From [[email protected]] Thu Feb 01 16:35:09 2001 Subject: [SBB] Some county birds -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I once again birded Morrill Rd. We still did not find Golden-crowned Kinglets or Winter Wren but we did add Pygmy Nuthatch (a couple flocks), Pine Siskin (one flock of about nine), Hutton's Vireo (one well seen several heard), at least two Townsend's Warblers, Downy Woodpecker, Band-tailed Pigeons (one doing a display flight), Belted Kingfisher (in Los Gatos Creek), a Spotted Towhee and a well placed Bewick's Wren. We also saw several Varied Thrush and Hermit Thrush as well as most of the birds that we saw on Tuesday. Take care, Bob Reiling, 4:19 PM, 2/1/01 -------- Attachment 789 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Fri Feb 02 08:03:52 2001 Subject: [SBB] White gull at Alviso -------- On the island just north of the EEC at Alviso today was another white gull the size of a Herring Gull. Here's what I could see at the time: white head, nape and throat; pale yellow bill with black tip occupying about a quarter of its length; off-white back tending to pale brown rather than pale grey; white primaries with faint rusty centres; white tail; and no legs cos the bird was sitting. At the distance I couldn't get any more detail than this. In my book this is closer to a first-winter Glaucous Gull than anything else, without being perfect. There was also a Red-breasted Merganser beyond the island and the Fox Sparrows were busy calling and sounding a lot like Yellowthroats. In fact a lot of birds seem to be preparing for spring now. As a curious aside I always keep month lists and site lists and so attempted to enter Green-winged Teal on my Alviso list. It wasn't there. I have been regular at the EEC for a year now, so this seems amazing. Have I just failed to record them? Or are they unusual down there? -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 02 11:26:07 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- At lunch today, 2 Feb 01, I went to the EEC to check on gulls. Lots of HERRINGS around, with a handful of THAYER'S. No Glaucous, however. A CLAPPER RAIL was calling in Mallard Slough, and a MERLIN was cooperatively perched along First St. Yesterday a COMMON MOORHEN was in San Tomas Aquino Creek, just north of Hwy 101. 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 Feb 02 11:38:05 2001 Subject: [SBB] RFI?: Southern California Red/Orange Bishop Location -------- Hi All, Sharon and I are leaving early Saturday morning to drive to Orange County to visit family and see the Nutting's Flycatcher and the Antelope Valley LeConte's Thrasher. We would also like to try and see the Red or Orange Bishop in Southern California. I used to have the location and in fact we even went there once trying to see it, but I recently cleaned out my old email and deleted it. Does anyone know that location, or can you point me to someplace that does? I tried the CALBIRD archives, but it (http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CALB.html) only goes back a month, and doesn't mention it. Thanks and Good Birding, 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]] Fri Feb 02 15:07:40 2001 Subject: [SBB] Possible Greater sand plover/Mongolian plover at Point Reyes -------- Sorry this is out of the area but apparently it did not make it into Calbird. http://www.prbo.org/WildTend/January2001.html#January2001 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]] Fri Feb 02 17:13:55 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Short eared owl -------- Thanks, Richard, for the good directions to view the Short-eared Owl at Byxbee Park. It was a real treat to see it both in flight and sitting on the ground in the sloped fenced area. Also great sunset views of Northern Harriers, White-Tailed Kites, and there was one Greater White-fronted Goose among 80+ Canada Geese. Karen DeMello ([[email protected]]) > Having just returned from Guatemala I have been trying to see the > Short-eared owls at Palo Alto's Byxbee Park. I finally learned the > trick. The owls spend most of their time on the fenced tall grass knoll > southwest of the dump. The closer you get the less likely you are to > see the owls because they sit on the flat top of the knoll, invisible > from below. They are visible only from the highest hill -- right up > from the parking lot, or when they make forays off their perches. They > are probably sitting there from 4 p.m. on. If you are really > adventurous, the fence has a gap on the far SW side, and you can climb > up the hill and get great views. > > -- > 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]] > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 03 09:34:15 2001 Subject: [SBB] Audubon's Paintings -------- Scott Spencer as sent to me the URL for Audubon's Paintings of American Birds. http://employeeweb.myxa.com/rrb/Audubon/ I have posted this URL on SBBU under Birding Web Sites, Audubon's Paintings of North American Birds 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]] Sun Feb 04 03:22:03 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- On Saturday, 3 Feb 01, I visited CCFS, where I found 7 GREAT BLUE HERONS occupying nests in the colony near the waterbird pond. Later in the day, I went to Byxbee Park, where I met Dick Stovel. We watched the geese grazing on the lawn, including the immature GREATER WHITE-FRONTED and 6 small-form CANADAS. I studied the small Canadas extensively and have concluded that they are leucopareia (Aleutian). All had black chins separating the white cheek patches and rather flat heads. They were slightly larger than a Mallard. One had a distinct white neck ring, while another had a thin, almost indiscernable one. The other 4 looked to be immature and lacked the neck ring. One of these 4 was distinctly darker than the others and seemed just a tad smaller, so I can't positively rule out that this one was a minima. Dick left just a few minutes too soon, as I was able to pick out a SHORT-EARED OWL cruising the flood control basin just after he left. On Sunday, 4 Feb 01, I stopped at the Sunnyvale sewage ponds, where the immature SNOW GOOSE remains. I had 2 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS here, one in the fennel patch corner near the line of eucs and another further up the west side of the old landfill. A BURROWING OWL was along the side of this landfill right near the parking lot. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Feb 04 23:59:15 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sunday at Palo Alto Baylands -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, Highlights from a class field trip to Palo Alto Baylands included an immature BROWN PELICAN seen from the levee near the airport, nice side-by-side comparison of GREATER and LESSER SCAUP at the duck pond, and the GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE and 6 small form CANADA GEESE at Byxbee Park. My assumption was that the small Canadas were all of the race minima--do immature Aleutians normally lack the white collar? I didn't see a white collar on any of these birds, although one was noticeably smaller than the others. 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 Feb 05 08:33:47 2001 Subject: [SBB] Skyline Blvd (W. Bluebirds) -------- Hi all - we're here at 2400 feet in southern San Mateo County very near the Santa Clara County line, so I hope this qualifies as "south bay" for the purposes of this list. This weekend brought WESTERN BLUEBIRDS, who nest on our land. We can expect to see them regularly now for the next several months. A single BLACK PHOEBE has been here since November. We saw one PILEATED WOODPEACKER in December. We don't have feeders, but we do have a few small water sources. Our list for here at home as 59 species - let me know offlist if you would like to see it. I'm new to the list (but not the region) and not sure what the etiquette is for posting lists. Regards, Georgia Stigall (& Bill Prince) South Skyline/San Mateo County (member of Sequoia & Santa Clara Valley Audubon chapters) -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 05 08:35:11 2001 Subject: [SBB] Glaucous versus Glaucous-winged -------- Folks: I will add some comments to the discussion of Glaucous-winged and Glaucous gulls of the last few weeks. I hope that Mike Rogers and Alvaro Jaramillo will jump in if I confuse the issue too much. In general, the large pink-legged gulls achieve their mantle color in their second winter. However, Glaucous Gull is an exception and still has a marbled mantle into it's second winter, and it doesn't get the light gray mantle until its third winter. Glaucous-winged achieve their gray mantle color in their second winter and it is not long after this that the bill starts to turn color as well from the base towards the tip. In my experience, a small proportion of 2nd-winter Glaucous-winged Gulls have the bill basally flesh or pink (I've never noted yellow, but . . .) and the tip black, sort of like the bill of a Glaucous Gull. However, I don't think any of the birds I've seen has a pink as bright as on a Glaucous Gull, and there is always some bleeding of the black along the cutting edge of the bill, towards the base. And, since these birds all have gray mantles, it is easy to eliminate Glaucous Gull. Although there is some color variation on 1st- and 2nd-winter Glaucous Gulls, I've never seen a gray wash on the tail, as Mike Mammoser noted on the Duck Pond bird. As he commented, there may be some hybrid genes involved. I would be interested if anyone has an idea of the proportion of 2nd-winter Glaucous Gulls that still have dark eyes--is it that common? The Glaucous Gull is still pretty rare here. I appreciate those observers who have provided extensive details of their observations. 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 Feb 05 08:36:11 2001 Subject: [SBB] Some Almaden Birds -------- Hello All, Here are a few birds from Almaden Reservoir and vicinity seen on Sunday, Feb 4. Good numbers of WOOD DUCKS are still present with 55 seen on Sunday. The tan-striped WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was seen again at its usual spot, the pull-out 3/10 mile from the dam. This bird seems to favor the underbrush in the gully next to the large oak. Other birds of interest in the area were Band-tailed Pigeon, Hutton's Vireo, Lincoln's Sparrow, Purple Finch, and Wild Turkeys calling from the hills near the intersection of Alamitos and Hicks Roads. That's it for now - 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 Feb 05 09:30:35 2001 Subject: [SBB] more on Glaucous Gulls -------- South-bay-birders, Just following up on Bill's Glaucous Gull comments. Not only should a second-winter Glaucous Gull have an eye that is pale or becoming pale at this time of year, but the tip to the bill is often paling as well. This may be subtle and hardly noticeable unless looked for, or striking, imparting a "Ring-billed Gull"-type look. Second-winter birds at this time of year may already have acquired a few pale gray mantle feathers, but as Bill noted, they should not have a mostly gray back. Especially now (late in the winter), when other gulls are prone to fading and wear, it is important to make sure that all field marks of a "Glaucous Gull" are indeed correct. Bill noted that he doesn't remember seeing any Glaucous-winged Gulls that have a bill as pink as on a real Glaucous Gull. In general this is true, but the bird Al Eisner reported from the duck pond last week was unusual in this respect. The pink was very bright. Al correctly noted that this bird was partly/mostly Glaucous-winged, but perhaps the bill color does indeed indicate some Glaucous genes, as Glaucous and Glaucous-winged Gull do hybridize... Mike Rogers P.S. I got photos of Al's bird at the Baylands last week - if you are interested in receiving scans when they are developed let me know. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 05 10:26:54 2001 Subject: [SBB] Ed R. Levin & Grant Ranch -------- Did my usual Saturday walk and count out at Ed R. Levin. I managed to set a personal high of 72 species for a single 4 hour visit. It seems the secret is to take a sharp-eyed grand son. He finds them and points out "another sparrow" to me, and I try to ID them... Although I got so many species, they were pretty well the usual list of suspects. A first for me, I got all 7 of the listed Eagles/Hawks for the park in one visit: WHITE-TAILED KITE, COOPER'S HAWK, NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, RED-TAILED HAWK, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, and GOLDEN EAGLE. Also found were the resident AMERICAN KESTRELs. In addition, I was unable to ID another raptor. I'd guess it was either a Rough-legged or Ferruginous Hawk. I'm hoping that someone else can confirm that for me... The standouts to me were: a single TREE SWALLOW, 22 BAND-TAILED PIGEONS, SAY'S PHOEBE, and a dozen WEBL's inspecting Oak tree boles instead of my carefully placed nest boxes! Distance and a poor sun angle kept me from a certain ID of what looked and acted like an Ash-throated Flycatcher. If it is, it would seem to be a bit early... I was looking in the field to the east of the golf course for early arriving kingbirds and Selosophorus hummers. It wasn't a WEKI, of that I'm certain. But ATFL? Anybody? Notably absent, again, was the Burrowing Owl above the landing field, and the Chestnut-backed Chickadees (heard, not seen). I think the BUOW is probably gone for this year. If anybody does see him again, please drop me a note for my records. The CBCH were probably just too busy to come out to where I could lay some glass on 'em. Also not found this week, were the White-throated Swifts from last week. Spring must be busting out all over. The ever active RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS were busy displaying their ruby crowns. They looked more like some of the spiky haired "weirdo's" available for pictures at Pier-39 than birds. They were most entertaining to watch... I saved Grant Ranch for Sunday. Only got about 40 species, but had a wonderful, leisurely, sun-drenched 10+ mile walk from the lake to Antler point and back. The best sighting was 20 minutes of aerial ballet and gymnastics by a pair of GOLDEN EAGLEs. If this warm weather keeps up, then in a few weeks, I'll take another stab at Coe Park. The wildflowers should be getting ready to do their thing by then. Anybody interested? Dusty Bleher Campbell -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 05 10:54:25 2001 Subject: [SBB] Common Teal Still Present 2/3 -------- Hello All: On Saturday, Feb 3, I walked the dike along Charleston Slough, hoping for Redheads. No luck there, but once I got all the way out to the bay front and towards the Baylands, there were a large grouping for GREEN-WINGED TEAL (about 50), and the male EURASION GREEN-WINGED TEAL was in with them. The time was 10 am (tide was falling). Two HOODED MERGANSERS were in the flood control basin and 3 BLUE-WINGED TEAL were still in the frontage road ponds. Steve Miller -------- Attachment 2.5 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Mon Feb 05 15:17:56 2001 Subject: [SBB] SBSP BirdBase and BirdArea Programs -------- To All, Just a brief comment on the value of Santa Barbara Software Products bird documentation programs, BirdBase and BirdArea. I have used the programs for 3+ years to keep track of our life lists - US and foreign. Great software and documentation. Runable on either a PC, or on a Mac with Virtual PC software. BB and BA software is based on Clement's 5th Edition. Check out the ads in Birding magazine. For Mac users with Virtual PC the programs run very quickly. Bob, the author, has always been very helpful on the phone with my questions. Jim -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 05 19:35:14 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] more on Glaucous Gulls -------- >Bill noted that he doesn't remember seeing any Glaucous-winged Gulls >that have a bill as pink as on a real Glaucous Gull. In general this >is true, but the bird Al Eisner reported from the duck pond last week >was unusual in this respect. The pink was very bright. Al correctly >noted that this bird was partly/mostly Glaucous-winged, but perhaps >the bill color does indeed indicate some Glaucous genes, as Glaucous >and Glaucous-winged Gull do hybridize... Folks, I apologize for not keeping up with the issue of the Palo Alto Glaucous Gull, I am a bit lost exactly on what has been seen and what the Identifications have been. However, I was out there today and saw a bird that was mostly (or all?) Glaucous Gull. This bird is a first winter bird, has dark eyes and a crisply cut black tip on a pinkish bill. The bill does not show a thicker bill tip as is typical on Glaucous-wing, its a pretty parallel sided bill. The general colour of the bird was similar to that of Glaucous-winged Gulls, but the patterning on the coverts was crisper and less "muddy" than on the Glaucous-wings. Overall, there was more white in the plumage on the whole. I think this bird is mostly Glaucous, but that it probably has some genes from something else. What makes me think this is that the primaries, while being almost entirely white are noticeably darker in the centers. I gather that this happens on full Glaucous, but I am not sure how common this is. Maybe I am complicating this more than I should and should just say, you know it looks like a Glaucous and probably is, but its not a "classic" Glaucous so I have reservations. >Mike Rogers > >P.S. I got photos of Al's bird at the Baylands last week - if you are >interested in receiving scans when they are developed let me know. send them over, I would like to see if we saw different birds. regards, Al but not Eisner 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]] Tue Feb 06 03:14:54 2001 Subject: [SBB] small-form Canada Geese -------- ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Mariani" <[[email protected]]> > > My assumption was that the small Canadas were all of the race > minima--do immature Aleutians normally lack the white collar? The separation of Canada Goose races is complex and confusing. Many references give contradictory information. The information I have is from Paul Springer, a researcher who is considered an expert on Aleutian Geese. Mike Mammoser ************** MINIMA: 1. Smallest Canada Goose, 1 and 1/2 times the size of Mallard 2. Breast dark brown or bronze color, often with purplish cast. 3. Short, stubby bill, usually less than 1 and 1/4 inch long. 4. White neck ring sometimes present, but generally very thin and incomplete. 5. Forehead slopes back from bill; roundish head shape. 6. Cheek patches often continuous under head, but many separated by black feathering. LEUCOPAREIA: 1. Slightly larger than cackler. 2. Breast color variable, but usually gray-brown. Never has purplish cast. 3. Bill length usually 1 and 1/4 to 1 and 1/2 inches. 4. White neck ring present in all adults, usually wide and pronounced (hatch year birds generally do not exhibit good neck ring until first spring). 5. Thin dark border of feathering usually present just below white neck ring. 6. More abrupt forehead and flatter top to head than other Canadas in its size class. 7. Cheek patches nearly always separated by black feathering under chin. Springer reiterates the above by stating: "The Aleutian Canada Goose ... is only slightly larger than the cackling Canada Goose. It generally has a grayish brown breast, but this can vary from being nearly as dark as some cacklers (but without the purplish cast) to nearly as light as some Taverners and lesser Canada Geese. Adult Aleutians have a conspicuous white ring at the base of the neck which varies from 1/2 to 1 inch or more in height. This ring is absent or consists of only a few scattered white feathers in young birds during the first fall and winter. Cacklers and other subspecies may have a white neck ring at times, but it is generally narrower (sometimes only a sliver) and usually does not nearly or completely encircle the neck. A narrow border of dark feathers separates the lower part of the neck ring from the breast of Aleutians, a feature that is not usually present in the other subspecies. The Aleutian has an abrupt forehead and a flatter top to the head in contrast with the more rounded head of the other Canada Geese in its size range. It usually has the cheek patch separated by black feathering on the under side of the head, but this character is shared by many cacklers and some Taverners. The bill (culmen) length generally ranges from 1 and 1/4 to 1 and 1/2 inches. Extremes are 30.5 - 39.5 mm. This range eliminates most cacklers whose bill engths rarely exceed 1 and 1/4 inches. However, there is broad overlap in the bill lengths of Aleutians and Taverners. The call of an Aleutian is a high-pitched yelp, difficult to distinguish from the slightly higher pitched call of the cackler." -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 06 05:51:08 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] more on Glaucous Gulls -------- ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alvaro Jaramillo" <[[email protected]]> > > However, I was out there today and saw a bird > that was mostly (or all?) Glaucous Gull. This bird is a first winter bird, > has dark eyes and a crisply cut black tip on a pinkish bill. The bill does > not show a thicker bill tip as is typical on Glaucous-wing, its a pretty > parallel sided bill. The general colour of the bird was similar to that of > Glaucous-winged Gulls, but the patterning on the coverts was crisper and > less "muddy" than on the Glaucous-wings. Overall, there was more white in > the plumage on the whole. I think this bird is mostly Glaucous, but that it > probably has some genes from something else. What makes me think this is > that the primaries, while being almost entirely white are noticeably darker > in the centers. I gather that this happens on full Glaucous, but I am not > sure how common this is. Maybe I am complicating this more than I should > and should just say, you know it looks like a Glaucous and probably is, but > its not a "classic" Glaucous so I have reservations. Al, Your description sounds like the bird I saw. I have appended my original description to the end of this message. This is a different bird than the one that Al Eisner saw. Both Mike Rogers and I have seen that bird (the one that Mike has photos of) and that bird is more easily ascribable to a second year Glaucous-winged Gull. Mike Mammoser ************* I visited the duck pond at midday today, 30 Jan 01, and saw what might be a candidate for the GLAUCOUS GULL. This bird was not as large as some Glaucous Gulls - it ever so slightly smaller than nearby Glaucous-winged Gulls (it was even being bullied by one of them). The bill was not as massive as the Glaucous-wingeds, but had a distinct gonydeal angle, with the requisite pink base and black tip. The bird was generally whitish, with a fair amount of marbling in the scapulars and wing coverts. That is, the feathers were white with some pale brownish speckling on the interior. This speckling would line up on adjacent feathers to form a sort of broken barring. The tertials were also white with some interior speckling. The primaries had a pale dusky wash along the shaft, but broad white edges and tips. From the underside the primaries looked all white. The bird had a grayish wash on the lower breast and belly, similar in color to what might normally be seen on a Glaucous-winged. Both the uppertail coverts and undertail coverts were distinctly barred. The eye was dark. None of the characters I've just mentioned are out of line for a Glaucous Gull (remember that they are a particularly variable bird in 1st winter). The one mark that I wasn't sure about was the tail. Glaucous Gulls typically have a white tail or, at best, a white tail with some interior speckling. This bird had a solid pale grayish tail with a fairly broad whitish tip. I don't know if this is indicative of some hybrid genes in this bird (Herring Gull?). This bird was extremely cooperative. I was able to approach it to about 15 feet. It seems to look for handouts. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 06 09:00:34 2001 Subject: [SBB] Dark phase hawk -------- Folks: This morning, 2/6/2001, I saw a dark Buteo over the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin. It was spending sometime hovering in the gusty 10-20 mph winds. My observation was probably just before sunrise, and eastern clouds obscured the sun so the lighting was not the best. I had better looks at the underneath than I did the top. Overall, a dark hawk, black or dark brown, both above and below on the head and body. Although my looks were poor, the entire upper mantle seemed black. From beneath the underwing pattern was comprised of black underwing coverts with some white mottling (<5%), while the primaries and secondaries were white or dingy white with black tips. There seemed to a greater extent of white mottling in the primary coverts. The tail top and bottom was a dingy white (not bright like a harrier) with a narrow black terminal band. It is possible a may have missed a very narrow lighter outer terminal band, but it looked to me like the black was on the tip of the feathers. The width of the terminal band appeared half that expected on a Rough-legged Hawk. I could not clearly see gradation in the dingy white of the tail, either top or bottom. I saw no other partial or full bands in the tail. I had no other birds for immediate size comparisons but my impression was that this was a small hawk (I'm embarrased to admit that my first impression was that it was a crow pretending to be a kite). I only have one guide at work so I'll have to check when I get home whether these details fit Harlan's or any of the various dark phase variants of the Rough-legged or Ferruginous hawks or other hawks. But if your out there today, keep an eye out for this dark phase bird. Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Feb 06 09:03:43 2001 Subject: [SBB] Byxbee Park Canada Geese et al -------- On our failed trip to see the Short-eared Owls on Sunday, we checked out the geese as well. Along with the Greater White-fronted Goose (a life bird for me), and the minima Canada Geese, there was another small CAGO with a white ring around its neck. Could this be the leucopareia (or "Aleutian" in Sibley)?? Ruth Troetschler -- Ruth Troetschler -------- Attachment 723 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Feb 06 11:23:03 2001 Subject: [SBB] Hooded Mergansers & Eurasian Widgeon -------- On Monday morning, Feb. 5, the pair of Hooded Mergansers was in the Flood Basin, right across from the fence at the end of Charleston Slough. The male Eurasian Widgeon was in the outfall channel just across the levee. Both birds were hanging close to the bank nearest the levee -- keeping them hidden at times. -- Richard C. Carlson Chairman, Spectrum Economics Palo Alto, CA [[email protected]] 650-324-2701 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 06 14:37:33 2001 Subject: [SBB] Fwd: [MBB] msg from Brian about observer help needed -------- >Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2001 22:53:08 -0800 >To: [[email protected]] >From: Brian Walton <[[email protected]]> >Subject: help in San Mateo County >Mime-Version: 1.0 >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > >Hello: We do a lot of things in the San Mateo County area along the SF Bay >and need some help with observation. If there is anyone who is interested >in raptor observation there as a volunteer one day a week or so please let >me know. Thanks > > >Brian James Walton, Coordinator >Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group >Long Marine Lab, University of California >Santa Cruz, CA 95060 >(831) 459-2466 or 458-3413 messages >(831) 458-3413 or 459-3115 (FAX) > >http://www2.ucsc.edu/~scpbrg > > > Todd Newberry Santa Cruz CA [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Feb 07 08:25:03 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- I took a lunch time drive over to Ed Levin Park today, 7 Feb 01, to look for owls based on directions I received from Les Chibana. Les and his wife showed up shortly after I got there and we searched together. A BARN OWL was roosting in one tree, right where it had been seen earlier (over a pile of pellets it had presumably deposited). I found a second BARN OWL later. After fruitless searching for a Long-eared, we headed to Sandy Wool Lake to look for the sapsucker seen earlier, where we found Mitch Ninotaka and friends already scoping it. It looked very much like a hybrid RED-BREASTED x RED-NAPED that I had seen a few years ago in this general area, and which Mike Rogers had photographed a year or two before I saw it. Upon hearing from Mitch that they had seen the LONG-EARED OWL earlier, we headed back to the Elm Picnic Area and had excellent looks at this owl right where they had it (it had been right under our noses all along, or should I say over our noses). At least 50 WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS overhead was impressive as well. 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 Feb 07 09:19:05 2001 Subject: [SBB] Plover Seen Tuesday, More OOA -------- Hi All, [Skip below if you want to read only about the Sand Plover]. Just wanted to say that Sharon and I had a great weekend Feb 3rd-6th. Have a seat. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - ORANGE COUNTY AND LOS ANGELES Drove to Orange County Saturday morning, just missed the Nutting's Flycatcher on Sunday (tried morning and afternoon), though a few saw it in the afternoon of the 30 or so watchers (including flotilla of six black and white, habited nuns, all with binoculars), then got the NUTTING'S, just the two of us (nobody else was around), Monday morning at 7:30am or so. Just before the sidewalk makes a strong right bend and crosses a stream. Got great Video. The Nutting's Flycatcher is in Irvine, near the campus. So close, but didn't quite have time to call old friend and Stanford roommate Gordo McLaren. Missed Orange Bishop near I-710 and I-405, stagnant ditch adjacent to the 100% concrete L.A. River. Tried twice, once late afternoon - once between tries for the Nutting's, then again Monday morning, after seeing the flycatcher. Later received an email that said to the sender's knowledge, the bishops breed in this patch and others, then all seem to disappear the rest of the year. Does anybody reading this know where any of them winter? SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - HIGH DESERT Up to Lancaster. Missed LeConte's Thrasher Monday afternoon, playing song with new Sony MiniDisc and $12 Radio Shack speaker. This for an hour before and half-hour after sunset, back and forth on the dirt/sand tracks through the Joshua-spotted desert north of Ave. O and Division tee intersection. But got nice video of a sparkling white F-something chase plane with red wingtips and a black stealth fighter joining up low overhead, then roaring away. Overnighted in Palmdale, then got the LeCONTE'S THRASHER, trying twenty minutes before sunrise (S.R. at 6:45am approx), and twenty after. Playing the song finally drew in a pair. They responded with a few single upsweep calls, which we recognized as part of the song we played. They finally appeared high in a sagebrush-type bush for about thirty seconds, clearly checking us out. Got them in scope quickly, then had about thirty seconds of 45X zoom time. Then they went to the ground, not to be seen or heard again by us. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - SAN JOSE Driving back to San Jose, about an hour from home with an ETA of 1:00 pm, Sharon finally says to me, she says, "You KNOW... " And that was all it took. We stopped at home, checked the latest email info on the extremely rare Marin County bird, checked the tides, got lunch and printed out directions, headed up to Stinson Beach. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - STINSON BEACH, MARIN COUNTY Two hours and ten minutes later we tell the security guard we are after the rare bird. He issues us a pass and we enter drive in. A few minutes later, we are pulled off the road in the private residence area, parked along with perhaps twenty cars and thirty people with scopes and binocs. It was about 3:40pm. I asked a birder in a scope, "Are you looking at the magic bird?" "No magic today," he replied. "First day it hasn't been seen." Uh-oh. Some people had been there since 7:30pm. Now THAT'S the birder I want to be. The wind was blowing like crazy, it was cold, and most people had on parkas. The lucky ones with hoods had them up and strung tight. I turned to Sharon, still in the car, and pointed both thumbs down. I walk back to the car, but before I got there, I heard a commotion behind me, turned, and six to eight birders were hustling away, others pointing to friends and mates behind me, motioning "come on." Sharon sees this and gets out, parka'd and ready. We go back (house numbers decreasing), then set up about address 553. There on the sandbar perhaps closest to our shore is a big gull and a small plover. GREATER SAND PLOVER (my opinion. I think the issue is not officially settled yet). This is the strong flyer that came somehow from Eurasia. It would eat a little, then rotate the head straight up, look all around, then go back to eating. Sharon thought it was probably thinking, "Where on EARTH am I?" Steve Miller, who was set up right next to us said," He's checking for harriers and peregrines." Then the plover demonstrated some of that strong flying ability as it flew in the increasing house number direction (to the left) a distance of perhaps 50 yards, then lit on another sandbar, resumed eating. Steve said excitedly, "Did you see those legs trailing behind?" I asked if that's a sign of the type of bird, and he said, "That distinguishes it from the Mongolian (aka Lesser Sand) Plover." Ahh, learn something new every day. I got some video, though not very good, especially with the tough wind - the same wind we battled all the way up Highway 5. What's really cool is that last fall, we visited Turkey for about three weeks, racking up just short of 100 life birds, but never saw either sand plover there. We looked at each other smiled and I said "Lifers 994, 995 and 996!" Ho-hum, just another day at the office. SOUTH AFRICA Juvenile Sand Plover to mother plover: "Where's Dad?" Great birding you guys, 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]] Wed Feb 07 15:31:37 2001 Subject: [SBB] Long-eared and Barn Owls, poss. hybrid sapsucker -------- On Sunday, 2/4/01, at Ed Levin Park, Kay Partelow and Lisa Pavey were birding with a group (enterprising "students" of mine who were not able to get into my class this term). At the Elm area, they found some owl pellets and droppings beneath a pine tree and followed their intuition up to a roosting Long-eared Owl! Then, near Sandy Wool Lake, they found what they ID'd as a Red-naped Sapsucker. They asked me to check out these birds to see if they were on the right track. So, yesterday, 2/6/01, Lisa and I went to these spots. It seems to me that they were pretty accurate with their ID's. We found that there are two Long-eared Owls with a Barn Owl in the next tree, about 30-40 ft. away! The sapsucker, indeed looked like a Red- naped, except for the red in the throat extending down the breast below a black chevron on the chest. This is probably a hybrid, Red- naped x Red-breasted. I checked with Mike Rogers; he had photographed a very similar bird in Nov. 1995 in the same area. If this is the same bird, it's at least 6 years old which is pretty good for a migrant. I went back to recheck them today. Mike Mammoser was there and found a 2nd Barn Owl. There are good numbers of low-flying White-throated Swifts overhead, too. Directions: Take Hwy 237 into the foothills, the road is "Calaveras Rd." when going through Milpitas. Take Downing Rd. on the left and go up to the entry kiosk. Self-pay the $4 entry fee if there is no one on duty. (Rangers DO patrol looking for paid entry receipts.) The owls are in the Elm Area, first right turn after the kiosk. They were roosting in the trees on the far (eastern) edge of the parking lot as you enter down the center of the lot. Look for the pellets and droppings but they could be elsewhere. Judging from other pellet piles throughout this part of the park, they could be anywhere. The sapsucker seems to hang out at the north end of Sandy Wool Lake near the westernmost parking lot. It was seen in a pepper tree along the paved path and it uses other trees in the area, too. Please exercise your best birding etiquette when looking for these birds and go easy on the owls. It would be nice if they stayed as long as possible. Good birding 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]] Thu Feb 08 05:51:08 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- I went to the Baylands at lunch to catch the high tide. It wasn't a super tide, but I did see one BLACK RAIL, along with Mike Rogers. Later Mike and I went to the duck pond, where we found both of the gulls that have been discussed recently. I think (and I believe that Mike agrees) that the Glaucous type is probably some kind of hybrid. Besides the tail pattern I mentioned previously, the bill pattern is not quite right. It is a little fuzzier than one would expect and there is some amount of black bleeding back along the cutting edge. We're not sure what the other parentage is. One possibility is Herring Gull, which might account for the smaller size, as well as the tail and bill pattern. Mike wondered whether the bird was a little too pale for a "Nelson's" Gull, and suggested a Glaucous-winged parent. The small size could be explained by the Glaucous parent being the smaller form, barrovianus. In any event, it's an interesting bird. Check it out. 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 Feb 08 07:23:08 2001 Subject: [SBB] BAEA at Dixon Landing and 880 -------- On Tuesday 2/6 (sorry for the delay) I saw what appeared to be an immature (probably 3rd year) Bald Eagle flying low over the agricultural fields just east of Coyote Creek near Dixon Landing Road. It continued east over the freeway and then disappeared before I could safely stop the truck and get the binoculars on it. In the brief view I caught of the bird I noted a lot of white patchiness on the wings and neck. Robin Dakin Biologist Santa Clara Valley Water District -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 08 08:50:16 2001 Subject: [SBB] red shouldered hawk in los altos -------- Several sightings in the past week or so of a Red-Shouldered hawk or hawks in Los Altos over the Jesuit retreat and University Ave. Yesterday at midday I clearly saw an adult. The bird we saw on the weekend may have been a juvenile or may have just been washed out by the lighting. We've also seen "our" Coopers in the area recently, and a Red-Tail on Saturday. Between the retreat, the Adobe creek line, the Redwood Grove, and many privately established mature trees, it's a pretty good territory. With pressure growing elsewhere, I'm guessing we're going to continue to see more hawks there this year than last... 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]] Thu Feb 08 14:26:10 2001 Subject: [SBB] Two Long-eared Owls and some other county birds -------- All, This morning in Ed Levin Park, while checking out the trees with owl pellets below them, we spotted a LONG-EARED OWL in one of the trees at the east end of the Elm Picnic Area parking lot. Just as the four of us (Frank Vanslager, John Arnold, Donna (?) and I) got into position to view the owl two birds suddenly flew from the tree in different directions. Frank and John then went to check on one owl while Donna and I went to check on the other. To our surprise we found that both were LONG-EARED OWLS (I had expected that one of them would be a Barn Owl). We then went to the parking lot at the northwest corner of Sandy Wool Lake. As we walked toward the south I noted several long-billed shorebirds fly into the open grassy area to the east. Subsequent inspection showed them to COMMON SNIPE, at least twelve of them and at least 150 feet from the lake! We then refound the hybrid RED-NAPED X RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER in a small Pepper Tree alongside the paved path after chasing a poorly seen RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER in the same area. Frank and I then checked out the CCFS ponds. Found an interesting gull in the tidal marsh north of Salt Pond A18. The tide was in and the bird was in the water. The large, "square-headed" gull was an overall beige with translucent white primaries and a two-thirds pink based black tipped bill (a cleanly bicolored bill). The tertials were fairly light with slightly darker centers (rather than being "barred"?). The undertail looked fairly dark but was probably within acceptable limits for a darker first winter Glaucous Gull (I unfortunately have no experience with them). I then lost the bird before I was able to see the tail. I also did not see the legs but I'm sure that they would have been pink. My basic concern with calling this bird a GLGU is with the tertials and almost overly white primaries. Take care, Bob Reiling, 2:28 PM, 2/8/01 -------- Attachment 2.2 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Thu Feb 08 16:37:54 2001 Subject: [SBB] S.C. Co. Bird List as of January 31 -------- Bill Bousman writes: The county list is up to 188 although some of the regulars are missing. I've placed '?' by Black-bellied Plover, Great Horned Owl, and Wrentit, as I know they've been seen. Some less common regulars that may have been seen are Semipalmated Plover, Lewis's Woodpecker, Horned Lark, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, and Lawrence's Goldfinch. Of the 18 new species since 21 Jan, 14 are new, while the other 4 are 'fillers', that is, species that were seen earlier, but I didn't have records for. So, by the end of January we almost made 200 species. With spring we'll quickly get another 30 or 40. After that it will be hard scrabble birding until to find another 60 species to bring us to our usual 290 or 295. The full list can be seen on: South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU) http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/ Kendric ----------------------------------------- Kendric C. Smith, Ph.D. 927 Mears Court Stanford, CA 94305-1041 (650) 493-7210 (voice or fax) [[email protected]] http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/ ------------------------------------------ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Feb 08 17:17:09 2001 Subject: [SBB] BLRA, GL?GU -------- All, As Mike Mammoser noted, after getting a peek at the stealth BLACK RAIL that mysteriously appeared under the bushes without flying in, we were able to study the duck pond "GLAUCOUS GULL" at length today 2/8/01. The bird is not large as far as Glaucous Gulls go, being a tad smaller and slimmer than most of the nearby Glaucous-winged Gulls, with a bit longer primary extension past the tail tip than shown by many Glaucous Gulls. This small size is probably fine for the smaller "barrovianus" race of Glaucous Gull, however. Compared to the first-winter Glaucous Gulls I saw recently in Alviso, which were largely pure white, this bird is still fairly dark. The underparts are mostly solid muddy brown, the tail is uniformly pale brown, and the undertail coverts are barred with a dark brown. This bird is thus on the dark end of what a Glaucous Gull can look like at this time of year. The bill pattern could certainly fit Glaucous, although at close range one can see that the demarcation is actually not super abrupt - there is some blurriness. Of course this may actually not be all that atypical, but I am seldom only 8 feet from a Glaucous Gull to see it! In flight the secondaries showed some tan on parts of each feather. Although the primaries were broadly edged with white the centers were still obviously tan. However, the overall impression of the bird in flight was that of white primaries and secondaries - these areas were not darker than the rest of the wing. As Mike noted on 30 Jan, the most disturbing thing about this bird is the tail, which shows virtually no marbling in the interior and is thus not typical of most Glaucous Gulls. Despite this, however, I tend to think the bird may well be a pure Glaucous Gull. The bill indicates at least some Glaucous genes. Hybrid Glaucous x Herring Gulls that I have seen have had much darker pigment in the primaries, secondaries, and tail, even this late in the year (see http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/6181/nels4.htm and http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/6181/nels2.htm). Sometimes such hybrids can be very dark in these areas, e.g. http://www.martinreid.com/heghyp01.html. A Glaucous-wingedxGlaucous hybrid could explain the plain Glaucous-winged-like tail and the extra dark pigment in the wing. A gull that might represent this hybrid combination is at http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/6181/glgw1.htm. Note that the Baylands bird is paler than this on the tertials, and primaries, and has a much more Glaucous-like bill. It also lacks the Glaucous-winged head shape and bill that enlarges near the gonys. Another bird though to possibly be this hybrid can be seen at http://www.martinreid.com/glgup07.html. However, the duck pond bird has paler tertials and primaries than this and a cleaner bill - and this bird may not even be a hybrid. The presumed hybrid at http://www.martinreid.com/gwglp01.html also has a much different bill pattern. Given all this, I tend to agree with Al Jaramillo, that this bird is likely just a dark Glaucous Gull, but this darkness and the tail pattern make one wonder about whether there are a few other genes in this birds genetic make-up. I took a whole roll of film of this bird, including several flight shots and close-ups of the bill and tail. Better analysis of the upperwing and tail patterns from the photos will probably permit a more definitive ID. 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 Feb 08 18:15:20 2001 Subject: [SBB] Barn Owl at Ed Levin -------- Having dreamed of owls last night, I made a trip to Ed Levin this morning and saw one of the 2 Long-eared Owls reported previously. While searching the trees back along the fence bordering the golf course, a Barn Owl flushed from a small tree in the corner and flew off to the east. Also seen here were Oak Titmouse and Ruby-crowned Kinglet, which tipped me off to the owl. I then proceeded on to Sandy Wool Lake and joined the group w/Frank Vanslager, who provided me with excellent views of the hybrid sapsucker in his Questar. 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]] Fri Feb 09 03:06:06 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Re: Nelson's? -------- ----- Original Message ----- From: "tdj" <[[email protected]]> > A Nelson's is kind of what I was thinking too, but Al E. thinks the > primaries are too dark to be a Nelson's. I'm not aware that Al Eisner has seen this bird. I know that he was looking for it on a couple occasions, though. In actuality, the primaries are paler than would be seen on a "typical" Nelson's (just so people aren't confused, this is a hybrid between Glaucous and Herring). Some good photos of proposed Nelson's Gulls can be seen on Steve Hampton's gull page at: http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/6181/gulls.htm However, the paleness of this bird may be within range for such a hybrid. Check out the bird that Mike Rogers photographed at Newby Island last year at the following URL. It closely resembles the duck pond bird. http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/6181/nels4.htm 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 Feb 09 07:46:16 2001 Subject: [SBB] Re: Nelson's? -------- A Nelson's is kind of what I was thinking too, but Al E. thinks the primaries are too dark to be a Nelson's. Tim ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Mammoser" <[[email protected]]> To: "SBB" <[[email protected]]> Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 5:51 AM Subject: [SBB] : > I went to the Baylands at lunch to catch the high tide. It wasn't a super > tide, but I did see one BLACK RAIL, along with Mike Rogers. Later Mike and I > went to the duck pond, where we found both of the gulls that have been > discussed recently. I think (and I believe that Mike agrees) that the > Glaucous type is probably some kind of hybrid. Besides the tail pattern I > mentioned previously, the bill pattern is not quite right. It is a little > fuzzier than one would expect and there is some amount of black bleeding > back along the cutting edge. We're not sure what the other parentage is. One > possibility is Herring Gull, which might account for the smaller size, as > well as the tail and bill pattern. Mike wondered whether the bird was a > little too pale for a "Nelson's" Gull, and suggested a Glaucous-winged > parent. The small size could be explained by the Glaucous parent being the > smaller form, barrovianus. In any event, it's an interesting bird. Check it > out. > > 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]] > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 09 15:11:09 2001 Subject: [SBB] BLRA, possible GLGU -------- RESENDING THIS TODAY, AS IT SEEMS NOT TO HAVE MADE IT YESTERDAY All, As Mike Mammoser noted, after getting a peek at the stealth BLACK RAIL that mysteriously appeared under the bushes without flying in, we were able to study the duck pond "GLAUCOUS GULL" at length today 2/8/01. The bird is not large as far as Glaucous Gulls go, being a tad smaller and slimmer than most of the nearby Glaucous-winged Gulls, with a bit longer primary extension past the tail tip than shown by many Glaucous Gulls. This small size is probably fine for the smaller "barrovianus" race of Glaucous Gull, however. Compared to the first-winter Glaucous Gulls I saw recently in Alviso, which were largely pure white, this bird is still fairly dark. The underparts are mostly solid muddy brown, the tail is uniformly pale brown, and the undertail coverts are barred with a dark brown. This bird is thus on the dark end of what a Glaucous Gull can look like at this time of year. The bill pattern could certainly fit Glaucous, although at close range one can see that the demarcation is actually not super abrupt - there is some blurriness. Of course this may actually not be all that atypical, but I am seldom only 8 feet from a Glaucous Gull to see it! In flight the secondaries showed some tan on parts of each feather. Although the primaries were broadly edged with white the centers were still obviously tan. However, the overall impression of the bird in flight was that of white primaries and secondaries - these areas were not darker than the rest of the wing. As Mike noted on 30 Jan, the most disturbing thing about this bird is the tail, which shows virtually no marbling in the interior and is thus not typical of most Glaucous Gulls. Despite this, however, I tend to think the bird may well be a pure Glaucous Gull. The bill indicates at least some Glaucous genes. Hybrid Glaucous x Herring Gulls that I have seen have had much darker pigment in the primaries, secondaries, and tail, even this late in the year (see http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/6181/nels4.htm and http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/6181/nels2.htm). Sometimes such hybrids can be very dark in these areas, e.g. http://www.martinreid.com/heghyp01.html. A Glaucous-wingedxGlaucous hybrid could explain the plain Glaucous-winged-like tail and the extra dark pigment in the wing. A gull that might represent this hybrid combination is at http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/6181/glgw1.htm. Note that the Baylands bird is paler than this on the tertials, and primaries, and has a much more Glaucous-like bill. It also lacks the Glaucous-winged head shape and bill that enlarges near the gonys. Another bird though to possibly be this hybrid can be seen at http://www.martinreid.com/glgup07.html. However, the duck pond bird has paler tertials and primaries than this and a cleaner bill - and this bird may not even be a hybrid. The presumed hybrid at http://www.martinreid.com/gwglp01.html also has a much different bill pattern. Given all this, I tend to agree with Al Jaramillo, that this bird is likely just a dark Glaucous Gull, but this darkness and the tail pattern make one wonder about whether there are a few other genes in this birds genetic make-up. I took a whole roll of film of this bird, including several flight shots and close-ups of the bill and tail. Better analysis of the upperwing and tail patterns from the photos will probably permit a more definitive ID. 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 Feb 09 17:19:16 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Re: Nelson's? -------- Al posted something about the bird on SBB on January 30. More information and pictures of this bird is available at http://www.ctbirding.org/nelson's_gull_images.htm. Tim ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Mammoser" <[[email protected]]> To: "SBB" <[[email protected]]> Sent: Friday, February 09, 2001 3:06 AM Subject: Re: [SBB] Re: Nelson's? > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "tdj" <[[email protected]]> > > > > A Nelson's is kind of what I was thinking too, but Al E. thinks the > > primaries are too dark to be a Nelson's. > > I'm not aware that Al Eisner has seen this bird. I know that he was looking > for it on a couple occasions, though. In actuality, the primaries are paler > than would be seen on a "typical" Nelson's (just so people aren't confused, > this is a hybrid between Glaucous and Herring). Some good photos of proposed > Nelson's Gulls can be seen on Steve Hampton's gull page at: > http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/6181/gulls.htm > > However, the paleness of this bird may be within range for such a hybrid. > Check out the bird that Mike Rogers photographed at Newby Island last year > at the following URL. It closely resembles the duck pond bird. > http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/6181/nels4.htm > > 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]] > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 09 18:08:22 2001 Subject: [SBB] Re: Nelson's? -------- Tim Ryan wrote: > A Nelson's is kind of what I was thinking too, but Al E. thinks the > primaries are too dark to be a Nelson's. > > Tim > > > I went to the Baylands at lunch to catch the high tide. It wasn't a super > > tide, but I did see one BLACK RAIL, along with Mike Rogers. Later Mike and > I > > went to the duck pond, where we found both of the gulls that have been > > discussed recently. I think (and I believe that Mike agrees) that the > > Glaucous type is probably some kind of hybrid. Besides the tail pattern I > > mentioned previously, the bill pattern is not quite right. It is a little > > fuzzier than one would expect and there is some amount of black bleeding > > back along the cutting edge. We're not sure what the other parentage is. > One > > possibility is Herring Gull, which might account for the smaller size, as > > well as the tail and bill pattern. Mike wondered whether the bird was a > > little too pale for a "Nelson's" Gull, and suggested a Glaucous-winged > > parent. The small size could be explained by the Glaucous parent being the > > smaller form, barrovianus. In any event, it's an interesting bird. Check > it > > out. > > > > Mike Mammoser I think Tim is confusing the two birds recently reported. His private comment to me was about the Gull I had seen (at the time, Mike Mammoser hadn't yet reported his Glaucous or GlaucousX?, and I haven't seen that bird).. I responded that the bill didn't match either Herring or Glaucous, but was like Glaucous-Winged's in shape. I don't recall what I said about the primaries (I had looked at some references, but have forgotten by now). 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]] Fri Feb 09 18:10:44 2001 Subject: [SBB] Re: Nelson's? -------- Mike Mammoser wrote: > I'm not aware that Al Eisner has seen this bird. I know that he was looking > for it on a couple occasions, though. In actuality, the primaries are paler > than would be seen on a "typical" Nelson's (just so people aren't confused, > this is a hybrid between Glaucous and Herring). Some good photos of proposed > Nelson's Gulls can be seen on Steve Hampton's gull page at: > http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/6181/gulls.htm Yes, that's what I'm sure now I said about the primaries, but that time referring to the Glaucous-Winged type bird. 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 Feb 10 14:46:03 2001 Subject: [SBB] Long-eared Owl -------- All, Greetings! A quick note to let you know that, after my unsuccessful attempt for the LONG-EARED OWL at Ed Levin Park on Thursday, I was able to find it this morning (Saturday) at about 9:45. It was originally about 25 feet up in one of the denser spots in a pine tree near the northeastern corner of the Elm parking area. The tree has three very large rocks next to it. It may have been in this same tree on Thursday because there were agitated passerines in the tree all Thursday afternoon but I couldn't find anything. Today, about ten other birders were there to see it before it flushed (possibly by a Scrub Jay but also possibly by our movement which was kept to a minimum) and flew several trees down. It again flew and eventually settled on the outside of a pine tree between the paved trail and the fence along the golf course southeast of the parking area (across from the first picnic table that has alot of whitewash and pellets). It stayed on the exposed limb for the next hour and a half or so allowing for beautiful scope views and photos. We left it at about 11:45, still on the same branch. Also in the area were two roosting BARN OWLs and two GREAT-HORNED OWLs. Our attempt for the Red-naped x Red-breasted Sapsucker was unsuccessful although I did see it on Thursday afternoon feeding in the pine, oak, and pepper trees near the north end of Sandy Wool Lake. Today, we found several RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERs in the general area. The hybrid sapsucker was probably laying low since there was a cold rain coming down. Other birds in the area included a GOLDEN EAGLE overhead, WESTERN BLUEBIRDs, HERMIT THRUSHes, and the usual cast of avian characters. Good birding to you! Jim Danzenbaker San Jose, CA 408-264-7582 (408-ANI-SKUA) [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Feb 10 15:12:41 2001 Subject: [SBB] Hybrid(s) -------- I started today at the Elms area of Ed Levin Co. Park, where I was one of the throng viewing the Long-Eared and other Owls already mentioned by Jim Danzenbaker. Three nocturnal owl species in one place without actually going owling! Selasphorus Hummmingbirds were readily heard, but the rain limited my attempts to actually see and identify one; however, I gather several Allen's males were seen by others both today and two days ago. A noon visit to Mountainview Shoreline Lake turned up what I believe to be a male Greater Scaup X Tufted Duck with the Scaup flock. The bird was comparable in size to other Greater Scaup here, but the back color was a considerably darker gray - about intermediate between a normal Scaup and the black of a male Tufted Duck. The head was largely rounded, Greater-like, with a green gloss, but there was a hint of a bump at the upper rear, where a real Tufted Duck would show some tuft. (It's possible I was imagining this.) The bill was just as expected for a Tufted Duck: the black extended across the entire tip, not just the nail; and there was a prominent white band just behing this tip. Any alternatives to that hybrid hypothesis? Finally, I went over to the Palo Alto Duck Pond, where I found the "Glaucous Gull" which has been the subject of much discussion lately. I actually saw the bird on Wednesday, after an unsuccessful attempt at Black Rail. [No-one saw Black Rail that day, although the tide, while not im- pressive, was probably high enough; I suspected it or they had snuck in withou flying or moving visibly across the gap, which is just what Mike(s) described for Thursday.] I didn't have time to really study it then, and I omitted mentioning it in my post in the Nelson's Gull thread because it wasn't rele- vant to my post. (That is, I oversimplified, although "lied" is another possible term.) The barring on the rear belly, undertail coverts, and rump are darker than I've ever seen on a first-year Glaucous (and darker than the "dark" bird shown by Sibley), so if this is a Glaucous it is a most interes- ting one to me. On both visits I was a bit concerned by a slight fuzziness to the demarcation on the bill. The rest of what I saw pretty well matches the most recent report by Mike Rogers (I didn't note much about the secondaries, however). I would add that the primaries looked quite white from below, but from above showed more tan than white; I had several fleeting impressions that the tail was also rather white from below, although quite evidently tan above. I haven't yet had a chance to look over the reference pictures for which Mike provided links, so I'm reserving judgment. All I can say is that this indi- vidual was outside my past experience. 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 Feb 10 16:51:22 2001 Subject: [SBB] SCL ducks and allies -------- A group from my class ducked out today in search of South Bay Ducks. We started at Almaden Reservoir with the WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at the turnout .3 mi. beyond the dam. From this location we saw 2 SPOTTED SANDPIPERS along the shore of the reservoir. Then we started looking for ducks. We counted 83 WOOD DUCKs along the far side. We drove further up the road and counted another 35 WOOD DUCKs in a different location. So, we had a total of 118. At Almaden Lake we found 2 COMMON MERGANSERS. At Oka Ponds, we found 2 HOODED MERGANSERS, in the creek and a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE flew over with a small flock of CANADA GOOSE. There was a bunch of CEDAR WAXWING activity in the back parking area to one of the Sun(?) buildings by the Mtn. View Forebay and Shoreline Lake. Nothing exceptional was on the lake. 8 BLACK SKIMMERS were on the island in Charleston Slough. At the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin, we found 5 male and 2 female BLUE-WINGED TEAL in the large central pond seen from the beginning of the Charleston Slough trail. We found another pair in the rushes to the left of the turnout along the frontage road. At Byxbee Park, we couldn't locate Short-eared or Burrowing Owls, nor could we find any small forms among the Canada Geese. At the duck pond, we observed a gull that seemes to match the description of the pale gull that's been the subject of many SBB posts. I can't add anything to the discussion except to say that I got some photos of it, in and out of the water. I will post them when I can have them digitized. We saw a total of 20 species of anseriforms, missing or not getting to the known locations for Snow Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Redhead, Barrow's Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser. If one were enterprising enough, you could also make a circuit up to Pt. Reyes, Lake Merritt, Monterey and a few other spots and see 35 species of waterfowl. 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]] Sat Feb 10 17:54:28 2001 Subject: [SBB] 2.10.01 Birds -------- Hugh Cotter and I forayed into the South Bay despite less-than-enticing weather. We started at Lake Cunningham and, after a bit of a search, did find the now-adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. More on this later. Also of interest were a ROSS'S GOOSE, a SNOW GOOSE, a GREEN-WINGED TEAL and both TREE and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS. Might I assume the swallows winter here; they don't in SF? We joined the throng for fine look at the LONG-EARED OWL at Ed Levin and then checked the Alviso Marina and scoped futilely in the general direction of Cargill from the levee in Alviso for you-know-what. Mark -- Mark Eaton mailto:[[email protected]] SFBirds Web Page http://home.pacbell.net/mweaton Golden Gate Audubon Web Page (note new URL) http://www.goldengateaudubon.org Subscribe to the GGAS Conservation Mailing List at http://list.audubon.org/archives/ca-ggas-conservation.html "Under no circumstances was I to contact the penguin scientist." Jane Bledsoe -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 10 18:30:58 2001 Subject: [SBB] White-winged Scoter -------- While doing a scoter survey along the Bay this morning we found two white-winged scoters just south of the west end of the San Mateo bridge. We saw both the white wing patch and the small white eye patch on the male. -- 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]] Sat Feb 10 19:23:02 2001 Subject: [SBB] Coyote Hills Regional Park, Sat. -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, Today (Sat.) we had a class field trip to Coyote Hills Regional Park. Of course it rained most of the time, but we still saw a few interesting birds. Best one was a gorgeous ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK that was perched across a flooded field near the entrance kiosk. It was still there when we left. The flooded fields to either side of the entrance kiosk also had flocks of dabbling ducks and a good variety of shorebirds, including 1 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 2 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 1 WILLET, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, DUNLIN, and LEAST SANDPIPERS. A few AMERICAN PIPITS were foraging among the sandpipers. Near our starting point (Quarry parking area) we also saw several TREE SWALLOWS pass by. We ended the trip early because of the downpour, but it was really birdy and on a nicer day we would have covered more ground. Even with the rain we saw numerous raptors. Earlier in the morning I watched a WHITE-TAILED KITE perch and eat a vole. He nibbled off the head in bite-sized pieces, then swallowed the rest of the body in one big gulp. 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 Feb 11 08:33:22 2001 Subject: [SBB] BAND-TAILS and how 1 person made a difference -------- When I left last week, I was at 2-3 BAND-TAILED PIGEONS at a time. This AM...I count 45! One Person CAN make a difference I'm just back from a week on New Providence Island (Nassau, Bahamas). I would like to share with you what ONE birder has accomplished there. I was with my 2 daughters who resist birding. So, I called the Bahamas Tourist line and asked if they knew of someone who would take me birding for a morning. They gave me the number of Paul Dean. I was told he was the best birder in the Bahamas. (A title he doesn't refute.) Paul had graduated from high school when he first looked closer at a "chippy" (the local name given to any small bird.) He was curious about the bird and went back to his old high school, to his science teacher, to see if this teacher could tell him what bird it was. Instead, the science teacher loaned him a bird book and told him to figure it out himself. He did, it was a YELLOW THROATED WARBLER (of which I saw many.) Paul said he was then "hooked". He'd see a bird, go back to his old science teacher, look it up etc. Two years ago Paul retired from his job at an airline. He is now an exceptional birder. He knew construction was destroying a lot of the native habitat. He wanted to help birds. New Providence Island has NO wildlife refuge area. Over the years Paul had discovered what he felt was the best migration stopping off spot on the island. He told me during migration there are thousands of birds there. It was a pig farm. The owner had been a jockey and made some money that way. He allowed Paul to enter his property to bird. Picture this (as I saw it).several acres of land.totally fenced.on one side is a small lake with reeds. The property has 3 very large chicken houses; the owner is also a "chicken farmer." The area has minimal vegetation having been eaten by lots of goats. There were pigs everywhere and lots of piglets. The barren ground was littered and looked like a garbage dump. There were hundreds of empty cartridge shells from people shooting on the property. The owner, his sons, and friends had shot at birds for years. Two years ago when Paul decided to make the pig farm a better place for birds he decided to do it in a positive way. He never asked the owner to change anything. What he did was to take bird books with him. After Paul had birded the area to see what was there, he would seek out the owner - bird book in hand. He'd show the owner a bird he'd just seen and talk to him about the bird. He would tell him that this bird had nested in the Arctic and was on its was to Venezuela (or whatever) - that it was stopping in the Bahamas, on the pig farm, to refuel. Paul repeated this time and time again, week after week. Eventually the man would say to him: "Hey I noticed a different looking bird, what was it? Where'd it come from?" A year passed. One day the man said: "I'm thinking about getting rid of the goats. Maybe some grass would be good for the birds. I'm thinking of planting mango trees. Would the birds like them?" So, the goats are now gone. The slow process of picking up the garbage so the mango trees can be planted has begun. One day the owner said to Paul. "I told my friends not to come here anymore and shoot the birds.they've traveled too far to get here.doesn't seem right to kill them." The shooting has stopped. Paul also has had talks with the Prime Minister pointing out that there is no Wildlife Refuge area on New Providence Island. Just this year, the Prime Minister in his address mentioned, for the first time, needing to protect wildlife. Paul hopes to accomplish a lot working with the Prime Minister. But, that door has just become "ajar." (Better than closed.) During migration the Bahamas are a major refueling stop for birds. One person CAN make a difference.thanks to Paul Dean, The Bahamas will be a better place. I hope to return in 2 years to see the revised Pig Farm. Maybe this tale will inspire someone in the South Bay..SCVAS and other organizations are good.but just one person CAN make a difference. 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 5.8 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Sun Feb 11 09:47:33 2001 Subject: [SBB] Stinson Beach Plover -------- Do any South Bay Birders plan to try for this plover in the next few days and wish to carpool? 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]] Sun Feb 11 11:35:06 2001 Subject: [SBB] Red Shouldered takes pigeon?? -------- Yesterday at midday I had a brief glimpse of a medium sized hawk which had obviously just caught a pigeon (I missed the grab, but a few other pigeons were still fleeing in a generally chaotic scene). We were in the truck, driving NW on Alma, in downtown Palo Alto. The hawk was laboring to carry the bird, so what I saw of its flight was not what I'm used to seeing for any bird. The one clear mark was the distinctly warm reddish-brown of its upper shoulders/wings--a color I associate with Red Shouldered Hawks. Do they take pigeons? On the wing? (or maybe it snuck up on some perching birds?) One of our books says Red Shouldereds sometimes take small songbirds, but a pigeon isn't really small! The more usual candidate would be a Coopers, and my husband has seen a pair in that area: could a juvenile show such a _warm_ color? Thoughts? Thanks, 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]] Sun Feb 11 13:03:27 2001 Subject: [SBB] Owls -------- Hi Birders- I spent nearly three hours at the Elm Grove Picnic Area in Ed Levin Park this morning. When I arrived only Vicki Silvas-Young and Tom Goodman were there. By the time I left nearly 20 other birders had come and gone. Around 10:30, Dave and Merry Haveman and I heard what was probably a Great-horned Owl call once from out over the golf course. At 11, I drove up to the lake, and returned at 11:30 and parked by the restroom. I opened the car door to the screeching of a Barn Owl close by. When I was zeroing in on the sound, a Barn Owl flew out one side of a pine, and a Long-eared Owl flew out the other. I was unable to locate where the Long-eared went, so I could not alert the five other birders, who were in the Northeast corner of the park and oblivious to what had just occured. So, I flew on home. Other birds of interest in the area were White-throated Swifts, Western Bluebirds, and Selasphorus hummingbirds. Jack Cole __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://personal.mail.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 Feb 11 13:36:54 2001 Subject: [SBB] Glaucous-type gull at EEC -------- A trip to the EEC at 1100 today turned up a large pale gull on the first island out from the dike. It was at least as large as a Herring Gull, with a bi-colored bill (black 1/3 tip and 2/3 pinkish). The head , neck, throat and chest were mainly white and the eye appeared mostly dark. However, the mantle and secondaries showed a fair amount of gray. I have no experience with Glaucous Gull, except for that maddening bird at the Palo Alto Duck Pond, so if anyone checks out this EEC bird please share your thoughts on 1st-winter or 2nd-winter plumage. There were 13 Mew Gulls at the Alviso Marina. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 12 06:46:03 2001 Subject: [SBB] WTSP and AMKE -------- On Sunday morning I checked out the snowline on Mt Umunhum Rd and the many Wood Ducks on the Almaden Reservoir. I also stopped to get a better look at the Tan-striped White-throated Sparrow in the White-crowned flock at their favorite spot 0.3-mile from the Dam. I had decent looks while I remained in the car during some light sprinkles. Unfortunately, one of the larger local vehicles came by and scared the flock into the bushes. In another second or two, a male American Kestrel flew out of those bushes with a bird in its talons! When the Kestrel stopped for a moment on a nearby telephone pole, I could see that it did, indeed, seem to have taken a small Zonatrichia Sparrow. But it flew before I could determine which one. The flock never returned. Frank Vanslager -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Feb 12 08:53:59 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Red Shouldered takes pigeon?? -------- According to the Marin Breeding Bird Atlas, RSHA will take birds, although a minor part of their diet. It specifically mentions small to medium sized birds, and then goes on to say that RSHA's will "transport, sometimes drag or eat in place, surprisingly heavy prey, such as small herons, full grown squirrels, ducks, opossums and muskrats." Somewhat inconclusive but sounds like a possibility. Leda Beth Gray Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society > From: amphibian <[[email protected]]> > Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2001 11:35:06 -0800 > To: [[email protected]] > Subject: [SBB] Red Shouldered takes pigeon?? > > Yesterday at midday I had a brief glimpse of a medium sized hawk which had > obviously just caught a pigeon (I missed the grab, but a few other pigeons > were still fleeing in a generally chaotic scene). We were in the truck, > driving NW on Alma, in downtown Palo Alto. The hawk was laboring to carry > the bird, so what I saw of its flight was not what I'm used to seeing for > any bird. The one clear mark was the distinctly warm reddish-brown of its > upper shoulders/wings--a color I associate with Red Shouldered Hawks. Do > they take pigeons? On the wing? (or maybe it snuck up on some perching > birds?) One of our books says Red Shouldereds sometimes take small > songbirds, but a pigeon isn't really small! The more usual candidate would > be a Coopers, and my husband has seen a pair in that area: could a juvenile > show such a _warm_ color? Thoughts? > > Thanks, > 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]] > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 12 09:25:29 2001 Subject: [SBB] RE: Coyote Hills (Belated) Suppliment to John Mariani's Report of 2/10/01 -------- Greetings South-bay-birders, In reading John's account I realized several folks may want to come to Alameda Co. to Coyote Hills RP at least to find the Rough-legged Hawk. This bird was in a small controversy, when it was I.D.'d as imm. Bald Eagle a few weeks ago. Although we know it was correctly I.D'd back on 23 Oct. 2000. The Field Trip I was on was Friday, 9 Feb. with my wife's 6th graders. Rain also was intermittent and limited where we could go. We found the same species mentioned in the Mariani report beginning with the kids watching a Great Blue Heron stalk and impale (with lots of grass) a pocket gopher and kill and eat it. In addition a few things to be looked for include a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Rock Wren (rare in ALA Co.) to be found around the south gravel parking lot. At the Coyote Hills Regional Park (not to be confused with the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National; Wildlife Refuge - south of Hwy 84) Interpretive Center visitors can ask to see the new Hummingbird and Butterfly Garden fenced in behind the building. Here are several maintained bird feeders and birdbaths with lots of small land birds. We found California Quail, California Thrasher, Hermit Thrush, and. Fox Sparrow. Although Anna's Hummingbird was here this day, this is another good spot for early Salasphorus hummers. We couldn't check on the Great Horned Owl nest above the Center at Hoot Hollow picnic area. The ponds are full of lots of waterfowl, but some of the boardwalks go onto muddy or flooded trails. Ask a Ranger at the Center first. The earlier report (about 2 1/2 weeks ago) of Christy Nelson's (?) Northern Waterthrush along the trail that heads north from the entrance Kiosk was successfully checked by John Luther (fide) and could very well still be there. More about bird reports at Coyote Hills may be linked from the OAS Web site: < http://members.aol.com/wnscoggins/oas.html > Happy Birding, Phil Gordon [[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 Feb 12 11:28:29 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sunday afternoon birding -------- Hi: This is my first post to the list, so forgive me if I breach protocol. I've been a subscriber for about a month. I really appreciate the expertise available here- it's allowed me to see birds I never would have found on my own. Thanks! That aside, I ventured out Sunday to see the wood ducks at Almaden reservoir and the owls at Ed Levin. I found the wood ducks, but unfortunately it was raining pretty hard at the time so I didn't get great views. I was able to find a pair of Great Horned owls at the Elm area of Ed Levin around 3 pm. They were located in the upper branches of a eucalyptus tree bordering the golf course and straight back from the parking lot. I was not able to find the short-eared owls, despite help from some other list readers (Kathy, Amy, John and Agnes). After Ed Levin, I went to the Mission College campus to photograph burrowing owls I noticed recently. The owls are located in vacant fields adjacent to and across from the tennis courts. To my horror, last week Mission started plowing these fields in preparation for some construction project. While I was there, I spoke to a gentleman from the Sierra Club that told me Mission wants to build a new gymnasium, and that the college is also actively excluding owls from the area as a part of the construction. According to the Sierra Club rep, a burrowing owl census conducted by professors at San Jose State shows a decline from 40 to 17. The future of the remainder is questionable. I personally know of eight birds there, but I have not explored the entire area. [there are also at least 50 jackrabbits in the same field....]. John Trone -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 12 16:43:19 2001 Subject: [SBB] Ed Levin -------- Hello all; Along with most of the rest of you, I too was at Ed Levin Saturday AM doing my weekly survey. I had hoped to sneak a peek for the Owls. I wasn't prepared for the crew that was already camped in place. Dave Cook and others graciously pointed out our elusive Long-eared Owl. Nice bird! We were very glad to have gotten a chance to see it. Found the X sap-sucker at the back of the parking lot south-east of Sandy Wool Lake later Saturday afternoon. The poor weather and rain apparently kept down most of the usual list of suspects--only got 52 this trip. Since it and the other birds of special interest have already been discussed, I'll pass on those. Most notable find: after not finding it for the previous 4 weeks, I called the BURROWING OWL gone for the season. Wrong! Found it again, in the usual place amongst the ground squirrel burrows about mid-way along the west side of the road the hang-glider folks use to get from the parking lot to the Minnis Ranch House road. Later all, Dusty -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 12 17:24:31 2001 Subject: [SBB] Quail in snow (Skyline) -------- Greetings, Once again writing from southern San Mateo County very near the border of Santa Clara County, 2/3 mile west of Skyline Blvd. I thought people might be interested in hearing about today's "snow birds". Here at 2400 feet we had 6-7 inches of snow by noon. The only birds we saw while it was snowing were DARK-EYED JUNCO (approx 30), CALIFORNIA QUAIL (14) and RAVENS (6). We also saw TURKEY prints in the snow. We're continually delighted by the tenacity of the juncos, and the fact they're out in force on the ground feeding no matter the weather - even during one of our Winter heavy rain & wind storms. After the snow stopped we watched two REDTAIL HAWKS (they're here year around as well). Yesterday (Sunday) an OSPREY flew over, from the direction of Long Ridge Open Space Preserve towards Alpine Pond. The last few winters I've had several sightings of osprey around and near Alpine Pond. Georgia Stigall (home list at: http://www.nativehabitats.org/homelist.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 Feb 12 18:06:24 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Quail in snow (Skyline) -------- We're just over the ridge a bit south of Georgia's location on Skyline. It seems that the snow does little to stop the small birds from getting out to feed. We also had many junco, along with a VARIED THRUSH, sooty Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Oak Titmouse, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Steller's Jays and even an Anna's Hummingbird. We had about 3.5-4 inches of snow before it started to melt. Les Chibana On Monday, February 12, 2001 5:24 PM, [[email protected]] wrote: >Greetings, > >Once again writing from southern San Mateo County very near the border of >Santa Clara County, 2/3 mile west of Skyline Blvd. I thought people might be >interested in hearing about today's "snow birds". Here at 2400 feet we had >6-7 inches of snow by noon. The only birds we saw while it was snowing were >DARK-EYED JUNCO (approx 30), CALIFORNIA QUAIL (14) and RAVENS (6). We also >saw TURKEY prints in the snow. We're continually delighted by the tenacity >of the juncos, and the fact they're out in force on the ground feeding no >matter the weather - even during one of our Winter heavy rain & wind storms. >After the snow stopped we watched two REDTAIL HAWKS (they're here year around >as well). > >Yesterday (Sunday) an OSPREY flew over, from the direction of Long Ridge >Open Space Preserve towards Alpine Pond. The last few winters I've had >several sightings of osprey around and near Alpine Pond. > >Georgia Stigall -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 13 06:17:29 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- Yesterday, 12 Feb 01, I checked a wet area along the west side of Santa Teresa, north of Bailey Ave. I had about 700 MALLARDS, 50 AMERICAN WIGEON, and small numbers of GADWALL (12), GREEN-WINGED TEAL (4), and CINNAMON TEAL (3). 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 Feb 13 13:38:51 2001 Subject: [SBB] County birding -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I had an adult male Merlin on a power tower located alongside Stevens Creek just east of the Shoreline overflow parking area. Later we had an adult Golden Eagle a couple power towers north. Didn't see either bird leave. A couple Semipalmated Plovers and a single Greater Yellowlegs were in the mitigation pond mud flats. Frank subsequently located good numbers of Northern Pintail on the eastern edge of Crittenden Marsh (these being hard to find lately). Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:45 PM, 2/13/01 -------- Attachment 737 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Feb 13 16:19:15 2001 Subject: [SBB] Stinson Beach Plover Still Being Seen -------- Please forgive this out of the area posting, but for those with an interest the possible Greater Sand Plover was seen today at 9AM in the previously described location in Stinson Beach. An adult male Cape May Warbler is also in the area and was seen feeding in bottlebrush trees about 1/4 mile from the plover. Also, the first winter male King Eider continues at Chimney Rock in Point Reyes along with several Harlequin Ducks and at least two Red-necked Grebes. I missed the Long-tailed Ducks. 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]] Wed Feb 14 07:30:15 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- While taking a walk outside work today I noticed some whitewash and Rock Dove feathers scattered about underneath a pine tree. I stopped and peered up into the branches, trying to find the source of this litter. After a few seconds, an immature COOPER'S HAWK burst from the foliage, carrying its prize, and sped off across the parking lot. 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 Feb 14 15:03:26 2001 Subject: [SBB] IMBD -------- Hello Birders. If any of you perchance give talks about migratory birds, or know anyone local that could give a one hour talk about migratory birds and diminishing habitat, etc etc, please e-mail me at [[email protected]] I'm attempting to set up a lecture at the EEC for International Migratory Bird Day on May 12. A small stipend would be available. Thanks for your help! Sharon Lee __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://personal.mail.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 Feb 14 15:12:30 2001 Subject: [SBB] BUOW at EEC -------- Hi birders, I spent a couple of hours enjoying a relaxing lunch break in the beautiful outdoors away from work. I went to the Environmental Education Center in Alviso. While there, I heard Virginia Rail and SORA in the Artesian Slough (not unusual). I saw at least three Ruby-crowned Kinglets, only one Fox Sparrow, large numbers of White Crowned and Golden Crowned Sparrows in the fields surrounding the center. In the pond were Eared Grebes and Aechmophorus (probably Western)Grebes. On the road into the Education Center a Loggerhead Shrike and a Burrowing Owl were spotted. The owl was near the three closely spaced power poles just before the railroad tracks. Happy birding! Karl We change best when we learn from the past and plan for the future, while enjoying the present. _SJ _______________________________________________________ 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 Feb 14 19:36:28 2001 Subject: [SBB] Vasona Lake. -------- I needed to finish a design proposal today, so I grabbed the powerbook and headed off to Vasona for some time away from interruptions (working from home does not mean you have to be in the house). I took the glasses and scope with me, of course. Highlight of the morning were two yellow-billed loons, which cooperated fully, including a couple of flights so I could see them in the air as well as water. One hawk (red tailed, I think), canada geese and the usual suspects were around as well (and I added a new life lister, the coot...) Two species I'm not absolutely positive of There were a couple of diving ducks I never Ided, but were definitely ducks. I also had a couple of other divers that looked to be grebes (pied-bill?), but I could be wrong. They had the beak band, though, and the feathering matched my guide. The other was a duck of some sort, a pair, that seemed to be a musocvy variant, possibly a hybrid. They had a heavy red mask over the facial area, but had a black feathering, and the male actually had feathers in the wings sticking up (think frill canary), which is why I'm wondering if it's a hybrid. The birds looked -- funny. It was definitely a pair, because they were, oh, proving it... Pretty quiet on the lake, but I went for the loons and the quiet, and since I was working, I wasn't moving around, but looking at what came by during breaks. (yes, my boss knows. I do my best system design out on a picnic table) Highlight of the day was a pair of domestic geese that were convinced I had food and didn't want to believe me when I said I didn't. They took off when a ranger wandered by before anything happened, but they were clearly moving in... -- Chuq Von Rospach, Internet Gnome [<[[email protected]]> = <[[email protected]]> = <[[email protected]]>] Yes, yes, I've finally finished my home page. Lucky you. Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 14 23:52:26 2001 Subject: [SBB] More on vasona -------- Folks -- Doug wrote me privately about my loons, noting that they're very rare in this area. I've gone back over my notes, and checked against a second guide, and to be honest -- the loons I saw today still seem to be yellow-bills, not commons (they were clearly too large to be pacific loons, these birds were big). Now, this wouldn't be the first time mr. "knows just enough to be dangerous" botched an ID, so I'm bringing the question up to the list, in hopes someone who knows vasona better than I do can clarify. The two guides I checked show the common's winter beak as pale, and the birds I saw today had clearly yellow to dark-yellow beaks. I still think after further research they look lik yellow-bills to me, but I'll happily defer to my betters here. Am I misidentifying a common loon here? -- Chuq Von Rospach, Internet Gnome [<[[email protected]]> = <[[email protected]]> = <[[email protected]]>] Yes, yes, I've finally finished my home page. Lucky you. I tried to get a life once, but they were out of stock. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 15 00:13:43 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] More on vasona -------- On 2/14/01 11:52 PM, "Chuq Von Rospach" <[[email protected]]> wrote: > Now, this wouldn't be the first time mr. "knows just enough to be dangerous" > botched an ID, so I'm bringing the question up to the list I went and got a third guide, and answered my own question. Thanks to the Audobon orange book, it's clear now these are common's. The birds I saw were similar to P77 plate 2, not P76 plate one, blackish, not brown, and without the color dots on the side of the head. With yellowish beaks. I missed the dots earlier. I need a job where I work less and bird more, obviously... (thanks to Doug Aguillard for walking me through this....) -- Chuq Von Rospach, Internet Gnome [<[[email protected]]> = <[[email protected]]> = <[[email protected]]>] Yes, yes, I've finally finished my home page. Lucky you. Q: Did God really create the world in seven days? A: He did it in six days and nights while living on cola and candy bars. On the seventh day he went home and found out his girlfriend had left him. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 15 13:50:01 2001 Subject: [SBB] Los Gatos Creek Park - 2/15/01 -------- My usual lunch spot at Los Gatos Creek Park was more interesting today than most days. A Peregrine Falcon stopped in and picked up a small duck. I didn't see the falcon hit the duck, but saw the commotion it caused with the gulls on the island in the main lagoon. A number of gulls pursued the Peregrine. I suspect the unfortunate prey was a coot. The falcon carried it off and landed in one of the pine trees across highway 17 to eat. Secondly, one of the coots in the usual flock had gotten caught it fishing line and appeared to have some sort of hook in its mouth. It was flailing about quite a bit. I talked to the ranger working at the park and alerted him to the situation, but he said there was little he could do unless the bird came on shore, in which case he'd try to catch it and free it from the fishing line. Does anyone know what resources are available to the rangers at these county parks for rescuing a bird in this type of situation? Is there any other organization that should be contacted that would be able to help out? If anyone has any information, I'd appreciate a private e-mail. Thanks in advance. Andy Pedler - I-Cube Inc. Design Engineer Phone: (408) 341-1888 x192 Fax: (408) 341-1899 http://www.icube.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Feb 15 14:55:59 2001 Subject: [SBB] COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD -------- All, Just a quick note to let you know that I heard a displaying COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD at abot 12:30 this afternoon (Thursday) on Los Alamitos Creek Trail near Camden Avenue. Take Almaden Expressway south from Rte 85 for about 2 miles and go left (east) on Camden Avenue for about 3/4 miles. Parking for the trail is on the left. Cross the wooden bridge, and look for the hummingbird between the trail and the newly constructed play area after the bend north on the trail. I did not see the bird (I was walking without binoculars) but heard it quite well. I returned at 2 pm to try to find it with binoculars but could not locate it nor did I hear it. However, it could still be around or it may have moved northward. There are at least four ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDs in the area but I did not hear any Allen's Hummingbirds. Other birds seen along the trail included a MERLIN where Winfield crosses the trail and an OSPREY and GLAUCOUS GULL at Almaden Lake. The Glaucous Gull was on the rock/gravel bar at the southern end of the lake. Other birds along the trail included the regulars: WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, OAK TITMOUSE, RED-SHOULDERED and RED-TAILED HAWK, LINCOLN'S SPARROW in the reeds south of the lake, COMMON MERGANSER, etc. Good birding to you...... Jim Danzenbaker San Jose, CA 408-264-7582 (408-ANI-SKUA) [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Feb 16 07:29:49 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- I took a lunch time walk along San Tomas Aquino Creek in Santa Clara, finding 2 female COMMON MERGANSERS at Scott Blvd and a rufous morph RED-TAILED HAWK soaring over Mission College Blvd. 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 Feb 16 07:53:30 2001 Subject: [SBB] Ferruginous Hawk -------- Hi all, Joanna Cezniak and I observed a light-phase adult FERRUGINOUS HAWK circling above fields east of the intersection of Cochrane Rd. and Highway 101 (near San Martin) yesterday (2/14/01) at around 10:30 am. good birding, Tom Ryan -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Feb 16 10:25:53 2001 Subject: [SBB] Fwd: The Great Backyard Bird Count -------- forwarding this from Allison Wells of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornith. Les -- Les Chibana List Bureaucrat South-Bay-Birds List [[email protected]] -------------------------------------- Greetings CA birders- A reminder that the Great Backyard Bird Count is going on right now, through February 19. We need your observations! Given the number of species, the size of your state, and the number of very active birders living there, CA is very important to this count. Please let us know what birds you saw in your yard this morning, from your car ride on your way to work, at the office or other location by entering your sightings at Check the site often for the latest results! Allison Wells Communications and Outreach Director Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 254-2475 http://birds.cornell.edu [[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 Feb 16 17:11:24 2001 Subject: [SBB] partial albino American Coot -------- All, Yesterday (Thursday 2/15) there was a very unusual AMERICAN COOT on Salt Evaporator Pond A-4. This bird's wings, back, head, and back of the neck are plain white, while the rest of the body (flanks, breast, tail) apparently is the usual black. The bill is the usual white. What struck me was that only the upperparts seemed to be exhibiting the white, as if someone had dumped flour over the top of the bird! Robin Dakin and I got some good looks at the bird through the scope, except we didn't see it fly, and it never swam closer than about 75 meters away. If the bird is still on A-4, it can be seen from the Bay Trail that runs along the south edge with a good scope. Unfortunately, the levees that surround the rest of the pond are property of Santa Clara Valley Water District and closed to the public. (Sorry!) We also had 2 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS near the southwest edge of the pond. Happy birding, Scott Werner -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 16 19:11:09 2001 Subject: [SBB] Who needs bird seed? -------- Hi Birders- For the past month or two I have had a small swarm of very tiny bugs swirling around over my back lawn. They occasionally attract a Black Phoebe, but last month there were as many as 12 Yellow-rumped Warblers on the grass, eating what I assume were some of the dead bugs. For the past few days, I have seen a female Anna's Hummingbird hovering 4-6 inches off the grass and occasionally picking at what must be other dead bugs. I don't know what kind of bugs these are, or what I did to attract them, but they have made for some interesting observations. Jack Cole __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://personal.mail.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]] Sat Feb 17 13:43:53 2001 Subject: [SBB] Greater Sandplover at Bolinas Lagoon -------- This is just an update to those still interested in seeing the Greater Sandplover. It was present at the previously reported location on the west shoreline of Bolinas Lagoon. Also, the Cape May Warbler and Palm Warbler were still present at there previously reported locations in the Seadrift community. On the east side of Bolinas Lagoon was the male Tufted Duck and at least one Eurasian Wigeon. The weather was overcast with very light drizzle on and off and very windy. Good Luck, Randy Little -------- Attachment 1.1 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Sat Feb 17 14:44:03 2001 Subject: [SBB] Violet-green Swallow -------- All, Today I took my Beginning Birdwatching class on a walk at Joseph D. Grant County Park. Many of the expected species were seen, but nice surprises were a PRAIRIE FALCON onlong the ridge above the Ranch House, and a VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW over the pond, as well as approximately 20 COMMON MERGANSERS on the far side of the island. Everyone got great views of a cooperative RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER as well. That's all, 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 Feb 17 22:49:06 2001 Subject: [SBB] EEC Birds -------- Hi, All, Sharon and I broke out the Swarovsky spotting scope and checked out the salt pond at the end of the new board walk at the Environmental Education Center. We saw a few Eared Grebes, a Western Grebe, one Black-crowned Night Heron, and a sharply defined Bufflehead. I was at the Fashion Plaza, Almaden Expressway and Blossom Hill this week and saw something I haven't seen in thirty-three years of birding, two Red-winged Blackbirds scavenging bread crumbs in the parking lot. I always thought Brewer's Blackbirds had the sole scavenging rights in parking lots. Cheers, Lee Lovelady. ________________________________________________________________ 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]] Sun Feb 18 08:17:35 2001 Subject: [SBB] PINE SISKINS -------- It is amazing...I'm counting over 120 !!! Pine Siskins in my backyard at this moment...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 907 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Sun Feb 18 11:26:08 2001 Subject: [SBB] Feathers -------- Hi Birders- Right up there with identifying a bird flying away from you, or directly overhead high in a thick tree, is identifying a bird from its remains. I'm sure many of you pondered over the puzzling pile of feathers under the pine at the north end of the Elm Grove picnic area in Ed Levin Park during the Great Owl Hunt a week ago. I know I did, and I have come to a conclusion, more or less. The small vermiculated feather with the gold overtones suggests a Gadwall. The rather plain, brown flight feather could be any duck, and the strange tuft of black and white feathers could also be Gadwall, so that is my best guess. What is a Gadwall doing so far from the lake? Of the three owls in the area, the Great-horned includes duck in its diet, so I suspect that one nabbed the Gadwall near the lake and carried it to the first group of trees in the picnic area, its favorite roosting/dining spot. The lack of a head in the remains would indicate that it could be found in a pellet somewhere in the area. I would be interested in any other interpretations. Speaking of feathers, if it is true that the Common Raven has nine pinion feathers, and the American Crow has eight, then seperating the two birds is really only a matter of a pinion. Jack Cole __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://personal.mail.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]] Mon Feb 19 10:54:08 2001 Subject: [SBB] SCVAS Field Trip to Princeton (San Mateo Co.) -------- [I'm cross-posting this because it is a report of a Santa Clara Valley Audubon field trip to San mateo County sites.] On Sunday, Feb. 18, with heavy clouds still over much of the Peninsula and South Bay, only six birders turned out for a field trip to coastal San Mateo County. But the forecast was correct: it was dry for our entire 4 hours of birding, and the sun even came out for some of it. We spent much of the time at and near the north end of Pillar Point Harbor; three of the group had to leave before a brief stop at the south end of the harbor and a visit to Frenchman's Creek near Half Moon Bay. Our best bird was in fact at the south end of the harbor (just north of the boat luanch). An Oldsquaw (sorry, a female Long-Tailed Duck) had been found there (by Al Jaramillo) close to the road about two weeks earlier; it continued for several days, but had not been seen since. While scoping the most distant channel with his Questar, Frank Vanslager came upon what was presumably the same bird. Our views weren't very satisfying, but they were enough to tell what it was. Much more cooperative was a Brant in fresh-looking plumage, right by the shore here. We saw nothing else unusual in the harbor, but had good looks at at least a half dozen Common Loons (one well en-route to breeding plumage), one Red-Throated Loon, five Cinnamon Teal (at the marsh), a Red-Shouldered Hawk (interacting with a Red-Tailed), a Black Oystercatcher, and a nice assortment of other waterbirds and shorebirds. At Frenchman's Creek (east of Highway 1), we didn't find any unusual warblers, but did find an adult Sharp-Shinned Hawk, a flock of Band-Talied Pigeons (not typical of this location), several Pygmy Nuthatches, at least four Townsend's Warblers, and sixty or more Pine Siskins (which seemed ubiquitous). All in all, we had a most enjoyable morning, and I thank all who came out and helped to make the trip a success. Al Eisner -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Feb 19 11:35:06 2001 Subject: [SBB] Western Grebe or Clark's? -------- Dear Birders, Sunday afternoon, about 1:30, my husband and I noticed a large grebe on the lake at Shoreline. Because of its size and black stripe down the neck, I immediately concluded it must have been a Western Grebe. What was most curious about it, however, was that it was completely white on one side of its body and gray on the other. Checking my Sibley when I got home, I thought perhaps the "whiteness" might have made it a Clark's. This is the first time I have ever seen this type of Grebe, so I would appreciate any clarification from anyone more familiar with the area and its Grebes. Thank you! Debbie -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 19 12:25:52 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Western Grebe or Clark's? -------- Debbie, Separating Clark's (CLGU) from Western Grebe WEGR) usually involves assessing bill color (orange in CLGR, yellowish-green in WEGR) and the feathering around the eyes (white in CLGR, black in WEGR). Some feel that the flank color is useful (whiter in CLGR); I have yet to find this to be very reliable. In winter plumage, the feather color around the eyes is less distinct, making this fieldmark less clear. I have seen grebes of both species frequently roll to one side to preen, exposing their very white undersides. Could this have been why you saw white on one side? The gray is the typical appearance of the flanks; I think this may be a result of black feather tips and white bases of loose flank feathers, producing a gray visual mix of tones. Les Chibana On Monday, February 19, 2001 11:35 AM, [[email protected]] wrote: >Dear Birders, >Sunday afternoon, about 1:30, my husband and I noticed a large grebe >on the lake at Shoreline. Because of its size and black stripe down >the neck, I immediately concluded it must have been a Western Grebe. >What was most curious about it, however, was that it was completely >white on one side of its body and gray on the other. Checking my >Sibley when I got home, I thought perhaps the "whiteness" might have >made it a Clark's. This is the first time I have ever seen this type >of Grebe, so I would appreciate any clarification from anyone more >familiar with the area and its Grebes. > >Thank you! >Debbie -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 19 15:53:26 2001 Subject: [SBB] Really Glaucous -------- This afternoon I visited Almaden Lake and, for the first time in three or four tries this year, found the Glaucous Gull. (I had last been there on Saturday morning, when I also unsuccessfully looked for the Costa's Humming- bird.) This bird looks much more unambiguous than the individual at the Palo Duck Pond. The primaries are pure white from above and below, and the tail at least mostly so; and the barring on the belly and undertail coverts is not nearly as dark. The bill pattern is quite neat. The size was comparable to many of the Herring Gulls, and the bill didn't look any more massive. (But I guess that many of local Glaucous Gulls are of the smaller race.) The pale eye indicates a second-winter bird (I believe one of John Mariani's messages also stated that as the age); and, in fact, although the bird was preening and rarely kept its bill still, I could sometimes make out a tiny pale area at the very tip. The wing coverts and tertials were very qhite, with only sparse and/or fine markings -- I don't have my references with me, but I vaguely recall that too being more typical of second-year than first-year birds. However, I didn't note any extensively solid gray on the back. Also here was a good candidate for a first-year "Nelson's Gull": a very pale bird with a pretty neat Glaucous-like bill, but with brownish primaries. (Again, this seemed like a better candidate than is that same Duck Pond bird.) Unfortunately, birding was limited to brief breaks in the rain, so I wasn't able to adequately study this bird or to count what else was present, although I did pick out one adult and several first-winter Thayer's Gulls. Finally, five Common Mergansers (2 of them male) were also resting on the sandbar. Al Eisner -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Feb 19 17:16:32 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Western Grebe or Clark's? -------- > Sunday afternoon, about 1:30, my husband and I noticed a large grebe > on the lake at Shoreline. Because of its size and black stripe down > the neck, I immediately concluded it must have been a Western Grebe. > What was most curious about it, however, was that it was completely > white on one side of its body and gray on the other. Checking my > Sibley when I got home, I thought perhaps the "whiteness" might have > made it a Clark's. This is the first time I have ever seen this type > of Grebe, so I would appreciate any clarification from anyone more > familiar with the area and its Grebes. Yesterday we were at Shoreline lake and both Clark and Western Grebes were both present on the lake (as well as Eared Grebe). At least one of each, and at one point they were together. Oddly I had the same the impression that the Clark's was completely white on one side but I concluded that it had only rolled on its side in the water, because the impression disappeared when I looked again. In Clark's the white eye stands out on the white face, and the bill is yellow. Western has a greenish yellow bill and the black cap dips down to enclose the eye. Some individuals might be hard to identify, but the two birds on the lake were not. Daniel Bump -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 20 02:26:25 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- On Monday, 19 Feb 01, I made the rounds of some local reservoirs, hoping for storm-driven vagrants. Shoreline Lake had no unusual birds, though the Mt. View Forebay had a GREEN HERON and Charleston Slough had 7 BLACK SKIMMERS. Vasona Reservoir was devoid of any loons, but the local OSPREY flew by with a fish clutched in its talons. A stop at Almaden Reservoir revealed 89 WOOD DUCKS, a SPOTTED SANDPIPER, a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, and the WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. 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 Feb 20 08:29:24 2001 Subject: [SBB] Osprey -------- There was an osprey at Vasona Lake on Sunday about 5:15 p.m., perched on a tree overlooking the lake on University Avenue. Probably the same one that's been there a while. Claire -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 20 11:32:13 2001 Subject: [SBB] Golden Eagles / Skyline SM & SC County -------- We've had a few sightings of Golden Eagles that last few weeks, including a pair yesterday that cavorted in the air for about a half hour before flying south into the Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. I had a really good and long look, since they were flying back and forth only about 150 feet from our house. People might be able to see them by parking at the Grizzly Flat trailhead in Santa Clara County on Skyline Blvd and hiking onto Long Ridge OSP on the west side. Feel free to contact me if you need directions or more information. Georgia Stigall www.nativehabitats.org/homelist.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]] Wed Feb 21 23:39:09 2001 Subject: [SBB] Purple Finch -------- For the first time this year I had a gorgeous male PURPLE FINCH in my yard today...the incredible "herd" of PINE SISKEN's remain...they probably found out from Freddie Howell that I buy thistle from her! I went outside to change thistle in my 4' thistle feeder and one pine siskin never left its peg. I took the feeder off the tree, set the bottom end of it on the patio, opened the top, poured the seed in, then reached up and put it back on tree. Guess this little birdie was hungry since he ate the whole time. Yet, 5 minutes or so later it flew away. I know people have had birds sit on their hands or shoulders, etc...but this was my longest, closest wild bird experience. I was inches away. Gloria LeBlanc Los Gatos off Quito http://www.wallstreetgifts.com "largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts" http://www.cowscowscows.com "site for the Chicago and NYC cows" http://www.lgsia.com "money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios" -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 22 07:37:02 2001 Subject: [SBB] BARN OWLS -------- Amy and I were returning from a concert last night at Stanford when we noticed a pair of Barn Owls engaged in display flights over the campus. One of the owls was vocalizing with a rhythmical clicking sound as it flew in slow circles near the other bird. The owls were in the vicinity of the clock tower near the main quad. James Yurchenco -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 22 13:01:22 2001 Subject: [SBB] IMBD pre-flight event at the EEC -------- Hello Birders. International Migratory Bird Day is swiftly approaching. To start celebrating early, the Environmental Education Center in Alviso will be hosting a twilight walk and slide show on Saturday April 7, 2001. The walk is a great opportunity to learn more about IMBD or to just get a good look at EEC trails at sunset. Freddy Howell, owner of the Wild Bird Center and representative of Santa Clara Valley Audubon has generously agreed to present a beautiful slide show after the walk, discussing habitats and birds of the Bay Area. The slide show will start at 7pm. AND, since this year's IMBD theme is shade-grown coffee, shade-grown coffee will of course be available for tasting! This is also an opportunity to find out what exactly will be happening on IMBD, May 12, 2001. Invite your friends, birders and non-birders alike. E-mail me at [[email protected]] or call me at the EEC 408-262-5513 to reserve your spot. Hope to see you all soon! Sharon Lee __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Auctions - Buy the things you want at great prices! http://auctions.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]] Thu Feb 22 19:15:28 2001 Subject: [SBB] Red Shouldered Hawks in Saratoga -------- This afternoon, around noon, I saw/heard two Red-shouldered Hawks flying and vocalizing over the Eucalyptus trees growing along the creek behind La Mer Michelle on Big Basin Way. One of the two would circle and swoop at the other that was sitting patiently in the tree. The flying bird was the more vocal of the two. It was quite a display. Kenneth Petersen Campbell, CA -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Feb 22 20:31:28 2001 Subject: [SBB] Red Shouldered Hawk -------- Today ( 2/22) saw a Red-shouldered Hawk carrying nesting material ( looked like a long strip of eucalyptus bark) to a eucalyptus tree (surprise) in Belmont ( near S 92 X Ralston). Spring is close at hand. 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 Feb 22 23:33:56 2001 Subject: [SBB] Red-throated Loon at Calero Reservoir -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, Late this afternoon I saw a first-winter RED-THROATED LOON to the west of the boat launch at Calero Reservoir. Other birds seen there included about 15 Aechmophorus grebes (both WESTERN and CLARK'S), 1 HORNED GREBE, several GREATER SCAUP, and COMMON MERGANSERS. Four BLACK-NECKED STILTS were the only shorebirds seen--but then I guess the rain has created a lot of good shorebird habitat elsewhere. 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 Feb 23 13:48:01 2001 Subject: [SBB] Spring is here -------- Don’t tell the swallows that it’s still winter. They won’t believe you. There were dozens of Tree and Violet- green Swallows and White-throated Swifts flying to the west of the Sunnyvale WPCP this lunchtime. One Barn Swallow was also there. There looked to be an immature Snow Goose in with the flock of feral Greylags on one of the levees. Has it been there long? Or have I just been unobservant? -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 23 18:37:41 2001 Subject: [SBB] RE: Osprey at Los Gatos Creek-Oka Ponds -------- Good Evening. Thought while the sun was shinning I would get over to Los Gatos Creek & Oka Ponds. The Osprey was fishing in the pond by the bridge and resting on the dead tree in the large first Los Gatos Creek Pond. Two pairs of Hooded Mergansers in the Creek. Still lots of Lesser Scaup (Male and Female). Other than that, very quiet, only ONE Gull in the large first Los Gatos Creek pond! The Hummingbird's nest that Toni Burros showed me last week, now has two little baby Hummingbirds it in. Just great! Wishing you all great birding. 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 Feb 23 20:55:36 2001 Subject: [SBB] Long-eared Owl photo -------- A passable photo (of one) of the LEOW at Ed Levin a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure there are better around... :-) http://home.pacbell.net/mweaton/Birding/RareBirds/Long-eared%20Owl.html Mark -- Mark Eaton mailto:[[email protected]] SFBirds Web Page http://home.pacbell.net/mweaton Golden Gate Audubon Web Page (note new URL) http://www.goldengateaudubon.org Subscribe to the GGAS Conservation Mailing List at http://list.audubon.org/archives/ca-ggas-conservation.html "Under no circumstances was I to contact the penguin scientist." Jane Bledsoe -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 24 06:20:54 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- I took a little tour around the south county today, 24 Feb 01. First stop was Almaden Lake Park, where a goodly number of gulls were mostly HERRINGS. Thrown in were a handful of THAYER'S, and one each of CALIFORNIA and GLAUCOUS-WINGED. A single COMMON MERGANSER was on the lake and 3 WESTERN BLUEBIRDS were working the picnic area. At Calero Reservoir I refound John Mariani's RED-THROATED LOON. A single FORSTER'S TERN looked out of place, but 14 COMMON MERGANSERS seemed typical. At Chesbro Reservoir a flyby MERLIN was nice. A hundred or so swallows working low over the water were mostly VIOLET-GREENS, but a few TREES could also be seen among them. Uvas Reservoir produced 6 WOOD DUCKS, a single AMERICAN WIGEON, 14 more COMMON MERGANSERS (a male with his harem), a handful of BONAPARTE'S GULLS, and a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. At Uvas Canyon County Park an AMERICAN DIPPER was near the confluence of Swanson and Uvas Creeks. 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 Feb 24 10:59:10 2001 Subject: [SBB] RLHA, PEFA, RUFF -------- All, Our class trip to Coyote Hills Regional Park was cut short because of poor weather, but we were rewarded with excellent views of the ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK near the entrance kiosk where it has been reported recently. As well there as an immature PEREGRINE FALCON hunting in the same area. On the way back to Palo Alto, a brief stop at the first pond beyond the toll booth on the east end of the Dumbarton Bridge produced good views of the REEVE at close range and at least 4 LESSER YELLOWLEGS and swarms of BONAPARTE'S GULLS. That's all 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 Feb 24 14:18:38 2001 Subject: [SBB] Lesser Black-backed Gull -------- A fair photo of the Lake Cunningham bird. Curiously, neither P10 is still not grown in nor has the bill changed signficantly from last year. Are there any better photos from this year? http://home.pacbell.net/mweaton/Birding/RareBirds/LesserBlackBackedGull.html Mark -- Mark Eaton mailto:[[email protected]] SFBirds Web Page http://home.pacbell.net/mweaton Golden Gate Audubon Web Page (note new URL) http://www.goldengateaudubon.org Subscribe to the GGAS Conservation Mailing List at http://list.audubon.org/archives/ca-ggas-conservation.html "Under no circumstances was I to contact the penguin scientist." Jane Bledsoe -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 24 21:40:12 2001 Subject: [SBB] Ed Levin! Red-naped Sapsucker, etc. -------- How come nobody has said how BEAUTIFUL Ed Levin park is?? Owls or no owls, I'm awfully glad to have been introduced to this lovely place. Such a lovely little valley in the midst of glorious hills, only minutes from the congestion of the Milpitas freeway interchanges... As it happened, there *were* owls today. Unfortunately we didn't get the great views previously reported on this list and therefore can't make a positive ID except to rule out the Barn owls. In the early afternoon we found a pair at the edge of the Elm parking lot, just as previously noted. The birds were very nervous, and would flush if we got near, even though we could NEVER spot them in their trees. We had several quick glimpses of low flying warm brown--including a brown-ish face, ruling out the Barn owls, but not much more. After a while we gave up, since it seemed rude to keep chasing them about. While seeking owls in the trees just behind and just to the right of the Elm parking lot (facing the golf course), above a set of picnic tables, we came across what I believe to have been a Red-naped Sapsucker. The tree showed plenty of signs of sapsucker activity. The bird had a red crown, red throat, & black and white facial stripes. The red on the throat did not extend to the breast. It was clearly either a Red-naped or a Yellow-bellied, not a Red-breasted NOR the Red-naped x Red-breasted, of which we had good views later by the lake. I wish I had not been so distracted by the owls (one was somewhere in the same tree at the time!) because I did not note the border of the red throat as I should have. I did observe the back, which is why I'm saying this was most likely a Red-naped, which Sibley describes as having "white markings in two rows," in contrast to the Yellow-bellied, which he says has "extensive white barring." I clearly saw markings in two rows. Unfortunately, my husband, who was also there, was even more intent on owls than I was, and can only confirm general details. Looking at the Santa Clara County year lists, I see that both Red-naped and Yellow-bellied are rare, and that neither have been seen this year. I am eager to hear whether others can re-find my bird! Other notables: the hills were full of hawks--at one point we had seven within our immediate forward field of view, including one White-tailed Kite, one N. Harrier, and 5 Red-tails. There were at least 3 other Red-tails behind us at the time. We also saw a pair of Yellow-billed Magpies, and several dozen Meadowlarks. --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]] Sun Feb 25 10:22:34 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Ed Levin! Red-naped Sapsucker, etc. -------- (Shhh! I've been trying to keep this little spot quiet...(:-)!). Dusty Campbell, Ca. ... > How come nobody has said how BEAUTIFUL Ed Levin park is?? ... -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 25 14:20:07 2001 Subject: [SBB] Half-dozen BUOWs -------- On Sunday morning, February 25, there were a half-dozen Burrowing Owls on the hill just west of the parking lot at the Sunnyvale Sewage Ponds. There was the usual pair on the east-facing slope, and two more pairs around to the right, above the road on the north-facing slope. Many of the ducks have now departed from these ponds. But it was nice to see the new-plumaged White-throated Swifts, and Barn, Tree, and Violet-green Swallows. Later, at about 11 am at Alviso, there was a Snowy Plover just to the north-west of the "Tire Pond" where the Black-backed Wagtail had been found. Unfortunately, the bird disappeared while I was trying to figure out just how to get closer on the muddy causeway. Frank Vanslager -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Feb 25 19:21:35 2001 Subject: [SBB] South County -------- I started birding today along Coyote Creek south of Metcalf Rd. I had tried unsuccessfully for the Redstart back in January, and I had no better luck today. (In fact, I barely had any Warblers at all there.) There were two Ospreys flying about (one quite vocal), plus a usual Red-Shouldered Hawk, and about 45 Waxwings in flight. Dunne Lane (aka San Felipe Road) didn't have any of its more interesting summer visitors, but several Tree Swallows were checking out the middle Euc. There was a male Common Merganser in Pacheco Creek, and a pair of Red- Shouldered Hawks close by. Late morning, a striking first-year Rough-Legged Hawk was perched along Bloomfield Ave. between Davidson and Sheldon. This was almost certainly a county first for me. A Loggerhead Shrike was nearby, but the only other raptors I saw along Bloomfield were Red-Tail's and Kestrels. Another first for me was a visit to Uvas Canyon County Park. This is a beautiful spot, but with few birds evident along the creek (especially on a cloudy afternoon). There's an abundance of great Dipper habitat (do they breed here?) but I didn't find the Dipper Mike Mammoser reported the other day. [By the way, on the park map there are two possible creek junctions which could be the junction of Swanson and Uvas Creeks; in any case, I checked both of these locations among others.] At Uvas Reservoir I had 10 Bonaparte's Gulls and a flock of about 18 Common Mergansers (hard to count, since they were diving); these included two males, so Mike will have to rework his harem theory. Last, at Calero Reservoir, I didn't see any Loons or (surprisingly) Mergansers. I did see about 22 Aechmophorus Grebes (distant silhouettes, toward the sun); two apparent Aleutian Canada Geese with the flock toward the east end; one female Barrow's Goldeneye; one Spotted Sandpiper; and a bunch of unidentified Tree/Violet-Green Swallows. All this viewing was from the boat launch area. An immature Cooper's Hawk was perched along the road right at the entrance. Finally, either "the one that got away" or "the one I imagined". While stopping to check a field along New Ave. just south of Rucker Ave. (NE of Gilroy), I heard a call several times which sounded much like a Yellow Warbler's type of call. But once I got out of my car, I never heard it again, nor did I spot any Warbler other than Yellow-Rumped. This could be a shear fantasy, but if anyone is in the area, the location is just south of a field with domestic geese. (There are pines along the road here.) 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]] Sun Feb 25 21:19:59 2001 Subject: [SBB] "My Farm" -------- Spring had arrived at "my farm." A NUTTALL'S was diligently making a hole larger. A pair of ANNA's seemed to be busy. Saw both an OAK TITMOUSE and a HUTTON'S VIREO working at getting nesting material. Seldom are there RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDs here, but there were 3 males, 1 per tree, that were rucously singing. A pair of CALIFORNIA THRASHERS seemed to be together. Also lots of YELLOW-RUMP'S...one KINGFISHER. My 2 hours of meandering through this small park was great stress relief. In my backyard the PINE SISKIN's continue to be aplenty. Saw 5 drop dead gorgeous male LESSER GOLDFINCHES. Gloria LeBlanc Los Gatos off Quito http://www.wallstreetgifts.com "largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts" http://www.cowscowscows.com "site for the Chicago and NYC cows" http://www.lgsia.com "money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios" -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 26 02:29:08 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Charleston Slough/A1 -------- ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Ryan" <[[email protected]]> > > Also for those interested in nesting behaviors, the WESTERN SCRUB JAYS at my > house in Palo Alto spent the entire weekend breaking sticks off the magnolia > tree and carrying them into the shrubs. Spring is approaching. On recent visits to Ed Levin Park, I had SCRUB JAYS doing their "whisper song". If you didn't know that these jays actually sing, this would be a pleasant surprise. 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 Feb 26 08:30:10 2001 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: This morning, 2/26/2001, I saw a female HOODED MERGANSER in the channel across from Adobe Creek in the Palo Alto FCB. This channel remained dry well into the winter, but she has been using it fairly regularly since then. A summering female was here off and on last year. I counted four BLACK SKIMMERS at 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 Feb 26 09:03:54 2001 Subject: [SBB] RE: WOOD DUCKS -------- Good Morning, Sorry I didn't get to post this yesterday, went out to Almaden Reservoir to see the Wood Ducks. There were about 20 Male and Female ducks. They were in the water for a short while before climbing up the bank, heading for the tree line area! If I didn't watch them go up there I would have never seen the ducks! On the way into the Reservoir there was a Covey of Quail...about 15! Also went to Oka-Los Gatos Creek after the Reservoir, there where two Swallows flying over the Oka Pond by the entrance at Oka Lane. Could they have been Northern Rough-winged? Good birding to all. Best regards, Linda Sullivan -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 26 10:48:27 2001 Subject: [SBB] Re: Canada Geese -------- ----- Original Message ----- From: <[[email protected]]> > > I termed these "apparent Aleutian" in my post. I felt they were small > enough, although that was the hardest thing to be sure of. Their breast > color seemed as pale as that of the large Canada's present, and at some > angles I picked up at least a partial white neck band. Is that enough, > or are there other possibilities? (I wasn't 100% certain.) I believe that the two "most likely" races of small-form Canada Geese to be present in the South Bay are Aleutian (leucopareia) and Cackler (minima). Now, of the two, Aleutian is the "most likely" to have a lighter breast color. Aleutian is "most likely" to have a white neck ring. Is this enough to make an ID? Hard to say. Other characters include head shape (Aleutian is "most likely" to have a flat head) and chin color (Aleutian is "most likely" to have a black chin). Another consideration - while Cacklers have historically wintered in the Central Valley of California, it seems that a large portion of that population has shifted its wintering grounds to NW Oregon and SW Washington. Conversely, about 90% of the population of Aleutians winter in the San Joaquin River NWR, which is west of Modesto and just over the Diablos from the South Bay. So, based on proximity, it seems that Aleutian may be "most likely" to occur as a vagrant to our area. Does that nail it down for ya, Al? :-) 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 Feb 26 12:19:58 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Ed Levin! Red-naped Sapsucker, etc. -------- A followup to my post on Saturday. I've been asked whether I saw the red nape. I believe I did, but the detail is not as firmly in my mind as some of the other features, which means that I've been second guessing myself ever since I got home to the rest of my books and realized that the napes can vary and overlap between the Yellow-bellied and Red-naped--grrr. On the other hand, I haven't any doubt that I did see one of the two, and I gather that there's some general agreement that the back stripes do *point* to the Red-naped. We went back to Ed Levin yesterday afternoon. Alas, no sapsuckers to be found, though plenty of trees (mainly the oaks) in the immediate area show the tell-tale marks. 2 other birders showed up looking for my bird--one of them found a Barn Owl for us, which was cool (thanks Kathy!), but nothing more. No sign of the other owls either. There were big restless flocks of Robins and Juncos moving through the trees, and we were speculating that the shy sapsuckers and nervous owls might not have liked all the ruckus and were keeping a low profile. A Flicker and a pair of Nuttalls were not so choosy, however, so the day was not entirely woodpecker-less... Moving up into the hills a bit, we were able to see that the thermals were attracting even more raptors than we had seen the previous day. At one point there were 25 in the sky at once, somewhat more than half Turkey Vultures and the rest Red-tails. A pair of White-tailed Kites were very unhappy about the invasion of people and hawks--they complained and scolded almost continuously--we and the Red-tails occasionally replying just for fun. It was another gorgeous day there--wild dramatic clouds and even a rainbow at one point. Dusty, I'm afraid we liked it so much we bought an annual parking pass--your secret is out! :) Hoping others can verify and enjoy the sapsucker.... --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]] Mon Feb 26 14:31:27 2001 Subject: [SBB] PALO at Calero Reservoir -------- At about 11 am on Monday, February 26, there was a small Pacific Loon on the Calero Reservoir. It was a dull gray and white, and was smaller than a Mallard that swam past it. It did not have an upturned bill, and had no white around the eye. It also didn't show a strong contrast line between the back and front of the neck, but showed a fine speckling on its back. Up close it showed a thin "necklace" under its chin. I'm guessing that it was a 1st spring bird. Frank Vanslager -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Feb 26 14:33:43 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Ed Levin! Red-naped Sapsucker, etc. -------- I went up to Ed Levin on Saturday to look for owls. I didn't find any, although on Valentine's Day (appropriately enough) I saw a pair of Great-horned Owls copulating. I did see a Red-breasted Sapsucker near Sandy Wool Lake - it looked like your regular, run-of-the-mill RBSA to me. My best bird was a male Selasphorus hummer near the Elm parking lot. I heard it before I saw it, but even with my scope it was too dark (or I'm just not too good at hummingbirds) to tell what species it was. I've got to agree that this is a great park to bird and it's not too far to Sierra Road from there too. Don Ganton [[email protected]] *********** REPLY SEPARATOR *********** On 02/26/2001 at 12:19 PM amphibian wrote: >A followup to my post on Saturday. I've been asked whether I saw the red >nape. I believe I did, but the detail is not as firmly in my mind as some >of the other features, which means that I've been second guessing myself >ever since I got home to the rest of my books and realized that the napes >can vary and overlap between the Yellow-bellied and Red-naped--grrr. On >the other hand, I haven't any doubt that I did see one of the two, and I >gather that there's some general agreement that the back stripes do >*point* >to the Red-naped. > >We went back to Ed Levin yesterday afternoon. Alas, no sapsuckers to be >found, though plenty of trees (mainly the oaks) in the immediate area show >the tell-tale marks. 2 other birders showed up looking for my bird--one of >them found a Barn Owl for us, which was cool (thanks Kathy!), but nothing >more. No sign of the other owls either. There were big restless flocks >of >Robins and Juncos moving through the trees, and we were speculating that >the shy sapsuckers and nervous owls might not have liked all the ruckus >and >were keeping a low profile. A Flicker and a pair of Nuttalls were not so >choosy, however, so the day was not entirely woodpecker-less... > >Moving up into the hills a bit, we were able to see that the thermals were >attracting even more raptors than we had seen the previous day. At one >point there were 25 in the sky at once, somewhat more than half Turkey >Vultures and the rest Red-tails. A pair of White-tailed Kites were very >unhappy about the invasion of people and hawks--they complained and >scolded >almost continuously--we and the Red-tails occasionally replying just for >fun. It was another gorgeous day there--wild dramatic clouds and even a >rainbow at one point. Dusty, I'm afraid we liked it so much we bought an >annual parking pass--your secret is out! :) > >Hoping others can verify and enjoy the sapsucker.... > >--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]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 26 15:17:12 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Ed Levin! Red-naped Sapsucker, etc. -------- ... > Dusty, I'm afraid we liked it so much we bought an > annual parking pass--your secret is out! :) It's a great place! Welcome aboard...(:-)! BTW; For those that don't know, I've taken up the task of maintaining a running list of the birds found at ERLCP. Please take a moment to drop me a note should you see anything new, a "first" for the season, or anyother noteworthy bird related event... Dusty Campbell > > Hoping others can verify and enjoy the sapsucker.... > > --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]] > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 26 15:24:17 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Ed Levin! Red-naped Sapsucker, etc. -------- My wife and I did a long slog in the mud from Ed Levin Park up to Mission Peak yesterday. Missed owls as well -- we checked the area around the Elm parking lot but didn't find anything. We had a few good birds during the hike including LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, ROCK WREN, HORNED LARKS, SAVANNAH SPARROW and WILD TURKEYS. The rock wrens were mostly up near Mission Peak (which I believe puts them in Alameda County). The most interesting sighting of the day was on the way out of the park -- we saw a mother wild pig with 4 piglets by the side of the road. David Armstrong __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.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]] Mon Feb 26 15:58:07 2001 Subject: [SBB] RTLO, WTSP, VGSW -------- Dear South-Bay Birders, On Saturday 2/24/01 I spent from 3:30pm to 5:00pm checking out some of our local reservoirs. On the way up to Calero Reservoir along Bailey Ave near the IBM plant I had about 40 VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS - couldn't find any other swallows among them. At Calero Reservoir the immature RED-THROATED LOON was still near shore just west of the boat launch. Also of interest here were 4 COMMON MERGANSERS and a FORSTER'S TERN perched on a buoy. Shorebird numbers were low, as John has indicated, with 4 BLACK-NECKED STILTS and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER being all that I noted. The CANADA GOOSE flock near the east end of the reservoir included at least 2 small race birds. At Almaden Reservoir I stopped at the pullout 0.3 miles west of the dam. This spot was totally bird-less, but a thin "seep" from a brushy tree by the reservoir soon revealed the WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, the only bird around! Elsewhere at Almaden Reservoir, about 60 WOOD DUCKS and a COMMON MERGANSER were perched up on the mud bank on the far side of the reservoir and three VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS foraged overhead. Also had a flock of 16 PINE SISKIN fly in from across the reservoir. Up at O'Day's Lovely Glen (past Hick's Road) I had 6 WILD TURKEYS and a pair of HUTTON'S VIREOS. The water level at Guadalupe Reservoir was quite low and there were no waterbirds to be found. Today 2/26/01 at Stanford I saw a pair of SCRUB JAYS building a nest near the Wilbur dormitory. Mike Rogers -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Feb 26 16:54:29 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] RTLO, WTSP, VGSW -------- Mike Rogers wrote: > At Calero Reservoir the immature RED-THROATED LOON was still near > shore just west of the boat launch. Also of interest here were 4 > COMMON MERGANSERS and a FORSTER'S TERN perched on a buoy. Shorebird > numbers were low, as John has indicated, with 4 BLACK-NECKED STILTS > and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER being all that I noted. The CANADA GOOSE > flock near the east end of the reservoir included at least 2 small > race birds. I termed these "apparent Aleutian" in my post. I felt they were small enough, although that was the hardest thing to be sure of. Their breast color seemed as pale as that of the large Canada's present, and at some angles I picked up at least a partial white neck band. Is that enough, or are there other possibilities? (I wasn't 100% certain.) 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 Feb 27 02:24:07 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- This morning, 27 Feb 01, I went down to Bloomfield Ave, south of Gilroy, and refound Al's ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. It was right near the intersection of Bloomfield and Davidson. Considering the date, this bird may have been here for some time, and may remain for a while longer. For those interested in chasing it, take 101 south to Gilroy and exit on hwy 152 east. After a mile and a half, or so, take a right on Frazier Lake Road. At about two miles you will come to a stop sign and the intersection of Bloomfield Ave. Take a right and Davidson will about a mile down the road. 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 Feb 27 07:40:20 2001 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: Yesterday evening, 2/26/2001, there were four female HOODED MERGANSERS in the small channel next between Adobe Creek and the Mountain View Forebay plus two CLIFF SWALLOWS and a BARN SWALLOW over the forebay. 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 Feb 27 08:32:02 2001 Subject: [SBB] Ravens nesting -------- Amy reported that the Common Ravens who nest on the power tower near San Antonio Road and 101 were gathering nesting material yesterday and carrying to their nest site. This site has been occupied continuously for many years. James Yurchenco -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 27 09:57:44 2001 Subject: [SBB] Charleston Slough/A1 -------- At Charleston Slough this weekend, there was a FORSTER'S TERN foraging over pond A1 on Sunday (2/25/01). Also present were a pair of female HOODED MERGANSER, BLACK SKIMMER, LONG-BILLED CURLEW and the usual cast of characters, many of whom are starting to show signs of breeding plumage. Also for those interested in nesting behaviors, the WESTERN SCRUB JAYS at my house in Palo Alto spent the entire weekend breaking sticks off the magnolia tree and carrying them into the shrubs. Spring is approaching. Tom Ryan -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Feb 27 13:43:49 2001 Subject: [SBB] swallows -------- All, Needing a dose of Spring, I headed to the Mountain View Forebay over lunch today 2/27/01 to check for swallows. I was not disappointed, with at least 5 CLIFF SWALLOWS, 3 TREE SWALLOWS, 2 VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, and 1 BARN SWALLOW present near the pumphouse at the northwest corner of the Forebay. The CLIFF SWALLOWS were already building nests (from scratch, as the old ones had been removed) under the eaves of the building. All five often perched together in this endeavor. Interestingly, one of the TREE SWALLOWS approached the eaves closely several times while the CLIFF SWALLOWS were there. Perhaps it was hoping for a cavity of its own. Seven BLACK SKIMMERS were on the island in Charleston Slough, a pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL was in the nearby Flood Control Basin, and a Raccoon swam across Adobe Creek. A GREATER SCAUP provided a nice close study at the outflow in Adobe Creek opposite the pumphouse. No sign of Bill's Hooded Mergansers. 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 Feb 27 15:06:38 2001 Subject: [SBB] Northern Rough-winged Swallows -------- Robin Dakin and Joanna Cezniak observed 4 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS at the northern end of Coyote Valley this morning (2/26/01). Tom Ryan -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Feb 27 17:11:55 2001 Subject: [SBB] Pine Siskins -------- The 9 Pine Siskins, 6 Lesser Goldfinch and 5 American Goldfinch, plus the usual House finch were a nice variety at the backyard thistle and sunflower seed feeders. A single Chestnut-backed Chickadee started excavating sawdust from the nestbox they used last year in our apple tree. I found that after I clean the nestbox each year, I fill it with sawdust and let the Chickadees set the depth from the sawdust base to the nestbox opening. I had no luck until someone told me to try it. I has worked with Chickadees ever since, and the Bewick's Wren's used our gourd nestbox last year for the first time using the same sawdust idea. A Bewick's Wren was singing for high atop the apple and bare maple trees. The male Nuttall's Woodpecker is still using the artificial "snag" nestbox I put up late last summer. It's a hollowed out almondwood log that I wired to a live limb in our maple tree. He hasn't found a girlfriend yet. Randy -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 27 17:13:47 2001 Subject: [SBB] Pine Siskins -------- The 9 Pine Siskins, 6 Lesser Goldfinch and 5 American Goldfinch, plus the usual House finch were a nice variety at the backyard thistle and sunflower seed feeders. A single Chestnut-backed Chickadee started excavating sawdust from the nestbox they used last year in our apple tree. I found that after I clean the nestbox each year, I fill it with sawdust and let the Chickadees set the depth from the sawdust base to the nestbox opening. I had no luck until someone told me to try it. I has worked with Chickadees ever since, and the Bewick's Wren's used our gourd nestbox last year for the first time using the same sawdust idea. A Bewick's Wren was singing for high atop the apple and bare maple trees. The male Nuttall's Woodpecker is still using the artificial "snag" nestbox I put up late last summer. It's a hollowed out almondwood log that I wired to a live limb in our maple tree. He hasn't found a girlfriend yet. Randy -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 27 20:03:45 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Pine Siskins -------- Somewhere I read that most woodpeckers drill new holes for breeding each year, and won't use old holes or nest boxes. I don't know if there are exceptions. When I used to live in Palo Alto there was were Nuttall's that would drill out one or more of the chickadee nest boxes each summer and use it for a roosting box. I used to put a square of wood with the chickadee/titmouse sized hole in it over the woodpecker hole in the chickadee boxes each spring so they could use it undisturbed, and the Nuttalls would drill it out in the summer and use it until the next spring. I even saw the female Nuttalls using it during the day while she had an active nest two houses away in a dead maple. When the male went into this hanging box while she was in there, I saw it jump around like they were fighting, then a few seconds later he emerged and headed back in the direction of the nest. ( I'm assuming they were both the nesting pair but I guess I don't know for sure.) I think it is this habit of woodpeckers drilling new holes each year that creates a lot of cavities for other cavity nesters, at least in natural situations. The Nuttalls that I saw in my neighborhood in P.A. didn't reuse their nest sites at least twice that I know of when they could have, i.e. the tree was still there the next year. Other times the tree was removed right after the nesting was over. Randy and Janet, don't give up on your artificial snag if the woodpeckers don't nest in it---they'll probably be back to roost in it later. It is a really great idea for attracting woodpeckers. We were told when we first got bird houses to put wood shavings in them. We did so, and later enjoyed watching the chickadees carefully carry off wood shavings and deposit them on tree limbs and bushes, like they do fecal sacs, I suppose so predators wouldn't see the clues. They made quite a deal of it. I think they like to feel like they are excavating or cleaning out the "cavity". The idea of letting chickadees "set the depth" is an interesting one. However, I wouldn't advocate putting much more than an inch or so of sawdust or shavings into a correctly proportioned box, because if the nest is too high in the box it puts the chicks closer to possible predation from jays, raccoons, etc. Anyone who wants to report their nest box results to Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, we'd appreciate getting it. Records we'd like to get include species, date of nest building, date of fledging, and number of young fledged- even if zero. Send to [[email protected]]. Cheers, Leda Beth Gray Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society > From: "Randy & Janet Little" <[[email protected]]> > Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 17:13:47 -0800 > To: "South Bay Birds" <[[email protected]]> > Subject: [SBB] Pine Siskins > > The 9 Pine Siskins, 6 Lesser Goldfinch and 5 American Goldfinch, plus the > usual House finch were a nice variety at the backyard thistle and sunflower > seed feeders. A single Chestnut-backed Chickadee started excavating sawdust > from the nestbox they used last year in our apple tree. I found that after > I clean the nestbox each year, I fill it with sawdust and let the Chickadees > set the depth from the sawdust base to the nestbox opening. I had no luck > until someone told me to try it. I has worked with Chickadees ever since, > and the Bewick's Wren's used our gourd nestbox last year for the first time > using the same sawdust idea. A Bewick's Wren was singing for high atop the > apple and bare maple trees. The male Nuttall's Woodpecker is still using > the artificial "snag" nestbox I put up late last summer. It's a hollowed > out almondwood log that I wired to a live limb in our maple tree. He hasn't > found a girlfriend yet. > > Randy > > > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== > This message was posted through the Stanford campus 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 Feb 27 20:39:21 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Santa Clara County (Gilroy) ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK -------- South-Bay-Birders, County Listers: Likewise for me late this afternoon (at 4 PM) Al Eisner's ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was still present standing on the ground at the north side of Bloomfield Road near Gilroy in southern Santa Clara County....0.2 mile west of Davidson Road just past the short row of deciduous trees. Also present besides three Mallards were two "Cackling" Canada Geese. Michael Mammoser wrote: > This morning, 27 Feb 01, I went down to Bloomfield Ave, south of Gilroy, and > refound Al's ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. It was right near the intersection of > Bloomfield and Davidson. Considering the date, this bird may have been here > for some time, and may remain for a while longer. For those interested in > chasing it, take 101 south to Gilroy and exit on hwy 152 east. After a mile > and a half, or so, take a right on Frazier Lake Road. At about two miles you > will come to a stop sign and the intersection of Bloomfield Ave. Take a > right and Davidson will about a mile down the road. > > Mike Mammoser -- 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]] Wed Feb 28 13:28:17 2001 Subject: [SBB] RE: Common Mergansers Vasona/Los Gatos Creek -------- Good Afternoon, Just thrilled to see male and female Common Mergansers at Vasona, in the creek by the children's play ground. A lady was telling me that the female has been there for the past week by herself and today was the first time they saw the male. Wish I had my camera! Have a question on Pine Siskins.....I have about 40 Pine-Siskins and for the past few day, some of them look funny, very bloated and you can walk right up to them and touch them. One of them today, was rocking back and forth on a branch, I put him in a basket and later he died. Has anyone else had this problem? Have a great birding day. 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]] Wed Feb 28 14:12:10 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] RE: Common Mergansers Vasona/Los Gatos Creek -------- This subject just came up on the Monterey list. One rehabber mentioned that it might be salmonella. Siskins are known to suffer from disease that seems to spread easily among their flocks. They will appear slow, drowsy, and oblivious to predators. I don't know, if is indeed salmonella, if it is zoonotic to cats, dogs or humans. Les Chibana On Wednesday, February 28, 2001 1:28 PM, [[email protected]] wrote: >Have a question on Pine Siskins.....I have about 40 Pine-Siskins and for the >past few day, some of them look funny, very bloated and you can walk right up >to them and touch them. One of them today, was rocking back and forth on a >branch, I put him in a basket and later he died. Has anyone else had this >problem? > >Have a great birding day. > >My best regards, >Linda Sullivan -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 28 16:32:35 2001 Subject: [SBB] Siskins -------- A salmonella-type disease affected common redpolls last year during their invasion year. My sister in Michigan said everyone had dead birds in their yards, after noticing the same lethargic symptoms that Linda has observed. People were advised to thoroughly clean their feeders, but I don't think it made any difference. Since this is also an irruption year for siskins, perhaps a similar disease is spreading within that species. Jack Cole __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.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 Feb 28 17:23:50 2001 Subject: [SBB] Rough-winged Swallow at Foothills Park -------- I don't recall anyone reporting the subject species yet this spring, but I may be wrong. On the SCVAS field trip this AM, we had a single one near Boronda Lake. Also Violet Green and Tree Swallows. After lunch, and thanks to Sue James' excellent spotting, we had a Red-breasted Sapsucker and a single Golden-crowned Kinglet. While scouting on Monday, I saw one Varied Thrush among numerous robins. Also a Golden-crowned Sparrow with a black stripe on one side of its head, and none on the other side (I haven't seen this before...has anyone else?) Phyllis -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Feb 28 19:01:54 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] RE: Common Mergansers Vasona/Los Gatos Creek -------- I had 3 Pine Siskins die in my backyard today...first day that has occurred. Yesterday one was sitting in my bird bath and a Sharpie swooped down and got him. Gloria LeBlanc http://www.wallstreetgifts.com "largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts" http://www.cowscowscows.com "site for the Chicago and NYC cows" http://www.lgsia.com "money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios" ----- Original Message ----- From: <[[email protected]]> To: <[[email protected]]> Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2001 1:28 PM Subject: [SBB] RE: Common Mergansers Vasona/Los Gatos Creek > Good Afternoon, > > Just thrilled to see male and female Common Mergansers at Vasona, in the > creek by the children's play ground. A lady was telling me that the female > has been there for the past week by herself and today was the first time they > saw the male. Wish I had my camera! > > Have a question on Pine Siskins.....I have about 40 Pine-Siskins and for the > past few day, some of them look funny, very bloated and you can walk right up > to them and touch them. One of them today, was rocking back and forth on a > branch, I put him in a basket and later he died. Has anyone else had this > problem? > > Have a great birding day. > > 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]] > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Feb 28 23:13:30 2001 Subject: [SBB] Osprey -------- All, Here it is the last day of February and the OSPREY is still here overlooking Vasona. The WHITE-THROATED SPARROW still comes to my feeders. 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]]