Date: 10/15/25 10:09 pm From: Karen via groups.io <karush111...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Trip Report SCVBA Centennial trip for Bird Banding at Coyote Creek Field Station
Just to give a recap of our SCVBA Centennial trip to Coyote Creek Field Station hosted by SFBBO. Thank you to Fen, Ren and the volunteers for their demonstrations.
We started our Saturday field trip with a sunny morning at Big Als for a Big Day and carpooled to the CCFS. Along the route we had 30+ Mourning Doves lined up on the fence and a flock of Canada Geese in a nearby field. As we got out of the cars you could hear what sounded to be hundreds of birds singing in the area near the creek.
Fen then introduced us to CCFS and the history of the field station which has been banding birds for over 40 years. Fen walked us through the process of banding birds and the types of information collected for passerine research. The banding team brought out several birds that had been caught in the mist nets and they kept coming during our visit. We had White-crowned, Golden-crowned, Fox and Song Sparrows, Hermit Thrushes, Bewick's Wrens, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-rumped Warbler and a Yellow Warbler. I had no idea of the size difference between the last 2 warblers. After recording the possible age, condition and weight of the birds we each individually released a bird. What a MAGICAL moment. We also had a chance to walk out to the mist nets where a Western Flycatcher was collected. I had no idea the mist nets could be set at 20 ft high or more.
We also saw or heard Nuttall's, Northern Flicker, Scrub-Jay, Violet-green Swallows and House Finches while out there and probably many more. There was so much to learn and see that you couldn't follow all the birds or you would miss something. On the way out we spotted a Cooper's Hawk and a Red-tailed Hawk.
In total we had 21 different species although we were distracted. On the ebird list I did comment on the birds actually captured and released.
"Birds are handled for scientific purposes, handled by trained banders
and released unharmed with appropriate state and federal permits.
Scientific protocol and banding demonstration by SFBBO team at CCFS."
Thanks again for joining me and I hope you have a chance to take advantage of all the trips this month.
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.
