The weather was actually decent this morning. Well, not
windy, not too cold, no precipitation. It was overcast, especially
early on, and we were beset with thick fog for the first couple of
hours. But really, compared to - say - yesterday, it was a delight.
There were LOTS of birders, and luckily there were also LOTS of birds to
look at and listen to., There were quite a few things that were
seen/heard by only a few people, but that's the way it goes when you
approach 20 people in the group.
Highlights:
We had a female COMMON MERGANSER with 8 ducklings. At first, she was on
the far bank of the slough, with her wings drooped by her side, and a
cluster of babies under her breast. When we were all pointing our
binoculars at her, she decided to take to the water, with the little
ones scurrying to catch up. About 3-4 managed to get close enough to
her to climb on her back. VERY CUTE.
BALD EAGLE numbers remain extremely high. We had 10 at one time, and
probably quite a few more. Some rowers reported counting 25-30 birds!
It's a good mix of adults and sub-adults.
A BONAPARTE'S GULL was out on the lake. The bird appeared to be in
non-breeding plumage, and was quite probably a very bleached juvenile.
Matt had an adult BARN OWL over the East Meadow before 5AM. There were
at least 2 babies in the nest box.
There were at least a couple of dozen BLACK SWIFTS overhead above most
of the south end of the park all morning, giving great views. In
contrast, only a couple of people managed to see just a few (3-4) VAUX'S
SWIFT.
At the HAIRY WOODPECKER nest, visible from the Rowing Club dock, looking
across the slough, we watched as both parents brought food to at least
one very large juvenile.
Evan Houston had a MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER south of the windmill.
Other highlights:
Green Heron One glimpsed at
the Rowing Club
Cooper's Hawk One, distantly
seen
Spotted Sandpiper One
from the lake platform
Western Wood-Pewee Around 6, up
from 2 last week
Willow Flycatcher
They're back - maybe 4 singing
Pacific-Slope Flycatcher Maybe 2
heard singing
WESTERN KINGBIRD One flew east over East Meadow
Chickadees - both With young
Bushtits Feeding
young
Cedar Waxwing Building nests
Western Tanager One male
seen
BULLOCK'S ORIOLE One male seen
For the day, 71 species. The year list is up to 124, I believe.
== Michael
Female Common Merganser sheltering her
ducklings
under her drooped wings
Common Mergansers took to the slough. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Some of the babies got a ride
Closer view of the babies climbing up. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Swainson's Thrush photo by Lillian Reis
Black Swift. The tail can look deeply notched...
...or slightly indented. The wings are usually arced, as here
Perhaps this Black Swift was maneuvering for a bug - tail flared, wings thrust forward
Male Bullock's Oriole. Photo by Ollie Oliver through the fog
Barn Swallow on the Stage fencing
...and leaving the fence. Photo by Lillian Reis
Cedar Waxwing. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male Hairy Woodpecker bringing food to the young. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Female arriving at the nest. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Female with young. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Mule Deer. Photo by Megan Lyden, 2010-05-21
Female Mallard, with her ducklings and a turtle.
Photo by Megan Lyden, 2010-05-21 at the Rowing Club