This morning I brought my bike over to Coyote Hills, and birded through many of the trails, including a trip out the No Name Trail, north along the Shoreline Trail, then back along Alameda Creek. I managed to eke out 103 species over the 3 1/2 hours. Most were expected birds, but there were a few migrants and highlights. I am largely just getting a feel for where to find certain target birds for the biking big day coming up in about a month. I'm sure things will change as the marsh starts to recede a bit.
Highlights:
--1 Red-breasted Merganser. By Alameda Creek mouth
--1 Osprey. First seen over the Alameda Creek mouth around 9:30am, then seen again soaring over the North Marsh at 10:15am.
--1 Loggerhead Shrike. Continuing wintering bird? Seen at southern end of North Marsh.
--1 Rufous Hummingbird. Adult male foraging in eucalyptus by the nectar garden. I also had a Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird around the wild radish at the very mouth of Alameda Creek. Surprising!
--1 House Wren. Singing by Hoot Hollow
--1 Red-breasted Nuthatch. With a large group of Yellow-rumped Warblers in the oaks by the abandoned building near Patterson Ranch Road and Paseo Padre. Later in spring, the last of the irruptive Red-breasted Nuthatches often seem to be with yellow-rumps.
--1 Warbling Vireo. Singing by visitor center.
--2 Wilson's Warblers. Singing by visitor center.
It was fun to get a first taste of songbird migration. What a beautiful spot, particularly after all this rain! Full ebird lists are below.
