[EBB Sightings] Coyote Creek Trail

We've walked the trail nearly every day since my last report.  There have
been a few changes.  The Northern Flickers had disappeared and it has been a
month since we've seen a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.  The number of male Bullock's
Orioles is increasing and the first female of the species was seen this
morning.  Last Saturday morning a female Hooded Oriole was seen near the
abandoned farm house and the male doing his best to keep her around.  I
don't know how successful his efforts were as I have seen neither since.
Also last Saturday the first-of-season Brown-headed Cowbirds were seen.  The
Violet-Green swallows are still around, thought the dominate swallow species
is now Northern Rough-wing.  The first Barn Swallows were seen last Monday
and a bunch of Tree Swallows are in the dead cottonwoods north of where the
farm equipment is stored.

It was a fair morning for raptors. White-tailed kites are nesting near the
creek east of the Riparian Station.  Red-shouldered Hawks are on their nest
just south of the Cisco buildings.  Red-tails are found along the creek
mostly north of the equipment storage area.  A Merlin sat atop a dead
cottonwood in the same area this morning.  A Cooper's Hawk made a pass at a
House Finch but returned to its resting place still hungry.  Turkey Vultures
were beginning their sorties as the temperature warmed and the walk was
ending.

Of note, the Red-tails that built their nest on the power pole have been
taking turns sitting on it.  Two poles south of them (the pole just north of
the Riparian Station) now has Raven's nest where no birds are not supposed
to be.

Finally, the crowned sparrows are still around as are the Yellow-rump
Warblers...both Audubon's and Myrtle.

Chuck Woodrum
Fremont 94539