Date: 10/20/26 7:54 pm From: Connor Christensen via groups.io <connor.r.christensen...> Subject: [southbaybirds] SCVBA Field Trip Report: Don Edwards 10/18/26
Hello everyone,
We had a wonderful morning of birding on Sunday at Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge. Our morning began with a Northern Harrier hunting over New Chicago Marsh. We followed the Harrier down into the marsh to get some close looks at American Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, and a Greater Yellowlegs, which were wading through the high tide, with Killdeer and Least Sandpipers foraging along the shores. As we made our way up onto the levee, we had a great view of Pond A16, which was beginning to fill up with wintering ducks and gulls. A surprisingly large flock of Redheads swam in the back part of the pond. An adorable family of Black Skimmers also rested on the first island. Two adults dutifully guarded their juvenile, chasing off a Snow Egret and American Crow that crept too close for their liking. As we made our way up Mallard Slough Trail, we were serenaded by Marsh Wrens while listening carefully for rails. Eventually, we were rewarded with Soras singing and a Virginia Rail that called from the reeds right in front of us. Our trip was bookended by another raptor, as an American Kestrel made for an exciting final bird. In total, we observed 52 different species. Here is a copy of our checklist ( https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/checklist/S403497415 ).
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.
