Toxostoma redivivum ....First stop of the SFBBO "Wandering Vagrants" trip took us to Natural Bridges where we and many other birders that were not part of our group tried to find the Great Crested Flycatcher. At this stop we found some great birds including Wilson's Warbler, many Spotted Towhees, Pygmy Nuthatches, and Common Yellowthroats. We thought that we had the flycatcher when we heard its distinct call several times. However, it was this clever thrasher that had picked up this new vagrant's call in only a week's time of being nearby. Astonishing really.
Tags: toxostoma redivivum Natural Bridges 9/23/12 CA Thrasher SFBBO Wandering Vagrants
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Setophaga petechia ...Next stop for the SFBBO trip was across the street at Antonelli Pond and the Community Gardens. Tom and I had never birded any of the areas that we birded with this group. This is a great reason to go out on a group outing - learn new places! At the pond we picked up several more warblers and yellowthroats in the trees near the water.
Tags: Setophaga petechia Antonelli Pond 9/23/12 Yellow Warbler SFBBO Wandering Vagrants
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Spizella breweri...Lifer 413! Found among a flock of White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows at the Community Gardens adjacent to Antonelli Pond. Really wanted to get a better shot of this guy but he did not let me get too close. At this stop a stray cat joined our group and it was also fairly intent on birding, so I can't blame the sparrows for keeping their distance.
Tags: Spizella breweri Antonelli Pond 9/23/12 Brewer's Sparrow SFBBO Wandering Vagrants
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Sayornis saya....also at the Community Gardens.
Tags: Sayornis saya Antonelli Pond 9/23/12 Say's Phoebe
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Buteo Lineatus...there was at least one Red-shouldered Hawk at every stop of the day. This brightly colored bird gave us some great looks and a nice flyby at the Struve Slough. Struve Slough is hidden behind industrial buildings in Watsonville. You would never know it was there, and yet suddenly we park past the semi trucks, turn around, and see a lovely landscape with hawks, osprey, herons, pelicans, a white-faced Ibis!!! and the list goes on. ( I think the grand total was 94 birds for the day, by the way, and we are still exhausted)
Tags: Buteo Lineatus Struve Slough 9/23/12 Red-shouldered Hawk SFBBO Wandering Vagrants
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