Archive of past sightings

On Dec. 12th, while checking Jeffrey Fontana Park (adjacent to Guadalupe Oak Grove Park), Janna Pauser found a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.

On the afternoon of Dec. 7th an AMERICAN BITTERN was again seen at the SCVWD by Ann Verdi and Janna Pauser.

Janna Pauser reports that on Dec. 6th a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was seen on Casa Loma Rd. near the walnut orchard, and numerous VARIED THRUSHES were present along Casa Loma Rd. and along trails at Rancho Canada del Oro.

Most of the recent news is from Calero Reservoir. Ann Verdi reports that an adult BALD EAGLE was seen there on Dec. 2nd, and a PRAIRIE FALCON was at the upper end of the reservoir on Dec. 1st. Based on past behavior the eagle is probably best looked for in the early morning.

On Nov. 20th Matthew Dodder and Brian Christman reported that a tan-striped WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was at the trailhead leading toward Calero Reservoir from the corral. Birds at Calero Reservoir that day included several CACKLING GEESE and 2 immature PEREGRINE FALCONS.

Gordon Barrett was at Calero Reservoir on Nov. 19th, and reported the presence of a HORNED GREBE, WESTERN & CLARK'S GREBES, 5 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, and 5 CACKLING GEESE.

Ann Verdi repoted that 3 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, 6 minima-type CACKLING GEESE, a PEREGRINE FALCON, and 20+ AMERICAN PIPITS were at Calero Reservoir on Nov. 17th.

Ann Verdi conducted her monthly survey of Almaden Reservoir on Nov. 14th-15th. Ducks at Almaden Reservoir on the 14th included WOOD DUCK (36), GADWALL (4), MALLARD (76), NORTHERN SHOVELER (8), GREEN-WINGED TEAL (3), RING-NECKED DUCK (2), BUFFLEHEAD (7), COMMON GOLDENEYE (2), HOODED MERGANSER (1 adult male), COMMON MERGANSER (3), and RUDDY DUCK (3). At least 5 PINE SISKINS were with goldfinches in brushy hillside vegetation along Alamitos Rd. by the reservoir on Nov 15th.

Janna Pauser reports that a tan-striped WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was at the junction of the Hacienda and New Almaden Trails near the parking lot at the Mockingbird Hill entrance to Almaden Quicksilver County Park on Nov. 15th.

On Nov. 10th Ann Verdi had 3 HOODED MERGANSERS at the upper end of Almaden Reservoir.

Ann Verdi conducted her monthly survey at the SCVWD and Guadalupe River channel on Nov. 6th-8th. Highlights included an AMERICAN BITTERN at the main pond and in the adjacent channel on Nov. 8th, a MERLIN on Nov. 7th, and a fly-over COMMON RAVEN on Nov. 6th.

Highlights of Ann Verdi's monthly survey of Calero Reservoir (Nov. 1st-3rd) included an AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN and 2 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE on Nov. 3rd, a very dark (possibly suckleyi) MERLIN on the 2nd, and a PEREGRINE FALCON on the 1st.

Gordon Barrett reported that an AMERICAN BITTERN was in the river channel behind the SCVWD ponds on Oct. 29th.

Ann Verdi conducted a survey of the SCVWD and Guadalupe River Channel between Coleman and Blossom Hill Roads on Oct. 6th-8th. Highlights included a SORA and 2 BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS on Oct. 6th and a CHIPPING SPARROW on the 7th. A COMMON MOORHEN was again observed at the main pond. Ann also reports the continued presence of a MARBLED GODWIT at Calero Reservoir on Oct. 9th.

It's been a busy fall in the Almaden Valley! Most recently, on Oct. 1st, Mike Mammoser found a TENNESSEE WARBLER in fennel along the Guadalupe River Trail just north of Blossom Hill Rd. The warbler was still present on Oct. 3rd, when it was seen by multiple observers, including Bob Reiling, Frank Vanslager, Janna Pauser, and Peggy Don. A WILLOW FLYCATCHER and 2 CHIPPING SPARROWS were also in the area.

Ann Verdi conducted her monthly survey of Calero Reservoir on Oct. 1-3. On Oct. 2nd a MARBLED GODWIT was at the reservoir (unusual this far from the bay). She noted that increasing numbers of ducks are arriving at the reservoir, and a first-of-the-fall-season HERRING GULL was observed during the survey. A BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER was found in oaks at the back of the parking area across from the horse corrals on Oct. 1st, and possibly the same bird was in oaks along the levee near the farmhouse on the 2nd. An unusually high count of TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS was made at Calero County Park on Oct. 1st, when "at least 200" were among the multitudes of (mostly Red-winged) blackbirds.

Janna Pauser found a BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER at the SCVWD Ponds on Sept. 25th, and it was again seen there by Melanie O'Brien on the 26th. It was last reported by Janna at the N.E. corner of the main SCVWD pond on Sept. 28th. A WILLOW FLYCATCHER was at the S.E. corner of the main pond on the latter date.

Janna Pauser also reported to SBB that a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was at the SCVWD Pond on Sept. 23rd . This would represent another first for the Almaden Valley!

Ann Verdi reports that on Sept. 22nd there were 18 AMERICAN AVOCETS at Calero Reservoir - in fact she noted that they actually outnumbered the stilts! This is definitely a high count for the Almaden Valley.

On Sept. 10th a BREWER'S SPARROW was found by Janna Pauser at the S.E. corner of the main pond at the SCVWD headquarters. Ann Verdi was present and confirmed the I.D. A COMMON MOORHEN and as many as 40 VAUX'S SWIFTS were also in the area. On Sept. 11th Janna saw an OSPREY and a SORA there, but couldn't refind the sparrow.

Finally, Janna Pauser reported that a LESSER YELLOWLEGS was seen at Calero Reservoir on Sept. 2nd.

Ann Verdi reports that on September 1st an adult female YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was in the horse corral opposite the parking area at Calero County Park. Birds seen at Calero Reservoir incuded 8 juvenile RED-NECKED PHALAROPES at Bailey Cove, an OSPREY at the upper end, and a GOLDEN EAGLE at the boat ramp..

Janna Pauser reports that on August 27th & 28th WILLOW FLYCATCHERS were observed along the Alamitos Creek Trail upstream from Almaden Lake. Janna also noted that on the 28th there were NUTMEG MANNIKINS near the Mazzone bridge, and a BARN OWL was seen in the hollow of a sycamore on Crossview Drive.

Ann Verdi reports that on August 21st a female (or possibly immature) ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was seen along the Guadalupe River between the spillway at the SCVWD and Blossom Hill Road. It was associating with immature HOODED ORIOLES. There were also 3 VAUX'S SWIFTS there in a mixed flock of swallows.

Janna Pauser reports that highlights of a Wild Bird Center field trip to the SCVWD pond on August 19th included 4 VAUX'S SWIFTS, NUTMEG MANNIKINS, and a MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER.

Ann Verdi surveyed the Almaden Reservoir/Twin Creeks area between August 11th and 14th. Of the 10 WOOD DUCKS at the upper end of the reservoir 4 were half-grown young. Many wading birds were also at the upper end of the reservoir, including 2 GREAT BLUE HERONS, 3 GREAT EGRETS, 3 SNOWY EGRETS, and 3 GREEN HERONS. A WILSON'S WARBLER was at Twin Creeks on the 11th, and a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, a YELLOW WARBLER, and 2 WESTERN TANAGERS were at the O'Day property on the 14th.

Janna Pauser reported the presence of 3 WILLETS (unusual this far from the bay) at Almaden Lake on August 12th.

On August 4th Janna had a pair of LAZULI BUNTINGS on Bald Mountain in the Sierra Azul OSP.

Ann Verdi conducted her monthly survey of Calero Reservoir from August 1st to 3rd. An adult OSPREY was seen there on the 2nd and 3rd. Fall shorebird arrivals included 7 BLACK-NECKED STILTS, 1 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and 4 LEAST SANDPIPERS. An unusual sighting for the location was a WARBLING VIREO in oaks along the road leading to the levee trail on the 3rd.

On June 8th Godon Barrett reported the presence of a CATTLE EGRET in the heronry at Almaden Lake. On June 9th, while looking for the Cattle Egret, Mike Mammoser found an adult LITTLE BLUE HERON on the island near the heronry, and it was subsequently observed that day by Bob Reiling and John Hutz.. The Cattle Egret could not be refound on the 9th, but was again observed at the heronry on June 12th by Kirsten Holmquist, and on June 15th by Pat Kenny, Ann Verdi, and Mike Mammoser. The Little Blue Heron continued to be seen at Almaden Lake through June 17th, when it was last reported by Bob Reiling about 100 yards downstream from the Coleman Ave. bridge. These are first Almaden Valley records for both species.

In the early morning hours of June 12th I heard a COMMON POORWILL calling in the Santa Teresa Hills along Henwood Rd. Also on June 12th Janna Pauser walked the Stile Ranch/Fortini Trail loop in Santa Teresa County Park. Birds found there included WESTERN KINGBIRDS, 3 YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIES, a ROCK WREN, and several LAZULI BUNTINGS.

On June 11th a LAZULI BUNTING was singing along the trail to Bald Mountain in the Sierra Azul OSP, and a LARK SPARROW was observed at the summit of Bald Mountain (John & Michelle Mariani, Ann Verdi).

On June 1st, while doing her monthly bird survey, Ann Verdi found a female GADWALL with young and an AMERICAN COOT on its nest in Bailey Cove at Calero Reservoir. On June 2nd she observed a COMMON RAVEN near the transmission tower at the summit of Bailey Road (which Mike Rogers had earlier reported to be a probable raven nest site).

Janna Pauser reports that a LARK SPARROW was at Guadalupe Oak Grove Park on May 30th. This is a new addition to the park bird list.

On May 29th Janna Pauser walked Wood Road in the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. Birds found along the road included GOLDEN EAGLE (a pair nesting in a Douglas fir), HAIRY WOODPECKER, and BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER. A LAZULI BUNTING was along Mt. Umunhum Rd. above the gate.

On May 28th Mike Rogers conducted his annual breeding bird survey, along a route that includes Almaden Valley sites. Some of his more interesting finds were a pair of NORTHERN SHOVELERS in Bailey Cove at Calero Reservoir (very late or locally breeding?); a probable COMMON RAVEN nest on a transmission tower near the summit of Bailey Road, east of Calero Reservoir; RING-NECKED PHEASANT and LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE along Bailey Road near the IBM facility; and a LAZULI BUNTING on the hillside north of McKean Road at Country View Drive.

Ann Verdi reported that on May 25th there were two young GOLDEN EAGLES ready to fledge at the transmission power nest along McKean Road.

On May 17th Ann Verdi walked Wood Rd. (trailhead at the junction of Mt. Umunhum Rd. and Hicks Rd.) past Guadalupe Creek, and reported that CASSIN'S VIREOS were "quite vocal all along the route." Other birds found included OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER.

That same day Janna Pauser did a 2 mile loop through Almaden Quicksilver Park starting at the McAbee Rd. entrance. Highlights included a SWAINSON'S THRUSH, A WILSON'S WARBLER, and LAZULI BUNTINGS.

Ann Verdi heard a SWAINSON'S THRUSH at the junction of Hicks and Alamitos Roads on May 14th, and had another at Twin Creeks on May 12th. She also reports that a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK was opposite the O'Day property at Twin Creeks on May 13th. WOOD DUCKS and COMMON MERGANSERS were at Almaden Reservoir.

Janna Pauser reports finding a nice assortment of birds at Guadalupe Oak Grove Park today, including WHITE-THROATED SWIFT, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, WARBLING VIREO, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, WILSON'S WARBLER, WESTERN TANAGER, and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK.

Ann Verdi did some hiking in the vicinity of Mt. Umunhum this morning. Birds along the Bald Mountain Trail included OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, COMMON RAVEN, and LAZULI BUNTING. A WESTERN TANAGER was along Mt. Umunhum Road above the locked gate.

While surveying the Guadalupe River Channel, on May 5th-6th, Ann Verdi found colonies of NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED and CLIFF SWALLOWS nesting under the vehicular and pedestrian bridges at Coleman Road. A pair of COMMON MERGANSERS were seen in the channel on both days.

Janna Pauser reports that 3 YELLOW WARBLERS, a WILSON'S WARBLER, and a flock of 17 NUTMEG MANNIKINS were along Alamitos Creek between Mazzone Drive and Almaden Lake on May 5th. A flock of 200(!) CEDAR WAXWINGS, 2 WESTERN GREBES, and 2 CASPIAN TERNS were at Almaden Lake. That same day Matthew Dodder noted that 6 COMMON MERGANSERS and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER were at the mouth of Alamitos Creek (upper end of Almaden Lake).

The COMMON LOON at Almaden Lake was last reported by Bill Bousman on May 2nd.

Ann Verdi checked the upper end of Calero Reservoir on May 1st. Birds there included a CLARK'S GREBE on the reservopir, a BARN OWL under the eaves of the farmhouse at the horse corral, and a few spring migrants along the way to the levee (ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN TANAGER, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, and BULLOCK'S ORIOLE).

Bob Reiling reported to SBB that a COMMON LOON was found at Almaden Lake on April 30th. Kathryn Parker, Mike Mammoser, and Mike Rogers all visited the lake today (May 1st), and the loon was still present, along with 2 WESTERN GREBES and 3 CASPIAN TERNS.

On April 29th a PURPLE MARTIN was seen flying over Bald Mountain in the Sierra Azul OSP by Kay Partelow and Chris MacIntosh.

Janna Pauser reports that BELTED KINGFISHERS are confirmed to be nesting along Alamitos Creek - a first breeding record for the Almaden Valley?

Janna Pauser reports the discovery of a PILEATED WOODPECKER at Guadalupe Oak Grove Park on April 27th. This is a first record for the Almaden Valley. In recent years the Santa Cruz Mountains population has been increasing and expanding its range, so an eventual occurrence was to be expected - most likely in the Sierra Azul. But birds don't always do what is most likely, and the suburban location of this sighting is a bit of a surprise.

On April 23rd the "Almaden Eagles" birdathon team (Ann Verdi, Janna Pauser, Kirsten Holmquist, and Rich Page) spent a day trying to find as many species as possible in and around the Almaden Valley. They just missed the 100 mark with a final total of 99 species. Some of their more interesting sightings included nesting WARBLING VIREOS at Twin Creeks, nesting BARN OWLS at the Bailey-Fellows farmhouse at Calero County Park, a GOLDEN EAGLE chick on its transmission tower nest along McKean Road, a male ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD at the Stile Ranch/Fortini Trailhead, and a CHIPPING SPARROW at Guadalupe Oak Grove Park. On April 17th, while scouting for the birdathon, Ann Verdi saw a young Mountain Lion along Hicks Road just upstream from Guadalupe Reservoir. It was prowling very close to the road, so be cautious when birding there (or anywhere in the foothills, for that matter!).

First-of-spring reports have come in for almost all of our common neotropical migrants.

Reports of returning spring migrants include a WILSON'S WARBLER along Alamitos Creek on March 31st (Janna Pauser), a BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK near the Mockingbird Hill entrance to Almaden Quicksilver Park on April 2nd (Ann Verdi), CASPIAN TERN at Calero Reservoir on April 5th (Ann Verdi), HOODED ORIOLES in Janna Pauser's backyard on April 4th, and YELLOW WARBLERS along the Guadalupe River near Highway 85 on April 8th (Janna Pauser). Less expected were as many as 4 CHIPPING SPARROWS at Guadalupe Oak Grove Park on April 5th (Janna Pauser), with at least 3 found there the following day (Peggy Don), and one still present on April 8th. Very unusual was a male PURPLE MARTIN seen at Calero Reservoir on April 6th (Ann Verdi). Most other local sightings of this species have been at higher elevations in the Sierra Azul, and primarily in the vicinity of Loma Prieta.

Janna Pauser reports sightings of OSPREY over her backyard on April 4th, and along the Guadalupe River between Highway 85 and Blossom Hill Road on April 8th. Today (April 9th) a RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD was seen in her backyard, where HOODED ORIOLES were also visiting her feeders.

Some reports of returning migrants have been coming in. Ann Verdi noted that ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS had arrived by March 15th. Mike Mammoser found a singing HOUSE WREN at Almaden Quicksilver Park on March 26th, and observed a PRAIRIE FALCON there the same day. Hugh McDevitt saw a WESTERN KINGBIRD at the IBM Almaden Research Center on March 27th..

In other news, WOOD DUCKS continue to be seen at Almaden Reservoir (10 on March 15th, 4 on March 19th (Ann Verdi, Cynthia Berg). The last report I received of the BALD EAGLE at Calero Reservoir was of a sighting on March 2nd (Ann Verdi). A SAY'S PHOEBE was near the McAbee Road entrance to Almaden Quicksilver Park on March 24th (Janna Pauser).

On the evening of Feb. 9th Jennifer Rycenga walked from the McAbee Road entrance to the Senator Mines Area of Almaden Quicksilver Park. At 6:25pm she heard 2 COMMON POORWILLS in the Senator Mines Area. Poorwills are regularly found there, although the date is unusually early (indicating that they are probably wintering at this site). GREAT HORNED OWL and WESTERN SCREECH-OWL were also present.

Ann Verdi saw an AMERICAN DIPPER in Herbert Creek upstream from Almaden Reservoir (at Twin Creeks) on Jan. 26th. Bill Bousman and Mike Mammoser both searched unsuccessfully for the Red-naped Sapsucker, but reported that the dipper was still present on Jan. 28th.

Kathy Parker walked the Stile Ranch/Fortini Trail loop on Jan. 27th, and found a pair of ROCK WRENS in the serpentine where the trail tops out.

Dave Weber reports that the BALD EAGLE was again seen at Calero Reservoir on Jan. 31rst.

On Jan. 9th a ROCK WREN was found on the dam at Guadalupe Reservoir by Lisa Myers. This is apparently a new location for this species.

On Jan. 19th a RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER was discovered by Ann Verdi. The bird was working the oaks near 23505 Alamitos Road. On Jan. 22nd it was again seen by Kathy Parker in the same area. This represents a first Almaden Valley record. Please note that there is NO PARKING anywhere along Alamitos Road, so to look for this bird you must drive to the intersection with Hicks Road and park along Hicks, where there are a few pull-off spaces. These are winding roads with blind curves and fast cars, so be careful!

Matthew Dodder missed the Bald Eagle at Calero Reservoir today, but observed a pair of GOLDEN EAGLES, a PEREGRINE FALCON, and 36 COMMON MERGANSERS there. Another PEREGRINE FALCON was at the SCVWD Pond.

Ann Verdi reported to SBB that with a couple of late additions the final total for the 2005 Calero-Morgan Hill CBC stands at 147 species (tying the record for highest species count set in 2003).

On Jan. 4th Janna Pauser saw 2 PEREGRINE FALCONS and a flock of 7 NUTMEG MANNIKINS at the SCVWD Pond, and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER at Guadalupe Oak Grove Park.

On Jan. 1st Janna Pauser checked New Almaden and entrances to Quicksilver County Park, finding RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER, WESTERN SCREECH-OWL, YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIES, and TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS.

Kathy Parker reports that on Jan. 2nd a BALD EAGLE was seen in a live oak at Calero Reservoir.

Lisa Myers was scouting south county reservoirs on January 3rd for an upcoming field trip. At Guadalupe Reservoir a large flock of YELLOW BILLED MAGPIES was seen foraging with a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds (an unusual location for the magpies). She reports that at Almaden Reservoir WOOD DUCKS were "all over the place and if I had counted I am sure I would have hit 60 plus." Calero Reservoir had COMMON MERGANSERS, EARED GREBE, and a BALD EAGLE.

Linda Sullivan, visiting Calero Reservoir on Jan. 4th, saw the wintering BALD EAGLE, and noted that it was only the second time that she's seen it there in six years (finding this bird has always been very hit and miss).