From [[email protected]] Tue Aug 01 08:23:24 2000 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: The male AMERICAN WIGEON that Matthew Dodder mentioned is probably the one that has been oversummering at Charleston Slough this year. I have seen this male irregularly and noted that the vanes on the primaries of one wing are bare, so the bird if flightless until the next molt. Oversummering wigeon are not unexpected, but always of interest. This is, however, one of our oversummering birds that is least likely to breed. A pair nested at Hayward Regional Shoreline this summer and this is probably the first breeding record for the San Francisco Bay area. There is, however, mention of an earlier Bay area breeding record in the Marin Breeding Bird Altas (Shuford 1993) which I have not been successful in tracking down. 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 Aug 01 11:48:59 2000 Subject: [SBB] Table Mountain -------- I was unable to make it to Table Mountain (UPper Stevens Creek Park) earlier in the year, so I made the trek down (and especially up!) this morning. Unfortunately, I didn't pick up any hint of Pileated Woodpeckers (and I couldn't wait around long). The highlisht was a flock of at least 8 Pygmy Nuthatches at Table Mt. Not much is singing any more, but I did pick up one distant song of a Cassin's Vireo. On the way back down Page Mill Road, I saw an adult Golden Eagle on the transmission towers a bit below Montebello (in Santa Clara Co.). Cheers, 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]] Wed Aug 02 13:45:49 2000 Subject: [SBB] County birding -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I went to Shoreline Lake, Charleston Slough, the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin and the Yacht Harbor. Not to many shorebirds around as the tide was really low (later we noted that the exposed areas in the bay were just covered with birds). Best bird of the day was a black-bellied, Black-bellied Plover on the larger island in Charleston Slough, our first of the fall. There were lots of dowitchers in Charleston Slough and in the flood control basin. No hangers-on though :-( Had a candidate adult Semipalmated Sandpiper in Coast Casey Forebay but the bird disappeared before I could get a good look at the scapulars. Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:53 PM, 8/2/00 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 07 10:00:42 2000 Subject: [SBB] bayside birding -------- All, This weekend I managed to check a few bayside locations for shorebirds and other early migrants. At 8:00am on Saturday 8/5/00, I joined Mike Mammoser at the Palo Alto Baylands yacht harbor to scope the mudflats as the tide dropped. No surprises, but 89 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 8 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, and 8 WHIMBREL were of interest. A few of the WESTERN SANDPIPERS were juveniles and a juvenile RING-BILLED GULL was also roosting there. At the mouth of the harbor an adult COMMON RAVEN was feeding three fledged young and an adult PEREGRINE FALCON flew to the nearby tower. The North Pond of the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin had 3 adult LESSER YELLOWLEGS. A group of teal on the far shore included 8 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, which suggests possible local breeding given the early date. We checked Adobe Creek near the Forebay pump house, but failed to refind the female Hooded Merganser reported to us as present that morning by Frank Vanslager. Of the 400 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS in the creek, two were banded on the right leg with silver USFW bands, one also with a green plastic band on the left leg. Another GREEN-WINGED TEAL was in the creek and an immature COOPER'S HAWK was foraging along it. At least 400 WILSON'S PHALAROPES were in the near portions of Crittenden Marsh and in nearby Salt Pond A2E there were 5 immature BROWN PELICANS and 94 (MMR) to 99 (MJM) LEAST TERNS. On Sunday evening 8/6/00, I biked around the Alviso salt ponds during the rising high tide. The dike between salt ponds A9 and A10 had the hoped for adult LITTLE BLUE HERON, as well as most of the 35 BROWN PELICANS on these two ponds. There were also 3 WHIMBREL and 33 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS on the dike here. Besides the many FORSTER'S TERNS and smattering of CASPIAN TERNS there were several LEAST TERNS foraging over the outer ponds. I had maximum counts of 5 over southwest pond A10, 6 over northeast pond A9, and 5 over pond A14. These birds moved around a lot and were seen heading towards Moffett Field as well. They were much easier to pick out by their vocalizations than by sight but with patience came close on several occasions. The actual number of birds involved is impossible to guess, but is presumably a portion of our pond A2E flock. An injured abraded pale-eyed gull in Coyote Slough may have been a second-summer Herring Gull (or even first-summer?), but was in too bad a condition for positive ID. The water level in ponds A9 and A14 was quite high, with little shorebird habitat available. I found no shorebirds in pond A9, and the northern tip of pond A14 had only large shorebirds (godwits, willets, avocets, and stilts). However, there was a large flock (many thousands) of roosting shorebirds in the middle of pond A14 that contained many peeps (mostly WESTERN SANDPIPERS), DOWITCHERS, and at least 470 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS. At least 280 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES (with at least 12 WILSON'S PHALAROPES among them) were swimming on the pond as well. I spent over an hour scoping (a good scope, no heat haze, and good light are absolutely essential here!) this big flock and was well rewarded. Checking the line of terns perched in the middle of the flock I found a basic-plumaged BLACK TERN that later flew about the pond for a while. Shortly after this I heard a turnstone and looked up to see a RUDDY TURNSTONE flying over the dike near me. The dark portions of the bird were fairly uniform brown, with a slight rust tinge to the upperwing coverts. I did not notice any obvious pale fringing to the back feathers, so it was perhaps a basic-plumaged bird rather than a juvenile. A few minutes later I located an alternate-plumaged RUDDY TURNSTONE in the flock - but this bird flew off to the southeast after less than a minute of observation. However, eight minutes later I had another alternate-plumaged RUDDY TURNSTONE in the flock. This bird was present until I left and was likely a male, given the extensive white areas in the head. Given that the second bird flew off in a direction without decent habitat for this species, it may well be that it returned while I wasn't looking and should perhaps be regarded as the same individual as the third bird. Further scoping also turned up two RED KNOTS in fading alternate plumage. The ride back to the Marina was uneventful (the impoundment north of the Marina was almost completely dried up). 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 Aug 07 12:50:09 2000 Subject: [SBB] Saturday Crittenden birding -------- This message from Jim Danzenbaker didn't make it to the list on its own. Les -- Les Chibana List Bureaucrat South-Bay-Birds List [[email protected]] -------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 7 Aug 2000 04:45:15 -0700 (PDT) From: [[email protected]] (Jim Danzenbaker) South Bay Birders: Greetings! Just a quick note to highlight a few things that I observed on Saturday (8/5) at the second pond (Pond A2E?) down from the bridge across Stevens Creek downstream from Crittenden Lane in Mountain View from about 7:15 am until about 8:15 am. There was a very large concentration of feeding birds including 100s of Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets. I conservatively estimated 1800 White Pelicans and at least 109 Brown Pelicans which seemed very high for Santa Clara County. Can anyone provide information on previous high counts of Brown Pelicans in SC County? Other birds of note included 55 Least Terns, a Peregrine, and numerous Wilson's Phalaropes. Long-billed Curlews called from the tidal mudflats on the other side of Stevens Creek. 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 Aug 07 14:33:43 2000 Subject: [SBB] White-faced Ibis At CCFS -------- All, At 10:00 AM this morning Frank Vanslager and I saw a White-faced Ibis flying over the Coyote Creek Field Station "Waterbird Pond." The bird had apparently flushed while Frank was checking the "middle" percolation pond located just beyond the fence west of the "Waterbird Pond." The ibis made a wide circle and returned to this pond. The bird had dark blackish-gray legs (I saw no reddish highlights but the bird was about 150 Yds away), the head and neck were a dark gray with spotted, lighter gray fan-shaped facial patches extending back and down from the eyes and had a spotted, lighter gray patch on the back of the head. There were no apparent markings on the throat. The wings, back and tail were a shiny black with a green sheen. It would seem that this bird is most likely a non-breeding adult. About 30 minutes later as we drove past the ibis once again flew over the Waterbird Pond and back to the original location. Perhaps the ibis wants to feed in the Waterbird Pond but was put off by our presence? The Waterbird Pond water level has once again dropped but it had lots of dowitchers, Greater Yellowlegs, 12+ Semipalmated Plovers, eight or nine Wilson's Phalaropes (made a brief stop), a couple of small flocks of peeps moved in and out, two Caspian and one Forster's Tern and one juvenile Mew Gull was among the few California and Ring-billed Gulls there. The southern most of the three fenced-in Percolation Ponds had large numbers of peeps that were to distant to scan properly. We then went to State & Spreckles St. in Alviso where at least one Lesser was among the 20-30 yellowlegs there. One small group each of Western & Least Sandpipers were also there. On the way over we noted that there were eight Long-billed Curlews on the lawn at the San Jose Water Treatment Plant (also lots of Red-winged Blackbirds and European Starlings). Finally we went to Calabazas Ponds (the water level is up) where we saw one Lesser Yellowlegs, two Wilson's Phalaropes, one maybe two peeps, several Greater Yellowlegs, eight or nine American White Pelicans and about 200 dowitchers but no hoped for hangers-on :-(. Take care, Bob Reiling, 2:25 PM, 8/7/00 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 07 17:00:14 2000 Subject: [SBB] Saturday Crittenden birding -------- South Bay Birders: Greetings! Just a quick note to highlight a few things that I observed on Saturday (8/5) at the second pond (Pond A2E?) down from the bridge across Stevens Creek downstream from Crittenden Lane in Mountain View from about 7:15 am until about 8:15 am. There was a very large concentration of feeding birds including 100s of Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets. I conservatively estimated 1800 White Pelicans and at least 109 Brown Pelicans which seemed very high for Santa Clara County. Can anyone provide information on previous high counts of Brown Pelicans in SC County? Other birds of note included 55 Least Terns, a Peregrine, and numerous Wilson's Phalaropes. Long-billed Curlews called from the tidal mudflats on the other side of Stevens Creek. 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 Aug 07 18:00:58 2000 Subject: [SBB] CCFS membership -------- Hi Birders - Back in May, when the Hudsonian Godwit was around, I paid for a CCFS membership. Since then I have heard nothing from CCFS, making me wonder if my dues ever got to the right person. I tried contacting Al Jaramillo, but am getting no reply. Is he out of town, and is he the person to contact? I'd like to get in to bird the CCFS waterbird ponds, but don't even have the combination to the gate. Can someone help? Steve Rovell Marina, 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 Aug 07 20:43:18 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] CCFS membership -------- Dear Steve - My goodness, you certainly should have had a letter from us by now, acknowledging your membership donation and helping you with access. For future reference, SFBBO's office number is 408/946-6548 and the general email is [[email protected]]. I will check on your membership tomorrow at the office and get back to you. Did you receive the access form to sign and did you return it to us? Sorry to have troubled the listserver with this, Good birding, Janet Hanson SFBBO ----- Original Message ----- From: Steve Rovell <[[email protected]]> To: SBB <[[email protected]]> Sent: Monday, August 07, 2000 6:00 PM Subject: [SBB] CCFS membership > Hi Birders - > > Back in May, when the Hudsonian Godwit was around, I paid for a CCFS > membership. Since then I have heard nothing from CCFS, making me wonder if > my dues ever got to the right person. I tried contacting Al Jaramillo, but > am getting no reply. Is he out of town, and is he the person to contact? > I'd like to get in to bird the CCFS waterbird ponds, but don't even have the > combination to the gate. Can someone help? > > Steve Rovell > Marina, 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]] > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 07 20:45:57 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] CCFS membership -------- Dear South Bay Birders: Mike Feighner has indicated there are more of you out there in limbo re: CCFS access. Please let me know immediately if there are any other problems with obtaining birder access to CCFS. Good birding, Janet Hanson SFBBO [[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 Aug 08 08:24:39 2000 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: Yesterday, 8/7/2000, I saw an adult GREEN HERON in the Mountain View Forebay in the morning and a single alternate-plumaged LESSER YELLOWLEGS in the North Pond of the Palo Alto FCB in the afternoon. Concerning Jim Danzenbaker's pelican counts, any count of AM. WHITE PELICANS over a thousand is exceptional. In September 1981 2000 were counted on an aerial survey; in August 1994, high counts during the month included 2200, 1760, and 1050 birds; and in August 1997, 1100 birds were tallied. BROWN PELICANS are in exceptional numbers when over a hundred. In July 1981 200 were tallied, while during July through September 1986 counts of 300, 151, 150, and 100 were obtained. 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 Aug 08 09:12:37 2000 Subject: [SBB] CCFS Access -------- Janet: When I attempted to visit CCFS this weekend I found that the combination lock from the south entrance, which most birders use, had disappeared. How are we supposed to get in? Nick Lethaby Product Manager, ARC Cores Inc. Tel: 408 360 2131 e-mail: Nick.Lethaby@arccores -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 08 10:05:59 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] CCFS Access -------- FWIW, the combo lock was there on Saturday at least until noon. I banded on Saturday. I have no idea why it would be missing if indeed this was the case. Les Chibana On Tuesday, August 8, 2000, [[email protected]] wrote: > >Janet: > >When I attempted to visit CCFS this weekend I found that the combination lock >from the south entrance, which most birders use, had disappeared. How are we >supposed to get in? > >Nick Lethaby >Product Manager, ARC Cores Inc. > >Tel: 408 360 2131 >e-mail: Nick.Lethaby@arccores > >-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== >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]] Tue Aug 08 10:22:43 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- On Sunday, 6 Aug 00, I visited Almaden Lake Park. I observed the pair of GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES for perhaps an hour. Initially, both birds were in the reeds on the large island, perching and preening. The male spent almost all his time here, except for some minutes of foraging at the end of the large island and about 5 minutes perched in his usual spot at the top of the small nest island. The female was out of sight more than the male, but when I did see her, she too sat in the reeds on the large island or foraged at the end of it. I saw no evidence of fledged young or any indication from the pair that they even had young. I wonder if their nesting attempt failed in some way. Otherwise, I saw at least 2 unfledged SNOWY EGRETS and 2 unfledged GREEN HERONS on the large island. There were 2 CASPIAN TERNS here as well. Up to 8 female-like COMMON MERGANSERS may be full-sized immatures. 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 Aug 08 19:14:48 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] CCFS Access -------- Nick, I checked with the other banders who were at the station after I left on Saturday. Apparently the combination lock was broken and was removed for repairs. So, this was only a case of short- term lock disappearance. They didn't think that anyone would need to enter and apologized for any inconvenience. The way I see it, it was probably better to be locked out than locked in. Les On Tuesday, August 8, 2000, [[email protected]] wrote: > >Janet: > >When I attempted to visit CCFS this weekend I found that the combination lock >from the south entrance, which most birders use, had disappeared. How are we >supposed to get in? > >Nick Lethaby >Product Manager, ARC Cores Inc. > >Tel: 408 360 2131 >e-mail: Nick.Lethaby@arccores > >-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== >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]] Wed Aug 09 14:03:00 2000 Subject: [SBB] S.C. Bird List, July 31, 2000 -------- Bill Bousman has updated the list: Five new species were found in July, to one degree or another, all expected. Brown Pelican, Little Blue Heron, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Common Tern, Least Tern. This brings the year's total to 259. The full list can be seen on: South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU) http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/ Kendric ----------------------------------------- Kendric C. Smith, Ph.D. 927 Mears Court Stanford, CA 94305-1041 (650) 493-7210 (voice or fax) [[email protected]] http://www.stanford.edu/~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 Aug 09 15:09:05 2000 Subject: [SBB] County birding -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I decided to check out Salt Pond A14 to see if we could get a county year bird. Unfortunately we had none of the foresight (a bicycle) or the luck (or even the skill) of Mike Rogers. By the time we had walked to the northwestern corner of the pond the combination of heat waves and long viewing distances kept us from getting adequate views of the birds (even at 50 and 100 power). The only thing of note was that there were at least six Caspian Terns feeding in Salt Pond A9. It also appears that Red-necked Phalaropes have replaced Wilson's in Salt Ponds A16 & A14. A single adult Black Skinner was on the western most island in Salt Pond A16. Take care, Bob Reiling, 3:17 PM, 8/9/00 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 09 22:03:15 2000 Subject: [SBB] Pacific Golden Plover? -------- Hi, I went out to Crittenden Marsh with my son today and saw what I believed to be a Pacific Golden Plover. I could not make a positive ID as the bird was quite some distance away and I only have a 20x scope. Details I noted were: white forehead, eyebrow and side of neck, white undertail coverts, dark bill, black breast and belly. It did not appear to have a white crown or nape like a Black-bellied Plover. It was quite a bit larger than the Semipalmated Plovers that were near it. Is this a possible bird for that area? I would love to have it confirmed if someone with better skills and optics has a chance to go down there. Thanks, Don Ganton [[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 Aug 10 02:10:58 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] Pacific Golden Plover? -------- ----- Original Message ----- From: <[[email protected]]> > Pacific Golden Plover is definitely possible at this time of year (we > typically get 1-2 adults in late July-August and they have occurred at > Crittenden before). However, my recollection is that white undertail coverts > are diagnostic of Black-bellied Plover. I believe that Pacific Golden-Plover also has white undertail coverts. The white is more extensive in Black-bellied (I think reaching the vent area). I believe that the diagnostic marks for Black-bellied are the black axillaries and the white uppertail coverts, marks that are best seen when the bird is in flight. Of course, the discussion of undertail covert color concerns alternate-plumaged birds. I recall an incident in Alaska a couple months ago, where a group of us was trying to identify a distant bird, and make it into a Pacific Golden-Plover. Every one of us thought that the crown was too dark for Black-bellied and, therefore, agreed that it was a Pacific Golden based on the white undertail coverts (since American Goldens have black undertail coverts in alternate plumage). Since we were all in agreement, our embarrassment was minimized when the bird flew and revealed itself as a Black-bellied. 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 Aug 10 08:49:29 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] Pacific Golden Plover? -------- Don: Pacific Golden Plover is definitely possible at this time of year (we typically get 1-2 adults in late July-August and they have occurred at Crittenden before). However, my recollection is that white undertail coverts are diagnostic of Black-bellied Plover. Nick Lethaby Product Manager, ARC Cores Inc. Tel: 408 360 2131 e-mail: Nick.Lethaby@arccores -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 10 12:22:45 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] Pacific Golden Plover? -------- *********** REPLY SEPARATOR *********** On 08/10/2000 at 10:10 AM Michael Mammoser wrote: >I believe that Pacific Golden-Plover also has white undertail coverts. The >white is more extensive in Black-bellied (I think reaching the vent area). I >believe that the diagnostic marks for Black-bellied are the black axillaries >and the white uppertail coverts, marks that are best seen when the bird is >in flight. Of course, the discussion of undertail covert color concerns >alternate-plumaged birds. The bird we saw yesterday did have a white vent area. I didn't get a look at the axillaries or uppertail coverts. The black on the breast and belly of the bird was extensive as in the illustration for breeding plumaged Pacific Golden Plover and Black-bellied Plover in my NGS field guide. >I recall an incident in Alaska a couple months ago, where a group of us was >trying to identify a distant bird, and make it into a Pacific Golden-Plover. >Every one of us thought that the crown was too dark for Black-bellied and, >therefore, agreed that it was a Pacific Golden based on the white undertail >coverts (since American Goldens have black undertail coverts in alternate >plumage). Since we were all in agreement, our embarrassment was minimized >when the bird flew and revealed itself as a Black-bellied. I paid particular attention to the crown and nape of the bird in question and both appeared dark. Once again, though, I was seeing the bird from a good distance with so-so optics. My son wanted very badly to "make it into a Pacific Golden Plover". I'm a little more reserved in what I'll count as seen. Thanks Mike and Nick for your thoughts. Unless someone else sees a Pacific Golden Plover at Crittenden in the next couple of days, mine will just have to stay unidentified and a probable Black-bellied Plover. Don Ganton [[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 Aug 12 05:53:08 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- I stopped at the CCFS waterbird pond today, 12 Aug 00, where the water level seems pretty decent for shorebirds. A fair number of shorebirds included at least 2 LESSER YELLOWLEGS. While I walked around the pond, Al Eisner drove up and we scoped the birds together, without finding anything more interesting. After Al left, I continued around the pond and about 500-600 peeps flew in. Among them was a juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. A large percentage of the peeps were juveniles. Also present were a half dozen SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS and 4 WILSON'S PHALAROPES. After I got back to my car, the pond was virtually empty, due to a couple of flyovers by an adult PEREGRINE FALCON. At the EEC in Alviso, the 3 adult BLACK SKIMMERS were still present, and at least 1 young skimmer that was still fairly downy. The salt pond here had 104 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES and 4 WILSON'S. The adult PEREGRINE FALCON that has been in this area was again on a power tower along the entrance road. It's hard to say whether this was the same bird that was at the CCFS waterbird pond earlier. It's certainly close enough. 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 Aug 12 12:16:12 2000 Subject: [SBB] LEYEs at Calabazas -------- This (Saturday) morning there were at least six Lesser Yellowlegs at Calabazas Marsh. Couldn't get close enough for decent pics though :-( --Pete ------------------------------------------------------ Peter LaTourrette Bird Photography: http://www.birdphotography.com/ Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.stanford.edu/~petelat1/ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 13 05:19:55 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- Today, 13 Aug 00, I decided to check some riparian corridors for possible landbird movement. At the Guadalupe River, it was pretty slow. I found 2 PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS, a WARBLING VIREO, and a male WESTERN TANAGER. Along Coyote Creek, at the end of Sycamore Drive, I had 2 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 3 WESTERN TANAGERS, and a male BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD. Perhaps in a couple weeks thing will start to pick up. 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]] Sun Aug 13 09:27:39 2000 Subject: [SBB] SCVAS Aņo Nuevo 8/12 -------- Hi Everyone-- Santa Clara Valley Audubon runs an annual trip to Aņo Nuevo State Reserve; this year's was on Saturday, 8/12, and here is the trip summary. Mark Miller -------------------------------- The fun of going out to Aņo Nuevo State Reserve lies in the fact that no two trips are the same. This year, it was pelicans. Seemingly on every rock and cliff, BROWN PELICANS have arrived in numbers beyond anything I've seen in 16 years. We knew it was going to be a good day when a BLACK SWIFT fluttered and soared over the rangers' residences, our first stop. From there, we hiked to the old bridge over New Years Creek; along the way, 20 young CALIFORNIA QUAIL ran headlong in front of us, watched vigilantly by 2 adult males. A molting male PURPLE FINCH and a BAND-TAILED PIGEON sat up on treetops near the creek, and gave good scope views. The creek and surrounding forest were unusually quiet (related to our later than usual tour date), so we walked down to South Beach. A single RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was in the (larger than usual) lagoon. HEERMANN'S GULLS, WESTERN GULLS, and CALIFORNIA GULLS were roosting in numbers on the beach and we had to walk gingerly to avoid them. As we arrived on the beach, an OSPREY flew over, carrying a large fish somewhere inland. Offshore, a few MARBLED MURRELETS, many PIGEON GUILLEMOTS, and a single flock of three PACIFIC LOONS were feeding; people were starting to sound like stockbrokers ("It's up! No, wait, it dove again..."). A Harbor Porpoise close to shore was a nice surprise. Half-buried in the sand was a dead BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS; it was pretty impressive, with forearms as long as mine, and feet almost as long as my hands. From the beach, we trudged up the steep trail to The Pond. There, gulls and pelicans were performing their daily ablutions, a pair of RUDDY DUCKS with 4 downy chicks were exploring and feeding, and two BANK SWALLOWS careened overhead, giving only brief passing views. As we neared the outer point, the wind was becoming stronger. A WESTERN KINGBIRD, uncommon on the immediate coast, was trying its best to catch food in the wind; most everything else stayed low and hidden. At the elephant seal viewing area (it seems to get progressively smaller each year), SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, BLACK TURNSTONE, LEAST SANDPIPER, WESTERN SANDPIPER, SANDERLING, and RED-NECKED PHALAROPE were feeding in the kelp along with the ubiquitous EUROPEAN STARLINGS. Two young elephant seals obstructed the beach, staring blankly at us and tossing sand all over themselves. A Mylitta Crescent on the path was the only novelty on the way back, and was one of only three butterfly individuals we saw (a Monarch and a Cabbage White were the other two). Thanks go to the ranger at the kiosk who let us all in for free, and to the docent who let us roam outside the ropes. Next year, we'll do it all again, and everything will be different. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 14 14:06:56 2000 Subject: [SBB] Declines -------- Folks: I'll throw in my 1.8 cents worth. Warbling Vireo's have been declining within the Palo Alto count circle at 6.7% a year (p=0.0001). This is based on data from 1981-1998. Yellow Warblers have shown a worse decline, -17.7% per year, p=0.0008. As recently as the early 1970s there were multiple breeding territories around Searsville Lake. As of two years ago there was only one. Warbling Vireos do not appear to be tied so closely to riparian streams as Yellow Warblers. Both have undoubtedly suffered from Brown-headed Cowbirds (cowbird control programs in Riverside Co. have resulted in increases of Yellow Warblers). Our valley riparian systems show a long-term degradation from loss of water, grazing, and urbanization. First, the understory goes, then the mid-level trees, then the larger trees. All components seem to be important for riparian species. Arizona work shows that riparian systems can recover relatively quickly, when protected, but that is a difficult battle in Hubris Valley. 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]] Mon Aug 14 16:10:48 2000 Subject: [SBB] Sunday birds -------- All: I checked out Crittenden Marsh around noon on Sunday. Not too much. I saw around 4000 Wilson's Phalaropes and 41 Least Terns on the marsh and salts ponds to the north. There were 6 Lesser Yellowlegs and 2-3 juv Short-billed Dowtichers, along with about 40 Long-billed Dowitchers. It's my impression that this marsh is getting more saline each year. At least the water level at which the yellowlegs start going elsewhere (presumably in search of less saline habitat) seems to be higher each year. Nick Lethaby Product Manager, ARC Cores Inc. Tel: 408 360 2131 e-mail: Nick.Lethaby@arccores -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 15 05:56:40 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- At lunch time today, 15 Aug 00, I had an immature COOPER'S HAWK hunting along San Tomas Aquinas Creek, between Scott and Central Xway. 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 Aug 15 13:47:56 2000 Subject: [SBB] County birding -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I checked out the Sunnyvale Water Treatment Facility west pond from the top of the hill near the parking lot. There were good numbers of ducks in the southwestern corner of the pond but there were no terns. We then checked out the islands on Salt Pond A4 which looked as though they only had the "usual suspects". A quick trip to the Coyote Creek Field Station Waterbird Pond revealed a fair numbers of dowitchers and yellowlegs and a few peeps but no goodies. The ponds east of the Waterbird Pond were dry and as such birdless. The other usual areas looked pretty bad as well so we went to the pond at State & Spreckles St. in Alviso. This pond had really good numbers of Least & Western Sandpipers. The pond in the northwest corner of Arzino Ranch, near the intersection of Spreckles & Grand had good numbers of yellowlegs and a few peeps. On the way home we noted that the northern most Calabazas Pond had good numbers of shorebirds which we will probably check out later in the week. Not much for our efforts but thought that I would let you know how things looked out there. Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:51 PM, 8/15/00 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 15 14:47:24 2000 Subject: [SBB] LEOW -------- My apologies that this sighting lacks a specific locations, I do want to pass it along so that people can be on the lookout in similar locations. We observed a LONG-EARED OWL on private property along Llagas Creek in Gilroy on 8/14/2000. It was observed briefly 3 times by 2 observers. Tom Ryan -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 15 15:14:53 2000 Subject: [SBB] Juvenile Dark-eyed Junco in PA -------- All, A belated report: On 8/8 observed a juvenile Dark-eyed Junco being fed by an adult in the 500 block of Forest in Downtown Palo Alto. Seems late in the season, and I did not realize that they bred there. Am passing along this info for any and all post-atlasers. Screech. -- Paul L. Noble "Screechowl" [[email protected]] ^ ^ @ @ ( v ) ( ) / \ m m -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 15 15:37:24 2000 Subject: RE: [SBB] Juvenile Dark-eyed Junco in PA -------- I live in the Santa Cruz Mts.--1/2 mile from Santa Clara County. We have large numbers of DEJU throughout the year. Our last group of fledglings fledged about a week ago and juveniles are still being fed by the parents. Claire Wilson -----Original Message----- From: Paul L. Noble [mailto:[[email protected]]] Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2000 3:15 PM To: So. Bay Bird List Subject: [SBB] Juvenile Dark-eyed Junco in PA All, A belated report: On 8/8 observed a juvenile Dark-eyed Junco being fed by an adult in the 500 block of Forest in Downtown Palo Alto. Seems late in the season, and I did not realize that they bred there. Am passing along this info for any and all post-atlasers. Screech. -- Paul L. Noble "Screechowl" [[email protected]] ^ ^ @ @ ( v ) ( ) / \ m m -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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]] Tue Aug 15 16:09:10 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] Juvenile Dark-eyed Junco in PA -------- Likewise, along Skyline Blvd. between Page Mill Rd. and Saratoga Gap, at the western edge of SCL, we are still seeing juvenal plumaged dark-eyed Juncos. Les Chibana On Tuesday, August 15, 2000, Claire Wilson <[[email protected]]> wrote: >I live in the Santa Cruz Mts.--1/2 mile from Santa Clara County. We have >large numbers of DEJU throughout the year. Our last group of fledglings >fledged about a week ago and juveniles are still being fed by >the parents. > >Claire Wilson >-----Original Message----- >From: Paul L. Noble [mailto:[[email protected]]] >Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2000 3:15 PM >To: So. Bay Bird List >Subject: [SBB] Juvenile Dark-eyed Junco in PA > > > All, > >A belated report: > >On 8/8 observed a juvenile Dark-eyed Junco being fed by an adult in the >500 block of Forest in Downtown Palo Alto. Seems late in the season, and >I did not realize that they bred there. Am passing along this info for >any and all post-atlasers. > >Screech. > >-- >Paul L. Noble > >"Screechowl" -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 15 21:19:51 2000 Subject: [SBB] DEJU -------- And a Dark-eyed Junco was observed feeding a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird at Grant and North Drive in Mt. VIew on 8-14. A Cooper's Hawk is back patrolling the area as well: I've seen a male there the past three years. Jack Cole ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.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]] Wed Aug 16 08:16:15 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] DEJU -------- Hi Folks, At SCVAS in Cupertino, my brother and I also saw a junco feeding a voracious cowbird fledgling on the same day, 8/14. Cheers, Leda Beth Gray > From: "Jack Cole" <[[email protected]]> > Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 21:19:51 PDT > To: [[email protected]] > Subject: [SBB] DEJU > > And a Dark-eyed Junco was observed feeding a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird > at Grant and North Drive in Mt. VIew on 8-14. A Cooper's Hawk is back > patrolling the area as well: I've seen a male there the past three years. > > Jack Cole > ________________________________________________________________________ > Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.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]] > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 17 08:53:44 2000 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: This morning, 8/17/2000, I saw a single ad. BROWN PELICAN over Mountain View Slough. An ad. GREEN HERON was in Adobe Creek in the Palo Alto FCB. The Stevens Creek Tidal Marsh had typical numbers (lots) of American Avocets and Long-billed Curlews, but no Semipalmated Plovers--I suspect a general understanding of the preferred prey of the ad. PEREGRINE FALCON that was sitting on the tower there. I heard my first VIRGINIA RAIL of the season from the Mountain View Forebay (last heard 28 Mar). I expect that we should find both Virginias and Soras widely in the next month or so, as their fall migration get underway. A f/imm HOODED ORIOLE was along Stevens Creek below L'Avenida. To pick up the thread on nesting DARK-EYED JUNCOS, of the 384 nesting records in the atlas and post-atlas data bases, about two and a half percent (10) have occurred in August. Of the August records in the data base, only two are after 8/10, so the ones reported this week are quite unusual. Paul Noble's record is from an urban area where they did not occur as recently as five or ten years ago. Please note, however, that breeding evidence requires observation of an adult feeding a young bird or that the fledgling is clearly still dependent. Birds still in juvenal plumage are not considered evidence of breeding per atlas protocols. 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 Aug 17 13:09:37 2000 Subject: [SBB] Semipalmated Sandpiper at Calabazas Marsh -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I had at least one Semipalmated Sandpiper in the northern most (the largest) pond at Calabazas Marsh (I believe that this is now officially known as Harvey Marsh). This or another SESA was easily refound twice (once after flying from the from the northeast to the southwest corner of the pond and once after we had checked out the dowitchers). The bird was obviously smaller than any Western Sandpiper that it was near and had an extremely short, blunt bill. The scapulars were well defined (nice dark centers) giving it a scaly appearance. I could find no evidence of rufous on the head or scapulars, as such, I believe that the bird is a juvenile. The water level in this pond would seem to be almost ideal for Western Sandpipers with only a few Least Sandpipers being seen. The dowitcher flock also seems to be growing (perhaps 100-125 birds now) and one of four Wilson's Phalaropes present (the hidden one of course) had us excited until we saw its yellow legs (the bill appeared to be quite decurved). About half of the yellowlegs present (4) were Lesser (nice to have the dowitchers nearby for those long distance calls). Earlier we were at Crittenden Marsh where we had an adult Peregrine Falcon on one of the power towers. An estimate of 4000 Wilson's Phalaropes in the marsh just might be a bit low, they are just covering the eastern portion of the pond there and we had some really impressive mass flight demonstrations. We also saw about 60 Red-necked Phalaropes near the middle northern portion of the pond with a couple of Wilson's Phalaropes thrown in for good comparison viewing. Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:15 PM, 8/17/00 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 17 15:53:15 2000 Subject: [SBB] Late lowland dark-eyed junco -------- Adding to the anecdotal data on DEJU, a pair of juncos has been visiting my backyard in midtown Palo Alto for at least three months. This is the first year this species has been a breeding-season regular in my yard. I awaited the appearance of immature birds for several weeks, but didn't see any until one appeared about August 3rd. It has not been seen since, and the sighting doesn't qualify for breeding bird atlas status under the strictures given by Bill Bousman. My presumption is that this represents a second or third nesting attempt by this pair - there is an ample supply of cats and cooper's hawks in the neighborhood to truncate the careers of nestlings and fledglings. Also, anecdotally, DEJUs have been nesting at Stanford for several years, not only in semi-natural environments like the Arboretum, but in landscaped situations such as around the Medical Center. I used to consider this species as an upslope (or downslope?) migrant, present in the flatlands in winter, but moving upslope to breed in nearby hills. Not anymore. - Dick Richard Stovel [[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 Aug 20 05:29:21 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- At Calabazas Marsh today, 20 Aug 00, I had an adult STILT SANDPIPER that was in transition from alternate plumage to basic. Also a juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER was present. Three VAUX'S SWIFTS were overhead with the swallows, and a CASPIAN TERN was on the mudflats. 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]] Sun Aug 20 06:06:23 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- At least 3 LESSER YELLOWLEGS were present at Calabazas Marsh as well on Sunday. 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]] Sun Aug 20 09:17:06 2000 Subject: [SBB] Western Tanager, Snipe -------- Friday morning Jean DuBois was at my house and told me on Thursday he'd seen his first American Goldfinch since they had left for the summer. Ten minutes after he left, my first American Goldfinch showed up. (last one in my backyard was in May). Saturday at Almaden Lake with Freddie Howell's little group, we saw 12 female Common Merganser like seals on 2 rocks. Nary a male to be seen. Also had a COMMON SNIPE on the grass. SPOTTED SANDPIPER with CASPIAN & FORSTER TERN sitting together. Sunday at "my farm" La Rinconada Park had a male WESTERN TANAGER. Also a flock of sparrows - haven't seen a sparrow there since April. The only one I actually saw was a Song Sparrow and didn't have time to check out the rest. Gloria LeBlanc Los Gatos off Quito "We can't change the financial winds, but we can adjust the sails" http://www.lgsia.com 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 Aug 20 10:51:46 2000 Subject: [SBB] Out of area - Hawks -------- Good morning all; I realize that what I'm about to write is a bit out of our area. But it's close enough that some of you might want to go and enjoy it. Yesterday Penny and I were en route to the Merced NWR for a day of birding (don't bother going, it's drained, dry, and deserted at the moment). The large field laying in the NE quadrant of the intersection of California and San Diego streets (about 5 mi. SW of Mendota--as the crow flies on Panoche Road -> California Road) was being cleared with a disc cultivator. On that field sat what we estimated to be about 750 (the average of three quadrant counts spanning 2 hours) raptors of various denominations. Among a smattering of Ravens and Turkey Vultures, sat Swanson's Hawks, Ferruginous Hawks, and probably Rough-legged Hawks. While we obviously didn't get to inspect each bird in detail, neither Red-tailed nor Red-shouldered Hawks seemed to be in evidence (the ones I probably am best able to recognize at a glance). Not yet being experienced enough to quickly ID tightly wheeling birds, I was unable to make any solid calls. The variations (ages, morphs, and species) were so quickly presented that we were unable to view any one bird long enough to get a good call. Nor with the density of the swirling birds was I able to engage my partner for discussion. The majority of the birds were Swainson's Hawks--of that I'm fairly sure. They ran the gauntlet from juveniles to adults, and across all possible combinations of morphing. It was a zoo! While they were visible enough for counting, the heat shimmer and the presentation of a sitting bird made ID'ing them impossible (for me, at least). 75-80% of the birds seemed to be Swainson's. The rest were a mix of the species already mentioned. Interestingly enough, they--and all the rest--hopped around on the ground, apparently foraging. I watched one catch a small rodent, and then mantle furiously as others attempted to share his catch... From time-to-time between 100 and 150 birds would take off as a group, and begin to soar on thermals. Most of these (95+%) were Swainson's, with only a few of the others thrown into the mix. We saw as many as 4 of these "soaring clouds" at once. While most of the birds were wary, we were able to drive to within 10 meters of many without apparent care on their part. While the Mendota and Merced NWR's were dull, all these raptors hopping, wheeling, feeding, and soaring were awesome! Best regards, Dusty Bleher San Jose, 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]] Sun Aug 20 18:41:36 2000 Subject: [SBB] Shorebirds -------- At the CCFS waterbird pond today, there was an adult Pectoral Sandpiper between 2 and 3 PM. Also present was 1 Lesser Yellowlegs and 2 Caspian Terns (one a juvenile). [Belated report: On Aug. 12, I saw a young Green Heron at the inlet to this pond. Mike Mammoser arrived a bit later; he already sum- marized the shorebirds from that day, including the one I missed by leaving first....] I tried the Calabazas Marsh twice today for Semipalmated Sandpiper. Between 8-9 AM there were only a couple of dozen stints, mostly Least Sandpiper -- it was probably too close to low tide. Late afternoon there were several hundred Western's, but while I was getting closer to check out a candidate, a prolonged Harrier episode started; by the time it was over most of the flock had left. [Mike: what time did you see the Semi?] I did see 5 Lesser Yellowlegs and 30 or so Wilson's Phalaropes here, plus a Green Heron at the southwest pond. 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]] Sun Aug 20 19:17:40 2000 Subject: [SBB] Almaden birds (and others) -------- This afternoon while walking in the IBM research facility above Harry Rd in the Almaden Valley, Debbie and I saw several Western Bluebirds, a pair of Loggerhead Shrikes, and a large group of Turkeys. We don't see shrikes up there very often, so it was odd to see a pair very close together on a barbed wire fence. We also saw two different groups of wild boar, which was also a first for us on this side of the valley. Hugh McDevit -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 21 02:52:00 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] Shorebirds -------- ----- Original Message ----- From: <[[email protected]]> > > [Mike: what time did you see the Semi?] I arrived at Calabazas between 11:00 and 11:30am, finding the Stilt Sandpiper right away. I watched this bird, and showed it to others, for about an hour or so before concentrating on the peeps, and finding the Semipalmated. So, it was probably about 12:30 or so. For those keeping the records for the County, this was the third Semipalmated that I saw this "fall", it being a distinctly different individual from the juvenile I saw at CCFS (and of course different from the adult back in July). This bird had a shorter bill than the CCFS bird. This bird also had pale grayish edges to the dark-centered scapular feathers, while the CCFS bird had some rufous edges to the upper scapulars. 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 Aug 21 10:53:13 2000 Subject: [SBB] Guadalupe River, Calabazas Ponds -------- All, Saturday morning 8/19/00 I spent almost three hours working the east side of the Guadalupe River from Montague Expressway south to about 2/3 of the way to Trimble. No surprises, but there were a few early fall migrants, including 1 VAUX'S SWIFT, 5 "WESTERN" FLYCATCHERS (2 of these PACIFIC-SLOPE by call), 2 YELLOW WARBLERS, 4 COMMON YELLOWTHROATS, 2 WILSON'S WARBLERS, and 3 WESTERN TANAGERS. Still some breeding activity, with 7+ HOODED ORIOLES including young birds accompanying (usually agitated) adults at three places, Northern Mockingbirds carrying food for young and fledglings, and a SONG SPARROW feeding a young BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD. Also at least four active ROCK DOVE nests under the Montague Expwy bridge, including at least two with young. Just a note for those who don't know, birding along the riparian corridor here is difficult. There are no real paths, homeless people sometimes camp along here, and others use the area to grow illegal plants. Use caution if you bird this area. Next I headed to Alviso, checking the pond at State and Spreckles. Shorebirds here included 300+ LEAST SANDPIPERS, 6 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, both DOWITCHERS, 1 WILSON'S PHALAROPE, and 2 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES. At least 8 VAUX'S SWIFTS foraged vocally over the houses here for a few minutes. After this I headed to the Calabazas Ponds. Three CLIFF SWALLOWS were all I could find still hanging around from the nesting colony under the bridges. After a long search I finally found the juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER reported previously by Bob Reiling. It ranged all over the pond, but offered scope-filling views on the mud only 30 meters away at one point. It was much less cooperative when I tried to show it to John Meyer and Mitch Ninokata, flying almost immediately every time I relocated it (John got brief looks). Of course five minutes after they left it foraged out in the open for ten minutes in the middle of the pond!@#$! Al, I first located this bird at 12:48pm and it was still present at 2:51pm. Other birds of note here included 5 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 25 WILSON'S PHALAROPES, 1 RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, and another VAUX'S SWIFT. I searched carefully through the dowitchers (which were spread out and close) for Stilt Sandpipers and found none, so it seems likely that Mike Mammoser's bird the next day was a new arrival. 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 Aug 21 13:10:47 2000 Subject: [SBB] Re: Crittenden Marsh & Calabazas Ponds -------- Can someone on this list please post directions to both Crittenden Marsh and Calabazas Ponds/Marsh. Sounds like interesting things are happening at these places, and I'd like to check them out. (I'm an East Bay birder not familiar with these South Bay birding areas.) Thanks much, Kathy Robertson Hayward -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 21 13:42:02 2000 Subject: RE: [SBB] Re: Crittenden Marsh & Calabazas Ponds -------- Kathy: I work very close to these ponds. There are two different access points to these ponds here in Sunnyvale. 1) access from Sunnyvale Baylands Park: >From Highway 237 take Caribbean north (Lawrence Expressway changes to Caribbean at Highway 237). Pull into the park entrance on the right and follow the road to the right that then bends east and follows the north side of Highway 237 to the closest access point to the ponds. At times there is a park fee, but I am not sure if that is currently the case. 2) access from the business area south of Highway 237: >From Highway 237 head south on Lawrence Expressway and take the first street east. Follow that street to the last business on the list before a bridge over the creek. Park in the back of that business near the levee. Hike the short distance under the Highway 237 Overpass to the ponds at the north side of Highway 237. Mike Feighner > -----Original Message----- > From: [[email protected]] [SMTP:[[email protected]]] > Sent: Monday, August 21, 2000 1:11 PM > To: [[email protected]] > Subject: [SBB] Re: Crittenden Marsh & Calabazas Ponds > > Can someone on this list please post directions to both Crittenden Marsh > and > Calabazas Ponds/Marsh. Sounds like interesting things are happening at > these > places, and I'd like to check them out. (I'm an East Bay birder not > familiar > with these South Bay birding areas.) > > Thanks much, > > Kathy Robertson > Hayward > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== > 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]] Mon Aug 21 13:49:05 2000 Subject: RE: [SBB] Re: Crittenden Marsh & Calabazas Ponds -------- All: That should be the last business on the left. There's no business on the list, whatever that would be! Mike Feighner > -----Original Message----- > From: Feighner, Mike [SMTP:[[email protected]]] > Sent: Monday, August 21, 2000 1:42 PM > To: [[email protected]] > Subject: RE: [SBB] Re: Crittenden Marsh & Calabazas Ponds > > Kathy: > > I work very close to these ponds. There are two different access points > to > these ponds here in Sunnyvale. > > 1) access from Sunnyvale Baylands Park: > > From Highway 237 take Caribbean north (Lawrence Expressway changes to > Caribbean at Highway 237). Pull into the park entrance on the right and > follow the road to the right that then bends east and follows the north > side > of Highway 237 to the closest access point to the ponds. At times there > is > a park fee, but I am not sure if that is currently the case. > > 2) access from the business area south of Highway 237: > > From Highway 237 head south on Lawrence Expressway and take the first > street > east. Follow that street to the last business on the list before a bridge > over the creek. Park in the back of that business near the levee. Hike > the > short distance under the Highway 237 Overpass to the ponds at the north > side > of Highway 237. > > Mike Feighner > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: [[email protected]] [SMTP:[[email protected]]] > > Sent: Monday, August 21, 2000 1:11 PM > > To: [[email protected]] > > Subject: [SBB] Re: Crittenden Marsh & Calabazas Ponds > > > > Can someone on this list please post directions to both Crittenden Marsh > > and > > Calabazas Ponds/Marsh. Sounds like interesting things are happening at > > these > > places, and I'd like to check them out. (I'm an East Bay birder not > > familiar > > with these South Bay birding areas.) > > > > Thanks much, > > > > Kathy Robertson > > Hayward > > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== > > 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]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 21 19:01:45 2000 Subject: [SBB] SWIFTS -------- All, Yesterday evening I tried to get some photographs of the WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS which had revealed their evening roost to me the previous afternoon. (Incidentally, trying to photograph swifts is tough on one's neck as you're bending backwards and pivoting constantly... I can't really recommend it.) The roost is along the wall to the left of the main arch leading into the Rodin "Bergers of Calais" sculpture. As you face the Memorial Church, follow the green construction fence to your left until it stops against a corner between two walls and an eaves. There had to have been close to 100 swifts circling around the face of the arch 5:30pm. There were also atleast 4 VAUX'S SWIFTS in with the flock. It did not appear they were using the same roost. VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS were also to be seen. Incidentally, registration for the Fall session of Beginning Birdwatching begins soon. More information can be found at: http://www.birdguy.net/ or http://www.paadultschool.org/ That's all, Matthew Dodder -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 22 09:35:23 2000 Subject: [SBB] RUFF, STILT SA -------- All, Peter Metropulos reported a Ruff, a Stilt Sandpiper, and 5 Sanderlings to the northern CA Bird Box from Crittenden Marsh on Sunday afternoon. Yesterday evening 8/21/00 (high tide) I headed out behind Moffett Field to the marsh to see if I could refind some of these birds. The RUFF and the STILT SANDPIPER were both together with the dowitcher flock. Both were adults in basic plumage. The RUFF was somewhat larger and longer legged than nearby dowitchers and appeared significantly larger in flight (the flock was spooked by two PEREGRINE FALCONS (one adult, one immature) on a few occasions. There were also single GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS near the RUFF for additional size comparison. The RUFF was significantly larger than the LESSER YELLOWLEGS, but also notably smaller than the GREATER YELLOWLEGS. This suggests to me that the bird is a male, although perhaps not a very large one. Other birds noted included 5 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 10 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 5 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 15 WHIMBREL, 3 WILSON'S PHALAROPES, 410 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, and 2 CASPIAN TERNS. Earlier in the day I had 2 or 3 VAUX'S SWIFTS over Moffett Field. 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 Aug 22 15:23:19 2000 Subject: [SBB] Stilt Sandpiper & Pectoral Sandpiper -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I saw an adult, non-breeding plumaged Stilt Sandpiper in the pond east of the intersection of State St. and Spreckles Ave in Alviso. The bird was obviously smaller than dowitchers and Lesser Yellowlegs, was about the same size as Wilson's Phalaropes (although longer legged) and larger than Red-necked Phalaropes all of which were near it at one point or another during our one hour observation period. The mantle was an overall light grayish-brown, the belly was whitish with some vertical blackish barring visible on the lower flanks continuing back and under the tail. The chest had an overall grayish wash. The bird had a well defined, whitish supercillium (a darker grayish-brown crown and a lighter grayish-brown face), whitish throat and a white rump (well seen in flight). The legs were a yellow-green and the bill was of medium length, black with a slight decurve near the tip. We then went to the Coyote Creek Field Station (CCFS/CCRS) Waterbird Pond where we were unable to find anything new (there were lots dowitchers, a few yellowlegs, peeps and gulls). We then went to check out the mud-flats west of the pond and Salt Pond A18. As usual there were lots of gulls (mostly California) in the salt pond and very little in the mud flats. On our way back past the Waterbird Pond we noted that there were a large number of shorebirds on the north side of the pond and decided to do a quick check. Almost the first bird seen, feeding by itself on the northern edge of the pond, was an adult Pectoral Sandpiper. It was much larger than the Least Sandpipers feeding nearby and obviously smaller than the dowitchers feeding a few feet away. The proximal portion of the shortish, nicely decurved bill was a yellowish to yellow-green while the distal portion of the bill was black. The bird had an indistinct whitish supercillium and the legs were yellowish. The upper parts of the bird were an overall grayish-brown. The belly except for an area near the vent (on the side) was whitish. The area near the vent appeared dirty (blackish-gray). The point at which the belly met the grayish-brown streaked chest formed a fairly well defined line. We had first stopped at Calabazas Marsh in the morning but the water level was quite low and there were very few birds (three Greater Yellowlegs were joined by about 8-10 peeps just before we left to go to State and Spreckles in Alviso). Also of note at State St and Spreckles Ave were a flock of Vaux's Swifts flying over the field northwest of the intersection. Take care, Bob Reiling, 3:31 PM, 8/22/00 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 22 17:24:13 2000 Subject: [SBB] Late Hummer Nest? -------- We have a hummingbird (Anna's it looks like) nesting outside our office window in Santa Clara right now. She is sitting in the nest and has been there at least 5 days, perhaps not much longer. Isn't this way late for hummingbirds to nest or do they multiple clutch? -Chris -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 22 17:31:37 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] Late Hummer Nest? -------- At 5:24 PM -0700 8/22/00, Chris wrote: >Isn't this way late for hummingbirds to nest or do they multiple clutch? Yes, they can definitely multiple clutch. We had one at work a number of years back that went three rounds one year. -- Chuq Von Rospach - Plaidworks Consulting (mailto:[[email protected]]) Apple Mail List Gnome (mailto:[[email protected]]) And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar and say 'Man, what are you doing here?'" -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 22 18:32:31 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] Late Hummer Nest? -------- Yes. While 2 is typical, I have observed them with up to three nestings. Dusty Bleher San Jose, Ca. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chris" <[[email protected]]> To: <[[email protected]]> Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 17:24 Subject: [SBB] Late Hummer Nest? > We have a hummingbird (Anna's it looks like) nesting outside our office > window in Santa Clara right now. She is sitting in the nest and has been > there at least 5 days, perhaps not much longer. > > Isn't this way late for hummingbirds to nest or do they multiple clutch? > > > > -Chris > > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== > 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]] Tue Aug 22 19:10:28 2000 Subject: [SBB] Swifts at Stanford -------- All, My apologies... I neglected to say that the swift roost I mentioned yesterday is on Stanford Campus. To access the area, follow Palm Drive (University Ave.) toward campus, park around the oval lawn if you visit after 5:00. The swifts were on the large wall to the left of the main arch facing the lawn. Matthew Dodder << Yesterday evening I tried to get some photographs of the WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS which had revealed their evening roost to me the previous afternoon. (Incidentally, trying to photograph swifts is tough on one's neck as you're bending backwards and pivoting constantly... I can't really recommend it.) The roost is along the wall to the left of the main arch leading into the Rodin "Bergers of Calais" sculpture. As you face the Memorial Church, follow the green construction fence to your left until it stops against a corner between two walls and an eaves. There had to have been close to 100 swifts circling around the face of the arch 5:30pm. There were also atleast 4 VAUX'S SWIFTS in with the flock. It did not appear they were using the same roost. VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS were also to be seen. Incidentally, registration for the Fall session of Beginning Birdwatching begins soon. More information can be found at: http://www.birdguy.net/ or http://www.paadultschool.org/ That's all, Matthew Dodder >> -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 23 12:54:09 2000 Subject: [SBB] Ruff at Crittenden Marsh -------- All, This morning five birder's; Jessie Conklin (who spotted the bird first), Frank Vanslager, Jack Cole, another birder and I saw the ad male Ruff at Crittenden Marsh. The basic plumaged bird was marginally bigger than the few dowitchers it was next to (we did not see it near a Lesser Yellowlegs) as it fed and preened. The head looked somewhat small for the body size (but not excessively so). The bill was shortish with a nice decurve along it's length and the legs were yellow-orange. At one point it swam across some open water showing it's humped back with it's raised feathers to good advantage. There were few dowitchers in the marsh and we did not locate the Stilt Sandpiper (a low and falling tide would probably pull these birds out into the bay). We got there when we did so that we would have the best air for viewing (it was overcast) realizing that it would be during high tide that birds would probably be there but that the air would then, most likely, be bad. We saw several Semipalmated Plovers, both yellowlegs, lots of peeps but did not find a single Sanderling. Wilson's Phalarope numbers are decreasing while the Red-necked Phalarope numbers are increasing (there are lots of both kinds). At one point Frank called a hundred plus Vaux's Swifts flying high overhead while Jack agreed that he had thirty plus in one binocular field of view. (We also had lots of really good low down and close-in sightings during most of the morning.) On our way in we made note of an adult Peregrine Falcon on one of the power towers north of the bridge over the Stevens Creek Mitigation Area and on our way out saw a juvenile Peregrine Falcon fly to one of the towers in the same area. The young falcon then flew from the tower and returned shortly thereafter carrying what looked to be very large prey for it, a light grayish plumaged Rock Dove, which it proceeded to eat. There are still lots of Least Terns in Salt Pond A2E. It's been a good week! Be aware that a scope is a must if you plan on chasing this bird and even then you will need high power (35X min.) and quite air. Take care, Bob Reiling, 12:44 PM, 8/23/00 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 23 13:25:11 2000 Subject: [SBB] Birding at Crittenden Marsh -------- Anyone work near there and want to give it a try at lunch on Friday? I work just a few blocks opposite side of 237 from the Marsh/Baylands area. It is also a short drive to State & Spreckles. I have a good scope to bring along. ------------- -Chris Illes -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 23 14:50:52 2000 Subject: [SBB] Common Poorwill -------- Common Poorwill (1+) was heard calling near Calero Reservoir on 8/22/00 by SCVWD biologist Bill Henry. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 24 08:22:22 2000 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: This morning, 8/24/2000, I saw a WILLOW FLYCATCHER along Stevens Creek below the powerline crossing below L'Avenida. We should be finding these birds for the next month along our local creeks. 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 Aug 24 11:06:55 2000 Subject: [SBB] SWPCP -------- All, Of 11 Santa Clara County Wandering Tattler records, 9 have fallen between 5 Aug and 14 Sep, with most of these in the rather narrow window between 25 Aug and 10 Sep. Of the 11 eleven records, 9 have been from the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant or nearby Moffett Field. Given this, I decided to make an early morning bike tour of the SWPCP, hoping that the rising tide might push a tattler there - wishful thinking, but a good way to start the day anyway, with 63 species of birds being found. The swallow flock over the reed beds near the entrance is growing. I had 5 species, with 340+ VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, 50+ BARN SWALLOWS, and just ones or twos of the other species, including one juvenile TREE SWALLOW that sported a very Bank Swallow-like breast band. Also with this flock were at least 30 VAUX'S SWIFTS. In the first channel near the entrance there were 3 immature GREEN HERONS and a pair of COMMON MOORHENS feeding small precocial young. Thousands of NORTHERN SHOVELERS are covering the ponds here, along with smaller numbers of other dabbling ducks. In addition, I had six broods of LESSER SCAUP, with females escorting 43 precocial young, two broods of 8 being still very small. On top of this, 28 other full-sized LESSER SCAUP included mostly hatching-year birds, presumably from another three or so broods. Also on the main pond were 14 EARED GREBES. There is little shorebird habitat here, but the floating algae mat in the northeast corner of the big pond had a single SEMIPLAMATED PLOVER and WESTERN SANDPIPER among many LEAST SANDPIPERS and KILLDEER. Nearby Salt Pond A5 on the other hand, had thousands of roosting shorebirds and terns, including 45+ RED-NECKED PHALAROPES and 10+ CASPIAN TERNS. Too bad this area is not accessible. A HARBOR SEAL in Guadalupe Slough here is about as far up as I have seen one. Nearby Salt Pond A3W had 26 BROWN PELICANS and at least 10 more had flown southeast from there earlier, for a total of at least 36 birds. Most of these were in a feeding flock at the southwest corner of the pond. 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 Aug 24 19:53:01 2000 Subject: [SBB] RUFF question -------- All, The RUFF was still present this morning at Crittenden Marsh. It was visible on the far side of the lagoon near a tuft of grass and a clump of wood on the back right side. A telescope is clearly necessesary, but the bird is easy to pick out of the crowd. It was very similar in size to the surrounding Dowitchers, perhaps even smaller, but this may be an illusion due to the bird's more sleek shape. It is longer-necked and longer-legged and therefore taller than the dowitchers. It is much paler and more obviously "scaled" than any of the other birds nearby with primarily a warm grayish cast. I also noticed the smallish head atop a more robust neck than the Lesser Yellowlegs to be seen nearby. The bill is much more stout than that of a LEYE and slightly drooped. It has been suggested this individual is a small male bird, but I'm not clear how that decision was made. Noticing the size similarity to the dowitchers, and accounting for the much shorter bill, it would seem the bird had to be about 9" from bill tip to tail tip. This would place it below the average length for a female, which NGS measures at 10". Based on size alone, it would have guessed this bird is a female. I don't have enough experience with this species to offer any valuable input, but I would like to hear how it was that some viewers decided it was male. Of the many illustrations and photos I've consulted it seems difficult to sex these birds in any plumage except breeding. Thoughts? As well there were once again several dozen VAUX'S SWIFTS above the mudflat area before the marsh, a PEREGRINE FALCON on the high-tension lines and dozens of LEAST TERNS in the saltpond beyond the Ruff area. Multitudes of WILSON'S PHALAROPES and some RED-NECKED PHALAROPES were present too. That's all for now, Matthew Dodder Beginning Birdwatching: http://www.birdguy.net/ http://www.paadultschool.org/ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 25 05:43:19 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- I visited Crittenden Marsh at lunch time today. No Ruff. Although a distant bird looked interesting in the heat haze, moving closer showed it to be a LESSER YELLOWLEGS (one or two more were around as well). Lots of RED-NECKED PHALAROPES and a few WILSON'S. Only 2 DOWITCHERS present, and a SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. STILTS and AVOCETS all over. 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 Aug 25 07:21:53 2000 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: Yesterday, 8/24/2000, I counted four LESSER YELLOWLEGS in the North Pond of the Palo Alto FCB. 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]] Fri Aug 25 09:55:22 2000 Subject: [SBB] Stevens Ck N of L'Avenida -------- All, Early this morning 8/25/00 I checked Stevens Creek north of L'Avenida for migrants. This proved quite fruitful, as I found 1 hatching-year (=HY) male SELASPHORUS HUMMINGBIRD, 1 WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, 2 HY WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, 6 "WESTERN" FLYCATCHERS (1 a PACIFIC-SLOPE by call), 5 YELLOW WARBLERS, 1 COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, 3 WILSON'S WARBLERS (most/all? of these warblers and flycatchers being HY birds), 1 HY male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, and 1 HY HOODED ORIOLE. All of these birds except 2 of the WEFLs were between the power line crossing and the lone eucalyptus. 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]] Fri Aug 25 10:50:39 2000 Subject: [SBB] sexing Ruffs -------- Matthew (and others with an interest), Ruffs are sexually dimorphic in size, with males being significantly larger than females. As far as I know, there are no plumage differences in basic plumage, except that some male birds are sometimes completely white-headed (reminiscent of breeding plumage). The size differences are so great that most shorebird books act like sexing the birds is straightforward and obvious - this isn't always the case. A very good silhouette illustration of both male and female Ruffs in comparison with typical Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs is shown in Paulson's Shorebird book. In general a female Ruff (Reeve) is close to or slightly larger than a Lesser Yellowlegs in size, whereas a male can approach the size of a Greater Yellowlegs. We used to have Ruffs fairly regularly with the dowitcher flock at the CCFS (then CCRS) waterbird pond. The females tended to easily disappear among the dowitchers, generally appearing smaller. Males typically stand taller than the dowitchers - once we had a truly giant male there. My notes from 8/21 are given below: ...adults in basic plumage. The RUFF was somewhat larger and longer legged than nearby dowitchers and appeared significantly larger in flight (the flock was spooked by two PEREGRINE FALCONS (one adult, one immature) on a few occasions. There were also single GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS near the RUFF for additional size comparison. The RUFF was significantly larger than the LESSER YELLOWLEGS, but also notably smaller than the GREATER YELLOWLEGS. This suggests to me that the bird is a male, although perhaps not a very large one. As far as size comparison to the dowitchers, the bird was longer-legged and longer-necked as you noted, even though its different shape made comparing actual body bulk to the dowitchers difficult. This was much more obvious in flight, when the Ruff appeared to be notably longer and much more massive, being perhaps 30% (?) heavier than the dowitchers. Note that HMP indicates that the size difference between male and female Ruffs are also best appreciated in flight (this is also true of Pectoral Sandpipers, which are also sexually dimorphic in size). HMP provides ranges of measurement information. Lengths are given from bill tip to tail tip in millimeters. Bill length is also given, so you can subtract to get a range of bill base to tail tip lengths (necessary when comparing to dowitchers with long bills). Assuming that the biggest birds have the longest bills and vice versa I get the following lengths minus bill lengths: Greater Yellowlegs 240 - 269 Ruff (male) 230 - 278 Long-billed Dowitcher 216 - 222 Ruff (female = Reeve) 174 - 216 Lesser Yellowlegs 197 - 210 As you can see, the first conclusion is that Ruffs are variable in size, even when split apart by sex. In general females are smaller than dowitchers and very like Lesser Yellowlegs. Males can be only slightly larger than a dowitcher, or as large (larger even?) than a big Greater Yellowlegs! Based on these size measurements I still feel the bird is more likely a smallish male than a large female, but obviously some birds are tough (only 10mm difference between the largest female and smallest male when bill length is included!). 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]] Fri Aug 25 11:08:50 2000 Subject: [SBB] Alviso EEC -------- On Wednesday evening, I biked around the Alviso EEC with my dad, son and daughter. There were many Red-necked Phalaropes in the salt pond, but I saw no Wilson's. We saw two adult Black Skimmers which flew at my father and my daughter as they rode out past the dock. I'm assuming that this means that there are still young skimmers present, though we didn't see any. There were many Black-necked Stilts, including what looked like a leucistic stilt that has been sighted before in the area. I also saw a juvenile Black Phoebe. Short off-topic note: On the way out, we saw two small Gopher Snakes on the road. Both were very sluggish and one had visible injuries. The injured one had a strangely-shaped head. Much more spade-shaped than I've seen before. We actually mistook it for a rattlesnake at first glance. I moved both a little off the road since bike and dog traffic were heavy. If anyone is interested, I've uploaded a couple of pictures. http://thebirder.com/photos/P8230071.jpg http://thebirder.com/photos/P8230077.jpg Don Ganton [[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 Aug 25 16:10:57 2000 Subject: [SBB] Stilt Sandpiper -------- All, While coming back from lunch in Milpitas today 8/25/00, I decided to check the pond at State and Spreckles in Alviso. Best bird there was a mostly basic adult STILT SANDPIPER. This bird had a few alternate lower rear scapulars and some remnants of barring on the lower flanks/undertail, but was otherwise mostly in basic plumage. It was also in active primary molt, with several inner primaries being regrown on both wings. This Stilt Sandpiper is definitely not the Crittenden bird, but may be the "transitional" Calabazas Pond bird found by Mike Mammoser (how much alternate plumage did that bird have left on 8/20?) and is probably the "basic adult" found here by Bob and Frank on 8/22/00. Also here were 8 LESSER YELLOWLEGS (among 62 GREATERS, with 15 more GREATERS on the other side of Grand Blvd), 10 WILSON'S PHALAROPES, 2 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, and many LEAST SANDPIPERS. 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]] Fri Aug 25 18:29:31 2000 Subject: [SBB] Crittenden -------- I'm now 0 for 2 on tries for the Ruff at Crittenden, having tried both suggested approaches. On Tuesday evening, I waited nearly to high tide, but there were for some reason few shorebirds on the marsh (except for Avocets, Stilts and Phalaropes); the birds toward the east end were not really viewable, but there weren't many in any case. I did have 12 to 14 Whimbrels. There were more than 500 Phalaropes; of the 300 or so close enough to identify, nearly all were Red-Necked (just a few Wilson's), a decided shift from a week or two earlier. This morning (Friday) there were lots of shorebirds, despite the low tide, but most were in the eastern half, with viewing into the sun. I spotted one Lesser Yellowlegs, but didn't manage to pick out the Ruff. There were still about 450 Phalaropes (mostly too distant to ID). On adjoining salt pond A2E there were 14 Brown Pelicans; I counted nearly 50 Least Terns, but there were likely more farther off. So, there seems to be a choice of looking into the sun or looking into heat waves. Tough Ruff! 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]] Sat Aug 26 05:23:11 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- On Saturday, 26 Aug 00, I visited the CCFS waterbird pond. I saw my first MERLIN of the season on the way in. A single LESSER YELLOWLEGS, in the first sludge pond on the way in, gave me pause. There were 7 more at the waterbird pond, with about double that in GREATERS. I met Bob Reiling there and we made a quick check of the riparian area around the eucalyptus, back at the trailer. There were 2 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, a few WESTERN/PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS, a female/immature HOODED ORIOLE, a HOUSE WREN, and my first YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER of the season. We both then went to the pond at State and Spreckles in Alviso, where we found the STILT SANDPIPER in with the GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS (didn't count the yellowlegs). Bob agreed that this was the same bird he saw here a few days ago, and it looked virtually the same as the bird I had at Calabazas last weekend. Bob then left, and I went to check on Crittenden Marsh, but ended up excluded because of a concert going on at Shoreline (no parking places). So, instead, I went to Charleston Slough. The water in the slough was pretty high (it was probably around high tide) and a group of shorebirds was concentrated on the large island at the south end of the slough. They included 6 WHIMBRELS and at least 25 obvious juvenile SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS. As I was ready to leave I had an adult COMMON TERN fly over. The tern was still in alternate plumage, with the black wedge in the outer primaries on the upperwing, gray underparts, and a pure white tail. 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 Aug 26 13:13:32 2000 Subject: [SBB] Stilt Sandpiper in Alviso, Willow Flycatchers & Spotted Sandpiper in CCFS -------- All, At 11:45 this morning Mike Mammoser and I had the adult Stilt Sandpiper in the pond at the intersection of State St. and Spreckles Ave. The bird was associating with (hiding under) a small group of Greater Yellowlegs (some Lesser Yellowlegs were nearby). The number of shorebirds in this pond was significantly reduced from earlier in the week. Earlier we had two Willow Flycatchers posing with a silent "Western" Flycatcher on the power lines just northeast of the Coyote Creek Field Station banding trailer (we had at least one Pacific-slope Flycatcher calling behind us toward the creek). Even earlier, before I met Mike, I had a Spotted Sandpiper tail dipping it's way along the "reeds" in the northeast corner of the CCFS Waterbird Pond. The bird was far enough away that I was unable to see the supercillium but the bird had fairly bright yellow legs (I assume that this rules out the Common Sandpiper which has greenish legs, I should be so lucky). The water level in the Waterbird Pond is, in my opinion, nearly perfect. There were good numbers of dowitchers (maybe 300), Greater (lots) and Lesser Yellowlegs (6-7) but just a few "peeps". No Pectoral Sandpiper. Early on, while I was concentrating on the birds in the pond a male Ring-necked Pheasant came out of the weeds right behind me scaring the whatever out of both of us as I reacted to the noise. At the same time a Belted Kingfisher was "machine gunning" the creek nearby. I should also note that the water levels in the first pond (it had 2 dozen dowitchers in it at one point) and the pond across from the banding trailer (it had lots of ducks in it but no shorebirds) are starting to look good again. The end of next week may be just right, Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:19 PM, 8/26/00 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 26 23:54:24 2000 Subject: [SBB] Saturday shorebirding -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, This morning (Aug. 26) I visited Calero Reservoir. The shorebird habitat at the east end near Bailey Road ("Bailey Cove") is presently about as good as it gets--in the shallows there I counted 16 BLACK-NECKED STILTS, 13 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 1 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and 2 COMMON SNIPE, along with hordes of KILLDEER. This spot is also real popular with herons and egrets, and as I walked the edge of the water I discovered why--frogs everywhere! Never seen such a concentration of amphibia around here. This is definitely a place to keep an eye on. Ducks are also increasing at the sheltered east end of the reservoir, with MALLARDS and NORTHERN PINTAILS predominating. Later in the day Jolene and I visited Crittenden Marsh in spite of a concert that packed the overflow parking lots. At the marsh (which always looks more like a salt pond to me) we saw 3 WILSON'S PHALAROPES, thousands of NORTHERN PHALROPES, 1 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, but no more unusual shorebirds. With scope we had extremely distant views of a couple of LEAST TERNS perched on a boardwalk in the salt pond to the north of the "marsh." Metropolitan Adult Education will again offer a beginning birding class this fall, with Thurs. evening classes and weekend field trips. Special trips will focus on raptors, owls, and passerine migrants. To find out more go to: http://home.att.net/~redknot/birdwatching_for_fun.htm, or register by calling MetroED at 408-723-6553. John Mariani [[email protected]] http://www.birdswest.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 Aug 27 15:28:19 2000 Subject: [SBB] Eared Grebs at EEC -------- Just returned from a Saturday visit to Don Edward's EEC in Alviso. There was a flock of about 150 EARED GREBES between island 1 and 2 in the main pond. The RED NECKED PHALAROPES (about 50) are still there, and island 1 has been left to the BLACK NECKED STILTS. One has the usual pink legs but is otherwise pale white. Only 1 BLACK SKIMMER was seen on island 3. The chick was absent, or, I fear, seen dead on island 1, where I saw it live last week. The rest was normal. Gordon Gordon Barrett Instructor, West Valley College 14000 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California (408) 741-2481 [[email protected]] Pelican Class Website: http://instruct.westvalley.edu/barrett/pelican/ Or, for emergencies: http://sj.znet.com/~gbarrett/pelican/ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 27 17:42:45 2000 Subject: [SBB] Sunday afternoon shorebirding -------- I visited three shorebird spots in the latter part of Sunday afternoon: the CCFS waterbird pond (relatively few shorebirds - more water has been let in, so it's now above optimum), the impoundment at Spreckels/State streets in Alviso, and the NW pond of the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin. All had lots of Yellowlets, with my estimate for (Greater, Lesser) at the three spots being (18, 3), (55, 5), and (40, 1 or 2). In addition, the Spreckels/State spot had at least 10 Wilson's Phalaropes and a (the) Stilt Sandpiper. The latter was a near-basic-plumaged adult, presumably the same bird which has been there for a few days. It was feeding with a few Dowitchers at about 3:45, but it later went "into hiding". 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]] Mon Aug 28 04:16:30 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- On Sunday, 27 Aug 00, I returned to CCFS to bird the creekside riparian. I had some interesting migrants that included 2 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, 5-6 "WESTERN" FLYCATCHERS, 4 BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, 1 HOODED ORIOLE (perhaps the same as yesterday), a HOUSE WREN, 4 YELLOW WARBLERS, a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (perhaps the same as yesterday), and a VAUX'S SWIFT overhead. Lots of COMMON YELLOWTHROATS everywhere. The STILT SANDPIPER continued at the pond near State and Spreckles in Alviso. 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 Aug 28 08:17:06 2000 Subject: [SBB] Coyote Valley ELTE -------- I did a biking & birding trip with Santa Clara County Park Ranger Jeff Cossins on Sunday, August 27th. We found 50 species during the morning. Including WOOD DUCKS (~25 individuals, 1 duckling with 2 adults near the footbridge upstream of the old winery), COMMON MERGANSER, GREAT HORNED OWL near the Ranger Station, BELTED KINGFISHER, TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS at Ogier Ponds, and the highlight of the morning, a slightly out of place ELEGANT TERN. It was my first ELEGANT TERN for the county. We got excellent close looks at it as it flew south along Coyote Creek just upstream of Hwy 101. It had a long, narrow, light orange colored bill, white forehead, long, narrow wings with little black at the tips, forked tail intermediate between FOTE & CATE. I ruled out CATE based on bill color & size (relatively slender body & long, narrow wings), and extent of black on wings, ROTE on bill size, body size, and FOTE based on larger body, longer wings and longer narrower bill. The bird was in transit. I have observed many FOTE & CATE following the major creeks from the bay to the reservoirs. I recommend keeping an eye out for it if you are at any of the south county reservoirs, or metcalf ponds in the next couple of days. My apologies for not reporting it sooner, this was the first opportunity I had to get to a computer since the sighting. Cheers, Tom Ryan -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 28 10:18:52 2000 Subject: RE: [SBB] Coyote Valley ELTE -------- Just a clarification on the location, it was uptream from the first place where Coyote Creek Crosses Hwy 101, approximately 1 mile downstream from the Anderson Ranger Station. or approximately 2 mi north of Cochrane Rd on Hwy 101. Coyote Creek crosses 101 in multiple locations. Tom -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 28 21:57:50 2000 Subject: [SBB] Calero Reservoir birds -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, Late this afternoon I again checked "Bailey Cove" at Calero Reservoir. An adult PEREGRINE FALCON was perched on the lone oak near the mouth of the cove. Shorebirds there included 8 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 1 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, 2-3 LEAST SANDPIPERS, 20 BLACK-NECKED STILTS, and lots of KILLDEER. Had a possible Common Tern in a small flock of FORSTER'S, but they all flew before I could scope them in better light. Lots of ducks, including NORTHERN SHOVELERS and GREEN-WINGED TEAL. The shallows are bullfrog heaven, and a smorgasbord for wading birds-- John Mariani [[email protected]] http://www.birdswest.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]] Tue Aug 29 14:38:51 2000 Subject: [SBB] County birding -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and checked out the Palo Alto Yacht Harbor which was really dead as the tide was way out there (taking all the shorebirds with it). We then went to Stevens Creek at L'Avenida. This area was almost as dead (I got a quick look at a Willow Flycatcher) and we were on the wrong (west) side of the creek. Unfortunately the creek was running quick and deep and we were unable to cross it without waders (It would have been better to come in by way of Crittenden Lane, cross the creek there and then walk south along the east side of the creek to the trees). Our final stop was Charleston Slough which was clearly the place to be. The slough itself was at low tide (the tide gate must be doing it's job) and it was loaded with shorebirds, ducks, gulls and terns. Although we were unable to find a goodie among the shorebirds and we failed to find Mike Mammoser's Common Tern amongst all the Forster's Terns, most of the usual duck species were accounted for. The large, northern most pond in the Palo Alto Food Control Basin (to the west) had 400-600 dowitchers with at least as many "peeps", several yellowlegs (both species) and at least three Red-necked Phalaropes. Still no goodie:-( Take care, Bob Reiling, 2:47 PM, 8/29/00 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 29 17:05:18 2000 Subject: [SBB] alviso birds -------- Today Tom Vandenbosch and I saw the following bird s in Alviso At 10:30 Am we saw a Ruff at Grand and Speckles and a Pectoral sandpiper . Later in the day we found the Stilt Sandpiper at the pond at Grand and Speckles Allan Wofchuck -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 29 17:43:23 2000 Subject: [SBB] Swifts in Mnt.View -------- All, Today ( 8/29), in north Mountain View I saw a flock of up to 100 Vaux's and White-throated Swifts ( Maybe 15% White-throated). The flock passed as a group, feeding and headed in a southeasterly direction. Screech. -- Paul L. Noble "Screechowl" [[email protected]] ^ ^ @ @ ( v ) ( ) / \ m m -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 30 05:07:40 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- At lunch time today, 30 Aug 00, I had the RUFF and STILT SANDPIPER at the New Chicago Marsh near State and Spreckles in Alviso. Also present were Al Eisner, Art Edwards, and Mark Miller, among others. The Ruff was about the size of a dowitcher. At one point it looked slightly larger and at another it looked slightly smaller. So, I guess it's fair to say it was dowitcher-sized. To me, it would seem to be a tough call trying to sex it by size, so I'll defer to Mike Rogers' analysis. It was dark brown above with pale buff edgings to the feathers. It was mostly pure white below, with the white extending up onto the throat, face, lores, and forehead. The bird had a dusky wash across the breast, with some mottled darker horizontal marks through this wash. The legs were orangish, but couldn't be seen very well, because they were mostly hidden in the water. The slightly drooped bill was entirely black. The Stilt Sandpiper looked to be the same bird that has been here for a while. 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 Aug 30 11:02:52 2000 Subject: [SBB] Ruff and Stilt Sandpiper Still Present -------- Hello all: The RUFFwas present with extremely good views at 10:30 am today at the corner of Grand and Spreckles. It appears to be the same bird as the Crittenden Marsh bird as it closely matches Mike Roger's description. The STILT SANDPIPER was in with dowitchers at State and Spreckles. Many Red-necked and Wilson's Phalaropes and Lesser Yellowlegs were also present. No sign of a Pectoral Sandpiper. Steve Miller -------- Attachment 2.4 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Wed Aug 30 11:34:59 2000 Subject: [SBB] Ruff and Stilt Sandpiper continue in Alviso -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager, Steve Miller, Joe Carlson, Don & Marge? (sorry don't know last name) and I saw the basic plumaged adult male Ruff (looks like the same small male as was seen in Crittenden Marsh) and the adult Stilt Sandpiper (same bird that has been there since 8/22) in the shallow pond that borders the east side of Spreckles Ave. in Alviso. The Ruff was at the far south end of the pond near Grand Blvd. and the Stilt Sandpiper was toward the northern end of the pond north of where State St. ends. The air was great (not really a problem when the Ruff is less than 60 feet away) and the more distant views of the Stilt Sandpiper showed that it still has significant barring on the rear flanks and undertail. At one point the STSA was standing sleeping behind two Lesser Yellowlegs in front of two Greater Yellowlegs and a dowitcher when a Wilson's Phalarope walked up behind it for 20 winks. A nice chance to make size comparisons. The Ruff had nice yellow-orange legs (some areas looked a bit reddish), has nice, bright white underparts, some buff around the upper chest, white throat and face (tending to look like it has the start of an eye stripe) and the feathers on the upper parts had dark brownish centers with light buffy edges. From any distance this bird has much lighter upper parts than the dowitchers and yellowlegs it was being seen near. At on point the Ruff decided to take advantage of the goodies being brought to the surface by the spinning Wilson's Phalaropes. I was really surprised that that more people didn't try to get these birds this morning, maybe it's a lunch break bird. We did try for but did not find the Pectoral Sandpiper but then it can be a hit or miss bird even when it's around. Take care, Bob Reiling, 11:41 AM, 8/30/00 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 30 13:17:01 2000 Subject: [SBB] Spreckles Ave. 8/30 -------- Hi Everyone-- The STILT SANDPIPER continued to lounge with dowitchers and phalaropes at the marsh at Spreckles and State in Alviso until 12:30PM, when A PEREGRINE FALCON flew in and sent most of the waders somewhere to the west. The Ruff had slinked off before I got there, and I did not see it. Mark 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]] Wed Aug 30 14:41:47 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] Ruff and Stilt Sandpiper continue in Alviso -------- All, Roy Carlson would be surprised if he knew that he was now known as Joe! Guess I had another senior moment. Take care, Bob Reiling, 2:47 PM, 8/30/00 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 30 15:02:49 2000 Subject: [SBB] The Two-Ruff Theory? -------- Mike Mammoser wrote: > At lunch time today, 30 Aug 00, I had the RUFF and STILT SANDPIPER at the > New Chicago Marsh near State and Spreckles in Alviso. Also present were Al > Eisner, Art Edwards, and Mark Miller, among others. > > The Ruff was about the size of a dowitcher. At one point it looked slightly > larger and at another it looked slightly smaller. So, I guess it's fair to > say it was dowitcher-sized. To me, it would seem to be a tough call trying > to sex it by size, so I'll defer to Mike Rogers' analysis. It was dark brown > above with pale buff edgings to the feathers. It was mostly pure white > below, with the white extending up onto the throat, face, lores, and > forehead. The bird had a dusky wash across the breast, with some mottled > darker horizontal marks through this wash. The legs were orangish, but > couldn't be seen very well, because they were mostly hidden in the water. > The slightly drooped bill was entirely black. When I arrived just before 11, I saw the Ruff at close range near Grand Blvd (Ave?), in the company of 2 Lesser Yellowlegs and some Dowitchers. (The birds here later flew up to near State St., where we refound the Ruff.) I felt that this bird was at most only slightly larger than the Lesser Yellowlegs (perhaps not at all), even discounting the shorter bill. This seems to me to be decidely smaller than what Mike Rogers described for the Crittenden bird (which I unfortunately didn't see); on the other hand, Matthew Dodder's description seemed to be of a correspondingly small individual. Perhaps Mike R. can make use of Mike M.'s description of the underparts (with which I fully concur) to see if the plumage matches the Crittenden bird. I can add to Mike's account above that: the legs were an orange-yellow, decidedly more orange than Yellowlegs' legs, but not bright orange. The face seemed pale buffy, with a whiter region around the base of the bill (but that's typical of many Ruffs). The upperparts color seemed to be medium-brown in some light, darker brown in other. So, has Santa Clara Co. had one or two Ruffs so far this season? 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]] Wed Aug 30 15:35:01 2000 Subject: [SBB] Some Pond info -------- All, While running around this morning we noted that the water level in the northern most pond at Calabazas is too high (almost no shorebirds in it, none notable, not even ducks). The first pond on the left at CCFS is now "shorebird worthy". A couple hundred dowitchers there today. The two ponds across from the banding trailer are rapidly filling with ducks [but still not "shorebird worthy"]. The worst news however is that the water level in the Waterbird Pond is way too high! Only stilts and avocets there now :-( I'm sure that our recent high tides are responsible but please, someone, close the valve before the road is flooded [well that was an exaggeration]. Frank was wondering how the water level in New Chicago Marsh [more importantly our much beloved pond alongside Spreckles Ave] manages to stay just right? Take care, Bob Reiling, 3:38 PM, 8/30/00 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 30 16:53:14 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] The Two-Ruff Theory? -------- All, I assume that Mike Rogers saw the same Ruff at Crittenden as Frank Vanslager and I did. We also saw the bird there at fairly close range, perhaps twice the distance of today's sighting. (I'm sure that Mike also saw it at fairly close range). I believe that they are most probably the same bird. The body coloring, the all white underparts, the white face (especially in the lores which looked as though it could be the start of a supercillium), the leg coloring is the same yellow-orange and as Al points out we have the same concern over sexing the bird. It should be noted that according to published information the largest dowitcher can be larger than the smallest male Ruff (by a whopping 40 mm) and the largest LEYE is less than 10 mm shorter, I don't think that a four percent difference in the overall length of LEYE or Ruffs can be seen in the field. Lengths are (LBDO 270-300 mm, male Ruff 260-320 mm, Reeve 200-250 mm and LEYE 230- 250 mm). We also know that, as can see from the data above, there is a much greater variability in the size of Ruffs (especially males). I saw the bird on both occasions as being longer bodied (but much slimmer) than the dowitchers which I felt would make the two birds about the same size (different neck lengths, bill lengths and stances make an overall comparison difficult). However, if one cannot accept that this is an unusually small male Ruff than I think that a case must be made for an unusually large Reeve (they are normally are much shorter than dowitchers (even the shortest of the dowitchers) and can even be, on the average, shorter than Lesser Yellowlegs. Take care, Bob Reiling, 4:57 PM, 8/30/00 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 30 18:49:02 2000 Subject: [SBB] Calero Reservoir birds -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, Birds at the east end of Calero Reservoir near Bailey Road this afternoon included a concentration of at least 40 PIED-BILLED GREBES; lots of ducks, among which there were AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN SHOVELER, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL; the adult PEREGRINE FALCON, still perched in the lone oak at the mouth of Bailey Cove; 6 GREATER YELLOWLEGS; 1 CASPIAN TERN; a TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD in a flock of RED-WINGED; and a LARK SPARROW near the gate where you enter from Bailey. John Mariani [[email protected]] http://www.birdswest.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]] Wed Aug 30 21:13:38 2000 Subject: [SBB] OK, I give up. -------- How do you differentiate Long-billed and Short-billed Dowitchers? I see mails confidently stating that there were Long-billed Dowitchers here and Short-billed Dowitchers there; but the best I have been able to say is that I have seen full breeding or juvenile Short-bills and the rest could be either dowitcher in anything from partial breeding plumage to winter plumage. I'm guessing that the key right now is the timing of their moult. Are there likely to be any birds in full winter plumage? Any in full breeding plumage? Are the tail patterns good for separating them? The National Geographic suggests that the best way of telling them apart is by call but to me they seem to be the quietest birds on the shores. They certainly make Least and Western Sandpipers seem like a doddle. Thanking in advance any kind souls for whatever help they can give... Andy. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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 Aug 31 05:37:07 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] The Two-Ruff Theory? -------- ----- Original Message ----- From: <[[email protected]]> > > It should be noted that according to published > information the largest dowitcher can be larger than the smallest male Ruff > (by a whopping 40 mm) This is based on the bill length being included in the measurement. Discounting the length of the bill, a male Ruff will never be as small as the largest dowitcher. I again studied the Ruff at New Chicago Marsh today over lunch. I had two direct comparisons with dowitchers, looking at body length, body width, and overall length (without the bill). Against one dowitcher the Ruff looked slightly smaller in all measurements (Jim Danzenbaker said "a lot smaller") and against the other about equal in all measurements. Other comparisons were made with dowitchers a little distance away. No comparison made the Ruff look any larger than a dowitcher. The width of the Ruff's body may have looked slightly smaller than that of the dowitchers at its widest point (this comparison is also exacerbated by the fact that the Ruff tapers more at the tail than the dowitchers). Now, Paulson says that a female Ruff is about the size of a dowitcher, while a male is about the size of a Greater Yellowlegs. This is certainly a generalization, but even if one analyzed the corrected length data from HMP, a Ruff that equates to a dowitcher in size is more "likely" to be a 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 Aug 31 08:32:02 2000 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: This morning, 8/31/2000, there was a single BROWN PELICAN on Salt Pond A2W. On the Stevens Creek Tidal Marsh, one tower had a GOLDEN EAGLE, while a second had an adult PEREGRINE FALCON plucking an unidentified bird. 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 Aug 31 10:30:59 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] The Two-Ruff Theory? -------- Bob Reiling wrote: > It should be noted that according to published > information the largest dowitcher can be larger than the smallest male Ruff > (by a whopping 40 mm) and the largest LEYE is less than 10 mm shorter, I > don't think that a four percent difference in the overall length of LEYE or > Ruffs can be seen in the field. Lengths are (LBDO 270-300 mm, male Ruff > 260-320 mm, Reeve 200-250 mm and LEYE 230- 250 mm). We also know that, as > can see from the data above, there is a much greater variability in the size > of Ruffs (especially males). > I saw the bird on both occasions as being longer bodied (but much slimmer) > than the dowitchers which I felt would make the two birds about the same size > (different neck lengths, bill lengths and stances make an overall comparison > difficult). However, if one cannot accept that this is an unusually small > male Ruff than I think that a case must be made for an unusually large Reeve > (they are normally are much shorter than dowitchers (even the shortest of the > dowitchers) and can even be, on the average, shorter than Lesser Yellowlegs. One problem is that the lengths are for an in-hand bird (Dead? alive?) lying on its back (according to Helm guide) and includes the bill length. I suspect that as field birders we tend to discount the bill. Purely as an exercise, here are some numbers with the bill length subtracted. This should be taken with a very large grain of salt, since I've simply subtracted the maxmium bill length from the maximum bird length, and the minimum from the minimum -- i.e., I've assumed a strong correlation between bill length and overall length (this is probably closer to the truth for Dowitchers than assuming no correlation, but I don't pretend to its being scientific). Numbers are from Helm guide. Overall length Overall - bill length Greater Yellowlegs 290 - 330 mm 240 - 269 mm Lesser Yellowlegs 230 - 250 197 - 210 Long-Billed Dowitcher 270 - 300 216 - 222 Short-Billed Dowitcher 250 - 290 199 - 222 Ruff (male) 260 - 320 230 - 278 Ruff (female) 200 - 250 174 - 216 The numbers at the right don't much affect the comparison to Lesser Yellowlegs (male Ruffs are appreciably larger, females are comparable or smaller), but it does affect the comparison to Dowitchers (the largest female Ruffs are compar- ble to Long-Billed Dowitchers, rather than being significantly smaller). All this may well be sophistry. Paulsen, in fact, avoids using overall length as a measurement at all, preferring to rely upon weight (in effect bulk). Al (don't I have something better to do?) 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 Aug 31 12:51:28 2000 Subject: [SBB] Ruff, Stilt Sandpiper -------- All, This morning 8/31/00, a dozen birders and I enjoyed the basic adult RUFF at Spreckles and Grand and the adult mostly basic STILT SANDPIPER at State and Spreckles in Alviso. It was interesting to compare the Ruff to the one Peter Metropulos found at Crittenden Marsh, which I saw ten days ago. The birds are quite similar in plumage, with pale fringes neatly surrounding the tertials, scapulars, and mantle feathers and several of the larger feathers having darker brown along the shafts. With very careful scrutiny today I noted that there were some small black marks (bars) on the two most prominent tertials on the right side and on the large rear lower scapular on the left side. (The 3rd edition NGS guide shows these bars on the "winter male", although today I only noted one bar per feather). I did not note these bars on the Crittenden bird, but I certainly wasn't explicitly looking for them either. The mottling along the flanks was similar between the two birds, but the chest mottling seemed somewhat different. Today's bird showed a Song-Sparrow-like darker spot at mid-breast (a coalescence of narrow dark streaks) that I did not note on the Crittenden bird. This darker spot was almost always visible and quite obvious. The face pattern was similar, with white on the forehead and throat, but there seemed to perhaps be more narrow brown streaking in some of these areas. While in the water the legs appeared orange-yellow, but when the bird was up on the mud (not very often) it could be seen that the area around the "knees" was a darker orange. Some parts of the upper tibia and lower tarsus appeared to have a dull greenish cast. The Crittenden bird seemed to me to have dull orange-red legs, with slightly more red tones than on today's bird, although this color difference may be a result of lighting (very overcast this morning) or continued hormonal changes in the bird. So what about size? Today it was hard to get a good comparison to more than one or two dowitchers at a time, so I could not judge how the Ruff would look in a flock of them. It seemed similar in body size to the few dowitchers it was next to, perhaps slightly broader chested, and perhaps longer-legged, as it foraged in slightly deeper water most of the time. On the other hand, there was ample opportunity to compare today's bird to both species of yellowlegs. The Ruff was very close in size and structure to several Lesser Yellowlegs that it was foraging with, perhaps slightly stockier than some. It was clearly smaller than a Greater Yellowlegs it was next to, but not dwarfed by it (this was perhaps a smallish GRYE though). The Crittenden Ruff was notably larger than the single Lesser Yellowlegs it was next too, much more so than today's bird, which was very similar to the LEYEs in size. But given that the size relative to the dowitchers was judged to be similar on both days, I wonder if the Crittenden LEYE may have been unusually small? The Crittenden Ruff was obviously much heavier-bodied than the dowitchers in flight. Unfortunately, I only saw today's Ruff in flight with Wilson's Phalaropes, so I could not confirm whether it appeared heavy-bodied in flight relative to the dowitchers. In summary, although there are some minor plumage differences between the two Ruff sightings it seems possible that they might pertain to the same bird. The comparison of today's bird with nearby Lesser Yellowlegs suggests it may be a large female. If this is the same bird, then the Crittenden Lesser Yellowlegs would have to have been tiny and large female Ruffs would have to be heavier than dowitchers (does anyone have this weight information?). Of course, with Ruffs also being reported from Marin, Monterey, and Sonoma Counties right now there are a few moving through and two birds is not an impossibility. I was able to get several photographs of the RUFF this morning but unfortunately do not have any of the Crittenden bird to compare to. Peter, do you have any details on the Crittenden bird from your observation on 8/20/00 (size, plumage details, leg color, etc.)? 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 Aug 31 21:28:18 2000 Subject: [SBB] The Alviso Ruff -------- I just caught up with the Ruff at Spreckles in Alviso this lunch-time. I thought the most striking part of it was the mess of feathers sticking up from its shoulders. I had understood that to be typical of males moulting out of breeding plumage but I couldn't identify the source of that information. I don't keep records of the sexes of birds that I have seen. However, I don't recall ever seeing a Ruff that did not match that description. I couldn't find the Stilt or Pectoral Sandpipers. And not even a Peregrine to enliven proceedings! How I keep missing that one I don't know. Andy. PS. Many thanks for the dowitcher replies -- too many to reply to individually. I'm reassured that most other people find them difficult. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== 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]]