Date: 5/6/25 9:42 am From: Chris Overington via groups.io <chris.overington...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Team Subspecies — full report 05-03-25
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Chris Overington <chris.overington...>
Date: Tue, May 6, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Team Subspecies — full report 05-03-25
To: <hacksoncode...>
CC: <mdodder...>, South Bay Birds <southbaybirds...>
Just refound by Brooke - same location, flying east (left) this time.
On Mon, May 5, 2025 at 12:50 PM hacksoncode via groups.io <hacksoncode=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> 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.
>
> My checklist with photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S233531300 >
> 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.
>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/22221+McClellan+Rd.+Cupertino,+CA+95014?entry=gmail&source=g> >> Cupertino, CA 95014
>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/22221+McClellan+Rd.+Cupertino,+CA+95014?entry=gmail&source=g> >> 408-252-3748
>> <director...>
>> scvbirdalliance.org
>>
>> [image: EMAIL SIGNATURE.PNG]
>>
>>
>
> --
> 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.
