Yumary's Chirp Chronicles

Date- September 25, 2024

Location: 37°46’07.4″N 122°30’03.7″W 74ft

Site Description: This site consisted of one large lake surrounded smaller trees and a lot of shrubbery. We were able to see into the surrounding trees and look down at the bushes close to the water. When we first started birding we immediately saw a California Towhee, Yellow Warbler, Townsend Warbler, and Chestnut-backed Chickadees. We continued to the right and stopped by some taller trees where we saw Brown Creepers and Steller’s Jays. We went off the path into a dry open space some ways away from the lake and saw a Western Flycatcher at the bottom of a pine tree. We continued around the lack and saw some Mallards and a Double-crested Cormorant. On our way to the second lake, we saw a perched Red-shouldered Hawk. At the second lake, we saw a Great Blue Heron fly overhead and spotted a Belted Kingfisher at the edge of a tree branch.

Species account: Townsend Warbler

We saw this species a couple of times but when we first identified this bird it was through it’s high pitched chirp. There were a lot of smaller birds in this first initial tree but the Townsend Warbler was jumping from branch to branch very quickly and we were able to spot the bright yellow face with the additional patterns. The warbler actually got pretty close to use so we were able to see a lot of the plumage details to properly identify it. According to the Sibley Guide to Birds Second Edition, they are common in coniferous forests and nest/forage high up in trees. During winter and their migration, these warblers are seen in any wooded habitat but prefer really dense foliage. They are able to be differentiated from Black-throated Green by the more prominent yellow below their cheeks. (Sibley, 494).

Narrative: We met up at the Chain of Lakes around 8:45 am and didn’t officially start birding until 9 am. The trip lasted until around 12 pm. It was a relatively foggy day but it did begin to clear up towards the end. This trip was really big for us to start being able to identify some birds on our own since we saw a lot of the same species we’ve seen before.

Date- September 18, 2024

Location: 37°49’49.8″N 122°31’58.6″W 4ft

Site Description: The site consisted of a lot flat land to the left of the parking lot full of bushes, trees, and telephone poles. As soon as we walked to the left of the parking lot, we saw a perched American Kestrel and 5 Western Bluebirds on the wires. We proceeded to go off the path and hike up into a small clearing where you could see above the surrounding bushes. At this area, we saw some Yellow Warblers in a bush and farther away spotted a Spotted Towhee. In that same spot, we saw a Northern Flicker on the side of a far away telephone pole. We left this area and headed to the lagoon where we immediately saw a Great Egret, Mallards, Brown Pelicans, American Wigeons, and a Red-necked Phalarope. We continued to walk around the lagoon started toward the left and saw 2 Snowy Egrets, We took a path that ran alongside the lagoon and wound up in a space that Prof. Paul described as warbler territory. We continued down to an overlook where we saw a Common Loon, Common Turn, and a Great Blue Heron. We took the same route back and right before we reached the parking lot we saw a Belted Kingfisher.

Species Account: American Kestrel 

This was the first species that we saw on this trip once we started walking out of the parking lot. It was perched so we were able to get a good look at the patterns on it’s face, the rufous on it’s back and tail, and it was relatively small in size. We even saw the same Kestrel fly over head which allowed us to see its wings and flight. According to the Sibley Guide to Birds Second Edition, they have a shrill, clear screaming call that is weaker than other raptors. The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon and is often seen on roadside wires or fenceposts. (Sibley, 326).

Narrative: We left for this field trip around 8:05 and stayed at the lagoon until around 12-12:30. It was unfortunately really foggy that day and it didn’t clear up until the end of the trip. This did effect our plan for the day which is why we did not go to Hawk Hill. We were able to meet an infamous birder who regularly birds at this location and he was helpful to call out a bird or two. It started off as a slower trip but our luck changed for us once we went off the path.

Date- September 11, 2024

Location: 38°01’38.7″N 122°30’56.1″W 15 ft

Site Description: This site was made up of 3 large ponds and a smaller pond/creek that we saw when we first started. At this smaller pond, we saw the Black-crowned Night Heron and everyone in class was able to get a good look. We carried on to the first large pond that was surrounded by very tall reeds and a marsh that separated us from the water. In this first pond, we saw a couple Mute Swans and a group of Vaux’s Swifts flying overhead. Within the marsh we saw  a Black Phoebe perched and some Red-winged Blackbirds flying around. Across the path from the pond was a dry wide open field where we saw some White-tailed Kites and a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk. Further along the first pond, one of my classmates spotted a rare bird called the Least Bittern. The second pond was not a marsh and was surrounded by bushes with a small shore. At this pond we saw a Song Sparrow and a Yellow Warbler feeding in a nearby fennel plant. We also saw an American White Pelican, some Double-crested Cormorant, and a lot of different duck species. A Northern Harrier flew in front of us at this pond carrying a rodent. The third pond was very similar to the second one because it also had a small shore. At this pond we saw hundreds of Canada Geese. On the walk between each pond was a lot of dry open land with scattered telephone poles. Perched on these poles we saw many European Starlings and an American Kestrel.

Species Account: Mute Swan 

We saw this species towards the beginning of the trip at the first large pond. It was in the water swimming. We saw it by itself towards the back of the pond close to the surrounding bushes. In the field, we were able to identify the Mute Swan due to it’s large size, long neck, entirely white plumage, and orange bill. It was swimming rather slow so we were all able to get a good look. According to the Sibley Guide to Birds Second Edition, it is larger than any goose and is actually not mute but makes a lot of different calls depending on the situation and age of the swan. It is actually uncommon but can escape from captivity which examples why it can be seen across the continent. This particular swan will be seen in shallow ponds or lakes with plentiful vegetation. (Sibley, 12).

Narrative: We left for this field trip around 8:15 am and came back to campus around 12 pm. This was the first trip we had where it was really sunny with clear skies. Unfortunately, there were no tall trees at this site so we all started to get a little hot towards the end. We finally met a fellow birder and he was birding with us for practically the whole trip. Prof Paul and him both got really excited when they were able to see the Least Bittern. We were able to see the most number of different species in this trip which made our list pretty long. It was really cool to be able to start calling out birds without Prof Paul having to call it. I think that we were able to see so many different birds because of the different microhabitats present on this site. Not only did we see a lot of cool birds but we also saw a couple deer and a jackrabbit.