[EBB Sightings] SFBBO walk to Coyote Hills 04-09-06

All,

Today I led an SFBBO walk to Coyote Hills Regional Park. Many birds were detected, both by voice and by site. We began by scanning the water where familiar Waterfowl such as Bufflehead, Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Duck and Pied-billed Grebe were found. Along the edges there was Common Moorhen, American Coot and Great Egret as well as noisy Marsh Wren. We also spent time exploring the nearby willow where we found Orange-crowned Warbler both forms of Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Quarrelsome male Allen's Hummingbirds were busy working the area and appeared several times, perching conspicuously enough to allow everyone to get a look at the bright orange gorget. In the tangle of coyote bush and poison oak several Sparrows were seen, most noteably Fox and Licoln's Sparrows. Up the hill we watched as White-tailed Kites, Northern Harriers and Red-tailed Hawk hunted or defended their territories. Exciting especially was a trio of WESTERN KINGBIRDS that darted out repeatedly for insects. Our only Bullock's Oriole of the day was a rapid flythrough, followed by brief chatter deep in the cover of oaks. 

In the picnic area we witnessed an immature Cooper's Hawk as it scattered the various smaller birds and then landed in full view in a conifer. We also began to hear Wilson's Warblers, which we eventually tracked to the oaks near the outhouse. A few fortunate people were able to see the bright yellow bird and its black cap. Spotted Towhee complained from the underbrush, while Golden-crowned Sparrows sang their tiresome "Three blind mice" as usual. 

Next we moved toward Hoot Hollow, passing first the interpretive center where we saw a Black Phoebe nest, a Mourning Dove nest and a bathing Allen's Hummingbird male. Amazing color, and well seen by all! As we passed through the oaks, we began to hear more Warblers in the foleage. Wilson's, Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumps, of course. But then a strange question-answer song was heard. A CASSIN'S VIREO! It passed through the branches slowly, allowing everyone to get good looks.

In the upper picnic area, Hoot Hollow, our first good looks at Bewick's Wren, as well as House Wren and Bushtits were had. We heard European Starlings doing various impressions, including Killdeer, and Hermit Thrush (for real) was detected in the underbrush. Red-tailed Hawk made a brief appearanc overhead. And while we had been seeing Swallows all morning, with Tree and Violet-green being the most numerous, followed by Barn, now we were seeing our first Northern Rough-winged of the day. 

We walked toward the south marsh finding additional Waterfowl like Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal, and American Wigeon as well as a new Shorebird the Black-necked Stilt. We continued toward the salt ponds and located Forster's Tern, American Pipit, Savannah Sparrow, Least Sandpiper and American Avocet. Distant Waterfowl included Ruddy Duck and a Scaup species, which appeared to be Greater, but we'll just leave that as a tentative ID because they were so far away. 

Returning to the marsh and then heading up hill, where we had a great view of the entrance road and the board walk below, we picked out Black-crowned Night Heron at a distance. Finally, we reached our cars and called it a day. 

Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Scaup species (presumed Greater)
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Eared Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Black-crowned Night Heron 
Turkey Vulture
White-tailed Kite
Northern Harrier
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Common Moorhen
American Coot
Killdeer
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
Greater Yellowlegs
Least Sandpiper
Forster's Tern
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Mourning Dove 
Anna's Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
Acorn Woodpecker
Northern Flicker (heard only)
Black Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Cassin's Vireo
Hutton's Vireo 
Western Scrub Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Bewick's Wren
House Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
American Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (both "Audubon's" and "Myrtle")
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
California Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Brewer's Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bullock's Oriole
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch

--end