> is still very actively building their nest.
No sign of the Ross's or Snow Geese. but it was mis-afternoon.
Bruce Barrett
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Tue Mar 16 09:11:30 1999
Subject: [SBB] Barn owl at Stanford-Macy's
Yesterday (15 March) after leaving Stanford campus last night -- where a
BARN OWL with tawny undersides had been roosting all day in clear view in a
large pine behind the Old Union Bldg -- I went over to Stanford Shopping
Center at about 7pm and heard another Barn Owl squawking from a small (0.5
x 1 ft) rectangular opening high up in the east side of Macy's (facing
Quarry Rd, near the parking structure). They're everywhere!
William Cabot
Stanford University, [[email protected]]
(650) 723-8520 fax: (650) 723-9617
NASA/Ames Research Center, [[email protected]]
(650) 604-4728 fax: (650) 604-0841
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From [[email protected]] Tue Mar 16 18:56:07 1999
Subject: [SBB] birds
On Saturday, 13 Mar 99, I decided to try Stevens Creek Park again, to
see if any ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS could be found. Nick Lethaby was
leading a group for Pat Curtis and said that they had a couple, and I
finally heard one singing later. After birding the park for a while, I
caught up with Nick & Co. along the road where the series of bridges
cross the creek. They had not seen any AMERICAN DIPPERS, but I managed
to glimpse the pair right after the first car left. The remaining people
and I searched the immediate area, but couldn't refind them. I flushed
them on my walk back to the car, though no decent looks were acquired.
On Sunday, 14 Mar 99, I went to Ed Levin Park, where I found one
RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER and had a male ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD sitting on a
eucalyptus perch. I have seen a male Allen's on this perch in each of
the previous 3 years; I wonder if it's the same individual. A RED-TAILED
HAWK was on a nest in a sycamore tree across the street from the park.
At Lake Cunningham, the LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was still present,
exhibiting some changes from when I saw it earlier in the season. The
pale yellowish areas at the base of the bill have increased and the
median upperwing coverts have become more solid dark gray, losing much
of the brownish tones they had earlier. This bird seems to spend a fair
amount of time on the little island across from the marina, and can be
found perching often at the top of the pole on this island.
At Shady Oaks Park in San Jose, the EASTERN PHOEBE was still present as
well. It was straight into the orchard from the blue jungle gym, right
where a dirt road cuts through the trees.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Tue Mar 16 20:26:52 1999
Subject: [SBB] Chukar
We received an interesting bird this weekend at the wildlife center. It's a
female Chukar and showed up in an urban backyard during our last storm. It's
pretty tame and easy to approach (odd for a game-bird). The wings seems to be
clipped which leads us to believe that it's been domesticated.
Question, have any of you seen this bird "wild" in the bay area? I understand
that it was introduced from Europe and Asia years ago and resides further east
in California and out to Colorado.
Thanks for any information on this species.
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From [[email protected]] Tue Mar 16 22:36:00 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] Chukar
[[email protected]] wrote:
> We received an interesting bird this weekend at the wildlife center. It's a
> female Chukar and showed up in an urban backyard during our last storm. It's
> pretty tame and easy to approach (odd for a game-bird). The wings seems to be
> clipped which leads us to believe that it's been domesticated.
>
> Question, have any of you seen this bird "wild" in the bay area? I understand
> that it was introduced from Europe and Asia years ago and resides further east
> in California and out to Colorado.
>
> Thanks for any information on this species.
>
My guess is that this bird is a game farm raised Chukar that was being used for
gun dog training. I use them myself during the off season. They give off good
scent that is easily tracked by pointing breeds. The closest wild populations are
in western Fresno and San Benito Counties.
Regards,
Screech.
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--
Paul L. Noble
[[email protected]]
^ ^
@ @
( v )
( )
/ \
m m
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From [[email protected]] Tue Mar 16 23:24:53 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] Chukar
Trudi:
The other day I was talking to a dog trainer/owner/hunter who, like Paul
Noble, uses Chucker and has about 40 in pens on his property in Boulder
Creek. He says that about 9 out of 10 birds they release in the Los Banos
area escape, which makes one wonder about the wild nature of birds seen
in Panoche Valley. They could be part of the wild population there or
recently released from a gun club or dog training area.
Jack Cole
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From [[email protected]] Wed Mar 17 00:31:47 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] Chukar
[[email protected]] wrote:
>
> We received an interesting bird this weekend at the wildlife center. It's a
> female Chukar and showed up in an urban backyard during our last storm. It's
> pretty tame and easy to approach (odd for a game-bird). The wings seems to be
> clipped which leads us to believe that it's been domesticated.
>
> Question, have any of you seen this bird "wild" in the bay area? I understand
> that it was introduced from Europe and Asia years ago and resides further east
> in California and out to Colorado.
>
> Thanks for any information on this species.
> ==========================================================================
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///////////savemono/////////savemono////////////
In 1983 I had a Chukar in the field at the far eastern corner of San
Antonio Rd on the Bay this field is now a SUN Microsystem building.
I know several fellows that talked about hunting Chukar in the "Fall
season" along the bay shore during the latter 1960's. At that time the
bay shore was dotted with "bird game farms".
Three years ago I had a similar "game bird" on Patterson Pass Rd. here
in the East Bay. I found a very good specimen road kill of a Northern
Bob White. I gave it to Dr./Profressor Howard Cogswell of Hayward State
U prepared the skin. Now it can be viewed @ the college. By the way Dr.
Cogswell said it had no tail.
I have a once a century bird that pre-dates the rare bird networks.
December 1972 a SNOWY OWL in the Mt View Marshlands and refound in a
field behind the Bold Knight on Mathilda Rd. It spent an evening on the
Bold Knight Roof in the rear of the building. Several Audubon members
did find the Owl. I wrote a short article about the find in the Avocet.
Regards
Richard Cimino
and it can be viewed at the Unsi
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From [[email protected]] Wed Mar 17 05:47:38 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] Chukar
All:
I have been searching for my old copy of California Game Birds published
by the California Department of Fish and Game and still have not
re-found it. Is anyone aware of this publication? It included range
maps. Regarding Chukar it showed part of its range along the Santa
Clara/Merced County Line and Santa Clara/Stanislaus County line.
Chukars may have been released in these locations earlier but apparently
have died out.
For those of you subscribing to Calbird will recall Bill Principe's
recent post regarding the "countability" of Chukars seen at Galileo Hill
in California City (Kern County). Many of these have been re-released
for the same purpose as mentioned in Paul Noble's (alias Screech's)
post.
Some may also recall when the Northern California Bird Box (415)
681-7422 went to self-service mode a couple years back, a woman with a
strong Manhattan accent reported three days in a row finding Chukars in
Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
Once I even saw a couple Chukars near the visitor center of the Grizzly
Island Wildlife Area in Solano County. Even a Gray Partridge was found
as well. The ranger explained these had been recently released for
hunters. Apparently these had survived the hunting season.
--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Wed Mar 17 09:24:33 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] Chukar
John A Cole wrote:
> Trudi:
>
> The other day I was talking to a dog trainer/owner/hunter who, like Paul
> Noble, uses Chucker and has about 40 in pens on his property in Boulder
> Creek. He says that about 9 out of 10 birds they release in the Los Banos
> area escape, which makes one wonder about the wild nature of birds seen
> in Panoche Valley. They could be part of the wild population there or
> recently released from a gun club or dog training area.
>
> Jack Cole
>
> I hunt the Panoche Hills area quite frequently for both Quail and Chukar. My
> experience with pen-raised Chukar is that they do not last long in the wild.
> They do not have the "survival smarts" of wild individuals and soon either
> starve or are picked off by a predator (land-based or aerial). The pen-raised
> chukars also tend to want to return to their pens or release area (where other
> Chukars await release). This is what makes pen-raised birds desireable for
> hunting preserves, as the surviving birds tend to come back to be captured (in
> an entrance only pen) to be re-used the following day. It is unlikely that
> pen-raised Chukars would venture many miles from hunting clubs in Los Banos to
> the Panoche Hills. ( However I have been curious about some of the reports of
> Chukars recently seen in the Panoche Hills by observers birding the area. My
> experience is that the birds are quite secretive and inhabit the steep canyons
> and slopes in the Panoche Hills. I have never seen any on or along the roads
> out there. It is possible however that these observable birds are released by
> sportsment training dogs. The area around the Panoche Retention Dam is used by
> field trial groups training and competeing with their dogs. I have seen
> released Chukar in this area shortly after such events).
Regards,Screech.
--
Paul L. Noble
[[email protected]]
^ ^
@ @
( v )
( )
/ \
m m
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From [[email protected]] Wed Mar 17 10:44:58 1999
Subject: [SBB] Re: Chukar
They are even found west of California. On a birding trip
that I led with Jack Jeffrey in the Hawaiian Is., we came
across 6-10 Chukar at about 10,000 ft. on Haleakala, Maui.
I don't know if they are hunted a lot or used for training
hunting dogs in the Islands, but that's apparently the
reason they were introduced. They're everywhere!
Les
==========================================
Les Chibana, Palo Alto [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Thu Mar 18 13:33:32 1999
Subject: [SBB] Nashville Warbler in Menlo Park
It was an good day for the "Partridge Avenue Checklist Area (PACA)" in
Menlo Park near my office. Between University Drive & El Camino Real
along Creek Drive there were the following birds: WESTERN TANAGER (a
rather dull male) engaging in a rather acrobatic flycatching display,
MERLIN, RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER, PURPLE FINCH, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS,
FOX SPARROW, HERMIT THRUSH, and a Selasphorus HUMMINGBIRD. I'm omitting
the many other more common birds seen regularly in the area...
Only a week ago there were Common Mergansers in the same area, but no
luck since that one day.
Most exciting was an early NASHVILLE WARBLER (new for the "PACA" list).
This male warbler was about 15-20 feet up in a tree along the San
Francisquito creek close to Cornell Avenue. There was a low metal fence
on the shoulder of the road. The tree was unfamiliar to me, but a fairly
tall and open deciduous with sweetgum-type woody fruit on it. The NAWA
was foraging half-way up in the branches with many Townsend's and
Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Still visiting the seed on the front lawn on Partridge Avenue is the
"Slate-colored" Dark-eyed Junco I've mentioned before.
Matthew Dodder
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From [[email protected]] Fri Mar 19 10:28:58 1999
Subject: [SBB] GOEA, Pileated WP, etc.
All,
On Weds. 3/17 at 10:30 AM, while checking nestboxes at Arastradero Preserve,
Kathy Alberts and I saw a GOLDEN EAGLE in an apparently successful attack on a
ground squirrel or other rodent near the radar dishes on Stanford lands, just
150 yards or so above highway 280. The bird spent about 2 minutes on the
ground, being mobbed by two tiny-looking RED-TAILED HAWKS, before flying off
to the north. We saw an exceptional number of VOLES making brief above-ground
dashes, making raptor conditions at the Preserve pretty good this season, I
guess.
Otherwise bird activity at the preserve was low despite the mild weather (no
more incoming migrants, that is). Although TREE SWALLOWS were seen looking
into a nestbox, no nest construction, by any species, was underway in any of
the boxes checked. However, only 1/2 of the set was checked, and some of the
unchecked series had activity two weeks ago... more later on those.
I reported a PILEATED WOODPECKER at Russian Ridge OSP last Friday 3/12. Mike
Feighner requested confirmation that the sighting occurred within SC County,
whereupon I rechecked the map and found that the bird was actually seen in San
Mateo County airspace. However, it was last seen headed southward down the
summit ridgeline, which would have taken it to the county line within a few
more seconds if it maintained the same line of flight (pretty likely given
that the grasslands over which it was flying offered little potential for
distraction to a PIWO). So, as to its county affiliation(s), "You be the
judge."
Straying even farther into SM County stuff, it may be of interest that the
white-form VARIED THRUSH I first reported from our orchard at 5901 Pescadero
Road on 2/21 has been seen here intermittently ever since, most recently on
both of the past 2 mornings. It is generally seen before 10AM under overcast
skies, and its all grey/white markings blend in very well with the leafless
apple trees where it has been hanging out. It's very shy as well, rarely
granting a full, unscreened perspective.
--Garth Harwood
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From [[email protected]] Fri Mar 19 10:43:45 1999
Subject: [SBB] Goldfinches
This rain is bringing the birds out in droves to my backyard. My best
estimate is 120 Goldfinches!!! on the feeders, on the ground. Plus my
"regulars" including my White-Throated Sparrow, a pair of Spotted Towhees
and a Purple Finch which are eating as I type this...Gloria LeBlanc Los
Gatos off Quito
Your PFO (Personal Financial Officer)
http://www.lgsia.com http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
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From [[email protected]] Fri Mar 19 18:15:58 1999
Subject: [SBB] Bullock's Oriole
Right on cue, I saw a male Bullock's Oriole today in Milpitas. Also three
species of swallows at Hall Lake.
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From [[email protected]] Fri Mar 19 18:26:24 1999
Subject: [SBB] Milpitas Gulls
All:
For those of you who wish to experience the hideous complexity of gull
identification close up, Hidden Lake in Milpitas (on W side of Milpitas
Avenue, S of the intersection with Jacklin/Abel) offers a great
opportunity. Today, I saw 15-20 Thayer's Gulls (mostly 1W). In addition, I
saw a 1W Glaucous x Herring, at least one 1W Glaucous-winged x Herring, an
adult Glaucous-winged x Western Gull, another adult that was possibly a
Glaucous-winged x Herring. Some Californias, Glaucous-winged (not sure if
some of these aren't hybrids), and Ring-billed Gulls present. Herring and
Mew Gulls often drop by, but not today.
The action will drop off in a week or as birds depart.
Nick
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From [[email protected]] Fri Mar 19 21:18:45 1999
Subject: [SBB] A few recent birds
Howdy South-bay-birders,
On Wed., Mar.17, I visited the SCVWD Pond on Almaden Expressway. Over
the pond there were a bunch of N. ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS and 2 TREE
SWALLOWS. Along the nearby Guadalupe River I saw a GREEN HERON, the
usual COMMON MOORHEN, and a GREATER YELLOWLEGS.
I stopped at Calero Reservoir on the evening of the 18th. A CLARK'S
GREBE and 16 COMMON MERGANSERS were near the boat launch, and there were
thousands of VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS over the water (a few BARN SWALLOWS
too).
John Mariani
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Sat Mar 20 12:30:13 1999
Subject: [SBB] unusual goose
Date: March 19,1999
White-Fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) Location: Palo Alto Duck Pond
More specific: on grassy shoulder between main road and duck pond, feeding amongst Canada Goose.
Time: 2:30 PM
This goose is much smaller than Canada Goose and has irregular black markings on chest, white bordered wings, orangy red legs, white rump and whitish ring around base of beak.
Dirk Thiele
([[email protected]])
Discovery Channel Online
Your World. Your Experience.
www.discovery.com
KE6ZUY
Sent by Discovery Mail
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From [[email protected]] Sat Mar 20 22:43:52 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] Milpitas Gulls
Hi all, I decided to check out Nicks gulls today at Hidden Lake - what a
place! Gull heaven (or hell, depending on your view)!
There was about 25 Thayers - all 1W's, except 1 2W. I also saw the presumed
1W Glauc-winged X Herring hybrid/beast and adult Western x Glauc-winged
(more Western like than GW). One of the very faded 1W Thayers looks like a
Kumliens Gull, until it flew, and there were a couple of birds that I really
didn't want to attach a name to.
At Palo Alto duck pond the wintering White-fronted Goose and Wood Duck were
still there, as was the presumed hybrid Mew X Ring-billed Gull, now loosing
it's grey neck mottling.
At Arastradro Park there was at least one drake Hooded Merganser on the 2nd
lake (roosting for quite a long time in the willows, until it came out for 5
mins to swim around).
I didn't check out the King Vultures reported from Monday on the birdbox -
anyone done that yet?
Good birding,
Graham Etherington
UC Berkeley
At 05:26 PM 3/19/99 -0800, you wrote:
>All:
>
>For those of you who wish to experience the hideous complexity of gull
>identification close up, Hidden Lake in Milpitas (on W side of Milpitas
>Avenue, S of the intersection with Jacklin/Abel) offers a great
>opportunity. Today, I saw 15-20 Thayer's Gulls (mostly 1W). In addition, I
>saw a 1W Glaucous x Herring, at least one 1W Glaucous-winged x Herring, an
>adult Glaucous-winged x Western Gull, another adult that was possibly a
>Glaucous-winged x Herring. Some Californias, Glaucous-winged (not sure if
>some of these aren't hybrids), and Ring-billed Gulls present. Herring and
>Mew Gulls often drop by, but not today.
>
>The action will drop off in a week or as birds depart.
>
>Nick
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>
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From [[email protected]] Sun Mar 21 10:08:35 1999
Subject: [SBB] RNDU at Lagunita
This morning (3/21/99) there were 20 RING-NECKED DUCKS on Stanford's
Lagunita a.k.a. "The Puddle", as well as 12 BUFFLEHEADS.
Up the hill near the big radio dish in the Stanford Foothills, I spotted 6
LARK SPARROWS.
William Cabot
Stanford University, [[email protected]]
(650) 723-8520 fax: (650) 723-9617
NASA/Ames Research Center, [[email protected]]
(650) 604-4728 fax: (650) 604-0841
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From [[email protected]] Sun Mar 21 11:41:25 1999
Subject: [SBB] various birds
At Rancho San Antonio along the creek this morning I heard at least 9
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS singing, also 4 singing RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS and
a singing PURPLE FINCH. A pair of RING-NECKED DUCKS were in the pond.
The RED-TAIL HAWK pair that hangs out around Frenchman's Meadow on the
Stanford campus is nesting in a redwood at the back of 607 Gerona. A pair
of GREAT HORNED OWLS have been regularly hooting at dusk from the
eucalyptus grove on the corner of Estudillo and Frenchman's at the Meadow.
-- Tom Grey Stanford CA [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Sun Mar 21 14:23:15 1999
Subject: [SBB] Arastradero 3/19 (Kites mating etc.)
All,
A few noteworthy birds from Arastradero Preserve on Friday midafternoon
3-19-1999...
Three HOODED MERGANSERS (2m/1f) and a single female BUFFLEHEAD were on the
upper pond, where HUTTON'S VIREO was also in song. A pair of WHITE-TAILED
KITES were observed at a very remote spot along the border with Foothills
Park, in a row of sickly Monterey Pines (visible from the drive-up overlook
at Foothills). At one point an apparent in-air mating act was observed.
Calling continuously, one of the kites swooped past the other and began
hovering, while the other approached it from behind and appeared to make
contact from above and behind for a period of 4-5 seconds before they
separated and landed on pine tops about 50m apart.
Can anyone confirm whether this is typical mating behavior for this species?
Ehrlich et al. in the Birder's Handbook say they are "semi-colonial nesters
when conditions are favorable", which may explain why this pair is located
only 1/2 mile or so from the pair I usually see near the lower pond, but no
more.
Along the southern edge of the preserve on Paseo del Roble Drive, just off
Page Mill Rd, a VARIED THRUSH was ground-feeding at the roadside, and a casual
BOBCAT strolled in front of the truck, eyeing me carefully for a minute before
ambling off toward the Preserve.
Just in case anyone noted the apparent HOUSE WREN nesting attempt I reported
from Arastrdero about 2 weeks ago, I now have to retract it. A reinspection on
the 19th revealed that the nest is probably a disrupted Bewick's Wren nest,
which is far more likely for this stage in the season. Have not seen any House
Wrens anywhere yet this year.
A quick San Mateo County note: a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers flew over our
orchard about 11AM (just a half-hour after Al Eisner tried to find the white
Varied Thrush - sorry Al!) First-ever PIWO sighting from this location.
--Garth Harwood
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From [[email protected]] Sun Mar 21 19:24:47 1999
Subject: [SBB] Calero Reservoir
Howdy South-bay-birders,
Today (Sun.) I did some hiking near Calero Reservoir. A RED-THROATED
LOON was still at the east end of the reservoir in the duck flock. There
was also a HORNED GREBE and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER there. Walking in the
hills I was treated to nice views of WHITE-TAILED KITES, and spotted a
wild boar. Along the riparian near the park headquarters and stables I
saw 2 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS and a singing YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER.
altogether a pretty nice day--
John Mariani
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Sun Mar 21 19:29:41 1999
Subject: [SBB] SCVAS Field Trip to Alum Rock Park (March 20)
Twelve SCVAS birders took part in an enjoyable and productive field
trip in San Jose's Alum Rock Park on March 20. Its success was in large
part due to the fact that everyone contributed to the bird-finding; but
there was also a little luck. As we were still milling around the parking
area at Rustic Lands, Emilie (sp?) Curtis heard a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL calling.
Several of us went to see if we could locate it, and Mary Murphy spotted it
in a creekside tree. It was perched in plain view, one foot clamped on a
small rodent, and provided us excellent scope views over the next fifteen
minutes. This was no doubt the best find of the trip.
Although we started our three-mile walk in sun, it became increasingly
cloudy and somewhat windy. Fortunately, we were spared any rain except for
a little drizzle at the very end of the morning. Most of the resident breeding
birds apparently didn't feel like singing much, and we wound up with only 46
or so total species (missing Rufous-Crowned Sparrow entirely). However, the
quality was high. Highlights included an adult GOLDEN EAGLE on the ridge
above the Sycamore Grove picnic area; a GREAT-HORNED OWL perched in an oak
at the Youth Science Institute (personnel there told us it is apparently
attracted to the area by their captive Great-Horned); a superb view of a
male ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD perched just below the North Rim Trail (gleaming like
a small flame atop its bush); and a CANYON WREN (presumably the same bird
found on the Christmas Bird Census) in Penitencia Creek just before the end
of the easternmost parking area). Spring arrivals included only that Allen's
(plus about two more male selasphorus heard), VIOLET-GREEN and NORTHERN
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWs, and an uncooperative NORTHERN ORIOLE. (I heard it
singing when I first arrived at the Rustic Lands parking area, and a few of
us later heard it or another calling and singing; but we never got to see it.)
Good raptor weather resulted in as many as five RED-TAILED HAWKs seen circling
at once (one a rufous morph); and two AMERICAN KESTRELs put on a show, chasing
and displaying. Other sightings included some BAND-TAILED PIGEONs (seen by
just a few), 2 WHITE-THROATED SWIFTs, and 3 TOWNSEND'S WARBLERs. Plus the
human-imprinted Barn Owl and the one-winged Swainson's Hawk at the YSI -- neat
to see, despite their captive status.
Al Eisner
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From [[email protected]] Sun Mar 21 19:43:21 1999
Subject: [SBB] Dipper on Stevens Creek
About noon Joan and I found two dippers, first a single bird ~100 yds beyond the
fourth bridge, then two (no 'pair' behavior) at the third bridge (near the flow-
stone formation). Checked the RSHA nest below the dam - no activity.
Charles Coston
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From [[email protected]] Mon Mar 22 12:59:20 1999
Subject: [SBB] birds
On Saturday, 20 Mar 99, there continued to be 7 BLACK SKIMMERS at
Charleston Slough and the GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (now adult) at the
Palo Alto Duck Pond.
On Sunday, 21 Mar 99, I stopped at the EEC in Alviso. Two very pale
THAYER'S GULLS on the island were of interest. Structurally, these birds
were similar in size and shape to Herring Gull, with bills that looked
as massive as Herrings (in other words, on the large size of Thayer's).
Both had bills that were entirely black, though one had a subtle trace
of pinkish at the base. Also, both had dirty gray-brown feathering on
the back and scapulars, almost like a second year Thayer's, though I'm
not sure if they were of that age. However, the primaries, tertials, and
wing coverts on these birds were every bit as white as on the purported
Iceland Gulls from this area. I believe that the larger size of these
birds, and their bills, easily rules out any chance of Iceland Gull, yet
they show the paleness which Thayer's can evidently display at this time
of the season. Since the "Iceland" Gulls being seen here are certainly
within the structural range of Thayer's, I don't see how they can be
judged with any certainy to be Iceland.
Also at the EEC, I saw or heard at least 4 VIRGINIA RAILS off the
floating pier in Mallard Slough. I was looking for Clapper Rail, which
have been reported here recently, but didn't see or hear one of those.
Undocumented rarities continue to be posted at the EEC. I saw an entry
for a Virginia's Warbler from 27 Sep 98. Without adequate documentation
such reports can't be given any credibility.
Along Coyote Creek at the end of Sycamore I had at least 3 female
sealsphorus hummingbirds.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Mon Mar 22 15:07:37 1999
Subject: [SBB] Hooded Oriole
A male Hooded Oriole just arrived in my backyard!!! so beautiful...
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos off Quito
Your PFO (Personal Financial Officer)
http://www.lgsia.com http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
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From [[email protected]] Mon Mar 22 16:07:06 1999
Subject: [SBB] Birding spots
I am taking my birding class again to the bay area in 2 weeks. We are
focusing on ducks and gulls. The plan is to take them to Palo Alto Baylands
duck pond and to Lake Cunningham in San Jose. I would like to know of one
other possible site where 25-30 birders can bird with easy access without
causing problems. Any ideas? We might have to head up to Lake Merritt or
over to Princeton Harbor, but I would like to stay in the south bay.
Thanks
Jim Gain
(Work) [[email protected]]
(Home) [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Tue Mar 23 14:31:43 1999
Subject: [SBB] South San Jose Red-Shouldered Hawk Nest
Hi South Bay Birders,
Sharon and I found a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK sitting on the same nest as last
year, a couple of weeks ago. It's right next to the Coyote Creek Recreational
Path.
Take Highway 101 to the Bernal Rd/Silicon Valley Blvd exit in south San Jose.
Exit towards the Holiday Inn on Silicon Valley Blvd. Take a left at the stop
sign, just before the new bridge. Go almost to the dead end.
Look to your right, high up in the tallest sycamore tree. The tree is still
bare, so the nest is easy to see.
Binoculars needed, but a scope is better. Go in the afternoon for the best
sun angle.
Good birding.
Bob Lutman
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From [[email protected]] Tue Mar 23 22:15:05 1999
Subject: [SBB] Attacking Turkeys
All,
Did anyone catch last Saturday's Chronicle (or was it Monday) in Steve
Newman's "earthwatch"? This is where he lists various environmental
disasters all over the globe. Last week he listed Rancho San Antonio
County Park in Cupertino. Seems there is a problem with "killer" turkeys
attacking passerbys and joggers!
Be careful out there!
Regards, Screech.
--
Paul L. Noble
[[email protected]]
^ ^
@ @
( v )
( )
/ \
m m
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From [[email protected]] Tue Mar 23 22:39:12 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] Attacking Turkeys
On Tue, 23 Mar 1999, Paul L. Noble wrote:
> All,
> Did anyone catch last Saturday's Chronicle (or was it Monday) in Steve
> Newman's "earthwatch"? This is where he lists various environmental
> disasters all over the globe. Last week he listed Rancho San Antonio
> County Park in Cupertino. Seems there is a problem with "killer" turkeys
> attacking passerbys and joggers!
> Be careful out there!
I was just there last Sunday and the signs are hilarious. To the effect of
"do not run - stand and defend yourself if attacked by turkeys." I have a
picture of someone losing his nerve, turning and fleeing, and being
brought down and (pecked? stomped?) to death by an enraged rutting tom.
-- Tom Grey Stanford CA [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Wed Mar 24 10:22:26 1999
Subject: [SBB] STA Birding
Sorry to take up your bandwidth with valley items, but I'm know some of you
migrate eastward sometimes to bird.
On Sunday, April 25th we are going to attempt the first ever county wide big
day in Stanislaus County. We have divided up the county into the 10 top
areas and have assigned a local person to be the coordinator for each area.
So far we have just that. One person per area. Some of these birders are at
different levels of expertise. I am requesting outside help for this one day
event. Even if you can only participate for a limited time, we could use
some help. Some areas, like Henry Coe State Park don't even have anyone
assigned there. We can place you pretty much wherever you would like to go.
The idea is to get a one day record of the distribution of birds in the
county during spring migration. We will wrap it up at my house around 7 P.M.
We will NOT be meeting together to start off the day. Each group will have
their meeting place arranged separately. Some of us like to get up at 2 AM
to find little cuddly owls.
Please email me if you can spare the time for a nice day of birding.
Jim Gain
Modesto
(Work) [[email protected]]
(Home) [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Wed Mar 24 10:22:51 1999
Subject: Re: [SBB] Attacking Turkeys
Paul L. Noble wrote:
>
> All,
> Did anyone catch last Saturday's Chronicle (or was it Monday) in Steve
> Newman's "earthwatch"? This is where he lists various environmental
> disasters all over the globe. Last week he listed Rancho San Antonio
> County Park in Cupertino. Seems there is a problem with "killer" turkeys
> attacking passerbys and joggers!
> Be careful out there!
> Regards, Screech.
> --
> Paul L. Noble
>
Paul, I don't get the Chronicle, but the topic was frequently discussed
over KCBS Radio AM-7400.
--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Wed Mar 24 14:38:16 1999
Subject: [SBB] HOWR
Today, 24 Mar 99, on my walk along Coyote Creek south of Hellyer I had a
singing HOUSE WREN. Also present was a flock of about 25 CEDAR WAXWINGS.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Wed Mar 24 16:40:20 1999
Subject: [SBB] parrots
My author/brother needs some research on parrots, and is looking for a
good book on them. Can anyone make a recommendation? You can send any
onfo to me off SBB.
Thanks!
Jack Cole
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From [[email protected]] Fri Mar 26 10:01:24 1999
Subject: [SBB] WIWA, Y-S Flicker, etc.
All,
At Arastradero Preserve on the afternoon of Tues, 3/23/1999, a WILSON'S
WARBLER was heard singing along the southeastern fenceline of the preserve
(heard and saw one at home in Pescadero as well). A female YELLOW-SHAFTED
FLICKER was also present in this area, keeping company with a Red-shafted
Flicker of unknown gender (too fast). The former bird had no moustachial
stripe, gray crown, brown face, and yellow underwing/tail. A pair of WESTERN
BLUEBIRDS was suggestively close to the nestboxes there for the third straight
weekly visit, but there was no overt sign of breeding activity at the boxes.
>From the parking lot, a BULLOCK'S ORIOLE was heard.
At the Palo Alto Baylands Weds 3/24 at 11am, a solitary male CINNAMON TEAL was
in the duckpond with the regulars. The male WOOD DUCK which persists there has
grown quite relaxed and will allow close approach and excellent viewing. RUDDY
DUCKS and some of the other duckpond/marsh denizens such as AMERICAN AVOCET
are in that interesting phase where individuals run the gamut from full winter
to full breeding plumages.
Seven BLUE-WINGED TEAL were observed nearby, in the nearest portion of the
pond to the left of the trail entrance at the unmarked portion of the Emily
Renzel Wetlands (parking area between the animal control services compound and
Elwell Court). They have been dependable in that area for several weeks.
--Garth Harwood
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From [[email protected]] Fri Mar 26 10:10:30 1999
Subject: [SBB] Eurasian Green-winged Teal
Folks,
On my bike commute this morning, 3/26/1999, I saw a male "EURASIAN"
GREEN-WINGED TEAL in the drainage ditch that is west of the bike path on the
west side of the Stevens Creek Mitigation Area. I counted six BLACK SKIMMERS
on Charleston Slough.
Bill
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From [[email protected]] Fri Mar 26 18:54:22 1999
Subject: [SBB] Owls and nuthatches
My wife and I had good looks at two barn owls last night around 8 PM
while walking around the Stanford Law School. They were very obliging
and perched on top of a couple of trees for us!
Today, on my walk around work (the IBM plant site in south San Jose), I
saw a Red-Breasted Nuthatch on a pine tree near the old research
building. Is that normal in the lowlands for this time of year?
Hugh McDevitt
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From [[email protected]] Fri Mar 26 19:48:27 1999
Subject: [SBB] turkeys
I saw the killer turkeys at Rancho San Antonio this morning and lived to
tell about it. For you camera buffs, there are two great horned owl
chicks on the nest fairly low in the usual one eucalyptus tree, (just
before the road turns to the right towards the farm), seen from the road.
Jack Cole
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From [[email protected]] Fri Mar 26 21:22:49 1999
Subject: [SBB] Some birds
All,
Roxie Handler tells me that there are a pair of baby Great Horned Owls in the
large eucalyptus tree near Deer Hollow Farm in Rancho San Antonio (about 10
feet up in the center of the tree). Today about 1:45 PM there was a young
Bald Eagle over San Felipe Lake just off of Hwy 152 (no Yellow-headed
Blackbirds, Great-tailed Grackle or Cassin's Kingbirds though :-(
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 8:22 PM, 3/26/99
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From [[email protected]] Sat Mar 27 12:14:36 1999
Subject: [SBB] Arastradero
An immature GOLDEN EAGLE flew over going west to east at about 8:30 am.
Otherwise, nothing unusual. Plenty of OCWAs now singing, and a single
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW right near the entrance (many VGs all over).
No Hooded Merganser at the upper pond.
-- Tom Grey Stanford CA [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Sat Mar 27 21:29:31 1999
Subject: [SBB] Almaden Reservoir and Alamitos Creek
Howdy South-bay-birders,
Today (Sat.) Jolene Lange and I did some birding in the Almaden
Valley. Along Alamitos Creek in New Almaden, near the La Foret
Restaurant, there were ORANGE-CROWNED, MYRTLE, and AUDUBON'S WARBLERS. I
also heard a PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER calling there. At the flooded
upper end of Almaden Reservoir we saw 2-3 male WOOD DUCKS, no females.
Later in the afternoon we walked part of the Alamitos Creek Trail
downstream from Graystone Lane. At the wooden footbridge we saw a
MALLARD hen with 12 fuzzy little ducklings in tow (is this nesting early
by Mallard standards?). Near the trail parking area we also saw a
RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER and male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (this is the
earliest I've ever seen one in spring). Farther downstream we had a
GREEN HERON, 3 roosting BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS, 3 COMMON MERGANSERS,
a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, a BELTED KINGFISHER, and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED
SWALLOW.
Earlier in the day I saw a male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE across the road
from my parent's house at the foot of the Santa Teresa Hills, the first
I've noticed this spring.
At the risk of going slightly off-subject, at a meeting on Wednesday
night it was announced that IBM (under community pressure) has cancelled
plans to develop its orchard property adjacent to the Arroyo Calero.
This is a really nice birding spot (43 species recorded there on a
recent visit), with a public access trail beginning on Harry Road near
Camden. The preservation of this area should come as good news to
birders (there is some good riparian involved).
John Mariani
[[email protected]]
http://home.pacbell.net/redknot/
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From [[email protected]] Sun Mar 28 00:17:25 1999
Subject: [SBB] Almaden Birds
We also got our first Bullock's Oriole of the season (a beautiful male
perched nicely on an oak tree) this afternoon near the corner of Camden
and Harry. Other birds in the area included Barn Swallows, a Western
Bluebird, two Red-tailed Hawks attempting to lock talons, and a bird in
the canopy whose song was interesting but never showed itself for
identification..
Hugh McDevitt
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From [[email protected]] Sun Mar 28 15:35:16 1999
Subject: [SBB] Alum Rock Park 3/28/99
I scouted Alum Rock Park this morning. My 1st bird was a
NORTHERN PYGMY OWL, probably the bird reported by Al Eisner
on 3/20. It was calling at the edge of the 1st parking lot at
the Rustic Lands picnic area. I watched it as it moved from
tree to tree, calling most of the time, for an hour, from
9:00 to 10:00 am. I could still hear it as I passed the area
high up on the North Rim Trail. Several BULLOCK'S ORIOLEs
sang from the eucalyptus trees in the lot.
1 or 2 LINCOLN'S SPARROWs were along the Loop Trail off the
North Rim Trail. A pair of RED-TAILED HAWKs circled together
slowly over this area, calling, and once seen carrying grass.
A HOUSE WREN appeared to be cleaning out a cavity. A subadult
GOLDEN EAGLE briefly soared overhead. An ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLER called in this area.
A Selasphorus hummingbird was seen engaged in a dogfight (uh,
hummerfight?) with an Anna's near the row of royal palms.
Another Selasphorus was heard near the bend in the private
road at the east end. Both locations are along the North Rim
Trail. Also seen or heard, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, RED-SHOULDERED
HAWK, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, and 2-3 BELTED KINGFISHERs.
I also heard a GREAT HORNED OWL hooting at about 11:00 am.
But I was near YSI, and upon re-reading Al Eisner's report, I
realize that I might have heard the YSI owl.
I did not find any Rufous-crowned Sparrows, Canyon Wrens, or
Dippers.
Butterflies: I saw a Monarch, Cabbage Whites, a Common
Buckeye, (Sara?) Orangetips, Blues (Acmon?), and one other
striking one, all black with yellow trailing wing edges... a
Mourning Cloak?
Les
==========================================
Les Chibana, Palo Alto [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Sun Mar 28 15:40:04 1999
Subject: [SBB] recent birds
All:
On 12 Mar., Scott Terrill and Jeff Seay had a second-winter
ICELAND-type gull at the San Jose WPCP.
On 15 Mar., I looked through the gulls at the WPCP (from CCRS),
seeing no Iceland-type birds among the many THAYER'S GULLS
(88 first-winters).
On 16 Mar., Scott Terrill had a VAUX'S SWIFT over the Los
Gatos perc. ponds.
On 17 Mar., I saw a female COMMON MERGANSER along Los Gatos
Creek near the Hwy. 17 overpass.
On 18 Mar., I saw a LARK SPARROW along Zanker Road near
Agnews-East (unusual on the valley floor). Single MERLINS
were along Coyote Creek near Hwy. 237 and along Barber
Lane in Milpitas (probably different birds).
On 19 Mar., the LARK SPARROW was still present along
Zanker Road, and the female CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR
was with 45 AMERICAN PIPITS nearby. Hidden Lake park in
Milpitas had 28 THAYER'S GULLS (22 first-winter). At
the Palo Alto Baylands, the unusual Mew-type gull was
still present, still retaining a prominent ring around
the bill despite the loss of much of the dusky markings
on the head and neck (arguing that the bird is probably
a Mew X Ring-billed hybrid?).
On 21 Mar., I saw 4 CATTLE EGRETS flying over Los Esteros
Road near Arzino Ranch.
On 22 Mar., the female CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR was
still present, and a female/imm. MERLIN was at State and
Spreckles in Alviso. A field east of Coyote Creek and
south of Hwy. 237 had more than 150 pipits, but no
longspurs.
On 25 Mar., I saw a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE with
Canadas at ARZINO RANCH. I did not see the underparts
well, but there was some blackish barring there (indicating
that it was an adult).
On 27 Mar., John Spahr (a birder from Virginia) and I
saw the possible MEW X RING-BILLED GULL at the Palo Alto
duck pond; the head streaking was even more limited than
when I saw the bird on the 19th, although the dark ring on
the bill was still just as prominent as always. A quick
check of the arboretum at Stanford produced 15+ TOWNSEND'S
WARBLERS near the mausoleum; there have been good numbers
of TOWA here all winter. The imm. ROSS'S GOOSE was still
at the CCRS waterbird pond, and a basic-plumaged WILSON'S
PHALAROPE was a surprise among 150 dowitchers in one of the
WPCP ponds visible from the CCRS road.
Steve Rottenborn
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From [[email protected]] Sun Mar 28 15:58:58 1999
Subject: [SBB] RFI
All,
I'm going to help an out of town birder on Mon & Tues. Anyone seen any of the
following in the bay area lately; Redhead, Eurasian Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Red-
necked Grebe and Wilson's Phalarope? Any small owls coming to a fixed
location? Details please.
Thanks,
Bob Reiling, 2:58 PM, 3/28/99
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From [[email protected]] Mon Mar 29 08:39:28 1999
Subject: [SBB] San Felipe Birds
Folks:
Coming back from the south yesteday afternoon, 3/28/99, I stopped by San
Felipe Road at Pacheco Creek and San Felipe Lake. I had no more success with
unusual kingbirds or blackbirds than Bob Reiling did earlier in the weekend.
At San Felipe Lake my high count of the AM. WHITE PELICANS that have
"oversummered" there was 11. A few are developing quite spectacular nuptial
horns on their upper mandible. Although there were a half dozen GREAT BLUE
HERONS standing around the nests and nest trees, I could only count three
birds that actually appeared to be incubating eggs. Curiously, one of last
year's heron or cormorant nests, about 10 feet off the water in the willows,
had a CANADA GOOSE either roosting or also incubating eggs.
Responding to Hugh McDevitt's question on Red-breasted Nuthatches,
records of this bird are always of interest. Invasion years are normal on
alternate years and last fall's invasion was a moderate one. Typically,
reports decline significantly in December and few birds are found after that
although in some years there is a little burst in the spring. Our breeding
birds are all at higher elevations in Douglas fir, knobcone pine, or Couter
pine forest.
Bill
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From [[email protected]] Mon Mar 29 09:37:14 1999
Subject: [SBB] Weekend birds
Hi all,
Peter LaTourrette and I did our usual monthly survey of Jasper Ridge
on Saturday, March 27. OCWAs are back in force. We had 32 birds, mostly
singing, compared to the one bird I reported three weeks ago from there.
The only other arrivals were 2 Warbling Vireos along the creek. Other birds
of interest included 1 Golden Eagle, 1 Northern Harrier (unusual over the
chaparral and woodland), 2 Pine Siskins flying over, and 2 Golden-crowned
Kinglets along the creek. At one point a White-tailed Kite was diving on
the Eagle - looked tern-sized in comparison.
I was also up there on Sunday, just taking a hike, and heard one
Winter Wren along the creek (where we missed it the day before). Cheers,
Richard
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Mon Mar 29 11:22:22 1999
Subject: [SBB] birds
On Saturday, 27 Mar 99, I started my day birding the riparian area along
Coyote Creek at the end of Silicon Valley Blvd. Plenty of NORTHERN
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS were checking out the bridge accomodations. One
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW was amongst them, but I never saw it inspecting any
holes in the bridge. A female OSPREY flew by low overhead, carrying a
fish and heading towards the north. A bright alternate-plumaged CHIPPING
SPARROW was also working its way north through the riparian corridor. A
WHITE-TAILED KITE was giving a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK a rough time, and a
singing CALIFORNIA THRASHER was interesting.
I then went to Calero Reservoir and walked in to the south shore to look
for the loon. I didn't have any luck finding it, but did see a HORNED
GREBE, which I noticed wasn't even on the park's bird checklist.
Just north of Calero, the GOLDEN EAGLE was still incubating on its power
tower nest.
On Sunday, 28 Mar 99, I drove up to Grant County Park, starting at Smith
Creek. It was fairly quiet here, with a couple of VARIED THRUSHES being
of interest. Out in the meadow I watched an immature GOLDEN EAGLE soar
overhead. Two BUSHTITS were carrying food to a nest.
Back at Hall's Valley many TREE SWALLOWS were over Grant Lake, while
many VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS were over the surrounding grasslands. At the
eucalyptus grove just east of the lake I had a pair of HOUSE WRENS, with
the male singing and quivering his wings at a female who was checking
out his accomodations. Two LINCOLN'S SPARROWS and a RED-BREASTED
SAPSUCKER were in the wet channel adjacent to this grove. There were at
least 3 occupied GREAT BLUE HERON nests in the eucalyptus grove at the
intersecrtion of Quimbey and Mt. Hamilton.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Mon Mar 29 12:05:02 1999
Subject: [SBB] Ravens at Monte Bello Ridge
On this morning's commute we saw two COMMON RAVENS carrying
nesting material while perched on the fence at the Monte
Bello Ridge OSP parking area. I can't tell if this block has
any nesting confirmation of this level.
Mike M's note reminded me that I neglected to mention in my
Alum Rock report, from yesterday, that a pair of NORTHERN
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWs appeared to be investigating cavities
in the rock where the Canyon Wrens are often found. This is
at the bridge just beyond the entry booth.
Les
==========================================
Les Chibana, Palo Alto [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Mon Mar 29 14:26:26 1999
Subject: [SBB] SF Bird Blitz
For the 20th year, Alan Hopkins once again led the Golden Gate Audubon for
the annual San Francisco Bird Blitz on Saturday. It's amazing how 10-15
cars, over a 12-hour timeframe, manage to make it to perhaps 15 stops
throughout the city without losing each other! We logged in 105 species,
down from 120 last year. The Cliff House was extremely windy. No pelicans!
Brant geese, though. Only nesting birds were an Allen's Hummingbird and
MODO, both in the Arboretum. Swallows were: Tree, Cliff, Rough-winged,
Violet-Green, Barn--most at Lake Merced.
Gloria LeBlanc
Your PFO (Personal Financial Officer)
http://www.lgsia.com http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
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From [[email protected]] Mon Mar 29 14:26:28 1999
Subject: [SBB] Barn Owls
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
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charset="iso-8859-1"
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Here at our building in Alviso, we currently have 7 Barn Owls, 6 =
roosting on the rafters inside and 1 apparently yet to fledge in the =
box. Must be a good year for finding pre. We are considering some sort =
of fundraiser involving owl pellets :)
Janet Hanson
SFBBO
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Here at our building in Alviso, we =
currently=20
have 7 Barn Owls, 6 roosting on the rafters inside and 1 apparently yet =
to=20
fledge in the box. Must be a good year for finding pre. We are =
considering some=20
sort of fundraiser involving owl pellets :)
Janet Hanson
SFBBO
------=_NextPart_000_003B_01BE79E7.C055B040--
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From [[email protected]] Mon Mar 29 16:27:16 1999
Subject: [SBB] San Francisquito Creek
I had my first NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW for the year today. It was
inspecting holes in both the mud banks and nearby trees along the creek
in Menlo Park. In the area there was also a single BULLOCK'S ORIOLE,
several ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, and a pair of PURPLE FINCHES. HERMIT
THRUSHES abound in the area and everybody was singing! A European
Starlings were doing an uncanny impersonation of a California Quail.
Matthew Dodder
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From [[email protected]] Tue Mar 30 00:17:42 1999
Subject: [SBB] Mountain Lion
This isn't bird news, but I thought it might be an appropriate post anyway.=
Amy and I had a good look at a Mountain Lion (felis concolor) last =
Saturday at Henry Coe State Park on the Spike Jones Trail. The animal was =
seen in good light at about 6:15 PM, maybe 1/4 mile east of the =
intersection with the Grizzly Gulch Trail. The lion, which we estimate =
weighed at least 150 pounds, was crossing the trail about 120 feet away =
from us, then stopped right in the middle of the trail where we were able =
to watch it with our binoculars for 30 to 45 seconds before it slinked off =
out of sight into the woods. The animal seemed in good health and was =
magnificent. What an incredible treat.
The only uncommon birds were three Cinnamon Teal at Coit Lake, and a =
Golden-crowned Kinglet near Pacheco Falls. We also saw two Bobcats as =
well.
James Yurchenco
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Tue Mar 30 11:37:25 1999
Subject: [SBB] Arastradero
A walk up the creek path at Arastradero Preserve this morning was quite
productive, probably because I started early. (If you get there before the
lot opens at 8, there are a couple of pulloff spots along Arastradero Rd.)
Anyway: first WARBLING VIREO of year, heard singing above second pond.
Pair of HOODED MERGANSERS on second pond. Pair of GREEN HERONS (plus a
single BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, unusual here) on the lake. Flying over
the ridge uphill at the end of the trail (Foothill Park boundary) flyovers
by a couple of BAND-TAILED PIGEONS. A HAIRY WOODPECKER just above the
second pond, one of 5 woodpecker species seen. At least 3 BULLOCK'S
ORIOLES heard singing along the creek. Innumerable singing ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLERS. Quite a few HUTTON'S VIREOS. The male of the WHITE-TAILED KITE
pair was display-flying (legs down), as was the male of the RED=SHOULDERED
HAWK pair (circling and calling continuously). The pair of KESTRELS near
the entrance (in the dead palm) were flying around together, pair
behavior.
-- Tom Grey Stanford CA [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Tue Mar 30 11:44:36 1999
Subject: [SBB] Alum Park Owl
Thanks to the fine report from Les Chibana, I checked out Alum Rock Park
this morning.
The NORTHERN PYGMY OWL was calling at the edge of the 1st parking lot at
the Rustic Lands picnic area. I had a hard time localizing it with the
sound of the rushing stream.
Then some agitated CHICKADEES caught my eye, and there was the owl in
the center of their attention.
The owl was calling around 9 am. but was quiet after that. The owl was
sitting in upper branches of a
eucalyptus tree.
Several BULLOCK'S ORIOLEs sang from the eucalyptus trees in the lot.
Around the riparian area, 2 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were in the trees by
the bridge
as well as a kinglet. Numerous woodpeckers flew around; NUTTALL'S,
NORTHERN FLICKERS,
and ACORN.
A delightful place to bird.
Enjoy! Mike Clark
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From [[email protected]] Tue Mar 30 15:23:25 1999
Subject: [SBB] Citizen-science opportunities
Hi, California birders--
We at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology could really use California's help on
a very important conservation projects, Birds in Forested Landscapes (BFL),
which studies the effects of forest fragmentation on seven species of
thrush and on Cooper's and Sharp-shined hawks. California is a high
priority state because of its size and the comparitively few participants.
Currently we have 9 CA participants, and only 4 returned data last year.
(We could also use your help in spreading the word about BFL, if you
wouldn't mind forwarding this to other appropriate listservs you are on and
to folks you know will want to know about these -- please cc me if you do.
[[email protected]] ) Participating in either of these projects is a great way
to gain experience to add to your resume, since it's real, in-the-field
science. It's also an enjoyable for your birding enjoyment to contribute to
conservation. Findings will be incorporated into management guidelines.
Thanks for your interest in Cornell Lab projects and for the incredible
support you continue to show for our efforts to help birds. You
contributions continue to prove invaluable.
Allison Wells
BIRDS IN FORESTED LANDSCAPES (BFL), Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology needs volunteer birders and experienced
biologists to help study the effects of forest fragmentation on North
American forest birds, as part of our Birds in Forested Landscapes project
(BFL). Do they nest more
successfully in large forests? Are nest predators and Brown-headed Cowbirds
more numerous in small forests? By joining the BFL team, you can help
answer these questions while learning about bird identification and avian
ecology.
As a BFL participant, you'll survey up to seven thrush species and Cooper's
and Sharp-shinned hawks. You choose study sites in forests of various sizes
then census birds on at least two visits (using tape or CD of their
vocalizations), search for indications of breeding success, and record
landscape characteristics about your sites. Results from BFL are being used
to develop conservation and management recommendations for sustaining
healthy populations of these species.
This project is a great way opportunity to "get out in the field." It's
ideal for individuals, groups, class projects, and collaboration with
ongoing research. If you're a student, it can be a important addition to
your resume.
For more info,
Allison Wells
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Ithaca, NY 14850
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Tue Mar 30 18:45:38 1999
Subject: [SBB] ACR/PRBO Corvid Survey
Dear Friends,
This is a request for assistance in assessing the status of Common
Ravens and American Crows in the San Francisco Bay area. Audubon Canyon
Ranch is looking for volunteer field observers to drive standard road survey
routes, to document the presence of crows and ravens and record associated
information. Each route is only about 30 miles long, and will be surveyed
at 35-45 mph twice monthly through June, so the time commitment is fairly
small. Survey dates are flexible. Results will provide important
information needed to evaluate the effects of corvid population increases in
our area. Each survey team must have exactly one observer/passenger and one
observer/driver; the driver's primary responsibility is to make sure the
observation vehicle travels safely along the survey route [doesn't crash
into a ditch because of a "possible Empid" or "probable Prairie Falcon"].
The driver will also serve as an auxiliary observer and spotter.
We have established active surveys throughout the the Bay area, from
Pescadero north to Point Reyes and northern Sonoma County, east to Livermore
and northward to Lake Berryessa in Napa and out to Suisun Marsh and
Vacaville in Solano County. HOWEVER, WE STILL NEED SURVEYORS FOR THE
FOLLOWING AREAS: Mid/lower Peninsula (developed areas along the bay side),
Alameda County (developed areas along the bay side), Contra Costa County
(developed and open/rural areas).
Raven populations are currently increasing in many areas of the country,
including the SF Bay area. These increases are closely associated with
human-altered landscapes and the effects of urbanization, agriculture,
forest fragmentation, and roads. The corvid road survey is part of a
broader study, in collaboration with the Point Reyes Bird Observatory, to
address questions about apparent increases in nest predation by ravens in
colonial waterbird nesting sites. In addition to conducting road surveys,
we are monitoring raven nests, tracking radio-tagged ravens, and recording
raven behaviors at colonial waterbird nesting sites. Results of this study
will provide information on the home ranges, habitat use, activity patterns,
and foraging behaviors of ravens.
If you can help in the corvid road survey by doing two surveys per month
through June, please call the Cypress Grove Research Center of Audubon
Canyon Ranch, ASAP, at 415/663-8203, or e-mail us at [[email protected]]. PLEASE
FOREWORD THIS MESSAGE TO OTHER EXPERIENCED BAY AREA BIRDERS. Thank you very
much!
----------------------------------------
John P. Kelly
Cypress Grove Research Center
Audubon Canyon Ranch
P.O. Box 808, Marshall, CA 94940
(415) 663-8203 Fax: 415/663-1112
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Tue Mar 30 20:13:01 1999
Subject: [SBB] Stanford Hooded
An adult male HOODED ORIOLE has arrived at Frenchman's Meadow, Stanford.
A pair has nested in the fan palms here the last several years.
-- Tom Grey Stanford CA [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Tue Mar 30 20:45:41 1999
Subject: [SBB] Weekend Birds
Hi everyone I am Rich Cimino. Mike Feighner has been after me to post
bird observations.
So here I go,I'll be brief.
Saturday Paterson Rd. Rd.Mk. 6.21. Stand by the wooden fence looking
west on top of the largest willow tree,Female Western Tanger and two
brightly crowned Orange Crowned Warblers.
Going east to the bottom of the pass at the large cotton woods three
Violet Green Swallows.
Sunday Mines Rd. Rd.Mk.6.81 Two Road Runners, look on the fence posts up
slope. Do a 180 degree turn and scan the tops of the Oak trees we found
three Phainopepla.
Rd.Mk. 13.83 @ creek side a Canyon Wren. This bird has the whitest bib
it is so white it enhances the rust and rufous-brown this is a striking
Wren. I have seen dozens of Canyon Wrens in New Mexico outside of Taos
along the Rio Grande River Canyon and "our bird" puts the New Mexican
Canyon Wrens to shame for beauty this bird is worth the drive up to see
it!
@ the Fire Station near the junction we had 6 Lawrence's Gold Finches.
Drive 1.2 mile south on San Antonio Rd. (cross a small creek) look in
the large to the east
we had two Lewis's Woodpeckers these bird use a three Oak tree roost
area.
Back to the junction quarter mile east @ the ponds a pair of Ring Bill
Ducks.
Total species count for the trip 70.
My e mail is [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Wed Mar 31 08:36:47 1999
Subject: [SBB] Rancho San Antonio-tues
Hi All,
Thanks to those who mentioned the Great Horned owl babies at Rancho San
Antonio.I went Tues after work. The babies are still in the lower crook of
the large eucalyptus tree on the main trail to the farm. The mother was in
the higher branches. Directly across the stream from the eucalyptus was a
very large male Great Horned perching in plain sight on the outer branch of
a tall tree, possibly this is the father bird.Other birds seen were plain
titmouse and bushtits.
Sunday, the 28th, I was at the duck pond at the Palo Alto baylands to see
the wood duck. Beautiful bird, but seemingly without a mate. On the mud
island in the water across the road from the duck pond, a long-billed
curlew joined the avocets and stilts.
I got a good look at the barn swallows who were perched on the boardwalk
railing about 4 feet from me. Their purple and gold feathers glinting in
the sun were fantastic. Also seen were a gadwall pair and a Clark's grebe.
Pat Prickett
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From [[email protected]] Wed Mar 31 09:02:46 1999
Subject: [SBB] GOEA, BWTE
Folks:
On my bike commute home yesterday afternoon, 3/30/99, I saw an adult
GOLDEN EAGLE in the towers at the Stevens Creek Mitigation Area and it then
flew over Shoreline. Flatland birds normally leave by April. On the South
Pond of the Palo Alto FCB there were two male BLUE-WINGED TEAL. I didn't seen
any BLACK SKIMMERS on my way home, but counted four at Charleston Slough in
the morning.
Bill
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From [[email protected]] Wed Mar 31 12:31:26 1999
Subject: [SBB] Some birds
All,
On Friday Frank Vanslager and I surveyed Gilroy Hot Springs Rd for my Saturday
trip. Had three Varied Thrush (all near roadside), a couple of male Purple
Finches, lots of calling Warbling and Huttons' Vireo, Wild Turkey, Western
Bluebird, Violet-green and Barn Swallow, a flock of American Pipits, Sharp-
shinned Hawk, lots of Golden Eagle sightings, three Bullock's Oriole and a
Hermit Thrush (the last two species at the bottom of Canada Rd.). We had
several American White Pelicans on the southern edge of San Felipe Lake and a
young Bald Eagle flying over the lake. On Saturday we dipped on the Purple
Finch, pipits and orioles but added a pair of Wood Ducks, a Red-breasted
Sapsucker, Western Meadowlark and Lark Sparrow (we did not do the dairy, San
Felipe Lake or look for the Cassin's Kingbirds).
On Monday I took a birder from Tennessee around the county (and a bit into
Alameda County). The Northern Pygmy Owl was calling and found near the
parking area in Alum Rock but no Canyon Wren. At Ogier Ponds we had three
different American Bittern flush from the pond nearest the model airplane
airfield while we were looking for ducks, got Thayer's and Herring Gulls at
Hidden Lake and Glaucous Gull (at least three) in Fremont Lagoon just over the
county line in Alameda County. We ended up getting a marvelous bird show at
Gloria LeBlanc's home. Best bird, of course, was the beautiful adult white-
striped White-throated Sparrow closely followed by her adult male Hooded
Oriole. Band-tailed Pigeons, Pine Siskins, Oak Titmice, Chestnut-backed
Chickadees, Lesser Goldfinches, both crowned sparrows (mostly Golden-crowned),
both towhees, House Finches and House Sparrows, all at close range, were added
for good measure. I actually think that Gloria felt bad that her Purple
Finches didn't show up during the few minutes that we were there. It would
seem that the location of her house, the shape of her back yard, the type of
plants and, of course, abundance of food in a wide variety of feeders make
this an ideal place for bird and birder alike.
On Tuesday Frank Vanslager came along and we went to Shady Oaks park where we
had a Pacific-slope Flycatcher, a Hermit Thrush, Orange-crowned and Wilson's
Warblers, a selasphorous hummingbird and a Merlin (no Eastern Pheobe). We
then went to Rancho San Antonio Park for a very obliging "killer" male Wild
Turkey (it walked directly toward us for a hundred yards, then passed close by
us and on up a nearby hill}. We also had great looks at a Sharp-shinned Hawk,
Red-tailed Hawks and a White-tailed Kite (attacking the later). We then spent
the rest of the day looking for birds in other counties. The birder, who has
743 ABA birds and is therefore no slouch, was impressed that he got 105
species on Friday and that he had not seen several birds I had pointed out.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 11:28 AM, 3/31/99
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From [[email protected]] Wed Mar 31 20:15:01 1999
Subject: [SBB] WEBL at Ames, Glaucous Gulls
All,
Today 3/31/99, while heading over to the Fitness Center here at Ames,
I was surprised to see a male WESTERN BLUEBIRD perched in a sycamore
near the south end of the 40x80 wind tunnel. It sat motionless for
several minutes but had left by the time I returned. This is the
first time I have seen this species on Moffett Field. Also at the
south wall of the wind tunnel was a vocal adult PEREGRINE FALCON. It
didn't stay long, however, as both adult RED-TAILED HAWKS were close
to their nest there.
Yesterday 3/30/99, while running through Shoreline Park, I had a
singing WILSON'S WARBLER in the vegetation north of the boathouse.
Hopefully this stuff will grow up even more and we'll have a real
migrant trap. The pair of BURROWING OWLS was still visible on the
eastermost of the two mounds across from the golf course entrance off
the park entrance road.
On Saturday 3/27/99, I checked out the Fremont Lagoons north of the
Newby Island Landfill (Alameda County), hoping to see if any gulls
were around. (To reach this area take the dike west from the south
end of Fremont Blvd.) The dump was closed, but there were a few gulls
still foraging up there anyway. Most of the birds were roosting on
the lagoon north of the dump, though, with perhaps 2000-3000 birds
coming to the lagoon as the tide rose (I was there from about 3:45pm
to 4:45pm). The number of pale, bleached, and in some cases worn and
abraded gulls was amazing! Many of these birds don't look anything
like they're supposed to. Despite this, I had 5 (more likely 6, but 5
was the most I could get for sure at once) first-winter Glaucous Gulls
that still managed to stand out quite obviously since they were nearly
all chalk-white, with limited faint tan markings in the coverts and
underparts. A few extremely abraded (probably Glaucous-winged) Gulls
actually matched this white color, but could be separated by bill
pattern and a hint of extremely faded color in the primaries. Two of
the Glaucous Gulls were acquiring pale tips to the bills, in addition
to having the usual pale bill base. These birds also all stood out
because of their large size relative to most of the other gulls
present. The best viewing can be had by heading out west on the dike
all the way to the channel (don't turn north along the main dirt road).
>From this viewpoint the sun is behind you and the reeds aren't
in the way of seeing the birds.
Also present was an apparently all-white Herring-gull sized and shaped
bird with an all-black bill. This may have been "Bird #2" that Steve
Rottenborn and Scott Terrill studied (same as Bob Reiling's albino
Herring Gull?) but disappeared behind the reeds when I was at a poorer
vantage point before I could get a careful study.
The primaries and tertials of many of the Thayer's Gulls present were
bleached almost to white and it would be hard to separate them from
any Iceland-like Gulls still around. Earlier in the seaon the
"Iceland"-types still had fairly dark (though limited) internal
marking in the tertials. However, if these marks have faded they
would appear identical to the faded Thayer's Gulls. What a mess!
Mike Rogers
Michael M. Rogers
Mail Stop 202A-1
NASA Ames Research Center
Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000
[[email protected]]
tel: (650)-604-4732
fax: (650)-604-0841
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