[EBB Sightings] Mines Road 05-16-07

All,

I led my Palo Alto Adult School birding class through Del Puerto  
Canyon/San Antonio Valley/Mines Roads yesterday. Best discoveries on  
the EBB section of the tour was WILLOW FLYCATCHER at the bridge at MP  
4.7. The olive Empidonax had only the faintest hint of an eye ring,  
short primary projection, wide, orangey lower mandible and wide blunt  
tail. Most importantly, it called repeatedly, "fitz-bew!" It foraged  
actively in the willows along the dry creek edges. We also spotted a  
SWAINSON'S THRUSH in this area.

At Murrietta Wells we relocated the EURASIAN COLLARED DOVES (two  
mating) a trio of WESTERN TANAGERS, and a very late  YELLOW-RUMPED  
WARBLER.

We began the day outside of Patterson along Del Puerto Canyon Road  
and continued to the Junction to bird San Antonio Valley and Mines  
Roads. Those reports are posted on CVBirds and SBB.

Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net