From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 01 04:25:31 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I attended the Calero CBC on Saturday, 30 Dec 00, working the Coyote Creek
Trail from Metcalf Rd to the Riverside Golf Course with Cynthia Wilson and
Karen Hesse.
To start with, the best bird of the day was an immature female AMERICAN
REDSTART. This bird was right along the paved bike path, just over 800 yards
(or 0.43 miles) south of Metcalf Rd. I refound the bird this morning, 1 Jan
01, about 100 yards further south from the initial location. On Saturday I
was initially drawn to the bird when it gave a call note that sounded much
like a Yellow Warbler. It hasn't made a peep since then, at least while I've
been there. It has the very distinct yellow tail patches that are
characteristic of this species and sex, which it flashes almost constantly
while foraging. It also has yellow patches on the sides of the breast, much
like a Yellow-rumped. The wing patches on this bird are very dull, almost
unnoticeable, unless you are looking hard for them. It is likely that this
bird will spend the winter here.
I can't say that we had huge numbers of any species, but there were some
interesting ones. A female MERLIN sat nicely for us from about a hundred
feet away. Four RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 2 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, and 13
RED-TAILED HAWKS along our stretch seemed reasonable. A couple call notes
was enough to convince me that a SORA was in the pond right at the entrance
to Coyote Ranch (I've seen them there in the past). A single male PURPLE
FINCH was at the creek just south of Coyote Ranch. A HOUSE WREN was seen
briefly in a barnyard area just outside the park fence. A single male
RING-NECKED PHEASANT at the edge of a field near Monterey Hwy was unusual
enough to require a writeup. Seven WOOD DUCKS and one COMMON SNIPE along the
creek were interesting. An immature GOLDEN EAGLE, being dived on by a
RED-TAILED HAWK near the end of the day's walk, put a final stamp of
approval on our outing.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 01 05:04:14 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I attended the Los Banos CBC with Grant Hoyt and Dick Stovel on 28 Dec 00.
Though not in Santa Clara County, I thought that members of this list might
be interested in our sightings, as this is an easy day trip from our area.
Our region of the count circle always produces some good raptor species, and
this year was no exception. Our totals included 41 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 2
RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 1 each COOPER'S and SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, 3 FERRUGINOUS
HAWKS, 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, 14 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 8 WHITE-TAILED KITES, 16
AMERICAN KESTRELS, 2 PRAIRIE FALCONS, and 1 each of GOLDEN and BALD EAGLE.
Though ducks and geese are a main attraction of the wildlife refuges in the
area, they aren't a strong suit of our count section. However, it's not
unusual for our party to record the only TUNDRA SWANS (4) and SANDHILL
CRANES (3) for the count.
If searching through thousands of RED-WINGED and BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS for the
smattering of TRICOLOREDS and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS, or even an occasional
Yellow-Headed Blackbird, is your thing, then Los Banos offers all the fodder
you can dream of.
Finding day-roosting BARN OWLS and GREAT HORNED OWLS adds much more interest
to searching the eucalyptus groves than can be provided merely by the dozens
of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS.
The riparian corridors in our area can be scantily vegetated, but are good
attractors for lingering or wintering songbirds. We find ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLERS with regularity, but our count of 8 was higher than normal. A
single HOUSE WREN was typical.
We had a fitting end to the day as, near sunset, we watched a parade of over
1000 WHITE-FACED IBIS stream past us to a roost site, while 2 SHORT-EARED
OWLS cruised over the adjoining field.
Los Banos and Merced NWR offer much of the same birding experiences as can
be found at the more-highly-touted areas around Sacramento, with a much
shorter drive. Don't overlook them when contemplating your Central Valley
winter trips.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 01 13:08:18 2001
Subject: [SBB] Neighborhood Birds
--------
While playing badminton on the lawn at the Sunnyvale Community Center, six
female Common Mergansers and a female Bufflehead visited the pond and
commenced feeding.
Also noted between serves: six Anna's Hummingbirds, Bushtit, Black Phoebe,
Nuttals' Woodpecker, and Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Happy New Year
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 01 15:10:47 2001
Subject: [SBB] 4-Letter Codes for Birds
--------
One person found some errors in the 4-letter code list that I had
posted some years ago on:
South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU)
http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/
Under: Information Archives / Birders Use 4-Letter Words
I have revised this information, and put in links that go directly to
the lists of the Bird Banding Laboratory.
There are two lists. One is in the order of Species, and one is Alphabetical.
I hope that you don't offend anyone by using these 4-letter words in public.
Happy New Year!
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/
------------------------------------------
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 01 17:12:32 2001
Subject: [SBB] 2001 birds and a Gull question
--------
For the first time in probably at least a decade, I was in the Bay Area
on New Year's, so I resolved to do at least a little Santa Clara birding. I
had time for a late-afternoon visit to Lake cunningham. The usual suspects -
Lesser Black-Backed Gull, adult Ross's Goose, and immature Snow Goose - were
still present (the white geese, as usual, with the domestics, rather than with
the Canada's). Also present: 2 American white Pelicans, and 2 Green Herons
(chasing across the Lake).
At the small island (where the Lesser Black-Backed often hangs out, al-
though less so today), there was a pale adult pink-legged gull which had some
characteristics of Thayer's. It had a somewhat rounded head and a dark eye;
and the primary tips were blackish on the upper surface of the folded wing,
but pale gray from below. However, the bill seemed too long (more Herring-
like), and the bird seemed too large (much larger than the Californias here).
Hence I'm reluctant to call it Thayer's, and naturally thinking of something
like a Herring X Glaucous-Winged. However, I know little of what such a hybrid
adult would look like. In particular, would that hybrid show the wingtip
characteristics I described? If not, are there other possibilities?
Cheers, Al
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 01 17:15:44 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Neighborhood Birds
--------
MIchael Wienholt wrote:
> While playing badminton on the lawn at the Sunnyvale Community Center, six
> female Common Mergansers and a female Bufflehead visited the pond and
> commenced feeding.
How well do they play? I'd imagine that the Bufflehead would have a harder
time of it. (Sorry, I couldn't resist, although I tried!)
Cheers, Al
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 01 18:54:37 2001
Subject: [SBB] Osprey/Pacific Loon Oka/Los Gatos Creek Park
--------
Happy New Year to All!
Couldn't wait to start my 2001 bird list so off I went to Oka Ponds/Los Gatos
Creek Park. The high lights where: The OSPREY that had caught a fish and was
perched on the top of the dead tree in the middle of the large pond for well
over 45 minutes just holding on to her fish! The PACIFIC LOON was there in
the large pond and preened itself for quite sometime which allowed great
viewing. The COMMON SNIPE are still in the center creek. A pair of HORNED
GREBES where swimming in the large ponds as well.
I met Jim Signor there and he was telling me about a Bat being chased by a
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK!
My best regards,
Linda Sullivan
Saratoga CA
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 01 20:57:20 2001
Subject: [SBB] Starting the new year list...
--------
Like Linda, Penny & I too went out and began our 2001 list. We went up to
Grant Ranch on a delightfully beautiful, warm, winter day.
The days tally quickly spilled over 50 species, with about a dozen EARED
GREBES, COMMON MERGANSERS, and 4 SPOTTED TOWHEES as our personal favorites for
the day.
Possibles: White-throated Sparrow, and (slate) Dark-eyed Junco up at Twin
Gates. Too many sparrows, and not enough experience to positively ID. And
failing light, in the shade, through grass & weeds on the Junco...
Notable misses: White-shouldered Kite, Phainopepla, Cedar Waxwing, Warblers,
Golden Eagle, California Thrasher, and Mountain Bluebird.
Had a good second CBC on Saturday with a great group of folks up on Coyote
Ridge. This area is a native floral habitat preserve. Besides the "birders"
doing the CBC, we had ample help from the California Native Plants
Preservation folks that manage that area. This made for a very interesting
day. It's not too often that we get to bird with experts in the local flora,
California geology, entomology, and biology among other disciplines. Thank
you John Mariani and Mary Simpson for allowing us to participate.
The day brought several highlights. One being 3 Golden Eagles late in the
day; 2 adults, and a juvenile over and north of the landfill. The most
interesting of those was one GOEA that had bilateral white stripes at the
leading edge of the wing root (shoulder?) area. Very distinct and unusual.
The best? Meeting two old friends--long neglected and untended--among that
group. The "low-light?" A roofing nail and a screw in each from tire!
May the new millennium bring you all happiness and good friends,
Dusty & Penny Bleher
Campbell, Ca.
----- Original Message -----
From: <[[email protected]]>
To: <[[email protected]]>
Sent: Monday, January 01, 2001 18:54
Subject: [SBB] Osprey/Pacific Loon Oka/Los Gatos Creek Park
> Happy New Year to All!
>
> Couldn't wait to start my 2001 bird list so off I went to Oka Ponds/Los Gato
s
> Creek Park. The high lights where: The OSPREY that had caught a fish and was
> perched on the top of the dead tree in the middle of the large pond for well
> over 45 minutes just holding on to her fish! The PACIFIC LOON was there in
> the large pond and preened itself for quite sometime which allowed great
> viewing. The COMMON SNIPE are still in the center creek. A pair of HORNED
> GREBES where swimming in the large ponds as well.
>
> I met Jim Signor there and he was telling me about a Bat being chased by a
> SHARP-SHINNED HAWK!
>
> 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]]
>
>
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 01 21:21:38 2001
Subject: [SBB] South County Mergansers
--------
A flock of 80+ Common Mergansers was observed at the south end of Chesboro
Reservoir 01/01/01 around 11:00 AM About 1/3 were males.
Larry Spivak
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 01 22:17:41 2001
Subject: [SBB] New Year's Day birds
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
In spite of a my cold I took part in the Moss Landing CBC today. Of course
wouldn't you know that as I drove by Calero County Park at 4:40 am what
should I see but a BARN OWL mocking me from a wire above the road--after all
that searching for the Calero CBC we get a consolation-prize count week bird
again.
In the last 2 hours before dawn I had 1 WESTERN SCREECH-OWL, 4 NORTHERN
SAW-WHET OWLS, and 2 NORTHERN PYGMY-OWLS, all along a logging road off
Highway 152 east of Hecker Pass. One of the Saw-whets flew silently around
me in the dark like a big moth. As usual I had to wait until about 6:30am
for the pygmy owls to speak up.
Although mostly in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, the Moss Landing
CBC circle also includes part of Mount Madonna County Park and about 2 miles
along Highway 152 east of it's summit at Hecker Pass. Covering these areas
by daylight produced lower numbers of birds than last year, but
representatives of most of the usual species were present. Birds there
included BAND-TAILED PIGEONS, PYGMY NUTHATCHES, BROWN CREEPERS, WINTER
WRENS, RUBY-CROWNED and 2 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, HERMIT and VARIED
THRUSHES (the latter in very low numbers), HUTTON'S VIREO, TOWNSEND'S
WARBLER (only one!), droves of DARK-EYED JUNCOS, and several "SOOTY" FOX
SPARROWS.
Most of our more interesting finds were west of Hecker Pass in Santa
Cruz Co. At lower elevations on the west side of the mountains we noticed an
increase in TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS. Descending Mt. Madonna Road I found a
tan-striped WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, not so unusual for this area of the
count. A flock of about 12 VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS flying over the foothills
at the end of Gaffey Road was more unexpected. At Salsipuedes School near
Watsonville we met the rest of our party, led by David Ekdahl, who had found
HOODED MERGANSERS and a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE and small form CANADA
GOOSE in with a flock of Canada Geese on the pond behind the school. When he
led us back there we found that they had been joined by a single ROSS'S
GOOSE. The runty Canada Goose had only a narrow white collar, so I guess it
was probably of the race minima--any ideas on this?
At about 3pm I headed for Moss Landing just to increase my species count
for the day. Along Jetty Road there was a MERLIN perched in the lone cypress
in the marsh, and a pair of LONG-TAILED DUCKS (former OLDSQUAWS) were in the
nearby harbor. Apparently up to 6 Long-tailed Ducks have been present there.
Among a very few HERRING GULLS on the beach were 2 adult THAYER'S GULLS.
Oddest sight there was a CLARK'S GREBE standing upright on the shore, it's
feet actually supporting it (posture-wise imagine a penguin with a long
skinny neck).
Made a final dash to Zmudowski State Beach to break 100 species for the
day. Best find there was a SWAMP SPARROW that popped up a few times among
the untold numbers of LINCOLN'S, SONG, and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS lurking in
the weedy field across the road from the pond.
John Mariani
[[email protected]]
www.birdswest.com
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 02 08:59:10 2001
Subject: [SBB] San Jose CBC, Dec 17
--------
Hello All,
I'm finally back after a week in Arizona and back to a computer that works!
(Our home computer was down). So here's a brief summary of the San Jose
CBC, Dec 17, 2000.
We had a great count with a total of 165 species. The big highlight, of
course, was the Black-back Wagtail discovered by David McIntyre on Cargill
Salt Pond A-8. Way to go, David!
Other highlights include the following:
Greater White-fronted Goose - 2 in Alviso
Snow Goose - 2 (one at Calaveras & one at Lake Cunningham)
Ross' Goose - 18 in Alviso
Eurasian Wigeon - 1 on dike between Salt Ponds A9-10 in Alviso
Osprey - 1 along Guadalupe River near SJ Airport
Red-tailed (Harlan's) Hawk - 1 along Guadalupe River at Trimble Rd
Ferruginous Hawk - 2 (one in the Calaveras sector & one in Alviso)
Sandhill Crane - 1 in Alviso sector near sewage disposal (Milpitas)
Lesser Yellowlegs - 3 in Sunnyvale Baylands Park
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 at Lake Cunningham (returning for 4th winter)
Glaucous Gull - 2 both in Alviso sector
Black-throated Gray Warbler - 1 in Lou Vierra Field, Santa Clara
MacGillivray's Warbler - 1 in Coyote Creek riparian betw Montague Expwy &
101
Western Tanager - 1 in Guadalupe River riparian north of Trimble Rd
Thanks to all who participated, not only for the highlights but also for the
rest of us (including myself) who spent a lot of time counting Mallards and
coots, Rock Doves and starlings. They all count. We had a great day.
- Ann
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 02 09:30:39 2001
Subject: [SBB] Myrtle vs Audubons warblers
--------
I think there is actually quite a variation in relative numbers between the species based on habitat. I've noticed that Jasper Ridge typically gets large number of Myrtle Warblers up in the oak woodland. This past Palo Alto CBC, Peter LaTourrette and I had only Myrtles in our setion of the count (which includes Blue Oak woodland and riparian habitat).
In contrast if you bird along typical residential ornamental plantings and particularly around Eucalyptus trees, you see predominantly Audubons Warblers. The day before on the San Jose CBC I birded some very urban areas (e.g. Bramhall Park in Willow Glen, Overfelt Gardens, Emma Prusch Park) and along riparian corridors like Los Gatos Creek trail. Audubon's outnumbered Myrtles by far; the only couple of Myrtles I found were along the riparian corridor of Los Gatos Creek.
In terms of identification, I find listening to their call notes seems the best way to start. Myrtle Warbler chip notes sound a bit harder, slightly closer to the sound a Townsends or Black-throated Gray makes but not quite as dry. I still look to confirm the id, but I've found I can usually separate the two by chip notes with a bit of practice.
Richard
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 02 10:50:57 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] 2001 birds and a Gull question
--------
One of the interesting features of the new Sibley guide is that it makes
a stab at some of the known hybrid crosses for gulls. I imagine that unless
there's a sizeable effort to do follow-up monitoring of known hybridization,
we can only speculate about dominant characteristics.
FWIW, the Herring X Glaucous-winged cross in Sibley indicates that it's
plumage is variable, can look structurally like Thayer's, and it's depicted
with a light eye, which I'm sure, is variable, too.
Les Chibana
On Monday, January 1, 2001 5:12 PM, [[email protected]] wrote:
[snip]
> At the small island (where the Lesser Black-Backed often hangs out, al-
>though less so today), there was a pale adult pink-legged gull which had some
>characteristics of Thayer's. It had a somewhat rounded head and a dark eye;
>and the primary tips were blackish on the upper surface of the folded wing,
>but pale gray from below. However, the bill seemed too long (more Herring-
>like), and the bird seemed too large (much larger than the Californias here).
>Hence I'm reluctant to call it Thayer's, and naturally thinking of something
>like a Herring X Glaucous-Winged. However, I know little of what such a hybrid
>adult would look like. In particular, would that hybrid show the wingtip
>characteristics I described? If not, are there other
>possibilities?
>
> Cheers, Al
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 02 11:49:07 2001
Subject: [SBB] Fwd: New Years Eve Run Down
--------
[This is an out-of-area report, but this area is close enough that some of
you may be interested in visiting.]
On New Years Eve, I went with a group from my birding class to the Stockton
area. Lisa Myers organized the trip after her experience of attending the
Central Valley Birding Symposium. The fly-in at the end of the day was
truly a religious experience, regardless of your particular faith. Doing
this on the last day of the year and milennium, as our part of the world
defines it, made it especially poignant. And, as Lisa recalls in her report,
cranes have a special significance in Japanese culture; a thousand of them
has more significance, and many thousand....
Slightly edited, for those of you who saw the original report.
Les Chibana
--------------------------------------
Date: Monday, January 1, 2001 8:14 PM
From: Lisa Myers
New Years Eve Central Valley Birding Extravaganza
December 31, 2000
The group met by 8:30 AM at Oak Grove Park. We found ourselves in the midst
of Central Valley Tule fog. This provided us a great opportunity to practice
our birding by ear. But, OH NO - we just blamed Lisa! The temperature in
Stockton read in the low 30's - Ouch!
The valley oaks were mysteriously, and beautifully majestic as they stood in
the dense fog. Bird activity was rather quiet.
We soon headed north to the White Slough Water Treatment area where we joined
several hunters in an attempt to look for more birds. It seems they were not
having any luck either. Although the area seemed to be a great spot for
birds, few were spotted in the wet, cold fog. But, the Common Yellowthroat,
Marsh Wren and White Tailed Kites were appreciated.
We didn't feel we had enough fog so we drove farther north where visibility
was even less. We were looking for a real challenge and we found it. We
made our next stop at The Nature Conservancy's Los Consumnes River Preserve.
On the boardwalk we witnessed exceptionally great views of male Ruby Crown
Kinglets displaying their red crown feathers. No need for optics, the crown
was vividly flashing red. Continuing on the trail we listened to several
Sora calling from the marsh, heard a train go by, but no one actually saw it,
and got to watch a Common Snipe watch us. Found evidence of River Otters,
but no otters.
It was here that we had lunch and watched, "nothing but blue skies from now
on". The cranes (we could previously only hear) were now flying over our
heads, along with several strings of mature and immature Tundra Swans. With
no time to spare we continued onward.
With Brook leading the way we wound around the backroads (Desmond Road) on
our way to 99. With another Common Snipe on the right side of the road we
found a very cooperative Virginia Rail on the left side of the road allowing
everyone great views.
We made it to Lodi Lake only to discover there was no lake, allowing another
great opportunity to study gull species. Finding the gulls a bit boring we
worked on the parrots that flew through the park. Their species is still to
be determined. Walking down the nature trail we were surrounded only by
Scrub Jays. Pig's Lake on the other hand was home to several Wood Ducks with
at least 35 both on the water and in flight. The walk back along Mokelumne
River (oh ye of little faith - Kendric) afforded us a glimpse at several Common Mergansers.
With the end of the day near we headed out to Woodbridge Road where we found
several raptors enjoying the last few moments of sunshine, and watched a
Short- eared Owl come out and show them who was boss. We drove the entire
stretch of road and found Tundra Swans and Sandhill Cranes out in the
surrounding fields. As we turned our caravan of cars around and headed back
to where we hoped birds would fly in to spend the night, we were rewarded
several thousand times over as Sandhill Cranes did indeed fly in for the
evening. With Mt. Diablo in the distance and the magenta, fuchsia, pink
sunset for color, we watched what appeared to be well over 10,000 SandHill
Cranes fly directly over to land in the flooded fields behind us.
Unbelievable! Their grace, call and flight were only matched by the Tundra
Swans.
Thank you all for making the trip. Les said it is a Japanese custom to give
symbols of cranes as gifts. Cranes represent good-luck. I hope this means
all of us have a great 2001 ahead of us because we saw ourselves one heck of
a lot of cranes!
Happy New Year to all of you. I'd like to thank Kay Partelow for helping
me with the bird list. If we missed anything please let me know.
Lisa Myers
76 Species plus Sora (heard only)
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Green Heron
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Tundra Swan
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow/Ross's Goose (3 flew over)
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
American Wigeon
Northern Pintail
Northern Shoveler
Cinnamon Teal
Common Merganser
Turkey Vulture
White-tailed Kite
Norther Harrier
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Virginia Rail
Sora-h
American Coot
Sandhill Crane
Killdeer
Black-necked Stilt
Greater Yellowlegs
Common Snipe
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Short-eared Owl
Anna's Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Acorn Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Nuttall's Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black Phoebe
Loggerhead Shrike
Hutton's Vireo
Western Scrub-Jay
Yellow-billed Magpie
American Crow
Violet-green Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Bushtit
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
American Pipit
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Western Meadowlark
Tricolored Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 02 12:07:44 2001
Subject: [SBB] Calero-Morgan Hill CBC
--------
All,
On Saturday 12/30/00, I birded the areas along Coyote Creek from
Metcalf Road to just north of Cottonwood Lake at Hellyer Park, after
owling in nearby areas before dawn.
Owling along Hellyer Avenue and nearby areas failed to produce the
hoped for Barn Owl, which was again missed on the count. Playing
tapes at the marsh south of Silicon Valley Blvd elicited responses
from single VIRGINIA and SORA RAILS, the former the only bird on the
count. Along Metcalf and Las Animas Roads I heard 8 GREAT HORNED OWLS
and 6 WESTERN SCREECH-OWLS without even needing a tape. At 6:50am a
NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL also started tooting incessantly, perhaps in
response to my whistled imitations of its call.
Back at Parkway Lakes at first light Greg Meissner and I saw four
WHITE-TAILED KITES heading north from an unknown roost to the south.
An OSPREY first showed up at 7:42am. This bird was molting in p8 on
both wings (third from outermost primary) and quite distinctive. She
was around most of the morning, catching a fish before 10:28am and
then being joined by a male at 12:08pm. The same pair was later seen
over Shady Oaks Park at 1:22pm.
Next I spent an hour at Cottonwood Lake. No rare geese here, although
I did find a first-winter GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, an adult HERRING GULL,
and a female GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Seventy-five DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANTS were enjoying the 500 pounds of trout that the lake had
been stocked with on 12/28. The mature vegetation along Coyote Creek
here had some nice birds, including several "MYRTLE" YELLOW-RUMPED
WARBLERS and an unseen ground-loving warbler that produced a very
interesting chip note.
Back at Parkway Lakes I was joined for the rest of the morning by Alma
Kali. Another adult HERRING GULL was perched on the lightpost by the
entrance road. Ducks and shorebirds were in low numbers here this
year, but we did manage to add 2 COMMON GOLDENEYES, 4 GADWALL, 3 male
BUFFLEHEAD, a female RING-NECKED DUCK, 12 WOOD DUCKS, 2 female COMMON
MERGANSERS, and a COMMON SNIPE. Two COMMON MOORHEN were also a good
find here.
In a residential area along Coyote Creek just south of the highway 85
overcrossing we had a large flock of 81 AMERICAN ROBINS and 49 CEDAR
WAXWINGS feeding on berries. While watching them, the only
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER for the count came working its way through the
ornamental shrubs.
I started out the afternoon in Shady Oaks Park, hoping that somehow
the Eastern Phoebe that was last seen there two years ago may have
returned undetected - no luck. Interesting birds here included a
single RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER and a RINGED TURTLE-DOVE. The dove did
not call but allowed close study of the undertail, confirming that it
was not a EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE. Three more WOOD DUCKS were in
Coyote Creek north of the park.
Another check of Cottonwood Lake turned up the same birds as found in
the morning, although more CANADA GEESE had arrived. A pair of HOODED
MERGANSERS in Coyote Creek north of here were a great addition to the
list though!
I finished the day by walking along Coyote Creek from Silicon Valley
Blvd to Silver Creek Valley Road and back. Highlights here included a
HAIRY WOODPECKER, 2 adult BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS (apparently the
only ones for the count!), a MERLIN, and an unhappy-looking NYASA
(=LILIAN'S) LOVEBIRD that sat motionless and silent in the top of a
leafless tree. Back at Silicon Valley Blvd just before 5pm, at least
5 WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS circled before suddenly careening down into
the drainage holes under the bridge.
As it got dark, I checked the entrance to the Riverside Golf Course
for Barn Owls, but had to settle for 215 CANADA GEESE heading south
and another COMMON SNIPE instead. Geese totals are hard to determine,
as they spend part of the day flying back and forth along the creek.
Presumably many of these 215 were the same as the 150 I had seen
flying north in several groups at 10am in my area to the north.
The most numerous of the 82 species (not counting the exotics) found
in my count area were 687 AMERICAN COOTS, 234 EUROPEAN STARLINGS, 214
ROCK DOVES, 154+ CANADA GEESE, 148 AMERICAN ROBINS, 125 DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANTS, and 100 CEDAR WAXWINGS. Also had over 75 each of MALLARD,
MOURNING DOVE, WESTERN SCRUB-JAY, and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW though -
and a whopping 64 ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS and 67 BUSHTITS!
Birds of prey besides those mentioned above included 3 SHARP-SHINNED
HAWKS, 8 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 4 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 3 AMERICAN
KESTRELS, and 4 BELTED KINGFISHERS.
Also nice were ten species of mammals, including a gorgeous BOBCAT
relaxing in the clearing south of the orchard at Shady oaks Park.
Following the countdown dinner, Mike Mammoser and I headed to southern
California to see the state's first Nutting's Flycatcher in Irvine.
Returning the next day 12/31/00, we saw an immature PEREGRINE FALCON
over Highway 152 just west of San Felipe Lake and a FERRUGINOUS HAWK
(likely immature) over the Monterey Highway just north of Palm near
Morgan Hill.
Mike Rogers
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 02 12:14:11 2001
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
Sunday, 12/31/2000, I walked at the Stanford dish and found 5 LARK
SPARROWS in the same spot as in November (300 m N of the dish, towards Piers
Lane). A male and female HOODED MERGANSER were in San Francisquito Creek at
Piers Lane.
Today, 1/2/2000, I saw one AM. WHITE PELICAN over the Palo Alto FCB and
later in Salt Pond A2W. Lingering BROWN PELICANS remain in A2W with at least
19 seen, most on the catwalk beneath the towers where Mike Mammoser found so
many on the CBC. The BLACK SKIMMER flock has swelled to 13 at Charleston
Slough.
Bill
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 02 12:18:34 2001
Subject: [SBB] Calero/Morgan Hill CBC
--------
SB Birders---
On Saturday, Dec 30, Dick Stovel and I covered Uvas Co. Park and
McKean Rd. for the Calero Morgan Hill CBC. We started owling at 5:00
AM, collecting 11 WESTERN SCREECH OWLS and 6 GREAT HORNED OWLS along
Casa Loma Rd. and Uvas Canyon Rd. Unfortunately, we missed N.
Saw-whet and N. Pygmy Owls in appropriate habitat along Uvas Canyon
Rd.
Best bird at the Uvas Co. Park campground was RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCH (3 individuals); disappointing misses were Varied Thrush and
Golden-crowned Kinglet, although these species were recorded
elsewhere for the Count. For the second consecutive year, we had an
AMERICAN DIPPER along Uvas Creek at the confluence with Croy Creek.
I stayed out well past dusk, working Bailey Rd. and the edge of
Calero Reservoir for Barn Owl, but had no luck. If anyone knows of
roosting Barn Owls in this vicinity, please report this information
to John Mariani, Mike Rogers or me, so we don't miss this species on
future count days. Thanks.
---Grant Hoyt
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 02 12:30:19 2001
Subject: [SBB] New Year's Day
--------
All,
Like others, I spent a few hours on New Year's Day 1/1/01 starting my
2001 year (=millenium?) list.
Through his work, Scott Terrill had access to the wagtail site in
Alviso and we enjoyed refinding the adult BLACK-BACKED WAGTAIL just
before noon. A SANDERLING was also here. Back in town Scott heard,
and then pished into view for us, an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER. About 20
AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were at the Calabazas Ponds.
At nearby State and Spreckles we scoped the adult PEREGRINE FALCON on
an EEC entrance road tower and had a first-winter THAYER'S GULL fly
overhead.
As others have reported, Lake Cunningham had the LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL, immature SNOW GOOSE, and adult ROSS'S GOOSE. We also had an
OSPREY over the lake from 1:20pm on, this bird molting p9 on both
wings and different from either of the Parkway Lakes pair. On the way
out we saw what may have been the strange pink-legged gull Al Eisner
has already described sitting on the dock (Scott got photos). This
bird had a dull yellow eye with brown flecks (appearing somewhat dark
through binoculars or at a distance), had a closed wing tip from above
that looked Herring-like but was much paler gray on the inner webs
when spread (not the contrasting fingering look of a typical Thayer's
Gull though), and had a mostly pale underwing with some darker gray on
the inner webs of the outer primaries (more than typical for
Thayer's). We concluded that this bird may have been a HERRING x
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL hybrid (perhaps backcrossed to HERRING?) or
perhaps a HERRING x THAYER'S GULL or some other lesser known hybrid.
Near Parkway Lakes we failed to refind Mike's American Redstart, but
did have the pair of OSPREY seen on count day, a GREEN HERON, a COMMON
SNIPE, a GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and a MERLIN.
I headed home via Calero Reservoir and enjoyed nice views of an
immature COMMON LOON just off the boat launch. As found on the count,
there are a lot of shorebirds at the receding reservoir, including at
least 58 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS. Also 6 COMMON MERGANSERS here.
Happy New Year List :)
Mike Rogers
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 02 12:42:17 2001
Subject: [SBB] Geng Road 01/02/01
--------
A visit to Geng Rd. at 1130 today turned up the following: a Red-shouldered
Hawk in a pine in the corner of the parking lot; Red-breasted Sapsucker in
the eucalyptus tree near the ballfield; a "Myrtle" type Yellow-rumped
Warbler in the same tree; a male/female pair of Downy Woodpecker in the
smaller eucs here; many White-crowned Sparrows and California Towhees; a
group of Short-billed Dowitcher in the creek; Common Yellowthroat and a
female American Kestrel along the creek; in the golf course pond were a
male/female pair of Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe and a single male Hooded
Merganser.
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 02 12:43:00 2001
Subject: [SBB] Day 1 in Almaden
--------
Hello All,
I did a little bit of birding in the Almaden area on Jan 1 and have a few
birds of interest to report.
The best find was a tan-morphed WHITE-THROATED SPARROW along Alamitos Rd at
the pull-out 3/10 mile from the dam. I think this may have been the same
White-throated Sparrow seen on Nov 18 because it was seen in exactly the
same location. The pull-out is marked by a large oak, brushy undergrowth of
willow & coyote brush, and mounds of dirt piled to the side. The bird was
with a flock of Golden-crowned Sparrows. A count-week bird for the
Calero-Morgan Hill CBC - sorry my team and I missed it on count day.
Other birds to report were 50+ WOOD DUCKS at Almaden Reservoir and the
continuing presence of the COMMON LOON at Calero Reservoir plus TRICOLORED
BLACKBIRDS with the mixed blackbird flock near the boat launch (Red-winged,
Brewer's, Brown-headed Cowbird, and starling).
That's about all of real interest to report from me on this half-day check -
otherwise the usual stuff including Common Merganser, Spotted Sandpiper and
Common Snipe at Almaden Reservoir - Ann
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 02 13:05:41 2001
Subject: [SBB] First Birds of the new year
--------
My first backyard birds for 2001 were ...12 CALIFORNIA QUAIL and 1 STELLER'S JAY. My quail are daily visitors, but I hadn't had a Steller's since Sept.
On my regular 4-mile walk, I had a KILLDEER on Bicknell Rd...in a yard, no construction, no empty dirt space. That was unusual.
I was greeted at "My Farm" by a YELLOW-RUMP and BEWICK'S WREN...rounded the bend and flushed a KINGFISHER and GREEN HERON. Last year I had Kingfisher's from Jan 28-August 28 fairly often. Last year I had Green Heron's often between April 24-September 15. So, this was the first one since Sept 15. A nice 4-some to start the year.
I was in San Luis Obispo for New Year's and birded Morro Bay area on 12/31...I have not birded this area before and was amazed at the hundreds of Brant Geese. I hadn't realized they wintered there.
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos off Quito
www.wallstreetgifts.com
"largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts"
www.cowscowscows.com
"site for the Chicago and NYC cows"
www.lgsia.com
"money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios"
--------
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1.9 KBytes
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 02 14:33:10 2001
Subject: [SBB] San Jose CBC, Dec 17
--------
Considering what Ann Verdi went through after her trip to Nome, I was amazed
that she continued as the leader of the SJ CBC. Most people would have
bailed (with very good reason) but Ann's loyalty kept her involved. It would
be wonderful if she could regain her hearing, but if that doesn't happen, we
know she'll still enjoy the birds.
Thank YOU, Ann, for your hardwork in once again organizing a great CBC -
this year during a difficult personal time. It always provides such a "feel
good" time to have so many birders working together to do the best job
possible. I realize that people that organize the other CBC's also put a lot
of effort into it - and I thank them too.
As a P.S. I liked the new place for dinner better than the old, it was
cosier...but the map needs to say "south" not "north"...
Is there any way an "ordinary" birder can see the Wagtail?
Thank you, Ann...job well done :-)
Gloria LeBlanc
www.wallstreetgifts.com
"largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts"
www.cowscowscows.com
"site for the Chicago and NYC cows"
www.lgsia.com
"money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios"
----- Original Message -----
From: <[[email protected]]>
To: <[[email protected]]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2001 8:59 AM
Subject: [SBB] San Jose CBC, Dec 17
> Hello All,
>
> I'm finally back after a week in Arizona and back to a computer that
works!
> (Our home computer was down). So here's a brief summary of the San Jose
> CBC, Dec 17, 2000.
>
> We had a great count with a total of 165 species. The big highlight, of
> course, was the Black-back Wagtail discovered by David McIntyre on Cargill
> Salt Pond A-8. Way to go, David!
>
> Other highlights include the following:
> Greater White-fronted Goose - 2 in Alviso
> Snow Goose - 2 (one at Calaveras & one at Lake Cunningham)
> Ross' Goose - 18 in Alviso
> Eurasian Wigeon - 1 on dike between Salt Ponds A9-10 in Alviso
> Osprey - 1 along Guadalupe River near SJ Airport
> Red-tailed (Harlan's) Hawk - 1 along Guadalupe River at Trimble Rd
> Ferruginous Hawk - 2 (one in the Calaveras sector & one in Alviso)
> Sandhill Crane - 1 in Alviso sector near sewage disposal (Milpitas)
> Lesser Yellowlegs - 3 in Sunnyvale Baylands Park
> Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 at Lake Cunningham (returning for 4th winter)
> Glaucous Gull - 2 both in Alviso sector
> Black-throated Gray Warbler - 1 in Lou Vierra Field, Santa Clara
> MacGillivray's Warbler - 1 in Coyote Creek riparian betw Montague Expwy &
> 101
> Western Tanager - 1 in Guadalupe River riparian north of Trimble Rd
>
> Thanks to all who participated, not only for the highlights but also for
the
> rest of us (including myself) who spent a lot of time counting Mallards
and
> coots, Rock Doves and starlings. They all count. We had a great day.
> - 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]]
>
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 02 14:50:14 2001
Subject: [SBB] Shoreline Park
--------
All,
A quick check of Shoreline Lake over lunch today 1/2/01 turned up an
adult male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, an adult BROWN PELICAN, and the
immature GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE with CANADA GEESE on the golf
course. No sign of the Clay-colored Sparrow. Also, as Bill has
already reported, the BLACK SKIMMER flock has been augmented to 13.
Both SORA and VIRGINIA RAILS were calling in the Forebay.
Mike Rogers
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 02 15:58:12 2001
Subject: [SBB] County "cherry picking"
--------
All,
Today was my first chance of the new year to do some birding and so decided
to do some "cherry picking". Unfortunately I failed to get perhaps the
sweetest cherry when I was unable to find Mike Mammosers American Redstart
south of Metcalf. I somehow lost Mike's directions but had some very active
birding along the paved trail at between 550 and 900 yards south of Metcalf
under the power lines, just no redstart. Was this the right area Mike?
I then went to Lake Cunningham where I picked the adult Ross's Goose,
immature Snow Goose and the Lesser Black-backed Gull. A Thayer's Gull nearby
was ripe. A quick trip to Los Gatos Creek Park added Pacific Loon and Common
Snipe to our basket of goodies but the Osprey was not to be picked (in some
other orchard?).
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 3:59 PM, 1/2/01
--------
Attachment
980 bytes
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 02 16:01:44 2001
--------
831-454-4652
=====
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Photos - Share your holiday photos online!
http://photos.yahoo.com/
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 03 14:50:04 2001
Subject: [SBB] Fwd: Northern CA BirdBox is working...
--------
SBBers, if you're not on Calbird, you may not have been notified.
Les
--
Les Chibana
List Bureaucrat
South-Bay-Birds List
[[email protected]]
--------------------------------------
Date: Tuesday, January 2, 2001 7:54 PM
From: [[email protected]]
CalBirders -
I am pleased to announce the return of the Northern California BirdBox.
1-415-681-7422
My thanks to Jennifer Matkin for allowing the opportunity to put it back in
operation, and for hosting it and running routine maintenance.
All the best in 2001,
Leslie Lieurance
San Francisco
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 03 15:13:41 2001
Subject: [SBB] Re: Northern CA BirdBox is working...
--------
Apparently this message is cryptic to some people. Sorry.
The Northern California BirdBox is the phone-in service for reporting
rare Northern California bird sightings. The other function is, of course,
to check on the reported birds. The phone number is 1-415-681-7422. The
service is like an answering service in which you have several prompts
and options. The personality is still the friendly voice of Joe Morlan,
who personally handled this task via answering machine and posted
summaries for about 25 years before the current computer-based system.
Currently, if you are subscribed to BirdWest, the rare bird alert
service provided by the same listserver that hosts BirdChat, you can get
transcriptions of the No. Calif. BirdBox e-mailed to you on a timely
basis, unless you're an uncurable twitcher and need to know this stuff
yesterday. Directions to subscribe to BirdWest, BirdChat, etc. can be
found at Kendric Smith's South Bay Birds Unlimited site,
go to the Birding Web Sites link and then to the bottom of the page.
Les
On Wednesday, January 3, 2001 2:50 PM, Les Chibana <[[email protected]]> wrote:
>SBBers, if you're not on Calbird, you may not have been
>notified.
>
>Les
>--
>
>Les Chibana
>List Bureaucrat
>South-Bay-Birds List
>[[email protected]]
>
>
>--------------------------------------
>Date: Tuesday, January 2, 2001 7:54 PM
>From: [[email protected]]
>
>CalBirders -
>
>I am pleased to announce the return of the Northern California BirdBox.
>1-415-681-7422
>
>My thanks to Jennifer Matkin for allowing the opportunity to put it back in
>operation, and for hosting it and running routine maintenance.
>
>All the best in 2001,
>
>
>Leslie Lieurance
>San Francisco
>
>
>
>
>-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
>This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
>server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
>message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to
>[[email protected]]
>
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 03 17:01:49 2001
Subject: [SBB] Stanford Dish
--------
All:
Around noon today, two immature Golden Eagles were on top of the Stanford
Dish. As reported earlier by Bill Bousman, there were several (4) Lark
Sparrows a couple hundred yards north of the Dish, on the path leading down
to the Piers Lane entrance off Alpine Road. They were on and around a small
cluster of snags below the path.
Yours, John Meyer
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 03 18:47:33 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Calero Morgan Hill CBC
--------
John,
Regarding that Barn Owl miss: it may not be so aberrant after all, although
it is alarming. I believe it has happened in recent years on the Palo Alto
count as well, and I recall a recent San Jose count where it was prevented
only by the security guard at the Kelly Park countdown dinner coming in to
ask us "Hey, what kind of big white bird would be flying around out here
tonight?"
According to various indices of bird census data, Barn Owls are declining
steeply on a statewide basis - perhaps as much as 80% over the past 30 years.
I very much hope this is not a glimpse of the future for this species in our
region.
--Garth Harwood
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 03 18:47:40 2001
Subject: [SBB] WT Sparrow, GOEA at Hidden Villa today
--------
All,
A "tan-striped" White-crowned Sparrow was groundfeeding with a small flock of
Golden-crowneds at about 2PM today outside the White House near the western
edge of the built-up part of Hidden Villa. A Fox Sparrow was also present at
the edge of this group.
At 2:30 PM a lone Golden Eagle circled briefly just to the north of Hidden
Villa, approximately over the Foothills Open Space Preserve parking area
along Page Mill Rd.
--Garth Harwood
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 03 19:40:07 2001
Subject: [SBB] Holiday Birding in Central California
--------
Greetings Friends!
I spent the better part of the past two weeks birding in various counties of
central California.I thought some of you would be interested in hearing of
the "goodies" I saw.
On December 24,I found an adult male TENNESSEE WARBLER and a female yellow
warbler in the flowering Albizzia shrubs along Harding Park Dr. just west of
the Lake Merced boathouse in San Francisco.
On Dec.27,I visited eastern Merced County with Dave Shuford.Our first stop
was Merced Falls where we found a drake Red-br.Merganser(very rare inland)and
about a mile downstream,a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER(very few county
records).Other birds seen along the Merced River below the falls included
bald eagle,osprey,Lewis' woodpecker,a flock of 150-200 white-faced
ibis,black-throated gray warbler and 2 chipping sparrows. The latter two
species are rare in winter.
On Dec.29,Shuford and I birded at Merced N.W.R. where we relocated the
EASTERN PHOEBE and STILT SANDPIPER that we found back in late November.A
singing(!) PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER here may have been the first winter
record for Merced Co. and almost as surprising was a female yellow warbler. A
count of eleven house wrens was indicative of how numerous this species can
be in the southern Central Valley in winter. A BLUE snow goose was picked
out among thousands of white ones. All birds mentioned at Merced refuge were
seen along the Auto Tour Loop.
On Dec.31,in Monterey Co.,Al DeMartini and I visited Moonglow Dairy,adding
two swamp sparrows,two cattle egrets,a brant,and a female SELASPHORUS sp.
hummingbird(very early or wintering?)to our list. A mid-day scoping session
from the south jetty of Moss Landing harbor provided us with two red-necked
grebes,four short-tailed oldsquaws,and a lady harlequin duck. We rewarded
ourselves by indulging in a "feeding frenzy" at the legendary local
pelagic-food eatery, Phil's Fish Market. Here we added steamed
artichokes,ceviche and blackened albacore to our list.
On New Year's Day,the morning greeted us with eight lesser yellowlegs on the f
looded lawn at the entrance to Pajaro Dunes,Santa Cruz County. Later in
Monterey Co.,we were charmed by a perky PALM WARBLER perched on the steering
wheel of a tractor at the Elkhorn Slough Native Plant Nursery.
On January 2,Al and I were joined by Lisa Hug and Chris Corbin,in a search
for the "probable lark bunting" seen the day before on the Moss Landing CBC
at Watsonville,Santa Cruz Co. We spent more than an hour searching and
finally got fairly good views of it,enough to confirm its identity as a bona
fide female LARK BUNTING. It was in a pasture in a backyard across the road
from mailbox #212 along Peckham Road,visible from the fence with a metal
wagon wheel.
Later we all drove up to Harkins Slough Rd. in Watsonville,west of Highway
One,to look at the TROPICAL KINGBIRD found the previous day on the Xmas
Count(which by the way ended up with a total of 199 species). We found the
bird near the dead-end portion of the road where a dirt road heads north up
the hill toward a dairy.
In the late afternoon,on the way back home,Al and I had just enough energy
left to stop at the Ocean Colony golfcourse in Halfmoon Bay(San Mateo Co.) to
add one more kingbird to our list. We quickly located the now-famous
THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD in a tall grove of Blue Gum Eucalyptus at the
maintenance yard. This is the same spot it has claimed as its territory the
past three winters.
We then headed off into the sunset with visions of tacos and cold beers in
our minds.
HAPPY NEW YEAR----------FELIZ Año Nuevo !
Peter J. Metropulos
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 03 19:51:57 2001
Subject: [SBB] Far south county
--------
Hi SBB,
On 1/2 there was a male GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE flying over Llagas Creek just
south fo the sewage treatment facility north of Bloomfield Road. It flew west
and out of view across the field. A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was ~100 meters
downstream of Bloomfield Road, on the east side of Llagas Creek.
Today, 1/3, I was at Casa De Fruita along Hwy 152 just before dusk. A MERLIN
was hunting there and 4 WOOD DUCKS flew up Pacheco Creek. Most interesting
was a river of CALIFORNIA GULLS that flew east fairly high over head from
4:35-5:00 p.m. It was hard to count them accurately, but I estimated 11,000
to 12,000 gulls passed over in this short time, mostly in large flocks and
skeins, one after the other. All those that I tried to scrutinize looked like
Cal. Gulls, but there may have been a minority of other species. On the
whole, they all looked like Cal. Gulls. They were heading from the direction
of Felipe Lake and going east over the hills a little ways north of Pacheco
Pass. This was obviously a dusk movement to somewhere in the Central Valley,
but from where? Santa Clara Valley? The coast?
David Suddjian
Capitola, CA
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From [[email protected]] Thu Jan 04 11:33:22 2001
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
It may be appropo to discuss local Barn Owl populations following the
Christmas Count season. Despite the declines Garth mentioned statewide, there
is no significant drop in numbers on the San Jose CBC (since 1956) or the Palo
Alto CBC (since 1959). As nocturnal species, these owls are much harder to
sample than diurnal birds. Nonetheless, the long time series of data that is
available locally does provide us a unique vantage point as concerns this
bird.
Bill
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From [[email protected]] Thu Jan 04 13:08:03 2001
Subject: [SBB] Don Edwards
--------
A tour here at lunchtime turned up a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Sora,
Green-winged Teal and Black-crowned Night Heron. Carl Fowler provided
scope-filling views of a Golden Eagle on one of the transmission towers on
the way out. State & Speckles had only Reiling's "unmentionables". A Say's
Phoebe was on the fence at Zanker along with a Western Meadowlark.
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From [[email protected]] Thu Jan 04 15:04:51 2001
Subject: [SBB] More County "Cherry Picking"
--------
All,
At 11 AM this morning I refound Mike Mammoser's female American Redstart near
where he had last seen the bird. She was frantically feeding (would make
most Ruby-crowned Kinglets look slow) in the top half of trees along the east
bank of Coyote Creek at mile marker 7.5 (white sign on east side of paved
path). This is between 800 and 900 yards upstream of Metcalf Road. The bird
did give a couple quite but sharp chip notes (similar to Yellow Warbler).
This is a very small, slim looking bird but the tail pattern just jumps out
at you as she the keeps the tail at least partly spread while foraging. Very
hard to get scope views though. While looking for the AMRE I saw a closely
associating "pair" of Red-breasted Sapsuckers (a possible third some distance
further upstream). The area just before where AMRE was is fairly birdy.
I then went to Shoreline Lake where I found the Greater White-fronted Goose
(with the Canada Geese on the golf course) but I was unable to find the male
Barrow's Goldeneye (I checked from both sides of the lake). I also didn't
see the Pacific Loon but then I really wasn't looking for it. While on the
east side of the lake I had six Glaucous-winged Gulls in one small area (two
adults and four first winter) and a first winter Glaucous-winged x Western
Gull hybrid. I then spent some time chasing a fairly large mixed crowned
sparrow flock without re-finding the Clay-colored Sparrow.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 3:05 PM, 1/4/00
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From [[email protected]] Thu Jan 04 15:06:07 2001
Subject: [SBB] Don Edwards
--------
At noon today a tour of the Environmental Education Center area, I missed
the RCKI and BCNH, but did see the SORA, GOEA, SAPH, and WEME. In addition,
I watched 2 VIrginia RAils, COmmon YEllowthroat, WILLets, WHIMbrel, LEast
SAndpipers, Cinnamen TEal, GADWall, RUddy DUcks, and MArsh WRen near the
floating dock. Under the bushes near the EEC, I found 3 FOx SParrows. An
AMerican KEstrel was along the entrance road, but no sign of the PEregrine
FAlcon.
A beautiful day to be outside.
Karl
_______________________________________________________
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From [[email protected]] Thu Jan 04 15:33:44 2001
Subject: [SBB] Pacific Loon - Los Gatos Creek Park
--------
Yesterday (January 3) I went to Los Gatos Creek Park with the intention of
adding Pacific Loon to my year list. It was still there and easily found in
the big pond off the entrance road. I doubt that the Common Loon is still
there since I haven't seen it in three trips since December 8th, but the
two times I did see it last year it didn't stay above water nearly as much
as the Pacific Loon and was harder to find - so some possibility remains.
There was one drake Hodded Merganser in the creek and a pair (male and
female) in the holding ponds off Dell Ave. Two Common Snipe were on their
island and the Osprey was in it's tree in the big pond. I saw two
Ruby-crowned Kinglets in different locations and a female Nuttal's
Woodpecker along the path near the creek.
Don Ganton
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From [[email protected]] Thu Jan 04 16:04:55 2001
Subject: [SBB] Fwd: [CALBIRD] Northern California Bird Box (again)
--------
More info regarding the Northern California BirdBox. Please note that
the Golden Gate Audubon Society supports the BirdBox and can use your
support in the form of donations earmarked for the BirdBox.
Les
--
Les Chibana
List Bureaucrat
South-Bay-Birds List
[[email protected]]
--------------------------------------
Date: Wednesday, January 3, 2001 8:28 PM
From: [[email protected]]
As several of you have pointed out, some of the Bird Box messages have been
of very poor quality lately. I have been experimenting a bit tonight with
the various lines and boards and cables, and it looks as though the problem
is the main phone line into the Bird Box (415-681-7422). I will call Pacific
Bell about taking care of that problem and let you all know when it is
resolved.
Meanwhile, we will have to use the backup/rollover line (415-681-8463), which
means that we will only have one line into the Bird Box, but at least we
should be able to hear the messages. This is a temporary fix only, and as
soon as the other line is back up I will let you know and ask that at that
time you use only the old number.
Re new Bird Box donations - no funds were required to repair the old Bird
Box. Les Lieurance generously donated his time and expertise and a "new"
386! Many, many thanks to Les for all of that.
Of course, Golden Gate Audubon Society (2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite G,
Berkeley, CA 94702, Attn. Bird Box Fund) is always happy to accept donations
to support the Bird Box, as it helps to pay for the phone lines. GGAS is
also investigating setting up a newer Bird Box on a Windows 2000 platform
that could cost a significant amount of money, but hasn't yet figured out
what solution to use or how much it will cost (though it was immediately
clear that the cost will be significant). I will post something to Calbird
when we have a better idea what options are available and how much they cost.
Thank you all for your continuing patience and interest.
Jennifer Matkin
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From [[email protected]] Thu Jan 04 17:38:32 2001
Subject: [SBB] continuing at Almaden Reservoir....
--------
..this morning was the tan-striped White-throated Sparrow in with
Golden-crowns at the turnout previously described (0.3 miles west of the dam
along Alamitos Rd. where the dirt is piled high and there is a single large
oak tree). Also with this sparrow group was a Lincoln's Sparrow. At the
mudflat end of the reservoir were 6 Common Snipe, a Spotted Sandpiper, a
Greater Yellowlegs; with dozens of Wood Ducks on the far bank. Closer to the
dam were 11 Common Mergansers and an Osprey.
Roy Carlson
San Carlos, California
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From [[email protected]] Fri Jan 05 07:59:25 2001
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
This morning, 1/5/2001, lingering pelicans on Salt Pond A2W included 13
AM. WHITE PELICANS and at least four BROWN PELICANS. I suspect a scope would
show quite a few more Browns out on the catwalk. Brown Pelicans, in
particular, rarely remain into January. A flock of 10-20 CANADA GEESE flying
over Stevens Creek included two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE. I could see the
white fronts clearly, but in the early morning light I could not be clear as
to the barring underneath, so the age is unclear. An adult PEREGRINE FALCON
was on a tower at the Stevens Creek Tidal Marsh. I could only find 12 BLACK
SKIMMERS at Charleston Slough this morning, but could easily have missed the
13th.
Bill
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From [[email protected]] Fri Jan 05 08:05:57 2001
Subject: [SBB] New Year's Message
--------
All:
The following information describes the operation of the South-Bay-Birds
Mailing List and is provided to users of the mailing list once a year. The
mailing list is supported by Stanford University as a service to their own
campus as well as the greater community at large. All of us appreciate the
generosity of the university for their support of this mailing list.
The South-Bay-Birds Mailing List is a CLOSED and HIDDEN list. A CLOSED
list means that approval is required before a subscriber can be added to the
mailing list. The approving official is the List Bureaucrat who is Les
Chibana. Les has replaced Jeff Finger, who was kind enough to set this list
up in the first place. All of us appreciate his efforts to keep the list
working smoothly. A HIDDEN list means that the list is not included on a
public list of mailing lists. To subscribe to this list, send an email message
to
[[email protected]]
and this will reach Les. He may ask you a number of questions, including your
full name and a phone number where he can reach you in case bounced messages
become a problem.
Because the South-Bay-Birds Mailing List is CLOSED and HIDDEN it remains
primarily a local list with new people added by word of mouth. It has been
our experience that this approach reduces the number of messages that are
not relevant to the mailing list and insures that when a message does come up
it will be of interest to everyone.
Which brings us to the purpose of this mailing list. The purpose of the
South-Bay-Birds Mailing List is to communicate information on bird observations
in Santa Clara County and adjacent areas in the South San Francisco Bay.
Suitable communications include reports of recent discoveries, information
on plumages for rare or difficult-to-identify birds, description of local
birding spots that are not available in the local guides, and summary
information on birds in the local area. Most of us have other interests
beyond just birding and these interests, sometimes passions, lead us to
believe that we should share some of these other interests with the people on
this mailing list. Please don't. Please restrict your input to this mailing
list to South Bay birds.
Some background and information on how the data submitted to this
mailing list are used and retained may be of interest. Prior to the formation
of the South-Bay-Birds Mailing List there was an informal network of birders
who communicated bird observations in the local area via the Internet using
individually-maintained address lists. This informal network evolved, of
course, to the present mailing list that serves a larger community. In
addition to the original purpose of the informal network the reports to the
network were also used to provide records for the Santa Clara County
notebooks and that information was used in turn as source material for the
column "Field Notes" in _The Avocet_, the newsletter of the Santa Clara Valley
Audubon Society, and as a basis for the quarterly submission of Santa Clara
County records to the Regional Editors of _North American Birds._
I will continue to use the records provided to this mailing list for the
purposes mentioned above. I offer the following comments to describe how this
information is normally used.
1. A record is considered complete if it includes the bird(s) seen, the
numbers observed, the location of the observation, the date, and the
observer(s). I will use records that are second hand if I am familiar with
both the observer and the person passing on the record. In this case I
annotate the record with _fide_ which is the accepted way of noting that a
record has not been directly obtained, but has been provided by the _fide_
source. I rarely use third-hand records out of concern with the mischief that
occurs during information transmittal as the number of pathways increase.
2. I am selective in which records I enter in the county notebooks. For the
more common birds I may record a report of a particularly large number of
birds or an unusual plumage. For uncommon birds, or those that I feel are
marginally rare, I may record all observations, although I rarely provide
these in _The Avocet_. These records are particularly useful for clarifying
the temporal distribution of birds that are not permanently resident in the
county. I attempt to record all species that are listed as rare
on the current Santa Clara County Checklist. For common non-resident species I
attempt to record the first arrival and last departure dates.
3. I write the "Field Notes" column ten months a year and it is nominally due
on the first of the month. I usually try to draft the column at the end of
the month and then fit the last few records in before I deliver it to the
SCVAS office.
4. Four times a year I provide a "quarterly" summary of records for _North
American Birds._ There are currently four Regional Editors and they each get
a copy of my summary although they split the species up between them.
Currently, I send electronic versions to Don Roberson, Dan Singer, Scott
Terrill, and Steve Glover. If you would like a copy of this quarterly
summary and your mailer is able to handle Word 6.0 attachments then send me a
request at [[email protected]].
5. I entered all county records in the notebooks by hand up until the summer
of 1993 when I started writing the records to Word files on a quarterly basis.
I intend, eventually, to create a data base based on literal string recognition
and I've designed my data entry structure accordingly. But at this time the
computerized aspect is a simple computerized echo of hand-entry.
6. It is not always obvious to people providing records to this mailing list
when they should provide additional details on a record or even if they should
provide the record at all. There is no simple answer to this other than
experience. A useful example to consider is stimulated by the detailed
plumage description that Mike Rogers provided for a December 1996 Ash-throated
Flycatcher. This species is a fairly common resident in the county, arriving
in early April and leaving by the end of August. First and last records
within that range are of interest as are very early or late birds. Wintering
birds are so rare in the county that a detailed description is necessary. In
part this is not just because of the rarity, but also to exclude other
_Myiarchus_ that may just as likely be here at that season.
7. When a rarity turns up and this information is passed on, many people obtain
the opportunity to see the bird. The very quantity of people seeing the
rarity tends to encourage sloppiness in people's records after the initial
observation. If the bird is missed for a week and then found a mile away is it
the same bird? We may be able to answer these questions if people are careful
to age and sex each rarity they see (if possible) and note any unusual
characteristics. Rarities frequently come in clumps and these descriptions
are useful. Please include these in your posts for the real rarities--it will
help all of us.
The South-Bay-Birds Mailing List provides many of us immediate
information on the occurrence of rare birds as well as the vicarious pleasure
of birding and discovery. That this mailing list has worked so well is a
tribute to its many faithful contributors and, perhaps, to the mailing list
rules that we've implemented. There is some arbitrariness, however, in these
rules and I invite anyone to communicate directly with me, at
[[email protected]], if they would like to discuss any of these issues.
Bill
5 January 2001
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From [[email protected]] Fri Jan 05 11:13:09 2001
Subject: [SBB] Pond A4
--------
A survey of Pond A4 yesterday (Jan 4) yielded 3 BROWN PELICANS, 2 of which
were immature and the 3rd an adult in nice breeding plumage with a striking
bright red bill. Other notable species present were 29 AMERICAN WHITE
PELICANS, 2 CINNAMON TEAL, 7 NORTHERN PINTAIL, 15 EARED GREBES, 21 AMERICAN
WIGEON, 9 AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 37 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS in the
southwest corner near the radar station, 1 VIRGINIA RAIL (calling), and 1
AMERICAN PIPIT foraging along the northeast edge of the pond, nearly exactly
where we found one on 12/18/00.
I should also mention that we had 2 BALD EAGLES on the northern half of
Anderson Reservoir on 12/21/00. Sorry for the late post. One was an adult
and the other was a second year bird. I'll be returning to Anderson
sometime in the next 2 weeks, hopefully with a BAEA update.
Scott Werner
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From [[email protected]] Fri Jan 05 15:43:15 2001
Subject: [SBB] Still more county "cherry picking"
--------
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I saw the tan striped White-throated Sparrow
previously found by Ann Verdi at Almaden Reservoir. The bird appeared to be
an adult with a nice tan supercilium with a fairly bright yellow supraloral,
clean white throat and fairly clean underparts. The bird was first found
with a mixed flock of crowned sparrows half way between the original site
(0.3 mile from the dam) and a driveway located on the right side of the road
(perhaps 0.3 of a mile further). It was then refound in a bush on the edge
of the driveway following which it flew across the road and back toward the
original (Ann's) location where it was once again refound. Some other birds
in the reservoir included eight to ten Common Snipe (feeding in the water
like dowitchers), at least two Spotted Sandpipers, a Greater Yellowlegs,
Least Sandpipers, many Wood Ducks and at least six Common Mergansers. Other
"mentionables" include Western Bluebird (five to six), Lesser Goldfinch, Oak
Titmice (more than one titmouse), Nuttall's Woodpecker, Spotted Towhee and
Hermit Thrush and Red-shouldered Hawk.
We then went to Calero Reservoir where, thanks to Frank, we saw the Common
Loon (at a great distance) and a Golden Eagle. Yes, there were other birds.
Couldn't help but notice an adult male Brown-headed Cowbird with the Brewer's
Blackbirds on one of the docks. I didn't bother to look for more cowbirds.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 3;36 PM, 1/5/01
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From [[email protected]] Fri Jan 05 16:28:47 2001
Subject: [SBB] Gene's Operation
--------
Hi birders:
I did the Palo Alto Flood control basin and Geng road to the bay yesterday, 3-5 PM, and hit 58 species. Most notable was a lone VESPER SPARROW at the end of the path in the flood control basin. Also, 11 BLUE-WINGED TEAL , both SORA and VIRGINIA RAILS seenin the basin, and HOODED MERGANSERS on the golf course pond at Geng road.
Charles Coston
______________________________________________________
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From [[email protected]] Fri Jan 05 17:15:43 2001
Subject: [SBB] Sunnyvale WPCP
--------
A tour of the WPCP at 1130 today had the following: at least 4 immature
Brown Pelicans; at least 6 American White Pelicans; Great Blue Heron; a male
Belted Kingfisher; Common Yellowthroat; Savannah Sparrow; 2 male Lesser
Scaup; 1 male Northern Pintail; 2 female Common Goldeneye; 4 Least
Sandpiper; Killdeer; and a standoff between a Turkey Vulture and a Herring
Gull over the corpse of a female Ruddy Duck.
There were also people parachuting from military transport planes over
Moffett.
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From [[email protected]] Fri Jan 05 20:31:11 2001
Subject: [SBB] need a transcriber replacement for 1 week
--------
Apologies as usual for the multiple postings.
As you are all probably aware the N. Calif. BirdBox is
back live and operational. My travel schedule has not
allowed me any time to do a transcription since it
came back up, and I will be on the road again all of
next week and into the weekend.
I am soliciting volunteers to transcribe the tape for
since it went back live at the end of Decemeber
through till next Sunday. Whoever answers first with a
yes is elected and I will give you instructions via
email. All you will have to do is transcribe the tape
in the typical format and email it to me so I can post
it to BIRDWEST. Thanks in advance to whoever can
assist with this.
David Armstrong
__________________________________________________
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From [[email protected]] Fri Jan 05 20:55:34 2001
Subject: [SBB] Correction
--------
All,
Just re-read my own post and realized I reported a "tan-striped White-crowned
Sparrow" on 1/3. Oops. It was, of course, a White-throated Sparrow, and it
was around with the same group on 1/4 also. The GOEA I reported from 1/3 was
also present at least twice more on Thurs. 1/4.
--Garth
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From [[email protected]] Fri Jan 05 21:06:17 2001
Subject: [SBB] AMRE
--------
Roy Carlson and I saw the female American Redstart at
11:30 AM on Friday where it has been previously
reported, just south of the 7.5 mile marker along the
Coyote Creek Trail south of Metcalf Road. Look for the
bird in the trees about 50 feet west of the trail.
Jack Cole
__________________________________________________
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 06 16:16:51 2001
Subject: [SBB] Grant Park 01/06/01
--------
A birdy hike today at 1100 to 1400 turned up the following:
House and Bewick's Wrens; Black-crowned Night Heron on Grant Lake; Western
Bluebird; Golden- crowned, White-crowned, Lark, Fox, Lincoln's and Song
Sparrows; Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets; Orange-crowned Warbler;
Western Meadowlark; Hairy, Nuttall's and Acorn Woodpeckers; Northern
Flicker; Hermit Thrush; Brown Creeper; Say's Phoebe; Lesser Goldfinch;
Golden Eagle; Yellow-billed Magpie; Chestnut-backed Chickadee; Oak Titmouse;
Bushtit;
and a close encounter with a Bobcat.
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 06 19:51:34 2001
Subject: [SBB] Black Skimmers
--------
All,
There were 13 BLSKs on the island at Charleston Slough this afternoon. I
only mention it because it seems there have been only 12 there for some
time now.
Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net/
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 06 19:56:57 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Black Skimmers
--------
At 07:51 PM 1/6/01 -0800, Matthew Dodder wrote:
>All,
>
>There were 13 BLSKs on the island at Charleston Slough this afternoon. I
>only mention it because it seems there have been only 12 there for some
>time now.
I counted 13 on December 30.
--Peter
------------------------------------------------------
Peter LaTourrette
North American Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.birdphotography.com/
Jasper Ridge Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.stanford.edu/~petelat1/
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 06 22:01:12 2001
Subject: [SBB] World Checklist info
--------
Hi All -
I know this isn't exactly on topic, but I am looking for an easy to use
World Checklist of Birds that can be sent via e-mail. All I need is the
birds in taxonomic order so I can paste them into a spreadsheet. If anyone
out there has what I am looking for, I would much appreciate you contacting
me. Thanks!
Steve Rovell
Marina, CA
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 07 16:23:54 2001
Subject: [SBB] GLGU
--------
All,
Jesse Conklin and I visited Ogier Ponds at about 2:00 this afternoon.
Among the many gulls on the first pond north of the road leading in from
the main road we found a first winter GLAUCOUS GULL. The bird was
hanging out on the north end of the pond and we were able to observe it
best from that end of the trail. We saw the bird fly once, but for most
of the hour we watched it, it was swimming and preening. We took a few
photos of the bird, but it will probably be too small to see well. There
were also several THAYER'S GULLS in the same group. OSPREY, RING-NECKED
DUCKS, COMMON GOLDENEYE and a single female COMMON MERGANSER were to be
found in the area as well.
The PACIFIC LOON was still at Oka Ponds along with a GREEN HERON and
about perhaps 10-12 HOODED MERGANSERS in several small groups. SPOTTED
SANDPIPER, OSPREY were also seen.
Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net/
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 07 18:42:40 2001
Subject: [SBB] Redstart - nope!
--------
I spent an hour Saturday and 1 1/2 hours Sunday looking for the REDSTART off Metcalf. (I'd never been there before.) Found the 7.5 mile marker. For those that have seen the bird, if you could email me more specifics of where you saw it...I'm going to try again. Did it call? I did see a "yellow danger" piece of ribbon tied to a branch and thought perhaps someone had "marked" where they'd seen the bird.
As a booby prize, I drove down the road that parallels the bike path, just in front of the power plant and saw an OSPREY sitting on a limb over the reedy part of the water that you can see from the road.
Gloria LeBlanc
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 08 14:26:59 2001
Subject: [SBB] S.C. Co. Bird List For 2000
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Bill Bousman wrote:
"The total for 2000 was 289 birds. As expected December did not add many
birds, only two. But one, a BLACK-BACKED WAGTAIL found by David McIntyre on
the San Jose CBC, was new for the county list. The other new birds was an
AMERICAN REDSTART found by Mike Mammoser. For the composite list I've also
changed the first record of Summer Tanager to be 11/1 for the bird Kristie
Nelson found along San Francisquito Creek.
The year's list of 289 is well below the 1993-2000 average of 296 and
may reflect the absence of Mike Rogers' cheerleading or, more likely, Steve
Rottenborn's move to Virginia. Interestingly, although the total is down,
there were four new species added to the county list in 2000 which is quite a
total: ARCTIC WARBLER, GRAY CATBIRD, BLACK-BACKED WAGTAIL, and PAINTED
BUNTING. Three of these were "flash" birds, they were here a moment and then
gone. The Black-backed Wagtail has hung around, but only behind "No
Trespassing" signs.
My candidates for the biggest misses of the year are Snowy Plover and
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow."
The complete list can be found on:
South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU)
http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/
------------
Also, Merlie's sightings have been updated on SBBU. We have also had
a lot of other raptors in the neighborhood, and I have started
documenting these.
By the way, the Thick-billed Kingbird is still at its place near Half
Moon Bay (1/6/01). It took us 5 minutes. It was near the outhouse
in the Maintenance yard, on a tree near the lake. We couldn't find
the bird last year.
We had more trouble finding "the island" on Lake Cunningham than we
did the Lesser Black-backed Gull. There are TWO islands (one large
and one small), and you can't really tell unless you go around the
lake. When we first arrived there were no birds on either island, but
finally a darker bird swam toward the small island that is directly
across from the Marina, and then jumped out on a rock to allow for
easy identification. The dense dark streaking around the eye was very
diagnostic (plus other things). By the way, all the gulls looked
darker when facing away from us in the water in the late morning
light. The task seemed hopeless at first with hundreds a gulls
filling the lake, and none on the shore.
Happy birding,
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/
------------------------------------------
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 08 19:39:02 2001
Subject: [SBB] Sunday CCFS banding
--------
All,
We had mostly the typical winter birds at CCFS on Sunday, 1/7/01, but
we did recapture a WINTER WREN. And what really pleased me was recapturing
the schizochroistic (leucistic) RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET that I reported on
Nov. 4, 2000. It appeared to be in good health and also appears to be a
female. Some plumage features were a bit more apparent this time around,
which leads me to feel that this is now an after-second-year bird. It's
interesting to see that the lack of pigmentation hasn't negatively
affected this bird's survivability, yet. If you haven't seen it yet, I
posted photos from the first encounter with this bird at:
The images are brighter when viewed on a Macintosh.
Les Chibana
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 09 05:42:35 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I went out to the Baylands for the high tide today, 9 Jan 01. There were at
least 3 BLACK RAILS seen. I had 2 coming in from the wooden post, 1 flying
and 1 walking. Deborah Bartens saw another one fly in from further to the
right. Later, I saw one in the vegetation, but couldn't say if it was a
different individual. No rare sparrows that I know of. A BROWN PELICAN flew
by while rail watching.
This morning I had a large falcon flying over Bernal near Santa Teresa, but
couldn't say if it was Peregrine or Prairie.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 09 12:56:37 2001
Subject: [SBB] Oriole
--------
This morning, the young male Bullock's Oriole was still at the end
of Geng Road in Palo Alto.
Al
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 09 15:15:55 2001
Subject: [SBB] American Dipper in Alum Rock
--------
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I saw an American Dipper in Penetencia Creek
in Alum Rock Park just downstream of the bridge at the far end of the
northeastern most parking lot. Frank also had a couple Townsend's Warblers
in an Oak tree near the first (nearest) bridge in the same parking lot. For
those who may not be aware the park is now open, to cars (and people;-), but
you must drive in along Penetencia Creek Road.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:51 PM, 1/9/00
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 10 06:24:33 2001
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
Yesterday, 1/9/2001, I counted 19 AM. WHITE PELICANS in the Palo Alto
FCB in the afternoon, and 9+ BROWN PELICANS in Salt Pond A2W in the morning.
In some years a small group of White Pelicans remains through the winter and
spring ("oversummering"), but Brown Pelicans are rarely found in the South Bay
in January. It will be interesting to see how long these local birds remain.
Bill
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From [[email protected]] Thu Jan 11 20:10:08 2001
Subject: [SBB] PEFA
--------
All,
As I drove to work this morning on Alma in Palo Alto, I saw a PEREGRINE
FALCON pass over Palo Alto Highschool. It appeared to be an immature and
seemed not to care about the pouring rain... It was pursuing a Rock Dove
near the playing field, but the urge to be a good driver kept me from
seeing if he actually caught the bird.
Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net/
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From [[email protected]] Fri Jan 12 08:09:52 2001
Subject: [SBB] egrets in Alviso
--------
So, maybe I just haven't been birding long enough, but
has anyone ever seen a group of egrets exhibit
aggressive behavior towards each other for a long
period of time...aka egret fighting? If so, is this
part of a mating ritual? 7 egrets were on the west
side of the road entering the EEC going at it for at
least 20 minutes. Someone enlighten me please.
Sml
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 13 06:05:50 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I checked Coyote Creek today, 13 Jan 01, south of Metcalf. No American
Redstart, but I did have 2 "MYRTLE" WARBLERS in with the "AUDUBON'S". There
were 3 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS on Parkway Lakes.
At Lake Cunningham I had the LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, immature SNOW GOOSE,
and adult ROSS' GOOSE. Also present was a male RED-BREASTED MERGANSER - a
little out of place this far inland, I think. An adult GREEN HERON was along
the shore as well.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 13 14:04:57 2001
Subject: [SBB] Los Gatos Creek Phalarope Help Please
--------
Good Afternoon All.
I went to Oka ponds and Los Gatos Creek today to try out my new scope with my
husband. After checking out the regulars at the Oka ponds side we went down
to the largest pond on the Los Gatos Creek side to see if we could find the
Pacific Loon. Per my husband's directions it would be the Southeast end of
the pond, I found a Phalarope spinning himself silly. Now the questions: I
believe it to be a Red Phalarope? I do not know if it was male or female,
but from the notes I took (I was so shocked to see it there) it had black eye
patches, was all light gray, had a thick bill with yellow and black on the
end. I could not see its legs as it did not leave the water, just spinned and
moved from one place to the other. Has anyone ever seen a Phalarope at Los
Gatos Creek? What are the chances?
Also met a women who said she was an Intermediate birder and did not have the
time to go look at the bird with me. She said it could not be a Phalarope
because they are not found here.....She said it could have been blown off
course. Is this a possibility?
Any help you all could provide would be appreciated.
Thanks and have a great weekend birding.
Best regards,
Linda Sullivan
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 13 14:38:03 2001
Subject: [SBB] Phalaropes at Almaden Lake
--------
Hi,
After a visit to Almaden Reservoir, where we saw one and possibly two
White-throated Sparrows, my son Will, my father and I went to Almaden Lake
to watch gulls. While I was scoping the gulls on the bar near the creek,
Will spotted a phalarope. My first impression was Red-necked Phalarope.
When Will had a chance to have a look through the scope, he noted that the
base of the lower mandible was yellow. The bird had a pale gray, unstreaked
back. There was some pale edging to some of the feathers. The breast and
undertail coverts were white. It had black around the eyes, stretching back
across the ear. I don't have a great deal of experience with phalaropes,
but the bill did seem odd for a Red-necked. At this point, we were looking
through both the NGS guide and the Sibley guide, considering the remote
possibility that this could be a Red Phalarope. The bird came in quite
close to the bar and didn't seem at all concerned as we approached. Then
Will spotted a second phalarope feeding near the sandy shore on the
Winfield Blvd side of the lake, across from the island. We walked around to
have a closer look. This bird was almost identical in appearance to the
first. Pale gray, virtually unstreaked back with yellow at the base of the
lower mandible. It came very close to shore. We were able to photograph
both birds with a 500mm lens. I realize that the possibility of a Red
Phalarope at this location is very small and I don't claim that we've seen
one. However, if one of the Almaden locals might be interested in checking
it out, I'd be anxious to hear their opinion. I don't want this post to
give the impression of an inexperienced birder turning a common bird into a
rarity, but rather a novice seeking some help in identifying a bird he
isn't sure of.
Thanks,
Don Ganton
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 13 17:10:41 2001
Subject: [SBB] Red Phalarope Confirmed at Los Gatos Creek
--------
Good Evening All....
I would like to thank all of you who emailed me about the Phalarope I
mentioned today. I went back to Los Gatos Creek with Dori Rhodes and was so
very happy to have Jack Cole arrive to check out the Red Phalarope. We
watched the Red Phalarope for a while and talked about how it must have been
blown of course. I hope the Phalarope stays for all those who would like to
see it!
Again, thanks so much to all of you for emails and help.
Wishing you all great birding.
My best regards,
Linda Sullivan
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 13 17:29:33 2001
Subject: [SBB] Sightings Ed R. Levin Park
--------
Hi all;
Just came back from Ed R. Levin county park. Had a pretty good day with 76
species. One of the best was a single male RING-NECKED DUCK in the middle of
the north end of Sandy Wool lake.
I originally found him around 1030--my first for this bird. I returned with a
witness, and we refound the RNDU again at 1640. He was hanging with a small
group of Ruddy Ducks. We could not locate a female. Easily separated from
other similar ducks, his bill is *most* distinctive!
Best regards,
Dusty Bleher
Campbell, Ca.
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 14 08:17:38 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Los Gatos Creek Phalarope Help Please
--------
Don and Lynda:
Your description of the phalarope certainly does indicate a Red Phalarope which
is rare inland. Red-necked Phalaropes would by now be long-gone. Only once I
have seen a couple Wilson's Phalaropes inland in mid-winter.
I believe there was a small group of Red Phalaropes at Crittenden Marsh in the
winter of 1995 (or 1996 ?).
--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, Alameda County
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 14 13:29:04 2001
Subject: [SBB] RED PHALAROPE @ LOS GATOS CREEK
--------
I've just returned from spending 1/2 hour viewing the RED PHALAROPE. It took me awhile to find it even though it was where Linda said it was...I
It's an amazing photo opportunity!!!! 5-10 feet away!!!!
On Dell Road there is one official entrance to the Park - I'm not even sure what it's called? There's a kiosk there and you get to pay...or you can park on the street.
It is in the "Loon" pond, the one that you drive along as you enter. It is in the furthest corner from the entrance. There is a dike between the first and second pond. It was walking along the ground at the water's edge along that dike. It's the furthest away from Dell Avenue - along the path that all the bikers and walkers use. So, it's very busy. In the very corner of where the dike meets the bike path there are some dead bambles...it sometimes wandered into them. I kept looking for a bird to spin...but no spinning because it was on the land!
When you know exactly where to look the bird is VERY easy to find. Cathy from Hayward had watched it for 1/2 an hour before I was there.
I highly recommend making the effort to see it.
I also had 2 COMMON SNIPE on "their" island in LG Creek and a COMMON GOLDENEYE on the 2nd pond - one past the Phalarope.
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 14 15:24:13 2001
Subject: [SBB] Almaden Reservoir, etc.
--------
I visited Almaden Reservoir mid-morning Saturday (Jan. 13). I didn't
initially find the White-Throated Sparrow (or, indeed, any sparrows) near the
pullout 0.3 miles past the dam; but when I finally saw the bird, that's just
where it turned up, as advertised. There were at least 54 Wood Ducks on and
near the opposite shore, and one Spotted Sandpiper, but no Common Mergansers.
At Calero, I saw about 20 Common Mergansers, but didn't find the Common
Loon (I don't know how recently it's been seen). An extremely noisy, large
mixed flock of Blackbirds and Starlings near the boat launch included at least
6 male Tricolored.
After lunch, I tried unsuccessfully for the Redstart -- probably not the
best time of day, especially given the angle of the sun. Nearby, Parkway Lakes
had three American White Pelicans.
Al
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 14 15:46:51 2001
Subject: [SBB] Almaden Lake Red Phalaropes
--------
My son Will and I returned to Almaden Lake Park today and refound the two
Red Phalaropes. I took some digital pictures which I will put on the web
along with some scans of 35mm photos taken yesterday. The phalaropes were
seen by at least four other birders today. They were in the same general
area opposite the island.
Don Ganton
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 14 17:15:34 2001
Subject: [SBB] Three Red Phalaropes & Glaucous Gull at Almaden Lake
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
Around noon today Jolene and I went to look for the RED PHALAROPES found
yesterday by Don and Will Ganton. Not only did we see the phalaropes, but
Don and Will too. They already had the phalaropes staked out when we
arrived.
While enjoying the phalaropes I scanned the gull flock on the lake and
found a GLAUCOUS GULL (first or second year bird) among them. We later
watched it fly to the gravel bar, where it briefly joined the big flock
there. Unfortunately people were on the gravel bar and scared the gulls away
before we could study the flock more closely. There was an unusually high
number of GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS present--like the phalaropes their increased
numbers are likely weather related. Other birds there included many COMMON
MERGANSERS, a COMMON MOORHEN, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, and THAYER'S GULLS. We
returned to take pictures of the phalaropes later in the afternoon (they are
VERY approachable, and it is easy to get close pictures of them). The number
of Red Phalaropes had increased to three--
John Mariani
[[email protected]]
www.birdswest.com
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 14 17:27:16 2001
Subject: [SBB] Red Phalarope at Los Gatos Creek
--------
I was able to relocate the Red Phalarope in the southeast corner of the northern pond at Oka Ponds/Los Gatos Creek. The bird was actually up on the embankment and preening when I saw it about 8 AM. Two drake Hooded Mergansers were in Los Gatos Creek just south of the bridge.
Even though this is out of the area, I went up to San Francisco today and found 5 more Red Phalaropes at the south end of Lake Merced.
Randy Little
[[email protected]]
"Any day might be a special one---you just had to get outside and see if it was." Kenn Kaufman, Kingbird Highway
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 14 17:46:04 2001
Subject: [SBB] REPH still at Almaden Lake
--------
The Red Phalarope was still at Almaden Lake (Almaden Expy and Coleman) near
sunset on Sunday, January 14. It was feeding along the eastern shore about
100 yards, or so, from the restrooms. This was a county first for me.
It was in winter plumage: light grayish legs; white underparts; relatively
uniform gray wings, back, and, possibly, upper sides; darker gray up back of
neck and back of head; white top of head (field mark); black mark under and
behind dark eye; yellowish at base of dark bill, heavier than Red-necked's;
bill length equal to, or less than, length of head.
Frank Vanslager
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 14 19:35:41 2001
Subject: [SBB] Photos of Red Phalaropes and White-throated Sparrow
--------
If anyone is interested in seeing photos of the Red Phalaropes at Almaden
Lake and the White-throated Sparrow at Almaden Reservoir, I've put them on
my website at:
http://www.thebirder.com/photos.html
All the pictures were taken yesterday by my dad. I took some photos with a
digital camera this morning, but haven't had a chance to sort through them
yet.
Thanks to those who sent helpful comments on the identification of the
phalaropes.
Don Ganton
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 15 00:21:14 2001
Subject: [SBB] odd R.B. Sapsucker, R. Phalarope, etc.
--------
After a slow start on my birding year it was a pleasure to make it to both
McClellan Ranch Park and Los Gatos Creek Park this weekend. The first, on
Saturday, yielded 2 Red Tails, a flock of Cedar Waxwings heard but not
seen, several N. Flickers, and a Red Breasted Sapsucker that didn't quite
match the books. The red did not extend much past the head itself and I
distinctly recall a pale beak, rather than a dark one. We saw the bird in
the old orchard area--if anyone else spots it I'd be interested in their
opinion.
After reading so many stories about all the great birds to be found at Los
Gatos Creek Park, today we decided it was time we took a look. I knew the
Red Phalarope had been seen there but I wasn't counting on getting the
chance to see it. Fortunately, we lucked into a fellow birder shortly
after arriving, who kindly pointed us to the right spot. A busy little
bird, completely uninterested in the big creatures staring at it from the
shore a few feet away.
Naturally, there were a lot of other interesting birds to be found: among
others, a pair of Hooded Mergansers, 2 Green Herons, probably 8
Buffleheads, a pair of Ring Necked Ducks, and a Clark's Grebe among all of
the Pied Billed Grebes. At the far end, in the one of the small ponds, we
saw a strange duck which looked to be a cross between a Mallard and maybe a
Domestic White--the head, bill, and chest were mostly Mallard-ish, though
duller, but the bird was larger, and the body and wings were muddled brown
and white. The tail had the classic Mallard curl. Otherwise the day was
unusual because we saw no hawks and no vultures--have they been blown
inland like the Phalaropes?
Question: could someone who knows the area tell us the best way to drive
in and park if we want to concentrate on the smaller ponds, away from the
gated entrance to the park? We're coming from Santa Clara. Thanks!
--Natasha
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 15 05:16:51 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I took a lunch time drive to the Los Gatos Ponds today, 15 Jan 01, where the
RED PHALAROPE was quite cooperative in the southeast corner of the large
pond. Nice looks from 20 feet away. Also, 2 OSPREYS flew over, while a pair
of HOODED MERGANSERS and a GREEN HERON were on the creek.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 15 09:42:56 2001
Subject: [SBB] a quick thanks
--------
To all who sent directions to Oka Ponds--looking forward to trying your
suggestions soon!
Thanks again,
Natasha
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 15 11:36:43 2001
Subject: [SBB] Red Phalarope, Los Gatos Creek Park
--------
The RED PHALAROPE was still at the southwest corner of the large pond
(first on your right as you drive in via the entrance off Dell) this
morning (1/15) at 8:30 am. It was swimming about close to shore, not
spinning, and regularly picking at the surface of the water.
-- Tom Grey Stanford Law School [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 15 12:41:29 2001
Subject: [SBB] Red Phalaropes still at Almaden Lake
--------
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I saw two Red Phalaropes on Lake Almaden.
No Glaucous Gulls :-(
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 12:44 PM, 1/15/01
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 15 18:15:20 2001
Subject: [SBB] Almaden Lake REPH
--------
At sunset today, 1/15/01, only one Red Phalarope was present. I watch it
for perhaps 10 minutes as it fed from one to four feet from shore, sometimes
walkiing along the shallow shoreline. It was between the picnic area and
the rest rooms on the east side of the lake.
Thanks for the postings everyone.
Karl Fowler
_______________________________________________________
Send a cool gift with your E-Card
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 16 07:00:41 2001
Subject: [SBB] (fwd) Birding near San José
--------
If you can help, please reply directly to Pascal. Thanks.
On Tue, 16 Jan 2001 11:47:25 +0100, "Pascal Dubois"
<[[email protected]]> wrote:
>Hello,
>
>I've found your e-mail on your birding web pages,
>
>I'm french and I will go to San José on march 19-24 for my work (game
>developper conference),
>I will have few time for birding, just some hours on march 19-21, so I'm
>looking for aeras near (or in) San José, I won't have any car !
>
>Can you advise me on good places ?
>I've found Lake Cunningham Park on the internet, is it worth at this time of
>the year ?
>
>I've never been to America, so the commonest species will be of interest for
>me ;-)
>
>Thanks for your answer
>
>Bye,
>
>Pascal Dubois
>
--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA 94044: [[email protected]]
SF Birding Classes start Feb. 6th: http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/
California Bird Records Committee: http://www.wfo-cbrc.org/cbrc/
Currently in Laguna Beach, California
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 16 08:06:37 2001
Subject: [SBB] AMRE, PRFA, and Red Phalaropes
--------
All,
On Sunday 1/14/01 I had a few hours for birding and decided to head
down to Coyote Creek south of Metcalf Road to see whether the American
Redstart had survived the harsh weather of late. After about an hour
of searching, I did manage to find the AMERICAN REDSTART foraging
actively a little further north than its previous location. The bird
was with a few YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS a few hundred yards north of the
bike path 7.5 mile marker, right where the trail first opens up on the
left as one heads south. The bird was on both sides of the creek.
Other interesting birds included an OSPREY and an AMERICAN WHITE
PELICAN soaring overhead.
Next I headed south to Ogier Ponds, where I found 3 AMERICAN BITTERNS,
an OSPREY, and a PRAIRIE FALCON. Also neat was a BOBCAT that flushed
a RAIL (SORA or VIRGINIA) from the marsh edge. A skittish female TEAL
was interesting - no obvious green in the speculum and broad white
stripes fore and aft of it. I got my hopes up that it might be a
Garganey, but after flushing it a second time I lost it for good.
After this, I stopped at the Calero Reservoir boat launch, hoping for
eagles and loons. Instead I soon located a distant pale shorebird,
which further investigation confirmed to be a basic-plumaged RED
PHALAROPE. The bird was feeding on the mud flat in the cove of the
reservoir about a half-mile east of the boat launch. With it were a
DUNLIN, 5 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, and a single AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN.
The blackbird flock near the kiosk had several TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS
and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS, as Al Eisner has already noted.
On the way home I stopped by Los Gatos Creek County Park, hoping for
Hooded Mergansers or the Pacific Loon. Neither seemed to be around,
but I did see another RED PHALAROPE right at my feet at the southeast
corner of the big pond (where I was scoping from). Reading my email
at work this morning I see that this bird was already discovered the
day before by Linda Sullivan - great find!. Also on the pond were
about 12 THAYER'S GULLS among the many CALIFORNIA GULLS, a CLARK'S
GREBE, and 2 HORNED GREBES.
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 16 10:36:54 2001
Subject: [SBB] Almaden Lake REPH -Reply
--------
Two RED PHALAROPE's were still at Alamaden Lake this morning,
01/16/01. They were feeding very close to shore on the east side of
the lake, about 100 yards towards Coleman Ave. from the restrooms.
Alan W.
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 16 11:55:30 2001
Subject: [SBB] Red Phalarope, Pied-billed Grebe Almaden Lake
--------
We found one Red Phalarope this AM near the dock between the rest
rooms and the picnic tables along Winfield Road. As described
previously, the bird is extremely tame, and feeding near the shore.
A Pied-billed Grebe in breeding plumage was near the island.
Ruth Troetschler
--
Ruth Troetschler
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 16 12:22:27 2001
Subject: [SBB] Another Red Phalarope
--------
A Red Phalarope also caused some excitement at the Morro Bay
Bird Festival this past weekend. (Out of area, I know, but there's a
twist to this story.)
It seems that one of the Morro Rock Peregrines decided that the
REPH looked like a good lunch. As people watched, it dove at the
REPH, which escaped by diving under water. After a couple of
unsuccessful passes, the peregrine hovered like a Kestrel until the
REPH came up for air, then plucked it out of the water and carried
it off.
Marti and I got to see the phalarope, but missed the big drama. We
heard about it at one of the evening presentations.
----------------
George Oetzel <[[email protected]]>
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 17 08:14:14 2001
Subject: [SBB] phalarope update
--------
Hello All,
Just a brief update. A single Red Phalarope was seen quite close to shore
at Almaden Lake late yesterday afternoon (Jan 16). It was seen, as
previously posted, on the southeast side close to the picnic area at the
Winfield entrance. I did not see any phalaropes at the large Campbell Pond
off Dell Ave on Mon, Jan 15.
And finally, just a few notes from the Almaden Reservoir area on Sunday, Jan
14. Besides all the Wood Ducks reported by Al Eisner, the male Osprey was
seen again at his usual perch on the bare tree limb on the far side of the
reservoir near the dam. A flock of 30+ Band-tailed Pigeons was seen flying
around the hills, as well as lots of American Robins joined by lesser
numbers of Cedar Waxwings feeding on toyon berries. Right in the middle of
Alamitos Rd heading into the Twin Creeks area, a "lek" of eight Wild Turkeys
was seen (five females and three males) with the dominant male strutting
around puffed out in all his finery. The best time to see Wild Turkeys in
this area appears to be in the early morning as they can be rather skittish.
That's it for now - Ann
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 17 10:31:04 2001
Subject: [SBB] Cedar Waxwings
--------
Mornin' all;
I have a question on Cedar Waxwings. I'm looking to add the Bohemian Waxwing
to my list. I made the assumption that CEDW and BOWA would flock
together--probably in the company of Robins. Is this a valid assumption? Or
do they have different diets and community habits?
I've observed in detail hundreds of CEDW looking for the characteristic marks
of the BOWA. So far I've found nada! Any suggestions would be most
appreciated...
Best regards,
Dusty Bleher
Campbell, Ca.
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 17 14:39:52 2001
Subject: [SBB] Phalarope persists at Los Gatos Creek Park
--------
The RED PHALAROPE continues in the southwest corner of the large pond
that's next to the entry road at Los Gatos Creek Park. It wasn't
difficult to find, it was right in front of Pete LaTourette's camera
lens. Talk about frame-filling photos!
Also, a pair of HOODED MERGANSERS were in the creek (Hwy 17-side of
levee) between the phalarope corner and the parking lot.
Les Chibana
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From [[email protected]] Thu Jan 18 13:30:23 2001
Subject: [SBB] Red-throated Loon in Shoreline Lake
--------
All,
At noon today Frank Vanslager and I saw a first spring Red-throated Loon in
Shoreline Lake. The bird had fairly large dark areas extending from the chin
on the upper front and sides of the neck. The throat itself was white. We
also saw the adult male Barrow's Goldeneye in the southeast corner of the
lake. Earlier we had an immature Snow Goose with the flock of domestic geese
at the Sunnyvale Water Treatment Facility and a Burrowing Owl was on the hill
west of the facility parking lot. A Golden Eagle was on a power tower on the
west side of the Stevens Creek Mitigation Pond. We also had a Whimbrel, four
Black-bellied Plovers and two to three hundred Dunlin in Crittenden Marsh.
There also were lots of peeps (mostly Western Sandpiper), dowitchers and
Willets, Long-billed Curlew and Marbled Godwit.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:30 PM, 1/18/01
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From [[email protected]] Thu Jan 18 14:34:52 2001
Subject: [SBB] Reeve still at Dumbarton toll area
--------
[Sorry for the duplicates from cross-posting but this bird, although
in ALA, is close to SMO and SCL (county abbrevs.)]
The adult female RUFF (REEVE) was still present at the east end of the
Dumbarton Bridge crossing near the toll booths. It's on the north side
of the roadway in the first pond. It's on the westbound (toll direction)
side and I don't think you can avoid paying the $2 bridge toll. The
bird's worth it. The Los Gatos Creek Park phalarope is $4 if you don't
want to walk too far. :-)
The bird spent most of its time on the roadway side of the pond. It
flushes easily, reacting to the nervous BLACK-NECKED STILTs. Fortunately,
it seems to be fixated by the food resource that's probably windblown
to this edge and it returns quickly to this shore. Also present was a
LESSER YELLOWLEGS along with several GREATER YELLOWLEGS.
I think this bird was first reported on by Christie Nelson on Friday(?)
to the BirdBox and followed up by Al DeMartini. I don't recall seeing
any reports on EBB.
Les Chibana
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From [[email protected]] Thu Jan 18 14:54:47 2001
Subject: [SBB] LG Lion Bulletin 1-17-01 - email only
--------
Los Gatos Lions' Meeting - January 17, 2001
We were almost outnumbered by visiting Lions today - well, until our late arrivals made it in. We were blessed with 15 visitors(more or less), nearly equally split between Cupertino(the second best club in the District), San Jose Host(also the second best club in the District) and Aptos(I don't recall them trying to claim a first or second best place). Seating was at a premium - poor Lion Paul Grabeel had to endure the misfortune of being the only LG Lion at his table.
Lion Bob Hansen of San Jose Host, who is running for Vice District Governor, did a little campaigning in his behalf. Aside from Bob's promise to help our club learn how to have fun, there was the now standard comment about voting, ballots and chads - to which our own Lion Chad had to comment about how "well hung" his is! Lion Hansen's service to the community and involvement in Lionism over the years is truly remarkable. Thank you Bob for being part of what makes Lions the best service organization there is.
Lion Dominick Fanelli was presented with his permanent name badge - congratulations Lion Dominick.
Lion Jim Reynaud opted out on the joke portion of the meeting, but Lions Murphy, Shannon and Hansen covered for him with some pretty good ones.
Aside from all the announcements of the upcoming numerous events by the visiting Lions (which - if you were interested - I will assume you made note of), please mark the following important events on your calendar:
+16th Annual Lions Diabetes Luncheon and Donation Drawing on Saturday, January 27th at the Crown Plaza Hotel starting at 11:30am. Tickets are $30.00 each
+Regarding our Cioppino Feed on February 17th, Lion Dennis now has tickets(250) - take only what you can sell or need; the Cioppino powers-to-be do not want any unsold tickets coming back to them at the last minute.
+Snack Shack - Lion Gary Stern could really use an extra one or two helpers during the Saturday track meets, particularly starting in March. If you have never helped in the snack shack, now is the time - this has become a major fund raising activity for the club.
+Blood Drive - after the meeting on March 28th at the Lodge. That's a long way off, but for those who want to give and need to cleanse their bodies, this should be plenty of advance warning.
The Program today was presented by Dr. Patricia Breivik, Dean of the University Library at SJSU. Pat's presentation was about what will be a one of a kind facility in the USA - a combined university(SJSU) and city(San Jose) main library facility. Pat is heading up the project and explained some of the complexities associated with a joint effort between a municipality and a state university. The library will be eight stories, with mostly open stacks and a staff that will be capable of providing greater one-on-one reference assistance to card holders(Anyone with a library card from any community will be able to use the facility). This will be a state-of-the-art library. With its emphasis on providing services to all those in the community, this will truly be a major asset to the greater Silicon Valley.
And lastly, to those who probably wouldn't have found a seat if they had come: Bisbee, DeGeorge, Eagle, Gulas(2), Hall, Hogan, Johnson, Korte, Love, Mifsud, G. Miller, R. Miller, Shrader, K. Smith, M. Smith, Stern, Ute.
Another bulletin by Lion Gary Harwin
(did you know that Gary likes to fill a spoon with all-natural peanut butter (from the jar, of course) and then dip the peanut butter filled spoon into C&H Light Brown Sugar? just an interesting tidbit....gloria)
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"
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From [[email protected]] Fri Jan 19 12:13:04 2001
Subject: [SBB] REPH still at LG Creek Park
--------
Hello all
A brief check at Los Gatos Creek Park this morning (01/19/01) showed
the RED PHALAROPE to be present at the southeast corner of the
largest pond.
8 HOODED MERGANSERS were in the creek channel east of the pond.
Alan
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 20 11:33:49 2001
Subject: [SBB] Irruptive land birds
--------
Hi folks,
Excuse the cross-posting. I thought Pen-Birders and SBBrs might be interested
in a note I've posted on the Santa Cruz Bird Club's web page. It looks in
some detail at 10 irruptive land birds species on the Santa Cruz County CBC
from 1957-2000, and also makes a comparison for some species with four
neighboring counts, including the Ano Nuevo and Pao Alto CBCs. Check it out
at:
http://santacruzbirdclub.org/irruptive.html
David Suddjian, Capitola
Santa Cruz Bird Club
Bird Records Keeper
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 20 14:21:18 2001
Subject: [SBB] REPH
--------
The Red Phalarope was still at Los Gatos Creek Park today in the same
location reported previously. A female Ring-necked Duck was also seen here.
A visit to Lake Cunningham turned up the Lesser Black-backed Gull, American
Pipits, Ross's Goose, Say's Phoebe, Green Heron and a lone male Red-breasted
Merganser.
Michael Wienholt
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 20 17:27:15 2001
Subject: [SBB] Red-breasted Nuthatch
--------
If my eye peepers didn't deceive me, I think I found a Red-breasted Nuthatch
at San Tomas Park yesterday.
Are they known to be in this area?
I tried to re-find it today w/o success...
Dusty
Campbell
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 20 17:49:36 2001
Subject: [SBB] American Redstart
--------
All:
The American Redstart continues where Mike Rogers recently located it. Mich
Ninokata and I found it this morning, with a flock of Yellow-Rumped
Warblers, where the bike path running south from Metcalf along Coyote Creek
veers away from the creek toward an open area.
John Meyer
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 20 17:52:45 2001
Subject: [SBB] Dunbarton Reeve still present
--------
Saturday afternoon the Reeve was still using the northside pond just west
of the Dunbarton Bridge Toll Plaza. After paying $2, pull off to the right
immediately past the blue dumpster. Carefully position your car so that you
have a good view of the near corner of the pond and don't get out. If the
bird isn't there or has just flushed, wait--it should return within a few
minutes. If you do get out, you will have to be satisfied with scope views,
because the bird will keep its distance (at least it did with me).
--Pete
------------------------------------------------------
Peter LaTourrette
North American Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.birdphotography.com/
Jasper Ridge Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.stanford.edu/~petelat1/
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 20 19:26:08 2001
Subject: [SBB] Surf Scoter, Short Earred Owls, etc.
--------
Today we walked past a bit of Shoreline lake and then headed northwest
toward the sloughes and marshes. We had a lovely afternoon. The misty
weather made for poor viewing at a distance, but it was truly beautiful as
the sun set--and we still had wonderful bird luck! All sorts of ducks, of
course, including Buffleheads, Green Winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, and
Gadwall. We watched the Black Skimmers skim, the kites hover, and the
shorebirds dabble. Best of all, we watched 4 Harriers (2 male, 2 female
or young) and 2 Short Earred Owls skirmish over the hunting territory out
over the marsh grasses. Well, actually, the males kinda sat back and let
the females do the work ;). I'm constantly amazed at the number of raptors
who make their home here--we counted at least 11 different birds in a
fairly small area, and I'm sure we missed several.
There were Earred and Horned Grebes on Shoreline Lake, as well as a single
Common Goldeneye--and most exciting, our first ever Surf Scoter, a breeding
male, on the muddy shore opposite the boathouse. He spent most of his time
preening his chest feathers with that enormous bill, but at one point did a
little wing stretch and flap, and I noticed that some of the flight
feathers on the right wing looked skeletal, as if they'd been stripped of
fluff. What would cause this kind of damage?
--Natasha
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 21 15:26:07 2001
Subject: [SBB] Unknown Bird
--------
I was walking near the Guadalupe River today in the Ulistac Natural Area on
Lick Mill Rd. in Santa Clara when I spotted a bird that looked a lot like a
Tropical Kingbird. It had a black mask across its eyes. It was mostly gray
with black & white trim on its wings. Does anyone know what I might have
seen?
Joan
_________________________________________________________________
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 21 15:39:51 2001
Subject: [SBB] Sunnyvale WPCP
--------
All,
Notables seen this afternoon included two Burrowing Owl, Red-breasted
Merganser, three Common Moorhen, a lone Snow Goose in a small flock of
domestic geese, and a Virginia Rail.
Michael Wienholt
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 21 16:02:01 2001
Subject: [SBB] Glaucous gull, possible Baird's sandpiper
--------
About 1 pm Sunday, 21 Jan, a first-winter GLAUCOUS GULL
was at the Palo Alto duckpond. This bird was at least as
large as and paler than any of the numerous glaucous-winged
gulls present - nearly all white with some pale brown mottling.
It had white primaries and mantle and a dark eye. The bill was
black on the outer third and pink on the basal 2/3.
About 1:45 pm, I saw a large, slender sandpiper in the mudflats
of the former Palo Alto yacht harbor. Its size was about halfway
between nearby killdeers and least and western sandpipers. It spent
most of its time tilted forward with its bill in the mud, but when
it raised it, it appeared to be proportionately the same length as
a western sandpiper. It spent most of the time too far away for
detailed study with my binoculars, but at one point flew to maybe
50 yards away, and I could see that the legs and bill were both
black, and there was there was brownish streaking across the upper
breast. In flight, its rump pattern of brown center with white
outside appeared very similar to the least and western sandpipers
it was flying with. It had a pale but not very distinct supercilium.
The only possibility that I have been able to come up with for
this bird is Baird's sandpiper, but that seems quite unlikely for
this time of year. Any suggestions?
More location details: closest viewing point was from the bench
about halfway along the path between the where Embarcadero Rd tees
with the road to Byxbee Park and the first parking lot inside the
Baylands gate.
- Dick
Richard Stovel [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 21 18:23:28 2001
Subject: [SBB] Sunday birds
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
At Calero Reservoir today I met a couple of birders who told me they had
just seen a goldeneye with an orange bill along the west side of the
reservoir. It took some searching but I finally refound the bird, a female
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE with a flock of COMMON GOLDENEYES. This is probably the
same "goldeneye with an all orange bill" reported on the Christmas Count by
Tom Ryan and his party. It has been seen occasionally since then without
being conclusively identified. A HORNED GREBE, 2 SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, and
BONAPARTE'S GULL were also seen from the boat launch at Calero.
At about noon I stopped by Almaden Lake and found a second-winter
GLAUCOUS GULL on the water. It was later seen with the gull flock on the
gravel bar. I saw another large gull on the water that in plumage looked
like a first-winter Glaucous-winged Gull, but it had a bill like a Glaucous
Gull--basal 2/3 of the bill was pink, tip was black. Could a Glaucous Gull
be as dark in plumage as a first-year Glaucous-winged? The primaries were
light brown, not white. I don't know if this much (extreme) variation is
exhibited by young Glaucous. Could be a hybrid gull I suppose. Other birds
at Almaden Lake included 1 COMMON MOORHEN, 30+ THAYER'S GULLS, 1 MEW GULL,
and COMMON MERGANSERS.
Later in the afternoon I visited the bay wetlands. Counted 10 BLACK
SKIMMERS on the island just north of the Forebay at Charleston Slough. There
was also an adult THAYER'S GULL among the gulls on the island.
From the trail at Byxbee Park I watched 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS hunting in
the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin from about 3:15 to about 3:40 pm. At one
point one had a violent confrontation with a NORTHERN HARRIER, and the two
briefly locked talons. A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was with the CANADA
GEESE at Byxbee Park.
San Jose's Metropolitan Education District is going to offer another
Beginning Birding class starting on Thursday, February 1. This class will
meet for 6 evening sessions and a series of field trips (including Merced
National Wildlife Refuge and an owling excursion). If you are interested you
can check out my class web page at
http://home.att.net/~redknot/birdwatching_for_fun.htm or call MetroED to
register at 408-723-6553.
John Mariani
[[email protected]]
www.birdswest.com
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 22 05:55:22 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
On Sunday, 21 Jan 01, I birded Shoreline Lake, finding the male BARROW'S
GOLDENEYE and the RED-THROATED LOON. I counted 20 HORNED GREBES on the lake,
which seemed like a larger-than-normal number. Charleston Slough had 11
BLACK SKIMMERS.
I thought that the plumage of the loon was interesting. The head pattern
looked a lot like that shown in the latest NGS guide for a first-spring
bird, although the pattern on this bird was much bolder than the
illustration. I had never previously seen this plumage and was struck by the
underlying basic plumage, which seemed to me to be more adult-like. I was
expecting a more immature plumage. Of course, the guide doesn't show the
body for this plumage, which reinforces the confusion.
Along San Tomas Aquino Creek today, 22 Jan 01, I saw 2 TURKEY VULTURES
feeding on a cat that had drowned sometime in the past (it had been laying
there last week). A notable difference in the birds along the creek today -
the AMERICAN ROBINS were in full song.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 22 08:45:47 2001
Subject: [SBB] Re: Unknown Bird
--------
> I was walking near the Guadalupe River today in the Ulistac Natural Area on
> Lick Mill Rd. in Santa Clara when I spotted a bird that looked a lot like a
> Tropical Kingbird. It had a black mask across its eyes. It was mostly gray
> with black & white trim on its wings. Does anyone know what I might have
> seen?
>From that description, it could well be a Loggerhead Shrike. However, I don't
think a Shrike looks anything like a Kingbird. Could you provide a bit more
of a description? Were there any yellow or greenish colors?
Al Eisner
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 22 12:18:29 2001
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
This morning, 1/22/2001, there was a lingering AM. WHITE PELICAN in the
South Pond at the Palo Alto FCB and at least three BROWN PELICANS still on
Salt Pond A2W. A few Am. White Pelicans "oversummer" here every other year or
so; thus, the FCB bird may be not returning to the interior. However, there
are few precedents for Brown Pelicans remaining so late in January. An adult
male MERLIN was along Stevens Creek and I counted only nine BLACK SKIMMERS at
Charleston Slough.
Bill
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 22 12:30:12 2001
Subject: [SBB] Red Phalaropes in SCL
--------
Folks:
David Suddjian asked about inland records of Red Phalaropes in Santa
Clara County. There appear to be fewer than 30 records and it is not found
every year. Since 1980, there have been at least three times when this
species was missed two winters in a row. Birds have occurred in all months
except June to August. However, most records are from October to December. A
few times we've had "large" flocks, from 8 to 20 birds.
Most records are from along the Bay and it seems likely that these are
birds blown in through the Golden Gate who then flew south and hit the wall at
the edge of the South Bay. However, last week's birds were inland on Calero
Reservoir, Almaden Lake, and the Los Gatos Creek perc. ponds. One can
speculate that these birds may have been blown through the Los Gatos gap. In
one of our previous storm-driven incursions, a dead bird was found by a
Caltrans crew at Bell's Station on Hwy 152. This bird probably came through
the gap at the Pajaro River. It seems likely that many more birds were blown
in by the recent storm, but just didn't wind up near water and perished. If
you're a bird that has evolved to winter at sea in the "Pacific" ocean, our
inland clime is not very hospitable.
Bill
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 22 14:07:57 2001
Subject: [SBB] Brown Pelicans in Redwood Creek
--------
Bill and SSB Folks:
Re: the Brown Pelicans continuing at the Salt Ponds in Santa Clara Co, we
also have BRPE continuing here at the Port of Redwood City on Redwood Creek
in southern San Mateo Co. There have been at least 2 individuals here since
early December, although today I have seen only one. On Friday I noted that
they both seemed to be developing what Peterson terms "spring" plumage. As
in SC Co., this is also much later than I remember seeing them here. In
fact, in some years they manage to disappear right before the CBC date. On
the other hand, we have seen very few Scaup, Goldeneye, or Scoters so far
this season, and there are usually quite a few of each here at the port by
this time of year. I have wondered if the dearth of major winter storms has
failed to drive them into the creek. Curious.
Sue
---
Susan J. Hunt
USGS Marine Facility
599 Seaport Blvd.
Redwood City, Ca. 94063
Ph. 650-329-5860 Fax 650-365-9841
email [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 22 15:12:28 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Brown Pelicans in Redwood Creek
--------
Sue Hunt wrote:
>On
>the other hand, we have seen very few Scaup, Goldeneye, or Scoters so far
>this season, and there are usually quite a few of each here at the port by
>this time of year. I have wondered if the dearth of major winter storms has
>failed to drive them into the creek. Curious.
Could be. I've noticed this pattern in general with a variety of water and
land birds this winter. Birds seem to be more dispersed, less concentrated
in protected waterways and woodland groves than in good storm years.
Incidentally, I have been doing monthly aerial and boat-based surveys of
birds on the San Francisco Bay since November. There are huge, but
probably normal, numbers of scaup and Surf Scoters present (thousands to
tens of thousands of each) so perhaps we just need another big storm to
send them into your area.
An interesting sidebar related to the monthly surveys is that there are
also big numbers of Clark's Grebes on the bay. In fact, virtually all
_Aechmophorus_ grebes away from shore are Clark's. Westerns tend to be in
the shallower waters, often near shore, and, of course, outside the bay
along the coastline. I think most birders may be unaware of this apparent
habitat difference.
Best,
Jeff Davis
Santa Cruz, CA
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 22 16:19:59 2001
Subject: [SBB] Los Gatos Creek Park
--------
I took a late lunch and walked around Los Gatos Creek Park at about 2:30pm
today. The Red Phalarope was still right where it was supposed to be, in
the Southeast corner of the pond off the entrance road. A Clark's Grebe and
two Horned Grebes were also on this pond.I saw 5 Common Snipe, a male
Hooded Merganser, a Green Heron and a Great Blue Heron down in the creek
and a Common Yellowthroat along the Northern edge of the 3rd pond from the
entrance. In addition, I saw a Chestnut-backed Chickadee doing an imitation
of a woodpecker - hammering a pine cone.
Don Ganton
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 22 16:20:00 2001
Subject: [SBB] New S.C.Co. Bird List for 2001
--------
Bill Bousman has sent in the new S.C.Co. Bird List for 2001.
"Here is a mid-January list. 170 species is a good start and it is
likely that there are quite a few missing from the list. Particularly notable
are three "6s" to start off the new year: Lesser Black-backed Gull,
Black-backed Wagtail, and Great-tailed Grackle. People should check this list
for missing fairly common or uncommon species or if they have earlier dates
than shown here. I will update the list based on their response."
Send your reports to: [[email protected]]
You can find the complete list at:
South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU)
http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/
It is hard to believe that this starts the 6th year of posting this list.
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/
------------------------------------------
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 22 16:44:06 2001
Subject: [SBB] weekend birds
--------
Saturday, 1/20/01
Coyote Creek Field Station banding:
Among the 24 birds netted, we had a pair of GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS and
an overwintering ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was banded. On one net run we
had 3 male ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS "crash" into the net in mid-chase. All
zipped off defiantly upon release.
Alameda Co., Dumbarton Bridge toll plaza:
The female RUFF was seen at the east end of the Dumbarton Bridge crossing.
Los Gatos Creek Park:
The RED PHALAROPE continued in the same spot.
Sunday, 1/21/01
Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant:
One GOLDEN EAGLE was perched on the 3rd tower west of the entrance levee.
Arzino Ranch:
An apparent second GOLDEN EAGLE was perched on a post in the middle of
this area.
Environmental Education Center of the SFBNWR:
An adult THAYER'S GULL was on the nearest island in pond A16 behind the
EEC. While looking at a SORA in Mallard Slough, a VIRGINIA RAIL dashed
past our field of view.
Alameda Co., Dumbarton Bridge toll plaza:
The female RUFF was seen again at the east end of the Dumbarton Bridge
crossing. There were also two LESSER YELLOWLEGS in this pond.
Today, 1/22/01, at noon:
I couldn't locate the 1st winter Glaucous Gull at the Baylands duck pond
reported by Dick Stovel. There were lots of birds in the marina area and
I could have missed it there or it could have been at the landfill.
Les Chibana
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 23 08:53:20 2001
Subject: [SBB] Shoreline/PAFCB
--------
On Monday afternoon (Jan. 22), after an unsuccessful try for Glaucous Gull
at the Palo Alto Baylands [the tide was too low to find any smaller shorebirds,
including the one Dick mentioned], I visited Mountainview Shoreline Lake, and
then walked a few hundred yards up the Charleston Slough levee. The Lake had
its immature Red-Throated Loon and male Barrow's Goldeneye, and I saw 16 or
17 Horned Grebes. [Mike M.: I'd seen 20 there earlier in the month, and I
think that's a typical number recently.]
From the Charleston Slough levee: 10 or 11 Black Skimmers resting on
their usual island - on the way out I say only 9 now-alert birds, but I'm
pretty sure there were more earlier; excellent views of one Short-Eared Owl
hunting over the Flood Control Basin (viewed 4:35-4:50); and one American
White Pelican over by Byxbee Park. I was also able to pick out the Greater
White-Fronted Goose with Canada's on the Byxbee grass (too distant to see any
details, but presumably the same immature which has been around).
Al Eisner
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 23 19:33:44 2001
Subject: [SBB] Upper watershed of Los Gatos Creek
--------
Hi SBB,
Today (1/23) I was up to the Morrell Road / Lake Elsmen area before the rain
kicked in. An adult male HERMIT WARBLER and a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH were with
a mixed flock in Douglas firs near the top of the northerly junction of
Morrell Road with Summit Road. I heard a PILEATED WOODPECKER calling from the
forest on the south side of Lake Elsmen. The reservoir itself had 38 COMMON
MERGANSERS, 9 HOODED MERGANSERS, 17 BUFFLEHEAD, 2 COMMON GOLDENEYES, 19
MALLARDS and 1 SPOTTED SANDPIPER. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS were numerous
throughout the conifer forest areas. I estimated that I encountered about 85
of them in 2 hours, nearly all heard-only from up in the tree tops.
TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS were also plentiful. Several WINTER WRENS were singing
along Los Gatos Creek.
David Suddjian, Capitola
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 24 06:03:36 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
At lunch time today, 24 Jan 01, I went to the Palo Alto Baylands and hiked
over the Byxbee Park hill to overlook the flood control basin. There, I
found the GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE in with the CANADAS. Also present were
5 small-form Canadas that might have been CACKLERS.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 24 10:34:49 2001
Subject: [SBB] Possible Black-headed Grosbeak at Audubon
--------
Sorry for the delay in this posting--I've been in computer limbo.
Last Sunday morning, Jan. 21, while birding at the SCVAS Headquarters,we saw
what we feel was a male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK. Most noticeable was the
overall buffy-orange color of the rump and sides. It had black wings with
white spotting, but the overall plumage appeared rather dull. We did not
see any streaking on the breast or sides. The 1st winter male in Sibley
appears to be the closest match, however the bird had more black in the
face, similar to Sibley's 1st summer male. Any suggestions? The bird was
seen to the left of the Headquarters building, while we were standing in the
driveway near the community garden. We were facing McClellan Road, watching
the bird forage in the trees.
Kay Partelow, with Shirley Larson, Liz Nielsen, Lisa Pavey, and Jack and
Diane Vedder
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From [[email protected]] Thu Jan 25 12:17:14 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Possible Black-headed Grosbeak at Audubon
--------
One tiny bit of possible additional information: on Saturday of the
previous weekend, we MAY have also had a glimpse of this bird, in a conifer
further to the "left" (corner of orchard area). It was fairly high, and I
could only see bits of the rear and side. I stood there for a while,
hoping it would move enough to reveal itself as something interesting, like
a Grosbeak, but having no luck, I told myself it was probably only a
Robin. I hope it was a Grosbeak, and the same individual--that might mean
it is staying around there and we'll all have a chance to try to see it in
better view! :)
Natasha
At 10:34 AM 1/24/01 -0800, Partelow, Kay wrote:
>Sorry for the delay in this posting--I've been in computer limbo.
>
>Last Sunday morning, Jan. 21, while birding at the SCVAS Headquarters,we saw
>what we feel was a male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK. Most noticeable was the
>overall buffy-orange color of the rump and sides. It had black wings with
>white spotting, but the overall plumage appeared rather dull. We did not
>see any streaking on the breast or sides. The 1st winter male in Sibley
>appears to be the closest match, however the bird had more black in the
>face, similar to Sibley's 1st summer male. Any suggestions? The bird was
>seen to the left of the Headquarters building, while we were standing in the
>driveway near the community garden. We were facing McClellan Road, watching
>the bird forage in the trees.
>
>Kay Partelow, with Shirley Larson, Liz Nielsen, Lisa Pavey, and Jack and
>Diane Vedder
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From [[email protected]] Thu Jan 25 17:04:23 2001
Subject: [SBB] Glaucous Gull
--------
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I saw an essentially all white first or
second winter Glaucous Gull on a small island on the southern edge of Salt
Pond A18 near the land fill. At 10:02 AM the bird flew east and dropped
down, out of sight into one of the "evaporation" ponds near the CCFS
Waterbird Pond. This may be the same GLGU recently seen near the
Environmental Education Center [EEC] as the island, on which we found the
gull, is only a couple hundred yards east of the center and can, in fact, be
seen from the dike just north of the center. On the same small island(s)
there were several light, buffy gulls with whitish primaries and lightly
marked tertials that I assumed were bleached-out Thayer's Gulls. However,
one of these gulls, standing behind and to the right of the GLGU, with
whitish primaries and lightly marked tertials also had a white head, neck,
chest and belly. This bird appeared to be a shade darker than the GLGU. The
mantle was the same buffy coloring as the wing (with no gray). The wing
itself looked to be similar to those of THGU nearby and this bird, also like
the THGU, had a medium sized, medium length black bill and pink legs. I
realize that Iceland Gulls may not be found in California but this bird sure
looked like a candidate. I should also note that we were viewing these birds
from the northeast corner of the salt pond and that in spite of the high
winds we were getting great 100x looks through Frank's scope.
Earlier at the Waterbird Pond, which had up to 800 gulls in it, we saw six to
eight THGU with whitish primaries, half of these gulls had dark centered
tertials. We also had Western, Glaucous-winged, Herring, California,
Ring-billed and Mew gulls. On a quick trip to the EEC we had three
Red-breasted Mergansers (one male), two Clark's and one Western Grebe. At
State and Speckles in Alviso Frank had a tantalizing look at a short billed
sandpiper in the pond before it disappeared into the pickleweed and at Arzino
Ranch we had Tricolored, Red-winged and Brewer's Blackbirds. Fighting
Ring-necked Pheasants, one flying away, and rain drops on the windshield
signaled that playtime was over.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 5:04 PM, 1/25/01
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From [[email protected]] Fri Jan 26 11:44:39 2001
Subject: [SBB] Lots of Brown Pelicans on Redwood Creek
--------
Pelican Lovers:
This is not in Santa Clara County, but if anyone is interested in seeing a
whole hoard of Brown Pelicans in the South Bay, a flock of at least 35 just
flew into the Port of Redwood City on the heels of a fishing boat returning
to the Redwood City Marina. They are all hanging out on the salt pier right
now (1130) and would be visible from the marina parking lot off Seaport
Blvd. I've never seen this many at once in Redwood Creek--they make quite a
"peanut gallery", along with Double-crested Cormorants and a variety of gulls.
Sue
---
Susan J. Hunt
USGS Marine Facility
599 Seaport Blvd.
Redwood City, Ca. 94063
Ph. 650-329-5860 Fax 650-365-9841
email [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Fri Jan 26 14:37:45 2001
Subject: [SBB] Gulls at EEC
--------
At the EEC this lunchtime the gulls were obligingly
perched along the levee at the end of the boardwalk, so
I was able to get very close to them. I easily picked out
what looked like the first-winter Glaucous Gull that has
been reported there. However, it did not show any bill
pattern and it did not seem any bigger than the
surrounding Herring Gulls. Rob Reiling has already
suggested that an Iceland Gull may be in the area.
Could this be it?
Otherwise I had fun separating first-year Thayer’s and
Glaucous-winged Gulls and it occurred to me to wonder
where all the first-year Herrings were? It seemed
strange given that the bulk of the adults, and the group
was mostly adult, were Herring Gulls.
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From [[email protected]] Fri Jan 26 16:53:47 2001
Subject: [SBB] American Redstart in Milpitas
--------
Hi all,
Another South Bay American Redstart....
Today at lunch, I saw a female American Redstart. The bird was foraging and flycatching from an ornamental tree (I don't know what kind it is). The bird then dropped to the ground for a couple of seconds, and darted into some lower shrubbery. I was able to get the bird to "pop-up" by pishing and got an excellent look from about 15 feet. The location is on the campus of LifeScan, Inc., 1001 S. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas. The bird was in the trees and shrubs around the company bar-b-que area. This can identified by the blue shade umbrellas and white lawn furniture. This is private property and the parking lot is restricted on weekdays, but wouldn't be a problem on the weekend. LifeScan has an athletic/exercise "par-course" on our campus, which they allow the "community" to utilize (although nobody does). This should provide access to the area where I saw the bird. Later, in the afternoon I didn't see it in the area, but I was just walking past the area and didn't spend any time there.
Randy Little
[[email protected]]
"If all the beasts were gone, men would die from great loneliness of spirit," Chief Seattle, 1855
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From [[email protected]] Fri Jan 26 18:28:52 2001
Subject: [SBB] Common Mergansers
--------
Living on a lagoon in Redwood Shores, I have seen a variety of waterbirds thru the years. What was most unusual on 1-23-01 8 AM was seeing 2 male Common Mergansers with three females, and an assortment of D.C. Cormorants and late to depart Brown Pelicans feeding on fish. One week prior was 1 male Common Merganser. Most winters there are a few days when Red-breasted Mergansers are seen. Hooded Mergansers are periodically seen from mid-Oct. one. Has any Common Mergansers been seen recently on the bay or the brackish lagoons surrounding the open bay? Bill Lofthouse
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From [[email protected]] Fri Jan 26 22:24:48 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Gulls at EEC
--------
Having got home and gone through all my field guides, I see there is so much
variation in the estimated sizes of the gulls that I can easily imagine a
Glaucous Gull the same size as a Herring Gull. The lack of tip to the bill
is still kinda weird though...
----- Original Message -----
From: <[[email protected]]>
To: <[[email protected]]>
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2001 2:37 PM
Subject: [SBB] Gulls at EEC
At the EEC this lunchtime the gulls were obligingly
perched along the levee at the end of the boardwalk, so
I was able to get very close to them. I easily picked out
what looked like the first-winter Glaucous Gull that has
been reported there. However, it did not show any bill
pattern and it did not seem any bigger than the
surrounding Herring Gulls. Rob Reiling has already
suggested that an Iceland Gull may be in the area.
Could this be it?
Otherwise I had fun separating first-year Thayer's and
Glaucous-winged Gulls and it occurred to me to wonder
where all the first-year Herrings were? It seemed
strange given that the bulk of the adults, and the group
was mostly adult, were Herring Gulls.
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 27 04:04:22 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I went to the Sunnyvale Sewage Ponds today, 27 Jan 01, where the immature
SNOW GOOSE remains with the flock of domestic geese. Over the old landfill
and the pond just north of it, on Lockheed property, were about 15 TREE
SWALLOWS, 5 VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, 1 BARN SWALLOW, and 20 WHITE-THROATED
SWIFTS. Seven AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were soaring overhead, and the top of
the landfill had a flock of 25-30 AMERICAN PIPITS. A single ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLER was in with the hoards of YELLOW-RUMPEDS at the fennel-corner. The
fennel patch here has been rudely disturbed by the construction going on
next door. A BURROWING OWL continues at the burrow along the side of the
landfill.
At Sunnyvale Baylands Park there wasn't much to report, other than a flyby
COOPER'S HAWK.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 27 12:31:17 2001
Subject: [SBB] SHORT-EARED OWL
--------
All,
This morning I led my class on a walk through Charleston Slough.
Highlights included a SHORT-EARED OWL flying over the Palo Alto Flood
Control Basin toward Byxbee Park. The bird perched on a pole for several
minutes while it endured attacks from nearby WHITE-TAILED KITES. We also
had GREEN HERON, SORA and VIRGINIA RAIL in the Mountain View Forebay.
Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net/
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 27 14:28:44 2001
Subject: [SBB] Sunnyvale WPCP
--------
I biked around the ponds at the WPCP today and turned up a Clark's Grebe,
American Bittern and Loggerhead Shrike.
Michael Wienholt
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From [[email protected]] Sat Jan 27 18:09:34 2001
Subject: [SBB] Ed R Levin Park
--------
Evening all;
Did my usual Saturday walk and count out at Ed Levin. Although I only got 58
species, they were pretty well the usual list of suspects. The only standouts
were: about 20 WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS, and a DOWNEY WOODPECKER.
There also seemed to be a lot of RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS. More than the usual
number I find: 10 or less. Today I found more than 50...
Notably absent, again, was the Burrowing Owl above the landing field, and the
Chestnut-backed Chickadees...
Dusty Bleher
Campbell
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 28 14:35:57 2001
Subject: [SBB] Pelicans
--------
Today, (1/28) saw two Brown Pelicans at the Parkway Lakes in San Jose.
Screech.
--
Paul L. Noble
"Screechowl"
[[email protected]]
^ ^
@ @
( v )
( )
/ \
m m
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 28 17:11:10 2001
Subject: [SBB] Misc. birding
--------
I visited a number of spots in Santa Clara Co. today (starting late, about
9:30). Highlights of my first stop, at the Ogier Ponds, included one American
Bittern (southeast pond), one Hooded Merganser (likewise), 7 Common Mergansers
(pond north of the entrance road to the model airplane field), and my first
Swallow of the year: a Violet-Green. The latter was working north, calling;
I heard another V-G/Tree type calling back to it, but didn't spot the second
bird.
Next: Coyote Creek south of Metcalf, where I made my second unsuccessful
try for the Redstart. One American White Pelican remains on Parkway Lake.
An early-afternoon traverse of Sierra Road was very dull. In the immediate
area around the summit, the ONLY birds I had were one Kestrel, one Western
Bluebird, one or two Lesser Goldfinch, and a few Meadowlarks!
Later in the afternoon I paid a visit to the EEC in Alviso. Salt Pond
A16 had two Red-Breasted Mergansers (one a male) and at least 350 Mew Gulls
(on the water). (There were hundreds of Herring Gulls, but I didn't spot the
Glaucous.) Finally, at the Arzino Ranch I saw 4 or 5 Burrowing owls (in 3 or
4 locations); the nearby fields along Nortech and Disk Drive look devastated.
Arzino also had a flock of about 40 Long-Billed Curlews.
Al
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 28 18:04:24 2001
Subject: [SBB] Eurasian kind of day!
--------
While walking on the levees at the Palo Alto Baylands today, Brooke
miller and I found both an Eurasian Wigeon and the Eurasian race of the
Green Wing Teal. Starting from Coast Casey Forebay, about a mile out on
the levee towards the bay. The Eurasian Wigeon was spotted in the
channel on the right that opens to the bay . It was swimming near the
wooden structure that surrounds some flood control valves on the
opposite shore. It was swimming with a female that seemed to have a
distinctly more rufous tone to its head than the other females in the
area. A female Eurasian Wigeon? A bonus was a pair of Hooded Mergansers
feeding on the other side of the levee in the same area. The Teal was
spotted at about 3:30PM feeding with other Green-winged Teal in the
channel on the bay side of the outer levee opposite the small muddy pond
that is posted with a red sign " Danger- Soft mud keep out". The teal
was conspicuous by having a horizontal white stripe on the sides as
opposed to the vertical bar seen on the other male teals.
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 28 19:16:04 2001
Subject: [SBB] Redhead in P.A. Flood Control Basin
--------
A pair of REDHEAD were among a large flock of canvasback and
scaup in the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin channel adjacent to
outer Charleston Slough at 11 am Sunday 1/28
- Dick
Richard Stovel [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 28 19:30:59 2001
Subject: [SBB] Shoveler X Blue Wing Teal
--------
Just to make life exciting, there is an apparent Shoveler -- Blue Winged
Teal Cross at the Flood Basin near Bixby Park in Palo Alto. The bird is
a male Shoveler with a complete white face crescent just like the male
Blue Wing Teal.
--
Richard C. Carlson Full-time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker
Palo Alto, California Part-time Economist
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 28 20:22:00 2001
Subject: [SBB] robins, waxwings, and a california thrasher
--------
Today on the Stanford campus around Hoover Pavilion, esp. between Hoover
and Palm drive, there were big mixed flocks of A. Robins and Cedar
Waxwings--probably hundreds of each, though it was pretty difficult to
count. Also noteworthy: one nicely calling Golden-crowned Sparrow, several
Nuttalls Woodpeckers, several N. Flickers, and a California Thrasher. The
ground squirrel tunnels are in fine form--tricky walking!
--Natasha
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From [[email protected]] Sun Jan 28 22:53:58 2001
Subject: [SBB] Milpitas Redstart
--------
All: Today (Sunday) I re-found the female American Redstart in Milpitas in the trees at the corner of Milpitas and Gibraltar (~1100 South Milpitas Ave), about 200 yards south of yesterday's site. It was moving rapidly around, and I suspect it is using a fairly large area of the ornamental Ash trees along the streets there.
Charles Coston
______________________________________________________
Listen to your favorite music while you work!
- http://www.com/
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 29 02:56:53 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
On Sunday, 28 Jan 01, I visited Calero Reservoir, where I was able to spot
the COMMON LOON at the far end (the end furthest from the boat ramp).
A stop at the Morabito goose farm in the south county produced 2 free-flying
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE in the field with his Canadas. (He has 3 or 4
captive White-fronteds in a cage there as well) His 8 captive Snow Geese
were present, but I saw no sign of the Ross' that had been hanging here for
quite some time.
While checking around South County Airport for Ferruginous Hawks, I ended up
on Santa Teresa near where the Sandhill Crane was present a year ago or so.
Suddenly, a PRAIRIE FALCON flew up onto a telephone pole alongside the road.
I was able to scope this bird from about 100 feet away and watch while it
plucked and ate a WESTERN MEADOWLARK. Cool!
Mike Mammoser
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 29 05:28:59 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
There werem 3 female COMMON MERGANSERS along San Tomas Aquino Creek today,
29 Jan 01, near the Scott Blvd crossing.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 29 10:15:19 2001
Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto Baylands
--------
Yesterday afternoon at the Palo Alto duck pond the
Glaucous Gull was still cadging food. It seemed that
some of the first-year Glaucous-winged Gulls were
looking very washed out and so could also be
candidates for confusion with the white gulls. This
means that the gull that I previously reported at Alviso
could have been either Glaucous-winged or Thayer’s, as
Rob Reiling suggested.
Next up the White-fronted Goose was still with the flock
of Canadas in Byxbee Park. At about four or four-thirty
the first Short-eared Owl appeared and even perched
obligingly on the wire fence surrounding the out-of-
bounds grassy area. A little later two of them were in
flight and sparring with a Northern Harrier.
Cool stuff.
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 29 10:23:57 2001
Subject: [SBB] Harlan's Hawk Seen (Finally!)
--------
After failing to the Harlan's Hawk on two previous attempts, I finally connected with it on Super Bore Sunday. I spotted it perched in a tall cottonwood located over a hundred yards north of the Trimble/Guadelupe River Bridge. Upon my approach, it flushed and dipped over the treeline to the northeast. Good light on a great bird certainly beats staring at a Baltimore Raven.
Special thanks to Tom Ryan, Les Chibana, and Mike Rogers for their helpful advice on finding this bird.
On a side note, we have had a flock of twenty Cedar Waxwings visiting our backyard's decorative pond for the last week.
Gina Sheridan
Santa Clara
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 29 11:01:00 2001
Subject: [SBB] Administrative stuff
--------
SBB list,
PLEASE, ALL RESPONSES TO THE FOLLOWING SHOULD COME TO ME; DO NOT REPLY
TO THE LIST.
I'm curious if many of you are receiving html versions of SBB postings.
If you're not sure of what I'm talking about, html code has lots of
cryptic text between angled braces <...> and the readable message text
between these clusters of code.
If you aren't reading SBB messages with a Web browser, you may be more
likely to see this code. A browser parses this code and may display
different fonts, in different styles and sizes. Usually, a Web mail site
may generate this code in messages, but some mail clients may have the
capability to do this, too.
Les
--
Les Chibana
List Bureaucrat
South-Bay-Birds List
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 29 14:23:33 2001
Subject: [SBB] Alviso Salt Ponds
--------
All,
Yesterday Sunday 1/28/01, I made a 4-hour bike circuit of the Alviso
Salt Ponds before the Super Bowl.
A calling PINE SISKIN flew over my house in Sunnyvale as I left.
The gull flock at the Alviso Marina included 2 first-winter THAYER'S
GULLS among the many RING-BILLED and CALIFORNIA GULLS. About 40 MEW
GULLS were in nearby Salt Pond A12.
Things were pretty quiet until I got out to pond A10 (south of A9,
which is all the way out at the confluence of Alviso Slough and Coyote
Creek). Thousands of bay ducks were on A10, mostly CANVASBACKS and
both species of SCAUP, but also many BUFFLEHEAD and at least 56
REDHEADS (including 25 adult males), which were foraging along the
northern edge of the pond. Only a couple COMMON GOLDENEYE and 5
RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS seemed on the low side for these species and
there were no scoters of any species present. As I was scoping ducks,
I heard the calls of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and looked up to see
a "V" of 14 birds (8 adults, 5 immatures, and one small race CANADA
GOOSE) circling overhead. In a few minutes this flock landed with the
eight CANADA GEESE on A10. Fifteen minutes after I first saw them
they were flushed by a bicyclist - after which they spent the next 26
minutes circling over a wide area (sometimes being gone for minutes at
a time), before finally heading south at 12:29pm. Interestingly, when
these birds left the small CANADA GOOSE stayed with them, instead of
with the resident conspecifics on the salt pond.
Scoping the gull flock on the dike between A10 and A11 to the east
turned up a large white first-winter GLAUCOUS GULL, which may have
been the same bird that I saw at the EEC on the Christmas Count.
Also had 5 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS on the A9/A10 dike and a single
immature BROWN PELICAN at the mouth of Alviso Slough.
As I scoped Salt Pond A9, thousands of sandpipers (mainly WESTERN
SANDPIPERS and DUNLIN) flew south towards the Knapp tract, fleeing the
rising tide. Despite careful searching, I failed to locate a Eurasian
Wigeon among the many AMERICAN WIGEON on pond A9. I did manage to
find another male REDHEAD, 3 COMMON GOLDENEYES, and 2 more
RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS though.
Heading back to the Marina, I located another first-winter GLAUCOUS
GULL on the dike between A13 and A14 (near an aging wooden structure).
This bird had completely white primaries, tertials, and most coverts,
but had some pale brown smudging on the mantle and scapulars. The
bill was typical for this species, being pinkish with a sharply
demarcated black tip on the outer third.
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 29 14:53:52 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Eurasian kind of day!
--------
At 06:04 PM 1/28/01 -0800, Bob wrote:
>While walking on the levees at the Palo Alto Baylands today, Brooke
>Miller and I found both an Eurasian Wigeon and the Eurasian race of the
>Green Wing Teal.
I went out there (the inlet from the bay just north of Charleston Slough)
today and found the Eurasian Wigeon plus a male Blue-winged Teal, but did
not see the Eurasian Green-winged Teal. After quite some time I first saw
the wigeon by the wooden structure described by Bob. I have no idea where
it had been before then. As the tide came in, it swam back and forth
against the far bank, over a greater than 100 yard stretch. Then, after
about an hour, I lost track of it and could not find it again.
--Peter
------------------------------------------------------
Peter LaTourrette
North American Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.birdphotography.com/
Jasper Ridge Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.stanford.edu/~petelat1/
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 29 14:58:10 2001
Subject: [SBB] Coe Birds
--------
A long walk on a beautiful day at Henry Coe SP yielded a couple of interesting birds. The first was singing SAGE SPARROW on the west slopes of Burra Burra Peak. The second was a WINTER WREN along Canada de la Dormeda Creek. The wren is extremely rare in the interior Diablo Range and is the first January record I have.
Dark-eyed Juncos were singing from the tree-tops, which is surprising for this time of year.
James Yurchenco
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 29 15:51:45 2001
Subject: [SBB] Where are the pintails?
--------
I've had to scratch pretty hard to find pintails in the Palo Alto
and Mountain View baylands this winter. In nearly 5 hours of
baylands cruising on Sunday I found 0. This has not been the
case in previous winters. Where are they? In the middle of the
bay? What's different this winter?
- Dick
Richard Stovel [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 29 16:08:50 2001
Subject: [SBB] pintails
--------
All,
Dick makes an excellent point. Despite several brief bayside birding
stints in 2001, I had yet to see a pintail this year until yesterday.
When we did the December SFBBO survey there were thousands of pintails
on A9. Part of the reason I checked the Alviso ponds yesterday was to
see if that was where they still all were. There were indeed some
pintails on ponds A9 and A10, but I doubt more than a few hundred or
so, which really does lead to the question "Where did they go?"!
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 29 18:17:39 2001
Subject: [SBB] Common Loon, birding class
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
I stopped by Calero Reservoir this afternoon, and there was still a
COMMON LOON there (where Mike Mammoser saw it, up the far west arm of the
reservoir). There were also several GREATER SCAUP with the LESSER SCAUP and
RING-NECKED DUCKS near the boat launch. Noticed the large rain pools along
the west side of Santa Teresa Blvd. north of Bailey were packed with
waterfowl, but I didn't have time to stop for a closer look.
Metropolitan Adult Education will offer another beginning birding class
starting this Thursday. Class field trips will include a trip to Los
Banos/Merced National Wildlife Refuge and an evening owling trip. If you are
interested you will find more information at
http://home.att.net/~redknot/birdwatching_for_fun.htm - Or to register call
MetroED at 408-723-6553.
John Mariani
[[email protected]]
www.birdswest.com
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From [[email protected]] Mon Jan 29 18:33:54 2001
Subject: [SBB] Milpitas American Redstart
--------
The female American Redstart was seen again in the trees along So. Milpitas Blvd about 75 yards north of the intersection with Ames Ave.
Randy Little
[[email protected]]
"Any day might be a special one---you just had to get outside and see if it was." Kenn Kaufman, Kingbird Highway
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Attachment
997 bytes
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 30 08:35:56 2001
Subject: [SBB] Northern Pintails
--------
Folks:
My two cents on NORTHERN PINTAILS. My bike commute gives me a sample
from the Palo Alto Baylands to the Stevens Creek Tidal Marsh. The number of
my commute days between 10/15 and 3/15 has varied from 17 to 30, if I include
this winter, which is not complete. For five years, the fraction of trips on
which I've seen pintails has been: 0.50, 0.88, 0.35, 0.60, and 0.28.
Certainly this last winter has been the lowest number and it's been weeks
since I've seen any on this route. However, in all five winters there is a
noticeable decline through the winter, so that they are much harder to find
from January through March.
Local CBCs show declines from the mid-1970s, when they were abundant.
However, current numbers are not much different from the 1950s, which shows
this duck has exhibited some long-term cycles in the South Bay. For
California, they show a long-term decline ever since the waterfowl surveys
were started in the 1950s. Who knows how many there were in the 1870s when
the market gunning started. They were the favored species, after Mallards,
and gave good prices. Shovelers and wigeon were trash birds in San Francisco.
Bill
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 30 10:10:14 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Gull
--------
----- Original Message -----
From: <[[email protected]]>
> I stopped by the Palo Alto Baylands duck pond this morning to see if
the
> Glaucous Gull which had been reported might still be around. What I saw
was
> a large gull with the bill pattern of a first- or second-year Glaucous
Gull,
> but which was not a Glaucous Gull.
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.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 30 11:08:44 2001
Subject: [SBB] Pintails - out of area snapshot
--------
I did a fieldtrip at the Sacramento Nat'l Wildlife Refuge complex this
past weekend. There were lots of Northern Pintails there; they seemed
to be one of the more abundant waterfowl. The visitor center had copies
of a tally sheet from recent surveys and, indeed, pintails were the most
abundant on the complex at 271,555 counted in the period from 1/16 thru
1/19 of this year. However, the totals from last year were also shown,
631,791. Quite a difference. It's never a good idea to draw conclusions
based on sightings from one area over only two years, but it contributes
to observations that their numbers are low this year. The SNWR complex
survey includes the following refuges: Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, Sutter,
Butte Sink and Llano Seco.
Les Chibana
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 30 11:20:48 2001
Subject: [SBB] Alviso Area birds
--------
Hi all,
My apologies for the delay. Last Tuesday (1/23/01) Scott Terrill, Julie
Klingmann and I heard a Clapper Rail calling from Artesian (Mallard) Slough
adjacent to the EEC. Jeff Seay observed a White-throated Sparrow at the
bend in the road south of the EEC on Wednesday (1/24/01). I also observed a
White-throated Sparrow here on Saturday (1/27/01) as well as 4 Greater
White-fronted Geese in the marsh adjancent to the EEC and a Peregrine Falcon
on a power tower on Pond A18.
All for now,
Tom
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 30 12:56:15 2001
Subject: [SBB] Gull
--------
I stopped by the Palo Alto Baylands duck pond this morning to see if the
Glaucous Gull which had been reported might still be around. What I saw was
a large gull with the bill pattern of a first- or second-year Glaucous Gull,
but which was not a Glaucous Gull. (This of course may have no bearing at all
on the previous sightings.) The bill was massive, with a prominent gonydeal
angle, rather like a Glaucous-Winged's (and Glaucous??), not like a Herring's.
But the basal ~70% was quite pink, and the tip blackish. The plumage was
second or (more likely) third-year: the head, nape and underparts were white
(with only a little dingier shading at most). The mantle and most of the wings
were an adult-like pale gray; but the median (I think) coverts were pale
brownish. The tertails had broad pale white tips; the outer tertials had some
brown tint to the gray. The primaries also had a pale brownish-gray tint
(hence clearly not a Glaucous Gull - when it spread its wings, there was not a
great deal of contrast). The eye was dark (like a Glaucous-Winged; a third-yr.
Glaucous and even most second-year should have a pale eye).
Apart from the bill, I would have dismissed this bird as Glaucous-Winged.
The only book I had with me (NGS) did not illustrate third-winter plumage.
So, my question: can any Glaucous-Winged have a bill pattern like this?
Or does this bird have to be a hybrid (in which case Glaucous X Glaucous-Winged
seems a likely candidate)?
By the way, in contrast to what I found on earlier visits, Scaup are now
in the pond in good numbers, including several Greater. I think there's no
better place anywhere to study the two Scaup species.
Al
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 30 13:53:55 2001
Subject: [SBB] BB wagtail
--------
When was the BB wagtail last seen?
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
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 30 14:10:04 2001
Subject: [SBB] Some county birds
--------
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I birded Morrill and Wright Station Rds (off
Summit Rd) in an attempt to locate some county goodies. Our most unusual
sighting was of a House Wren that seemed to be working it's way north (it
continued to move up the road). The bird was an overall brownish-gray wren
with a long barred tail and a faint supercilium (didn't get a good look at
the flanks). Next best birds were Thrushes; Varied (many), Hermit (many) and
California (one). We also had Brown Creeper, Rudy-crowned Kinglet,
Golden-crowned Sparrow, Acorn Woodpeckers, California Towhees and lots of
robins, jays (both), chickadees and juncos. Biggest miss was a nearby
singing bird which we were unable to find and could not identify by it's
song.:-(
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 2:05 PM, 1/30/01
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From [[email protected]] Tue Jan 30 18:17:20 2001
Subject: [SBB] The very latest name changes
--------
All,
For those who didn't pay close attention to my last posting the new
California Thrush is the old California Thrasher and the new Ruddy-crowned
Kinglet (Rudy should have had two "d"s) is the old Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Someone felt that a name change was necessary but that it should not result
in a change in the banding codes [either the 4 letter, 6 letter or 12 letter
codes] :-) Sometimes I should just wait until the next day to post my
e-mail.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 6:20 PM, 1/30/01
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 31 00:48:00 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] Gull
--------
This bird described by Al sounds a lot like a gull I saw at Almaden Lake on
Jan. 21. My question was pretty much the same--is this plumage outside the
range of variability for a first or second year Glaucous Gull, and would it
have to be a hybrid (x Herring or more likley x Glaucous-winged). The bird I
saw was basically Glaucous-winged except for the bill, which was 2/3 pink
with a black tip. It's plumage was more or less uniform pale brown and its
primaries were light brown--does this rule out Glaucous Gull?
John Mariani
[[email protected]]
www.birdswest.com
----- Original Message -----
From: <[[email protected]]>
To: <[[email protected]]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2001 12:56 PM
Subject: [SBB] Gull
> I stopped by the Palo Alto Baylands duck pond this morning to see if
the
> Glaucous Gull which had been reported might still be around. What I saw
was
> a large gull with the bill pattern of a first- or second-year Glaucous
Gull,
> but which was not a Glaucous Gull. (This of course may have no bearing at
all
> on the previous sightings.) The bill was massive, with a prominent
gonydeal
> angle, rather like a Glaucous-Winged's (and Glaucous??), not like a
Herring's.
> But the basal ~70% was quite pink, and the tip blackish. The plumage was
> second or (more likely) third-year: the head, nape and underparts were
white
> (with only a little dingier shading at most). The mantle and most of the
wings
> were an adult-like pale gray; but the median (I think) coverts were pale
> brownish. The tertails had broad pale white tips; the outer tertials had
some
> brown tint to the gray. The primaries also had a pale brownish-gray tint
> (hence clearly not a Glaucous Gull - when it spread its wings, there was
not a
> great deal of contrast). The eye was dark (like a Glaucous-Winged; a
third-yr.
> Glaucous and even most second-year should have a pale eye).
> Apart from the bill, I would have dismissed this bird as
Glaucous-Winged.
> The only book I had with me (NGS) did not illustrate third-winter plumage.
> So, my question: can any Glaucous-Winged have a bill pattern like this?
> Or does this bird have to be a hybrid (in which case Glaucous X
Glaucous-Winged
> seems a likely candidate)?
> By the way, in contrast to what I found on earlier visits, Scaup are
now
> in the pond in good numbers, including several Greater. I think there's
no
> better place anywhere to study the two Scaup species.
> Al
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> server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
> message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to
[[email protected]]
>
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 31 06:55:49 2001
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I returned to the Palo Alto duck pond today, 31 Jan 01, at lunch time. I
refound the gull that Al Eisner had reported the other day (in fact Al
showed up and confirmed that this was the bird). I believe that this is a
second year GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL. It is very worn and faded, so it looks
quite pale. However, the underlying plumage patterns fit this species well
for this age. The bill pattern is also probably OK for this species,
although Al thought that the pale basal portion should have been more yellow
than pink. I have seen photos of Glaucous-winged at this age with pinkish
bill bases. We were unable to find the Glaucous-type gull that I saw
yesterday.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 31 14:17:07 2001
Subject: Re: [SBB] The very latest name changes
--------
All,
I'm sorry, the birds were not renamed, my errors only made it seem so and I
made a bad joke of it. Please ignore my last e-mail and accept my apologies.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 2:17 PM,
--------
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 31 15:37:29 2001
Subject: [SBB] Charleston Slough
--------
Birders-
A walk out the slough trail this afternoon failed to
produce the Eurasion Wigeon or Common Teal in the
channel on the right side of the trail past the
"Charleston Slough Restoration" sign. A pair of
Redhead (my first this season at the Baylands), and a
pair of Hooded Mergansers (possibly my first in 20
years at this location), were nice consolation prizes.
Other birds of interest included a dozen Bonaparte's
Gulls, and five American White Pelicans soaring
against the clear blue sky. Sora and Virginia Rail
were calling from the forebay. The island was Black
Skimmerless.
Jack Cole
__________________________________________________
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 31 19:43:12 2001
Subject: [SBB] Short eared owl
--------
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]]
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From [[email protected]] Wed Jan 31 23:20:56 2001
Subject: [SBB] Osprey & White-throated sparrow
--------
All,
Being the end of January, I'm reporting that the OSPREY is still roosting
for the night here at my place, overlooking Vasona. She also comes & goes
throughtout the day. The WHITE-THROATED SPARROW still comes to my feeders.
Jean
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