A terrific, warm morning at Mt. D with good diversity highlighted by 3
species of SWIFTS, a late female RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, and some breeding
evidence.

At 7:40 I observed 12 WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS flying north and swirling over
the eastern edge of Mt. D, perhaps some of the locally-observed birds seen
at Buena Vista, McLaren, etc. At 7:55 I observed 1 VAUX'S SWIFT come in low
over the eastern hillside. At 8:10 and 8:15 I observed single BLACK SWIFTS
flying north directly over the summit, not much higher than tree-top level.
Then at 8:30, I observed a flock of 15 BLACK SWIFTS (spread out over 25-50
yds.) flying north directly over the summit. A cool sight against clear
blue skies.

Between 7:10 and 7:30 I observed a single female RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH
working the tops of cypress and eucalyptus at various points between the
summit and the bottom of the Ravine; calling frequently.

Other observations of local interest:

Band-tailed Pigeon 6
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1
Western Wood-Pewee 3
Pacific-slope Flycatcher 3
Warbling Vireo 30+
Violet-green Swallow 5 (low over eastern hillside)
Swainson's Thrush 8
Cedar Waxwing 45
Warblers:
Yellow 6
Townsend's 7
Hermit 2
Wilson's 12
Western Tanager 7
Spotted Towhee 1 m. (singing near chain-link fence)
Black-headed Grosbeak 2
Lazuli Bunting 3
Lesser Goldfinch 4

Local breeding evidence:

Band-tailed Pigeon: 2 scaly-looking juveniles that lacked any nape markings
were preening near the Ravine.

Lesser Goldfinch: Within a noisy group of 4 moving about the SE hillside
was 1 begging, slightly fluffier bird (otherwise resembling a female), that
was fed by a female-plumaged bird. I've only periodically observed this
species at Mt. D this spring, so perhaps they nested at another location in
S.F.

Paul Saraceni
paul.saraceni@...