Paicines Reservoir this morning was beautiful in the morning sunlight, after those rainy days. I birded from 8:30 am until 9:45 am. Highlights included: a possible RUFF on the northeast side of the edge of the water, quite a long distance when scoping from the pull out lot. I would love it, if someone else could confirm this ID.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a new sign on the gate on the dike at the pullout which says, "BIRDERS- Please enjoy our birds from the other side of this gate." So, please do not go through the gate, and walk on the dike.
In addition to the possible Ruff, two CASSIN'S KINGBIRDS were on the telephone wires at the north end of the pullout when I arrived. By the time I left, they were hunting from the single, leafless willow tree in the dried out part of the reservoir. One TREE SWALLOW was hawking over the water. A good variety of ducks/waterfowl was present: Common and Hooded Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks, Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Canvasbacks, Ruddy Ducks, American Widgeon, Clark's/Western Grebes, one White Pelican, and about 46 peeps.
On Quien Sabe Road, I found 2 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS, 18 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS, one BURROWING OWL, and one adult BALD EAGLE. A BOBCAT was hunting ground squirrels on the hillside. SNOW could still be seen covering the Diablo Mountains!
On Santa Ana Valley Road, a subadult GOLDEN EAGLE was hunting ground squirrels.
Hope to see you out there!
Debra
Debra Shearwater
Shearwater Journeys, Inc.
PO Box 190
Hollister, CA 95024
831.637.8527
www.shearwaterjourneys.com
*Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010*
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