Ohlone Audubons Society Bird-A-Thon

Ohlone Audubon Society's BIRD-A-THON 2008
REPORT of KINGFISHERS BIG DAY ON SUNDAY, 4 MAY 2008

The Kingfishers participated in this year’s Ohlone Audubon Society’s John James Audubon’s Birthday/Earthweek Spring Bird-A-Thon. The three intrepid and committed birders included: Fred Wolin, Jaan Lepson and Phil Gordon. Our fourth participant, Steve Huckabone, got an untimely Spring cold and had to remain at home. INLAND BIRDING Fred arrived from Atherton to Hayward at Phil’s at 4:30 am. We loaded up his BATCAR (Bird-A-Thon Highlander SUV) and picked up Jaan at Livermore home. Next stop was Veteran’s Park on Arroyo Rd. at 5:30 am. With all of us out in the dark we began hearing GREAT HORNED OWLS form the densely vegetated stream canyon. Phil played his Northern Pygmy Owl calls (a recent one had been reported, but nothing). Then, when the WESTERN SCREECH-OWL tape came on, we were astounded by the response of four WSOw’s, including possible young ones “chorusing“. After several very early VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWs twittered in the pre-dawn light, two flycatchers called; a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE and several ASH-THROATED; and later a third, BLACK PHOEBE. Before leaving we also heard WILD TURKEYS (we would later see the tail-spreading of several males on the Veteran‘s Hospital lawns-they simultaneously “gobbled” to our “gobbles“). After walking the road we drove the short distance to the parking lot for the Del Valle Reservoir Trailhead. During walking to the Del Valle Creek bridge we added two (flyby pair?) WOOD DUCKS, a WHITE-TAILED KITE, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, ACORN WOODPECKER, NORTHERN FLICKER, WARBLING VIREO, HOUSE WREN,WILSON’S WARBLER and a distant WESTERN MEADOWLARK. The morning was going well - calm, warm (enough), and clear. We drove (with Jaan’s good directions) a short distance up Mines Rd., stopping at Murrieta’s Well Winery. The area had (disappointedly) been gated off where birders used to walk between the Creek and the Vineyard. Here we weren’t disappointed to hear and see the recently arrived EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE and the expected YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIEs which nest in he extensive grove of Western Sycamores along the watershed.
Here we felt lucky to find our 1st of the 2 GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWs; most having already left for Alaskan breeding grounds. We then headed for Patterson Pass. Special among the 30 species found along Patterson Pass Rd. were the singing HORNED LARKs & LARK SPARROWs, our 2nd Wilson's Warbler, our only WESTERN TANAGER and several BULLOCK’S ORIOLEs. Luck being with us, our two prime species were also found: BLUE GROSBEAK, giving us great views and songs near the 7.1 mile marker; and Jaan spotted a roadside BURROWING OWL standing singly, in broad daylight, in a field as we were heading for I-5 South. Following Ed Pandolfino’s Listserv report that Phalaropes and Black Terns had been found in a San Joaquin Valley sewage pond, we turned east on Hwy 140 to Gustine (a route that eventually brings the traveler to Yosemite). We found the Gustine Sewage Ponds. Although locked, we looked over the chain-link fence and began finding some waterbirds: EARED GREBE, GADWALL, MALLARD, and RUDDY DUCK. Best bird here, first thought to be the rarer Black Tern, turned out to be the little BONAPARTE’S GULLs. Next, Phil had found a new spot on his pre-view trip, so we switched from Santa Fe Grade to the West Bear Creek Unit of the San Luis NWR off Hwy 165. We walked some of the trails of this new Refuge Unit with its Tour Rd., trails and ponds. WHITE-FACED IBIS, WOOD DUCK, NORTHERN SHOVELER, RING-NECKED PHEASANT, WESTERN SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, and the key species, YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (at a recently discovered nest site) were some of the highlights here. Further south on Hwy 165 we turned onto Wolfsen Rd. for the 2 miles to the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Entrance Kiosk. The expected, small lake was overgrown with cattails; but we did get brief looks at a noisy VIRGINIA RAIL; we did miss the expected Ring-necked Duck and Wood Ducks seen here in the past. In the afternoon we began experiencing stronger wind. Along Henry Miller Rd., the Volta Pond (still over-filled with water, we thought) hosted WESTERN & CLARK’S GREBES with a couple of FORSTER’S TERNS navigating the heavy breezes (but, no Swans). We weren’t too surprised when a male GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE showed up. From the cattail marsh, across the road, our 2nd Virginia Rail called, but no Sora. Off Hwy 33 in Santa Nella, at the Medeiros Unit of Clifton Court Forebay (already having seen the last of its flotillas of wintering ducks), we found PIED-BILLED GREBE and the RING-BILLED GULLS that hadn’t all left (soon to leave out of state to the north and east, to nesting grounds). We picked up the Gilroy Hwy 152, heading for the campground on the northwestern corner of San Luis ReservoirBy the time we arrived at our lunch spot, the 40 knot wind had us hanging onto or chasing down our lunch items, while watching COMMON RAVENS adroitly exploiting the up & down drafts and some of the AMERICAN COOTS hugging the coves for protection.
Trying to leave the gusts behind, we headed along Hwy 152 into San Benito Co. We bypassed Casa De Fruta, stopping only at the entrance to the Ranch we’d been chased out of before - nothing much here: no Bluebird, Loggerhead Shrike; or Purple Finch, this year.. Along Hwy 156 we were able to tally a fine GOLDEN EAGLE. We now needed to get to the coast. We’d missed that part in prior Big Days.
COASTAL BIRDING In Monterey County on Hwy 156 (off Hwy 101) we soon passed through Castroville and onto Hwy 1 into Moss Landing. Here we crossed the 7 mile, Elkhorn Slough and Estuary on the Hwy 1 bridge - we’d made it to the Pacific Coast. Phil knew of the poorly marked Elkhorn Reserve observation platform and trail right off Hwy 1, across from the Mexican pottery store. We walked the slough to the platform, then drove to Jetty Rd. checking all the salt marsh and nicely exposed mud flats before walking to the bay‘s rocky (jetty) and sandy edge. Here good finds included: Loons, one of which Phil and most of the others thought was Red-throated Loon. Fortunately Jaan later processed his photos and checking with Phil they both decided it was a basic (winter) feathered COMMON LOON; we soon also found a PACIFIC LOON. In the dunes we found the non-migratory subspecies of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. Other sea and shore birds included SHEARWATER sp. (probably Sooty, but way off in the horizon), BROWN PELICAN, BRANT’S & PELAGIC CORMORANTs; SURF SCOTER; RED-BREASTED MERGANSER; BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER; SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER; WILLET; WHIMBREL; LONG-BILLED CURLEW; RUDDY TURNSTONE; SANDERLING; CASPIAN TERN; and COMMON MURRE & PIGEON GUILLEMOT.
MOUNTAINS OF THE COAST BIRDING We were surprised the sun was still about 2 hands above the horizon. This would give us time to go through Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, to pick up Hwy 152 across Hecker Pass into Santa Clara County and Bird the Redwood Forest of Mt. Madonna County Park. Without much haste we found our way through Watsonville to Hwy 152. Phil pointed out the Sierra Azul Nursery from which Ohlone Audubon had purchased many of the Butterfly & Hummingbird plants added to their Betty Wentzel Memorial Garden at Shinn Park in Fremont. On the eastern side of the Pass we found the roadside trail that led into Mt. Madonna Park - later, we also birded a lower elevation canyon trail. A beautiful park, but being near the edge of a coastal fog bank was a bit cool. Still, several new birds were found: CALIFORNIA QUAIL; BAND-TAILED PIGEON; HAIRY WOODPECKER; PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER; STELLER’S JAY; CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE; BUSHTIT; AMERICAN ROBIN; WESTERN TANAGER; BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK; PURPLE FINCH. From here we headed home.
THE LAST SPECIES Jaan remembered when, on our last comparable BAT, Phil had taken the Team to the nesting site of White-throated Swifts - at 10:30 pm! And we had all heard their “chittering” calls from within their vertical nest holes, under the freeway overpass. So, with some remaining light we looped back to the intersection of Hwys 84 X 680 in Sunol, parked under the Overpass (Fred did it!), and stepped out to find our last species. No sign or sound = thus began a few disappointing minutes. Phil yelled, “there goes one”, he, facing east; they, facing north while looking up Calaveras Rd., missed it! Of course the Swift was going 80 - 100 mph, disappearing into the shade, but not exiting out the other end of the overpass. We thought It might have entered it’s nest hole (at about 40 mph to stop in 2 feet - where it’s nest would be glued to the walls of the drain hole with its sticky saliva); if so, no wonder they didn’t see it. We crossed the highway, dodging the traffic, and got to the three shaded nest holes on the other side. Sure enough, we could hear the familiar “chittering” coming from hole number two - “Eureka”, a another species for all of us, WHITE-THROATED SWIFT. Luck was not through with us for this extraordinary day, for, a small flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS made a characteristic, tight flock flight across Calaveras Rd. with just enough light to validate our count. Then it was time to get home. This put us all home between 8:30 and 9:30 pm; even for Fred who had to make the loop of Sunol > Livermore > Hayward > San Mateo Bridge to Home in Atherton. Thanks for the 350 miles of driving Fred (16 hrs.). Results for this years Kingfishers’ Team effort were the following below:
FINAL TALLY ABA TOTAL - 138 (95%+ seen by all - 131.1 = 95%) GRAND TOTAL - 138 Phil - 135 = 97.8% Fred - 136 = 98.6% Jaan - 137 = 99.3% Bird, Mammal, & Butterfly Lists to follow. Respectfully submitted by Phil Gordon, Leader Kingfishers’ Bird-A-Thon Team Spring 2008 PAGPEGaol.com FILE: BRDTHNRESp08depeg.doc PEG:peg 19 May 2008 PM P.S. Sponsors may send Pledges directly to Helen Sowers, Treasurer, (Checks may be made out to OAS): 18492, Capricorn Court, Castro Valley, CA 4546.

Return to Ohlone Audubon Home Page



Ohlone Audubon Society's BIRD-A-THON 2008
Celebrbrating John J. Audubon’s Birthday & Earth Week OAS EDUCATION & CONSERVATION FUNDRAISER
A birdathon provides a means of raising money for an organization while at the same time enjoying the outdoors, finding and viewing birds, and competing with others. Teams are organized, members solicit pledges (a flat amount or a certain monetary amount per species, for example), the team birds together on an appointed day, record their findings and gather pledges from the pledgers. Some birdathons specify rules that all teams must follow—geographical limits, rules on the number of team members, and the like. Well known local birdathons include those of PRBO and SFBBO, which attract birders from the region and net those organizations tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Ohlone Audubon Society has more modest, but high expectations. Sponsors will be supporting the projects and good work of the Education and Conservation Committees (for specifics, contact Phil Gordon, Education Chair and Rich Cimino, Conservation Chair). April 19 to May 4 Teams of Ohlone members and friends will continue to “compete” in this annual event. One of the teams, the “Kingfishers,” will be lead by Phil Gordon. A second, the “Phalaropes” will be lead by Pat Gordon. Others are hereby encouraged to sign-up with the Bird-athon Coordinator, Phil Gordon, PAGPEG@aol.com. A team may be composed of one, several or many people. OAS Bird-a-thon guidelines are as follows: 1) sightings are to be done in one 24 hour period on or between April 19 to May 4; 2) solicit pledges before and gather pledges after your Bird-a-thon day. Team rules are at the discretion of the leaders. The Kingfishers will use the ABA Rules which require team members to: 1) always be within voice range of each other when counting; 2) do not solicit bird information from anyone else during the count day, 3) obey all ABA rules of etiquette, 4) count only live, wild birds, 5) count only species seen by 95% of the team (a number stated separately from a Grand Total). Participants will be recognized at the annual pot luck picnic and membership meeting which will be held June 3 at Shinn Historic Park & Arboretum in Fremont. For your convenience, use the coupon below to submit pledges (preferably by May 23) for your favorite Birdathon team. Species totals will be known after the count day. Contact Bird-A-Thon Coordinator, Phil Gordon, for more details, advice, and esp. registering as one of the Teams. Tel.: 1(510) 538-3550 or E-mail: PAGPEG@aol.com, PEG:peg,
Ohlone Audubon 2008 Bird-a-thon Sponsorship Please accept my enclosed check , made payable to Ohlone Audubon Society, for $____________ in support of the ___________________ Bird-a-thon Team. Name:___________________________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: _________________________________________ E-mail: __________________________________ Checks should be sent to Helen Sowers, OAS Treasurer, 18492 Capricorn Court, Castro Valley, CA 94546, preferably by May 23, 2008.

Ohlone Audubon Society's BIRD-A-THON 2008

REPORT of KINGFISHERS BIG DAY ON SUNDAY, 4 MAY 2008

The Kingfishers participated in this year’s Ohlone Audubon Society’s John James Audubon’s Birthday/Earthweek Spring Bird-A-Thon. The three intrepid and committed birders included: Fred Wolin, Jaan Lepson and Phil Gordon. Our fourth participant, Steve Huckabone, got an untimely Spring cold and had to remain at home.

INLAND BIRDING

Fred arrived from Atherton to Hayward at Phil’s at 4:30 am. We loaded up his BATCAR (Bird-A-Thon Highlander SUV) and picked up Jaan at Livermore home. Next stop was Veteran’s Park on Arroyo Rd. at 5:30 am. With all of us out in the dark we began hearing GREAT HORNED OWLS form the densely vegetated stream canyon. Phil played his Northern Pygmy Owl calls (a recent one had been reported, but nothing). Then, when the WESTERN SCREECH-OWL tape came on, we were astounded by the response of four WSOw’s, including possible young ones “chorusing“. After several very early VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWs twittered in the pre-dawn light, two flycatchers called; a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE and several ASH-THROATED; and later a third, BLACK PHOEBE. Before leaving we also heard WILD TURKEYS (we would later see the tail-spreading of several males on the Veteran‘s Hospital lawns-they simultaneously “gobbled” to our “gobbles“).

After walking the road we drove the short distance to the parking lot for the Del Valle Reservoir Trailhead. During walking to the Del Valle Creek bridge we added two (flyby pair?) WOOD DUCKS, a WHITE-TAILED KITE, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, ACORN WOODPECKER, NORTHERN FLICKER, WARBLING VIREO, HOUSE WREN,WILSON’S WARBLER and a distant WESTERN MEADOWLARK. The morning was going well - calm, warm (enough), and clear. We drove (with Jaan’s good directions) a short distance up Mines Rd., stopping at Murrieta’s Well Winery. The area had (disappointedly) been gated off where birders used to walk between the Creek and the Vineyard. Here we weren’t disappointed to hear and see the recently arrived EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE and the expected YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIEs which nest in he extensive grove of Western Sycamores along the watershed.

Here we felt lucky to find our 1st of the 2 GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWs; most having already left for Alaskan breeding grounds. We then headed for Patterson Pass.

Special among the 30 species found along Patterson Pass Rd. were the singing HORNED LARKs & LARK SPARROWs, our 2nd Wilson's Warbler, our only WESTERN TANAGER and several BULLOCK’S ORIOLEs. Luck being with us, our two prime species were also found: BLUE GROSBEAK, giving us great views and songs near the 7.1 mile marker; and Jaan spotted a roadside BURROWING OWL standing singly, in broad daylight, in a field as we were heading for I-5 South. Following Ed Pandolfino’s Listserv report that Phalaropes and Black Terns had been found in a San Joaquin Valley sewage pond, we turned east on Hwy 140 to Gustine (a route that eventually brings the traveler to Yosemite). We found the Gustine Sewage Ponds. Although locked, we looked over the chain-link fence and began finding some waterbirds: EARED GREBE, GADWALL, MALLARD, and RUDDY DUCK. Best bird here, first thought to be the rarer Black Tern, turned out to be the little BONAPARTE’S GULLs. Next, Phil had found a new spot on his pre-view trip, so we switched from Santa Fe Grade to the West Bear Creek Unit of the San Luis NWR off Hwy 165. We walked some of the trails of this new Refuge Unit with its Tour Rd., trails and ponds. WHITE-FACED IBIS, WOOD DUCK, NORTHERN SHOVELER, RING-NECKED PHEASANT, WESTERN SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, and the key species, YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (at a recently discovered nest site) were some of the highlights here. Further south on Hwy 165 we turned onto Wolfsen Rd. for the 2 miles to the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Entrance Kiosk. The expected, small lake was overgrown with cattails; but we did get brief looks at a noisy VIRGINIA RAIL; we did miss the expected Ring-necked Duck and Wood Ducks seen here in the past.

In the afternoon we began experiencing stronger wind. Along Henry Miller Rd., the Volta Pond (still over-filled with water, we thought) hosted WESTERN & CLARK’S GREBES with a couple of FORSTER’S TERNS navigating the heavy breezes (but, no Swans). We weren’t too surprised when a male GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE showed up. From the cattail marsh, across the road, our 2nd Virginia Rail called, but no Sora. Off Hwy 33 in Santa Nella, at the Medeiros Unit of Clifton Court Forebay (already having seen the last of its flotillas of wintering ducks), we found PIED-BILLED GREBE and the RING-BILLED GULLS that hadn’t all left (soon to leave out of state to the north and east, to nesting grounds). We picked up the Gilroy Hwy 152, heading for the campground on the northwestern corner of San Luis ReservoirBy the time we arrived at our lunch spot, the 40 knot wind had us hanging onto or chasing down our lunch items, while watching COMMON RAVENS adroitly exploiting the up & down drafts and some of the AMERICAN COOTS hugging the coves for protection.

Trying to leave the gusts behind, we headed along Hwy 152 into San Benito Co. We bypassed Casa De Fruta, stopping only at the entrance to the Ranch we’d been chased out of before - nothing much here: no Bluebird, Loggerhead Shrike; or Purple Finch, this year.. Along Hwy 156 we were able to tally a fine GOLDEN EAGLE. We now needed to get to the coast. We’d missed that part in prior Big Days.

COASTAL BIRDING

In Monterey County on Hwy 156 (off Hwy 101) we soon passed through Castroville and onto Hwy 1 into Moss Landing. Here we crossed the 7 mile, Elkhorn Slough and Estuary on the Hwy 1 bridge - we’d made it to the Pacific Coast.
Phil knew of the poorly marked Elkhorn Reserve observation platform and trail right off Hwy 1, across from the Mexican pottery store. We walked the slough to the platform, then drove to Jetty Rd. checking all the salt marsh and nicely exposed mud flats before walking to the bay‘s rocky (jetty) and sandy edge.

Here good finds included: Loons, one of which Phil and most of the others thought was Red-throated Loon. Fortunately Jaan later processed his photos and checking with Phil they both decided it was a basic (winter) feathered COMMON LOON; we soon also found a PACIFIC LOON. In the dunes we found the non-migratory subspecies of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. Other sea and shore birds included SHEARWATER sp. (probably Sooty, but way off in the horizon), BROWN PELICAN, BRANT’S & PELAGIC CORMORANTs; SURF SCOTER; RED-BREASTED MERGANSER; BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER; SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER; WILLET; WHIMBREL; LONG-BILLED CURLEW; RUDDY TURNSTONE; SANDERLING; CASPIAN TERN; and COMMON MURRE & PIGEON GUILLEMOT.

MOUNTAINS OF THE COAST BIRDING

We were surprised the sun was still about 2 hands above the horizon. This would give us time to go through Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, to pick up Hwy 152 across Hecker Pass into Santa Clara County and Bird the Redwood Forest of Mt. Madonna County Park.

Without much haste we found our way through Watsonville to Hwy 152. Phil pointed out the Sierra Azul Nursery from which Ohlone Audubon had purchased many of the Butterfly & Hummingbird plants added to their Betty Wentzel Memorial Garden at Shinn Park in Fremont. On the eastern side of the Pass we found the roadside trail that led into Mt. Madonna Park - later, we also birded a lower elevation canyon trail. A beautiful park, but being near the edge of a coastal fog bank was a bit cool. Still, several new birds were found: CALIFORNIA QUAIL; BAND-TAILED PIGEON; HAIRY WOODPECKER; PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER; STELLER’S JAY; CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE; BUSHTIT; AMERICAN ROBIN; WESTERN TANAGER; BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK; PURPLE FINCH. From here we headed home.

THE LAST SPECIES

Jaan remembered when, on our last comparable BAT, Phil had taken the Team to the nesting site of White-throated Swifts - at 10:30 pm! And we had all heard their “chittering” calls from within their vertical nest holes, under the freeway overpass. So, with some remaining light we looped back to the intersection of Hwys 84 X 680 in Sunol, parked under the Overpass (Fred did it!), and stepped out to find our last species. No sign or sound = thus began a few disappointing minutes. Phil yelled, “there goes one”, he, facing east; they, facing north while looking up Calaveras Rd., missed it! Of course the Swift was going 80 - 100 mph, disappearing into the shade, but not exiting out the other end of the overpass. We thought It might have entered it’s nest hole (at about 40 mph to stop in 2 feet - where it’s nest would be glued to the walls of the drain hole with its sticky saliva); if so, no wonder they didn’t see it. We crossed the highway, dodging the traffic, and got to the three shaded nest holes on the other side. Sure enough, we could hear the familiar “chittering” coming from hole number two - “Eureka”, a another species for all of us, WHITE-THROATED SWIFT. Luck was not through with us for this extraordinary day, for, a small flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS made a characteristic, tight flock flight across Calaveras Rd. with just enough light to validate our count. Then it was time to get home.

This put us all home between 8:30 and 9:30 pm; even for Fred who had to make the loop of Sunol > Livermore > Hayward > San Mateo Bridge to Home in Atherton. Thanks for the 350 miles of driving Fred (16 hrs.).
Results for this years Kingfishers’ Team effort were the following below:

FINAL TALLY

ABA TOTAL - 138 (95%+ seen by all - 131.1 = 95%)
GRAND TOTAL - 138

Phil - 135 = 97.8%
Fred - 136 = 98.6%
Jaan - 137 = 99.3%

Bird, Mammal, & Butterfly Lists to follow.

Respectfully submitted by Phil Gordon, Leader
Kingfishers’ Bird-A-Thon Team Spring 2008
PAGPEGaol.com
FILE: BRDTHNRESp08depeg.doc
PEG:peg 19 May 2008 PM

P.S. Sponsors may send Pledges directly to Helen Sowers, Treasurer, (Checks may be made out to OAS): 18492, Capricorn Court, Castro Valley, CA 4546.

Return to Ohlone Audubon Home Page

Ohlone Audubon Society's BIRD-A-THON 2008

Celebrbrating John J. Audubon’s Birthday & Earth Week

OAS EDUCATION & CONSERVATION FUNDRAISER

A birdathon provides a means of raising money for an organization while at the same time enjoying the outdoors, finding and viewing birds, and competing with others. Teams are organized, members solicit pledges (a flat amount or a certain monetary amount per species, for example), the team birds together on an appointed day, record their findings and gather pledges from the pledgers. Some birdathons specify rules that all teams must follow—geographical limits, rules on the number of team members, and the like. Well known local birdathons include those of PRBO and SFBBO, which attract birders from the region and net those organizations tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Ohlone Audubon Society has more modest, but high expectations. Sponsors will be supporting the projects and good work of the Education and Conservation Committees (for specifics, contact Phil Gordon, Education Chair and Rich Cimino, Conservation Chair).

April 19 to May 4

Teams of Ohlone members and friends will continue to “compete” in this annual event. One of the teams, the “Kingfishers,” will be lead by Phil Gordon. A second, the “Phalaropes” will be lead by Pat Gordon. Others are hereby encouraged to sign-up with the Bird-athon Coordinator, Phil Gordon, PAGPEG@aol.com. A team may be composed of one, several or many people. OAS Bird-a-thon guidelines are as follows: 1) sightings are to be done in one 24 hour period on or between April 19 to May 4; 2) solicit pledges before and gather pledges after your Bird-a-thon day. Team rules are at the discretion of the leaders. The Kingfishers will use the ABA Rules which require team members to: 1) always be within voice range of each other when counting; 2) do not solicit bird information from anyone else during the count day, 3) obey all ABA rules of etiquette, 4) count only live, wild birds, 5) count only species seen by 95% of the team (a number stated separately from a Grand Total).

Participants will be recognized at the annual pot luck picnic and membership meeting which will be held June 3 at Shinn Historic Park & Arboretum in Fremont.

For your convenience, use the coupon below to submit pledges (preferably by May 23) for your favorite Birdathon team. Species totals will be known after the count day.

Contact Bird-A-Thon Coordinator, Phil Gordon, for more details, advice, and esp. registering as one of the Teams. Tel.: 1(510) 538-3550 or E-mail: PAGPEG@aol.com, PEG:peg,

Ohlone Audubon 2008 Bird-a-thon Sponsorship

Please accept my enclosed check , made payable to Ohlone Audubon Society,

for $____________ in support of the ___________________ Bird-a-thon Team.

Name:___________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: _________________________________________ E-mail: __________________________________

Checks should be sent to Helen Sowers, OAS Treasurer, 18492 Capricorn Court, Castro Valley, CA 94546, preferably by May 23, 2008.

OAS BIRD-A-THON SPRING 24 APRIL 2005 ACCOUNT

This Spring’s Ohlone Audubon Society Bird-A-Thon took place on Sunday, 24 April, 2005. The fund raising pursuit was to supply sponsors with a good reason to pledge money to support the various projects under the responsibility of the OAS Conservation and Education Committees. What follows is a running tale of the “adventure” the intrepid Kingfishers Team enjoyed, while searching for bird species in the chosen Bay Area Counties. Brevity of this report only allows highlights to be reported since each of the 141 species had a “story” of its own.

Up at 2 AM, the gathering began at 3:00 - 3:30 AM when Fred Wolin of Atherton and Michael Mortensen of Hayward arrived at the leader’s house, Phil Gordon’s, in Hayward. Then they picked up, already waiting on a curb in Livermore, Jaan Lepson, to begin “serious” bird finding at Veteran’s Park, Arroyo Rd., Livermore at 4:15 AM. Almost immediately a Barn Owl “click-clicked” its contact call in the darkness, and when Phil did a mouse-like squeak (to call the Barn Owl in closer), a Great Horned Owl flew by and soon a Great Horned Owl (same one?) perched on a nearby telephone wire. Our first two species. We continued for another 30+ minutes imitating Western Screech-Owl and Northern Pygmy-Owl, but neither responded. The drive down to I-5 toward Los Banos was fairly uneventful, except for the cheery light as dawn approached. We all had packed rain gear in preparation for the forecasted rain and it began looking like a fairly dry day. This prep was along with the usual snacks, lunch, drinks, I.D. books, maps, cameras, binoculars, spotting scopes, tape recorders, emergency CB, talk-a-bout communicators, etc, etc.

In Merced County we ticked our first bird in daylight, American Crow. Once rare here in the San Joaquin Valley Desert, now with delta water handy for the fruit and nut orchards, quite common. At our turn off to SR-33 the Anderson’s Split pea Soup windmill hadn’t yet begun turning for their day at the restaurant we often enjoyed. On Gonzales Rd. we paid our $6 and entered the Basalt Campground, which is above O’Neil Forebay, which is just below the dam of San Luis Reservoir. Right away we had our first (expected) raptor, a male Northern Harrier. Nearby were 2 mini-raptors, Loggerhead Shrikes. The pleasant surprise just below the Campground in tall forbs of Common Mustard and Poison Hemlock, was a flock of Tricolored Blackbirds - good “study” views by all. This is now a Threatened Species in Calif. In Basalt Campground we “harvested” 22 species. Nesting in trees planted for this Park was observed for both Western Kingbirds and Bullock’s Orioles. A singing Lazuli Bunting (detected by Jaan) refused to give us any good looks, even when its song was played. A few warblers found included Orange-crowned, “Audubon’s” (Yellow-rumped) and Wilson’s. Obvious and special were the Northern Mockingbirds and Yellow-billed Magpies, with glimpses of Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Hermit Thrush.

O’Neil Forebay from the Madeiras Gate Access began rather interesting when only Fred saw an illusive Great-tailed Grackle go into denseWillows along the reservoir shore, but couldn’t be found later. It was somewhat disappointing, though, as most waterfowl were gone. We did find lingering Short-billed Dowitchers and Least Sandpipers. Jaan spotted a diving white duck in a group of Am. Coots that at first wouldn’t stay up long enough for our I..D.‘ing, finally we saw a shiny male Bufflehead (the only one of the day). The Volta, “ swan” pond on Henry Miller Rd. had a few waterfowl: Cinnamon Teal; Northern Shoveler; Gadwall; but no swans or even any rails usually in the marsh across the Rd. (too dry we guessed). Surprising was another male Great-tailed Grackle on the small island. This species is rapidly becoming a regular part of the whole Calif. avian scene.

Onward to San Luis NWR, finding egrets and herons along the way, we knew it was a good choice when Swainson’s Hawks were in the sky along with a flock of White-faced Ibis. At the Info.Kiosk Michael called out when a long-tailed, dark duck flew by, “Wood Duck” for all of us to see - making us glad to abide by the ABA Big Day Rules: “Stay within voice contact all day”. Here, during our mid-morning snack, Phil played his rail tape. This produced good responses from both Sora and Virginia Rails. We drove out the Tour Route far enough to add Tule Elk to our Mammal list, but besides Black-necked Stilt, not many other birds could be found.

We left the Merced County area with about 80 species by 11:30 AM, heading over Pacheco Pass for Casa de Fruta, near Hollister, but in Santa Clara Co. Our lunch spot was pretty hectic with Sunday visitors to this multi-media food, exhibits, and tourist center. We did find a picnic table beside their (polluted) pond. During lunch only Fred spotted a Northern Flicker and we heard a Nuttall’s Woodpecker along with Chestnut-backed Chickadee and Oak Titmouse and Phil spotted a Green Heron “shooting“ down into a creek area. We were serenaded with songs of Bullock’s Oriole. On a walk here, partly to re-find the GrHe, along Pacheco Creek bank, amid the relict and rusting farm equipment, we found Black Phoebe and a singing Warbling Vireo and Pacific-slope Flycatcher. The GrHe reappeared, at least for Michael, as we were leaving. Before leaving SR-152 to SR-156 on the way to Monterey County, in Santa Clara Co. Phil had seen a grassland access (though open private gates) for a possible Western Bluebird and others. We got to the last gate and sure enough there was a bright blue male Western Bluebird. While looking at a wire-perched Purple Finch we became aware of a rancher who parked his pickup beside us. Through open windows we found that he didn’t really want us there - on his property. We politely left, but not without a couple of nice ticks.

In Moss landing, off Hwy 1 onto Jetty Rd., several Dowitchers prompted us to stop (although the small pull-offs are no longer available); Jaan spotted a Long-billed Curlew for us here also. The Moss Landing (Jetty Rd.) State Park didn’t have an attendant to pay , so in we went to the parking lot and walked out to the jetty with Elk Horn Slough on the south side and the sandy beach along the Pacific Ocean in front of us. This was the site in the 1970’s that Eugene Makishima set the first bird record for the mile and the kilometer of 72 species in a Big Day. Here we started adding many species to our inland list. The two other Cormorants, Brant’s and Pelagic; Surf Scoter; Pigeon Guillemot; Common, Red-throated and Pacific Loons; Sanderlings; Whimbrel; Marbled Godwit; Forster’s, Caspian, and 2 late Elegant Terns; a few lingering Brown Pelicans; to name a few. We set up the scopes at the foot of the rock jetty and here the unique (best day’s bird?) was found by Michael while we were sea watching. He got his scope on a strange murrelet among the Common Murres and Western Grebes and loons that we had to puzzle over. Although Phil thought it looked most like Craveri’s, a later literature check showed it the more likely (but quite similar) XANTUS’S MURRELET. Most rare when this far north, especially in April; just a small hand full of records; and they’re usually seen on Pelagic Boat Trips 3 - 7 miles offshore in the Fall. They breed from Channel Islands to Baja Calif. and winter up to Monterey Bay. Our bird may have been a lingering winterer. Along the inner marsh we found a Savannah Sparrow in the pickleweed and several non-migrant White-crowned Sparrows in the dune shrubbery.

The sand and mud tide flats offered views of resting gulls including Glaucous-winged, Western, California, Herring, and one whitish 1-2 year old Thayer’s. Two breeding plumaged Eared Grebes were diving near the Hwy 1 bridge. When all the 250 - 350 sandpipers flew off we checked until the Peregrine was spotted in a long stoop (dive) into the middle of them, only to go twice again without catching prey. Its fourth try was successful by pinning a medium sized shorebird against the sand edge and low bank. It flew off with two outstretched wings on either side of its head, powering 200-300 ft. up and flapping and soaring around for several minutes before disappearing with its quarry. Finally the shorebirds all re-settled to feed on the expanding tide flat as the tide was receding. Then we all had good views of the Ruddy Turnstones. Next we went up the coast to Zmudowski SP beach and lagoon. Even before getting to the sandy parking area, two more Great-tailed Grackles were seen in the narrow roadside lake edge marsh, amid the chattering Marsh Wrens. By walking over the dunes to the beach we neared the cables fencing off a protected area. Phil & Jaan found two Snowy Plovers, the subjects of the nest protection for this Threatened Species.

From here we went into Santa Cruz County to Harkin’s Slough, just north of Watsonville. This wet year had the slough lake too full for wading birds, but hundreds of gulls were on the water and flocks of 300 - 700 would circle up from time to time. We heard Downy Woodpecker along the riparian lake edge and above it in the coastal scrub came the “bouncing-ping-pong-ball” like call of Wrentit. As we started to leave Michael spotted a perched White-tailed Kite; and Jaan got us a look at a Spotted Towhee.

Not quite finished with the day, the Team returned on Hwy 1 to SR-152 to head for Mt. Madonna County Park in Santa Clara County. The Campground/Park was just closing down so they found the route for the ridge road to Summit Rd., which follows the Santa Cruz Mts. north to Los Gatos. We could take one of the trails back into the Park. Along the nice walk under the tall Coast Redwoods new species found here included: Band-tailed Pigeon; Brown Creeper (responded to tape recording of Golden-crowned Kinglet - also found); and another Hermit Thrush and Spotted Towhee. Gilroy was on the other side of Hecker Pass and dinner was found at Chili’s TexMex Restaurant.

As the Team approached Alameda County on the way home, they lamented not yet finding Western Screech-Owl. Phil suggested visiting a nesting colony of White-throated Swifts to possibly hear chattering from the drain holes under the SR-680 X SR-84 overpass, and then try for WSOw at Welch Rd. off Calaveras Rd. The WTSw’s were found, delighting all with this new technique for finding species. The WSOw’s might have been present, but rushing water down Welch Creek made hearing too difficult.And so we had completed another successful OAS Bird-A-Thon in the name of Kingfishers.

Related by Phil Gordon, Leader Kingfishers Bird-A-Thon Team PEG:peg 28 April 2005

P.S. We dedicate this effort (in part) to our comrade Rick Baker, Kingfisher Team Member, stuck at home recovering from surgery, and wish him well. Also, we dedicate this effort (in part) to our competitor, Willie Wilcox, Phalaropes Team Member, recuperating at home from surgery, and await her return to birding and next year’s Bird-A-Thon. PEG:peg Version 5 May 2005

Greetings Phil, Michael, & Fred,

I've made a small web page based on Phil's report our Bird-A-Thon 2005 adventure. Text is from Phil with a few corrections and additions by me, plus a few photos. Unfortunately, our fast-paced birding didn't leave much time for photography, so the pictures are limited. Feel free to share this report with anyone, and let me know if there is anything I need to correct. I'll try to add a page with the official species list soon. It's taken me a while as this has been my first web page.

http://homepage.mac.com/jlepson/Bird-A-Thon/Bird-A-Thon.html

cheers,

Jaan Lepson

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