From [[email protected]] Mon Oct 01 00:16:16 2001 Subject: [SBB] Calero Reservoir, Hawk Hill, etc. -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, Sunday I visited the east end of Calero Reservoir, and found the male EURASIAN WIGEON still present there. Lots of ducks were there, and also a COOPER'S HAWK, the usual BLACK-NECKED STILTS, about 10 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, a few LEAST SANDPIPERS, several GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 9 FORSTER'S TERNS, 1 CASPIAN TERN, 1-2 YELLOW WARBLERS, and a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. Saw about 10 WILD TURKEYS at points along the creek. Sunday night, at my parent's house at the foot of the Santa Teresa Hills, I heard a COMMON POORWILL calling from the chaparral. On Saturday we had a class field trip to Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands. We had good weather, but relatively low numbers of raptors. In the morning we had a close look at a BROAD-WINGED HAWK (only one we saw all day). Later in the afternoon those of us who stayed long enough got to see 3 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS pass the hill in quick succesion (at least 4 were observed there on Saturday). But our most unusual sightings were probably a pair of out-of-place ACORN WOODPECKERS and a male NORTHERN (YELLOW-SHAFTED) FLICKER in the grove of pines near the lookout. 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 Oct 01 09:49:01 2001 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: This morning, 10/1/2001, there were two BROWN PELICANS in with the 450-850 AM. WHITE PELICANS in a feeding frenzy on Salt Pond A2W. At the lone eucalyptus on Stevens Creek above Crittenden Lane, Al Eisner was sorting throught the warblers when I came by (ORANGE-CROWNED, YELLOW, and YELLOW-RUMPED) and I joined him. I got brief glimpses of a _Dendroica_ warbler with an Orange-crowned-like head and white wingbars. This bird, likely a Blackpoll Warbler, moved around constantly and was hard to id. I left Al there--hopefully he got some good looks. 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 Oct 01 10:51:04 2001 Subject: [SBB] RE: Oka Ponds & Los Gatos Creek -------- Good Morning All... Great to be back at Oka and Los Gatos Creek birding. I parked at the Oka Lane entrance and to the Euc tree to the right where: Yellow-rumped Warblers and Bushtits. Overhead flew the American Crows with Walnuts in their bills, and a large flock of Starlings. I walked down the path that would have the freeway 17(the chain link fence too) to my right and the creek to my left, there on Snipe Island: (2) Common Snipe, in the creek by Snipe Island where: (2) Female Hooded Mergansers, (8) American Widgeons, (6) Gadwalls, Coots, Pied-billed Grebes and Mallards too. While walking around the ponds I saw, (4) Green Herons, (2) Belted Kingfishers, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, (2) Black-crowned Night Herons, (30+) Cormorants. In the fennel patch where the Warblers were before I left, now has Sparrows in it. Amongst the ones I could identify were, Gold and White-crowned, and Song Sparrows. Had two different sparrows I will need to go back and hopefully see again to identify. Also, only one Gull...Ring-billed????? All and All pretty nice for a hot morning. 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]] Mon Oct 01 10:52:53 2001 Subject: [SBB] Re: Stevens Creek -------- Bill Bousman wrote: > This morning, 10/1/2001, there were two BROWN PELICANS in with the > 450-850 AM. WHITE PELICANS in a feeding frenzy on Salt Pond A2W. At the lone > eucalyptus on Stevens Creek above Crittenden Lane, Al Eisner was sorting > throught the warblers when I came by (ORANGE-CROWNED, YELLOW, and > YELLOW-RUMPED) and I joined him. I got brief glimpses of a _Dendroica_ > warbler with an Orange-crowned-like head and white wingbars. This bird, > likely a Blackpoll Warbler, moved around constantly and was hard to id. I > left Al there--hopefully he got some good looks. Unfortunately, no. I had the impression the warblers weren't sticking in the Euc, but coming in from the south and heading out (one - a vocal Myrtle Warbler which was the first one present) headed out toward Moffeit, one other seemed to head north. I think most of the small group had gone by the time Bill left, and when I stopped by later there weren't any warblers there. I had a poor glimpse at the head/breast of what I suspect was Bill's warbler just after he first saw it, and it did seem intriguing and consistent with Blackpoll, but I saw too little to say anything with any confidence. I found one Wilson's farther south, and got a clean sweep of the standard winter sparrows, including Fox, Lincoln's and Golden-Crowned. And my first bird of the morning was the male Orange Bishop, which also was seen heading over the levee toward Moffeit. 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]] Mon Oct 01 11:02:34 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] NOWA (?) at L'Avenida -------- In a message dated 9/30/01 9:01:13 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [[email protected]] writes: > mud that is on the North side of the channel. No > mud on the South side. > > All, In an attempt to avoid any future confusion I would point out that Stevens Creek runs almost straight North and South in this area and therefore has East and West banks. Take care, Bob Reiling, 10:58 AM, 10/1/01 -------- Attachment 810 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Mon Oct 01 11:29:58 2001 Subject: [SBB] Ogier Ponds -------- All, A quick note on Ogier Ponds for Sunday. Birding was still quite slow but with less wind and it got very hot at the end. We managed to add several species over our Thursday effort but still no bittern and unfortunately, no Osprey. New birds included a Sora (nice going Lori), Ruddy Duck, Spotted Sandpiper(s), Yellow Warblers, a Lincoln's Sparrow and three gulls (one each Ring-billed, California and Herring). Fishermen (I thought fishing season was over?) managed to drive the Wood Ducks away from the southern edge of the first pond in the right of the entrance before 10 AM (fortunately we saw them earlier). We had a lot more Ring-necked Ducks on Sunday but no Greater Scaup (In retrospect I'm a little concerned about my ID of this bird on Thursday). Take care, Bob Reiling, 11:30 AM, 10/1/01 -------- Attachment 936 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 02 11:12:28 2001 Subject: [SBB] Color-marked ANHU -------- Hi all-- This morning I finally put the binoculars on a male Anna's Hummingbird in our yard that shows a light mark on the top of its bill. I had assumed pollen but it appears actually to be yellow color marking, and the top of its head is definitely marked with powder blue. I assume that it is banded as well, but I haven't been able to see the legs. Does anyone know whose marking work this might be? --Peter ------------------------------------------------------ Peter LaTourrette North American Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.birdphotography.com/ Jasper Ridge, Hawai'i, New Zealand: http://www.stanford.edu/~petelat1/ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 02 12:20:27 2001 Subject: RE: [SBB] Color-marked ANHU -------- Pete, I suggest you send this information to the Bird Banding Lab (www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/) They have a section on the page on how to report color-marked birds without information on a metal band. I personally know of no one locally that color-marks hummers. My Hummingbird Newsletter does have a partial list of some hb banders who color-mark but the nearest one is in Washington state and it does not list which species he marks. Rita Colwell -----Original Message----- From: [[email protected]] [mailto:[[email protected]]]On Behalf Of Peter LaTourrette Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2001 11:12 AM To: South Bay Bird List Subject: [SBB] Color-marked ANHU Hi all-- This morning I finally put the binoculars on a male Anna's Hummingbird in our yard that shows a light mark on the top of its bill. I had assumed pollen but it appears actually to be yellow color marking, and the top of its head is definitely marked with powder blue. I assume that it is banded as well, but I haven't been able to see the legs. Does anyone know whose marking work this might be? --Peter ------------------------------------------------------ Peter LaTourrette North American Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.birdphotography.com/ Jasper Ridge, Hawai'i, New Zealand: http://www.stanford.edu/~petelat1/ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 02 15:11:12 2001 Subject: [SBB] Brewers Sparrow and others -------- Hi everyone, Gina Barton and I were banding this morning along Coyote Creek, south of Hwy 237 and north of Tasman, on the west side of the creek in the riparian and overflow channel. This is one of SFBBO's non-CCFS banding sites. Our most exciting capture of the day was a hatching-year Brewer's Sparrow. Our banding area is on the other side of the levee from the 'bus yard' and extends down to where the Cisco Buildings are. There is not any public parking next to the levee (just Cisco parking). We captured a total of 58 birds of 15 species, listed below. The first number is a newly banded bird, the second number is how many birds of that species were recaptured (i.e., 5/3 means 5 newly banded birds, 3 recaptured): 1 Red-shafted Flicker 1 Willow Flycatcher 1/1 House Wren /1 Bewick's Wren 1 American Robin 2 Common Yellowthroat 1 Savannah Sparrow 8/3 Lincoln's Sparrow /1 Song Sparrow 14 Puget Sound White-Crowned Sparrows 2 Gambel's White-Crowned Sparrows 2 Golden-crowned Sparrows 3 House Finches 15 Lesser Goldfinches 1 Brewer's Sparrow **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** 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 2.7 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 02 19:29:52 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sharp-shinned Hawk at Portal Park -------- Around 5 p.m. today I was walking through Portal Park in Cupertino (a few blocks north of Stevens Creek Blvd on Portal Avenue) and an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk glided out of a nearby tree maybe ten feet in front of me and perched on a low branch of another nearby tree. It then flew up into the foliage as I approached where I lost sight of it. I did not get a good look; I assume it was Sharp-shinned rather than Cooper's because of the size (Stellar's Jay size) but I was kind of surprised to see it right in town. Jonathan Hays -------- Attachment 1.4 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 02 23:22:37 2001 Subject: [SBB] Brown Pelican -------- All, At about 11 a.m. today, I saw a first year BROWN PELICAN on Vasona Reservoir. This happens every two or three years and all juveniles. Jean Dubois -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Oct 03 10:48:58 2001 Subject: [SBB] lingering migrants -------- All, This morning's (10/3/01) check of Stevens Creek between L'Avenida and Crittenden Lane turned up mostly singles of lingering migrants besides large numbers of sparrows (including 9+ SAVANNAH SPARROWS between the lone eucalyptus tree and the Crittenden Lane bridge). These included 1 "WESTERN" FLYCATCHER, 1 HOUSE WREN, 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, 2 YELLOW WARBLERS, 1 WILSON'S WARBLER, and 1 DARK-EYED JUNCO. Also present was the male ORANGE BISHOP, near the lone eucalyptus. Yesterday 10/2/01, Al Eisner and I made a quick check of the Palo Alto Baylands fennel patch (2 YELLOW WARBLERS and 2 to 4 FOX SPARROWS) and the nearby Water Pollution Control Plant at the end of Embarcadero Way (3 YELLOW WARBLERS and 2 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, 1 gray-headed, 1 not). Things are slowing down :( Mike Rogers P.S. No Ruby-crowned Kinglets, which I would have expected to be more apparent by now - guess they are late like the Golden-crowned Sparrows were... -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Oct 03 11:26:15 2001 Subject: [SBB] Mission Peak birds -------- (If this is of interest to EBB, maybe someone can forward it ...) For the last 4 weekends I have been hiking up Mission Peak from the Stanford Av. parking lot. This is purely for exercise and with non-birding friends, and I commit the sacrilege of not carrying binocs (to reduce weight). A couple of ROCK WRENs and HORNED LARKs are usually seen at the summit. A SAY'S PHOEBE works the meadow below the summit. Have had 5-feet views of a not-very-shy RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW. Also what may have been a CHIPPING SPARROW (not sure - distant views) near the park residence in the meadow below the summit. An overhead PRAIRIE FALCON 2 weeks ago. Vivek Tiwari [[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 Oct 03 12:03:14 2001 Subject: RE: [SBB] Mission Peak birds -------- A few folks asked about the whereabouts of Mission Peak. Sorry I assumed it was a well-known landmark. If we look out towards the Diablo range, the Mission Peak is the northern most peak. Beyond that there is a gap (essentially leading to Livermore valley). Its a bald peak, with rocky crags visible below the summit. To the South is a peak that looks a bit higher and has several radio towers on top (I think its called Telegraph Hill?). The peak has a marker that indicates that its in Alameda County. Its ~2500 ft. There are a couple of access points. I go to the "Fremont" entrance. There is an Ohlone College entrance as well. >From Rt.237, go on 880N and take the Mission Blvd. exit. Cross Hwy 680 and turn right on Stanford Av. There is a sign for Mission Peaks Regional Preserve. The parking lot and trailhead is at the end of Stanford Av. The parking lot is ~300ft, so it is about a 2200ft vertial ascent. One can choose to go pretty much straight up or take the somewhat more gentler fire road (6 mile round trip). Reaching the top feels like a major accomplishment each time. Its great exercise and I hope to keep doing it regularly (but it comes at the cost of losing out on Sunday morning SC County birding). Vivek Tiwari [[email protected]] -----Original Message----- From: [[email protected]] [mailto:[[email protected]]]On Behalf Of Tiwari, Vivek Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2001 11:26 AM To: '[[email protected]]' Subject: [SBB] Mission Peak birds (If this is of interest to EBB, maybe someone can forward it ...) For the last 4 weekends I have been hiking up Mission Peak from the Stanford Av. parking lot. This is purely for exercise and with non-birding friends, and I commit the sacrilege of not carrying binocs (to reduce weight). A couple of ROCK WRENs and HORNED LARKs are usually seen at the summit. A SAY'S PHOEBE works the meadow below the summit. Have had 5-feet views of a not-very-shy RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW. Also what may have been a CHIPPING SPARROW (not sure - distant views) near the park residence in the meadow below the summit. An overhead PRAIRIE FALCON 2 weeks ago. Vivek Tiwari [[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]] _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Oct 03 14:27:39 2001 Subject: [SBB] County birding, Tuesday -------- All, On Tuesday Frank Vanslager and I checked out the "empty" pond at State and Spreckles while the entrance road to the Environmental Education Center (EEC) had one adult and one immature Peregrine Falcon on a tower near the entrance. Arzino Ranch had at least five visible Burrowing Owls, a Say's Pheobe and an immature Cooper's Hawk perched on a pole near one of the ranch buildings. On the drive into CCFS we had a nice flock of crowned sparrows near the road with a Lincoln's Sparrow and a male Wilson's Warbler keeping them company. The Waterbird Pond had several hundred dowitchers (including one alternate plumaged Long-billed Dowitcher that I couldn't help but wish was any other red sandpiper). Peeps were at a premium with a couple Western Sandpipers and nine to ten Least Sandpipers. Gull levels are building with a mystery gull seen on the mud flats west of the pond (it basically looked like an adult California Gull but with a pale eye, dark bill and legs). Take care, Bob Reiling, 2:26 PM, 10/3/01 -------- Attachment 1.1 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Wed Oct 03 17:48:11 2001 Subject: [SBB] Pelican at Oka Ponds -------- Campbell, Ca. 1525hrs -- Can anybody say if they've recently seen the Brown Pelican that was hanging around the large pond off of Dell Ave? Because I regret to inform the readership that there is a large dead bird prostrate in the branches of the eastern most tree on the island where he used to sit... I wandered all around the place, but didn't find our itinerant Pelecanus occidentalis anywhere. Can't say for sure it's him. But I will know soon. I'm going to find a ranger and get a ride out there to recover the carcass and see what can be seen. It would be interesting to figure out the cause of death... Later all, Dusty Campbell, Ca. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Oct 04 09:27:24 2001 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: This morning, 10/4/2001, about sunrise, hundreds of AM. WHITE PELICANS, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, and CALIFORNIA GULLS flew into Salt Pond A2W from the east. Included in the breakfast flock were 55 BROWN PELICANS. Two more were on Shoreline Lake as well. I encountered my first flock of AMERICAN PIPITS of the winter season. Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Oct 04 13:13:10 2001 Subject: [SBB] Eurasian Wigeon -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I saw what appeared to be an immature (or first fall) male Eurasian Wigeon in Colero Reservoir. I assume that this is the same bird previously reported by John Mariani. Unfortunately some guy chose to take his morning coffee break by walking his black Labrador toward the nearest groups of ducks (he actually seemed to sic his dog toward a large, nearby group of Canada Geese at one point) this after a fisherman had already chased all of the ducks out of the southeast corner of the reservoir. All of this goes to say that we did not get close looks. However, the bird had an all red head (no yellow visible on the top of the forehead) and neck and a grayish-brown chest. The sides were mottled gray and rufous being quite light gray near the waterline while the back (and wings) were primarily brownish with some grayish areas. The bird showed no American Wigeon characteristics. Later while driving west on McKean Rd. Frank spotted a Golden Eagle on a power tower near where young Golden Eagles were fledged last year. Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:13 PM, 10/4/01 -------- Attachment 1.2 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Fri Oct 05 10:14:25 2001 Subject: [SBB] RE: OKA:LGC: Earred Grebes & Swallows -------- Good Morning, Got a late start on my walk this morning and was shocked to see 100s of Swallows as I entered Oka ponds. Mostly Violet Green. Birds of note today: An adult Earred Grebe with 6 juvenile earred grebes in the large pond at the Dell Avenue Entrance. Lots of Swallows sitting on the lines. The Brown Pelican was on the larger of the two islands preening itself. Gadwalls, American Widgeons, 2 female Hooded Mergansers and 2 Scaup still at the ponds. Only one Yellow Warbler in the center creek and a young Cooper's Hawk on the way out, flew into the Euc tree. Wishing you all good birding. 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]] Fri Oct 05 12:07:05 2001 Subject: [SBB] Fwd: Common poorwill -------- SBB, I got a note from Vicki Silvas-Young about a recent Common Poorwill (COPO) sighting at the Coyote Creek Field Station (CCFS). See the note below. I recall that Mike Rogers and Mike Mammoser found a COPO in nearly the same area a year ago, 7 Oct 00. And a COPO (same one perhaps?) was banded at the station within the last 10 days of that same month. As you may know, access to CCFS is limited. The best way to gain access is to become a member of the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO) and to request permission for access. You will need to sign a waiver of liability and you will be provided with directions and access information. SFBBO - 408-946-6548. The Santa Clara Valley Water District has jurisdiction over the property and CCFS conducts long-term monitoring of wildlife and vegetation in the area. The access is limited because the area is not set up to handle a lot of public access and because of the monitoring activities. Les Chibana -------------------------------------- Date: Friday, October 5, 2001 8:50 AM From: Vicki Silvas-Young Les, Last Monday morning I was out at the station very early in the morning checking the traps set out for the cat. The cat was trapped, but in the meantime I found a Common poorwill on the lower levee road between Tran K,L,M and H,I,J. I told Gina about it just before banding on Wednesday, but have not heard anything regarding whether it was seen or banded. I went out last night after my class and saw it again! It is still on the lower levee road. This is a life bird for me and I am sure enjoying it! -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Oct 05 14:54:34 2001 Subject: [SBB] CLSW, PALO -------- All, This morning 10/5/01, I made another quick check of the Palo Alto bayside. The fennel patch and nearby trees at the Baylands contained 2 YELLOW WARBLERS, a singing FOX SPARROW, an immature COOPER'S HAWK eating a bird, and many AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES. A stream of 27 swallows flew south in small groups. Most were VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, but just as I was getting tired of checking every one, a bird with a squared off dark throat and square tail - a CLIFF SWALLOW - flew past. The light was poor and I never could see the pale rump on the bird, which would have been nice, because this is very late for this species in the county. Later, 5 VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS were seen winging their way back north. A quick stop at the end of Embarcadero Way turned up 2 YELLOW WARBLERS, 2 FOX SPARROWS, and a hatching-year female BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER. Thirteen VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS made their way north overhead and I could see a few more out on the wires near the Emily Renzel wetlands. I drove around to the frontage road by the wetlands, hoping to refind the Cliff Swallow among the Violet-greens, all of which had disappeared by the time I got there. A little patience paid off, however, as the swallows trickled back in, eventually building to a flock of 60 VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS over the marsh and perched on the wires nearby. I spent a while searching carefully with binoculars for any other swallow species and failed, but as I was about to give up, I noted a distant flock of what I at first thought to perhaps be shorebirds heading south high over highway 101. As they drew closer I was amazed to see that they were PACIFIC LOONS! The birds were not in any real formation but did hang together, heading south at a reasonable altitude over highway 101. I watched them for several minutes, but did not see them descend before they disappeared from sight. (It might be a good idea to check south county reservoirs, however!) This is an unprecedented county record, both for its early date and for the realtively large number of birds involved. Such movements are typical along the coast right now, and it is highly likely that the heavy coastal fog resulted in these birds ending up in the bay. An immature SHARP-SHINNED HAWK in a tree on the way out made for a two-accipiter morning (now why can't they be that cooperative on Big Days?!). Hoping for more swallows, I decided to check out Alviso at noon today. There were indeed swallows over New Chicago Marsh, with 2 more CLIFF SWALLOWS, 3 BARN SWALLOWS, and 35+ VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS at times present and at times eleswhere. The pond at State and Spreckles was loaded with shorebirds, including the adult female RUFF, 23 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS (10 of which later flew across the railroad tracks to the eastern parts of the marsh), 18+ LESSER YELLOWLEGS (vs 9+ GREATER YELLOWLEGS), a heard-only COMMON SNIPE, a juvenile BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, 2 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, and 3 DUNLIN (first of fall), with plenty of the more usual species. A quick check of Salt Pond A16 north of the EEC turned up 6 HERRING GULLS, a CASPIAN TERN, and a vocal WILLOW FLYCATCHER in the willows just over the dike from the pond. Both SORA and VIRGINIA RAILS were calling from the slough and a single COMMON MOORHEN was swimming upstream. Three FOX SPARROWS were foraging underneath one of the bushes near the parking lot. Mike Rogers -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Oct 05 15:02:02 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] CLSW, PALO -------- Mike Rogers wrote: > I noted a distant flock of what I at first thought to perhaps be > shorebirds heading south high over highway 101. As they drew closer I > was amazed to see that they were PACIFIC LOONS! The birds were not in > any real formation but did hang together, heading south at a > reasonable altitude over highway 101. I watched them for several > minutes, but did not see them descend before they disappeared from > sight. (It might be a good idea to check south county reservoirs, > however!) This is an unprecedented county record, both for its early > date and for the realtively large number of birds involved. Such > movements are typical along the coast right now, and it is highly > likely that the heavy coastal fog resulted in these birds ending up in > the bay. . How many were there, roughly? I started to see a few at the coast about a week ago - not yet any large numbers (but then again, conditions there haven't been very conducive to sea watching most days). Al -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Oct 05 15:05:02 2001 Subject: [SBB] 8 PALOs -------- Oops, thanks to Al Eisner's probe I realize I left off the number of PACIFIC LOONS I had this morning - there were eight birds in the flock. Mike Rogers -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Oct 05 17:58:22 2001 Subject: [SBB] Pelicans -------- Today ( 10/5) saw up to 65 White Pelicans soaring over Charleston Slough/Flood Control Basin. Seventeen others were on the Palo Alto "wetland" pond (along frontage road). Further up the bay in Redwood Shores saw another 21 soaring. Screech email: [[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 Oct 06 13:28:57 2001 Subject: [SBB] South South County -------- Hi SBB, Sorry part of this report is fairly bealted. I have been pleasantly away from any computers for several days. On the early morning of 10/2/01 there was an imm. female type BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER at the Pajaro River about 100 m downstream of Hwy 101. It was with a mixed flock and was seen foraging in the trees on both the SCL and SBT sides of the river. A NASHVILLE WARBLER was in the same flock and both counties. Two female COMMON MERGANSERS flushed from the river there and flew downstream. A little later that morning I enjoyed several flocks of large CANADA GEESE as they took flight from the stubble fields along Hwy 25 just east of Hwy 101. Seven flocks totalled 379 geese. They flew off low over the fields toward the south. Seemed like a pretty substantial number for that area. On 10/5/01 I checked Llagas Creek near Bloomfield Ave. I found a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW along the west levee about 250 meters upstream of Bloomfield, and a MERLIN flew south along the creek corridor. I found two YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIES along Bolsa Road just northeast of Bloomfield Ave. I'd never seen them on the valley floor in this area before. David Suddjian, Capitola [[email protected]] -------- Attachment 1.3 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Sun Oct 07 23:28:32 2001 Subject: [SBB] Rarity & Oddity -------- All, This morning I had both a rarity and an oddity. Regarding the rarity I was running the sprinklers on my hill. A probable BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER was attracted to the water. I didn't have my binocs withj me, but it looked like one to me. When landing it flashed its tail showing white feathers on the sides like a junco. Is this correct for this species? As to the oddity, what looked like a first year golden-crowned sparrow came to one of the ground feeders. However, its throat was light gray, almost white, between the "whiskers." The lower mandible was yellow & the upper was dark. Could it have been a very young WHITE-THROATED SPARROW or possibly a GOLDEN-CROWNEDxWHITE -THROATED cross? Jean -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Oct 08 08:36:56 2001 Subject: [SBB] S.C.County Birds as of 9/30/01 -------- Bill Bousman wrote: September, the month of vagrants, was so-so, and we boosted our county list to 265 with five new species. John Mariani found a Swainson's Hawk in Alviso on 3 Sep (another bird was found later in the month on the Bolsa de San Felipe in San Benito County). Jim Lomax saw a second-year Little Gull at the Mountain View salt ponds on 17 Sep. This is our 7th record, but only the first for fall. Matthew Dodder and his group found an immature Sabine's Gull at the Alviso EEC on 29 Sep. This is the 9th record and most have been in September. Sherry Hudson reported a Gray Catbird banded at the Coyote Creek Field Station on 26 Sep and this is only the 2nd record. Our only other passerine vagrant (well, almost) was a Northern Waterthrush found by Mike Rogers along Stevens Creek below L'Avenida on 11 Sep. It stayed around (maybe still there) although it has only been seen twice since then (but heard more often, maybe). Three of these birds were "6's", which are always the hardest to get, so that's good news (the gulls and the catbird). Even if we are to see all of the remaining "5's", an unlikely event, this would only bring us to 289. Beat those bushes. The full list can be found on" South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU) http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/ ----------------------------------------- Kendric C. Smith, Ph.D. 927 Mears Court Stanford, CA 94305-1041 (650) 493-7210 (voice or fax) [[email protected]] http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/ ------------------------------------------ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Oct 08 10:41:53 2001 Subject: [SBB] Weekend birds (mostly Almaden) -------- Hello All, Not too much to report, but here goes. Calero Reservoir (Oct 6): the male EURASIAN WIGEON was still present - others noted were the following: 16 EARED GREBES (most seen at the lower end by the dam); 30+ PIED-BILLED GREBES (including 20+ in a tight cluster); 148 AMER WIGEON, 28 GADWALL, 2 CINNAMON TEAL, 12 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 6 N. SHOVELER, 6 N. PINTAIL, 12 RUDDY DUCK, 2 AMER WHITE PELICAN, 3 FORESTER'S TERN, and 1 CASPIAN TERN - three CANADA GEESE were present when I arrived around 9:30 am, but about 30 minutes later Canada Geese began streaming in by the hundreds until finally there were well over 300 geese on the upper end mudflats - the geese appeared to be coming in from the southeast over Bailey Road and I'm wondering if this might be the same group of geese referred to by David Suddjian in his report - hundreds of VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS were also over the reservoir Almaden Reservoir (Oct 6): only nine WOOD DUCKS seen on the reservoir - 30+ VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS overhead Almaden Lake + vicinity (Oct 6): one SPOTTED SANDPIPER by the outflow channel - a CALIFORNIA THRASHER near the ranger station - three WESTERN BLUEBIRDS in the ornamental trees on the east lawn near the Winfield entrance; one bluebird was quite pale and showing some spotting near the throat (a hatching year bird) Guadalupe River (downtown) (Oct 7): seven COMMON MERGANSERS flying overhead at Hwy 880; the ducks were headed south from the airport That's it for now - Ann -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Oct 08 17:55:24 2001 Subject: [SBB] South County -------- Hi All Saw Ann's two WHITE PELICANs at Calero today (Mon 10-8) plus two more, along with a flock (herd??) of WILD TURKEY and a large flock of CALIFORNIA QUAIL by the stables. Uvas Creek in Gilroy yielded a LARK SPARROW n/w of Miller Ave and I found an OSPREY at Ogier Ponds Looked like 5-6 RING NECKED DUCKs at Ogier also, but was a long look and bad light. Larry Spivak -------- Attachment 478 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 09 15:41:34 2001 Subject: [SBB] County Pectoral Sandpipers -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I saw 10-11 Pectoral Sandpipers in the pond at State St. & Spreckles Ave. in Alviso. We then had another 5-6 PESA in New Chicago Marsh near the boardwalk in the EEC. (We also had several Western Gulls and a couple Herring Gulls with the California and Ring-billed Gulls on the small island in the southeast corner of Salt Pond A-16). Later we spotted John and Maria Meyer leaving the CCFS (they had gone there early in hopes of seeing a Common Poorwill). We then saw 8-12 PESA in the Waterbird Pond. (The maximum count in any one group was six but as we moved around the pond we found additional groups of 2-3 PESA and it was hard to note the movement of individual PESA among the three to four large groups of dowitchers.) The alternate plumage Long-billed Dowitcher was still in the pond as well as one basic plumaged Wilson's Phalarope. Take care, Bob Reiling, 3:42 PM, 10/9/01 -------- Attachment 1.0 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 09 16:21:00 2001 Subject: [SBB] Stevens Ck N of L'Avenida -------- All, This morning's (10/9/01) check of Stevens Creek north of L'Avenida turned up a few lingering migrants (1 "WESTERN" FLYCATCHER, 1 HOUSE WREN, 1+ ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, 2 YELLOW WARBLERS) and some more recent arrivals (1 to 2 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, 1 HERMIT THRUSH). Also saw a GREEN HERON, 2 FOX SPARROWS, a DARK-EYED JUNCO, and a SAPSUCKER, which kept its head hidden behind branches/foliage before flying upstream, thus eluding identification. :( Noontime run through Shoreline Park added 3+ AMERICAN PIPITS and a SAY'S PHOEBE. Mike Rogers -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 09 17:38:16 2001 Subject: [SBB] Pectoral Sandpipers -------- We must be at the peak of Pectoral Sandpiper migration. Last Friday, October 5, I had at least 12 at the Vic Fazio (Yolo Bypass) wildlife area just off I-80 west of Sacramento. They were in the middle of about 300 Greater Yellowlegs, 2 Snipe, and 3 Lesser Yellowlegs. Dick Carlson 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]] Thu Oct 11 12:35:17 2001 Subject: [SBB] RE: Oka Ponds - Los Gatos Creek -------- Good Afternoon, Went for a late walk this morning and at the large pond, Dell Avenue entrance was a magnificent Osprey sitting on the "Osprey Tree" on the island. Also in the same pond were two Earred Grebes, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher on the "Osprey Tree", lots of Cormorants now. Great Egret, Snow Egrets and Green Herons still present. A Brown Pelican took off in the Vasona Park direction. During my walk back over to Oka Ponds, along the LG Trail was a Kestrel in flight, and in the first pond were 4 Ruddy Ducks. The center creek continues to have American Widgeons, Gadwalls, (1) Common Snipe, Mallards, the male Mallard are looking great and out number the females by 6 to 1.....all ready starting to fight! At Oka Lane entrance was a Cooper's Hawk, Flicker and lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Gold and White - crowned Sparrows. The female Hooded Merganser can be found swimming in the largest Oka Ponds pond. 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]] Fri Oct 12 15:53:03 2001 Subject: [SBB] birds from the Bird Box -------- All, For those who don't call the northern CA Rare Bird Alert, there are two recent reports that may be of interest: 1) On 10 Oct (Wednesday), Mark Peterson called in a BLACKPOLL WARBLER at the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge in Alviso, presumably in the trees near the Environmental Education Center. The bird was seen prior to 8:08am, when he called it in. 2) On 11 Oct (Thursday), Blake Matheson (sp?) called in a male TUFTED DUCK, complete with tuft, from the "west" side of the path at Charleston Slough in the "Palo Alto Baylands". Presumbaly this bird was in outer Adobe Creek; time of day was not specified. This morning 10/12/00, I looked quickly for the Tufted Duck, but found only 16 CANVASBACKS and 2 LESSER SCAUP. The Tufted Duck may have been out on the bay - it should be looked for in the future, perhaps also down at the Sunnyvale ponds or on Salt Pond A3W behind Moffett Field. Also seen this morning were 6 BROWN PELICANS along the bay edge at outer Charleston Slough and 18 BLACK SKIMMERS on the usual island. Mike Rogers -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Oct 12 23:33:24 2001 Subject: [SBB] Osprey -------- All, Well she's back or a reasonable facsimile. From 5:45 p.m. until dark an OSPREY occupied the same perch, overlooking Vasona Reservoir, that one occupied all last winter. Unfortunately, it had its back to me so I couldn't sex it. Maybe I'll have better luck tomorrow. In the meantime, a BROWN PELICAN is still on Vasona. Jean -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Oct 13 08:58:36 2001 Subject: [SBB] [Fwd: [pen-bird] FW: {EBB} Burrowing Owl benefit in trouble] -------- Passing this on to South Bay Birds.... -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [pen-bird] FW: {EBB} Burrowing Owl benefit in trouble Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 16:53:02 -0700 From: Peter Grace <[[email protected]]> Reply-To: [[email protected]] To: Peninsula Birds list <[[email protected]]> -----Original Message----- From: East Bay Birders Circle [mailto:[[email protected]]]On Behalf Of Larry Tunstall Sent: Friday, October 12, 2001 10:28 AM To: East Bay Birders Circle Subject: {EBB} Burrowing Owl benefit in trouble The Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society and the Coyote Point Museum in San Mateo have a benefit scheduled for October 20 at the museum to raise money for Burrowing Owl preservation in the Bay Area and for aviary repair at the museum. For details, see http://www.scvas.org/owlfundraiser.html According to this morning's San Jose Mercury News, the benefit may need to be postponed or cancelled because less than 100 of the expected 300 tickets have been sold. See http://www0.mercurycenter.com/premium/local/docs/audubon12f.htm I am passing this information along to the East Bay birders because I know that many of you are very concerned about the Burrowing Owls and it's possible that you would be interested in supporting this benefit, but you didn't hear about this benefit in the crush of other news. Good birding, Larry Larry Tunstall El Cerrito CA [[email protected]] http://folkbird.net/ East Bay Birders Circle: http://folkbird.net/ebb/ ############################################################# This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to the mailing list <[[email protected]]>. To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[[email protected]]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[[email protected]]> To switch to the INDEX mode, E-mail to <[[email protected]]> Send administrative queries to <[[email protected]]> Archives of past messages are at http://folkbird.net/ebb/ Send messages for the entire group to <[[email protected]]> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Get your FREE credit report with a FREE CreditCheck Monitoring Service trial http://us.click.yahoo.com/Gi0tnD/bQ8CAA/ySSFAA/TgOolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Oct 13 11:22:56 2001 Subject: [SBB] Monte Bello -------- An early morning trip saw lots of American Robins and Varied Thrushes flying parallel to Skyline Ridge (northwards strangely). There was also a Clapper Rail calling from the swampy bit at the start of the Canyon Trail. A beautiful male Northern Harrier caught something for breakfast and there were plenty of crowned (mainly Golden) sparrows feeding with the California Towhees. 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 Oct 13 13:02:41 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Monte Bello -------- Interesting. Two people have already pointed out that Virginia is the most likely rail at Monte Bello. However, I have double-checked my recordings (Stokes) and what I heard was what a Clapper Rail does and not what a Virginia does. Here's what I wrote: "fast rail call accelerating then decelerating." Sorry, that was the best I could do as an aide-memoire. I didn't know then what I was listening to and waited until I got back home to check it. I have used the same recordings to identify Clapper Rails by Byxbee Park and Virginia Rails by Alviso Marina. If I am correct with those (could someone confirm this?), then I believe that what I heard was a Clapper Rail. Maybe the calls are closer or more mixed up than my recordings suggest? ----- Original Message ----- From: Andy Gibb <[[email protected]]> To: South Bay Birds Mailing <[[email protected]]> Sent: Saturday, October 13, 2001 11:22 AM Subject: [SBB] Monte Bello > An early morning trip saw lots of American Robins and Varied Thrushes flying > parallel to Skyline Ridge (northwards strangely). There was also a Clapper > Rail calling from the swampy bit at the start of the Canyon Trail. A > beautiful male Northern Harrier caught something for breakfast and there > were plenty of crowned (mainly Golden) sparrows feeding with the California > Towhees. > > 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 Oct 13 13:46:29 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- A stop at CCFS today, 13 Oct 01, produced only a few migrants. Among the myriad YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS (2 myrtles) were 7 YELLOW WARBLERS, 4 HOUSE WRENS, 2 HERMIT THRUSHES, and a "WESTERN" FLYCATCHER. The EEC produced 3 YELLOW WARBLERS, a couple COMMON YELLOWTHROATS, and a HERMIT THRUSH. 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 Oct 13 14:50:51 2001 Subject: [SBB] Golden Eagle and other raptors. -------- A golden Eagle was at the Steven's Creek mitigation ponds this morning. We don't get many this side of the Bay. There were two Peregrine Falcons there on Tuesday. Many migrating Sharpies. We saw 4 in 2 hours. -- Richard C. Carlson Full-time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker Palo Alto, California Part-time Economist [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sat Oct 13 16:17:44 2001 Subject: [SBB] Baylands-Shoreline birding 10/13/01 -------- My class field trip around the PA Baylands to MV Shoreline area produced some nice sightings, although nothing rare was found. A MERLIN cruised over the boardwalk out to the observation deck at the Baylands Nature Center. A weak high tide didn't force out any birds for us, but some sharp eyes picked out a CLAPPER RAIL swimming in the channel that crosses under the boardwalk. In the fennel patch, a NASHVILLE WARBLER, a YELLOW WARBLER, and 2 ORANGE- CROWNED WARBLERs were seen. An immature-plumaged COOPER'S HAWK was seen at the sandbag station by the PA airport. A HERMIT THRUSH and a probable YELLOW WARBLER were seen along the east side of Matadero Creek. An adult COOPER'S HAWK chased MOURNING DOVES in the field behind the Emily Renzel Wetlands. An OSPREY circled over the outer reaches of pond A1 (and maybe the edge of the Bay) in the Charleston Slough area. 19 BLACK SKIMMERS, many splayed out on the ground in the midday heat, were on the island at the south end of Charleston Slough. One male BLUE-WINGED TEAL was scoped in the middle of the flood control basin from the trail. Many AM. WHITE PELICANs and one BROWN PELICAN were in the area. Hunting season has started: shooting was in evidence from a boat near the mouth of San Francisquito Creek and hunters were busy at pond A1. And the viewing platform at the base of Charleston Slough is completed and opened. Les Chibana -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Oct 14 12:14:59 2001 Subject: [SBB] Charleston Slough -------- All, after a week in icy-cold Montana, I needed a walk in the sun. This morning a short trip to Charleston Slough produced an AMERICAN BITTERN near the bleachers along the Adobe Creek. It was foraging along the near shore and flushed across he water and remained in view for some time. As well, on one of the small mud islands, a pair of COMMON SNIPE were clearly visible among a group of Dowitchers. No interesting ducks were seen, but two VIRGINIA RAILS and a two SORA were along the creek and in the Mountain View Forebay. There were 16 BLACK SKIMMERS on their island near the new platform and two LINCOLN'S SPARROWS were along the freshwater-in close to Shoreline Lake. For those interested in the Montana list, it was modest at best. Since weather was poor and Logan Pass was closed in Glacier NP, Ptarmigans and Rosy Finches were essentially impossible. The best birds were Blue Grouse, Ruffed Grouse, Bald Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, Prairie Falcon and Black-billed Magpie. Large mammals were actually the best part of the trip with many Bison, Elk, Pronghorn and Mountain Goats seen in the north west portion of the state. What a beautiful place!! Matthew Dodder http://www.birdguy.net -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Oct 14 14:19:08 2001 Subject: [SBB] Banding at CCFS 10/14/01 -------- SBB, Banding activity was in high gear today at Coyote Creek Field Station. We processed 123 birds today (highest number to date, this year), 97 newly banded birds, 26 recaptures, 17 species total. (N/N = banded/recaptured) Highlights: Hammond's Flycatcher - 1/0 (hatch-year) White-throated Sparrow - 1/0 (after-hatch-year) Red-breasted Sapsucker - 1/0 (all flight feathers appeared fresh) Also: Downy Woodpecker 1/0 Winter Wren - 0/1 Bewick's Wren - 0/1 high counts: Yellow-rumped Warbler - 38/0 (31 Audubon's, 4 Myrtle's, 3 unidentified) Golden-crowned Sparrow - 12/4 Hermit Thrush - 12/1 White-crowned Sparrows - 12/1 (5 pugetensis, 6/1 gambelii) Still some Western Flycatchers (2/1) and Yellow Warblers (4/0) moving through. Other wintering species showing up or passing through: Ruby-crowned Kinglets (2/0), Fox Sparrows (5/6), Lincoln's Sparrows (5/6). Only a couple other resident species were involved: Common Yellowthroat (0/4) and Black Phoebe (1/1). Interestingly, we didn't capture any Song Sparrows today. As you may know, access to CCFS is limited. The best way to gain access is to become a member of the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO) and to request permission for access. You will need to sign a waiver of liability and you will be provided with directions and access information. SFBBO - 408-946-6548. The Santa Clara Valley Water District has jurisdiction over the property and CCFS conducts long-term monitoring of wildlife and vegetation in the area. The access is limited because the area is not set up to handle a lot of public access and because of the monitoring activities. Les Chibana -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Oct 14 16:18:33 2001 Subject: [SBB] Bayside birds (Oct. 14) -------- Some birding around the south Bay on Sunday, Oct. 14.... Stevens Creek (east side) between Crittenden Lane and L'avenida: one House Wren, about three Ruby-Crowned Kinglets (arrived since my last visit here), one Hermit Thrush, one or (probably) two Yellow Warblers, and six species of Sparrow. The Yellow-Rumps included one which sounded like Myrtle. Sunnyvale WPCP: I walked out the central levee and scoped the large pond. Lots of dabbling ducks, but the only diving ducks I spotted in a curory scan were Ruddy's. Generally dull, except for one highlight: a juvenile Sabine's Gull with Ring-Billed Gulls in the channel which heads south from the radar station intersection (observed 10:45 to 11:00, when I left). There were also just three Bonaparte's (but not with the Sabine's). About 20 American White Pelicans were visible on the salt pond to the east. Spreckels and State Streets impoundment, Alviso: not many shore birds there late morning, but I did see 2 Lesser Yellowlegs and 4 juv. Pectoral Sandpipers. (There could have been more hiding.) Trees near the EEC, Alviso: up to 4 Yellow Warblers (I believe they were all distinct) and about 2 Golden-Crowned Kinglets. (The latter seem to like this spot, especially the cottonwoods, in migration.) CCFS: I went to check the waterbird pond, which proved quite dull, but as I entered I met the last bander leaving. Informed of today's observations (see Les's post), I took a brief walk around the riparian and reveg. area. I didn't expect much on a warm afternoon, and didn't find much, except for lots of Yellow-Rumped Warblers (including Myrtle), but two separate flocks each had an Orange-Crowned Warbler. I also heard a Hermit Thrush, A Ruby- Crowned Kinglet, and a Yellow Warbler. At least two Kites were still present. Al Eisner -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Oct 14 18:04:28 2001 Subject: [SBB] PALM WARBLER -------- All, This afternoon, Brian Christman and I visited Byxbee Park at the end of Embarcadero Road in Palo Alto. At the intersection of Embarcadero and the road leading into the dump there was a PALM WARBLER foraging in the annis on the ground among White-crowned Sparrows. We observed the bird for a few minutes and it remained in the area after we left. At the park proper we found a group of about 15 AMERICAN PIPITS and a single BURROWING OWL. At the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin we found four drake BLUE-WINGED TEAL among a large group of Northern Shovelers in the second pond on the left as the trail leads out toward the Bay. Matthew Dodder http://www.birdguy.net -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Oct 14 18:37:33 2001 Subject: [SBB] RE: Oka Ponds/LGC/La Rinconda Park -------- Good Evening, Our bird class went over to Oka Ponds / Los Gatos Creek Park this morning with our teacher, Lisa Myers. At the LGC main pond, Dell Avenue entrance was a magnificent Osprey feeding on his catch. Lots of Cormorants swimming and the Brown Pelican was still on the island. In the third pond heading towards the bridge, were a pair of male and female Ring-necked Ducks, first for the season. Ruddy Ducks, American Widgeons and Gadwalls also in the same pond. We had a Cooper's Hawk and Kestrel today. The female Hooded Merganser is still in the large pond on the Oka Ponds side. Walking back to the car we had a Ruby-crowned Kinglet amongst the Yellow-rump Warblers, Chickadees and Bushtits. Lots of White and Gold Crowned Sparrows. Over at La Rinconada Park, we saw a Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Spotted Towhees, CA Thrasher and lots of Lesser Goldfinch. We also saw the Nuttall's Woodpecker, Brown Creeper and heard the Red-shafted Flickers and CA Quail. Thanks Lisa for a great morning of learning the birds...... 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]] Sun Oct 14 23:04:07 2001 Subject: [SBB] Los Alamitos Creek Trail - juvenile Nutmeg Mannikins. -------- Hi, Today (10/14), I walked down the Los Alamitos Creek Trail from Almaden Lake to Camden Ave. Starting at the lake, I saw a few Western Bluebirds with many Yellow-rumped Warblers. There were 7 female Common Mergansers on the lake. A lot of small fish were jumping, causing a bit of a feeding frenzy among the Double-crested Cormorants and Snowy Egrets. At one point, I counted 22 Snowy Egrets participating. There was a single Common Moorhen and one immature Black-crowned Night-heron. A quick check of the Nutmeg Mannikin nest near the Winfield Blvd parking lot turned up one adult bird, perched quietly on a brance near the nest. I saw no other activity around the nest. I struck out on the Sora that can usually be found just upstream from the bridge. Farther upstream from the lake, I found another 2 adult Nutmeg Mannikins and then one that was almost totally lacking in the "scales" of the adult birds, with only a couple of scales around it's lower belly. This bird was just upstream from the bridge that crosses the creek at the intersection of Mazzone Dr. and Crossview Ct. Seeing some more birds on the far side of the creek, I crossed the bridge to the Western side and found a flock of 16 Nutmeg Mannikins that consisted of 12 juveniles and 4 adults. They were foraging amongst some reeds and cattails in the creek. I also saw a Lincoln's Sparrow and 10 California Quail along the trail . 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]] Sun Oct 14 23:11:58 2001 Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto Baylands Oct. 14 -------- Today, on the hottest day of the year, a few friends and I did the Big Sit! day at the observation deck at the end of the Boardwalk behind the visitor's center at Palo Alto Baylands. Among the highlights were a basic plumage LAUGHING GULL (seen twice, in flight, heading north along the bay, not sure if it was a second-year or adult winter bird), a female MERLIN, CLAPPER RAIL and SORA. After we couldn't stand the sun any longer, we went over to Charleston Slough briefly, where there were 17 Black Skimmers on the island. Jennifer Rycenga Berkeley _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Oct 14 23:35:59 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sunday at Calero Reservoir - Prairie Falcon, Eurasian Wigeon, Gr. White-fronted Geese, etc. -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, Sunday I did a not-so-big "Big Sit" at the east end of Calero Reservoir (only spent about 3.5 hours there). Counted 60 species from my vantage point at the eastern end of Calero Reservoir. Best bird was a PRAIRIE FALCON that perched on the lone oak near the mouth of Bailey Cove - same tree in which I have sometimes seen a Peregrine Falcon on past occasions. The reservoir has greatly receded, but there is still plenty of good habitat at the eastern end. Other highlights included the continuing male EURASIAN WIGEON, 3 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, a flock of 17 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, 3 GOLDEN EAGLES (all 3 simultaneously in view!), and a pair of COMMON RAVENS (although common to the east of the Santa Teresa Hills, this may be a new bird for the park). At evening about 60 YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIES were seen coming to a communal roost in a hillside oak (they appeared to be flying in from the Coyote Valley - I've seen them come to roost here before, and this is probably a regular daily event). Here is the full list of birds seen from the levee at the eastern end of the reservoir: PIED-BILLED GREBE DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT CANADA GOOSE GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE GREEN-WINGED TEAL MALLARD GADWALL NORTHERN PINTAIL NORTHERN SHOVELER AMERICAN WIGEON EURASIAN WIGEON CANVASBACK - 1 RUDDY DUCK AMERICAN COOT RING-BILLED GULL CALIFORNIA GULL HERRING GULL - 1 FORSTER'S TERN - 3 AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN GREAT BLUE HERON BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON - 2 GREAT EGRET SNOWY EGRET KILLDEER BLACK-NECKED STILT GREATER YELLOWLEGS - 6+ SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 LEAST SANDPIPER LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER - 30+ COMMON SNIPE - 1 CALIFORNIA QUAIL TURKEY VULTURE GOLDEN EAGLE WHITE-TAILED KITE - 3 RED-SHOULDERED HAWK RED-TAILED HAWK AMERICAN KESTREL PRAIRIE FALCON ROCK DOVE NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER NORTHERN FLICKER BLACK PHOEBE AMERICAN PIPIT BARN SWALLOW - 1 WESTERN SCRUB-JAY YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE AMERICAN CROW COMMON RAVEN OAK TITMOUSE BEWICK'S WREN YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD BREWER'S BLACKBIRD SPOTTED TOWHEE SONG SPARROW GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW HOUSE FINCH LESSER GOLDFINCH HOUSE SPARROW In addition there was a flock of 17 WILD TURKEYS in a field near the park office, and upstream from the reservoir I saw a male NORTHERN HARRIER and a DOWNY WOODPECKER. Saturday's class field trip to the Carmel River Mouth didn't produce any passerine vagrants, although we did get great views of a wide variety of bids, and enjoyed near perfect weather. A previously reported EURASIAN WIGEON and as many as 8 WHITE-TAILED KITES were seen just south of the river mouth, at the Odello Lagoon. 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 Oct 15 09:07:41 2001 Subject: [SBB] Black Rail outlook? -------- What is the outlook for Black Rail around the end of next week - Oct 27-28? A friend is driving thru LA and is wondering if he should drive north for a shot at the Black Rail? He wants to know if the tide will be high enough to "guarantee" a Black Rail sighting? Deborah Bartens' tide table at the SBBU site starts from Nov 14, which I suppose is the first 9ft tide at PA Baylands. The highest tide this winter is 9.5 ft on 28th Jan. Thanks, Vivek >11-14-2001 11:26a 9.1 ft >11-15-2001 12:02p 9.1 ft >11-16-2001 12:39p 9.0 ft >01-28-2002 11:34a 9.5 ft >01-29-2002 12:22p 9.4 ft -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Oct 15 09:37:17 2001 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: This morning, 10/15/2001, I saw a NASHVILLE WARBLER in the lone eucalyptus on Stevens Creek above Critteden Lane, just after sunrise. It moved upstream, as did many Yellow-rumped Warblers. 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 Oct 15 10:09:31 2001 Subject: [SBB] OSPR, SAGU, WFIB -------- All, Early Saturday morning 10/13/01, while driving south on highway 101, I saw two low-flying OSPREYS together, just east of the highway. This was near the north end of the golf course, about a mile north of the Coyote Creek Golf Drive exit. After hearing about Al Eisner's SABINE'S GULL at the Sunnyvale WPCP yesterday 10/14/01, Alma and I headed over there on the way to the SFBBO annual meeting in Alviso. At 4pm, the juvenile SABINE'S GULL was still in the channel between the two main ponds, swimming with a BONAPARTE'S GULL. An adult BROWN PELICAN was in the east pond. On the way back out we saw a WHITE-FACED IBIS (or perhaps more properly, dark ibis sp.) flying north over the WPCP. Shortly after first noting this bird, it turned around and flew back south, eventually landing in the area of the Calabazas Ponds. 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 Oct 15 10:10:55 2001 Subject: [SBB] Ed R. Levin County Park -------- On Saturday, I did my usual rounds at Ed Levin. Surprisingly, the count was quite low for this time of year, and the results were kind of a mixed bag. I got a very light 32 species, with 9 more that I couldn't ID (too fast, too far, too quick, incomplete, etc.). But all-in-all, nothing earth-shaking or unusual. I should make particular note of the fact that other than Coots and Mallards, I saw *no* other water birds! I have made up to 25 species at the lakes alone, but this time things were unusually scarce... Owls: Regretfully, our winter resident BUrrowing OWls have not yet made their appearance at the park. If they follow past habits, I hope to see them any day now--I'll keep you all posted. On a more positive note, the Great Horned OWls and BArn OWls continue to prosecute the night shift at the park. Easily and reliably found, they always add an interesting spark to my weekly count. In an effort to better spot the Long Eared OWl (should they put in another nesting appearance this next year) and put a more accurate date on their arrival, I've been putting increased emphasis on carefully looking for those guys in all of their known hiding places. They've been unseen here since they departed with their fledglings in July. If anybody has any info to the contrary, or would like to work with me to make a watching network in order to detect their arrival, please let me know. Best regards, Dusty Campbell, Ca. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Oct 15 14:16:16 2001 Subject: [SBB] New list manager needed -------- SBB, I am seeking a conscientious soul to take over the management of this email list. I have to focus my attention elsewhere and, I'm sorry to say, can no longer manage the list. Please apply to me and not to the list. I would like to find a replacement within a week. Thanks, Les -- Les Chibana [[email protected]] 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]] Mon Oct 15 15:06:03 2001 Subject: [SBB] County birding -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I decided to chase some of the "good" birds seen over the weekend. We started at the Palo Alto Yacht Harbor hoping for a possible Palm Warbler or Laughing Gull. The best bird was a Golden-Crowned Kinglet found in the trees in front of the Ranger Residence. It was fairly active here with at least two Yellow Warblers with the Yellow-rumped Warblers and a juvenile Cooper's Hawk in the trees on the southern edge of the residence. Unfortunately no unusual gulls were noted :-( We then went to Palo Alto Baylands were we found two male Blue-winged Teal (our target bird). One of the BWTE was in partial eclipse plumage. We then tried for a Palm Warbler seen on Sundays SCVAS field trip (no joy). Our final target birds were Tufted Duck and American Bittern seen earlier near Adobe Creek. Unfortunately we did not find a Tufted Duck despite the fact that the creek and the Flood Control Basin were loaded with ducks and shorebirds. However, just as we were leaving we bumped into Kirsten (sorry don't know her last name) and as we were talking an American Bittern flew from somewhere just on the far side of Adobe Creek to the middle of a grassy area further west of the creek (we were about 100 yds north of the pumping bldg.). I might add that we had a single Common Snipe in Coast Casey Forebay and a female Ring-necked Pheasant flew west from the channel on the west side of the path across from the Forebay. Take care, Bob Reiling, 3:07 PM, 10/15/01 -------- Attachment 1.6 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Mon Oct 15 17:23:53 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sabine's Gull -------- The Sabine’s Gull continued at Sunnyvale WPCP this lunchtime. It’s dead easy to pick out being so small. It also obliged me by preening for a while and revealing its wing pattern. Just to clarify, the rail at Monte Bello on Saturday must have been a Virginia Rail. I’m gonna throw those darn CDs away! 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]] Mon Oct 15 23:13:47 2001 Subject: [SBB] Osprey -------- All, The OSPREY has been returning to the same perch overlooking Vasona almost every evening. From the pure white breast, he appears to be a male. Jean -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 16 10:44:36 2001 Subject: [SBB] Re: Black Rail outlook -------- Vivek: > What is the outlook for Black Rail around the end of next week - Oct 27-28? > A friend is driving thru LA and is wondering if he should drive north for > a shot at the Black Rail? > He wants to know if the tide will be high enough to "guarantee" a Black Rail > sighting? > > Deborah Bartens' tide table at the SBBU site starts from Nov 14, which > I suppose is the first 9ft tide at PA Baylands. > The highest tide this winter is 9.5 ft on 28th Jan. > > Thanks, > Vivek > > >11-14-2001 11:26a 9.1 ft > >11-15-2001 12:02p 9.1 ft > >11-16-2001 12:39p 9.0 ft > > >01-28-2002 11:34a 9.5 ft > >01-29-2002 12:22p 9.4 ft There has NEVER been a tide which guarantees a Black Rail sighting. (It would take a storm which completely floods the marsh.) And for the past few years, there has been no tide which made a sighting even probable, although some people have had good luck at the highest tides. It appears to me that the topography and water flow patterns and/or vegetation have just made things more difficult; and the "standback" set up to protect the marsh and rails hasn't helped either. In that sense, the "outlook for Black Rail" is improving; the outlook for seeing one is not. Without a storm I'd guess the chance in October is slim (but of course not absolutely zero). Al -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 16 13:39:14 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sabine's Gull -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I saw the first fall Sabine's Gull in the channel between the two large ponds in the Sunnyvale Water Treatment Facility. Earlier on our way out along the channel the only gulls visible were Ring-billed and Herring. As we continued out along the channel we also saw a single basic plumaged Red-necked Phalarope. Later on our way out, while we were once again studying the phalarope, we suddenly saw a small gull flying up the channel with a wide, dark, diagonal brownish-gray bar on the upper wing. The first fall Bonaparte's Gull continued flying almost straight north until out of sight. Shortly thereafter we spotted the SAGU swimming in the channel near a couple Ring-billed Gulls (looking very small by comparison). We have no idea as to which direction the bird(s) flew in from (and we had been checking out every gull we could see in all directions) but the SAGU and the BOGU were not seen until already in the channel. Close observation of the SAGU showed some light gray feathers on the center of the mantle and upper back, this and some apparent lightening of the forehead, crown and face being the only indications of aging. The bird did call when a RBGU seemed to get to close for comfort and toward the end of our observation it made a short flight "downstream" away from us (nice look). It was noted that the gull had a yellowish mouth lining and the legs were a light grayish-pink with some yellowish areas on the back of the "knee". A nice county year bird with a minimum of effort; a life bird and county species number 299 for Frank. Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:42 PM, 10/16/01 -------- Attachment 1.7 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 16 14:02:19 2001 Subject: [SBB] RE: Sabine's Gull -------- Good Afternoon, Wanted to thank Frank V and Bob R for showing me the Sabine's Gull (a lifer for me) and pointing out the Red-necked Phalarope (yearly). I had a great morning of birding at the Sunnyvale Water Treatment Center, with a Kestrel eating a small mouse, a single White-throated Sparrow by the big generator that rings a loud warning sound, White and Yellow-crowned Sparrows, good looks at Marsh Wrens and Common Yellowthroat males, had 6 Dowitchers Sp? sorry can't tell long from short yet. Roughly 18-20 White Pelicans soaring. For the ducks, countless Northern Shovelers. Gadwalls, Ruddy Ducks and I could only pick out one Northern Pintail. Was hoping for a Blue-winged Teal, maybe next time. No Burrowing Owls today. Okay, 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]] Tue Oct 16 14:03:33 2001 Subject: [SBB] Re:County birding -------- All, In my e-mail of yesterday I incorrectly stated that we saw the two Blue-winged Teal in the Palo Alto Baylands they were in fact seen in the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin. Take care, Bob Reiling, 2:05 PM, 10/16/01 -------- Attachment 307 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 16 15:18:20 2001 Subject: [SBB] (SBB) Wrentit in Los Altos -------- Greetings, I had the joy of hearing then locating a new bird for my Los Altos list this morning. A Wrentit was calling from the bushes near our property and obliged me with close up views for this normally retiring bird. I have not seen one here in before in 7+ years of recording in Los Altos. Mike Clark Rev. Mike Clark [[email protected]] Los Altos Union Presbyterian Church www.unionpc.org 650-948-4361 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith --and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) -------- Attachment 764 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 16 15:52:46 2001 Subject: [SBB] Wrentits and Reoccupation -------- I am convinced that many mature suburbs are experiencing a clear re-occupation by birds. As trees and plantings mature, the birds come back. In my area, near Gunn Hi in Palo Alto, birding was pretty dull when we first arrived in 1976. The first re-occupant I noticed was a profusion of Nuttall's Woodpeckers starting about 15 years ago. In the last few years we have had nesting bluebirds and nesting tree swallows. This year, I've been hearing White-breasted nuthatches for the first time. Bushtits, both Goldfinches and House Finches remain common. No Wrentits yet, but I'm listening. With more trees, more shrubs ( I got rid of my lawn 10 years ago) and fewer cats, the birds come back. Richard C. Carlson Full Time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker Part-time Economist Palo Alto & Lake Tahoe, CA [[email protected]] 650-949-9590 -------- Attachment 1.5 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 16 17:03:23 2001 Subject: [SBB] WTSP still present -------- All, Since I had to head home to get my son to his football practice, I decided to make a quick check for Linda's White-throated Sparrow at the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant this afternoon 10/16/01. I found the WHITE-THROATED SPARROW immediately, foraging in brush directly under the high voltage tower by the first channel on the left after crossing the bridge (coming in from the parking lot). The bird is "tan-striped" and has a fairly well demarcated white throat, reasonably bright yellow lores, and lacks extensive streaking on the breast, suggesting it is an adult. Mike Rogers -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 16 18:59:52 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] (SBB) Wrentit in Los Altos -------- Dear Mike & all. We hear and sometimes view Wrentits in fall near our house in Los Altos. I sometimes hear them far away in spring. I do not know where they nest, if they do. Ruth Troetschler 184 Lockhart Lane Los Altos, CA 94022 ------------------- At 3:18 PM -0700 10/16/01, Mike Clark wrote: >Greetings, > >I had the joy of hearing then locating a new bird for my Los Altos >list this morning. A Wrentit was calling from the bushes near our >property and obliged me with close up views for this normally >retiring bird. I have not seen one here in before in 7+ years of >recording in Los Altos. > >Mike Clark > >Rev. Mike Clark >[[email protected]] >Los Altos Union Presbyterian Church >www.unionpc.org >650-948-4361 >"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith >--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" >Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) -- Ruth Troetschler -------- Attachment 1.6 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 16 22:06:25 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Wrentits and Reoccupation -------- In a message dated 10/16/01 3:44:02 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [[email protected]] writes: > I am convinced that many mature suburbs are experiencing a clear > re-occupation by birds. As trees and plantings mature, the birds come back. > > This is an interesting issue, about birds "coming back" as neighborhood plantings mature. I can't speak for the historic nature of the Gunn H.S. neighborhood (my alma mater by the way), as I'm not sure what was there before the orchards that were repalced by houses. But often the suburban habitats that develop are markedly different from what was there before. An area that may have been predominantly grassland or savannah with few trees may later develop into a true urban forest. My Capitola neighborhood was once coastal grassland. Now my yard has Pygmy Nuthatch, Steller's Jay, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, etc. David Suddjian, Capitola [[email protected]] -------- Attachment 1.2 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Wed Oct 17 08:44:15 2001 Subject: [SBB] Reoccupation, Expansion, and Water Use -------- Folks: My two cents on "re-occupation." There is a general movement of Wrentits into urban and riparian areas in late summer and fall, although the incidences of this are infrequent. These birds will call, so they are quite noticeable. It is my opinion that these are birds looking for territory, young of the year. Detailed breeding studies show that young birds generally set up territories very close to their natal area, but it seems likely that some birds move further. The Nuttall's Woodpeckers that Richard Carlson noted have undergone a range expansion locally in the last 35 years. The first Nuttall's was found on the Palo Alto CBC in 1968 and the second in 1971. In recent years, between 60 and 100 birds have been tallied. Their advance up the peninsula has continued, but slowly--they are still quite uncommon nearer to the coast. Urbanization has changed the water balance in our local areas drastically. It is likely that this has had a significant effect on both numbers of species and aggregate numbers of birds. For plants that are not adapated to the Mediterranean climate, plant growth is highest at the times of high temperatures and long daylight. In out climate, of course, this is the period when water becomes a minimum. But in urban areas, the opposite is the case as this is when we have maximum water use. An interesting math problem is to calculate your base household water use (using December to March data), and subtract 12 months of this base use from your total consumption. Then divide that total consumption by the area of your yard to figure out how many inches of water you use annually. At my house in Menlo Park, the effect is to double the annual rainfall. You do not have to be a fan of Frank Herbert's _Dune_ to imagine what kind of changes this can make. [By the way, I believe the SCVWD's statistics show that we import 57% of our water now.] 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 Oct 17 10:28:04 2001 Subject: [SBB] Wrentit movement -------- >>There is a general movement of Wrentits into urban and riparian areas in late summer and fall Interesting to learn this. Saturday at Andrew Molera, besides the frequent calling of Wrentits from the chaparral to the south of the river, we heard one calling from the edge of a mixed flock right in the riparian corridor. This bird was very cooperative, and continued calling while we passed within six feet. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Oct 17 10:34:04 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Wrentit movement -------- Mark Paxton wrote: > > >>There is a general movement of Wrentits into urban and riparian areas in > late summer and fall > Yes, we've seen this in San Francisco as well, where (unfortunately) the only Wrentits we get these days are these post-breeding wanderers. Mark -- Mark Eaton mailto:[[email protected]] SFBirds Web Page http://home.pacbell.net/mweaton SFBirds mailing list http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SFBirds "Montepulciano, the grape, is cultivated widely in Italy, mostly in the east from the central Marches region south through Abruzzi to Apulia. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is the red wine made from the montepulciano grape in Abruzzi, which the Italians call Abruzzo." ERIC ASIMOV -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Oct 17 11:16:46 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- Last weekend, while birding at CCFS, I had the opportunity to observe an interesting behavior. While standing along the creek at the crossover out front of the trailers, a Hermit Thrush came out into the short grass and began to forage, sometimes within 15 feet of where I stood. As it tilted its head this way and that way, looking for prey, I could see it shaking one of its feet in the grass. This movement was just a rapid vibration, barely noticeable except at close range through binoculars. It was obviously a technique for flushing prey into the open, much like what a Snowy Egret does in the water. It would execute this maneuver for a minute, and then stop and continue checking by tilting its head back and forth. Then it would hop to a new location and repeat the procedure. It carried on like this for some time before flying back into the riparian understory. I have never seen this behavior before and wonder if it's ever been recorded previously? 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 Oct 17 14:01:05 2001 Subject: [SBB] White-throated Sparrow but no Sabine's Gull -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I decided to hit some of the local hot spots and made our last stop at the Sunnyvale Water Treatment Facility. While Frank and I were searching the plant (east) side of the canal, just north of the parking lot, Pete LaTourrette refound the tan striped White-throated Sparrow on the west side of the canal near the pumping station (where the power lines cross the trail). The bird was quite a skulker but we eventually all got good looks as it moved from one side of the canal to the other. We also had good views of Lincoln's Sparrows and a Fox Sparrow in this area. Later Frank, Mike Mammoser and I tried for but missed the Sabine's Gull (the Red-necked Phalarope was still there). Earlier Frank and I had at least 13 Pectoral Sandpipers sleeping in the pond at State St. & Speckles Ave. The pond also had a couple Lesser Yellowlegs, a couple Greater Yellowlegs, three to four Least Sandpipers and several dowitchers. Our best bird at the EEC was a singing Fox Sparrow. Four Burrowing Owls and two male Ring-necked Pheasants were spotted in Arzino Ranch but there were no "mentionables" in Harvey (aka Calabazas) Marsh. Take care, Bob Reiling, 2:05 PM,10/17/01 -------- Attachment 1.3 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Wed Oct 17 16:25:35 2001 Subject: [SBB] Re: Hermit Thrush behavior -------- All, I have seen this behavior numerous times by Hermit Thrushes in my yard. It is just as Mike describes, apparently scaring up prey items. Screech. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Mammoser" <[[email protected]]> To: "SBB" <[[email protected]]> Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 11:16 AM Subject: [SBB] : > Last weekend, while birding at CCFS, I had the opportunity to observe an > interesting behavior. While standing along the creek at the crossover out > front of the trailers, a Hermit Thrush came out into the short grass and > began to forage, sometimes within 15 feet of where I stood. As it tilted its > head this way and that way, looking for prey, I could see it shaking one of > its feet in the grass. This movement was just a rapid vibration, barely > noticeable except at close range through binoculars. It was obviously a > technique for flushing prey into the open, much like what a Snowy Egret does > in the water. It would execute this maneuver for a minute, and then stop and > continue checking by tilting its head back and forth. Then it would hop to a > new location and repeat the procedure. It carried on like this for some time > before flying back into the riparian understory. I have never seen this > behavior before and wonder if it's ever been recorded previously? > > Mike Mammoser > > > > > -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== > This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list > server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the > message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Oct 17 17:02:02 2001 Subject: [SBB] Re: hermit thrush behavior -------- In a message dated 10/17/01 12:24:38 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [[email protected]] writes: > I have never seen this > behavior before and wonder if it's ever been recorded previously? > >From the Birds of North America species account (No. 261; Jones and Donovan 1996): "Foot-quivering (using feet to shake and scare insects out of clumps of dead or newly regenerating grasses) observed in California (Ramsey 1992); this may also be an aggressive behavior (Dilger 1956, Willis 1966)." Dilger, W.C. 1956. The hostile behavior and reproductive isolating mechanisms in the avian genera _Catharus_ and _Hylocichla_. Auk 73:313-353. Ramsey, R.W. 1992. Foot-quivering by a Hermit Thrush. Wash. Birds 2:33-34. Willis , E.O. 1966. The role of migrant birds at swarms of army ants. Living Bird 5:187-231. *** David Suddjian, Capitola [[email protected]] -------- Attachment 1.1 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Wed Oct 17 20:45:49 2001 Subject: [SBB] FW: {EBB} Fwd: Women's birding workshop -------- -----Original Message----- From: East Bay Birders Circle [mailto:[[email protected]]]On Behalf Of Larry Tunstall Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2001 12:45 PM To: East Bay Birders Circle Subject: {EBB} Fwd: Women's birding workshop Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2001 12:05:54 -0700 (PDT) From: kristy ruocco <[[email protected]]> Subject: Bird exploration Hello. I'm Kristy Ruocco and I'm a Special Events Coordinator for the Bay Area REI stores and I have put together a Women's Workshop Series that is offering five different workshops for women - by women. This Saturday from 8 AM to 11 AM we are offering the Birding Workshop that with be taking place in Point Reyes National Seashore taught by Melissa Pitkin from PRBO. It's a full day of learning and exploring that we are thrilled to be offering. I was hoping that you would be able to share this with people that may be interested in joining in on the adventure. There is a small cost for the instruction along with free gifts - REI Members $35 NonMembers $50. I'm excited to be able to present workshops like this one to our local communities to inspire and invigorate them. So far we have had great success yet we know this is an awkward time we are all going through. I feel it is one of the best times to be able to get out in the world and experience it and appreciate all that we can. Kristy Ruocco Special Events Dept. REI 510.527.7377 Forwarded to EBB by Larry Tunstall Larry Tunstall El Cerrito CA [[email protected]] http://folkbird.net/ East Bay Birders Circle: http://folkbird.net/ebb/ ############################################################# This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to the mailing list <[[email protected]]>. To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[[email protected]]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[[email protected]]> To switch to the INDEX mode, E-mail to <[[email protected]]> Send administrative queries to <[[email protected]]> Archives of past messages are at http://folkbird.net/ebb/ Send messages for the entire group 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 Oct 18 16:42:11 2001 Subject: [SBB] Guadalupe River -------- All, I birded the overflow channel east of the Guadalupe River between Montague Expwy and Trimble just after dawn this morning 10/18/01. Winter birds have arrived in numbers, with at least 5 NORTHERN FLICKERS, 11 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, 9 HERMIT THRUSHES, 20 AMERICAN PIPITS, 27 CEDAR WAXWINGS, 3+ "OREGON" DARK-EYED JUNCOS, and 5 species of SPARROWS dominating the scene. There are still some lingering migrants, however - the most interesting being 4 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, 1 YELLOW WARBLER, 2 TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS, and 1 WESTERN TANAGER. Also of interest were a continuing pair of HUTTON'S VIREOS, a single male BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, and a flyover WESTERN MEADOWLARK. Mike Rogers -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Oct 18 19:22:11 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sabine's Gull @ Sunnyvale Water Treatment Facility -------- Today after work, I went to the Sunnyvale Water Treatment Facility to look for the Sabine's Gull and White-throated Sparrow. I had the opposite results of Mike, Frank and Bob yesterday. I found the Sabine's Gull on the level forming the narrow channel, about 150 yards past the pumping station. Red-necked Phalaropes (pair) were in amongst the ducks on the east side of the levee. No luck on finding the White-throated Sparrow, but did see a Green Heron in the channel running below the high-power lines just north of the parking lot. Randy Little Milpitas -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Oct 18 21:54:50 2001 Subject: [SBB] Fwd: Possible Condor at Stanford Dish -------- All, I don't want to be responsible for spreading mere rumors, but I thought the following report from one of my students was intriguing and deserved posting in order to alert people of the possiblity of a Condor in the area. The student is a good observer (familiar with Turkey Vultures, ofcourse) and is convinced she saw a California Condor last week while walking at the Stanford Dish. I needed to speak with her and get her permission before relaying her story to SBB, hence the lateness of this report. She informed me that an associate of hers has also seen the bird during a different walk and agrees with her description. The student's report was as follows: << Dear all, I know I haven't been birding a long time but I think this bird was not hard to identify. Yes, a California Condor. I took a walk this morning about 8:45 at the Dish (entrance at Stanford and Junipero Serra) and about an hour later when I was finishing my walk (for those of you who have been there, just when you start out, there is a Y fork in the trail, taking the Right fork, it was on the left side about 50 to 75 yards away). As I was finishing my walk, from far away, I saw a large bird. As I approached closer, I noticed its bright orange head and neck with "ostrich-like" feathers around the neck, white wing linings, and the huge distinctive size. It was foraging around in the dry arid foothills of the Dish, I watched it for about 10 or 15 minutes, and I did not see it take flight. It did not appear injured, just kind of foraging around. (I would have stayed to see it take flight, but I had an appointment that I could not miss!! even for a Condor!) When I reached the bottom of the hill at Junipero Serra and Stanford, I turned around and looked and I could not see it any more... SK >> I have discussed other possible species with her and she remains confident that it could not have been any of the birds I listed. I can offer no further details about the siting as I was not there. I truly hope that this report proves to be accurate and that others can observe the bird if it is still in the area. No harm in keeping an eye out, I think. Thank you. Matthew Dodder http://www.birdguy.net P.S. for this entire week, a noisy group of parrots has flown over my appartment at about 6:00pm each night. I have not yet seen the birds as I am always in my kitchen when they fly over, but I imagine they are Red-masked Parrots, perhaps the same group I used to see in Mountain View. I sounds like about 6-8 individuals. -------- Attachment 2.7 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Fri Oct 19 10:03:26 2001 Subject: [SBB] local parrots -------- All, Matthew mentions hearing conures for the past week at 6pm. Here in Sunnyvale the conure patterns are changing from summer to winter behavior as well. All summer long, I have had a pair of MITRED CONURES (=PARROTS) around my house, apparently attempting to nest as they were seen copulating and tearing at the roof shingles of a nearby church. Occasionally more birds would show up in the neighborhood, with up to 8 flying around and landing on various trees. After seeing at least the pair daily since early summer, they disappeared after the first of October. Last Saturday 10/13/01, I happended to be in a slightly sifferent part of Sunnyvale in the evening and was treated to the remarkable sight of 3 groups of vocal conures joining together to form a flock of 25 birds, which then headed off towards the junction of Remington and Mary at 6:35pm, apparently heading to an evening roost. These parrots have been around locally for many years and have been confirmed to be breeding in some years. It seems that their numbers may indeed be increasing, although they have not been systematically censused. The California Bird Records Committee has recently added Red-crowned Parrot to the state list, based on the 2000 or so birds breeding in southern California (perhaps 20% of the world population!). Although the Red-masked and Mitred Conures are less numerous, they may also be candidates for addition to the state list. In order to make such a determination, the status (breeding, population size, etc.) needs to be assessed. Thus information on our birds may be of great interest in this assessment - please keep the list informed about such observations. Thanks, Mike Rogers -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Fri Oct 19 11:57:55 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] local parrots -------- > Thus information on our birds may be of great interest in this assessment > - please keep the list informed about such observations. Okay. Here is my parrots / parakeets sighting summary. I have seen Red-masked Parakeets near the intersection of Miramonte and Castro (in Mt. View) in the morning ~8:30am. Usually they identify their presence via their vocalization, at most 7 or 8, not a big flock. Three times (separate dates) in mid Sept., there were 4 parrots flying overhead from Mt. View to Sunnyvale around 4:30pm near Cuesta Park area. (They may have done so before Sept. but I wasn't available before Sept.) On Oct. 5, I counted 22 Red-masked Parakeets in a tall Redwood tree near Bubb's school (on Hans) ~4:40pm. I had good look of the birds (without binocular). 22 is a rough count. Regards, Debbie (and Tadd) -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Oct 19 13:14:37 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sabine's Gull still there (10/19) -------- All, This morning Frank Vanslager and I saw the first fall Sabine's Gull in the canal between the two large ponds at the Sunnyvale Water Treatment Facility. A single Red-necked Phalarope was in the eastern pond. We also had two closely associating Fox Sparrows, one of the birds was singing, near where the White-throated Sparrow has been seen. Earlier we had American Pipits along the CCFS access road (first of the fall for us). At the Waterbird Pond we had a Mew Gull. The breeding plumaged Long-billed Dowitcher was also in the pond despite the fact that the total number of dowitchers was quite low (less than a dozen). A juvenile Cooper's Hawk perched on a fence pole to the south of the pond. We had two adult Peregrine Falcon sightings in Alviso, both could have been of the same bird, one of a PEFA on a Power Tower along the EEC access road and the other of a PEFA standing on the ground in Arzino Ranch (I couldn't tell if it had made a kill). We had at least five Burrowing Owls and several Ring-necked Pheasants (four, two and two, in one view) in Arzino Ranch. Several Pectoral Sandpipers continue in the pond at the corner of State St and Spreckles Ave in Alviso. Take care, Bob Reiling, 1:15 PM, 10/19/01 -------- Attachment 1.4 KBytes -------- From [[email protected]] Fri Oct 19 19:47:43 2001 Subject: [SBB] Re: Possible Condor at Stanford Dish -------- All, A few more comments about my previous report: For those asking about the possible siting, the bird in question was seen on Friday October 12 in the morning. As I mentioned, the delay in the report is because the student informed only myself and members of the class and is not a member of SBB. I was out of town last week and wanted to discuss the siting with her before broadcasting the report. She mentioned that an associate echoed her report, but had seen the bird about a week earlier in the same area. Neither one of the reports mentioned numbered tags on the wings. It is true that the lack of brightly-colored identification tags casts serious doubt on the identification. Nevertheless, the possiblity of California Condors occuring in our area is exciting and worth some consideration. I feel we should not consider the report false, merely "unconfirmed". Personally, I plan on keeping an eye out... I am not familiar with the dispersal pattern of the Big Sur birds and cannot offer any input on the subject. What I like most about SBB is the confidence that even unsubstantiated reports such as this can spark interesting dialog and thoughtful input. Thank you all for your comments. Matthew Dodder http://www.birdguy.net -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Oct 21 00:32:21 2001 Subject: [SBB] Saturday birds at Palo Alto Baylands & Charleston Slough -------- Howdy South-bay-birders, The highlight of a class field trip on Saturday was a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW seen at Palo Alto Baylands, part of a mixed sparrow flock on the lawn at the ranger's residence. Heard 2 FOX SPARROWS singing in the fennel patch nearby, and an immature COOPER'S HAWK was also hanging out there. Later we counted at least 20 BLACK SKIMMERS on the island in Charleston Slough, and saw 3 PEREGRINE FALCONS flying high above the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin (2 flying and interacting with each other, shortly followed by a third). A few LINCOLN'S SPARROWS were in the weeds along the edge of the slough and forebay, but gave us disappointingly short looks-- John Mariani [[email protected]] www.birdswest.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Oct 21 15:52:28 2001 Subject: [SBB] RE: CLAPPER RAIL...... -------- Good Afternoon All, Early this morning I had another class trip, this time to the Palo Alto Baylands, led by teacher, Lisa Myers. Lisa was the first one out of the car, and spotted a CLAPPER RAIL.....she called for us all to come see. We could see the CLAPPER RAIL clearly with our binoculars and had fantastic scope views. The rail hung around for sometime as we watched it forage and eat whatever it picked out of the mud. My sincere thanks go to Lisa Myers for her great birding classes and her field trips. A patient teacher with great knowledge that she shares. We also saw today: Whimbrils, Long-billed Curlews, Dowitchers, Willets, Greater Yellowlegs, Least Sandpipers, Marbled Godwits, Black-bellied Plover, Green-winged Teals, Cinnamon Teals, White-tailed Kites, Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harrier, a pair of Peregrine Falcons. White & Gold Crowned Sparrows, Bushtits, Egrets, Ruddy ducks, etc. Heard Marsh Wrens. We also went over to Shoreline to see the Black Skimmers. Lots of great looks at Northern Pintails, Cinnamon Teal, Green-winged Teals, lots of American White Pelicans, had a great look at a Loggerhead Shrike. Also had a pair of White-tailed Kites, Red-tailed and Cooper's Hawks. Moorhens, Godwits, Yellowlegs, and Dowitchers galore. Had a Savannah Sparrow on the ground which gave us outstanding views up close. Took a quick look at the Surf Scoter at Shoreline Lake. Thanks, Lisa for a memorable bird outing and a great life bird the Clapper Rail. 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]] Sun Oct 21 16:21:40 2001 Subject: [SBB] Sunnyvale WPCP Sat PM -------- Saturday 3:30-5PM at the Sunnyvale WPCP. 7 species of sparrows (HOUSE, WHITE-CROWNED, GOLDEN-CROWNED, LINCOLN's, FOX, SONG, SAVANNAH) but no White-throated. No gulls whatsover in the channel between the two large ponds. RED-NECKED PHALOROPE was swimming close to the shore on the East Pond. Both WHITE and BROWN PELICANs on the large salt pond east of the radar tower - (A4?) Vivek Tiwari [[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 Oct 22 08:00:24 2001 Subject: [SBB] Calero, Sunday -------- Hello All, Here's a brief report from Calero Reservoir & vicinity for Sunday, Oct 21: I arrived at the reservoir around 9:30 am to watch a flock of 30 AMER WIGEONS circling in for a landing - the total count of Amer Wigeons on the reservoir is now close to 200. I did not see the Eurasian Wigeon this time. There were six CANADA GEESE on the mudflats at the upper end when I arrived, but at 10:30 am Canada Geese began streaming in by the hundreds coming from the southeast over Bailey Road and by the time all the commotion had settled down there were well over 350 Canada Geese on the mudflats. This seems to be a regular pattern for this huge goose flock as I have seen it before at mid-morning at Calero Reservoir - wonder where they are settled earlier before they make this flight trek. With the flock were three GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (presumably the same ones reported by John Mariani last week). I watched the Greater White-fronted Geese fly in with the great CAGO flock, but while they flew in at the same time, they stayed somewhat apart from the main he! rd! . Other birds of interest at the upper end included one female RING-NECKED DUCK and one SPOTTED SANDPIPER. Other ducks included Mallard, Ruddy Duck, N. Shoveler, N. Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Gadwall. Other shorebirds: Killdeer, Long-billed Dowitcher, Least Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Black-necked Stilt. About ten EARED GREBES were seen. Land birds of interest included at least 16 TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS seen in with mixed blackbird flocks both at the boat ramp and in the horse corral. I say "at least", because I only counted the easy-to-identify males. There were lots of blackbirds flying around (including Red-winged, Brewer's and starling), so I didn't try for the females, so presumably there were probably double the number of Tricolored's. Also of interest was a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in the horse corral. Almaden Reservoir and vicinity: Only eight WOOD DUCKS seen on Sunday, but to make up for that 33 WILD TURKEYS were seen - 20 in a pasture in New Almaden and 13 at the reservoir itself. Also at the reservoir were two SPOTTED SANDPIPERS and one COMMON SNIPE. Finally a LINCOLN'S SPARROW was seen along the path to the Fish Ladder along the Guadalupe Channel near the VTA Light Rail Station. That's it for now from the Almaden area - 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 Oct 22 11:22:20 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- On Saturday, 20 Oct 01, I went to CCFS to show some people around from Sequoia Audubon. As for migrants, we managed to see a single ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, a single YELLOW WARBLER, and a single HOUSE WREN. There was, of course a myriad of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS and a few HERMIT THRUSHES. The banders caught another HOUSE WREN and a WINTER WREN. Before leaving we got nice looks at a PRAIRIE FALCON overhead and then perched at the sludge ponds. Later I went to the EEC and had an adult PEREGRINE FALCON on the power towers along the entrance. At the Sunnyvale sewage ponds a GREEN HERON was the only unusual bird. On Sunday, 21 Oct 01, I checked some areas around home. An OSPREY was perched in a tree at the Ogier Ponds, while a fair number of RING-NECKED DUCKS swam below. A large flock of blackbirds along Santa Teresa Road included RED-WINGED, TRICOLORED, and BREWERS. At Calero Reservoir a large flock of CANADA GEESE included 3 adult GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE. Also present was a small Canada Goose that looked to be about half the size of the larger ones, though it seemed somewhat larger than what I would expect for leucoparia or minima (compared to nearby Mallards). The underparts were slightly darker than the larger geese but not as dark as I would expect for leucoparia or minima (though immature Aleutians will have lighter breasts). I couldn't get a close study of this bird, so it's difficult to pin it down to subspecies, but the size and breast coloration is somewhat suggestive of taverneri. A variety of duck species were present, including MALLARD, GADWALL, RUDDY DUCK, NORTHERN SHOVELER, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, CINNAMON TEAL, and AMERICAN WIGEON. Small numbers of gulls included RING-BILLED and HERRING, with one GLAUCOUS-WINGED present. Surprisingly, I couldn't pick out a California, though I didn't spend a lot of time checking them. 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 Oct 22 14:47:56 2001 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: This morning, 10/22/2001, I saw 280-320 AM. WHITE PELICANS and and 2 ad. and an imm. BROWN PELICAN on Salt Pond A1. Another imm. BROWN PELICAN was on Shoreline Lake. An ad. PEREGRINE FALCON was at the Stevens Creek Tidal Marsh eating an unidenfied prey item. My BLACK SKIMMER count at Charleston Slough was 19. 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 Oct 24 11:20:47 2001 Subject: [SBB] Dippers in Herbert Creek -------- This morning about 9:45 there were 2 Dippers in Herbert Creek opposite the stop sign in Twin Creeks. There were also 6 Snipe, 1 Spotted Sandpiper and 8 Wood Ducks in the Almaden Reservoir. 16 Wild Turkeys were grazing on some irrigated grass in downtown New Almaden. 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]] Wed Oct 24 13:40:04 2001 Subject: [SBB] Coyote Creek -------- Hello, A quick lunchtime stroll along the south end of the Coyote Creek Parkway in Morgan Hill revealed an OSPREY flying overhead with a fish. The bird subsequently perched on the first utility pole downstream of the steel bridge over the creek to enjoy a leisurely sushi lunch. Other birds included Mallards, American Robin, Oak Titmouse, Bushtits, Ruby-Crowned Kinglets, Black Phoebe, Northern Flicker, Nuttall's Woodpecker; Scrub Jay, Stellar Jay, Turkey Vulture, Red-Tailed Hawk, Bewick's Wren, Belted Kingfisher, Gold- and White-Crowned Sparrows, House Finches and an American Kestrel. Good birding, Mark Paxton -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Oct 24 16:25:50 2001 Subject: [SBB] Red-breasted Sapsuckers -------- This morning in Twin Creeks was a real Red-breasted Sapsucker convention. There were at least 4 (had that many in view at one time) and maybe as many as 7 Red-breasted Sapsuckers in the large sycamores lining the creek. 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]] Wed Oct 24 17:41:20 2001 Subject: [SBB] Re: Twin Creeks -------- Twin Creeks is a small cluster of homes above Almaden Reservoir. Keep going on the road past Almaden Reservoir, past the intersection with Hicks Road and about a half mile farther on, you come to Twin Creeks. There is no sign, just a bunch of homes. The people here are a bit on the private side so it pays to be very considerate and inconspicuous. 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]] Wed Oct 24 17:44:53 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Red-breasted Sapsuckers -------- Where the heck is Twin Creeks?? 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]] Thu Oct 25 08:47:37 2001 Subject: Re: [SBB] Red-breasted Sapsuckers -------- Where is Parker Creek? At 4:25 PM -0700 10/24/01, Kathy Parker wrote: >This morning in Twin Creeks was a real Red-breasted Sapsucker convention. >There were at least 4 (had that many in view at one time) and maybe as many >as 7 Red-breasted Sapsuckers in the large sycamores lining the creek. >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]] -- 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]] Thu Oct 25 09:31:38 2001 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: This morning, 10/25/2001, I estimated 440-540 AM. WHITE PELICANS in Salt Ponds A1 and A2W. Two BROWN PELICANS were in Salt Pond A2W. An adult pair of PEREGRINE FALCONS were at the Stevens Creek Tidal Marsh. They flushed a half dozen KILLDEER out of the marsh and the male repeatedly stooped on the birds as the female flew cover--no success this time, though. 12+ BLACK SKIMMERS were doing their dawn patrol at Charleston Slough. Bill -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Oct 25 10:41:22 2001 Subject: [SBB] Merlie Is Back??? -------- A black Merlin appeared on Merlie's tree this morning at 8:32 am. Is it really Merlie again for the 10th year? Well, it is a black Merlin, on the right tree, at the right time, and the right date range. We will have to wait and see if he keeps returning, or is just a look-alike that is passing through. Past experience with Merlie the Merlin for the last 9 years can be found on South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU) http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/ ----------------------------------------- Kendric C. Smith, Ph.D. 927 Mears Court Stanford, CA 94305-1041 (650) 493-7210 (voice or fax) [[email protected]] http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/ ------------------------------------------ -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Thu Oct 25 11:18:34 2001 Subject: [SBB] RE: Oka Ponds / Los Gatos Creek -------- Good Morning, Started this morning at LG Creek Park, Dell Avenue Entrance and just birded the large pond. The BROWN PELICAN was actually flying and diving for fish. Drove over to the Oka Lane entrance of Oka Ponds. Upon entering I had a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON with a GREEN HERON next to each other in the channel. Lots of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS in the Euc and Pepper Tree on the path to the right. Also had a pair of NORTHERN FLICKERS (male and female) in the Euc trees. Walking up the path closest to the freeway side, had three SAVANNAH SPARROW (took pictures of them yesterday), in the largest pond, had a GREAT BLUE HERON, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and 3 SNOWY EGRETS. The BELTED KINGFISHER put in an appearance. Two GREAT EGRETS. I was surprised by all the Snowy Egrets today, roughly 8-10 and at least 6 Green Herons. Walked the path on the freeway side to spot 3 COMMON SNIPE, one on each island! AMERICAN WIGEONS, GADWALLS and MALLARDS. Lots of GOLD & WHITE CROWNED SPARROWS. 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 Oct 27 14:19:02 2001 Subject: [SBB] : -------- On Saturday, 27 Oct 01, I visited Lake Cunningham, but found nothing unusual except a very sick male MALLARD that was being virtually eaten alive by a flock of TURKEY VULTURES. At the Palo Alto Baylands, the trees around the ranger station had a single ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER in with the YELLOW-RUMPEDS. The fennel patch had a couple of FOX SPARROWS in with the zonotrichia. Shorebirds at the estuary included LONG-BILLED CURLEWS, MARBLED GODWITS, WHIMBRELS, WILLETS, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, LEAST and WESTERN SANDPIPERS, and a DUNLIN. The gulls included a few hundred BONAPARTE'S and about 20 MEWS. Two BROWN PELICANS were flying north past the Interpretive Center. Mike Mammoser -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Sun Oct 28 10:22:26 2001 Subject: [SBB] New Book - The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior -------- [Slightly off topic] "The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior" which was released recently (October 2, 2001) is now in bookstores ($45.00). For those who don't get out to a bookstore often, Amazon currently has it on sale for $27.00 where you can see 54 sample pages. Open Amazon's home page www.amazon.com and put this ISBN, 0679451234 , into the search window to see it. -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Oct 29 07:30:59 2001 Subject: [SBB] Calero/Almaden -------- Hello All, Much of this sounds like a repeat from previous weeks, but here is report from Sunday, Oct 28. Calero Reservoir (upper end): Three GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were seen again with the large flock of Canada Geese. Also seen was a smaller-sized Canada Goose with a darker chest than the larger Canada Geese, also with a shorter neck and shorter bill. It showed a light ring at the base of the neck, but the the ring was not well defined. This small goose spent most of its time resting with its head tucked under its wing so I didn't get as good a comparative look as I would have liked. Every time I thought it was about to stand up and move around, it would just settle back down again. This may have been the same small-size CAGO reported by Mike Mammoser last week. As for ducks, four BUFFLEHEAD were seen (first of the season for me). The male EURASIAN WIGEON was seen again this time, and he is now in alternate plumage (gray flanks, salmon-colored breast, cinnamon head with golden forehead). Ten COMMON MERGANSERS were present as well as a good variety of other ducks, i! nc! luding Green-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, American Wigeon, N Shoveler, N Pintail, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, Mallard. Other birds of interest included one HERRING GULL, 3-4 FORSTER'S TERNS, and an OSPREY. Also 22 WILD TURKEYS were in the dry creek bed. Almaden Reservoir: Not as much to report, but 13 WOOD DUCKS were on the reservoir and 13 COMMON SNIPE on the mudflats. That's it for now - Ann -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Oct 29 08:30:14 2001 Subject: [SBB] - -------- Folks: This morning, 10/29/2001, I watched a f/imm MERLIN sort through a flock of HOUSE FINCHES along Stevens Creek below Crittenden Lane. While watching her/him I noted an imm COOPER'S HAWK stooping on two AM. CROWS at SGI who had been doing nothing at all. The Cooper's--crow interaction attracted the Merlin who returned and also stooped on the crows. A bully morning. An adult PEREGRINE FALCON was on a tower at the Stevens Creek Tidal Marsh. At Charleston Slough, 17+ BLACK SKIMMERS were doing their usual thing and a BURROWING OWL was at a natural mound at the east end of Shoreline. 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 Oct 29 08:48:09 2001 Subject: [SBB] Raptors, shrike -------- Hello SBBirders--- Yesterday, 28 Oct. 2001, my wife Karen had three GOLDEN EAGLES at Piers Ranch, just west of the Alpine Rd./I-280 intersection in Portola Valley. While she was observing one of the birds, an immature, in flight, a PEREGRINE FALCON swooped down to harass the eagle. This morning, 29 Oct., at 7:40 AM I saw a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE on the fence along I-280 between Page Mill an Alpine Rds. They used to be pretty common there but I haven't seen many in the past few years. ---Grant Hoyt -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Oct 29 13:16:04 2001 Subject: [SBB] Black Mountain Birds -------- Amy and I walked up Black Mountain from Rhus Ridge Road on Sunday 10/29. Eight species of raptor were observed, including Golden Eagle. A single Swainson's Thrush was seen among the many Hermits. An absence of any warblers was unexpected, although there were several good sized flocks of other small passerines. James Yurchenco -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Mon Oct 29 14:02:15 2001 Subject: [SBB] American Dipper -------- Hi All This morning, Oct 29, I took a walk up Stevens Creek from Mt. Eden road looking for the AMERICAN DIPPER that has been reported there a few times in the past few years. Found it foraging in still water between riffles, not at all where I expected to see it. Larry Spivak -------- Attachment 367 bytes -------- From [[email protected]] Mon Oct 29 20:16:22 2001 Subject: [SBB] Ailing GCSP -------- All, One of my Golden-crowned Sparrowa has a large flesh-colored growth at the base of its bill on the left side. This does not seem to affect its feeding or other activities. This is the first deformity or ailment that I have seen at my feeders this season. Jean -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Tue Oct 30 16:22:57 2001 Subject: [SBB] Peregrine falcon(s) -------- Two PEREGRINE FALCONS were perched on the northeast corner of the large(!) wind tunnel at NASA-Ames Research Center today at 4pm. I've seen one or two of them intermittently during the past three weeks in this location. Alas, this part of the wind tunnel is not visible from public access areas. The south end of the wind tunnel complex is a nesting site and favorite perch for NASA's pair of resident RED-TAILED HAWKS. The hawks and falcons are occasionally seen to, er, interact. George Raiche [[email protected]] George A. Raiche, Ph.D. Reacting Flow Environments Branch, ASA NASA-Ames Research Center MS 230-2 Moffett Field CA 94035 (650) 604-1983 (v) (650) 604-0350 (f) -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Oct 30 17:23:45 2001 Subject: [SBB] RE: Oka Ponds - Male Hooded Merganser -------- Good Evening, Went over to Oka Ponds / LG Creek this afternoon around 3:15 and found a beautiful male Hooded Merganser (first of the season) swimming with two female Hooded Mergansers in the largest pond before the bridge. Also at the ponds were two Belted Kingfishers, Great Egrets (2), Snowy Egrets (3) and Green Herons (2). Walked over the bridge to walk the LG trail path and the first pond on the left had Ring-necked Ducks (3) male and (5) female, Ruddy Ducks and Gadwalls. In the center creek were American Wigeons and (4) Common Snipe on "Snipe Island". The Osprey was perched on the dead tree in the large pond at the Dell Avenue entrance. Had 2 different male Anna's Hummingbirds doing display for females...really great to watch. 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]] Tue Oct 30 23:01:26 2001 Subject: [SBB] South-bay-birds list moving. -------- I want to give folks a bit of advanced notice here, so you aren't surprised or freaked. After talking to Les and Bill, I've volunteered to take over managing the south-bay-birds list. It'll be moving from Stanford to my server on plaidworks.com. Tomorrow evening, if all goes well, we'll load the subscriber list into the new server, and it'll be ready to go. When that happens, you'll get a message letting you know you've been subscribed -- that's why I'm sending this not out tonight, so you aren't surprised. Once we're sure everything is working, Les will shut off the one at Stanford. I'll send out a note to this list before I do it, so you know it's happening (and if you run into a black hole after, you know to contact me to get it fixed). The new home of the list will act pretty much like the current one. I use a different list server, so some of the details are different, but you shouldn't find things too strange. The new home page for the list is: http://www.plaidworks.com/sbb Which you can look at now, if you want, to get a feel for what we'll be doing. I've got some other stuff we can get into after we move that might be useful down the road, too (for instance, I run www.chuqui.com, which has discussion forums in it, and I can create both public and private forums for specific purposes, short-term projects, or other uses). I'll be managing the techie details, but the list will be run the way the old one's been done, and Bill Bousman will continue to call the shots on content issues. More on all this later, once we make the move. Until then... Chuq -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Oct 31 13:16:05 2001 Subject: [SBB] White Throated Sparrow -------- I had my first backyard 1st Winter White Throated Sparrow on Monday. Thanks to the Sibley Guide, it was easy to identify. I'm getting great numbers of White Crowned Sparrows now. The quail group numbers twenty or more. They are difficult to count as they practically stand on top of each other in their frenzy to feed. Barbara Harkleroad Almaden area. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals. http://personals.yahoo.com -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to [[email protected]] From [[email protected]] Wed Oct 31 16:46:17 2001 Subject: [SBB] RE: Lake Almaden & Los Alamitos Creek Trail -------- Good Evening All.... Went over to bird Lake Almaden and the Los Alamitos Creek Trail around 10 this morning. In Lake Almaden, by the bridge on the rocks were 8 Common Merganser females and 8 Snowy Egrets. Also, in the lake where there is usually a small dry bed where the Gulls and other birds sit was almost covered with water. But 5 Common Snipe managed to stay together. Lots of Canada Geese swimming about, Ring-billed Gulls and lots of Coots. On the Los Alamitos Creek Trail, not far from the bridge was an Osprey eating a fish. As I was walking up the trail, I heard birds so loud it was unbelievable, looking at the power lines, they were covered in Starlings. They took off to fly in groups of about 300 birds (3 groups) and I would venture a guess as to over 1000 Starlings. Just amazing, it looked like something out of a Hitchcock movie. Large black clouds of Starlings..... Along the path were Gold & White Crowned Sparrows, the Nutmeg Mannikins were out again by the Mazzone Bridge (I believe I gave the wrong bridge name last time) 3 Adults (breast showed scaling) with 6 young birds (breast was clear). Also had Ruby Crowned Kinglets (6) along the way, with my first time view of the red crown showing. It was just great! Also, seen were a pair of CA Thrashers, Red-tailed Hawks (2), Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-Shafted Flickers (8), Nuttall's Woodpeckers (6), White-breasted Nuthatches, Yellow-rump Warblers, Bewick's Wrens (4), Song Sparrows, Mockingbirds and Anna's Hummingbirds (7). Wishing you all good birding (and a Happy Halloween). 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 Oct 31 20:22:07 2001 Subject: [SBB] Note: subscriptions to [[email protected]] starting. -------- Here we go, folks. I'm going to go start subscribing everyone to the new list. You should get a welcome message when your name is added. Once it's done, I'll send a message to the new list, and a final message to this one on Stanford. If you get that final message here, but don't see anything from the new server, you'll know you were blackholed, and please contact me to help figure out what's going on. If you end up with questions or have problems, drop me a line. You can try: [[email protected]], [[email protected]], or [[email protected]], depending on which one works for you... Chuq -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Oct 31 21:24:05 2001 Subject: [SBB] Welcome to [[email protected]] -------- Hi, all. Looks like things are working, so it's time to open up shop and let everyone in. Assuming you get this, the new list is up and running. I'll post more details as soon as I'm sure stuff is working right, but I wanted to let you know things seem up and running. Chuq _______________________________________________ south-bay-birds mailing list [[email protected]] http://www.plaidworks.com/mailman/listinfo/south-bay-birds From [[email protected]] Wed Oct 31 21:47:41 2001 Subject: [SBB] [[email protected]] -------- By now, you should have gotten both a subscription message and a first posting from the new [[email protected]] list. If you didn't, PLEASE let me know so we can debug your situation. As of now, the new list seems fully operational.... Chuq -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list server. 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 Oct 31 22:35:19 2001 Subject: [SBB] The new south-bay-birds list. -------- We seem to be fully functional here on the new SBB list. You should have gotten the basics from the message you got when you were subscribed to it, but here is a quick overview: Posting goes to [[email protected]] The URL to access pretty much everything is: http://www.plaidworks.com/sbb Or http://www.plaidworks.com/south-bay-birds You can only post from the subscribed address -- minor variations can cause problems (if they do, email me to fix). This is how we keep the spammers, trolls and idiots at bay. The mailing list is text-only, no HTML, no styled text, no attachments. The mail list, however, is filtered so you don't need to worry about that, my software will. It will almost, almost always do the "right thing" here. Eventually, I plan on supporting more complex content, but not until I can do so safely -- there are just too many viruses and other problems to do this right now. I'm working at bringing over the archives. Once I have them, they'll be made available via the links above. Everything posted to my lists are automatically archived as well, both in text format and in a web-based browsable format. For the latter, I keep the last 90 days, sorted by date and thread. (these are areas I plan on improving down the road, plus adding a search engine. Some day). Archives require an account and password. This is to prevent the spam-harvesting robots from harvesting the archives. Use "archives" "archives" for now (don't worry, that's in the instructions above and in the FAQ on the site). My stuff runs pretty much like the stanford system did. I use a list server called Mailman instead of Majordomo, which is more web-based than e-mail based for administration. There are some minor differences, so if you run into something that seems weird, check the instructions or e-mail me. This server has a digest mode available. Actually, two -- text and MIME. If you have no clue what MIME digests are, don't worry, you don't need them. (grin) -- but for folks with MIME-digest capable readers, it's now available. For those that don't know me, or only know me through south-bay-birds, I do e-mail and list servers for a living for apple. Plaidworks is my home system for my consulting and personal stuff. It's also where I do some testing of things for apple before they go big-time, but that means mostly that you get the new toys first... (giggle). And I'm much better at e-mail than bird identification, so anyone who's seen me trying to get my species straight can relax. (oooh! ohhh! It's -- an american robin! No, wait.....) And I'm thrilled to help out here, and put a little bit back into the community I get a lot out of. Chuq _______________________________________________ south-bay-birds mailing list [[email protected]] http://www.plaidworks.com/mailman/listinfo/south-bay-birds