[EBB Sightings] Red-naped Sapsucker, Townsend's Solitaire

All,

I stopped at Sunol Regional Wilderness late this morning to search for the RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER which appeared shortly after I arrived at the tree. The bird was, as previously reported, foraging in the upper branches of a huge tree near the picnic table. To reach this tree, walk across the footbridge and turn right. About 30 yards of so further there is a dirt trail leading uphill, and one leading down to the water. The tree where the bird was found at this junction and is marked with thousands of sapsucker holes, a few of which, close to the top, are quite new and that is where I saw the bird quietly feeding. Interestingly, I saw a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET utilizing these holes too. Several VARIED THRUSHES were in the area, including two on the lawn back near the cars. An immature GOLDEN EAGLE appeared overhead, circling with TURKEY VULTURES.

After that, I looked for the TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, which I was albe to relocate between mp .3 and .4 along Geary Road. It perched and called from a large oak tree with patches of mistletoe across from the No Parking Anytime sign. At first, it appeared like a dull Western Bluebird, until I saw the tail, which is considerably longer and the flight even more fluttery.

Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net