From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 01 09:01:55 2000
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
This morning, 9/1/2000, I took a walk along the east side of Stevens
Creek from L'Avenida to the lone euc above Crittenden Lane. Migrants included
three WESTERN WOOD-PEWEES, four WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, a HOUSE WREN in heavy
contour feather moult, and a YELLOW WARBLER. Two female/immature HOODED
ORIOLES were either late summer visitants or migrants. An adult GREEN HERON
was also along the creek.
Bill
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 01 10:21:35 2000
Subject: [SBB] Ruff, Pectoral Sandpiper
--------
All,
This morning 9/1/00, Alma Kali and I checked out the RUFF at Spreckles
and Grand in Alviso. It was quite cooperative until, for no apparent
reason, at 9:07am it flew off high to the east towards the water
pollution control plant. Fortunately for John Meyer, he arrived just
5 minutes before this. Another unknown birders was not so lucky.
At one point the Ruff walked out onto a mud bar and started preening.
It was in immediate association with two dowitchers. Not only was it
much longer legged than the dowitchers, but when it stretched out its
neck to preen its chest it stood tall above them. The bird also
seemed heavier than the dowitchers to me (which would suggest it may
well be the same bird as the Crittenden bird). It seems that the size
impression one gets relative to dowitchers is very dependent on the
bird's posture, which may account for the varying impressions reported
by many people. When the bird flew it was accompanied by 2 Wilson's
Phalaropes, so again I could not get an impression of size in flight
versus dowitchers. I did get a nice size comparison versus a Greater
Yellowlegs again today; while obviously smaller, the Ruff was
certainly not dwarfed by the yellowlegs. The leg color and central
breast spot were exactly as they appeared yesterday.
A quick check for the Stilt Sandpiper at the end of State Street
turned up large groups of dowitchers roosting together in tight
flocks. We could not find the Stilt Sandpiper among them (no surprise
since they tend to disappear in a dowitcher crowd), but there was a
juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPER there.
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Sat Sep 02 15:41:53 2000
Subject: [SBB] Mystery Bird
--------
All,
The puzzle of my last year's mystery bird has been solved. This time the
bird approached through the trees to the bird bath. It took a bath, then
flew up and preened itself. The solution is rather mundane, a wet female
Bullocks Oriole.
Jean
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From [[email protected]] Sat Sep 02 16:05:11 2000
Subject: [SBB] Sat. birds, Black Tern
--------
Banding activity for Sat., 9/2/00, at CCFS was low with only 17 birds
processed. Only 5 species captured: Western Flycathers, House Wren,
Wilson's Warbler, Common Yellowthroats, and Song Sparrows.
Mike Mammoser stopped by and found a winter plumaged BLACK TERN foraging
in the pond opposite the banding trailer. He thought that it might be a
juvenile. Lacking a scope, I was never able to distinguish any brown on its
mantle. Nice bird! It was foraging actively at around 9:30a or so. I was
not able to refind it when I left the area at 12:00 noon.
The STILT SANDPIPER was still present at the pond along Spreckles St. at
the end of State St. in Alviso. A group of birders were already on the
bird when I drove up. Apparently, the Ruff was not found this morning.
Les Chibana
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From [[email protected]] Sun Sep 03 15:17:06 2000
Subject: [SBB] The return of the Ruff
--------
The RUFF was present today (Sunday, 9/3) when I arrived at 11:30 a.m.,
at the Spreckles and State St. location in Alviso. Several birders were
looking at the bird when I left at 12:30 p.m.
Interestingly, the last time I saw a STILT SANDPIPER, and a RUFF was on
Sept. 5, 1998.
So, we(they) are right on schedule.
Lou Beaudet
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 04 00:25:40 2000
Subject: [SBB] Golden Eagles
--------
All,
I visited the newly reopened Stanford Dish area from the Alpine Road
entrance today and found four GOLDEN EAGLES, two adults and two
immatures. The birds were soaring low over the eucalyptus trees and
surrounding fields near the bottom of the hill, presenting fantastic
photo opportunities. The birds approached close enough to fill nearly
the entire view finder and were calling frequently! The security guard
informed me that there was a nest in the area, but I could not locate
it. Most of the activity was centered around the tallest eucalyptus
trees, so I can only assume it must have been there.
I haven't been to this end of the Dish area before and must thank Dudley
Carlson for giving me the tip. I never get tired of eagles...
Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net/
There are still a few spots in Palo Alto Adult School Beginning
Birdwatching class.
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 04 05:49:39 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
On Saturday, 2 Sep 00, I stopped by CCFS. First off, I had a basic-plumaged
BLACK TERN over the sludge pond next to the trailer. The back was slightly
darker than the uniformly gray looking upperwings and upper tail, and it
seemed to be somewhat brownish toned. So, I thought it to be an immature
bird. Around the riparian area I had an adult RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, a WILLOW
FLYCATCHER, 2 immature ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS, a handful of "WESTERN"
FLYCATCHERS, a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, a BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, and a female
BULLOCK'S ORIOLE.
Later, the STILT SANDPIPER was still at State and Spreckles in Alviso. An
adult PEREGRINE FALCON was perched on a power tower along the EEC entrance.
Two adult BLACK SKIMMERS were still on the island of salt pond A16.
On Monday, 4 Sep 00, I revisited CCFS and the riparian corridor had an
immature COOPER'S HAWK, a WILLOW FLYCATCHER, numerous "WESTERN" FLYCATCHERS,
2 HOUSE WRENS, a WARBLING VIREO, 5 WILSON'S WARBLERS, and 2 WESTERN
TANAGERS. At least 8 VAUX'S SWIFTS were overhead with the swallows, and 6
CASPIAN TERNS flew by over the creek.
At the waterbird pond, I found an adult PECTORAL SANDPIPER and 2 LESSER
YELLOWLEGS. The marsh adjacent to the methane plant had 2 COMMON MOORHENS.
The tidal pond just north of A18 had aVIRGINIA RAIL, and a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE
was sitting on the fence along the sewage plant sludge ponds.
At State and Spreckles the STILT SANDPIPER was again found.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 04 18:55:44 2000
Subject: [SBB] Laboring for birds
--------
Some not-very successful Santa Clara Co. birding this weekend....
On Sunday (Sept. 3), I visited Coyote Creek north of Montague Expy (this
was a bust -- essentially no non-resident birds, although things had looked
more promising on earlier visits), CCFS, and two Alviso locations. Arriving
at CCFS late morning, I hear about the Black Tern having been re-seen a couple
of hours earlier, but I had to be satisfied with the story. The banders re-
ported having netted a Western Tanager; but the best I managed to turn up
was a WARBLING VIREO. There was also a WHITE-TAILED KITE and an immature
COOPER'S HAWK. The waterbird pond had 1 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, not much else.
At State and Spreckels, just after noon, the adult RUFF was still present,
along with at least 4 LESSER YELLOWLEGS (almost certainly more) and at least
15 WILSON'S PHALAROPEs. (I didn't make the effort to dig out the Stil S.)
At salt pond A16 just north of the EEC, there were still 2 BLACK SKIMMERs
acting "resident" at the island, and chasing off a third Skimmer; but I did not
detect a sign of any young.
For Labor Day (Sept. 4) I made the trek around the Alviso Slough Trail.
I think this was only my second such excursion, the first coming six years ago
at the end of August. On that occasion I saw three Little Blue Herons, but my
luck didn't repeat today. I also struck out on interesting shorebirds. The
tidal timing wasn't optimum, but this was probably my only opportunity to do
this trip, and I thought the outgoing (albeit not very high) tide might still
work. However, there seemed to be little habitat in the salt ponds for the
smaller shorebirds; I was unable to locate the island Mike Rogers mentioned
a month ago. Still, it was a nice walk, and there were good numbers of some
species. Some highlights:
Clark's Grebe - group of 5 on A10.
Amer. White Pelican - about 425-450.
Brown Pelican - at least 80 (mostly at A9-A10 and the levee between them).
American Wigeon - 10 or so on A10 (my first of the season).
Greater Yellowlegs - 28 (all in or near the impoundment near the RR line).
Red-necked Phalarope - flock of 1700 on A13 (two estimates, 1600 and 1800).
Caspian Tern - flock of at least 65.
Least Tern - at least 1 (probably several - identified among the large
feeding flock of Forster's at A9).
Black Skimmer - 2 on the A9/A10 levee.
In the latter part of the afternoon, a brief stop at Speckels St. did not
turn up either the Ruff or Stilt Sandpiper. At the CCFS waterbird pond, I
saw one juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPER (note that Mike Mammoser reported an adult,
so in this case I really do believe the 2-bird theory); also present were
2 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and other usual suspects.
Al Eisner
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 04 19:09:09 2000
Subject: [SBB] GOEAs and PEFA at Dish
--------
Sue and I followed up on Matthew Dodder's report and went to the Alpine
Road entrance to the Stanford Dish Monday afternoon. As soon as we started
up the trail we saw two adult Golden Eagles soaring together about the
area. After a while they disappeared so we walked on up to the Dish. Later,
while coming back down the same trail, we had brief looks first at a
Peregrine Falcon and then at a calling immature Golden Eagle above the
eucalyptus trees.
------------------------------------------------------
Peter LaTourrette
North American Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.birdphotography.com/
Jasper Ridge Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.stanford.edu/~petelat1/
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 04 20:52:55 2000
Subject: [SBB] New birding area
--------
The Sierra Azul Open Space is now open to the public. On a
short trip up the road there on Sunday we saw one HUTTON'S VIREO
and two WARBLING VIREO, associated with a cloud of chickadees,
juncos, and bushtits. One of the WAVI was a first year bird,
following an adult and complaining constantly.
You can reach this area by first driving to Almaden Reservoir.
Drive to the back of the reservoir and turn North on Hicks Rd.
After some winding, just as you are about to reach the crest and
drop down into the valley, their is a road to your left. Turn
off and bear over to the dirt road on the right and park. The
paved road to the left goes up to the abandoned Air Force station
and is closed.
This area has never been grazed and has native ground cover.
- Chris Salander
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 04 22:37:53 2000
Subject: [SBB] Pileated Sighting
--------
Forwarded message:
>Subject: Pileated Sighting
>Date: Mon, 4 Sep 00 21:45:01 -0700
>x-sender: [[email protected]]
>x-mailer: Claris Emailer 1.1
>From: Steve <[[email protected]]>
>To: <[[email protected]]>
>
>I looked on the SCVAS web page, and I couldn't find any other way to do
>this, so here's an email which you can feel free to route appropriately...
>
>On Sunday, at approximately 1:00 P.M., my wife Deborah Jamison and I
>(Steve Patt) first heard and then saw a male Pileated Woodpecker on the
>Grizzly Flat Trail (in Monte Bello OSP), about 0.4M uphill from Stevens
>Creek. The bird was first heard, then seen at a relatively close
>distance, and finally flew right across the trail right in front of us,
>so the identification was without any question.
>
>Steve Patt
>Cupertino
>
>
------------------------------------------------------
Peter LaTourrette
North American Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.birdphotography.com/
Jasper Ridge Bird Photo Gallery: http://www.stanford.edu/~petelat1/
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 05 08:28:02 2000
Subject: [SBB] Hummer nest abandoned
--------
The hummingbird nest outside our office has apparently been abandoned. I
haven't seen the bird on the nest in a week or so. I have yet to peek in
the nest as it is just above eyeball height. There does still seem to be
a hummer nearby singing from a treetop quite often. Don't know if there
is any relation.
This nest was near Bunker Hill & Betsy Ross in Santa Clara.
-Chris
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 05 10:44:50 2000
Subject: [SBB] Stevens Ck at L'Avenida
--------
All,
This morning 9/5/00, I checked Stevens Creek north of L'Avenida on the
way into work. As expected for this time of year, the creek was quite
birdy with 40 species of birds found, including lots of migrants.
This time there were also many birds at the south end of the riparian
trees just north of the end of L'Avenida. Of interest were 1 GREEN
HERON, 1 WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, 3+ WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, 19 "WESTERN"
FLYCATCHERS (at least 4 of these identified as PACIFIC-SLOPE by call),
1 HOUSE WREN, 2 WARBLING VIREOS, 7 YELLOW WARBLERS, 1 immature male
BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, 2+ COMMON YELLOWTHROATS, 2+ WILSON'S
WARBLERS, 2 WESTERN TANAGERS, 1 HOODED ORIOLE, and, perhaps most
surprising, a vocal male TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD overflying the creek.
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 05 11:48:31 2000
Subject: [SBB] Bird Books
--------
I was just down at Bell's Book Store (536 Emerson, PA) and they
have a new batch of quite stunning bird books- all types, but quite a few
"Birds of..." (Venezuela, South Africa etc), if anyone is as much a
bibliophile as ornithophile.
Dave Muir.
________________________________________________________________________________
Dr David G Muir
Scientific Desk Editor
Immunological Reviews
Dept Structural Biology,
D-157 Fairchild building,
Campus Drive West,
Stanford University,
Stanford, CA 94305.
tel:(650) 723 7456.
________________________________________________________________________________
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 05 12:47:20 2000
Subject: [SBB] terns, batting for the cycle ARTE
--------
Hi all,
Over the weekend, Robin Dakin and I found an adult ARCTIC TERN in alternate
plumage among the Forster's Terns on the pond south of the Steven's Creek
Trail on Saturday (9/2/00). The pond is private property, but it can be
observed from the Trail. Bring your high powered spotting scope, it was
sitting on the boardwalk in the pond.
Initially, we noticed a tern with a darker back. Looking at it for a while,
we observed a overall darker grey appearance with a lighter white cheek.
When it flew, it had a light upperwings and black tips to the primary
feathers. It had a red beak and red legs. It was sitting among numerous
Forster's Tern and had a different look to th body & head shape. We were
unable to tell definitively if the beak had a black tip or not. I wonder if
this could be the Hayward bird??
Earlier on Saturday, I saw a male SURF SCOTER in the outer area of
Charleston Slough.
Tom Ryan
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 05 12:50:37 2000
Subject: [SBB] swift talk
--------
I hope that this is appropriate for the list, several members asked me to
let them know when this was happening.
I am giving a talk titled, "Swifts - Their Natural History and
Identification" It will be on Thursday, Sept 14th. at 7:30pm. at the
Sequoia Audubon meeting.
Location: The San Mateo Garden Center, 605 Parkside Way, San Mateo. To get
there take Highway 92 west from Highway101 (or Hwy 92 east from Hwy 280).
Turn South on Alameda de las Pulgas, go about one mile to Parkside Way and
turn right.
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 05 14:40:06 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Hummer nest abandoned
--------
I just checked. There is a dead, fairly well developed young (just one)
in the nest.
I have a nice digital pic if anyone wants to see it email me but I
believe attachments are a no-no on this list.
-Chris
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 05 15:18:38 2000
Subject: [SBB] Los Gatos Creek Park / Oka Ponds
--------
Hi,
Today at lunchtime, I birded Los Gatos Creek Park. Highlights were:
2 Female Hooded Mergansers (Oka Ponds)
3 drake Gadwall (#3 pond from entrance at Dell and Hacienda, 1 in ponds
near the small gate off Hacienda)
1 Male Belted Kingfisher (on Los Gatos creek by the bridge to Oka ponds)
1 Green Heron
1 Caspian Tern (#2 pond from Dell and Hacienda)
1 Yellow Warbler (Willow? tree near Oka entrance)
I also saw an American Coot on a nest in one of the Oka Ponds.
Don Ganton
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 05 17:07:27 2000
Subject: [SBB] S.C. Bird List, August 31, 2000
--------
Bill Bousman has updated the list:
The county list increased by seven birds in August, mostly shorebirds.
The total is now 266.
However, the big news was the Gray Catbird found bathing in a San Jose yard
for the first record for the county.
Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, Pectoral Sandpiper, Elegant Tern, Black Tern,
Willow Flycatcher, Gray Catbird
The full list can be seen on:
South Bay Birders Unlimited (SBBU)
http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/
Kendric
-----------------------------------------
Kendric C. Smith, Ph.D.
927 Mears Court
Stanford, CA 94305-1041
(650) 493-7210 (voice or fax)
[[email protected]]
http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/
------------------------------------------
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 05 18:56:08 2000
Subject: [SBB] American Golden Plover In Alviso
--------
Hello all:
On my way home from work, I stopped at State and Spreckles in Aviso to look
for shorebirds. No rarities here. Not much at Grand either (some 15 Lesser
Yellowlegs, about 10 Wilson's Phalaropes, etc.). I headed back to 237 at
Zanker when I saw a large Killdeer congregation at Arzino ranch only ¼ mile
from 237. I scoped from the gate with the large "No Dumping" sign and found
about 20 Killdeer and 1 juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER.
The plover had a distinct white supercilium, being white even in front of
the eye. The body was a smooth ash color with some barring on the flanks
down to the white undertail coverts. There were no buff tones on the breast
or the eye stripe. The back was lightly scaled with some gold tones
visible. The underwings were a uniform dark coloration. The primary tips
extended past the end of the tail. The bird did not vocalize. It fed in a
small pool of water left of the dirt road leading from the gate at the front
edge of the crops and then flew onto the road itself where the sun angle
made viewing difficult. When I left, the bird was still there. I observed
the bird from 6:15-6:30 PM.
Steve Miller
P.S. If you want to see the bird tonight, avoid 237 westbound and Tasman
Drive in any direction due to an earlier fatal crash at 237 and Lawrence.
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 05 20:31:02 2000
Subject: [SBB] Strange Great Blue Heron?
--------
A quick circuit round the marsh(?) to the east of Sunnyvale Baylands this
lunch-time turned up a Great Blue Heron that looked most odd. It seemed
considerably darker than any I have seen but most striking was its all-blue
bill, face and head. The face and head looked like bare-part colouring
rather than feathers. Has anyone seen this before?
Andy.
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 05 21:01:07 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Strange Great Blue Heron?
--------
Do you think you could have seen a Little Blue Heron? Was it really as
large as a Great Blue Heron? I don't know the late dates of occurence,
but there are a few that summer just to the north and east, in the Alviso
area salt ponds.
Les Chibana
On Tuesday, September 5, 2000, Andy Gibb <[[email protected]]> wrote:
>A quick circuit round the marsh(?) to the east of Sunnyvale Baylands this
>lunch-time turned up a Great Blue Heron that looked most odd. It seemed
>considerably darker than any I have seen but most striking was its all-blue
>bill, face and head. The face and head looked like bare-part colouring
>rather than feathers. Has anyone seen this before?
>
>Andy.
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 06 00:55:24 2000
Subject: [SBB] Immature Golden Eagle at Stanford
--------
Around 7:10pm on Tuesday, Sept 5 - my wife Gayle and I watched a single
immature Golden Eagle lift off of a snag about half way up the road from
the Piers Lane entrance (off Alpine Rd) to the top of Stanford's "antenna
hill". After making a couple of turns over its initial location, it
headed off pretty much in a westerly direction. My vantage point was
higher than Gayle's and I watched it disappear over the first ridge
(Jasper?) and keep on til it disappeared from my view - in the haze of
the approach to "Skyline ridge". I'm sure I could still see it until it
was WELL beyond Jasper Ridge. It gave me the impression that it was
"going home" - wherever that might be.
On entering the newly opened Stanford Preserve, we'd spoken to a guard
who said
o I saw four eagles two days ago, in a tall eucalyptus over "there"
o I saw "adults feeding young" behavior
o I've seen NO eagles today
He seemed to think there was a nest in the "day 1 tree" but we couldn't
see one in a brief look but then we didn't have our scope. As the
preserve has been closed to public access for several weeks, I doubt if
many birders have been in/on it during that period in order to confirm
any "nesting bird conjecture."
In passing, I'll note that while Stanford has improved some aspects of
their preserve - they've also closed off some pretty good birding areas
;<{ I counted four, maybe five guards in my climb to the top! Shift
change, probably. You can enter up til 7pm til Oct 1 when the closing
hour goes to 5pm. Once in, you're allowed to stay in an hour or two past
closing (I think.)
Scott
Scott T. Spencer aka [[email protected]]
Menlo Park, CA spouse: [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 06 01:44:02 2000
Subject: [SBB] Weekend birds
--------
I saw the Black Tern at CCFS both on Sunday and Tuesday morning. Up to 30
Vaux's Swifts on both days but few other migrants. There are up to 10
Short-billed Dowitchers in the first pond on the left as you drive in.
In two surveys of a private area over the holiday I had up to 55 Pectoral
and 4 Baird's Sandpipers.
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 06 08:28:58 2000
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
Yesterday, 9/5/2000, I counted four BROWN PELICANS in Salt Pond A2W and
at Charleston Slough I briefly watched an unaged PECTORAL SANDPIPER.
This morning, 9/6/2000, I visited the Palo Alto Baylands, mostly around
the old Harbormaster's building, and found typical western fall migrants: a
WARBLING VIREO, 7+ YELLOW WARBLERS, 2 BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS, and a
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT.
Bill
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 06 09:47:06 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Bird Books
--------
Hi All,
Santa Clara Valley Audubon in Cupertino has many site guides in stock for
various countries and U.S. states, as well as many other books on birds,
bird feeding, bird behavior, etc. If you are looking for something we don't
have, we can let you know what is available and can often order it fairly
quickly. You can call us to bring a particular book or other shop item up
to the monthly general meeting in Palo Alto if that is more convenient. We
also have site guides in our library (some that are out of print!) that
members are welcome to borrow to take on trips.
Cheers,
Leda Beth Gray.
> From: David G Muir <[[email protected]]>
> Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2000 11:48:31 -0700
> To: [[email protected]]
> Subject: [SBB] Bird Books
>
> I was just down at Bell's Book Store (536 Emerson, PA) and they
> have a new batch of quite stunning bird books- all types, but quite a few
> "Birds of..." (Venezuela, South Africa etc), if anyone is as much a
> bibliophile as ornithophile.
>
> Dave Muir.
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> __
> Dr David G Muir
> Scientific Desk Editor
> Immunological Reviews
> Dept Structural Biology,
> D-157 Fairchild building,
> Campus Drive West,
> Stanford University,
> Stanford, CA 94305.
> tel:(650) 723 7456.
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> __
>
>
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>
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 06 11:09:30 2000
Subject: [SBB] Getting My Feet Wet
--------
Hi
Reference to the "first county record" of a Gray Catbird, I saw a Gray
Catbird on the grass in my backyard on 19 March 1975. I viewed it
through my binoculars from close range, with bird book in hand. I was
convinced when it mewed like a cat. I next saw one at the Audubon camp,
Wind River Mountains, Wyoming, in 1984. There must be lots of vagrants
coming through that are never reported because they aren't seen by a
birder.
Lee Lovelady, Volunteer Naturalist at EEC, Alviso
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 06 13:02:18 2000
Subject: [SBB] AMGPL, Stilt SA
--------
All,
Late yesterday afternoon 9/5/00 I checked the tern flock on Salt Pond
A2E. There were only about two dozen FORSTER'S TERNS and no terns in
alternate plumage, Arctic or otherwise. However, nearby Crittenden
Marsh had 2 juvenile SANDERLINGS and four lingering RED-NECKED
PHALAROPES.
At mid-day today 9/6/00, the juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was still
west of Zanker Road north of Highway 237 with about 20 KILLDEER. A
quick check of the pond at State and Spreckles turned up the STILT
SANDPIPER, now nearly in complete basic plumage.
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 06 14:10:08 2000
Subject: [SBB] Stilt Sandpiper & Pectoral Sandpipers, no Ruff
--------
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I birded the pond at State & Spreckles
(twice, our first and last stop), the Environmental Education Center (EEC),
the San Jose Water Treatment fields 1/4 mile from Hwy 237 on Zanker [the
crops being grown here are weeds resulting from the fact that "excess" water
is being sprayed onto the fields so that San Jose does not exceed it's
allowable discharge of fresh water into the bay] and Coyote Creek Field
Station. "Mentionable" birds were the adult Stilt Sandpiper at State &
Spreckles [Frank quickly found the bird on both of our stops and we were able
to share the bird with a couple lunchtime birders on our second stop], a
Loggerhead Shrike, Willow Flycatcher, a single Black Skimmer [on the first
island], and a partially leucistic Black Pheobe [some interspersed white
feathers in a band from one eye around the nape of the neck to the back of
the other eye] at the EEC, an adult and a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper on the
northeastern edge of the CCFS Waterbird Pond and a second juvenile Pectoral
Sandpiper in the northeast corner of Salt Pond A18. The only terns seen were
two Caspian Terns in the Waterbird Pond.
The CCFS "Waterbird Pond" is now looking pretty good [a bit low for my
tastes], the first pond on the left at CCFS looks better by the day, the
ponds near the banding trailer still only appeal to ducks and the northern
Calabazas Pond is starting to have good numbers of birds again [still a
little high but worth checking out].
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 2:18 PM, 9/6/00
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 06 16:11:06 2000
Subject: [SBB] American Golden Plover
--------
All,
As soon as I got Mike Rogers e-mail that the juvenile American Golden Plover
was still there I headed out and refound the bird [at 3:10 PM] half way
between the two gates closest to Hwy 237 on the west side of Zanker Rd. The
bird was working the short weeds just beyond the plowed ground with perhaps
20 Killdeer.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 4:21 PM, 9/6/00
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 07 08:50:48 2000
Subject: [SBB] PANIC - ARCTIC WARBLER!!
--------
All,
I just had (up until ten minutes ago) an ARCTIC WARBLER in the lone
eucalyptus between L'Avenida and Crittenden Lane along Stevens Creek.
I'm heading back out there with camera right now.
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 07 11:04:39 2000
Subject: [SBB] Catbird and Swarovsky
--------
Hi, Birders,
Someone asked about the address where I saw the Gray Catbird in 1975, but
my reply was returned with a bad address. I live at 1218 Lynhurst Way
and back up on Ross Creek.
I am at the EEC in Alviso about once a week. In case any of you see me
there, please introduce yourself. If you see a rare bird and want to see
a closeup and don't have a scope with you, remember I keep a Swarovsky
spotting scope there and would hope to find time to break it out and go
with you. This scope fills up the lens with a bird thirty feet away.
Lee Lovelady.
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 07 12:37:51 2000
Subject: [SBB] Stevens Creek at L'Avenida
--------
All,
At 9:00am, just as I was returning to the lone eucalyptus tree along
Stevens Creek with Bill Bousman, a PGE helicopter began washing the
high tension towers right near the tree with a high pressure water
jet. Needless to say, this flushed all the birds from the eucalyptus
and they headed south along the creek. A stocky brownish warbler flew
to the coyote bushes over the dike on NASA Ames property, but we opted
to maintain a watch at the eucalyptus. Over the next hour or more the
birds did indeed return (5+ YELLOW WARBLERS, many BUSHTITS, LESSER
GOLDFINCH, and HOUSE FINCHES, 2 WESTERN TANAGERS, 2 HOODED ORIOLES,
2+ WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, and a MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER) but we did not
refind the Arctic Warbler.
This morning 9/7/00, I tallied 46 species along the creek, including
five species of herons/egrets, 2 RING-NECKED PHEASANTS, 1 WESTERN
WOOD-PEWEE, 5 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, only 1 "WESTERN" FLYCATCHER, 1 HOUSE
WREN, 1 WARBLING VIREO, 15 YELLOW WARBLERS, the above MACGILLIVRAY'S
WARBLER, 4+ COMMON YELLOWTHROATS, 2 WILSON'S WARBLERS, 2+ WESTERN
TANAGERS, 1 DARK-EYED JUNCO, 2 HOODED ORIOLES, and, of course, the
ARCTIC WARBLER (seen between 8:30am and 8:36am, after an
unidentifiable glimpse at about 8:11am).
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 07 14:15:36 2000
Subject: [SBB] VESP, GRSP
--------
All,
My 5K run here at Moffett Field today was aborted by a VESPER SPARROW.
The bird was foraging under the chain link fence (and sitting on the
fence) just below the Stevens Creek dike about 150 yards north of
Crittenden Lane. There is a parcourse sign (#7 sit-ups I believe) in
this area. I finished my run by heading back to my car and returned
to get photos of this cooperative bird. While taking the pictures a
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW hopped into the fence too, so I took some pictures
of it as well. Both these birds are rare migrants in the county.
It is obviously a great day for migrants - Rich Stallcup reported
several good species from Pt. Reyes this morning to the Bird Box.
Get out and look for stuff!
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 07 18:35:02 2000
Subject: [SBB] Vesper Sparrow
--------
All,
Today, 9/7, saw a Vesper Sparrow in the weeds along the Belmont Creek
Shoreline Trail just east of Shoreway Drive in Belmont. The bird was
foraging among the wilting fennel.
--
Paul L. Noble
"Screechowl"
[[email protected]]
^ ^
@ @
( v )
( )
/ \
m m
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 08 02:58:35 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I went to Stevens Creek at lunch time on Thursday, 7 Sep 00, to look for the
Arctic Warbler. I had no luck with this bird, but did have 2 CEDAR WAXWINGS,
a WESTERN TANAGER, and a WILLOW FLYCATCHER.
Friday morning, 8 Sep 00, I returned again to Stevens Creek and once again
failed to find the Arctic Warbler. Present, however, were 20-25 YELLOW
WARBLERS, 2 WILSON'S WARBLERS, a WILLOW FLYCATCHER, 9-10 "WESTERN"
FLYCATCHERS, a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, a WARBLING VIREO, 2 HOUSE WRENS, a
probable BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, a WESTERN TANAGER, and 1 or 2 juvenile
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS. Also here was a heard-only flyover BOBOLINK. It was
repeatedly giving its distinctive "wink" call as it flew over the creek and
headed out over NASA Ames.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 08 11:39:38 2000
Subject: [SBB] Ruff, Alviso
--------
All:
Thursday morning, Frank Vanslager, Mich Ninokata, and I did not find the
American Golden Plover on Zanker Road in Alviso. We, along with another
birder, did see the Ruff and Stilt Sandpiper, both from the intersection of
State and Spreckles. The Ruff (with ruffed-up feathers) was foraging by
itself in the water. The Stilt Sandpiper was in the midst of a large group
of Dowitchers.
Yours, John Meyer
* * * * * * * *
John Meyer, Dept of Soc, Stanford U, Stanford, CA 94305, 650-7231868
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 08 13:29:40 2000
Subject: [SBB] No Arctic Warbler, Ruff, Stilt Sandpiper or American Golden Plover
--------
All,
A word to the wise, we really didn't expect to find the Arctic Warbler or the
Vesper Sparrow seen recently by Mike Rogers, and we could expect that the
American Golden Plover [is it an afternoon bird?] and the Ruff might be iffy
but we certainly did not expect to miss the Stilt Sandpiper this morning at
State & Spreckles. The only good news was that the lone Eucalyptus tree on
Stevens Creek [north of L'Avenida] was a good place to study the variability
in Yellow Warbler markings and a good chance to catch up with a dozen plus
"twitchers" from at least three counties (most in early fall plumage).
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:33 PM, 9/8/00
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From [[email protected]] Sat Sep 09 18:17:12 2000
Subject: [SBB] Pectoral Sandpipers
--------
All:
This afternoon, there were two Pectoral Sandpipers in the Mountain View Forebay.
Yours, John Meyer
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From [[email protected]] Sat Sep 09 19:33:52 2000
Subject: [SBB] Guadalupe River trek, NOWA
--------
All,
Today 9/9/00 I spent most of the day birding along the Guadalupe
River, starting from Trimble Road, working south on the east bank of
the river until West Hedding Street south of the airport (about four
miles of creek) and then back north on the west bank. By far the bulk
of the bird activity was in the first three hours of the day between
Montague and Trimble; after that it heated up and the birds quieted
down. Ended up with 53 species. Totals of the more numerous migrants
are those for the southbound leg only.
Good numbers of migrants included:
7 to 8 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS (one just south of I880, the rest
between Montague and Trimble)
13+ "WESTERN" FLYCATCHERS (all between M & T;5 PACIFIC-SLOPE by call)
6 HOUSE WRENS (5 between M & T)
11 WARBLING VIREOS (all between M & T)
5 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS (2 gray-headed)
76 YELLOW WARBLERS (and 32 on the return may have included new birds)
7 COMMON YELLOWTHROATS
3 WILSON'S WARBLERS (all between M & T)
16 WESTERN TANAGERS (all between M & T)
Best bird of the trip was an uncooperative but vocal NORTHERN
WATERTHRUSH at the park between I880 and West Hedding St. It was
initially in the willow-lined ditch between the river and the path,
but soon worked its way through the willows into the main part of the
park. Other birds of interest included 4 female-plumaged COMMON
MERGANSERS near the airport, 3 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, two or three
BURROWING OWLS east of the river south of Trimble (Agilent property),
4 BELTED KINGFISHERS, an early NORTHERN FLICKER, one immature
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (south of highway 101), one LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE
(south of Trimble), one TOWNSEND'S WARBLER (north of Trimble), one
female-plumaged LAZULI BUNTING (north of Trimble), and one immature
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (south of highway 101).
Later, I headed to New Chicago Marsh at State and Spreckles Street in
Alviso. Two juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS here were a surprise,
but I could not find the Stilt Sandpiper or the Ruff. There were also
10+ LESSER YELLOWLEGS and 15 WILSON'S PHALAROPES here.
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Sat Sep 09 19:41:51 2000
Subject: [SBB] Yellow Warbler herds moving thru
--------
This morning's banding effort at SFBBO-Coyote Creek Field Station yielded
54 birds, 9 species:
YELLOW WARBLER - 26
I think is a fairly large number for a day at the station; there wasn't a
double digit day for them last year and no double digit days up til now
for this year. Most of them were netted along the edge between the creekside
riparian zone and the overflow channel. A few were also caught in the newer
reveg area near the trailer.
WESTERN FLYCATCHER - 13
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT - 7
SWAINSON'S THRUSH - 2
SONG SPARROW - 2
WILLOW FLYCATCHER - 1
HOUSE WREN - 1
WINTER WREN - 1
BUSHTIT - 1
A COOPER'S HAWK cruised through the area at mid-morning. A WESTERN TANAGER
was heard along the creek in a large cottonwood.
The STILT SANDPIPER was still present at State and Spreckles St. in Alviso.
An escaped/released psittacine was calling and flying about the area,
seemingly being chased by starlings and/or swallows. I wasn't able to get
many fieldmarks. It seemed light-grayish with a long tail; total length
was about 16" - 18".
Les Chibana
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From [[email protected]] Sat Sep 09 20:06:15 2000
Subject: [SBB] MacGillivray's stops by
--------
Saturday afternoon (Sept. 9) at around 6 pm a tri-colored
warbler dropped into are back yard to feed. It had an olive green
back, bright yellow belly and undertail coverts, and a complete
gray hood. A few clear glimpses also revealed that it had a
pronounced eye-ring, with gaps in front of and behind the eye.
It was making loud, sharp, single note calls off and on.
It was definitely a MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER. It did not hold still
long enough or stay in our yard long enough for me to sex it.
We are in San Jose, E. of Lincoln, between Willow and Minnesota.
Meanwhile, on Thursday and Friday mornings in North San Jose,
I observed flocks of warblers in the Eucalyptus trees. This is a
line of trees just W of Coyote Creek, just N of Montague Expressway.
Thursday: 6 YELLOW WARBLERS, 2 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS
Friday: 4 YEWA, 2 OCWA, 1 juv. WESTERN TANAGER
Both days I saw 1 or 2 other WETA in flight. The OCWA would
still be in the trees at noon, but the YEWA would be gone. They
appeared to be different groups each day.
- Chris (CKS) and Jeanne Salander (JMS)
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From [[email protected]] Sun Sep 10 05:31:48 2000
Subject: [SBB] Oka Ponds
--------
Sunday morning I parked at the end of Oka and walked in. I was surprised to
find that all of the perc ponds on the far right were about half filled
with "gunk" and I saw no returning ducks. The Eucs there by the very first
pond were filled with warblers.
Then when I went further to what I call "Merganser Island" where there are
3 islands in the creek, 1 substantially larger than the other two I was
surprised to see that the "gunk" went from the island to the shore. It's a
place I frequently have seen Green Heron and Common Snipe, but none today.
Although there was a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON out in the open fishing.
It was disappointing to see Oka Ponds like this....never seen it this way
before...there must be some grand plan that I'm unaware of...
Gloria LeBlanc
"We can't change the financial winds, but we can adjust the sails"
http://www.lgsia.com http://www.wallstreetgifts.com
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From [[email protected]] Sun Sep 10 11:27:10 2000
Subject: [SBB] RFI: visiting birder from Scotland
--------
South bay birders:
A friend from Scotland visiting the last two weeks of September is
interested in seeing, among other things, Phainopepla, Greater Roadrunner,
Lawrence's Goldfinch, and Lewis' Woodpecker. I know that Lawrence's
Goldfinches were recently reported on Mines Road. Any chance of the other
species on Mines Rd. and Del Puerto Canyon Rd. at this time of year? Any
comments/suggestions appreciated.
Also, he would be interested in any local reliable spots for Burrowing Owls.
Thanks in advance.
Bob
Bob Brandriff
[[email protected]]
1061 Park Hills Rd.
Berkeley, CA 94708
(510) 548-1504
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From [[email protected]] Sun Sep 10 19:52:58 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] RFI: visiting birder from Scotland
--------
We haven't been there in a few weeks, but have regularly seen a burrowing
owl in the reclaimed landfill park just behind and above the Palo Alto
recycling facility. If you happen to be inside the recycling area, head
back past the tall open shed where they package compost, to the fence line
above. There's a gate in the fence and a series of hillocks just above and
past the fence at that point. The owl's hill is marked with a stake. You
can also park in the lot just southeast of the recycling area and walk up
the path that angles inland and upward. You'll walk right behind the
recycling facility and find the mounds on your right only a few feet from
the path as you reach the ridge. It's harder to see the stake from this
angle, but you're closer to the mound. Good luck!
ND
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From [[email protected]] Sun Sep 10 20:33:41 2000
Subject: [SBB] Spizella sparrow at Palo Alto Baylands
--------
On Sunday morning, 10 September, from about 9:30 to 10:00 AM, I
saw a Spizella sparrow in Palo Alto, last seen near the end of Faber
Place off Embarcadero Road, and first seen a couple hundred yards along
the bike path that begins at the end of Faber.
My feeling is that it was a Clay-colored sparrow, but I have very little
experience with this species, and I'm not sure I can safely say it was not
a Chipping sparrow.
The bird had a buffy wash on the sides and, to a lesser extent, the
upper part of an otherwise unmarked breast. The brownish ear patch was
well delineated by a dark eyestripe above and moustachial stripe below.
The heavily streaked back had a warm buffy background color. The
appearance agreed fairly well with the illustration in the sparrow book
by Rising of a first-winter Clay-colored, but the median crown stripe
was hard to see, and I didn't get a look at the rump color.
Here and elsewhere in the Baylands, YELLOW WARBLERs were easy to find,
both Saturday and Sunday, but other fall migrants seemed scarce. The
Spizella and a single ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, were the only other fall
migrants I could find.
- Dick
Richard Stovel [[email protected]]
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 11 00:51:21 2000
Subject: [SBB] Sunday birding
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
On Sunday Jolene and I visited the marsh at State and Spreckles in
Alviso. Didn't take long to refind the much-reported STILT SANDPIPER and
RUFF. There were also about 8 WILSON'S PHALAROPES there.
In the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin we saw a large flock of AM. WHITE
PELICANS, about a thousand AMERICAN AVOCETS, 1 LESSER YELLOWLEGS and a few
RED-NECKED PHALAROPES. A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen across the road from the
Palo Alto Duck Pond, circling over the mudflats and repeatedly stooping on
the ducks and shorebirds (futile attacks--it completely lacked element of
surprise). There were also 2 more LESSER YELLOWLEGS near the second parking
area for the duck pond. A CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE seemed a little out of
place in the lerp-infested eucalyptus at the ranger's house, but that was
the only unusual passerine. Several YELLOW WARBLERS were feeding in the
nearby fennel.
There is still space in MetroED's beginning birding class, which meets
on Thursday evenings from Sept. 14th to Oct. 19th. The class features
several field trips, including special trips for raptors and owls. For more
information go to http://home.att.net/~redknot/birdwatching_for_fun.htm, or
call MetroED at 408-723-6553 for registration.
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 11 02:37:33 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
On Saturday morning, 9 Sep 00, I returned to Stevens Creek south of
Crittenden and struck out again on the Arctic Warbler. Some migrants were
present, however. They included at least a half dozen YELLOW WARBLERS, a
female or immature MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER, a WILLOW FLYCATCHER, perhaps 3
"WESTERN" FLYCATCHERS, 2 HOUSE WRENS, and 2 female or immature HOODED
ORIOLES.
Other interesting birds here included a GREEN HERON and uncounted
WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS overhead.
I then stopped at the end of L'Avenida and checked the riparian corridor at
that end. I had another WILLOW FLYCATCHER and a female WESTERN TANAGER, with
a few more YELLOW WARBLERS and a "WESTERN" FLYCATCHER. I heard some chip
notes in this area that sounded like a Northern Waterthrush, but I never got
a confirming look at the bird.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 11 09:06:58 2000
Subject: [SBB] Some Almaden birds
--------
Hello All,
I'm back in business again with some birding around the Almaden area. Here
are a few sightings of interest from the past couple of weeks.
Guadalupe Channel behind Water District Ponds (Almaden Expwy & Coleman Rd):
On Saturday, Sept 9, a SORA was seen in the reeds. Also three GREEN HERONS
were seen in various locations. Two weekends ago (Sept 2), I took my
grandson to inspect the fish ladder along the Guadalupe and we saw several
VAUX'S SWIFTS forgaing over the channel along with swallows. (This past
weekend no swallows or swifts.) My grandson, however, was more impressed
with the herons (Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned
Night-Heron, and Green Heron) all of which were seen.
Calero Reservoir (eastern end): On Sunday, Sept 10, four LEAST SANDPIPERS
were seen along with at least 22 BLACK-NECKED STILTS and a GREATER
YELLOWLEGS. Several FORSTER'S TERNS and one CASPIAN TERN on the mudbar.
Migrant waterfowl included AMERICAN WIGEON, GADWALL, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL
along with increasing number of coots, Mallards, and at least 25 PIED-BILLED
GREBES. Also several ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS and YELLOW WARBLERS were
foraging in the fennel. Only one lone BARN SWALLOW seen. The weekend
before (Sept 2-3), NORTHERN PINTAIL and NORTHERN SHOVELER were present, but
not this weekend. Also more swallows (Barn & Violet-Green) were still
around, but now have flown on.
That's about it from me for now - Ann
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 11 09:53:57 2000
Subject: [SBB] swifts, shorebirds, etc.
--------
All,
Yesterday morning 9/10/00, Alma Kali and I biked around the big (west)
pond at the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant. The swallow
flock is still there, with 360+ VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS on the wires
over the reeds near the entrance. Also here were 20+ VAUX'S SWIFTS
and 12+ WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS (could have been quite a few more than
this). Over 50 BARN SWALLOWS were spread throughout the area. Two
BURROWING OWLS had a vicious territorial battle on the side of the
closed dump. Other birds of interest included 4 BROWN PELICANS, 1 OR
2 GREEN HERONS, 2 VIRGINIA RAILS, 1 SORA, 2 SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, and
4 YELLOW WARBLERS (in the fennel).
Late in the afternoon I quickly checked the northernmost of the
Calabazas Ponds (8 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS at the west end) and the pond
at State and Spreckles (both the RUFF and the STILT SANDPIPER still
present, along with 8 WILSON'S PHALAROPES and 12+ LESSER YELLOWLEGS -
a pale adult PEREGRINE FALCON made a pass over the pond as well).
This morning 9/11/00, Stevens Creek north of L'Avenida was fairly
quiet in the overcast cool weather. Highlights included a WESTERN
WOOD-PEWEE, 3 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS (including one with a small and dark
bill at the end of L'Avenida that I couldn't turn into a Least),
6 "WESTERN" FLYCATCHERS (3 PACIFIC-SLOPE by call), 1 singing HOUSE
WREN, 12 YELLOW WARBLERS (7 of these in the lone eucalyptus), 2 COMMON
YELLOWTHROATS, and 2 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS. Also, the number of SONG
SPARROWS seems to have increased significantly.
Mike Rogers
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 12 09:30:16 2000
Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto, MGWA
--------
All,
Before work today 9/12/00 I checked out the Palo Alto Baylands, joined
for much of the time by Dick Carlson. I started at the fennel patch near
the ranger station, then checked the end of Embarcadero Way, and lastly
checked the bike path at the end of Faber Way. As reported by others,
YELLOW WARBLERS dominated the scene, with 36+ noted at the three locations
(and this is a very conservative total). The fennel patch also had an
immature WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and at least two COMMON YELLOWTHROATS.
The lagoon behind the patch had a single LESSER YELLOWLEGS in with 17
GREATERS and four juvenile SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS close to shore. At
the end of Embarcadero Way were a MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER, a WILSON'S
WARBLER, a WILLOW FLYCATCHER, and a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE. A gray-headed
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was at the end of Faber Way.
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 12 11:09:49 2000
Subject: [SBB] oops
--------
Oops, I see I referred to the (somewhat early) immature WHITE-
CROWNED SPARROW I saw this morning as a White-throated Sparrow.
Wishful thinking on part of my subconscious I guess :)
Sorry,
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 12 14:21:58 2000
Subject: [SBB] Yellow warblers at Stanford
--------
The YELLOW WARBLER migrant wave is not confined to the bayside migrant
traps. On a lunchtime walk today at Stanford, I encountered about a
dozen YEWA, all in eucalyptus infested with the watchamacallit pest, near
the corner of Governor's Lane and Searsville.
- Dick
[[email protected]]
Richard Stovel [[email protected]]
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 12 15:56:47 2000
Subject: [SBB] Yellow Warblers at Overfelt Gardens
--------
Bill Henry and I saw 3 YELLOW WARBLER, 3 WARBLING VIREO, and 1 PACIFIC
SLOPE FLYCATCHER at Overfelt Gardens. There was also a family of 4 COOPER'S
HAWKS (2 adults, 2 Juv) that were practicing their hunting skills on the
ground squirrels. They would fly down and grab the squirrels and then let
them go. It was pretty comical to watch.
We also observed several YELLOW WARBLER, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, and an
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER at Coyote Creek near Ford Rd.
Tom Ryan
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 12 23:52:08 2000
Subject: [SBB] Hooded Mergansers
--------
Hi,
This evening (Tuesday), I birded the Oka Ponds area of Los Gatos Creek Park
with my kids. We saw 2 Yellow Warblers and 1 Western Tanager in the trees
immediately east of the Oka Lane entrance. We saw 3 Black-crowned
Night-herons. Green Herons continue to be abundant here - I've seen at
least one on each of my last six trips to the park.
We then checked for Hooded Mergansers in the large pond North of the gazebo
pond. There were still only 2. I had previously believed both to be female,
but today I noticed that one had dark eyes and the other yellow, making me
think that this one was an immature male. I checked 5 field guides when I
got home - Peterson's, National Geographic, Stokes, the new Kenn Kaufman
guide and finally the Audubon Master Guide to Birding. The photos/paintings
in all the guides depicted the males as having a yellow iris, but only the
Audubon made mention of it in the text. "The male has a black bill and
yellow eyes". Is eye color a diagnostic mark for sex? Peterson's shows a
small white patch on the crest of the immature male, but I never saw this
bird raise his crest.
Thanks,
Don Ganton
[[email protected]]
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 13 08:29:36 2000
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
This is forwarded from Kristie Nelson:
Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 18:23:03 -0700 (PDT)
From: Kristie Nelson <[[email protected]]>
Subject: WATA in Santa Clara
Hi Bill,
Today I saw a W. tattler at Steven's Creek shoreline (aka Crittiten Marsh
area?). It was at the NE part of the shoreline in the pond W of where the
one trail ends at a chain link fence (salt company land I think). The pond
has high tension lines over it and 2 plank boardwalks. It was foraging on
the NW boardwalk, the one more in the middle of the pond. It was foraging by
the water line, picking at what looked like barnicles and other goodies.
I first saw it in the scope from a moderate distance and it was pretty
backlit. Very initially I thought it looked like a yellowlegs, but then it
started to move -- and continued with nearly insessant spotted
sandpiper-type bobbing. But it was too large, especially in the bill to be a
spotted sandpiper, I knew it must be a tattler. I moved quite close and
watched it for 10+ minutes. Great looks at a great bird. Yellowish legs,
thick, blunt ended, straight bill. Slate grey over much of body with white
belly and undertail covs. Whitish throat. Dingy greyish across breast. It
flapped a bit as it tried to reach around pillars, and I got good looks at
the distinctive, solid open wing (from above) - no wing stripe or pattern.
Whitish lore and eyeline. Its manorisms gave it away as well with the
constant teetering.
cheers,
Kristie
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 13 11:10:42 2000
Subject: [SBB] WATA still present
--------
All,
This morning 9/13/00 Kristie Nelson's WANDERING TATTLER was still
present on Salt Pond A2W north of the Stevens Creek Mitigation Area.
The bird is on the westerly of the two boardwalks that start north
of the mitigation area and is under the boardwalk at the second
pair of towers out (the first pair being right offshore). A scope
is necessary to see much on the bird.
Also on A2W and B1 this morning were 15+ BROWN PELICANS and at least
2 CASPIAN TERNS. 310 FORSTER'S TERNS were roosting on the same
boardwalk that the tattler was on. Most of the BROWN PELICANS were
with 800+ AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS in pond B1 (north of A2E east of
Stevens Creek). At least 8 YELLOW WARBLERS in the fennel around the
ponds too.
Thanks for county bird #335 Kristie!
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 13 12:20:05 2000
Subject: [SBB] -
--------
Folks:
Jack Cole and I, without a scope could not find the WANDERING
TATTLER on A2W about 11:15 am, but when Mike Mammoser arrived with
his scope, he quickly found it under the side boardwalk of the second
tower on the left--the same place Mike reported it from earlier. It
was still there at 11:55 when we left, although it moves around a bit.
Bill
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 13 13:21:30 2000
Subject: [SBB] Wandering Tattler
--------
All,
Did anyone try to follow up on Christie Nelson's sighting? I assume that if
she was talking about Crittenden Marsh that she meant the gate between it and
Salt Pond A2E. Should be a great county bird!
September 12th, a WANDERING TATTLER was at the n.e pond near the gate at
Crittenden Marsh. (CN)
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1;32 PM, 9/13/00
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 13 18:30:21 2000
Subject: [SBB] RE: SCL Wandering Tattler
--------
All:
The latter half of this afternoon I made it out to pond A2W at the same
location mentioned below where I ran into John Meyer. We scoped quite a
while around the underside of the boardwalk beneath the second tower and
found nothing. We then scanned along the complete boardwalk still to find
nothing. Then I suggested to John Meyer: "Well, how about this small
island just in front of the tower; that certainly looks like good tattler
habitat." Well, right after that John called out "well, there's our bird.
This was between 3:30 and 4 PM, and the light situation was probably equal
to what Kristie Nelson had described in her report for the previous day.
Mike Feighner
THAAD WSEIT SCM
Phone (408) 756-7367
Fax (408) 742-6187
[[email protected]]
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [[email protected]] [SMTP:[[email protected]]]
> Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2000 12:20 PM
> To: [[email protected]]
> Cc: [[email protected]]
> Subject: [SBB] -
>
> Folks:
>
> Jack Cole and I, without a scope could not find the WANDERING
> TATTLER on A2W about 11:15 am, but when Mike Mammoser arrived with
> his scope, he quickly found it under the side boardwalk of the second
> tower on the left--the same place Mike reported it from earlier. It
> was still there at 11:55 when we left, although it moves around a bit.
>
> Bill
> -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
> This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
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> message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to
> [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 14 10:33:16 2000
Subject: [SBB] Wandering Tattler
--------
All,
This morning (up to 9:25 AM) Frank Vanslager, Roland Kenner (sp?) and I saw
the Wandering Tattler on the "X" braces under the board walkway between the
second pair of power towers from the south shore of Salt Pond A2W. The board
walkway in question is the western most walkway and is the only walkway that
goes all of the way across the pond (north to south). I believe that this is
the area in which the bird is most often seen. The bird may be seen with a
pair binoculars but you will want a fairly high powered scope to verify
markings (it's tail bobbing helps), my 22x scope was really not enough power.
(County lifer #298 for those who keep track, I hear the next 37 are easy.)
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 10:31 AM, 9/14/00
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 14 10:43:38 2000
Subject: [SBB] BLGR
--------
All,
Once again I checked Stevens Creek between L'Avenida and Crittenden
on the way into work this morning 9/14/00. Things were pretty quiet,
with the bulk of the activity at the lone eucalyptus. At that tree
were 5+ YELLOW WARBLERS, 4+ WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, 2 HOUSE WRENS, and
a WILLOW FLYCATCHER. Elsewhere along the creek I had 5 more YELLOW
WARBLERS, another WILLOW FLYCATCHER, a WESTERN TANAGER, a SWAINSON'S
THRUSH, a gray-headed ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, and an immature BLUE
GROSBEAK.
The BLUE GROSBEAK flew into the small cottonwood just south of the
Crittenden Lane bridge and began swirling its tail and calling to
allow me to ID from a ways off. I ran up there a got nice looks for
two minutes until it flew off over the dike to Moffett Field.
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 14 12:50:14 2000
Subject: [SBB] Warbler (2nd try)
--------
Palo Alto's Baylands area has large flocks of warblers. We had almost
50
Yellow warblers on Tuesday, plus a McGillvray's, a Wilson's and a
Orange
Crowned. Western Pewee and Willow flycatcher also showed up. Today
there were about 20 Yellow Warblers along with a Wilson's and an
Orange
Crowned. Best concentrations are at the fennel patch adjacent to the
Ranger Station, the trees at the end of Embarcadero Way and the trees
and fennel at the end of Faber Place (both side roads off
Embarcadero).
Last week there was a Western Kingbird at the ITT station.
--
Richard C. Carlson
Chairman, Spectrum Economics
Palo Alto, CA
[[email protected]]
650-324-2701
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 14 13:52:28 2000
Subject: [SBB] Wandering Tattler still there
--------
I went to look for the Wandering Tattler at lunch. It was at exactly the
same spot other viewers have noted: pond A2W, under the western of the two
boardwalks, out by the second pair of towers north of shore.
Also in the area: a single brown pelican, 5 whimbrel in the mudflats, and a
golden eagle taking and flying off with a ground squirrel.
Jan Hintermeister
Santa Clara, CA
[[email protected]]
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 14 14:23:06 2000
Subject: [SBB] Out of town birder on Friday afternoon
--------
Hi all,
A friend of a friend will be in town tomorrow, Friday, 9/15, and would
like to do a bit of South Bay Birding if anyone can show her around.
She'll be available in the afternoon. Please respond to her,
Rozelle Wright <[[email protected]]> to make arrangements.
Thanks!
Les Chibana
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 15 14:45:12 2000
Subject: [SBB] Lewis' Woodpecker at "the Dish"
--------
At lunchtime today Liz Nielsen and I walked from the Alpine Road entrance to
the Stanford Dish. We saw an adult LEWIS' WOODPECKER in an oak which is
almost to the top of the hill, very close to the dish. It is on the right
side of the path, facing 280, just before the path veers to the left toward
the dish. The oak has a blown-over appearance and is next to a large dead
tree with lots of snags. The bird was flycatching from the oak, then flew
to the dead tree and continued to flycatch and probe the tree crevices.
There is one of those signs telling you to stay on the path near the oak
tree--someone (who shall remain nameless) ventured off the path and put a
dirt clod on the right post of the sign to make it easier to locate the
tree...
Hope someone can spot this bird again--we had excellent looks at it!
Kay Partelow
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From [[email protected]] Sat Sep 16 05:38:16 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
On Saturday, 16 Sep 00, I started the morning at CCFS, birding the riparian
corridor. While checking out the eucalyptus tree near the trailer, I was
surprised to see an AMERICAN BITTERN flying high overhead. It headed out
over the sludge ponds, then circled back to the creek, and then flew north
following the creek. Migrants included a WILLOW FLYCATCHER that actually
gave a couple renditions of its "fitz-bew" song, 3 PACIFIC-SLOPE
FLYCATCHERS, 5 HOUSE WRENS, 20-25 YELLOW WARBLERS (there always seemed to be
a dozen or so in the euc at any one time), 2 MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLERS, and 10
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS. A DARK-EYED JUNCO was along the fence near the sludge
ponds, an immature RED-SHOULDERED HAWK seemed to be hunting birds in the
euc, and a RING-NECKED PHEASANT flushed from the overflow channel (they
don't seem too common here anymore).
Down at the waterbird pond, I had a CASPIAN TERN and a flyby adult
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK.
At State and Spreckles in Alviso the RUFF was still present, but I couldn't
find the Stilt Sandpiper. There were 4 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 20 GREATERS, and
about 5 WILSON'S PHALAROPES. Three VAUX'S SWIFTS were overhead with a few
BARN SWALLOWS.
At the EEC the 2 adult BLACK SKIMMERS were still present. The bushes in the
area produced a WILLOW FLYCATCHER, a WILSON'S WARBLER, 2 YELLOW WARBLERS,
and a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. A very cooperative GRAY FOX was neat.
Mike Mammoser
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Sat Sep 16 21:07:06 2000
Subject: [SBB] Alviso EEC
--------
Today we made our first visit to the Alviso EEC. Lovely day. Notable
sights at roughly midday: willow flycatcher, marsh wren, and a lovely grey
fox, quite calmly sunbathing in front of us on the gravel road between the
butterfly garden and the artesian slough. Another fox in the bush nearby
was heard but not seen. Hunting the preserve: a female harrier and a
couple of black crowned night herons. The herons seemed to terrify the
small flocks of foraging least sandpipers who were all about the
preserve. Did not have the right angle on a rather distant small flock to
say whether the cinnamon wing linings I saw belonged to Marbled Godwits or
Long billed Curlews, but in my books the curlew linings look warmer in
color so I'm guessing Curlews. We did not see the black skimmers sighted
on the island earlier that day by another birder, and unfortunately by the
time we had finished our tour of the EEC we were too pressed for time to go
looking for the stilt sandpiper at State and Spreckels.
On Thursday, I watched a female Coopers hawk perform a leisurely grooming
high up in a tree opposite Marymeade park in Los Altos. This is the first
I've seen in this area of Los Altos, but there's been a breeding pair in
the Adobe Creek ravine near the Jesuit retreat this year and last.
Natasha
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 18 00:12:21 2000
Subject: [SBB] Baylands 09/17/00
--------
Notables at 6:30PM included an immature male Eurasian Widgeon in the channel
next to the Byxbee Park parking lot and an adult Peregrine Falcon dining on
an unknown shorebird species atop the transmission tower just east of the
Baylands Nature Center boardwalk.
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 18 12:37:18 2000
Subject: [SBB] Stanford Dish
--------
I was away for the weekend, but I went up to look for Kay Partelow's
Lewis's Woodpecker this morning. No luck finding that.
Did see a GOLDEN EAGLE soaring in the distance over Portola Valley, and a
first-of-the-fall SAY'S PHOEBE near the road.
-- Tom Grey Stanford Law School [[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 18 20:49:02 2000
Subject: [SBB] Sunday at Baylands, Monday at Calero Reservoir
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
Sunday morning we had a class field trip to Palo Alto Baylands. We endured
the heat, and with the tide ebbing we had some nice opportunities to study
shorebirds. Highlights included a cooperative CLAPPER RAIL along the marsh
boardwalk, a PEREGRINE FALCON swooping on the shorebirds, and a general
abundance of waterbirds. There were thousands of shorebirds visible from the
viewing platform at the end of the boardwalk, but most were at quite a
distance. Passerine migrants were sparse--we checked the fennel patch and
trees around the duck pond, with only 3-4 YELLOW WARBLERS found. At noon the
SAVANNAH SPARROWS and WESTERN MEADOWLARKS at Byxbee Park were clearly heat
stressed, standing with beaks agape trying to stay cool. A BURROWING OWL was
seen by a lone member of our party, but by then it was really hot, and we we
didn't spend much time trying to refind it.
This evening I checked the east end of Calero Reservoir. There was quite
a variety of ducks gathered there, with a large flock of AMERICAN WIGEON, 1
male RING-NECKED DUCK, CINNAMON and GREEN-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN PINTAIL,
GADWALL, and lots of MALLARDS of course. Shorebirds there included 1 COMMON
SNIPE, 1 SPOTTED SANDPIPER, 2 juv. WESTERN SANDPIPERS, 4 LEAST SANDPIPERS, 1
juv. LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, several GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and the usual
bunches of BLACK-NECKED STILTS and KILLDEER. New shallows and islands are
opening up at the reservoir's east end, and the birding should be quite
interesting in the next few weeks.
John Mariani
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 19 11:33:38 2000
Subject: [SBB] Nuthatch, eagles
--------
SB Birders---
On Friday, Sept. 15, I had a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH at the feeder
in my yard in south Los Altos. We seem to get one every few years,
but this was the first I detected visually; usually I hear them as
they forage in the gray pine.
Over the past two weeks I have seen one, and occasionally two,
GOLDEN EAGLES perched in a dead eucalyptus on I-280 just south of
Alpine Rd. (west side). I have been commuting past this site for the
past 25 years, and have observed it to be a reliable Red-tailed Hawk
roost during this period. I don't recall ever seeing GOEA there
before, but now I see at least one perched there almost every time I
drive by.
---Grant Hoyt
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 19 11:55:48 2000
Subject: [SBB] sparrows arrive
--------
All,
After hearing about the Sooty Shearwaters off Coyote Point in San
Mateo County on Sunday (1) and yesterday (2), I decided to look over
the Bay off Palo Alto early this morning 9/19/00. Not much out there,
and no fog to confuse any pelagic birds (as was the case for our only
county record on 7 Sep 1994). A lone BROWN PELICAN was patrolling
Alameda County waters.
The ranger station fennel patch and nearby areas held 5 YELLOW
WARBLERS, 9+ WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, 10 COMMON YELLOWTHROATS,
2 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, 1+ HOUSE WREN, and a WILLOW FLYCATCHER.
At the end of Embarcadero Way I had 11 YELLOW WARBLERS, 8 "AUDUBON'S"
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, 4 COMMON YELLOWTHROATS, 2 ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLERS, 7+ WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, 1 GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW, 1 to 2
FOX SPARROWS, and a LINCOLN'S SPARROW. Six more YELLOW WARBLERS were
at the end of Faber Place.
Clearly a big arrival of sparrows and Yellow-rumped Warblers over the
last few days.
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 20 13:25:00 2000
Subject: [SBB] Stilt, Baird's & Pectoral Sandpipers at CCFS
--------
All,
This morning the first pond on the left at Coyote Creek Field Station was
loaded with shorebirds. The first "goodie" that Frank Vanslager located was
two Pectoral Sandpipers amongst several dowitchers on a small sand bar.
Shortly thereafter he found a basic plumaged Stilt Sandpiper, alone in the
southwest corner of the pond. Not to long after that he located a basic
plumaged Baird's Sandpiper feeding among a group of dowitchers. The bird was
obviously larger than nearby Western Sandpipers (a Least Sandpiper looked
very small by comparison) and was much smaller than the smallest dowitchers.
The short legs were black, the bill was also short (appearing to be longer
than the head and therefore somewhat long for the species) and black with a
very slight decurve. The rear upperparts were a very uniform looking
grayish-brown (no obvious white edges to the scapulars). The head and chest
were a shade lighter than the back with well defined line between the bright
white lower chest, flanks and undertail coverts. A small white throat and
lores outlined the base of the bill and an eye-stripe located between the
bill and eye. The bird had a poorly defined supercilious. We also had at
least three Lesser Yellowlegs.
The water level in the Waterbird Pond is good but there were no mentionables.
A Loggerhead Shrike was on the fence west of the pond and two Belted
Kingfishers were on the line near the first pond on the left (as you go in).
We then went to State & Speckles in Alviso (it was very slow with three
Wilson's Phalaropes trying to hide among the dowitchers and yellowlegs).
Finally we checked out the northern most Calabazas pond. It was loaded with
dowitchers (400-500), peeps and at least six Pectoral Sandpipers. At one
point four of the Pectoral Sandpipers were close together in a line along the
shore.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:21 PM, 9/20/00
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 20 14:14:47 2000
Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto Warblers
--------
The Palo Alto Baylands warbler/sparrow flock continues to diversify.
This morning (Wed.) I had about 10 yellows, 8 orange crowned, 1 Wilson's
and an early? Fox sparrow.
--
Richard C. Carlson
Chairman, Spectrum Economics
Palo Alto, CA
[[email protected]]
650-324-2701
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 20 15:21:35 2000
Subject: [SBB] House Finches
--------
Before the migration postings begin, I 'd like to pose a query that I've
thought about a lot. But, I didn't want to sound "dumb". It's about House
Finches. As many of you know I have 18 feeders, all within 20 feet of where
I sit at my desk. I obviously get a lot of House Finches. My query is
regarding size. As I type this I see a dozen finches feeding or bathing.
And they differ in size by at least 2 inches, sometimes it seems even more.
In the Spring, I might guess that there are babies. But none of these are
"fluff" birds. The Audubon book lists 5-5 1/2 inches. My variation is
considerably more than that. Any thoughts?
Just curious,
Gloria LeBlanc
or - the Hooded Orioles were last in my yard on 9/14. I've yet to get a
sparrow this fall.
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 20 20:23:28 2000
Subject: [SBB] crows galore
--------
I know that crow populations in Santa Clara county have been climbing. I'm
really curious to know if anyone is aware of any specific information or
current studies regarding the evening rookery at roughly El Camino and
Flora Vista in the city of Santa Clara. It's hard to count, but I'm
guessing we get several thousands of birds. The great mystery is, where
are they all coming from, from how far away, and why do they like it
HERE? Our impression is that the majority are coming from the bayside
rather than the hills, but frankly, our angle of view is usually such that
our sample is biased, so who knows? I also wonder how many other such
gathering places there are in the county--seems like it would be a good way
to get an estimate of the total crow population and their potential impact.
Anyone? Thanks,
Natasha
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 21 05:06:45 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] House Finches
--------
> Before the migration postings begin, I 'd like to pose a query that I've
> thought about a lot. But, I didn't want to sound "dumb". It's about House
> Finches. As many of you know I have 18 feeders, all within 20 feet of where
> I sit at my desk. I obviously get a lot of House Finches. My query is
> regarding size. As I type this I see a dozen finches feeding or bathing.
> And they differ in size by at least 2 inches, sometimes it seems even more.
> In the Spring, I might guess that there are babies. But none of these are
> "fluff" birds. The Audubon book lists 5-5 1/2 inches. My variation is
> considerably more than that. Any thoughts?
A 2 inch size difference among House Finches sounds strange to
me. Is it possible that some of your birds are Pine Siskins?
Daniel Bump
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 21 08:08:53 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Stilt, Baird's & Pectoral Sandpipers at CCFS
--------
IIn a message dated 9/20/00 1:36:01 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
[[email protected]] writes:
<< The bird had a poorly defined supercilious. >>
All,
Just a test to see if you knew how to spell supercillium. I was not trying
to be comtumelious (like now).
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 7:54 AM, 9/21/00
--------
Message
--------
Subject: Re: [SBB] Stilt, Baird's & Pectoral Sandpipers at CCFS
--------
In a message dated 9/20/00 1:36:01 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
[[email protected]] writes:
<< The bird had a poorly defined supercilious. >>
All,
Just a test to see if you knew how to spell supercillium. I was not trying
to be comtumelious (like now).
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 7:54 AM, 9/21/00
From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 21 14:15:48 2000
Subject: [SBB] [Fwd: FW: New Virus US President and anti secrets.]
--------
this one is for real
> FYI -- from Xerox
> -------------Forwarded Message-----------------
>
> From: "Gustafson, Don" <[[email protected]]>
> To: All XRT <[[email protected]]>, XRCC SDC <[[email protected]]>
> Subject: New Virus US President and anti secrets...Delete
> Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2000 10:08:16 -0700
>
> ALL ..New Virus Please delete with the above subject line.
>
> Just received word from MICROSOFT that a email is going around that
> contains a virus. If you receive a email message that has a subject
> line of US President and Anti Secrets with an attachment - DELETE IT
> IMMEDIATELY!!! ITS A VIRUS and it will wipe out your harddrive
>
> Look this up at
> http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/vbs.plan.a.html
>
> IF you DO open please shutoff your computer and call network Support or
> the virus will spread...
>
> Thanks..Net Support
--
Richard C. Carlson
Chairman, Spectrum Economics
Palo Alto, CA
[[email protected]]
650-324-2701
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 21 16:35:36 2000
Subject: [SBB] Stevens Ck, CCFS
--------
All,
This morning 9/21/00 I again checked Stevens Creek between L'Avenida
and Crittenden Lane. Lots of migrants around, including 1 "WESTERN"
FLYCATCHER, 2+ WARBLING VIREOS, 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, 20+ YELLOW
WARBLERS, 3 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, 1 WILSON'S WARBLER, 1 BLACK-HEADED
GROSBEAK, 1 FOX SPARROW, 3+ LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, and 5 WHITE-CROWNED
SPARROWS. From the Crittenden Lane bridge I could see tons of bird
activity out on Salt Pond A2E, with hundreds of pelicans (including at
least one BROWN PELICAN), thousands of gulls, and who knows what else
covering the pond. At least 60 swallows were foraging over Crittenden
Marsh, with a few BARN and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS making it to where I
was along the creek.
On the way back south to L'Avenida on the west bank of the creek I
heard one call note from what was undoubtedly a Northern Waterthrush.
Pishing failed to turn it up and it did not call again, however, so I
couldn't confirm the ID :( (This spot is about halfway between
L'Avenida and the power line crossing, near where the lower path is
flooded.)
A midday check of the sewage ponds visible from the CCFS dike turned
up a basic-plumaged DUNLIN in the first pond on the left and at least
12 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS on the islands and banks of the pond south of
the one opposite the trailers.
Mike Rogers
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 21 19:09:21 2000
Subject: [SBB] Sparrows
--------
Went out for a "stress relief" walk late morning to La Rinconada Park in
the quest of Sparrows. Hadn't seen any yet this fall there. I had a dozen
or so WHITECROWNED SPARROWS, interesting that only 1 was an adult that I
saw. With them I saw one LINCLON SPARROW. They were along Smith Creek where
the sparrow flock normally is when it is there. I had a GREEN HERON high
atop a tree a fair distance from the water which was a different location
for it. It wasn't very birdy due to the strong breeze. These were
practically the only birds I saw - so, I felt I'd hit paydirt!!!!
Gloria LeBlanc
Los Gatos
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 22 09:26:47 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] [Fwd: FW: New Virus US President and anti secrets.]
--------
While I always counsel that each of us take care and be responsible
for our computer usage; there can be other considerations.
While the virus described in this post was real (it's somewhat dated
at present), you might also visit http://www.getvirushelp.com/ for
additional information. In particular please read the third section
under the subtitle "Hoaxes":
"... There are many messages floating around telling you that if you
receive an e-mail message with the subject _____ delete it right
away, and do not open it as doing so will wipe out your hard drive.
These messages might claim to have been verified by IBM, Microsoft,
CBS News, or whomever. The fact is that there are no viruses out
there that can do this kind of damage by you simply reading an
e-mail message. These messages always encourage you to pass along
the warning as well. Please delete such messages and refrain from
spreading these hoaxes. ..."
As always, keep Richard's post in mind--remain vigilant! Just be
cognizant that just because a post says that "Microsoft" (or some
other mega-company) said something was so, doesn't make it so...
Best (and careful) regards,
Dusty Bleher
San Jose, Ca.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Carlson" <[[email protected]]>
To: "Allegra Carlson" <[[email protected]]>; "Clara Carlson"
<[[email protected]]>; "Birds, South Bay"
<[[email protected]]>
Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2000 14:15
Subject: [SBB] [Fwd: FW: New Virus US President and anti secrets.]
> this one is for real
>
>
> > FYI -- from Xerox
> > -------------Forwarded Message-----------------
> >
> > From: "Gustafson, Don" <[[email protected]]>
> > To: All XRT <[[email protected]]>, XRCC SDC
<[[email protected]]>
> > Subject: New Virus US President and anti secrets...Delete
> > Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2000 10:08:16 -0700
> >
> > ALL ..New Virus Please delete with the above subject line.
> >
> > Just received word from MICROSOFT that a email is going around
that
> > contains a virus. If you receive a email message that has a
subject
> > line of US President and Anti Secrets with an attachment -
DELETE IT
> > IMMEDIATELY!!! ITS A VIRUS and it will wipe out your harddrive
> >
> > Look this up at
> > http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/vbs.plan.a.html
> >
> > IF you DO open please shutoff your computer and call network
Support or
> > the virus will spread...
> >
> > Thanks..Net Support
>
> --
>
> Richard C. Carlson
> Chairman, Spectrum Economics
> Palo Alto, CA
> [[email protected]]
> 650-324-2701
> -++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
> This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
> server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send
the
> message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to
[[email protected]]
>
>
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 22 14:45:08 2000
Subject: [SBB] Backyard birds
--------
All,
This morning (in the rain) we had a couple different backyard birds, an adult
White-crowned Sparrow and a nice fall plumaged Warbling Vireo (being harassed
by a female House Finch). A female/immature Bullock's Oriole also stopped by
briefly and I saw a partially leucistic European Starling with pure white
greater coverts (both sides) and a few white secondaries.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 2:42 PM, 9/22/00
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 22 17:34:38 2000
Subject: [SBB] South County line birds
--------
Hi SBB,
On 9/18 there was a female YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (with a large flock of
RED-WINGEDS and BREWER'S) and 11 CATTLE EGRETS in the field with cows along
Frazier Lake Road just south of Bloomfield Road. Nothing of interest was
evident when I passed back through there today.
This afternoon (9/22) there was an imm. CLAY-COLORED SPARROW at Llagas Creek.
It was in grassy- weedy habitat on the eastern levee about 200 meters north
of Bloomfield Road. Also present were 1 LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and several each
of GOLDEN-CROWNED and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS. A SAY'S PHOEBE was in the
large field west of the creek and north of Bloomfield.
David Suddjian, Capitola
[[email protected]]
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Sat Sep 23 17:57:01 2000
Subject: [SBB] birds
--------
Saturday, 9/23/00
Western Screech-Owl called early this morning before dawn at my house
(Skyline Blvd. btwn Page Mill & Saratoga Gap).
At CCFS during bander training, netted a Sharp-shinned, and a Cooper's
Hawk and a Red-shouldered Hawk were in the vicinity. Birds processed
included Western Flycatcher, Hermit Thrush, Warbling Vireo, Wilson's
Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Gambel's and Puget Sound White-crowned
Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, and Fox Sparrow.
At Charleston Slough, 4 Black Skimmers and a Caspian Tern were roosting
on the large mud bar at the base of the slough. A dark Peregrine Falcon
strafed shorebirds near the water exhange gates near the bay before
heading toward Hwy 101 along Adobe Creek.
Les Chibana
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Sun Sep 24 19:11:14 2000
Subject: [SBB] CCFS access
--------
South Bay Birders:
The water district is planning to oil the levee road leading to CCFS,
probably sometime early next week. The WD says this stuff is truly nasty to
the one's paint job and we gladly accept their recommendation to stay off
the road for several days. Therefore, there will be no access to CCFS for
the next few days (and no Wednesday banding). We will post a message to the
listserve when we get the "all clear". Please pass the word....
thanks
Janet Hanson
SFBBO
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 25 08:18:18 2000
Subject: [SBB] Almaden area
--------
Hello All,
Here are some birds seen over the weekend:
Calero Reservoir (eastern end), Sat, 9/23:
Along with the increasing numbers of coots and Mallards, here are some birds
of interest: Killdeer (20+); Black-necked Stilt (16+); Greater Yellowlegs
(1); Lesser Yellowlegs (2); Least Sandpiper (12); Long-billed Dowitcher (7);
Forster's Tern (16+); Pied-billed Grebe (20+); Eared Grebe (1); Great Blue
Heron (1); Great Egret (10) (8 of which were seen perched in a tree); Snowy
Egret (2); Green-winged Teal (61); N. Pintail (4); Cinnamon Teal (1); N.
Shoveler (5); Gadwall (86); American Wigeon (116); Ring-necked Duck (1);
Ruddy Duck (10) - also seen were one Northern Harrier, one Violet-green
Swallow, and three Wild Turkeys
Almaden Reservoir, Sun, 9/24: 15 Wood Ducks
That's it for now - Ann
-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 25 08:38:18 2000
Subject: [SBB] Ruffs
--------
Late Saturday afternoon, I made a run down to CCFS and Alviso. While
there were shorebirds on the first pond along the CCFS levee road, viewing
was largely into the sun. And before long, something caused all the birds to
leave. (I suspect a Falcon, since the ducks on the next pond back were also
agitated.) I had a couple of possible distant Baird's before that happenned,
but unconfirmed.
At the State/Spreckels impoundment, there were still at least 4 Lesser
Yellowlegs (probably more) and 3 Wilson's Phalaropes. And this time there
were 2 Ruffs, feeding (and moving) together. One looked like the same adult
which has been in that area for weeks; the other was a juvenile. The latter
was just a tad larger. Perhaps, since so far as I recall we never definitively
resolved the sex of the adult, that may be enough to suggest that the juvenile
is a male. Since the adult (which I presume is the same bird) has been well
described in the past, I'll just note the observed differences:
- The juvenile had buffy (almost orangey tinted) underparts from the
throat through the breast; on the flanks, this extended about as far
as the legs.
- Its upperparts had a bit brighter and neater (probably pale buffy)
edgings. The birds weren't really close, and even with the back-
lighting it was hard to get these details.
- The mid-crown was darker and more rufous. (The forecrown, as on the
adult, was very pale.)
- The legs were a duller yellowish green, as opposed to brighter yellow-
orange on the adult.
Observations were at about 6:15 to 6:30 PM.
Al Eisner
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 25 09:12:57 2000
Subject: [SBB] Saturday at Point Reyes
--------
Hello birders,
Ted Chandik's Fly By Dawn group had a wonderful day at Point Reyes on
Saturday the 23rd. No fog, even at the Lighthouse, little wind, and warm.
We didn't see the Canada Warbler that has been spotted recently, but did
see 12 warblers, including Chesnut-sided, Black-throated Gray, Hermit,
Palm, Plackpoll, and the best treat, an adult male Redstart. We also had 9
raptors if you throw in the Turkey Vultures, including Ferruginous Hawk and
several Sharp-shinned Hawks. Other highlights were a Sora and immature
Moorhen at Olima Marsh, Willow Flycatcher, Blue-Headed Vireo, and a
gorgeous Varied Thrush. A curious sight: Ravens bathing in a reservoir
below Nunez Ranch, then walking up the steep hill next to the reservoir
rather than flying away. Presumably they were drying off that way.
Ted said late Sept. and early Oct. is the best time for the migration there.
Cheers,
Nancy Teater
--
Nancy R. Teater Hamilton Communications phone: +1 650 321 0252
[[email protected]] http://web.hamilton.com fax: +1 650 327 4660
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 25 10:45:49 2000
Subject: [SBB] dry run for Big Day
--------
All,
This year Mike Mammoser and I (M&M) decided to do a Santa Clara County
Big Day as part of the SFBBO Fall Challenge. On 12 Oct 1997, Steve
Rottenborn, Scott Terrill, and I managed to get an incredible 160
species, which convinced us that late fall is better than early fall
for big species counts. Although we plan to wait until early October
for our Big Day, we decided to give our planned route a dry run on
Saturday 9/23/00 to check timings and stop choices. This had the
added benefit of showing us how a late September Big Day compares to
one in early October.
Our day on 9/23/00 started out well enough, but by early afternoon we
were running behind schedule. We missed the optimum tide conditions
at the Baylands and didn't get up into the Diablo Range until late, by
which time it was pretty quiet. Our luck went completely to zero in
the afternoon and we ended up missing Red-shouldered Hawk, Ring-necked
Pheasant, Semipalmated Plover, Barn Owl, White-throated Swift,
White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock Wren, as well as many winter species
that haven't arrived in numbers yet (see below). We ended the day
with a depressing 138 species, but lots of good information on how to
modify our route and which species may cause problems.
Our Big Day started from my house at 3:59am and went until 10:25pm,
covering just over 188 miles by car, and more miles by bike and foot.
The first birds of the day, GREAT HORNED and WESTERN SCREECH OWLS,
were heard from the road near Hidden Villa at 4:15am. At Monte Bello
we added NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL, VIRGINIA RAIL, and the day's only
CALIFORNIA THRASHERS, WRENTITS, HAIRY WOODPECKERS, PYGMY NUTHATCHES,
PURPLE FINCHES, BAND-TAILED PIGEONS, BROWN CREEPERS, HUTTON'S VIREOS,
and TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS. A calling WESTERN TANAGER was a treat, and
also the only one of the day. Both FOX and GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS
were already fairly numerous in the chaparral. This was a decent
start, but we didn't leave until 8:53am, behind schedule. As in 1997,
our only CALIFORNIA QUAILS of the day came while driving down Page
Mill Road!
Our next stop at Embarcadero Way added 8 YELLOW WARBLERS, 1 FOX
SPARROW, 6 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, and 3 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS.
A quick check of the Baylands produced lots of birds but nothing we
didn't get later - the tide was still too high for good shorebirding.
We spent from 10:00am to 10:20am at Spreckles and State in Alviso and
got the basic-plumaged STILT SANDPIPER but not the Ruff. Later stops
here at 12:45pm and 5:30pm again failed to produce the Ruff, despite
Al's finding two birds after 6pm! We did add 3 WILSON'S PHALAROPES,
4 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 25+ VAUX'S SWIFTS, and our first SAY'S PHOEBE of
the Fall. The day's only LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE and an adult PEREGRINE
FALCON were along the EEC entrance road.
Viewing the sewage ponds from the CCFS dike, we added 1 female
BLUE-WINGED TEAL, 1 WILSON'S PHALAROPE, and 47 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS.
The riparian corridor produced 8 "WESTERN" FLYCATCHERS, 8 YELLOW
WARBLERS, 6 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, 3 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, 1
to 2 CASPIAN TERNS, a NORTHERN FLICKER, 3 FOX SPARROWS, and a BELTED
KINGFISHER. More important were our only COOPER'S HAWK (1), HOUSE
WREN (1), WILLOW FLYCATCHER (1), SWAINSON'S THRUSH (1), WARBLING
VIREO (1), and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (1,first of Fall) for us.
The EEC in Alviso produced a SORA, 4 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, and the 2
adult BLACK SKIMMERS. Biking out along Salt Pond A12 to Salt Pond A13
from the Alviso Marina added 1800+ RED-NECKED PAHALROPES, BROWN
PELICAN, WESTERN GREBE, an adult HERRING GULL, and 3 more CASPIAN
TERNS.
Biking around the big pond at the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control
Plant added COMMON MOORHEN, GREEN HERON (1 adult), 3 BONAPARTE'S
GULLS, 5 BROWN PELICANS, LESSER SCAUP, SPOTTED SANDPIPER (1), and two
more PEREGRINE FALCONS (an adult and an immature) perched on one of
the towers here. A BURROWING OWL was on the hillside near the parking
lot.
As noted above, we missed the best tide conditions at Palo Alto, but
we did get WHIMBREL, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS,
2 CLAPPER RAILS, and an adult GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL. The Palo Alto
Flood Control Basin had a BONAPARTE'S GULL, 4 BLACK SKIMMERS were at
Charleston Slough, and two SURF SCOTERS were on Shoreline Lake.
A long bike trip out to Crittenden Marsh from the Forebay failed to
produce a Ring-necked Pheasant or Semipalmated Plover. Two FORSTER'S
TERNS were on Pond A2W and single BROWN PELICANS were on A2E and
Shoreline Lake.
Alviso Park produced TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD, but State and Spreckles had
7 LESSER YELLOWLEGS with no Ruff.
Ed Levin Park added our first AMERICAN ROBINS of the day (scary near
miss!), an adult SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, and a pair of YELLOW-BILLED
MAGPIES. Calaveras Reservoir had a WESTERN GREBE feeding one large
young bird, a CASPIAN TERN, and 6 RING-NECKED DUCKS. Our 138th and
final species for the day came at the Sierra Road summit at 7:00pm in
the form of a HORNED LARK. Nocturnal checks above Stevens Creek Park
failed to add Northern Saw-whet Owl or Common Poorwill and a trip to
Stanford failed to add White-throated Swift or Barn Owl.
Besides 6 of the 7 species mentioned in the second paragraph (we
missed Barn Owl then too), here are the differences in our species
list compared to the 10/12/97 Big Day.
9/23/00 10/12/97
Cooper's Hawk Clark's Grebe
Spotted Sandpiper Cattle Egret
Stilt Sandpiper Greater White-fronted Goose
Wilson's Phalarope Eurasian Wigeon
Caspian Tern Canvasback
Vaux's Swift Golden Eagle
Willow Flycatcher Merlin
Brown Creeper Red Knot
House Wren Dunlin
Swainson's Thrush Ruff
Common Snipe
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Sabine's Gull
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Tree Swallow
Winter Wren
Hermit Thrush
Varied Thrush
American Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
Lark Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Clearly you gain more by waiting for newly arrived wintering birds
than you lose by missing departing migrants. An educational but long
day with no real surprises.
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 25 11:27:21 2000
Subject: [SBB] PARJA, BLTU, PGPL
--------
All,
On Sunday afternoon 9/24/00, I headed out to Alviso for a bike loop
around the Alviso salt ponds, hoping for something interesting in the
outer ponds, or perhaps a Red Phalarope in the big Red-necked
Phalarope flock found the day before.
Between Salt Ponds A12 and A11 there were 4100+ RED-NECKED PHALAROPES,
but I could find no other species among them. The only WILSON'S
PHALAROPES were two birds with GREATER YELLOWLEGS on Salt Pond A14.
I did have at least 2 CLARK'S GREBES among a dozen or so AECHMOPHORUS
GREBES, a species missed on the quick check the day before.
The dikes around pond A10 were coverd with birds, including 61+ BROWN
PELICANS and 330 WESTERN GULLS (a pretty high number for this species
compared to later in the winter). There were also two or three
GLAUCOUS-WINGED x WESTERN GULL hybrids. Sixteen SCAUP on Salt Pond A9
included at least 8 GREATER SCAUP. Twenty-six CASPIAN TERNS
(including 2+ begging juveniles) roosting at the southeast corner of
A9 with 2 BLACK SKIMMERS seemed like a good number for this late in
the season; 8+ more over A7 earlier may have included some of the same
birds. A large group of 160 FORSTER'S TERNS on pond A14 is one of the
better concentrations left in the county this year, and soon after
spotting them a juvenile PARASITIC JAEGER flew through my scope,
landing on eastern pond A9. This bird, first seen at 2:32pm, was
still present when I left at 4:50pm. It floated towards the northeast
corner of the pond, allowing good views when it preened and flapped a
couple times at 4:30pm. This bird had the classic buff nape, long
thin bill with extensive blue-gray base, and chestnut edges to the
scapulars and primary tips that are characteristic of this species.
Another surprise on pond A9 was a basic-plumaged BLACK TURNSTONE.
An out-of-place bird on the bike trek back along Triangle Marsh was
a NORTHERN "RED-SHAFTED" FLICKER in a bush.
The adult RUFF was at State and Spreckles with 9 LESSER YELLOWLEGS at
5:20pm.
After hearing about Rich Cimino's Pacific Golden-Plover in the flooded
field south of highway 237 and east of First Street, I checked there
at 7:10am this morning 9/25/00. Sure enough, the juvenile PACIFIC
GOLDEN-PLOVER was still there with 6+ PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, 6+ COMMON
SNIPE, and many KILLDEER. Although not as yellow as some birds, this
bird does have a warm buff cast to the face and chest, has extensive
spangling on the upperparts, and has only three primary tips extending
past the tertials, with the wing tip extending only slightly past the
tail.
A quick check of the east side of Stevens Creek north of L'Avenida
afterwards turned up 8 "WESTERN" FLYCATCHERS, 10 YELLOW WARBLERS, a
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, 2+ ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, a NORTHERN FLICKER,
a HOUSE WREN, a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, and many of the usual wintering
sparrows.
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 25 11:59:55 2000
Subject: [SBB] EEC Road Closure
--------
Big Day Birders,
We tentatively plan to close the entrance road to the EEC, Alviso, from
October 1 through about October 12, so the road and parking lot can be
resurfaced. You can still get into the refuge by walking up from the
Alviso Marina and cross the railroad onto our levee. No effect on
Spreckles and State Street hot spot. I pity the poor ground squirrels
and killdeer that often cross the road.
Lee Lovelady, Volunteer Naturalist.
________________________________________________________________
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From [[email protected]] Mon Sep 25 13:09:44 2000
Subject: [SBB] admin message
--------
SBB,
There have been a few bounces lately that have been tagged as non-member
submissions. If you have bounced messages to SBB with this error lately,
it may be because you are using a different (new) e-mail address than the
one that you're subscribed under. If you've changed your ISP, your
organization has changed or eliminated subdomain names (e.g.,
@leland.stanford.edu to @stanford.edu), or you've changed the way your
e-mail address reads to the left of the domain name (e.g., [[email protected]]
to [[email protected]]), the SBB Majordomo host will not recognize you as a
subscriber, and it will bounce your message.
So, do yourself a favor (don't miss the timely migration reports), do me
a favor (so I don't have to tell you individually why your message was
bounced), and let me know if you've been subject to a change of the
aforementioned type. I can update your subscription before the bouncing
starts.
The SBB list host can only recognize you by the e-mail address from which
you've sent your posting. (This is a good thing, owing to the amount of
spam has been rejected!)
Your humble list bureaucrat,
Les
--
Les Chibana
List Bureaucrat
South-Bay-Birds List
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 26 00:13:26 2000
Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto Blackburnian Warbler
--------
I had a distinctly different warbler in the fennel patch next to the
Baylands ranger station this morning, which I believe was a Blackburnian
warbler. (one of my old Eastern friends) The bird had a yellow,
lightly streaked breast, with white under tail coverts, a heavily
streaked greenish yellow back, two large white wing bars, a yellowish
head with a dark streak through the lighter eye-ring, and a fairly light
bill. I think the heavily streaked back rules out a Townsend's. The
bird was in the middle of the patch near the parking lot. There were
the usual Wilson's, yellow, and Yellow-rumped warblers nearby. This
bird was very different.
--
Richard C. Carlson Full-time Birder, Biker, Skier, Hiker
Palo Alto, California Part-time Economist
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 26 06:29:36 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
The BLACKPOLL WARBLER was still in the fennel patch at the Baylands at about
12:30pm today, 26 Sep 00.
The bird was roughly the size of a Yellow-rumped Warbler, though I had no
direct comparisons with any other birds during the observation. I watched it
for about 5 minutes through my Zeiss 10x40 binoculars from as close as 20
feet. The sun was directly behind me during the course of my observation.
This bird was generally olive-green on the back and head, with some thin
dark streaks on the back. The rump was the same olive-green color as the
back, but lacked any streaking. This greenish color suffuses the rather
plain face and blends into yellow onto the throat. The progression from
green on the head and face to yellow on the throat is quite gradual, with no
distinct line of contrast. A dark line extends from the base of the bill
through the eye and projects into a point shortly past the back edge of the
eye. The upper edge of this dark line was thinly bordered by a brighter
yellow, giving just a semblance of a supercilium. The yellow of the throat
extended down the undersides of the bird, starting to fade at about the
midpoint of the breast and becoming just a pale yellow wash on the lower
belly and vent. The undertail coverts were white. The sides of the breast
had a concentration of indistinct blurry grayish streaks, that extended
slightly down the flanks. The wings were blackish or dark grayish. They were
set off by two bold whitish wing bars, formed by white tips to the greater
and median upperwing coverts. The tertials were also rather boldly edged
whitish. The tail was of medium length and rather thin, straight-sided and
square-ended. It was generally dark above, but the actual color was not
noted. The underside of the tail did have some white pattern, though the
actual extent of it was not noted. The legs and feet were a darkish fleshy
color. The eye was dark. The thin, pointed bill (typical of warblers in
general) had a dark upper mandible and a fleshy colored lower.
The plumage of this bird is somewhat indicative of an immature, though the
sex may not be possible to determine.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 26 09:27:55 2000
Subject: [SBB] Blackpoll Warbler
--------
All,
This morning 9/26/00 I checked out the Palo Alto Baylands fennel patch
and the nearby trees at the ranger station. An immature SHARP-SHINNED
HAWK was perched on a lamp post as I drove in. Al Eisner was already
birding the fennel patch when I got there. The number of YELLOW
WARBLERS is down, with only 4 to 5 tallied. Three "AUDUBON'S"
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were also present, along with a WILSON'S
WARBLER and 5 COMMON YELLOWTHROATS. A single vocal WILLOW FLYCATCHER
was hanging out with 2 "WESTERN" FLYCATCHERS (at least one a
PACIFIC-SLOPE by call). An immature BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK was
foraging in the tops of the eucalyptus and an extremely worn and
abraded (almost to the point of being difficult to ID) WARBLING VIREO
was also foraging there. A single VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW was overhead.
Just after Bob Reiling and Frank Vanslager arrived I found a BLACKPOLL
WARBLER in one of the small eucalyptus near the fennel patch. It sat
motionless for several minutes, allowing Frank to get it in his
Questar. Just after the bird flew off, Dick Carlson arrived and told
us about his possible Blackburnian Warbler from the day before - may
have been the same bird.
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 26 15:09:03 2000
Subject: [SBB] Pacific Golden-Plover
--------
All,
This morning after seeing the Blackpoll Warbler near the Ranger Residence at
the Palo Alto Yacht Harbor (thanks to Mike Rogers) the walking wounded (Frank
Vanslager has a bad leg and my back has been bothering me for the last couple
of weeks) tried for the Pacific Golden-Plover at the southeast corner of Hwy
237 and North First St. Unfortunately as soon as we got there two workman in
a "back hoe" drove to the edge of the pond and started digging a channel to
the south. Later a truck drove along the eastern section of the pond and
flushed perhaps 20 Killdeer (and I assume the plover). A few Killdeer, 2 to
3 Pectoral Sandpipers and a couple yellowlegs were all that remained.
We then checked out the CCFS access road (yes it is now "oiled") and so we
went to check out the ponds at State and Spreckles. We still had a couple
Wilson's Phalaropes and some Lesser Yellowlegs but nothing else worth
mentioning. A Peregrine Falcon was on one of the power towers along the
access road to the EEC. The EEC had a pair of adult Black Skimmers on the
first island and there were hundreds of Eared Grebes out on the pond. A
recheck of the State and Spreckles pond turned up a Marbled Godwit and a
Ring-billed Gull but it was still very slow. Arzino Ranch had an adult male
Ring-necked Pheasant perched on top of the fence, a Loggerhead Shrike on a
post in the field, four Turkey Vultures (on the ground), a small flock of
Canada Geese, a female American Kestrel and a "pair" of closely interacting
adult Red-tailed Hawks.
On our way home we decided to retry for the Pacific Golden-Plover. The "back
hoe" and the men were now a hundred yards from the pond. We walked up to the
corner and then east along the fence for about 150 yds. [It was now 12:30 PM
and heat waves could be seen with the naked eye so we opted to try and get as
close as we could to the birds.] The pond on the inside of the clover leaf
[where the water is being pumped into] had nine Pectoral Sandpipers in close
proximity to workers and three more Pectoral Sandpipers on the south side of
the road for an even dozen. A thorough search of the area to the southeast
of the pond ultimately turned up many Killdeer and the juvenile Pacific
Golden-Plover. The bird had an overall buffy appearance [golden highlights
could be seen at times as the bird moved and as the air would occasionally
clear]. Most spectacular however, was the golden appearance of the nape,
face and supercillium. No obvious or bold white wing stripe or white
underwing were noted when the bird lifted it's wings at one point. We were
unable to note primary wing tip projection but felt that the birds
distinctive coloring [body and wing] eliminated Black-bellied Plover,
American and European Golden-Plover.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 2:59 PM, 9/26/00
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From [[email protected]] Tue Sep 26 19:31:06 2000
Subject: [SBB] Calero Reservoir
--------
Howdy South-bay-birders,
Good shorebird habitat continues to expand at Calero Reservoir, which is
fast receding. Unfortunately the variety of shorebird species present hasn't
been as great as it was last year.
Checking the reservoir this afternoon I counted about 35 BLACK-NECKED
STILTS, 10 LEAST SANDPIPERS, 4 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, 10 GREATER YELLOWLEGS,
and 40+ KILLDEER. Watched a Greater Yellowlegs catch and consume a frog
(based on other earlier observations this seems to be a significant part of
their diet here). Also saw lots of wading birds, ducks, and FORSTER'S TERNS.
John Mariani
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 27 05:19:29 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I took a lunchtime trip today, 27 Sep 00, to Alviso.
The pond near hwy 237 and First St. had the PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER, 3 COMMON
SNIPE, and 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS.
The pond at State and Spreckles had the RUFF and STILT SANDPIPER.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 27 09:54:20 2000
Subject: [SBB] BLACKPOLL
--------
All,
This morning the BLACKPOLL WARBLER was still in the fennel patch at
the Palo Alto Baylands, along with 3 YELLOW WARBLERS and 1 to 2
WILLOW FLYCATCHERS.
Mike Rogers
9/27/00
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From [[email protected]] Wed Sep 27 20:15:02 2000
Subject: [SBB] hawk hill?
--------
We're hoping to catch a clear day at Hawk Hill in Marin sometime this
Fri-Sun. It will be our first visit. We're wondering whether the
territory is appropriate to bring lawn chairs or similar seating. I'm also
somewhat worried about the hike up and the footing, since my knees are
bad--how rough is it?
Any other wisdom gladly received! Private replies probably best since this
is technically not a "south bay" issue (oops!) Thanks,
Natasha
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 28 05:02:29 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
At lunch time today, 28 Sep 00, I refound the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH along
Stevens Creek near the end of L'Avenida. The bird responded to pishing by
flying up onto a low branch, where it sat cooperatively bobbing its tail. I
watched from about 20 feet away for about 3 minutes. It made no sound during
the observation.
This bird was in the same location where I had heard one back on the 11th. I
could never confirm it visually back then, however.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 28 10:21:17 2000
Subject: [SBB] NOWA
--------
All,
On the way into work this morning 9/28/00, I again birded Stevens
Creek between L'Avenida and Crittenden Lane. Highlight was a NORTHERN
WATERTHRUSH, which this time sat cooperatively out in the open on a
willow branch for several minutes while calling. A good variety of
migrants is still present, including 2 NORTHERN FLICKERS, 1 WESTERN
WOOD-PEWEE, 2 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, 4 "WESTERN" FLYCATCHERS (2 of them
PACIFIC-SLOPE by call), 2 HOUSE WRENS, 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER,
13 YELLOW WARBLERS, 3 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, 1 COMMON YELLOWTHROAT,
2 WILSON'S WARBLERS, and 1 WESTERN TANAGER.
Mike Rogers
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 28 13:59:03 2000
Subject: [SBB] Slow day at Ogier Ponds
--------
All,
This morning Frank Vanslager and I saw only 45 species at Ogier Ponds. Best
birds were an adult male Osprey, two Spotted Sandpipers and an adult male
Wood Duck(s). We had lots of coots, Gadwall and Ring-necked Ducks. Other
species included Eared Grebe, Common Moorhen, American Wigeon, Ruddy duck,
American Kestrel, Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, White-tailed Kite,
several Yellow Warblers, two Orange-crowned Warblers, Wilson's Warbler,
Common Yellowthroat, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, both crowned sparrows, Song
Sparrow, Nuttall's Woodpecker and Lesser Goldfinches. Big misses were
American Bittern, Sora and Green-backed Heron.
Question? Does anyone know when fishing season is over? Last year it was
over in the middle of September but today we had at least three guys fishing
there [two with a dog out on a point near where the wood ducks would like to
be]. Fishermen walk all over these ponds and in the process destroy habitat
so that they can fish that perfect spot and I'm afraid that if it continues
we will no longer see anything good there.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 1:55 PM, 9/28/00
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 28 14:11:55 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Slow day at Ogier Ponds
--------
All,
Forgot to mention an Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, the first of the fall
season.
Take care,
Bob Reiling, 2:11 PM, 9/29/00
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From [[email protected]] Thu Sep 28 21:19:35 2000
Subject: [SBB] Golden-crowned Sparrow
--------
I saw the first GOSP of the season in my yard today. This bird was
feeding on grass as the species likes to do.
--
Ruth Troetschler
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 29 05:59:17 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
I took a walk at lunch time today, 29 Sep 00.
At the Scott Ave crossing of San Tomas Aquino Creek I had 6 female COMMON
MERGANSERS. They were loafing on the cement foundation of the bridge and
were gone a half hour later when I came back.
Further up the creek, near the Mission College Blvd crossing, a eucalyptus
lined parking lot had many YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, a handful of YELLOW
WARBLERS, 2 WESTERN TANAGERS, and a flycatcher that looked like a WOOD-PEWEE
(I didn't have my binoculars). The lawn here had quite a few AMERICAN ROBINS
as well.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 29 10:06:25 2000
Subject: [SBB] Sparrows at the bay edge, etc.
--------
Yesterday (9/28/00) I observed my first LINCOLN'S SPARROW and GOLDEN-CROWNED
SPARROWS of the fall along the bay trail near Twin Creeks Park in Sunnyvale.
We also observed a large concentration (approximately 500-700 TREE SWALLOWS
here. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW & YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS also appear to be back
in most of their usual haunts.
Additionally, our e-mail was down for about a week so some good birds from
last week and early this week include WOOD DUCKS, COMMON MERGANSER, AMERICAN
WIGEON, a SNOWY EGRET, SPOTTED SANDPIPER at Almaden Reservoir on 9/26/00. We
observed two female HOODED MERGANSER and AMERICAN WIGEON at Oka Ponds on
9/19/00.
Four BROWN PELICAN, 2 AD, 2 JUV were among the usual AM. WHITE PELICANS at
Salt Pond A4 on 9/25/00.
Good birding,
Tom
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 29 11:54:54 2000
Subject: [SBB] Mission College
--------
Today, while driving through Mission College observing the small beleaguered
remnants of Santa Clara's BURROWING OWL population, I saw a SAY'S PHOEBE.
Wednesday, 9/27, I saw my first RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET of the fall along with
a WILSON'S WARBLER at the Ulistac Natural Area in Santa Clara.
Jan Hintermeister
Santa Clara, CA
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 29 12:55:08 2000
Subject: [SBB] Santa Clara Golf Course Burrowing Owls
--------
I've recently been seeing Burrowing Owls on the Santa Clara Golf course
along Great America Parkway (just across from the Shell station).
I'm not sure what is going on there, looks like that entire section of
the golf course has been moved up on top of the landfill and they are now
filling in the ponds, perhaps going to be building on that valuable
section of land.
Golfers haven't been on this section in months but I'm not sure when the
Burrowing Owls moved in. They are only about 20 feet from the fence along
Great America and I've only seen 2 at a time but there may be more.
Anyone know more about what they are doing with this land? I'd think that
they might now have to take the owls into account even though they
weren't there when this section was used for the golf course.
-Chris
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 29 13:56:59 2000
Subject: [SBB] Aratinga mitrata info
--------
[apologies for cross-posting]
http://www.hear.org/AlienSpeciesInHawaii/waringreports/parrot.htm
This link was posted to the Hawaii birds list. It might be of interest to
those of you who marvel at your local flocks of parakeets/conures. There's
info about the pet bird trade, as well as nat. history and taxonomy about
the related species/subspecies.
I didn't know that Maui had a free-flying flock and was surprised at the
origin revealed on this Web page.
Les Chibana
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 29 14:35:44 2000
Subject: [SBB] Los Gatos Creek Park
--------
Driving to work this morning, I noticed that the small ponds right off Dell
Ave., South of Hacienda in Los Gatos Creek Park had been drained and
figured that that would provide an ideal situation for herons and egrets.
At lunchtime, I took a quick walk around the ponds and counted 5 Green
Herons, 2 Great Egrets, 1 Snowy Egret and several Ring-billed Gulls. Out on
pond #2, I saw a Pied-billed Grebe beat a crayfish into submission and
swallow it. Shortly afterward, a Belted Kingfisher flew away over pond #1.
Don Ganton
[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 29 16:40:21 2000
Subject: RE: [SBB] Santa Clara Golf Course Burrowing Owls
--------
I apologize in advance for going a little off topic. Hit the delete key if
you don't want to read about Santa Clara development issues and the
burrowing owl. I did respond to Chris privately, but I also got a couple
queries directly as a result of his email, so this may be of more general
interest.
Our Open Space group in Santa Clara worked long and hard on this development
of city-owned property. It is just a small part of a larger development
that takes in all the vacant land bordered by Great America Parkway, 237,
Lafayette, and the electrical substation being built south of Tasman near
the 49ers training facility, about 100 acres all together. Santa Clara is
moving two holes of the golf course, in the area Chris mentioned, to the top
of an abandoned landfill west of Lafayette. The area Chris mentioned from
the Golf Course north to 237 will become office space/parking lot.
As part of this larger development, the City of Santa Clara evicted 9 pair
of owls from their burrows at the end of January, all in the Centennial and
Tasman area in Santa Clara. They had to do the evictions before the
beginning of the breeding season on 1 Feb (as defined by California
Department of Fish and Game), so that development could go on this summer.
The City is providing mitigation as required by the Cal Fish and Game,
although it is pathetically inadequate. Our Open Space group did wrestle
some additional mitigation from Santa Clara beyond what was required by the
Department of Fish and Game. However, the end result was that, with the
additional loss of two Mission College pairs to a library, Santa Clara
eliminated approximately 50% of its owls. For wetlands mitigation, Santa
Clara will develop some wetland habitat near the Guadalupe River at Tasman
and Lick Mill Blvd., flooding part of the Ulistac Natural Area along the
Guadalupe.
This summer there were 5-6 breeding pair of owls on the golf course in rough
areas between fairways. They are being allowed to stay on the golf course.
It's amazing that they survive all the golf balls, but the golf course
management tolerates them, they have what seems to be a good policy
regarding weed control, and many of the golfers and staff have some interest
in the owls. The owls Chris saw probably have burrows on the golf course,
where there are also lots of ground squirrels. One pair of owls is right on
the driving range and managed to fledge three young this summer. It's a
very bizarre scene. The owls stand out on the driving range. There are
golf balls all around. Some burrows are entirely plugged with golf balls.
You have to see it to believe it.
Feel free to contact me about other burrowing owl locations in Santa Clara.
If you live in Santa Clara, please contact me if you are interested in
getting involved with People for Open Space in Santa Clara. Santa Clara is
now pretty much built out, but there's still quite a lot of development
activity in San Jose. If you are interested in working San Jose issues,
contact Craig Breon at the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society at 252-3748 or
[[email protected]]
Jan Hintermeister
Santa Clara, CA
[[email protected]]
H: (408) 984-3962
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris [mailto:[[email protected]]]
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2000 12:55 PM
To: south-bay-birds (E-mail)
Subject: [SBB] Santa Clara Golf Course Burrowing Owls
I've recently been seeing Burrowing Owls on the Santa Clara Golf course
along Great America Parkway (just across from the Shell station).
I'm not sure what is going on there, looks like that entire section of
the golf course has been moved up on top of the landfill and they are now
filling in the ponds, perhaps going to be building on that valuable
section of land.
Golfers haven't been on this section in months but I'm not sure when the
Burrowing Owls moved in. They are only about 20 feet from the fence along
Great America and I've only seen 2 at a time but there may be more.
Anyone know more about what they are doing with this land? I'd think that
they might now have to take the owls into account even though they
weren't there when this section was used for the golf course.
-Chris
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[[email protected]]
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 29 20:12:35 2000
Subject: [SBB] Hawk Hill!
--------
Since I got quite a few messages from folks interested in Hawk Hill
conditions, I thought I'd post our experiences today...
After a late start, we reached the hill close to noon. The skies were
clearing but still quite a lot of foggy patches on the headlands. The walk
from the car is steep, but yes, it is doable, even for my knees. (Coming
down was worse--be sure you have something or someone to lean on if you're
like me). Not a lot of room for chairs or stools up top, but plenty of
concrete ledges and bunkers to perch on if need be. Actually, there was
plenty of room at the less desirable end of the hilltop, but at the
counting (far) end, things were pretty busy.
Once the skies clear though, you won't want to sit! It was a great day,
with lots of birds and lots of variety: Sharpshinned (lots), Coopers
(lots), Turkey Vultures, Red Tails, Broad Wings (half a dozen? more?), a
couple of Kestrels, several Harriers, PLUS a great view of a Ferrunginous
Hawk and a great view of an Osprey. The official watchers also spotted a
number of Red Shouldered Hawks (they were far away and I'm still not
comfortable with my ID on those, so I won't claim them), a Peregrine and a
Merlin.
They didn't have the numbers tallied up before we left, but there had to be
at least one hundred counted, maybe a lot more, in about 1.5 hours. They
counted from 12:30pm to about 2pm. The middle hour or so was best--good
wind, clear skies. Gorgeous views of the bay as well as the birds. Before
and after there were clouds and fog, but still more hawks than you'd
typically see in an entire day most anywhere else. If you haven't been up
there and conditions look anything like they looked today--go! You'll love it.
Natasha
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 29 20:45:26 2000
Subject: [SBB] Alpine Golden Eagle and ?
--------
Spotted Grant Hoyt's Golden Eagle today coming home from Hawk Hill, perched
just where he said it would be. We drove back around and, with permission,
walked onto some nearby private property so we could look at our
leisure. Beautiful bird. Thank you, Grant, for letting us know where to look.
On our eagle walk (i.e. just southwest of the Alpine-280 intersection), I
saw two interesting birds. One may have been a female Western
Bluebird. The basic body shape, beak, short tail, and posture was right,
as was the reddish chest but no red belly. But the bird seemed bigger than
a bluebird would be and I didn't see any blue--I'd call it grey
brown. Also, the eyes seemed reddish--but maybe that was the light?
I also saw a large songbird/small bird of prey sized bird that my brain
first wanted to call a hawk (go up to hawk hill and you'll think you see
hawks everywhere!) and could have been a kestrel. It had some sort of
markings near the eyes, was brown and spotted from the front, and had a
rusty neck/upper back. But the light was poor, and I never got a clear
view of its beak--plus the more I looked the less the posture said
"falcon." My brain also wants to say it looked like the pictures of a fall
plumage rusty blackbird--the greenish wings and head colors seem quite
close, better than the kestrel, plus of course the rusty neck/back. *But*
I see there aren't supposed to be any rusty blackbirds around here (and
they aren't on the year lists for 99 or 2000), so that seems unlikely. I'm
guessing the kestrel is much more likely but I'm wondering if I'm missing
any other candidates?
Thanks for your thoughts,
Natasha
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From [[email protected]] Fri Sep 29 21:32:24 2000
Subject: [SBB] Western Screech Owl
--------
For the first time in my 6+ years of living in Los Altos, not near the
hills, I heard a Western Screech Owl calling outside my home tonight. I
was surprised that it was calling this time of year too. Anyone have
insights on their calling - year round or is this unusual for one to call
this time of year?
Mike
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From [[email protected]] Sat Sep 30 05:31:09 2000
Subject: [SBB] :
--------
At the Palo Alto Baylands fennel patch today, 30 Sep 00, I had mainly the
usual migrants; YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, a handful of YELLOW WARBLERS, and a
"WESTERN" type flycatcher. I heard a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK calling, and found
an immature RED-TAILED HAWK sitting low on a branch eating a ROCK DOVE. It
allowed me to observe it from as close as 20 feet! I also had 21 BROWN
PELICANS flying overhead, to add interest.
Next stop was Matadero riparian, where things picked up a little. As I
walked down the little path along the maintenance yard fence, I flushed a
COMMON POORWILL from at my feet. It flew to a low willow branch, where it
provided scope-filling views for as long as I wished to stay and watch. On
the other side of the creek, along the gravel path, I found a BLACKPOLL
WARBLER in amongst a flock. Other birds here included YELLOW-RUMPED
WARBLERS, a few YELLOW WARBLERS, 2 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, a "WESTERN"
FLYCATCHER, a GREEN HERON, an immature COOPER'S HAWK, and an immature
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK being harassed by CROWS.
Then I went to the fennel patch at the Sunnyvale Sewage Ponds, where I found
another BLACKPOLL WARBLER. Other birds here included 8 YELLOW WARBLERS, 4
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, a couple YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, and a couple
COMMON YELLOWTHROATS. I also had 2 BURROWING OWLS along the edge of the old
dump.
Mike Mammoser
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From [[email protected]] Sat Sep 30 09:22:26 2000
Subject: Re: [SBB] Western Screech Owl
--------
I don't know about the year-round pattern, but we heard a Western
Screech Owl 3 times in the last two weeks in Los Altos, near the
Foothill Expressway. We hear them from time to time here.
Ruth Troetschler
184 Lockhart Lane
Los Altos, CA 94022
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------At
9:32 PM -0700 9/29/00, Michael Clark wrote:
>For the first time in my 6+ years of living in Los Altos, not near
>the hills, I heard a Western Screech Owl calling outside my home
>tonight. I was surprised that it was calling this time of year too.
>Anyone have insights on their calling - year round or is this
>unusual for one to call this time of year?
>Mike
>
>-++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
>This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
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--
Ruth Troetschler
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From [[email protected]] Sat Sep 30 10:18:30 2000
Subject: [SBB] Lake Almaden
--------
This morning over at Lake Almaden off Almaden Expressway, we spotted two
NUTMEG MANIKINS in the bushes in the creek down below near the chain link
gate.
We also saw two WESTERN BLUEBIRDS in the trees near the parking lot.
In the lake, we saw two NORTHERN SHOVELERS with the GADWALLS.
Pat Curtis
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From [[email protected]] Sat Sep 30 12:58:54 2000
Subject: [SBB] BREWER'S SPARROW
--------
With only a couple of hours to bird this morning, I headed out to the fennel
patch by the Duck Pond to see if I could add a County bird to my list. Well,
I succeeded in my mission - but didn't add the bird I thought I might.
Dan Keller was leading a field trip for Sequoia Audubon. I joined his trip
as we made our way through the fennel. We had a WILLOW FLYCATCHER. As we
came back to the parking lot close to the water, Dan drew our attention to 2
sparrows. One was different. At about 11:30 AM we had great views of a
BREWER'S SPARROW. I even opened my bird book and could check out each part
of the bird to confirm - since I think I've only seen a Brewer's once
before. One of the posts along the edge of the parking lot is much redder
than the others and the Brewer's was near it. Dan said it was a "classic"
Brewer's...sure looked like the picture to me.
Anyway I was lucky that Dan let me tag along...and even though the warblers
(of which there were many) did not offer anything unusual, I did get a
County bird.
We also discussed the fact that the flock of 20 or so female Red-winged
Blackbirds had nary a male among them. While over along the boardwalk was a
flock of male only Red-winged Blackbirds.
> >Gloria LeBlanc
> >www.wallstreetgifts.com
> >"largest selection of Wall Street inspired gifts"
> >
> >------=_NextPart_000_002C_01C02ADA.85A20980
> >Content-Type: text/html;
> > charset="iso-8859-1"
> >Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
> >
> >
> >
> > >http-equiv=3DContent-Type>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >With only a couple of hours to bird =
> >this morning, I=20
> >headed out to the fennel patch by the Duck Pond to see if I could add a =
> >County=20
> >bird to my list. Well, I succeeded in my mission - but didn't add the =
> >bird I=20
> >thought I might.
> >
> >Dan Keller was leading a field trip for
=
> >Sequoia=20
> >Audubon. I joined his trip as we made our way through the fennel. We had
=
> >a=20
> >WILLOW FLYCATCHER. As we came back to the parking lot close to the =
> >water, Dan=20
> >drew our attention to 2 sparrows. At about 11:30 AM we had great views =
> >of a=20
> >BREWER'S SPARROW. I even opened my bird book and could check out each =
> >part of=20
> >the bird to confirm - since I think I've only seen a Brewer's once =
> >before. One=20
> >of the posts there is much redder than the others and it was near it. =
> >Dan said=20
> >it was a "classic" Brewer's...sure looked like the picture to =
> >me.
> >
> >Anyway I was lucky that Dan let me tag =
> >along...and=20
> >even though the warblers (of which there were many) did not offer =
> >anything=20
> >unusual, I did get a County bird.
> >
> >Gloria LeBlanc
> >
>href=3D"http://www.wallstreetgifts.com">www.wallstreetgifts.com
"l=
> >argest=20
> >selection of Wall Street inspired gifts"
> >
> >------=_NextPart_000_002C_01C02ADA.85A20980--
> >
>
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