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

120 MOUNTAIN PLOVERS at PANOCHE VALLEY

SAN BENITO COUNTY BIRDING

Panoche Valley is a major destination for birders in winter. On 20 December, Kent Johnson and I spent a beautiful day birding this region. Highlights included: 120 MOUNTAIN PLOVERS, 2 LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS, RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER, RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER, GOLDEN EAGLES, PRAIRIE FALCON, FERRUGINOUS HAWKS, including 2 dark morphs, 2 BALD EAGLES and many of the usual bird species typical of this habitat. At the day's end prior to leaving the valley floor, we watched a BADGER poking its head in and out of ground squirrel holes. Notable negative data included no sign of any mountain bluebirds. Images below, copyright Debi Shearwater, are from previous trips to Panoche Valley. 

Beginning the day at Santa Ana Valley and John Smith Roads, near Hollister, we found 5 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS, including one dark morph. Paicines Reservoir was out next stop. The water level seems to be about one fifth of the usual winter level. Consequently, waterfowl is located at the far end. Two adult BALD EAGLES were perched in the oaks on the northwest side of the reservoir. The eBird list for this spot can be found here. 

Two LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS brought us to a full stop at Mile Marker 9.14, near mailbox #10251. While watching the woodpeckers, a PRAIRIE FALCON flew by. The complete eBird list for this stop can be found here. 

We stopped near the Antelope Valley Fire Station to search for birds. A RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER was present, along with a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER. In all, we tallied SIX SPECIES OF WOODPECKERS for the day. The eBird list of birds at this stop can be found here. 

After a sandwich stop at the Panoche Valley Inn, we proceeded to search for Mountain Plovers along Little Panoche Road where a flock of 55 was recently reported. 

We stopped about every 100 yards, looking for Mountain Plovers without success. We made a brief stop at the Panoche Hills BLM area where we found no mountain bluebirds. Finally, we decided to head to Silver Creek Ranch area on Panoche Road, stopping at the historical sites where Mountain Plovers had previously been recorded. Near the intersection of Panoche Road and Norton Road (an unmarked, dirt road that borders Panoche School), we found a flock of KILLDEER. Scanning in the field far behind the Killdeer, we could detect MOUNTAIN PLOVERS on the move! MORE THAN 100 MOUNTAIN PLOVERS! This is the largest flock of MOUNTAIN PLOVERS that has been found in Panoche Valley in a decade. What a gratifying sight this was. 

The complete eBird list for this stop can be found here, along with many notes and details. 

Leaving the valley floor, we spotted a BADGER! 

At the end of this lovely day, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Tres Pinos Inn. 

Hope to see you out there!

Debi Shearwater

San Benito County Birding

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 BIRDING: SANTA ANA & PANOCHE VALLEY

Howdy, Birders,

This is a brief report for Panoche Valley, Paicines Reservoir and Santa Ana Valley, birding in San Benito County, California for Sunday, January 29, 2012. It was a gorgeous day for birding — I couldn't resist getting out there!

PRAIRIE FALCONS continued at all three locations. Birders who were already at Paicines Reservoir when I arrived, said that a Prairie Falcon had just been there. Look on the "H" shaped telephone poles on the west side. The Prairie Falcon, below, was along Santa Ana Valley Road.

By now you, dear reader know how much I love shades of brown. This tangle of oak branches easily conceals an adult GOLDEN EAGLE, below. This eagle repeatedly let out a plaintive call while sitting in this tree. It could have been calling for its' mate.
Sadly, one of my most favorite barns went down with the last storm. GREAT-HORNED OWLS have nested in this barn for the past 12 years.

At PAICINES RESERVOIR I found 1 EURASIAN WIGEON, 2 CACKLING GEESE, 5 WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, one 4th year BALD EAGLE in the morning and one adult MALE BALD EAGLE in the late afternoon, 1 SPOTTED SANDPIPER and an assortment of waterfowl. For some reason, this BUSHTIT, below, popped up, chattering and scolding, on the fence right in front of me while I was standing at the dirt pullout, scoping waterfowl at the reservoir!

On PANOCHE ROAD I found the "usual suspects," including PHAINOPEPLA, RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW, HERMIT THRUSH, etc. Quite a few singing CALIFORNIA THRASHERS, WRENTITS, OAK TITS, etc. as is normal for this time of year. Two HOODED MERGANSERS were at the pond at Summit Ranch. Be sure to look on the duck house! (I failed to find the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker which had been around for several weeks). At the intersection of Panoche and Recalde Roads, a MERLIN was present. Sixteen MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS were along Recalde Road. On Panoche Road from Silver Creek Ranch to Jackass Pass at least 28 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS were in mixed flocks with House Finches. Unusual birds included one SAGE SPARROW and one male NORTHERN HARRIER. A FERRUGINOUS HAWK was hunting here, also.
Continuing with my love of old barns— this one, above, is located on Panoche Road. A CALIFORNIA THRASHER, below, was — well, thrashing away at the Miller Ranch. Thrashers are singing and on territory about mid-December. This one was no different. When it wasn't thrashing, it was singing from the tops of trees!
Large flocks of mixed sparrow species can be encountered on Panoche Road. This LINCOLN'S SPARROW, below, was with a large flock of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS near McCullough Ranch.
A female, AMERICAN KESTREL, below, near the intersection of Panoche and Little Panoche Roads.
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS, a male below, were scattered on the Panoche Valley floor— near Silver Creek Ranch on Panoche Road and on Recalde Road.
An immature RED-TAILED HAWK, below, was on Panoche Road near Jackass Pass. Flocks of HORNED LARKS and AMERICAN PIPITS were also in this location. However, I did not locate a single MOUNTAIN PLOVER.
A LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, below, hangs around Shotgun Pass on Little Panoche Road.
It has been a good year for finding BURROWING OWLS in San Benito County. They can be found in both Santa Ana Valley and Panoche Valley.
Returning from Panoche Valley, I always take Quien Sabe Road just south of the small town of Tres Pinos. The presence of six YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIES in the image below indicates that the adult GOLDEN EAGLE (look closely— it is the hump in the middle), had just consumed some prey item, likely a ground squirrel.

Sunset began with pinks and purples.

Late evening shot of a SAY'S PHOEBE, below, a grassland specialist.

Sunset colors begin to change to oranges.

Ravens head to their roosts on the tower powers of Santa Ana Valley.

The boldest colors of sunset over the grasslands that I love.

Happy Trails,

Debi Shearwater

San Benito County Birding

All images, copyright, Debi Shearwater. Please ask permission to use.

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