From [[email protected]] Sun Aug 01 21:48:12 1999
Subject: [SBB] La Rinconada Park - etc.
David McIntrye and Ann Verdi educated me over a year ago at the importance
of having a "Farm", a location where you can be the specialist. I chose La
Rinconada Park in Los Gatos as my farm and it has given me a different
angle on birding. As Ann has created the bird list for Alum Rock Park, I
have created one for La Rinconada. Today armed with a bottle of water I
visited my "farm" - at high noon which admittedly is not the optimum time
of the day to bird.
I walked the trail through the park first to determine where the loudest
symphony of bird sound was. Then, sat on a bench in the shade and waited. I
hoped to see again the Western Tanager I had seen here on Thursday, but
didn't. I'm finding it quite interesting to pay more attention to bird
behavior.
It was "family time". My first family to appear out of the brush was an
Oregon Junco family of 8. Next a Black-headed Grosbeak family of 5 flitted
around me. A solitary California Thrasher and California Towhee appeared.
Then, flitting to within 10 feet of me was a Wrentit family of 4. I have
only seen a Wrentit once before in this park, and it was at the other end,
so this was exciting - to think that they must have bred here. I wasn't
sure if the Nuttall's and Acorn Woodpeckers I saw were a family or not. A
solitary White-breasted Nuthatch. A family of Oak Titmouse, 2 of whom
appeared to be molting. A group of Chestnut-backed Chickadees appeared
bringing with them a pair of Orange-crowned Warblers. All this within half
an hour. I was pleased.
The first time I'd seen Stellar Jays in this park was at the first of this
year. I've been out-of-town for a couple of months and it was interesting
that they have now moved from the edge into the central area of the park
with the Scrub Jays on both sides of them. A lot of squawking by the Stellars.
Near the park, on Bicknell Road I saw my first Raven in my neighborhood. It
was being attached by a couple of very unhappy Mockingbirds.
Also on Bicknell the 100 or so Cliff Swallows that had been building nests
under the eaves of a house a couple of months ago are now gone. The owner
of the house used high-pressure water to get rid of them. Since I had never
seen Cliff Swallows in my neighborhood before and haven't seen them
anywhere upon my return to town, I have no idea where they'd been or gone to.
Hope you all had a good time birding this weekend!
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos, near Quito Road
"We can't change the wind, 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]] Mon Aug 02 09:54:04 1999
Subject: FW: [SBB] GynoClinic Sex Hidden Cameras
OK you guys, how did this get up here? Oh behave!!!
Scott Young
-----Original Message-----
From: The Dirty Doctor [mailto:[[email protected]]]
Sent: Monday, August 02, 1999 3:40 AM
To: [[email protected]]
Subject: [SBB] GynoClinic Sex Hidden Cameras
============================================================
GYNOCLINIC.COM - HIDDEN CAMERAS IN A DIRTY DOCTORS CLINIC!
============================================================
YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN A SITE LIKE THIS!
It took us a while but we've come up with the ulimate porn!
We have found the most perverted doctor in Europe, & hidden
several cameras in his examination room. See intimate video
examination of teenage girls. Internal & External footage!!
See the girls have their pussy stretched wide open with the
speculum! They shower & wash their still slippery pussy and
change in full view of our cameras!
FUCKING AWESOME FOOTAGE!! YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE THIS!!!
http://www.gynoclinic.com/b/betty?c=clinic
============================================================
UNLIMITED TRIAL FARMSEX 3 DAY TRIAL = http://www.farmsex.net
Ever wondered what happened down on the farm? This new site
may help educate you! Our fresh faced teens get very excited
outdoors, and when the local cowhands come past they just go
off! Come on over and visit and see the girls get down and
dirty amongst the animals at FARMSEX.NET. Absolute quality!
Brings out the beast in you --------> http://www.farmsex.net
Todays free feature site:==> http://www.farmsex.net/click212
============================================================
DORMCAM - RENTED TO 5 HOT COLLEGE BABES - LIVE FEEDS
============================================================
NOW WITH VOYEUR DORM! FREE FOR A WEEK!!!
100% Free Membership
Exclusive high resolution pictorials
8,200 streaming videos
27 live shows
live fucking with sound
live hidden toilet bowl cam
live hidden tanning booth
live hidden dressing rooms
live secretary cam
10,000 stories
PORNCAST................... http://www.porncast.net/click212
============================================================
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus 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 02 09:54:30 1999
Subject: [SBB] Porno spam
SBB list members,
As you've noticed, the SBB list is being spammed by some pornomongers.
The SBB list is supposed to be closed and hidden. This means that
subscriptions
are monitored and posting to the list is supposed to be allowed only by
members
of the list. Also, the list is supposed to be hidden from a list search
at the host.
Obviously, some spammers have managed to get past these security
measures.
I have checked with the listserver and the source e-mail addresses are
not
members of the list. This is often the case with spam as the purveyors of
this
stuff have figured out how to relay messages through other people's mail
servers
and to fake a source address.
I'm sorry about the unwanted e-mail distributions. I will see if the host
manager(s) have some solutions. Until a fix is possible, I can only
suggest
that you use the delete key.
===================================
Les Chibana
South Bay Birds list
List Bureaucrat
[[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 02 09:54:48 1999
Subject: FW: [SBB] Free Sex Links =>[[email protected]]
Another one.
-----Original Message-----
From: WILD SEX [mailto:[[email protected]]]
Sent: Sunday, August 01, 1999 12:41 AM
To: [[email protected]]
Subject: [SBB] Free Sex Links =>[[email protected]]
Dear [[email protected]]
============================================================
OH MY GOD WHAT A RAUNCHY SITE!! FUCKING HOT TEENS, FISTING,
FARMSEX, PREGNANT WOMEN, PISSING, SHE-MALE SEX, DEEPTHROAT
FACEFUCKING, BONDAGE, SM.....WOW THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE.
http://www.intergal.com/cgi-bin/BAN_record?cumsluts/0036000079/2
------------------------------------------------------------
YOU WONT BELIEVE YOUR EYES HOW FUCKING HARDCORE THIS SITE IS
IT'S BIZARRE IT'S UNBE-FUCKING-LIEVABLE GOTTA SEE THIS NOW!!
http://www.intergal.com/cgi-bin/BAN_record?cumsluts/0036000079/2
------------------------------------------------------------
NEVER HAVE YOU SEEN SUCH A HARDCORE FUCKSITE BEFORE, THIS IS
THE MOST RAUNCHY SITE EVER!! YOUNGEST LEGAL TEENS!! YOU MUST
SEE THIS NOW!!
http://www.intergal.com/cgi-bin/BAN_record?cumsluts/0036000079/2
============================================================
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus 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 02 10:30:17 1999
Subject: [SBB] Pileated Woodie, etc.
On Saturday morning, 7/31/99, I hiked a portion of Long Ridge
OSP on the San Mateo county side of Skyine Blvd. I saw one
BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, 2 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS
(with loose, fluffy juvenal plumage), and 3 male WILSON'S
WARBLERS. Lots of DARK-EYED JUNCO kids were present and one
juvenile SPOTTED TOWHEE. Not much else beyond the regular
crew.
There were plenty of California Sisters flying and a few
Lorquin's Admirals and Ox-eyed Satyrs.
On Sunday afternoon, 8/1/99, I went down the Grizzly Flat
trail in Upper Stevens Creek Park to the Canyon Trail beyond
upper Stevens Creek. At about 6:30p and 1.4 mi. down the
trail, I heard some pecking and the sound of falling tree
debris above me. The pecking wasn't very loud, and I expected
to see a Hairy Woodpecker. I was pleasantly surprised to see
a PILEATED WOODPECKER working over a dead bough 40 ft. over
the trail. I heard a quiet "wuk, wuk, wuk" from a bit uphill
from the bird, and shortly, a 2nd bird flew into the same
tree. I heard more calling from uphill, indicating at least
one more bird. Both of the visible birds appeared to be HY
females: black feathering between the bill and the reddish
crown, brownish-backs, and short tails. One of the birds
showed two white primary coverts; I never saw the opposite
side to see if this was a symmetrical feature. I didn't see
or hear any of these birds on my way back up.
At about .75 mi. from Skyline Blvd. 4-5 PYGMY NUTHATCHES flew
up near the trail. This is the first time I've seen this
species in this area.
And we've had up to 4 bats roosting on our house. My best
guess (not worth much for bats) is that they're Little Brown
Bats. Cute little buggers.
Les
==========================================
Les Chibana, Palo Alto [[email protected]]
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Mon Aug 02 11:13:33 1999
Subject: [SBB] birds
On Saturday, 31 Jul 99, I stopped at Calabazas Marsh. Even though the
northern-most pond is drying up, there was still some good shorebird
activity here. I found 3 juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, which seemed
to be a good concentration, considering that there were probably less
than 200 calidrids (most being LEASTS). A single LESSER YELLOWLEGS was
also here.
A stop at Crittenden Marsh didn't produce any Bank Swallow, but there
were still at least 20 LEAST TERNS about.
On Sunday, 1 Aug 99, Vicki Silvas-Young showed me a WHITE-TAILED KITE
nest near SFBBO's Coyote Creek Field Station. A bird was sitting on this
nest as though incubating, which would make it a fairly late nesting
attempt, though not unprecedented. Kites have been in this area for most
of the summer, so I wonder if this is a renesting or a second brood (I
haven't noticed any young birds around here that may have come from a
previous nesting).
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 02 11:54:30 1999
Subject: [SBB] LBHE,RUTU,SNPL,DUNL
All,
Yesterday Sunday 8/1/99 I made a 5-hour bike trek around the Alviso
Salt Ponds, starting from the Marina, heading north along the railroad
tracks, then west after the second pond to Salt Pond A9, and back to
the Marina along Alviso Slough. Ended up with 51 species of birds, 19
of them being shorebirds. Shorebird totals for the trip are given
below. These numbers are lower bounds since much of southwestern Salt
Pond A14 was too distant to be accurately counted. Also, the numbers
only include birds on the salt ponds - I have shown totals from a few
quick checks of the Coyote Creek mudflats (low tide) separately.
Black-bellied Plover - 1 + 7 on Coyote Creek
SNOWY PLOVER - 1 on northern pond A14. This bird would run through
the huge swarms of flies, scooping up prey, instead of picking
at the surface like the peeps.
Semipalmated Plover - 3 + 23 on Coyote Creek
Killdeer - 3
Black-necked Stilt - 331, including one leucistic bird that was pale
tan where a normal bird is black and had a pink-based bill (got
photos).
American Avocet - 568 + 33 on Coyote Creek
Greater Yellowlegs - 3
Willet - 427 + 40 on Coyote Creek
Whimbrel - 3 (dike between ponds A9 and A10)
Long-billed Curlew - 22 + 47 on Coyote Creek
Marbled Godwit - 574 + 220 on Coyote Creek
RUDDY TURNSTONE - 1 alternate plumaged bird on the east side of A14
Western Sandpiper - 7 + 400 on Coyote Creek
Least Sandpiper - 160
peep sp. - 659
DUNLIN - 1 very early basic-plumaged bird on northern pond A14
Short-billed Dowitcher - 6
Long-billed Dowitcher - 1
dowitcher sp. - 109
Wilson's Phalarope - 910 (very few juveniles)
Red-necked Phalarope - 3150 (no juveniles noted)
2850 of these phalaropes were on Salt Pond A15 - impressive!
Ducks are clearly not back. I had one male RUDDY DUCK on A9 and a
flyover MALLARD. Grebes are also in low numbers, with 14 PIED-BILLED
GREBES (mostly A9), 4 EARED GREBES (including one tame leucistic bird
in northern A14 that was almost all white except for some dusky
markings on the neck and rear - got photos), and a single distant
AECHMOPHORUS GREBE that appeared to be a CLARK'S by bill color.
I had 2 adult LITTLE BLUE HERONS, the first being flushed from the
northwest corner of A9 and flying south to the dike between A9 and
A10, joining a second bird already there (got photos). Also had 39
BROWN PELICANS and 122 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, mostly on this same
dike. Not much else of interest besides 2 to 3 CASPIAN TERNS and a
BARN SWALLOW nest with eggs under the wooden structure near pond A14.
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 02 12:28:30 1999
Subject: RE: [SBB] birds
REPLY RE: [SBB] birds
Mike Mammoser wrote:
>On Sunday, 1 Aug 99, Vicki Silvas-Young showed me a WHITE-TAILED KITE
>nest near SFBBO's Coyote Creek Field Station. A bird was sitting on this
>nest as though incubating, which would make it a fairly late nesting
>attempt, though not unprecedented. Kites have been in this area for most
>of the summer, so I wonder if this is a renesting or a second brood (I
>haven't noticed any young birds around here that may have come from a
>previous nesting).
On 7/24/99, I saw a White-tailed Kite at a site that appeared to be an active nest on 6/5 near the Monte Bello OSP parking area. I don't know if the site was active on the later date, but this seems to be a similar situation.
Les
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 02 12:49:42 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] birds
Mike M. wrote:
> On Saturday, 31 Jul 99, I stopped at Calabazas Marsh. Even though the
> northern-most pond is drying up, there was still some good shorebird
> activity here. I found 3 juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, which seemed
> to be a good concentration, considering that there were probably less
> than 200 calidrids (most being LEASTS). A single LESSER YELLOWLEGS was
> also here.
On a Saturday afternoon visit to the same location, I had good looks
at at least one juvenile Semi. Sandpiper; the lighting conditions made it
hard to fully assess the more distant stints, but repeated sightings had
made me suspect I might have more than one Semi. (I hadn't yet heard Mike's
report at the time.) I also saw the Lesser Y. and close to 100 Semipalmated
Plovers.
The best Yellowlegs hangout I found was the pond at State and Spreckels in
Alviso, where 3-4 of a total of about 26 Yellowlegs were Lessers. I also
had one Lesser at the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin ponds. Alvaro:
yes, I think the CCRS pond probably could use a bit less water. (It could
certainly use more birds variety!) It's possible the topography has changed
in the past few years, but in the past appropriate habitat has included at
least some exposed small islands near the south end, which aren't showing
at present. Also, does anyone know who controls the Calabazas Marsh water
levels, and on what basis?
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 02 13:51:36 1999
Subject: [SBB] Recent porno spam
Just a short note to all. As soon as I saw that spam, I hit up George for a
full header so that I could unlimber some bigger artillery and track these
toads down (he was gracious enough to send a couple to me--thank you,
George).
I've managed to locate them (Canberra, Australia). I have already contacted
both them and their immediate up-line for account termination. While I did
lay a smart new LART on 'em, I *did* keep it civil in keeping with this
groups very civil and sedate demeanor (this time...). Only time will tell
if their dial-up provider is as sincere in their actions as they sounded in
their reply to receipt of my abuse notification.
FWIW; that site is not listed in either the RBL, open relay list, or dial-up
provider warning list. So, it's either new, or been below our radar screens
until now. The problem with slamming spammers is that it's a kind of like a
kids, "Whack-a-mole" game. You pound one down in one place, and he pops up
someplace else. I also probed their up-line's site to see if maybe they
were getting relay-raped (AFAICT; no!). I'm going to probe the Stanford MTA
server to see if it's relay proof as soon as I find someone there who will
permit me to do so (it's considered rude to probe somebody's system w/o
permission).
With any success at all, I might be able to exterminate (this incarnation
of) them. I'll keep you all posted (success only). In the interim, it's
probably best if you just delete this kind of spam, and not reply or respond
to the list about it--as that only serves to further spread their foul
spew...
Dusty Bleher
Campbell, Ca.
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Mon Aug 02 23:35:24 1999
Subject: [SBB] off topic - vacation birding...
Off topic, so I'll keep this short. We're currently on vacation up in
the Pacific Northwest, and doing a little birding on the side. It is,
by far, one of the weirdest summers we've seen, if you can call it
summer.
We've spent some time near Port Ludlow, Washington, as well as a few
hours birding Port Angeles and Victoria. There are no summer birds up
here. None. nada. Very little of anything. At the cabin near Ludlow,
there was very little at all -- Stellar Jays and Starlings and a few
house finches. The Jays and Starlings are winter birds where we were,
and shouldn't be anywhere around the place.
All of the places we've been are basically empty. Glaucous Winged
Gulls, and a few (very few) that seem to be Thayers. Port Angeles had
maybe half a dozen pigeon guillomettes (sp...), and one cormorant. At
Clover Point in Victoria, there were -- gulls. And out on the jetty,
we saw a Bonaparte's Gull, plus one Rhinocerous Auklett. The Pelagic
trip on the Coho to found at least half a dozen loons, and I've never
SEEN a loon on that trip before.
There wasn't a shorebird anywhere. None. And none of the usual
suspects. The cormorants are gone. No Grebes. No southern-oriented
gulls. No scoters. Nothing. The winter birds aren't here yet, but all
but the residents are gone. We found a flock of Canada geese near the
victoria airport, on the mud flats eating, clearly on their way
through.
Up here, many of the food sources are six weeks behind schedule. The
key berry crops, which are mid-June to early July, are still in
flower to starting to ripen.
I know things have been weird down in the SBB area, but coming up
here, it's quite disturbing just how off this summer is. I've been in
this area in November more than once, and it's not this dead. It got
to be seeing a bloody robin made our day....
Just thought I'd pass along that if you see any oystercatchers, tell
them we miss them up in Victoria. that's where they came from,
because they ain't here...
(and the Bonaparte's gull is early!)
chuq
--
Chuq Von Rospach (Hockey fan? )
Apple Mail List Gnome (mailto:[[email protected]])
Plaidworks Consulting (mailto:[[email protected]])
+
The Jedi that I admire most met up with Darth Maul and now he's toast...
(Weird Al Yankovic - The Saga Begins)
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 03 00:36:03 1999
Subject: [SBB] Wild Turkeys, mystery calidrid
Howdy South-bay-birders,
This afternoon, at my parent's house in the Santa Teresa Hills, my niece
showed me a flock of at least 20 WILD TURKEYS, mostly young birds. One
big adult came right up onto the deck behind the house. A doe and spotty
fawn were also hanging out beside the house.
Back on July 16th I saw a shorebird that has had me puzzled ever
since. The bird was not in Santa Clara County, but I'm hoping someone
will have some insight into the I.D. of the bird, which was seen up near
Tule Lake. Here is my description of the bird:
It was a peep, about the size of a Western Sandpiper, or slightly
smaller (seen with Westerns). Short wing projection gave it a compact,
plump, shorter-bodied look. It had a shorter and thicker bill than the
Westerns around it, without narrowing or drooping at the tip. It had no
rufous coloration on the scapulars (or anywhere else), and had a
gray-streaked crown and nape. Its throat was white with a partial band
of light gray streaks across the breast. It's mantle and wings were
gray, with a couple of contrasting feathers with broad black centers on
the wing coverts. No streaking or spotting on the underparts south of
the breast. Legs were black. Color-wise it was like a winter
Western--gray and white, no trace of any brighter colors (all the
Westerns around it were alternate plumaged adults). In shape I would say
Semiplamated Sandpiper, but wouldn't an adult Semipalmated be more
brownish, not so pale gray? And would a Semi show the couple of
contrasting black spots on the wings? I ruled out Sanderling because of
its larger size, longer wings, and because the bird didn't show the buff
tones I would expect on a juvenile Sanderling. Any ideas?
John Mariani
[[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 03 08:55:34 1999
Subject: [SBB] mystery calidrid
At 12:36 AM 8/3/99 -0700, John Mariani wrote:
> It was a peep, about the size of a Western Sandpiper, or slightly
>smaller (seen with Westerns). Short wing projection gave it a compact,
>plump, shorter-bodied look. It had a shorter and thicker bill than the
>Westerns around it, without narrowing or drooping at the tip. It had no
>rufous coloration on the scapulars (or anywhere else), and had a
>gray-streaked crown and nape. Its throat was white with a partial band
>of light gray streaks across the breast. It's mantle and wings were
>gray, with a couple of contrasting feathers with broad black centers on
>the wing coverts. No streaking or spotting on the underparts south of
>the breast. Legs were black. Color-wise it was like a winter
>Western--gray and white, no trace of any brighter colors (all the
>Westerns around it were alternate plumaged adults). In shape I would say
>Semiplamated Sandpiper, but wouldn't an adult Semipalmated be more
>brownish, not so pale gray? And would a Semi show the couple of
>contrasting black spots on the wings? I ruled out Sanderling because of
>its larger size, longer wings, and because the bird didn't show the buff
>tones I would expect on a juvenile Sanderling. Any ideas?
>
Sounds pretty good for a Semipalmated Sandpiper based on the description of
the size and structure of the bird. Semipalmated Sandpipers are greyish
rather than brownish. The contrasting dark feathers on the upperparts may
have been due to the bird being an immature (second calendar year). These
birds do not always obtain full breeding plumage and the few alternate
feathers they do moult in look contrasting and dark compared to the grey
basic (winter) feathers. Also they are not well illustrated in the books.
Right now you can find greyish individuals in flocks of Western Sandpipers
which are Western Sandpipers but second calendar year (first summer)
immatures. The adults will not have had time to completely moult out of
their alternate plumage yet, so if they are grey now they are almost surely
immatures. This does not apply to early moulters like Sanderling and Stilt
Sandpiper which moult into basic (winter) plumage very early in the season.
Right now Sanderlings on the beaches here are half way to their winter
plumage.
cheers,
Al
Alvaro Jaramillo "It was almost a pity, to see the sun
Half Moon Bay, shining constantly over so useless a country"
California Darwin, regarding the Atacama desert.
[[email protected]]
Helm guide to the New World Blackbirds, Birding in Chile and more, at:
http://www.sirius.com/~alvaro
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Tue Aug 03 12:06:20 1999
Subject: [SBB] Green Heron
During my normal morning walk through my "farm" - La Rinconada Park (no
time to sit on bench today), I saw a Green Heron. Last year this was a
common sighting. But, then the house 2 doors outside the park cut down all
their bamboo that bordered the little stream that feeds into the park.
Today the bamboo is growing back, and a Green Heron has returned!
Walking up the lower end of Montclair Road I saw 2 immature Red-Tails
chasing each other. I'm assuming they're from the nest on the grounds of La
Rinconada Country Club.
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos near Quito
"We can't change the wind, 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]] Tue Aug 03 15:50:03 1999
Subject: [SBB] Semipalmated Sandpipers
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I saw two Juvenile SESA in the mud on the
eastern edge of the eastern portion of the Calabazas North Pond (it's now two
ponds and a large mud flat). We accessed the ponds via San Tomas Aquino
Creek so as to have the best morning light and to be closest to the most
"peeps". (This approach was decided on as a result of an abortive attempt to
find SESA on Monday from the Calabazas Creek side of the ponds.) We slowly
worked our way to within 75 - 100 ft. of the closest "peeps". The only time
that they flew was in response to a hunting Northern Harrier and although
they usually flew to the pond, the northern edge of the pond and the mud
flats north of the pond they would subsequently gradually work their way back
toward us on the east side of the pond. One of the SESA a faint rufous tint
to the crown, auriculars and scapulars when viewed head-on. It was
interesting to note that the rufous tinted SESA, that we viewed for the
longest period of time (until we left), spent at least 75% of the time
feeding in a manner different from that of any of the Western Sandpipers that
we observed. When Frank first found the bird it was probing the mud and we
noted that mud was sticking to the proximal portion of the lower mandible.
It would dislodge the mud but a few minutes of probing would result in the
same buildup. We then noticed that it was no longer probing the mud but
seemed to be feeding from the surface of the mud and when it would walk into
one of the depressions in the mud it's head would sweep back and forth much
like that of avocets (I don't know but I don't think it's bill was under
water). Twice when flushed by the NOHA it flew into the pond where it would
proceed to preen itself and thereby take advantage of the forced feeding
break. It should be noted that when on one occasion the NOHA flew near the
pond carrying prey that the "peeps" did not flush. They must have known that
they were safe if only for the moment. Finally as an aid in identifying this
bird I would recommend the book "Shorebirds, An Identification Guide" by
Peter Hayman, John Marchant and Tony Prater as I don't think that the NGS
field guide shows the bird properly (to dark) and Peterson's Western Birds is
to limited in scope.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 12:34 PM, 8/3/99
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 03 17:29:27 1999
Subject: [SBB] Barn Owls, Stanford
All: Two Barn Owls are roosting, apparently regularly, in a palm at
Escondido Village, Stanford. From Campus Drive, take Escondido Rd. east to
its end. Turn left, then almost immediately right. Drive about 100 yards
to a small parking area on the right with an "administrative offices" sign.
The palm is at the edge of this lot. An immature Cooper's Hawk also seems
to frequent this area.
Yours, John Meyer
********************************************************************
John Meyer, Dept. of Soc. Stanford U. Stanford CA 94305 (650)7231868
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 04 06:17:01 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] Wild Turkeys, mystery calidrid
On Tue, 03 Aug 1999 00:36:03 -0700, John Mariani <[[email protected]]>
wrote:
>In shape I would say
>Semiplamated Sandpiper, but wouldn't an adult Semipalmated be more
>brownish, not so pale gray? And would a Semi show the couple of
>contrasting black spots on the wings?
How did it compare with the mystery shorebird posted this month at my
web site?
http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/aug99.htm
--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA 94044: [[email protected]]
Fall Birding Classes begin Sept 7: http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/
California Bird Records Committee: http://www.wfo-cbrc.org/cbrc/
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 04 11:12:08 1999
Subject: [SBB] Re:mystery calidrids
Joe Morlan's mystery shorebird photo is a pretty close match to the bird I
saw last month at Tule Lake, only the brown tones on the crown and
auricular being different on my bird (and I was observing it at mid-day,
so the strong light may have made such subtle coloration harder to see).
I'm anxious to see what comments will be made on Joe's mystery sandpiper--
John Mariani
[[email protected]]
Joseph Morlan wrote:
> On Tue, 03 Aug 1999 00:36:03 -0700, John Mariani <[[email protected]]>
> wrote:
>
> >In shape I would say
> >Semiplamated Sandpiper, but wouldn't an adult Semipalmated be more
> >brownish, not so pale gray? And would a Semi show the couple of
> >contrasting black spots on the wings?
>
> How did it compare with the mystery shorebird posted this month at my
> web site?
>
> http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/aug99.htm
>
> --
> Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA 94044: [[email protected]]
> Fall Birding Classes begin Sept 7: http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/
> California Bird Records Committee: http://www.wfo-cbrc.org/cbrc/
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 04 15:42:22 1999
Subject: [SBB] Almaden & Calero Reservoirs
Howdy South-bay-birders,
This afternoon I visited Almaden and Calero Reservoirs. The water
has receded somewhat at the upper end of Almaden Res., and the habitat
there is wonderfully swampy with new marsh vegetation--which might
explain why I found GREAT and SNOWY EGRETS there for the first time (Ann
Verdi has had Great Egret at Almaden Res. before, but as far as I know
this is the first Snowy recorded here). Strange that they are so scarce
in the hills when they are so common on the valley floor.
At Calero Reservoir there is also some nice habitat being created by
the receding waters, especially near the intersection with Bailey Road.
On the exposed mud and shallows I saw 1 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 2-3 GREATER
YELLOWLEGS, 1 LEAST SANDPIPER, and 10-plus BLACK-NECKED STILTS. There
were plenty of SNOWY EGRETS, CASPIAN and FORSTER'S TERNS, RING-BILLED
GULLS, etc., also along the water's edge. A LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE showing
traces of juvenile plumage was on a hill near the reservoir.
John Mariani
[[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 06 16:07:58 1999
Subject: [SBB] Field trips
Leda Beth,
Here's the field trips for September (99). Let me know if you got it OK.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 4:14 PM, 8/6/99
**Saturday Sept. 4, 8:30 A.M.
Half day Plus. Moss Landing and vicinity. Leader: John Mariani
Meet at Jetty Rd off of Hwy. 1 just north of Moss Landing. Dress in layers,
bring lunch and water. This trip will be extended, beyond the usual hot
spots, to cover any rare or unusual species currently being seen in the area.
Emphasis on shorebirds, waterfowl and early migrants.
**Saturday Sept 11, 8:30 A.M.
Half day. Ogier Ponds. Leader: Bob Reiling (408) 253-7527
>From Hwy. 101 in Morgan Hill take Cochrane Rd. west to Monterey Hwy., turn
right, go north 2.6 miles, turn right towards the Model Airplane Park.
Follow the road for ½ mile and park in the gravel lot at the first bend in
road.
**Sunday Sept. 12, 9:00 A.M.
Half day. Charleston Slough. Leader: Allen Royer (408) 288-7768
>From Hwy.101 in Mt. View take San Antonio Rd. north to Terminal Way parking
area. Meet at the entrance nearest San Antonio Road. This trip recommended
for, but is not limited to, beginning birders.
**Saturday Sept. 18, 9:00 A.M.
Full day. Point Reyes. Leader: Peter LaTourette (650) 961-2741.
Our annual trip to the west coast's most active vagrant trap, where birds and
the weather are always exciting and unpredictable! From Hwy.1 in Marin Co.
take Sir Francis Drake Blvd. west approx. 14 miles and turn left to Drakes
Beach. Meet in the parking area. Bring lunch, liquids, a full tank of gas
and be prepared for fog, wind, sun and plenty of challenging birds. We will
carpool from Drakes Beach.
**Sunday Sept. 19, 8:30 A.M.
Half day, SFBBO Coyote Creek Riparian Station. Leader: Alan Thomas (408)
265-9286.
Here's a rare chance to bird CCRS. From Hwy. 237 take the McCarthy Blvd.
exit north. Meet near the entrance to the new McCarthy Ranch Shopping Center
(Borders Books). Be prepared to carpool, bring water, lunch is optional and
rain will cancel.
**Saturday Sept. 25, 9:00 A.M.
Full day. Hawk Hill/Marin Headlands. Leader: Don Schmoldt (510) 215-1910.
Meet at the tunnel entrance near the parking area on Hawk Hill. Note: This
is a new meeting place. After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge take the exit
just past the Vista Pt., cross under Hwy. 101 and turn right just before the
entrance back onto Hwy. 101 and the bridge. Drive up the hill to the highest
point and park. The first of two outings to view migrating raptors from west
coast's premier hawk lookout. Heavy fog may change itinerary.
**Sunday Sept. 26, 8:00 A.M.
Alum Rock Park. Leader: Dave Cook.
>From Hwy. 101 or I-680 take Alum Rock Ave. northeast toward the hills and
into the park. Turn left at the entrance kiosk (at the bottom of the hill,
and before the bridge); meet in the first parking lot, near the "Rustic
Lands" area. Moderately strenuous 3-4 mile walk. Lunch optional. Possible
entrance fee; heavy rain cancels
**Saturday Oct. 2, 9:00 A.M.
Full day. Hawk Hill/Marin Headlands. Leader: Nick Yatsko (408) 247-5499.
Meet at Page Mill Rd/I-280 Park'n'Ride at 8:00 A.M. for carpooling.
Highlights: Migrating raptors including the possibility of seeing a rare
Broadwing Hawk. Heavy fog may change itinerary.
**Sunday Oct. 3, 8:30 A.M.
Half day. Arastradero Preserve. Leader: Jim Liskovec (650) 969-5542.
>From I-280 take Page Mill Rd. west approx. 1/2 mile to Arastradero Rd. Turn
right and meet at the parking lot 1/2-mile on the right. A variety of
woodland and grassland species; especially raptors is possible. Two miles of
moderate walking. Rain Cancels.
**Saturday & Sunday Oct. 9 - 10
Big Sur River / Old Coast Road, Andrew Molera State Park. Leader: Rick
Fournier (831) 633-0572
Join Rick Saturday evening for an owling expedition out the Old Coast Road
and/or on Sunday morning for a half day, two mile field trip along the Big
Sur River in search of western migrants, residents and possible Eastern
vagrants ending with a visit to the Big Sur Ornithology Lab for banding
demonstrations.
For owling, meet Saturday evening at 7:30 PM at the kiosk as you enter the
parking lot in Andrew Molera State Park. The Sunday morning, half day, field
trip will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the same location.
Camping is available in Andrew Molera State Park (a short ¼ mile walk and a
modest camping fee) or at a variety of other campgrounds in the area. For
those wishing more civilized accommodations, try the Big Sur River Inn or
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Inn for starters. October is usually comfortable
and mild, but be prepared for cool, damp weather. Please call and confirm
your participation.
**Sunday Oct 10, 9:00 A.M.
Half day. Charleston Slough. Leader: Dick Stovel (650) 856-6105
>From Hwy.101 in Mt. View take San Antonio Rd. north to Terminal Way parking
area. Meet at the entrance nearest San Antonio Road. This trip recommended
for beginning birders but, as always, bird watchers of all skill levels are
encouraged to participate. A good chance to try out your new spotting scope.
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 06 19:57:04 1999
Subject: [SBB] Santa Clara Co. List
Bill Bousman has added 6 more birds to the Santa Clara Co. list on SBBU for
a total of 264 for the year.
The new birds are: Least Bittern, Little Blue Heron, Ruddy Turnstone,
Semipalmated Sandpiper, Purple Martin, Dickcissel
Kendric
South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU)
http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/
-----------------------------------------
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]] Sat Aug 07 08:14:40 1999
Subject: [SBB] Black Tern in Alviso
This morning in the Alviso Marina area I saw a BLACK TERN along the
slough trail, leading north along the railroad tracks. The bird was
feeding with a large group of CASPIAN and FORSTERS TERNS in the second
large salt pond. I watched the bird for about 20 minutes, but could not
get closer than about 50 yards as the trail turns right and the area to
the left where the birds were feeding is off limits. There were also a
few WHITE PELICANS close by.
On the way back to the parking area, I got good looks at two BAIRD'S
SANDPIPERS that were feeding in a shallow red pool very close to the
metal gate.
In Crittendon Marsh the LEAST TERNS were approaching close enough to the
locked gate, that I nice looks at at least 5 individuals.
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]] Sat Aug 07 16:24:55 1999
Subject: [SBB] Field Trips
All,
Sorry about putting the SCVAS field trip schedule out on south-bay-birds. I
was in a hurry and you know the rest. You should be aware however, that John
Mariani reminded me that his trip to Moss Landing is on Sunday (9/5/99). It
has been corrected.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 4:30 PM, 8/7/99
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 07 18:31:14 1999
Subject: [SBB] Yellow-headed Blackbird at Calero Reservoir
Howdy South-bay-birders,
This afternoon I visited Calero Reservoir hoping to find some
interesting shorebirds. Didn't see much at shallow arm of the reservoir
near Bailey Road, aside from the usual BLACK-NECKED STILTS, KILLDEER,
and 1 adult LEAST SANDPIPER. From there I went back to the boat launch,
where I found a male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD in a large mixed flock of
blackbirds. As far as I know this is a first for the Almaden Valley
area--
John Mariani
[[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 08 09:32:05 1999
Subject: [SBB] Toucan !!!
We have a Toucan in Palo Alto near Gunn High School. Clearly seen adult
Keel-Billed Toucan. Can I add it to my California list or is some spoil
sport going to insist that it's an escapee?? Should we release a few me
more so they start to breed.
--
Richard C. Carlson Full-time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker
Palo Alto, California Part-time Economist
[[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 08 14:46:51 1999
Subject: [SBB] (not so) recent birds
All,
A few old sightings:
24 July: I saw the Dickcissel where MMR marked the spot. Five
Hooded Orioles (2 ad. males, 3 females/immatures) were also
along this reach of the Guadalupe.
28 July: 13 Greater Yellowlegs, 350 dowitcher sp. at CCRS
waterbird pond. One juv. Virginia Rail in the cattails here
(almost certainly a migrant). Also two broods of Ruddy Ducks
(one with 1 medium-small young, another with 3 very small young;
neither were the same broods seen here earlier this summer).
At the Calabazas Ponds, I had 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers (one juv.
and one adult with about half its upperparts in basic plumage).
Also 280 Western and 160 Least Sandpipers, 78 Greater Yellowlegs
(1 juv.), 17 Lesser Yellowlegs (all adults), 10 Red-necked and 4
Wilson's Phalaropes (2 of the latter juvs.), 115 Semipalmated
Plovers.
29 July: 2 juv. Semipalmated Sandpipers and 1 Sanderling seen
at Calabazas Ponds with MMR and Scott Terrill. One Virginia Rail
seen swimming across the Guadalupe River at Gold Street in Alviso.
1 August: Dave Lewis and I had 45 Least Terns in the salt ponds
N of Crittenden Marsh and 55 Semipalmated Plovers on the flats
of the Stevens Creek tidal mitigation area. At the Calabazas
Ponds, we (plus Nick Lethaby) had 1 juv. Semipalmated Sandpiper
and my first juv. Western (2) and Least (3-4) Sandpipers of the
year.
2 August: At Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve in San Mateo Co.,
2 ad. Golden Eagles, 4 ad. Lawrence's Goldfinches (including
pair feeding two recently fledged young), 1 male Ring-necked
Duck, 2 Spotted Sandpipers.
Good birding,
Steve Rottenborn
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Mon Aug 09 08:09:25 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] Toucan !!!
Richard,
I haven't seen the Gunn High Toucan, but my husband and I did see one last
fall, flying over San Antonio Road in Los Altos near the De Martini fruit
and veg stand. It was a quick look, but my impression was a Keel-Billed,
and what a surprise!
Nancy Teater
------------
At 09:32 AM 8/8/99 -0700, you wrote:
>We have a Toucan in Palo Alto near Gunn High School. Clearly seen adult
>Keel-Billed Toucan. Can I add it to my California list or is some spoil
>sport going to insist that it's an escapee?? Should we release a few me
>more so they start to breed.
>
>
>--
>Richard C. Carlson Full-time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker
>Palo Alto, California Part-time Economist
>[[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]]
--
Nancy R. Teater Hamilton Communications phone: +1 650 321 0252
[[email protected]] http://web.hamilton.com fax: +1 650 327 4660
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 09 12:45:57 1999
Subject: [SBB] KINGLET
All,
On an afternoon walk along the dry San Francisquito Creek in Menlo Park
(between El Camino and University Street) there was little activity.
However, I was able to find a an early RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. Have others
been seeing kinglets in the area recently?
In the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin, along Frontage Road this evening,
the LESSER YELLOWLEGS actually outnumbered the GREATERS. I saw four
Lessers and only one Greater.
Cheers,
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]] Mon Aug 09 13:17:54 1999
Subject: [SBB] birds
On Saturday, 7 Aug 99, a check of the waterbird pond at CCFS showed
nothing unusual among the numbers of dowitchers. There are still young
GREAT BLUE HERONS on nests in the willows, and a WHITE-TAILED KITE is
sitting on a nest in an incubating position.
At the Sunnyvale Sewage Ponds, John Meyer and I were able to find 2
basic-plumaged COMMON TERNS. I assume that these are the same as the
ones reported by Peter Metropulos.
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 09 14:04:04 1999
Subject: [SBB] A request for birding help & La Honda OSP
If there's any South Bay Birder who is willing to help an
Illinois birder find some local "near-endemics" and other
locally common birds, please let me know. I am not able to
help her out because she will be available to bird only on
Thursday, 8/19/99. She is interested in seeing Tricolored Blackbirds,
Lawrences Goldfinches, Yellow-billed Magpies, Lewis' and Nuttall's
Woodpeckers. And she is willing to pay
for gas and your time.
I went on a Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
(MROSD) docent outing to La Honda Creek OSP (San Mateo
County) on Saturday, 8/7/99. The fog was very thick for
most of the morning and bird activity was sparse, so there
was not much to report. But this is a beautiful area
(southwest of Skyline Blvd. and La Honda Road). I think it's
part of the Palo Alto bird count circle. It is generally closed to the
public except for hikes scheduled by MROSD.
Look for the MROSD Hikes and Walks bulletin for hikes in
this and other OSPs. Or, go to their Web site for the
schedule (Web page or a PDF), at:
http://www.openspace.org/
Les
==========================================
Les Chibana, Palo Alto [[email protected]]
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Mon Aug 09 14:28:08 1999
Subject: [SBB] Weekend birds
ALL:
Like Mike Mammoser, I found nothing of note at CCRS on Saturday on the
shorebird ponds. No migrants in the riparian area although 4 Hooded Oriole
were nice.
On Sunday, I checked the Stevens Creek mouth/Crittenden Marsh area. I saw
about 50 Least Terns although the newly fenced-off dykes prevented me
getting close views. The mitigation mudflat had few small shorebirds. At
Alviso, both N of the Marina and at Spreckles/State Street, I found a total
of 8 Lesser Yellowlegs (3 juvs) and a few peeps.
Things can only get better.
Nick
Nick Lethaby
Technical Marketing Manager
CoWare, Inc.
Tel: 408 845 7646
E-mail: [[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 09 14:49:05 1999
Subject: [SBB] Weekend Birds
We walked Oak Meadow Park through to Vasona Lake on Saturday (Aug 7) down to
the island where the herons and egrets are nesting. On our way back we saw
four juvenile WESTERN BLUEBIRDS in the trees in front of the old snack shack
building. Over by the creek, we saw a WESTERN TANAGER. There were several
female and/or juvenile HOODED ORIOLES. We didn't see any males. On the
island, we saw the GREAT BLUE HERONS, the SNOWY EGRETS, the DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANTS, and the BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS. We also saw some GREEN
HERONS.
Pat Curtis
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 09 18:02:15 1999
Subject: [SBB] SCVAS Ano Nuevo trip report
This message is in MIME format. Since your mail reader does not understand
this format, some or all of this message may not be legible.
--Boundary_(ID_kIkNcjBj6vAFW0Mv2u9iRg)
Content-type: text/plain
Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT
Hi Everyone--
On Saturday 8 August, a group of Santa Clara Valley Auduboners and friends
toured Ano Nuevo State Reserve, including the ranger residences, New Years
Creek, South Beach, The Pond, the cliffs south of the staging area, the
southern sand dunes, and Bight Beach. Wind was pleasantly moderate (unlike
the last several years), with high overcast that burned off by 11. Songbird
activity was light, with many expected species absent (Olive-sided
Flycatcher and Violet-green Swallow, for example). A single PYGMY NUTHATCH
twittering in the pines near the entrance station did not allow itself to be
seen. A flock of 20 or so CALIFORNIA QUAIL on the old bridge at New Years
Creek included several half-grown young. A downy young RUDDY DUCK making
short dives at The Pond under its parents' supervision was a treat. Not many
swallows at The Pond, but the first one we saw was a BANK SWALLOW; BARN and
CLIFF were the only other swallows present. A MARSH WREN called shyly from
the reeds, and several people got good looks at it. At least four
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were in the surrounding willows. Between The Pond
and the staging area, 4 BLACK SWIFTS flew low over our heads, giving great
views; one individual looked rather worn underneath (especially around the
undertail area), suggesting that some body molt was in progress. At the
staging area cliffs, an impressive 20 MARBLED MURRELETS could be seen, along
with some large rafts of COMMON MURRES. Many of the murres were
adult-juvenile pairs. Gloria LeBlanc saw a CALIFORNIA THRASHER dart into a
willow clump at the point where the more southern trail climbs steeply onto
the sand dunes. Shorebirds included SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (2), KILLDEER (1),
BLACK OYSTERCATCHER (3), WHIMBREL (3), WILLET (6), BLACK TURNSTONE (4),
RUDDY TURNSTONE (3), WANDERING TATTLER (1), SANDERLING(10), LEAST SANDPIPER
(3), and RED-NECKED PHALAROPE (10). When not startled by seals or
sealwatchers, the phalaropes would walk and paddle at the water's edge
(waves at Bight Beach were very small) unconcerned by our presence. Among
flying creatures other than birds, there were many small bugs with
jewel-like emerald-green wing plates and buff-colored abdomens, a round
onyx-colored one with a red dot on its back, and a single unidentified
butterfly (perhaps a Northern Checkerspot, but I got too short a look at
it).
Mark Miller
--Boundary_(ID_kIkNcjBj6vAFW0Mv2u9iRg)
Content-type: application/ms-tnef
Content-transfer-encoding: BASE64
Comments: Conversion error: (No formatted text for errno = 0)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--Boundary_(ID_kIkNcjBj6vAFW0Mv2u9iRg)--
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 10 03:30:33 1999
Subject: [SBB] Monday at Crittenden Marsh
Howdy South-bay-birders,
On Monday afternoon Jolene and I took a walk in the Stevens
Creek/Crittenden Marsh area. Didn't see many LEAST TERNS--only about 3,
and they were at a considerable distance (due to those new fences Nick
Lethaby mentioned). Out there we also saw AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS and 1
BROWN PELICAN. Our most unusual bird was a HOODED ORIOLE in the bushes
along the path, not the sort of place where I would have expected one.
Shorebirds included 1 WHIMBREL, LONG-BILLED CURLEWS, and plenty of
SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS.
John Mariani
[[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 10 08:16:29 1999
Subject: [SBB] Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Folks:
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS are one of our later arriving winter
residents. In most years one or two show up in the last week of
September, but the real influx is not until the first two weeks
of October. Exceptional birds arrive earlier in September. An
August bird is most likely a bird that oversummered (which is very
unusual).
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 10 08:27:18 1999
Subject: [SBB] Some Sunday (8/8) Birds
Hello Everyone,
Here are a few birds of interest seen in the Almaden area on Sunday, Aug 8.
At Almaden Reservoir, four WOOD DUCKS including two almost fully-grown young
were seen in the backwaters upstream of the reservoir. Six WILD TURKEYS
were seen on the O'Day property along Alamitos Rd, including a female
accompanying a young one crossing the road.
Birds seen at Calero Reservoir included ten BLACK-NECKED STILTS, one
basic-plumaged SPOTTED SANDPIPER, three CANADA GEESE, plus CASPIAN and
FORSTER'S TERNS (including several juvenile Forster's Terns). Ten WILD
TURKEYS were feeding on grain with the horses in a hillside pasture. Three
HOODED ORIOLES (two female and one imm male) were seen in the blackberry
brambles on the levee path leading to the upper end of the reservoir. The
large blackbird flock was still hanging around the boat ramp, but I did not
see the Yellow-headed Blackbird as reported by John. The blackbird flock
consisted of Red-winged Blackbirds, Brewer's Blackbirds, and a few
Brown-headed Cowbirds.
Also on Sunday I headed over to the Svle WPCP for COMMON TERN, where I had
nice views of a tern actively foraging over the pond showing the dark
leading edge of its wings and when at rest the dark leading edge showed as a
carpal bar. Also of interest a female BULLOCK'S ORIOLE was seen foraging in
the tules.
Ann
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 10 10:01:01 1999
Subject: [SBB] RE: Monday at Crittenden Marsh
REPLY RE: Monday at Crittenden Marsh
John Mariani wrote:
> Our most unusual bird was a HOODED ORIOLE in the bushes
>along the path, not the sort of place where I would have expected one.
In recent years, Hooded Orioles would show up in spring and frequent the palms in the nursery and the trailer park on the west side of the creek between L'Avenida and Crittenden Lane. If not for these trees, it would seem like an unlikely area
for them.
Les
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 10 13:57:07 1999
Subject: [SBB] Japan
All:
I'll be in Tokyo for some weeks starting later this month. I'm looking to
borrow or buy the English-language out-of-print "Field Guide to the Birds
of Japan," if anybody has an available copy.
Thanks, John M.
************************************************************
John Meyer, Dept. of Soc., Stanford U., Stanford CA 94305, (650)7231868
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 11 15:14:15 1999
Subject: [SBB] Little Blue Herons, Least Terns, Peregrine Falcon
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I birded the salt ponds north and northwest
of the Alviso Marina. About noon we saw two adult LBHE in a flock of egrets
and terns on the southern end of the dike between Salt Ponds A10 and A11. We
then discovered that the LBHE could in fact be seen from the trail at the
southern end of the dike between Salt Ponds A11 and A12. (A12 is the pond
immediately north of the marina.) A hoped for tern feeding frenzy yielded
two Caspian Terns (seen several times during the morning and always together)
as well as 8 - 10 Least Terns among the Forster's Terns. No hoped for Common
or Black Tern :-(
Most of the ponds, except A12 and A13, had a lot birds in them. The most
striking sight was of the many thousands of phalaropes (mostly Red-necked but
some Wilson's) on Salt Ponds A16, A15, A14 and A9. At one point we watched
as a Peregrine Falcon tried, unsuccessfully, for a phalarope snack. Shortly
before noon the phalaropes flew in large and small flocks to a large,
isolated, exposed area of the bottom of Salt Pond A14. Inspection of the
exposed area revealed that it appeared to be covered, literally, with tiny
birds most of which were phalaropes. Lots of California and Ring-billed
Gulls, Double-crested Cormorants, Willets, Long-billed Curlews, Marbled
Godwits, dowitchers, Black-necked Stilts (one leucistic BNST that was white
and buffy with no black in sight), American Avocets, egrets (both), Least
Sandpipers and American White Pelicans, a small flock of Northern Shovelers,
a couple of Greater Yellowlegs, Eared Grebes and Great Blue Herons, at least
one Brown Pelican and a Western Sandpiper.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 3:19 PM, 8/11/99
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 11 15:42:45 1999
Subject: [SBB] Little Blue Herons, Least Terns, Peregrine Falcon
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I birded the salt ponds north and northwest
of the Alviso Marina. About noon we saw two adult LBHE in a flock of egrets
and terns on the southern end of the dike between Salt Ponds A10 and A11. We
then discovered that the LBHE could in fact be seen from the trail at the
southern end of the dike between Salt Ponds A11 and A12. (A12 is the pond
immediately north of the marina.) A hoped for tern feeding frenzy yielded
two Caspian Terns (seen several times during the morning and always together)
as well as 8 - 10 Least Terns among the Forster's Terns. No hoped for Common
or Black Tern :-(
Most of the ponds, except A12 and A13, had a lot birds in them. The most
striking sight was of the many thousands of phalaropes (mostly Red-necked but
some Wilson's) on Salt Ponds A16, A15, A14 and A9. At one point we watched
as a Peregrine Falcon tried, unsuccessfully, for a phalarope snack. Shortly
before noon the phalaropes flew in large and small flocks to a large,
isolated, exposed area of the bottom of Salt Pond A14. Inspection of the
exposed area revealed that it appeared to be covered, literally, with tiny
birds most of which were phalaropes. Lots of California and Ring-billed
Gulls, Double-crested Cormorants, Willets, Long-billed Curlews, Marbled
Godwits, dowitchers, Black-necked Stilts (one leucistic BNST that was white
and buffy with no black in sight), American Avocets, egrets (both), Least
Sandpipers and American White Pelicans, a small flock of Northern Shovelers,
a couple of Greater Yellowlegs, Eared Grebes and Great Blue Herons, at least
one Brown Pelican and a Western Sandpiper.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 3:19 PM, 8/11/99
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 12 19:31:04 1999
Subject: [SBB] Golden Eagle
Hi all,
Today on my way home from work at around 5:20 PM I saw an immature GOEA
soaring above Sand Hill Road near the Whiskey Hill Road entrance to Jasper
Ridge. This bird showed a lot of white in the tail and white at the base of
primaries and secondaries.
Good birding,
Barbara
Barbara Costa
La Honda
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 13 18:05:53 1999
Subject: [SBB] Neighborhood birds
If you wondered if the Western Screech Owls fledged, they did....all 4.
They sat in a line on a tree limb for 3 days after leaving their nest box
and then phooosh they were gone and haven't been seen again. The owner has
now purchased all sorts of additional equipment with the intent of putting
next year's nest activity on the net....will let you know when and where.
The Green Heron was only at La Rinconada Park for 4 days, joined one day by
a Kingfisher...then off it went.
I didn't fill my feeders for the 2 months I was in Seattle...hoping to get
rid of the 52 band-tailed pigeons. Well, they're back - in force. Today I
bought cracked corn (much cheaper) and will eliminate Dr. Geiss on the
ground. Hopefully that change will provide me with more cash to make my
mortgage payments!
Yesterday evening I had a Black-headed Grosbeak flying around inside my
house. Such a pretty bird. I managed to throw a flimsy teatowel over it so
I could let it loose outside. I once again have a family of 5-7 grosbeaks.
My hummingbird feeder needs to be replenished daily now. The Hooded Orioles
tend to be here all day and frequently 2-3-4 at a time. I can't ascertain
how many in total I have. I refilled the 4 foot thistle feeder and the
Lesser Goldfinch are here 4-6 at a time all day. My quail have not returned
but for the first time I saw a family of quail at La Rinconada Park this
morning...probably a better home for them. If you wonder why the black
plastic is staked along the fenceline at the Rinconada Water Treatment
facility (which La Rinconada Park borders), it is to keep the turtles out!
Now where's that Little Blue Heron? gotta find it!
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos off Quito
"We can't change the wind, 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]] Sat Aug 14 13:15:34 1999
Subject: [SBB] Crittenden Marsh
On the Backyard Bird Feeder weekly walk this morning, there were 20 least
terns on the boardwalk in the pond beyond Crittenden Marsh, but of interest
was an ash-throated flycatcher, spotted by Linda Campbell, in the creek near
the metal bridge. A fall migrant, I assume; reminiscent of the hooded oriole
reported nearby the other day. A nice variety of shorebirds were in the
Steven's Creek mitigation area pond.
Jack Cole
_______________________________________________________________
Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.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 15 00:45:28 1999
Subject: [SBB] Birding suggestions for N. Cali this week?
I'm traveling north on Thursday (Aug 19th) & need to decide where to spend
one day of free time on my way to Ashland, Oregon. If you could stop one
place in Northern California this week, where would you go?
Birding Northern California (one of the Falcon guides) seems to suggest the
Eureka area might be worth seeing at this time of year (migrating
shorebirds). Any opinions?
thanks,
-mary
---------
Mary Wisnewski
denizen of California
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 16 11:07:20 1999
Subject: [SBB] Swainson's Hawk
Sunday, 8/15/99, at 3:30p over Coyote Creek just north of
Hwy 237, a SWAINSON'S HAWK circled and stilled in the north-
west winds. It seemed to move generally toward the south.
Vicki Silvas-Young, Arlene Feng, and Gerry Ellis were present
to see it, although Arlene and Gerry didn't have binos.
Arlene noted the pointy wing tips. I realized that it was a
Swainson's when I first noticed the creamy, white underwing
linings and dark remiges. Al Jaramillo had already left the
area. Sorry you missed it, Al!
Les
==========================================
Les Chibana, Palo Alto [[email protected]]
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Mon Aug 16 15:00:35 1999
Subject: [SBB] Little Blue Heron
This Sunday, August 15th, I birded from the Alviso Slough Trail by mountain
bike starting from the Alviso Marina. I am now an expert in the proper use
of Bunjee cords for securing tripods to bikes. Since I got a late start, I
decided to target the Little Blue Heron and got to pond A9 by about 11:00
AM. At about 12:30 PM an adult LITTLE BLUE HERON flew in from the
adjoining Coyote Creek Slough and landed about 100 ft from me at the
North-East corner of A9 at the sluice gate that is shared with pond A14. I
watched the bird hunt sucessfully for about 30 minutes before I left it in
this position. Earlier I had checked all of the numerous Snowy Egrets for
immature Little Blues but found none. There were 5 BROWN PELICANS among
the more numerous White Pelicans in A9. A15 had large flocks of
shorebirds, including approximately 600 MARBLED GODWITS. Pond A13 had at
least 200 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES. I didn't have time to scan these for
other phalarope species using the scope, but didn't see any Red Phalaropes
using my binoculars.
- Dave Lewis
Division of Immunology/Transplantation Biology
Room H-307
Stanford University School of Medicine
300 Pasteur Drive
Stanford, CA 94305-5208
Tel: (650)498-4189 FAX:(650) 498-6077
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 16 16:52:53 1999
Subject: [SBB] The Life of Birds
For those of you have either missed the first three episodes of this
excellent ten-part series on KQED Tuesday's at 8 PM, or wondered what
happened last week or tonight when the program was preempted, I have an
answer for you. I called the station today, and we will not miss any of the
segments. Two parts will be shown next week....It was interesting to see
500,000 dickcissels near Panama at the same time we were excited about one
in our county.
Jack Cole
_______________________________________________________________
Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Mon Aug 16 17:46:15 1999
Subject: [SBB] PESA, COTE
All,
On Saturday 8/14/99 I spent 4 hours biking around the two Sunnyvale
WPCP ponds. There are lots of birds there and I would have needed
even more time to do a really thorough job. Wintering ducks are
returning (I had 420+ NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 440 RUDDY DUCKS, and 52
adult NORTHERN PINTAIL), although there are many broods of precocial
young around. I had single NORTHERN PINTAIL and CINNAMON TEAL broods,
4 broods of LESSER SCAUP (including one group of 9 very small young),
and many MALLARD and GADWALL broods. The 34 LESSER SCAUP young were
in the channel south of the main pond with 38 full-sized birds; 27
more adults were on the big pond. Also a fair number of shorebirds
around. Highlights included:
EARED GREBE - at least 9 in the northwest corner of the big (west) pond
CANVASBACK - 1 eclipse male on the big pond, probably a local breeder
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER - 1 on floating scum in the NE corner of the big pond
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 2 along the eastern edge of the small (east) pond
*PECTORAL SANDPIPER - 1 adult at the northern point of the pair of middle
dikes between the two ponds - present for at least
40 minutes, got photos
WILSON'S PHALAROPE - 8+, NE corner of big pond
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE - 12, mostly NE corner of big pond
BONAPARTE'S GULL - 4
*COMMON TERN - 3 basic, 2 foraging (and sitting on pilings) in the NW
corner of the big pond, 1 shortly thereafter roosting
on the two dikes between the ponds. This bird seemed
smaller-billed and shorter-legged, with a slightly
paler "carpal bar" than the other Common Terns, but
I could find no plumage features to suggest that it
was an Arctic Tern, got photos
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW - 330+ on the wires over the reed beds
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS - small flocks of up to 60 birds each, including
many molting juveniles
I returned in the evening (about 6:30pm) to find 3 basic COMMON TERNS
roosting on the middle pair of dikes with 106 FORSTER'S TERNS. At
this distance I could confirm that none of the birds was a hatch-year
bird (no black marks in the tertials).
On Sunday 8/15/99 I spent two hours working the eastern side of
Guadalupe River from Montague south to the Dickcissel spot, bumping
into Steve Rottenborn along the way (we ended up with fairly similar
bird lists). Extensive pishing near the lone eucalyptus brought in
the CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, and a
female BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD as last time, but no Black-and-white
Warbler. The Dickcissel spot was very birdy, still with many HOUSE
FINCHES and HOUSE SPARROWS, but the most interesting birds here were
two male WESTERN TANAGERS, a begging fledgling BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD,
and numerous HOODED ORIOLES (also one vocal BULLOCK'S ORIOLE). The
rest of the corridor was not so birdy, with 2 WARBLING VIREOS, one
WILSON'S WARBLER, and a molting female LAZULI BUNTING being the most
interesting birds noted.
Today 8/16/99 at work I was the beneficiary of a very extensive
distraction display by a MOURNING DOVE, given in an effort to lead me
from the nest with young.
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 16 18:46:25 1999
Subject: [SBB] Calero Reservoir, Almaden Lake Park
Howdy South-bay-birders,
This afternoon I stopped by Almaden Lake Park and Calero Reservoir. At
Almaden Lake Park there was 1 COMMON MERGANSER on the lake, and a GREEN
HERON on the vegetated island in the middle (along with egrets,
night-herons, terns, etc.).
There has been a lot of construction going on along the Guadalupe
River behind the SCVWD Pond, including erection of a temporary dam.
Today I found out why--apparently a "fish ladder" is being put in there
for the Steelhead. Some of the habitat looks trashed now but hopefully
that is temporary too. Didn't see much there, aside from a BELTED
KINGFISHER and the usual sycamore full of cormorants.
There were a few more shorebirds at Calero Reservoir than on my last
visit, with most hanging out around the shallow cove near Bailey Road
(all the reservoir's other inlets have names on my map except this one,
which I'm just gonna call Bailey Cove from now on). When I was there
today I saw about 15 BLACK-NECKED STILTS, 3 WESTERN SANDPIPERS, 3 LEAST
SANDPIPERS, 2 SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, 4 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and mobs of
KILLDEER. Also a WHITE-TAILED KITE flew by while I was hiking around the
cove. The muddy shallows here have good shorebird potential--
John Mariani
[[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 16 20:51:21 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] Swainson's Hawk
At 11:07 AM 8/16/99 -0700, Les Chibana wrote:
>Sunday, 8/15/99, at 3:30p over Coyote Creek just north of
>Hwy 237, a SWAINSON'S HAWK circled and stilled in the north-
>west winds. It seemed to move generally toward the south.
>Vicki Silvas-Young, Arlene Feng, and Gerry Ellis were present
>to see it, although Arlene and Gerry didn't have binos.
>Arlene noted the pointy wing tips. I realized that it was a
>Swainson's when I first noticed the creamy, white underwing
>linings and dark remiges. Al Jaramillo had already left the
>area. Sorry you missed it, Al!
>
Good for you guys! According to my records this is a first for CCRS.
Birders should note that due to the change in the structure of the
organization, CCRS is now being called CCFS. This stands for the Coyote
Creek Field Station which is part of SFBBO (San Francisco Bay Bird
Observatory). I am not clear if this is the official name yet (voted on by
the board), but it is already in usage so I wanted to let folks know that
CCFS roughly equals CCRS, at least as a geographical place. Access talks
are ongoing, we shall let everyone know what the protocol for access to the
site will be once this is resolved.
Thanks for the new species Les, unless someone else has a previous record
(anyone?)
Cheers,
Al
Alvaro Jaramillo
Wildlife Biologist
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
P.O. Box 247
Alviso, CA 95002
[[email protected]]
Birds of Chile, New World Blackbirds at : http://www.sirius.com/~alvaro
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Mon Aug 16 21:41:32 1999
Subject: [SBB] Crittendon Marsh & Alviso
We spent a few hours Sunday afternoon surveying Crittendon Marsh, the
boardwalk near the SFBBO education center, and the Alviso Slough Trail
that parallels the railroad tracks. We got good looks at the
Ash-throated Flycatcher along near the trail at Crittendon Marsh and
spent a lot of time looking at terns to try as see a Least Tern.
Everything that was within binocular range was a Forster's Tern,
although we saw 2 or 3 terns in the distance that were probably Least by
their size and flight pattern. At EEC, we saw quite a few Red-necked
Phalarope and Black-necked Stilts, and picked up Greater Yellowlegs on
the Alviso Slough Trail--along with looks at either Western or Least
Sandpipers (I need to break out my books and do some study here.) We
didn't have time to swing around to the other end of the Slough to look
for the Little Blue Heron.
Hugh McDevitt
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 17 09:18:46 1999
Subject: [SBB] Swainson Hawks staging - any ideas where to look?
Hi All,
Now is about the time the Swainson's Hawks will be staging for their flight
south. Does anyone have suggestions on where to go in the next few weeks
to see the staging?
Thanks in advance,
Karen Hoyt
To: SOUTH-BAY-BIRDS@LISTS
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 17 14:14:07 1999
Subject: [SBB] Common Terns
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I saw four, possibly five, Common Terns on
posts in the water in the Northwest corner of the large pond (BABOB #1) at
the Sunnyvale Water Treatment Facility. All had black carpal bars and are
assumed to be first fall juveniles. Later we had three Common Terns on posts
in Salt Pond A3W, just west of BABOB #1. We were able to study one COTE at a
point nearest the posts (BABOB #1) for some time. It was interesting to note
that it's black bill (blacker than the bills of Bonaparte's Gulls near it)
had a slight orange cast near the base. We also noted that the legs, at
least on this bird were almost black, perhaps with a slight reddish cast (not
red or orange)? Sud-species Longipennis? We also noted that one of the COTE
in Salt Pond A3W had an unusually light mantle/scapulars and wing which
contrasted strongly with the black carpal bar. A Virginia Rail was feeding
in small, exposed ponds below the bushes nearest the antenna facility and
three young Northern Pintail were in BABOB #2 (the smaller of the two large
ponds). We saw one Brown Pelican, a couple of Western Gulls but had no
unusual sandpipers.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 2:21 PM, 8/17/99
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 17 14:58:28 1999
Subject: [SBB] The Bird Sleuth
Since I had zero on my schedule last Saturday night, I decided to check out
"my farm" (La Rinconada Park) in the late evening. The Green Heron flew in.
I spent a half hour talking to various folks who were walking their dogs
and discovered that ALL had seen it before, on different nights, flying in
(assuming that the "big bird with the big bill" was always the Green Heron)
It sat on railing of the broken down bridge for the 1/2 hour I conversed
with the people. Heron was only 20 feet away. I stayed until it was too
dark to see.
Today at "my farm" I had a Kingfisher, a Brown Creeper and a group of Pgymy
Nuthatches. Not bad for a brisk morning walk! Exercise does have its
rewards...
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos off Quito
"We can't change the wind, 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]] Tue Aug 17 15:50:51 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] Swainson Hawks staging - any ideas where to look?
Karen,
I have seen large groups of Swainson's Hawks staging in San Joaquin County along
Hwy 4 around the hamlet of Farmington. Have seen up to 40 in the fields around
there in past years.
good luck,
Screech.
Karen Hoyt wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Now is about the time the Swainson's Hawks will be staging for their flight
> south. Does anyone have suggestions on where to go in the next few weeks
> to see the staging?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Karen Hoyt
>
> To: SOUTH-BAY-BIRDS@LISTS
> ==========================================================================
> This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
> server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
> message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
--
Paul L. Noble
[[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 17 17:42:59 1999
Subject: [SBB] Common Terns
Some concerns that should be taken into account when identifying Common Terns:
All Common Terns in basic plumage have a dark carpal bar, regardless of age. At this
time of year, I would expect a juvenile Common Tern to be heavily patterned in the
scapulars and, especially, the tertials with brownish tones, black subterminal
crescents, and pale edges. Beware of Forster's Terns; all juveniles have a dark
carpal bar and can have patterned upperparts, and any Forster's can have an
upperwing pattern that is reminiscent of Common Tern.
I would assume that longipennis, the siberian race of Common Tern, would be
extremely rare anywhere on the west coast, outside of Alaska. Any basic-plumaged
Common Tern would tend to have an all-dark bill (just like Forster's), and I would
suspect that some could even have dark legs, when not under the influence of
breeding hormones.
Having said this, what might be good non-ambiguous clues for identifying these
terns? The two that I saw a couple weekends ago, provided me with sustained close
views in direct comparison with Forster's on the levee. Structurally, these birds
were a little shorter-legged than the Forster's. I had good views of the tail
pattern, which showed a black outer edge to the outer couple of tail feathers, on a
basically white tail. Forster's show dusky dark inner webs on the outer feathers, on
a basically gray tail. The Commons showed a dark eye patch that extended around the
nape in a band, which was uniform in color and showed no contrast with the eye
patch. Forster's have a black eye patch in juvenal and basic plumage. As the adults
lose the black breeding cap, they can have a band extending around the nape like a
Common, but there should always be some contrast between this band (which has a
salt-and-pepper pattern) and the eye patch.
Good luck.
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 18 09:35:04 1999
Subject: [SBB] Re: Common Terns
I've seen several Common Terns near the Bay this year -- one in San Mateo
Co. and a couple of the Sunnyvale birds. None of those I saw appeared to be
juveniles. However, I'm less sure (even after looking at references) as to
how easily basic-plumaged birds can be separated from first-summer birds. In
fact, from the timing of the San Mateo bird, I'm rather sure it was first-
summer. Yet this possibility has not been mentioned in the context of the
Sunnyvale WPCP birds, whose timing makes use of that criterion less useful.
I'm wondering if anyone can shed further light on this question.
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 18 09:49:18 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] Re: Common Terns
[[email protected]] wrote:
> I've seen several Common Terns near the Bay this year -- one in San Mateo
> Co. and a couple of the Sunnyvale birds. None of those I saw appeared to be
> juveniles. However, I'm less sure (even after looking at references) as to
> how easily basic-plumaged birds can be separated from first-summer birds.
Actually, one of the birds that I saw at Sunnyvale had a light wash of brown in the
tertials. Otherwise the upperparts were uniformly gray. I entertained the thought
that this bird may have been in alternate I, rather than basic II plumage. I
certainly didn't think it to be in basic I or juvenal.
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 18 11:14:11 1999
Subject: [SBB] terns
For those interested in terns,
Determining the age of terns can be difficult because, as with gulls,
they take several years to reach definitive adult plumage. Hatching
year birds should be readily recognizable by the black crescents in
the scapulars and tertials as Mike Mammoser has noted. Additionally,
birds seen this early in the fall should probably show some brown
tones throughout the plumage. These marks can be difficult to see on
flying or distant birds, but the birds sitting on the dikes at
Sunnyvale are often close enough for careful scope study. Determining
whether these birds are in basic II, basic III, or definitive basic
plumage is more difficult, however. It is also possible, as Al Eisner
noted, that these birds may still be retaining at least some of their
alternate (I, II, or definitive) plumage. Indeed at least one of the
birds I saw was molting in new wing coverts, suggesting that they may
be in transition between plumages.
The birds seem to be "too basic plumaged" on this early date to be
definitive basic birds. Their early appearance may also suggest that
they are non-breeding immatures. My guess would be either basic II or
basic III, perhaps retaining portions of the previous alternate
plumage.
Last year we had at least 4 Common Terns in the Sunnyvale area
(including nearby pond A4), with the first being reported by Steve
Rottenborn on 3 Sep. The first juvenile was found on 10 Sep. The
last bird reported (a juvenile) was noted on 23 Sep. Perhaps some of
this year's birds are last year's juveniles? And perhaps we will get
some juvenile birds later in the Fall this year.
For people who are really interested in this, there is an excellent
article by Claudia Wilds on plumages of Forster's and Common Terns in
Birding Vol. 25 (1993) No. 2 (corrigenda in No. 4). Also, I have just
ordered "Terns of Europe and North America" (1995) by Klaus Malling
Olsen and Hans Larsson, available from ABA Sales for $37.95 (beats
Amazon.com's $42.50) - it comes highly recommended.
Mike Rogers
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Wed Aug 18 15:04:27 1999
Subject: [SBB] Common Terns
All:
To add to the recent thread on COMMON TERNS at the Sunnyvale
WPCP, I had two individuals there on 15 August and 6 there
this morning (18 August). One of the birds on the 15th was
roosting on one of the levees between the two WPCP ponds,
and it eventually joined the second bird foraging over the
NE corner of the larger pond. This morning, two birds were
foraging over salt pond A3W, while the other four were roosting
on pilings at the west end of the larger WPCP pond.
Both birds on the 15th and five of the ones I saw this morning
were first-year/basic adult types, with the basic head pattern,
dark carpal bar, and very little pale color on the bill (only a
faint patch at the base of the lower mandible). I suspect that
these are all first-year birds. Both on the 15th and 4 of the
5 immature-type birds today had medium-dark gray secondaries
that contrasted noticeably with the paler greater coverts; this
may be indicative of the first-year plumage. The fifth immature-
type bird today may well have had darker secondaries as well,
but I could not see them well. One of the birds on the 15th and
four of the first-year types today had broad, conspicuous black
"carpal" bars, while the other bird from the 15th and one today
(apparently not the same bird, though) had paler, narrower carpal
bars. Both birds on the 15th and at least two of the first-year
types today were molting lesser upper-secondary coverts.
According to the guide to terns by Malling Olson and Larsson
that Mike Rogers referred to, one of the key differences between
Common and Arctic Terns of any age (after their first calendar
year) is the relative freshness of different groups of primaries.
Arctic Terns supposedly molt all of their primaries only once per
year, so that they all appear uniformly fresh or worn. In contrast,
Common Terns may initiate primary molt, suspend the molt, then
start over later in the year, producing a contrast between older,
darker primaries and fresher, paler ones. There may even be three
generations of primaries on the same bird. Regardless of the age
of the Common Terns at Sunnyvale (because they are definitely not
juveniles), they should show such molt limits. However, I really
concentrated on this on the birds I've been seeing, and I have
yet to see such molt limits either on the perched birds or on the
ones in flight. This should be most noticeable in flight. For those
who don't know what I'm talking about, take a look at a group of
Forster's Terns. Many will have 3-5 dark, worn outer primaries
(which have not been replaced in nearly a year) contrasting with
pale, fresh inner primaries that were replaced
in the prealternate molt. This same type of contrast should be
present in the primaries of the Common Terns at Sunnyvale, but
I could not detect it on any of them. I'm not suggesting that
they are Arctic Terns (underwing pattern, shape, leg length, and
molt in the coverts in August eliminate Arctic), but I need to
study these birds (and some Arctics) some more, as the primaries
of these Commons appear to me to be all of the same generation.
One of the Common Terns today was either a second-alternate bird
or an adult, with a mostly black cap (some white splotches coming
in on the forehead), extensive red on the bill (though with more
dark at the tip than on a typical alternate adult), some gray on
the underparts, and very dark primaries (lacking the pale bloom
present on the primaries of most of the first-year-types).
Birders looking at terns at Sunnyvale and elsewhere should be on
the lookout for Arctic Terns, but I have a few notes of caution.
First, some of the first-year Commons have pale carpal bars like
some Artics show, and I've already mentioned the problems with
the primary pattern. Also, there is some size variation among
these Common Terns, with one of the birds on the 15th being
fairly small. Finally, don't assume that all adult Sterna with
obvious gray on the underparts is a Common or Arctic. I've seen
a few adult Forter's Terns in the past with gray on the underparts,
and today at Sunnyvale I saw one with extensive, rather dark (Common/
Arctic-like) gray all over the breast and upper belly. According to
Malling Olson and Larsson, 1.1% of adult Forster's have pale gray
on the underparts, but on a few I've seen, this gray can be quite
conspicuous. Interesting stuff!
Other noteworthy sightings lately:
13 August -- 1 WESTERN TANAGER in weedy vegetation near the Calabazas
Ponds, and one VIRGINIA RAIL (still nearly all juvenal plumage) dead
under a wire in Alviso.
14 August -- 2 ad. male BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRDS, 1 WESTERN TANAGER
at Kelly Park in San Jose.
15 August -- 1 imm./female SELASPHORUS sp., 2 female/imm. BLACK-
CHINNED HUMMINGBIRDS, 1 WESTERN TANAGER, 3 BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS,
3 WILSON'S WARBLERS, 1 imm. COOPER'S HAWK, 4-5 WARBLING VIREOS,
8 HOODED ORIOLES, 1 imm. PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, juv. BROWN-HEADED
COWBIRDS being fed by Song Sparrows and California Towhees along
the Guadalupe River above Montague Expwy. At the Sunnyvale WPCP,
I saw an ad. VIRGINIA RAIL foraging under the bushes were Bob Reiling
reported seeing one (extremely tame!).
16 August -- 4 WESTERN KINGBIRDS in a field along Zanker Road in NE
San Jose. Al Jaramillo had WEKIs somewhere in the South Bay the same
day. At the intersection of State and Spreckles in Alviso, there were
16 LESSER and 35 GREATER YELLOWLEGS.
17 August -- 1 juv. SORA dead under a wire in Alviso.
18 August -- 8 VAUX'S SWIFTS at Sunnyvale WPCP.
Good birding,
Steve Rottenborn
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Thu Aug 19 09:45:41 1999
Subject: [SBB] Oka Ponds
This morning at Oka Ponds, we spotted one GREATER YELLOWLEGS, one GADWALL,
and one AMERICAN WIGEON. The AMWI was a male in its eclipse plumage. It was
in the first percolation pond to the right when you enter from Oka Road.
The GRYE and GA were in the Campbell side of the creek well past the
walking bridge.
We also saw four to five BELTED KINGFISHERS in the creek, and several GREEN
HERONS, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS, and GREAT BLUE HERONS.
Pat Curtis
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 19 10:54:08 1999
Subject: [SBB] Re: terns
Regarding the Common Terns at Sunnyvale, Mike Rogers said:
> The birds seem to be "too basic plumaged" on this early date to be
> definitive basic birds. Their early appearance may also suggest that
> they are non-breeding immatures. My guess would be either basic II or
> basic III, perhaps retaining portions of the previous alternate
> plumage.
> Last year we had at least 4 Common Terns in the Sunnyvale area
> (including nearby pond A4), with the first being reported by Steve
> Rottenborn on 3 Sep. The first juvenile was found on 10 Sep. The
> last bird reported (a juvenile) was noted on 23 Sep. Perhaps some of
> this year's birds are last year's juveniles? And perhaps we will get
> some juvenile birds later in the Fall this year.
>
> For people who are really interested in this, there is an excellent
> article by Claudia Wilds on plumages of Forster's and Common Terns in
> Birding Vol. 25 (1993) No. 2.
This is one of the best bird ID articles I've come across (I had somehow
forgotten to check it before Mike's reminder). (I think that the full book
on Terns being worked on by Claudia Wilds was close to complete at the time
of her unfortunate death, and that it will be published fairly soon. The
Olsen and Larsson book is quite good, but I expect Wilds' to be even better.)
Her clear and detailed description of moult schedule strongly implies that
non-juvenile Common Terns with a basic-plumaged head pattern in August have
to be 1-year old birds, i.e., birds in Basis II plumage. Another clue to that
age (I've forgotten if anyone noted it; I certainly didn't) is that birds of
this age have a narrowly dark trailing edge to the secondaries. Thus the
plumage does seem to match Mike's hypothesis of returning birds.
Al
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Thu Aug 19 11:05:26 1999
Subject: [SBB] RUFF, SESA
All:
This morning (19 August), there was an adult female RUFF
in the marsh at the intersection of State and Spreckles
in Alviso. The upperparts were mostly alternate, the
underparts mostly basic (but still with some black on
the lower neck, breast, and sides). There were also
35 GREATER and 17 LESSER YELLOWLEGS here. A juv.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (fairly long-billed, definitely
not one of the two that were at the Calabazas Ponds
in late July) was at "the pond formerly known as the
CCRS waterbird pond".
Steve Rottenborn
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Thu Aug 19 11:50:31 1999
Subject: [SBB] Pheasant and Loggerhead Shrike
Yesterday lunch time (8/18) I took a trip to Alviso Marina area , trying to
correlate the the maps on Kendric Smiths web pages to real life as I'm new
to birding in the salt ponds area. 2 Grater Yellowlegs and 4 small peeps
that were disturbed by a train before I could scope them was my scant reward
for a long walk.
I then drove slowly round the scrap yards and storage areas trying to find
the entry to the EEC and was disappointed when I came to the end of
Spreckles Rd and found that wasnt it Deciding to head back to work I turned
round and immediately saw a very scruffy Pheasant walk across the road from
one side if the marsh to the other near the intersection of State and
Spreckles. Obviously distracted by this I took a wrong turn headed left
instead of right , found the entrance to the EEC and spent 5 minutes
watching a Loggerhead Shrike catching insects from a perch on top of wire
fencing opposite the entrance to EEC road.
Andy Stone
SQA Engineer
Uppercase Inc.
A Xerox New Enterprise Company
4000 Burton Drive
Santa Clara, CA 95054
(408) 330-7240 Phone
(408) 330-7268 Fax
[[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 19 15:05:55 1999
Subject: [SBB] COTEs still around
All,
Over lunch today 8/19/99 I biked around the big pond at Sunnyvale,
hoping to get more looks at the Common Terns. There were four COMMON
TERNS perched on the posts in the northwest corner of the pond, all
apparent basic-II type birds. There were more terns over A3W, but
they were distant and the heat haze made ID difficult. I did see what
was probably an adult Common Tern perched on a board in the northeast
corner of A3W, but it flew almost as soon as I got on it and headed
straight out towards the Bay - so can't be sure of that one.
Other birds here included 1 VAUX'S SWIFT with the swallows near the
entrance, 2 CASPIAN TERNS, 2 WILSON'S PHALAROPES, and the eclipse male
CANVASBACK.
A quick stop at State and Spreckles afterwards failed to produce the
Ruff, although 19+ LESSER YELLOWLEGS and 12+ VAUX'S SWIFTS seemed like
good numbers. Many birds were roosting on the back sides of the
islands, where they were concealed by pickleweed - the Ruff may have
been hidden there somewhere.
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]] Thu Aug 19 18:09:07 1999
Subject: [SBB] Calero Reservoir yet again
Howdy South-bay-birders,
Visited Calero Reservoir late this afternoon. At "Bailey Cove" there
were a few shorebirds--17 BLACK-NECKED STILTS, several GREATER
YELLOWLEGS, 5 LEAST SANDPIPERS, and the usual horde of KILLDEER. Small
flocks of CASPIAN and FORSTER'S TERNS were along the shore, but I
couldn't turn any of them into Commons. There were also a couple of
immature WHITE-TAILED KITES hunting over the hills, and a LOGGERHEAD
SHRIKE was eating insects on the muddy flat near the water.
Jolene Lange and I escaped from the county long enough to visit Moss
Landing yesterday. At Moonglow Dairy we had a BLACK TERN and plenty of
close-up RED-NECKED PHALAROPES (the tern was hanging out at pond #3).
Back in the county on our way home we saw a Coyote and WILD TURKEYS
along Uvas Road.
John Mariani
[[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 20 08:32:26 1999
Subject: [SBB] LEYE
Folks:
Palo Alto has raised the level of water in the North Pond of the Flood
Control Basin in the last two days, bringing some shorebird habitat closer to
the bike path. On my bike commute home yesterday afternoon, 8/19/1999, I
counted five LESSER YELLOWLEGS there with seven GREATER YELLOWLEGS. There was
a nice mixture of adult and juvenile plumages.
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 20 10:40:48 1999
Subject: [SBB] No Reeve ;-(, lost Ash-throated Flycatcher
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager, Matthew Dodder & I looked for but did not find
the Reeve in the pond at Spreckels and State St. Frank and I also checked
out Arzino Ranch (really dead) and Calabazas Ponds (lots of shorebirds) with
no luck. Lots of Lesser Yellowlegs and peeps. We did not take the time to
check out the "peeps" at Calabazas for Semipalmated Sandpipers.
Yesterday Frank and I tried to find some birds for Ann Haverstock from
Illinois. When we were showing her Tricolored Blackbirds behind the
Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant we spotted a very worn, ratty
looking, Ash-throated Flycatcher with an apparent breeding patch. This bird
seems to be totally out of place. Is it the time of year or the place that
accounts for it's extremely worn look?
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 10:45 AM, 8/20/99
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 21 10:50:46 1999
Subject: [SBB] Oka Ponds
We revisited Oka Ponds this morning. We got a great look at a YELLOW
WARBLER. Otherwise, it was the usual suspects.
Pat Curtis
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 22 17:15:16 1999
Subject: [SBB] Stilt Sandpiper etc.
On Saturday, Mike Mammoser reported to the Bird Box an adult Stilt Sand-
piper from the Calabazas Marsh. Since he hasn't yet posted hist EMail about
this, I'll repeat from his message that the bird was originally found by Nick
Lethaby, and that Mike refound it later in the day. The bird was still present
this morning (Sunday), and provided pretty good scope views for me and for
John Meyer, despite the sun angle being less than optimal. At about 10:30 or
so it was first seen resting with Dowitchers in the middle of the north pond,
and then began intermittently feeding there. I'll leave it to the discoverers
to report more details.
Also, at the west end of the same pond, I had a brief look at a Pectoral
Sandpiper, but it (and the nearby stints) were apparently disturbed by passing
airplanes, and I lost track of the bird before I could determine its age. I'm
not even sure it stayed in this pond, since John and I were unsuccessful in
trying to find it later. Finally, there were roughly 14 Lesser Yellowlegs in
the pond. The Calabazas Marsh is the set of ponds just east of Sunnyvale
Baylands Park.
Earlier this morning I chedked the impoundment at Spreckles and State in
Alviso. There were about a half dozen Lesser Yellowlegs (on a late afternoon
stop by here on Saturday I had about 10, with nearly 50 Greaters) and 3 Red-
Necked Phalaropes, but no sign of the Ruff reported by Steve during the week.
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]] Sun Aug 22 17:59:49 1999
Subject: [SBB] Western Kingbird
On a trip today to The Calabazas Ponds? (The ponds next to The Twin Creeks
Softball facility), I saw a Western Kingbird hawking insects from a power
line. It also periodically seemed to be regurgitating insects. Does anyone
know the purpose of this behavior? Perhaps they eject the exoskeleton after
digesting the usable parts?
Afterward, I stopped by The Sunnyvale Baylands Park. Two people told me of
a Stilt Sandpiper which I did not see. Of interest to me were 3 Burrowing
Owls, 2 Loggerhead Shrikes, a Caspian Tern and 1 Semipalmated Plover (my
first!).
Don Ganton
Santa Clara
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Mon Aug 23 10:49:55 1999
Subject: [SBB] Sat: SCVAS Trip; Sun: Alviso Slough Trail
All,
Saturday's SCVAS Charleston Slough walk highlights:
quite a few Common Yellowthroats,
one Black-bellied Plover,
one Western Grebe was on Shoreline Lake,
one Vaux Swift hanging with the swallows by the pump house,
the usual assortment of local shorebirds, etc.
We had two PEREGRINE FALCONS that buzzed the waterbirds. One adult and one
immature.
On Sunday a quick cycle (sans optics) around Alviso Slough Trail yielded one
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Pond A-10) and a melanistic Black-necked Stilt. Lots of
shorebirds were on pond A-9 due to low water.
Nick
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Mon Aug 23 12:18:36 1999
Subject: [SBB] Yolo County trip
Since Swainson's Hawks (SWHA) were some people's minds
recently, I thought that I'd report on a GGRO trip led by
Diane Williams on Saturday, 8/21/99, in Yolo County in search
of this species. The trip covered the general area between
Vacaville and Davis, mostly south of Hwy 80 and north of
Elmira Rd.
The hot weather provided lots of thermals and, therefore,
lots of hawk activity. The first SWHA was seen at the meeting
point at the Coffee Tree before we started. Diane estimated
that we saw about 150 of them. That was also my impression.
They were more plentiful than Red-tailed Hawks in the area.
Many (around 10-15%) of the SWHA were dark morphs, and many
were in immature plumage. There might have been a couple of
rufous morph individuals, too.
Also seen: 20+ WHITE-FACED IBIS, 1500+ LONG-BILLED CURLEW,
38 RED-NECKED and 3 WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Davis Sewage
Treatment Ponds), 2 CASPIAN TERN, 1 BARN OWL, and 16
BURROWING OWL.
Alfalfa Butterflies were overwhelmingly abundant. As we
scoped-in hawks on the ground in the fields, yellow and
white butterfly wings danced in the field of view. I'm
told that the males are yellow to orange and the females
white on the upperwings. Both are pale green-yellow
underneath.
Les
==========================================
Les Chibana, Palo Alto [[email protected]]
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Mon Aug 23 12:30:02 1999
Subject: RE: [SBB] Yolo County trip
REPLY RE: [SBB] Yolo County trip
Don't poorly proofed reports drive you crazt!
The following intro sentence:
>Since Swainson's Hawks (SWHA) were some people's minds >recently, I thought that I'd report on a GGRO trip led by [snip]
should have read:
"Since Swainson's Hawks (SWHA) were on some people's minds..."
And
>The hot weather provided lots of thermals and, therefore, >lots of hawk activity. The first SWHA was seen at the meeting >point at the Coffee Tree before we started. Diane estimated >that we saw about 150 of them. That was also my impression.
That's 150 for the whole day, not just at the Coffee Tree. I can
just see the Coffee Tree becoming a Swainson's Hawk hot spot!
Sorry,
Les
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 23 13:05:10 1999
Subject: [SBB] birds
On Saturday, 21 Aug 99, I decided to do some shorebirding, starting at
the CCFS waterbird pond. On the way in, I met Nick Lethaby, who told me
of some Vaux's Swifts out by the pond. I failed to find any swifts
there, or any unusual shorebirds at the pond itself, so I went to
Alviso.
At State and Spreckles I looked through the small number of yellowlegs,
both GREATER and LESSER, without finding Steve's Ruff. However, I did
have 3 or 4 VAUX'S SWIFTS overhead here.
At Calabazas Marsh I met up with Nick again, and he told me of an adult
STILT SANDPIPER out with the dowitchers. I quickly refound the bird,
noting that it was mostly in basic plumage, being fairly uniform gray
above and white below. The exception was that it still had barring along
the flanks and undertail coverts, which is a holdover from alternate
plumage. I didn't check the head pattern, noting only the longish black
bill with a slight droop at the tip. There were a few SEMIPALMATED
PLOVERS here, and I heard one SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER call.
At the Sunnyvale sewage ponds, I found one COMMON TERN foraging over the
larger pond. Though I got scope views of this bird, it wasn't the
close-up study I had of previous birds roosting on the levee. I could
clearly see the dark carpal bar and the dark secondaries sandwiching the
pale greater coverts. This is a sure sign of immaturity, though I don't
think that it is strictly indicative of what plumage the bird is in.
Many of these terns retain their Basic I plumage through their first
summer and, in that respect, these birds may be in that plumage.
However, according to the Claudia Wilds article in Birding, Basic II
plumage also involves a dark trailing edge to the wings. I wasn't able
to study feather wear or molt patterns on this bird.
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 23 13:15:33 1999
Subject: [SBB] Stilt, Semipalmated & Spotted Sandpipers
All,
This morning in the northern most Calabazas Pond Frank Vanslager and I saw an
adult Stilt Sandpiper (found earlier by Mike Mammoser). The STSA was
actively feeding/preening among the mostly sleeping dowitchers and only once
during a 30-40 minute viewing period did it move more than a foot or two from
the dowitchers (the largest of two groups). This would seem to be a gimmee
but a scope is advised when trying to find this bird. We also saw a single
Semipalmated Sandpiper and, in the Northwest corner of the ponds, a Spotted
Sandpiper. A Loggerhead Shrike and a Green Heron also put in an appearance.
Lots of lesser Yellowlegs about (about half of all yellowlegs seen this
morning at Spreckels & State St in Alviso, where the ponds are rapidly drying
out, and Calabazas Ponds). No Ruff :-( The EEC was dead except for a very
small fox along the entrance road about 200 ft south of the parking area.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:12 PM, 8/23/99
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 23 13:34:59 1999
Subject: [SBB] Mea Culpa FW: Sat: SCVAS Trip; Sun: Alviso Slough Trail
Thanks to Mike Rogers for help identifying a LEUCISTIC Black-necked Stilt
not melanistic as stated in my post.
It may be sunny outside but my brain had some serious fog this am. Mike had
previously seen it and noted
"I had a leucistic bird that was pale tan instead of black (even white in
some areas)"
Sorry for the mis-information. By the way it is a strange looking bird...
Nick Yatsko (maybe I should stick to raptors!)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Yatsko, Nick
> Sent: Monday, August 23, 1999 10:50 AM
>
"a melanistic Black-necked Stilt."
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 23 14:24:57 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] Spotted Sandpiper
[[email protected]] wrote:
> in the Northwest corner of the ponds, a Spotted Sandpiper.
> Lots of lesser Yellowlegs about
The SPOTTED SANDPIPER was also present on Saturday. I noted a good number of LESSER
YELLOWLEGS at Calabazas on Saturday as well, though I didn't take an actual count.
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 24 18:26:05 1999
Subject: [SBB] Morro Bay Special
Hi Calbirders,
This is a month old, but I think it would still be applicable.
My wife Sharon and I spent a great four-generation family camping weekend at
Morro Bay (on the coast, near San Luis Obispo, California) July 23-26th,
mostly playing frisbee golf, hiking, eating and telling tales around the
campfire. But on Sunday, while the kids and grandkids were out canoeing,
Sharon and I puttered around the takeoff dock reading, taking pictures and
just enjoying the day.
Saturday, we had gone out onto the pickleweed flats and seen large flocks
(100-200) of shorebirds occasionally rise up in a cloud, then settle back
down. But we didn't get close enough to identify them in the scope.
Back to Sunday. As we shouted encouragement ("Hey, you'll tip over if you
stand up" -- things like that) to a trio of untrained canoeists floundering
at the start, we saw a REALLY HUGE flock of shorebirds rising up. Then we
noticed a dark falcon silhouette at the top reach an apogee, fold its wings,
and dive down through the flock at an incredible speed. As we both said
"WOW," a second falcon did the same thing, about four seconds behind the
first. They both disappeared below trees from our angle, and didn't come
back up. The flock settled down.
Later, Sharon read that there was exactly ONE pair of Peregrine Falcons
nesting on Morro Rock. Any confirmation of that from Morro Bay birders?
That was our first Peregrine Attack in four years of birding. Pretty awesome.
Good birding,
Bob & Sharon Lutman
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Tue Aug 24 21:49:16 1999
Subject: [SBB] Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Report
Any word?
Mark
--
Mark Eaton 1524 36th Avenue
mailto:[[email protected]] San Francisco, CA, 94122-3123
http://www.best.com/~eaton http://goldengate.ca.audubon.org
"I tell you the more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more
truly artistic than to love people."
- Vincent Van Gogh
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 25 10:53:35 1999
Subject: [SBB] Calabazas Ponds / Marsh
Apologies to the list for this query....but I see references to these ponds
regularly in reports to this list. I understand that they are near the Twin
Creeks sports complex off Caribbean Drive. What I dont know is how to get to
them, where to park, which paths to follow, is it a 10 minute walk or a 30
min bike ride etc. I did some research last night on the web and no joy .
Can some one enlighten me please - looks like I'm missing out on some good
birds
Andy Stone
SQA Engineer
Uppercase Inc.
A Xerox New Enterprise Company
4000 Burton Drive
Santa Clara, CA 95054
(408) 330-7240 Phone
(408) 330-7268 Fax
[[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 25 11:31:53 1999
Subject: [SBB] Shrike
I observed a Loggerhead Shrike around 9 am this morning in Guadalupe Oak
Grove Park. It was hunting from a snag near the mid-level trail where the
overlook and bench are located. I am at the park three or four times a
week and this is the very first time I have ever seen a SHRIKE there. The
ACORN WOODPECKERS are busy and there are many green acorns lying in the
trails. There is also a family of six deer that can be seen every morning
near the drive-in side of the park. People have been putting food out for
them and I fear they are becoming less than cautious.
My double covey (40ish) of QUAIL are here several times a day now. The
youngsters are growing fast. I shot some pictures yesterday of the lookout
male on a Mugo Pine next to my patio while his brood clambered over the
rocks and through the foliage. I use an upturned garbage can lid for water
in the patio area.
Barbara Harkleroad
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 25 12:52:19 1999
Subject: [SBB] Stilt Sandpiper
All,
On Monday 8/23/99 I quickly checked a few bayside spots for shorebirds
late in the evening as I came back south on highway 101. The Palo
Alto Baylands yacht harbor was not very active as the tide conditions
were not great. Still, a small group of 6 juvenile SHORT-BILLED
DOWITCHERS provided nice scope views near the bridge by the
interpretive center. The north pond of the Palo Alto Flood Control
Basin had 11 LESSER YELLOWLEGS and 5 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES. Eight
GREEN-WINGED TEAL were in Adobe Creek opposite the pump house and a
single WHIMBREL was along the southern edge of Charleston Slough. No
sign of the recently reported Sharp-tailed Sandpiper seen the previous
day in the Forebay, although another juvenile SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER
was here. A CLARK'S GREBE and female SURF SCOTER were on Shoreline
Lake.
Today Wednesday 8/25/99 over lunch I decided to see if the Pacific
Golden-Plover reported yesterday from the Calabazas Ponds was still
around. No luck with that bird, but the basic-plumaged adult STILT
SANDPIPER was still present, along with 21+ LESSER YELLOWLEGS and 13
RED-NECKED PHALAROPES. There were also large numbers of KILLDEER and
SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS here - seems like a good place for a first county
record of Mongolian Plover :).
As far as directions to this spot, take Lawrence Expressway north off
Highway 237 to the Sunnyvale Baylands Park. Go back towards Highway
237 and as far east in the park as you can (just north of 237) and
then walk along the frontage road to the bridge over Calabazas Creek.
The ponds are in front of you. To reach the northern pond cross the
creek and follow the dike north (to the left) towards the Bay.
Alternative routes involving using the creek underpasses under Highway
237 also exist, although public parking for such access is hard to
come by.
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 26 12:23:40 1999
Subject: [SBB] Some birds
All,
This morning on a power tower near Crittenden Marsh (which really needs more
water and birds) Frank Vanslager and I saw an adult Peregrine Falcon eating
an unidentified bird. There were lots of Least Terns in Salt Ponds B1 and
A2E (I counted 62 in one quick pass). We had at least one Caspian Tern, a
Whimbrel (in the Stevens Creek Mitigation Pond) and two Vaux's Swifts. Coast
Casey Forebay contained several Killdeer and a Mallard. It also needs more
water (and birds). Adobe Creek and the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin had
lots of Dowitchers, Least & Western Sandpipers and both Yellowlegs but no
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper :-(. The Yacht Harbor had lots of gulls, mostly
Ring-billed but including two Western Gulls. Nothing else of interest.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 12:31 PM, 8/26/99
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 26 14:07:46 1999
Subject: [SBB] goldfinches and backyard birds.
We put up a niger feeder a week or so ago, and finally confirmed that
we have goldfinches visiting it. It also looks like our Orioles are
finally and completely gone (we had a couple of juveniles still
visiting ten days ago).
Also, a week or so back, someone asked about how to get rid of
pigeons at their feeders. It was suggested to us that we switch to a
feed that minimizes or does away with millet. I've been trying a
millet-free seed the last ten days, and it really looks like it's cut
back on the pigeons feeding (we still have them hanging around the
wires looking hopeful). It should also cut down on the cowbirds that
we see once in a while.
Millet-free seeds are a bit more expensive, but there seems to be a
lot less wastage, too. And if it makes the pigeons leave, I'm all for
it. The other birds don't seem upset so far, and by examination, it
seemed most of the millet was being tossed on the ground in search of
the better seed, where the pigeons went trolling.
chuq
--
Chuq Von Rospach (Hockey fan? )
Apple Mail List Gnome (mailto:[[email protected]])
Plaidworks Consulting (mailto:[[email protected]])
+
The Jedi that I admire most met up with Darth Maul and now he's toast...
(Weird Al Yankovic - The Saga Begins)
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 26 15:32:49 1999
Subject: [SBB] Backyard Info
If you have received a free birdfeeder from National Audubon, I highly
recommend filling it with safflower seeds. When I tried sunflower seeds the
squirrels were all over it, and destroyed one. You need to put a large dish
under the feeder to control the seeds flung by the birds. I have two of the
Audubon feeders and have gone through 50 lbs of safflower seed in the last
couple of weeks! Is saving me money!
My HOODED ORIOLES are still here emptying my hummingbird feeder at least
once a day. Constant population of LESSER GOLDFINCH feeding--much prefer
the long tube sold by Backyard Birder on Pollard. BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK
still here. as are my 50+ BAND-TAILED PIGEONS (am trying cracked corn with
them)...they actually will eat the safflower feed flung from my hanging
feeder, so thats good.
Have had a HUTTON'S VIREO come in to the feeders in the past week, but
spends most of his time on my hill. Have never had that species feed
before, it ate the black-oil sunflower seeds. Grosbeak eats only the
sunflower seeds and needs a feeder with a base, won't sit on a perch. With
17 feeders I try to offer a little of everything.
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos off Quito Road
"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]] Thu Aug 26 18:20:30 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] Backyard Info
At 3:32 PM -0700 8/26/99, Gloria wrote:
> You need to put a large dish
> under the feeder to control the seeds flung by the birds.
I've never been really happy with that. What I finally did was get
some wood (a couple of 4x4's) and chop 4 4' pieces and build a small
retaining wall. it keeps almost all of the seed inside and not
blowing all over the yard. Much better than the tube dishes did for
me.
By the by, I forgot to mention my location when I mentioned my
goldfinches. We're across the street from Central Park in Santa Clara
(and we had another possum last night, although they're much rarer
this year for some reason)
--
Chuq Von Rospach (Hockey fan? )
Apple Mail List Gnome (mailto:[[email protected]])
Plaidworks Consulting (mailto:[[email protected]])
+
The Jedi that I admire most met up with Darth Maul and now he's toast...
(Weird Al Yankovic - The Saga Begins)
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 27 10:33:02 1999
Subject: [SBB] Little Blue Heron
I decided to hunt for the LBHE reported in the salt ponds A9 and A10. I
arrived at the Alviso Marina before sunup (6:10AM), the full moon provided
plenty of light to navigate and see the surroundings, beautiful time of
day! Upon reaching the edge of pond A12 (immediately north of the marina)
I was astonished to see the abundance of birds on and lining the pond (my
first trip to this spot this early). Using my spotting scope I observed
over 50 Black-crowned Night Herons, 50+ Great Egrets and twice that many
Snowy Egrets, about 10 Great Blue Heron (several were obviously immature),
50+ White Pelicans and about 10 Brown Pelicans just in pond A12. The pond
was covered with more CA Gulls in one spot than I have ever seen before.
Soon large numbers of Caspian Terns were scolding me as they fished the
pond. Continuing on, I saw 2 Whimbrel in the river near the bend at the
dike between A12 and A11.
At 8:25AM I spotted the Little Blue Heron on the dike between A10 and A11
just 50 ft. from the "Closed" sign on the south end of the dike. I had
excellent scope views of it for over 10 minutes. Now I know why so many
birders are photographers. In the mudflat behind the dike, I saw a
Virginia Rail and 4 Common Yellowthroat Warblers. On my way back to the
Marina, Foresters Terns made their appearance among the many CATEs.
Only three hours late to work, but what a beautiful start for the day!
Karl
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 27 14:37:21 1999
Subject: [SBB] Stilt Sandpiper still at Calabazas Ponds
A check at lunchtime today at Calabazas Ponds revealed that the Stilt
Sandpiper was still present - feeding in the large pond amongst a raft of
dowitchers.
Other birds of note were several Semiplamated Plovers, 3 Caspian Terns, a
Cinnamon Teal and a probable Green Heron - disturbed from the reeds as we
climbed up onto the "bridge to nowhere" for a view over the channel.
Andy Stone
SQA Engineer
Uppercase Inc.
A Xerox New Enterprise Company
4000 Burton Drive
Santa Clara, CA 95054
(408) 330-7240 Phone
(408) 330-7268 Fax
[[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 27 18:40:24 1999
Subject: [SBB] [Fwd: {EBB} Stilt Sandpiper still at Calabazas]
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
--------------12DB7DFA21C4
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
South-Bay-Birders:
Forwarding a post that just went to East Bay Birds for those who may
still be looking for the Stilt Sandpiper at the Calabasas Ponds in
Sunnyvale.
--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, [[email protected]]
--------------12DB7DFA21C4
Content-Type: message/rfc822
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Disposition: inline
Received: from mta3.snfc21.pbi.net (mta3.snfc21.pbi.net [206.13.28.141])
by mail-sf1.pacbell.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id SAA16664;
Fri, 27 Aug 1999 18:05:19 -0700 (PDT)
Received: from lists1.best.com (lists1.best.com [206.86.8.15])
by mta3.snfc21.pbi.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id SAA19916;
Fri, 27 Aug 1999 18:05:14 -0700 (PDT)
Received: (from daemon@localhost)
by lists1.best.com (8.9.3/8.9.2/best.ls) id RAA03215;
Fri, 27 Aug 1999 17:55:08 -0700 (PDT)
Message-Id: <[[email protected]]>
From: "J. D. Phillips" <[[email protected]]>
Subject: {EBB} Stilt Sandpiper still at Calabazas
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 1999 17:53:06 -0700 (PDT)
BestServHost: lists.best.com
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Sender: [[email protected]]
Errors-To: [[email protected]]
To: [[email protected]]
The Stilt Sandpiper was still at Calabazas Marsh in Sunnyvale as of about
1:00pm today. Relatively easy to find, tucked in with the dowitchers on
the north side of the northern most pond. Thanks to all of you who sent me
directions.
Cheers,
J.D. Phillips
--------------12DB7DFA21C4--
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 28 11:02:37 1999
Subject: [SBB] Stilt Sandpiper
On the weekly Backyard Bird Feeder Saturday morning walk, we found the Stilt
Sandpiper at the Calabazas Marsh, actively feeding in the largest flock of
Short-billed Dowitchers. (Thanks, Bob). In the NE corner of the marsh, Pat
Curtis found a Wilson's Warbler, and along Calabazas Creek south of the 237
underpass, 3-4 Soras were easily seen and studied. All 12-15 Yellowlegs in
the marsh were lesser's.
Jack Cole
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email 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]] Sun Aug 29 11:22:43 1999
Subject: [SBB] Saturday at Calero Reservoir
Howdy South-bay-birders,
Visited Calero Reservoir yesterday (Aug. 28). At "Bailey Cove" there was
a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE calling from a tiny patch of reeds. Aside from the
mobs of KILLDEER there were few shorebirds--2 LEAST SANDPIPERS, 3
GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and a few BLACK-NECKED STILTS. The number of ducks
on the lake had noticeably increased, with 6 AMERICAN WIGEON among them.
John Mariani
[[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 30 07:52:19 1999
Subject: [SBB] weekend birds
On Saturday, I checked out Crittenden Marsh. As Bob Reiling had noted, the
water level is still a bit high, but I think it should be really good in
2-3 weeks time. There were only 30 dowitchers and single Lesser Yellowlegs
in the areas of suitable habitat, but I did find an adult Stilt Sandpiper
retaining a fair bit of summer plumage (although molting to winter). There
were also about 45 Greater Yellowlegs and the imm. White-faced Ibis
eventually appeared. The salts ponds to the north had plenty of birds
including at least 40 Least Terns. There were 2 Peregrines on the power
lines over Stevens Creek.
Later I checked the Calabazas ponds. Lots of birds here included the
winter-plumages Stilt Sandpiper and a juv Semi-palmated Sandpiper, which
showed a split supercilium on on side of the head and a rather long primary
projection. However, it seemed typical in other respects.
Sunday I checked CCRS in the morning but it was totally dead - passerine
migration seems much later this year than last. In the evening, I surveyed
a private area and found 30 Lesser Yellowlegs, 4 Pectoral Sandpipers, and
another juv. Semi-palmated Sandpiper.
Nick
Nick Lethaby
Technical Marketing Manager
CoWare, Inc.
Tel: 408 845 7646
E-mail: [[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 30 11:12:19 1999
Subject: [SBB] Calabazas Ponds, etc.
Hi Everyone--
I walked out to the Calabazas Ponds from Sunnyvale Baylands on Sunday
afternoon. Two VAUX'S SWIFTS were busy vacuuming insects over the roadway.
Two LONG-BILLED CURLEWS and a MARBLED GODWIT flew over the ponds but did not
land. A PRAIRIE FALCON came by with lunch on its mind and did a thorough job
of scattering the waders. By the time everyone settled down, there were 2
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS and 50 WESTERN SANDPIPERS left. In a fennel patch on
the west side of the ponds was an Anise Swallowtail, a nice surprise. At my
apartment in Mountain View, the young HOODED ORIOLES at my hummingbird
feeder seem to have departed, and a WESTERN TANAGER was calling.
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]] Mon Aug 30 12:30:20 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] Calabazas Ponds, etc.
Yesterday I went to the Calabazas Ponds at around 7:00PM.
There were only about 20 DOWITCHERs on the pond, all at the far SE end of the
large (northern) pond. Since I only had binoculars, I walked around the pond
to get a closer look at the flock. As far as I could tell from the distance,
these were all Dowitchers, i.e. the Stilt Sandpiper was missing.
5 CASPIAN TERNS and a couple of SEMIPALMATED PLOVERs on the muddy pond-bed. A
GREEN HERON flew over the smaller pond.
Vivek Tiwari
Santa Clara
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]
From [[email protected]] Mon Aug 30 17:36:58 1999
Subject: [SBB] Stevens Ck N of 101
All,
On Saturday 8/28/99 I checked Stevens Creek north of highway 101, from
the highway to the Crittenden Road bridge. I was hoping for early
fall migrants, but there were few, with only 2-3 YELLOW WARBLERS, 1
fem/imm SELASPHORUS SP., and a chip from what was probably a Wilson's
Warbler. Several COMMON YELLOWTHROATS may not have been migrants.
Breeding evidence was still to be had, with NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS
feeding young and a very agitated adult female HOODED ORIOLE defending
a very young fledgling. Also of interest were a roosting BARN OWL, an
adult GREEN HERON, a circling adult PEREGRINE FALCON (near highway
101), and an immature COOPER'S HAWK eating a bird.
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 31 12:04:53 1999
Subject: [SBB] La Rinconada Park
My entry to La Rinconada Park is across bridge #3 - which is falling down.
I learned this morning from the Town of Los Gatos that the bridge is owned
by the Santa Clara Valley Water District and that SCVWD plans to demolish
the bridge soon....which will make it impossible for me to bird "my farm"
on a regular basis. If anyone has any connections to the upper ups at SCVWD
please email me directly.
On a birding note....I saw today at "my farm": KINGFISHER, HUTTON'S VIREO,
female BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, and a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. It's interesting how
I never see a nuthatch species two days in a row, or even in the same week.
They seem to "pass through" whereas the BROWN CREEPER is more constant. Saw
a BEWICK'S WREN go into what I'm assuming is a Bewick's wren nest.
In my own backyard, the BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK has not been seen for a
couple of days but I have 3 immature HOODED ORIOLES eating at my
hummingbird feeder as I write this.
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]] Tue Aug 31 14:17:38 1999
Subject: [SBB] First fall Dunlin
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I birded Crittenden Marsh (I still believe
that the water level is way to low), Salt Ponds A2E and B! and the ponds at
State & Spreckles Sts. in Alviso. There were NO LEAST TERNS and we did not
find the White-faced Ibis' recently reported by Nick Lethaby. Salt Ponds A2E
and B1, associated dikes and the wooden walkways were all overrun with many
hundreds of American White Pelicans (with four Brown Pelicans), Egrets
(both), Double-crested Cormorants, gulls and Pied-billed Grebes. It looks
like this mass of birds must have physically displaced the LETE. To make
things worse the water level in Salt Pond B1 had been raised to the level of
the wood walkways (that the birds perch on). Most of the birds in Crittenden
Marsh were in the far southeast corner of the pond and during an hour plus of
birding we were unable to locate anything of interest.
We then went to Alviso where we found a single, basic plumaged Dunlin (our
first of the fall) at the end of State St. After about ten minutes of fairly
long distance viewing, in bad air, the bird flew east southeast over New
Chicago Marsh giving us great looks at it's back and dispelling any
possibility that it was a Curlew Sandpiper. And what would I have done if it
had an all white rump? We also had two Red-necked Phalaropes, a couple of
Lesser Yellowlegs, Several Greater Yellowlegs and a Western Sandpiper among
the usual suspects.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 2:24 PM, 8/31/99
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. 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 31 22:50:58 1999
Subject: [SBB] VASW, OSPR
SB Birders---
On Monday, Aug. 30, I was at the old Paul Masson winery in
Saratoga off Pierce Rd. for a concert, and I had four VAUX'S SWIFTS
fly very low over the buildings just before dusk. I've heard that
they breed down in that area, but didn't know if they were common or
unusual.
Today, Aug. 31, my wife Karen was riding her horse at the edge of
Felt Lake on Stanford land between I-280 and Arastradero Rd. She
had an OSPREY hover about eight feet from her over shallow water as
she sat quietly atop her horse. In the past she has also had good
luck viewing kites, harriers, buteos and songbirds while horseback
riding---birds seem generally much less spooky than they are around
hikers.
---Grant Hoyt
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]]