is so dazzlingly beautiful and has such an incredible ephemeral >quality that we have informally called the song the 'Melody of Fools'." >================== > Nick Lethaby Director of Strategic Partnerships Elanix, Inc. Tel: 408 941 0223 Fax: 408 941 0984 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 01 12:58:52 1998 Chatters, I updated my website at http://hills.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan with a new photo quiz (two sparrows) and "answers" to last month's controversial bunting and hawk pictures. Also there are new photos of Dusky Warbler, Eurasian Dotterel, Slaty-backed Gull and Couch's Kingbird. In addition an archive of the March 1998 South-bay-birds messages has been posted. The City College network gurus have apparently solved the problem with their new firewall so the website should be easier to access and faster now. Feedback and comments are always welcome. -- Joseph Morlan SF Bay Area birding, Rarity photos, ID quizes. 380 Talbot Ave. #206 http://hills.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/ Pacifica, CA 94044 [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 02 10:44:35 1998 South-Bay-Birders: Yesterday, 4-1-98, I found a singing male YELLOW WARBLER in Sunnyvale at 9:30 AM at the creek at north side of El Camino Real across from Falore Nissan. Later at 12 noon, I found a WESTERN KINGBIRD at the north-west-most pond of the LOCKHEED-MARTIN PONDS in Sunnyvale. A BURROWING OWL was also present. -- Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, [[email protected]] (home) Sunnyvale, CA, [[email protected]] (work) Please reply to both addresses above for a quicker response. Thanks. ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 02 14:51:29 1998 All, Today I saw a Caspian Tern fly from/over Sandy Wool Lake to the pond located in the Spring Valley Golf Course. I also had my first Bullock's Oriole (a nice bright orange male) for the year. Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:28 PM, 4/2/98 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Apr 03 08:29:16 1998 A gorgeous male Hooded Oriole enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at one of our hummer feeders this morning, on Altschul Ave. in Menlo Park. First of the season. ================================ George Oetzel Menlo Park, CA <[[email protected]]> ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Apr 04 14:33:43 1998 I went birding down in the south county today. There were 2 male Yellow-headed Blackbirds at the dairy on Hwy 152 W of San Felipe Lake. Along San Felipe Lane the Cassin's Kingbirds were in the middle Eucaplyptus along with a male Allen's Hummingbird. A Western Kingbird was also nearby, with another at the dairy. The slop pond at the dairy looks great for Solitary Sandpipers - certainly they are regular in OR in spring at these type of spots. Nick Lethaby Director of Strategic Partnerships Elanix, Inc. Tel: 408 941 0223 Fax: 408 941 0984 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Apr 05 13:22:49 1998 Birders, While conducting a point count survey today I saw a Western Kingbird at CCRS, sitting on one of the snags just upstream from the trailers. Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers around today, most of them Myrtle. The banders notified me that today they caught what could have been an intergrade Myrtle x Audubon's warbler. All for now. Al Alvaro Jaramillo Half Moon Bay, California [[email protected]] Helm guide to the New World Blackbirds, Birding in Chile and more, at: http://www.sirius.com/~alvaro ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Apr 05 17:55:16 1998 All, During the SCVAS field trip on Saturday (4/4) I saw a Violet-Green Swallow (quite high so this is a best guess) chase a White-Throated Swift, for several seconds, in a straight line until they went out of sight beyond the ridgeline. A few WTSW were feeding in the same area as a large flock of swallows (several VGSW verified) when the incident occurred. The swallow was quite close to the back of the swift during the chase but it never seemed to get closer or to make contact. Take care, Bob Reiling, 5:52 PM, 4/5/98 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Apr 05 18:23:27 1998 Bob Reiling provided an eventful field trip at Ed Levin Park, mud et al. A WILD TURKET that "buzzed" us as it flew out of some underbrush past us was a highlight. Bob asked me if the MERGANSERS were still at Oka Ponds. Since they're practically in my backyard, I decided to check it out today. Didn't see them. There were 22 BUFFLEHEAD, and if my new binocs were powerful enough, I'd say there were 2 CLARK'S GREBEs (looked like the eye was in white to me) at the largest of the perc ponds. Lots of SWALLOWS too. I spent about 20 minutes watching a GREEN HERON pull at reeds, grass, etc in an attempt that looked like "it" was putting together a nest of some sort. I'm clueless as to what type of a nest they make, or where it generally is located, but that's why South Bay Birds is so wonderful cuz I know there are those of you out there who know. The action that I saw was located---ok, here goes. If your back is facing #17 and you are on the paved path closest to 17, go to the junction where the gazebo is directly in front of you. The paved path will cross a very small irrigation ditch as it heads towards the gazebo. After the irrigation ditch you can turn right on a gravel path. There is a very large deciduous tree in front of you then. Closer to you than the tree is a slight protrusion of the land. Past the tree is a larger protrusion. From the small protrusion look across to the large protrusion. About 2/3 of the way out onto the protrusion, and a couple of feet from the water's edge, is where this heron was busily working. Maybe this is a known site. I've just never seen a Green Heron doing anything like this before. the HOODED ORIOLE is at my feeder 2 or 3 times a day. No sign of his woman yet....the 41 BAND-TAILED PIGEON may eat out of house and home, but they do make my gardener's job easier with less to clean up! Several times a day I'll have 41 pigeons, 23 quail and a half dozen MODO's feeding together inches apart. I find it interesting that the LESSER AND AMERICAN GOLDFINCH'S prefer my safflower seed to the thistle or the Dr. Geus mix I use. The joys of being a birder.....Gloria http://www.lgsia.com and http://www.wallstreetgifts.com ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Apr 05 19:38:48 1998 Sunday at noon I went down to the Almaden area. The pair of AM. DIPPERs was still at the first bridge upstream from Twin Creeks on the Alamito Creek. They were flying back and forth from near the bridge to about 100yds. upstream. A STELLER'S JAY was also there. Near the marsh at the upper end of Almaden Reservoir, saw the following: 2 HOUSE WREN's, copulating(?) LESSER GOLDFINCHES, calling PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, WARBLING VIREO, BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, a handsome male COMMON MERGANSER, a pair of WOODUCKSs. Further north on Alamito Creek, large flocks of BAND-TAILED PIGEONS, a calling and flying RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. Later at Shady Oaks Park, did not see the Eastern Phoebe this time. However, a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was in the orchard right next to the blue jungle gym, which may not bode well for our vagrant friend. A RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD flew eastwards across the creek. From the bridge saw another male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE and a silent female BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK. Was glad to finally be able to get out for some spring birding. Vivek Tiwari [[email protected]] Santa Clara ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 06 13:12:17 1998 I failed to see these on Friday. The main area I checked was around and upstream of a road bridge about a quarter mile beyond the main cluster of buildings in Twin Creeks.Is this the "first bridge upstream of Twin Creeks"?. Nick Lethaby Director of Strategic Partnerships Elanix, Inc. Tel: 408 941 0223 Fax: 408 941 0984 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 06 13:35:57 1998 > I failed to see these on Friday. The main area I checked was around and > upstream of a road bridge about a quarter mile beyond the main cluster of > buildings in Twin Creeks.Is this the "first bridge upstream of Twin Creeks"?. > Nick Lethaby Hi Nick, I think you are describing the right place. Twin Creeks has a cluster of houses by the creek and a cluster of small bridges. Go past these. The road narrows to almost a single lane and climbs up. Then it crosses the creek. This is the bridge. The pair I saw on Sunday was flying back and forth from near the bridge to about 100 yds. upstream. Vivek Tiwari [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 06 15:10:22 1998 On Saturday, 4 Apr 98, I went up to Castle Rock State Park and birded around the parking lot. Here I was able to find a female HERMIT WARBLER amongst the numerous TOWNSEND'S. On the trail into Sanborn Park from Black Road I found a WINTER WREN. Down Charcoal Road, off of Skyline, 2 to 3 HAIRY WOODPECKERS were being very vocal and chasing each other around. A HERMIT THRUSH was in this area as well. On Sunday, 5 Apr 98, I took a hike in Henry Coe State Park, wandering out to Manzanita Point. A number of HOUSE WRENS have arrived and are setting up territories. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS are in abundance as well, but other migrants seem sparse. I did have a male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD flash by, heading north. WILD TURKEYS were gobbling everywhere, with one tom displaying to a female at Manzanita Point. The point also had a couple of singing BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS, and a few singing PURPLE FINCHES. It was interesting to watch a group of 5 AMERICAN CROWS robbing an ACORN WOODPECKER granary. Most of them pried acorns out while perching on branches, but one actually hovered along side the trunk to pry at an acorn. The crows would then hammer the acorns open with their beaks and eat them. Mike Mammoser ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 07 10:29:07 1998 On Saturday, 4 Apr 98, I went up to Castle Rock State Park and birded around the parking lot. Here I was able to find a female HERMIT WARBLER amongst the numerous TOWNSEND'S. On the trail into Sanborn Park from Black Road I found a WINTER WREN. Down Charcoal Road, off of Skyline, 2 to 3 HAIRY WOODPECKERS were being very vocal and chasing each other around. A HERMIT THRUSH was in this area as well. On Sunday, 5 Apr 98, I took a hike in Henry Coe State Park, wandering out to Manzanita Point. A number of HOUSE WRENS have arrived and are setting up territories. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS are in abundance as well, but other migrants seem sparse. I did have a male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD flash by, heading north. WILD TURKEYS were gobbling everywhere, with one tom displaying to a female at Manzanita Point. The point also had a couple of singing BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS, and a few singing PURPLE FINCHES. It was interesting to watch a group of 5 AMERICAN CROWS robbing an ACORN WOODPECKER granary. Most of them pried acorns out while perching on branches, but one actually hovered along side the trunk to pry at an acorn. The crows would then hammer the acorns open with their beaks and eat them. Mike Mammoser ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 07 15:04:02 1998 All, This morning I had three male Yellow-headed Blackbirds in the bare tree behind the dairy farm on Hwy 152 (next to San Felipe Lake). Unfortunately there were lots of birds in the three Eucalyptus trees on Dunne Lane(?), 2nd "T" with Hwy 152 east of the lake, but no kingbirds (of any kind). There was a nice orange male Bullock's Oriole, American Robins, Acorn Woodpeckers, Tree Swallows, Lesser Goldfinches, Yellow-rumped Warblers, House finches, White-crowned Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Dark-eyed Junco's (including an all gray one that I could not see the wing on and subsequently lost, most likely Slate-colored), Anna's Hummingbirds, Mourning Doves and a Red-tailed Hawk. I even had a female Belted Kingfisher perched on a post in the middle of the field east of the middle tree (can't be that much water very near). I then went to the pullout just before the first car bridge above Twin Creeks (Almaden area) where I saw a pair of American Dippers. One bird was busy bringing something to what I assume is a nest under the car bridge (I saw it take a fairly large orange object there from about 100 yds upstream). I saw it make 3-4 trips. The second bird stayed under the bridge but on at least one occasion flew part way up under the bridge and back down as the first bird left. I tried to get a better look but this caused the second bird to fly about a hundred feet downstream. I would suggest that if anyone goes to see the birds that they not get closer than 20-30 ft to the edge of the bridge when near the stream. You should also be aware that the road from Twin Creeks is one lane with two-way traffic. I then returned to the Eucalyptus trees south of Hwy 152 to once again try for the kingbirds. I found none. Take care, Bob Reiling, 2:57 PM, 4/7/98 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 07 18:07:13 1998 >I tried to get a better look but this caused the second bird to fly >about a hundred feet downstream. I would suggest that if anyone goes to see >the birds that they not get closer than 20-30 ft to the edge of the bridge >when near the stream. I'd just like to back up Bob's statement here. While looking from the bridge today I had one of the birds fly up the stream towards the bridge and then turn back and call as soon as it saw me. I immeditately left the bridge (which I needed to do anyway to get better views). In general, I haven't been hanging around the bridge on either of my trips for the bird. Certainly, we should avoid standing on the bridge for more than a minute or so and definitely no one should go down to the stream to look under the bridge. Nick Lethaby Director of Strategic Partnerships Elanix, Inc. Tel: 408 941 0223 Fax: 408 941 0984 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 07 21:19:05 1998 This afternoon, Monday (4-7-98) while I was photographing Clapper Rails at the Palo Alto Baylands , a Sage Thrasher landed on the railing of the walkway. I was near the spot where the power lines cross the boardwalk. I had an excellent look at it and the pale eye and streaked breast were unmistakable. It did not stay put quite long enough to get a photo (sorry). It flew out over the marsh, banked hard, showing the white-tipped tail and then landed on the rooftop of the Interpretive Center building. The bird checklist available at the Center lists Sage Thrasher with 2 known records. Bruce E. Webb [[email protected]] Granite Bay, CA ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 08 09:57:58 1998 Enjoyed a Merlin in my Stanford Med Center courtyard (Edwards Bldg) this morning (9:45). Maybe looking for the doves that attempt to nest on the window ledges and airconditioner tops every Spring. No luck - so it moved on eastward. Linda Lloyd <[[email protected]]> ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 08 12:42:24 1998 All: Today (8 April), I scoped the flooded fields west of Zanker Road and north of Hwy. 237 in Alviso, seeing 23 GREATER and 2 LESSER YELLOWLEGS. Five CATTLE EGRETS were at Arzino Ranch. At 2:55 this afternoon, as I was sitting in traffic on I-880 just north of the county line near Dixon Landing Road, I saw a light-morph adult SWAINSON'S HAWK flying slowly to the ENE in the vicinity of the old landing strip just east of the Newby Island Landfill. The bird flew over 880, almost over my truck, and continued to the ENE; very close to Santa Clara County airspace, but in Alameda County during the entire observation. Some recent observations from Scott Terrill: On 29 March, he had a singing male BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER and a PILEATED WOODPECKER at his house in Santa Cruz County not too far from the Santa Clara County line. That same day, he estimated (conservatively, based on the maximum number in sight at one time) 16 ANNA'S, 9 female SELASPHORUS, 5 male ALLEN'S, and 1 male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD at his feeders. On 3 April at Shoreline Lake, he saw the BLACK SCOTER (still showing no black feathering and only a thin yellowish stripe on the bill), a RED-NECKED GREBE just beginning to show a hint of the alternate head pattern but still largely in basic plumage, a female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (but only 4 COMMONS), and 303 SURF SCOTERS. Steve Rottenborn ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 08 15:00:24 1998 All, This morning during the SCVAS Field Trip to Almaden Quicksilver County Park we had an Ash-Throated Flycatcher near the parking lot. Later we had one and possibly two calling Northern Pygmy-Owls. We also had several Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and a House Wren, which seemed to be setting up house by throwing debris out of a hole in a tree (dead branch) near the trail. Another observation of note: A Hermit Thrush was seen to spend considerable time and energy chasing House Finches that were carrying twigs. This chase occurred at elevations of 20 to 50 ft in trees along the edge of Alamitos Creek. Take care, Bob Reiling, 2:47 PM, 4/8/98 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 08 16:44:32 1998 All, I spent lunch wandering around Ed Levin Park from the Elm Picnic Area up to the sycamores above Sandy Wool Lake today 4/8/98. Not many SELASPHORUS HUMMINGBIRDS about, but of the 5 or 6 males I encountered I was able to ID only 2 RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS. Lots of BULLOCK'S ORIOLES around, at least 1 WESTERN KINGBIRD, and many swallows, with surprisingly many TREE SWALLOWS for this spot. Up at the sycamores I had a pair of HOUSE WRENS and 4 RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS, including a very agitated pair with one bird carrying food for young. This is quite a bit earlier than our earliest atlas record (CF on 4/27), but we have had other pretty early breeding here (CF on 4/30, Feeding Young on 5/6). Had an adult SHARP-SHINNED HAWK make a pass at an agitated KILLDEER - maybe he saw the young I couldn't see. More interesting were two other SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS in apparent breeding condition back near the quarry along Calaveras Road - breeding in this area is not impossible. Mike Rogers ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 09 07:18:27 1998 All, The following hard won bird "watching" experience is from Bill Bousman and in my opinion is well worth sharing with you. I'm sure he won't mind. "One of my periodic questions for good birders is how familiar they are with the calls of Merriam's Chipmunk. I've some experience with both Merriam's Chipmunk and Pygmy Owl and there was a short period where I actually convinced myself that I could separate the two. Then one day I heard a took-took-took call and I carefully studied the sound quality, timber in the call, and cadence and concluded that it was a Pygmy. I then worked up on it an found my chipmunk. So that's another problem beyond my capability. For what it's worth: 1. Merriam's does not call at night as far as I know. 2. Merriam's does not seem to respond strongly to imitations, and when it is doing its "took" thing it doesn't move. 3. Pygmy's will sometimes become sufficiently irritated by my feeble imitations that they fly. At least then I can track their calls. 4. Pygmy's will speed up their cadence sometimes. I've not heard Merriam's do that." I had been aware that a certain chipmunk gave a Pygmy Owl call as a result of a previous experience. The bottom three items listed above should be considered when a "Pygmy Owl" is heard calling during the day (it was about 10 AM). As a result I am convinced that I was in fact hearing Merriams Chipmunks (probably two). Where else can you get this kind of expert, considerate advice? Take care, Bob Reiling, 7:10 AM, 4/9/98 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 09 07:21:39 1998 All, The following hard won bird "watching" experience is from Bill Bousman and in my opinion is well worth sharing with you. I'm sure he won't mind. "One of my periodic questions for good birders is how familiar they are with the calls of Merriam's Chipmunk. I've some experience with both Merriam's Chipmunk and Pygmy Owl and there was a short period where I actually convinced myself that I could separate the two. Then one day I heard a took-took-took call and I carefully studied the sound quality, timber in the call, and cadence and concluded that it was a Pygmy. I then worked up on it an found my chipmunk. So that's another problem beyond my capability. For what it's worth: 1. Merriam's does not call at night as far as I know. 2. Merriam's does not seem to respond strongly to imitations, and when it is doing its "took" thing it doesn't move. 3. Pygmy's will sometimes become sufficiently irritated by my feeble imitations that they fly. At least then I can track their calls. 4. Pygmy's will speed up their cadence sometimes. I've not heard Merriam's do that." I had been aware that a certain chipmunk gave a Pygmy Owl call as a result of a previous experience. The bottom three items listed above should be considered when a "Pygmy Owl" is heard calling during the day (it was about 10 AM). As a result I am convinced that I was in fact hearing Merriams Chipmunks (probably two). Where else can you get this kind of expert, considerate advice? Take care, Bob Reiling, 7:10 AM, 4/9/98 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 09 08:30:07 1998 Hi South Bay birders, This is a pretty interesting problem. I've spent quite a lot of time listening to Merriam's Chipmunks and N. Pygmy and N. Saw-whet owls, as all three are common at my house. While I agree that telling Merriam's from pygmy-owls can be problematic, I'd like to point out that their calls are often even closer to those of the saw-whet owl. Of course, Merriam's only calls in the day and saw-whet mostly at night, but problems can arise when you think you hear a saw-whet in the day. Several years ago, when I thought I knew Merriam's calls very well, I had an experience similar to the one Bill described, but involving a chipmunk that I thought was a Saw-whet. Ever since, I've been very skeptical of any reports of saw-whets calling in the day. This winter, however, several excellent birders told me that they had actually seen saw-whets calling in the day, and finally, in late January, I heard one myself calling at mid-day (this bird was high in a redwood, so I don't think it was a chipmunk!). What can I say--saw-whets do call in the day, and chipmunks can sound almost identical to them. Chipmunks can sound pretty similar to pygmy-owls, but I don't think I've ever had trouble telling them apart after listening for a while. The calls are fairly different in quality. Pygmy-owls give a low, hollow, slightly drawn-out whistle. The chipmunk's call is slightly less drawn out and it often sounds a bit wavered or watery, as opposed to the owl's more even, steady whistle. Cadence is also important (see below). A couple of comments on Bill's message... > 1. Merriam's does not call at night as far as I know. This is definitely true; I've never heard a Merriam's calling at night. However, pygmy-owls don't call very much at night either; I only rarely hear them well-after dark (although Barry Sauppe tells me that an occasional bird will get it into its head to call all night). Most of their calling is done at dawn and dusk, but the good news is that Merriam's doesn't call much at these times either. The biggest problems will be in the middle of the day, when both chipmunks and pygmy-owls call very regularly. > 2. Merriam's does not seem to respond strongly to imitations This is generally true, although chipmunks can get excited at just about any commotion (this is the same phenomenon that makes saw-whet owls respond to a slammed car door better than anything else!). > 4. Pygmy's will speed up their cadence sometimes. I've not > heard Merriam's do that." Merriam's is pretty variable in cadence, but there are some helpful clues. Chipmunks can give their calls fairly rapidly, say, up to once per second (maybe more), but they never run it together in a trill. Pygmy-owls often mix a trill call in with their slow series of whistles. When they are just giving slow whistles, pygmy-owls average a bit slower than chipmunks. Also, if the animal stops calling at your approach, it's probably a chipmunk; pygmy-owls are pretty tame. Finally, if it suddenly bursts into a sputtering series of "pit" notes, it's definitely a chipmunk! Bert McKee ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 09 10:22:09 1998 Last week when I went in search of the dippers on Alamitos Creek, I was stopped by the sign at Twin Bridges that said "No Unauthorized Vehicles or Persons Beyond This Point". Since then, I have noted that at least three and probably more birders have proceded beyond this sign and seen the dippers, so I am wondering 1) Do they know something I don't know about access to the area? 2) Is the sign not intended for birders? 3) Are we jeopardizing ourselves and/or our code of ethics or the law? I spoke with Vivek about this, and she said that she talked to a couple residents who did not indicate that she should not proceed beyond the sign. However, I would be curious to know if anyone has additional information about this area. Jack Cole _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 09 10:51:36 1998 This morning a walk upstream from the area of the Office at Lower Stevens Creek Park produced these spring birds: Pacific-Slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Wilson's Warbler, and Black-Headed Grosbeak. There was also a singing Townsend's Warbler. (I had Bullock's Orioles on my last visit here, but I didn't locate any today.) The trail up to the reservoir is now open, and my walk up was rewarded by a pair of Osprey. To be precise, one of the interacting birds was a calling male, and the behavior did not appear aggressive, although I didn't actually sex the other bird. Shortly thereafter, I watched the (a?) male twice dive for fish, the second time successfully. On leaving the park, I drove up the road a bit, and saw one (probably male) perched in a bare tree toward the south end of the reservoir. So, these birds might be hanging around. Cheers, Al Eisner ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 09 12:20:28 1998 I was surprised to have about 50 CEDAR WAXWINGS in a tree in my yard yesterday. Hadn't seen any for awhile. Saw my first BULLOCK'S ORIOLE while on my morning jogging route. It was at the dairy on Bicknell where it was last year too. I was watching my HOODED ORIOLE eating yesterday when an orange hummer appeared. Even though I know they are around I had never had a good enough look at a RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD to be able to put it on my life list. So, I was excited. A life bird and in my backyard at that. Then I got to watch the oriole and the hummer dual for the feeder. My oriole still doesn't have a woman in his life....Isn't it wonderful the smiles that birds bring to our faces?!!! Gloria LeBlanc near Quito Road in Los Gatos http://www.lgsia.com and http://www.wallstreetgifts.com ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 09 12:49:29 1998 Folks, Bartshe Miller of the Mono Lake Committee send me this message. Please do circulate the message. I am currently not on CALBIRD, so if someone can post this there, it will be a big help. Thanks, Vivek Tiwari [[email protected]] --------- VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: MONO LAKE SPRING SHOREBIRD COUNT April 25, 1998 This is a chance to explore remote parts of Mono Lake and count shorebirds, ducks, and other birds. Since 1994, Mono Lake has risen over 8 feet!! Help us monitor birds as changes to lakeshore habitat occur. In April you can expect to find American Avocets, Eared Grebes, White-faced Ibises, Western and Least Sandpipers, ducks and geese, Violet-green Swallows with the potential to see Golden Eagles, Snowy Plovers, Dunlins, Dowitchers, phalaropes, and much more!! Please join us for a fun "wild-wader Saturday". WHAT TO BRING: Plan on a half to full day hiking. Weather can be variable in April-from summer-like to winter-like, so be prepared with layered clothing and sun protection. Bring plenty of water and food for a full day in the field. There's a high probability of hiking through some mud or soggy areas. Binoculars are essential. Participants need to have a working knowledge of the common shorebirds. A spotting scope and 4WD vehicle would be useful, but not necessary. CALL: Bartshe at 760.647.6595 at the Mono Lake Committee for more information. ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 09 13:15:29 1998 Alamitos Road as it branches to the right at Twin Creeks is a public road. That is where the dippers are. The road that branches left is private, and belongs to the Twin Creeks people. I asked the not-real-friendly guy who seemed to be speaking for Twin Creeks if I could explore that road and he said no, but affirmed that the other one is a public road and no one could stop me walking up it. -- Tom Grey Stanford CA [[email protected]] On Thu, 9 Apr 1998, John A Cole wrote: > Last week when I went in search of the dippers on Alamitos Creek, I was > stopped by the sign at Twin Bridges that said "No Unauthorized Vehicles > or Persons Beyond This Point". Since then, I have noted that at least > three and probably more birders have proceded beyond this sign and seen > the dippers, so I am wondering 1) Do they know something I don't know > about access to the area? 2) Is the sign not intended for birders? 3) Are > we jeopardizing ourselves and/or our code of ethics or the law? > > I spoke with Vivek about this, and she said that she talked to a couple > residents who did not indicate that she should not proceed beyond the > sign. However, I would be curious to know if anyone has additional > information about this area. > > Jack Cole > > _____________________________________________________________________ > You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. > Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com > Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] > > ========================================================================== > This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list > server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the > message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] > ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 09 13:55:37 1998 All, I personally did not see the sign in question or I probably would not have gone on up to the bridge (of course I had a pre-conceived notion that it was O.K. to go there). Furthermore I did not see the sign in three attempts at going past Twin Creeks! First I drove part way up and stopped and went back when the road became one lane (I had some problems as to what type of bridges were being talked about as there are lots of people bridges over the creek to homes). Next I walked about 3/4 of the way to the bridge before I became uncomfortable (dogs, etc) and decided to drive up the road to try and find the bridge in question. When birding I do tend to walk with my head in the sky but I would not ignore such a sign, especially if it looked official. Even unofficial signs can mean some kook doesn't want you there. Is it a private road? It shows on my AAA map of southern San Jose and Morgan Hill as Alamitos Rd. By the way, the creek at this point is called Herbert Creek not Alamitos Creek (per AAA). Take Care, Bob Reiling, 1:49 PM, 4/9/98 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 09 17:18:09 1998 On Thu, 9 Apr 1998, RREILING2 wrote: > (snip, snip)... The bottom three items listed above [about Merriam's > Chipmunk] should be considered when a "Pygmy Owl" is heard calling > during the day.... Yes, this chipmunk can fool you. In Santa Cruz, they call from the slopes in several of the forested canyons, and along Waddell Creek they do, too, where Pygmy Owls also hang out. Their call's resemblance to a Pygmy Owl's is so close -- any yet, and yet... something about it gives one pause. Maybe a sonogram would reveal the matter. Usually, I find, you have to listen for more than just this basic note if you are going to separate the two. Fortunately, the chipmunk often will squeak and give the game away, or the owl will give its tremulo call. Todd Newberry Santa Cruz [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 09 18:34:49 1998 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------3B2F65C06F7D Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit South-Bay-Birders: Sorry that I forgot to include South-Bay-Birds in on my reply.... -- Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, [[email protected]] (home) Sunnyvale, CA, [[email protected]] (work) Please reply to both addresses above for a quicker response. Thanks. --------------3B2F65C06F7D Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Message-ID: <[[email protected]]> Date: Thu, 09 Apr 1998 18:12:24 -0700 From: Mike Feighner <[[email protected]]> Reply-To: [[email protected]] X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.01C-PBXG (Win16; U) MIME-Version: 1.0 To: John A Cole <[[email protected]]> Subject: Re: Dippers References: <[[email protected]]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Jack: Those signs have been in place for some time. A couple of years ago I birded the same area, and the same sign were in place. I hink up the hill along the creek until I saw one of the two Dippers. Soon there was a man patrolling the area who asked me to leave. By the way, Vivkek is a guy. -- Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, [[email protected]] (home) Sunnyvale, CA, [[email protected]] (work) Please reply to both addresses above for a quicker response. Thanks. John A Cole wrote: > > Last week when I went in search of the dippers on Alamitos Creek, I was > stopped by the sign at Twin Bridges that said "No Unauthorized Vehicles > or Persons Beyond This Point". Since then, I have noted that at least > three and probably more birders have proceded beyond this sign and seen > the dippers, so I am wondering 1) Do they know something I don't know > about access to the area? 2) Is the sign not intended for birders? 3) Are > we jeopardizing ourselves and/or our code of ethics or the law? > > I spoke with Vivek about this, and she said that she talked to a couple > residents who did not indicate that she should not proceed beyond the > sign. However, I would be curious to know if anyone has additional > information about this area. > > Jack Cole > > _____________________________________________________________________ > You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. > Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com > Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] > > ========================================================================== > This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list > server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the > message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] --------------3B2F65C06F7D-- ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 09 18:40:19 1998 Tom: This same "public" road is the same one I just referred to in my earlier e-mail, the one that goes up the hill to the west away from the private homes...from where I was asked to leave. Tom Grey wrote: > > Alamitos Road as it branches to the right at Twin Creeks is a public road. > That is where the dippers are. The road that branches left is private, and > belongs to the Twin Creeks people. I asked the not-real-friendly guy who > seemed to be speaking for Twin Creeks if I could explore that road and he > said no, but affirmed that the other one is a public road and no one could > stop me walking up it. > > -- Tom Grey Stanford CA [[email protected]] > > On Thu, 9 Apr 1998, John A Cole wrote: > > > Last week when I went in search of the dippers on Alamitos Creek, I was > > stopped by the sign at Twin Bridges that said "No Unauthorized Vehicles > > or Persons Beyond This Point". Since then, I have noted that at least > > three and probably more birders have proceded beyond this sign and seen > > the dippers, so I am wondering 1) Do they know something I don't know > > about access to the area? 2) Is the sign not intended for birders? 3) Are > > we jeopardizing ourselves and/or our code of ethics or the law? > > > > I spoke with Vivek about this, and she said that she talked to a couple > > residents who did not indicate that she should not proceed beyond the > > sign. However, I would be curious to know if anyone has additional > > information about this area. > > > > Jack Cole > > > > _____________________________________________________________________ > > You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. > > Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com > > Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] > > > > ========================================================================== > > This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list > > server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the > > message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] > > > > ========================================================================== > This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list > server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the > message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] Please reply to both addresses above for a quicker response. Thanks. -- Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, [[email protected]] (home) Sunnyvale, CA, [[email protected]] (work) Please reply to both addresses above for a quicker response. Thanks. ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 09 19:16:00 1998 The current Mayor, Dick Rosenbaum, is determined to bring back fireworks shows over the Palo Alto Baylands, beginning this Fourth of July. He has not paid any attention to staff recommendations that this would not be a good idea, to put it mildly, over this delicate preserve. He said the rockets would be fired over the landfill and it wouldn't have any impact on the animals in the preserve. He should have asked the Burrowing Owls and Clapper Rails first. Anyway, if you have opinions, complaints or enviromental concerns about this issue, PLEASE, call the mayor at: work - 650-329-2384 or fax him at 650-328-3631. I'd rather you not mention my name please. If you would like any more information, please E-mail me or call me at the Baylands Nature Center - 650-329-2382. P.S. The Black Skimmers are here just about every day. Deborah Bartens City Naturalist ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Apr 10 13:46:55 1998 All, This morning I went to Alum Rock Park. When I got there I thought, "If a Canyon Wren calls in the park will it be heard?" Does anyone know when the park will reopen? I then went to Ed Levin Park and birded the area above Sandy Wool Lake. I had a Western Kingbird on top of the hill, several Rufous- crowned Sparrows (two at one time within six inches of each other with their beaks jammed with food), a pair of (male and female) Bullock's Orioles, several calling (and seen) House Wrens and one Lincoln's Sparrow. I spent several minutes watching a female Anna's Hummingbird bringing spider wed to a nest under construction. Unfortunately the nest is located on a broken branch which is barely being held in place by one small branch looped over another small branch on the tree. Even small winds caused the branch to move and I suspect that it will soon fall. I also saw a House Wren taking nesting material from a nest half way up the hill to one located further down the hill. Fly-overs included a Prairie Falcon and an adult Golden Eagle. In the parking lot I had a 2nd (?) Western Kingbird with a 3rd (?) flying beyond the hang glider landing area and another (?) male Bullock's Oriole. I also had one White-throated Swift feeding among 30-40 swallows (mostly Cliff) with no chases. When I got home I saw a Chestnut-backed Chickadee carrying food to a bird-box located in a Camphor (SP) tree in my front yard (a first for the bird-box). Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:42 PM, 4/10/98 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Apr 10 14:21:07 1998 There are 7 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES (feeding as I write this)in brilliant yellow plumage in my backyard. I've just had my first BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK of the season appear. (Last year I had 7 that fed regularly) Which is correct? Spring is coming? or, Spring is here? My mom would say on Sunday, Easter, it would be here. I guess the scientest would use March 21. Whatever, Happy Easter or Passover to you all. Gloria LeBlanc in Los Gatos off Quito... http://www.lgsia.com and http://www.wallstreetgifts.com ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Apr 10 17:07:09 1998 During my walk along Coyote Creek at lunch today, 10 Apr 98, I saw a pair of WOOD DUCKS, the brood of MALLARDS, a lot of singing YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, and my first BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK of the season. Mike Mammoser ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Apr 10 17:37:56 1998 I have just seen my female HOODED ORIOLE for the first time this season. The pair are taking turns feeding at my feeder. gloria le blanc http://www.lgsia.com and http://www.wallstreetgifts.com ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Apr 11 09:29:49 1998 Greetings: I am trying to catch up after 2 weeks in Costa Rica and Panama. I hope to organize my bird list soon. Anyway, there are some new things on SBBU. 1. Mike Rogers has updated the 1998 SANTA CLARA COUNTY YEAR LIST. 2. I have added a direct link to the South Bay Birders' Mailing List Archives maintained by Joe Morlan. 3. I have added a page of Search Engines and Directories. 4. The link to the Bay Area Birding Calendar now goes directly to Larry Tunstall's home page. 5. Merlie has headed back to Alaska, on the same day he left last year. A very punctual bird. We hope to see Merlie in Alaska in May-June. Cheers: Kendric South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU) http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/ ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Apr 11 11:41:01 1998 It's noon and Sharon and I just got down off Guanella Pass between Denver and Vail, about 15 miles south of Interstate 70. Gorgeous weather, saw 14 White- tailed Ptarmigan from the summit road. I climbed up in the snow to join four professional photographers to get a few shots. Birds were tolerant, as advertised. Can't wait to develop the pictures. Tried to find them last July in same place, but couldn't locate them. A guy from Denver came over and asked what we were seeing in our scope. He said he was looking for Bighorn Sheep. Can you imagine? Looking for Bighorn? Had to tell somebody... Bob & Sharon Lutman P.S. Oh yeah, forgot to mention - our new granddaughter, Samantha Marie, is gorgeous. ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Apr 11 11:54:07 1998 All, Today on a wet SCVAS field trip to Stevens Creek County Park I added four county year birds; the Black-headed Grosbeak, Townsend' s Warbler, Warbling Vireo and a Cassin's Vireo. The park was loaded with birds but yhey were hard to see with fogged glasses, wet binoculars and a wet (later fogged) scope. Take care, Bob Reiling, 11:51 AM, 4/11/98 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Apr 11 19:59:00 1998 Vivek Tiwari and I did a Big Day today that was soggy early, snowed out middle, and very windy late, but all in all lots of fun. Our somewhat weather-impacted and deriparianized route was: Alviso, Ed Levin Park, Joseph Grant Park, NOT Smith's Creek because we found the Mt Hamilton Rd closed above Grant Park on account of snow, CCRS, Sunnyvale WPCP, Shoreline Park, Palo Alto Baylands Park. Our best birds of the day were a RED-NECKED GREBE and a first winter male BLACK SCOTER on Shoreline lake. (I haven't been keeping close tabs on earlier descriptions, so I'm not sure if this is "the" or "one of the" previously seen Black Scoter(s?), or a new one.) We also had as reward for a wet and muddy hike up to the Magic Sycamore Grove above Sandy Wool Lake, a RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW, 2 singing male HOUSE WRENS, a pair of BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, at least two WESTERN KINGBIRDS, several LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, a GREAT HORNED OWL, and a pair of ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS feeding a full grown fledgling. We had one each of RUFOUS and ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRDS down by the lakeside. On one of the pylons along the entry road into the EEC in Alviso, an adult GOLDEN EAGLE. Two BURROWING OWLS were along Disk Drive. Total for the day, 112 species. I also learned the happy news that Vivek and Gargi Lal are getting married in New Delhi on May 16. South-Bay-Birders Felicitations! -- Tom Grey Stanford CA [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Apr 12 10:49:50 1998 Hi Everyone-- A male HOODED ORIOLE is setting up shop in a palm tree near the corner of Bernardo and Knickerbocker in Sunnyvale. On Lockheed Martin property, I'm watching 2 groups of BURROWING OWLS for signs of nesting: one along the fence separating Lockheed Martin from Moffett Field between Manila Drive and 11th Avenue, the other on a berm separating 11th Avenue from building 107. KILLDEER attempted to nest in a field near building 107, but were foiled by one of those trucks that spray grass seed mixed with fertilizer; their nest disappeared under a layer of blue-green slime. Between Lockheed Martin and the Sunnyvale WPCP, there are about 10 flightless NORTHERN SHOVELLERS roosting, GADWALL and RUDDY DUCKS are pairing off (on Friday, one Ruddy Duck was wooing the women with a courtship display that included bubble rings bouncing off his chest), AMERICAN COOTS are on nests, and MALLARDS have chicks. Two COMMON MOORHEN were wandering around the pond at the inlet to the pumphouse where the Lockheed Martin levee meets the main trail out to the radar station. Two BONAPARTE'S GULLS in snappy alternate plumage were at the main WPCP pumphouse. A male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD stopped by my feeder in Mountain View on Friday. A selasphorus sp., presumably ALLEN'S, has been visiting for a month now (it's a male with a partial throat patch). Mark ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Apr 12 20:48:59 1998 Birders: A few birds of interest to me (I live near where Branham Lane intersects Almaden Expressway): Saturday: Two male HOODED MERGANSERs on the pond immediately southeast of where route 85 crosses over Almaden Expressway. I didn't see them there on Sunday. One CASPIAN TERN flying north over route 85 just west of Almaden Expressway. One ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER in my backyard (only the third sighting in spring). One male HOODED ORIOLE in my backyard feeding in the grapefruit tree. Sunday: One ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER still in my backyard feeding in the blossoming grapefruit tree. One male HOODED ORIOLE again in the grapefruit tree. A pair of RUFOUS HUMMIINGBIRDs in the grapefruit tree. This is a new yard bird and is the fourth hummer species for the yardlist. I'm keeping my eyes open for Black-chinned and Calliope (one record). Note, I have found that when there are spring storms, migrating birds get kicked out of the mountains and end up in the valley. My best spring birds (MacGillivray's Warbler, Lazuli Bunting) have come on cloudy spring days. Hopefully something good will come down and visit. Happy birding! Jim Danzenbaker San Jose, CA 408-264-7582 (408-ANI-SKUA) [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 13 07:49:07 1998 Hi All, An early Easter morning jaunt through Stevens Creek County Park included the regulars that Bob mentioned including BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS and PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS. At the Reservoir, two OSPREY continue to be seen. One was soaring high over the reservoir while the other was on a snag across the water from the main picnic area. Cheers Nick ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 13 08:48:33 1998 About noon Saturday, after I returned from the SCVAS trip to Stevens Creek, Marty & I enjoyed about five minutes watching a male Rufous Hummingbird tank up at our feeder. He took several long drinks, perching in nearby bushes in between. Our resident Anna's is normally very aggressive with interlopers, but didn't show for this one. ================================ George Oetzel Menlo Park, CA <[[email protected]]> ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 13 09:24:03 1998 8:00AM this morning I saw what I believe was a BURROWING OWL in Canoas Creek at Branham Lane in south San Jose. This is roughly near the intersection of Branham Lane and Hwy 87. On the north side of Branham Lane is an old concrete railroad footing and sitting on top of that was an owl. It's distinguishing markings were very long legs. It is a common spot for interesting birds to sun themselves on cold mornings. Had I not been driving 40MPH to catch the Light Rail I would have locked up the wheels and grabbed a better look. I've seen many waterfowl along this creek and several Belted Kingfishers, but this Burrowing Owl at the creek is a first for me in over 9 years. As this is a bird who's nesting is of interest to the group I thought I'd share the observation. regards, Ken Schmahl [[email protected]] (home) [[email protected]] (work) ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 13 09:43:05 1998 Hi all, Pete LaTourrette and I did our monthly survey of Jasper Ridge on Sunday. Conditions were a bit cloudy and cold, but we managed a respectable 57 species (our high count in this section stands at 60 last April). Some remaining wintering birds (e.g. Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned and Fox Sparrows, Hermit Thrush, Cedar Waxwings) helped while we also had most of the expected summer residents back except for the flycatchers (Warbling Vireo, Wilson's and Black-throated Gray Warblers, Black-headed Grosbeak, Pacific-slope Flycatcher). Migrants included 1 Chipping Sparrow and 2 singing Cassin's Vireos. Other birds of note on our survey route included 2 Cooper's Hawks doing a bit of courtship flight, 2 adult Golden Eagles which put on a great performance zooming past quite close then soaring above us, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, and 1 White-tailed Kite. The best bird of the day, however, was on Searsville Lake (not part of our assigned route). We had one Pacific Loon near the dam which swam rapidly away as we crossed over to reach our starting point. This was a basic-plumaged bird. I could not relocate it later in the day after our survey. Richard Jeffers Tandem Computers P.S. my new email address is [[email protected]]. The old one will continue to work for some time. ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 13 10:57:58 1998 All, On Saturday 4/13/98 I joined Mike Mammoser for a morning of rainy south-county birding. We started off at the Bettencourt Dairy looking for Yellow-headed Blackbirds without success. The flooded mud pits behind the dairy had numerous BLACK-NECKED STILT, a few WHIMBREL, and a GREATER YELLOWLEGS. San Felipe Lake had 8 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS and at least 10 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS that appeared to be mostly adults in breeding condition. The best we have for breeding by this birds is a "Spring" nest building record with no date. If anyone sees better please let me know for the postatlas database. The we moved on to Dunne Lane/San Felipe Road. After a bit of a wait Mike spied a Cassin's Kingbird flying from east to west, only to disappear in the orchard. We waited quite a bit longer before we had a (presumably different as it came from the east too) CASSIN'S KINGBIRD calling from atop the middle eucalyptus while carrying nest material. Five more WHIMBREL flew overhead and a WHITE-TAILED KITE was carrying food here as well. The only one of the male selasphorus HUMMINGBIRDS I could ID (looking at the top of a tall eucalyptus in the rain makes this tough) was a male ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD. Another stop at the dairy revealed still no YHBL, although we had 4 precocial young KILLDEER. Next we headed up Canada Road, finding at least 5 RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS and 3 LARK SPARROWS in the sage as you come out into the grassland area. Plenty of WHITE-CROWNED, GOLDEN-CROWNED, and even a few LINCOLN'S SPARROWS along Canada Road as well. A few lingering RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, "AUDUBON'S" YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, and HERMIT THRUSH were also about. We had 8 WILD TURKEYS in two locations near the Jamieson Road turnoff. A mile south of Gilroy Hot Springs Road we happened across our first (and one of very few) flocks of migrants thanks to a singing WARBLING VIREO. Among the 6+ ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, 3 WILSON'S WARBLERS, and 2 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS I picked out a silent HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER, which eventually provided nice looks. After turning to Gilroy Hot Springs we had another silent HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER, followed shortly by a very vocal bird with another small warbler flock. At the end of the road near the bridge we had two more vocal HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS chasing each other and perching atop oaks while calling loudly. Five birds suggests that there was quite a movement of these flycatchers Saturday - interestingly only a single heard-only PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER (position note => female?). Ducks of interest included 2 male and 1 female COMMON MERGANSER in Coyote Creek and a WOOD DUCK with 7 small young near the Gilroy Hot Springs bridge. Also had 3 BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS along Coyote Creek in this area and numerous singing HOUSE WRENS and WARBLING VIREOS. Lots of singing SONG SPARROWS near the bridge are in an area where we still have no confirmation of breeding. Also of interest was an adult RED-TAILED HAWK carrying a dead BAND-TAILED PIGEON in its talons. Just as the weather cleared up it was time to leave :( One more check of the dairy again failed to produce YHBL, but at least 3 WESTERN KINGBIRDS were now out, 3 CASPIAN TERNS foraged over San Felipe Lake, and 3 occupied GREAT BLUE HERON nests now had more active adults at them. A single distant aechmophorus grebe appeared to be a CLARK'S GREBE based on bill color. The drive home produced 5 CASPIAN TERNS at some ground water recharge ponds along San Thomas Expressway near highway 17. Mike Rogers ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 13 11:04:07 1998 That date should have been Saturday 4/11/98, not 4/13/98... Sorry, Mike ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 13 11:20:43 1998 On Saturday afternoon I checked a few areas at the south end of Santa Clara Co. On Dunne Lane (east of San Felipe Lake), in addition to the pair of CASSIN'S KINGBIRDs: there was a BARN OWL roosting in the pines at the house just north of the county line; and LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH was also in the same area. (I had a quick look at a male, and no look at the bird with it.) At the dairy at the northwest corner of San Felipe Lake, I did not find any Yellow-Headed Blackbirds; indeed, I did not see large numbers of Blackbirds total, so the main flock may have been out of sight. Then again, since I also didn't spot the slop pond Nick referred to, maybe it's just me.... Perhaps of most interest: an adult KILLDEER with three half-sized young, in the muddy enclosure near the highway. Finally, back at the Palo Alto Baylands, birds included an adult PEREGRINE FALCON (chasing shorebirds at the estuary mouth), the continuing GREATER WHITE- FRONTED GOOSE at the Duck Pond, and the usual BLACK SKIMMERs (loafing of course -- do they do anything else?). Shorebirds are coming into nice spring plumage, but I didn't see any unusual species. On Sunday, David Powell and I visited the San Antonio Valley. My intent was to head over Mt. Hamilton, checking a number of spots en route, but we found this road was closed. So, instead, we went in via Mines Road, and out via del Puerto Canyon. Santa Clara Co. highlights included three LEWIS'S WOODPECKERs at separate locations (approximate locations, using the old white mileposts, were approximately 1.9, 2.3, 3.6); four PHAINOPEPLAs (a pair and an interloper male near the cattle guard north of the junction, about 5.5; and another male at about 4.3); one adult CHIPPING SPARROW along del Puerto Road not far east of the junction; and two heard-only singing SAGE SPARROWs (one south of the aforementioned cattle guard, and one about a mile east of the junction on Del Puerto Road). The latter birds were singing weakly and infre- quently, and were not very cooperative -- perhaps a result of chilly and some- what windy conditions. Also, Dave (but not I) saw one VAUX's SWIFT south of the junction. WESTERN KINGBIRDs were present in good numbers, but spring birds seemed generally scarce; I felt that the trees were behind schedule in leafing out. We saw only small numbers of LESSER GOLDFINCHes, and didn't find any Lawrence's at all. The Hummingbird feeders at the junction were quite active, but only ANNA'S were seen. Of most interest along Mines Road, Alameda County, was one bright Nashville Warbler in a small flock of migrants. Del Puerto Canyon in Stanislaus Co. was largely a bust, due in large part to many hundreds of cars in the lower canyon (families celebrating Easter). Al Eisner ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 13 11:23:05 1998 Hello All: On Saturday, 4/11, I got into Smith Creek Fire Station before they closed Mt. Hamilton road. It was a crisp 38 degrees F, with light rain, and I could see snow falling only 500 feet above me. Very quiet in general but one bird of note. I saw a HAMMONDS FLYCATCHER foraging in the red alders where the creek is immediately next to the trail. It liked the low branches just a few inches above the water. It was flicking its tail up and down nervously and flicking its wings. The primary projection was about half-way down the tail. It showed a cap-like effect on the crown, being slightly darker green. It seemed small headed. The eye-ring was of uniform thickness. The breast was distinctly vested without any contrast under the throat. The center of the breast was white with a slight olive tone and then a greyish suffusion on the flanks. The winges showed two wide wing bars and some browish tones on the coverts. It called once in my 10 minutes of observation, a short two-toned whistle ("seepit"). On Sunday, 4/12, Rancho San Antonio Co. Park had two VAUX'S SWIFT amongst the VIOLET-GREEN, CLIFF, BARN, and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS. Steve Miller ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 13 11:39:57 1998 All: Maria and I tried Gilroy Hot Springs and Canada Roads Sunday morning, looking for Hammond's Flycatchers. No luck (no flocks). We did see a Nashville Warbler and a Black-Throated Gray Warbler in the trees near the bridge at the end of the road. And a perched Green Heron by a pond north of the road west of Coyote Reservoir. And a Caspian Tern foraging over the Reservoir. Yours, John Meyer ******************************************************************** John W. Meyer, Dept. of Sociology, Stanford U., Stanford, Cal. 94305 [[email protected]] (650) 723 1868 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 13 12:40:51 1998 All: On 9 April, a MERLIN was near the junction of Lawrence Expwy. and Hwy. 101. On 10 April, I conducted surveys on private property in the Silver Creek hills in south San Jose. Highlights included 17 GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS (14 singing males), 17 RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS (12 singing males; 1 nest with young). I heard the buzz of a Passerina Bunting (Lazuli/Indigo-type) flying over, heading north. Today (13 April), Scott Terrill spotted a VAUX'S SWIFT flying outside the office window. It hung around with a foraging flock of swallows, and I saw it several times over the course of the day. Steve Rottenborn ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 13 13:00:38 1998 On Saturday, 11 Apr 98, Mike Rogers and I went down to the south county. We assumed that the rain would be intermittent, but it remained fairly constant the whole morning. Our first stop was the dairy along hwy 152, which failed to turn up any Yellow-headed Blackbirds among the RED-WINGED, TRICOLORED, and BREWER'S, even though we made 3 stops here during the course of the day. A brood of 4 precocial young KILLDEER was in the cow pen. The wet area behind the dairy contained some shorebirds, including 4 WHIMBREL. San Felipe Lake was abuzz with activity, seemingly blanketed by swallows of at least 3 different species. GREAT BLUE HERON nests were evident in the willows out in the lake, though young couldn't be seen until later, when the rain had stopped. A number of BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS in high-hormone condition were at the lake, indicating a potential for local breeding. Eight AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were foraging in the lake, and later in the day we had 3 CASPIAN TERNS there. We moved down to San Felipe Road to check the eucalyptus trees here for kingbirds. We stood in the rain for some time without much luck, until a kingbird flew over us, heading from the open field into the orchard. In a brief look at the bird going by, it seemed to be a Cassin's. More time standing in the rain. Finally a CASSIN'S KINGBIRD flew to the top of the middle eucalyptus, where we were able to study it and hear it vocalize. This bird was carrying nesting material, and eventually flew into the vegetation with it, reappearing a few minutes later without it. Can we assume it is nest-building? We then proceeded up Canada Road to look for migrants. Bird activity seemed a little slow in the rain, with the exception of flocks of sparrows along the road. A few LINCOLN'S SPARROWS were still around. We had 3 WILD TURKEYS at one spot and then 5 more near the junction with Jamison Road. Continuing up Canada Rd past Jamison, we finally heard a WARBLING VIREO and, upon stopping, found a nice flock of migrants that included 6+ ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, 3 WILSON'S WARBLERS, 2 WARBLING VIREOS, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE, etc. Eventually, Mike found a HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER, which we were able to study fairly well through binoculars. It was silent but had classic field marks for this species. Once on Gilroy Hot Springs Road, we headed upstream along Coyote Creek. A flitting bird in the trees above us turned out to be another HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER, and we quickly found a third one that was calling. Finally, at the end of Gilroy Hot Springs Road, we had 2 more Hammond's calling and chasing each other, bringing our day's total of this species to 5. A pair of COMMON MERGANSERS was on the creek. At the end of the road, we had 7 WOOD DUCK downy young that were peeping incessantly after being swept downstream from their mother, who merely sat upstream calling as they struggled to get back to her. They finally succeeded in returning to her side, but it wasn't easy for them. Also here, we saw an adult RED-TAILED HAWK fly by clutching a prey item that turned out to be a BAND-TAILED PIGEON! We had no idea how this hawk managed to snatch such a prey. On the way home, we had 5 CASPIAN TERNS on a small perc pond just off San Tomas Xway near Winchester. On Sunday, 12 Apr 98, I took a hike out to Table Mountain. Thankfully, the rain was a little more intermittent than the previous day. CASSIN'S VIREOS, YELLOW-RUMPED and BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS were singing along the way. When I got to Table Mountain, the hardest rain squall of the morning hit and I took refuge under a tree. It let up in about 5 minutes, and that's when I heard it. A PILEATED WOODPECKER calling from just down the trail! I eased up the trail to the "Y" where the loop begins and headed left, from where the calling had come. Suddenly, the bird started calling from the right of the junction. I crept in that direction and got a brief look at the woodpecker in a tree off the trail, before it disappeared. I then headed down the right (east) side of the loop to look for more target birds. Nothing interesting happened until I nearly completed the loop, coming around the west side of the mountain top. I again heard the Pileated Woodpecker calling just in front of me, and saw movement from an area of dead standing pine stubs. I moved slowly up the trail to a better viewing position, but was unable to see anything. I stood waiting for many minutes. Finally, a call came from downslope, that was immediately answered from the pine stubs in front of me. Two birds were in the area! Still, I could see nothing. Soon, I became distracted by a commotion behind me. A number of small passerines; CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, etc. were scolding and flitting back and forth in a black oak tree. A quick search produced a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL sitting in the open at the top of the tree. It seemed relatively oblivious to the ruckus being raised in its honor. What was interesting was that all the small birds stopped scolding, and dispersed, after about 5 minutes, with the owl still sitting there. I decided to make another round of the loop, and headed back down the east side. Shortly, I had a pair of RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES calling around me. When I got back to the west side pine stub area, A PILEATED WOODPECKER flew to the top of one stub and gave me many minutes of excellent viewing. Its red mustache marked it as a male. As I started back up the trail out of Table Mountain, I could hear PYGMY NUTHATCHES calling and I stopped to find them. A pair of these birds was gathering nesting material and carrying it into a small cavity in a douglas fir. Mike Mammoser ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 13 14:28:27 1998 All, Tom Grey reported a Black Scoter from Shoreline Lake Saturday 4/11/98 that he described somewhat differently from the bird being reported there previously. His bird was an obvious immature male with yellow on the bill. I headed out to Shoreline Lake over lunch today to try and compare this bird to the bird I had seen there previously on 3/2/98 and 3/9/98. The immature male BLACK SCOTER was easy to find, swimming near the pier at the Terminal Ave. end of Shoreline Lake. This bird is obviously an immature male BLACK SCOTER. The yellow "knob" on the bill is complete and bright, although it does not appear "swollen" at all yet. The head and body plumage is still very transitional, with fresher dark blackish-brown feathers coming in over worn tan ones. The face pattern is still discernible, but significant dark brown mottling is present under the chin and in front of the eye as well as coming down from the crown. The chest is now mostly blackish brown (not glossy black like the male Surf Scoters though - first-years not as black?) but with pale tan scalloping mixed in. In general the pattern is reversed from what I saw earlier; now tan bars and splotches are mixed in on dark instead of dark bars on tan. There is still significant pale tan in the upper mantle and on the lower back, although this latter area is partly covered by long fresh dark scapulars. Having last seen a BLACK SCOTER here a month ago, I would have no problem assuming that these were the same birds. The face has become more mottled, the bill has become more yellow, and some fresher darker feathers have appeared, especially on the chest. However, according to Steve Rottenborn, the Black Scoter Bert McKee saw here on 3/31/98 still was largely female-like, as was the bird seen by Scott Terrill on 4/3/98. We have seen how fast some shorebirds (Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff) can molt while staging here in Fall, so perhaps the "female-like" bird could have changed this much in 8 days, but if Scott's bird really showed no signs of advancing molt then it seems likely that two birds might be involved. So I checked every one of the 277+ other scoters in the area (185+ on Salt Pond A1 and 92+ on Shoreline Lake), hoping to find a second bird - but they were all SURF SCOTERS. A surprising number of these birds were immature males, many just now starting to show significant black feathering. It seems that late molt in these birds is more frequent than the literature suggests. Interestingly, there was a report on the Bird Box from Matthew Dotter of 2 BLACK SCOTERS flying over Shoreline Lake on 3/29/98 - no notes on plumage, age, or sex though... If anyone ever sees the female-like bird again please let us know. In the meantime it's hard to be sure how many Black Scoters we are actually dealing with. Also on Shoreline Lake were the Red-necked Grebe and a female-plumaged RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. The nearby trees has a singing WILSON'S WARBLER, a male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, and a fly-over AMERICAN PIPIT. Mike Rogers ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 13 20:39:55 1998 On Saturday I checked Sunol Regional Wildeness both along the main Alameda Creek section and on Welch Creek Rd. I failed to find any Dippers (although the section up to Little Yosemite is closed off right now) or any interesting migrants (Black-headed Grosbeak was the highlight). Best birds were a pair of Common Mergansers and Canyon Wren, the latter along Welch Creek Rd. On Sunday, my plans to bird the draws up towards Monument Peak in Ed Levin Park were thwarted when my baby daughter kept my wife awake all night. To give my wife a rest, I took Natasha with me up the trails but unfortunately they were closed after a while and I didn't fancy scrambling over gates etc with a baby. Anyway I saw Western Kingbirds, orioles, a Rufous-crowned Sparrow, and a Golden Eagle. Today, at least 2 Vaux's Swifts were over Hall Lake in Milpitas. Nick Lethaby Director of Strategic Partnerships Elanix, Inc. Tel: 408 941 0223 Fax: 408 941 0984 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 14 10:18:03 1998 Between 9:30-10 this AM, while bicycling between buildings at SRI in downtown Menlo Park, I passed within about 20 feet of a Killdeer. It was on a patch of dirt & wood chips. When I returned a few minutes later, it was gone. Both Ravens and Red Shouldered Hawks are so common here that I suspect nearby nests, but I haven't been able to locate them yet. Our population of Acorn Woodpeckers has declined noticeably in the past few years. A couple of oak trees have died or suffered substantial storm damage. In addition, some granary utility poles have been replaced. >From my office window, I can watch MODOs tending a nest. Other on-campus nests I've identified include Titmouse, Starling, and House Finch. ================================ George Oetzel Menlo Park, CA <[[email protected]]> ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 14 13:42:10 1998 Hello all--- Today (14 Apr) at noon I was taking a wet and chilly walk across Stanford campus when I heard the familiar "braawk!" of a COMMON RAVEN quite close by. I stopped in front of the old Chemistry building and there was the bird, carrying a large twig in its beak. It paused on a second-story ledge for a minute, then flew to a window alcove and set the twig down. I couldn't see any other sticks or nest evidence, but the angle was not good. A minute later, a second bird flew over from the back of the building and they took off towards the central part of campus. It seems this species has been getting more common in urban areas, but I couldn't remember if it had been recorded nesting on Stanford land or in this atlas block. I also wondered if the twig-carrying indicated actual nest-building or was merely a courtship gesture. I'll try to check this site again to verify nesting. If anyone's interested, it's on the east-facing side of the Chem building, which has been fenced off since the '89 quake, on the upper-left window alcove, visible from Lomita Drive. Nothing else unusual to report, except that BLACK PHOEBES in my south Los Altos neighborhood seem more common than I've ever noted in 23 years there, being seen and heard blocks away from their familiar Permanente Creek breeding habitat. To: [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 14 15:53:59 1998 All, Today in Henry Coe Park just north of the end of Gilroy Hot Springs Road Frank Vanslager and I had a non-calling Hammond's Flycatcher north of a small creek (name?) which joins Coyote Creek from the east. Just before that we had a nice male Wilson's Warbler, a House Wren and I had a Black-throated Gray Warbler. Earlier we had a Green Heron, several Black-headed Grosbeaks, a Bullock's Oriole, several Common Mergansers, two Warbling Vireos, Orange- crowned Warblers and I had seen an over-flying pair of Wood Ducks. On Canada Road we had a female Western Bluebird, a male White-breasted Nuthatch, two Lark Sparrows and perhaps a dozen Western Kingbirds. We were unable to locate any Yellow-headed Blackbirds at the dairy farm. To see the "Slop Pond" do you have to go through the gate and walk down the road? Has anyone ask for permission to walk down the road on the east side of the dairy? Finally Frank and I went to San Felipe Road where we had two Cassin's Kingbirds in the field, one in each scope, when a third Cassin's Kingbird flew from the field to the middle Eucalyptus tree. We then verified that the other two CAKI were still in the field. We also had one, possibly two Western Kingbirds in the field and in the first Eucalyptus tree. At one point a CAKI and a WEKI were quite close to each other without interacting. An adult male Bullock's Oriole was also in the middle Eucalyptus tree. When I got home I heard and then saw an adult male Hooded Oriole in my back yard. Take care, Bob Reiling, 3:46 PM, 4/14/98 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 14 17:15:20 1998 Grant Hoyt's post about Ravens possibly building a campus nest reminded me to post the following quote: -------------- The Kestrels are nesting again in the hole-under-the-roof of Bldg. 160 (Political Science) in the Main Quad. I hear them doing their "coming home" screech as they zoom in. They fly like Spitfires! From: "H. GRANT-PETERKIN" <[[email protected]]> --------------- They had a successful nest there last year. ---------------- George Oetzel <[[email protected]]> ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 14 18:09:13 1998 This will be old news to many, but may be new news to other fringe birders like myself. Hearing about Grant Hoyt's raven sighting reminded me that you can read about his flamingo and other sightings with the Kenn Kaufman's in Africa in the current issue of "Bird Watcher's Digest". Sounds like a fabulous trip, Grant. Jack Cole _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 15 11:18:53 1998 Finding New and Used Books on the Internet I recently needed to find 3 out-of-print books in a hurry. I logged on to www.interloc.com, and quickly located the dealers that had the books I wanted, and soon the books were at may door. I told other people about interloc.com, and Scott Spencer then sent a list of other internet dealers. I list them all below. I searched all of these for Stiles and Skutch, Birds of Costa Rica Used Books: www.interloc.com (where I found my copy ($26, mint condition), but they are out now) www.bibliofind.com (found 4 books, but the prices were outrageous, one was $80) www.abebooks.com (1 book at $30) www.books.com (no copies) Mostly for new books: www.amazon.com (couldn't log on, are they part of the currrent AT&T problem?) www.barnesandnoble.com (they had 3 copies, probably new) Good reading! Kendric C. Smith ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 15 13:50:52 1998 I watched the female Black Scoter at Shoreline Lake (to the west of the island) on Wednesday, April 15, from 8 to 8:30 a.m. This bird has essentially not changed its appearance during my numerous sightings since I first observed it on March 8. I had described it to Les Chibana on 3/20 as follows: "The bird was a mottled brown underneath (with some black, or wet, down the breastbone line), which ended in a sharp demarcation line on the neck, where it changed to a constant off-white color. That line extended up the back of the neck and curved around to end at the lower back of the eye. The bill appeared to have just a hint of a bump on the ridgeline above the nostril. The appearance was almost identical to what's shown for the female Black Scoter on page 51 of Peterson's western guide, or page 58 of Birds of North America by Robbins, et al., with the following 2 exceptions: 1) There were horizontal yellow streaks on the bill below each nostril, which ended in an upward curl around the nostrils towards the tip end. 2) The demarcation line down the back of the neck appeared to be sharper than what's shown in the books." That description still fits. This bird does not show any hint of a growth on the ridgeline of its bill. Nor does it exhibit any of the brighter white spots on the sides of its head and the blurring of the demarcation line from the off-white to the brown, that I think the immature male is supposed to exhibit. Frank Vanslager ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 15 14:49:24 1998 All, Kendric's e-mail earlier today about locating rare books prompts me to remind everyone that the annual SCVAS "silent auction" of books takes place at tonight's General Meeting (7:30 PM, Palo Alto Cultural Center, featuring Burrowing Owl experts Dr. Lynne Trulio and SCVAS' own Craig Breon). Among other things, a copy of Stiles & Skutch's out-of-print book Birds of Costa Rica will be available. --garth Harwood ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 15 14:49:27 1998 All: A report on McClellan birds as of yesterday's routine check of the 24 nestboxes we maintain here: 5 baby-blue WESTERN BLUEBIRD eggs were in the nestbox on the metal pole at mid-field; the adults were perched on the nearby walnut trees. Baby OAK TITMICE are within a few days of fledging in one of our boxes; a second clutch just outside our office window contains 7 eggs, and a third titmouse clutch was, alas, devoured by a predator which chewed away part of the nestbox top (raccoon?). Titmouse mating was observed as recently as Monday 4/13...amazing for a species which began inspecting these nestboxes as early as last December. The WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES are now feeding young in the red nestbox on the telegraph pole near the start of the nature trail. (I can't open that box to do a head count, although I did remove a colony of native bees from it early this spring - stingless, I found out to my great relief). HOUSE WRENS have arrived and have tossed a few speculative twigs into one box so far...last year they did so with 5 boxes, which apparently warned off potential competitors, since these boxes went unused after such "marking" (HOWR will poke holes in other birds' eggs, of course, so I presume the non-use of these boxes to be a case of active avoidance). VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS are usually a major user of our nestboxes here but haven't begun serious scoping yet. They moved in in one big rush the first week of May last year. Of the non-cavity nesters, CALIFORNIA TOWHEES were carrying food yesterday and BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS were nest-building. PURPLE FINCHES are still in the park in the orchard area, although no breeding activity has been observed. ORANGE-CROWNED and WILSON'S WARBLERS, both uncommon in the park, were observed singing yesterday, and I believe I heard the first YELLOW WARBLER of the (McClellan) season this morning. Someone dumped a load of young FERAL CATS here a month or so ago, and they have begun taking birds near our feeders...the authorities have been notified. --Garth Harwood ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 15 15:51:42 1998 Jim Yurchenco sent the following URL, an "uber" engine that searches all of the other book finders with one search entry. http://mxbf.com/ Kendric ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 15 15:53:33 1998 APRIL 15, 1998 SANTA CLARA COUNTY YEAR LIST UPDATE Migration is in full swing and the composite list is growing fast. A few targets to chase over the next few days include Common Poorwill, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, and Swainson's Thrush. Mike P.S. Some advice from Kendric: [To make the columns line up, please copy this list to a word processor, and change the font to a monospaced font (Monoco, Courier, etc.), and set the right hand margin to 7.5 inches.] ________________________________________________________________________ Recent progress of the composite list: OOPS, forgot to list these at the top (they were in the main list) 215: 1/17/98 OSPREY 216: 2/ 8/98 RED-THROATED LOON 217: 2/ 8/98 RED PHALAROPE 218: 2/ 8/98 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW 219: 3/21/98 HOUSE WREN 220: 3/29/98 AMERICAN DIPPER 221: 3/31/98 CHIPPING SPARROW 222: 4/ 2/98 CASPIAN TERN 223: 4/ 4/98 YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD 224: 4/ 5/98 CASSIN'S VIREO 225: 4/ 5/98 BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK 226: 4/ 7/98 SAGE THRASHER 227: 4/ 8/98 ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER 228: 4/11/98 HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER 229: 4/12/98 PILEATED WOODPECKER 230: 4/12/98 VAUX'S SWIFT 231: 4/12/98 NASHVILLE WARBLER 232: 4/12/98 SAGE SPARROW 233: 4/10/98 GRASSHOPPER SPARROW 234: 4/10/98 Passerina BUNTING sp. Please send any additions, corrections, or comments to Mike Rogers, [[email protected]]. SANTA CLARA COUNTY YEAR LIST - 1998 SCR MMR MJM COMP SOURCE 377 197 185 190 234+ICGU % OF COMPOSITE FOR 1998 % OF 377 (Iceland Gull not counted) Red-throated Loon 2/16 2/ 8 2/ 8 SBT Pacific Loon 2/21 SBT Common Loon 2/ 8 2/11 2/14 1/ 2 AVe Pied-billed Grebe 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Horned Grebe 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Red-necked Grebe 1/ 2 1/16 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Eared Grebe 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Western Grebe 1/ 2 2/11 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Clark's Grebe 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH Northern Fulmar Sooty Shearwater Ashy Storm-Petrel Brown Booby American White Pelican 1/ 2 1/16 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Brown Pelican 1/ 6 2/ 8 1/ 4 JMa Double-crested Cormorant 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Brandt's Cormorant Pelagic Cormorant Magnificent Frigatebird American Bittern 1/16 2/28 1/15 CWh Least Bittern Great Blue Heron 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Great Egret 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Snowy Egret 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Little Blue Heron Cattle Egret 1/ 2 1/ 2 SCR Green Heron 1/ 6 2/11 2/13 1/ 1 DJC Black-crowned Night-Heron 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC White-faced Ibis Fulvous Whistling-Duck Tundra Swan 1/ 2 1/ 7 1/ 3 1/ 1 CKS,JML,DJC Greater White-fronted Goose 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH Snow Goose 1/ 2 1/ 3 1/ 2 SCR Ross' Goose 2/ 8 1/19 1/16 1/16 MJM Brant Canada Goose 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Wood Duck 4/11 1/18 1/ 1 AVe,CH Green-winged Teal 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Mallard 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Northern Pintail 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Garganey Blue-winged Teal 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH Cinnamon Teal 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Northern Shoveler 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Gadwall 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Eurasian Wigeon 1/26 2/24 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM American Wigeon 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Canvasback 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Redhead 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH Ring-necked Duck 1/ 2 1/ 7 1/31 1/ 1 m.ob. Tufted Duck 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM Greater Scaup 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Lesser Scaup 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Oldsquaw Black Scoter 3/ 8 3/ 2 3/ 8 3/ 1 JMe Surf Scoter 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC White-winged Scoter 2/11 1/ 6 2/13 1/ 6 MMR Common Goldeneye 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Barrow's Goldeneye 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Bufflehead 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Hooded Merganser 1/ 4 2/28 2/28 1/ 1 AVe,CH,NLe Common Merganser 1/ 2 1/ 7 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Red-breasted Merganser 1/16 2/11 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM Ruddy Duck 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Turkey Vulture 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. California Condor Osprey 3/ 2 1/19 1/18 1/17 JMa,JLa White-tailed Kite 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 2 SCR,MJM Bald Eagle 2/ 8 2/16 1/16 SGu Northern Harrier 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Sharp-shinned Hawk 1/ 2 1/19 1/ 2 SCR Cooper's Hawk 1/ 2 1/ 6 2/22 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Northern Goshawk Red-shouldered Hawk 1/ 2 1/16 1/ 3 1/ 1 DJC Broad-winged Hawk Swainson's Hawk Red-tailed Hawk 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Ferruginous Hawk 1/ 2 1/19 1/ 2 SCR Rough-legged Hawk 1/ 3 1/ 3 SCR Golden Eagle 1/ 6 1/ 7 1/17 1/ 1 DJC American Kestrel 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Merlin 1/ 9 2/ 9 1/ 3 1/ 2 fide CKS Peregrine Falcon 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Prairie Falcon 3/ 4 1/25 NLe Ring-necked Pheasant 1/ 6 1/13 2/22 1/ 6 SCR Wild Turkey 3/16 4/11 4/ 5 1/ 1 JMa California Quail 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/18 1/ 1 SCR,DJC Mountain Quail Yellow Rail Black Rail 1/12 1/12 2/ 8 1/ 9 VTi,RWR,FVs Clapper Rail 1/12 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Virginia Rail 1/ 2 1/12 1/31 1/ 2 SCR Sora 1/ 2 1/16 2/ 8 1/ 2 SCR Common Moorhen 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC American Coot 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Sandhill Crane Black-bellied Plover 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Pacific Golden-Plover American Golden-Plover Snowy Plover Semipalmated Plover 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM Killdeer 1/ 1 1/ 7 1/18 1/ 1 m.ob. Mountain Plover Black Oystercatcher Black-necked Stilt 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC American Avocet 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Greater Yellowlegs 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Lesser Yellowlegs 1/ 6 1/ 6 SCR Solitary Sandpiper Willet 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Wandering Tattler Spotted Sandpiper 2/ 8 2/16 1/ 1 AVe,CH Whimbrel 1/ 6 1/ 6 2/ 8 1/ 4 CKS,JML Long-billed Curlew 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Hudsonian Godwit Bar-tailed Godwit Marbled Godwit 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Ruddy Turnstone Black Turnstone Red Knot 1/ 6 1/ 6 SCR Sanderling 1/ 6 1/ 6 MMR Semipalmated Sandpiper Western Sandpiper 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Least Sandpiper 1/ 2 1/ 6 2/14 1/ 1 AVe,CH White-rumped Sandpiper Baird's Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Dunlin 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH Curlew Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Buff-breasted Sandpiper Ruff Short-billed Dowitcher 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Long-billed Dowitcher 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 2 SCR,MJM,AVe Common Snipe 1/ 5 3/ 8 1/ 1 DJC Wilson's Phalarope Red-necked Phalarope Red Phalarope 2/11 2/ 8 2/ 8 SBT Pomarine Jaeger Parasitic Jaeger Long-tailed Jaeger Laughing Gull Franklin's Gull Little Gull Black-headed Gull Bonaparte's Gull 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Heermann's Gull Mew Gull 1/ 2 1/19 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,TGr Ring-billed Gull 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. California Gull 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Herring Gull 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Thayer's Gull 1/ 2 1/16 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH ??Iceland Gull 1/16 1/16 SBT,SCR,AJa,MH Lesser Black-backed Gull 1/18 3/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM Western Gull 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Glaucous-winged Gull 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,TGr Glaucous Gull 1/ 6 2/24 1/ 6 SCR Black-legged Kittiwake Sabine's Gull Caspian Tern 4/11 4/11 4/ 2 RWR Elegant Tern Common Tern Arctic Tern Forster's Tern 1/ 6 2/ 8 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM Least Tern Black Tern Black Skimmer 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Common Murre Ancient Murrelet Cassin's Auklet Rock Dove 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Band-tailed Pigeon 1/ 1 3/27 3/15 1/ 1 SCR White-winged Dove Mourning Dove 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Yellow-billed Cuckoo Greater Roadrunner Barn Owl 1/ 9 1/ 9 MMR,RJe Flammulated Owl Western Screech-Owl 1/ 1 JMa Great Horned Owl 1/14 3/22 1/ 1 DJC Northern Pygmy-Owl 1/ 1 4/12 1/ 1 SCR,JMa Burrowing Owl 1/ 5 1/20 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Long-eared Owl Short-eared Owl 3/ 7 RiC Northern Saw-whet Owl 1/ 1 JMa Lesser Nighthawk Common Nighthawk Common Poorwill Black Swift Chimney Swift Vaux's Swift 4/13 4/12 DPo,SMi White-throated Swift 1/18 1/21 2/22 1/ 8 RWR,FVs Black-chinned Hummingbird Anna's Hummingbird 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Costa's Hummingbird Calliope Hummingbird Broad-tailed Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird 3/16 4/ 8 4/ 5 3/16 SCR Allen's Hummingbird 3/ 4 4/11 3/15 1/25 AME Belted Kingfisher 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/17 1/ 1 DJC Lewis' Woodpecker 1/ 6 NLe,RWR,FVs Acorn Woodpecker 1/ 1 1/ 6 2/28 1/ 1 SCR,JMa,DJC Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1/ 2 1/ 1 CKS,JML Red-naped Sapsucker 1/ 6 1/ 6 MMR Red-breasted Sapsucker 1/ 2 1/ 7 1/17 1/ 1 m.ob. Williamson's Sapsucker Nuttall's Woodpecker 1/ 2 1/ 7 1/ 3 1/ 2 m.ob. Downy Woodpecker 1/ 1 3/ 4 1/ 3 1/ 1 SCR,CKS,JML Hairy Woodpecker 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 SCR,JMa,DJC Northern Flicker 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Pileated Woodpecker 4/12 4/12 MJM Olive-sided Flycatcher Western Wood-Pewee Willow Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Hammond's Flycatcher 4/11 4/11 4/11 MMR,MJM Dusky Flycatcher Gray Flycatcher Pacific-slope Flycatcher 3/28 3/27 3/18 1/ 4 CCRS Black Phoebe 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Eastern Phoebe 1/ 2 3/ 4 3/ 1 1/ 2 SCR Say's Phoebe 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/18 1/ 2 SCR Ash-throated Flycatcher 4/ 8 RWR Tropical Kingbird Cassin's Kingbird 4/11 4/11 3/ 1 DRo,RCa kingbird sp. 2/ 8 AGu Western Kingbird 3/16 4/ 8 4/11 3/16 SCR Eastern Kingbird Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Horned Lark 3/16 3/15 1/25 AME Purple Martin Tree Swallow 1/18 1/19 3/ 1 1/17 LCh Violet-green Swallow 2/ 5 1/19 2/22 1/18 JDa Nor. Rough-winged Swallow 2/ 8 2/25 2/28 2/ 8 SCR Bank Swallow Cliff Swallow 3/ 2 3/ 1 3/ 8 2/26 TRy Barn Swallow 1/ 2 1/19 3/ 1 1/ 2 SCR Steller's Jay 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/17 1/ 1 m.ob. Western Scrub-Jay 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob. Clark's Nutcracker Black-billed Magpie Yellow-billed Magpie 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob. American Crow 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Common Raven 1/ 1 1/ 5 2/13 1/ 1 m.ob. Chestnut-backed Chickadee 1/ 1 1/16 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob. Oak Titmouse 1/ 3 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 CKS,JML,DJC Bushtit 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob. Red-breasted Nuthatch 4/12 1/ 1 JMa White-breasted Nuthatch 1/ 3 1/ 6 1/13 1/ 1 DJC Pygmy Nuthatch 1/ 1 4/12 1/ 1 SCR,JMa Brown Creeper 1/ 1 1/17 1/ 1 m.ob. Rock Wren 3/ 16 1/19 1/13 1/13 MJM Canyon Wren 1/ 1 JSa,HGe Bewick's Wren 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob. House Wren 3/29 4/ 8 4/ 5 3/21 LAY Winter Wren 1/ 1 4/ 4 1/ 1 SCR Marsh Wren 1/12 1/12 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM American Dipper 4/11 3/29 TGr Golden-crowned Kinglet 1/ 2 1/ 2 SCR Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3/27 3/29 1/ 5 CJC Western Bluebird 1/ 2 1/ 6 2/16 1/ 1 DJC Mountain Bluebird 1/17 JLu Townsend's Solitaire Swainson's Thrush Hermit Thrush 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/13 1/ 1 SCR,JMa American Robin 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/13 1/ 1 m.ob. Varied Thrush 1/ 1 1/ 1 SCR Wrentit 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/17 1/ 1 SCR,JMa,DJC Northern Mockingbird 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Sage Thrasher 4/ 7 BWe Brown Thrasher California Thrasher 1/ 1 1/ 6 2/28 1/ 1 SCR Red-throated Pipit American Pipit 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Bohemian Waxwing Cedar Waxwing 1/ 2 1/14 3/28 1/ 1 JMa Phainopepla 1/ 6 NLe,RWR,FVs Northern Shrike Loggerhead Shrike 1/ 1 1/19 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. European Starling 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Bell's Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Cassin's Vireo 4/11 4/12 4/ 5 LAY Plumbeous Vireo Hutton's Vireo 1/ 1 1/19 1/ 3 1/ 1 SCR,JMa Warbling Vireo 3/28 3/27 3/29 3/18 AME Red-eyed Vireo Tennessee Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler 1/ 4 1/24 3/ 1 1/ 4 SCR,CCRS Nashville Warbler 4/12 JMM Virginia's Warbler Northern Parula Yellow Warbler 1/ 4 4/11 1/ 4 SCR Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Black-throated Gray Warbler 4/ 5 1/ 9 SBT Townsend's Warbler 1/ 1 3/27 3/15 1/ 1 SCR,JMa,DJC Hermit Warbler 4/ 4 2/ 1 AVe,CH Black-throated Green Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Prairie Warbler 1/ 4 1/17 1/ 4 SCR Palm Warbler 1/ 4 1/13 1/ 4 SCR,HLR Blackpoll Warbler Black-and-White Warbler American Redstart Prothonotary Warbler Worm-eating Warbler Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Kentucky Warbler Connecticut Warbler MacGillivray's Warbler Common Yellowthroat 1/ 4 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM Hooded Warbler Wilson's Warbler 3/28 3/27 3/22 3/22 MJM Yellow-breasted Chat Summer Tanager Scarlet Tanager Western Tanager 1/23 RWR Rose-breasted Grosbeak Black-headed Grosbeak 4/11 4/11 4/ 5 VTi Blue Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Indigo Bunting Passerina sp. 4/10 4/10 SCR Dickcissel Green-tailed Towhee Spotted Towhee 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 SCR,JMa,DJC California Towhee 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/13 1/ 1 m.ob. Rufous-crowned Sparrow 1/ 2 4/ 8 4/11 1/ 2 SCR American Tree Sparrow Chipping Sparrow 3/31 GFi,MPl Clay-colored Sparrow Brewer's Sparrow Black-chinned Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Lark Sparrow 1/19 1/ 4 1/ 4 MJM Black-throated Sparrow Sage Sparrow 4/12 AME,DPo Lark Bunting Savannah Sparrow 1/ 2 1/12 1/ 4 1/ 1 DJC Grasshopper Sparrow 4/10 4/10 SCR Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow 1/ 9 fide AME Fox Sparrow 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Song Sparrow 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Lincoln's Sparrow 1/ 2 1/13 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH Swamp Sparrow 1/ 2 1/ 2 SCR White-throated Sparrow 3/29 1/15 AJb Golden-crowned Sparrow 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. White-crowned Sparrow 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Harris' Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob. Lapland Longspur Chestnut-collared Longspur Bobolink Red-winged Blackbird 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Tricolored Blackbird 1/ 2 1/14 4/11 1/ 2 SCR Western Meadowlark 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Yellow-headed Blackbird 4/ 4 NLe Brewer's Blackbird 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Great-tailed Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird 1/ 2 1/16 1/18 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Hooded Oriole 3/29 3/21 AWa Baltimore Oriole Bullock's Oriole 3/28 4/ 8 3/22 3/19 GHa Scott's Oriole Purple Finch 1/ 1 3/27 2/28 1/ 1 SCR Cassin's Finch House Finch 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Red Crossbill Pine Siskin 1/18 1/ 9 TGr Lesser Goldfinch 1/ 1 1/13 1/ 4 1/ 1 m.ob. Lawrence's Goldfinch 1/ 6 NLe,RWR,FVs American Goldfinch 1/ 1 1/ 7 1/20 1/ 1 m.ob. Evening Grosbeak House Sparrow 1/ 2 1/ 6 2/22 1/ 1 CKS,JML,DJC Observer codes: m.ob.-many observers, AGu-Arnel Guanlao, AJa-Al Jaramillo, AJb-Alberta Jasberg, AME-Al Eisner, AVe-Ann Verdi, AWa-Alan Walther, BWe-Bruce Webb, CCRS-Coyote Creek Riparian Station, CH-Caralisa Hughes, CJC-Chuck Coston, CKS-Chris Salander, CWh-Clark White, DJC-Don & Jill Crawford, DPo-David Powell, DRo-Don Roberson, FVs-Frank Vanslager, GFi-George Finger, GHa-Garth Harwood, GLB-Gloria LeBlanc, HGe-Harriet Gerson, HLR-Heather Rottenborn, JDa-Jim Danzenbaker, JLa-Jolene Lange, JLu-John Luther, JMa-John Mariani, JMe-John Meyer, JML-Jeanne Leavitt, JMM-John & Maria Meyer, JSa-June Santoro, KLP-Kathy Parker, LAY-Amy Lauterbach & James Yurchenco, MH-Matt Heindel, MJM-Mike Mammoser, MLF-Mike Feighner, MMR-Mike Rogers, MPL-Marjorie Plant, NLe-Nick Lethaby, RCa-Rita Caratello, RCo-Rita Colwell, RiC-Richard Carlson, RJe-Richard Jeffers, RLe-Rosalie Lefkowitz, RWR-Bob Reiling, SBT-Scott Terrill, SCR-Steve Rottenborn, SGu-Stephan Gunn, SMi-Steve Miller, TGr-Tom Grey, TRy-Tom Ryan, VTi-Vivek Tiwari, WGB-Bill Bousman SANTA CLARA COUNTY YEAR LIST HISTORY 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 HIGH COMP 278 295 303 293 296 305 305 SCR 279 291 262 251 268 291 MJM 234 250 265 242 253 276 276 MMR 214 234 254 271 257 258 275 275 MLF 136 183 199 209 215 235 194 165 218 265 265 WGB 216 228 245 170 245 AME 240 220 219 231 240 KLP 232 232 RWR 204 201 203 228 228 TGr 189 211 211 CKS 185 195 186 195 GLB 190 190 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 15 19:23:33 1998 All: Today, there was still a Western Kingbird at the north-west corner of Lockheed Martin property in Sunnyvale. I wonder if this is the same one I saw out there on April 1st. -- Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, [[email protected]] (home) Sunnyvale, CA, [[email protected]] (work) Please reply to both addresses above for a quicker response. Thanks. ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 16 13:45:37 1998 All, Today Frank Vanslager and I went to Table Mountain and were rewarded with a nice look at an adult male Pileated Woodpecker (a county life bird for me). We noted that almost all of the larger, dead, topped tree trunks in the area had at least some square shaped holes in various states of completion. When seen the bird flew from the top of a dead tree trunk located about 20 ft west of the trail on the east side of the loop (near the "Y" in the trail). About four feet from the top of this tree trunk was what looked to be a completed nest hole. Unfortunately time did not permit us to stake out this site to verify nesting activity. We also heard Pygmy and Red-breasted Nuthatches, saw Hutton's and Warbling Vireo's, heard Cassin's Vireo's, I saw an Ash-throated Flycatcher, we saw a Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Purple Finches, lots of Orange- crowned Warblers, several Black-throated Gray Warblers (near the top of the trail) and one Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler. It also looked like someone had cut down a lot of trees and had done some clearing on Table Mountain. (To make room for campsites?) With any luck and a few chainsaws they should be able clear out the Pileated Woodpeckers as well For those who have not been to Table Mountain I would like to caution that it is a fairly long walk, the last half of which is up a fairly steep grade (yes, you walk down to table mountain from Skyline). Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:38 PM, 4/16/98 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 16 14:25:01 1998 After two lunchtime attempts, 4/15 and 4/16, I'm figuring out that noon is not a good time to find the Black Scoter(s) at the lake, although scattered SURF SCOTERS are present. The RED-NECKED GREBE has been there both days, at times, fairly close to shore. The HORNED GREBES are becoming spectacular. If you haven't seen them in breeding plumage yet, or if you just like being dazzled, check them out now. No Eared Grebes seem to be around. One female Common Goldeneye is still present. A singing male WILSON'S WARBLER was in the vegetation at the corner of the lake nearest the end of Terminal Rd. I heard my first BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER for the year, and yard list, singing at my house this morning. Mary saw our first BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK on Saturday, 4/11. We are no more than a mile northeast of Table Mtn., as the Pileated Woodpecker flies, so I hope these birds, or their friends, come by for a visit! Les ========================================== Les Chibana, Mountain View [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 16 14:40:53 1998 All: On Tuesday (14 April), I saw a NASHVILLE WARBLER along upper Stevens Canyon Creek Road. Today (16 April), I saw the immature male BLACK SCOTER, the RED-NECKED GREBE, 10 HORNED GREBES, 3 EARED GREBES, 1 female COMMON GOLDENEYE, and 85 SURF SCOTERS on Shoreline Lake at 7:30 a.m. The flooded fields near Zanker Road and Highway 237 had 2 LESSER and 8 GREATER YELLOWLEGS. Steve Rottenborn ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 16 17:23:00 1998 I am happy to say that as of yesterday afternoon, the Mayor of Palo Alto has put the fireworks idea on hold! Thanks to so many of you who called and wrote the Mayor about reconsidering having fireworks in such a sensitive habitat. Not only do you enjoy birding but you're willing to go to bat to help protect these areas, like the Baylands, as well. WAY TO GO! I'll keep you posted if they try to roll ahead with the fireworks idea again. I could have sworn I saw a Burrowing Owl with a big smile on her face today. Thanks again, Deb Bartens City Naturalist ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 16 19:31:16 1998 Just in case no one has reported the return of this migrant, an Olive-sided Flycatcher was singing above Camp Costanoan in Steven's Creek Park on Thursday morning. Bob Reiling and others: I spoke with a Cal Trans employee yesterday about Alum Rock Park and he said it was closed "indefinately. Major trail damage". Amused would not be the correct word to use when I thought I could get to Smith's Creek yesterday only to find TWO Cal Trans employees sitting in a truck at Grant's Ranch telling me there was ice on the road at the top of the hill! Jack Cole _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Apr 17 15:20:27 1998 Today in the Spring Valley section of Ed Levin, I had males of both Rufous and Allen's Hummers along with a female. They were in the lone Eucaplyptus in the parking lot where the road dead ends in the SW corner of this section. Nick Lethaby Director of Strategic Partnerships Elanix, Inc. Tel: 408 941 0223 Fax: 408 941 0984 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Apr 17 19:32:26 1998 Highlights from the Coyote Creek trail today, 17 Apr 98, include the pair of WOOD DUCKS, 2 female COMMON MERGANSERS, the MALLARD brood seems to be down to 6 young, and singing YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS that include many Myrtles. The ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD in our courtyard has abandoned its previous nest and built a new one about 3 feet above the ground next to the patio. It has a single egg in it today (it had none yesterday). The RED-TAILED HAWK across the street is sitting on its power tower nest, as if incubating eggs. Mike Mammoser ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Apr 18 14:37:55 1998 Friday, while Ed Frost and I were watching the Cassin's and Western Kingbirds of Dunne Lane interact with the Red-tailed Hawks, two of the hawks suddenly flew out of the top of the center eucalyptus, tangled their talons, and turned, twisted and tumbled straight down to within fifteen feet of the ground. We had a front row seat! Jack Cole _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Apr 19 14:34:51 1998 South Bay Birders: Decided to head on over the hill (Mt. Hamilton) today to look for migrants and local specialties. I was partially successful with the following results: 2 LEWIS' WOODPECKERs about two miles south of San Antonio Valley Junction. 3 SAGE SPARROWS, 4 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERs and 1 LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH (fly by) in the sage on the east side of the road about three miles south of San Antonio Valley Junction (just before the top of the first grade after the road turns west towards Mt. Hamilton). This is about 12 miles east of the Mt. Hamilton summit. 1 early SWAINSON'S THRUSH about a half mile west of the crest of the first grade that had the Sage Sparrow 1 YELLOW WARBLER about ten miles east of Mt. Hamilton summit. BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERs singing near the summit of Mt. Hamilton. 5 BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKs, 3 WESTERN WOOD PEWEEs, 2 CASSIN'S VIREOs 2.2 miles west of Mt. Hamilton summit. 1 NASHVILLE WARBLER about a mile west of the Mt. Hamilton summit. Happy birding! Jim Danzenbaker San Jose, CA 408-264-7582 (408-ANI-SKUA) [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Apr 19 15:11:21 1998 At 8:40 AM on Sunday 4/12, there were two Black Skimmers on what remains of the pickleweed-covered island in Salt Pond No. 1 where they nested three (?) years ago. This valuable nesting and roosting real estate also had an active group of avocets, two or three pairs of Forster's Terns, a couple of Black-necked Stilts and about 40 sleeping dowitchers. About a half-hour later, I checked the usual locations at the Palo Alto Baylands, but couldn't find any skimmers. Lots of feeding shorebirds however. Phyllis Browning ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Apr 19 16:02:06 1998 This morning I hiked up the large drainage north the Blue Grosbeak Sycamore draw. I didn't have time to thoroughly check all the different draws for migrants but I did make it to the chapparel at the top. I was very disappointed with the birding results (e.g no California Thrashers, no Rock Wrens, few migrants, etc.). Best birds were a MacGillivray's Warbler and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Nick Lethaby Director of Strategic Partnerships Elanix, Inc. Tel: 408 941 0223 Fax: 408 941 0984 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Apr 19 17:04:00 1998 All: On Friday (17 April), I spent the day surveying a large parcel of land between San Jose and Morgan Hill for Burrowing Owls. A flooded field here had 70 LEAST and 40 WESTERN SANDPIPERS, a COMMON SNIPE, 10 BLACK-NECKED STILTS, and 1 GREATER YELLOWLEGS. A COMMON MOORHEN, a flyover _Passerina_ bunting, and a singing YELLOW WARBLER were also here. On Sunday (19 April), Heather, Rebecca and I went to Ed Levin County Park. In the southern portion of the park (near the ranger's residence), we had a male CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD at the west end of the pond. The bird was perched for several minutes in a willow near the outflow from the pond, being dive-bombed by a male Anna's, before it briefly foraged in nearby elms then flew off toward the golf course across the road. Also here were the male MALLARD X NORTHERN PINTAIL that I reported previously, a male LAZULI BUNTING, 3 male ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRDS, and a subadult GOLDEN EAGLE. Steve Rottenborn ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Apr 19 23:20:34 1998 Hello all, Just returned from Death Valley with my family. It was great as it can get and I don't believe I'll ever see that many flowers ever again. Absolutely astounding! They said it was the best flower spring . . . . . . ever. Stars were also good (Orion nebula, possibly three galaxies, at least one good globular cluster) even with the aid of only my binoculars and rocks are always fun to try to figure out (gneiss, schist, what?). Anyway, here are some questions and some notes. The place had no birdlist so I have no idea what's rare (other than Eastern vagrants, of course). So, I'm going to throw out some of my sightings and you can let me know if I should send any of these in: Tropical Kingbird (good looks) Lucy's Warbler (singing male) Anna's Hummingbird (singing male) 8 adult gulls (probably Cal but they were very high up so it was hard to tell) 14 Yellow-headed Blackbirds Everything else was to be expected but I do consider it a good trip for sparrows. Chipping in breeding plumage are always nice, Black-throated and their tinkling songs in areas of no people, and singing Canyon Wrens in silent canyons always stirs me. Damn, why'd we come back?! Don ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 20 08:41:03 1998 Since our leader, Dave Cook, is not on South Bay birds, I will report on Saturday's trip to Grant Ranch. In my mind, the highlight was seeing a GREAT HORNED OWL on its nest. Brief views were also made of a fuzzy baby owl who poked it's head up. An immature GOLDEN EAGLE was also seen soaring AT THE SAME TIME. Nice combo! And, thanks Emily for finding them WESTERN BLUEBIRDS were seen and David reported having young ones in several of the bluebird boxes he monitors. We watched parents going in and out of one of the boxes. There were lots of YELLOW RUMPS, an ORANGE-CROWNED, a BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, a GREEN HERON, what appeared to be a nesting GREAT BLUE HERON. Lots of birds, but these were the highlights. I left at 11 am, so someone else might want to add to this report. Gloria LeBlanc http://www.lgsia.com and http://www.wallstreetgifts.com ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 20 08:56:04 1998 Saturday, April 18th we spent a couple of hours in Arastradero scouting for next Saturday's Uncommon Loon Birdathon. A GREAT HORNED OWL, was very close to the trail just beyond the temporary metal bridge and moved off once it spotted us. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATHERS were as abundant in the park as I'd ever seen them. Raptors activity was very high. Two COOPER'S HAWKS were interacting as we entered the park. RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS were screaming at each other and a WHITE-TAILED KITE and a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK provided entertainment later in the morning. Farther back in the park two SHARP-SHINED HAWKS flew by together (one was in juvenile plumage) and were preceded by another COOPER'S HAWK. Of course the local RED-TAILS & KESRALS were about as well. Local breeders we all very busy. On Sunday, April 19 on a social walk with out of town guests we had a RED-NECKED GREBE on Shoreline Lake at the south end with a few SURF SCOTERS & nattily attired HORNED GREBES. Nick Yatsko ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 20 09:45:42 1998 South Bay and East Bay birders, I received a message from a Joe Carvallo at 510-498-2896 stating that he lost a pet Marabou Stork on April 14th and would appreciate information on any sightings. I suspect this is the bird seen recently near Coyote Creek Riparian Station and earlier reported as a Wood Stork on the BirdBox. -- Joseph Morlan SF Bay Area birding, Rarity photos, ID quizzes. 380 Talbot Ave. #206 http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/ Pacifica, CA 94044 [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 20 11:48:21 1998 [[email protected]] wrote: > > Would anyone care to comment about either the bill or the general plainness of > the underparts? I don't have much experience with Hammond's, but a bird that wintered in Butano Canyon several years ago had a mostly pale lower mandible (with just a small amount of duskiness at the tip, as you describe) well into February. Can anyone with more experience in the summer comment on variation in adults? Bert McKee ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 20 12:26:22 1998 On Saturday, 18 Apr 98, I drove up to Smith Creek to see if any migrants were coming through. It was a little slow, with a few TOWNSEND’S WARBLERS around, but I did find 1 HAMMOND’S FLYCATCHER. It was a fairly typical bird, being grayish-olive above and pale gray to whitish below. It looked big-headed and small-billed, with the lower mandible being extensively dark, and having an even-width white eye ring. After some minutes of watching it, it started to give a series of "peek" call notes before flying off. I watched a male HAIRY WOODPECKER sidle up to a nest hole in a pine across the creek, but he didn’t carry on any activity that might have been more indicative of breeding. In the open field behind the fire station I watched a pair of COMMON RAVENS carrying nest material. I first saw them overhead, each with a clump of grassy material in its beak, fly south over the ridge. They reappeared a few minutes later with nothing in their beaks and dropped down at some point to the north or northeast of the fire station. They rose up after about 5 minutes, again with grassy clumps in their beaks, and soared in circles overhead for some minutes, before flying off straight and direct to the south over the ridge. I went down to Grant Park and hiked in a short distance along the trail behind the barn to the north of Grant Lake. The only bird of note here was an immature GOLDEN EAGLE flying overhead. On the way down from the park, about 4 miles from Alum Rock Blvd, I saw what looked like a male PHAINOPEPLA fly to the top of an oleander bush along the road. It was a passerine-type bird, smaller than a Robin, and all black except for white wing patches. I only got a brief look, and couldn’t stop there. I pulled off the road further down and walked back, but couldn’t refind it. I don’t know what else it could have been. I then stopped at CCRS and birded along the creek south of the trailers. I had a male BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD at 9600, feeding in the tree tobacco. I discovered later that a female had been banded on the 16th. I also saw a CASSIN’S VIREO, which I don’t believe I have ever seen at CCRS before. Also, the GREAT HORNED OWL was still sitting on the old raptor nest along the creek. On Sunday, 19 Apr 98, I went up to Ed Levin Park and hiked the trail above Sandy Wool Lake. At the sycamore draw just above the lake I was surprised to see and hear at least 3 LINCOLN’S SPARROWS singing. I don’t think that I’ve ever heard them singing locally before. Also at this draw, I had a singing male BLUE GROSBEAK. This is quite probably the same bird that was here last year. Right along the trail I flushed up a just-fledged sparrow. Its identity was confirmed within seconds, when an adult RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW flew in with a mouthful of food, chipping like crazy. It convinced the youngster to fly down the side of the hill next to the trail. Further up the trail an adult GOLDEN EAGLE was soaring to the northeast. I drove up to the summit of Sierra Road just to see what was going on there and had another adult GOLDEN EAGLE, pairs of HORNED LARKS in the grass, and a WHITE-THOATED SWIFT flying about. Near the end of Marsh Road, where a bridge crosses the creek, I had a LESSER GOLDFINCH building a nest in a coyote bush. Later in the afternoon, after hearing about a possible Wood Stork, I went to CCRS to see if I could find anything. While standing on the levee just west of the methane plant, I spied an unusual bird over the Newby Island dump. Through the scope I saw a stork-like bird that looked larger than a Turkey Vulture. It had long broad wings and its feet dangled out behind the tail. From below, the body was white, as were the underwing linings, and the flight feathers were black. In this regard it did look similar to the pattern of a Wood Stork. However, the entire uppersurface of the wings and body looked black (there may have been some pale spots on the upperwing at the tips of some coverts). My recollection of the legs and feet is that they were generally dark, though I can’t say exactly what color they were. I didn’t get a good look at the head or front of the body, as the bird was facing away from me as it soared and flew. However, at one point the bird’s body tipped to a degree that allowed the bill to jut down below the plane of the body. Although I couldn’t really tell what the shape was, due to the angle of view, the color looked sort of orangish. I only had about 30 seconds of viewing time before the bird dropped out of sight behind a berm at the top of the dump. A half hour of waiting produced no further views. Although it looked stork-like, I can’t say with any certainy that it wasn’t some species of crane. However, it almost certainly wasn’t a Wood Stork. Mike Mammoser ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 20 13:34:51 1998 Saturday, April 18th, I started at Stevens Creek Park. All the expected common migrants (BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, WILSON'S WARBLER, WARBLING VIREO, HUTTON'S VIREO, etc.) were present. A pair of CASSIN'S VIREOS, a bright NASHVILLE WARBLER, and a female HERMIT WARBLER were the highlights at Camp Conastoan. Then off to the south, where the 2 CASSIN'S KINGBIRDS were extremely active in the middle eucalyptus along Dunne Lane/San Felipe Road, east of San Felipe Lake and just south of Highway 152. Looked for Yellow-headed Blackbirds at the Bettencourt Dairy without luck, but at least 3 WESTERN KINGBIRDS were in the area. A small but uncounted flock of AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were still on the lake. A drive around Canada Road/Gilroy Hot Springs Road wasn't very productive in the midday heat, but a single LARK SPARROW, a lingering HERMIT THRUSH, a WESTERN BLUEBIRD, and a GREEN HERON provided a little relief. Next, up to Shoreline Lake, where the male BLACK SCOTER was still present. Finally, I stopped in at the Palo Alto Baylands, where 11 BLACK SKIMMERS were sitting around at 5:30 PM. After that, I headed out of the county to pick up Yellow-billed Magpie for my San Mateo county list at the Italian Cemetary in Colma. Sunday, April 19th, I walked down to Table Mountain. I didn't have any luck with Pileated Woodpecker, and the only bird of interest was a calling (but unseen) NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL near Skyline on the way down. Cheers, Adam Winer [[email protected]] San Mateo, CA ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 20 14:27:30 1998 Hi all, There is a Steller's Jay at my feeder right now. Wow. I've never seen one in the City. Jennifer ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 20 14:52:44 1998 Whoa, not enough sleep lately. I hit the wrong address in my address book, while I was watching the bird. Obviously, this was meant for our local San Francisco mailing list only. Sorry everyone! Jennifer Matkin San Francisco, CA [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 20 14:54:02 1998 All, Saturday's banding effort at CCRS, 4/18/98, was very nice, owing to the great weather. We processed 35 birds of 16 different species. Among them were 2 male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS, 1 female ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD, 1 female ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD. Additionally, I heard the wing buzz of BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRDS near nets 9835 and 9590, both regular spots for this species in recent years. Bander Susan Sandstrom saw the individual at 9835. A note on the Rufous Hummingbirds: both were adult males with full gorgets. The first individual had about 70-80 percent GREEN feathers on its back (between the scapulars, from the nape down to, and excluding, the rump). The second individual had an almost completely rufous back with 5 or 6 small green feathers, which might not be visible in the field. Both had well-notched R2's (second pair of tail feathers) which is a good key for adult male _rufus_. The first bird might easily be ID'ed in the field as Allen's, _sasin_. In fact, I initially ID'ed the bird as Allen's until I consulted with Al Jaramillo about the plumage. Al pointed out that the notched tail feather is probably a more definitive key because the relative amounts of rufous and green back feathers is a variable feature. What might be useful to field birding is a point, also suggested by Nick Lethaby, that a Rufous Hummingbird with lots of green in the back usually shows rufous feathers among these back feathers, whereas an Allen's rarely (never? Never say "never".) shows rufous among the green back feathers. By the way, the female Allen's Hummingbird just barely made the "cut", several of its measurements were in the marginal zone between Allen's and Rufous. It seems more likely that a female selasphorus hummingbird appearing at this time, while male Rufous are still moving through, would be an Allen's. WILSON'S and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS continue in good numbers as netted, as well as singing, birds. The second two BULLOCK'S ORIOLES of the year were processed although this species has been in the area for several weeks. A CASSIN'S VIREO was heard near the field station. On Sunday, 4/19/98, I took my birding class up to the Smith Creek Firestation/Grant Ranch County Park area. A short stop at the new but unopened Grant Lake parking lot produced ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN KINGBIRD, WESTERN BLUEBIRD, MYRTLE'S and AUDUBON'S YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, GREAT EGRET, GREAT BLUE and GREEN HERON, and CASPIAN TERN. The Great Blue Heron rookery appeared to have several active nests. A small flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS started our day before we walked down the short incline to the creek. We probably saw the same HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER reported by Mike Mammoser. The dawn chorus along the creek trail was dominated by BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, CASSIN'S and WARBLING VIREOS, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS. We saw a pair of DOWNY WOODPECKERS, but missed the Hairy W. Singing female PURPLE FINCHES were found at the buildings and near the trail junction to the west. WHITE- and GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS are still present. The wildflowers were great; the Meadowfoam in Hall's Valley decribed white streaks on the valley floor as we descended from the firestation. Back down at the main section of Grant Ranch Park, a mountain bike event had that area packed with people and blaring loud music. We were able to find a calling PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER and a WILSON'S WARBLER near the residence. An immature GOLDEN EAGLE soared along the ridgetop to the east, a pair of RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS and a COOPER'S HAWK were seen over the park. At home, by Skyline Blvd., we've had a female selasphorus hummingbird coming to our feeder during the weekend; she was there this morning, too. Mary heard VARIED THRUSH singing on Saturday morning, 4/18/98. Friday, 4/17/98, I was finally able to get a better look at one of the BLACK SCOTERS at Shoreline Lake at around 6:30p. It flew out over the Forebay at 7:00p. The individual that I saw had the female/imm. male facial pattern with a yellow horizontal strip on the upper bill, from mid-bill back to the face, and without a significant nob on the culmen. Harriet Gerson reported that her Birdathon group saw a definite male Black Scoter on Shoreline Lake with a yellow nob on Friday, 4/17/98. The Red-necked Grebe and female Red-breasted Merganser were also still present Friday evening at Shoreline Lake. Les ========================================== Les Chibana, Mountain View [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 20 15:37:44 1998 Mike Mammoser wrote: > On Saturday, 18 Apr 98, I drove up to Smith Creek to see if any migrants > were coming through. It was a little slow, with a few TOWNSEND=92S > WARBLERS around, but I did find 1 HAMMOND=92S FLYCATCHER. It was a fairly= > typical bird, being grayish-olive above and pale gray to whitish below. > It looked big-headed and small-billed, with the lower mandible being > extensively dark, and having an even-width white eye ring. After some > minutes of watching it, it started to give a series of "peek" call notes > before flying off. (The number 92 has some arcane significance, rather than just being a code for an apostrophe.) Then Les Chibana wrote that his group had seen probably the same bird on Sunday. I was also at Smith Creek on Sunday, running into Steve Miller en route. We walked in as Les's group was leaving the creek area. They told us of a Hammond's with a pronounced vested appearance, and a mostly-dark lower mandible; I think someone also mentioned yellow on the belly. After some time, Steve picked out an apparent Hammond's Flycatcher in the alders, and we spent quite a while alternately stalking and losing it. This bird seemed to be a Hammond's in many respects: it had a large-headed ap- pearence, with a small (narrow and fairly short) bill, and a long primary extension (although the tail didn't look particularly short). The upperparts and underparts matched Mike's description above. There was at most a mild vested pattern, and if there was any yellow on the belly it was quite pale. The potential fly in the ointment: good looks at the bill from below showed a mostly pale lower mandible, with duskiness only near the tip. I looked this up in both of Kaufmann's references (Advanced Birding and the Birding magazine Empid article); he only allows for this possibility in Hammond's for a young bird -- I suspect he means only in the Fall, although he does not make that clear. By the way, our bird was entirely silent, over quite a long period. Would anyone care to comment about either the bill or the general plainness of the underparts? If we take all the above literally, were three different birds involved? The one Steve and I saw matches Mike's description except for the bill color; the one Les's group described verbally seemed to differ from Mike's in the under- parts pattern/color. (Maybe Les can comment further.) Why isn't birding simple? On a totally different subject, the recent posts by Nick Lethaby and Les on Rufous/Allen's Hummingbirds: in Advanced Birding, Kenn Kaufmann notes that the range of variation in the upperparts coloration of adult male Rufous is large enough that it isn't safe to identify a male Allen's outside of the known area of regular occurrence. He suggests this might make Allen's the only North American species not identifiable in the field in any plumage. (But just wait for some of the possibly upcoming splits!) Cheers, Al Eisner ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 20 16:29:52 1998 Hello All: As Al Eisner reported, I also covered the Mt. Hamilton, San Antonio valley loop, so I will only mention those birds not mentioned previously. I had a single male WILD TURKEY crossing Quimby Ave, about 1/2 mile short of Mt. Hamilton road. There were two WOOD DUCKS in the pond about 1 mile south of the Junction. I had a GREATER ROADRUNNER and a mated pair (the male was singing) of LINCOLN'S SPARROW at the south end of Ruthie's Place. In Stanislaus Co., I saw a pair of COMMON MERGANSERS at mile 6 and 3 COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRDS at mile 3.8 of Del Puerto Canyon Rd., two females and a male. The hummingbirds were perched in oak trees on the ridge top. A scope was essential to see them. On I-5 south toward 152, I saw an adult FERRUGINOUS HAWK on the fence at mile post 7.0. The HAMMONDS FLYCATCHER at Smith Creek was paler than than the bird I saw last week. The wing, head, and bill proportions of last weeks bird was the same, with the wings seeming to be even longer. Eventhough the voice was a little odd, perhaps an abbreviated song note, I am confident of the id as Hammonds. Steve Miller ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 20 18:38:02 1998 REPLY Re: Hammond's and Rufous/Allen's eisner wrote: [snip] >for an apostrophe.) Then Les Chibana wrote that his group had seen probably >the same bird on Sunday. I was also at Smith Creek on Sunday, running into >Steve Miller en route. We walked in as Les's group was leaving the creek >area. They told us of a Hammond's with a pronounced vested appearance, and >a mostly-dark lower mandible; I think someone also mentioned yellow on the >belly. I may have communicated to Al and Steve more emphasis on the "vested" appearance than intended. I was recalling Steve Miller's week earlier report of a HAFL that appeared vested. (Interesting, Steve didn't think the HAFL he saw yesterday had the same feature. ) I was able to see a lighter central belly extending upwards as a narrowing shaft, partly into the breast, flanked by slightly darker grayish feathering on the breast. It was not pronounced but something that I could discern; "somewhat like a Contopus flycatcher" is what I recall saying. (The mark is not mentioned for Western Wood-Pewee or Greater Pewee as it is for Olive-sided Flycatcher, but there other is a hint of it these two.) The belly was the faintest yellow wash, it wasn't yellow, white or gray. >After some time, Steve picked out an apparent Hammond's Flycatcher in the >alders, and we spent quite a while alternately stalking and losing it. This >bird seemed to be a Hammond's in many respects: it had a large-headed ap- >pearence, with a small (narrow and fairly short) bill, and a long primary >extension (although the tail didn't look particularly short). The upperparts >and underparts matched Mike's description above. There was at most a mild >vested pattern, and if there was any yellow on the belly it was quite pale. The bird we saw didn't seem to have a particularly short tail either. >The potential fly in the ointment: good looks at the bill from below showed >a mostly pale lower mandible, with duskiness only near the tip. I looked this >up in both of Kaufmann's references (Advanced Birding and the Birding magazine >Empid article); he only allows for this possibility in Hammond's for a young >bird -- I suspect he means only in the Fall, although he does not make that >clear. By the way, our bird was entirely silent, over quite a long period. >Would anyone care to comment about either the bill or the general plainness of >the underparts? The new Pyle's describes the lower mandible color in this manner, "lower mandible dusky with a slightly paler base (AHY) to primarily orange (juv- HY)", where AHY = After Hatch Year, or a bird hatched last summer or earlier, and HY = Hatch Year, or a bird hatched this year. The bird we saw seemed consistent with an AHY bird. This doesn't appear to be consistent with Kaufman as related by Al (I don't have either handy to review). >If we take all the above literally, were three different birds involved? The >one Steve and I saw matches Mike's description except for the bill color; the >one Les's group described verbally seemed to differ from Mike's in the under- >parts pattern/color. (Maybe Les can comment further.) Why isn't birding >simple? I suspect that this is the same individual being described this weekend. The differences could lie in the usage and interpretation of descriptors. Also, there were probably several people in my group offering their interpretations of what they saw which could have added up to something like a Buff-breasted Flycatcher. ;-) Les ======================================== Les Chibana, Mountain View [[email protected]] ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 20 20:27:10 1998 Hi Birders, Our neighbor Cindy, my wife Sharon and I found a Red-shouldered Hawk sitting on a nest a couple of weeks ago during a Coyote Creek walk, and this afternoon about 6:30pm, we saw it feeding a chick. Occasionally the chick would raise its fuzzy white head and give us a great view. Take Highway 101 to the BernalRd/Silicon Valley Blvd in south San Jose. Exit towards the Holiday Inn on Silicon Valley Blvd. Take a left at the stop sign, just before the new bridge. Go 0.4 mile - just past a pale blue and white building (Colorgrafx) on your left and pull over across from some black plastic trashbags somebody dumped in the road by an orchard. Look to your right, high up in the tallest sycamore tree. The tree is still bare, so the nest is easy to see. Binoculars recommended, but a scope is super. It's possible that there are two chicks, but we saw only one for sure. Go in the afternoon for the best sun angle. Good birding. ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 20 21:04:33 1998 Joe, Thanks for the info. After reporting the bird, and hearing Mike Mosier's (sp?) hotline sighting of seeing a stork with dark wing upperparts near CCRS, we compared our written field description with the South African Field Guide. The field marks that we noted do not rule out Maribou stork. Therefore, we are changing our i.d. to Stork, spp. (we still stand by our claim that it was not a white pelican!) We hope that our sighting at least helped someone find their pet bird. Joe M., do you know whether Joe Carvallo subscribes to this list server, or have you contacted him regarding our sighting? If not, let us know, so we can give him a call. Joelle & Clyde \ > >I received a message from a Joe Carvallo at 510-498-2896 stating that >he lost a pet Marabou Stork on April 14th and would appreciate >information on any sightings. > >I suspect this is the bird seen recently near Coyote Creek Riparian >Station and earlier reported as a Wood Stork on the BirdBox. >-- >Joseph Morlan SF Bay Area birding, Rarity photos, ID >quizzes. >380 Talbot Ave. #206 http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/ >Pacifica, CA 94044 [[email protected]] > _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 21 08:25:34 1998 While bicycling home from work yesterday, I heard a Pacific Slope Flycatcher on Park Lane in Atherton. I heard the SRI Killdeer again this AM. I suspect that it has a nest in the field of tall grass at the corner of Burgess and Laurel (Menlo Park). Construction of "affordable" ($500K) homes is due to start in this field any day now. There were a few days of activity, and a couple of big paths have been cleared through the grass. I'm not sure whether it's feasible to locate and protect the nest till the clutch fledges. Any ideas how long that might be? ---------------- George Oetzel <[[email protected]]> ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 21 08:48:39 1998 Hi all, In 1998 we are beginning more in-depth studies of the reproduction and survivorship of the terns and gulls which nest in southern San Francisco Bay. These studies will give us new insight into the reasons behind the increases in the breeding populations of California Gulls and the decreases in the south bay breeding populations of Caspian Terns. In order to collect better information than ever before, we are going to need more volunteers to participate on our surveys. We invite you to attend our banding/survey training session on Saturday April 25th beginning at 10 am at the SFBBO office in Alviso. Anyone who is interested in participating in our surveys at the breeding colonies must attend this session. No prior experience is necessary, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn (and get a little dirty). Please contact Tom or Janet at (408) 946 6548 or reply to this message directly (not through the listserv) to confirm a space and receive more information. Good birding, Tom ******************************************** Tom Ryan San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory P.O. Box 247 1290 Hope St. Alviso, CA 95002 (408) 946-6548 (408) 946-9279 fax [[email protected]] "While in my own estimation my chief profession is ignorance, yet I sign my passport applications and my jury evasions as Ornithologist." - William Beebe ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 21 10:00:01 1998 This morning, 4/21/98, Mary and I heard WILD TURKEYS gobbling downhill from us toward the Monte Bello OSP and the Upper Stevens Creek drainage. They sounded like they were about 100 yards away. I heard a BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER and our first yard/spring WARBLING VIREO in the oaks around our house. We had two female selaphorus hummingbird sp. coming to our feeder this morning. I quickly checked Grinnell and Miller's "The Dist. of the Birds of Calif." and Small's "California Birds". Both mention that Allen's Hummingbird movement is mostly completed by March and no nesting records are known over 800 ft. in elevation. Rufous Hummingbird migration peaks in early April, with the females continuing to move through later than males into May. Is it most likely that the female selasphorus at our feeders are Rufous? I found no statement about the elevation of the Allen's spring movement. They certainly shouldn't be nesting nearby (2200 ft.). Does anyone know of their migrational elevation limits? I live on Skyline Blvd. between Page Mill Rd. and Saratoga Gap. Les ========================================== Les Chibana, Mountain View [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 21 10:07:02 1998 Les, In 1994 I had an Allen's Hummingbird nest with eggs (and later young fledged) at 1960 feet along Charcoal Road. David Suddjian has had carrying nest material at 3000 feet elevation. ALHU seem to breed throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains, at least in low density, so I would guess that your female selasphorus may indeed be breeding ALHU since RUHU seem to be somewhat scarcer migrants west of the Santa Clara Valley. See if you can find a nest! Mike Rogers ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 21 12:03:12 1998 I hiked up to the Sycamore grove at Ed Levin before work today. Over 45 mintues I saw a male BLUE GROSBEAK 3 different time. The first time on the grassy slope to the left of the grove and above the trail. It was with what I thought was a female BLUE GROSBEAK. Light brown below, the same size and shape as the male, with a heavy grosbeak bill. I thought I caught a tan wing stripe and a hint of blue. Unfortunately, before I could confirm that the bird flew away downslope with the male. Later a male appeared alone in the trees further up the draw. Finally a male appeared right next to the trail and belted out a gorgeous song a few times before flying over the corner of the hill. This time I noticed that it wasn't uniform blue below, but had rusty feathers mixed in. Also, each time I saw a male the feathers on the crown were ruffled/standing up. During this time I saw a mystery bird twice. The size of a blue grosbeak. Sleek head when looking at it from the front. A sleek profile from this angle. This was brown overall. Lighter below. The throat and breast were lighter than the abdomen. No streaks visible with my 8X binoculars. Grosbeak like bill that appeared dark tan or light brown depending on the angle. Black eye with no visible eye-ring. No other marks of any kind. Once I had a good angle on the wings and saw no wing stripes. The wings appeared the same uniform coloration as the back. When it flew, the tail appeared dark from below. Was this a female BLUE GROSBEAK? It appearead darker than the first presumed "female" GROSBEAK. But it wasn't as dark as a female cowbird and had no streaks and the beak looked wider and lighter. A female LAZULI would be smaller with a smaller bill. On the way down I met Bob Reiling and Frank Vanslager who were going with scopes. Maybe they will report better observations. Also saw two male LAZULI BUNTINGS near the top of the ridge. A single RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW above the draw. Also of note, a single LINCOLN's SPARROW. HOUSE WRENS with nesting material, high-pitched "cheeps" from a young ANNA's. A flock of 6 bickering WESTERN KINGBIRDs. At the parking lot, calling and copulating AM. KESTRELs. A good start for a weekday. Vivek Tiwari [[email protected]] PS: What is the accepted norm about hiking up the draw? I was tempted to climb up to get better looks at the above birds. But decided not too since it looks like sensitive habitat. ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 21 13:47:28 1998 It's amazing how some birds can become acclimated to the presence of people. We have an ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD that is nesting in the courtyard of our building. She originally built a nest in a redwood about 7 or 8 feet above the ground and about 15 feet from the walkway. For some unknown reason she deserted that nest and is now sitting on a nest in a small bush, about 3 feet above the ground, right next to the patio. People are constantly sitting or standing within 10 feet of this nest while she sits on it. On Thursday, 16 Apr, the nest was empty. On Friday it contained 1 egg. Today it has 2 eggs in it. I assume that the second egg was laid either Friday night or Saturday. Let's see how long it takes for hatching. Mike Mammoser ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 21 14:02:33 1998 All, Today Frank Vanslager and I went to the sycamores above Sandy Wool Lake in Ed Levin Park. We got great looks at the ad male Blue Grosbeak however, despite spending a couple of hours in the area, we were unable to find a female BLGR or Lazuli Buntings. We did see a male Bullock's Oriole in the sycamores (2-3 plus a female in the parking lot), a couple of Rufous-crowned Sparrows, House Wrens, a couple of Pacific-slope Flycatchers, Western Kingbirds, a Great- horned Owl, a Northern Harrier and an ad male Black-throated Gray Warbler. We also had a female Brown-headed Cowbird that spent a lot of time in the top of one of the sycamores. As to the question of hillside access, if you look at the hillside on either side of the gully you will find that there are a large number of cow paths. If you walk these trails you will have a minimal adverse effect on the hillside. Frank and I walked up the footpath another 100 yds (to view the grosbeak when it flew up the hill) where there is a cow trail that intersects the footpath. If you walk this trail back toward the sycamores you will come to a fairly flat part of the hill. Walk up the hill to a higher cow trail. Follow this trail until you are above and behind the sycamores with the sun at your back (in the morning). Be careful as the cow trails are rough and it's easy to fall and twist an ankle. I might add that the Anna's Hummingbird abandoned the nest she had in process on my last trip to the sycamores. The broken limb is still in place but the nest has not been completed. Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:46 PM, 4/21/98 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 21 14:15:58 1998 All- An early morning field trip with a field ecology class (Stanford) to Jasper Ridge netted (figuratively) some nice birds: An AMERICAN BITTERN along the sand bars in Searsville Lake, as well as an enthusiastic BEWICKS WREN, the requisite GREAT BLUES and KILLDEER, three RING-NECKED DUCKS and two COOTS. Walking around on the west side we had a few Calif. QUAIL, KESTRELS, and two SPOTTED TOWEES. Down around the SE corner a pair of BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS and another TOWEE with lots to say greeted us. Have a good afternoon! -Lorien ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Lorien Belton [[email protected]] (650)497-3677 Earth Systems ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 21 14:17:55 1998 [[email protected]] wrote: > not sure whether it's feasible to locate and protect the nest till > the clutch fledges. Any ideas how long that might be? Fortunately, it shouldn't take fledging to provide for some degree of safety. Once the eggs hatch, the chicks should be quite mobile, at least enough to protect them from many dangers. The problem is that, being precocial, the incubation period is quite a bit longer than for altricial birds. I don't have any references before me, but this period might be upwards of 4 weeks. Mike Mammoser ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 21 17:06:43 1998 At 9:30am this morning I had a WHITE-THROATED SWIFT checking out holes under the westbound flyover of Guadalupe Pkwy/101 near the airport. I was on the eastbound flyover so there may have been others about as well. Nick ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 21 19:45:11 1998 Barbara and I just took a late afternoon walk at Arastradero, and a CASPIAN TERN flew in over the lake, the first one I've seen there. A beautiful dark-morph RED-TAILED HAWK was eating dinner on a telephone pole along Arastradero Road. -- Tom Grey Stanford CA [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 21 20:32:34 1998 All, In reference to Yatsko observation, I have been seeing both White-throated Swifts and Nor. Rough-winged Swallows entering and exiting underpass holes at Arastradero Rd. and Page Mill Road in PA for the past two and a half weeks. Would be interesting to see cross section of an overpass blueprint to see what is so enticing to these species. Scchowl---Paul L. Noble ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 22 08:28:49 1998 Folks: Yesterday, 4/21/98, during my bicycle commute, I saw a RED-NECKED GREBE at Shoreline Lake in the morning, developing its alt. plumage at the eastern end not far from the boathouse. In the afternoon I saw the imm. male BLACK SCOTER at the western end. It was awake, fortunately, in a group of sleeping scoters. Bill ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 22 10:57:52 1998 >X-Sender: [[email protected]] >Mime-Version: 1.0 >Date: Wed, 22 Apr 1998 10:20:28 -0700 >To: [[email protected]] >From: [[email protected]] (Sandy Cortright) >Subject: bird ID >X-Rcpt-To: [[email protected]] > >Garth, >Craig called me this morning and asked me to ID a bird that the City of >Sunnyvale was wondering about. Since I live near the community center, I >went over immediately to see it. > >Now I'm totally in the dark as to what it is. It's large, about 24" long, >breast is white with some irregular black streaks and spots. The face has >red skin like a muscovy, the head has a dark specled with white crest that >it raises when approached. The rest of the body is dark, mostly black with >a few dark teal secondary feathers. Webbed feet and legs are light tan. >The grounds people say it appeared a couple days ago and just walks >around. It hasn't been swimming yet. I suspect it's a hybrid pet someone >has dumped. I took some pictures of it in case it leaves before anyone >else sees it. The people at the community center were concerned a dog >might get it. I gave them the number of the Wildlife Rescue. > >Pretty exciting, Huh! > >Pass the word and maybe someone can figure out what it is. > >Sandy Cortright > ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 22 16:06:53 1998 Highlights of today's Audubon field trip at Stevens Creek Park included a male Western Tanager, several Bullock's Orioles and Black-headed Grosbeaks, a pair of Western Bluebirds (male feeding female), calling Olive-sided Flycatchers, Western Wood Pewee, Ash-throated Flycatchers, Warbling Vireo, Cassin's Vireo and Hutton's Vireo. Singing warblers included both a male Yellow and an especially handsome male Yellow-rumped (Audubon's), as well as Orange-crowned and Wilson's. (Missing were the Townsend's and Black-throated Grey that Rosalie and I had seen and heard on April 16th.) The eight of us who stayed for lunch were treated to good looks at a Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, found by Rita Colwell, that we had only heard and glimpsed previously. Phyllis ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 22 18:18:12 1998 This is to enlarge on a statement made by Sandy Cortright. I volunteer at Wildlife Rescue and just wanted people to be aware of the boundaries we have. Due to limited resources we only service Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. So the Sunnyvale bird would not have been accepted. Any wild animals south of our boundary are referred to the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley. Birds north of us are referred to Peninsula Humane Society. Santa Clara Humane Society does not take wild animals. If this bird was a pet it needs to go to one of the humane societies as wildlife rehab centers can not take domestic animals. If you are a member of Wildlife Rescue then we will take an animal from you no matter what city it was found in. Also, Wildlife Rescue has no pick up service. Wild animal pick us services are provided by the cities. Palo Alto has a pick up service. Currently Mountain View doesn't. Oh, don't have a clue what that bird was. Ginny Becchine ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 22 18:20:37 1998 Passing on some late info: On Friday, 4/17/98, Harriet Gerson, Gail Cheeseman, June Santoro, Mich Ninokata and Caroline Nabeta comprised this year's Wry Wrentits for the SCVAS Birdathon. Highlight birds: a Hermit Warbler at the Cooley(?) Picnic Area at Stevens Creek Park topped their list of 6 warbler species; Harriet confirmed that they saw a full adult male BLACK SCOTER at Shoreline Lake near the Mtn. View (Casey) Forebay; and recently fledged COMMON MOORHEN chicks in the feeder channel to the Forebay. They had a total of 120 species while birding Stevens Creek Park, PA Baylands and MV Shoreline. Les ========================================== Les Chibana, Mountain View [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 23 08:55:01 1998 Dear Nick, Paul & South Bay Birders, White-throated Swifts frequently nest/roost in holes in overpasses and other man-made structures (including Candlestick Park). Unfortunately almost no information exists about the nest structure and other natural history characteristics of these sites. I imagine it would be difficult to convince Cal-Trans to shut down a road so that we could put a ladder up. I have been informally keeping a log of such locations within California since I started my thesis in 1993. Last year several people sent me information on local sites and I am very interested in such information again this year. If you see a natural or man-made White-throated Swift roosting or nesting site please send me 1) the location 2) the date & time you observed it 3) the number of birds involved 4) a description of what you saw the bird do which convinced you that the site was a nesting/roosting site. If you find such a site, I recommend sticking around until sunset. At larger sites the swifts will enter as a large group near sunset, particularly in the winter months. I have seen as many as 250 swifts enter a 4 foot crack in a cliff in under 2 minutes, sometimes 3-4 abreast. They appear to enter the roost at nearly full speed (although they do slow down quickly in the last couple feet of the approach). They do occasionally miss, bouncing off the entrance. This time of year it is possible to observe courtship falls, especially near a roost near sunset. A courtship fall is when two swifts join together in mid air (actually one grabs the other) and they tumble together, often several hundred feet. They usually part before hitting the ground. From limited observations, the pair consists of a male and a female, although there is debate over whether or not mating occurs during the fall. Tom ******************************************** Tom Ryan San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory P.O. Box 247 1290 Hope St. Alviso, CA 95002 (408) 946-6548 (408) 946-9279 fax [[email protected]] "While in my own estimation my chief profession is ignorance, yet I sign my passport applications and my jury evasions as Ornithologist." - William Beebe ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 23 09:47:21 1998 Mike Rogers has updated the 1998 SANTA CLARA COUNTY YEAR LIST (birds 215-234, as of April 15). Joe Morlan has changed his URL and Home Page Title (see Birding Web Sites on SBBU) http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/ Joe Morlan's California Birding Pages Kendric South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU) http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/ ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 23 10:16:47 1998 > I have been informally keeping a log of such locations within California since > I started my thesis in 1993. Last year several people sent me information on > local sites and I am very interested in such information again this year. If > you see a natural or man-made White-throated Swift roosting or nesting site I knew of several such sites (primarily for N. Rough-Winged Swallows, but also sometimes Swifts) back in the 80's which CalTrans apparenetly sealed up. I wonder if it was specifically to discourage the nesting? > This time of year it is possible to observe courtship falls, especially near a > roost near sunset. A courtship fall is when two swifts join together in mid > air (actually one grabs the other) and they tumble together, often several > hundred feet. They usually part before hitting the ground. From limited > observations, the pair consists of a male and a female, although there is > debate over whether or not mating occurs during the fall. > I observed this same behavior (although only from a height of 50 feet or so) in Violet-Green Swallows one or two springs ago (in Stevens Creek Park); at the time no-one seemed to know if it was courtship (which I presume it is, from the above) or aggressive behavior. Al ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 23 14:12:55 1998 All: On Tuesday (21 April) and Wednesday (22 April), I checked Arzino Ranch for the birds Peter Metropulos had earlier (Solitary Sandpiper, Cattle Egrets), but I found no more than 5 CATTLE EGRETS. Also on Tuesday, I stopped by Lake Cunningham, seeing 21 broods of MALLARD young, 2 broods of CANADA GEESE (plus four CAGO on nests), 2 CLARK'S and 5 WESTERN GREBES, and a female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. Along Silver Creek here I found a GREEN HERON on a nest (probably incubating) and a PIED-BILLED GREBE nest with eggs. The Green Heron nest was 1.5 m above a Bushtit nest with young in the same tree. Doing fieldwork just south of San Jose near Coyote, I had two pairs of WOOD DUCKS and a COMMON MOORHEN. On Wednesday, working again near Coyote, I heard 3 GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS on Tulare Hill and 2 more in hills nearby. Also here were a male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, a VIRGINIA RAIL (giving the "kiddick" call from a marsh with suitable nesting habitat), 2 SORAS (in a marshy field, one giving the whinny call spontaneously), a MARSH WREN (again, in possible breeding habitat), 2 WILD TURKEYS, and 1 RING-NECKED PHEASANT (I don't see many in this part of the Valley). At the Ogier Ponds, I found that the TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD colony active the past few years had dwindled to four pairs (none of which were engaged in nest-building). Marsh birds that are generally uncommon in this part of the county but which breed at these ponds included 4 COMMON MOORHENS and 4 MARSH WRENS. A flock of 29 GREATER SCAUP here was interesting, as I saw no Lesser Scaup here. A GREAT HORNED OWL nest with young had at least two pairs of HOUSE FINCHES hanging around it, one of which was feeding large young in a cavity within the sticks of the owl nest! Other birds seen here included 1 WILLET, 3 WHIMBRELS, and 16 PIED-BILLED GREBES (3 nests). On my way home, I was driving down Hwy. 17 when I saw egrets perched in a tree at the largest of the Los Gatos Creek County Park ponds. I thought that SFBBO had found a Snowy Egret nest here last year (I'm not sure about this), so I investigated more closely. In the small live oak on one of the two islands in this pond, I saw a total of four large stick nests. Two were occupied by apparently-incubating GREEN HERONS; a SNOWY EGRET was in an incubating position on another nest, while the fourth nest had a pair of SNOWIES on top of it positioning sticks. The dense foliage on the tree and the strong wind prevented me from getting good looks at this bird, so I went back early this morning (23 April). Both GRHE were still on their nests (with the mate of one bird still adding sticks to the nest), and the SNOWY EGRET that had been in an incubating position yesterday was still in that position. The other SNOWY EGRET nest was occupied by a bird that alternately stood on the nest positioning sticks and sat on it in an incubating/laying position. There was a fifth stick nest in this tree, but I was not able to determine whether any birds were associated with it or not. Steve Rottenborn ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 23 14:41:17 1998 All, Last week I sent out a description of breeding activity here at McClellan n which I mentioned Western Bluebirds, Oak Titmice, and White-breasted Nuthatches as current users of our nestboxes here. I also mentioned breeding activities on the part of California Towhees and Brewer's Blackbirds. This week's additions to that list include probable Bewick's Wren in another of our nestboxes (haven't seen the birds at the box yet, but the materials suggest it). House Wrens have now built a complete nest in another, chickadee-style box. Other breeders here now include Dark-eyed Juncos (feeding fledglings Monday 4/20), Northern Rough-winged Swallows (landing on the parking lot surface to collect leaves etc. over the past week), Nuttall's Woodpecker (feeding young in a sycamore limb cavity just across the pedestrian bridge from the office all week, pointed out to me by Alan Walther), Anna's Hummingbird (on nest over the creek 4/21), Black Phoebe (on nest or tending young under bridge and on 4H building all week), Bullock's Oriole (2 nests over parking lot built over last weekend), House Finch, on nest yesterday (another Alan Walther find), European Starling, feeding young today, and Brown-headed Cowbirds, which started showing up last week. Last week I forgot to mention the Bushtits that have made several nesting attempts so far, but have been wiped out by Scrub Jays in each instance that I know about. Other birds of potential interest here this week have included two Yellow Warbler males singing loudly at either end of the park all week, Warbling Vireo along the creek in the orchard area, and the first Ash-throated Flycatcher I've seen so far, in the sycamore tops on Tuesday 4/21. A pair of Hooded Orioles has been visiting the feeder since Monday, and I'm hopeful they'll try again despite having raised only cowbirds here last year. We may have lost the Barn Owls that have nested here for years; I have not heard one for a couple of months now. Th remodeling crew which repaired "their" water-tower a few months ago reported several dessicated carcasses in the old water tank, although an adult was still present at that time. Both surviving titmouse clutches number 8 young; one set may fledge today. The bluebird eggs had not yet begun to hatch as of Monday. --Garth Harwood ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 23 16:16:18 1998 Tom: I do not have nesting information for WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS and PURPLE MARTINS for the current year but in the past I have observed WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS and PURPLE MARTINS entering the holes under the I-5 overpass in Sacramento near the Railroad Museum. -- Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, [[email protected]] (home) Sunnyvale, CA, [[email protected]] (work) Please reply to both addresses above for a quicker response. Thanks. WTSwift wrote: > > Dear Nick, Paul & South Bay Birders, > > White-throated Swifts frequently nest/roost in holes in overpasses and other > man-made structures (including Candlestick Park). Unfortunately almost no > information exists about the nest structure and other natural history > characteristics of these sites. I imagine it would be difficult to convince > Cal-Trans to shut down a road so that we could put a ladder up. > > I have been informally keeping a log of such locations within California since > I started my thesis in 1993. Last year several people sent me information on > local sites and I am very interested in such information again this year. If > you see a natural or man-made White-throated Swift roosting or nesting site > please send me > > 1) the location > 2) the date & time you observed it > 3) the number of birds involved > 4) a description of what you saw the bird do which convinced you that the site > was a nesting/roosting site. > > If you find such a site, I recommend sticking around until sunset. At larger > sites the swifts will enter as a large group near sunset, particularly in the > winter months. I have seen as many as 250 swifts enter a 4 foot crack in a > cliff in under 2 minutes, sometimes 3-4 abreast. They appear to enter the > roost at nearly full speed (although they do slow down quickly in the last > couple feet of the approach). They do occasionally miss, bouncing off the > entrance. > > This time of year it is possible to observe courtship falls, especially near a > roost near sunset. A courtship fall is when two swifts join together in mid > air (actually one grabs the other) and they tumble together, often several > hundred feet. They usually part before hitting the ground. From limited > observations, the pair consists of a male and a female, although there is > debate over whether or not mating occurs during the fall. > > Tom > ******************************************** > Tom Ryan > San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory > P.O. Box 247 > 1290 Hope St. > Alviso, CA 95002 > > (408) 946-6548 > (408) 946-9279 fax > [[email protected]] > > "While in my own estimation my chief profession is ignorance, yet I sign my > passport applications and my jury evasions as Ornithologist." > - William Beebe > ========================================================================== > This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list > server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the > message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 23 17:58:51 1998 All, Last evening about 6:30 PM, at the large field in front of the visitor center at Foothills Park, I observed a Great Blue Heron which had evidently captured a full-size adult Pocket Gopher moments before. The gopher was 6-7 inches long and quite chunky, yet, after a vigorous shake or two, the heron tipped back and swallowed it whole in several rapid gulps. It then flew off with a large bulge clearly visible in its throat. Is this why we see herons hanging around in open fields so often? --Garth ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Apr 24 05:38:51 1998 I walked into Arastradero at dusk again yesterday, and was lucky enough to see the display flight of a pair of GREEN HERONS. They circled the lake twice in tandem; the one flying above, presumably the male, had the crown feathers erected and one leg (!) hanging down. On the second circuit, he hovered briefly (and quite awkwardly) and they both dived downward in unison, swooping up just before reaching the ground. -- Tom Grey Stanford CA [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Apr 24 11:07:08 1998 The bluebird is back and this time she has a mate. Thursday about 1:00 PM I saw a male and female Western Bluebird on the Foothill College campus. It was the exact same location as my previous siting. Right in the middle of campus with students walking and hanging out on the four walkways surrounding the area. Ginny ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Apr 24 11:09:43 1998 At 9 AM today, April 24th, there were 8 Black Skimmers circling in the neighborhood of the pickleweed islands in Salt Pond No. 1 as I approached. After they landed I could count just 7 roosting there, along with more than 100 sleeping dowitchers on the mud, 30-40 American Avocets and over a dozen Forster's Terns competing for spots in the pickleweed. Just two Black-neced Stilts. Phyllis ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Apr 24 15:21:07 1998 Hi Birders - Drove up to Ed Levin Park today in search of some migrants, but only got lingering GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS along the creek below HQ. Visited Shoreline Lake and saw the BLACK SCOTER, RED-NECKED GREBE and mostly albino grebe (it was sleeping, but I think EARED). Steve Rovell [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Apr 24 23:07:42 1998 Birders: Today we banded another White-throated Sparrow at CCRS. During my point counts there were many birds going over, mainly American Pipits and Cedar Waxwings and a few Vaux's Swifts, nothing out of the ordinary other than a Prairie Falcon. Seems sort of late to be in the CCRS area to me. In addition I saw a Grey Fox at CCRS, my first one there. Apparently this animal has been around for a few months, but it is definitely a new arrival. Nice to have a native fox around for a change. On another topic I have had a hybird White-crowned x Golden-crowned sparrow in my backyard. Yesterday I was able to trap and band the bird, obtaining in the hand photos and measurements of the bird. This is the third year I have had a hybrid Zonotrichia in my yard, a minimum of two different birds have been involved. Cheers. Al Alvaro Jaramillo Wildlife Biologist Half Moon Bay, Coyote Creek Riparian Station California P.O. Box 1027 Alviso, CA 95002 [[email protected]] Birds of Chile, New World Blackbirds at : http://www.sirius.com/~alvaro ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Apr 25 16:47:37 1998 I got to Sandy Wool Lake as they opened at 8 this a.m., and headed up the trail toward the sycamore grove. The usual suspects were at the grove, a RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW, pair of BULLOCK'S ORIOLES. With no grosbeaks in sight or sound, I started clambering up the draw. When I got above the grove, I got a great view of a NORTHERN HARRIER harrying the resident GREAT HORNED OWL, which she drove from one tree to another. A WARBLING VIREO, 2 LESSER GOLDFINCH, and a RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW were singing by now. It was too steep (for this geezer anyway) so I worked my way over to the next draw southward via a cowpath, and hiked up to the top and back along the ridge, which put me above the higher of the two windsocks. On this slope, I saw a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, which made a few rudimentary gestures toward singing - really just cleared his throat. Then I cut down north of the main draw (the one the sycamores are on) and on the steep slope betweeb the upper and lower windsocks saw a male BLUE GROSBEAK fly across in front of me. He landed on a week stalk right next to an ad female BLUE GROSBEAK - I only had a couple seconds view of the two perched together, but it was good and in full sunlight. They flew away to the north and I could not refind them. So happy but really feeling the clambering in my old knees, I hobbled back down to the trail, and hence back down to the parking lot. Guess what? Right at the trail-head, flying between the wooden fence stakes at the beginning of the trial and the wild radish next to it, with the resdient House Finches and Red-winged Blackbirds, I found two (more?) adult male BLUE GROSBEAKS! They gave excellent and prolonged views. This about 10 am. Bottom line: there is a female and at least two, more likely three, male BLUE GROSBEAKS up there. -- Tom Grey Stanford CA [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Apr 26 20:12:25 1998 All, Birded up Panoche Creek, from the confluence of Silver Creek and upstream three and a half miles. Saw many BANK SWALLOWS flying overhead and looking at holes in the creek banks. Also present were many NORTHERN ROUGH-WING SWALLOWS for comparison. A male BLUE GROSBEAK sang from a tamarisk a quarter mile past confluence. Near here a CASSINS KINGBIRD squabbled with a mockingbird. WESTERN KINGBIRDS also present in surrounding area.Two miles up Panoche Creek a male COSTAS HUMMINGBIRD displayed. Another COSTAS was seen another mile and a half further. Also seen was a large CLIFF SWALLOW colony nesting on a natural cliff face here. Other birds seen include Ash-Throated Flycatcher, Cal. Quail (pairs nesting), Loggerhead Shrikes, White-Tailed Kites and lots of Ravens. Paul L. Noble ----- Scchowl. ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Apr 26 21:18:57 1998 All: My pathetically bad birding attempts continue unabated. On Friday, I paid a quick visit to the Sycamore draw in Ed Levin. Despite bringing my baby daughter along (the Steve Rottenborn trick), only migrants were a few sparrows and the usual Lazuli Bunting and Rufous-crowned Sparrows. On Saturday, I spent just over an hour birding the riparian area at Casa de Fruta in the SE of the county, hoping to find some good migrants. I has very little except for 3 Warbling Vireos and an Orange-crowned Warbler. I checked the slop pond at the dairy by San Felipe Lake on the way back, but no sign of any Solitary Sandpipers. No Yellow-headed Blackbirds. 3 Western Kingbirds and 30+ Tri-colored Blackbirds were the highlights. On Sunday, I spent about three hours birding the riparian areas at Sunol Regional Wilderness in AL county. I saw no migrants of any real interest here either. I heard several Pygmy Owl like hoots and quickly found several small birds mobbing something in a tree. Eventually I saw a two of the small birds chasing after a slightly larger bird flying away with mildly undulating flight. However, I never got a chance to see it with binoculars. Later I saw a Rufous-crowned Sparrow and a Lazuli Bunting. I also saw two new butterflies for life list. Nick Lethaby Director of Business Development Elanix, Inc. Tel: 408 941 0223 Fax: 408 941 0984 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 27 10:41:51 1998 Hi Everyone-- My e-mail address is now [[email protected]] message is mostly for the list bureaucrat, but I know some of you send me e-mail directly, so I decided to post it. Mark ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 27 11:22:19 1998 In a message dated 4/23/98 6:02:47 PM, [[email protected]] wrote: <> Dear Garth & South-bay-birders, Great Blue Herons feed on a wide variety of prey items. In one study conducted in Idaho, voles made up 24% to 40% of the diet fed to nestlings (Collazo 1979). I witnessed a pocket gopher being taken by a Great Blue Heron at Newport Back Bay in 1996. I don't know of any studies of the foraging ecology of the birds the in SF Bay area, but I imagine that mammals make up a substantial portion of the diets of some of our local birds. Tom ******************************************** Tom Ryan San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory P.O. Box 247 1290 Hope St. Alviso, CA 95002 (408) 946-6548 (408) 946-9279 fax [[email protected]] "While in my own estimation my chief profession is ignorance, yet I sign my passport applications and my jury evasions as Ornithologist." - William Beebe ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 27 13:35:16 1998 All: Friday (24 April) at Stevens Creek County Park, I had at least 10 VAUX'S SWIFTS (including two pairs in courtship flight) and a male WESTERN TANAGER. Yesterday (26 April), Rebecca and I went to Stevens Creek County Park to spend an hour or so with Heather and the rest of her birdathon team. We arrived before the others and had a singing MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER in dense vegetation below the upper picnic area. Unfortunately, this bird only sang four times or so, and I was never able to get a look at it. Ten or so AUDUBON'S WARBLERS, 2 GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS, and a HERMIT THRUSH were the most prominent lingering birds. Also here were 3 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS, 6+ CASSIN'S VIREOS, 8 PURPLE FINCHES (one carrying nesting material), 5 WESTERN WOOD-PEWEES, 3 OLIVE-SIDED FLYATCHERS, 3 WESTERN TANAGERS, and a pair of YELLOW WARBLERS (the female on a nest in a live oak near the creek). Today (27 April), I took a quick look around the Arzino Ranch area without seeing anything more unusual than a single CATTLE EGRET. Doing some surveys just south of San Jose produced 2 BLACK-NECKED STILTS on nests in a flooded field (this is a new breeding area for this species), a WILD TURKEY, 2 adult GOLDEN EAGLES, a CHIPPING SPARROW, and good numbers of ROCK WRENS and RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS. Later in the evening I stopped by the Ogier Ponds. The highlight here was a RED-NECKED GREBE in one of the ponds that I did not check last Wednesday; this bird was still acquiring alternate plumage. Other birds here included 7 singing MARSH WRENS, a female COMMON MERGANSER, 1 SPOTTED and 28 LEAST SANDPIPERS, 1 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 2 female BUFFLEHEADS, and at least 15 pairs of TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS. Steve Rottenborn ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 27 14:02:04 1998 I hiked in by the main trail, upthe INdian creek trail to thetop, and then back out to Page Mill via Montebello Rd on Sunday morning. Pretty paltry results - lots of WARBLING VIREOS and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, 2 ASH-THR0OATED FLYCATCHERS, 1 singing BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, a couple flyover BAND=TAILED PIGEONS. No Lazuli, no Chipper, no Black-throated Gray - I haven't seen any of these yet this year. But the flowers were terrific - definitely worth the huffing and puffing. -- Tom Grey Stanford CA [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 27 14:08:47 1998 All, This morning, 4/27/1998, a singing male LAZULI BUNTING was at the back part of the big field here at McClellan Park. He was singing from coyote bushes and from the lower limbs of an isolated tree-of-heaven there, and intermittently foraging with some HOUSE FINCHES in the tall mustards there. Other birds observed during this morning's nestbox survey included singing WARBLING VIREOS and YELLOW WARBLERS among many more ordinary park denizens. At least 5 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES fledged over the weekend and are being tended by their parents at the top of the big black walnut tree adjacent to their box today. Eight OAK TITMICE fledged from another box sometime in the past five days. At least 4 BULLOCK'S ORIOLE nests have been constructed in the parking lot area; between those birds and the HOODED ORIOLE pair that hangs out here, there is a constant commotion in progress these days. Both types of crowned sparrows have almost all left over the course of the past 10 days. The Yellow-rumped Warblers all seem to have moved on, too. --Garth Harwood ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 27 14:58:20 1998 I have a BALD EAGLE story I'd like to share with you. I was about 2 hours north of Victoria on Vancouver Island this weekend. Saw 2 BALD EAGLE's who had grabbed talons in the air and while twisting in a downward spiral hit a phone pole and plummeted to the ground. Talons still together, and both dead. Sad ending for such magnificent birds. I highly recommend the freighter I took for a 10-hour ride down a fjord from mid-island to the west coast, through the Broken Islands, and back. Lots of BALD EAGLES en route. Only saw one OLDSQUAW but it was gorgeous. gloria le blanc http://www.lgsia.com and http://www.wallstreetgifts.com ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 27 15:37:13 1998 Hello all: I started Sunday, 4/26, at Stevens Creek Co. Park, which was wonderfully noisy. I found 2 CASSIN'S VIREO nests, one at the Canyon Picnic area, the other at the Madrone Picnic area and probably some 6 other individuals elsewhere. There were 6 singing BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS, and some 10 or so singing YELLOW WARBLERS. There were 2 WESTERN PEWEES, which I was told arrived last Wednesday (4/22). And I saw 4 or so WESTERN TANAGERS, with one male singing. In the afternoon (4:30 pm), I went to Ed Levin park, where a male LAZULI BUNTING and the pair of BLUE GROSBEAKS were flying around between the lower and upper sycamore groves. I saw a group of 3 RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS, which suggested to me that the young had fledged. Steve Miller ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 27 15:39:36 1998 All, On Friday 4/24/98 I made a mid-day check of the Arzino Ranch, hoping for some of the recent rarities reported from there. Ended up having to be satisfied with 2 LESSER YELLOWLEGS and 3 CATTLE EGRETS. Numerous SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, WESTERN SANDPIPERS, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS, and a few DUNLIN were also present. On Saturday morning 4/25/98 I birded Grant Ranch County Park with Alma Kali. We started off at Smith's Creek Ranger Station, but a cold wind made things very quiet up in the oaks. Had a single singing WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, a female SELASPHORUS HUMMINGBIRD heading north and numerous BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS but no migrant warblers at all. Things picked up down by the creek, with 5 WILSON'S WARBLERS, a singing male BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, and a singing PURPLE FINCH. We had brief but good looks at a HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER where the creek crosses the trail and a single PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER on the way back. Lingering winter birds included a single HERMIT THRUSH and 8 CEDAR WAXWINGS. No Chipping Sparrows at the ridge west of Smith's Creek yet, but 4 lingering SAVANNAH SPARROWS were along the road. Next we headed to Grant Lake, where we were greeted by at least 4 VAUX'S SWIFTS and 1+ WHITE-THROATED SWIFT with the swallow flock and a CASPIAN TERN. Seven female-plumaged BUFFLEHEAD were still on the lake. No Tricolored Blackbirds anywhere. We headed along the east side of the lake and dropped down to the eucalyptus grove and Canal Trail. A female OSPREY heading north was a surprise, but several raptors seemed to be heading north along this corridor (we had 2 COOPER'S and 1 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK here as well, all immatures). We stopped to enjoy the GREAT HORNED OWL nest reported previously by others - quite a birdy area. I heard a HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER calling and a little pishing brought it right in along with another HERMIT THRUSH, an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, a WILSON'S WARBLER, and a WARBLING VIREO. Also along the Canal Trail were 2 ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS, 4 PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS, and 4 AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. After this we tried the Washburn Trail, heading by the barn down to Aguague Creek. No Grasshopper Sparrows were in yet, but we had a singing NASHVILLE WARBLER opposite the rock outcrop along with another singing PURPLE FINCH and a male SELASPHORUS HUMMINGBIRD SP. Down at the creek we were treated to an adult GOLDEN EAGLE carrying a ground squirrel to the north. A few minutes later it, or another bird, soared back with empty talons. I headed uphill a little ways to check a spot that had a MacGillivray's Warbler several years ago only to be called back by Alma who said she had pished one in down below. Sure enough an adult male MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER was providing a great show in a buckeye just off the path - unusually cooperative for this species! Also had a HUTTON'S VIREO, 2 WILSON'S WARBLERS, and two PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS along the creek here. Other totals for the morning included 3 CASSIN'S VIREOS, 9 WARBLING VIREOS, and 17 Zonotrichia, all identified being GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS. A real surprise on the trip home was seeing a COMMON RAVEN bringing a stick to nest on the back side of one of the Lockheed dishes near the intersection of Highway 237 and 101. Another new block for breeding by this species! On Sunday morning 4/26/98 I tackled the southern Diablo Range, hiking into Henry Coe State Park from the newly opened Hunting Hollow entrance off of Gilroy Hot Springs Road ($3 parking fee). The most interesting birds came within the first 15 minutes right near the car. As I was setting my altimeter I hear a "pinck" note that my brain immediately registered as a NORTHERN CARDINAL. This was immediately overruled by logic, so I was amazed to pick up on an all red, long-tailed bird the size of a Cardinal flying along the creek towards its confluence with Coyote Creek! The bird dropped into the vegetation west of the car bridge and I hustled over to find it. Heading into one of the thickets there, I encountered a flock of about a dozen Zonotrichia. I found one that looked initially like a White-crowned Sparrow, which was of interest since I had seen none the day before. However, on closer inspection the lores were yellow!. I thought briefly about White-throated Sparrow, but the forecrown was also yellow, the crown stripes were black, and there was no white throat. Indeed this bird seemed very much like Al's description of his GOLDEN-CROWNED x WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW! All the rest of the flock were GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS. Despite searching the area for another half hour I could not refind the NORTHERN CARDINAL, but I didn't make it out onto the islands in Coyote Creek. The habitat here is wide-open rock-strewn creek bottom, with lots of brush growing in it. On the nearby banks are widely spaced sycamores surrounded by dense tall poison-oak thickets. This may be similar to habitat in Alameda County where Dennis Rochet reported a Northern Cardinal along Arroyo Mocho in Livermore on 12/26/97. Is someone releasing these birds up here? I headed off along the creek in Hunting Hollow, finding lots of VIREOS and PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS, but no migrants so I began the 1800 ft climb up to Wilson Peak. This took me up through some oaks along a ridge, but the only migrants were 4 singing WESTERN TANAGERS (some breeders?) and a flyover YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. Also had 3 singing CHIPPING SPARROWS (3 more later in the day), a pair of LAZULI BUNTINGS (male singing) and a pair of LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES. Most interesting, though, was a pair of PURPLE FINCHES nest-building in a moss-covered mistletoe clump in an oak, the first actual nest I've found in the Diablo Range. Rising out into the grassland I had a WHITE-TAILED KITE, a WHITE-THROATED SWIFT, and a pair of adult GOLDEN EAGLES soaring over the chaparral field to the south. Three VAUX'S SWIFTS winged their way northward. Got nice looks at a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE (3 others heard on the day) and had another singing LAZULI BUNTING. Approaching the Wilson Ranch area of the ridge the HORNED LARKS began. I had 37+ along the ridge in three different atlas blocks up there. Finally, nearing 2000 feet elevation I hit the only warbler flock of the day. I heard at least 5 or 6 singing males, mostly of the weaker Townsend's/Hermit-like quality but I thought I heard a Black-throated Gray Warbler and a Yellow-rumped Warbler once. The oaks had leafed out pretty well by now and finding these birds was difficult. I ended up getting good looks at 2 male HERMIT WARBLERS in a territorial chase and at least 2 singing male TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS. Other birds in the flock included a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (one of three on the day), a female WESTERN TANAGER, and a silent male LAZULI BUNTING. Also HUTTON'S and WARBLING VIREOS and a pair of BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS building a nest, being way too vocal about it as usual. Up at the ridge the HORNED LARK density peaked. Another pair of adult GOLDEN EAGLES and a WHITE-TAILED KITE off to the east may have been the same birds but in a different atlas block. After heading north past Wilson Peak I headed down a smaller trail towards the bridge at the end of Gilroy Hot Springs Road. Two pairs of secretive BAND-TAILED PIGEONS were interesting, but things were definitely slowing down in the heat of the day. After coming out at the bridge I walked the road back to Hunting Hollow, finding only 2 SONG SPARROWS and not being able to confirm breeding. The walk back was quiet and hot. Another 25 minutes of searching again failed to relocate the Cardinal, although a pair of NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS was now present, along with the only WILSON'S WARBLER of the day: a bird still singing near the parking lot. A pair of ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS was also here, bringing the day's total to 5 birds. Being in the south county I headed over to Bettencourt Dairy, which had many TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS but no Yellow-headeds. San Felipe Lake, however, had some good birds, including a single BLACK TERN and at least 5 active DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT nests among the 6+ GREAT BLUE HERON nests (at least 3 of the GBHE nests had small young). Five AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS remain on the lake and both CASPIAN and FORSTER'S TERNS were about as well, along with many CALIFORNIA GULLS. Three SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS were of interest, as were 2 lingering AMERICAN WIGEON. Heading back up highway 101 I stopped by the goose farm at East Middle Road. Only 1 ROSS'S GOOSE remains and the owner said the rest took off "about 4 days ago". He said this bird appeared to be a weaker flyer and did not stick with the other birds during the winter. Maybe that's why Mike Mammoser and I had only 8 birds on our visits, whereas Steve Rottenborn had 9. This bird may have been a loner. There were still 16 SNOW GEESE present, down from my 18 of 1/19/98 and Steve's 17 of 2/8/98 (of which 5 were free-flying). So some SNOW GEESE there may have been wild this winter, but it's less convincing than that skittish flock of ROSS'S. (Prior to this winter only 14 SNOW GEESE were present, so it may be that some will still leave.) The BURROWING OWL was still present at its nest hole off of Cochrane Blvd as noted by others. An evening stroll around Shoreline Lake turned up 50 SURF SCOTERS, 2 HORNED GREBES (including the leucistic bird), 1 female BUFFLEHEAD, and the resident injured GREATER SCAUP. Seven BLACK SKIMMERS were on the island in the southeast corner of Salt Pond A1 and the COMMON RAVEN nest was again active on the transmission tower at the northeast corner of this pond. Today 4/27/98, while biking around the Moffett Golf Course, I heard a singing WILSON'S WARBLER and a calling YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (was today a better day for migrants?). The GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE is still present there as well. Mike Rogers ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 27 20:19:53 1998 I think with that black and white wing pattern, it was actually a Muscovy. Luke Luke Cole San Francisco, CA [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Apr 27 21:00:36 1998 South Bay birders -- My apologies that my private message to Joelle and Clyde got posted to the list -- I didnt notice, and delete, the cc to south bay birds. The reference to the Muscovy was an inside joke, as I ran into Clyde and Joelle in South Texas a few days ago and we all had Muscovy together, flying down the Rio Grande from Falcon Dam. Sorry to take up your band width. Luke Luke Cole San Francisco, CA [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 28 06:53:24 1998 In Stanislaus County we have not had any verified records of Allen's Hummingbird in at least the last 15 years, maybe more. San Antonio Valley is just a hop, skip and a jump from Stanislaus County. P.S. Grasshopper Sparrows have been calling from mile 1 in Del Puerto Canyon. ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 28 10:44:01 1998 REPLY RE: STSK Bill, While looking for the Black Scoter two weeks ago, I saw an adult skunk ambling along just beyond the wooden fence on the south side of Shoreline Lake. Les BOUSMAN wrote: >Folks: > >I counted two dead STRIPED SKUNKS along the bike path beside the >Mountain View Forebay this moring, 4/28/98. Both appeared to be 1-2 weeks >old, well-furred, but likely still blind. I've not seen skunks this close to >the bay before but they are probably regular. I suspect that there is good >hunting along the bay for bird's eggs, but I don't have a clue who the hunter >was this time. I can understand why he abandoned his dinner. > >Bill ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 28 11:03:03 1998 Folks: I counted two dead STRIPED SKUNKS along the bike path beside the Mountain View Forebay this moring, 4/28/98. Both appeared to be 1-2 weeks old, well-furred, but likely still blind. I've not seen skunks this close to the bay before but they are probably regular. I suspect that there is good hunting along the bay for bird's eggs, but I don't have a clue who the hunter was this time. I can understand why he abandoned his dinner. Bill ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 28 11:23:07 1998 Everyone has been finding all kind of birds at Stevens Creek Park so I checked it out early this morning and my goodness, yes indeedy. At Villa Maria, a WESTERN TANAGER, a PURPLE FINCH, a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, and an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. On the way in and along the creek below the dam, 2 CASSIN'S VIREO, and several each of WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, and WILSON'S WARBLER; also a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. At Camp Costanoan and Canyon Picnic Area across the road, another WESTERN TANAGER, 2-3 singing YELLOW WARBLERS, another CASSIN'S VIREO, and a PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER. Nesting, Chickadees, Titmice, and a Warbling Vireo. -- Tom Grey Stanford CA [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 28 11:46:38 1998 I spent 2 1/2 days at the Salton Sea and Morongo, and if anyone is going there soon and wants some inside info, give me a call. Highlights of our trip included: THREE male Summer Tanagers in the same tree; FIVE doves including Inca; TEN flycatchers including Gray, Dusky and Brown-crested; ELEVEN warblers including Hooded; singing Brewer's and Black-throated sparrows together, plus other non-de script birds such as Vermilion Flycatcher, Scott's Oriole, Blue Grosbeak and Gila Woodpecker. The award for best aerial performance went to a crow, being pursued by a blackbird, doing barrel rolls ala the Blue Angels. Added bonus: the wild flowers were to die for. (Almost) worth the trip alone. Jack Cole _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 28 12:10:02 1998 All, I took my class on a fieldtrip up and over Mt. Hamilton, ending in San Antonio Valley on Saturday, 4/25. Some of the birds were probably the same as those reported by Mike Rogers for Saturday from Grant Ranch to Smith Creek. 4 VAUX'S SWIFTS highlighted our stop at Grant Lake. TREE and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS also carved the air above us. We had one male AMERICAN GOLDFINCH with several LESSER GOLDFINCHES. 3 FORSTER'S TERNS replaced the Caspian that we saw here a week ago. While failing to find any Rufous-crowned Sparrows at milepost 13.59 above Hall's Valley, I heard the call of a bunting and caught up with a male LAZULI BUNTING flying uphill. A CALIFORNIA THRASHER popped up briefly. As we watched it above us, a female was detected, too. One WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE calling from the Smith Creek riparian habitat. WESTERN KINGBIRDS and BULLOCK'S ORIOLES brightened the climb further up toward the summit just below the Brickyard. A pair of LARK SPARROWS also passed through as we watched the obliging kingbirds. A stop at Lick Observatory found us in the middle of a large group of cyclists on a 130 mi. ride over Mt. Hamilton to I-5 and back to Sunnyvale via Livermore. Hazel Gibson, in our group, had arranged with Lotus Baker for a short tour of the 36- and 40-inch telescopes. The birding was sparse at the top. We looked for but could not find any Chipping Sparrows. Ed and Janice Rooks, whom we encountered later in the day, said that they saw a few at the Observatory. Just over the east side of the summit, a selasphorus hummingbird buzzed past us. (Is it too uncertain to call these birds Rufous by range, over 20 miles from the coast?) Isabel Creek had gorgeous wildflowers for us as well as another calling WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, and a GREATER YELLOWLEGS(!). Are yellowlegs expected here at all? Arroyo Bayo was also dressed out in wildflowers but we didn't see lots of birds, save for several trios of COMMON RAVENS playing around overhead. San Antonio Valley was absolutely stunning! Goldfields glowed in the bright green grasslands. Ed and Janice Rooks scared up a GREEN HERON at a small pond just south of the Bill Gherli Bridge. While trying to locate this bird, we found 2 LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS flycatching on the west side of the road. The Golden Gate Audubon field trip showed up and there was suddenly a huge crowd of birders here! More VAUX'S SWIFTS were seen in this area. We stopped at the Junction and watched a female WESTERN BLUEBIRD bringing nesting material and food to nest hole. A EUROPEAN STARLING also used this tree over the picnic tables. All hummingbirds coming to the feeders (about 5-8 of them) were ANNA'S. A stop at the firestation and the cattle guard produced no new birds. We had one possible Sage Sparrow at the cattle guard, but there was not much activity at mid-afternoon. We didn't stop at Ruthie's to look for the possible chats, but the willows appeared to be less dense than last year. While driving out on Mines Rd., Hazel Gibson, riding in my car, and Bob Juhl, in a car behind us, saw a soaring adult GOLDEN EAGLE drop a prey item to an immature GOEA flying just below it. The younger bird caught it and disappeared. When we got out of our cars, we only saw two adult eagles. On Sunday, 4/26, I finally found the singing male BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER (BTYW) that's been singing all around our house. Also located a female BTYW. A male Selasphorus (probably ALLEN'S) HUMMINGBIRD is also present at our feeder. This morning, 4/28, there were two female and the male Selasphorus hummers taking turns with a male and female ANNA'S. I had a three warbler morning today, as the WILSON'S WARBLERS (2-3 of them) have made it to our yard. The BTYW and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were also singing. We currently have 3-4 BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS visiting. Only one BAND-TAILED PIGEON has discovered the seed in our yard. A small flock of less than a dozen is often flying about. We're getting acquainted with our local rodents, having identified Trowbridge's Shrew, California Meadow Vole, and, we think, Pinyon Mouse. We couldn't ID a dead rat that we found during the rains in Feb. The COMMON RAVENS at the nest on the pylon near the Mtn. View Forebay have been actively feeding nestlings for a week or more. Driving in to work this morning, I heard, more clearly, an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER along Moody Rd. near the junction with Page Mill Rd., which is just above the main entrance to Foothills Park. I thought I heard it a week ago but didn't get enough of the call to be sure about it. Les ========================================== Les Chibana, Mountain View [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 28 13:20:32 1998 Folks: Many thanks to Les for his forthright comments on Selasphorus identification problems of both males and females when the birds are in the hand. The CCRS data base includes records of there female Rufous Hummingbirds with fully-developed brood patches! Either the Rufous is nesting closer than we think or some female Allen's don't make the "cut" and are recorded as Rufous. There are some comments in the literature that suggest that people familiar with the differences in the retrices of female Selasphorus can, under good field conditions, distinguish the two species. The rest of us mortals probably need to become more accustomed to reporting Selasphorus spp. Bill ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 28 14:25:53 1998 All, I got a phone message from Steve Rottenborn at about 11:00 am today, saying that he found an adult LITTLE GULL over New Chicago Marsh near the Environmental Education Center in Alviso. When I heard the message at 12:30, I rushed right out there and refound the bird. It was flycatching over the marsh with BONAPARTE'S GULLS right along the entrance road. I watched it for about 10 minutes, starting at about 1:00 pm. Mike Mammoser ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 28 15:59:53 1998 I give up, what wll-known vireo got renamed Cassin's? Was it formerly Warbling, Hutton's, or Solitary, and why the change? Dick -- Richard C. Carlson Palo Alto, California [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 28 18:24:41 1998 Mike Wald and I headed to Alviso in midafternoon on Mike Mammoser's and Steve Rottenborn's report. There were no Boneys overthe marsh, but a good number were roosting on the bar in the pond (A16?) beyond the EEC. We scoped through them but couldn't find a Little. We walked around to the far side, as most of them were at that end, and Boneys were flying back and forth between the bar and the inaccessible salt pond (A18?) to the east. While we were waiting there, a BLACK TERN flew in to the bar and gave us excellent views. Then around 5 pm, the LITTLE GULL, which apparently had been concealed on the bar, flew eastward - we got on it after it had passed over us, but we both got a good though brief view of the dark gray underwings, before it dropped down beyond the reeds on the western edge of A18. Adam Winer, Bob Reiling and another birder came up while we were there, and they stayed on hoping for further and better views. -- Tom Grey Stanford CA [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Apr 28 19:36:28 1998 All, I just missed the Little Gull :-( as it flew from the eastern most tern island on Pond A16 (just north of the New Chicago Marsh which is itself near the intersection of Spreckels and Grand in Alviso) to Pond A18 (apparently to spend the night). The adult Black Tern was still on the island when I left at about 6:30 PM. At one point two alternate plumage Ruddy Turnstones landed on the island for a short break and then left 10-15 minutes later. See you there in the morning! Take care, Bob Reiling, 7:29 PM, 4/28/98 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 29 09:58:44 1998 All, This morning 4/29/98 I was able to pick out the LITTLE GULL swimming in Salt Pond A18 northeast of the EEC in Alviso; the bird was then enjoyed by the 8 birders present. Although distant, the bird's small size and shorter wings were quite noticeable in comparison to the many nearby BONAPARTE'S GULLS. On the way back out the entrance road I rechecked the willows at the corner, where I had heard an EMPIDONAX FLYCATCHER that was making a "whit" call (probably either Dusky or Willow) on the way in (a quick check failed to locate the bird then). No luck refinding this bird, but did get a NASHVILLE WARBLER for the effort. Also, the adult GOLDEN EAGLE was on the tower here the whole time. Mike Rogers ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 29 11:20:01 1998 This morning, 4/29/98, I heard the 1st Pacific-slope Flycatcher for our yard next to Skyline Blvd. at the western edge of Santa Clara County, elev. 2200 ft. I also heard a woodpecker-like "kek-kek-kek-kek" call and my wishful thinking had me believing it was a Pileated Woodpecker. Northern Flickers are common around the house (at least I hear them a lot doing their "wik-wik-wik-wik" calls, too much foliage to see all of them). This sounded more robust, as from a larger bodied bird. But I think I'd better wait for a visual confirmation. The call came from the direction of Table Mt. but it sounded as if the bird was within a 100 yards. These days, the dawn chorus is amazing! Les ========================================== Les Chibana, Mountain View [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 29 11:26:13 1998 All, The Little Gull was still actively feeding in Salt Pond A18 when Frank Vanslager and I left at 10:10 AM. It would seem that this would be the place to "re-find" the bird in the future (or A16). A scope is a must! 22x are enough power. A 50x (and 100x) scope gave somewhat better looks but was also more effected by the early morning heat waves. This is an obviously smaller black headed gull apparently sitting lower in the water (because of it's smaller size) with a clipped tail look (when compared to the Bonaparte's tail). The bird was normally not far from three poles sitting in the water when looking roughly perpendicular to the dike (northeast). Good luck, Bob Reiling, 11:20 AM, 4/29/98 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 29 12:52:36 1998 Hi South Bay Birders, We had a Wednesday morning trip scheduled to Grant Ranch in hopes of getting Vaux's Swift and Hammond Flycatcher - two lifers for us - when the Little Gull ruined our plans. Life's tough. So we switched, of course, and got far-away 45X scope looks at the gull. It was about 15% smaller than the Bonapartes all around it, had no black on the folded wings near its tail as the Bonapartes did, and in fact there was no "point" behind the tail - the long point being an indicator of long wings, and thus Bonapartes. This (plus half-a-dozen experienced birder IDs) gave us a new lifer. Made my day. When will I get tired of pointing out the obvious, that this has to be what the internet is all about - immediate dissemination of information immediately useful? After leaving the EEC, we stopped by the Red-shouldered Hawk nest off of Silicon Valley Blvd, by Coyote Creek. The female adult was away, but we could clearly see three fuzzy gray heads poking above the nest. It was likely the oldest that even climbed up on the edge of the nest and gave a few wing flaps. Great. If you didn't get the directions from our earlier email and want them, let me know. By the way, I have two new photos on our web site, but both are out-of-state if that matters. The web site is http://home.earthlink.net/~blutman. Find the BIRD PHOTOS section and click on (Colorado, April 98) WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGANS and (Carson Valley, March 98) ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK for the show. Thanks again, for the quick postings of the Little Gull. Bob & Sharon Lutman ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 29 13:53:27 1998 All: Yesterday (28 Apr.), returning from some surveys in Alameda Co., I stopped by the EEC, hoping for a Black Tern among the 125 or so BONAPARTE'S GULLS hawking insects over New Chicago Marsh. I first spotted the LITTLE GULL foraging over the marsh near the EEC, and I was able to show it to another birder there (Mike Van Brunt?) before returning to the office. Scott Terrill later relocated the bird, and we both watched it for a while. Incidentally, Scott got a very brief, binocular-less view of a probable adult-type Little Gull from his office window late last week, quite possibly this bird. I don't have time to post my description of the bird now, but I do want to say that the bird may be a second-summer bird rather than an adult as I first reported. The underwing coverts are paler than they should be on an adult, although the primaries have no dark gray or black at all, as should be present on most second-summer birds. Given that the flight feathers and upperwing coverts show no signs of immaturity and the head is completely black, I do wonder whether it is possible that the bird is an adult with unusually (?) pale underwing coverts. Nevertheless, according to Grant's gull book, this bird would be a second-summer bird. Other interesting birds at the EEC yesterday included the adult GOLDEN EAGLE _calling_ repeatedly when Red-tailed Hawks and Turkey Vultures were present nearby, a Mourning Dove with quite a bit of white feathering on the upperwing coverts (be forewarned), and a first-summer THAYER'S GULL. Today (29 April), I watched the LITTLE GULL in ponds A-16 and A-18 with several other birders. While at the east end of A-16 with Mike Rogers and others, I saw a first-year Little/Bonaparte's-type gull fly in to the island, where it roosted for a minute or two before flying to A-18. This bird had completely black outer webs of the outer 4-5 primaries (making the outer primaries as a whole appear quite dark) and a very broad, dark brown bar on the upper secondary coverts. In these respects, it looked very much like a Little Gull. However, the outer secondary coverts and greater primary coverts did not look as dark as I would expect on a Little Gull, interrupting the dark "W" on the upperwings. When standing, the dark upper-secondary coverts were quite conspicuous and extensive, but the bird did not appear noticeably smaller or smaller-billed than some of the BOGU present. I honestly don't know what the bird was, and unfortunately I failed to notice the secondaries (to see whether they were pale like a Little or black-tipped as on a BOGU). However, I subsequently looked at a lot of first-year BOGU without seeing any with a primary pattern or broad upper-secondary bar like this bird had. I'm certainly not prepared to call it a Little Gull due to the unusually pale greater primary coverts and its apparently large size, but I wonder... Steve Rottenborn ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 29 13:56:13 1998 All, I headed back out to the EEC at lunch today, hoping for better looks at the Little Gull. Shortly after I arrived Mary Havmun spotted the LITTLE GULL flying from A18 slowly over the dike we were on to A16, where it landed on the first island. It sat briefly up on top, but then dropped behind a dirt clod so that it was partly concealed. Here it preened for almost 15 minutes before flying up to the top again and then almost immediately dropping down behind the island completely out of sight. Al Jaramillo later refound it and watched it fly back to A18. Al also pointed out the BLACK TERN he had found on the way in as he was leaving - a nice alternate-plumaged bird. Got two distant photos of the BLTE. Also had a male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD zoom over the dike to A16. Mike Rogers ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 29 14:20:17 1998 All,. We got some really great views of this bird this morning between 11:30 and 12:00 noon. One sharp-eyed birding picked it up flying parallel to the dike to the northeast, heading from left to right. It then disappeared for awhile below the level of the dike. It reappeared about 10 minutes later, going from right to left, parallel to the dike. It then turned toward us and headed toward A16 pond, giving us a great, "hey, look at me " view before it landed on the little island closest to the EEC. Lou Beaudet ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 29 14:20:17 1998 All,. We got some really great views of this bird this morning between 11:30 and 12:00 noon. One sharp-eyed birding picked it up flying parallel to the dike to the northeast, heading from left to right. It then disappeared for awhile below the level of the dike. It reappeared about 10 minutes later, going from right to left, parallel to the dike. It then turned toward us and headed toward A16 pond, giving us a great, "hey, look at me " view before it landed on the little island closest to the EEC. Lou Beaudet ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 29 14:26:44 1998 On Saturday, 25 Apr 98, I did some scouting for a Big Day that was planned for Sunday. I started at Stevens Creek Park, where I birded the Camp Costanoan area. This place was really jumpin, with OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, WESTERN TANAGER, YELLOW WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, TOWNSEND'S WARBLER, PURPLE FINCH, among others. Further up Stevens Canyon Road, I couldn't find any Dippers, but I did have a singing WINTER WREN where Redwood Gulch Rd intersects. Back at the lower parking lot, I observed about 6 VAUX'S SWIFTS overhead with the swallows. I then headed for the Baylands, but the only bird of interst here was the male WOOD DUCK on the duck pond. Coming down the frontage road, I stopped at the flood control basin, where I found a male BLUE-WINGED TEAL in the North Pond, right near the parking lot. At Shoreline Lake I found the immature BLACK SCOTER in with SURFS near the west end dock. Also here was the partial albino HORNED GREBE. A COMMON MOORHEN with 3 precocial young was in the forebay. I was able to scope out 3 BLACK SKIMMERS on the island in the corner of salt pond A1. As I checked out Charleston Slough, an OSPREY soared overhead at the lake. There were a couple of Birdathon teams in the neighborhood, and I gave them all the help I could. :) A stop at Sunnyvale Baylands Park produced the only AMERICAN WIGEON (about 5 or 6) and GREEN-WINGED TEAL that I found this day. Also here was a female NORTHERN PINTAIL with a brood of downy young. An EARED GREBE was in these wetlands as well, and I heard a RING-NECKED PHEASANT crow from the grasslands. At Calabazas Marsh, I found a pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL in the middle pond, a pair of LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES working the adjacent field, and a few broods of MALLARDS. On Sunday, 26 Apr 98, I joined Grant Hoyt and Dick Stovel for our Birdathon Big Day. We started immediately with a singing NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD outside Grant's house. At Stevens Creek Park we quickly picked up calling COMMON POORWILLS in the chaparral above the lower park entrance. Try as we might, we couldn't get a Screech-owl to respond to a tape. So we headed up Stevens Canyon to a likely-looking spot, where I played a tape of Northern Saw-whet Owl. In no time Grant felt a rush of wind and I felt a brush of a wing against my face. We were under attack! Shortly, we heard the owl calling from a tree right at the edge of the road, and Dick quickly found it in his flashlight beam. We enjoyed up close views of this NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL from about 20 feet. This was Grant's "life" view of this owl, and only the second time in my life that I've seen one. We failed to get any more owls before light, but were perfectly positioned for the "dawn chorus". We picked up most of the expected land birds here, including WESTERN TANAGER, PURPLE FINCH, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, all 3 VIREOS, CEDAR WAXWINGS, BLACK-THROATED GRAY and YELLOW WARBLERS, etc. A couple of our big misses here were Townsend’a Warbler and Hairy Woodpecker. Where the creek enters the reservoir, Grant found a GREAT HORNED OWL nest in a eucalyptus containing an adult and a downy young bird. A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was on a nest in a sycamore, where these birds have nested in the past couple years. We saw a CASPIAN TERN flying by at the reservoir. Finally, a stop at McClellan Ranch produced HOODED ORIOLE, and we left the area with 68 species tallied. Next, we headed across the valley for Ed Levin Park to continue our search for land birds. A soaring SHARP-SHINNED HAWK along Calaveras was nice. At the parking lot behind Sandy Wool Lake we picked up WESTERN KINGBIRD, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, and YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE plus soaring adult GOLDEN EAGLE, COMMON RAVEN, and COOPER’S HAWK. At the sycamore draw we finally found a male BLUE GROSBEAK hiding in an elderberry bush, giving its "pink" call note. Also here were HOUSE WRENS and RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS. As we were leaving another birder pointed out 2 male LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCHES up the slope. A quick check across the road at the Spring Valley Area produced a male ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD. Up at the Sierra Road summit we added HORNED LARK and LARK SPARROW, but missed the Rock Wrens. Another GOLDEN EAGLE was up here as well. After this we went to CCRS, where we found numbers of TREE SWALLOWS, and the GREAT HORNED OWL still sitting on eggs. We worked the waterbird pond and the surrounding area pretty well, picking up quite a few of the expected species, but we missed out on any Black-chinned Hummingbirds along the creek. Then we traipsed through Alviso, finding 2 CATTLE EGRETS at Arzino Ranch, a BURROWING OWL on Disk Dr, a BARN OWL at SFBBO (thanks Janet), and various shorebirds. A quick stop at Sunnyvale Baylands Park gave us our only AMERICAN WIGEON, and one of our 2 GREEN-WINGED TEAL. RING-NECKED PHEASANT also crowed from the grassland. Our first stop at the Palo Alto Baylands hit the ebbing tide just right and we procurred WHIMBREL, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. The male WOOD DUCK was at the duck pond, as were GREATER and LESSER SCAUP, plus a THAYER’S GULL kindly pointed out by a visiting birder. The Palo Alto flood control basin gave us a quick and easy male BLUE-WINGED TEAL. At Shoreline Lake I was dismayed that the young male Black Scoter couldn’t be found, although the partial albino HORNED GREBE made an appearance. I had to walk nearly all the way to the corner of salt pond A1 before I finally found a BLACK SKIMMER roosting on the island, hiding behind a tussock of grass. On the way back, I found the female BLACK SCOTER in a flock out on A1. I was able to point out both these birds to the other guys. We made our way back to the Baylands as the day was ending, hoping to pick up a few remaining potentials. This time, the GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was on the duck pond, but it quickly climbed up under the palm fronds and out of sight. A LONG-BILLED CURLEW was foraging on the mud flats at the estuary mouth. As we headed out the levee by the interpretive center, CLAPPER RAILS began to call and the only SAVANNAH SPARROW of the day gave one burst of song from the marsh. A flyby GREATER YELLOWLEGS produced a species that had eluded us all day. As darkness began to settle in, we drove to a shopping center where Grant knew of roosting WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS, and their twittering gave us our only swift of the day. As a final attempt, we began to drive up to Montebello OSP to try for Western Screech-owl and Virginia Rail, both species which we considered a sure thing up there. However, Grant suggested that we could forgo the rail and get the owl at a spot nearby. We did this, claiming WESTERN SCREECH-OWL as our final species of the day. Unfortunately, a serious undercount by me gave the impression that we had fewer species than in reality. Our final total was 149. Had we known this at the time, I’m sure we all would have insisted on continuing up to Montebello for that sure-thing Virginia Rail, and a nice round number of 150. Mike Mammoser ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 29 15:56:46 1998 Some interesting activity along Coyote Creek today, 29 Apr 98, at lunch time. A pair of AMERICAN KESTRELS has taken up residence in a dead cottonwood. The male was bringing food to the cavity, evidently for the female, who may be on eggs. In the oak tree right next to it, a pair of WHITE-TAILED KITES has a nest, perhaps still under construction. The pair were giving some serious displays here today. Down next to the trail a male BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD was doing courtship displays, first his horizontal figure 8 shuttle display and then his semicircle diving display. I couldn't find the object of his affections, though. Mike Mammoser ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Apr 29 22:04:09 1998 Steve wrote: >Yesterday (28 Apr.), returning from some surveys in Alameda Co., I >stopped by the EEC, hoping for a Black Tern among the 125 or so >BONAPARTE'S GULLS hawking insects over New Chicago Marsh. I first >spotted the LITTLE GULL foraging over the marsh near the EEC, and >I was able to show it to another birder there (Mike Van Brunt?) >before returning to the office. Scott Terrill later relocated the >bird, and we both watched it for a while. Incidentally, Scott got >a very brief, binocular-less view of a probable adult-type Little >Gull from his office window late last week, quite possibly this >bird. I don't have time to post my description of the bird now, >but I do want to say that the bird may be a second-summer bird >rather than an adult as I first reported. The underwing coverts >are paler than they should be on an adult, although the primaries >have no dark gray or black at all, as should be present on most >second-summer birds. Given that the flight feathers and upperwing >coverts show no signs of immaturity and the head is completely >black, I do wonder whether it is possible that the bird is an adult >with unusually (?) pale underwing coverts. Nevertheless, according >to Grant's gull book, this bird would be a second-summer bird. > When I visited a small breeding colony of Little Gulls in Ontario, Canada I was struck by the fact that some of the birds were paler on the underwings than others. I was checking the nests for the Canadian Wildlife Service and noticed that at each nest (only three or so) there was a bird with really dark underwings and another which was paler. My explanation was that there is a sexual difference in underwing darkness in Little Gull. I have never seen it down on paper, but its a hypothesis as to why this and other birds are paler below than they 'should' be. Typical specimen preparation precludes from getting a good look at the underwings, and this may be why something like this could have been overlooked. In any case its worth thinking about. In addition, second year birds I used to see in Canada (Little Gulls are not all that rare in Ontario, you can routinely see 20+ in a day) were very pale on the underwings and always showed dark on the upper side of the primaries. Regards, Al. Alvaro Jaramillo "It was almost a pity, to see the sun Half Moon Bay, shining constantly over so useless a country" California Darwin, regarding the Atacama desert. [[email protected]] Helm guide to the New World Blackbirds, Birding in Chile and more, at: http://www.sirius.com/~alvaro ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 30 08:55:57 1998 I counted 12 House Finches at our feeders at one point this AM. Nothing unusual about that, except that every one of them was male. Evidently a lot of female nest-sitting these days. We still see 3 male American Goldfinches in full regalia every morning. In the early morning light, they truly seem to glow. This AM there was one female, the first I've spotted for a few days. The females can be hard to spot in a crowd of Lesser Goldfinches, however. Our local Titmouse family has successfully fledged two youngsters. One of them narrowly escaped becoming a Scrub Jay meal Tue. This was only a few feet from the Scrub Jay nest, so there should be more small-bird hazards shortly. ---------------- George Oetzel <[[email protected]]> ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 30 09:05:37 1998 Folks: This morning, 4/30/98, on my bike commute, I saw a pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL in the North Pond of the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin, very near the bike path. In Salt Pond A1 in Mountain View, on the small island in the southeast corner I counted five BLACK SKIMMERS among the cacophony of FORSTER'S TERNS, sleeping off their night's revelry, looking natty in their formal dress. Bill ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 30 10:04:02 1998 All, A WINTER WREN and a CASSIN'S VIREO (nee Solitary Vireo) joined our dawn chorus this morning, first appearance for the season and new on our yard list. Les ========================================== Les Chibana, Mountain View [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 30 11:16:36 1998 APRIL 30, 1998 SANTA CLARA COUNTY YEAR LIST UPDATE Isn't April amazing! A few things to look for in May include Little Blue Heron, White-faced Ibis, Mountain Quail, Wilson's Phalarope, Red-necked Phalarope, Black Swift, Willow Flycatcher, Purple Martin, Bank Swallow, and Black-chinned Sparrow. Also, we still have no reports of Snowy Plover for the list yet (anybody at SFBBO had one yet?). Mike P.S. Some advice from Kendric: [To make the columns line up, please copy this list to a word processor, and change the font to a monospaced font (Monoco, Courier, etc.), and set the right hand margin to 7.5 inches.] ________________________________________________________________________ Recent progress of the composite list: 235: 4/16/98 OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER 236: 4/16/98 BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD 237: 4/19/98 SWAINSON'S THRUSH 238: 4/19/98 MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER : 4/19/98 LAZULI BUNTING (replaces BUNTING, SP.) 239: 4/19/98 CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD 240: 4/19/98 WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE 241: 4/19/98 BLUE GROSBEAK 242: 4/19/98 GREATER ROADRUNNER 243: 4/19/98 SOLITARY SANDPIPER 244: 4/26/98 COMMON POORWILL 245: 4/28/98 LITTLE GULL (2nd COUNTY RECORD!) 246: 4/28/98 BLACK TERN 247: 4/28/98 RUDDY TURNSTONE Please send any additions, corrections, or comments to Mike Rogers, [[email protected]]. SANTA CLARA COUNTY YEAR LIST - 1998 SCR MMR MJM COMP SOURCE 377 214 205 210 247+ICGU % OF COMPOSITE FOR 1998 % OF 377 (Iceland Gull not counted) Red-throated Loon 2/16 2/ 8 2/ 8 SBT Pacific Loon 2/21 SBT Common Loon 2/ 8 2/11 2/14 1/ 2 AVe Pied-billed Grebe 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Horned Grebe 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Red-necked Grebe 1/ 2 1/16 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Eared Grebe 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Western Grebe 1/ 2 2/11 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Clark's Grebe 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH Northern Fulmar Sooty Shearwater Ashy Storm-Petrel Brown Booby American White Pelican 1/ 2 1/16 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Brown Pelican 1/ 6 2/ 8 1/ 4 JMa Double-crested Cormorant 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Brandt's Cormorant Pelagic Cormorant Magnificent Frigatebird American Bittern 1/16 2/28 1/15 CWh Least Bittern Great Blue Heron 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Great Egret 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Snowy Egret 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Little Blue Heron Cattle Egret 1/ 2 4/24 4/26 1/ 2 SCR Green Heron 1/ 6 2/11 2/13 1/ 1 DJC Black-crowned Night-Heron 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC White-faced Ibis Fulvous Whistling-Duck Tundra Swan 1/ 2 1/ 7 1/ 3 1/ 1 CKS,JML,DJC Greater White-fronted Goose 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH Snow Goose 1/ 2 1/ 3 1/ 2 SCR Ross' Goose 2/ 8 1/19 1/16 1/16 MJM Brant Canada Goose 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Wood Duck 4/21 4/11 1/18 1/ 1 AVe,CH Green-winged Teal 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Mallard 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Northern Pintail 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Garganey Blue-winged Teal 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH Cinnamon Teal 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Northern Shoveler 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Gadwall 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Eurasian Wigeon 1/26 2/24 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM American Wigeon 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Canvasback 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Redhead 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH Ring-necked Duck 1/ 2 1/ 7 1/31 1/ 1 m.ob. Tufted Duck 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM Greater Scaup 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Lesser Scaup 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Oldsquaw Black Scoter 3/ 8 3/ 2 3/ 8 3/ 1 JMe Surf Scoter 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC White-winged Scoter 2/11 1/ 6 2/13 1/ 6 MMR Common Goldeneye 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Barrow's Goldeneye 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Bufflehead 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Hooded Merganser 1/ 4 2/28 2/28 1/ 1 AVe,CH,NLe Common Merganser 1/ 2 1/ 7 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Red-breasted Merganser 1/16 2/11 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM Ruddy Duck 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Turkey Vulture 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. California Condor Osprey 3/ 2 1/19 1/18 1/17 JMa,JLa White-tailed Kite 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 2 SCR,MJM Bald Eagle 2/ 8 2/16 1/16 SGu Northern Harrier 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Sharp-shinned Hawk 1/ 2 1/19 4/26 1/ 2 SCR Cooper's Hawk 1/ 2 1/ 6 2/22 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Northern Goshawk Red-shouldered Hawk 1/ 2 1/16 1/ 3 1/ 1 DJC Broad-winged Hawk Swainson's Hawk Red-tailed Hawk 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Ferruginous Hawk 1/ 2 1/19 1/ 2 SCR Rough-legged Hawk 1/ 3 1/ 3 SCR Golden Eagle 1/ 6 1/ 7 1/17 1/ 1 DJC American Kestrel 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Merlin 1/ 9 2/ 9 1/ 3 1/ 2 fide CKS Peregrine Falcon 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Prairie Falcon 3/ 4 1/25 NLe Ring-necked Pheasant 1/ 6 1/13 2/22 1/ 6 SCR Wild Turkey 3/16 4/11 4/ 5 1/ 1 JMa California Quail 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/18 1/ 1 SCR,DJC Mountain Quail Yellow Rail Black Rail 1/12 1/12 2/ 8 1/ 9 VTi,RWR,FVs Clapper Rail 1/12 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Virginia Rail 1/ 2 1/12 1/31 1/ 2 SCR Sora 1/ 2 1/16 2/ 8 1/ 2 SCR Common Moorhen 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC American Coot 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Sandhill Crane Black-bellied Plover 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Pacific Golden-Plover American Golden-Plover Snowy Plover Semipalmated Plover 1/ 6 4/24 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM Killdeer 1/ 1 1/ 7 1/18 1/ 1 m.ob. Mountain Plover Black Oystercatcher Black-necked Stilt 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC American Avocet 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Greater Yellowlegs 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Lesser Yellowlegs 1/ 6 4/24 1/ 6 SCR Solitary Sandpiper 4/19 PJM Willet 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Wandering Tattler Spotted Sandpiper 4/27 2/ 8 2/16 1/ 1 AVe,CH Whimbrel 1/ 6 1/ 6 2/ 8 1/ 4 CKS,JML Long-billed Curlew 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Hudsonian Godwit Bar-tailed Godwit Marbled Godwit 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Ruddy Turnstone 4/28 RWR Black Turnstone Red Knot 1/ 6 1/ 6 SCR Sanderling 1/ 6 1/ 6 MMR Semipalmated Sandpiper Western Sandpiper 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Least Sandpiper 1/ 2 1/ 6 2/14 1/ 1 AVe,CH White-rumped Sandpiper Baird's Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Dunlin 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH Curlew Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Buff-breasted Sandpiper Ruff Short-billed Dowitcher 1/ 6 1/ 6 4/26 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Long-billed Dowitcher 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 2 SCR,MJM,AVe Common Snipe 1/ 5 3/ 8 1/ 1 DJC Wilson's Phalarope Red-necked Phalarope Red Phalarope 2/11 2/ 8 2/ 8 SBT Pomarine Jaeger Parasitic Jaeger Long-tailed Jaeger Laughing Gull Franklin's Gull Little Gull 4/28 4/29 4/28 4/28 SCR Black-headed Gull Bonaparte's Gull 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Heermann's Gull Mew Gull 1/ 2 1/19 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,TGr Ring-billed Gull 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. California Gull 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Herring Gull 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Thayer's Gull 1/ 2 1/16 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH ??Iceland Gull 1/16 1/16 SBT,SCR,AJa,MH Lesser Black-backed Gull 1/18 3/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM Western Gull 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Glaucous-winged Gull 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,TGr Glaucous Gull 1/ 6 2/24 1/ 6 SCR Black-legged Kittiwake Sabine's Gull Caspian Tern 4/17 4/11 4/11 4/ 2 RWR Elegant Tern Common Tern Arctic Tern Forster's Tern 1/ 6 2/ 8 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM Least Tern Black Tern 4/29 4/28 TGr,JSt,RWR Black Skimmer 1/ 6 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Common Murre Ancient Murrelet Cassin's Auklet Rock Dove 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Band-tailed Pigeon 1/ 1 3/27 3/15 1/ 1 SCR White-winged Dove Mourning Dove 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Yellow-billed Cuckoo Greater Roadrunner 4/19 SMi Barn Owl 4/19 1/ 9 4/26 1/ 9 MMR,RJe Flammulated Owl Western Screech-Owl 4/26 1/ 1 JMa Great Horned Owl 1/14 4/25 3/22 1/ 1 DJC Northern Pygmy-Owl 1/ 1 4/12 1/ 1 SCR,JMa Burrowing Owl 1/ 5 1/20 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Long-eared Owl Short-eared Owl 3/ 7 RiC Northern Saw-whet Owl 4/26 1/ 1 JMa Lesser Nighthawk Common Nighthawk Common Poorwill 4/26 4/26 MJM,GKH,DSt Black Swift Chimney Swift Vaux's Swift 4/13 4/25 4/25 4/12 DPo,SMi White-throated Swift 1/18 1/21 2/22 1/ 8 RWR,FVs Black-chinned Hummingbird 4/18 4/16 CCRS Anna's Hummingbird 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Costa's Hummingbird Calliope Hummingbird 4/19 4/19 SCR,HLR,RPR Broad-tailed Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird 3/16 4/ 8 4/ 5 3/16 SCR Allen's Hummingbird 3/ 4 4/11 3/15 1/25 AME Belted Kingfisher 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/17 1/ 1 DJC Lewis' Woodpecker 1/ 6 NLe,RWR,FVs Acorn Woodpecker 1/ 1 1/ 6 2/28 1/ 1 SCR,JMa,DJC Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1/ 2 1/ 1 CKS,JML Red-naped Sapsucker 1/ 6 1/ 6 MMR Red-breasted Sapsucker 1/ 2 1/ 7 1/17 1/ 1 m.ob. Williamson's Sapsucker Nuttall's Woodpecker 1/ 2 1/ 7 1/ 3 1/ 2 m.ob. Downy Woodpecker 1/ 1 3/ 4 1/ 3 1/ 1 SCR,CKS,JML Hairy Woodpecker 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 SCR,JMa,DJC Northern Flicker 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Pileated Woodpecker 4/12 4/12 MJM Olive-sided Flycatcher 4/26 4/25 4/16 JCo Western Wood-Pewee 4/26 4/25 4/25 4/19 JDa Willow Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Hammond's Flycatcher 4/11 4/11 4/11 MMR,MJM Dusky Flycatcher Gray Flycatcher Pacific-slope Flycatcher 3/28 3/27 3/18 1/ 4 CCRS Black Phoebe 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Eastern Phoebe 1/ 2 3/ 4 3/ 1 1/ 2 SCR Say's Phoebe 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/18 1/ 2 SCR Ash-throated Flycatcher 4/14 4/25 4/26 4/ 8 RWR Tropical Kingbird Cassin's Kingbird 4/11 4/11 3/ 1 DRo,RCa kingbird sp. 2/ 8 AGu Western Kingbird 3/16 4/ 8 4/11 3/16 SCR Eastern Kingbird Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Horned Lark 3/16 4/26 3/15 1/25 AME Purple Martin Tree Swallow 1/18 1/19 3/ 1 1/17 LCh Violet-green Swallow 2/ 5 1/19 2/22 1/18 JDa Nor. Rough-winged Swallow 2/ 8 2/25 2/28 2/ 8 SCR Bank Swallow Cliff Swallow 3/ 2 3/ 1 3/ 8 2/26 TRy Barn Swallow 1/ 2 1/19 3/ 1 1/ 2 SCR Steller's Jay 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/17 1/ 1 m.ob. Western Scrub-Jay 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob. Clark's Nutcracker Black-billed Magpie Yellow-billed Magpie 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob. American Crow 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Common Raven 1/ 1 1/ 5 2/13 1/ 1 m.ob. Chestnut-backed Chickadee 1/ 1 1/16 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob. Oak Titmouse 1/ 3 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 CKS,JML,DJC Bushtit 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob. Red-breasted Nuthatch 4/12 1/ 1 JMa White-breasted Nuthatch 1/ 3 1/ 6 1/13 1/ 1 DJC Pygmy Nuthatch 1/ 1 4/12 1/ 1 SCR,JMa Brown Creeper 1/ 1 4/25 1/17 1/ 1 m.ob. Rock Wren 3/ 16 1/19 1/13 1/13 MJM Canyon Wren 1/ 1 JSa,HGe Bewick's Wren 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob. House Wren 3/29 4/ 8 4/ 5 3/21 LAY Winter Wren 1/ 1 4/ 4 1/ 1 SCR Marsh Wren 1/12 1/12 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM American Dipper 4/11 3/29 TGr Golden-crowned Kinglet 1/ 2 1/ 2 SCR Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4/26 3/27 3/29 1/ 5 CJC Western Bluebird 1/ 2 1/ 6 2/16 1/ 1 DJC Mountain Bluebird 1/17 JLu Townsend's Solitaire Swainson's Thrush 4/19 JDa Hermit Thrush 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/13 1/ 1 SCR,JMa American Robin 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/13 1/ 1 m.ob. Varied Thrush 1/ 1 1/ 1 SCR Wrentit 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/17 1/ 1 SCR,JMa,DJC Northern Mockingbird 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Sage Thrasher 4/ 7 BWe Brown Thrasher California Thrasher 1/ 1 1/ 6 2/28 1/ 1 SCR Red-throated Pipit American Pipit 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Bohemian Waxwing Cedar Waxwing 1/ 2 1/14 3/28 1/ 1 JMa Phainopepla 4/18 1/ 6 NLe,RWR,FVs Northern Shrike Loggerhead Shrike 1/ 1 1/19 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. European Starling 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Bell's Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Cassin's Vireo 4/26 4/11 4/12 4/ 5 LAY Plumbeous Vireo Hutton's Vireo 1/ 1 1/19 1/ 3 1/ 1 SCR,JMa Warbling Vireo 3/28 3/27 3/29 3/18 AME Red-eyed Vireo Tennessee Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler 1/ 4 1/24 3/ 1 1/ 4 SCR,CCRS Nashville Warbler 4/14 4/25 4/12 JMM Virginia's Warbler Northern Parula Yellow Warbler 1/ 4 4/11 4/25 1/ 4 SCR Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Black-throated Gray Warbler 4/25 4/ 5 1/ 9 SBT Townsend's Warbler 1/ 1 3/27 3/15 1/ 1 SCR,JMa,DJC Hermit Warbler 4/26 4/ 4 2/ 1 AVe,CH Black-throated Green Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Prairie Warbler 1/ 4 1/17 1/ 4 SCR Palm Warbler 1/ 4 1/13 1/ 4 SCR,HLR Blackpoll Warbler Black-and-White Warbler American Redstart Prothonotary Warbler Worm-eating Warbler Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Kentucky Warbler Connecticut Warbler MacGillivray's Warbler 4/26 4/25 4/19 NLe Common Yellowthroat 1/ 4 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 2 MJM Hooded Warbler Wilson's Warbler 3/28 3/27 3/22 3/22 MJM Yellow-breasted Chat Summer Tanager Scarlet Tanager Western Tanager 4/24 4/26 4/25 1/23 RWR Rose-breasted Grosbeak Black-headed Grosbeak 4/ 8 4/11 4/11 4/ 5 VTi Blue Grosbeak 4/19 4/19 MJM Lazuli Bunting 4/19 4/26 4/19 SCR Indigo Bunting Passerina sp. 4/10 4/10 SCR Dickcissel Green-tailed Towhee Spotted Towhee 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 SCR,JMa,DJC California Towhee 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/13 1/ 1 m.ob. Rufous-crowned Sparrow 1/ 2 4/ 8 4/11 1/ 2 SCR American Tree Sparrow Chipping Sparrow 4/27 4/26 3/31 GFi,MPl Clay-colored Sparrow Brewer's Sparrow Black-chinned Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Lark Sparrow 4/ 8 1/19 1/ 4 1/ 4 MJM Black-throated Sparrow Sage Sparrow 4/12 AME,DPo Lark Bunting Savannah Sparrow 1/ 2 1/12 1/ 4 1/ 1 DJC Grasshopper Sparrow 4/10 4/10 SCR Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow 1/ 9 fide AME Fox Sparrow 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Song Sparrow 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Lincoln's Sparrow 1/ 2 1/13 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH Swamp Sparrow 1/ 2 1/ 2 SCR White-throated Sparrow 3/29 1/15 AJb Golden-crowned Sparrow 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. White-crowned Sparrow 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Harris' Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 3 1/ 1 m.ob. Lapland Longspur Chestnut-collared Longspur Bobolink Red-winged Blackbird 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Tricolored Blackbird 1/ 2 1/14 4/11 1/ 2 SCR Western Meadowlark 1/ 2 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 DJC Yellow-headed Blackbird 4/ 4 NLe Brewer's Blackbird 1/ 1 1/ 4 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Great-tailed Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird 1/ 2 1/16 1/18 1/ 1 AVe,CH,DJC Hooded Oriole 3/29 4/24 4/26 3/21 AWa Baltimore Oriole Bullock's Oriole 3/28 4/ 8 3/22 3/19 GHa Scott's Oriole Purple Finch 1/ 1 3/27 2/28 1/ 1 SCR Cassin's Finch House Finch 1/ 1 1/ 6 1/ 2 1/ 1 m.ob. Red Crossbill Pine Siskin 1/18 1/ 9 TGr Lesser Goldfinch 1/ 1 1/13 1/ 4 1/ 1 m.ob. Lawrence's Goldfinch 4/26 4/26 1/ 6 NLe,RWR,FVs American Goldfinch 1/ 1 1/ 7 1/20 1/ 1 m.ob. Evening Grosbeak House Sparrow 1/ 2 1/ 6 2/22 1/ 1 CKS,JML,DJC Observer codes: m.ob.-many observers, AGu-Arnel Guanlao, AJa-Al Jaramillo, AJb-Alberta Jasberg, AME-Al Eisner, AVe-Ann Verdi, AWa-Alan Walther, BWe-Bruce Webb, CCRS-Coyote Creek Riparian Station, CH-Caralisa Hughes, CJC-Chuck Coston, CKS-Chris Salander, CWh-Clark White, DJC-Don & Jill Crawford, DPo-David Powell, DRo-Don Roberson, DSt-Dick Stovel, FVs-Frank Vanslager, GFi-George Finger, GHa-Garth Harwood, GKH-Grant Hoyt, GLB-Gloria LeBlanc, HGe-Harriet Gerson, HLR-Heather Rottenborn, JCo-Jack Cole, JDa-Jim Danzenbaker, JLa-Jolene Lange, JLu-John Luther, JMa-John Mariani, JMe-John Meyer, JML-Jeanne Leavitt, JMM-John & Maria Meyer, JSa-June Santoro, JSt-John Sterling, KLP-Kathy Parker, LAY-Amy Lauterbach & James Yurchenco, MH-Matt Heindel, MJM-Mike Mammoser, MLF-Mike Feighner, MMR-Mike Rogers, MPL-Marjorie Plant, NLe-Nick Lethaby, RCa-Rita Caratello, RCo-Rita Colwell, RiC-Richard Carlson, RJe-Richard Jeffers, RLe-Rosalie Lefkowitz, RPR-Rebecca Paige Rottenborn, RWR-Bob Reiling, SBT-Scott Terrill, SCR-Steve Rottenborn, SGu-Stephan Gunn, SMi-Steve Miller, TGr-Tom Grey, TRy-Tom Ryan, VTi-Vivek Tiwari, WGB-Bill Bousman SANTA CLARA COUNTY YEAR LIST HISTORY 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 HIGH COMP 278 295 303 293 296 305 305 SCR 279 291 262 251 268 291 MJM 234 250 265 242 253 276 276 MMR 214 234 254 271 257 258 275 275 MLF 136 183 199 209 215 235 194 165 218 265 265 WGB 216 228 245 170 245 AME 240 220 219 231 240 KLP 232 232 RWR 204 201 203 228 228 TGr 189 211 211 CKS 185 195 186 195 GLB 190 190 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 30 12:22:04 1998 Thanks to Scott Spencer, here is the URL for Recent Bird Name Changes (as of January 22, 1998). http://www.birdwatching.com/tips/recentnamechanges.html This link can also be found on SBBU under Birding Web Sites, under Bird Name Changes. Kendric South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU) http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/ ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 30 13:25:31 1998 Out along Coyote Creek at lunch today, 30 Apr 98, I had a pair of HUTTON'S VIREOS scolding a SCRUB JAY that wandered into their territory. Also, a male BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD was again doing its diving display along the creek. I again failed to find the female. Mike Mammoser ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 30 13:27:08 1998 Hi all: Bob Reiling and I had excellent veiws of the adult Little Gull in Alviso at 12.30-12.45. It then flew back to the salt pond across the creek. Nick Lethaby Director of Business Development Elanix, Inc. Tel: 408 941 0223 Fax: 408 941 0984 ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 30 14:38:50 1998 I went out to the Alviso EEC at 1:00 pm today. I cannot say for certain if I saw the Little Gull, but I did see one adult GOLDEN EAGLE kiting (clumsily) over the north corner of the New Chicago marsh. It would set down on the levee when the wind picked up. - Chris Salander ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 30 14:45:09 1998 I was at the Alviso EEC from a little before 9 AM through noon, and neither I nor any of the other birders present had seen the bird by the time I left. This follows another three hours I spent on Tuesday looking for the darn thing after showing up 5 minutes too late. Grrr.... (BTW, there haven't been any volunteers yet to take over BirdBox transcribing for the next couple of weeks.) -- Adam Winer [[email protected]] San Mateo, CA ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 30 17:14:14 1998 South Bay Birders, This morning I ventured into your fine county for a little shameless listing. Once again I left just a few minutes too early, this time just missing the Little Gull. At about 1 I saw the Black Scoter at Shoreline Lake. It was bathing near the small pier. At Ed Levin I heard a Blue Grosbeak calling but never saw one, partially due to my eyes swelling up do to hay fever. I also saw a House Wren carrying food, an adult Rufous-crowned Sparrow feeding a fledgling, and a Lesser Goldfinch gathering cattle hair off some barbed Wire. On the way home on Calaveras I heard a Swainson's Thrush calling down a ravine. Steve Glover [[email protected]] ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Apr 30 18:59:48 1998 Mike Rogers has updated the 1998 SANTA CLARA COUNTY YEAR LIST. Kendric South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU) http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/ ========================================================================== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]