- Date: 09/07/2010
- Time: 07:30:00 AM
Migrant Warbler Search
Field Trip
Fall migration is in full swing so let’s go out and find some passerines. After checking CV Birds listserve, central_valley_birds@yahoogroups.com; we’ll go where it shows the most activity. As we look for Wilson, MacGillavray, Townsend’s Warblers we’ll also see whether Rufous Hummingbirds, Hermit Thrushes, Western Tanagers or any flycatchers are passing through.
Meet at 7:30 AM in parking area near Big 5 at the Market Place Shopping Center on West Covell Blvd., Davis. Bring binoculars, snacks and water for this morning search; we should finish around noon.
Contact leader Sami LaRocca at sami182@wavecable.com, (530) 908-0288.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Our first stop, North Davis Farms and Judy Witcomb’s Property, we were able to see some non-migratory species: Great Egret, Snowy Egret, House Finch, Anna’s Hummingbird, Green Heron, California Towhee and Northern Mockingbird. On a flowering Bottlebrush bush we saw numerous hummers, the highlight were some Rufous Hummingbirds. When we started out along the ditch/greenbelt the group was joined by Steve Hampton who was gracious to help us find and identify the majority of the following warblers: MacGillivray’s, Yellow, Orange-crowned and Willow Flycatcher. At one spot while watching warbler antics, both a Warbling Vireo and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher came along and put on a marvelous display for many minutes. Also seen here were Western Tanagers, mostly young in basic plumage. A migrant Red-breasted Nuthatch was observed foraging on pine cones. Flyover White-faced Ibis came low so we could get great looks.
The second half of the outing was to look along Putah Creek Riparian Reserve at a known bird bathing spot downstream from CR 98/Pedrick Road. Since scouting the trip here the leader noted the water levels had risen so only one Yellow Warblers and a Black Phoebe were bathing. We were able to watch a Black-throated Gray Warbler forage in the trees for some time. Hawks both seen or heard here were Swainson’s, Red-shouldered, Red-tail, Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned. We had heard Wilson’s Warbler at both stops, however, as we returned to our cars we were treated to a long sustained view at some foraging in the shade. A total of 50 species were seen by eight birders.
[Birds not seen on trip but present two days earlier were Pacific-slope Flycatcher and Black-headed Grosbeak.]
