Date: 4/21/25 8:22 am From: hacksoncode via groups.io <hacksoncode...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Sawbuck Rangers Big Day
Yesterday, my intrepid Birdathon team of Eve, Liz, Jackie, and I ranged hither, thither and yon to find as many species as possible all day. I had a personal best day in: checklists (12), species(116) and distance walked while birding (>10 miles).
My birding lesson of the day (aside from how amazing my team is, of course): I hadn't realized breeding Dunlin can have black bellies. That puzzled me for some time.
When the whole tale was told, the Rangers found 140 species. With my promised Sawbuck-per-species and other donations from the team, we raised $1580 for the SCVBA's Education Program.
While truly recounting my team's odyssey would require Epic Greek Poetry, I will highlight a few finds from each of the locations scouted, without repeating species :-):
Metcalf and Las Animas Roads: Western Screech Owl and about 30 California Quails (standing in the road, of course). Heintz Open Space: Purple Finch and California Thrasher. Laguna Ave: American Goldfinch and 5 Great Egrets. Shannon Valley OSP: Hooded Oriole and Northern House Wren. Dr. Gross ponds: Bullock's Oriole and Brewer's Blackbird. Coyote Valley OSP: Yellow-billed Magpie and American Kestrel. Los Alamitos Creek Trail (Singer/McKean): Western Flycatcher and Band-tailed Pigeon. Sanborn CP (entrance): MacGillivray's Warbler (!!!) and Cassin's Vireo. Calero Reservoir: 29 Common Mergansers and a Virginia's Rail (HO, naturally). Santa Teresa CP (BGJ Ranch): American Barn Owl. Parkway Lakes: Golden Eagle and Gadwall. Santa Teresa (Stile entrance) was visited 3 times: Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, Common Poorwill, and Great Horned Owl. Bear Creek Redwoods Pond: Northern Rough-winged Swallow and Pygmy Nuthatch. SCV Water District: Ring-necked Duck and Black-crowned Night Heron (they were scarce today, only 4 seen in all locations). Calero Creek Trail (Harry Rd): Say's Phoebe and Lawrence's Goldfinch (HO). Sanborn (John Nicholas): Pacific Wren and Black-headed Grosbeak. Shoreline kite flying area: Burrowing Owl and Savannah Sparrow Shoreline Park (lake); Lesser Yellowlegs and around 50(!) Black Skimmers. Sanborn (Lake Ranch Res): Wood duck and Pileated Woodpecker. Casey Forebay: Marsh Wren and a ton of Barn Swallows. One of the ranger's backyard: Vaux's Swift. PA Baylands: 9(!) Whimbrels at the boat launch and a huge number of Marbled Godwit in the distance. Sunnyvale Shopping Center: Mitred Parakeet. Emily Renzel: Common Gallinule and White-tailed Kite -- Ray
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.
