[EBB Sightings] Coyote Hills trip

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Hello to all of you great birders who attended the GGAS field trip in Coyote Hills on Sunday morning and all who plan trips to this beautiful park in the near future.
 
Turn out was 10 including group leaders.
We were a bit worried to find much of the marsh area dry (not sure of the explanation for this).
The weather was beautiful and although the day seemed generally quiet, we managed to turn up some very nice views of several species of special interest.
 
Namely, we were able to get long looks at 3 of the 5 Great Horned Owls (one in flight) who reside in the park.  Apparently the very fertile parents fledged 3 off-spring this year (this according to a photographer on site who, apparently, spends a great deal of time watching and photographing these birds).
 
We had at least 3 Loggerhead Shrike, all posing quite regally, one perched directly above, and possibly attempting to pose as a White-tailed Kite.
 
 We enjoyed long looks at 5 Common Moorhens throughout the various ponds, swimming and preening with languid demure in their still predominant breeding plumage.
 
The White Pelicans were phenomenally beautiful as they lifted in circles into the filtered light of the morning air, and later were seen spread like icing across a sand bar outside of the park (over 100 birds!)
 
Not very many duck species but large rafts and flocks of Northern Shoveler along with a single Pintail.
 
Several Pacific-slope Flycatchers and two Western Wood-Pewees but no warblers to be found.
 
Full species list available upon request.  
 
Thanks to everyone for your participation.
 
Pamela Llewellyn and Michael Butler





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