From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 01 09:09:58 2001 Subject: [SBB] Birders for Montebello? -------- My companions for Montebello OSP (for Palo Alto Summer Bird Count) had to drop out. I am on my own for this area, as of now. Would someone like to join me ( Black-chinned Sparrow!)? Please let me know ASAP. Thanks, Vivek [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 01 13:20:30 2001 Subject: [SBB] Lewis's Woodpecker at Loma Prieta -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I had an adult Lewis's Woodpecker that eventually was in both Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties. When Frank first found the bird it was in a brown topped evergreen tree about 100 yds. west of the "Martin snag" (near where the area has been cleared to build a new home). (The "Martin snag" is located northeast of where the paving used to end on Loma Prieta Rd.) After some time the bird slowly worked it's way southeast (toward us) flying from snag to snag and spending several minutes on each snag (but always staying on the north side of the ridge line and in Santa Clara County). Eventually it flew around us to the south (we were on the highest point on the ridge line, i.e., the county line) and into Santa Cruz County. It continued out over the road and then seemed to me to turn back toward the north (I thought into the valley) and flew below our line of sight. We were never able to refind it. At one point a Hairy Woodpecker landed on the same snag and fairly quickly moved toward the LEWO but then when only about foot it away stopped and flew away. We had a few distant swallows but no Purple Martins and no Black-chinned Sparrows. Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:21 PM, 6/1/01 -------- Attachment 1.4 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 01 16:03:36 2001 Subject: [SBB] Admin message -------- Just to let you know that if you want some administrative assistance over the next 3 weeks, please use the list owner message and not my personal address. Thanks. -- Les Chibana List Bureaucrat South-Bay-Birds List [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 01 16:11:37 2001 Subject: [SBB] test - please discard -------- -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 02 10:38:48 2001 Subject: [SBB] Oka Ponds / Los Gatos Creek Osprey -------- Good Morning All... Ran over to Oka Ponds this morning around 7:15 and found CASPIAN TERNS flying over the ponds. The PIED BILL GREBE in the third pond along the freeway side is till incubating. A pair of CANADA GEESE with 8 Goslings where a delight. There was a BELTED KINGFISHER at the bridge for quite sometime. On the Los Gatos Creekside, I had the pleasure of seeing, 2 GREAT BLUE HERONS, 2 GREEN HERONS, SNOWY EGRET, GREAT EGRET. Lots of CLIFF SWALLOWS, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED and only 2 BARN SWALLOWS. CASPIAN AND FORSTER'S TERNS over the ponds on the Los Gatos Creek Trail side. A surprise was that there were only 2 COOTS and 2 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS today. The fledging RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and CALIFORNIA TOWHEES were begging for food. On the way back to the car I decided to change my route and walk across the bridge and then make a left onto the dirt path and walk back up the Los Gatos Creek on my left and the ponds/freeway on my right. On the Los Gatos Creek side I found SONG SPARROWS singing their little hearts out. A beautiful OSPREY flew overhead towards the Los Gatos Creek Dell Avenue Ponds. As I walked down the path, much to my surprise I found an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. I watch it for a while and noticed it flew to another Ash-throated Flycatcher in the trees in the center of the creek. A new bird for my Oka Ponds/Los Gatos Creek list. I was thrilled. A COOPER'S HAWK was flying low and headed over the freeway. All and all pretty nice birding for June....Wishing you all good birding. My best regards, Linda Sullivan -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 02 11:51:06 2001 Subject: [SBB] Frenchman's Meadow, Stanford -------- A nestling RED-TAILED HAWK, with the body feathers apparently all in, was up on the side of the nest this morning -- with one of the adults there at the same time teaching wing stretching and flapping. A PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER has been regularly at the bend in Gerona Rd. HOODED ORIOLES are back to chasing around in the meadow (presaging a second clutch?) and I've seen a juvenile HOOR at our hummingbird feeder a couple of blocks away. -- Tom Grey Stanford Law School [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 02 13:03:49 2001 Subject: [SBB] Breeding, etc @ "My Farm" -------- Since I'm spending half of my time in San Diego and half here I was disappointed I couldn't help on the Breeding survey. I had just an hour for birding....my results. @ "My Farm" (La Rinconada Park) The pair of ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS are feeding young. They are in and out of their birdhouse every few minutes. It's not the birdbox I reported on before, but the one closest to the creek by the fence and the house. The nest of BUSHTITS near there hateched, but the babies didn't make it...lots of feathers on the ground. However, another family of BUSHTITS with very, very young birds was by the chain link fence along the walk. A couple of baby WESETERN SCRUB JAY's were begging on the 2nd bridge. A CALIFORNIA TOWHEE was busy carrying nesting material. ETC> The saddest part was the lack of ACORN WOODPECKERS. Wonder where they went? At the first bridge I saw 2 BROWN CREEPERS, 2 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, a DOWNY WOODPECKER, 5 OR 6 NUTTALL'S all on the same large oak tree at the same time!!!! Gloria LeBlanc Los Gatos off Quito www.wallstreetgifts.com "largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts" www.cowscowscows.com "internet store of the Chicago (Cows on Parade) and NYC (CowParade) -------- Attachment 2.6 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 02 15:09:10 2001 Subject: [SBB] INBU at Windy Hill -------- Hi all, After the completion of the scheduled Audubon Field trip to Skyline Ridge OSP, Lead by R.Reiling, several members of the group tried for the INdigo BUnting at Windy Hill on Hwy 35. We were delighted to have several views of it perched on thistles close to the road. Later it began chasing a LAzuli BUnting. I'll leave the trip highlights to RReiling. He files a good report and leads a good trip. Thanks, Bob and Frank Vanslager for an interesting day birding. Karl Fowler We change best when we learn from the past and plan for the future, while enjoying the present. _SJ _______________________________________________________ Send a cool gift with your E-Card http://www.bluemountain.com/giftcenter/ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 02 16:32:47 2001 Subject: [SBB] YellowBreasted Chat -------- I have just joined the list and excited to be hearing what's going on around the south Bay. My daily walk is in Uvas Preserve in Gilroy. Three times since May 21 I've spotted a yellow breasted chat, and have been fairly certain I have heard a chat 3 or 4 other times, including this morning. For those of you familiar with the preserve, the sightings have been near the southerly prolongation of Wren Avenue at Uvas Creek. Other interesting birds in the preserve are yellow warblers (lots), black headed grosbeaks, wrentits, ash throated fly catchers, beswicks, nutalls, 3 or 4 kinds of swallows, thrashers (singing again - second mating this spring?), fledging kestrels this morning and two Pacific Slope flycatchers yesterday. It's a beautiful place to walk, and for out of towners, there are restrooms at adjacent Christmas Hill Park. Sue Kruse, Gilroy CA -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Jun 03 10:37:12 2001 Subject: [SBB] RE: Bayshore Ash-throated Flycatcher in Redwood City -------- Greetings SBB birders, Yesterday, with my Acalanes Bird Class (Contra Costa Co.), I visited Redwood Shores to view the nesting Egrets at the Redwood City Wastewater Treatment Plant. Several Snowy Egrets were on eggs at stage 1 (no young visible yet) in the gum trees (Eucalyptus) around the plant periphery; and the west pond had Gadwal and Mallard ducklings with one 1/3 grown Avocet near the access road. Nesting Forster's Terns, Avocets, and Black-necked Stilts are easily viewed from the city streets. While observing a Whimbrel (late) from the southeast levee (at the gated off - - under construction) end along the opposite (south) mudflat shore, Sandra Wilson found an Ash-throated Flycatcher foraging from and near the Plant cyclone fence - - apparently several miles from suitable habitat along the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mts. Also, impressive to us, were the dozens of Double-crested Cormorant (and a few Great Blue Heron) nests on the Power Towers to the southwest. Happy Birding, Phil Gordon, Instructor Hayward -------- Attachment 1.2 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Sun Jun 03 15:55:45 2001 Subject: [SBB] ERLCP - Logger-head Shrikes -------- Good afternoon all; We did our usual weekly Bluebird trail monitoring, and worked our "farm" at Ed R. Levin County Park this morning. The day was nearly perfect (temperature and climate wise), and got better with our finding two Logger-head Shrike nests! We only got a mediocre species list with 72 entries. But finding these and other nests made up for that little disappointment. Finding the two LOSH nests did indeed make up for the meager count. The first nest was the most interesting in that the adults had caught and stashed a small mouse on a strand of barbed-wire in true "Butcher-bird" fashion (a European naming variant on this bird). We found the stashed mouse because of the LOSH activity nearby. A quick check of the mouse found it still warm--freshly dead. Given that the head was already gone, we decided that there would be little benefit from mouth-to-mouse resuscitation, so we left it for our feathered hunters. As we watched, the adults took turns tearing off pieces and ferrying them to their youngsters. They fed those pieces to 3 nearly ready to fledge hatchlings still in their nest a few meters away. They constantly hooked and unhooked the mouse, as they turned and maneuvered it for better purchase or leverage for better tearing. The young were given surprisingly large pieces--fur and all, which they in turn fought over as soon as the adults would leave for more mousy morsels... Sometime later, about a kilometer away, we found a second nest that was apparently already in the process of disgorging its brood. Two of the young were already out, following one parent around begging for food. One of the last three was out of the nest, and begging hard from the other parent, but still in his tree. And the last two were standing on the rim of their nest looking somewhat forlorn... Their begging cries went unheeded, as the three newly mobile young got the lions share of attention. In an effort to take something from the parent, the third character seemed to fall/flutter off of his perch and out of the tree. I had intended to capture and return it to the safety of the branches. We got some good long looks at it from less than a meter's distance. But as I got to within a hands width or so, it flew safely back into the branches--thank goodness! A short while later, it flew the several hundred meters needed to join its siblings on the golf course fence. Other interesting observations, all three dove instantly out of sight into a nearby tree when a TUVU made an overhead approach apparently in violation of some unspoken separation or interval and spacing rules. This must be an instinctive reaction, as I saw no indication of the adult doing likewise (no monkey see, monkey do opportunity). The fourth joined them a few moments later. And the fifth about 20 minutes after that. Last we saw of them they were a mobile cacophony of begging and squabbling as they followed their beleaguered parents about... L8r all, Dusty Bleher San Jose, Ca. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Jun 03 17:02:39 2001 Subject: [SBB] Arastradero, Sunday -------- I had to miss the BBC yesterday, but I went around the Preserve this morning to see what was there a day after. I usually just walk up and back on the Corte Madera Trail, but this morning did a loop of Perimeter, Acorn, and Corte Madera. First notable thing was a pair of adult BULLOCK'S ORIOLES feeding young in a eucalyptus where the Perimeter skirts Arastradero Rd. Then in the woods by the dry creek where the Perimeter meets the Acorn, there were two BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS, a pair of WARBLING VIREOS chasing around (double clutching?) with the male uttering fragments of song, and a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE singing. Up near the top of the ridge on the Acorn were more BGGNs, another singing WWPE, and two juvenile WESTERN BLUEBIRDS with a pair of adults. Along the Corte Madera there was a singing HOUSE WREN, another singing WARBLING VIREO, and a GREEN HERON was at the Lake. There were ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS at various points along the way, one WHITE -THROATED SWIFT overhead, and I ! saw fo ur swallow species, missing Rough-winged (which however can be seen at the 280 underpass). I again saw a juvenile WHITE-TAILED KITE. Again, no sight or sound of Red-shouldered Hawks again. I haven't seen/heard any Flickers around my regular haunts this year -- is there a shortage? Tom Grey Stanford Law School [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Jun 03 21:14:24 2001 Subject: [SBB] Hayward Shoreline -------- The following was seen today Black Skimmer - 5, only 1 nesting pair Eared Grebe - 3 pair of adults with young Cattle Egret - 1, I have not seen the other adult in several weeks Blue-winged Teal - 1, this is the first one this summer, following last years sighting of adult female with ducklings. Good Birding Bob -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Jun 03 21:18:52 2001 Subject: [SBB] Indigo Bunting -------- An indigo bunting, several lazuli buntings, and a hybrid indigo x lazuli bunting were all seen this (Sunday, june 3rd) afternoon at Windy Hill along the anniversary trail between the two parking lots on Skyline Blvd. Bob Juhl used his Swarovski spotting scope and hand-held my Sony Mini-DV camcorder up through it and took some video of the Indigo bunting. You can view this video at my web site: http://pages.zdnet.com/brookemiller/brookesbirds/. This is one of our first attempts to shoot video through the spotting scope. Brooke Miller -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Jun 03 22:46:55 2001 Subject: [SBB] Mines Road and Del Puerto Canyon, Saturday, June 2nd -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, On Sat., June 2, we had a class field trip to Mines Road and Del Puerto Canyon. We started at 7am near Livermore, and ended the day near I-5 at about 3pm. Fortunately our trip coincided with a cooling trend, so the heat wasn't as bad as expected. We parked along Mines Road at about 5.4 miles, and walked up the road to milepost 5.75. In this area we had WESTERN KINGBIRD, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, 10+ PHAINOPEPLAS, 2 CALIFORNIA THRASHERS, WESTERN BLUEBIRD, RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS, 2 LARK SPARROWS, and BULLOCK'S ORIOLES. The Phainopeplas and thrashers were feeding in elderberry bushes (some with berries already ripening) above the road right at milepost 5.75. The Rufous-crowned Sparrows and Bullock's Orioles gave us really nice looks, especially the male oriole, which at one point decided to perch atop a rock below us. Later, many miles farther south (in Santa Clara Co.), we saw a SAGE SPARROW where a chaparral covered slope faces the road on the right. At Digger Pine Ranch, about 0.8 mile north of San Antoinio Junction, we found WESTERN POND TURTLE, PIED-BILLED GREBE, a singing DARK-EYED JUNCO, and a female RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD feeding a fledgling. No Lawrence's Goldfinches. At the cattleguard 0.5 mile north of San Antoinio Junction we saw a distant LEWIS'S WOODPECKER, a fly-by PHAINOPEPLA, and heard a single SAGE SPARROW singing. We arrived at San Antonio Junction at about 11am. The feeders were being mobbed by a horde of ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS, but no other hummingbird species joined them while we were watching. Other birds seen there included 1-2 GREEN HERONS (commuting back and forth), KILLDEER (looking a little out of place in blue oak woodland), and WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE. At the nearby fire station we saw another fly-by LEWIS'S WOODPECKER, WESTERN BLUEBIRDS, WESTERN KINGBIRD, HOUSE SPARROWS, and a BREWER'S BLACKBIRD feeding a fledgling. Again, no Lawrence's Goldfinches. A couple of birders from San Francisco came by and told us that they had seen a pair of LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS along San Antonio Valley Road just south of the junction, and suspected there to be a nest there. We went to check it out, and immediately found the pair of woodpeckers where there is a little building and pole on the left (from the junction it is less than .5 mile to this spot; park near the first road on the right, and the little building is immediately ahead on the left). The woodpeckers may have a nest in a tall oak there. After that we backtracked and turned onto Del Puerto Canyon Road, where I saw another LEWIS'S WOODPECKER fly to a tree just a short distance past the junction. At about 10 miles from I-5 we stopped to check the sheer cliff beside the road. The COMMON RAVEN nest on the cliff face held 3 young birds, fully feathered and about ready to fledge. There was a RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW singing near the nest, but we didn't find Costa's hummingbird or Canyon Wren there. At 9.0 miles we saw another GREEN HERON. We made stops to look for reported Costa's hummingbirds and Cassin's Kingbirds, but without luck. We had been told about a Blue Grosbeak sighting earlier in the morning at milepost 3.0, but when we reached this desolate looking spot there were no grosbeaks to be found. We did get nice views of HORNED LARK there, and while searching the gully near the cattleguard we got to see a female COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD. After the rest of my group headed for home I went back to try for a couple of birds that we had missed. While rechecking the creek at 3.5 miles I spotted a male BLUE GROSBEAK atop one of the cottonwoods. Then I heard a CASSIN'S KINGBIRD, and found it upslope in an oak (across from a 20-mile-per-hour sign). I think there may have been 2 Cassin's in the oak, but I never got a look at the second bird it was interacting with. Other birds found in the same area included a pair of BELTED KINGFISHERS, WESTERN KINGBIRD, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, SAY'S PHOEBE, LARK SPARROW, and BULLOCK'S ORIOLE. At 3.7 miles I spotted a male COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD perched atop a bare cottonwood limb. Now why couldn't these birds be at their posts when we were looking for them earlier? Earlier in the week I visited Almaden Lake Park. There I saw several COMMON MERGANSERS resting on rocks near the footbridge, and counted about 30 FORSTER'S TERNS. A female BULLOCK'S ORIOLE was feeding a fledgling near the restrooms on the east shore of the lake. John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 04 01:23:45 2001 Subject: [SBB] PILEATED W. at M'bello OSP -------- Thanks to folks who responded to my plea for count partners for Montebello SBC. The final team included Steve Miller, Mary Murphy and George (didn't note last name). We had some good birding on a nice day. 5 miles, 5hrs 40 min, 53 species. Highlight was a PILEATED WOODPECKER, first heard, then seen on a snag down in Stevens Creek Canyon, seen from the trail below the parking lot, just east of the vista point sign. Also, GRASSHOPPER SPARROWs (counted 4 as heard, with one seen singing) 2 CHIPPING SPARROWs, and 1 LARK SPARROW. Several LAZULI BUNTINGS and BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERs. Dipped out on Black-chinned Sparrow, though we spent an hour in the chappral on Indian Creek Trail, west of Black Mtn. Even played some tape. Vivek [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 04 03:47:20 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- On Saturday, 2 Jun 01, I helped on the Palo Alto summer bird count, working the levee areas between the Sunnyvale sewage ponds and Stevens Creek. A single WHITE-THROATED SWIFT was in the swallow flock over the old landfill at the sewage ponds. A RING-NECKED PHEASANT called from the fields adjacent to Lockheed. A GREEN HERON was perched on a power tower along the channel adjacent to the old landfill. Some interesting ducks, all in the ponds on Lockheed property, included 2 male NORTHERN SHOVELERS, a pair of NORTHERN PINTAIL, and a female AMERICAN WIGEON. Two pairs of LESSER SCAUP were in the channel next to the western-most sewage pond. This channel also contained large number of RUDDY DUCKS including broods of 11, 12, 4, and 2. A CASPIAN TERN flew by over the large sewage pond. Along Guadalupe Slough a male NORTHERN HARRIER carrying a rodenty thing called in a high thin tone, bringing a female out of the vegetation. She took the prey from him and returned out of sight to the weeds, probably to a nest. Salt pond A3W contained an EARED GREBE, a WESTERN GREBE, and 2 CLARK'S GREBES. Scoping across this salt pond, I saw 4 BROWN PELICANS on a levee in pond B2. Moving over to Stevens Creek, I had 2 RING-NECKED PHEASANTS and 11 LESSER SCAUP in Crittenden Marsh. A total of 20 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were seen overhead. At the mouth of Stevens Creek I had a WHIMBREL fly in on the ebbing tide, and 3 WESTERN GULLS flew by with numbers of CALIFORNIAS. On Sunday, 3 Jun 01, I checked out some areas in south San Jose. At the Coyote Ranch Marsh I saw 3 male TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS, but none of the activity that was there a couple weeks ago, when I saw females carrying in nesting material. At Ogier Ponds I had a couple flyby TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS, but no activity at the typical nesting site for these birds there. A male OSPREY was perched on the usual tree adjacent to the cherry orchard. At the northern-most pond of the Parkway Lakes chain a female OSPREY was present. Also here was a female WOOD DUCK with a brood of 12 downy young. On the next pond south, the one with the water ski slalom course, I had a CASPIAN TERN and a GREEN HERON. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 04 15:21:44 2001 Subject: [SBB] orange bishop -------- All: While working on the Palo Alto count, Saturday, Mich Ninokata and Maria refound Bill Bousman's Orange Bishop along Adobe Creek. It was readily observable -- perched by the bike path about half way between the Bayshore Freeway and the pumphouse with the Cliff Swallow nests. Yours, John Meyer * * * * * * * * John Meyer, Dept of Soc, Stanford U, Stanford, CA 94305, 650-7231868 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 04 17:53:38 2001 Subject: [SBB] SCVAS Skyline Ridge OSP field trip -------- All, Saturday's (6/2) field trip to Skyline Ridge started well with multiple sightings of Common Raven, a Purple Finch, an Ash-throated Flycatcher, White-throated Swifts and later two Vaux's Swifts. The area just south of Alpine Pond yielded Orange-crowned Warblers, good views of a foraging female Black-headed Grosbeak and an adult male Purple Finch singing from the top of a fairly low tree in the bright sunlight was a good chance for all to make note of the unstriped undertail coverts. A short time later a family group of three Hutton's Vireos was well seen as it foraged high in the Oaks, only an occasional song revealing it's presence. A little further on, as we walked out onto the open hillside, Frank Vanslager immediately picked up the call of distant Lazuli Buntings which were subsequently found by one of our sharp-eyed birders on trees and bushes in the valley below us. All had good, but distant views of the beautifully marked males. The rest of the trip up Ridge Trail was fairly uneventful from a birding standpoint but did yield spectacular scenery including a view of waves breaking on the beach many miles to the west. Shortly after crossing over the ridge line to the north an adult male Black-throated Gray Warbler obligingly sang as it perched near the top of an evergreen for all to see. As if not to be outdone a Spotted Towhee, which had been hiding and singing nearby, flew to the top of an Oak tree so that he might also be well seen. Later we had close-in views of Barn Swallow, Violet Green Swallow and Western Bluebird near the County maintenance facility and at the bottom of the hill, near Alpine Pond, we had a male Cowbird, a pair of White-breasted Nuthatches, a cooperative Warbling Vireo and a not so cooperative Cassin's Vireo (heard only). The field trip ended with another, better sighting of an Ash-throated Flycatcher and of an unexpected Caspian Tern which circled the pond several times before flying on. At his point, although the trip was over, about half of the group made the short drive west on Skyline Blvd. to a point about half way between the two western most parking lots for Windy Hills OSP and subsequently refound the pure bred adult male Indigo Bunting found there earlier in the week. A relatively small total of 40 plus species was more an indication of a lack of quantity than of quality. Take care, Bob Reiling, 5:49 PM, 6/4/01 -------- Attachment 2.8 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 04 18:46:02 2001 Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto SBC, BBS route -------- All, On Saturday 6/2/01, I woke up early to do some owling for the Palo Alto Summer Bird Count, meeting Grant Hoyt at 3:30am at the Page Mill Park 'N Ride near Interstate 280. We first headed up to an area along Skyline Blvd about a mile north of Skylonda. In response to a tape, we tallied two NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS, one of which hovered over our heads briefly. Next we headed to Monte Bello OSP, where we had to hike in quickly to reach "the meadow" before dawn. At least two NORTHERN PYGMY-OWLS were already calling when we got there just before 5am, and we had a third bird later. Another NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL came in close at the trail junction before the meadow, and we had 7 WESTERN SCREECH-OWLS and 5 GREAT HORNED OWLS as well. Managed to find 28 other species by the time we made it back to the car at 6:15am, including a singing BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, a singing CHIPPING SPARROW, 4 singing LAZULI BUNTINGS, a couple BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS, and a very recently fledged CALIFORNIA TOWHEE in the middle of the dirt road. No Virginia Rails at the sag pond, despite taping on both the way in and out. I then headed to the Mountain View Forebay, where taping for rails again proved fruitless. The WHITE-FACED IBIS was still here, however, and was seen again later by the two other parties working region 2. The bird appeared to be an adult (although I did not scope it), in contrast to earlier reports of a "subadult". Following this, I birded the area around the Palo Alto Water Pollution Control Plant at the end of Embarcadero Way. One HOODED ORIOLE, two RING-NECKED PHEASANTS, and a CALIFORNIA TOWHEE nest with young were of interest here. A quick check of the duck pond and the old yacht harbor turned up a CLAPPER RAIL, 2 MARBLED GODWITS, and a LONG-BILLED CURLEW. A half hour along San Francisquito Creek at the end of Geng Road turned up a surprising OAK TITMOUSE (we have no breeding records this close to the bay). Also of interest were a VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW, 2 BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, a COOPER'S HAWK, a HOODED ORIOLE feeding young, and a female AMERICAN GOLDFINCH carrying nest material. Along Matadero Creek I found what may have been the only migrant of the day, a singing male YELLOW WARBLER, first in the riparian corridor and later in the fennel to the north of the creek. There are no breeding records from here (although the habitat is decent) and the bird is a known late migrant. Also of interest were a GREEN HERON and two DOWNY WOODPECKERS. I had to take a break for my son's baseball game at 10:00am, but was back in the field at the San Francisquito Creek delta at 2:00pm, catching the mudflats as they uncovered. The only shorebird of interest here was another LONG-BILLED CURLEW. Most surprising was an immature BROWN PELICAN heading north up the bay - usually this bird doesn't make it's way into the South Bay until the last few days of June. Two other region 2 parties recorded them though, so it's clear there were a few around. Two more CLAPPER RAILS from nearby San Mateo County were notable, and two SAVANNAH SPARROWS provided the only two of the day for me; few were found on the count. The San Mateo County pond were the Tropical Kingbird was held a GREEN HERON and a pair of PIED-BILLED GREBES with a nest. Back at the yacht harbor, shorebirding had improved, with 3 WHIMBRELS and 3 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS. The situation at the duck pond improved as well, with the injured female GREATER SCAUP now being present with the 3 LESSER SCAUP that had been present since the morning. A very worn first-winter GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL was with the 310+ CALIFORNIA GULLS and smattering of WESTERN and RING-BILLED GULLS. Last stop for the day was Moffett Field, where highlights included 10 CINNAMON TEAL and 2 COMMON MOORHENS at the NASA settling pond by the big yellow test stand. Over at the Moffett Golf Course I managed to find one BURROWING OWL after extensive searching - another was along 11th Street in the Lockheed Martin facility. Also on the golf course were four BULLOCK'S and two HOODED ORIOLES, a huge GOPHER SNAKE, and a single adult male TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD in among a big RED-WINGED flock (including many begging juveniles). The Tricolored Blackbird may have been the only one found on the count. Disturbing was no Loggerhead Shrikes reported on the entire count (at least by those at the dinner). This species seems to be now declining here like everywhere else. I checked many places where I have had them in past years to no avail on Saturday. All in all I tallied 95 species on Saturday, with 74 of these found along the bay edge. Most abundant birds included 248 HOUSE FINCHES and 211 CLIFF SWALLOWS. AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES seemed particularly obvious and vocal, with 43 found throughout the day. And, of course, there were 99 MALLARDS, 69 MOURNING DOVES, 36 ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS, 55 BUSHTITS, 25 AMERICAN ROBINS, 36 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS, 80 EUROPEAN STARLINGS, 33 SONG SPARROWS, 104 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, 49 BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS, 12 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS, and 55 HOUSE SPARROWS - the stuff this count is all about :) On Sunday 6/3/01 I again was up early (4:00am), this time to run my breeding bird survey route in the south (mid?) county. As David Suddjian recently summarized, these routes include 50 3-minute stops every half-mile along a 24.5 mile route. This is the eighth year I have run this route, which heads west along Metcalf Road, by Parkway Lake, past Calero and Almaden Reservoirs, and ends along Guadalupe Reservoir. Highlights among the 80 species recorded were a CLARK'S GREBE on Calero Reservoir (also reported by Ann Verdi) and a flyover AMERICAN GOLDFINCH over the IBM marsh on Bailey Road, both firsts for this route for me. Other good birds included a GREEN HERON at the IBM marsh along Bailey Road, continued increase in RED-SHOULDERED HAWK numbers, another RING-NECKED PHEASANT in New Almaden (wild birds here?), a WILD TURKEY heard at Calero Reservoir, 4 GREAT HORNED OWLS at the first 3 stops, 4 HORNED LARKS (near the Metcalf Rd summit), 4 singing YELLOW WARBLERS at 4 different stops, only the second COMMON YELLOWTHROAT I've found on the route (at the IBM marsh), 2 singing LAZULI BUNTINGS, and 2 RUFOUS-CROWNED, 2 LARK, and 1 GRASSHOPPER SPARROW (all at or west of the Metcalf summit). Big misses included Common Merganser (only missed one previous year as there is normally a brood on Almaden Reservoir), White-tailed Kite (after a whopping 6 last year!), Western Screech-Owl (not vocal at the first stop at 5:14am where I normally find them), Olive-sided Flycatcher (first miss in 8 years! - normally vocal at New Almaden), Cassin's Vireo (first miss in 8 years!, with a previous 7-year average of 3 birds), Purple Finch (missed in only one previous year), and Loggerhead Shrike, which has now been absent for four years after being present during the first four surveys. Also no Rock Wrens (only seen in four of the eight years), although I did find a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD doing a very good impersonation of one (the same bird was also doing Wrentit and Yellow-billed Magpie!). Lots of breeding activity, including the GOLDEN EAGLE nest with two large young near Calero Reservoir. Mike Rogers -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 04 19:36:20 2001 Subject: [SBB] Loggerhead Shrikes -------- I've read recent posts about these birds and thought I should post on a spot I saw them today. It's at the SW corner of De la Cruz Blvd. and Central Exp. There is a grass lawn there that they hunt at. I spotted them perching on the chain link fence, a telephone wire, and a small tree there. I saw 2. One appeared to be an adult and one was smaller. I'm assuming its a juvenile by its fluttering it's wings in a begging style while perched next to the adult. I did not have my binoculars with me so these distant observations. I have seen a pair at this spot last year too. I don't know if this location has been noted before. ~Tom Cochrane -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 04 22:16:03 2001 Subject: [SBB] Grant Ranch -------- While at Grant Ranch on Sunday monitoring the heron colony for SFBBO, I saw WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, BROWN CREEPER, WESTERN BLUEBIRD, LAZULI BUNTING, BULLOCK'S ORIOLE and heard a singing GRASSHOPPER SPARROW all near the intersection of Quimby Road and Mt. Hamilton Road. I also observed at least one PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER for about 30 minutes. It repeatedly flew in and out of a yellow barn. After coming out of the barn, it would perch in an oak tree, catch a few bugs and then fly back into the barn. Often the bird would fly out of the barn almost immediately after flying in, making me wonder if there were two flycatchers. However, I only saw one at any one time. Do PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS breed in this area? Jan Hintermeister Santa Clara, CA -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 05 02:21:05 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- This morning, 5 Jun 01, I visited Uvas Creek Preserve in Gilroy, refinding the YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT that was reported yesterday by Sue Kruse. Norma Cabot also observed the bird with me. Other birds along this stretch of creek included 2 singing WILSON'S WARBLERS, 5-6 YELLOW WARBLERS, a juvenile ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, a couple BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, a PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, a couple ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS, and a singing CALIFORNIA THRASHER. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 05 02:39:31 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- I forgot to mention that I had 2-3 GREEN HERONS and a WHITE-THROATED SWIFT along Uvas Creek in Gilroy today. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 05 08:45:18 2001 Subject: [SBB] Vaux's Swift -------- Hi, I went for a walk this morning at Oka Ponds. There were the usual assortment of birds there, except for several Vaux's Swift flying overhead. A couple flew quite low over me and I had good views without binoculars. Don Ganton [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 05 11:01:21 2001 Subject: [SBB] Possible Rose-breasted Grosbeak -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, One of the people in my birding class, Allan Bernstein, reported seeing a bird yesterday that may have been a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. He described it as having a large pale bill, black head, and red breast. It was at McClellan Ranch Park, atop an oak at the edge of the field just across the parking area from the SCVAS building. We couldn't refind the bird to confirm the I.D., and I would consider it only a possible identification at this point, but it may be worth checking out. John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 05 13:50:09 2001 Subject: [SBB] Yellow-breasted Chat & Lawrence's Goldfinches -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager, Roland Kenner and I saw the Gilroy Yellow-breasted Chat that was previously reported by Susan Kruse, thanks to Norma Cabot who showed us where she and Mike Mammoser had seen the bird earlier. I assume that Mike will give details in his post. The chat was quite a skulker and after a couple brief sightings the bird stopped calling and was not seen again even after spending an additional 35-45 minutes looking for it. Roland decided to stayed on while Frank and I went to Canada Rd where we found Lawrence's Goldfinches just south of Susle Lane (LAGO were seen carrying nesting material here after a 5/9/01 SCVAS field trip to Gilroy Hot Springs/Canada Rd). At one point after an adult male and female had been feeding on the lawn at 3440 Canada Rd for perhaps five minutes they were joined by a recently fledged immature LAGO. This bird was essentially gray, black and white with the slightest hint of yellow in the wings and the outer tail feathers were obviously shorter than the central tail feathers. Once on the ground the bird seemed to be searching for food (it did not beg) but when they flew off it patiently waited on a branch, by itself, trying hard to stay awake. Earlier, further down Susle Lane, Frank had a couple Chipping Sparrows on a fence at the end of a driveway to a home there. Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:49 PM, 6/5/01 -------- Attachment 1.6 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 05 13:58:18 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Possible Rose-breasted Grosbeak -------- Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are being seen sporadically in San Francisco past three weeks ------------ Previous Message from "John Mariani" <[[email protected]]> on 06/05/2001 11:01:21 AM ---------- To: "South-bay-birds" <[[email protected]]> cc: Subject: [SBB] Possible Rose-breasted Grosbeak Howdy South-bay-birders, One of the people in my birding class, Allan Bernstein, reported seeing a bird yesterday that may have been a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. He described it as having a large pale bill, black head, and red breast. It was at McClellan Ranch Park, atop an oak at the edge of the field just across the parking area from the SCVAS building. We couldn't refind the bird to confirm the I.D., and I would consider it only a possible identification at this point, but it may be worth checking out. John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 05 15:38:31 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Yellow-breasted Chat & Lawrence's Goldfinches -------- For others who may come to Gilroy to see the YELLOW BREASTED CHAT/S, there is a path (actually a couple of meandering paths, on the north side of the creek between Miller Avenue and Santa Teresa Expressway with several great birding sites - - warblers, orioles, finches (including Lawrences seen here) about midway between, then closer to Santa Teresa nesting swallows (tree, cave, etc.) herons and egrets. Bluebirds and Oak Titmice nested here earlier. I've been seeing 25 to 30 different birds each morning along this stretch (a little over a mile each way). Sue -------- Attachment 1.1 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 05 15:57:33 2001 Subject: [SBB] McClellan Ranch -------- Good Afternoon All..... After reading John Mariani's post on the possible Red-breasted Grosbeak at McClellan Ranch, I figured I live only 15 minutes away, I would go to see if I could locate this life bird. I must give a warning that if you read this post any further, I can't be held responsible for any injuries you receive from falling off your chair in laughter. I got to McClellan Ranch, binoculars, book and scope, ready for a challenge. I decided to leave the scope in the car and just look around first. I walked over by the white fence and watched male and female Bullock's Orioles. As I started down the path, I got to the opening where you can go down into the creek. I heard a bird call I had never heard before. Then from out of the bush in the creek, flew a bright yellow and green bird! What is this I thought? Can't be a Rose-breasted Grosbeak! So, I turned and focused my binocs on this bird, and all of a sudden it flew directly at me....Darn (I cleaned that up) it was a Parakeet. I looked around thinking someone is playing a joke, and waiting to see my expression. When I found no one around, I went into the SCVAS office to get the lady at the desk. She came out and couldn't believe it either. She tried to catch it and it seems pretty tame but she could not catch it. Well, she went back into SCVAS office and I went in search of the Grosbeak. Upon leaving McClellan Ranch, I checked my book on the Parakeet and it turned out to be a Budgerigar Parrot! (I did go into the SCVAS office and show the lovely lady that in the Guide Book it was a Parrot and not a Parakeet) Oh, by the way, I didn't find the Rose-breasted Grosbeak! I think the Budgerigar should be countable! LOL Good birding to you all. Regards, Linda Sullivan -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 05 20:20:13 2001 Subject: [SBB] Canary -------- A neighbor of mine had her 2 Cockatiels on her patio. A beautiful Canary came singing. She brought her 2 birds inside and the Canary kept coming to the window. As the day progressed and night was approaching and the canary did not leave, she got an empty bird cage, put it next to her 2 birds and opened the sliding door. The canary flew in and went into the empty cage. So she fed it. It ate and drank like it was starving. It has now been 2 weeks and no neighbor has claimed the Canary. She's advertised in the paper and no phone calls. She would like to keep it, but her husband says 2 birds are enough. She will give it to a good home. She wants no cats, no children...she's thinking an older person who would enjoy a singing companion. If you know someone who lost a Canary near Quito in Los Gatos, contact me. Or, if you know of someone who would thoroughly enjoy a singing Canary...pls contact me directly. As for "my farm" I can hear the baby ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS chirping inside their box. Had a COOPER'S HAWK nearby this AM, hope she leaves! Gloria LeBlanc www.wallstreetgifts.com "largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts" www.cowscowscows.com "internet store of the Chicago (Cows on Parade) and NYC (CowParade) -------- Attachment 2.3 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 05 22:16:30 2001 Subject: [SBB] A birding miscellany -------- I don’t know when the Least Terns can first be seen from Stevens Creek, so I went there this lunchtime. No joy on that front but the first surprise was a Blue-winged Teal, which I only noticed because I took a closer look at a Cinnamon Teal. The second was a female Bufflehead – somewhat late I thought. I slogged round an extremely arduous 5 or 6 mile loop of Joe Grant on Sunday for the Lewis’s Woodpeckers. No joy again. In fact I only needed to bother with the meadow behind the fire station, which produced a flock of Lawrence’s Goldfinches and at least one Chipping Sparrow along with plenty of the Bay regulars. A quick trip round Los Trancos on Saturday gave me views of what I at first thought was a Kestrel. It was hovering over some tall grass but it did look too small. Through the binoculars it did seem to be about a Meadowlark size and shape and basically a nondescript brown with a possible red or orange wash on the breast. As usual with these sightings that I post the bird was very distant, so I couldn’t say much more about it. I figure that the hovering has to be a bit of a giveaway. Anyone any ideas? -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 06 08:24:41 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] : Correction: Cliff -------- Please correct my message of yesterday to read Cliff Swallows (not cave!) -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 06 14:23:18 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Indigo Bunting -------- On Sun, 3 Jun 2001 21:18:52 -0700, "Brooke Miller" <[[email protected]]> wrote: >An indigo bunting, several lazuli buntings, and a hybrid indigo x lazuli >bunting were all seen this (Sunday, june 3rd) afternoon at Windy Hill along >the anniversary trail between the two parking lots on Skyline Blvd. Bob >Juhl used his Swarovski spotting scope and hand-held my Sony Mini-DV >camcorder up through it and took some video of the Indigo bunting. You can >view this video at my web site: >http://pages.zdnet.com/brookemiller/brookesbirds/. This is one of our first >attempts to shoot video through the spotting scope. Very nice video! Today Robbie Fischer and I saw the bird in the ravine just below the two benches. We also saw an immature male at the south end of the Anniversary Trail. This bird looked like a typical male Indigo Bunting, but had grayish white mottling on the lower belly. It had no trace of wing-bars. Is this the same as the bird being identified as a hybrid? Kenneth Peterson noted a hybrid there on 19 May which had a "white belly and the slightest hint of a light colored single wing bar." The picture of the hybrid in Sibley shows bold white wing-bars, which we definitely didn't see. In fact we saw no white in the wing at all. First-year male Indigo Buntings often show grayish or whitish bellies and that's what our bird looked like this morning. My recollection is that the Indigo Bunting photographed in this area in 1999 had whitish undertail coverts so maybe the all blue one is the same bird returning. Also three to four Lawrence's Goldfinches were still along the Spring Ridge Trail down from the northwest parking area and just uphill from the cypress grove. Grasshopper Sparrows were numerous throughout the area. My map shows this area as entirely within Santa Clara County, but the mile post markers along Skyline say San Mateo County. Who is right? -- Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA 94044: mailto:[[email protected]] California Birding, mystery birds: http://fog.ccsf.org/~jmorlan/ California Bird Records Committee: http://www.wfo-cbrc.org/cbrc/ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 06 15:30:32 2001 Subject: [SBB] Whose County, Anyway? -------- Joe and folks: It would be nice to include Windy Hill in Santa Clara County when there are good birds present. But the Santa Clara border with San Mateo is to the south. It basically strikes Skyline Boulevard at the Alpine Road intersection and then weaves back and forth across Skyline Boulevard as you drive south. Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 06 16:24:10 2001 Subject: [SBB] Question on Great Blue Heron -------- Good Afternoon, After walking Oak Meadow/Vasona this morning and finding a Swainson's Thrush, I saw a Great Blue Heron fly out of one of the large Euc trees. With just my binoculars I could see another large GB Heron on a nest. I went home to get my scope and went back and found that there was a GB Heron adult standing over two small nestlings. Their head feathers were sticking straight up in the air. The adult Heron did not leave the nest for over two hours (I stood there that long) and during that time a Red-shouldered Hawk circled over. Would the Red-shouldered Hawk take a nestling that size? Also, the adult Heron finally sat back down on the nest after standing for two hours. Could it be possible that there are more eggs or just protecting the nestlings? Wouldn't the nestling have to be fed often? I did look up in the nest book that they have 3-4 eggs, but it didn't tell how far apart they hatch. How would a person figure out how old the nestlings are? I also read in the book they nest in colonies, this nest is by itself, is that common? Good birding to you all. My best regards, Linda Sullivan -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 06 18:15:36 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sunnyvale Dump -------- The BURROWING OWL situation at the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant this afternoon was the same as last Wednesday afternoon: no owls on the hill near the parking area, one owl standing on a wood post up around the hill to the right. A COMMON MOORHEN swam in the creek near the parking lot, as did GADWALLS and MALLARDS. The RUDDY DUCKS in Sunnyvale seem to have the bluest bills in the area. On the Bay Trail a GREAT EGRET stood upon a chain-link fence post, and a SNOWY EGRET did the same a little further down. A GREAT BLUE HERON flew low overhead, as did a TURKEY VULTURE and NORTHERN HARRIER. On the overgrown side trail the thistle is 6' tall and in bloom. The purple flower looks and feels exactly like a Koosh ball! There are still a couple of WESTERN GREBES in the pond. Karen DeMello ([[email protected]]) -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Jun 07 09:32:06 2001 Subject: [SBB] Oka Ponds -------- Good Morning All... Parked at Oka Lane and walked into the ponds to check on the Pied-billed Grebe nest along the walking path over highway 17. She now has five babies and still has one brown egg, which she is incubating. The Canada Geese have had two goslings within the last couple of days. Lots of Canada Geese with all different age goslings. At the bridge, in the cement wall opening is a Black Phoebe's nest in which she is feeding young. There is an egg at the opening of the hole just sitting on the tin. She seems to be perplexed on how it got there. She did pecked at it a few times, but mostly flew in and out with bugs for the nestlings. The Swallows also nesting and feeding young in the holes in the cement wall and under the bridge. The best sighting was a family of four (4) Belted Kingfishers. Two adults and two fledglings. Good birding to you all. Regards, Linda Sullivan -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Jun 07 10:43:34 2001 Subject: [SBB] BBS trends -------- All, Having tabulated my Breeding Bird Survey totals from 6/3/01, I am able to make some interesting comparisons to the average totals from the previous 7 years I have done this route. The 81 species was right on the 7-year average, but the 909 individuals was the second-lowest total ever and 117 below the 7-year average. Surprisingly few Rock Doves (3) and Starlings (32) were tallied compared to their 7-year averages of 53.9 and 66.3 and this explains the bulk of this decrease. Further analysis reveals some more disconcerting numbers though (see below). Resident species were present in numbers very close to their 7-year averages. This list includes Mallard, California Quail, Mourning Dove, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Wrentit, Northern Mockingbird, California Towhee, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch, House Sparrow, etc. Both Steller's and Scrub Jays and also American Crow were present in average numbers as well. Species in above-average numbers included known expanding birds like Red-shouldered Hawk (3 > average of 0.9) and Common Raven (3 > average of 0.7) as well as some less explainable increases for Bushtit (22 > average of 8.7), Hutton's Vireo (8 > 3.1), and Lesser Goldfinch (21 > 14.9). Fortunately the increase in Cowbirds was probably not significant (11 > 9.6). Besides pigeons and starlings, the species that appeared to be low (at or below 50% of the 7-year average) are listed below: 6/3/01 7-yr average Olive-sided Flycatcher 0 1.7 Western Wood-Pewee 2 6.0 Pacific-slope Flycatcher 5 8.0 Cassin's Vireo 0 3.0 Warbling Vireo 5 10.4 Orange-crowned Warbler 12 22.7 Black-headed Grosbeak 6 15.1 Western Meadowlark 14 24.3 Obviously there is a pattern here of neotropical migrant insectivores. Not all such species are on this list, as Ash-throated Flycatcher, House Wren, and Yellow Warbler were present in normal numbers, and Bullock's Oriole was up slightly (15 > 11.3). But the numbers are nonetheless somewhat disturbing. Were birds less vocal on Sunday for some reason? - perhaps further along in their nesting cycle this year and therefore quieter? (almost all of these species are detected virtually only by ear). Hopefully next year's survey won't suggest the same declines. Mike -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Jun 07 13:57:07 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] BBS trends -------- Your flycatchers are all up here at Tahoe, enjoying the early summer. We have numbers of Olive-sided, Pewees, Hammond's and Dusky Flycatchers beyond anything I've ever seen. Our problem is our woodpeckers. I think they fledged so early that they are just dispersed and hard to find -- only 1 out of 8 known past nests active this year. Richard C. Carlson Full Time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker Part-time Economist Palo Alto & Lake Tahoe, CA [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Jun 07 15:11:49 2001 Subject: [SBB] south bay's Caspians -------- Here at the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, June is 24/7 field work, or at least feels that way. We just got back in from visiting a Caspian Tern colony, having kayaked to the island in a salt pond. A perfect day to get muddy and and get data! No wind, mild weather. Scout birds came out to harass us, but most of the adults sat tight until we were about 50' away on our approach. We censused the colony by counting nests, eggs, and of course, chicks. Just a few had already hatched and these mostly just laid low while we went about our work, treading very carefully of course. But one chick was already about a week old, and at that point they scream and run, so we temporarily stashed him in a ventilated box for his own safety, and released him (or her) just as we were stepping off. We haven't collated the data yet, but I estimate we counted ~150 nests. We were off in less than 20 minutes and the adults returned almost immediately, settling down to incubate or shade their youngsters. Other adults began arriving with prey fish within 10 minutes. This work is part of our 20 years of studying and protecting the Birds of the Baylands. We are coordinating with a West coast-wide Caspian tern network to monitor population dynamics and address management issues in this region. SFBBO monitors heron, egret, gull and tern nesting colonies around the south bay. Staff biologists uses this data to time colony visits to the larids, to count nests, and to look for signs of predation or disturbance and this info is used to manage habitats for birds. This year we are also the potential effects of contaminants in cooperation with the Fish and Wildlife Service. . Most of our data comes from restricted areas so please forgive the lack of specific locations. This year our work is being supported by the San Francisco Foundation in addition to the many of you who support the work of the Bird Observatory. (Thanks!) Anyone can easily view active Forster's colonies at MV shoreline or at the EEC in Alviso, without any disturbance to these nesting birds. Good birding! Janet Tashjian Hanson Executive Director San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory P.O. Box 247 Alviso, CA 95002 [[email protected]] 408/946-6548 -------- Attachment 4.2 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Thu Jun 07 15:16:27 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Question on Great Blue Heron -------- Hello Linda - congratulations on locating that nest - good observation! The San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory employs volunteer monitors for all heron, egret, gull and tern colonies in the south bay. I do believe we have observers at Vasona. Regarding the age of the nestlings, sounds like they are approaching the "punk rocker" stage, with the mohawk look to the head feathers, but if still small, then maybe 2-3 weeks old. Sure, the Red-shouldered could take one, esp. to feed its own nestlings. There may have been more eggs but probably no more will hatch at this point, or the others were predated. Nature would not encourage such a disparity in ages, the youngest quickly succumbing. So further brooding would be to protect, shelter or shade the nestlings. They do need frequent feeding and the mate was probably away actively foraging. We see some single nests, but it's far more advantageous to nest in colonies, for the group effort at repelling predators. Singles have a harder time raising chicks to fledging. Enjoy watching the nest! just don't get too attached.....;-) Janet Janet Tashjian Hanson Executive Director San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory P.O. Box 247 Alviso, CA 95002 [[email protected]] 408/946-6548 -----Original Message----- From: [[email protected]] <[[email protected]]> To: [[email protected]] <[[email protected]]> Date: Wednesday, June 06, 2001 4:24 PM Subject: [SBB] Question on Great Blue Heron >Good Afternoon, > >After walking Oak Meadow/Vasona this morning and finding a Swainson's Thrush, >I saw a Great Blue Heron fly out of one of the large Euc trees. With just my >binoculars I could see another large GB Heron on a nest. I went home to get >my scope and went back and found that there was a GB Heron adult standing >over two small nestlings. Their head feathers were sticking straight up in >the air. The adult Heron did not leave the nest for over two hours (I stood >there that long) and during that time a Red-shouldered Hawk circled over. >Would the Red-shouldered Hawk take a nestling that size? Also, the adult >Heron finally sat back down on the nest after standing for two hours. Could >it be possible that there are more eggs or just protecting the nestlings? >Wouldn't the nestling have to be fed often? I did look up in the nest book >that they have 3-4 eggs, but it didn't tell how far apart they hatch. How >would a person figure out how old the nestlings are? I also read in the book >they nest in colonies, this nest is by itself, is that common? > >Good birding to you all. > >My best regards, >Linda Sullivan >-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== >This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list >server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the >message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Jun 07 22:40:04 2001 Subject: [SBB] Teal and, er, parakeets -------- Having reported a Blue-winged Teal in Stevens Creek earlier in the week after an absence of over a year for me, I found two more near Sunnyvale WPCP this lunchtime. They were in the right-hand channel leading away from the radar tower. A few Lesser Scaup were also loafing around there. Four American White Pelicans flew over. Yesterday at OSH in Sunnyvale I got a good look at some of the feral parakeets. There were certainly Mitred Parakeets in the flock and I fancied that one was a Red- masked but I couldn’t see its wing coverts. Now I know I’m really turning into a trainspotter… -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 08 10:36:52 2001 Subject: RE: [SBB] Question on Great Blue Heron -------- Linda, Most of the local Great Blue Herons nest in small to medium sized colonies ranging from 3-5 to 25-35 nests. However, there are at least five locations (including Vasona) where single nests have been found in a given year. Several of the single nests and smaller colonies are at lakes within county and city parks where there is high disturbance, but a lot of fish, aquatic invertebrates & gophers. Good birding, Tom -----Original Message----- From: [[email protected]] [mailto:[[email protected]]]On Behalf Of [[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2001 4:24 PM To: [[email protected]] Subject: [SBB] Question on Great Blue Heron Good Afternoon, After walking Oak Meadow/Vasona this morning and finding a Swainson's Thrush, I saw a Great Blue Heron fly out of one of the large Euc trees. With just my binoculars I could see another large GB Heron on a nest. I went home to get my scope and went back and found that there was a GB Heron adult standing over two small nestlings. Their head feathers were sticking straight up in the air. The adult Heron did not leave the nest for over two hours (I stood there that long) and during that time a Red-shouldered Hawk circled over. Would the Red-shouldered Hawk take a nestling that size? Also, the adult Heron finally sat back down on the nest after standing for two hours. Could it be possible that there are more eggs or just protecting the nestlings? Wouldn't the nestling have to be fed often? I did look up in the nest book that they have 3-4 eggs, but it didn't tell how far apart they hatch. How would a person figure out how old the nestlings are? I also read in the book they nest in colonies, this nest is by itself, is that common? Good birding to you all. My best regards, Linda Sullivan -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 08 12:38:28 2001 Subject: [SBB] Rose-breasted Grosbeak -------- This morning, Friday, a friend of mine living 3 miles up Black Road in the hills behind Los Gatos, had an adult male Rose-breasted Grosbeak coming to her sunflower feeder. Of course, I hurried up and saw it about 9:30. It has a silver band on its right leg, but we couldn't read it. Kathy Parker -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 08 15:22:38 2001 Subject: [SBB] today's tern adventures -------- Today we censused the Forster's Tern and American Avocet colonies at pond A16, at the EEC in Alviso, a public viewing area. We counted 381 tern nests on the four separate islands. Most nests held 2 or 3 eggs; many had newly hatched chicks. Fortunately no predators, eg gulls, were in the area and with volunteer help, we were able to move fairly quickly. A couple of us got minor head whacks, unusual for terns (routine with gulls!); but with new chicks, they were quite understandly feistier than usual. The birds resettled before we even departed the island(s). We were harassed by a single Black Skimmer and did finally locate a scrape with 2 newly hatched chicks - by then the second bird was also in hot pursuit. They fly right at your head, then veer straight up at seeming last second. Master pilots! The nest is on the 3rd island as you walk away from the EEC. It is tough to see from the road, since they are down in a crevice, but the attending bird's tail was visible as we prepared to leave. The road bordering the eastern edge of this pond is teeming with Avocets, Stilts and their young of all stages, as they commute between New Chicago Marsh and the pond. If you go out, please be aware of your surroundings, that is, keep an eye out for predators and make every effort not to flush youngsters unnecessarily. Particularly try not to make the really little guys swim for it, much better if they go back into the marsh. Good birding! Janet Tashjian Hanson Executive Director San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory P.O. Box 247 Alviso, CA 95002 [[email protected]] 408/946-6548 -------- Attachment 2.8 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 08 16:00:54 2001 Subject: [SBB] County birding -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I birded the edges of Skyline Blvd. (the Santa Clara County areas, of course). The area just west of Hwy. 9, about 1/2 mile past the CDF Fire Station where the trail to Table Mountain starts was the most productive. We had Hutton's Vireo, Cassin's Vireo (most heard only), Warbling Vireo, at least one female Western Tanager (had a nice adult male earlier at Castle Rock), Black-throated Gray Warblers, Chipping Sparrows , Purple Finches, Lazuli Buntings (had a mating pair at one point) and at least one Black-headed Grosbeak (a female) among the "mentionables". Young Chestnut-backed Chickadees were doing there Blue-gray Gnatcather type of call while the parents were busy scolding us. It nice to be birding in the shade on a hot morning and the trees are not so tall when your on the ridge line. Take care, Bob Reiling, 3:48 AM, 6/8/01 -------- Attachment 1.0 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 08 17:22:23 2001 Subject: [SBB] More Question on Great Blue Herons Nest -------- Good Evening All.. I went to Vasona to check on the nestlings around 12 noon today, and thought I spotted a third nestling. At 12:30 Debbie Stephenson came and agreed that there were three nestlings instead of two, with one being smaller than the other two. At that time the adult was standing over the nestlings with its wings extended to shade the chicks. It stood there for 3 hours. At 3 PM another GBH flew in and relieved the one in the nest. It did not bring food. The nestlings were calling (crying) grabbing the adults bills for food, but there was none. The GBH that was there flew off. Around 4 PM, Debbie and I spotted three additional GBH in another tree. They looked to be young birds maybe 1st year birds?. Question: Could these three older 1st year GBH be the chicks from this years birds nesting parents? Do juvenile birds come back to help with this years nestlings? We stayed until 4:30, as we were taking our last look, we saw that the nest did not contain an adult and we did not see it fly off. I would like to thank all of you who were so great in emailing answers to my last questions. I really learned a lot and used that information to help me understand some of the activities going on in the nest today. Wishing you all good birding. My best regards, Linda Sullivan -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 09 11:04:44 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sierra Rd -------- Hi, This morning I took a drive up Sierra Rd from Felton Rd. I parked at the top by the cattle shute and walked the road in both directions. It wasn't a terribly birdy day, but I did see a good number of Horned Larks, Western Bluebird and a singing Grasshopper Sparrow. On the way down I saw a Say's Phoebe. Don Ganton [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 09 12:15:22 2001 Subject: [SBB] Frenchman's Meadow. Stanford -------- Yesterday there were two young RED-TAILED HAWKS doing the "branchling" thing near the nest in the redwood (best seen looking west from intersection of Mirada and Cabrillo). This morning only one. Yesterday a female HOODED ORIOLE was constructing a second nest in the hillward of the two palms in the meadow, and this morning she was sitting in it, apparently incubating. There seem to be two PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER pairs here, one that hangs out around the curve in Gerona Rd near the play area, and the other in the eucs at the bottom of Estudillo. -- Tom Grey Stanford Law School [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 09 15:42:48 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sharpie -------- They say that only a hummingbird can fly backwards. This afternoon I was watching the French Open and saw a "flash" out my sliding glass doors. I assumed the Sharpie who feeds in my yard was hungry. A few moments later a Lesser Goldfinch comes flying at my sliding glass doors with a Sharpie in hot pursuit (about 3 feet from me). The goldfinch crashed into the window, the Sharpie went into a kiting type behavior - except vertical, not horizontal. If I didn't know better, I'd say he backed up. He couldn't have been further than 2 feet behind the goldfinch when the goldfinch hit the glass. He also had excellent "brakes"!!!When the goldfinch bounced off the glass, he grabbed it with his talons and off they went. Fascinating being so close. The Sharpie can definately manuever. Gloria LeBlanc http://www.wallstreetgifts.com "largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts" http://www.cowscowscows.com "site for the Chicago and NYC cows" http://www.lgsia.com "money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios" -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 09 19:43:57 2001 Subject: [SBB] Eagle Lake 06/09/01 -------- All, Two adult Lewis' Woodpeckers were observed flycatching from the exposed lower branches of a large oak at the south end of Eagle Lake this afternoon. Good birding, Michael Wienholt -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Jun 10 00:42:21 2001 Subject: [SBB] Northern Harrier Takes Bird in Mid-Air! -------- While at Sunnyvale Baylands this morning, I had a very interesting NORTHERN HARRIER encounter. Around 9:30, I saw a male harrier carrying prey. It flew over to the side of a levee road, and proceeded to pluck and eat the prey. When it finished its meal and took off, a little bird flew up nearby. After a short acrobatic pursuit of 10 feet or so, the harrier reached out and grabbed the little bird and flew off out toward the salt ponds. I checked the harrier dining area and found the remains of a little bird. Not enough remained for me to identify the victim. However, there were remains (feathers only) of other birds in the same area, including large tawny feathers from what may have been a burrowing owl. . In the same area there was lots of coyote scat, just a guess from a non-scat expert. About 10:30 as I walked back to the parking area, I saw the harrier perched on a fence post plucking yet another small bird. A couple BLACK-NECKED STILTS repeatedly harassed the harrier until it flew off with its prey again towards the salt ponds. In about an hour, this harrier had taken three birds! The underparts were white with black tips and black trailing edge of an adult male. It's head was gray, but the tail and back had a lot of brown, so this may be a second-year bird. A PEREGRINE FALCON also made an appearance, flying in from the salt ponds and soaring over the other side of 237. Shorebirds included BLACK-NECKED STILT, AMERICAN AVOCET, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, KILLDEER with chick, and a single DOWITCHER (sp.). Twenty-three WHITE PELICANS flew up and over the baylands. I also had a GREEN HERON, and both adult and juvenile BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS flew by. Ducks included GADWALL, CINNAMON TEAL, RUDDY DUCK, and a female HOODED MERGANSER that is still in the area. There were lots of singing SONG SPARROWS, MARSH WRENS and COMMON YELLOWTHROATS out in the Calabazas Marsh area. In the bayland seasonal wetland area, I had WESTERN MEADOWLARKS, a male RING-NECKED PHEASANT and a WHITE-TAILED KITE, as well as BURROWING OWLS. Jan Hintermeister Santa Clara, CA -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Jun 10 16:45:10 2001 Subject: [SBB] misc. birds -------- It's been a pretty good week. On Tuesday I was able to confirm a third chick in "our" Cooper's nest in Los Altos and on Thursday I had a great view of one chick standing right on the edge of the nest--they sure grow up fast! I think it was Friday that I saw a Sharpie chasing something through the Safeway parking lot in Sunnyvale, and yesterday another Accipiter, probably a Sharpie, flying across the populated section of Calaveras road coming home from Ed Levin. Ed Levin itself only yielded 1 probable Red-tail at long distances and a tiny glimpse of a possible kite--nothing like the sights in winter. But it was a gorgeous day, and we saw several Loggerhead Shrikes in the hills above the Wooly Lake parking lot, and a couple of likely Western Kingbirds in the eucalyptus near the parking lot and picnic area. As we approached, both of us saw multiple birds, including at least one very orangey *something* engaged in a flurry with the Kingbirds. We're guessing it was one of the Bullock's Orioles reported near there, but unfortunately it was very shy. As for the Kingbirds, I'm a little puzzled that I saw no signs of the white outer tail feathers--and I had a good view of the fanned tail from beneath. But I can't make a good case for any other ID. As we climbed the hill, the margins of the path were alive with critters dashing to safety. Lots of lizards, and lots of a small rodent between the size of a rat and a mouse, with no visible tail. Since there were so many of them I'm assuming it's sheer bad luck I haven't seen these before, but I'm still stumped about their identity. I thought maybe vole or pocket gopher, but the pictures I've found show tails. Hmmm. Hope everyone's enjoying the glorious weather, Natasha -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 11 07:55:16 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- On Saturday, 9 Jun 01, I decided to check Matadero riparian for any possible migrants. Nothing unusual here, but I did have 2 GREEN HERONS, 2 pairs of YELLOW WARBLER, and a female ANNA's HUMMINGBIRD with a nest. Thenest contained 2 half-grown young and was suspended only a foot or so above the surface of Matadero Creek. On Sunday, 10 Jun 01, I joined Anna Clarke and Sherry Hudson for a trip up to Montebello and Windy Hill OSP. At Montebello we had numbers of singing LAZULI BUNTINGS, one of the target species. About a half dozen GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS were scattered about, with one reasonable look obtained right near the parking lot. A family of WHITE-TAILED KITES included 2 adults and 3 immatures. Other birds included a few small flocks of BAND-TAILED PIGEON, some singing PURPLE FINCHES, singing (but unseen) BLACK-THROATED GRAY, ORANGE-CROWNED, and YELLOW WARBLERS, and BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. At Windy Hill we refound the male INDIGO BUNTING just across the road from the northern-most parking lot. At the southern parking lot a singing CALIFORNIA THRASHER was quite cooperative. SWAINSON'S THRUSHES could be heard singing their ethereal song from down in a small canyon. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 11 09:05:05 2001 Subject: [SBB] El Sereno Open Space, Bald Mountain -------- Garth Harwood may be interested in this posting in reference to his May 9th, Hidden Villa posting. Yesterday (Sunday, June 10th), on a Santa Cruz Bird Club trip to the El Sereno Open Space near Lexington reservoir, a Black Swift was seen by the group, confirmed by four of the participants. It was flying with a large mixed group of White-throated Swifts, Vaux Swifts, Cliff Swallows, and very few Violet-green Swallows, spending most of its time more-or-less associated with the White-throated Swifts. Also seen/heard were California Thrashers, Ash-throated Flycatchers, Oak Titmice, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Orange-crowned warblers. A possible Black-throated-gray Warbler went unconfirmed as it never truly gave its full song. Interestingly, many individual birds (various species) were not completing or giving their full complete songs, making it difficult for the four beginning birders along on the trip (as well as for the leader who was trying to point out the various songs/calls to these birders :-)). In addition, Chestnut-backed-chickadees, Bushtits, Song Sparrows, and Oregon Juncos were all encountered. Wrentits and Spotted Towhees were the most prevalent species calling/singing. The walk started at 7:30 AM, but no possible Sage Sparrows were heard or seen. The group also visited St Joseph's Open Space preserve and Bald Mountain in the Mt. Umunhum Area. Added to the list were Nuttall's Woodpeckers, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Bewick's Wrens, Cassin's Vireos, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Lawrence's Goldfinches (unsatisfactory looks). Eric Eric Feuss ABTS Application Developer, Administrator Program Management, Program Management Technologies (Team) Adobe Systems Incorporated Mailstop: W06, 345 Park Ave., San Jose, CA 95110 Phone: (408) 536-3050 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 11 10:05:34 2001 Subject: [SBB] Almaden/Quicksilver CP -------- Hello All, On Sunday, June 10, a morning SCVAS field trip took place at Almaden/Quicksilver County Park. We covered the "short loop" from the McAbee Rd entrance up Mine Hill Trail to Guadalupe Trail then over to the Senador Mines Trail and back down again - a distance of about a mile and a half. Within this short loop, however, we saw and heard 46 species - pretty good for an early summer morning covering mainly oak woodland habitat only. Most the birds seen and heard were typical of our oak woodlands - woodpeckers, towhees, chickadees, titmouse, Bushtits, White-breasted Nuthatches, Bewick's Wren, Hutton's Vireos, Lesser Goldfinch, jays, etc. However, we did encounter some special birds, and here are the highlights. We started the morning with an adult male COOPER'S HAWK flying out of the dense foliage near the trailhead with prey in his talons. Continuing up the hill we saw several WILD TURKEYS in the grassy meadows. Swallows swooped overhead - mostly Violet-Green, also a few Cliff and Barn with several VAUX'S SWIFTS in the mix. A few BAND-TAILED PIGEONS flew by overhead, but then we also had good views of one up close and personal as it fed on elderberries near the trail. WESTERN BLUEBIRDS were seen including several in the rocky oak hillsides along the Senador Mines Trail. Also along Senador Mines trail, a RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW was seen in the underbrush at a seep area and a N. PYGMY OWL was heard by several participants. Summer migrants seen and heard included PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, WARBLING VIREO, and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER. The highlight of the morning was the discovery of a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER nest in a valley oak at the junction of Senador Mines/New Almaden Trails. The nest was initially discovered by Janna Pauser, and we watched the adults fly back and forth to the nest which appeared to have young. One gnatcatcher flew down right at our feet only inches away and we were able to view and appreciate this exquisite little bird without the aid of binoculars or scopes - truly an "Audubon moment" for all of us. Ann -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 11 11:52:19 2001 Subject: [SBB] Guadalupe River, South County -------- All, On Saturday 6/9/01, I spent about three hours working the Guadalupe River between Montague and Trimble, hoping for eastern vagrants or early dispersing birds from the dried out Diablo Range. Ended up with neither, although there were some interesting breeding birds around. Most interesting was a singing DARK-EYED JUNCO atop a redwood in the nearby light industrial complex. These birds penetrate into urban areas on the valley floor wherever redwoods are present with ivy ground cover beneath, as was the case here. A singing male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK sounded a bit different, which got my hopes up, but it turned out to be a BLACK-HEADED anyway :(. Birds in flight over the riparian corridor included an adult BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON going north, four FORSTER'S TERNS (in three groups) going south, and 2 CASPIAN TERNS heading north. At least one WHITE-THROATED SWIFT was heard foraging high overhead. Breeding confirmations included a banded (on the left leg) NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER feeding a juvenile, a male COMMON YELLOWTHROAT carrying food, begging young HOODED ORIOLES, and two different BULLOCK'S ORIOLES carrying food. A baby RACCOON was the highlight of the mammals seen. On Sunday morning 6/10/01, I headed down early to Big Sur to try for the Blue-winged Warbler reported there. On the way, I stopped at Uvas Creek at the end of Wren Ave. In 45 minutes here, I heard the YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT sing rather quietly several times. Also of interest here was a male RED-CROWNED PARROT atop a sycamore, a begging fledgling BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, a family of recently fledged AMERICAN KESTRELS, and a BELTED KINGFISHER carrying food for young. On the way home, a quick check along San Felipe Road immediately turned up a calling CASSIN'S KINGBIRD atop the southernmost eucalyptus. It soon flew all the way across the vineyard, dropping down behind the last row of grapes. At San Felipe Lake there were 3 GREAT BLUE HERONS at 5 or 6 nests and 8 or so big white lumps on the southern shore that were likely AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS. Mike Rogers -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 11 13:16:17 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Guadalupe River, South County -------- > Most interesting was a singing DARK-EYED JUNCO atop a redwood in the > nearby light industrial complex. These birds penetrate into urban > areas on the valley floor wherever redwoods are present with ivy > ground cover beneath, as was the case here. Juncos are quite common at the SRI grounds in urban Menlo Park. They don't seem particular about the local vegetation. I saw adults and 4 fledglings in the middle of a large parking lot last week. The lot has islands with small trees in which I often see Juncos. I've also found them nesting in modest sized bushes adjacent to buildings and rather distant from the nearest large tree. ================================ George Oetzel Menlo Park, CA <[[email protected]]> -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 11 14:35:59 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sierra Rd (Sunday) -------- Drove up Felten Rd and down Sierra Rd on Sunday evening (6-7:30PM). Some of the same species as Don. SAY's PHOEBE on the drive up. Several HORNED LARKs at the corral on the summit. A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW seen. Couple of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS. 8 YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIEs. No Rock Wren. Several LARK SPARROWs on the way down, including an immature walking on the road looking like a Lark sp. Vivek [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 11 14:45:28 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] misc. birds -------- Dear Amphibian-- Voles have virtually no visible tail, and they might be moving rapidly. It doesn't sound like gopher behavior. Ruth Troetschler -------------------------- At 4:45 PM -0700 6/10/01, amphibian wrote: > >As we climbed the hill, the margins of the path were alive with >critters dashing to safety. Lots of lizards, and lots of a small >rodent between the size of a rat and a mouse, with no visible tail. >Since there were so many of them I'm assuming it's sheer bad luck I >haven't seen these before, but I'm still stumped about their >identity. I thought maybe vole or pocket gopher, but the pictures >I've found show tails. Hmmm. > >Hope everyone's enjoying the glorious weather, >Natasha > > >-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== >This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list >server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the >message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] -- Ruth Troetschler -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 11 14:53:17 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Guadalupe River, South County -------- Folks-- This spring alone I have banded 14 DEJU in my yard-- 8 of these were juveniles. In the past 30 years we have seen juncos increase from one that used to travel with House Finches in winter, to this large group which are resident here. There are few redwoods + ivy locally, and none at Foothill college where I have seen juncos for many years. At foothill they favor a grove of peppers. Ruth Troetschler -------------- At 1:16 PM -0007 6/11/01, George Oetzel wrote: > > Most interesting was a singing DARK-EYED JUNCO atop a redwood in the >> nearby light industrial complex. These birds penetrate into urban >> areas on the valley floor wherever redwoods are present with ivy >> ground cover beneath, as was the case here. > >Juncos are quite common at the SRI grounds in urban Menlo Park. >They don't seem particular about the local vegetation. I saw adults >and 4 fledglings in the middle of a large parking lot last week. The >lot has islands with small trees in which I often see Juncos. I've >also found them nesting in modest sized bushes adjacent to >buildings and rather distant from the nearest large tree. > > >================================ >George Oetzel Menlo Park, CA ><[[email protected]]> >-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== >This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list >server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the >message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] -- Ruth Troetschler -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 11 15:07:33 2001 Subject: [SBB] Table Mountain -------- Hiked to Table Mountain from Skyline on Sunday in the afternoon for a few hours - and saw or heard all of the usual breeding birds expected, including Ash-Throated Flycatchers, Black-Throated Gray and Wilson's Warblers, Warbling, Cassin's, and Hutton's Vireo, Black Headed Grosbeaks, Western Tanager, etc. Also saw 4 Pygmy Nuthatches and 2 male Allen's Hummingbirds. I don't recall seeing either of these two species on any my previous 4 hikes during Spring and Summer. Also, for the first time did not see or hear the Pileated Woodpecker. - Dave Division of Immunology/Transplantation Biology Dept. of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine CCSR Building, Room 2115B 300 Pasteur Drive Stanford, CA 94305-5164 Tel: (650)498-4189 FAX:(650) 498-6077 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 12 11:13:44 2001 Subject: [SBB] "My Farm" -------- The downy look of babies is so cute. Sunday at "my farm" (La Rinconada Park) I saw family of baby titmouse, bushtits and California thrasher. The coyote is seen lots there. I talked to 3 people and all 3 had seen it at different times in the past week. One guy had it on his deck who lives nearby. Santa Clara County Wildlife person has told me to "FLAIL" and not "freeze" as I'd been doing. I flailed the last time and the coyote changed his direction and went the other way. I never knew proper coyote behavior before. In my own backyard I had 5 baby quail and their parents. The little ones were about 2"!!! so cute. Gloria LeBlanc Los Gatos off Quito www.wallstreetgifts.com "largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts" www.cowscowscows.com "internet store of the Chicago (Cows on Parade) and NYC (CowParade) -------- Attachment 1.7 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 12 13:23:53 2001 Subject: [SBB] backyard youngsters -------- Linda and I have been watching a pair of CAlifornia TOwhees gather the long, stiff outer hairs of our Siberian Husky from our front and back yards for several years. This year we are please to see 2 or 3 fledglings fly about the yard with the adults. The nest must have been close by, but not in our rather small yard. We have 8 different feeders in the backyard so its fairly busy. Too busy for nests? In addition to the CATO fledglings we are seeing young LEsser GOldfinch, HOuse FInch, HOuse SParrow, NOrthern MOckingbird, MOurning DOve, WEstern Scrub Jay, and ANna's HUmmingbird visiting our feeders. During the past week, I have watched a GReen HEron fly by our house which is two blocks from Canoas Creek. This creek has no riparian zone and runs parallel to Cree Dr. in San Jose between Santa Teresa Blvd and the Santa Teresa Hills. Cheers, Karl Fowler We change best when we learn from the past and plan for the future, while enjoying the present. _SJ _______________________________________________________ Send a cool gift with your E-Card http://www.bluemountain.com/giftcenter/ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 12 13:52:36 2001 Subject: [SBB] Little Blue Herons -------- Folks: I received the following e-mail, which I forward: I don't know how rare Little blue herons are here, but I sighted two yesterday , June 10th in the afternoon in the slough about 1/4 mile north of the cinder block building housing all the Cliff Swallows. [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 12 14:00:06 2001 Subject: [SBB] A brief McClellan Ranch morning -------- I visited McClellan Ranch in Cupertino this morning at 9:30am on the way to work (30 minutes free, why not go birding?) In the parking lot I watched the Bullocks Orioles for a few minutes near the feeders. No Hooded's that I could identify. I walked over to the creek and out to the edge to look at what was there: House Finches, Mourning Dove, Northern Mockinbird singing, Lesser Goldfinches. I heard a noise and attempted to track what I'm pretty sure was a Belted Kingfisher cackling its way over the road and out towards the golf course. I also got a glimpse of a Nuthatch (probably White-breasted) and a Starling. A flash of yellow caught my eye and I got some great views of a male Yellow Warbler singing away. Then I heard a California Towhee making a racket in the small oak behind me. I got close to see if I could see what was going on and saw a snake slithering down the branches inside the tree. The Towhee could easily have taken him; he was a Gopher Snake about two feet long and not as big around as my thumb. I suppose the Towhee had a nest in the tree or nearby, but I didn't look for it. The Towhee basically just stood sentry near the snake and occasionally made a complaining chirp. I walked a little further down the trail and stopped again to look at the creek. There was a Black Phoebe calling from near the top of one of the Sycamores. I heard a Robin sing. Then a small dark flycatcher caught my eye. I waited and it came back. After watching it for a while - it flew from bare branch to bare branch all around me, I decided it was a Western Wood-pewee. At one point it flew straight at me and touched my shirt while I was attempting to watch it at closest focus in my binoculars. It seemed as interested in me as I was in it. I watched it some more until 10:15 am when I decided I should go to work. The Pewee never made a peep, but I got so many great looks at it I'm sure that's what it was. Chestnut-backed Chickadees came by as I was watching the Pewee. Then, as I walked away from the Pewee hunting grounds, I heard baby birds directly above me and saw a female Oriole (probably Bullock's) fly up and give an alarm call. I quickly backed away and from a distance looked to see where the baby birds were calling from. There I saw an Oriole nest made from some almost-white plant fiber, decorated with those colorful ribbons that are usually attached to balloons. It was beautiful yet almost completely invisible unless you knew where to look. As I was leaving the trail I wondered whether the Pewee had a nest nearby as well - that might explain why it was so interested in watching me. Saw a Nuttall's Woodpecker on the way back to the car. The Gopher Snake was in the same spot, this time coiled into a bundle with the Towhee still watching. Barry ----- -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 12 16:44:03 2001 Subject: [SBB] Chat continues.... -------- The Yellow-breasted Chat was heard sporadically from 0930 to 1345 this afternoon at Uvas Creek Preserve in Gilroy. I had a nice long look at it early this afternoon when it came out and perched for a few seconds on a snag over the creek about 40 yards downstream/left/south from the spot at which the path from the parking area ends at the creek. Courtesy of Bob Reiling, directions are as follows: from US 101, take the SH 152 East/10th Street exit in Gilroy; go west on 10th street until it becomes Uvas Park Drive. Follow this to the end, at Wren Ave. Park in the dirt area, walk up the stairs, cross the paved path and the dirt paths to the creek. You can walk maybe 50 yards south along the (fairly) dry stream bed or take the dirt path closest to the creek. The bird was calling from 20 - 80 yards south, and always seemed to be on the west side of the creek. Also in the area were at least 4 Green Herons, a Golden Eagle, Ash-throated Flycatcher, California Thrasher, Black-headed Grosbeak, Orange-crowned Warbler and the usual species. Roy Carlson San Carlos, California -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 13 13:21:39 2001 Subject: [SBB] County birding, Uvas Creek Preserve -------- All, This morning Sue Kruse, Frank Vanslager and I checked out the riparian corridor along Uvas Creek in Gilroy between Miller Ave. and Santa Teresa Blvd. in hopes that it would make a suitable SCVAS field trip. Best birds were the Yellow-breasted Chat (a quick look), a near adult Golden Eagle (soaring over the fields south of the preserve) and a light phase Ferruginous Hawk (over Santa Teresa Blvd. about half way between the Uvas Creek bridge and Miller Ave.). The tail on the FEHA was white except for a couple of the central tail feathers which looked quite dark (possibly retained juvenile or stained?). The legs were dark (forming a "V" on the lower body). Because of the low viewing angle we did not get good looks at the upper parts except to note the pale head and the light windows formed by the primaries. Other "mentionables" include Green Heron (lots), Ash-throated Flycatcher, Black-headed Grosbeak, Hairy Woodpecker, Purple Finch, Yellow Warbler, White-throated Swift and Red-shouldered Hawk (an interacting pair). We also had a family of American Kestrels that included three and possibly four fledged and begging young. I'm looking forward to birding this area more often in the future. Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:20 PM, 6/13/01 -------- Attachment 1.5 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 13 14:16:53 2001 Subject: [SBB] Ulistac Natural Area -------- Yesterday evening, around 7pm, we took a family walk around Ulistac Natural Area in Santa Clara. There were great numbers of Cliff Swallows flying everywhere, along with a few Barn Swallows. There was, as typical of the area, a lot of bird activity, though I didn't see or hear very many different species on our short walk. Most notable were a male Bullock's Oriole and two White-tailed Kites which were involved in either a mating display or a territorial squabble. Don Ganton [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 13 20:33:03 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sunnyvale Macaw -------- This evening (7pm) there was an incredibly large parrot, whose tail was as long as his body, hanging out in the vicinity of Poinciana and White Oak (a few blocks NW of Lawrence Expressway & El Camino) in Sunnyvale. In the fading sunlight and from a distance I wasn't able to get field marks except that I'm pretty sure it has blue on parts of the back and tail. I believe it was a variety of Macaw based on the size and the silouette. While I was at Eklund Park (a tiny local park) with my children he was in a redwood tree about a block away, making a loud "squawk!" about every minute or two. A Sharp-Shinned Hawk briefly landed in the same tree and the parrot was twice the size of the hawk. The parrot eventually flew off south towards El Camino Real, landing in another tree in that direction. I imagine birds like this are generally recent escapees. Is there anything I should do, such as call Animal Control? Barry ----- -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Jun 14 05:34:29 2001 Subject: [SBB] Peregrine Falcon -------- Hi. Does anyone know of a place where the Peregrine Falcon can be seen regularly. I've never seen one before and would really like to. I went to see the LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS yesterday by Eagle Lake. They were interesting birds. Thanks. Riccardo Magni __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Spot the hottest trends in music, movies, and more. http://buzz.yahoo.com/ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Jun 14 05:41:18 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Peregrine Falcon -------- ----- Original Message ----- From: "Riccardo Magni" <[[email protected]]> > > Does anyone know of a place where the Peregrine Falcon > can be seen regularly. I've never seen one before and > would really like to. An adult PEREGRINE FALCON was perched on a power tower along the entrance road to the EEC in Alviso today, 14 Jun 01. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Jun 14 13:13:14 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Santa Clara County Parrots -------- Which church in Palo Alto has the parakeets? Richard C. Carlson Full Time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker Part-time Economist Palo Alto & Lake Tahoe, CA [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Jun 14 14:16:58 2001 Subject: [SBB] Shoreline -------- Good Afternoon All.... Spent the morning over at Shoreline, there where 75+ White Pelicans feeding and then flying overhead. Lots of Caspian and Forster's Terns, some with babies on the island. Could only scope out three Green Winged Teals, one Northern Shoveler, one pair of Ring-necked Ducks and what looked like a pair of Common Mergansers. I could not find the Little Blue Heron, although I had a Heron that was different from what I have seen before. Dark bill, blue gray body, but his neck was reddish. There must have been over 75 Marbled Godwits. Also lots of Avocets, few Killdeer and I did not see any Skimmers. Good birding to you all. My best regards, Linda Sullivan -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Jun 14 15:34:10 2001 Subject: [SBB] Bird Banding on Guadalupe River -------- Myself and Gina Barton were banding birds at our study site on Guadalupe River south of Montague Road today and we captured and banded an After Second Year (ASY) male Hooded Oriole. He was beautiful! We also captured/banded Bullock's Orioles, Bushtits, Common Yellowthroats, Song Sparrows, House Sparrows, a Black Phoebe, a Barn Swallow, and a baby Brown-headed Cowbird; and captured (but not banded) Anna's Hummingbirds and a Selasphorus Hummingbird. Other birds that we heard or saw there were Mourning Dove Nuttall's Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Western Scrub Jay (carrying food) Cliff Swallow Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bewick's Wren American Robin Northern Mockingbird European Starling (it literally attacked us) California Towhee House Finch We have two banding sites on Guadalupe River between Montague and Trimble, and three banding sites on Coyote Creek between Hwy 237 and Montague. We band at each of these sites once every 10 days (per MAPS protocol). This project is designed to study birds in urban riparian strips bordered by an overflow channel, and to eventually compare the results back to our long-term data set from the Coyote Creek Field Station (CCFS), located on Coyote Creek north of Hwy 237. If anyone is interested in a banding demonstration, they are conducted on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at CCFS, by appointment only. **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** Sherry Hudson Landbird Biologist San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory P.O. Box 247 Alviso, CA 95002 phone: 408/946-6548 fax: 408/946-9279 e-mail: [[email protected]] **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** -------- Attachment 2.9 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 15 05:28:04 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- I went to Charleston Slough at lunch time today, 15 Jun 01. I eventually ran into Al Eisner here as well. We couldn't find any Little Blue Herons anywhere, but we did have approximately 160 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS scattered about between the slough, Adobe Creek, and salt pond A1 (some being immatures). Also present were a male BLUE-WINGED TEAL and 2 male GREEN-WINGED TEAL on Adobe Creek. Three pairs of LESSER SCAUP were in the general area. Some returning shorebirds included numbers of WILLET and MARBLED GODWIT. Al pointed out a BLACK SKIMMER flying in as we were leaving. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 15 07:04:35 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sick Band-Tailed Pigeon -------- As you probably know I have Band-tailed's in my yard year round with the population changing from 2-4 in the winter to 40 in the spring with as many as 70 in the summer. Thus, I see a lot of Band-Tailed's at very close range. I currently have one that is sick. This is probably the 6th one that I've had like this. I'm curious what it's sick of and how it got it. If anyone knows. It's beak doesn't shut. It's open at a perhaps 30 degree angle. It's feathers are puffed up. It sits in a feeder and sticks its beak in the birdseed and then wiggles it neck trying to get it down, like a heron would with a fish. It can fly, but slower than normal. In the past I've just left the sick ones alone. I never find a dead one. I don't know where they go to die. By allowing it to stay am I contaminating my area? If anyone has any thoughts as to what is wrong and what I should do, please let me know. Gloria LeBlanc Los Gatos off Quito http://www.wallstreetgifts.com "largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts" http://www.cowscowscows.com "site for the Chicago and NYC cows" http://www.lgsia.com "money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios" -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 15 11:24:40 2001 Subject: [SBB] Santa Clara County Parrots -------- Hi all, Two of the parrot project folks, Alison Sheehey & Karen Mabb were in town over the weekend and observed a flock of 17 Aratingas along Saratoga Sunnyvale Rd south of El Camino Real. They identified 3 Blue-crowned parakeets and 9 Mitred parakeets, 4 of the Mitred were juveniles. There were 2 smaller unidentified green parakeets with some red on the chest and head. There were also several Mitred Parakeets present at the church in Palo Alto. Tom -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 15 13:52:37 2001 Subject: [SBB] Ravens in cupertino -------- As I left work for lunch, we had two ravens in a tree in the parking lot (Valley Green, near 280&De Anza). Heard them gronking, and they seemed to be either grubbing for insects or going after eucalyptus nuts, but they definitely seemed to be foraging (maybe one of them had a sore throat). It took me a few minutes (and a few weird stares from co-workers) but I finally got a good look at them through binocs and the beak was a raven beak, so these weren't crows on steroids. Good sized beasts, too. -- Chuq Von Rospach, Internet Gnome [<[[email protected]]> = <[[email protected]]> = <[[email protected]]>] Yes, yes, I've finally finished my home page. Lucky you. When an agnostic dies, does he go to the "great perhaps"? -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 15 13:55:37 2001 Subject: [SBB] Chat -------- Mid-morning today, the Yellow-Breasted Chat was still at the Uvas Creek Preserve in Gilroy, in the same location well described most recently by Roy Carlson. The creekbed here is still moist, but there's no actual open water -- I wonder if the bird will stick around much longer. Mike Mammoser has already listed all the highlights I saw at Charleston Slough. (By the way, Bill's forwarded message about Little Blue Herons did not say where they were, but the location description made Charleston Slough sound like a good bet.) Al -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 16 04:57:42 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- I went back down to Uvas Creek Preserve in Gilroy this morning, where I found a mated pair of YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS, rather than just the single bird of last weekend. I saw both birds low in a willow, where one of them was doing a wing-quivering display and was given a food item by the other. About 20 minutes later I saw both birds again in the same willow with John and Maria Meyer, Mitch Ninotaka and his friend Caroline. While waiting for the chats, we saw an adult GOLDEN EAGLE fly over, heard some RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, had a male YELLOW WARBLER, some singing CALIFORNIA THRASHERS, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, PURPLE FINCHES, SPOTTED TOWHEES, WRENTITS, etc. Then we all went to San Felipe Road, where we found a CASSIN'S KINGBIRD in the southmost eucalyptus. There was also a WESTERN KINGBIRD feeding a young fledgling here. Couldn't confirm anything on the Cassin's, though. On the way back, I wound through San Benito County and came back up Fraizer Lake Road, where I found an adult GOLDEN EAGLE perched on a fence with a headless ground squirrel and being dive bombed by a WHITE-TAILED KITE. A stop at Ogier Ponds produced an OSPREY. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 16 08:57:50 2001 Subject: [SBB] BABOB 3rd Edition -------- To: All South Bay Birders From: Freddy Howell & Bobbie Handen Birding at the Bottom of the Bay (BABOB) Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS) Many of you have already assisted SCVAS in writing and updating articles for the 3rd Edition of BABOB. Many, many thanks to Bill Bousman, Bob Reiling, Frank Van Slager, John Mariani, Ann Verdi, Peg Bernucci, Emelle Curtis, Gail Cheeseman, Ted Chadnik, Jim & Sue Lickovec, Darryl Wheye, Linda Sullivan and Dave Johnston. Harriet Benson, Mary Wesnewski and Kenneth Peterson are helping with editing. If I've missed anyone in this short list or spelled your name wrong, I apologize. I just want to get this letter out. We will make sure everyone is listed correctly. Anyway - we still have some gaps. We have the original writeups on some of the following sites. We need experienced folks who have birded the area to do the updates. If you see that you did the original and would like to do the update, great. We tried to send all the existing writups to the original author. Our apologies if it didn't happen. Please follow the basic format: Description, Directions, Habitats, Specialties of the area, How to Bird the area. Please keep in mind that this guide is designed for all levels of birders and for locals and visitors alike. The "specialties" area should contain regulars as well as rarities. Pichetti Ranch Open Space new Fremont Older Open Space new Mt Hamilton East existing (hard copy available) (Bill Bousman, you did this originally) but I don't think we have any update) Ed Levin-Calaveras Road-Sunol Park existing St Joseph's Hill ` existing Coyote River Park/Anderson Reservoir existing Santa Teresa County Park existing Hidden Valley Ranch Garth Harwood working on Stevens Creek & Upper Stevens Creek existing Arastradero Preserve Grant Hoyt working on Henry Coe State Park existing Long Ridge Open Space Les Chubana Coyote Creek-south to Metcalf existing (should this be updated or dropped) Calero, Chesbro & Uvas Reservoir existing Grant Ranch to Smiths Creek existing Mt Hamilton east existing Alviso & SF Bay NW Refuge new Overfelt Gardens existing Lake Cunningham existing Coyote Creek - Burnet Ave existing Los Trancos Open Space Preserve new Villa Montalvo Arboretum new Guadalupe River Park new Lexington Reservoir existing Kelly Park existing West Valley College new Yes, this is a huge list but we also have a huge list of completes. Our goal is to get the write ups in between July 1 and July 15. If you have a site you'd like to do, please email me at [[email protected]] and the original will be sent. We know this has taken forever but we know how busy we all are and we are just trying to do the best we can. With you help we can get this valuable resource updated. Another question, we have write ups on: Windy Hill San Mateo County Castle Rock State Park Santa Cruz County Big Basin State Park Santa Cruz County Palo Alto Foothills Park Palo Alto residents only Should they be in the main portion of the book or should they be listed as out of county. What other out of county do you want listed? Thanks for reading this whole message and thanks in advance for helping us with getting this project complete. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 16 13:44:44 2001 Subject: [SBB] ORBI Along Adobe Creek -------- All: On my Saturday, June 16, field trip to Charleston Slough, we observed about 48 of the usual suspects. And, in addition, we had close views of a male Orange Bishop. It was feeding in the greenery alongside the bicycle path along Adobe Creek, about 100 yards upstream from the pump house. Frank Vanslager -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 16 21:21:17 2001 Subject: [SBB] LEWO,LAGO,BLGR -------- Hi, all. Today, I started at Grant County Park at about 11:30 am, drove over Mt. Hamilton onto San Antonio Valley Road, then took Del Puerto Canyon Road out to I-5. A few highlights: At Grant's Ranch, I birded the vicinity of the big lake and McCreery Lake, which, despite midday heat, produced most of the expected June birds: BULLOCK'S and HOODED ORIOLE, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, WESTERN BLUEBIRD, LAZULI BUNTING, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, ACORN and NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER, CALIFORNIA THRASHER, OAK TITMOUSE, etc. One surprise: two WOOD DUCKS flushed out of a tiny puddle along the small trail that goes from McCreery Lake to the Eucalyptus stand. Just before 3pm, on San Antonio Valley Road, about midway between Mt. Hamilton and the Mines Road junction, I found a little hotspot. I saw two WESTERN KINGBIRDS, and while I was trying to make them into something more interesting, an adult LEWIS' WOODPECKER flew into a nearby oak. As I was trying to relocate that bird, I flushed up 4 LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH out of the grass next to the road. Meanwhile, a HOUSE WREN made several dutiful bug-deliveries into a cavity nest in an oak. I foolishly neglected to note the mileage for this stop. I pulled off by a locked AO gate which said "To Ponds 7-11, 14-15". The gate was on the right side of the road (headed toward Livermore), and the birds were 50 yards past it. Del Puerto Canyon Road didn't produce anything remarkable (besides lots of kingbirds and orioles) until I had already given up and was speeding toward I-5. At 6:20pm, I spotted an adult male BLUE GROSBEAK on a fence along the road. The bird was 2.9 miles west of the junction with I-5. That's it. Good birding! Jesse Conklin _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 18 03:19:53 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- I forgot to mention that on Saturday, 16 Jun 01, we had a PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER calling from the eucalyptus along San Felipe Road. I thought that was a strange place to have one of these birds. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 18 05:41:42 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- I paid a lunch time visit to the waterbird pond at CCFS today, 18 Jun 01. Not much of interest except a flock of 37 WILSON'S PHALAROPES. Most were brightly-colored females, as expected, but a few males were thrown in as well. There are still at least 12 active GREAT EGRET nests in the heronry. I saw only 2 occupied GREAT BLUE HERON nests. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 18 12:45:04 2001 Subject: [SBB] County List Update for May -------- Folks: Kendric won't be back until the end of the month, at which time he'll update the county list on his web site. Twelve more species brings us to a total of 245 as of the end of May 2001. One of the new species is just an oversight--I didn't have the Bald Eagle seen in January on the list Bald Eagle 1/5/01 GM 4 The new species are: Glossy Ibis 5/14/01 MMR 6 White-faced Ibis 5/3/01 BL, DCr 5 Mountain Quail 5/27/01 JY, AL 4 Ruddy Turnstone 5/1/01 RC 5 Red Knot 5/3/01 RC 5 Wilson's Phalarope 5/4/01 MJM 2 Red-necked Phalarope 5/4/01 MJM 2 Yellow-throated Vireo 5/13/01 MJM 6 Purple Martin 5/8/01 FV 5 Yellow-breasted Chat 5/21/01 SK 5 Black-chinned Sparrow 5/21/01 GHa 4 These include, of course, Mike Rogers's Glossy Ibis and Mike Mammoser's Yellow-throated Vireo, both new for the county. I've also made two minor changes for April records: Black-chinned Hummingbird 4/28/01 CCFS 4 Swainson's Thrush 4/28/01 m.ob. 3 Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 18 13:05:10 2001 Subject: [SBB] Bishop -------- Hi all Was out at Charleston-Adobe Creek and observed the Orange Bishop for about 1/2 hour Monday, from 8:30 to 9:00AM. He then just disappeared. Funny how something that red can disappear. He was foraging in the weeds and even on the path about 100 yards west of the swallow pump house, just where he was supposed to be. Tried to re-find him about an hour later with no luck. Larry Spivak -------- Attachment 509 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 19 09:47:46 2001 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: This morning, 6/19/2001, an adult GREEN HERON was calling at Shoreline Lake. An AMERICAN COOT nest in the channel west of the Stevens Creek Tidal Marsh, just opposite the footbridge at the south end, is in a very open setting. This morning there were two orange and black youngsters in the water and two still being brooded. These birds are habituated to the people on the nearby bike path and provide good viewing. Two BURROWING OWLS were at two different Shoreline mounds. Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 19 13:18:52 2001 Subject: [SBB] SBB-Uvas Creek Chat -------- Luck was with us this morning in Gilroy. As we got out of our car, a Green Heron flew over our heads. The second bird we saw was a Yellow-breasted Chat flying south down the creek bed. It took another 40 minutes until we saw it again, the male, in the bushes behind the blackberries on the other side from where I gather it's normally been seen. This time we watched for several minutes until, with food in its mouth, it flew off behind the trees . In addition to what's been reported in the area, we saw apair of Nuttall's Woodpeckers, a Cooper's Hawk, an Oak Titmouse, and a pair of very active Ash-throated Flycatchers. Lois & Wally Goldfrank Santa Cruz -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Jun 21 12:17:56 2001 Subject: [SBB] Uvas Preserve -------- A BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON with one fledgling was in the trees by the pond just east of Santa Teresa Boulevard this morning. I have seen the adult around, but today was the first glimpse of the baby. Sue Kruse -------- Attachment 768 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Thu Jun 21 19:02:51 2001 Subject: [SBB] La Rinconada Park -------- Good Evening All... Took a walk around the back side of La Rinconada and here is what was seen and heard tonight around 5:15 PM. A Thrasher nestling, out of it's nest and it's parents trying to get it back on the other side of the fence. The nestling had lots of fuzzy feathers top of it's head and the yellow around its bill was a strong yellow, with its tail quite short and its bill had a nice curve to it. The Ash-throated Flycatcher was feeding two fledglings. Acorn Woodpecker could be heard from the top of the hill by the golf course. Lots of Violet-green Swallows tending young. The Nuttall's Woodpecker babies can still be heard in their nest hole. The Bewick's Wren was seen at its nest hole, but did not enter it. Spotted Towhees were seen in pairs calling and foraging about. Red-winged Blackbirds tending young, with a single female Mallard in the creek. A pair of California Quail was seen as I was leaving. Good birding to all. My best regards, Linda Sullivan -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Jun 21 20:23:00 2001 Subject: [SBB] Los Altos Cooper's have fledged! -------- Our prodigal chicks have left the nest! We saw 4 birds in the home tree this evening, none of them actually in the nest. At least 3 were juveniles: one of the juveniles was feeding on something. One of the parents was sitting in the usual watch post Redwood about a lot and a half away, and if they were holding to their usual pattern, the other adult would have been out and about, away from the nest. *If so,* that would make 4 chicks, one more than previously counted! Yipee! It's hard to believe how fast they've grown. My schedule hasn't allowed many opportunities to check the site, so I hadn't been there in several days, but no matter how I do the calculations, I doubt they left much earlier than today. My earliest glimpse of the nest was April 27, when the adults were still putting the finishing touches on it. From April 27 to June 21 is only 55 days! The shortest time from egg to fledging as estimated in the Birder's Handbook is 57 days, so it seems a good bet that the adults began laying eggs before fully completing the nest. Similarly, I had two possible dates for the first hatching: May 25, when I observed an adult sitting on the nest tearing food up, but no chicks; or May 29, when I first saw the chicks. I had always suspected the earlier date was the more accurate date for hatching and I believe I've now confirmed it. I feel so absurdly proud of these birds. I hope they beat the odds and all survive. --Natasha -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 22 08:17:00 2001 Subject: [SBB] Bears v. Birders: Evolutionary leap -------- In the long twilight conflict between bears and birders at Lake Tahoe, we had reached a local truce: we take the bird feeders in every night and the bears leave our houses alone. Garbage "palaces", in contrast to houses, are fair game. The bears have a right to reduce the garbage palaces to a pile of toothpicks if anyone is sufficiently stupid to actually put garbage in them overnight. The bears know the garbage pick-up schedule and raid every neighborhood the night before garbage pick-up. Tonight, I returned to my cabin to find a new and frightening development: Buster Bear has signed an alliance with the raccoon Mafia. Buster had torn out 3 of our basement ventilation screens, leaving a hole about 4 inches by 12 inches. These screens were very strong, heavy wire; there isn't a raccoon on the planet that could tear out those screens. Buster even reached in to tear out a few feet of insulation. However, this left a hole far too small for a bear -- that's why Buster needed the raccoons. The raccoons went in through the hole and raided my covered sunflower seed cans. (The covers were far too heavy for a squirrel to remove, it had to be a raccoon.) From the pile of shelled sunflower seeds on the floor, it's apparent that the raccoons ate their share and carried the rest back to the bear. I can see the next steps: -- Bears make a small hole for the raccoons to enter a house and open the door from the inside. -- A family of raccoons riding to the next raid on the backs of their bear allies. We are in for a heap of trouble. Richard C. Carlson Full Time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker Part-time Economist Palo Alto & Lake Tahoe, CA [[email protected]] 650-949-9590 -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 22 10:35:19 2001 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: This morning, 6/22/2001, I saw three GREEN HERONS at Shoreline Lake. The only one I aged was an adult. Two BURROWING OWLS were at Shoreline. The adult male ORANGE BISHOP along Adobe Creek has nearly completed his molt. Some of the back feathers have not been replaced (and the tertials are still asymmetrically colored), but the black crown, face, and belly, offset by the orage ruff, throat and tail coverts are apparently complete (and spectacular). The under and upper tail coverts nearly cover the tail now. The male sang a little, but the song was so quiet I suspect it might be a secondary rather than a primary song. It was about 5-10 slightly ascending notes "szi-szi-szi-szi" pitched at about a Savannah Sparrows song. I heard a call note once or twice, quite low, a little like a Fox Sparrow. Everytime I've seen this bird he has been along the Flood Control Basin-side of the bike path and within 5 m of an old fence. This location is about 50 m towards 101 from the Mountain View Forebay pump house. Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 22 17:15:34 2001 Subject: [SBB] Birdbos Transcriber Needed -------- Subj: Birdbox Transcriber Needed Date: 6/22/01 5:11:51 PM Pacific Daylight Time From: Bleuoiseau To: [[email protected]] Dear Birders, Please note the following message received from the N. CA Birdbox Transcriber, David Armstrong. If anyone can help out with this important job, please contact David ASAP. Thanks, Collin Murphy Date: 6/21/01 12:16:12 PM Pacific Daylight Time From: [[email protected]] (David Armstrong) To: [[email protected]] Dear Collin, As of June 30th I will no longer be able to transcribe the BirdBox reports. I will not be around much this summer, and as I am sure you are aware it is very time consuming in general, and I cannot do it often enough to be very useful. I will do another transcription this weekend and a final one at the end of the month. If you are able to find another volunteer for this I will help that person with the transition. Regards, David Armstrong -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 23 09:33:52 2001 Subject: [SBB] Northern Parula at McClellan Ranch Park???? -------- South Bay Birders: Yesterday I called the Northern California Birdbox yesterday to report the continuing presence of the male Rose-breasted Grosbeak on Mt. Davidson in San Francisco (outside of this list area of course) and heard Mike Danzenbaker's report of a Northern Parula in Cupertino at McClellan Ranch Park from last week. Nothing has been mentioned over SBB of this Northern Parula. Has anyone bothered to look for it? -- Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, Alameda County -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 23 09:54:53 2001 Subject: [SBB] Spectacular Orange Bishop -------- I've been watching this brilliant bird with the greatest pleasure! I find him listed only in Sibley, who says little beyond a mention that a small population has been established in California. Has anyone discovered the geographical origin of the species? Has the orange bishop shown up here (or hereabouts) in earlier years? Do you think "our" finch is an escapee or an independent member of Sibley's "small population"? He seems very much at home in his environment AND not uncomfortable with the big two-leggeds (and two- or four- wheeled folks) who pass by. He POSSESSES his little piece of landscape, even when he isn't there, and yesterday he was extending it by darting over to the anise across the road. What a presence! Gail Larrick -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 23 19:46:52 2001 Subject: [SBB] pretty picture -------- What a gorgeous view I have this moment in my backyard. I have a male HOODED ORIOLE at my hummingbird feeder, a male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK eating sunflower seeds, 6 LESSER GOLDFINCH eating thistle, 5 HOUSE FINCHES one who is a gorgeous red (not raspberry) eating Dr. Geiss. Plus an OAK TITMOUSE and a CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE and a JUNCO all here eating at the same time. It feels pretty special. Gloria LeBlanc Los Gatos off Quito http://www.wallstreetgifts.com "largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts" http://www.cowscowscows.com "site for the Chicago and NYC cows" http://www.lgsia.com "money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios" -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Jun 24 01:26:06 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Spectacular Orange Bishop -------- In a message dated 06/23/2001 9:55:28 AM Pacific Daylight Time, [[email protected]] writes: <> Hi Gail and SBB: I went to see the Orange Bishop today at around 3:30 pm, and you're absolutely right, he is spectacular. I found those long orange tail coverts, with just the tip of the tail peeking out, particularly interesting. He was right where Bill Bousman said he usually was (near the old fence), but spent all the time I observed him on the Adobe Creek side of the bike path, including in the reeds in the creek. Considering how tame this bird appears to be, I'd guess that he is an escapee. He was feeding on the trail when a bicycle went by and didn't flush, nor did he leave when I and another person walked to within about six feet of him. When I crouched down, stretched out my hand, and made "kissing noises" and he moved TOWARD me, I couldn't help but believe he is someone's escaped pet. What finally flushed him was a low-flying gull. By the way Gail, according to NGS (3rd ed), the Orange Bishop is from sub-Saharan Africa, is widely introduced [in the US], and the established population in California is in the greater LA area. Good birding everyone, Kathy Robertson Hayward, CA -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Jun 24 05:03:49 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- On Saturday, 23 Jun 01, I found a male OSPREY hunting over Parkway Lake. On Sunday, 24 Jun 01, I visited CCFS. Four species of immature swallows were perched on the wires near the trailer. Most interesting were the young TREE SWALLOWS, whose diffuse breast bands could have them confused with Bank Swallows. The eucalyptus tree near the trailer had a group of 14 BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, with 4 adult males, 2 adult females, and a number of immatures. I don't know how many families were here, but the congregation was interesting - looking like a creche. The heronry looks to be winding down for this cycle, with most young about ready to fledge. There was one GREAT BLUE HERON nest that contained 2 young that were only half grown. Considering that the Great Blues start before the Great Egrets, and only a couple of Great Blue nests are still active, this was interesting. There was a flock of 279 WILSON'S PHALAROPES on the waterbird pond, still heavily weighted towards females and no juveniles yet, as expected. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 25 11:06:28 2001 Subject: [SBB] harrier hunt, cooper's confirmation -------- Two quick hawk notes: on Friday, my husband was able to confirm *4* juvenile plumage Cooper's fledglings at our Los Altos nest. And yesterday on what we think of as Skimmer Island (no skimmers in sight, however), we watched a female Harrier take a chick while a cloud of Terns screamed but failed to repel her from the island. Natasha -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 25 12:12:26 2001 Subject: [SBB] Orange Bishop Query -------- Folks: On 23 Jun 2001, Gail Larrick wrote about the Orange Bishop: >I've been watching this brilliant bird with the greatest pleasure! >I find him listed only in Sibley, who says little beyond a mention >that a small population has been established in California. Has >anyone discovered the geographical origin of the species? Has the >orange bishop shown up here (or hereabouts) in earlier years? Kathy Robertson has answered most of the questions about this African finch. Locally, it does not appear to be established, based on a population that is sustained by local breeding rather than new escapees. It has been recorded locally at least since 1993, in such locations as: Stevens Creek below Hwy 101, the Emily Renzel Wetlands in Palo Alto, Calero Reservoir, Phyllis Browing's feeder in Palo Alto, Prospect Road in San Jose, Matadero Creek below Hwy 101, Matadero Creek below Hwy 101, the Guadalupe River near SCVWD, and San Jose. It nested near Matadero Creek [?] in 1995 as an adult was seen feeding young birds there on 5 Sep 1995 (Rottenborn). Although that one breeding record proves that this finch can nest in the Santa Clara Valley, it does not answer the question of whether the population is sustained. This will take more years of careful observation, particularly of breeding birds. In basic plumage it is a small brown finch and may be overlooked in a flock of House Sparrows. The males molt into their alternate plumage in June and into their basic plumage in November or early December. Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 25 13:38:45 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Northern Parula at McClellan Ranch Park???? -------- All, Several people, Mike Rogers, John & Maria Meyer, Frank Vanslager & I tried for the NOPA the next day (Monday) without finding it. The area was covered from about 6:15 AM (MR) to at least 12:30 PM. Frank & I also tried for it on Tuesday (McClellan Ranch & Stevens Creek) with no luck. It's interesting to note that this is just one of the ways that e-mail has impacted operation of the "Hot Lines"; i.e., It took over a week for one of our better birder's (and chasers) to find out about a reported rare bird because there was no SBB e-mail on it's sighting or a follow-up e-mail (or "Hot Line" call) on it's not being relocated. It's still a good idea to make that early Monday morning Hot Line call to find out about birds that non e-mail users saw over the weekend. Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:29 PM, 6/25/01 -------- Attachment 1003 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 25 13:55:05 2001 Subject: [SBB] 11 Turkeys at Rancho San Antonio -------- Saturday about 5PM at Rancho San Antonio CP/OSP: 3 adult Turkeys together near the tennis court. Then also saw 3 adults and 8 smaller birds at a distance on the hillside opposite the parking lot. Sunday 7PM at Ed Levin Park - a large family of Wild Pigs (3 adults, 6-7 striped piglets) roaming around carefree near the jungle-gym south of Sandy Wool Lake. Vivek [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Jun 25 16:08:20 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sierra Nev. Birds -------- All, A bit out of the area, but thought I'd send this along. My wife and I ( and the two dogs) went camping in the Tahoe Nat. Forest for three days this weekend. Camping at an ele. of 5400' we saw most of the expected species--most were already feeding fledged young. Morning chorus was brief and faded by 9AM. Notable for the trip was Townsend's Solitaire (a family group), Black Swift, Nor Goshawk, Pileated Woodpecker Red Crossbills, and Flammulated Owls ( three, at least) as well as a Nor. Saw whet Owl. Paul L. Noble "Screechowl" [[email protected]] ^ ^ @ @ ( v ) ( ) / \ m m -------- Attachment 1.6 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 26 07:12:44 2001 Subject: [SBB] Band-Tailed Pigeons -------- I have 57 Band-Tailed Pigeons eating in my backyard as I write this. (no sick ones :-) ) Gloria LeBlanc Los Gatos off Quito http://www.wallstreetgifts.com "largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts" http://www.cowscowscows.com "site for the Chicago and NYC cows" http://www.lgsia.com "money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios" -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Jun 26 17:02:49 2001 Subject: [SBB] test - please delete -------- -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 27 07:46:07 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Common Tern Report -------- ----- Original Message ----- From: <[[email protected]]> > > I have spent more time trying to separate Common and > Arctic Terns for which a dark wedge through the > primaries would be diagnostic of the former. So, my > experience with Common vs Forster's is limited. But I > would put my money on that bird being a Common Tern. Unfortunately, wing pattern is not diagnostic for Common Tern. At this time of year Forster's Terns can acquire a variety of wing patterns as the powdery bloom on their primaries, producing pale wings when fresh, begins to wear away. It is not unusual for a Forster's Tern to have a wing pattern remarkably similar to a Common Tern at this time. In fact, there is a Forster's Tern like this at the south end of Charleston Slough; I saw it this afternoon. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 27 09:55:12 2001 Subject: [SBB] Fwd: Green Heronfest -------- I believe this was meant for the SBB list... Your List Bureaucrat -------------------------------------- Date: Wednesday, June 27, 2001 7:50 AM From: Rita and Rob Colwell <[[email protected]]> On the SCVAS bird walk to Arastradero OSP on Sunday, the 24th, we saw the usual crew of summer birds with nice looks at several White-tailed Kite, Ash-throated Flycatcher, and Green Heron. We were thrilled to spot one GRHE flying toward the pond, which is located on the main trail. At the pond, the group noticed 4 GRHE perched on a branch at the waters edge--three appeared to be juvenal birds, the fourth was sitting with it's back to us. Someone in the group then spotted another bird standing about 5 feet to the left of the quartet, this bird also appeared to be a juvenile. Just then a sixth bird flew in and landed close to the single bird. Wow! Six GRHE! Shortly, a sharp-eyed birder with spotting scope found two more birds perched to the right of the original foursome (still standing together) deeper into some vegetation; we were unable to tell the age of these birds. An amazing eight Green Herons was our final tally. Quite a celebration. Rita Colwell -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 27 09:59:01 2001 Subject: [SBB] Common Tern Report -------- Folks: Steve Rutledge has reported an Common Tern at Charleston Slough on 6/24/2001, near the island at the south end. Keep an eye out as we have no previous June records (fall movement seems to start in late July). He also observed a Northern Harrier taking a Forster's Tern chick off the island. This is the third report I've had this summer of this kind of predation--I don't recall it happening in previous years. Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 27 10:42:54 2001 Subject: [SBB] Yellow-breasted Chat at Gilroy, Yosemite Trip -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, This past weekend I led a class field trip from to Yosemite National Park. On Thursday, June 21, Grant Webb and I drove to the park, stopping along the way to look for the famous YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT at Gilroy. We had a rather unsatisfying look at the bird in flight, and gave up when it stopped singing (it was late morning). Other birds there included ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER and PURPLE FINCH. Along Highway 152 east of Los Banos we stopped to look at a light morph SWAINSON'S HAWK soaring over the fields to the south. On our way to the park we also stopped to do some birding in the town of Mariposa, hoping for a better look at a chat. Where Highway 140 meets Highway 49 we turned off onto Miller Road, and right near the beginning of Miller Road we found at least 3 YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS, and had good looks at a couple of them. In Yosemite Valley, CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES were along the trail near the foot of Bridalveil Falls (seems to be a regular spot for them). Along the path connecting the stables with the paved road to Mirror Lake we heard PILEATED WOODPECKER, and saw WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER and SPOTTED SANDPIPERS (the latter with precocial young). Birds along the road to Mirror Lake included PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, CASSIN'S VIREOS, and WINTER WREN. At Curry Village, our base for the trip, we saw a singing MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER near the office, and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS were everywhere and very friendly (one even perched on Grant's binoculars!). In the meadow across the road from Curry Village we saw a WESTERN KINGBIRD (unusual at this elevation). Birding near Bridalveil Creek Campground on Friday was mostly uneventful, but we did hear MOUNTAIN QUAIL near Peregoy Meadow, had brief glimpses of WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER, and saw a gorgeous HERMIT WARBLER at the campground. On Saturday we visited Hodgdon Meadow and sites along Glacier Point Road. We searched for Great Gray Owl at Crane Flat without success, but did get good views of HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER, DUSKY FLYCATCHER (at the turnoff to the fire lookout), HERMIT THRUSH, LAZULI BUNTING, and CHIPPING SPARROW. At Hodgdon Meadow we found ANNA'S and CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRDS, BAND-TAILED PIGEONS, WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER (in the campground area), and both adult & juvenile RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS. Our lunch stop at White Wolf was one of the highlights of the trip. We failed to find Pine Grosbeak there, but had close looks at CASSIN'S FINCHES, PINE SISKINS, and EVENING GROSBEAKS near the old corral. MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES were nesting in a stump next to the corral. Later we did find a female PINE GROSBEAK along the shore of Siesta Lake. At Olmsted Point there was a male MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD, a flock of RED CROSSBILLS perched in conifers below the overlook, and some got to see a PIKA among the rocks. A hike at Tuolumne Meadows produced KILLDEER (with young at Soda Springs), SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, DUSKY FLYCATCHER, MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD, WHITE-CROWNED and CHIPPING SPARROWS, CASSIN'S FINCHES, YELLOW-BELLIED MARMOTS, and BELDINGS GROUND-SQUIRRELS. On Sunday we walked the trail to Sentinel Dome, searching unsuccessfully for Blue Grouse. Near the dome we did see a pair of WILLIAMSON'S SAPSCKERS, 1-2 TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRES, and numerous FOX SPARROWS. We ended the trip with a walk to McGurk Meadow. A male WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER was near the trailhead. On this trip the best wildflower displays and butterfly concentrations were at McGurk Meadow and Summit Meadow (on Glacier Point Road). On our way back to San Jose we again stopped near the beginning of Miller Road in Mariposa, and pished up a juvenile YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT without even getting out of the car. A dark morph SWAINSON'S HAWK was along Highwat 59 south of Merced. John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 27 12:37:30 2001 Subject: [SBB] Orange Bishop Photos -------- Hi All, I read John Meyer's June 4 SBB report of the Orange Bishop along Adobe Creek in Palo Alto. After confirming the location with John, Sharon and I drove up from San Jose about June 7, 2001, and Sharon watched the bird conveniently fly in and perch, between the building with the swallow nests and the creek. I have been experimenting with taking digital photos through my spotting scope, and got two shots. The first shows the bird associating with a female blackbird (I think). The second is more of a closeup, and shows the molting process well under way. See the birds at http://www.24birds.net, click on Birding:Trip Reports, scroll down to Our Bird Photos (In the Wild), then click on Orange Bishop I don't know how long it will be before I stop thinking, "How fantastic is the SBB?" Thanks, John. I presume this is an escapee. Does anybody know? And is the bird molting TO or FROM breeding colors, being a southern hemisphere bird but in North America? Of course, I could drive up there periodically and see the trend... Good Birding, Bob -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 27 12:54:40 2001 Subject: [SBB] Burrowing Owl -------- I don't have time to check this out...but since I've never seen a BURROWING OWL anywhere near "My Farm" I am passing it along. A neighbor told me this AM that a man told her that he'd seen a Burrowing Owl this morning without its head. He speculated if a cat had gotten it or the coyote. He told her it was on a "windy road" (not the wind, but curvy) which means either Granada next to the Santa Clara Water Treatment plant or Montclair as it goes down the hill to Bicknell. I have no idea who this man is or how good the info....but a burrowing owl here would be a new occurrance. Gloria LeBlanc Los Gatos off Quito http://www.wallstreetgifts.com "largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts" http://www.cowscowscows.com "site for the Chicago and NYC cows" http://www.lgsia.com "money management for YOU using 9 distinct portfolios" -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 27 14:59:00 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sierra Road -------- All, I drove Felter and Sierra Roads over lunch today 6/27/01, hoping to refind either of the Say's Phoebes reported there a couple of weeks ago. No luck with this species, although there were many WESTERN KINGBIRDS and a family of ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS (both species seen feeding young). Another interesting breeding confirmation was a female WILD TURKEY with 3 young poults halfway down Sierra Road, a new breeding confirmation for block 0040. Other birds of interest included a singing GRASSHOPPER SPARROW at the Sierra Road summit, 2 singing RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS along Sierra Road, a single heard-only HORNED LARK, and LARK SPARROWS in the newly planted shrubs above the eucalyptus grove on Sierra Road. There was also an adult GOLDEN EAGLE perched on a power tower above Alum Rock Canyon. Mike Rogers -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 27 15:40:13 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Common Tern Report -------- At 10:16 PM 6/27/2001 +0000, [[email protected]] wrote: >For a start it had no tail streamers although it >sometimes took a lengthy look at some of the Forster's >to see their streamers. Second it had distinctly darker >primaries giving it a diamond effect at the ends of its >wings. The inner end of this diamond was darker still. At >rest the bird seemed to be indistinguishable from the >surrounding Forster's. (I only had a pair of 10x50s with >me.) > >I have spent more time trying to separate Common and >Arctic Terns for which a dark wedge through the >primaries would be diagnostic of the former. So, my >experience with Common vs Forster's is limited. But I >would put my money on that bird being a Common Tern. The dark wedge of Common Tern is a really good mark to look for. Its caused by the retention of older (more worn and darker) outer primaries contrasting with pale greyish inner primaries. Unfortunately subadult (probably two year old?) Forster's Terns can show a similar pattern. They can retain older outer primaries which contrast with a paler inner group, creating a dark outer wing and often a dark "wedge". They also can show an entirely black cap, but often shorter tail streamers, and more black on the bill than adults. Structurally Common Tern should look smaller, shorter legged, and shorter billed in direct comparison with Forster's. This should show up best when perched. Two things to look for are that Forsters are always white below, while breeding Common Terns are actually greyish on the underparts. This is not so well developed as on Arctic Tern, but it shows up well in direct comparison with Forster's. Finally, the outer tail feather of small terns usually has a dark outer edge and this is true on Common and Arctic Terns. However, on Forster's this dark edge is on the INNER edge of the outer tail feather. In good views while in flight this can be relatively easy to see on most individuals. cheers, Al Alvaro Jaramillo Biologist San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory P.O. Box 247 Alviso, CA 95002 (408)-946-6548 http://www.sfbbo.org/ Home of the California Fall Challenge!! [[email protected]] Birds of Chile and New World Blackbirds at : http://www.sirius.com/~alvaro -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Jun 27 22:16:52 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Common Tern Report -------- I spent quarter of an hour checking through some of the terns this lunchtime and there was certainly one individual that was markedly different. Strangely I picked it up almost straightaway and managed to identify it again later. For a start it had no tail streamers although it sometimes took a lengthy look at some of the Forster’s to see their streamers. Second it had distinctly darker primaries giving it a diamond effect at the ends of its wings. The inner end of this diamond was darker still. At rest the bird seemed to be indistinguishable from the surrounding Forster’s. (I only had a pair of 10x50s with me.) I have spent more time trying to separate Common and Arctic Terns for which a dark wedge through the primaries would be diagnostic of the former. So, my experience with Common vs Forster’s is limited. But I would put my money on that bird being a Common Tern. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Jun 28 05:14:38 2001 Subject: [SBB] Redding, CA -------- Any good birding areas near Redding? I have a morning free there on Friday. -- Richard C. Carlson Full-time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker Palo Alto, California Part-time Economist [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Jun 28 13:22:20 2001 Subject: [SBB] County birding -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I saw three adult Black Skimmers on the third "breeding" island west of the Environmental Education Center entrance to Salt Pond A16. At least two, fluffy gray, heavy billed, young BLSK were briefly seen near the "pair." One BLSK (the solo adult?) was later seen on the first island (a "pair" was still on island #3). A total of 18 Wilson's Phalaropes were also seen in the pond, four were not breeding plumaged adult females. There were lots of young Forster's Terns, several young American Avocets and a few young Black-necked Stilts. All parents were quite aggressive toward us with one BNST doing a great broken wing act (the AMAVs just weren't putting their heart into it). Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:19 PM, 6/28/01 -------- Attachment 1001 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 29 06:51:24 2001 Subject: [SBB] Burrowing owls at SJ airport -------- Last Saturday (June 23) I flew out of the San Jose airport and I noted three Burrowing Owls standing on a mound in a strip of grass adjacent to the runway. Taxiing south from terminal C, the strip is between the runway and the tarmac next to the airport. Daniel Bump -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Jun 29 22:07:08 2001 Subject: [SBB] EEC at Alviso -------- Does anyone know what the opening schedule is for the EEC? I think I have only managed to get in once over the last three or four weeks. And I know not to try on Mondays. Andy. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 30 05:51:00 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- A visit to the waterbird pond at CCFS today, 30 Jun 01, produced 440 WESTERN SANDPIPERS returning from the breeding grounds. About 600 WILSON'S PHALAROPES and 4 DOWITCHERS were present as well. At the EEC there were 4 adult BLACK SKIMMERS and 2 downy young. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 30 15:18:29 2001 Subject: [SBB] & -------- Conditions at Loma Prieta this morning were calm and not too hot, and there was quite a bit of bird activity from the locally expected stuff. I did NOT see or hear Black-Chinned Sparrow; so far as I can recall (which might not be far enough), no-one has reported one this year from this formerly reliable area. I did see one adult Sage Sparrow along the road up from the four-way intersection just below the summit; I also heard one singing a couple of times (but I'm not sure it was a different bird). Only one thing of note from a few brief Alviso stops on the way back: 13 or 14 Burrowing Owls at the Arzino Ranch, including a family group of 4, and another spread-out group of at least 6 (possibly parts of two families?). Al -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 30 15:38:37 2001 Subject: RE: [SBB] EEC at Alviso -------- Andy (and anyone else interested), The hours for the Alviso Env. Ed. Center are: Saturdays and Sundays - 10am to 5pm Hours Tuesday through Friday vary, depending on staffing, best to call ahead 408-262-5513 for weekdays. Their trails are open sunrise to sunset, even if the gate is locked, it's alright to park outside (without blocking the gate or road way) and walk in. Deborah Bartens Naturalist-City of Palo Alto -----Original Message----- From: [[email protected]] [mailto:[[email protected]]] Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 6:00 PM To: [[email protected]] Subject: [SBB] EEC at Alviso Does anyone know what the opening schedule is for the EEC? I think I have only managed to get in once over the last three or four weeks. And I know not to try on Mondays. Andy. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 30 16:03:16 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] & -------- All-- when we censused Alviso for Burrowing Owls during late May and early June there were indeed three pairs at Arzino Ranch. Your spread-out pair fledged 7 young, a second pair, 5 and the last pair, 3. Ruth Troetschler ------------------ At 3:18 PM -0700 6/30/01, Al Eisner wrote: > Only one thing of note from a few brief Alviso stops on the way back: >13 or 14 Burrowing Owls at the Arzino Ranch, including a family group of 4, >and another spread-out group of at least 6 (possibly parts of two families?). > > Al >-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== >This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list >server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the >message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] -- Ruth Troetschler -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Jun 30 16:12:51 2001 Subject: [SBB] Black-headed Grosbeak -------- All-- A female BHGR visited our lard/peanutbutter feeder today. Simultaneously, an immature BHGR was captured in my ground trap. This is the first indication we have ever had of BHGR breeding in Los Altos. -- Ruth Troetschler -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]]