Date: 8/21/26 6:44 am From: Eve Meier via groups.io <eve.m.meier...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Sept SCVBA Field Trips
Hi Everyone!
Registration for September SCVBA field trips opens tonight (Aug 21st) at 8
pm. You can preview our trips now on our field trip page (
https://scvbirdalliance.org/fieldtrips). Please limit your sign-ups to 1
weekend trip and 2 weekday trips per month.
Starting Sept 1 all field trip announcements, including open spots
announcements, will be posted only to SBB-Events, not SBB. To sign up for
SBB-Events, follow the instructions below.
1. Visit https://groups.io/g/southbaybirds-events/ 2. Select âJoin this Groupâ on the left just above the archive calendar
3. Enter your email address
4. You will receive an email from SBB-Events. Confirm your email address
by following the instructions in that email.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 8/20/26 2:13 pm From: lavin_fara via groups.io <pdunten...> Subject: [southbaybirds] California Bird Atlas - Birds Feeding Young
I wasn't expecting to get many breeding confirmations for the California Bird Atlas on 19 Aug and was pleasantly surprised to see American Goldfinches feeding young and a bedraggled Ash-throated Flycatcher feeding its sharp-looking fledgling along the section of Coyote Creek trail near Ogier Ponds. Â With the Goldfinches, I didn't see anything in the adult's bill, which fits with their method of feeding. Â As the Birds of the World account notes, "All food is provided in form of a sticky, semi-solid mass primarily of seeds, regurgitated by parents . . ."
Looking at the Atlas results so far, I can see there are many fun adventures awaiting. We have confirmations for Bullock's Oriole in Santa Clara county (and not San Mateo county). We don't have any observations of Carrying Nesting material or Nest Building, and it would be so fun to see a nest being weaved. It would also be great to have those observations with dates, to see if the timing of nesting is shifting relative to previous atlas efforts.
Another awesome opportunity is getting out at night to listen for Marbled Murrelets in San Mateo or Santa Cruz county parks. It wasn't until late July that reports came in from two blocks, and Murrelets should be present in many more.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 8/17/26 9:11 am From: Melanie Barnett via groups.io <mjb2024...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Summer Tanager at Lick Mill Park this morning
It was briefly in a eucalyptus south of the basketball court, then flew to the leafy euc in the maintenance yard where it perched. We lost it about 8:30am. It may have flown to Ulistac
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 8/16/26 4:59 pm From: Connor Christensen via groups.io <connor.r.christensen...> Subject: [southbaybirds] SCVBA Trip to Lake Almaden Park
Hello everyone,
This morning, an excited group of birders set out to explore the edges of Lake Almaden. The egret rookery still had some stragglers, with a few Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, Black-crowned Night Herons, and 4 Great Blue Herons hanging out in or near nests. There weren't any active nests this late in the season, but there were still young begging, being fed, and chasing their parents around. On the island was also a cute little family of Caspian Terns with two adults and a juvenile. The young Forester's Tern was begging loudly for food and could be heard across the entire park.
The biggest highlight of the trip for me was watching the Scaly-breasted Munia ferry long strands of grass from the lake's edge to its nest. I also greatly enjoyed the flurry of bird activity we had as we peered over the Los Alamitos Creek bridge, which included sightings of both a male and female Black-chinned Hummingbird. We also got great looks at a Belted Kingfisher that had been seen briefly flying around the lake. As we wrapped up our trip, we spotted an American Kestrel hunting high on the hills across the road before it was chased off by a gang of Acorn Woodpeckers. Overall, we saw and heard 37 species this morning. Here is a public link to the checklist. ( https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/checklist/S384162209 )
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 8/16/26 2:28 pm From: Yuki Ikezi via groups.io <ikezi...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Summer Tanager - here now 1:45p
Thank you! It was spotted again around 9am this morning, first on a tall Eucalyptus in Lick Mill. It flew across to Ulistac and sat grooming and eating berries.
On Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 01:54:59 PM PDT, Kim Blythe via groups.io <blythekim.ca...> wrote:
Hi all,
I arrived early and enjoyed an unsuccessful search for the Summer Tanager reported yesterday by Howard F. (five minutes after I left, btw).  I write “enjoyed†because it’s always nice to run into familiar faces!
But, after the sun came out, I returned to Lick Mill Park, and although the frenzy of birds has died down, the Summer Tanager has reappeared in the euc closest to the basketball court, and is currently moving about the tree as I write.  Orangish-red overall with a honking tanager bill, and I even got a “pikitukituk†chatter.
Basketball players have arrived, so it’s a little noisy now.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 8/15/26 1:55 pm From: Kim Blythe via groups.io <blythekim.ca...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Summer Tanager - here now 1:45p
Hi all,
I arrived early and enjoyed an unsuccessful search for the Summer Tanager reported yesterday by Howard F. (five minutes after I left, btw). I write “enjoyed†because it’s always nice to run into familiar faces!
But, after the sun came out, I returned to Lick Mill Park, and although the frenzy of birds has died down, the Summer Tanager has reappeared in the euc closest to the basketball court, and is currently moving about the tree as I write. Orangish-red overall with a honking tanager bill, and I even got a “pikitukituk†chatter.
Basketball players have arrived, so it’s a little noisy now.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 8/15/26 1:08 pm From: Tristan Yoo via groups.io <tristan.yoo...> Subject: [southbaybirds] COMMON TERN at A3W
Roosting with Forster's Terns along the PG&E boardwalk on the south east corner of A3W. The bird was at 37.428371, -122.034477 and could be viewed from the Bay Trail at 37.426778, -122.035150.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Starting Sept 1 all open spots announcements will be posted only to *SBB-Events
(not the same as South Bay Birds)*. To sign up for SBB-Events, follow the
instructions below.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 8/13/26 2:18 pm From: Howard Friedman via groups.io <howardnfriedman...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Ulistac Migrant Activity
Red-breasted Nuthatch peaked my interests. Hope all is well with you! Seems
the window for shorebirds is open with the songbird vagrants coming up.
Hope to see you at a Bioblitz or somewhere in the field.
On Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 10:23 AM Ryan Phillips via groups.io <norcalbirding=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Hi all,
> I made a quick 40 min stop at Ulistac and movement is happening. Most
> activity around bird survey station #1 by the bridge.
>
> Highlights:
> 2 BULLOCK'S ORIOLES
> A singing RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH
> Male WESTERN TANAGER
> 2 BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS
> 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER
> Multiple HOODED ORIOLES
>
> Wish I had more time. May be worth a closer look.
>
> Good birding,
> Ryan
>
> *Ryan Phillips* ǀ Owner and Guide
>
> Personal and Group Birding Excursions in Northern California and Beyond
>
>
>
> Phone ǀ (831) 234-7324
>
> Email ǀ <norcalbirding...>
>
> Website ǀ *www.norcalbirding.com <http://www.norcalbirding.com/>* >
> Facebook ǀ www.facebook.com/norcalbirding
>
> "Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes
> and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?"
>
> - Sir David Attenborough
>
>
>
>
>
>
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
This morning I found a birdy area in Vasona near a bench on the east
side of the creek. These birds were apparently mobbing something and
were very active. I had 7 Hooded Orioles, most females, bushtits, a
Wilson's Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Chickadees and Songs Sparrows.
Eventually a Red-shouldered Hawk revealed itself and the show was over.
I had returned to Vasona to photograph what I believe to be a Wood Rat
nest at an unusual height. The 3' nest was 20' up in a willow thicket on
the west side of the creek, south of the pedestrian bridge. There was
another Wood Rat nest at the base of the same tree. photos attached.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 8/10/26 11:47 am From: janna pauser via groups.io <jannapauser...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Black-chinned Hummingbirds Guadalupe Creek trail
I birded close to home today on the Guadalupe Creek trail along Sycamore
Creek. Three Black-chinned Hummingbirds, likely a family, were
interacting near marker 2.75. I found two more female type near the end
of the trail across from Thyme Creek. This marked my seventeenth
Black-chinned found this year. Others were found at Almaden Lake, a
nesting bird, Calero Creek trail, a nesting bird, Alamitos Creek trail
pedestrian bridge, a nesting bird, and Alamitos Creek trail. I saw only
three males this season, one on Calero Creek trail, one at Almaden Lake
and yesterday I found a male at Vasona.
Aug. 7, I photographed a Common Gallinule on the first pond east of
Meridian. see attachment
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 8/9/26 7:46 pm From: steveak via groups.io <stephen.l.mchenry...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Pileateds at Saratoga Quarry Park
Carolyn and I dropped by Quarry Park in Saratoga this afternoon to take a short walk on the trails.
We weren't specifically birding, but heard or saw the usual: Many California Quail, including with chicks following the adults around; also Steller's Jays, Dark-eyed Juncos, Acorn Woodpeckers.
While sitting at a picnic table having a snack at the Lower Terrace area, we (or I should say "Merlin") heard a calling Pileated Woodpecker. We heard the calls several time. Eventually, however, a very distinct Pileated flew across my line of sight and landed in a nearby cedar tree. When I got up to get a better look, it flew behind the tree to another, and Carolyn and I both followed the bird. It landed in a large snag tree to the north just a short distance from where we were, and there was not just a single Pileated, but two of them working the snag tree!
We had good views for a few minutes, but I wasn't able to tell if this was a male/female couple, or just two close and personal friends. So I don't know if the birds were male, female, or both.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 8/9/26 5:13 pm From: John Harshman via groups.io <john.harshman...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Little Uvas (restricted), 5/11
An intrepid band of new and old birders investigated Little Uvas OSP under the combined leadership of SCVBA and OSA in the person of John Harshman and Sarah Chan. We didn't find our target bird, breeding ruddy ducks, but there were fledgling *American coots* and *mallards* on the ponds. The biggest excitement was probably the pair of *golden eagles* that soared above us for several minutes. A record six *red-tailed hawks* , three juveniles and three adults, gave many good looks. *Black-crowned night herons* and *green herons* , *California quail* , and a foraging *Hutton's vireo* were also exciting. Vinegar weed and hayfield tarweed, though not birds, stimulated the eye and the nose. And there were vast numbers of dragonflies, most of which refused to perch and be identified.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
We started down the Coyote Creek Trail towards the big bridge. At the bridge area we had one male Black-headed Grosbeak, two Red-tailed Hawks (one was a juvenile), Acorn Woodpeckers, American Robin, Western Bluebird, Oak Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, and saw a Great Blue Heron hunting in the field. We followed the trail along the creek and saw at least five Wood Ducks, one Belted Kingfisher, a Song Sparrow, a Black Phoebe, Northern Flicker, and a Steller’s Jay imitating a Red-tailed Hawk.
In addition we saw a fox near the trail by the visitor center. (I’m not sure which species of fox, but it was cute.)
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
-----Original Message-----
From: <southbaybirds...> <southbaybirds...> On Behalf Of Marion
Krause via groups.io
Sent: Friday, August 7, 2026 11:49 AM
To: <southbaybirds...>
Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] SECURE PARTY INVITE
This post does not seem appropriate for SBB.
Marion Krause
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 8/5/26 3:09 pm From: Brooke Miller via groups.io <brooke.bam...> Subject: [southbaybirds] JULY 2026 Cumulative Bird Report for Santa Clara County
South Bay Birders,
In July we added 3 new countable birds, bringing the total to 269 at the
end of the month. We also had one non-countable bird, a Red-whiskered
Bulbul, seen on 27-July by Pranav Mehta in an Evergreen neighborhood (San
Jose) backyard. The average for July is 4 new birds, with an average of 260
at the end of the month. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the
time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.
Here are the birds that were found in July:
1. Red Knot (4), found 13-July by Garrett Lau in Charleston Slough/Coast
Casey Forebay
2. Pectoral Sandpiper (4), seen 20-July by Howard Friedman along the
entrance road to Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge in Alviso
3. Semipalmated Sandpiper (4), found 26-July by Carter Gasiorowski along
the entrance road to Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge in Alviso
As a reminder, here is what each rarity code means:
**Rarity Codes:
1 = common, always seen in habitat in season.
2 = fairly common, usually in habitat in season, but missed sometimes.
3 = uncommon, always around, but sometimes you can't find.
4 = rare, occurs yearly in the county, but not always in same places.
5 = very rare, does not occur every year.
6 = casual or vagrant, generally fewer than 10 records.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
I saw a single Yellow-Rumped Warbler at Vasona Lake County Park this morning, quite an early arrival! It seems to be a FOS for the park, and maybe one of the first of the fall migration season for the county as well? I saw it in a large tree (what I believe to be a Western Sycamore) a bit past the red bridge on the west side of the lake, near the benches to the south of the boat launch.
Exact coordinates were around 37.24093° N, 121.97022° W. I've attached the best photo I was able to get that shows a good amount of identifying features.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 8/2/26 7:33 pm From: carlin otto via groups.io <carlinotto...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Hairy woodpecker, first sighting in 46 years
For the last week, a male Hairy woodpecker has been hanging around in my backyard. I have kept a backyard burdlist for 46 years and this is the first time this species has shown up here in south Palo Alto.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 8/1/26 8:58 am From: David Zittin via groups.io <dzittin...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Yard record for Hooded Orioles
Hi Birders,
Yesterday evening we counted 8 Hooded Orioles on two feeders at our house. There is one hummingbird feeder and one hanging jar containing grape jelly..
One recent fledgling was being fed by an adult. Most are females or young. There were two mature males.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 8/1/26 5:32 am From: Group Notification <noreply...> Subject: [southbaybirds] South Bay Birds Monthly Reminder #guidelines-notice
Thank you for being a member of South Bay Birds [SBB]. This is our monthly reminder sent to the list with information about the group.
South Bay Birds [SBB] is a list intended for reporting the interesting birds you find in Santa Clara county, in order to help your fellow birders see them as well. We encourage everyone to share where they bird and what they see. Please include the general location (e.g., an eBird hotspot) and, if appropriate, the bird(s) of interest in the subject line, with any additional detail needed in the message body. If you use eBird, we encourage you to include a link to the eBird trip report that you filed.
This list is maintained by the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance ( scvbirdalliance.org) ( https://scvbirdalliance.org ). Their volunteers and funding keep the list running so please consider joining or donating to them. SBB's Lead Admin is Jim Dehnert. Chuq Von Rospach, Brooke Miller, Matthew Dodder and Barry Langdon-Lassagne assist Jim. You can contact the administration team with your questions and concerns at southbaybirds+<owner...>
The home site for this list is https://scvbirdalliance.org/siliconvalleybirding and you can find out more about us there. To start sending messages to members of this group, send email to <southbaybirds...>
The birds we watch should be our primary concern. As birders we need to be sensitive to their needs and not do things that put the birds or their habitat at risk.
We believe all birders should act as ethical birders. Your personal year list or that special photograph could put the bird at risk or cause its nest to fail. Because we expect all birders to act ethically around the birds that bring them joy, we expect that of the birders who are on our list as well. We have written up some ideas of what it means to be an ethical birder, and list links to other resources on ethical birding as well. Please read them and act to put the bird’s needs ahead of your own. If we find out that members of the list are putting birds or their habitat at risk, those members may lose access to the mailing list and its resources.
We also believe that members of the list should treat each other properly. If a list member is found to be attacking or harassing other list members, or engaging in activities that violate the ethical birding code it may affect their future ability to contribute to or subscribe to our lists.
*Acceptable Content*
The primary content for SBB is reports of interesting birds you saw and where you saw them ( https://groups.io/g/southbaybirds/message/24065 ). The objective ( https://groups.io/g/southbaybirds/message/25078 ) is to help other birders interested in the birds you saw to find them themselves. Please include the general location (e.g., an eBird hotspot) and, if appropriate, the bird(s) of interest in the subject line, with any additional detail needed in the message body. Please report only Santa Clara County locations -- other counties have their own mailing lists for trip reports.
Occasionally the administrator will post an Advocacy digest -- no more than once a week, and more typically much less often. This digest contains topics that are not typically posted to the list but we feel are of interest to the readers of SBB and are important enough to warrant posting to the wider audience. These messages will be tagged with the word "Advocacy" in the subject so members who aren't interested can delete or filter them if they choose. Topics posted as Advocacy messages typically include updates on important Advocacy activities by Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance (SCVBA) and SCVBA volunteer activities.
*Unacceptable Content*
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
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Please do not post notices of upcoming events to SBB. There is a sister list, South Bay Birds (Events) [SBB-Events], that should be used for that purpose. If you are interested in knowing what events are being offered by SCVBA and other county bird-oriented organizations, we encourage you to subscribe to this list (see below).
Please do not post carpooling requests for events to SBB. We request that they go to the Facebook discussion group.
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If you ever need to unsubscribe from this list, an unsubscribe link is at the bottom of every message, or you can go to https://groups.io/g/southbaybirds/. That's also where you can view the list archives, set up a vacation hold, change your email address, or modify your subscription in any way.
South Bay Birds and Birdwatching in Silicon Valley are affiliated with the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance ( scvbirdalliance.org ( https://scvbirdalliance.org ) ), which offers classes and outings around the county, so if you're interested in learning more about birding in the county or joining other birders in going out birding, they can help you find an outing that matches your interests.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 7/27/26 12:50 pm From: Aidan Sinha via groups.io <aidansinha...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Semipalmated Sandpiper Don Edwards
All,
Adding to all the shorebirds out at Don Edwards, Nathan Malick also photographed an unusual peep yesterday in the Don Edwards area. His pics are here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S376752035
As far as I know the ID is still under discussion, but both Little Stint and Semipalmated Sandpiper are being discussed. I am not sure if this peep is a different bird from the ones Garrett had today, or if it is one of those two birds. For anyone going out there it is definitely worth checking any unusual peep there carefully and obtaining photos.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 7/27/26 12:07 pm From: Garrett Lau via groups.io <Garrett.Lau...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Semipalmated Sandpiper Don Edwards
There were actually two Semipalmated Sandpipers together, but I didn't notice the second one until I looked at my photos. They flew back and forth across the railroad tracks a few times, so my photos are in two checklists: Spreckles Pond: https://ebird.org/checklist/S377074626 Grand Blvd.: https://ebird.org/checklist/S377088609
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 7/26/26 1:39 pm From: Ryan L. via groups.io <ryanbirding...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Field Notes: SCVBA field trip to Edenvale Garden Park 7/26
Can you find birds in the hot summer months at an urban park? This morning’s field trip proves that you can!
This morning five birders joined me and my co-leaders Peter and Diane for a walk through Edenvale Garden Park. On this 2-hour, 1-mile walk we found 23 species of birds. Right at the beginning a few of us caught a glimpse of a parakeet high in the trees but we couldn’t ID it or find it again. We got great views of Hooded Orioles. Eventually, we saw three together: one male, and two female-type birds, one may have been a juvenile. We got good views of a pair of Western Tanagers. We spent a few moments trying to ID a scruffy, fluffy bird that we eventually agreed was a Hutton’s Vireo. We caught glimpses through the trees of a Cooper’s Hawk soaring over the park. We discussed the field marks of the Eurasian-collared Dove and Mourning Dove. Near Hayes Mansion we saw Black Phoebes and Dark-eyed Juncos. The palms around the mansion were filled with holes made by the local Acorn Woodpeckers for their granary and nests. At the end of the trip we added views of a Turkey Vulture and Nuttall’s Woodpecker.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 7/26/26 9:01 am From: Carter Gasiorowski via groups.io <carter.gasiorowski...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Pectoral Sandpiper Don Edwards
Presumably the continuing juvenile is currently right next to the road 50 yards past the railroad tracks, refound by Vi Ane. (37.4333460, -121.9618098)
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
Date: 7/25/26 4:39 pm From: Howard Friedman via groups.io <howardnfriedman...> Subject: [southbaybirds] What a long strange trip it was...(Don Edwards NWR Alviso)
“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." This line from Forrest Gump is a quintessential quote that for me describes what a day of birding is going to be like. It was such on this last Friday with an incredibly fun and wonderful group of birders with an amazing coleader to boot. Many thanks to Benjo Balangon, the ranger at Don Edwards NWR who took the time to open the main gate for us to park in the parking lot by the EEC. Thanks (in the biggest way) to Eve who truly made this all happen in an epic way. A special thanks to our co-leader Edward Rooks who is by far an incredible spotter and naturalist who’s skills made this trip more than memorable, not to mention he is a gentleman in every way.
Our trip began at the EEC where our group viewed a pair of Violet-green Swallows in a Coast Live Oak. A calling and very active Northern Mockingbird zipped about calling as it flew. We moved out toward the levee and pond A16. Calling Common Yellowthroats were mixed in the nearby Tules with Marsh Wrens that were busy singing. Down below the levee on the mud in Mallard Slough were a gaggle of Canada Geese, California Gulls, and a domestic Mallard. The fun bird with this community of mix birds was a young Glaucous-winged Gull. Across the channel a Common Gallinule moved in and out of the Tules. A Green Heron flew by as we walked closer to the dock on Mallard Slough. We observe another or possibly the same Green Heron on the return trip. A Desert Cottontail gave us all a mammalian viewing treat before we continued north.
Meanwhile, out on A16, a large flock of American White Pelicans rested on one of the islands along with Double-crested Cormorants, Canada Geese, Mallards, and American Coots. The first sighting of Pied-billed Grebe (on nests), Ruddy Duck, and soaring Barn Swallows. Our group heard a Virginia Rail calling from the slough side of the levee as we turned to head west along the trail. After speeding us along (we had to be out of the parking lot by 11:30 and it was after 9 AM already) we found several Ruddy Ducks and to our surprise, a very young baby Ruddy was swimming alongside its mother, nudging at her. A short distance down the trail further we were able to view the nearly 20 nests of the Eared Grebe population and see nest building in action.
Passing the observation deck on the east side of A16, the action increased greatly. We were dive bombed by a few Forster’s Terns, observed the Caspian Tern colony with hungry chick awaiting food, many more Coot, Egrets (Snowy and Great), even more Forster’s Terns with young, Gadwall, Mallards,Double-crested Cormorants and even a larger colony of American White Pelicans.
We made our way to the pump house to look for the Lesser Scaup with young. On the way we watched a large flock of Black Skimmers gliding along the pond swooping low and in unison. That was beautiful and graceful. A nesting Clark’s Grebe sat on a nest nearby while its mate was not far off. Out on A17 Long-billed Curlews, Western Willets, and Marbled Godwits rested on the mudflats with a huge group of American Avocets, California Gulls, and American White Pelicans resting further back in various parts of the edges of the pond. We found the Scaup in a little island at the north end of A16 with Ruddy Ducks and American Coots swimming near their little rest area.
On the return trip we were treated to more than a hundred American White Pelicans and fifty Long-billed Curlew flying overhead. To our surprise, the Skimmers all took flight along with the Terns (both species) and some ducks. Edward Rooks calls out, “Peregrine Falcon!†A Peregrine Falcon exploded into sight making chase after the Skimmers and Terns. After a few attacks, it flew west swiftly.
On the way back, we stopped by the toxic pond (at least that is what we called it) on the east side of the trail. We were hoping for the return of the LEAST BITTERN we all watched earlier on our walk out. I purposely omitted that from the report until the end. I wish I could say I made this discovery, but it was one of the newer birders, Birgit Massion, who asked, “What is that bird over there?†(This is my best at remembering the exchange.) Let’s just say she knocked it out of the park and took our trip to a whole new level. Congratulations to her! What a find indeed.
We walked back through the New Chicago Marsh. Thank goodness for the mild temperature and the cool breezes on the bay. It was also a delight to have a life long Alviso resident on our trip. I hope she can get the Alviso community as energized about the birds as she was. The refuge is a true shining environmental success story and needs our continued support. (Buy duck stamps)
Thanks again to SCVBA, Eve, Edward, and everyone on the trip for making this a fabulous day. Thanks again to Benjo the Ranger at Don Edwards for being so available and flexible. This was a fabulous day indeed.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
