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Updated on Friday, May 9 at 11:24 AM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.
Red-winged Blackbird,©BirdQuest

09 May Cypress Lawn Thursday 5-08 ["Laurie Graham" ]
09 May Radio Road Ponds - Skimmer/Tern leg bands, GWTeal, NShoveler,etc. ["hazelh2000" ]
09 May Bayfront Park []
8 May Redwood Shores []
8 May Alvaro Jaramillo on Shorebird Migration tonight (Thursday, May 9) at 7 PM ["Robbie Fischer" ]
7 May Red Necked Phalaropes, Cattle Egret, etc in Redwood Shores [sonny mencher ]
7 May Redwood Shores [Al Eisner ]
6 May Bayside the last three days []
6 May Re: Redhead at Redwood Shores Market [Al Eisner ]
6 May Pulgas Ridge and Windy Hill OSP nesting [Kay Partelow ]
06 May Redhead at Redwood Shores Market ["kleinhea" ]
06 May Red-necked Phalaropes In Redwood Shores ["IIWI1" ]
5 May Mitchell Canyon , 5/5/08 ["Laurie" ]
4 May Pillar Pt. [Barbara Kossy ]
4 May Re: Solitary Sandpiper at Coyote Pt. ["Elisabeth Koster" ]
4 May Red-necked Phalaropes in Los Trancos Woods ["Charles Krenz" ]
4 May Franklin's Gull [Al Eisner ]
4 May San Mateo Coast May 4, 2008 ["Leonie Batkin" ]
4 May Cattle Egret photos.. [Chuq Von Rospach ]
4 May San Bruno Mtn Cty Park , 5/4/08 ["Laurie" ]
4 May San Mateo County 5/3 - Franklin's Gull at Pigeon Point []
3 May San Bruno Mtn Cty Park , 5/3/08 ["Laurie" ]
3 May Solitary Sandpiper at Coyote Pt. []
3 May Re: cattle egret continues.... [Chuq Von Rospach ]
3 May cattle egret continues.... [Chuq Von Rospach ]
3 May White-throated sparrow ["Sue Cossins" ]
02 May Hooded Orioles return to my yard ["northwest_d10" ]
02 May Osprey & Ash-Throated Flycatcher at Upper Crystal Springs ["George Chrisman" ]
2 May Little Gull seen during a seawatch []
1 May yesterday and today [Garth Harwood ]
1 May birding highlights of the week ["Peter Metropulos" ]
1 May Re: Trail maps [Chuq Von Rospach ]
1 May Re: Trail maps [Jonathan Lundell ]
30 Apr Trail maps [susan hons ]
30 Apr Hooded Orioles in Atherton ["Kris Olson" ]
30 Apr [SBB] Palo Alto Summer Bird Count (fwd) [Al Eisner ]
29 Apr Swanton Road [Debbi Brusco ]
29 Apr http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/vgn/images/portal/cit_609/12503868399%20final%20map.pdf [susan hons ]
29 Apr Mines Road 4/23 and 4/27 ["leslieflint" ]
28 Apr Edgewood Park - Western Tanager April 27, 2008 ["Leonie Batkin" ]
28 Apr Gazos Creek - Hammond's Flycatcher [Jennifer Rycenga ]
28 Apr A few coastal birds [Al Eisner ]
27 Apr Manx Shearwater, Rock Sandpiper []
27 Apr Pulgas Ridge [susan hons ]
27 Apr Cattle Egret continues ["D Weber" ]
27 Apr slash and grab afternoon, off the cuff ["Laurie Graham" ]
26 Apr Cattle Egret present today []
27 Apr Sequoia Audubon Field Trip at Filoli ["George Chrisman" ]
26 Apr Lark Sparrow continues at Edgewood - photo ["kschnei1000" ]
25 Apr Pigeon Point seawatch []
26 Apr Radio Road ponds - BLACK SKIMMERS and RED KNOTS ["Robert Garriock" ]
25 Apr San Bruno Mountain Eastern Slope [Dominik Mosur ]

Subject: Cypress Lawn Thursday 5-08
From: "Laurie Graham" <fair80 AT comcast.net>
Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 16:23:53 -0000
Hi, Penbirders

I had 20 minutes to do a quickie at Cypress Lawn. Jeff had suggested 
that there might be some Red-necked Phalaropes there, and there were 
6 in the big lake on the north side, very close to the wall. I also 
saw a surprising 5 Spotted Sandpipers, with spots. The surprise was 
I've never before seen more than one. I guess they are solitary the 
rest of the year. One SPSA displayed for another. It was beautiful - 
wings swept up, touching at the tips, all flight and tail feathers 
spread. The other bird just looked befuddled.

Had four species of swallow, Northern Rough-winged, Tree, Violet 
Green, and Barn. I did not see any Cliff Swallows, but there is a 
brand new nest on the Columbarium. 

Another first for me at Cypress Lawn was Mallard ducklings. There 
were 7 of them. It occurred to me that I may simply have not gone 
there during duckling time, they grow so fast. I also had two Double-
crested Cormorants, with crests!

There were no Wood Ducks or Wigeons. 


Birds will get you through times without money better than money will 
get yout through times without birds (plagiarized from the Furry 
Freak Brothers).

Laurie Graham

There are
Subject: Radio Road Ponds - Skimmer/Tern leg bands, GWTeal, NShoveler,etc.
From: "hazelh2000" <hazelh2000 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 08:14:17 -0000
Went to the ponds several times this week looking for Northern Pintail
ducklings; thought I saw one early in the week but it was gone the
next time I went.

Was looking through my photos and saw what looks like a silver leg
band on one of the Caspian Terns. Fast forwarded through the mallard
ducklings and the next photo of the Caspian Terns showed a Black
Skimmer in front of them with a silver leg band. What are the odds?
photos are posted to Groups - they're small, 100% crop with my 350mm
lens. Searched through the messages and did see a note about a
posting/photo on Joe Morlan's site of a Black Skimmer with a leg band
back in early January, can't tell if it's the same one.

Also saw a Green-winged Teal pair one day, the female was feeding
enthusiastically while the male watched/guarded. And a Northern
Shoveler pair is still around. 

I've noticed over the last couple of years that the hybrid female
mallard ducks (dark with white bib/may have some white on head) seem
to be more successful in raising ducklings than the "Standard" females
at the beginning of the season. All the mother ducks with broods that
I saw on Wednesday were of this type.

I did see one mother with 8-9 ducklings at the far end of the pond who
started going towards BCNH territory, and sure enough, four of them
flew towards her and hovered while they checked out the ducklings who
went into dive mode. This mother was magnificent; she jumped/flew out
of the water and one at a time attacked them until they all left. She
even managed to grab onto the tail of one and bring it down into the
water for a minute or so. Then she called her ducklings and headed for
the opposite side of the pond. 

-Hazel
Subject: Bayfront Park
From: richferrick AT comcast.net
Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 03:18:48 +0000
Pen-Birders

Had a chance to spend a little time this morning at Bayfront Park in Menlo Park 
(725-755AM). Some migrants were evident including: 


Cedar Waxwing (12)
Vaux's Swift (2+)
Western Kingbird

A Northern Harrier and White-tailed Kite were perched on Greco Island.

Rich Ferrick
Subject: Redwood Shores
From: Tronthorn AT aol.com
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 21:40:52 EDT
  This morning I stopped off at the waterbird ponds along Radio Road.
 Scanning through the Red-necked Phalaropes for a Red Phalarope 
 was inconclusive. The phalarope species that I was not expecting
 and not ever seeing one in the spring at the waterbird ponds was a
 female WILSON'S PHALAROPE in it's full breeding plumage. She 
 was quite a beauty! She was foraging at the end of the long island
 near the entrance to the wastewater treatment plant. Wilson's
 Phalarope is rare in San Mateo County in the spring. I have seen
 many springs past by without seeing this species. Nice views of a
 breeding plumaged Bonaparte's Gull sitting on the water next to
 Radio Road, while a first-cycle was standing on one of the islands.
 Walking the path out along Steinberger Slough to the bay, it was
 low tide and there were thousands of peeps way out on the mudflats.
 The surprised was right off the mouth of Steinberger Slough, when
 a Black Oystercatcher came flying in from the south over the bay.
 I watched it land on a shell bar out on the bay. I took my eye off of the
 Black Oystercatcher and when I looked back it was gone. A minute
 later while scanning the bay, the Black Oystercatcher came into
 view again flying south, where it landed on the mudflats just south
 of Steinberger Slough and next to Bair Island. The location is far 
 south into San Francisco Bay and I would have not expected one
 during the breeding season. Although this species is regular at
 Coyote Point, where they do not breed, I have only ever see one
 south of that location and it too was seen off the mouth of Steinberger
 Slough. Although the Black Oystercatcher was only several miles
 from Santa Clara County, there is always a chance it might fly
 south into that county, where it would be a most wanted bird for
 county listers. Also while walking along the path, a male Common
 Yellowthroat was singing from the top of the cyclone fence above
 the cattail marsh. The only confirmation of breeding of Common
 Yellowthroat on the bayside in the county comes from further south.
 It is possible, the Common Yellowthroat is a migrant and not looking
 to breed at the location. The Common Yellowthroat showed
 characteristics of the widespread race occidentalis and not of
 the race sinuosa restricted to the San Francisco Bay Region.

  Also in Redwood Shores, now that the wind has died down, migrants
 are showing up at the Nob Hill pond once again, This morning, there
 were a Western Wood-Pewee, ( 1 ) Orange-crowned Warbler, ( 2 )
 Wilson's Warblers and the first I have seen at this location this spring 
 a Yellow  Warbler. There was also the arrival of a Spotted Sandpiper.

 Ron Thorn 

 


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Subject: Alvaro Jaramillo on Shorebird Migration tonight (Thursday, May 9) at 7 PM
From: "Robbie Fischer" <robbie22 AT pacbell.net>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 10:53:10 -0700
Sequoia Audubon is pleased to present this free program at the San Mateo
Garden Center on Parkside Way just off Alameda de la Pulgas.  See 
http://www.sequoia-audubon.org/home.html for directions.

Shorebirds are fascinating birds. Not only do they show interesting
reproductive behavior such as sex-role reversal and gorgeous plumage, and
odd bill sizes and shapes, but they also are among the most fantastic of our
avian travelers. The migrations of shorebirds are long, arduous, and even
more incredible than we thought possible. Satellite technology, conservation
efforts, and research studies have shown that what these birds do is truly
amazing. This short course will look at various aspects of shorebird
migration and we will explore details of their identification as well.

Alvaro Jaramillo is a biologist at the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory.
He is also a birding guide for Field Guides, and leads birding tours both in
California and internationally. He has written a field guide to the birds of
Chile as well as a guide to the New World Blackbirds, which includes the
colorful orioles and meadowlarks. He has written articles for Birding
Magazine, and the "Identify Yourself" column in Birdwatcher's Digest. Al's
interests range from bird identification to their biology and conservation.
He is known for his enthusiasm in teaching even tricky subjects such as gull
and shorebird identification, while remembering that birding should always
be a good time!

Accompanying Field Trip: Saturday, May 10, Place and time TBD. There will be
a $5.00 fee to cover the instructor's time. For information, contact Sue
Cossins (650) 347-9358.


Robbie Fischer
Pacifica
Subject: Red Necked Phalaropes, Cattle Egret, etc in Redwood Shores
From: sonny mencher <soccerquiz AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 19:40:06 -0700 (PDT)
Found 3 Red-necked Phalaropes at Radio Road along with Caspian Terns, Black 
Skimmers, etc. Also a few Phalaropes at Nob Hill pond 


The Cattle Egret is still at Marine and Island Drive

Some Photos:  http://flickr.com/photos/sonnyjeff/sets/72157604942911327/


 
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Subject: Redwood Shores
From: Al Eisner <eisner AT SLAC.Stanford.EDU>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 12:24:59 -0700 (PDT)
It seemed a bit windy this morning to look for landbirds, so I decided to
check Redwood Shores for Phalaropes.  At the ponds along Radio Road, I 
had a maximum count of 17 Red-necked Phalaropes, but no other species.
The Black Skimmer flock totaled 6 when I arrived, and had increased to
13 by the time I left.  Non-breeding shorebirds were scarce (it was low
tide); of note were two Spotted Sandpipers, one in full breeding plumage,
the other less heavily spotted.  No notable ducks; a male Greater Scaup
resting on an island may be an individual not well enough to migrate
(there are many such candidates at Coyote Point).  There were hordes*
of Barn and Cliff Swallows, but I didn't spot other species.

A drive-by along Marine Blvd. near Island Way didn't turn up the Cattle
Egret (but I didn't do much of a search).  On a brief stop at the pond
behind the Redwood Shores Marketplace I saw 35 Red-necked Phalaropes.
(There could have been more, since I wasn't well positioned to see the
complete flock at once.)  Ducks included 4 pair of Green-winged Teal.

 							      Al Eisner

*"hordes" -- that's a mathematical term.
Subject: Bayside the last three days
From: Tronthorn AT aol.com
Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 21:06:57 EDT
  The last three days at Coyote Point, there have been new arrivals.

  May 4, flyovers were ( 3 ) Vaux's Swifts, ( 2 ) Western Kingbirds,
 ( 1 ) Northern Rough-winged Swallow, ( 7 ) Violet-green Swallows,
 ( 1 ) Cliff Swallow, ( 430 ) Cedar Waxwings and ( 9 ) Lesser 
 Goldfinches. Drop-ins were a female Rufous Hummingbird, ( 4 )
 Western Kingbirds in the freshwater marsh, ( 1 ) Olive-sided
 Flycatcher, ( 4 ) Wilson's Warblers and a Western Tanager.
 The Solitary Sandpiper and Greater Yellowlegs seen the day
 before were not present. Black Phoebes nesting under the 
 bridge fledged young, the first I have seen this season.

  May 5, flyovers were ( 11 ) Vaux's Swifts, ( 1 ) Western Kingbird,
 ( 1 ) Cliff Swallow and ( 90 ) Cedar Waxwings. Drop-ins were a
 juvenile Allen's Hummingbird a first dispersal of the season,
 ( 1 ) Pacific-slope Flycatcher, ( 1 ) Western Wood-Pewee was a
 first arrival at the point, ( 1 ) Warbling Vireo, a late Ruby-crowned
 Kinglet, ( 1 ) Orange-crowned Warbler, ( 2 ) Wilson's Warblers
 and ( 3 ) Western Tanagers. The Eurasian-Collared Dove was
 seen again and this time flew from the golf course to the yacht
 club.

  May 6, flyovers were ( 80 ) Cedar Waxwings. Drop-ins were 
 an Olive-sided Flycatcher and a Western Wood-Pewee on snags
 facing each other only a few feet apart, ( 1 ) Pacific-slope Flycatcher,
 ( 1 ) Warbling Vireo, ( 1 ) Swainson's Thrush for a first arrival at the
 point and ( 2 ) Wilson's Warblers.

 Stopped at Redwood Shores, where I saw more than I have ever seen
 in the spring of Red-necked Phalaropes on the waterbird ponds along
 Radio Road and the Nob Hill pond. Radio Road had ( 17 ) Red-necked
 Phalaropes and Tom Goodier's number at Nob Hill jumped up to ( 55 ).
 
 The brisk northwest wind on the coast that has been blowing for days
 is pushing migrating Red-necked Phalaropes over the ocean inland.
 Rare on San Francisco Bay was a Red Phalarope in the East Bay
 and this species should be looked for among the Red-necked 
 Phalaropes on the bayside. Tomorrow the wind is to increase to
 gale force!

 Ron Thorn


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Subject: Re: Redhead at Redwood Shores Market
From: Al Eisner <eisner AT SLAC.Stanford.EDU>
Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 10:17:10 -0700 (PDT)
On Tue, 6 May 2008, kleinhea wrote:

> There was a male Redhead yesterday evening at about 8pm in the pond
> behind the Redwood Shores Market.  Also lots of Red-necked Phaleropes
> on the pond and then more at Radio Rd. pond.  And Black Skimmers at
> Radio Rd. pond.  I did a big tour of San Mateo Yesterday and I'll
> report on more of it soon.

Hi, Andy:

There has been a male Redhead at Redwood Shores for several years (it
doesn't leave).  From the beginning, it has always associated with 
Mallards, not with other diving ducks, especially at a "handout" spot
along Davit Lane.  Personally, I don't regard this as a wild bird
(i.e., there is no evidence that it even came in as a wild bird and
then became semi-tame, which happens with some geese).  Of course, I
can't be sure this is the bird you saw, and everyone has to decide
status for themselves.  But there have been so many "male Redhead"
posts over the past couple of years, that I felt it couldn't hurt to
go "on record".
 							Regards, Al Eisner
Subject: Pulgas Ridge and Windy Hill OSP nesting
From: Kay Partelow <kaypartelow AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 09:24:20 -0700 (PDT)
Hello Pen Birders,
 
Sunday, May 4, on our MROSD hike at Pulgas Ridge OSP we were lucky to see a 
GREAT HORNED OWL sitting on a nest high in an oak tree.  We were hiking 
upwards on the Polly Geraci trail just past the intersection with the 
Dusky-footed Woodrat trail.  Continue on Polly Geraci and look for spots of 
whitewash on the trail.  The nest is visible from this point in the trail, but 
the bird is more easily seen if you continue forward to the sharp switchback up 
ahead to the left.  Debbi Brusco later told me they also found the remains of a 
shredded Western Screech-Owl not far from the nest.  We speculated on 
whether this may have been consumed by the Great Horned Owl. 

 
Later I caught up with docents Debbi Brusco, Karen DeMello, Katherine Greene 
and Jan Hintermeister who found an ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD nest under construction.  
We could see the female bringing bits of fluff to the nearly-completed nest.  
This was on the Dick Bishop trail on the left side as you descend back to the 
parking lot.  Also on this trail, closer to the parking lot, was a singing 
PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER at eye-level about 6 feet from the trail.  I was able 
to watch it squeak out it's three-note "song", which was punctuated by an 
occasional addition of the more often heard "soo-EET" call. 

 
Yesterday, May 5, I took a group of birding friends to lower Windy Hill OSP.  
The highlight of the day was an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER pair foraging at 
eye-level, feeding a newly fledged juvenile.  A pair of CHESTNUT-BACKED 
CHICKADEES have a nest in a cavity of an oak branch above the trail.  This is 
on the trail/road that leads to the left after Sausal Pond.  Speaking of, the 
only birds on the pond were a pair of MALLARDS and two PIED-BILLED GREBES. 

 
Kay Partelow
Palo Alto


 
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Subject: Redhead at Redwood Shores Market
From: "kleinhea" <andy_kleinhesselink AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 15:12:42 -0000
There was a male Redhead yesterday evening at about 8pm in the pond 
behind the Redwood Shores Market.  Also lots of Red-necked Phaleropes 
on the pond and then more at Radio Rd. pond.  And Black Skimmers at 
Radio Rd. pond.  I did a big tour of San Mateo Yesterday and I'll 
report on more of it soon. 

Good birding, 

Andy Kleinhesselink
Subject: Red-necked Phalaropes In Redwood Shores
From: "IIWI1" <tgoodier AT sbcglobal.net>
Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 14:16:30 -0000
Yesterday (Monday), at 11AM, there were about 40 Red-necked Phalaropes 
in the Pond behind Nob Hill Market.

Tom Goodier
Subject: Mitchell Canyon , 5/5/08
From: "Laurie" <fair80 AT comcast.net>
Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 19:10:30 -0700
Out of county report for Penbirds. Mitchell Canyon at north end of Mount
Diablo State Park.

We had a beautiful day at Mitchell Canyon. While it was chilly at the start,
in the shade, with a light wind, the weather became perfect by 11 a.m., as
jackets and fleeces started to come off. We hiked the Mitchell Canyon Trail
to the Red Road, which we hiked to the summit. There is a spring near the
top, with a few ancient oak trees, which was very birdy. On the way back
down, the group split, with some taking the Globe Lily Trail, and some
returning on Mitchell Canyon. We birded from 7:45 am to 2:10 pm.

In addition to the list below, birds seen by some members of the group
included White-tailed Kite, Rufous Hummingbird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and
possible Calliope Hummingbird (our target bird).

There was a juvenile Western Rattlesnake on the Globe Lily Trail. There were
many butterflies, but only Variable Checkerspot and California Sister posed
for ID.

Location:     Mitchell Canyon
Observation date:     5/5/08
Notes:     Participants, Miss Otis Egrets: Richard Drechsler, Sonny Mencher,
Ginny Marshall, Elisabeth Koster, Anne Kelley, Rob Cullison, Norma
Tannenbaum, Mel Meyers, Laurie Graham & Jeff Fairclough
Number of species:     51

Wild Turkey     9
California Quail     7
Turkey Vulture     15
Cooper's Hawk     1
Red-tailed Hawk     6
Mourning Dove     7
White-throated Swift     1
Anna's Hummingbird     15
Allen's Hummingbird     3
Acorn Woodpecker     8
Nuttall's Woodpecker     4
Hairy Woodpecker     2
Olive-sided Flycatcher     4
Pacific-slope Flycatcher     2
Ash-throated Flycatcher     13
Western Kingbird     11
Cassin's Vireo     1     heard only
Hutton's Vireo     4
Warbling Vireo     5
Steller's Jay     4
Western Scrub-Jay     10
Common Raven     1
Tree Swallow     12
Violet-green Swallow     8
Chestnut-backed Chickadee     2
Oak Titmouse     7
Bushtit     1
White-breasted Nuthatch     2
Bewick's Wren     3
House Wren     4
Western Bluebird     5
Swainson's Thrush     3
Wrentit     9     7 heard only
Northern Mockingbird     1
European Starling     5
Orange-crowned Warbler     6     showed orange crown!
Townsend's Warbler     2
Wilson's Warbler     8
Western Tanager     3
Spotted Towhee     7
California Towhee     8
Rufous-crowned Sparrow     1     heard only
Lark Sparrow     2
Dark-eyed Junco     24
Black-headed Grosbeak     8
Lazuli Bunting     12
Red-winged Blackbird     9
Bullock's Oriole     6
House Finch     6
Lesser Goldfinch     23
American Goldfinch     3

This report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)
Subject: Pillar Pt.
From: Barbara Kossy <bkossy AT coastside.net>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 21:58:17 -0700
An early morning paddle let me see two pigeon guillemots on the water  
near the yacht club.
I usually see them only near the mouth of the harbor.
Enjoyed seeing about 20 brant near the end of the trail towards  
Mavericks.
Caspian terns flying overhead squawking. A pair of red-breasted  
mergansers in the water.
A few brown pelicans.
Lots of surf scoters, and western gulls staking out territory for  
nesting.
A few loons on the water too, with one good look at a common loon.
Eared grebes in primary plumage.
A kayak is a great birding platform!
Barbara







~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Barbara Kossy Communications
PO Box 434
Moss Beach, CA 94038
Home Studio: 650-728-8720
Mobile: 650-430-1094
bkossy AT coastside.net
www.barbarakossy.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Solitary Sandpiper at Coyote Pt.
From: "Elisabeth Koster" <elisabeth AT zezame.com>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 20:23:38 -0700
I went to Coyote Point for a while this afternoon to see if the Solitary 
Sandpiper still was around.
I could not find it, not the Greater Yellowlegs either.
A GREEN HERON walked along the edge of the reeds in the freshwater marsh, 
then disappeared into the reeds, a species I have not seen at Coyote Point 
before.
A Western Kingbird was in the field behind the marsh and two White-throated 
Swifts flew around by the channel between the marsh and the golf course.
There was a WANDERING TATTLER on the concrete blocks closest to the exit of 
the harbor.

Elisabeth Köster
Burlingame


----- Original Message ----- 
From: 
To: 
Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2008 6:20 PM
Subject: *** SPAM *** [10.0/6.0] [pen-bird] Solitary Sandpiper at Coyote Pt.


>
>  With the recent reports of Solitary Sandpipers in the last week in Santa
> Clara and Santa Cruz Counties, I have had my eye on the freshwater
> marsh off of the public access trail a short distance south of the yacht
> club. I was saying good-bye to Al Eisner and his words were, I better not
> hear you found a Solitary Sandpiper later. I walked over to the marsh and
> spotted the Greater Yellowlegs that showed up yesterday. Persistence
> does paid off, as there was a SOLITARY SANDPIPER foraging near
> the Greater Yellowlegs. I then thought of Al, who still might be in the
> parking lot looking for a Western Kingbird. I ran back to parking lot and
> there was Al driving away. A couple of loud yells and Al stopped,
> where we both went back and enjoyed views of the Solitary Sandpiper.
> There was a Solitary Sandpiper at the same location last spring.
>
>  Migrant passerines were slow as molasses during the first half of
> the week. No thanks to a brisk northwest wind! On April 28, flyovers
> were a Cliff Swallow and ( 410 ) Cedar Waxwings. A male Rufous
> Hummingbird was being chased off by a male Anna's Hummingbird.
> An Ash-throated Flycatcher was a first arrival at the point. There
> was also an Orange-crowned Warbler. On April 29, flyovers were
> ( 310 ) Cedar Waxwings. Yesterday May 2, there was a change
> in the weather with high clouds and birds were on the move again
> I was with Joe Devine and we had variety of flyovers. Those flyovers
> were ( 60 ) Vaux's Swifts, ( 24 ) Western Kingbirds( 1 Western
> Kingbird was not a flyover and was seen in the field at the yacht
> club ), ( 25 ) Violet-green Swallows, ( 24 ) Cliff Swallows ( 520 ) Cedar
> Waxwings and ( 41 ) Lesser Goldfinches. Drop-ins were another male
> Rufous Hummingbird being chased by that territorial male Anna's
> Hummingbird, ( 2 ) Hooded Orioles and a female Bullock's Oriole.
>
> Birds were once again on the move at Coyote Point today. There
> were flyovers again and at one time, there was so many passing over
> I did not know which direction to look. The weather also brought a
> variety of drop-ins. Flyovers were ( 55 ) Vaux's Swifts ( this spring I
> have seen more than I have ever seen in the spring passing through
> Coyote Pt. and its not over yet ), ( 1 ) White-throated Swift, ( 23 )
> Western Kingbirds ( a flock of 10 ), ( 4 ) Cliff Swallows and
> ( 6 ) Violet-green Swallows. An immature Cooper's Hawk
> headed north over the bay. Drop-ins were ( 1 ) Warbling Vireo,
> ( 1 ) Cassin's Vireo ( Al missed seeing it, but did hear it singing
> in the Eucalyptus Trees ), ( 2 ) Orange-crowned Warblers, ( 6 )
> Wilson's Warblers and ( 4 ) Western Tanagers. Al did hear a
> Hermit/Townsend's Warbler chip, but could not be located in
> the trees.
>
>  Two trips to the Nob Hill pond in Redwood Shores during the week
> revealed no passerine migrants. Today, just as there were drop-ins at
> Coyote Point, the same held true for the pond. There was a Cassin's
> Vireo, ( 4 ) Wilson's Warblers and a Western Tanager. The Numbers
> of Green-winged Teal have greatly dwindled on the pond, but the
> male Eurasian Teal x Green-winged Teal hybrid was still present today.
>
>  Ron Thorn


**************
Wondering what's for Dinner 
> Tonight? Get new twists
> on family favorites at AOL Food.

> (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
Subject: Red-necked Phalaropes in Los Trancos Woods
From: "Charles Krenz" <charleskrenz AT sbcglobal.net>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 19:06:06 -0700
A neighbor just called me about this sighting at our local pond, just west
of the intersection of Old Spanish Trail and Lake Rd in the Los Trancos
Woods section of unincorporated Portola valley.  There are actually two
ponds at this location.  This the western most, to the west of the walking
trail called Old Spanish Trail.  I took a picture if anyone would like to
help me verify as I’d never seen the bird before in the area.   Let me know
and I’ll send it to you.  I spotted 5, earlier there were 8.

 

Charles Krenz

80 Joaquin Rd

Portola Valley Ca 94028 

Cell: 650 291 4100

Home: 650 851 8085

 


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12:31 PM
 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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Subject: Franklin's Gull
From: Al Eisner <eisner AT SLAC.Stanford.EDU>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 17:05:39 -0700 (PDT)
In nearly two hours spent at Pigeon Point this morning (Sunday, with low 
overcast and at best moderate visibility) I saw only about 60 to 80 Gulls 
flying north.  My next stop, Gazos Creek mouth, had 105 Gulls on the ground
(the number had doubled by the time I left).  They were nearly all Western
and California, with a few Glaucous-winged, and the first Heermann's Gull
(an adult) I've seen in San Mateo Co. this year.  After checking out a 
few ducks in the creek (one Red-breasted Merganser along with Mallards),
I rechecked the Gulls and found a new one had come in:  a breeding-plumaged
adult Franklin's Gull was bathing in the Creek.  It stayed about 15 minutes
(9:55 to 10:10), and provided some great viewing, including some flight
views when the entire flock took off and settled back down.

Gazos Creek Road had a similar mix to what I've been finding there on
previous visits, with the addition of Swainson's Thrush (a few heard
calling).  Of most interest was a Warbling Vireo heard singing near 
the Cloverdale Road junction, the first one which has shown up on lower
Gazos this year.  This is a location where the species has stuck around 
(perhaps to breed?) in several recent years.
 								Al Eisner
Subject: San Mateo Coast May 4, 2008
From: "Leonie Batkin" <lbatkin AT stanford.edu>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 16:36:48 -0700
Today Amy McDonald and I went on a birding adventure on the San Mateo Coast. 
Our stops were: Pescadero Creek bridge, Cloverdale Road, Butano SP, Gazos Creek 
Road, Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Pescadero State Beach and the Wurr Road bridge. 


 

Our first of spring Olive-sided Flycatcher was singing along Cloverdale Road 
about ½ mile from the intersection of Butano Cut-off Road. We stopped at the 
intersection of Cloverdale Road and Gazos Creek Road and walked the service 
road on the edge of Butano SP. The Black-head Grosbeaks, Swainson's Thrush, 
Winter Wrens, Wilson's Warblers, Wrentits, and Song Sparrows were singing up a 
great chorus. Allen's Hummingbirds were putting on a great show and we saw two 
Vaux's Swifts flying overhead as we walked the service road. It was very cold 
on the coast today so dressed in all our layers we drove Gazos Creek Road to 
Highway 1 with the car windows down and about ¾ mile from Highway 1 we were 
rewarded with a singing MacGillvray's Warbler. I stopped the car and we quickly 
got out and after some waiting saw one perched on a dead twig singing, another 
responded in the distance. 


 

We then headed over to the Pigeon Point Lighthouse were we did a short 
sea-watch. Just off shore on the water were Pigeon Guillemots, Marbled 
Murrelets, Western Grebes, Surf Scoters, Pelagic and Brandt's Cormorants, Black 
Oystercatchers and Western Gulls-at their usual nesting spot. The sea-watch was 
very productive with over 400 alternate plumaged Pacific Loons flying by in 
quick succession. Other birds seen flying by were Common Loons, Common Murres, 
Sooty Shearwaters and Red-necked Phalaropes. After a lunch break we went to 
Pescadero SP Beach where we saw Surfbirds, Wandering Tattler, Whimbrel and a 
beautiful Black-bellied Plover in full breeding plumage all foraging on the 
rocks off shore. While scoping the flock of Caspian Terns at the creek mouth I 
noticed a black-headed gull which turned out to be a Bonaparte's Gull resting 
with the Terns. 


 

Our last stop of the day was at the bridge on Wurr Road where we saw an 
American Dipper taking nesting material under the bridge. 


 

Get out and bird,

Leonie Batkin

Menlo Park 

 

 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Cattle Egret photos..
From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr AT gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 14:11:16 -0700
A couple of quick photos from yesterday's trip to Redwood Shores. Much  
better pics of the Cattle Egret than the first time:

http://flickr.com/photos/chuqui/2465681304/ (with lunch)

and some nice shots of Northern Pintail ( 
http://flickr.com/photos/chuqui/2464851267/ 

 ) and the ever shy and hard to photograph Canada Goose ( 
http://flickr.com/photos/chuqui/2464851267/ 

  ). The rest of my photos are in my Redwood Shores section on Flickr  
( http://flickr.com/photos/chuqui/sets/72157594324312418/ ) for those  
interested in more than just the highlights...

chuq

http://flickr.com/photos/chuqui/
Subject: San Bruno Mtn Cty Park , 5/4/08
From: "Laurie" <fair80 AT comcast.net>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 14:09:39 -0700
Dear Penbirders

Jeff & I led our Sequoia Audubon Society walk this morning. I say led,
tongue in cheek, as all the people who showed up were friends,
acquaintances, and fellow members,and all better birders than we. It was a
brutal, nasty, cold, windy, foggy day, with no redeeming features,
weather-wise. We dallied along the Service Road, where it is sheltered, for
probably an hour. It was moderately birdy; no Winter Wrens heard. As we
approached the Day Camp, we saw a large bird come toward us and disappear
into a tree. As we passed the tree and looked back, we saw it was a Turkey
Vulture, which proceeded to preen for about 15 minutes, at our eye level. At
the Day Camp entrance, we watched the quail and sparrows with the scope, for
about 10 minutes. The "Pinto" Fox Sparrow was present again., with 4 others.

As we walked out through the Day Camp and along the Upper Bog Trail, the
wind got stronger and we got colder. Reluctantly, we aborted the walk. No
one was comfortable. We certainly didn't want to walk up to the kites' nest
out in the open on a high point in that weather. Species-wise, we didn't do
too badly, and the crazy Mallards flying around in circles made us laugh.

On the way home, Jeff & I stopped at the southeast ridge, which was somewhat
sheltered from the worst of the wind, and walked up to where we could see
the Great Horned Owl in his roost. On the way back down, we flushed a
California Towhee. Only (and best) butterfly of the day was a Pipevine
Swallowtail.

Laurie Graham & Jeff Fairclough
South San Francisco

Location:     San Bruno Mtn Cty Park
Observation date:     5/4/08
Number of species:     32

Mallard     2
California Quail     15
Turkey Vulture     1
Red-tailed Hawk     1
Mourning Dove     5
Anna's Hummingbird     1
Allen's Hummingbird     9
Downy Woodpecker     1
Northern Flicker     1
Hutton's Vireo     4
Steller's Jay     1
Western Scrub-Jay     3
Common Raven     7
Chestnut-backed Chickadee     3
Pygmy Nuthatch     1
American Robin     15
Wrentit     2     heard only
European Starling     8
Cedar Waxwing     25
Orange-crowned Warbler     1     heard only
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     1
Wilson's Warbler     4
Spotted Towhee     1
Fox Sparrow     6     including "Pinto"
Song Sparrow     2
White-crowned Sparrow     2
Golden-crowned Sparrow     1
Dark-eyed Junco     2
Brown-headed Cowbird     1
Purple Finch     3
House Finch     2
American Goldfinch     2

This report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)
Subject: San Mateo County 5/3 - Franklin's Gull at Pigeon Point
From: <Timbirder AT gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 09:35:28 -0700
Yesterday I showed a visiting Danish birder around various sites in San
Mateo County.  We had a fantastic day, logging 121 species with a few hours
of daylight to spare.  A few highlights are described below:

 

Gazos Creek Road

 

BAND-TAILED PIGEON- ~50 in several flocks.

NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL- 2 birds seen well and heard calling.  They were viewed
from the second pullout (I think) from the intersection with Cloverdale Road
towards Hwy 1.  There is a large snag here on the N side of the road that
has been well excavated by Acorn Woodpeckers.  The owls were perched on the
branches of one of the large conifers on the N side of the road.

OLIVE-SIDE FLYCATCHER- 3 singing from exposed perches.

WARBLING VIREO- 1 at the intersection of Cloverdale and Gazos Creek.

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET- 1 fidgety bird near Cloverdale and Gazos Creek. 

CALIFORNIA THRASHER- 2 at the intersection of Cloverdale and Gazos Creek.

MACGILLIVRAY’s WARBLER- At least 6 at various points along the road.

PINE SISKIN- 5 flyovers.

 

Pigeon Point

 

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER- 1 diving just beyond the rocks.

BROWN PELICAN- 3 flying north.

BRANT- 1 flying north.

WANDERING TATTLER- 2 in breeding plumage on the rocks near the viewing
platform.

SURFBIRD- 2, 1 in breeding plumage from viewing platform.

FRANKLIN’S GULL- 1 adult in breeding plumage flying north, within 100 ft. of
the point.  A bright red-orange bill, broad white eye-arcs contrasting with
the dark hood, and noticeable tinge of salmon pink wash on the breast were
easily observed.  The underwing was mostly pale except for a narrow band of
black at the wingtips.  The upperwing was dark gray, showing a fairly broad
white band on the trailing edge.  The tips of the outer primaries where
white, with a narrow dark band across the outer primaries and a white band
that merged with the white trailing edge of the wing.

BAND-TAILED PIGEON- more than 50 near Hwy 1, several on the large rocks on
the SE side of the lighthouse.

 

Upper Crystal Springs Reservoir, from Cañada Road

 

WHITE-THROATED SWIFT- 3

ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER- 2

HUTTON’S VIREO- 2

 

Good birding,

 

Tim Perkins

San Francisco



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: San Bruno Mtn Cty Park , 5/3/08
From: "Laurie" <fair80 AT comcast.net>
Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 20:13:39 -0700
Today Jeff & I scouted for our walk tomorrow on San Bruno Mountain, for the
Sequoia Audubon Society. If you want to come, the walk starts at 8 a.m. in
the parking lot on Guadalupe Parkway. Parking is $5 per car. Dress in
layers.

We had some really nice sightings today. The most astonishing was a flyover
Great Blue Heron, which was a totally new bird for the list, not just our
list, but the recorded SBM list. Fox Sparrows are still abundant,including
out "pinto", the one with the white bits. Song Sparrows were everywhere.
Wrentits were everywhere; we actually saw 4 or 5, all females. Wilson's
Warblers were the only warblers. The Hutton's Vireo nest seemed unoccupied,
but a pair of adults checked us out so closely I couldn't focus on one. At
one point we sat on a bench on the upper Bog Trail to look out over the
renovated headwaters, and a female Anna's Hummingbird came over to check us
out, an arm's-length away, if I could have put out my arm. Wow!

We finally SAW the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers we've been hearing. A trip up
the Saddle Trail and a look into the White-tailed Kite nest netted us a
nestling. The resident Ravens were on the ground on the middle path, lookin'
good.

Location:     San Bruno Mtn Cty Park
Observation date:     5/3/08
Number of species:     37

California Quail     18
Great Blue Heron     1
Turkey Vulture     2
White-tailed Kite     3
Northern Harrier     1
Red-tailed Hawk     5
Band-tailed Pigeon     4
Mourning Dove     8
Anna's Hummingbird     9
Allen's Hummingbird     13
Downy Woodpecker     1
Hairy Woodpecker     1
Northern Flicker     3
Black Phoebe     1
Hutton's Vireo     2
Steller's Jay     4
Western Scrub-Jay     8
Common Raven     8
Chestnut-backed Chickadee     8
Bushtit     4
Pygmy Nuthatch     1
Winter Wren     6
American Robin     38
Wrentit     16
European Starling     21
Cedar Waxwing     66
Wilson's Warbler     9
Western Tanager     1
Spotted Towhee     3
Fox Sparrow     9
Song Sparrow     21
White-crowned Sparrow     8
Golden-crowned Sparrow     3
Dark-eyed Junco     5
Purple Finch     3
House Finch     9
American Goldfinch     15

Butterflies were California Ringlet, Variable Checkerspot, and a very
tattered Western Tailed Blue.

Laurie Graham & Jeff Fairclough
SSF
Subject: Solitary Sandpiper at Coyote Pt.
From: Tronthorn AT aol.com
Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 21:20:32 EDT
  With the recent reports of Solitary Sandpipers in the last week in Santa
 Clara and Santa Cruz Counties, I have had my eye on the freshwater
 marsh off of the public access trail a short distance south of the yacht
 club. I was saying good-bye to Al Eisner and his words were, I better not
 hear you found a Solitary Sandpiper later. I walked over to the marsh and
 spotted the Greater Yellowlegs that showed up yesterday. Persistence
 does paid off, as there was a SOLITARY SANDPIPER foraging near
 the Greater Yellowlegs. I then thought of Al, who still might be in the
 parking lot looking for a Western Kingbird. I ran back to parking lot and
 there was Al driving away. A couple of loud yells and Al stopped, 
 where we both went back and enjoyed views of the Solitary Sandpiper. 
 There was a Solitary Sandpiper at the same location last spring.

  Migrant passerines were slow as molasses during the first half of 
 the week. No thanks to a brisk northwest wind! On April 28, flyovers
 were a Cliff Swallow and ( 410 ) Cedar Waxwings. A male Rufous
 Hummingbird was being chased off by a male Anna's Hummingbird.
 An Ash-throated Flycatcher was a first arrival at the point. There
 was also an Orange-crowned Warbler. On April 29, flyovers were
 ( 310 ) Cedar Waxwings. Yesterday May 2, there was a change
 in the weather with high clouds and birds were on the move again
 I was with Joe Devine and we had variety of flyovers. Those flyovers
 were ( 60 ) Vaux's Swifts, ( 24 ) Western Kingbirds( 1 Western
 Kingbird was not a flyover and was seen in the field at the yacht
 club ), ( 25 ) Violet-green Swallows, ( 24 ) Cliff Swallows ( 520 ) Cedar
 Waxwings and ( 41 ) Lesser Goldfinches. Drop-ins were another male
 Rufous Hummingbird being chased by that territorial male Anna's
 Hummingbird, ( 2 ) Hooded Orioles and a female Bullock's Oriole.

 Birds were once again on the move at Coyote Point today. There
 were flyovers again and at one time, there was so many passing over
 I did not know which direction to look. The weather also brought a
 variety of drop-ins. Flyovers were ( 55 ) Vaux's Swifts ( this spring I 
 have seen more than I have ever seen in the spring passing through
 Coyote Pt. and its not over yet ), ( 1 ) White-throated Swift, ( 23 )
 Western Kingbirds ( a flock of 10 ), ( 4 ) Cliff Swallows and
 ( 6 ) Violet-green Swallows. An immature Cooper's Hawk
 headed north over the bay. Drop-ins were ( 1 ) Warbling Vireo,
 ( 1 ) Cassin's Vireo ( Al missed seeing it, but did hear it singing 
 in the Eucalyptus Trees ), ( 2 ) Orange-crowned Warblers, ( 6 )
 Wilson's Warblers and ( 4 ) Western Tanagers. Al did hear a
 Hermit/Townsend's Warbler chip, but could not be located in
 the trees.

  Two trips to the Nob Hill pond in Redwood Shores during the week 
 revealed no passerine migrants. Today, just as there were drop-ins at 
 Coyote Point, the same held true for the pond. There was a Cassin's 
 Vireo, ( 4 ) Wilson's Warblers and a Western Tanager. The Numbers 
 of Green-winged Teal have greatly dwindled on the pond, but the
 male Eurasian Teal x Green-winged Teal hybrid was still present today.

 Ron Thorn


**************
Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? 
Get new twists 

on family favorites at AOL Food.
      
(http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: cattle egret continues....
From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr AT gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 16:40:05 -0700
On May 3, 2008, at 3:51 PM, Chuq Von Rospach wrote:

> Other than that, it was pretty quiet. Nothing much on the lagoon  
> nearest the freeway, davit road had a couple of coots, and the radio  
> road ponds had mostly the usual suspects (I still need to go through  
> my photos of the shorebirds, there may have been some red knots, but  
> I'm not positive yet, and a couple of others I need to ressearch).

Definitely some red knots, and the other bird I wasn't sure about was  
a breeding plumage dunlin (and I have photos of two other dunlins in  
various plumage).

Location:     Redwood Shores
Observation date:     5/3/08
Number of species:     33

Canada Goose     X
Mallard     X
Northern Shoveler     X
Northern Pintail     X
Green-winged Teal     X
Ruddy Duck     X
Double-crested Cormorant     X
Great Egret     X
Snowy Egret     X
Cattle Egret     1
Black-crowned Night-Heron     X
American Coot     X
Black-necked Stilt     X
American Avocet     X
Red Knot     X
Least Sandpiper     X
Dunlin     X
Long-billed Dowitcher     X
Ring-billed Gull     X
California Gull     X
Caspian Tern     2
Forster's Tern     X
Black Skimmer     6
Mourning Dove     X
American Crow     X
Common Raven     X
Tree Swallow     X
Barn Swallow     X
American Robin     X
European Starling     X
Song Sparrow     X
Brewer's Blackbird     X
House Sparrow     X

Red Knot is a lifer (187, year #149) and Least Sandpiper was a year  
bird (148). a bit surprising to me was seeing Least but not Western.
Subject: cattle egret continues....
From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr AT gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 15:51:26 -0700
was down in Redwood shores today doing a few things, and so I checked  
up on the cattle egret. It continues, and it was on the lawn next to  
1100 Island Drive with two canada geese (geese eating the grass, and  
the egret actively bugging with good success). It looks healthy and  
seems to be eating well, and it's surprisingly comfortable with people  
around -- about the same as the feral geese.

Other than that, it was pretty quiet. Nothing much on the lagoon  
nearest the freeway, davit road had a couple of coots, and the radio  
road ponds had mostly the usual suspects (I still need to go through  
my photos of the shorebirds, there may have been some red knots, but  
I'm not positive yet, and a couple of others I need to ressearch).

Ducks included American Wigeon, shovelers, northern pintail, ruddy,  
and mallard. Large number of Forster's terns, 2 caspian and six  
skimmers. I saw both tree and barn swallows, and one other swallow  
that looked like neither but I couldn't figure out, either a pale tree  
or a drab (per sibley's) violet-green.

One pair of avocets were protecting a chick, still very fluffy. three  
sets of mallard ducklings, each set 2-4 chicks. One black-necked stilt  
that seemed to be feeding a chick on a nest in the reeds, and four or  
five sets of canada geese goslings around the area.
Subject: White-throated sparrow
From: "Sue Cossins" <birdersue AT earthlink.net>
Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 15:10:31 -0700
The Sequoia Audubon Society hosted a field trip today to Yerba Buena Nursery in 
Woodside. 

Among the twenty six species seen was a White-Throated Sparrow (white-striped 
phase) feeding on the ground. 

The bird seen by trip leaders Eileen Kay and Sue Cossins as well as Martha 
O'Neal was loosely associating with a Golden-crowned Sparrow. 

Sue Cossins

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Hooded Orioles return to my yard
From: "northwest_d10" <vulpix7_94401 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 02 May 2008 23:05:56 -0000
Continuing the subject of annual Hooded Orioles started by Kris Olson,
the pair that nested down the block from my house last year returned
to the same Fan Palm a couple of weeks ago.  This morning the Male was
seen in the Elm in my backyard for the first time this year.  The
Female was close to follow seen at my Hummingbird feeder at 8:45am for
the first time this year as well.

The pair nests in a Fan Palm at the corner of Royal Ave. and Cobb St.
in San Mateo.  They used my Hummingbird feeder from May-Aug last year
and were joined late summer by one of their nestlings.

-Mike Aicardi
San Mateo, CA
Subject: Osprey & Ash-Throated Flycatcher at Upper Crystal Springs
From: "George Chrisman" <geodani55 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 02 May 2008 18:13:42 -0000
 This morning 5/2/08, I stopped on Canada Road to scope the waterfowl 
at the far southern end of Upper Crystal Springs Resevoir. Mostly 
COOTS, GADWALL, and a pair of MALLARDS in the wetlands at the end of 
the lake. An OSPREY circled the area 2 times before disappearing in 
the trees towards Filoli. A PIED-BILLED GREBE and a KILLDEER were also 
present.
   Scoping the pines between Canada Road and the lake revealed an ASH-
THROATED FLYCATCHER, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, WESTERN BLUEBIRD, and the 
usual watershed residents. There were multiple WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS 
and a single TREE SWALLOW also foraging overhead.

George Chrisman
Burlingame, CA
Subject: Little Gull seen during a seawatch
From: Tronthorn AT aol.com
Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 00:30:38 EDT
 Today, I did a seawatch from ( 06:00-14:00 ) from Pigeon Point

 The sky was clear. There was a little haze at the horizon at the
 start of the seawatch, but cleared out giving crystal clear visibility
 all the way to the horizon. The wind was out of the northwest at
 ( 8-10 ) knots at the beginning of the seawatch and when I departed
 was at ( 17-19 ) knots gusting ( 22-24 ) Swells were at ( 8-9 ft. ).

  Pacific Loons were streaming by the first three hours and quickly
 tapered off, as the wind increased. The number of Common Loons 
 pasting Pigeon Point was slow at first and as the wind pickup, their
 numbers increased filling in the flight path as the Pacific Loons
 tapered off. It has been a few years that there has been a constant
 upwelling in the spring. The temperature along the coast has been
 in the range of ( 48-50 ) degrees. I can already see a change in how
 close Sooty Shearwaters are to shore. The years, when there
 was no upwelling, Sooty Shearwaters were always near the horizon.
 Since arriving this spring, they have been coming in closer to shore
 and today they were flying in as close as the rock off of the lighthouse. 
 Pink-footed Shearwaters have tend to stay over halfway out to the
 horizon. Shorebirds are still migrating north. All the little peeps are
 first seen moving at first light and have pasted through for the day by
 ( 10:00 ), while the larger species Whimbrels straggled on through to
 early afternoon. With the northwest wind, migrating gulls were moving
 along the shoreline. A late first-cycle GLAUCOUS GULL was a surprised,
 as this would be the first time ever I have encountered this species in
 the month of May. I was even more surprised, when a second-cycle
 GLAUCOUS GULL flew by. On this second-cycle Glaucous Gull I
 was able to aged this individual by the pale primaries appearing an
 almost white contrasting with a pale gray mantle. The eye was pale
 another indication of a second-cycle. The bill was strongly bicolor.
 I am still amazed of the number of adult Herring Gulls still moving
 through at this date. I did read a report on April 27 of many Herring
 Gulls pasting San Diego coming out of Mexico. So most of the
 late Herring Gulls and maybe the Glaucous Gulls are coming from
 their wintering grounds in Mexico. Another species that is late 
 and there were not large numbers around this winter were 
 ( 2 ) adult BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES. I was contented what
 I had already seen, when there was another highlight that came
 by. The time was ( 12:45 ) when I spotted about ( 160-200 yd. ) 
 straight out a LITTLE GULL. I pickup on the small size after seeing
 Bonaparte's Gulls earlier. Just as I got on the Little Gull, an adult
 Bonaparte's Gull came up right aside the Little Gull and the size
 comparison was obvious with the Little Gull about three-quarters
 of the size of the Bonaparte's Gull. Both birds flew together
 and I watched the two for about four-minutes, as they slowly flew
 into the wind with every so often dipping into the water. During the
 four-minutes, I viewed the two, there was always a size difference.
 The Little Gull looked like an adult in basic plumage. The head was
 white with a darkish cap and auricular spot. The upperwings were similar
 to an adult, pale gray with a white trailing edge to the tip of the primaries
 The adult Bonaparte's Gull always showed the white outer primaries
 forming a wedge with black tips to the outer primaries forming
 a trailing edge. The gray inner primaries of the Bonaparte's Gull
 contrasted with the white outer primaries. During the four-minutes
 did I ever see the Little Gull showing any white in the outer primaries
 forming a white wedge or a black trailing edge. The mantle was a pale
 gray. The tail was white and was squared at the end. The underparts
 were white. I was expecting the underwings to be blackish as on an 
 adult, but instead the flight feathers were gray contrasting with white 
 wing coverts. Without the blackish underwings of an adult, the Little
 Gull was aged as a second-cycle. The bill was short, thin and black.

 Common Loon ( 390 alternate plumage, 29 basic plumage, largest
 group 19 )
 Red-throated Loon ( 51 alternate plumage, 66 basic plumage )
 Pacific Loon ( 9,320 alternate plumage, 357 basic plumage, the
 number of immatures in basic plumage increasing )
 Western Grebe ( 3 in flight )
 Sooty Shearwater ( 303 north, some in very close were noticed in
 a wing molt )
 Pink-footed Shearwater ( 9 north )
 Brown Pelican ( 73 )
 Double-crested Cormorant ( 1adult, 2 immatures north )
 Brandt's Cormorant ( 80 north )
 Pelagic Cormorant ( 2 north )
 Snowy Egret ( 1 adult north )
 Brant ( 328 )
 Surf Scoter ( 237 )
 White-winged Scoter ( no migrants, but still 2 at Pigeon Pt. )
 Red-breasted Merganser ( 7 includes 1 male )
 Semipalmated Plover ( 6 )
 Marbled Godwit ( 4 )
 Whimbrel ( 252 )
 Long-billed Curlew ( 1 )
 Red-necked Phalarope ( 8 )
 Dowitcher species ( 1 )
 Red Knot ( 2 )
 Sanderling ( 6 )
 Dunlin ( 71, most in groups )
 Western Sandpiper ( 172, largest group 40 )
 Least Sandpiper ( 4 )
 Bonaparte's Gull ( 27 )
 LITTLE GULL ( 1 second-cycle )
 California Gull ( 399, 180 were adults )
 Herring Gull ( 75, 65 were adults ) 
 GLAUCOUS GULL ( 1 first-cycle, 1 second-cycle )
 Western Gull ( 589, 373 were adults )
 Glaucous-winged Gull ( 15, 1 was an adult )
 Glaucous-winged Gull x Western Gull hybrid ( 1 adult )
 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE ( 2 adults together )
 Forster's Tern ( 2 adults together, first arrival )
 Caspian Tern ( 9 )
 Common Murre ( 650 north )
 Pigeon Guillemot ( 26 north )
 Marbled Murrelet ( 3 )
 Rhinoceros Auklet ( 2 north )

  Ron Thorn
 
 


**************
Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new 
twists on 

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: yesterday and today
From: Garth Harwood <flycatcher AT southcoast.net>
Date: Thu, 1 May 2008 21:15:48 -0700
Hello All,

Today 5/1/2008, I gave a presentation at Las Lomitas school in western 
Menlo Park. At lunchtime I took a short walk down Camino al Lago from 
the Alameda de las Pulgas to Monte Vista. Along this short route I 
encountered a Pygmy Nuthatch at the junction of the streets named 
above. A Pacific-slope Flycatcher and Brown-headed Cowbird were also 
noteworthy for this suburban neighborhood.

Yesterday 4/30/2008 I walked around Alpine Pond at Skyline Blvd. and 
Alpine Rd. There I had a Red-breasted Nuthatch and a Lazuli Bunting. 
Along the beginning of the Ridge Trail heading southwards from there, I 
had at least 3 Black-throated Gray Warblers (and perhaps as many as six 
before the trail opens out into grassland, but I only saw/heard 3 
simultaneously), as well as a Western Tanager.

--Garth Harwood
Subject: birding highlights of the week
From: "Peter Metropulos" <pjmetrop AT pacbell.net>
Date: Thu, 1 May 2008 20:26:36 -0700
Greetings,

Here are some interesting birds I saw in San Mateo County during the past 
week.... 


April 25, Bay Front Park(Menlo Park): SPOTTED SANDPIPER(2), WHITE-THROATED 
SWIFT(2), WESTERN KINGBIRD(1). 

April 27,San Bruno: An AMERICAN KESTREL being dive-bombed by American Crow, at 
highway380/101 interchange, west of SF International Airport. 

 Last year only two or three pairs of kestrels nested in SM County,making it 
our most rapidly-declining breeding bird. County birders 

 are encouraged to report all sightings of kestrels during the nesting 
period(April-July). 


April 27,Belmont: An OSPREY was soaring east over intersection of Ralston 
Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas. 


April 28: Greco Island(visible from Bay Front Park): COMMON YELLOWTHROAT(1) 
singing male. 


May 1, Portola Valley: In mixed oak woodland and ranchland along Golden Hills 
Drive saw a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER singing at a traditional 

 breeding season location, and a lone VAUX'S SWIFT foraging overhead with 
swallows. 

May 1, San Mateo: Adult PEREGRINE perched on tower below Crystal Springs Dam, 
visible from Hwy 280. 



Happy Spring Birding,
Peter J. Metropulos

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Trail maps
From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 1 May 2008 09:46:58 -0700
Here it is as a tinyURL that should work for everyone:

http://tinyurl.com/62unor

(you can always take one of these beastly URLs and use tinyURL to make  
it easy to pass around)


On May 1, 2008, at 9:40 AM, Jonathan Lundell wrote:

> The link in your subject line was good; it contains spaces, which can
> confuse some mailers.


--
Chuq Von Rospach
http://chuqui.typepad.com
chuqvr AT gmail.com, chuqui AT plaidworks.com






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Trail maps
From: Jonathan Lundell <jlundell AT pobox.com>
Date: Thu, 1 May 2008 09:40:57 -0700
On Apr 30, 2008, at 10:24 AM, susan hons wrote:

> Sorry no one was able to open the darned link. I only saved the page,
> and don't know how I got to it.


http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/vgn/images/portal/cit_609/12503868399%20final%20map.pdf 


The link in your subject line was good; it contains spaces, which can  
confuse some mailers.
Subject: Trail maps
From: susan hons <susieturtlewings AT mac.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:24:39 -0700
Sorry no one was able to open the darned link. I only saved the page,  
and don't know how I got to it.
Try    openspace.org, or  san mateo open space preserves.  They both  
get you to lists of preserves,
and you can open the one you need.
Hope this helps.
Susie Hons
Subject: Hooded Orioles in Atherton
From: "Kris Olson" <kristenolson AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:04:33 -0700
Tonight the dog and I found the annual Hooded Orioles on Toyon in Atherton.
It was about 8 pm and cold. I heard chattering the minute I arrived but
could not see the birds. Pishing just increased the chattering. Finally I
whistled and out flew a pair. The male was stunning.  I have seen at least
one Hooded Oriole here since 2005, though this is the first time I have
actually seen a pair.

Location is the palms across from 199 Toyon. Toyon intersects Ringwood. [101
to Willow Road heading west. First right onto Bay rd (Oil Changer's
station).  Follow to stop sign on Ringwood. Left turn. Right onto Toyon
several blocks up.]

Kris Olson
Menlo Park
Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto Summer Bird Count (fwd)
From: Al Eisner <eisner AT SLAC.Stanford.EDU>
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:25:28 -0700 (PDT)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:06:17 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jack Cole 
To: SBB SouthBay Birds 
Subject: [SBB] Palo Alto Summer Bird Count

South Bay Birders:

 On Saturday June 7 we will once again be counting birds in the same Palo Alto 
count circle that we canvas at Christmas, but without the wind, rain and cold. 
Alright, there may be a little fog, but the sun will come out and it should be 
a nice day for birding. 


 If you have participated in this count or the similar Christmas Bird Count 
before, and want to cover the same area, just contact your region coordinator. 
If you aren't sure who that is, drop me a line. For those of you who want to 
join in the fun for the first time, let me know and I will find a spot for you 
that best fits your birding talents - from beginner to expert. 


   It's going to be another great count: I hope you will be part of it!

   Jack Cole
   Count Organizer
   408-996-0434
Subject: Swanton Road
From: Debbi Brusco <dgb_birding AT sbcglobal.net>
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:33:01 -0700
At the north end of Swanton Road this weekend in pine forest starting to 
go up in elevation were European Starlings, Pygmy Nuthatches, Wilson's 
Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker calls and Steller's Jay. There was this 
unknown call ("tee-yew").  The call wasn't regularly-spaced. Does anyone 
know what this is?

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/dgbrusco/  --look for the Swanton Road file


Debbi Brusco
Subject: http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/vgn/images/portal/cit_609/12503868399%20final%20map.pdf
From: susan hons <susieturtlewings AT mac.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:52:46 -0700
This is a great map for finding the local trails.
Susie Hons


http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/vgn/images/portal/cit_609/12503868399  
final map.pdf



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Mines Road 4/23 and 4/27
From: "leslieflint" <lflint AT earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:20:37 -0000
I led two field trips this last week for Sequoia Audubon to Mines
Road.  I thought I would send along the highlights along with the MP
markers so you could hunt for all these great birds as well.  Please
note that we did NOT see Lawrence's Goldfinch on either trip. 
Wednesday 4/23 was cool and partly cloudy most of the day while Sunday
4/27 was quite warm to HOT by late afternoon.  I have indicated which
day these birds were seen (W or S) if it mattered.  And I have not
noted birds that were seen in many locations.

Murietta's Well - please note that the owners would now prefer that we
park inside at the winery rather than on the road (especially if we
are leaving cars for the day); apparently they have had some "problems".

Great Horned Owls have taken up residence in the old Red tailed hawk
nest in the Eucalyptus over the house.  Two chicks were visible.
Bullocks Oriole (W&S) 
Hooded Oriole (S)
Wild Turkey (W&S)
American Kestrel (nesting)
Eurasian Collared Dove (W&S)

MP 1.3
Annas' Hummingbird
Nuttall's Woodpecker
House Wren (S seen well at nest)
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow

MP 3.2 (junction Mines Road and Del Valle Roads)
Killdeer
Western Bluebirds

Barn Owl - in a hole on the open cliff face just before the bridge

MP 4.7 (Bridge)
Olive-sided Flycatcher (W&S)
Ash-throated Flycatcher (W&S) (this bird was everywhere on Wednesday
Golden Eagle (W) - many were seen on W but none on S
Cliff, Rough-winged and VG swallows (W&S)
Black Phoebe (W&S)
Red-shouldered Hawk (S)
American Kestrel (S)

MP 5.74
Rufous-crowned sparrow (W)
California thrasher (W&S) - on Sunday there was a singing pair
Phainopepla (S)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (W)
Wrentit (W&S) curious and confiding

MP 7.69 - small pool of water just below the road attracted many birds
(esp W)
Hermit Thrush (W)
Wilson's Warbler (W)
Phainopepla (W)
White-breasted Nuthatch (W)
Western Tanager (S)

MP 10.45 Roadrunner (W)

MP 18.2 Corral
Wood duck (W)
Lark Sparrow (W)
W. Kingbird (W)

San Åntonio Valley Road (sorry don't know mile markers)
about 1/4 mile
Lewis' Woodpecker just beyond the first gate on the right; nesting in
tree closest to road

large pond on left past the first ranch on the left had 4 male wood
ducks on both days.

Creek crossing at mile 3.2 - 3 green herons on Sunday

Del Puerto Canyon Road

1.8 miles - colony of tri-colored blackbirds along with RWBB

16.8 miles - large rock outcropping on left
Rock Wren (W&S)
Canyon Wren (W)
Prairie Falcon (W)

Around the corner from Owl Rock (where there were no owls)
Costa's Humminbird (W&S)  Note on Sunday, the bird was not in its
usual tree; so lots of searching found it in the next tree closer to
Owl Rock and then impossible to see with the naked eye.  Bins
searching found it.
Lark Sparrow (S)
Black-headed Grosbeak (W&S)
Hooded Oriole (S)
Sage sparrow (singing but not seen)

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to contact me. 
Thanks to all the great trip participants for great spotting and fun time.

Leslie Flint
San Mateo
Subject: Edgewood Park - Western Tanager April 27, 2008
From: "Leonie Batkin" <lbatkin AT stanford.edu>
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:27:16 -0700
Yesterday morning while hiking on the Clarkia Trail at Edgewood Park in
Redwood City I found a male Western Tanager at about 9:45am.  It was
foraging and singing at the top of an oak tree located about a quarter
mile into the park from the Clarkia Trailhead located on Canada Road. 

 

Leonie Batkin

Menlo Park   

 

 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Gazos Creek - Hammond's Flycatcher
From: Jennifer Rycenga <gyrrlfalcon AT earthlink.net>
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:43:47 -0700
I had what has become a rare opportunity for me to bird my local patch  
this morning.  It was my best morning ever on Gazos Creek, for species  
count, despite arriving too late for any owls.  I did hear two MARBLED  
MURRELETS in their westward morning flight to compensate for my lack  
of sleep.  Best bird of the day was a calling and actively hunting  
HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER by the bridge on Old Woman Creek Road, just off  
of Gazos Creek Road.  It was quite cooperative.  Other unusual birds  
included a singing HOUSE FINCH (the area has plenty of PURPLE FINCH,  
of course), a MALLARD on the creek and some CANADA GEESE flyovers.   
Staking-of-territory was being announced by plentiful BLACK-HEADED  
GROSBEAKS, HUTTON'S VIREOS, PAC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS, SWAINSON'S THRUSH,  
WILSON'S WARBLERS, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, and three singing  
MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLERS.  One NASHVILLE WARBLER sang but refused to  
show himself.  Oddly absent birds included Black Phoebe, Pygmy  
Nuthatch, and only one WESTERN SCRUB-JAY.  Perhaps these species are  
quietly nesting somewhere.  44 total species, despite or perhaps  
because of the alternation of coastal fog and sunshine.

A belated report, just included here for the record - I saw a WESTERN  
KINGBIRD along a fence line between Pescadero and Bean Hollow State  
Beach April 18 while driving.

Good birding -

Jennifer Rycenga
Half Moon Bay, CA
Subject: A few coastal birds
From: Al Eisner <eisner AT SLAC.Stanford.EDU>
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:17:00 -0700 (PDT)
    Yesterday (Sunday) I joined Ron Thorn for part of the time he spent at
Pigeon Point.  (Unfortunately, I arrived after his Shearwater sightings.)
One addition from this location:  A large flock of BAND-TAILED PIGEONS was
working the fields between Pigeon Point Road and highway 1.  Based on one
episode when the flock momentarily flew up, there were a minimum of 160 
(probably more).

    Although the mouth of Pescadero Creek is apparently still at least
usually blocked, the water level in the north pond has come down enough
to provide shorebird habitat.  I saw 12 to 15 strikingly-plumaged
DUNLIN and about two dozen SEMIPALMATED PLOVERs among other species.
One LESSER YELLOWLEGS was present, along with about 14 GREATER YELLOWLEGS.
Of the wintering Teal, there were about 20 or so Green-winged.  I only
picked out single males each of BLUE-WINGED TEAL and CINNAMON TEAL.

 								Al Eisner
Subject: Manx Shearwater, Rock Sandpiper
From: Tronthorn AT aol.com
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:02:07 EDT
  Today, I did another seawatch from ( 06:00-15:00 ) from Pigeon Point
  
  The sky was clear. Haze plagued the viewing near the horizon 
 throughout the seawatch. The wind was out of the northwest 12
 knots and increase to 19 knots gusting at 22 at the later part of the
 seawatch. Swells were ( 5 ft. )

  Pacific Loons made a mad rush between ( 06:30 and 07:30 ).
 During the one-hour period, there was a continuous stream with 
 ( 14,100 ) passing by. For a while, there were ( 300 ) per minute.
 The number of Brown Pelicans are increasing. Sooty Shearwaters
 that were way out, were lost in the haze. ( 6 ) Sooty Shearwaters
 came in close less than half way out to the horizon, where I was 
 to able to get good views of the bill. The highlight came when a
 MANX SHEARWATER came speeding through about half way
 out to the horizon. The Manx Shearwater was obviously smaller
 than a Sooty Shearwater and had faster wing beats with little gliding
 in-between. It hugged the water going in and out of the swells. The
 shape was cruciform and had a short tail. The upperparts were very
 dark ( blackish ). As it banked, the underparts were bright clean  
 white with no smudging on the sides and throat area, as expected on 
 a Black-vented Shearwater. The dark face contrasted with the white
 throat. The undertail coverts were a clean white and the white extended to
 the tip of the tail. That was when, I noticed the short tail. The underwings
 were clean white with a dark trailing edge. At the time, there was no
 glare from the sun enhancing the white underparts and underwings.
 Sooty Shearwaters at the time were not even showing the white blaze
 of the underwings. Brant and Surf Scoter numbers were up from two
 days ago. Today, there was a variety of shorebirds flying north.
 Another highlight was a late ROCK SANDPIPER flying north over  
 the water. I have seen ( 1 ) other migrating Rock Sandpiper pasting 
 by Pigeon Point in the month of April. Gulls were moving into the
 northwest wind. Although the number of adult Herring Gulls were
 down from two days ago, there were still a fair amount.

 Common Loon ( 88 alternate plumage, 13 basic plumage )
 Red-throated Loon ( 53 alternate plumage, 37 basic plumage )
 Pacific Loon ( 15,200 alternate plumage,100 basic plumage )
 Western Grebe ( 3 in flight )
 Sooty Shearwater ( 12 north )
 Pink-footed Shearwater ( 1 north )
 MANX SHEARWATER ( 1 north )
 Brown Pelican ( 172 )
 Double-crested Cormorant ( 1 immature north )
 Brandt's Cormorant ( 400 )
 Pelagic Cormorant ( 5 )
 Brant ( 842, largest group 130 )
 Scaup species ( 5 with Surf Scoter flocks )
 White-winged Scoter ( 6, no adult males )
 Surf Scoter ( 882, 1 leucistic female )
 Red-breasted Merganser ( 8, includes 1 male )
 Semipalmated Plover ( 8, first arrivals at Pigeon Pt. )
 Marbled Godwit ( 7 )
 Whimbrel ( 157 )
 Long-billed Curlew ( 5 )
 Dowitcher species ( 20 )
 Black Turnstone ( 2 )
 Surfbird ( 2 )
 ROCK SANDPIPER ( 1 north )
 Red Knot ( 4, first arrivals at Pigeon Pt. )
 Dunlin ( 210 compared to none two days ago )
 Sanderling ( 27 )
 Western Sandpiper ( 139 )
 Bonaparte's Gull ( 22 )
 California Gull ( 441, 216 were adults )
 Herring Gull ( 63, 43 were adults )
 Thayer's Gull ( 1 second-cycle )
 Western Gull ( 265, 85 were adults )
 Glaucous-winged Gull ( 42, 1 was an adult )
 Glaucous-winged Gull x Western Gull hybrid ( 2, 1 was an adult )
 Glaucous Gull x Glaucous-winged Gull hybrid ( 1 first-cycle )
 Caspian Tern ( 78, another good showing )
 Common Murre ( 60 )
 Pigeon Guillemot ( 5 )
 Rhinoceros Auklet ( 3 )
 American Crow ( 1 northbound migrant, average 1 or 2 in the spring )
 Gray Whale ( 4 )

  Ron Thorn 
   
 


**************
Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for 
U.S. used car 

listings at AOL Autos.
      
(http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Pulgas Ridge
From: susan hons <susieturtlewings AT mac.com>
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:05:46 -0700
Took a friend out to introduce her to birding today, and we had good  
karma:
Had great views of female Nuttal's feeding babies in the cavity of  
the limbless
dead tree by the trailhead this afternoon.  It was about 1:00, not  
too hot, and
birds were calling everywhere. The Nuttal's was very vocal and not  
worried
about people and dogs being nearby.  Had a Pacific Slope flycatcher  
perch
and dry its feathers right in front of us.  The Red-shouldered hawk  
flew around
slowly and gave us perfect views. Two Spotted towhees were feeding  
babies in
the bushes, and vocalizing as well. I thought parents would be  
quieter with babies,
but not.  Great day, and my friend is now hooked on birding for sure!
Subject: Cattle Egret continues
From: "D Weber" <dwbirdster AT sbcglobal.net>
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:02:57 -0700
Hi Birders-

The Cattle Egret was present in Redwood Shores this morning around 10:30 
along the N side of Marine Pkwy about 100 yds W of Island Pkwy. It was 
foraging on the grass with Canada Geese. A little later at Edgewood Park, no 
Lark Sparrows were seen by me or Calvin Lou near the intersection of the 
Clarkia and Serpentine trails.

Dave Weber,
Milpitas
Subject: slash and grab afternoon, off the cuff
From: "Laurie Graham" <fair80 AT comcast.net>
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 03:20:13 -0000
Hi

After work, I went to Glen Park in SF (yes, out of county) and found
the baby Great Horned Owls. They are SOOOOOOOO cute! There are two.
They are so fluffy, their feathers look like fur. I am not familiar
with the park, but they are in a huge euc just north of the Rec
center. The main trunk is 8-12' in diameter, and about 20' up it
splits into five smaller trunks. In that division is a large
conglomeration of euc bark strips, and there, facing south west, are
two baby GHOW. Their little ears are so small. They are hella cute. I
was shoving my binoculars at passersby, saying "You gotta look at this!".

Then I drove south, and paused at Brisbane Lagoon. Tide was low.
Mudflat was covered with peeps. Northern Rough-winged Swallows
criss-crossed the airspace. I heard a Northern Mockingbird. Shorebirds
were two Caspian Terns, two American Avocets, one Black-necked Stilt,
One Willet, One gull sp., Aechmorphorus Grebes, Scaup, Mallard,
goldfinch sp., House Finch, California Towhee, Eu. Starlings, Song
Sparrows. I spent 10 minutes there, and spent 20 minutes getting the
stickers outta my socks.

I stopped at the southeast ridge of San Bruno Mountain, but couldn't
find the GHOW. The oaks have leafed out a lot since January, and I
didn't have a scope. The weird thing is there is a cross on the ground
on the service road, made out of surveying tape or something, 2'
square, and if you stand on this spot with a scope, you can see the
owl tree. There is no point in going farther up the hill, because the
angle changes. Cue the Twilight Zone Music. Or, Dominik Mosur, fess up.

Laurie Graham
SSF
Subject: Cattle Egret present today
From: Tronthorn AT aol.com
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:59:34 EDT
  At midday, as I was leaving Redwood Shores I decided to see if the
 CATTLE EGRET was still present and yes it was. The Cattle Egret
 was at the same location on the north side of Marine Parkway at
 Island Drive. It likes to forage on the green right next to the road.
 Today I noticed it was picking from the trunk of a tree and was
 near the company of a group of feral Canada Geese. I was glad to
 see, it was not standing in the street from what I had read from a 
 previous posting! 

 Ron Thorn


**************
Need a new ride? Check out the largest 
site for U.S. 

used car listings at AOL Autos.
      
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Sequoia Audubon Field Trip at Filoli
From: "George Chrisman" <geodani55 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 01:53:22 -0000
My wife Dani joined me and 7 other birders for at trip to the Filoli 
Estate led by Sue James and Donna Peterson 4/26/08. Spring was in the 
air, as birds seen on nests or entering nest boxes/tree cavities 
included GREAT HORNED OWL, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD, 
TREE SWALLOW, VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW, BARN SWALLOW, OAK TITMOUSE, HOUSE 
WREN, & HOUSE FINCH.
  Other notable sightings included 4 BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS, 1 
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, 2 PACIFIC-SLOPE 
FLYCATCHER, & 1 male WILD TURKEY calling in the large field south of 
the entry kiosk. A single WESTERN WOOD PEWEE was heard but not seen. 
All in all, it was a great day to be out at Filoli.

Good Birding,

George Chrisman
Burlingame, CA
Subject: Lark Sparrow continues at Edgewood - photo
From: "kschnei1000" <kschnei1 AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:54:20 -0000
My mom and I found one of the previously reported Lark Sparrows this 
afternoon (4/26) at Edgewood, again near the junction of the 
Serpentine Loop and Clarkia trails.  It was associating with bluebirds 
and house finches, and was found on one of the low fenceposts.  

Photo at:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2419/2444425864_c367e2bd37_b.jpg
Subject: Pigeon Point seawatch
From: Tronthorn AT aol.com
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:56:46 EDT
  Today I did a seawatch from ( 06:15-15:30 ) at Pigeon Point

  The sky was clear, but a light north wind brought haze to the horizon.
 Later as the north wind picked up to 19 knots gusting to 24 from halfway
 out to the horizon became extremely hazy. During the time of the light
 wind, the swells were ( 4 ft. )

  Pacific Loon was once again obvious in their migration, as most passed
 by in the first three hours. The number of Common Loons passing by
 was low at first and when the wind pick up, the number of Common
 Loons increased. Peak migration is over for Brant, as the flocks now 
 seen are in small numbers. The same can be said for Surf Scoter, as
 this species has also peaked in numbers. The flocks of Surf Scoters
 are small in the morning, but in the afternoon the flocks have converged
 into larger flocks. Migrating shorebirds have pickup in numbers with
 Western Sandpiper and dowitcher species being the most obvious.
 They were easy to see, when the swells were low at ( 4 ft. ). The
 dowitchers are just to far at a distance to identify to species. There
 were no gulls moving during the light wind, but as the wind pickup,
 the gulls were on the move. I am surprised that there were still
 a high number of adult Herring Gulls moving on this date. The ( 1 )
 adult Thayer's Gull makes for the latest I have seen an adult in San
 Mateo County and must be also getting late in the state. Caspian
 Tern was making push northward today.
 
  Common Loon ( 90 alternate plumage, 17 basic plumage, a 
  high flying group of 12 well above the ocean )
  Red-throated Loon (  26 alternate plumage, 30 basic plumage )
  Pacific Loon ( 9,880 alternate plumage, 48 basic plumage )
  Western Grebe ( 3 in flight )
  Sooty Shearwater ( 53 north )
  PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER ( 2 north, first I have seen this season )
  Brown Pelican ( 50 north, no juveniles at this time )
  Double-crested Cormorant ( 2 north )
  Brandt's Cormorant ( 300 north )
  Pelagic Cormorant ( 8 north )
  Brant ( 122 )
  Ring-necked Duck ( male and female in a Pacific Loon flock, only have
  seen this species once before during a seawatch )
  Greater Scaup ( 2 males with a Pacific Loon flock )
  BLACK SCOTER ( male and female )
  White-winged Scoter ( 6 )
  Surf Scoter ( 897, largest group 180 )
  Red-breasted Merganser ( 1 male )
  Black-bellied Plover ( 2 )
  Marbled Godwit ( 1 )
  Whimbrel ( 128, large flocks the first hour of the seawatch )
  Long-billed Curlew ( 4 )
  Dowitcher species ( 383, largest group 90 )
  Black Turnstone ( 3 )
  Surfbird ( 12 )
  Western Sandpiper ( 436, largest group 100, 50 pushed in by the
  gusty wind cut across the field and over Pigeon Point Road only
  a few feet above the road, as they gain height, almost had a near fatal 
  collision with the telephone wires )
  Least Sandpiper ( 7 )
  Sanderling ( 80, all other shorebirds seen were in alternate plumage,
  while the Sanderlings were all in basic plumage )
  California Gull ( 462, 200 were adults, number of immatures increasing )
  Herring Gull ( 81, 70 were adults )
  Thayer's Gull ( 2, 1 was an adult )
  Western Gull ( 220, 57 were adults )
  Glaucous-winged Gull ( 19 immatures )
  Glaucous-winged Gull x Western Gull hybrid ( 3, 1 was an adult )
  BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE ( 1 adult flying north halfway out to the
  horizon, getting on the late side )
  Caspian Tern ( 72, largest group 17 flying low over the fields )
  Common Murre ( 1,410 north )
  Pigeon Guillemot ( 6 )
  Marbled Murrelet ( 1 )
  RHINOCEROS AUKLET ( 2 north )
  Northern Rough-winged Swallow ( 5 north )
  Gray Whale ( a mother with calf foraging very close to the rocks below
  the lighthouse. A thrill to see mother and calf so close to shore )

  Ron Thorn 
 


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Subject: Radio Road ponds - BLACK SKIMMERS and RED KNOTS
From: "Robert Garriock" <rgarriock AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:55:20 -0000
I counted 7 BLACK SKIMMERS on the islands of radio road ponds and the
FOSTER's TERNS were very active.  Shore birds were in great numbers
especially MARBLED GODWITS and DOWITCHERS.  There were several Alt.
Plumage RED KNOTS within the bird flocks that were very rich in
diversity.  The AMERICAN AVOCETs had chicks.  

cheers rob
Subject: San Bruno Mountain Eastern Slope
From: Dominik Mosur <polskatata AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:06:28 -0700 (PDT)
SBMCP South San Francisco 10:30-11:30 a.m. 4/25/08,
10 species plus heard only possible LAZB.

The grassland/toyon scrub zone held singing SPOTTED TOWHEE, territorial 
CALIFORNIA TOWHEE and BUSHTITS. 


In the willows near the seep I found three SONG SPARROWS (only got brief looks 
but least one looked from the rear like a recent fledge, weak flight, short 
tail.) 


Also in the willows was a GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW that made me pause at first 
glance. The bird looked worn, the gold crown was faded to a pale brown. The 
face and bill looked "dirty." It looked like a first spring bird with alternate 
molt arrested at an early stage. 


I scoped the hillside in vain for half an hour and was never able to locate 
source of the "laser gun" but somewhere up there was a singing bunting 
(Lazuli?) 


A CLIFF SWALLOW flew over headed north around 11:15. 

Other birds observed: RED-TAILED HAWK pair displaying over the ridge, ANNA's 
HUMMINGBIRDS, fly over COMMON RAVENS and WESTERN GULLS. 



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