Fifteen of us enjoyed unexpectedly good weather today.
Early on, there was a touch of fog, somewhat hiding the crescent moon.
The fog cleared fast, though, and the rest of the morning there was thin
overcast with occasional sun breaks. The early morning chill (45
degrees) gave way to rather warm conditions for mid-October (63
degrees). The park was filled with sparrows.
We had at least 3 and maybe as many as 5-6 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, seen
today. There were two along the slough trail north of the Dog Area, one
in an elderberry at the northwest corner of the dog area, one at the
Compost Piles, and two in Snag Row along the edge of the Community
Gardens (Pea Patch). I may even be forgetting a sighting. In any case,
we had some really nice looks. None of the birds was white-striped, but
they ranged from drab juveniles to quite bright and crisp adults. Maybe
not so coincidentally, I've had a White-throated Sparrow at my house the
last 3 days.
The other big highlight was a MERLIN perched in Snag Row that gave us
good,
long looks.
Other highlights:
Mew Gull 1, with Ring-billed Gulls - First of
Fall
Barn Owl Matt & Scott, early, East Meadow
Short-eared Owl Matt & Scott, early, East Meadow
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 in the Pea Patch
Western Meadowlark 2 at the north end of the East Meadow
Evening Gosbeak Heard a couple of times overhead
Sparrows were very numerous, with good numbers of all 8 regular species
(towhee, Savannah, Fox, Song, Lincoln's, White-crowned, Golden-crowned,
and junco). We heard singing from Fox, White-crowned, and
Golden-crowned.
For the day, 60 species. For the year, I think we're up to 153.
== Michael
One of many Golden-crowned Sparrows
Our second White-throated Sparrow, just north of the Dog Area
Same White-throated Sparrow as above, I believe
American Coot at the lake
White-throated Sparrow at the Compost Piles
Merlin in Snag Row
White-throated Sparrow in Snag Row next to the Pea Patch
Hugh Jennings caught the same bird just leaving
