I led my Palo Alto Adult School birding class on a field trip to Sycamore Grove Park this morning. Conditions were overcast in the morning, clearing by mid morning and becoming quite windy by noon. A few highlights of our visit to the park are below (including 5 species* that were new for us at this location):
Wood Duck — pair near pedestrian bridge, third bird in flight
Great Horned Owl — 3 individuals
Barn Owl — 4 individuals
Swainson’s Thrush* — heard only deep in shrubs beside the Wetmore Road entrance lot
Warbling Vireo* — several along creek and by park residence
Western Tanager* — first of several was seen directly above restrooms
Black-headed Grosbeak* — one by winery, another along Magpie trail
Lazuli Bunting* — 3 females seen, singing male heard near pedestrian bridge and winery
Lawrence’s Goldfinch — one male beside pedestrian bridge
Photos taken by class members will be posted soon on our eBird list:
Matthew Dodder
Mountain View
