All,

I led my Palo Alto Adult School birding class on the Del Puerto
Canyon / San Antonio Valley / Mines Road tour today. Several cars
explored Hwy 132 toward Modesto in search of SWAINSON'S HAWKS of
which we found several prior to meeting the group at 7:30. WESTERN
TANAGER was found in the orchards along Hwy 132

The morning was exceedingly windy, making it difficult to find birds
the first few miles of Del Puerto Canyon Road, but by late morning it
calmed down and most targets were located. Chipping Sparrow and Sage
Sparrow were exceptions, not located in the usual spots, but not for
lack of trying... We saw several PHAINOPEPLA, RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS
and many LARK SPARROWS over the course of the day. A number of other
birds like ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN KINGBIRD and TRICOLORED
BLACKBIRDS were seen in a number of places. Other highlights were the
following:

Stanislaus County:
BLUE GROSBEAK at Graffiti Rock (lifer for several members)
COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD at Graffiti Rock (lifer for several members)
OSPREY high over head at Graffiti Rock
SAY'S PHOEBE nesting at Owl Rock
WHITE-THROATED SWIFT at Owl Rock
GREATER ROADRUNNER three times along road after Graffiti Rock
ROCK WREN and CANYON WREN at the usual spot where the creek crosses
the road
GREEN HERON here as well
NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL about 20 yards up-slope form restrooms at Frank
Raines picnic area
(lifer for several members)

Santa Clara Couny:
LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH a small group of 4 birds at the "Junction"
WESTERN WOOD PEWEE just south of "Junction" (First of season for me)
LEWIS'S WOODPECKER 6 birds beginning at pond on south end of San
Antonio Valley Road (lifer for several members)
WOOD DUCK: 6 birds beginning at pond on south end of San Antonio
Valley Road

Alameda County:
LAZULI BUNTING at creek bridge prior to reaching junction with Del Valle
HOODED ORIOLE here as well
BULLOCK'S ORIOLE here as well
CEDAR WAXWING here as well
CALIFORNIA THRASHER here as well
WILSON'S WARBLER here as well
GOLDEN EAGLE here as well
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK here as well


. . .

Matthew Dodder
Mountain View, CA
http://www.birdguy.net
http://www.zazzle.com/mdodder