Date- November 6, 2024
Location: 38°04’36.5″N 122°31’51.6″W 10ft
Site Description: As soon as we parked, we got a clear view of the pond. In the pond we saw Mute Swans and several duck species including Mallard and Ring-necked Duck. We also saw Snowy and Great Egrets. As we started walking to the path along the pond, we saw an Ameican Kestrel and some Canda Geese flying overhead. We got to a small group of eucalyptus trees where we saw Acorn Woodpeckers, a White-breasted Nuthatch, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and two Bald Eagles. Within these trees were hundreds of European Starlings. We kept walking and saw hundreds of Long-billed Dowitchers and some Black-necked Stilts. We stopped at a bend where there was one main tree and a clear view of the sky. Within the tree, we saw a Downy Woodpecker and in the clear opening of the sky we saw several Red-tailed Hawks and Turkey Vultures. We continued to see more waterfowl in the pond as we walked, including Rudy Ducks, Soras, and Greater Yellowlegs. We got to a large open field towards the end of our walk down the pond, where we saw Northern Fllickers and a Northern Harrier. We stopped at a deck at the end of the pond before returning back to the car.
Species Account: Bald Eagle
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bald_Eagle/photo-gallery
We all knew there was a possibility of seeing these birds but we couldn’t believe it when we actually did see them. One was perched at the very top of a eucalyptus tree. It is a very distinguishable bird because of it’s large yellow bill and completely white head. Also the pure size of this bird allowed us to see it very clearly without binoculars. We were able to get a good look at it before it started to fly away and at that point is when we saw the second one. According to the Sibley Guide to Birds Second Edition, their wingbeats are stiff and shallow. They are typically found near water because of the abundance of prey. It not only hunts but steals food and will typically be found perched at the top of prominent trees. (Sibley, 143).
Narrative: We left a little bit after 8 and were very lucky to have good clear skies once we left SF. This was a really exciting trip because we got to see so many different species at one site. This whole trip was on fire right after we saw the Bald Eagles. We all kept hoping they would come back so we could take a photo but we weren’t lucky twice. Regardless, we broke the record for most species on a trip. I never would have thought that pond had so much to offer.
