Date: 5/5/25 12:50 pm From: hacksoncode via groups.io <hacksoncode...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Team Subspecies — full report 05-03-25
The Least Bittern was continuing today. Got beautiful bino views (and
blurry obstructed pics) of it flying right in front of me at the gap in the
reeds on the small trail East of the dock, then it disappeared into the
reeds just to the right.
It was overall an excellent day of birding at Calero Reservoir, including
an adult Bald Eagle being mobbed by basically everything, an Osprey
catching fish (that I finally managed to catch in good focus), a couple
Yellow Warblers singing in the trees near the dock, a breeding male Common
Merganser flyby, a couple of Grackles that walked right up to me, and the
usual suspects.
The Least Bittern photos are disappointing in every way other than
*existing at all* ;-).
On Sun, May 4, 2025 at 2:37 PM Matthew Dodder via groups.io <mdodder=
<sbcglobal.net...> wrote:
> Yesterday, my fourth and final Birdathon team ventured out on its 4-hour
> effort. *The Subspecies* consisted of Andrew Melnick, Liz Frith, Jim
> Dehnert, Christopher Klein, Kelly and Matthew Dodder. Ally Romanow and Sue
> Pelmulder had intended to be with us but last minute conflicts that
> prevented them from joining the birding portion. Many others supported our
> team (and SCVBA) through their sponsorships, and for that we are grateful!
>
>
> The team was faced with cool and drizzly weather—a far cry from the
> brilliant day before or the sunny warmth of today. But we did not let this
> get us down. We still found many of our targets but had some embarrassing
> misses on our trip list.
>
>
> We began at the *Stile Ranch trailhead* leading up to Santa Teresa County
> Park. Our targets were obvious, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Lark Sparrow,
> Grasshopper Sparrow, and Horned Lark. We managed to find all of them
> despite the drizzle, but we were never actually able to view the
> Grasshopper Sparrows. We had a tiny and intriguing Hummingbird zip past us
> on the switchback portion of the trail, and while we were tempted to call
> it a Calliope Hummingbird, we lacked enough evidence to add it to our list.
>
>
> After returning to the gravel lot, we headed toward Harry Road along the *Calero
> Creek Trail*. We continued to hear Rufous-crowned Sparrows, Lazuli
> Buntings and Wrentit the entire length of the trail until we crossed the
> dry creek and passed through the orchard section. There we added
> Ash-throated Flycatcher and a single Wood Duck flying high overhead. When
> we reached the wooded creek section, we added Warbling Vireo,
> Orange-crowned Warbler, Song Sparrow and other expected species. Oddly, we
> had no Western Flycatchers here or anywhere the entire day. But we did get
> our first-of-season Swainson’s Thrush. Heading back to the cars we added
> Blue-gray Flycatcher and White-throated Swift.
>
>
> Our final stop was at the *Calero Reservoir* boat launch. We quickly
> added a number of waterbirds including Western Grebe, Clark’s Grebe, and
> Pied-billed Grebe. We were also treated to views of two different Bald
> Eagles (one adult, and one immature), White-tailed Kite, and Yellow
> Warbler. Our biggest surprise was when we walked the trail along the north
> edge of the lake leading from the boat ramp toward the east end. Our group
> was slightly stretched out, but not so much that they missed my repeated
> scream “LEAST BITTERN! LEAST BITTERN!! LEAST BITTERN!!!” Everyone got a
> look at the bird as it lifted out of the reeds and took off toward the east
> end of the reeds. From my observation, it struck me as a male—a small
> dark-winged bittern with golden coverts and a very dark back with white
> streaks and greenish legs. Everyone echoed the observations and we were
> pretty confident this was the best bird of the day. After scanning the
> shore and not finding the bird again, we returned to the parking area
> taking a slightly different route—picking up a tick or two… I was in front
> of the group when I heard the folks behind me yell out BITTERN as it flew
> up and east along the water. This “second" bird was farther west than the
> initial bird and made us consider the possibility that it was actually two
> individuals. Something to look for. It would be wonderful to have them
> breeding in the county again!
>
>
> We ended the day with *86 species* (pending final checklist review)
>
>
> As far as embarrassing misses. Rock Pigeon, American Robin, Western
> Flycatcher and probably a bunch more…. Oh well.
>
>
> Thank you to all my teammates and to our sponsors.
>
>
>
>
> Subspecies 2025 - eBird Trip Report <https://ebird.org/tripreport/360673> > ebird.org <https://ebird.org/tripreport/360673> > [image: apple-touch-icon.png] <https://ebird.org/tripreport/360673> > <https://ebird.org/tripreport/360673> >
> *Matthew Dodder (he/him)*
> Executive Director
> Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance
> 22221 McClellan Rd.
> Cupertino, CA 95014
> 408-252-3748
> <director...>
> scvbirdalliance.org
>
> [image: EMAIL SIGNATURE.PNG]
>
>
>
>
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