[EBB Sightings] Costa's H, Lawrences' G, Phaino., Pacific GOlden-P., Burrowing O....
[EBB Sightings] Costa's H, Lawrences' G, Phaino., Pacific GOlden-P., Burrowing O....
David Diller
Thu Mar 09 12:58:02 PST 2006
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Hello Birders,
Yesterday I took a young birder from Germany, Balduin Fischer on a trip
starting from Mines Rd, through Del Puerto Canyon and ending up at the
Modesto STP and finally San Joaquin NWR.
Highlights: Costa's H, Phainopepla, Lawrences' Goldfinch, Golden Eagle,
Prairie Falcon, Burrowing Owl, Pacific Golden-lover, 'Aleutian'Cackling
Goose(among 5 goose species), Red-breasted Sapsucker, a few thousand
Ross' and Snow Geese and hundreds of 'Lesser' Sandhill Cranes,
wonderful views of Violet-green Swallows, W. Bluebirds and Lark
Sparrows in the sun.
Although we dipped on Rock and Canyon Wrens, Lewis' Woodpecker, C.
Thrasher, White-f. Ibis, Ferruginous H., we were very pleased to
really take our time and savor most of the 98 species observed on this
all day road trip.
LAWRENCES' GOLDFINCH: great views of a pair at the fire station near
the 'junction'
PHAINOPEPLA: saw at least 7 at various locations along Mines Rd and San
Antonio Valley Rd. One beautiful male observed in the scope basking in
the sun about 3 miles south of the junction.
COSTA'S HUMMNGBIRD: Thanks to A. Edwards for the earlier report.
Approximately one quarter mile east of the 'owl rocks'(which is at
mp3.8), look for tree tobacco on the north side of the road and
paintbrush on opposite side, the bird is feeding on both. Gorgeous male
observed feeding, preening , singing(dentist drill song), calling. We
had amazing scope views of this 2nd tiniest bird in the US with fully
flared violet-purple gorget blazing in the sun. Immediately after this
we spotted an immature GOLDEN EAGLE over the south ridge diving and
playing in the wind, then shortly thereafter, from the same spot a
soaring PRAIRIE FALCON made itself visible over the western ridge and
was promptly caught in the scope. All these three without moving more
than 3 feet. Baldu was ecsatic! Alles ist Wunderbar!
BURROWING OWL: We found 2 in a ground-squiirel 'city' about mp 1.3 D.P
Canyon Rd.
PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER: counted 6 among the large flock of Black-bellies
at their famous over-wintering site at Modesto Sewage Treatment Plant.
We had perfect up-close views in scope. Balduin carefully compared
their structure and plumage with his intimate knowledge of the European
Golden-Plover( he is a very skilled and a passionate birder since the
age of 8)and expressed great satisfaction. I also enjoyed the best
views that I can remenber of these delighful birds, some of which were
beginning to molt into alternate plu.We also spotted an immature
Cooper's Hawk. Baldu said he never saw so many coots in his life
(10,000? wild guess).Upon exiting the plant we spotted a single classic
ALEUTIAN CACKLING-GOOSE with some Canada Geese in an adjacent field to
the south. We also spotted Kites and Red-shouldered Hawk nearby.
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER NWR: At the end of Beckwith Rd, where there's an
elevated observation deck, we had great views of hundreds of Cranes,and
thousands of Ross' and Snow Geese in the cornfields along with a few
Greater White-fronted and another single Aleutian Cackling. Baldu said
our cranes are more approachable than the Common Cranes in Germany. In
the frustratingly inaccessible ponds to the south were thousands of
waders which we scoped and id'd with difficulty, I wish they would open
this place up, there's a road that goes straight out but is verboten.
Baldu said he would never forget this day. He said he would find me an
UHU (deutsch for Eagle-Owl) if I would visit Germany.
David Diller
Martinez
David E. Diller
Reverse Mortgage Specialist
Sequoia Mortgage Capital
2 Belvedere Place
Mill Valley, CA 94941
toll free 800-603-1030
cell 925-998-8469
fax 415-634-1777
www.reversebenefits.com
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Hello Birders,
Yesterday I took a young birder from Germany, Balduin Fischer on a trip
starting from Mines Rd, through Del Puerto Canyon and ending up at the
Modesto STP and finally San Joaquin NWR.
Highlights: Costa's H, Phainopepla, Lawrences' Goldfinch, Golden Eagle,
Prairie Falcon, Burrowing Owl, Pacific Golden-lover, 'Aleutian'Cackling
Goose(among 5 goose species), Red-breasted Sapsucker, a few thousand
Ross' and Snow Geese and hundreds of 'Lesser' Sandhill Cranes,
wonderful views of Violet-green Swallows, W. Bluebirds and Lark
Sparrows in the sun.
Although we dipped on Rock and Canyon Wrens, Lewis' Woodpecker, C.
Thrasher, White-f. Ibis, Ferruginous H., we were very pleased to
really take our time and savor most of the 98 species observed on this
all day road trip.
LAWRENCES' GOLDFINCH: great views of a pair at the fire station near
the 'junction'
PHAINOPEPLA: saw at least 7 at various locations along
Mines Rd and San
Antonio Valley Rd. One beautiful male observed in the scope basking in
the sun about 3 miles south of the junction.
COSTA'S HUMMNGBIRD: Thanks to A. Edwards for the earlier report.
Approximately one quarter mile east of the 'owl rocks'(which is at
mp3.8), look for tree tobacco on the north side of the road and
paintbrush on opposite side, the bird is feeding on both. Gorgeous male
observed feeding, preening , singing(dentist drill song), calling. We
had amazing scope views of this 2nd tiniest bird in the US with fully
flared violet-purple gorget blazing in the sun. Immediately after this
we spotted an immature GOLDEN EAGLE over the south ridge diving and
playing in the wind, then shortly thereafter, from the same spot a
soaring PRAIRIE FALCON made itself visible over the western ridge and
was promptly caught in the scope. All these three without moving more
than 3 feet. Baldu was ecsatic! Alles ist
Wunderbar!
BURROWING OWL: We found 2 in a ground-squiirel 'city' about mp 1.3 D.P
Canyon Rd.
PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER: counted 6 among the large flock of Black-bellies
at their famous over-wintering site at Modesto Sewage Treatment Plant.
We had perfect up-close views in scope. Balduin carefully compared
their structure and plumage with his intimate knowledge of the European
Golden-Plover( he is a very skilled and a passionate birder since the
age of 8)and expressed great satisfaction. I also enjoyed the best
views that I can remenber of these delighful birds, some of which were
beginning to molt into alternate plu.We also spotted an immature
Cooper's Hawk. Baldu said he never saw so many coots in his life
(10,000? wild guess).Upon exiting the plant we spotted a single classic
ALEUTIAN CACKLING-GOOSE with some Canada Geese in an adjacent field to
the south. We also spotted Kites and Red-shouldered Hawk nearby.
SAN
JOAQUIN RIVER NWR: At the end of Beckwith Rd, where there's an
elevated observation deck, we had great views of hundreds of Cranes,and
thousands of Ross' and Snow Geese in the cornfields along with a few
Greater White-fronted and another single Aleutian Cackling. Baldu said
our cranes are more approachable than the Common Cranes in Germany. In
the frustratingly inaccessible ponds to the south were thousands of
waders which we scoped and id'd with difficulty, I wish they would open
this place up, there's a road that goes straight out but is verboten.
Baldu said he would never forget this day. He said he would find me an
UHU (deutsch for Eagle-Owl) if I would visit Germany.
David Diller
Martinez