Date: 4/16/24 4:15 pm From: Ryan Phillips via groups.io <norcalbirding...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Loma Prieta- Purple Martin and others
Hi All, For the past 6 weeks I have been making a weekly visit in the afternoons (mornings would be more interesting) up at Loma Prieta to watch the transition from winter to spring. It has been interesting.
Today (April 16) from 14:45-15:45 at the junction of Summit Road and Loma Prieta Way the highlights included:
a solo male PURPLE MARTIN moving north giving its unique gurgling calls
a pair of GOLDEN EAGLES engaged in aerial courtship
many FOX SPARROWS (7+), which was the most common species observed 6 weeks ago. A significant wintering population is up at Loma Prieta.
8+ BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS
raptor migration included 12+ TURKEY VULTURES and 2 RED-TAILED HAWKS, a bit late in the day but a neat little push.
2 RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS, both blasting north
A PILEATED WOODPECKER heard down in the canyon on the SCZ side.
Then the usual residents.
The flowering plants seem really late this year as the ceanothus is just barely starting to flower and the native thistle just starting to sprout. A few weeks ago there was a huge emergence of California Tortoiseshell, which was a site.
Good Birding- Ryan
Ryan Phillips Scotts Valley NorCal Birding www.norcalbirding.com
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.
