[EBB Sightings] Sunol Regional Wilderness 04-29-06

All,

I led my Palo Alto Adult School birding class to Sunol Regional  
Wilderness yesterday for a great morning of birding. Immediate  
gratification was had by the bridge leading from the visitors center  
where we saw BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, and CASSIN'S  
VIREO in a matter of minutes. Continuing our walk to the right along  
the stream we spotted an OSPREY high overhead, and were buzzed by a  
SELASPHORUS Hummingbird. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS and HOUSE WRENS were  
abundant. Overhead were foraging VIOLET-GREEN and NORTHERN ROUGH- 
WINGED SWALLOWS. Later we also found TREE SWALLOWS from the higher  
meadow and spotted a pair of COMMON MERGANSERS flying up canyon. We  
turned back to explore the area beyond the bridge and found GOLDEN  
EAGLE soaring among the RED-TAILED HAWKS and RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS. A  
smaller bird proved to be a PRAIRIE FALCON and was viewed just long  
enough to confirm the dark axillary pattern. Little was found on the  
other end of the trail, save for a WHITE-TAILED KITE that was  
harassing the Eagle.

We returned to the lot and followed the road through the  picnic area  
where we spotted our first BLACK PHOEBE of the day. Heard several  
PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS and were overjoyed when we found a male  
WESTERN TANAGER high in the oaks. We also admired the nesting pair of  
RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS at the far end and then returned via the main  
road. As we walked the rapid trill of CHIPPING SPARROW caught our  
attention, but it took some time before we found the bird singing in  
the branches up the hill. Overhead we saw the GOLDEN EAGLE yet again  
as well as several WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS.

We ended by eating lunch under a bright blue sky.

Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net/reports/paas_spring06.html