The most recent reports are listed first. Not all trips have write-ups.
Bonny Doon, April 27, 2008
We began the trip by birding the parking area for Pygmy Nuthatches and
both Olive-sided and Pacific Slope flycatchers. A Sharp-shinned Hawk
flew overhead carrying prey, followed closely by a group of jays.
Perhaps 10 minutes into the trip, we (I?) lost Barbara. Fortunately the
co-president Ramers were there to clarify the lost birder protocol:
Continue the trip, but don't leave the parking lot until the body is
found. In retrospect it was interesting to note how quickly we began to
acclimate to birding without visible birds and minus one birder. Hmmmm.
The understory was full of Wrentits, Bewick's Wrens and Spotted Towhees.
Black-throated Gray and Orange-crowned warblers were numerous during the morning as were Hutton's Vireos, Bushtits and Pygmy Nuthatches.
Band-tailed Pigeon was one of the visible species. Midway into the trip
we heard Red-breasted Nuthatch, found Barbara, heard at least two
Swainson's Thrushes, and looked at several anthills.
Separating the vocalizations out was a group effort. Purple Finch sang
from up high and eventually we heard one Wilson's Warbler and at least
one Warbling Vireo. Dark-eyed Juncos were much less numerous than in the winter and they occasionally added another trill to the vocal test patterns. And a California Towhee sang it's tinny Wrentit imitation.
Bonnie Bedzin
Harvey West and Antonelli’s Pond, April 25, 2008
This morning's Santa Cruz Bird Club walk started in Harvey West Park, where we walked the trails along the forested slope on the southwest edge of the park. The redwood and mixed evergreen forest had good numbers of the expected species, though nothing too unusual. WARBLING VIREOS, WILSON'S WARBLERS, and PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS were especially numerous. There was a lot of nesting activity, with several species carrying nesting material (including RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, HUTTON'S VIREO, AM. ROBINS, etc.), and some fledglings out of the nest already (a family of DARK-EYED JUNCOS, several begging juv. ANNA'S
HUMMINGBIRDS, and Jim WIlliams noticed a young ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD being fed by an adult.) A loud duo of singing WINTER WRENS was in the Wagner Grove area. One WHITE-THROATED SWIFT joined a swallow flock high above the ridge near the Pogonip border. Missing among the expected species (so far, at least) were any
Olive-sided Flycatchers or Western Wood-Pewees.
Afterwards most of us moved on to Antonelli Pond, where the late-staying PALM
WARBLER was being very cooperative, singing regularly, and sometimes flitting
within a few feet of the observers, showing off its now-colorful plumage.
Another highlight in the same area (in the oaks and cypresses west of the south
end of the pond) was a CASSIN'S VIREO, first spotted by Jeff Wall, which was
also well seen by most of those present. Four VAUX'S SWIFTS joined the mixed
swallows foraging over the pond, and dipping down to drink. Also around were
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS showing off their double crests, a pair of
WHITE-TAILED KITES flying to and from a nesting site near Natural Bridges, and other
expected species for the area.
Steve Gerow
Moore Creek Preserve, April 18, 2008
Despite a cool and overcast start, this morning's Santa Cruz Bird Club field
trip to Moore Creek Preserve turned up a good variety of expected species.
Starting off with HOODED ORIOLES and a couple of EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES near our starting place on Shaffer Road, we headed up the hill to wander the
grasslands among the cattle, finding numerous SAVANNAH and 3-4 GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS, with good opportunities to compare the two buzzy songs. An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was singing from the eucalyptus grove just above the highway, and later we found at least one more, (which we got a look at, from a distance),singing on territory in the douglas-firs of the Vernal Ridge Trail.
A GREAT BLUE HERON seemed a bit out of place flying over the douglas-firs at
the north end of the preserve. To the west (toward Wilder Ranch) a
WHITE-TAILED KITE was diving at a perched RED-TAILED HAWK.
In Moore Creek Canyon one of a few BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS treated us to the
"long version" of its song, incorporating elaborate phrases, canary-like runs
and trills in addition the the usual up and down slurred whistles. An
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER was calling in the oaks near the trail. We watched several LESSER GOLDFINCHES pecking at a limestone cliff regularly favored by them,
apparently as a source of minerals. A rather late RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET was singing in the canyon.
FInally on the way down swallow activity began to pick up, though only the
most common species were around (CLIFF, BARN, and VIOLET-GREEN). Some
interesting plants and insects, and the varied scenery of the preserve, added to an
enjoyable morning.
Steve Gerow
Watsonville Sloughs, April 12, 2008
This morning 13 birders participated in the Santa Cruz
Bird Club Big Year trip to the Watsonville Sloughs. We started at East
Struve Slough behind West Marine on a warm morning with calm winds.
MARSH WRENS were chattering and GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES were flying to
and from nesting areas. A short ways down the trail we saw an EARED
GREBE in alternate plumage. A few lingering ducks including GADWALL
and AMERICAN WIGEON were also seen when suddenly someone called out
EURASIAN WIGEON and a spiffy looking Drake Eurasian posed cooperatively
for everyone to get good looks. Four species of swallows(BARN, TREE,
VIOLET-GREEN AND CLIFF) were also seen here but more about swallows
later. Besides the resident WHITE-TAILED KITE no other raptors were
found here but on the way back to the parking lot an AMERICAN BITTERN
was observed doing its stick imitation and again everyone had great
looks. Several WILSON'S WARBLERS and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT were heard as well.
Next stop was West Struve and Watsonville Sloughs from
the North side of Lee Road. As we got out of the car a TURKEY VULTURE made a pass over the road and a pair of RED-TAILS were hanging out in a pine. Scoping from Lee Road we spied 17 WHITE PELICANS, 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, a few very beautiful
CINNAMON TEAL, 3 fly-by STILTS, and a fly over CASPIAN TERN. Crossing
into the ecological area several of us saw an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER.
Scoping West Struve we added BUFFLEHEAD and a fly by MERLIN. Of course
many more GRACKLES were seen here as well.
On to Harkins Slough where the OSPREY'S continue to nest
in the telephone pole just above the water's edge on the Buena Vista
Road side. We all enjoyed the view of both the male and female from the
High School side of Harkins Slough Rd. and saw the male capture a
small critter?(fish?) from the slough. I would suggest that all observations of the nest be made from this side to minimize nest disturbance. 6 additional WHITE PELICANS were also seen here. We looked for Common Moorhen here but had no luck and figured we were shutout for the day.
Our last stop was Ramsey Park and the Watsonville Slough nature center. Everyone enjoyed the exhibits and I recommend that everyone take some time to visit this lovely small center. Strolling out to an extension of Watsonville Slough behind the center we found YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER(AUDOBONS TYPE) but the best was yet to come. The trail meanders under the road where many CLIFF SWALLOWS were
nesting. While observing these we saw a pair of swallows carrying nesting materials to a hole in the underpass. Close looks showed that they were ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS. More scoping and we saw a TREE SWALLOW entering a vacant Cliff Swallow nest. BLACK PHOEBE and HOUSE FINCH were also found nesting in the underpass. Leaving the underpass we also found a MARSH WREN nest. Not bad for an area roughly 20 yards in diameter. Another short stroll and someone called out COMMON MOORHEN. A pleasant and unexpected surprise. We also had flyby GREEN HERON. Last but not least a drake HOODED MERGANSER cooperatively posed for everyone.
Thanks to all the sharp eyes and ears. A fitting ending to a lovely
morning. Species total=66.
To top it off after I returned home as I walked to the mail box a pair of HOODED ORIOLES chattered from the Palm Tree perch where they return each year. First of the year for me.
Earl Lebow
Antonelli, Terrace Point, etc. April 11, 2008
This morning's Santa Cruz Bird Club field trip to Antonelli Pond and the
Terrace Point area featured calm and very warm weather, and good variety of birds.
Unfortunately the Palm Warbler that was near our starting point yesterday
was not evident there today, but there was enough else to make an interesting
morning.
HOODED ORIOLES were cooperative, including a pair on the west side of
Antonelli, and more near Shaffer Road. An OSPREY flew in and made a low circle over
the north end of Antonelli. CASPIAN TERNS were flying over regularly, with
over a dozen passing by in the earlier part of the morning.
A swarm of CLIFF SWALLOWS (180-200 or so) were actively nest building on the
Raytek buildings on Shaffer Road, showing a large increase in both numbers and
activity over the last few days. Even yesterday there were less than half
the number that were present today. Another large group was working around the
NOAA building at Terrace Point.
Migrant LINCOLN'S SPARROWS were prominent. We saw 6 or 7,and heard calls
from others. At least three were singing (a song not often heard in this
county--the wintering birds seem to never sing at all). Several SAVANNAH SPARROWS around the Terrace Point area were also probably passing through.
An adult male NORTHERN HARRIER was hunting the Terrace Point fields.
There wasn't too much migrant activity off the Terrace Point coast--a trickle
of loons of all three species (mostly PACIFIC), and a couple of small
WHIMBREL flocks, but nothing too unexpected.
Moving on toward Natural Bridges, a cloud of 100+ CEDAR WAXWINGS flew out of
the eucalyptus at the Moore Creek crossing of Delaware Avenue. Then some of
us continued to the east side of the park, where we found the continuing
AMERICAN REDSTART still in its usual area (staying surprisingly late). In this same
area we had a good view of a female ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD on a nest (suspended
in a large bramble of thornless blackberry), then ended the day watching PYGMY
NUTHATCHES around their nest holes in the pines on the east side of the park.
Steve Gerow
Seabird Migration at El Jarro Point, April 30, 2008
A handful of us gathered at El Jarro Point (near Davenport Landing) for an early morning sea watch. Part of the fun of a sea watch is you never know what will fly by, so you have to keep watching, and more eyes help pick out more birds! PACIFIC LOONS were common, with small numbers of the other two species. RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were plentiful, with 29 passing in under two hours (just 4 males). Also noted were 2 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS, several DUNLIN and other shorebirds, a MERLIN, 1 RHINO AUKLET, some BRANT, a few SOOTY SHEARWATERS, and lots of MURRES. We were surprised to see a GREEN HERON fly over the coastal fields and drop down onto the rocky reef at the point! Several SAVANNAH SPARROW were singing at the point. Back at Davenport Landing there were 4-5 PINE SISKINS, including one feeding on the road.
Later two of us skipped down to check the confluence of Struve and Watsonville Sloughs, where we found the continuing male REDHEAD swimming at the flooded section of Lee Road. They are unusual in spring in SCZ. There were also 2 WHITE-FACED IBIS at Struve, 14 AM. WHITE PELICANS lifting up from Watsonville Slough and drifting off elsewhere, 1 calling AM. BITTERN at Struve, 1 female BUFFLEHEAD at Watsonville, and some 15-20 CANADA GEESE in the area. There were at least 8 male and 7 female GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES. Nesting was confirmed at the confluence of the two sloughs, where 2-3 different females were repeatedly carrying food into the marsh vegetation. A BULLOCK'S ORIOLE continued at the south side of the flooded section of Lee Road. A VAUX'S SWIFT was over Watsonville Slough.
Next on to College Lake. There was 1 breeding-plumaged WHITE-FACED IBIS, 3 WESTERN GREBES (rare there in spring), ~20 GREAT EGRETS, 12 AM. AVOCETS, ~50 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, ~10 GR. YELLOWLEGS, and 1 imm. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON.
David Suddjian
