From [[email protected]] Fri Dec 01 06:17:25 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- Yesterday, 30 Nov 00, I went to look again at the Tropical Kingbird along San Francisquito Creek, but was unable to find it, on either side of the creek. The Hooded Mergansers were gone from the golf course pond as well. I did see a MERLIN fly by, though. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Dec 01 10:03:35 2000 Subject: [SBB] Peregrines -------- SBBirders--- Sometimes you don't need your binoculars for a breathtaking birding episode. This morning, Dec. 1 2000, at 9:20 AM I was walking through a parking lot at the southwest end of the Stanford Medical Center. Just across Campus Drive to the west, there is a facility that spews vapors into the air, and I have seen numerous raptors ride these artificial "thermals," including 4 GOLDEN EAGLES at once last July. (I know, it's hard to believe that hot air is emanating from a University building, but it's true.) When I heard some sharp chirping sounds from not too far above me this morning, I immediately thought raptor vocalization. Sure enough, less than 100 feet up, two large falcons were diving and wheeling, almost colliding but not really aggressively fighting. Without binoculars, I couldn't get field marks; they just appeared as darkish silhouettes, but I'm certain they were PEREGRINE FALCONS. One bird was significantly smaller than the other, so I'm wondering if this was courtship by a mated pair, or merely a skirmish for air space rights. At any rate, it was an exciting moment. I watched the two birds for about three minutes, and they were still interacting casually, coming together 2 or 3 more times for a little aerobatic tumbling, then drifting apart. This is the first time I've seen 2 PEFAs at this location; over the past three years I have had single birds on several occasions, mostly in fall and winter. ---Grant Hoyt -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 01 13:52:49 2000 Subject: [SBB] American Bittern, Hooded Merganser and Osprey -------- All, Despite the Tule fog this morning, Frank Vanslager and I saw 2 American Bitterns in Ogier Ponds (a third was heard to call and fly). We also saw an adult male Osprey and two pair (male & female) Hooded Mergansers. Big misses were Wood Ducks and American Kestrels. Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:47 PM, 12/1/00 -------- Attachment 434 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Fri Dec 01 13:55:16 2000 Subject: [SBB] BUOR -------- All, I could not locate the golfcourse Tropical Kingbird again today, probably because I had my camera.... There was however, a BULLOCK'S ORIOLE in the eucalyptus trees in the parking lot at the end of Geng Road in Palo Alto. I heard the chatter above me by the head of the bike trail and had with some difficulty was able to locate the source. The bird flew to another tree in the parking lot and I had a brief look at it. The bird was overall warm gray/yellow with a noticeably contrasting white/grey belly. I did not detect much of a facial pattern, but as I said, the look was very quick. I recall Jesse Conklin reported three Orioles earlier in the week from the same area. There was also a male MERLIN on the power lines about half way out toward the foot bridge. That's it for now, Matthew Dodder http://www.birdguy.net/ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 02 06:24:09 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- I went to the Palo Alto FCB today, 2 Dec 00, and met Dick Stovel on the trail that goes along Matadero Creek. When we got to Byxbee Park, there was a large flock of CANADA GEESE, and Dick picked out some different birds. They turned out to be a single adult SNOW GOOSE, a single adult ROSS' GOOSE, and a single immature GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. A BURROWING OWL was also present in the same binocular view as the geese. I drove to the end of Geng Road, but returning birders gave negative indications on the presence of the kingbird, so I didn't make the walk. However, one female BULLOCK'S ORIOLE was in the eucalyptus next to the parking lot, and 3 HOODED MERGANSERS (1 male, 2 females) were on the golf course pond. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Dec 02 17:20:13 2000 Subject: [SBB] Calero Reservoir -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, Late in the afternoon on Thursday and Friday I scoped Calero Reservoir from the boat launch. Still not finding any loons or Bald Eagles there, but on Thursday there were 350+ CANADA GEESE at the east end of the reservoir, the largest number of geese I've ever seen at Calero. Friday evening the geese were seen flying back over the hills to the Coyote Valley, and there were 26 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS on the reservoir. Today (Sat.) I revisited Calero Reservoir. There was a lot of birdlife this afternoon at the east end. Birds there included 1 HORNED GREBE, the 26 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, large (but diminished) numbers of CANADA GEESE (including 1 small bird that appeared to be of the race minima), most of the usual puddle ducks, 2 CANVASBACK, lots of BUFFLEHEAD and COMMON GOLDENEYES, 2 female HOODED MERGANSERS, COMMON MERGANSERS, a WHITE-TAILED KITE (seen ripping furry chunks off the front end of a small rodent), 1 COMMON SNIPE, 50+ LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, 30+ LEAST SANDPIPERS, BLACK-NECKED STILTS, and 1 lingering FORSTER'S TERN. A large blackbird flock across from the park headquarters contained at least 5 male TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS, but I couldn't find a single cowbird. For the last 3 days I've also seen NORTHERN HARRIERS near the reservoir-- John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Dec 02 19:36:41 2000 Subject: [SBB] Pectoral Sandpiper -------- Today there was a Pectoral Sandpiper in the Charleston Slough about a quarter mile out the dike from the pumphouse. Also a Barrow's Goldeneye, many Common Goldeneye and two Horned Grebes on Shoreline Lake, twelve Black Skimmers on the island in the slough and only three Blue-winged Teal in the flood control basin. Charles Coston ______________________________________________________ Listen to your favorite music while you work! - http://www.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 Dec 03 09:35:10 2000 Subject: [SBB] White Throated sparrow -------- For the second year in a row, we have a White Throated Sparrow in our back yard. He has been here since early November. He is a beautiful, adult male. We will be gone for the Palo Alto Christmas count, but he'll be here. -- 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 Dec 03 13:23:48 2000 Subject: [SBB] Belated report of BRPE inland at Mountain View -------- Hi SBB, My brother Keith Suddjian and his daughters Michelle and Cindy saw a juvenile BROWN PELICAN at a man-made lake in a condo complex at 505 Cypress Point Drive, Mountain View, on 11/23/00. It could fly, and did so, leaving the area when they approached too close for its comfort. The lake is freshawater with many koi. David Suddjian Capitola [[email protected]] -------- Attachment 500 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Sun Dec 03 18:07:10 2000 Subject: [SBB] Barrow's Goldeneye and Surf Scoter at Shoreline Lake -------- Hi All, This morning (Sunday) at around 11 AM, the BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was present at Shoreline lake in a mixed flock of COOTS and COMMON GOLDENEYE. Also of interest was a SURF SCOTER in the middle of the lake, hanging out by the floating dock. A number of HORNED GREBES were present, as were many EARED GREBES and a PIED-BILLED GREBE. A number of ducks were scattered around the pond as well. A walk around the Alviso EEC was generally uneventful. Lots of EARED GREBES on the ponds. On the way home I stopped by Calero Reservoir. Lots of ducks, the usual suspects. The most interesting event was watching a CROW and MERLIN in a dogfight for about a half-minute over the hillside east of the reservoir. The crow appeared to be the winner, chasing off the Merlin. Other raptors in the area were RED-TAILED HAWKS, a male NORTHERN HARRIER, a few KESTRELS, and a WHITE-TAILED KITE. Good birding! Andy Pedler -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 03 19:04:02 2000 Subject: [SBB] Merced County birding -------- Hello Friends: This morning I dashed off to Merced County with visions of off-course seaducks and montane irruptive passerines dancing in my brain only to have my feathered fantasies come to an abrupt halt as I crossed the Merced County line: an impenetrable wall of wicked whiteness enveloped the landscape (yes--the dreaded tule fog)! I arrived at Merced N.W.R. at 8:30 AM. Temperature was a brisk 38º F. The sounds of geese and cranes filled the skies but none could I see due to the fog. Visibility was limited to less than 50 feet. I drove the Auto Tour Loop and stopped at the Meadowlark Trail parking lot where a sharp, phoebe-like call caught my ear. Out popped a swamp sparrow from the marshy edge of the trail--a great bird for Merced County! Peering out from the nearby observation platform through a gap in the fog, I spotted a pair of blue-winged teal. Passing through Los Banos at noon I noted that the temperature had risen to a relatively balmy 43º, but the fog was still thick. At the O'Neil Forebay it was pointless to scope for ducks since the water was obscured by fog so I turned my attention to sparrows once again. A vesper sparrow foraged along the weedy edge of the gravel road on the southeast corner of the Forebay. Finally, I ended up at the Los Banos Landfill on Billy Wright Rd where the usual concentration of gulls awaited me and my scope. I picked out 3 glaucous-winged and one Thayer's gulls before a red-tailed hawk flew in to scare them all up into the fog. Two cattle egrets were here picking through the garbage. Cheers! Peter J. Metropulos -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 03 20:15:40 2000 Subject: [SBB] Red-breasted Sapsucker at Ulistac -------- Hi, A very nice family walk through Ulistac Natural Area in Santa Clara this afternoon yielded a Red-breasted Sapsucker. We also saw at least two Ruby-crowned Kinglets and a pair of American Kestrels. Don Ganton -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 04 07:46:01 2000 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: This morning, 12/4/2000, there were three BROWN PELICANS in Shoreline Park: an imm. over Shoreline Lake and a sub-adult and an imm. on Salt Pond A2W. A male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE continues at Shoreline Lake near the boathouse and 12 BLACK SKIMMERS continue on Charleston Slough. Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Dec 04 07:57:39 2000 Subject: [SBB] Oka/Campbell Ponds -------- On Saturday, Dec 2, an SCVAS field trip visited the Oka and Campbell Ponds at Los Gatos Creek Park. At the Oka Ponds we saw approximately twelve HOODED MERGANGERS. It was difficult to get an accurate count as the ducks flew from pond to pond, but two more were also seen in the creek. Also seen in Los Gatos Creek were a GREEN HERON by the foot bridge, three COMMON SNIPE on "snipe island" in the middle of the creek, and a nice male COOPER'S HAWK on the far bank who circled around and over the creek and then was up an away. Two loons were on the main Campbell Pond - a PACIFIC LOON well seen by all, and more illusive COMMON LOON seen by some. Of interest among the gulls were an adult GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL perched on the cormorant-roosting tree and an adult MEW GULL on a small settling pond. In total we saw 40+ species of birds including a good selection of ducks: Mallard, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Common Goldeneye, and Ruddy Duck. A good field trip on a sunny fall morning. 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]] Mon Dec 04 10:45:06 2000 Subject: [SBB] Weekend Birds -------- "cc:Mail Note Part" -------- Saturday: Almaden Reservoir - Very cold morning, no WOOD DUCKS sighted. The only birds seen were a handful of MALLARDS and one GREAT BLUE HERON. The water level has gone down quit a bit during the past month. Calero Reservoir - The only things to add to John Mariani's report are: PINTAIL DUCK, the EURASIAN WIDGEON and a perched NORTHERN HARRIER. While scoping the lake from the east end during a period of about 30 minutes, wave after wave of CANADA GEESE came over the hill from Coyote Valley. We estimated the number at 500+. Also of note: a TOWNSEND WARBLER at the top of the first oak tree north of the ranger station and two CALIFORNIA THRASHER at the base of the same tree. Sunday: Pre-CBC scouting of Santa Teresa Park - 2 SAYE'S PHOEBE, 2 WHITE-TAILED KITE, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER and numerous ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS. Grant Webb -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 04 13:05:34 2000 Subject: [SBB] Pacific Loon no Common Loon, Osprey -------- All, This morning I made a quick trip to Los Gatos Creek Park/Oka Ponds and just as quickly found the juvenile/first winter Pacific Loon in the northern most (largest) pond. The bird had a gray head, nape and back of neck with a will defined line between it and the white front of the neck, throat and lower face. The upperparts had a well defined scaly appearance (white edges of feathers forming lines across the back). The bird also had a grayish chin strap. The basically gray bill had smooth edged dagger shape. After having watched the loon for several minutes while trying to located the second reported loon I lost sight of the bird for 15-20 minutes. Later I refound the bird near one of the islands and so assume that the bird had been on the far side of the islands when I couldn't locate it. In all I spent over an hour looking for diving loons. A Horned Grebe, a pair (biblical sense) of Hooded Mergansers, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye and an adult male Osprey provided some distraction. One interesting observation was that after the Osprey finished eating a fish it flew down from the top of the bare tree on one of the islands low over the water to drag it's feet in the water (twice) and then flew back up to the top of the tree to clean/sharpen it's bill on the branches. Take care, Bob Reiling, 12:09 PM, 12/4/00 -------- Attachment 1.5 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Mon Dec 04 13:05:36 2000 Subject: [SBB] Ogier Ponds -------- All, On Sunday's field trip to Ogier Ponds we had good views of a Prairie Falcon, a male and a female Osprey (at the same time), Hooded Mergansers, a Common Merganser (over flight), a Spotted Sandpiper, a Greater Yellowlegs, a calling Sora and three American Bittern (one posed in the reeds until after we left). Ducks included large numbers of Ring-necked Ducks (a good year for them?), Canvasback and Lesser Scaup (the later two not always seen there). The normal Gull species count was boosted by the presence of an adult Mew Gull, an adult Thayer's Gull and a first winter Glaucous-winged Gull (having several sharp-eyed birders didn't hurt). It would seem that the cold mornings might be taking a toll on the passerines as the quality and quantity of these species was very low. Big misses include Wood Duck, American Kestrel and Northern Harrier. Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:01 PM, 12/4/00 -------- Attachment 1.0 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Dec 05 13:07:49 2000 Subject: [SBB] County birding -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I birded Almaden Lake Park and a portion of Alamitos Creek above the lake. The water level of the lake is several inches higher than I remember it being and the small island near the outflow of the creek is under water. Some gulls still use the island but it would seem to be undesirable for them to be standing in an inch or so of water (but then perhaps that's the idea). This is still one of the best places that I know to view gulls up close and personal. Where else can you see a first year Glaucous-winged Gull standing alongside a first winter Thayer's Gull (with light primaries). A great opportunity for comparison of size and markings. Today we had a couple first year Glaucous-winged Gulls, three to four first year (and an adult) Thayer's Gulls, three to four Mew Gulls, a couple Ring-billed Gulls, a few California Gulls and the remainder (the bulk) Herring Gulls. Other birds seen included a Spotted Sandpiper (running along the top of the bare area on the large island), an adult male Common Merganser, at least four Scaly-breasted Munia/Nutmeg Mannikins, several Lincoln's Sparrows, Red-shouldered Hawk(s) and a Red-breasted Sapsucker. I would sure hate to see the lake reduced to being just a bathing stop for the gulls (long distance views and no legs). Here's hoping that the small island remains when the water level is once again lowered. Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:03 PM, 12/5/00 -------- Attachment 1.6 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Dec 05 20:27:54 2000 Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto CBC -------- If anyone has a couple hours on Monday Dec. 18 and wants to count shorebirds and ?? at the eastern end of Dumbarton bridge (Dumbarton Point), please let me know. First come, first served :) Jack Cole __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Shopping - Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. http://shopping.yahoo.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 Dec 05 22:29:23 2000 Subject: [SBB] Cooper's Hawk behavior -------- Fellow birders, Below is a description of hawk behavior I observed today that I found most surprising. I would appreciate any comments from others who have watched similar behavior. Around 9:30 this morning I discovered a Cooper's Hawk on a ground level platform in my back yard. This platform is used for feeding birds, but has been out of use for a few days because I've had problems with rats joining the feast. The platform is next to a slightly overgrown garden. Before long the hawk flew into the tree above the garden and a morning of great bird observation began. I took the time to sit and watch for most of the morning. At least twice during the morning the hawk flew into the fenced garden after prey, almost certainly rodents. During the first time into the garden, I saw the hawk run through the picket fence after a rat and then reverse when the rat reentered the garden. I think the rat won this foot race. Afterwards, the hawk returned to the tree spending most of his time just sitting, but from time to time the possibility of prey in the garden below would catch his attention. Eventually the hawk again quickly dropped into the garden after prey. I do not know for sure whether he succeeded or not, but for the next 10 minutes or so he stayed in the garden. For most of this period I could catch glimpses of him looking for prey ON FOOT. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The hawk actually walked about in the garden apparently hoping to flush something. After this prolonged period on the ground, he again returned to the tree and remained there till about 11:45. This last period in the tree was mostly spent just sitting mixed with a bit of preening. Rosalie Strait -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 06 10:02:12 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] Cooper's Hawk behavior -------- At 10:29 PM 12/5/00 -0800, R. Strait wrote: >Fellow birders, > > Below is a description of hawk behavior I observed today that I found >most surprising. I would appreciate any comments from others who have >watched similar behavior. > Around 9:30 this morning I discovered a Cooper's Hawk on a ground level >platform in my back yard. This platform is used for feeding birds, but has >been out of use for a few days because I've had problems with rats joining >the feast. The platform is next to a slightly overgrown garden. Before >long the hawk flew into the tree above the garden and a morning of great >bird observation began. I took the time to sit and watch for most of the >morning. At least twice during the morning the hawk flew into the fenced >garden after prey, almost certainly rodents. During the first time into the >garden, I saw the hawk run through the picket fence after a rat and then >reverse when the rat reentered the garden. I think the rat won this foot >race. Afterwards, the hawk returned to the tree spending most of his time >just sitting, but from time to time the possibility of prey in the garden >below would catch his attention. Eventually the hawk again quickly dropped >into the garden after prey. I do not know for sure whether he succeeded or >not, but for the next 10 minutes or so he stayed in the garden. For most of >this period I could catch glimpses of him looking for prey ON FOOT. I >couldn't believe what I was seeing. The hawk actually walked about in the >garden apparently hoping to flush something. After this prolonged period on >the ground, he again returned to the tree and remained there till about >11:45. This last period in the tree was mostly spent just sitting mixed >with a bit of preening. I saw a juvenile Cooper's Hawk "ground hunting" at the Baylands in October. I'm not sure whether it was after a rodent or a sparrow. It didn't catch anything. --Peter ------------------------------------------------------ Peter LaTourrette North American Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.birdphotography.com/ Jasper Ridge Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.stanford.edu/~petelat1/ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 06 10:08:06 2000 Subject: Fw: [SBB] Cooper's Hawk behavior -------- I've had a Cooper's in my backyard going through the bushes. I've also seen one, perhaps the same, at "my farm" ground hunting. gloria leblanc www.wallstreetgifts.com "largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts" www.cowscowscows.com "site for the Chicago and NYC cows" www.lgsia.com "money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios" ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter LaTourrette" <[[email protected]]> To: "R. Strait" <[[email protected]]> Cc: "South-bay Bird List" <[[email protected]]> Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2000 10:02 AM Subject: Re: [SBB] Cooper's Hawk behavior > At 10:29 PM 12/5/00 -0800, R. Strait wrote: > >Fellow birders, > > > > Below is a description of hawk behavior I observed today that I found > >most surprising. I would appreciate any comments from others who have > >watched similar behavior. > > Around 9:30 this morning I discovered a Cooper's Hawk on a ground level > >platform in my back yard. This platform is used for feeding birds, but has > >been out of use for a few days because I've had problems with rats joining > >the feast. The platform is next to a slightly overgrown garden. Before > >long the hawk flew into the tree above the garden and a morning of great > >bird observation began. I took the time to sit and watch for most of the > >morning. At least twice during the morning the hawk flew into the fenced > >garden after prey, almost certainly rodents. During the first time into the > >garden, I saw the hawk run through the picket fence after a rat and then > >reverse when the rat reentered the garden. I think the rat won this foot > >race. Afterwards, the hawk returned to the tree spending most of his time > >just sitting, but from time to time the possibility of prey in the garden > >below would catch his attention. Eventually the hawk again quickly dropped > >into the garden after prey. I do not know for sure whether he succeeded or > >not, but for the next 10 minutes or so he stayed in the garden. For most of > >this period I could catch glimpses of him looking for prey ON FOOT. I > >couldn't believe what I was seeing. The hawk actually walked about in the > >garden apparently hoping to flush something. After this prolonged period on > >the ground, he again returned to the tree and remained there till about > >11:45. This last period in the tree was mostly spent just sitting mixed > >with a bit of preening. > > I saw a juvenile Cooper's Hawk "ground hunting" at the Baylands in October. > I'm not sure whether it was after a rodent or a sparrow. It didn't catch > anything. > > --Peter > > ------------------------------------------------------ > Peter LaTourrette > North American Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.birdphotography.com/ > Jasper Ridge Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.stanford.edu/~petelat1/ > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== > This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list > server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the > message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 06 11:09:04 2000 Subject: [SBB] Cooper's Hawk behavior -Reply -------- While on one of my many trips to the Klamath Basin Refuges a few years ago, we witnessed an Adult GOLDEN EAGLE running around on the ice chasing a tiny little mouse. It was actually really funny to see. The mouse got away. Alan W. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 06 11:29:34 2000 Subject: [SBB] Santa Cruz Mountain Species -------- Folks: At its southern end, the great Pacific Coastal forest extends to the Santa Cruz Mountains in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, with a minor extension in some of the canyons on the Big Sur coast. Commercial logging started in these Santa Cruz Mountain forests in the 1850s and there has been limited surveys of the breeding birds of any kind until the most recent decades. A puzzle for all who are interested in birds is whether some of the characteristic breeding species of this coastal forest have always been here or whether they have expanded their range southward in recent decades. These puzzling species are summarized below. Marbled Murrelet. On 15 Jun 1957, a fledgling was found floating in a creek in Portola SP, San Mateo County and on 18 Aug 1960, an immature bird was found on the ground in Big Basin SP, Santa Cruz County (Pacific Discover 25(3):25-26). Later, in 1974, the famed first nest of the species was discovered in Big Basin SP (Wilson Bull. 87:303-319). Red-breasted Sapsucker. Grinnell and Miller (1944) considered the southern edge of this species range to be the middle of Mendocino County. Nesting birds were found along the Gualala River at Skaggs Springs Road in Sonoma County in 1979 (Burridge 1995) and two were confirmed during Marin County's breeding bird atlas (Shuford 1993). The first nesting record for the Santa Cruz Mountains occurred in March on 1995 when Bert McKee found them nesting near Pescadero (Field Notes 49:306). The next year, David Suddjian found an adult feeding fledglings at Big Creek, Santa Cruz County, on 23 Jun 1996 (50:993). Surprisingly, this year a nestling was found in Vacaville, Sonoma County (fide Robin Leong). Pileated Woodpecker. By the time of Grinnell and Miller (1944) Pileated Woodpeckers were being seen on a regular basis Sonoma and Napa counties and casually in Marin County. In 1948, breeding was confirmed in Napa County when dependent young were observed on Howell Mountain (Audubon Field Notes 2:214). Although Gordon Bolander considered a Pileated he saw in Sonoma County in April 1963 to be a vagrant (AFN 17:431), a nest was found that June at Jack London Ranch, Sonoma County (AFN 17:482) for a first county breeding record. Although Pileateds had been known from Marin County by 1944, no proof of breeding was obtained until nesting was observed Lake Lagunitas in 1976 (AB 30:884). The first report of Pileated Woodpeckers in the Santa Cruz Mountains (at least in recent times) was in April 1972 when Viola Anderson saw a pair at Big Basin SP, Santa Cruz County (AB 26:805). By early September 1972 Bruce Elliott had seen this woodpecker at Portola CP in San Mateo County as well (AB 27:116). The first evidence of breeding in the Santa Cruz Mountains, however, was 15 years later on 30 Jun 1987 when David Suddjian confirmed breeding in Big Basin SP (AB 41:1484). The 1990s provided evidence of Pileateds in new locations with birds in the interior counties around San Francisco Bay and in Monterey County. Finally (for us Santa Clarans), a pair with young was found by David Suddjian at Lake Elsman, Santa Clara County on 18 Jun 1998 (FN 50:993-994). Varied Thrush. The southern edge of the Varied Thrush's breeding range has long been considered to be Del Norte, Humboldt, and Trinity counties. In 1986, there were a surprising number of summer records south of this boundary including Pt. Reyes, Marin County, Old La Honda Rd. and La Honda, San Mateo County, and Kenwood, Sonoma County (AB 40:1253). Such excursions are usually assumed to be non-breeders. However, in 1991, David Suddjian found nesting birds at Butano SP and Butano Creek, San Mateo County and at Cascade Creek, Santa Cruz County (AB 45:1159). Red Crossbill. Red Crossbills have been considered sporadic invasion species up through the late 1940s (see Junea Kelly, Gull 30:25-26). However, during the 1950s, birds were repeatedly seen in the Mt. Hermon area of Santa Cruz County. Lelah Miller and Emily Smith considered the birds present in the summer of 1951 to have nested (AFN 5:303). In the summer of 1955 a juvenile was seen at a bird bath (AFN 9:402). Lelah Miller commented that the species had been present in small numbers since 1945. The first demonstration of breeding beyond finding dependent(?) juveniles occurred in April 1960 when birds were seen gathering nesting material on Inverness Ridge, Marin County (Shuford 1993). In Jun 1974 adults were found feeding young in Lincoln Park, San Francisco County (AB 28:946). Nesting was confirmed in Santa Cruz County in 1988 (AB 42:480) and in San Mateo County in 1989 (AB 43:1366). It has been said, succinctly, that the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Thus, have all these species been in the Santa Cruz Mountains all these years, but just in small numbers that have been overlooked? Surely, the Marbled Murrelet fits this category, but what of Red-breasted Sapsucker and the generally noisy Pileated Woodpecker? Are there people on the Peninsula Birds or the South Bay Birds lists that have lived or actively birded in any of the areas where these birds are breeding now whose records include a reasonable span of time and would like to comment? Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 06 11:48:14 2000 Subject: [SBB] Re: Santa Cruz Mountain Species -------- Bill Bousman wrote: > Red-breasted Sapsucker. Grinnell and Miller (1944) considered the southern > edge of this species range to be the middle of Mendocino County. Nesting > birds were found along the Gualala River at Skaggs Springs Road in Sonoma > County in 1979 (Burridge 1995) and two were confirmed during Marin County's > breeding bird atlas (Shuford 1993). The first nesting record for the Santa > Cruz Mountains occurred in March on 1995 when Bert McKee found them nesting > near Pescadero (Field Notes 49:306). The next year, David Suddjian found an > adult feeding fledglings at Big Creek, Santa Cruz County, on 23 Jun 1996 > (50:993). Surprisingly, this year a nestling was found in Vacaville, Sonoma > County (fide Robin Leong). and: > It has been said, succinctly, that the absence of evidence is not > evidence of absence. Thus, have all these species been in the Santa Cruz > Mountains all these years, but just in small numbers that have been > overlooked? Surely, the Marbled Murrelet fits this category, but what of > Red-breasted Sapsucker and the generally noisy Pileated Woodpecker? Are there > people on the Peninsula Birds or the South Bay Birds lists that have lived or > actively birded in any of the areas where these birds are breeding now whose > records include a reasonable span of time and would like to comment? There has been two recent records of nesting Sapsuckers along Gazos Creek in San Mateo County: one in 1997 or 1998 (I don't quite remember which) and one in 2000. I believe that this area (not far from Bert's initial San Mateo record) was being well enough covered in the decade prior to those years that they wouldn't have been missed. The same is probably true for higher-up areas which David Suddjian has been studying, although he can surely provide a much more definitive answer. Al Eisner -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 06 12:45:05 2000 Subject: [SBB] Common Loon, Pacific Loon and Snow Goose at Los Gatos Creek Park -------- All, This morning I received a note from Linda (no last name) saying that yesterday she had seen what she thought was and briefly described as a Common Loon in the large pond at Los Gatos Creek Park. Thinking many different thoughts I decided on a quick trip to the park. Shortly after I got there I found the Pacific Loon and shortly thereafter an adult Snow Goose in with a flock of 63 Canada Geese. A thorough search of all three of the larger ponds and the creek (I didn't really expect to a loon in the two smaller ponds or the creek) failed to yield a COLO. Then just as I was leaving a COLO surfaced less the 50 feet from me. I subsequently had both loons in one scope view only to later lose the PALO for several minutes. The COLO was a nice addition to my county year list. Thanks Linda! Take care, Bob Reiling, 12:44 PM, 12/6/00 -------- Attachment 1.0 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 06 13:23:45 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] Santa Cruz Mountain Species -------- A very interesting post, about which I have many thoughts. But, briefly... Marbled Murrelet: there are records from inland localities in Santa Mateo County from 1904 and inland localities in Santa Cruz County from 1914 and 1930. Red-breasted Sapsucker: there are now four confirmed breeding localities in Santa Cruz County, plus other new ones in southern San Mateo County. One spot I studied (since 1991) on private land in San Mateo County had no nesting RBSA for 4-5 years, but a pair has been there most years since. All four Santa Cruz County breeding localities had no evidence of this species' presence during coverage in years prior to discovery of nesting. Pileated Woodpecker: It is worth noting that breeding bird censuses and winter bird population studies conducted at Big Basin in the late 1950's and 1960's failed to record this species. These occurred in a part of the park where the species has been continually present since the early 1970's. Varied Thrush: there are also quite a few other localities now where breeding has been confirmed since the early 1990's, in both southern San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties. Some of these had prior coverage, without nesting VATH, but others have very little to no historic coverage. My votes: MAMU - here "all along" RBSA - a recent colonist PIWO - a recent colonist VATH - a recent colonist RECR - probably always a sporadic nester, since historic records cover all seasons and surely suitable nesting conditions would have coincided with invasions from time to time. Another species that Bill left out that shows a similar pattern in the S.C. Mountains region is COMMON MERGANSER... a recent colonist showing a dramatic expansion since the late 1980's. Also, COMMON RAVEN, although exhibiting some historic presence, has taken over the Santa Cruz Mountains region in a whole new way since the 1970's, and especially in the last 12-15 years. Then there are those occasional reports of SPOTTED OWLS from recent years, with no historic evidence of the species presence.... David Suddjian, Capitola Santa Cruz Bird Club Bird Records Keeper [[email protected]] -------- Attachment 2.3 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 06 14:19:07 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] Common Loon, Pacific Loon and Snow Goose at Los Gatos Creek Park -------- I'm glad you found that COLO, Bob. Penny and I had found it last Saturday on our weekly visit to those ponds. I was beginning to think that perhaps we had miss-ID'd it... Regretfully, we missed the PALO, but hope to find it in the next few days... Dusty Bleher San Jose, Ca. ----- Original Message ----- From: [[email protected]] To: [[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2000 12:45 Subject: [SBB] Common Loon, Pacific Loon and Snow Goose at Los Gatos Creek Park All, This morning I received a note from Linda (no last name) saying that yesterday she had seen what she thought was and briefly described as a Common Loon in the large pond at Los Gatos Creek Park. Thinking many different thoughts I decided on a quick trip to the park. Shortly after I got there I found the Pacific Loon and shortly thereafter an adult Snow Goose in with a flock of 63 Canada Geese. A thorough search of all three of the larger ponds and the creek (I didn't really expect to a loon in the two smaller ponds or the creek) failed to yield a COLO. Then just as I was leaving a COLO surfaced less the 50 feet from me. I subsequently had both loons in one scope view only to later lose the PALO for several minutes. The COLO was a nice addition to my county year list. Thanks Linda! Take care, Bob Reiling, 12:44 PM, 12/6/00 -------- Attachment 2.7 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 06 15:20:25 2000 Subject: [SBB] Snow and Ross' Geese -------- I think someone has already reported these birds, however, it's probably worth reporting again that this morning 12/6/00 there were a Snow Goose and a Ross' Goose in a flock of about 200 Canada Geese at Byxbee Park in Palo Alto. They're both white phase with the Snow Goose not a lot larger than the Ross'. Yesterday there were two pairs of Hooded Mergansers at the golf course pond at Geng Rd. in Palo Alto. Rosalie Lefkowitz -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 06 18:09:29 2000 Subject: [SBB] Salt Pond A9 -------- All, This afternoon 12/6/00, I again helped out on the "low tide" SFBBO survey of Salt Pond A9. No huge surprises, but a few nice birds. NORTHERN SHOVELER numbers were down compared to last month (only 2180), while a couple thousand NORTHERN PINTAILS represented a substantial increase for that species. Rare ducks included a pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL and two adult male EURASIAN WIGEONS. A single immature BROWN PELICAN lingered with the AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN flock on the A9/A10 dike. Two PEREGRINE FALCONS were foraging out over the ponds and an AMERICAN BITTERN flushed to the marsh opposite pond A11 on the way out. Also of interest were two CLAPPER RAILS heard north of the northeast corner of pond A9. 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 Dec 06 18:57:29 2000 Subject: [SBB] Cooper's Hawk Hunting Styles -------- All, Some years ago I saw a Cooper's Hawk fly into a bottlebrush shrub, which was full of frightened ( I surmised) House Sparrows. The hawk peered into the shrub and deftly extended a talon into the shrub and plucked out a hapless sparrow! The accipiter then flew off with his prize! Screech. -- Paul L. Noble "Screechowl" [[email protected]] ^ ^ @ @ ( v ) ( ) / \ m m -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Dec 07 06:54:30 2000 Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto CBC counters wanted -------- Help is needed counting birds in Menlo Park, Atherton, and parts of Redwood City Monday, December 18. This is Region 3 of the Palo Alto CBC. If you live or work in or near this area, this would be a fun, easy way to take part in the count -- from one to a few hours would make a difference. Please call or e-mail me if you can help. Thanks, Marti Oetzel (650) 854-2385, [[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 Dec 07 18:57:56 2000 Subject: [SBB] White-headed RUDDY DUCK and white-and-black AMERICAN COOT -------- Hi all! It's been another great week out on the salt ponds and we've still got tomorrow to go. Along with the birds mentioned by Mike Rogers, Sue Macias and I saw the white-headed RUDDY DUCK during yesterday morning's high tide survey at pond A9. We had time for a better look at it (compared to two weeks ago) and saw that the head was entirely white except for some black just over the bill and a few black feather tips on either side of the head where the normal black on the head would be ending. At pond A4 over in Sunnyvale this morning we saw an unusual AMERICAN COOT just north of the second set of pilings (from the north) on the Guadalupe Slough side of the pond. It had an all-white back, white wings with black tips, an all-white head except for a black triangle at the eye and a white rump streaked black. There were also RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, a pair of EURASIAN WIGEON, several AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS and one BROWN PELICAN. The strange AMERICAN COOT wasn't there for the low-tide survey this evening, but may have been in the slough (as other coots were). Midafternoon today, pond A16 by the Alviso EEC had a PEREGRINE FALCON perched on a post in the north end. A RING-NECKED PHEASANT was in the brush on the right on the road in toward the EEC. Cheryl Millett Biologist San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory PO Box 247 1290 Hope Street Alviso, CA 95002 phone 408/946-6548 fax 408/946-9279 -------- Attachment 2.2 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Thu Dec 07 19:32:35 2000 Subject: [SBB] RE: Oka Ponds/Los Gatos Creek Park -------- Good Evening All, Today I ran back to Oka Ponds/Los Gatos Creek Park today to check on the Loons. Both the Pacific and the Common where in the same large pond. The Common Goldeneye where also there. Must be lots of fish in the large pond, the Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons and the Double-crested Cormorants where lined up by the edge of the large pond having a great time feeding. The Gulls have doubled in numbers! The four (4) Common Snipe where still there, with the Northern Shovelers in the creek. If you go to the Oka side, first pond by the Euc tree, there are six pairs of Hooded Mergansers, along with Buffleheads, American Widgeons, Ruddy Ducks, Gadwalls and the resident Green Heron. Wishing you a great birding weekend. My best regards, Linda Sullivan Saratoga 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]] Fri Dec 08 06:40:12 2000 Subject: [SBB] Calero Reservoir -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, Yesterday morning (Thurs.) as I drove by Calero Reservoir I saw a buteo hovering /flapping near the boat launch. Overall it was whitish, showing a white tail with broad black terminal band and large white wing patches. Based on flight style and what little I saw I am pretty sure it was a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, but by the time I was able to turn around and go back it was gone. Other birds there in the afternoon included 8 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS and a very late (for Calero) lingering FORSTER'S TERN-- John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Dec 08 15:56:13 2000 Subject: [SBB] Blue-winged Teal "flock" -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I saw 18 Blue-winged Teal in the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin. Sixteen in the northeast corner of North Pond included four females and one partial eclipse male. Another partial eclipse male and an adult male were in the pond northeast of the area where the path (that runs on the east side of North Pond) is blocked by water. I'm not sure if this constitutes a flock but it is the most BWTE that I have seen at any one time in California. Take care, Bob Reiling, 12/8/00 -------- Attachment 649 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Sat Dec 09 03:33:36 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- I visited the Los Gatos Creek Percolation Ponds this morning, 9 Dec 00. I easily found the immature PACIFIC LOON on the big pond. It was diving repeatedly, providing little time between dives for viewing. There was also a pair of HOODED MERGANSERS on this pond. The southernmost pond had 3 HOODED MERGANSERS (2 males, 1 female), the creek itself had a female HOODED, and the Oka ponds had 8 more HOODED MERGANSERS (5 males, 3 females). There were also 2 GREEN HERONS at the Oka ponds. On the way back I checked the big pond again and, as if by magic, the COMMON LOON had joined the PACIFIC and was foraging in the middle of the pond. I don't know where it was hiding previously. The gulls that were present included numbers of MEW, RING-BILLED, CALIFORNIA, HERRING, and a single adult THAYER'S. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Dec 09 05:29:34 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- Along the Guadalupe River today, 9 Dec 00, I found the HARLAN'S HAWK where Trimble Rd crosses. I believe that this is the fifth straight winter for 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]] Sat Dec 09 10:53:30 2000 Subject: [SBB] Great Blue Heron and Coyote -------- The Great Blue Heron was not seen at Guadalupe Oak Grove Park yesterday. Could it be that the "good sized", now resident Coyote has scared it away? I suspect that the coyote may have had to find new territory due to the sizeable area near Almaden Lake that is being turned into a golf course. We are also seeing fewer ground squirrels in the park. No sign of the Red Tailed and Red Shouldered Hawks. The Kestral can still be seen occasionally. Barbara Harkleroad Almaden Area __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Shopping - Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. http://shopping.yahoo.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 Dec 10 16:14:37 2000 Subject: [SBB] Ed Levin 12/10/00 -------- All, Raptors were well-represented here today, with Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Cooper's Hawk, White-tailed Kite, and Merlin. Also seen: Yellow-billed Magpie, Say's Phoebe, Golden-crowned and Rufous-crowned Sparrows, and a pair of male Lesser Scaup in Sandy Wool Lake. Michael Wienholt -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 11 02:27:17 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- As Ann mentioned, I ran into her at Calero Reservoir on Saturday afternoon, 9 Dec 00. I had seen an adult BALD EAGLE perched near the more southerly dam on the reservoir. I guess that Ann missed it - I didn't see it later after talking to her. I saw the SNOW GOOSE that Ann had seen, but there were 4 "minima" CANADA GEESE, rather than the 2 that Ann reported. I saw a GOLDEN EAGLE over Bailey Rd in Coyote Valley. A friend of mine, Mark Nass, reports 3 or 4 PINE SISKIN at his feeder. 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 Dec 11 08:16:50 2000 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: This morning, 12/11/2000, I saw a female HOODED MERGANSER on Shoreline Lake near the boathouse. The 12 BLACK SKIMMERS on Charleston Slough continuously circled their favored island. I neglected to mention that last Thursday, 12/7/2000, I saw a GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW along the path next to Adobe Creek that was one of those 'cistic's that I can neither spell nor pronounce. The bird was an overall gray tan with no apparent darker pigments. Whereas an adjacent Golden-crown showed an intense black-and-tan pattern on its back, this sparrow's back was uniformly colored. This was quite striking in flight as the wings, wing coverts, and tail were all the same tan-gray (not unlike the impression given by an immature cowbird in flight). I could also see the head pattern and there was gold on the forecrown, suggestive of a first-winter bird. I did not see the throat, breast, or underparts. Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Dec 11 09:39:43 2000 Subject: [SBB] Spizella at Shoreline -------- Among a flock of white- and golden-crowned sparrows at Shoreline Lake Sunday (12/10) was a smaller, paler sparrow with a plain breast and a brown ear patch that lacked a distinct black border. A good look from the front showed a pinkish bill, fine dark streaking in the crown, an indistict malar stripe, and a small amount of brown on the sides of the breast. My guess is that this was a brewer's sparrow, but I'm not sure I can rule out chipping sparrow. I glimpsed a similar bird in the same general area a month ago, so I suppose this to be a long-term visitant. To find this bird go to the Shoreline Park entrance at the east end of Terminal Way (via San Antonio Rd) and take the paved path along the right side of the lake past the "pull-out" where the lake can be viewed. After this the path goes south of the golf course, which is between the path and the lake. Look for a good sized flock of zonotrichs any where in the next 200 yards and look carefully through them. I suggest you come with plenty of time, patience, a good working knowledge of spizella ids, and whatever luck you can bring. - Dick Richard Stovel [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Dec 11 09:59:13 2000 Subject: [SBB] Calero Reservoir -------- Hello All, Here is a report of birds seen (and not seen) at Calero Reservoir on Saturday, Dec 9. One the mudflats at the eastern end, two 'MINIMA" CANADA GEESE and one SNOW GOOSE were with the large Canada Goose flock. Over twenty AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were also present. I did not see the male Eurasian Wigeon this time (doesn't mean it wasn't there, but I just didn't see it - a number of ducks were flying hither and yon at the time). Over thirty TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS were with a large mixed blackbird flock in the horse pasture. An finally I met Mike Mammoser as I was heading out and he reported a BALD EAGLE in a tree near McKean Rd. He may want to fill in details and add anything else that I didn't see. 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]] Mon Dec 11 15:40:47 2000 Subject: [SBB] Pipits, Pheasant and a leucistic Robin -------- James Gilroy and I did some brief birding on a trip up to some SFO as its back to blighty for Xmas for James We looked for Longspurs in the ploughed fields just N of Pigeon Point on Highway 1. No Longspurs though a good sized flock of AMERICAN PIPITS was found. Next stop was Crystal Springs reservoir - we parked up by the 92/280 interchange (the road alongside the reservoir was closed to cars - bicycles only on Sunday). As we walked around the path James pointed out a bird to me - I immediately said White Tailed Kite - "Look again, size deception" This time I used the binoculars and found a leucistic American Robin. The bird was not all white - it did have a similar look to the kite plumage. It had a slightly pink breast - altogether quite a surprising and beautiful bird. I birded Shoreline Lake on the way back from SFO, hoping to find the Barrows Goldeneyes that had been reported recently. Found plenty of COMMON GOLDENEYE, but no Barrows. Walking back from the lake I did spot a RING NECKED PHEASANT in the marsh on the Charleston Slough side of the path Andy Stone SQA Engineer PUMATECH, Inc. voicemail 831-420-0170 x217 Coming Soon: www.intellisync.com < http://www.intellisync.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 Dec 11 19:04:03 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] - -------- "Leucistic" is one of those 'istics' and I remembered another that Steve Rottenborn graced us with, schizochroistic... bipolar color morph? Les Chibana On Monday, December 11, 2000, [[email protected]] wrote: >Folks: > > This morning, 12/11/2000, I saw a female HOODED MERGANSER on Shoreline >Lake near the boathouse. The 12 BLACK SKIMMERS on Charleston Slough >continuously circled their favored island. > > I neglected to mention that last Thursday, 12/7/2000, I saw a >GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW along the path next to Adobe Creek that was one of >those 'cistic's that I can neither spell nor pronounce. The bird was an >overall gray tan with no apparent darker pigments. Whereas an adjacent >Golden-crown showed an intense black-and-tan pattern on its back, this >sparrow's back was uniformly colored. This was quite striking in flight as >the wings, wing coverts, and tail were all the same tan-gray (not unlike the >impression given by an immature cowbird in flight). I could also >see the head pattern and there was gold on the forecrown, suggestive of a >first-winter bird. I did not see the throat, breast, or >underparts. > > 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]] > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 11 20:39:00 2000 Subject: [SBB] Lake Cunningham -------- I checked the lake this afternoon. The LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was in the usual place south of the island. There was an immature white SNOW GOOSE with the domestic and CANADA geese on the south end of the lake, and a SAY'S PHOEBE popped up as I exited onto Tully Road. ______________________________________________________ Listen to your favorite music while you work! - http://www.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 Dec 11 20:39:00 2000 Subject: [SBB] Lake Cunningham -------- I checked the lake this afternoon. The LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was in the usual place south of the island. There was an immature white SNOW GOOSE with the domestic and CANADA geese on the south end of the lake, and a SAY'S PHOEBE popped up as I exited onto Tully Road. ______________________________________________________ Listen to your favorite music while you work! - http://www.com/ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Dec 11 23:34:14 2000 Subject: [SBB] Common Loon at Calero Reservoir, Calero-Morgan Hill CBC -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, In addition to all the birds previously reported by Mike Mammoser and Ann Verdi, Jim Danzenbaker reports that a COMMON LOON was seen at Calero Reservoir on Sat., Dec 30th. Last winter Coyote Ridge produced some of the most interesting finds of the Calero-Morgan Hill CBC--Bald Eagle and Mountain Bluebird were among the goodies. Along Coyote Ridge, which is just east of Coyote Valley, there is heavily grazed pastureland very similar to that along Sierra Road where longspurs have been found. This habitat type is more extensive upon Coyote Ridge, and scouting has shown the area to be full of Horned Larks and American Pipits. With searching I think it likely that longspurs could be found. We do have a party covering this area on the upcoming CBC, but they could use some help, especially from birders who have experience with longspurs and other grassland species. This is an opportunity to search for rarities and explore an area to which there is no regular access. If you are interested in birding Coyote Ridge on the count please contact me at [[email protected]] John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Dec 11 23:34:14 2000 Subject: [SBB] Common Loon at Calero Reservoir, Calero-Morgan Hill CBC -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, In addition to all the birds previously reported by Mike Mammoser and Ann Verdi, Jim Danzenbaker reports that a COMMON LOON was seen at Calero Reservoir on Sat., Dec 30th. Last winter Coyote Ridge produced some of the most interesting finds of the Calero-Morgan Hill CBC--Bald Eagle and Mountain Bluebird were among the goodies. Along Coyote Ridge, which is just east of Coyote Valley, there is heavily grazed pastureland very similar to that along Sierra Road where longspurs have been found. This habitat type is more extensive upon Coyote Ridge, and scouting has shown the area to be full of Horned Larks and American Pipits. With searching I think it likely that longspurs could be found. We do have a party covering this area on the upcoming CBC, but they could use some help, especially from birders who have experience with longspurs and other grassland species. This is an opportunity to search for rarities and explore an area to which there is no regular access. If you are interested in birding Coyote Ridge on the count please contact me at [[email protected]] John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 12 07:00:19 2000 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: Last evening, 12/11/2000, there was a single GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE in a flock of 100-300 CANADA GEESE grazing at Shoreline just before the rain started. I suspect that this flock include birds from the north edge of the FCB, where a Greater White-front has been seen this year. Keep your eyes out for large flocks of Canadas--there's goodies out there. 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 Dec 12 10:14:17 2000 Subject: [SBB] Spizella Stovell -------- I saw Dick's spizella sparrow this morning on the SW side of Shoreline Lake, in the location he described: along the paved service road south of where the road veers from the Lake. It was with a flock of about 2 dozen White-Crowneds, although it sometimes behaved a bit independently. I had at least 3 minutes of good scope views at distances as close as 15-20 yards at about 10:00. Before that, I had had only one distant look, without a clear ID; i.e., the bird didn't always come out with the White-Crowns; but when I finally had my good looks (after nearly an hour) it was about the closest bird. Unfortunately, there's occasional traffic from Park vehicles. I'd say it is a Clay-Colored, although one feature gives me pause. First, spizellaness: smaller than the White-Crowns, with a proportionately longer tail; brown, with a clear gray nape. The lores were pale, and the facial pattern was dominated by the triangular auricular patch rather than by an eye line. That pattern appeared more contrasty than I'd expect for a Brewer's: prominent slightly buffy supercilium (especially behind the eye); well auricular patch, with darker still markings around the rear corner. The dark malar line also contrasted well with the pale sub-moustachial region, although the malar wasn't particularly sharp (i.e., slightly blurry). The underparts were mainly white, with some buffy across the breast (precise pattern not noted). In short, the bird was moderately bright, and well within the range of Clay-Colored; I'm not sure Brewer's would approach this. HOWEVER: the crown was finely streaked with a slightly paler central stripe; however, that stripe was not prominent and not white. I had hoped to get another look, both to see if it might reveal something different on the crown if it spread its feathers (I have no reason to suspect that, however), and to study the bill -- I did NOT have an impression of a really tiny bill, but that's not a solid ID point. So: I'll be interested in what others have to say. It seems like the bird is staying, at least for now! A quick scan of the Lake didn't turn up many Goldeneyes (and no Barrow's); a few dozen Egrets were feeding, with Cormorants and about 12 Bonaparte's Gulls active in the same region. Unfortunately, I got squeezed between the earlier rain and a later commitment (which I'm already slightly late for), so I didn't have a chance to really check out the Lake or surrounding areas. 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]] Tue Dec 12 11:19:15 2000 Subject: [SBB] Fwd: [SFBirds] finding ST Sparrows? -------- If anyone wants to help Jay out with his query, please reply to his address and not to SBB, as he will not see an SBB posting. Les -- Les Chibana List Bureaucrat South-Bay-Birds List [[email protected]] -------------------------------------- Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2000 From: Jay Withgott <[[email protected]]> Dear birders -- I'll be birding at the Palo Alto Baylands & vic. tomorrow (Wed.), and wonder if anyone can give me advice on finding Sharp-tailed Sparrows there. (i.e., are there particular locations, particular tides or times of day, etc., that are best? And just how many are thought to be there in winter?) Also, any advice on Black Rail and Short-eared Owl would be welcome. Please reply to: [[email protected]]. Many thanks, Jay Withgott San Francisco -------------------------- eGroups Sponsor -------------------------~-~> eLerts It's Easy. It's Fun. Best of All, it's Free! http://click.egroups.com/1/9699/1/_/_/_/976647700/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------_-> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Dec 12 14:21:43 2000 Subject: [SBB] CCSP, WFGO, BRPE -------- All, Today 12/12/00 at noon, I headed to the Palo Alto Baylands for the high tide . On the way I stopped quickly at Shoreline Park and had great looks at the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. The bird was with SAVANNAH SPARROWS and CROWNED SPARROWS by a metal utility box on the east side of the path about 100 yards south of where it bends away from the southwest corner of Shoreline Lake. The bird's median crown stripe is narrow, but it is there and the warm gray neck collar, lack of an eye ring and warm buff in the wing do not fit Brewer's Sparrow. The unmarked lores and tan rump eliminate Chipping Sparrow. Also nearby were a large CEDAR WAXWING flock and a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER. On the way out I refound Bill's GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE in with a flock of CANADA GEESE on the hill above the northwest corner of the lake. The bird is an immature with no barring below, but a fairly well developed "white front". The "high" tide at the Baylands was not so high, barely reaching into the lower letter "C" on the post at the corner. Consequently the most interesting birds I saw were two BROWN PELICANS (1 adult and 1 immature). 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 Dec 12 15:39:34 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] CCSP, WFGO, BRPE -------- Mike: > Today 12/12/00 at noon, I headed to the Palo Alto Baylands for the > high tide . On the way I stopped quickly at Shoreline Park and had > great looks at the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. The bird was with SAVANNAH > SPARROWS and CROWNED SPARROWS by a metal utility box on the east side > of the path about 100 yards south of where it bends away from the > southwest corner of Shoreline Lake. The bird's median crown stripe is > narrow, but it is there and the warm gray neck collar, lack of an eye > ring and warm buff in the wing do not fit Brewer's Sparrow. The > unmarked lores and tan rump eliminate Chipping Sparrow. I forgot to mention the lack of an eyering in my earlier report. I'd taken a look at Sibley at home this morning - he indicates Brewer's CAN have a pale median crown stripe, which is why I raised that point. Did you in fact see a white stripe? (As I noted, the narrow stripe I saw didn't appear white, but the bird could have been concealing it.) Not that I have any doubt about the ID, especially after your comments. 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]] Tue Dec 12 16:13:29 2000 Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto CBC -- Help Needed in Menlo Park -------- I'm still looking for two people to go out together to count in Menlo Park on Monday, December 18. Please contact me if you can give an hour or two to count birds in the area bordered by Marsh, Bay, Willow, and Middlefield Roads -- the seminary, Flood Park, and the lush residential neighborhood just north of M-A High School, and the creek. Interesting birds are known to pop up there. Phone 650-854-2385, or e-mail [[email protected]]. Thanks! Marti Oetzel ---------------- George Oetzel <[[email protected]]> -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Dec 12 17:43:27 2000 Subject: [SBB] Correction -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, A correction - the date of Jim Danzenbaker's Common Loon sighting was not Dec. 30th (which would involve some real clairvoyance) but Sat., Dec. 9th. Just visited Calero Reservoir. The water level has fallen further. Unfortunately there was some guy at the east end of the reservoir running his dog off leash, and I arrived just in time to see over 1000 waterfowl flush and disappear. There was still a flock of AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS out in the middle of the reservoir. If you see (or have seen) similar incidents involving off-leash dogs in the county parks I would encourage you to call Santa Clara County Park Dept. (Administration: 408-358-3245). Maybe the rangers will actually start to issue citations if more people report incidents that clearly effect wildlife. John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Dec 12 23:34:50 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] TRKI -------- Birders: Hi there, just back from a trip to Belize where I got to see many Tropical and Couch's Kingbirds, often side by side, so it was interest that I caught up on the notes posted on the San Francisquito kingbird. Several folks noted the bill shape, or tail shape as important ID features. Also the primary spacing was noted at least on one occasion. From my experience this is a horrendously tough ID and non-calling birds are not safely identifiable in many cases. The bill shape is a good pointer, but by no means diagnostic. Tail shape has no value at all. Perhaps the best feature is primary spacing, but this is still being figured out. My observations (Belize, Bolivia and Argentina) of Tropical Kingbirds is that the outer three primaries (usually only two tips visible) are very close together, then there is a gap (between P8 and P7) that is noticeably greater. I have not had really good looks at Couch's to figure out the primary spacing, but apparently the gaps between P9, P8 and P7 are more equivalent in magnitude. Kingbirds have 10 primaries, with the outermost being P10. However, this varies depending on age and maybe even sex so more observations are needed. The only truly reliable way to know which species on is dealing with, particularly in a vagrant individual, is through vocalizations. If this bird was never heard, I don't know that one can identify the bird with any known degree of confidence. Having said all that mumbo jumbo, I bet it is a Tropical - the odds are overwhelmingly in its favour. Just my 2 cents. cheers, Al Alvaro Jaramillo Biologist San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory P.O. Box 247 Alviso, CA 95002 (408)-946-6548 http://www.sfbbo.org/ Home of the California Fall Challenge!! [[email protected]] Birds of Chile and 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]] Wed Dec 13 06:35:50 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- Today, 13 Dec 00, I searched for the Clay-colored Sparrow at Shoreline, without success. I think I found the flock of sparrows that Bill had this morning, because it was in the same location. Just no luck with this particular sparrow. While searching, however, I did have a FERRUGINOUS HAWK soar overhead and then head out over the golf course. I don't recall seeing any reddish leggings, so it might have been an immature. There was a small form CANADA GOOSE with the flock on the golf course. It had a thick black chin strap and a somewhat flat head, but no white neck ring, in spite of the fact that it looked to be adult. So, I'm not sure what race it might be. Also, the female HOODED MERGANSER was still on Shoreline Lake. 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 Dec 13 07:33:16 2000 Subject: [SBB] Rufous-capped Warbler -------- Folks: If your interest in birds extends beyond just ticking off a new bird on a list, then your first step should be to subscribe to North American Birds, which provides quarterly reports on the most significant avian changes across all of North America. And, if you are a subscriber, then you may very well have received your winter season issue in the mail yesterday and seen a lovely color photo of a RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER, taken last February by Mike Rogers in Arizona's French Joe Canyon. Congratulations, Mike! This photo is also on Joe Morlan's web site as well , although I couldn't connect to it when I tried a few minutes ago. If this address is incorrect, I'm sure Joe will tell us. Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 13 09:27:40 2000 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: Bob Reiling and Frank Vanslager were looking for Dick Stovel's CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, when I arrived at 8:45 am this morning, 12/13/2000, at Shoreline Park. Immediately after, John and Maria Meyer joined the group and the five pairs of eyes were immensely valuable. For the next 35 minutes we pursued the Zonotrichia flock between the second and third pullouts after the closed park road leaves Shoreline Lake at the first pullout. The Zono flock often foraged on the down side of shrubbery west of the park road and we followed the flock, mostly White-crowned Sparrows (20-30), with a few Golden-crowns, we once followed it over to the flagged-off Intuit building. We found the Clay-colored fairly soon in this pursuit, but had difficulty getting either close views or scope views as the flock moved frequently. The Clay-colored was significantly smaller than the White-crowned Sparrows, which made it easier to follow. About 9:10 am, the Clay-colored abandoned the Zono flock and returned to the road and started foraging in the third pullout by itself. At this point we all got good views of this somewhat pale Clay-colored. A pale or white median stripe was noticeable in head-on views, the loral area was a pale tan, the same as for most of the facial feathers and supercilium, a very pure gray nape extended to the shoulder and was noticeably broad, and there was some buff at the side of the breast at the shoulder. Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 13 09:50:21 2000 Subject: [SBB] Goose's Guardian -------- Back in 1982, while taking a course at Moss Landing in Marine Birds and Mammals, I birded Ano Nuevo. Not far south of the cave swallow colony, I came up from the beach and saw a small white goose near a female elephant seal. As I approached to about fifteen feet of the animal, the goose retreated to within about two feet of the seal's head and then gave me the impression that she felt quite secure. It intrigued me that this goose was probably living with the huge animal and was using the seal as a guardian angel. I never did get a good enough look at the bill to determine whether it was a Ross or a Snow. Also, I can't imagine what benefit the seal derived from this menage a deux. Lee Lovelady. EEC Volunteer Naturalist. ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 13 12:35:41 2000 Subject: [SBB] Great Blue Heron -------- I saw, once again, the Great Blue Heron today at the Guadalupe Oak Grove Park. I hadn't been there for a few days, so perhaps I just missed finding it the last time. Now there are two very visible coyotes in the park. Barbara Harkleroad Almaden Area __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Shopping - Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. http://shopping.yahoo.com/ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 13 15:22:28 2000 Subject: [SBB] "My Farm" -------- Working 100 hour weeks on my retail web sites, takes its toll on birding. I took a stress-relief break this morning and walked to "my farm." Very birdy. I had 27 species in 30 minutes. 4 CALIFORNIA THRASHERS, 2 HERMIT THRUSHES and a TOWNSEND's WARBLER were my best birds. Yesterday I had a PINE SISKEN at my feeder in the backyard, my first of the winter. 90% of my thistle eaters are AMERICAN GOLDFINCH these days. Thank you, birds, for making today more enjoyable! Gloria LeBlanc www.wallstreetgifts.com "largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts" www.cowscowscows.com "site for the Chicago and NYC cows" www.lgsia.com "money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios" -------- Attachment 1.3 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 13 19:35:31 2000 Subject: [SBB] Santa Clara Co. Bird List 2000 -------- Bill Bousman Wrote: The total county list reached 287 in November. The new species were Rough-legged Hawk (4 Nov, John Mariani), Tundra Swan (7 Nov, Chris Illes), Summer Tanager (8 Nov, Harriet Gerson, Lou Beaudet), and Tropical Kingbird (26 Nov, Dick Stovel). There is only one "4" left to see, White-winged Scoter, and this is probably misclassified--it should probably be a "5". There are only 11 "5's" left, but some, such as Gray and Dusky Flycatcher are most unlikely. But Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow and Evening Grosbeak are excellent December possibilities. However, December even with all the CBC activity usually doesn't bring in more than two or three new species. So, 290 is my rough estimate for the year, but don't let me discourage the active birders! The full statistics can be found on: South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU) http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/ Kendric ----------------------------------------- Kendric C. Smith, Ph.D. 927 Mears Court Stanford, CA 94305-1041 (650) 493-7210 (voice or fax) [[email protected]] http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/ ------------------------------------------ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Dec 14 06:34:17 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- I stopped by Shoreline again at lunch time yoday, 14 Dec 00. Not much in the way of sparrows, but I had a nice adult male MERLIN perched in the top of a tree next to Shoreline Lake. I was able to get scope-filling views from as close as 50 feet. A very cooperative bird. A male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was on the lake and the 12 BLACK SKIMMERS continue at Charleston Slough. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Dec 14 15:09:42 2000 Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto -------- From Byxbee Park this afternoon, I saw a Greater White-Fronted Goose with a flock of about 3 dozen Canada's feeding near the north end of the Flood Control Basin. It had a moderately extensive "white front", but little barring below. The bird was often entirely invisible in the vegetation, and I only got brief look at the underparts. While I saw a couple of other groups of Canada's, i didn't pick out any small ones or any white geese. There was an adult Peregrine Falcon on a tower by the Bay. While I thought the cloudy weather might bring out an early owl, I hadn't spotted any by the time I had to leave about 3. In a brief stop at the end of Geng Road, I quickly found a young male Bullock's Oriole. It was moving between a nicely flowering Euc at the end of the parking area and a tall dense Euc nearby on the golf course, and was occasionally vocal. I didn't have the time to see if there were any others. Hopefully whoever is covering this area on the CBC will be aware of the Oriole(s) here; I think there's a very good chance the flowers will continue to hold it here. Also present: at least 2 dozen Waxwings, and 5 Hooded Mergansers (2M, 3F) at the golf course pond. 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]] Thu Dec 14 19:11:57 2000 Subject: [SBB] Earthquake Jolt -------- Hi, Birders, The tectonic plate on which I am riding gave one hard jolt at 10:59 this morning. Was anyone birding then and, if so, how did it affect the birds? Has anyone ever observed birds during an earthquake? Lee Lovelady, EEC Volunteer Naturalist. ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 15 12:50:28 2000 Subject: [SBB] Sandhill Crane in Saratoga -------- Folks: I received a message from Jim Stallman about Sandhill Crane in Saratoga today: "Saratoga Creek @ Crestbrook Drive 7:30AM Friday, December 15th, 2000. Photographed. Contact Jim Stallman @ 408/867-9797." I asked if I could post his sighting: "Yes, you may post the sighting. The person at Audubon Society Santa Clara County office said that the Sandhill Crane would normally only be found out in the Central Valley. The bird preferred to stroll but did do some hops to cross obstructions like a 5 foot gate along the way. It spread its wings once, perhaps just stretching, so I could see its full beauty. The bird was quite a healthy specimen. It was found on a maintenance road along the upper bank of Saratoga Creek in a Oak tree wooded area. It went out to the cross street and across over into the back yard of the next house upstream along the creek which had a heritage Creek Sycamore canopy and lush landscaping." 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 Dec 15 17:08:02 2000 Subject: [SBB] Bald Eagle at Calero Reservoir -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, This afternoon at about 4:30pm there was an adult BALD EAGLE perched atop an oak on the west (dam) side of Calero Reservoir. Also, at the east end of the reservoir there were 3 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS. Waterfowl were unusually low in numbers--but then dogs were again being run along the shore at the east end where the waterfowl are normally concentrated. If you visit the park and see dogs running off-leash or vehicles being driven off-road please inform the rangers, they do seem to care about the wildlife, and with encouragement they make take steps to curtail violations-- John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Dec 16 13:06:57 2000 Subject: [SBB] CBC scouting -------- All, This morning 12/16/00, Mike Mammoser and I took advantage of our recently obtained Cargill Salt permits to scout the salt ponds north of Moffett Field for the Palo Alto CBC. There weren't many surprises out there, but several BROWN PELICANS are lingering for the count. We had 6 on Salt Pond A2W and at least two others at Salt Pond A3N. Tens of thousands of shorebirds were on the bay, but no scaup flock (low tide). The duck flock on the big pond at the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant had thousands of CANVASBACKS and NORTHERN SHOVELERS, but the only unusual duck we could find was an immature male RING-NECKED DUCK. At least 8 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were on Salt Pond A3W to the west. The channel north of the Moffett Golf Course had a BELTED KINGFISHER and a GREEN HERON, the latter sometimes hard to find on the CBC. An immature PEREGRINE FALCON was hunting from the towers at the Sunnyvale WPCP and Mike had a MERLIN over Moffett Field. Mike Rogers -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Dec 16 17:17:02 2000 Subject: [SBB] Oka Pond Hooded Mergansers -------- South Bay Birders: Two pair of Hooded Mergansers were still present at the southern-most of the Oka Ponds in Campbell today. -- Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, Alameda County -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 16 23:49:28 2000 Subject: [SBB] Out of Area (Turkey Birding Trip) -------- Hi Birders, Sharon and I took advantage of the fact that our daughter was flying to Turkey to spend a month visiting her boyfriend in October. She wanted to see if a young American woman could possibly live in Turkey after spending her first 27 years in California. We decided to go over before she did, bird for a couple of weeks, then meet up with them for another week. It was the fall there, and according to all reports I had read, it was not the best birding season. Nevertheless, we saw just under a hundred new life birds while we were there (I was hoping for 60). We had some great adventures, and if you want to read about them, you can go to http://www.24birds.net/Turkey2000/turkey2000_frontpage.html We learned many new things about life in Turkey, but mostly we learned that it is a very enjoyable and American-friendly country. And as everywhere else we've been in our travels, the birds were fantastic. Have fun. Bob -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 18 13:43:26 2000 Subject: [SBB] Alviso Birds -------- Hello All: I spent an hour behind the cannery (SFBBO) in Alviso this morning (0800 to 0900) in remote hopes of seeing a wagtail, but to no avail. There was an OSPREY here. On returning to work, I found a flock of geese on Zanker Rd. just north of 237. It had 195 CANADA GEESE and 15 ROSS' GEESE. Steve Miller -------- Attachment 2.3 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Mon Dec 18 18:11:15 2000 Subject: [SBB] [Fwd: [SFBirds] CBC Info] -------- -- Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, Alameda County -------- Message -------- Subject: Re: [SFBirds] CBC Info -------- My friend David McIntyre found and identified an adult male Black-backed Wagtail on private property (Cargill Ponds) in Alviso during yesterday's (12/17) San Jose CBC. He located Mike Rogers (birding elsewhere in Alviso during the CBC) who confirmed the ID and photographed the bird. David had a 2-day permit to enter the Cargill Ponds property and this afternoon I was lucky enough to return with him and relocate the wagtail. We had great views of this stunning bird as it actively dashed about, flew, and called. Perhaps someone on the SouthBayBirds [sp.?] listserv will be arranging additional access; you may want to check in with your contacts down that way. [I don't know the other results of the San Jose CBC.] Paul Saraceni [[email protected]] -----Original Message----- From: [[email protected]] <[[email protected]]> To: [[email protected]] <[[email protected]]> Date: Sunday, December 17, 2000 5:00 PM Subject: [SFBirds] CBC Info >Hi All, > I am sure that Mark will allow this slight detour from the normal "mission" >of SFbirds but with the Birdbox down would anybody who may have done the >weekends CBC's please give a brief summary of the highlights, numbers etc. >Thanks, >Hugh > -------------------------- eGroups Sponsor -------------------------~-~> eLerts It's Easy. It's Fun. Best of All, it's Free! http://click.egroups.com/1/9699/1/_/_/_/977190192/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------_-> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Dec 18 19:46:34 2000 Subject: [SBB] Black-backed wagtail -------- I'd greatly appreciate if someone could email me the directions to Cargill ponds, as well as the procedure to obtain permission for access. Will there be a group w/permit going to look for the BB wagtail anytime this week? Thank you cagan Cagan H. Sekercioglu Stanford University Center for Conservation Biology Department of Biological Sciences 371 Serra Mall Stanford, CA 94305-5020 http://jasper1.stanford.edu/~cagan/main.htm -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 18 20:40:16 2000 Subject: [SBB] San Jose/Crystal Springs Xmas Count Rarities -------- Dear Friends: I spent the past weekend tallying up the birdies on two of our local Xmas Counts and found a few notable species in the process. On the Crystal Springs CBC,Sat.Dec.16,my assigned area was Princeton Harbor.In the morning I found an adult Black-and-white warbler in the chickadee/bushtit flock along Westpoint Dr.at the willow thicket and marsh at the N.W.corner of the harbor.This may be the same bird that wintered here last year.In the afternoon I found a palm warbler among the mixed insectivore flock behind the Mezza Luna Restaurant along the creek near the bridge that leads to the airport.Also noteworthy was the extraordinary numbers of glaucous-winged gulls roosting on the jetties in the harbor.I counted 2700 birds here 80-90% of which were first-year birds. On Sunday the 17th Al Demartini and I participated on the San Jose CBC.On the Guadalupe River at Trimble we started the day off by seeing the Harlan's Hawk which I understand is wintering at this location for the fifth consecutive year.Also in this area we found a Western Tanager,and one each ,winter and house wrens.Later in the day along Coyote Creek between Montague and Hwy.880 we spotted a male MacGillivray's Warbler in a hedgerow of oleander and ivy on the levee at the east side of the creek across from a refinery. Merry Christmas Counts and a Happy New Year List ! Peter J.Metropulos -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 19 06:42:13 2000 Subject: RE: [SBB] Black-backed wagtail -------- Cagan and South Bay Birders: I am sure that Cagan is not alone in showing interest in seeing the Black-backed Wagtail. I for would be especially interested, and I am sure there are others as well. Is it possible to get permission from Cargil to get permission for a group of us to enter the area where the Wagtail was reported even for a limited time and a limited-size group? Several years ago on a San Jose CBC I birded this same area which had several Sanderlings on one of the ponds, and I recall on one later San Jose CBC where a "White" Wagtail was seen near this same area, but was not refound. Mike Feighner THAAD WSEIT SCM Phone (408) 756-7367 Fax (408) 742-6187 [[email protected]] > -----Original Message----- > From: Cagan Sekercioglu [SMTP:[[email protected]]] > Sent: Monday, December 18, 2000 7:47 PM > To: Mike Feighner; South Bay Birds > Cc: Paul Saraceni > Subject: [SBB] Black-backed wagtail > > I'd greatly appreciate if someone could email me the directions to Cargill > ponds, as well as the procedure to obtain permission for access. Will > there > be a group w/permit going to look for the BB wagtail anytime this week? > Thank you > cagan > > > > > Cagan H. Sekercioglu > Stanford University Center for Conservation Biology > Department of Biological Sciences 371 Serra Mall > Stanford, CA 94305-5020 > http://jasper1.stanford.edu/~cagan/main.htm > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== > This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list > server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the > message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to > [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Dec 19 07:58:08 2000 Subject: [SBB] TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE in Region 7 -------- All, Thanks to all of you who paricipated in the Palo Alto Christmas Bird Count. It will take a day or two for me to compile all the numbers and when that is done I will post a summary on SBB. The dinner at the Troetschler's was great fun! Thanks to them, all the Regional Coordinators and Participants, especially all the new faces... I hope you all had a great day. Sue and Jerry James, who covered Coal Mine Ridge in Region 7 were unable to attend the count down dinner but dropped off their paperwork last night at my appartment They had a good day and reported a TOWNDEND'S SOLITAIRE. Their encounter was brief, but at close range (30') and in good light. The desciption of the location is as follows: "Coal Mine Ridge, aproximately 500 foot from Toyon Trail/Coal Mine Trail intersection" I have their write up, but specific questions should be directed to Sue and Jerry James at: [[email protected]] Thanks, Matthew Dodder http://www.birdguy.net/ P.S. For PACBC people... if you haven't yet returned your paperwork and tally sheets, I will need those as soon as possible so I can begin the compiling. The black regional binders and participant fees can be left at my door which is at: 4129 El Camino Way, Apt. K Palo Alto CA 94306 tel: 650.858.0847 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 19 10:20:02 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- On Sunday, 17 Dec 00, I did the San Jose CBC, just freelancing around the count circle. I started at Lake Cunningham, where the LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was quite cooperative. The immature SNOW GOOSE was also present, choosing to spend its time with the domestic geese, rather than the large flock of CANADAS. I then headed for Sierra Road, where I had permission to walk the Open Space inside the fence. However, the wind was blowing fiercely and most birds were not making themselves available. I managed to flush up 1 ROCK WREN and did have an adult GOLDEN EAGLE overhead, but saw no sign at all of Horned Larks or pipits. I think the grass here is too long and thick now, and other parties seemed to have better luck with these species on adjacent property, where the grass is still grazed by cattle. Heading back down to Alviso, I stopped at the EEC, on the off chance that one of this summer's skimmers might still be around. Instead, I had a nice 1st year GLAUCOUS GULL loafing on the island just in front of the EEC. I checked out other Alviso areas, without any luck (unfortunately, I was out of earshot of David McIntyre's cries of joy). So, I headed for the Guadalupe River, where I easily found our returned HARLAN'S HAWK. I wrote it up, even though it's not a separate species. The overflow channel refused to produce a Swamp Sparrow. I checked the San Jose airport from almost every conceivable angle, looking for Ferruginous Hawk, without success. So, I finished up at the Sunnyvale Baylands Park, where I was able to find 3 LESSER YELLOWLEGS. On Monday, 18 Dec 00, I did the Palo Alto CBC, working the salt pond levees between Stevens Creek and the Sunnyvale Sewage Ponds. I had an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER in with the many YELLOW-RUMPEDS working the eucs along Caribbean. Coming around the old dump, I scoped out the sewage pond that was part of the count circle. There were 1950 CANVASBACKS out there, which seems like a larger number than we usually see at this location. I also managed to pick out 2 adult male EURASIAN WIGEON, which were still transitioning out of eclipse plumage. Two VIRGINIA RAILS called from the wet area on Lockheed property. Salt pond A3W had the only aechmophorus grebes for my day, with 16 WESTERN and 9 CLARK'S, and an additional 19 too far away to ID. This was really the only pond I surveyed that had RED-BREASTED MERGANERS, with 10 tallied. Coming behind Moffett Field, where the golf course borders the end of the runway, I flushed a male BLUE-WINGED TEAL from a small channel. Salt pond A3N had 2 BROWN PELICANS and a perched adult PEREGRINE FALCON. When I got to the Bay edge, the tide was well out, with the water's edge maybe a half mile away. I estimated about 12000 WESTERN SANDPIPERS spread out across the mud, with maybe 10000 more "peeps" on the other side of the Coyote Creek channel. Over 800 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS and 140 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS were identifiable. Many birds at the water's edge were difficult to make out, but I did record numbers for LONG-BILLED CURLEW, MARBLED GODWIT, WILLET, DUNLIN, and DOWITCHERS. 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 Dec 19 10:38:59 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- I forgot to mention that on Monday's Palo Alto CBC I had 29 additional BROWN PELICANS in salt pond A2W, bringing the day's total to 31. 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 Dec 19 16:04:17 2000 Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto Baylands -------- Today at noon Tom Stewart and I went to Palo Alto Baylands. As we walked the planks from the Nature Center towards the bay we were pleasantly surprised to see a VIRGINIA RAIL. It was just past the power line access intersection in the stream/ditch below us. I'd never seen a rail before, so this was quite an unexpected treat. Other birds included SNOWY EGRET, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, BLACK PHOEBE, and (of course) AVOCETS and BLACK-NECKED STILTS. There were some MARBLED GODWITS poking around in the mudflats just before the parking lot, and also what looked like 3 Red Tailed Hawks circling near a power line tower past the parking area. Another suprise were the California Poppies in full bloom at the corner of the airport parking lot at the end of Embarcadero Road. It felt like spring! On an unrelated topic, following is some information on recent changes to park fees. If you're interested in park fees, read on... National Parks: A few months ago I went to renew my Golden Eagle Passport at a National Park and was told that it had changed to a National Parks Pass. It was $50 for a year, so I figured the name changed, no big deal. Wrong. The Nation Parks Pass is good only at National Parks, as I found out a couple of weeks ago when I tried to use it at a BLM area that accepted Golden Eagle Passports. The good news is that you can "upgrade" your National Parks Pass to a Golden Eagle Passport by paying the $15 price differential (Golden Eagle Passports cost $65/year). You give them $15, and they put a holographic sticker on your National Parks Pass. For more information on Golden Eagle Passes, see http://www.ca.blm.gov/caso/recpasses.html State Parks: The annual pass has been reduced to $35 for a year, and instead of a sticker you now get something to hang on your rearview mirror which is transferrable to other vehicles. For more information, see http://parks.ca.gov/NEWS/news00/may01e13.htm And, locally, you probably already know that during these winter months access to Sunnyvale Baylands Park is free. From May through October the entrance fee is $3.50 per car. For more information, see http://www.ci.sunnyvale.ca.us/baylands/index.htm Happy Holidays, -karen ([[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 Dec 19 16:30:42 2000 Subject: [SBB] Pacific Loon still at Los Gatos Creek Park -------- Hi, Today at Los Gatos Creek Park, my son Will and I saw the Pacific Loon in the large pond adjacent to the main entrance. I could see a dark "moustache" that I had not noticed in previous sightings. I'm not sure it's significant, but I don't see this mark illustrated in either the NGS guide or Sibley. We had close scope views, so I'm fairly certain that I'm not mistaken in this. We did not see the Common Loon. There were two Green Herons on the shore close to the parking lot. Don Ganton -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 19 21:13:55 2000 Subject: [SBB] Behavior of Birds During Earthquake -------- Dear Friends: Back on 12/14 Lee Lovelady asked:"Has anyone ever observed birds during an earthquake?" An interesting question. I have not,however my friend,J.R.Blair,was birding at Pescadero Marsh during the big Loma Prieta quake in October l989. He says that when the trembler hit all the waterfowl got up at once and flew in circles high overhead,obviously greatly distressed. I was in the shower at the time and was also greatly distressed. That's all folks! Peter J.Metropulos -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 20 06:46:07 2000 Subject: [SBB] Request for help with Almaden Lake / Alamitos Creek -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, Alan Thomas has informed me that he may not be able to take part in the count due to illness--is there someone out there who would be interested in leading the group covering Almaden Lake / Alamitos Creek on the upcoming Calero-Morgan Hill Christmas Bird Count? This is a prime birding area with a lake, two ponds, marsh, and plenty of riparian. If anyone out there would like to take on this area please contact me via the email address below-- John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 20 06:46:07 2000 Subject: [SBB] Request for help with Almaden Lake / Alamitos Creek -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, Alan Thomas has informed me that he may not be able to take part in the count due to illness--is there someone out there who would be interested in leading the group covering Almaden Lake / Alamitos Creek on the upcoming Calero-Morgan Hill Christmas Bird Count? This is a prime birding area with a lake, two ponds, marsh, and plenty of riparian. If anyone out there would like to take on this area please contact me via the email address below-- John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 20 06:52:03 2000 Subject: [SBB] Request for help with Almaden Lake / Alamitos Creek -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, Alan Thomas has informed me that he may not be able to take part in the count due to illness--is there someone out there who would be interested in leading the group covering Almaden Lake / Alamitos Creek on the upcoming Calero-Morgan Hill Christmas Bird Count? This is a prime birding area with a lake, two ponds, marsh, and plenty of riparian. If anyone out there would like to take on this area please contact me via the email address below-- John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 20 09:30:36 2000 Subject: [SBB] Parakeet in Mountain View -------- A single parakeet, presumably an escapee, is hanging around the eaves of the building where I work in Mountain View, causing excitement among the house sparrows that inhabit the eaves and the humans who inhabit the building. We're at the corner of Shoreline and Villa near downtown Mountain View. -- Lennie Stovel (Dick's sister -- he got all the good birding genes) To: [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 20 09:40:09 2000 Subject: [SBB] Parakeet in Mountain View - it's a budgie -------- Actually, it seems to be a budgerigar. I stand corrected. Sorry. -- Lennie >A single parakeet, presumably an escapee, is hanging around the >eaves of the building where I work in Mountain View, causing >excitement among the house sparrows that inhabit the eaves and the >humans who inhabit the building. We're at the corner of Shoreline >and Villa near downtown Mountain View. > >-- Lennie Stovel (Dick's sister -- he got all the good birding genes) To: [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 20 09:51:49 2000 Subject: RE: [SBB] Parakeet in Mountain View -------- Which Parakeet is it? Is it a budgerigar or one of the larger ones from Australia or So. America? Carol Estades, Mountain View Resident -----Original Message----- From: Madeleine Stovel [mailto:[[email protected]]] Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2000 9:31 AM To: [[email protected]] Subject: [SBB] Parakeet in Mountain View A single parakeet, presumably an escapee, is hanging around the eaves of the building where I work in Mountain View, causing excitement among the house sparrows that inhabit the eaves and the humans who inhabit the building. We're at the corner of Shoreline and Villa near downtown Mountain View. -- Lennie Stovel (Dick's sister -- he got all the good birding genes) To: [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 20 17:34:38 2000 Subject: [SBB] Mt. Hamilton CBC -------- All, Today 12/20/00, Mike Mammoser and I covered the eastern portion of Isabel Valley for the Mt. Hamilton CBC. The weather was nice, which made the count very enjoyable. We missed some birds that we normally see (e.g. Merlin, Prairie Falcon, Lark Sparrow, House Finch!), but found some less common species to make up for that. Also, Grant Hoyt and Al DeMartini, who covered the western portions of the valley, managed to find most of the species we missed. The four of us started out where San Antonio Valley Road crosses Isabel Creek at 6:30am and soon found 5 WESTERN SCREECH-OWLS, 2 GREAT HORNED OWLS, and a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL. The valley is always good for raptors, and today was no exception. All four of us enjoyed two adult BALD EAGLES at the main reservoir and two adult FERRUGINOUS HAWKS nearby (one of these birds had hardly any rufous below, but the upperparts were typically adult). Mike and I had two more FERRUGINOUS HAWKS later (a heavily marked adult and an immature). Grant and Al managed to locate both a MERLIN and a PRAIRIE FALCON, and two adult GOLDEN EAGLES were also around in the afternoon. There were few insectivores around, with only a half-dozen or so RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS and a single YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. Five LINCOLN'S SPARROWS was a good total for here, with four together along the dam of the main reservoir. A MARSH WREN at the upper reaches of the reservoir was also unusual. The number of LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS was impressive. Mike and I had a conservative 28 and Grant and Al had an additional 11 birds. PHAINOPEPLAS made a good showing as well, with two males and a female at different locations. I managed to locate a single SAGE SPARROW in the same spot that has harbored this species the past two years. Fair numbers of LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES were around; Mike and I found 12 and Grant and Al turned up 11. Mike and I also had three PINE SISKINS, several PURPLE FINCHES, and 26 CEDAR WAXWINGS. As always, a nice variety of waterfowl graced the many reservoirs and stock ponds, including 2 HOODED MERGANSERS (an adult male and a female on two different ponds), 32 WOOD DUCKS, and an adult male EURASIAN WIGEON (apparently a count first). Another unusual stock pond visitor was a single LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. At least 56 ELK and 16 PRONGHORN graced the valley - and I got great looks at a BOBCAT along the road as I left. More on the San Jose and Palo Alto counts later, 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 Dec 20 18:21:48 2000 Subject: [SBB] EEC -------- A search of the island in front of the EEC at 12:30 - 1:15 PM today failed to find the Glaucous Gull reported there on the 19th. There was a single female Red-breasted Merganser here and a Turkey Vulture consuming an expired gull on the island. I walked down to the second island in hopes of finding the Glaucous Gull with no luck. On the way out, an adult Peregrine Falcon was perched atop the transmission tower closest to the entrance gate. Michael Wienholt -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 21 06:50:54 2000 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: I took a ramble through San Antonio Valley yesterday, 12/20/2000, for the Mt. Hamilton CBC. Although I had six species of woodpeckers, these did not include Lewis's Woodpeckers, which appeared to be absent from the valley--I'm glad they are doing well in the Isabel Valley. I saw a single male PHAINOPEPLA (also from the road at M.P. 16). The chamise food crop was spotty, good in some places and poor in others. Six SAGE SPARROWS seemed about normal and the Golden-crowned Sparrows seemed to be about the same. The big surprise was the almost complete absence of Fox Sparrows as I saw only one Sooty-type. Two LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES along San Antonio Creek were nice. After my ramble, I found a single LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE along the road in the valley. Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Dec 21 07:14:32 2000 Subject: [SBB] Mt. Hamilton CBC -------- ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dr. Michael M. Rogers" <[[email protected]]> > > two adult FERRUGINOUS HAWKS nearby (one of these birds had hardly any > rufous below, but the upperparts were typically adult). This particular bird was studied at length - and discussed at length. Some of us felt that it may have been brighter above than normal, but that the underparts were typically immature. :-) > The number of LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS was impressive. Mike and I had a > conservative 28 and Grant and Al had an additional 11 birds. After Mike left we added 2 more to bring the total for Isabel to 41 birds. Impressive indeed. > PHAINOPEPLAS made a good showing as well, with two males and a female > at different locations. Grant, Al, and I later added another, upping the total to 4 in the valley. > and I got great > looks at a BOBCAT along the road as I left. As it turns out, after talking with Mike, it seems that Grant, Al, and I saw the same cat at the exact same spot when we were leaving hours later. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Dec 21 07:40:20 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] - -------- ----- Original Message ----- From: <[[email protected]]> > > big surprise was the almost complete absence of Fox Sparrows as I saw only one > Sooty-type. Mike and I had 13 Fox Sparrows in Isabel Valley, a number that I thought was pretty low as well. In contrast, I thought that the mistletoe crop was quite good. I have no recollection of seeing Cedar Waxwings in Isabel on previous counts, but Mike and I had 26 yesterday. This might also account for the good numbers of Phainopepla. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Dec 21 13:18:27 2000 Subject: [SBB] Bathing Beauties -------- The birds at "My Farm" are clean birds! As I entered "My Farm" at 10:10 AM I noticed a lot of activity in a 6 ft length of Smith Creek. I moseyed over and under a large bush and watched for 15 minutes. There was a flock of about 40 robins that 4 or 5 at a time bathed in the creek. Also bathing during the 15 minutes were 4 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, about 30 HOUSE FINCHES, 2 YELLOW-RUMPS, 1 SCRUB, 20 or so GOLDEN-CROWNED another 10 of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS...all in a 6 foot section of the creek in a 15 minute time frame...It was busy! I have never encountered such frenzied bathing behavior by SO many birds. As I continued through the park there was another area of the creek where another large flock of robins and other birds were bathing. I had 23 species and hundreds of birds in my 45 minute visit. it was REALLY birdy. Best bird probably was a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER. With all the birds it would have been nice to check them out and see if there was something exciting...another day. Also looks as if a 3rd colony of ACORN WOODPECKER'S are settling in near the Bicknell entrance. I know Christmas is approaching, my retail web sites are slowing so I can bird again :-) Merry Christmas or Happy Hanakuh (sp?) to you all. Gloria LeBlanc Los Gatos www.wallstreetgifts.com "largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts" www.cowscowscows.com "site for the Chicago and NYC cows" www.lgsia.com "money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios" -------- Attachment 2.4 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Fri Dec 22 06:02:02 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- Today, 22 Dec 00, on a lunch time walk along San Tomas Aquino Creek between Scott and Mission College Blvd, I had a COMMON SNIPE and a male HOODED MERGANSER. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was in the trees at the intersection of San Tomas Xway and Scott. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Dec 22 10:28:48 2000 Subject: RE: [SBB] Parakeet in Mountain View - it's a budgie -------- Thank you for letting me know that it was a budgie. If it had been any other Parakeet I would have made an effort to go see it. Carol Estades -----Original Message----- From: Madeleine Stovel [mailto:[[email protected]]] Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2000 9:40 AM To: [[email protected]] Subject: [SBB] Parakeet in Mountain View - it's a budgie Actually, it seems to be a budgerigar. I stand corrected. Sorry. -- Lennie >A single parakeet, presumably an escapee, is hanging around the >eaves of the building where I work in Mountain View, causing >excitement among the house sparrows that inhabit the eaves and the >humans who inhabit the building. We're at the corner of Shoreline >and Villa near downtown Mountain View. > >-- Lennie Stovel (Dick's sister -- he got all the good birding genes) To: [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Dec 22 13:20:32 2000 Subject: [SBB] Please forward to the Lion's List -------- From: "Tim Musselman" <[[email protected]]> To: "Gloria LeBlanc" <[[email protected]]> Sent: Friday, December 22, 2000 11:51 AM Subject: Please forward to the Lion's List > Lions, > > The visitation scheduled for next Wednesday at Scales of Justice has been > canceled!! Scales of Justice will not be meeting next week. See you at our > round table. > > Cheers Tim > > Tim Musselman > Voice 408-356-9938 > Fax 408-356-3828 > 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]] Sat Dec 23 08:51:08 2000 Subject: [SBB] Bittern at Sunnyvale -------- Walking round the eastern edge of Sunnyvale WPCP east pond at lunch-time yesterday my reverie was rudely interrupted by a scrabbling in the reeds. I immediately thought that a fox was responsible even though I have never seen one there. I have also never seen an American Bittern (anywhere), one of which appeared out of the reeds and proceeded to flap gently past me with a soft squawk. A little further on as I was approaching a perched Northern Harrier, a Snipe flew up from the water's edge and landed at a good binocular distance from me. A couple of American White Pelicans had flown over previously. I didn't think that they wintered here. To precede all that an American Pipit became the 100th species that I have seen in the Sunnyvale Baylands/WPCP area. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 23 11:08:55 2000 Subject: [SBB] My Backyard Birds today -------- I apologize for sending an email that had nothing to do with birds to you all...guess it proves I'm not perfect...drat! As I write this I have an interesting assortment of birds eating at my feeders. About 6 MODO's, 1 Band-tailed Pigeon, 12 American Goldfinchs, 3 Lesser Goldfinches, 6 House Finches, 1 Rufous-sided Towhee, 1 CA Towhee, 4 White-Crowned and 5 Golden-crowned Sparrows, 3 CA Quail, 1 Chickadee, 3 Juncos, 1 Bewick's Wren and 1 Scrub Jay and 1 Mockingbird are sitting in the bushes watching. That's 49 birds I see in one field of vision. Guess its feeding time :-) Haven't seen "my" white-throated sparrow recently. Gloria LeBlanc Los Gatos off Quito www.wallstreetgifts.com "largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts" www.cowscowscows.com "site for the Chicago and NYC cows" www.lgsia.com "money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios" -------- Attachment 1.5 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Sat Dec 23 16:16:33 2000 Subject: [SBB] Some recent birds -------- First, some highlights (nothing really extraordinary) from my area on the Palo Alto CBC on Dec. 18. - At the Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club: a flock of about 25 Pine Siskins. - At Felt Lake: 2 adult Greater White-Fronted Geese (written up for the CBC); 5 Hooded Mergansers; 6 Common Mergansers. Duck numbers continue their decline here - a decade ago there used to be large numbers of Canvasback and Ring-Necked Duck, this time just a handful of each, and even Ruddy Duck (still the most abundant species) is far down. Mallards alone have increased; surprisingly, the Mergansers (Hooded regularly, Common occasionally) have also held their own. - At Arastradero Preserve: about 5 White-Tailed Kites; 1 Red-Breasted Sapsucker; and hundreds of Robins collecting and flying over late PM. PM today I made some miscellaneous stops farther south. At Los Gatos Creek Co. Park (I made a brief visit only to the Campbell Ponds) I found the Pacific Loon, but not the Common. Also here were an Osprey (perched up on one of the small islands) and 2 Horned Grebes. I didn't find anything to mention at Calero Res. (mid-PM, poor light, boat traffic). But Lake Cunningham continues to have one immature Snow Goose and one adult Ross's Goose with the domestics, and of course the Lesser Black-Backed Gull (Andy Gibb had already spotted it when I got there). 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]] Sat Dec 23 18:15:25 2000 Subject: [SBB] Lake Cunningham -------- I checked out the Lesser Black-backed Gull and Snow Goose at Lake Cunningham this afternoon. Apparently there is also a Ross's Goose there. I was rather more thrilled to find a Red-breasted Sapsucker, a species that has eluded me all year. Finally I watched something that was behaving remarkably like a Barn Swallow and it looked remarkably like a Barn Swallow through the binoculars. But I'm sure I was hallucinating. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 25 07:03:23 2000 Subject: [SBB] Baylands yesterday -------- Did a little holiday birding at the Baylands yesterday. We managed 52 species in the course of a 4 hour walk. There are still BLUE WINGED TEAL at the Flood Control Basin -- we had 8. There were also 6 to 8 WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS overhead -- are these usual in the winter for this location? At Byxbee Park we spied a BURROWING OWL on the southernmost row of burrows. I also glimpsed a RING-NECKED PHEASANT fly over the channel as we were counting CINNAMON and GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Finally at Charleston Slough there were 20 or more BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERONS and a COMMON MOORHEN in the Forebay, a MERLIN between the forebay and Shoreline Lake, and 12 BLACK SKIMMERS on their island. David Armstrong __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Shopping - Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. http://shopping.yahoo.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 Dec 26 14:36:11 2000 Subject: [SBB] Western Tanager, CBC, etc -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, This afternoon I did a little scouting for the Calero-Morgan Hill CBC. Best find was a bright female WESTERN TANAGER at Edenvale Park. This park is on the west side of Lean Avenue just north of the Hayes Mansion (where the old Frontier Village amusement park once was). The tanager was in a rather dense grove of live oaks at the southwest edge of the park, next to the fence and apartment buildings. It was a silent bird and will probably be a tough one to refind for the count. This is a real birdy spot right now, with fruiting bushes, flowering eucalyptus, and some landscaping attracting a lot of birdlife. Other goodies seen today included a gorgeous male HOODED MERGANSER at the SCVWD Pond on Almaden Expressway, and about a dozen THAYER'S GULLS at Almaden Lake (almost half of them adults). For several minutes an adult GOLDEN EAGLE was circling low over the Almaden Lake parking area on Almaden Expressway. Birders on the CBC might be able to identify this particular eagle--it has a two-feather gap in the primaries on it's right wing primaries 5-6?). A reminder about the Calero-Morgan Hill CBC: if you would like to join in the count please let me know as soon as possible. I will be away from my phone and email after 6pm on Dec. 28th. So if anyone out there wants to be on the count, please contact me before then. John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Dec 26 17:10:45 2000 Subject: [SBB] San Jose CBC -------- All, I finally got a chance to summarize my San Jose and Palo Alto count birding - San Jose is below, Palo Alto follows next. On Sunday 12/17/00, Alma Kali and I covered the Alviso Salt Ponds for the San Jose CBC. The weather was clear but windy, which made keeping the scope still difficult at times. A quick trip around the ponds during the high tide at first light failed to produce the desired American Bittern, a species missed on the count. Following this the counting began in earnest. As usual, the bulk of what was counted was gulls, with about 14,000 Herring Gulls making up by far the largest component. We did manage to pick out 14 THAYER'S GULLS, however, (with four more in nearby areas covered by others) and 5 MEW GULLS. Other typical Alviso Salt Pond birds included 25 WESTERN GREBES, 7 CLARK'S GREBES (with 18 more distant unidentified AECHMOPHORUS GREBES), and 28 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS. As always, most of the non-gulls were on Salt Ponds A9 and A10, the bulk of which are unfortunately outside the count circle. We did manage to add both GREATER and LESSER SCAUP from eastern A10, along with many CANVASBACKS and NORTHERN SHOVELERS and lesser numbers of COMMON GOLDENEYE, BUFFLEHEAD, and other ducks. A male EURASIAN WIGEON was right on the count circle boundary, but 12 REDHEAD were just outside (missed on the count), as was the day's only FORSTER'S TERN. The salt ponds were quite full and because of this we had virtually no roosting shorebirds. We did manage to get 78 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS, 73 WESTERN SANDPIPERS, and 60 AMERICAN AVOCETS in Coyote Slough as the tide receded, but elsewhere inside the count circle we had only a single DUNLIN and 122 LEAST SANDPIPERS. All the BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, WILLETS, and DOWITCHERS were outside the count circle and indeed the count as a whole ended up missing Black-bellied, Snowy, and Semipalmated Plovers, and Whimbrel (at least as of the countdown dinner). Three SANDERLINGS in the impoundment north of the Marina were a welcome sight. Other birds of interest included an adult PEREGRINE FALCON on the dike between ponds A13 and A14 and a BARN OWL roosting near the SFBBO building. As we neared the Alviso Marina at about 11:15am, we saw Dave McIntyre waving frantically. He told us that he had just found a WAGTAIL that he thought was a BLACK-BACKED in the ponds he was covering south of us. After quickly following him to the spot, we were able to enjoy nice scope views of this adult male BLACK-BACKED WAGTAIL (and get some pictures) until it flew off to the north at 11:58am (it was later reseen in the afternoon by the same group that found it). Alma left after this, but I headed back out to recheck pond A10 and then the dike between ponds A13 and A15, where a big gull flock had gathered during the morning. By driving slowy though the flock, a few birds would fly up and land again behind me. This was a great opportunity to study the birds carefully and within a few minutes I was staring at an adult GLAUCOUS GULL only 10 yards in front of the car! Got great photos of this bird before moving on. Still needing a bittern, I decided to drive around ponds A16 and A17 east of the railroad tracks (this area was covered by others earlier). This proved to be no easy task - although the dike started out innocent enough, it became a moonscape of uneven recently dredged bay mud, seriously taxing the capabilities of my 4WD Ford Explorer. The thought of backing out the way I came was scarier than continuing boldly onward, though, and eventually I made it out to the EEC. I was rewarded by a female HOODED MERGANSER in a small pond east of A16 for my efforts. At the EEC I scoped the island and quickly located a huge first-winter GLAUCOUS GULL sitting on the dike (distant photos). I later found out that Mike Mammoser had already found this bird a few hours earlier. I left the EEC at 3:30pm and headed back to check in with Dick Carlson at SFBBO. There I found that Dave McIntyre had also found very few shorebirds in his section as well, so I opted to spend the rest of the day trying for some of the missing plovers in ponds A5 and A7. There were indeed huge shorebird flocks in outer A5, but all were outside the count circle. I did manage to find 530 DOWITCHERS at the edge of the count circle in pond A7, but all calling were LONG-BILLED. There were three more SANDERLINGS on the islands in northern A8. Ironically, after surviving my loop of A16, I managed to pick up a big nail in a rear tire while leaving A8. While heading back across 237 the nail dislodged and my tire deflated - fortunately I limped into a nearby gas station and got it plugged in time to make the countdown dinner! 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 Dec 26 17:10:57 2000 Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto CBC -------- All, On Sunday 12/18/00 my coverage for the Palo Alto Christmas Bird Count included several bayside areas, after pre-dawn owling along Skyline Blvd and at Monte Bello OSP. I met Grant Hoyt and Mike Azevedo at the Page Mill/I280 Park 'N Ride at 4:30am. Grant had already located some owls nearby at Arastradero, so we quickly headed up to Skyline to look for Northern Saw-whet Owls. At the usual pullout 1.5 miles north of highway 84 I started whistling for Saw-whet Owls. We got some half-hearted responses until Grant suggested I change my pitch some. That was followed by a bird dive bombing us, flying within a foot or two of my face before disappearing west of Skyline. After this, Mike and I headed for Monte Bello, while Grant opted to boost our owl totals by trying other spots along Skyline. At Monte Bello we were greeted by wind and no owls (although a VIRGINIA RAIL did call from the sag pond). Fortunately the wind calmed right before dawn and from the meadow below the trail to Black Mountain we heard 3 WESTERN SCREECH-OWLS, 1 GREAT HORNED OWL, 1 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL, and at least 1 NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL. Also had a single rising whine from what may have been a Long-eared Owl. I then headed off to the bayside, quickly checking the Forebay for rails (heard 3 SORA and 2 VIRGINIA RAILS) before spending nearly an hour searching unsuccessfully for the Clay-colored Sparrow at the western edge of the Shoreline Golf Course. While occasionally taking a peek at Shoreline Lake from here, I noted the female HOODED MERGANSER flying into the lake at 8:53am. There were also 2 SURF SCOTERS and 4 GREATER SCAUP on the lake as well. While circling the southwestern portion of the golf course I saw a single MERLIN and a SAY'S PHOEBE. I next headed to San Francisquito Creek at Geng Road. The golf course pond here held 5 HOODED MERGANSERS (2 males and 3 females). The trek out to the creek mouth at the bay was uneventful, although 2 COMMON MOORHENS in the pond that was home to the recent Tropical Kingbird were a nice find for San Mateo County. Careful scoping of the shorebirds at the delta added 3 RED KNOTS, 2 SANDERLINGS, 2 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS, and 6 WHIMBRELS, but not the usual Ruddy Turnstone. Also here were 180 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS and an adult PEREGRINE FALCON. 2400 SCAUP SP and 500 CANVASBACKS nearshore were dwarfed but the 36,000 other ducks (likely mostly scaup) on the centerline of the bay from south of Dumbarton Bridge to the Stevens Creek mouth. After returning to the parking area I wandered around the eucalyptus trees for a bit until I happened across the immature male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, which sat motionless for several minutes before renewing its foraging. A quick check of the Baylands duck pond added a first-winter THAYER'S GULL but no Mew Gull, apparently missed on the count. Best bird at the nearby Palo Alto Water Pollution Control Plant was a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER. At Moffett Field I had an adult FERRUGINOUS HAWK circling over the big hanger, 3 BURROWING OWLS southeast of the Moffett Golf Course, and 23 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS at the golf course clubhouse. After spending some time at work, I headed back out to Stevens Creek north of highway 101. Highlights here included two BELTED KINGFISHERS, single RED-SHOULDERED and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, and a COMMON SNIPE. The nearby industrial park trees harbored another TOWNSEND'S WARBLER. A late check of Shoreline Lake proved to be a good decision, as an adult male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was gracing the eastern shore. Still no luck with the Clay-colored Sparrow, but the immature GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was with 74 CANADA GEESE (including 5 "small form" birds) at the nearby golf green. A check of the outer Palo Alto Flood Control Basin from Byxbee Park at dusk failed to turn up a Short-eared Owl, although 3 WHITE-TAILED KITES and 7 NORTHERN HARRIERS suggested good foraging there. Two male RING-NECKED PHEASANTS and 32 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were also visible from here and a CLAPPER RAIL called from the marsh near the parking lot. Spending the day birding the trees and bushes instead of scoping for ducks led to some notable totals for bayside areas including 63 ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS, 3 NUTTALL'S WOODPECKERS, 1 DOWNY WOODPECKER, 13 CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, 2 BEWICK'S WRENS, 18 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, 2 HERMIT THRUSHES, 74 CEDAR WAXWINGS, 90 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, the above-noted 2 TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS, 12 CALIFORNIA TOWHEES, 2 FOX SPARROWS, and a DARK-EYED JUNCO (at the Moffett Golf Course). All-in-all my species count for the day was 123! 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 Dec 26 19:17:02 2000 Subject: [SBB] WITU, PISI -------- While walking with my dog along the San Jose Water District canal along the Santa Teresa MTs at the south end of Snell Ave. in South San Jose about 4:00pm 12/25/00, I observed ten Wild Turkeys moving across the private pastures south of the canal. Also observe were two American Kestrels, a single Sharp-Shinned Hawk downing a Mourning Dove for Christmas Dinner and a pair of Red-Tailed Hawks sitting together on a Power Tower, and a single Spotted Towhee and Nuttal's Woodpecker in the nearby bushes. Otherwise, the area was unusually empty of birds, not even a Scrub Jay. While participating in the Profect Feeder Watch this past weeken, I observed a Pine Siskin for only the second sighting in my backyard in urban south San Jose in the four years I've been actively looking. See you Saturday at the Morgan Hill-Calero CBC! Karl _______________________________________________________ Send a cool gift with your E-Card http://www.bluemountain.com/giftcenter/ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 27 08:35:46 2000 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: On 12/24/2000, I stopped by the end of Geng Road and admired the 2 male and 3 female HOODED MERGANSERS that have been in the golf course pond for some time, but missed the wintering Bullock's Oriole. I looked through the flock of ducks on the Bay, opposite the Palo estuary, and came up with a guess of 30,000 birds, somewhat lower than Mike Roger's 38,000+ birds (I am pleased we were so close in our estimates). Based on the nearest portion of the flocks, I estimated 70-80% were scaup and the others were CANVASBACK. I could not detect any scoters in this flock. Today, 12/27/2000, I noted at least 3 imm. BROWN PELICAN on Salt Pond A2W and the 12 BLACK SKIMMERS remain on Charleston Slough. Someone remarked on White-throated Swifts. We are near the limit of their range, but birds appear to be regular here during the winter. They are very wide-ranging, however, and can be missed. The Palo Alto CBC normally records a few dozen birds (they were last missed in 1991). Tom Ryan can explain more, as he is writing the BofNA account. Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 27 09:20:36 2000 Subject: [SBB] what are the shovelers eating? -------- On Christmas day we had the pleasure of showing off the bayland birds to a large group of family members who rarely visit there. It was a lovely day and the birds were pretty cooperative--including 3 pairs of Buffleheads, a first for us in the Charleston Slough area. Several people asked us about the tightly packed circling groups of N. Shovelers--what were they catching? We had wondered the same thing when we were out the previous weekend and had seen even larger groups performing this strange act. I've seen Shovelers hunting/eating in what I would think of as a more "normal" duck manner plenty of times, including on this occasion, so I have the impression that there's some particular food that inspires the circling. Does anyone know? Is the circling cooperative, or just competitive? They were also making a funny noise--doesn't fit the descriptions in Sibley--higher pitched, soft--a sound I would not associate with a duck at all, actually. Other ducks: mostly Shovelers, Mallards, and Canvasbacks, but also about a dozen Cinnamon Teals, 3 pairs of N. Pintails, and the occasional Ruddy. We saw several small flocks of White Pelicans, and all of the usual Herons and Egrets--we noticed that the Night Herons were peeking out of their reeds in the forebay much earlier in the day than they typically do--Christmas excitement? ;) The skimmers were on their island, and the usual shorebirds were poking about--including larger than usual flocks of peeps--I'm not really good at those IDs, but probably Western Sandpipers. Hawks included at least 3 but probably 5 or more individual White-Tailed Kites, 4 TVs, a solitary Red-Tail, several immature or female and several male N. Harriers. As we walked back in the twilight, there was a probable young Sharp-Shinned sitting on the fence by the pumphouse, right next to the paved path. We stopped, but the man walking ahead of us didn't even see it--he flushed the hawk up and inland. That was a nice treat for the stragglers in our little group! --Natasha -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 27 09:31:16 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] San Jose CBC -------- Hi, I recall a previous message that stated that the Black-backed Wagtail was on private property. When seen on Sunday, was it still on private property? If not, where might it be found? Thanks, Don Ganton >As we neared the Alviso Marina at about 11:15am, we saw Dave McIntyre >waving frantically. He told us that he had just found a WAGTAIL that >he thought was a BLACK-BACKED in the ponds he was covering south of >us. After quickly following him to the spot, we were able to enjoy >nice scope views of this adult male BLACK-BACKED WAGTAIL (and get some >pictures) until it flew off to the north at 11:58am (it was later >reseen in the afternoon by the same group that found it). > >Alma left after this, but I headed back out to recheck pond A10 and >then the dike between ponds A13 and A15, where a big gull flock had >gathered during the morning. By driving slowy though the flock, a few >birds would fly up and land again behind me. This was a great >opportunity to study the birds carefully and within a few minutes I >was staring at an adult GLAUCOUS GULL only 10 yards in front of the >car! Got great photos of this bird before moving on. > >Still needing a bittern, I decided to drive around ponds A16 and A17 >east of the railroad tracks (this area was covered by others earlier). >This proved to be no easy task - although the dike started out >innocent enough, it became a moonscape of uneven recently dredged bay >mud, seriously taxing the capabilities of my 4WD Ford Explorer. The >thought of backing out the way I came was scarier than continuing >boldly onward, though, and eventually I made it out to the EEC. I was >rewarded by a female HOODED MERGANSER in a small pond east of A16 for >my efforts. At the EEC I scoped the island and quickly located a huge >first-winter GLAUCOUS GULL sitting on the dike (distant photos). I >later found out that Mike Mammoser had already found this bird a few >hours earlier. > >I left the EEC at 3:30pm and headed back to check in with Dick Carlson >at SFBBO. There I found that Dave McIntyre had also found very few >shorebirds in his section as well, so I opted to spend the rest of the >day trying for some of the missing plovers in ponds A5 and A7. There >were indeed huge shorebird flocks in outer A5, but all were outside >the count circle. I did manage to find 530 DOWITCHERS at the edge of >the count circle in pond A7, but all calling were LONG-BILLED. There >were three more SANDERLINGS on the islands in northern A8. > >Ironically, after surviving my loop of A16, I managed to pick up a big >nail in a rear tire while leaving A8. While heading back across 237 >the nail dislodged and my tire deflated - fortunately I limped into a >nearby gas station and got it plugged in time to make the countdown >dinner! > >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]] > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 27 10:08:31 2000 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: The question of the relative distribution of Audubon's and Myrtle warblers raised by Les Chibana is an interesting one that has been addressed in the past, but the presence of more quantitative data today may make a re-examination more interesting. Folks like Dave DeSante and Ron LeValley were interested in this question in the late 1960s. They summarized their conclusions in the early 1970s in _American Birds_. In 1971: _While the total number of "yellow-rumped" Warblers was probably down this winter, the proportion of Myrtles to Audubon's reached the highest level yet along the immediate coast. Many observers on the coast reported difficulty in finding any Audubon's in the flocks of Myrtles, even as far south as Monterey. The proportion of Myrtle:Audubon at Jasper Ridge, Stanford over the past 3 years has been: 1970-95:19; 1971-156:11; 1972-32-0 (fide DDeS)._ (Am. Birds 26:653) In 1972: _A coordinated effort was made by the Region's observers this winter to accurately determine the relative abundance of Myrtle and Audubon's races of Yellow-rumped Warblers. The general indication was that total numbers were low, but slightly better than last year's very poor winter. Differences from last year were owing to slightly fewer Myrtles but somewhat more Audubon's being noted this winter. Data from CBCs supply good evidence that the percentage of Myrtles decreases as one moves inland from the coast (Table 2) [see original Am. Birds] However, the most interesting result of the winter observations was that an apparent difference in habitat preferences exists between Myrtle and Audubon types. "Myrtle" Warblers basically prefer riparian growth, dense lowland oak woodland or residential areas and city parks grown to dense stands of mature deciduous trees. "Audubon's" Warblers , on the other hand, prefer open or newly developed residential areas with scattered small trees and shrubs._ (Am. Birds 27:660) If we look just at our local counts, stretching back into the 1950s, Myrtle and Audubon's have always been considered separately--orginally as separate species and then as identifiable subspecies. About 47% of the totals recorded have been identified to subspecies in Palo Alto and 57% in San Jose. The ratios weakly support a coastal gradient: 9:81 in Palo Alto and 3:97 in San Jose. So few birds are found on the Mt. Hamilton CBC that the ratio is not trustworthy. It would be interesting to compare a few of the coastal counts. As I say, a nice project for someone with time on their hands. Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 27 10:38:57 2000 Subject: [SBB] Re: White-throated Swifts -------- On the PA CBC, I was up on Monte Bello Rd. at the ridgetop at about 9:30a when two White-throated Swifts zipped by at just above head level going southward toward the coast. At the countdown dinner, I think there was one other party present that had swifts. Other sightings of local interest that I had on the PA CBC: - 1 Varied Thrush along Adobe Creek Trail (this is in Monte Bello OSP) and 2+ more along Adobe Creek at Hidden Villa - 2 Winter Wrens along Adobe Creek at Hidden Villa - Along Monte Bello Rd., I saw 4 Myrtle's Yellow-rumped Warblers and 3 Audubon's, as well as about 3 Yellow-rumpeds that weren't identifiable to race. My experience from winter banding and birding is that the Audubon's usually outnumber the Myrtle's by at least 5 or 6 to 1. Perhaps that elevation is more preferable to Myrtle's? - 125 American Robins in a large loose flock flying over the ridge toward Hidden Villa Les Chibana On Wednesday, December 27, 2000 8:35 AM, [[email protected]] wrote: [snip] > Someone remarked on White-throated Swifts. We are near the limit of >their range, but birds appear to be regular here during the winter. They are >very wide-ranging, however, and can be missed. The Palo Alto CBC normally >records a few dozen birds (they were last missed in 1991). Tom Ryan can >explain more, as he is writing the BofNA account. > > Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 27 11:53:39 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] San Jose CBC -------- The wagtail IS on private property, and to my knowledge has not been seen on public lands... yet. Cargill either owns or leases the land and has control of access. It has been speculated that the bird might be visible from the levee to the east and south of the SFBBO cannery bldg. Steve Miller reported spending an hour searching from this levee without success. But that's only one hour of effort that I've heard about. I was lucky to stumble into an opportunity to get onto the property with a person who held a temporary permit on the last day of access, last Tuesday. After viewing the wagtail for a few minutes, it flew off in the direction of SFBBO, apparently landing within the private property, but closer to the levee, perhaps near Vahl's restaurant. I don't know if the levee is accessible near Vahl's. My guess is that since the bird seems to spend a lot of time foraging on the mudflats, your chances of seeing the wagtail over the levee may be marginal. However, nothing ventured, nothing gained. If you do try to look for the bird from the levee, please respect any posted signs of private property or no trespassing. The local birding community doesn't need to get a bad rap from local property owners, Cargill, or any other entity that has control over access to potent habitat on private lands. One other consideration, Mike Rogers mentioned at the San Jose CBC countdown dinner, that during one of the other records of this species elsewhere in California, the individual was present for a long period of time, perhaps overwintering? It also was known to range over a sizeable area (a couple of miles?). Perhaps Mike could repeat to SBB what he said at the dinner. It's possible that the bird in Alviso will stay for a while and may range to areas that are accessible to the public. But that will take some birding effort in the nearby areas to find this out. Maybe the "Patagonia Picnic Table Effect" will come into play and more goodies will be found! Les Chibana On Wednesday, December 27, 2000 9:31 AM, Don Ganton <[[email protected]]> wrote: >Hi, > >I recall a previous message that stated that the Black-backed Wagtail was >on private property. When seen on Sunday, was it still on private property? >If not, where might it be found? > >Thanks, > >Don Ganton > >>As we neared the Alviso Marina at about 11:15am, we saw Dave McIntyre >>waving frantically. He told us that he had just found a WAGTAIL that >>he thought was a BLACK-BACKED in the ponds he was covering south of >>us. After quickly following him to the spot, we were able to enjoy >>nice scope views of this adult male BLACK-BACKED WAGTAIL (and get some >>pictures) until it flew off to the north at 11:58am (it was later >>reseen in the afternoon by the same group that found it). -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 27 12:59:26 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] Re: White-throated Swifts -------- All, Frank Vanslager and I did Monte Bello during the PA CBC and reached the ridgeline below Black Mountain near noon. Just before we reached the ridgeline we had dozens of White-throated Swifts flying at low levels. Frank counted 27 in one bino field of view with many more on either side of his view. We estimated that we had between 35 and 50 WTSW. We also had one smaller, dark swift (Cheatura sp) in the flock. This happened to be a very unusual day for Monte Bello as there was little to no wind. Take care, Bob Reiling, 12:56 PM, 12/27/00 -------- Attachment 702 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 27 14:07:46 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] - -------- In a message dated 12/27/00 11:09:45 AM Pacific Standard Time, [[email protected]] writes: > . It would be interesting to compare a few of the coastal counts. The stats for the most recent 10 years (1991-2000) from the Santa Cruz County CBC are thus: An average of 47% of yellow-rumps were identified as Myrtle or Audubon's annually. Of these, Myrtle averaged 116.8 per year and Audubon's averaged 537.9. Ratios over these 10 years ranged from 0.07:1.0 to 0.39:1.0, averaging 0.18:1.0 David Suddjian, Capitola Santa Cruz Bird Club Bird Records Keeper [[email protected]] -------- Attachment 884 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 27 16:33:19 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] Swifts -------- Tom, the roost for the 300+ WTSWs we saw at Coyote Hills was likely the old Masonic Lodge in Hayward on Mission Blvd. This roost has been active for many years. Ed Pandolfino -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 27 19:17:35 2000 Subject: [SBB] Coyote Ridge - Bird counter with 4-wheel drive wanted! -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, Just a reminder that if there are any birders out there who have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, and would like to bird an area not usually open to the public, we could certainly use your help covering Coyote Ridge on the Calero-Morgan Hill CBC. On the last count this area (located in the mountains above and to the east of Coyote Valley) produced Mountain Bluebird, Bald Eagle, and other goodies. Mary Simpson, the area leader, has a full carload of people, but could really use help from additional experienced birders. The count is this coming Saturday, so if you are interested in taking part, please contact her as soon as possible at [[email protected]] John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 27 20:24:10 2000 Subject: [SBB] Say's Phoebe at Shoreline -------- A quick jaunt past Shoreline Lake this lunch-time revealed the usual suspects: Goldeneyes; Horned and Eared Grebes; Forster's Terns; and an incredibly laid-back Greater Yellowlegs. Salt Pond A2W held Buffleheads, Pintails, and yet more Forster's Terns. The highlight was a Say's Phoebe hunting in the rough grass the other side of the cycle track here - not what I would expect given the habitat. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Dec 27 22:55:10 2000 Subject: [SBB] Myrtel vs. Audubon's Warblers. -------- Birders: What a fine and interesting discussion! Just thought I would pop in with a small amount of data from the Coyote Creek Field Station of SFBBO. Between the years of 1987 and 1997 banding data shows that Audubon's Warblers always outnumber Myrtle Warblers. During that time Audubon's Warblers saw a low of less than 3 birds caught per 1000 net hours (an hour of operation of a 12 meter long mist net) in 1987 and a high of over 32 birds per 1000 net hours in 1992. While Myrtle Warblers showed a low of less than one bird per 1000 net hours in 1987 and a high of 11 birds per 1000 net hours in 1996. Generally the two species track each other, 1992 was a good year for both as was 1996, while 1994 was a bad year for both. However, they don't track each other all that closely, just in a general sense. The years between 1987 and 1990 were uniformly poor for both species likely due to the lack of habitat then. Revegetation of the site has greatly increased the habitat for both of these species since 1987. Note that these are numbers averaged over the year, so that includes the summer netting season when neither of these birds are at the site. A season by season analysis of numbers would be much more informative. One analysis that looks at habitat choice of birds on site results in slightly different habitat preferences by these two taxa. The Myrtle Warbler has a tendency to prefer areas of the site which have denser canopy cover, as well as a greater diversity of trees in the area. Audubon's Warblers take a 'simpler' more open habitat but still wooded. This is similar to what Bill noted in his posting. The San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory is currently analyzing their banding data in order to formally publish this type of information in the future. We will keep birders updated on publications of observatory data as they pertain to local bird populations, likely the very same birds you enjoy while birding! A new paper to check out is: Shuford, W.D. and T.P. Ryan. 2000. Nesting populations of California and Ring-billed Gulls in California: recent surveys and historical status. Western Birds 31: 133-164 This is a collaboration between PRBO and SFBBO apart from giving information statewide on these species it details the phenomenal growth of California Gull colonies in San Francisco Bay from 12 nests in 1980 to 8168 nests in 2000! Wow. This must surely prove that local growth in computer companies attracts California Gulls- right? cheers, Al Alvaro Jaramillo Biologist San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory P.O. Box 247 Alviso, CA 95002 (408)-946-6548 http://www.sfbbo.org/ Home of the California Fall Challenge!! [[email protected]] Birds of Chile and 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]] Thu Dec 28 03:02:22 2000 Subject: [SBB] Swifts -------- Hi all, White-throated Swifts regularly overwinter in the bay area and north to southern Mendocino County. The overall local population appears to be lower during the winter. Where they are found, they tend to gather in large night roosts. These roosts range from a few dozen to several hundreds of birds. Known local wintering locations include the tile rooves on the Stanford Campus, Moffett Field, Sandy Wool Lake and the Railroad Bridge in Milpitas. They are wide ranging during the day, but they tend to forage in large groups near their roosts in the mornings and evenings. During cold spells they will go into a state of torpor and may not exit their roosts on certain days. This December is very mild and therefore there may be more insects around and thus more swifts. This year, my impression is that they are a bit more widespread and or more numberous than in the past few years. During the Christmas Bird Count at Coyote Hills (yes, I defected and went to the east bay) we observed a flock of 300+ foraging over the marsh & adjacent hills. Recently, I have been seeing them regularly in places where I have noted just occasional individuals in the past. I would be interested to hear from local count compilers if anyone else noticed any jump in numbers this year. Additionally, if anyone knows of any roosts other than those mentioned above, I would be very interested in finding out when you observe them (date & time) and where they are (cross streets & city). Even sightings of flocks would be great. Regarding the small, dark Chaetura. That is way out of season for Vaux's if anyone resights it, be sure to check to see if it has the light brown throat and brown rump that are characteristic of Vaux's. Thanks for the prompt Bill. The BNA account is finally complete and it was published in the most recent volume. Cheers, Tom >> Someone remarked on White-throated Swifts. We are near the limit of their range, but birds appear to be regular here during the winter. They are very wide-ranging, however, and can be missed. The Palo Alto CBC normally records a few dozen birds (they were last missed in 1991). Tom Ryan can explain more, as he is writing the BofNA account. Bill>> -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Dec 28 08:06:36 2000 Subject: [SBB] response to Alvaro -------- Based upon Alvaro's last sentence, I'm assuming that confirms that computer companies are environmentally friendly! The numbers for the California Gull nests were amazing. Thx for sharing the data. And, a local bird update, a Cooper's just swooped through my backyard clearing out the bird population and came back to sit on a limb about 8 feet from where I'm sitting. Beautiful bird. Gloria LeBlanc www.wallstreetgifts.com "largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts" www.cowscowscows.com "site for the Chicago and NYC cows" www.lgsia.com "money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios" -------- Attachment 1.2 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Thu Dec 28 09:18:17 2000 Subject: [SBB] RFI King Eider, Pt. Reyes Commercial Fishing Pier -------- Hi All, I just called the Bear Valley Visitor Center at Pt. Reyes, at 415 663 1092, and they say there are no fishing piers in the park itslef. They say there may be one at Marshall on the east side or at Inverness on the west side of Tomales Bay. Could someone who is familiar with the area please give further directions to the King Eider? We're driving up from San Jose, leaving about 9:30am, and will check responding email from our laptop after we get up there, about 11:30am or so. Thanks and Good Birding, Bob and 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]] Thu Dec 28 11:20:34 2000 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: This morning, 12/28/2000, I stopped by Lake Cunningham. The imm. SNOW GOOSE and adult ROSS'S GOOSE were grazing with the domesitics and the flock came over to my car when I stopped, expecting to be fed. The Sunnyvale Ross's Goose lived with domestic geese as well, but left each year to go somewhere. It will be interesting to see if both of these geese leave in the spring. I could not find the Lesser Black-backed Gull at its usual site or on the lake. I returned to work via the Sierra Road summit. Numbers and variety of grassland birds were low. A single ROCK WREN was near the road. A couple of miles beyond the summit there is a gully with California sage on the left. A RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW was on the fence wires at the base of the gully. Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Dec 28 12:41:43 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] -Is there a digest version for this list? -------- -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 28 15:23:33 2000 Subject: [SBB] White/Black-backed Wagtail records -------- All, Les asked for comments on previous wagtail records, so I thought that I would summarize the current status of several records voted on by the California Bird Records Committee. This status has changed over the years, with many records initially being tabled as unidentifiable to species (White vs Black-backed Wagtail) now being accepted as one species or other, largely as a result of the recent paper by Sibley and Howell in Western Birds (1998, 29(3):180-198). The currently accepted records of these species are listed below: BLACK-BACKED WAGTAIL 1. 7 Aug 1979 - 22 Sep 1979 Watsonville SCZ/MTY returning 20 Jul 1980 - 21 Sep 1980 2. 22 May 1980 Tiburon MRN 3. 13 May 1985 Mad River mouth HUM 4. 2 Aug 1987 - 7 Sep 1987 Port Hueneme VEN 5. 1 Oct 1989 Rodeo Lagoon MRN 6. 6 Sep 1994 - 7 Sep 1994 Crescent City DN 7. 3 Nov 1995 Bolinas Beach MRN 8. 25 Jan 1996 - 12 Apr 1996 Doheny State Beach ORA returning 27 Sep 1996 - 7 Oct 1996 9. 27 Sep 1996 - 30 Sep 1996 Caspar Creek State Beach MEN WHITE WAGTAIL 1. 10 Oct 1974 SE Farallon Island SF 2. 9 Oct 1978 - 11 Oct 1978 Goleta SBA 3. 4 Nov 1982 - 18 Jan 1983 Long Beach LA 4. 9 Oct 1983 Arroyo de la Cruz SLO returning 5 Oct 1984 - 8 Oct 1984 5. 22 Nov 1987 - 6 Mar 1988 Oxnard VEN returning 16 Oct 1988 - 4 Mar 1989 returning 8 Nov 1990 - 9 Mar 1991 Saticoy VEN 6. 23 Dec 1988 - 21 Jan 1989 Moss Landing MTY 7. 16 Nov 1996 Pine Gulch Creek MRN WHITE/BLACK-BACKED WAGTAIL 1. 18 Oct 1972 - 20 Oct 1972 Santa Clara River mouth VEN 2. 3 Dec 1989 - 11 Dec 1989 Pajaro River mouth SCZ/MTY 3. 7 Nov 1990 - 3 Dec 1990 Pajaro River mouth SCZ/MTY 4. 21 Dec 1990 - 21 Jan 1991 Moss Landing MTY 5. 1 Sep 1994 - 3 Sep 1994 Eel River Wildl. Man. Area HUM 6. 28 Sep 1998 Big Sur River Mouth MTY Given the rarity of these species in the state and their propensity to return to the same area in subsequent years, a good case can be made that White/Black-backed Wagtail records 2, 3, and 4 above all pertain to a returning adult female White Wagtail, perhaps the same as White Wagtail #6. The current view of the CBRC, however, is that the documentation does not rule out the possibility of different immature Black-backed Wagtails. Additionally, record number 5 above quite probably refers to an adult White Wagtail, but the record was not accepted largely because of second-hand comments that conflicted with the submitted documentation. Thus the number of records of White and Black-backed Wagtails are very evenly split between the two species, with our SCL bird being the tenth record of Black-backed Wagtail for the state. As far as the other issues that Les mentioned, you will note that birds present after mid-November are overwintering, with most present until early March or even as late as mid-April for the Doheny State Beach Black-backed Wagtail. Thus there is every reason to believe that if our bird survives it will be around until at least March. The Doheny State Beach/San Juan Creek mouth bird was fairly reliably found in the flood channel/river bed at some times of day, but the bird was also found foraging in agricultural fields a few miles inland as well! This suggest that these birds can be far-ranging (another argument in favor of the Pajaro River Mouth and Moss Landing birds being the same) and may use agricultural fields for foraging. So far, the Alviso bird has been found fairly dependably in its salt pond location at mid-day, but perhaps it spends time elsewhere (Arzino Ranch??) early or late in the day. In any event, even if we cannot get further access to the bird's favored location it is worth keeping an eye out for it elsewhere in Alviso until at least March... 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 Dec 28 16:13:27 2000 Subject: [SBB] RFI: Harlan's Hawk -------- Does anyone have any suggestions for seeing the Harlan's Hawk that was reported on the Trimble & Guadaloupe River crossing? I would like to see this bird without winding up as roadkill. Thx, Gina Sheridan Santa Clara, CA -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Dec 28 19:51:22 2000 Subject: [SBB] King Spotting -------- Hi to All, Thanks for all the timely responses regarding the location of the King Eider near the fishing pier at Pt. Reyes. You guys are the best. The immature male was in the location described, to the left of the dock when we got there about 1pm. He remained to the left of the dock for the half-hour we stayed. The bird started off to the left of a moored rowboat when Sharon first spotted him, about as far out as the end of the pier. Then he dove, surfacing to the right of the rowboat. Our excellent scope looks were from the access-restricted, paved road just below the locked gate. For your information, and since you were involved in perhaps 50 or more of these, our "b1k" countdown has begun in earnest, as this was life bird #991 for Sharon and me, having begun our career on Mother's Day, 1995, when Sharon dragged me to Pt. Lobos kicking and, well, muttering. One of the best days of my life. I'm going to predict that Bird #1000 will be Erithacus rubecula -- a very un-American Robin, and we will see it on April 8th, 2001. Great Birding, Bob and 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]] Fri Dec 29 05:05:42 2000 Subject: [SBB] : -------- At lunch time today, 29 Dec 00, there were 2 male HOODED MERGANSERS along San Tomas Aquino Creek just north of Scott Blvd. Near Mission College Blvd, a large flock of about 60-70 CEDAR WAXWINGS was present. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Dec 29 05:42:20 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] Myrtle vs. Audubon's Warblers. -------- On the anecdotal side, I was once birding Stevens Creek Reservoir some years back, when we were in the drought and the reservoir was drawn down for work (back in the late '80s?). The shallow upper end of the reservoir had only the creek channel flowing, with the flat sandy banks (usually under water) having become heavily overgrown with willows. I birded this stretch of willows for a couple hundred yards and found a large number of Yellow-rumped Warblers, every one of them a Myrtle. Not a single Audubon's among them. There were certainly Audubon's around, but they just weren't down in these willows. Usually, when I see Myrtles, it is in ones or twos and they are mixed in with the Audubon's. Out here in the west I have never seen such a large and homogeneous group of Myrtles before this, or since. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Dec 29 09:28:03 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] Re: White-throated Swifts -------- Earlier this week I found WTSW above both Ed R. Levin in Milpitas, and Oka Ponds in Campbell. Just a note FWIW: I was with a group of birders last weekend that were counting imm. Audubon Yellow-rumps as Myrtles. Poor light and viewing angles made it a tough call. Take care... For myself, I've probably seen less than a dozen Myrtles, and hundreds of Audubon's. At least in the areas I frequent, my unscientific assessment would seem to be about 25:1 or so... Dusty Bleher Campbell, Ca. ----- Original Message ----- From: [[email protected]] To: [[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2000 12:59 Subject: Re: [SBB] Re: White-throated Swifts All, Frank Vanslager and I did Monte Bello during the PA CBC and reached the ridgeline below Black Mountain near noon. Just before we reached the ridgeline we had dozens of White-throated Swifts flying at low levels. Frank counted 27 in one bino field of view with many more on either side of his view. We estimated that we had between 35 and 50 WTSW. We also had one smaller, dark swift (Cheatura sp) in the flock. This happened to be a very unusual day for Monte Bello as there was little to no wind. Take care, Bob Reiling, 12:56 PM, 12/27/00 -------- Attachment 2.8 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Fri Dec 29 13:25:02 2000 Subject: [SBB] Coyote Ridge -------- All, This morning 12/29/00, Don Mayall escorted John Mariani and me onto private property on Coyote Ridge, near the Kirby Canyon Landfill. We were scouting for the upcoming Calero-Morgan Hill CBC tomorrow, hoping especially for possible longspurs in the Horned Lark/pipit flock along the ridge. There were many HORNED LARKS and a flock of AMERICAN PIPITS, but no rarities among them that we could find. Interestingly, most of the HORNED LARKS were not in flocks, but paired up in separate territories (also some singing going on). The most unusual bird of the day was a secretive HOUSE WREN in a drainage ditch below the entrance road. The nearby wetlands mitigation site had a MARSH WREN and LINCOLN'S SPARROWS were at both places. The pond near the office held 12 BUFFLEHEAD, 2 MALLARDS, 2 BLACK-NECKED STILTS, a GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and a COMMON SNIPE (shorebirds are always worthy target birds for this inland count). A Gray Pine woodland with chaparral understory at the southern edge of the ridge held 6 PURPLE FINCHES, a HAIRY WOODPECKER, at least one "SLATE-COLORED" FOX SPARROW among other FOX SPARROWS, and at least two WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS overhead. Other birds of interest included a few RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS, 3+ SAY'S PHOEBES, and several BLUEBIRDS, unfortunately all WESTERN this year. A GOLDEN EAGLE perched on a water tank was likely one of the two perched earlier on a power tower east of Highway 101 just north of Coyote Creek Golf Drive, as only one was still there on my return. The biggest surprise of the morning was a nice male TOWNSEND'S WARBLER in the pitiful evergreen outside my office window here at NASA when I returned to work! Mike Rogers -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Dec 29 16:23:53 2000 Subject: Re: [SBB] Re: White-throated Swifts -------- No. I saw them over the power towers on the west side. I was there a few hours ago and saw nada! (WTSW) Haven't seen the Loons either last few trips there...anybody else? Dusty ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Ryan To: 'SBB-list' Sent: Friday, December 29, 2000 22:20 Subject: RE: [SBB] Re: White-throated Swifts Does anyone know where they might be roosting at night near the Oka Ponds? Tom -----Original Message----- From: [[email protected]] [mailto:[[email protected]]]On Behalf Of Dusty Bleher Sent: Friday, December 29, 2000 9:28 AM To: SBB-list Subject: Re: [SBB] Re: White-throated Swifts Earlier this week I found WTSW above both Ed R. Levin in Milpitas, and Oka Ponds in Campbell. Just a note FWIW: I was with a group of birders last weekend that were counting imm. Audubon Yellow-rumps as Myrtles. Poor light and viewing angles made it a tough call. Take care... For myself, I've probably seen less than a dozen Myrtles, and hundreds of Audubon's. At least in the areas I frequent, my unscientific assessment would seem to be about 25:1 or so... Dusty Bleher Campbell, Ca. -------- Attachment 3.7 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Fri Dec 29 16:44:34 2000 Subject: [SBB] American Dipper -------- Hi, I went with my wife and daughter for a picnic at Stevens Creek County Park this afternoon and saw an American Dipper bobbing about just upstream from the bridge between the Canyon and Cooley picnic areas. I watched it for a minute and then ran back to the van for my binoculars. When I returned, it was gone and did not reappear. Don Ganton [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Dec 29 22:20:09 2000 Subject: RE: [SBB] Re: White-throated Swifts -------- Does anyone know where they might be roosting at night near the Oka Ponds? Tom -----Original Message----- From: [[email protected]] [mailto:[[email protected]]]On Behalf Of Dusty Bleher Sent: Friday, December 29, 2000 9:28 AM To: SBB-list Subject: Re: [SBB] Re: White-throated Swifts Earlier this week I found WTSW above both Ed R. Levin in Milpitas, and Oka Ponds in Campbell. Just a note FWIW: I was with a group of birders last weekend that were counting imm. Audubon Yellow-rumps as Myrtles. Poor light and viewing angles made it a tough call. Take care... For myself, I've probably seen less than a dozen Myrtles, and hundreds of Audubon's. At least in the areas I frequent, my unscientific assessment would seem to be about 25:1 or so... Dusty Bleher Campbell, Ca. -------- Attachment 2.2 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Sat Dec 30 14:29:29 2000 Subject: [SBB] Saturday birds -------- Banding at Coyote Creek Field Station of SFBBO was cold and slow this morning. Only 12 birds caught, 2 released (Anna's Hummingbirds), all the rest were recaptured birds. I checked the levee area near the SFBBO cannery bldg. and located the area in which the Black-backed Wagtail was found. My impression is that seeing the wagtail from this levee is next to impossible if it's foraging on the dry impoundment west of the slough. There are old boats and a sloughful (slew) of reeds between the levee and the pan where the bird was found. People's efforts may be better applied to searching other likely (tundra-like) nearby habitat. At 12:45, I stopped by the Trimble Rd. crossing of Guadalupe River and after a short walk on the levee on the northeast side, the Harlan's Hawk soared in overhead and alerted me with a loud "Keeeargh! I got nice overhead flight views of it. It landed on a bare tree north of Trimble on the west side. Then it flew downstream about 150 yards. After a few moments, it took off and circled low overhead, eventually landing on the south side of Trimble on the west side of the river. I got good views of the whitish tail with some reddish tinges and the dark brown, irregular subterminal tail band. The reddish brown undertail coverts showed well in the good sunlight. It's not often that a Red-tailed Hawk raises this much (of my) interest. Les Chibana -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 31 11:56:18 2000 Subject: [SBB] Calero Morgan Hill CBC -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, Just revisited the species list for the Calero-Morgan Hill CBC. Upon recount I get a species total of 146 (147 if you include Nutmeg Manikin). Last time we had 139 species, so this represents quite an increase. Some of the better finds included RING-NECKED PHEASANT, BALD EAGLE, PRAIRIE FALCON, LONG-BILLED CURLEW, WESTERN SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, 4 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, HOUSE WREN, and AMERICAN REDSTART. Rare forms of common species included a SLATE-COLORED JUNCO at Loma Prieta and an "EASTERN" FOX SPARROW in south San Jose. Worst miss: Barn Owl. John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Dec 31 12:32:42 2000 Subject: [SBB] Yesterday's Calero-MH CBC -------- We had a great day on the Calero-Morgan Hill CBC yesterday, in the southern portion of the Santa Teresa County Park and ag fields to the south of the Santa Teresa Hills in the Coyote Valley (part of which are proposed for the 20,000 employee Cisco Site). We had a total of 61 species. Highlights included 4 Rock Wrens, a pair each along the Stiles Ranch Trail and the Coyote Point trail. Several Rufous-crowned Sparrows found along those same trails and in the parking area for Stiles Ranch trail. A single Lincoln's Sparrow hopped up on to the fence at the parking area. Several Yellow-billed Magpies made a ruckus in the trees above one of the nearby farm houses. Two Golden Eagles alternately soared and sat in PG&E towers along Country View Rd and at the trailhead for Coyote Point Trail. Two belted Kingfishers were heard and one seen over nearby creeks. Two Loggerhead Shrikes were seen, one along the Calero Creek trail and one down in the Coyote Valley. A Red-breasted Sapsucker was seen in the orchard along Calero Creek trail. Fisher Creek along Santa Teresa Blvd was mostly obscured from view by thick weeds but at one location where we could see the creek itself a Common Snipe flew in, and quickly changed its mind when it saw us. I bet there are other great birds in there too, besides the Mallards and coots that we found. Six Say's Phoebes were seen during the day, distributed throughout the count area. 50 Canada Geese landed in the fields along Santa Teresa Blvd as we passed. Hundreds of Brewers and Red-winged Blackbirds in the same area provide late afternoon counting fun as they flew back and forth in waves. The weather was chilly at first, then quite mild, without the winds we experienced on the ridgetops last year, only a breeze-- we felt very lucky. A nice scope view of a wily looking coyote near the intersection of Stiles Ranch and Mine trails was a treat. S/he had just spooked several deer that had just bounded away and took a moment to stare back at us. Surprisingly, a few CA poppies were in bloom here and there. We enjoyed the interesting rock outcrops and hiking through the open hilly landscape. The fallow agricultural fields and grassy slopes become challenge when you realize that a field or open slope that appears to have nothing in it can have tens and possibly even hundreds of meadowlarks or other birds such as American Pipits or Horned Larks. The latter two we did not find this year but did last year. At least the Killdeer let you know they are out there! Leda Beth Gray -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Dec 31 23:12:03 2000 Subject: [SBB] Year's end -------- All, On the last day of the year, I still have an OSPREY and a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW here in Los Gatos. One comes to my feeders and the other does not. Happy New Year to all. Jean -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]