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64 Species at 5 Locations
Ducks, Geese, and Swans
Mallard SCR
Partridges, Grouse, Turkeys, and Old World Quail
Wild Turkey ELCPEPA
New World Quail
Grebes
Cormorants
New World Vultures
Turkey Vulture ELCPEPA
Hawks, Kites, and Eagles
Golden Eagle ELCPEPA
Caracaras and Falcons
Rails, Gallinules and Coots
American Coot ELCPSW
Plovers
Killdeer SCR
Sandpipers and Phalaropes
Pigeons and Doves
Rock Pigeon ELCPEPA
Mourning Dove ELCPEPA
Hummingbirds
Woodpeckers
Tyrant Flycatchers
Black Phoebe SCCPRS
Vireos
Jays and Crows
Steller's Jay SCCPVM
Swallows
Tree Swallow ELCPEPA
Chickadees and Titmice
Oak Titmouse SCCPVM
Bushtits
Bushtit SCCPVM
Creepers
Brown Creeper SCCPRS
Wrens
Bewick's Wren SCCPVM
Kinglets
Old World Warblers and Gnatcatchers
Thrushes
Hermit Thrush ELCPEPA
Babblers
Wrentit SCCPVM
Mockingbirds and Thrashers
Starlings
Waxwings
Cedar Waxwing ELCPEPA
Wood-Warblers
Emberizids
Fox Sparrow ELCPSW
Song Sparrow ELCPSW
Blackbirds
Northern Finches
House Finch ELCPSW
Ed Levin County Park Elm Picnic Area, CA = ELCPEPA
Ed Levin County Park Sandy Wool, CA = ELCPSW
Stevens Creek County Park Ranger Station, CA = SCCPRS
Stevens Creek County Park Villa Maria, CA = SCCPVM
Stevens Creek Reservoir, CA = SCR
Trip Notes

STEVENS CREEK COUNTY PARK

Villa Maria -- easily found ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, CALIFORNIA THRASHER, BLUE-GRAY GNATCHER on the uphill trail above Villa Maria plus Standard oak woodland species in the picnic area, many by voice.

Ranger station -- following a hot tip from Al Eisner, located WARBLING VIREO behind the ranger station by sound, turning up a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER in the same binocular view. Staked out WESTERN WOOD PEWEE and BROWN CREEPER by the bridge to Baytree picnic area in time for Snipe Hunters big day team to pick up that bird for their day list. Heard but never saw an insistent PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER on the upstream side of the bridge.

STEVENS CREEK RESERVOIR

Dam -- Hunting the shoreline for a certain sandpiper we'd be sent to find, we came up empty at this location, but had fabulous views of a two DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS showing their "crests". One bird had black crests erect over both eyes - but a second individual showed much longer white crests. Very silly looking, if you ask me.

Back corner -- Located the SPOTTED SANDPIPER at the back corner along with a KILLDEER. We made several stops around the reservoir looking for this bird, which might have paid off on a weekday, but for our next Saturday morning visit, we will skip all those stops in favor of the back corner of the reservoir - not quite to the place where the creek crosses the road.

ED LEVIN

Elm Picnic Area -- Last week when we arrived at Ed Levin, there was absolutely zero parking to be had at the Elm Picnic Area thanks to the Society for Creative Anacronism gathering in the meadow and we ended up skipping this stop entirely. This week, we had the place nearly to ourselves. Did not locate the special goldfinch, but wasted a good hour figuring out the directions. "North fence" ??? Best birds: GOLDEN EAGLE, WILD TURKEY, BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, beautiful abundant YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, male Selasphorous hummeringbird.

Sandy Wool Area -- Stopped at Hang / Para glider parking to locate two LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH as described by Dean Manley. From there, headed straight up the hill from the dog park following the Agua Calliente trail to the sycamore grove and beyond. Heard but never saw Rufous-crowned Sparrow on the hillside beyond the sycamores. Heard and saw GRASSHOPPER SPARROW in the same area and came down the hill pleased as punch. Big payoff was our best view of the GRASSHOPPER SPARROW on the way down the hill. Sparrow was singing in the grassy field opposity the large red water tank near sunset. Remained perched in one location for 5 minutes and was easily seen with scope.

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