Date: August 30, 2023
Location: 37°46’23.7″N 122°27’18.6″W {{{Horseshoe Pits/Northeast Entrance to McLaren Lodge}}}
Site Description+Conditions: 70 deg. F under mostly sunny skies, light westerly wind… This excursion took us to Golden Gate Park, through various trails at differing heights, beginning at the northeast entrance, then mostly south towards the Conservatory of Flowers/McLaren Lodge before looping back. While some areas in full sun were considerably warmer than those shaded by larger trees, eucalyptus etc., conditions remained stable throughout the duration of this inaugural voyage. Many different species of trees, flowering shrubs/plants, etc. provided various resources for the birds on site.
Narrative: While the birds were a little shy at first in some areas, we eventually spotted smaller common species near the northeast entrance (under some shade from the large trees in the vicinity), including the Chestnut-backed Chickadee, numerous Pygmy Nuthatches, Dark-eyed Juncos, House Finches, and a couple of Common Ravens found higher up in the larger trees. In summary, we found an abundant diversity of duller-colored species in these shaded areas. Upon moving to warmer areas in full sun, more colored species were found, some feeding on berries/fruit such as the Townsend’s Warbler, Western Tanager, Anna’s Hummingbird, along with multiple woodpeckers and jays. Some of these latter species are on their way south in their fall/winter migrations.
Species Account: Townsend’s Warbler — Setophaga townsendi
These birds stand out with their bright yellow chests; more mature individuals will be more brightly colored and males will exhibit a black throat. All exhibit a dark crown and dark cheeks surrounded by a yellow crown. These birds breed in the Northwest U.S. before migrating south to Costa Rica, Mexico and Guatemala for the winter. They travel in groups, often with other warblers. Closely associated with the Hermit Warbler; these two species are known to interbreed.
Pictured: female/immature Townsend’s Warbler
For more:
https://ebird.org/species/towwar
Sibley, David Allen (2000). The Sibley Guide to Birds. New York: Knopf. p. 438