There were only 8 of us this morning, on an overcast (but otherwise very nice) day. In fact, when I arrived at 5:29, I was the ONLY person, and I was frantically trying to figure out if I'd come the wrong day or the wrong time (I'd had less than 4 hours sleep, so give me a break).
The first three of us who got there, though, saw a PEREGRINE FALCON fly north past our cars, so getting there on time does have advantages.
Other highlights:
Three BLACK SWIFTS flew over Dog Central. We had only two VAUX'S SWIFTS; their numbers seem way down from previous years.
A PURPLE MARTIN female was bringing twigs to the left gourd of the far pair at the lake platform.
We had both a CEDAR WAXWING with nesting materials, and a juvenile, so either there is double-clutching going on, or widely asynchronous nesting of various pairs.
We again had a family of YELLOW WARBLERS near Dog Central.
At the Compost Piles, there was a flock of 15+ juvenile BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS, with no adults (of any species) around. Apparently, they've realized that they're cowbirds...
Two male LAZULI BUNTINGS were in a singing duel, one from the cherry trees at the east end of the Compost Piles, the other from the cherry grove just west of the birding kiosk in Lot G - about 100 yards apart.
LOTS of juveniles of many species about, including: Wood Duck, Bald Eagle, Warbling Vireo (we think), Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow, American Crow, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch. Probably also Anna's Hummingbird, and several other species, though some of the young are difficult to tell now from adults.
Mammals were the real highlight. Scott had RACCOON and BEAVER early on. We had a MINK across from the first dog swim area, and a MUSKRAT too, as well as the usual squirrels and rabbits.
Oh, and Scott might have heard a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET...
For the day, 57 species.
== Michael
Juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird
One of the three Black Swifts
Most of the flock of juvenile Brown-headed Cowbirds at the Compost Piles
Close-up of same
