BREAKING NEWS: VICTORY for BALD & GOLDEN EAGLES

COURTS INVALIDATE 30 YEAR "EAGLE TAKE" RULE

GOLDEN EAGLE

SAN BENITO COUNTY

COPYRIGHT, BETH HAMEL

Please join me in congratulating the AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY on winning the ruling that invalidates the government's ruling allowing the "take" (killing and maiming) of Bald and Golden Eagles by wind energy companies. 

BALD EAGLE NEST

SAN BENITO COUTY

COPYRIGHT, DEBI SHEARWATER

You can read the ruling here: 

DEBRA SHEARWATER et. al. v FWS and AWEA:

EAGLE 30-YEAR TAKE PERMIT DECISION

I'M SO HAPPY, I FEEL LIKE FIRING OFF THESE CRACKERS!

AS I SAY, IT IS NOT A DAY OF BIRDING IN SAN BENITO COUNTY,

IF ONE DOES NOT SEE A GOLDEN EAGLE!

EAGLES FOREVER,

DEBI SHEARWATER

Birding on the Faultlines

Love, Love, Love is in the air!

Hello, Birders,

Tonight, I report on San Benito County's longest and most successful nesting pair of BALD EAGLES whose nest was first discovered in 2004.  I named them, "Bob and Bernadette" after a local birding couple. 

A friend and I visited the nest on March 18th. We found Bernadette steadfastly on the nest, apparently incubating. On March 24th, Bonnie Bedzin and I visited the nest. Bernadette was standing on the edge of the nest and moving about the nest in a manner which made me think the eggs had hatched. Checking my "confirmed" incubation date — the timing was correct — about 35 days on eggs. We couldn't see any chicks, though. 

This evening I made a longer nest check. Bernadette was in the nest while Bob was sipping water from a cattle trough. I hung around to see what would happen as the sun was setting. Meadowlarks sang, ravens seemed to be quarreling and coyotes howled in the distant hills. Looking through my scope, I could see YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIES flitting around the nest. Magpies will steal eggs and young, even eagles. Bernadette remained firmly planted. Finally, the magpies tired and left. What happened next completely took me by surprise. She stood up, moved to the edge of the nest and began feeding a youngster (or two?). She was holding some sort of prey item down with her foot, while shredding tiny bits and — oops, the top of a dirty white head made a brief appearance! We have confirmed HATCHING! I continued to watch her  feeding the eaglet for several minutes. Then, Bob flew to the nest, perching at 1 o'clock about 4 feet above landing with outstretched wings. He pointed his head straight toward the sky much in the manner in which I've seen thousands of penguins do — it is called "ecstatic display." Bernadette then pointed her head skyward, and I thought I heard her soft whistling. 

Driving home over the hills I noticed some bold, large and amorous graffiti. A certain place in the road has become a hangout for young locals. Sure enough, two car loads of them were standing on the side of the road near their vehicles. One girl in short jeans was holding a large bouquet of red roses. It was so sweet. So, I said, "awe." They all giggled as I made my way home, checking on three families of burrowing owls, one family of nesting barn owls in an oak tree cavity and a pair of great-horned owls nesting in a eucalyptus tree. Silhouetted in another tree, I could see the red-tailed hawk incubating her eggs. Elsewhere in San Benito County, Bonnie and I saw a male NORTHERN HARRIER performing rolling courtship flight. I found a PRAIRIE FALCON eyrie in the Diablo Mountains very close to where a pair had fledged young in 2004. GOLDEN EAGLES have been frequently sighted, some very close by. 

In order to insure the success of these nests, locations will not be revealed. I'll be wringing my hands until everyone fledges. And, in retrospect, I think those magpies could see the carcass in the nest, hoping to snatch a piece for themselves. 

Any day an eagle hatches calls for a little ecstatic display! Love is in the air.

Life is Good,

Debi Shearwater

San Benito County Birding

San Benito County Birding: A Short Drive

Howdy, Birders,

Late this afternoon, February 20th, I made a short drive around the Hollister area. A CASSIN'S KINGBIRD, below, was at John Smith Road. A dark morph FERRUGINOUS HAWK was near the intersection of John Smith Road and Santa Ana Valley Road. The usual grassland species were around, including quite a few LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES. 

I am delighted to report that San Benito County's most reliable nesting pair of BALD EAGLES have begun incubation! One eagle was sitting in the nest today. I could not be certain if it was the male or female because the bird is very low in the nest and only the top of the head was showing. This nest was discovered in 2004. Its whereabouts is kept secret to protect the birds. They have successfully raised two young every year, except one since 2004. I will keep you posted on this year's outcome!

Happy Trails,

Debi Shearwater

San Benito County Birding

Winter Wings Festival

Winter Wings Festival

Howdy, Birders,

Recently, I returned from the Winter Wings Festival at Klamath Falls, Oregon where I was an exhibitor for Shearwater Journeys, Inc.  The weather was beyond spectacular — sunny skies every day! The skies were filled with flocks of thousands upon thousands of geese and ducks, their calls punctuating the still air. Sunsets, such as the one below, were gorgeous.

     

Following the Scenic Volcano Route, I encountered a nice herd of native Pronghorn.

Raptors were everywhere, including this American Kestrel feeding on a rodent. 

Tundra Swans can be found in the thousands, with some small fields harboring more than 3,000 birds.

     

In the small town of Doris, near the California-Oregon border, I found this Evening Grosbeak, pigging out at a feeder.

Evening Grosbeak at Doris, CA

And, of course, hundreds of Bald Eagles were present!

Near the town of Keno, OR, I stumbled upon a very large flock of Mountain Chickadees.

It is a big winter for Rough-legged Hawks, and I saw many of them. 

It was a fun time meeting new birders and connecting with a few of my good friends, as well. 

Happy Trails,

Debi Shearwater

Shearwater Journeys

SAN BENITO COUNTY BIRDING: SANTA ANA VALLEY ROAD

ROLL OUT THE RAPTORS—

EAGLES, PRAIRIE FALCONS BURROWING OWLS—

AND, CONDORS, OH MY!

Howdy, Birders,

Many of you know that driving the Santa Ana Valley Road, San Benito County is my "relaxation" drive from the post office to my home in Hollister. For the past two days, I've made that loop, sometimes including John Smith Road or Quien Sabe Road. Being mid-August, I was a bit surprised to see raptors already staking their positions for the coming fall. Plenty of GOLDEN EAGLES around!

 The immature GOLDEN EAGLE, below has a full crop. Hunting is already starting to look good.

 Next, I spot an immature BALD EAGLE, below. 

 These birds, along with a lot of TURKEY VULTURES were hanging around the "Eastern Phoebe Spot," if you know where that is. It is a labeled eBird location. 

 Next, an adult BALD EAGLE appears. Timing is everything. If you arrive just as the air is warming and the last bits of fog rise, it is possible to witness "lift off" of the raptors.

 This PRAIRIE FALCON, below, has already staked its spot. Please do NOT harass this bird by making it fly repeatedly for "your" flight shots! The bird has to eat and rest. And, I know who you are. I'm watching you!

BURROWING OWLS nested this year in these rapidly disappearing grasslands. 

 

Finally, toady, after seeing so many eagles and turkey vultures, I spotted this distant image of a raptor flying with flat wings, high in the sky, Humm, another eagle. Then, I look through my bins, and think, "Dang, what eagle IS this?" Then, "Oops, it is an adult CALIFORNIA CONDOR, all but in my backyard!"

 I shot off a few frames, then looked at the images on my camera. But, when I looked up, again, the bird was nowhere in sight. That was that. Below, the "fingers" show. This condor was near the intersection of Santa Ana Valley and Quien Sabe Roads at 12:47 pm, today.

 Scooting on down the road in disbelief, I found this adult GOLDEN EAGLE, drinking from a cattle water trough. It even tried to get in to take a bath. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to save it from drowning. Apparently, there is some sort of blocking boards, or something, to prevent that. 

The RAPTORS OF SANTA ANA VALLEY ARE RETURNING. 

Certainly, I did not see as many individuals at this time, as I hope to see as the fall and winter seasons progress. In fact, very few kestrels and red-tailed hawks and loggerhead shrikes are around. A few CASSIN'S and WESTERN KINGBIRDS are still hawking insects, though. Amazingly, I saw adult Cassin's Kingbirds feeding young in Tres Pinos town. Seems late for that.

I'll keep you posted regarding the raptor happenings.

Sorry for my poor quality images. All of them were made during the hottest part of the day and most of the raptors, including the condor, were at least a mile away.

Happy Trails,

Debi Shearwater

San Benito County Birding

SAN BENITO COUNTY: RAPTORS, DAY & NIGHT, RAPTOR RODEO

Howdy, Birders,

San Benito County was a great place to see the TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE this morning from 0500 to sunrise. Several years ago, the county enacted an ordinance which protects the night skies from light pollution. It was easy to find a dark place to watch the eclipse. It will probably come as no surprise to those who read this blog, that I choose Santa Ana Valley Road. Below, is my image of the eclipse. All images in this blog, copyright, Debi Shearwater. Please do not use without permission. The Raptor Rodeo continues!

Morning owls on Santa Ana Valley Road included two BARN OWLS. On John Smith Road, a male and female GREAT-HORNED OWL pair were dueting. It was easy to see both of them. Arriving at Paicines Reservoir well after sunrise, I was surprised to see a caramel-colored BARN OWL actively feeding. It landed just outside of my car window while I was reading the newspaper!
This Barn Owl perched on the fence along the east side of the dike at the reservoir. Other birds present included well over 300 COMMON MERGANSERS, 13 HOODED MERGANSERS and 4 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS.
A few days ago, I shot the long distance image of an adult BALD EAGLE, feeding on a kill at the edge of the reservoir. This eagle spent a good 40 minutes consuming its' prey.

On Quien Sabe Road, near Tres Pinos, I spotted the first GOLDEN EAGLE of the day, perched high on a lookout at the top of one of the grassy ridges. What a view it must have from up there!

This BURROWING OWL was one that I found in the morning. A late evening drive produced at least two Burrowing Owls on Quien Sabe Road between Highway 25 and the intersection of Santa Ana Valley Road.
Hanging a left on Santa Ana Valley Road, I spotted the first of at least 3 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS, below, and another BURROWING OWL. Later, on my evening drive, I saw 7 immature GOLDEN EAGLES harassing a 2nd year BALD EAGLE!

Let's not forget the AMERICAN KESTRELS! Below is a female who had just consumed a rodent.

I've never seen so many ground squirrel holes as I have this winter. Below, upper left, an immature GOLDEN EAGLE is about to land on the ground. There are at least 28 ground squirrel holes in this image. These eagles, along with the Ferruginous Hawks, stand on the ground, waiting for a squirrel to show its' head. Then, it's curtains for the squirrel, I'm afraid!

Below, a GOLDEN EAGLE soars over the grasslands, the fastest disappearing habitat in California.

It is easy to see why the GOLDEN EAGLE is my most favorite bird in the whole world. I photographed this adult, below, early today. Many Golden Eagles nest in San Benito County and can be found year-round, usually quite abundant— lately extremely abundant— and, perhaps the largest concentration in North America is at Santa Ana Valley, right now.

The image below, sure does make one wonder about those power lines. Eagles are sometimes electrocuted by these wires. Just look at the power in that lift off!

On this evening's drive, I spotted a flock of 60 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS. But, the big surprise was a PEREGRINE FALCON at 1709 hrs near mailbox #801 sitting on a telephone pole, near the 1 mile marker on Santa Ana Valley Road. This particular Peregrine Falcon, above, was photographed at the Hollister Sewer Ponds on December 3, 2011 by me.

The evening raptor rodeo was topped off by the sighting of a male and female BALD EAGLE, sitting near their newly rebuilt nest. Although it does not look as though the pair that nested at San Felipe Lake is going to nest again this year, that is not the case with this other pair, elsewhere in San Benito County. It is only a matter of time before the eggs roll out for this pair! Stay tuned for the nesting Bald Eagle updates!

Happy Trails & Enjoy the Raptor Rodeo!

Debi Shearwater

San Benito County Birding

PS. Thanks to Robert Trenton Reed

SAN BENITO COUNTY BIRDING: RAPTORS WATCHING RAPTORS

Howdy, Birders,

Raptors are watching raptors! If you've been out to Santa Ana Valley Road in San Benito County to see the feeding raptors, you probably noticed that bulging area below the throat, near the upper neck. Well, that's a bird with a full crop, meaning that it just had a nice, big, tasty meal! Birds of prey also notice that! When a raptor sees another bird with a full crop it indicates that food is nearby. So, raptors have put the word out — there's LOTS of food to be had on Santa Ana Valley Road!

Increasing numbers of eagles, in particular have discovered the hunting fields. The field next door to the main hunting field has now been disked, creating double the amount of food.

Above, is the tractor which was disking, yesterday evening.

Close up of the tractor.

The folks in the image above pulled up while I was watching nine GOLDEN EAGLES and six FERRUGINOUS HAWKS actively feeding and hunting in the fields. The GOLDEN EAGLES were particularly defensive of their prey, often mantling the kill when another eagle showed up. A known pair of BALD EAGLES flew in and joined the hunt. Just down the road, a PRAIRIE FALCON was sitting on a telephone pole. The morning does not seem to be a great time for photography. Afternoon is better. However, I think it will be much better once we get a warm day with some thermals which will put the birds up in the sky. In any case, bring long lenses and spotting scopes. I ran into some 22 birders today, and missed some. Abe Borker was leading a group from UCSC.

At PAICINES RESERVOIR the highlights were: 16 WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, 10 BUFFLEHEADS, 38 CANVASBACKS, 2 COOPER'S HAWKS and another adult BALD EAGLE.

I birded along PANOCHE ROAD, mostly looking for sapsuckers. I found 4 RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS. I'm looking for the other sapsuckers, though. I also found 4 BARN OWLS in two different roosts. I saw all of the usual birds along the drive to the valley. Looked hard for Lewis's Woodpecker, but found none. Just as one enters the valley floor, but before reaching the Panoche Inn, I found 24 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS, below.

Spotted another PRAIRIE FALCON and an adult GOLDEN EAGLE was sitting on a telephone pole. Birding out to SILVER CREEK RANCH area, I saw lots and lots of MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS. You just cannot miss them, although photographing them is tough. Near PANOCHE CREEK, a GREATER ROADRUNNER was spotted by some folks I met. No Mountain Plovers— yet. I kept searching for woodpeckers on the return drive to Hollister. Instead, I spotted a male PHAINOPEPLA fiercely guarding a major supply of mistletoe berries. He was at Mile Post Marke #20.85. I suspect that he will stay there for the winter. Listen for his soft whistle, as he spends most of the time inside of the giant mistletoe balls.
Those are the highlights. The raptor show continues. Sunset at Santa Ana Valley, last night, above. Enjoy the show!

Happy Trails,

Debi Shearwater

San Benito County Birding

SAN BENITO COUNTY BIRDING: NOVEMBER 2, 2011 RAPTOR ROUNDUP!

Howdy, Birders,

The San Benito County, California Raptor Show continues on Santa Ana Valley Road, as previously reported on this blog. Yesterday's Raptor Roundup included 14 species of raptors! Beginning with a COOPER'S HAWK that is hunting birds at the feeders in my yard, I headed north to San Felipe Lake which borders San Benito and Santa Clara Counties. "Best" birds at this location included a PEREGRINE FALCON, a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, a late male WILSON'S WARBLER, two BURROWING OWLS and a small flock of CANVASBACKS. I did not see the Bald Eagle pair that nested last year near the county line, in Santa Clara County. However, the nest looks to be fully rebuilt and ready for action. A field near the intersection of Lake and Shore Roads was actively being disced. And, surprise, surprise, two FERRUGINOUS HAWKS were on the ground. This is not a safe road to stop and view raptors. Best to travel on to Santa Ana Valley Road.

GOLDEN EAGLE, above and PRAIRIE FALCON, below.

As reported by Nelson Samuels: On Quien Sabe Rd there were more sparrows and two mature Golden Eagles sitting in a valley oak also three more shrikes. At the intersection of Quien Sabe and Santa Ana was a Road Runner that came right up to the Car with the door open... for a minute I thought it might jump in. On Santa Ana Valley Rd there was a large number of birders from as far away as Sonoma Co. Giant lenses and scopes. Thanks Debi. Saw six more Goldens, two immature Balds, three ferruginous one prairie and a red-shoulder. What a Raptor Gala! On the way back to Fairview Road, I spotted another ferruginous and at 2575 Mail box a Merlin. Again thanks really to Debi or is it Annie. Nelson Samuels reporting from Aromas, CA.

I ended up on Santa Ana Valley Road very late in the afternoon, bumping into my good friends, Bob and Bernadette. We enjoyed the raptors which included an adult BALD EAGLE consuming its' prey. Later, we headed to the valley where Bald Eagles nest. Sure enough, both adults were there, each one sitting on a cattle water trough, drinking and cleaning their beaks. They have completely refurbished their nest of 2004. It looks like another breeding season is well underway for them!

The list of SAN BENITO RAPTORS for NOVEMBER 2, 2011:

TURKEY VULTURE - inclusion is debatable

WHITE-TAILED KITE

BALD EAGLE

NORTHERN HARRIER

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK

COOPER'S HAWK

RED-SHOULDERED HAWK

RED-TAILED HAWK

FERRUGINOUS HAWK

GOLDEN EAGLE

AMERICAN KESTREL

MERLIN

PEREGRINE FALCON

PRAIRIE FALCON

OSPREY was observed at Hernandez Reservoir which is at the south end of the county on October 29, 2011.

Now, if I could just find a NORTHERN GOSHAWK this Sunday!

Happy Trails,

Debi Shearwater

San Benito County Birding

SAN BENITO COUNTY BIRDING: OCTOBER 31, 2011 RAPTOR TRAFFIC JAM!

Howdy, Birders,

There has been an ongoing raptor "traffic jam" in San Benito County that is quite spectacular. This large concentration of raptors can be found along a seven mile stretch on Santa Ana Valley Road. The single best spot is where Santa Ana Valley and John Smith Roads meet. For avid raptor fans and professional photographers this is a great opportunity. Possibly, the best light is in the late afternoon, for photography, as the sun will be behind the observer. I was out there, both yesterday at 8:30 am and from 4 to 6:30 pm.

In the morning, Brian Sullivan and I found 13 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS, including two dark morphs, along with 3 GOLDEN EAGLES. The field near the above intersection was being disced while we were standing there. Most of the raptors are on the ground, hunting ground squirrels.

FERRUGINOUS HAWK, above and below.

FERRUGINOUS HAWK soaring, above.

FERRUGINOUS HAWK, soaring, above, and below.

This FERRUGINOUS HAWK was on the ground, late last night, hunting ground squirrels. Yesterday, evening I saw 10 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS, 10 GOLDEN EAGLES (almost all of them on the ground), 6 WHITE-TAILED KITES (many perched on fence lines), 13 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 11 AMERICAN KESTRELS and 5 LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES, along Santa Ana Valley Road. A young fellow who lives on a ranch at the key location, stopped to ask me what I was doing. He was very interested in the hawks. He said that his ranch was planning to disc their field the next day. So, there is a good chance that the ground squirrel feast will continue. I let him know that he may see folks out there with cameras and spotting scopes. If locals stop to chat, be sure to let them know that the raptors are eating the squirrels! They will like to hear that.

A GOLDEN EAGLE hunts at a ground squirrel hole. Shot from a long distance.

Above, a GOLDEN EAGLE soaring. If you arrive at the magic hour when the thermals are just right, you may see them lifting skyward.

This field was covered with 59 feasting TURKEY VULTURES a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, these vultures, along with other raptors, were feeding on ground squirrels that had been shot. One can only hope that lead bullets were not used.

A TURKEY VULTURE and FERRUGINOUS HAWK, soaring, above.

This young GOLDEN EAGLE, above, was also feasting on ground squirrels.

Follow Santa Ana Valley Road to the intersection of Quien Sabe Road, then follow Quien Sabe to Highway 25, head south to Paicines Reservoir, one of the best birding spots in San Benito County. There is a large, dirt pullout where one can park. Use your spotting scope to check out the birds. The dike on the east side has a small oak tree where the BALD EAGLES often perch. Both the male (on the right), and female, were there, yesterday.

A couple of days ago, a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was in the vineyard at Paicines Reservoir.

This HY RED-TAILED HAWK killed a rabbit. Hunting is good in San Benito County!

PRAIRIE FALCONS have been around, off and on, in this area, too.

PRAIRIE FALCON, above, carrying prey.

Sunset last night in the grasslands of San Benito County.

Debi Shearwater

San Benito County Birding

All images, copyright, Debi Shearwater