Date: 8/31/25 1:08 pm From: Carter Gasiorowski via groups.io <carter.gasiorowski...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Lick Mill Park Migrants
Today, 8-31-25, my dad and I arrived at Lick Mill Park (just across the street from Ulistac) around 9:15 am. As soon as I opened the car door, I was amazed by the variety of birds present. PYGMY and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES called loudly from the pines while AMERICAN ROBINS and DARK-EYED JUNCOS foraged on the ground. My dad pointed out something different with the junco flock, and I was shocked to see a BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER hopping around on the ground! It quickly flew into the trees where three YELLOW WARBLERS foraged silently. Two WESTERN FLYCATCHERS sallied out from low branches while a pair of WARBLING VIREOS worked the canopy alongside a WESTERN TANAGER.
Impressed by the density of birds in the small area between the parking lot and tennis courts, we continued on to see if the rest of the park harbored any other migrants. However, everywhere else was fairly dead, aside from a couple family groups of NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD.
Returning to the birdy area, we saw most of the same birds again, plus a SWAINSON'S THRUSH that perched briefly before disappearing into the bushes.
While Lick Mill Park certainly isn't as impressive of a migrant trap as nearby Ulistac is, I find Lick Mill significantly easier to bird. The trees there are trimmed, making it easier to see warblers and other birds in the canopy, and it's small enough to cover in an hour.
It was a nice morning to be out, and good to see that western migrants are on the move!
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.
