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

THANKSGIVING: SEVEN WILD WOMEN GO BIRDING

THANKSGIVING DAY

NOVEMBER 24, 2011

From Santa Ana Valley to Panoche Valley, a party of Seven Wild Women enjoyed a fabulous day of food, birding and fellowship. Above image, copyright Jennifer Green, Panoche Valley.
The Rhapsody of Raptors continues at Santa Ana Valley. Above, "Chocolate & Vanilla", dark and light morph FERRUGINOUS HAWKS on Santa Ana Valley Road, San Benito County. For the day, we would find 7 Ferruginous Hawks, 3 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 4 WHITE-TAILED KITES and 1 BURROWING OWL. Images above and below copyright, Sophie Webb. Below, a RED-TAILED HAWK takes flight from a gnarly perch. We observed most of the usual grassland species of birds, including many LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES, 5 GOLDEN EAGLES, AMERICAN KESTRELS. Stopping at the Summit Ranch Pond, we found 2 HOODED MERGANSERS.
Upon entering the floor of Panoche Valley, we found 43 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS.

Images, above and below, copyright, Sophie Webb.

SAY'S PHOEBE, below (Sophie Webb), LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES, 2 ROCK WRENS, mixed flocks of WHITE-CROWNED and LARK SPARROWS were peppered throughout the day.

Another dark morph FERRUGINOUS HAWK (Sophie Webb) in Panoche Valley.

Hundreds of MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS were scattered throughout the valley floor, from McCullough Ranch out to Silver Creek Ranch, Jackass Pass, Shotgun Pass and up to Panoche Hills BLM area. A male Mountain Bluebird, below by Sophie Webb.
Mixed flocks of HOUSE FINCHES and MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS lined the fences, everywhere we looked! (Sophie Webb).
By the day's end, we would tally an astounding 8 PRAIRIE FALCONS, from Santa Ana Valley to Panoche Valley, including one at Paicines Reservoir.

This Prairie Falcon, above and below (Sophie Webb) was at Panoche Valley.

Amongst the many SAVANNAH SPARROWS (below, Sophie Webb) popping up on the fences, we were able to pick out 3 VESPER SPARROWS.

SAVANNAH SPARROW above and PRAIRIE FALCON below, copyright Lisa Hug.
En route to the Panoche Hills we passed through Shotgun Pass on Little Panoche Road. Two GREATER ROADRUNNERS, two ROCK WRENS and 20 CHUKARS were in the pass proper. One NORTHERN HARRIER was cruising the other side of the pass. The view from Panoche Hills BLM area, below. (Debi Shearwater). Two SAGE SPARROWS were the highlight in these sparsely vegetated hills.

Six of the THANKSGIVING WILD WOMEN!

We ended our day with a scrumptious dinner at the Tres Pinos Inn, the perfect place!

The day after Thanksgiving, I was out there, again! Just can't stay away from Santa Ana Valley. I ran into many other birders and photographers watching the raptors. Above, a local family out for an after dinner stroll. I was delighted to meet them!

A female PRAIRIE "richardsonii" MERLIN hunting the fields at Santa Ana Valley Road. Last two images, copyright, Siobhan Ruck.

Happy Trails,

Debi Shearwater

San Benito County Birding

SAN BENITO COUNTY BIRDING: RAPTOR SHOW: IT'S 24/7

Howdy, Birders,

Out for a beautiful evening drive to see the raptors on Santa Ana Valley and John Smith Roads, with a short jog on Quien Sabe Road. Highlights included both adult and immature BALD EAGLES; seven FERRUGINOUS HAWKS; five GOLDEN EAGLES; one WHITE-TAILED KITE; one NORTHERN HARRIER, along with an assortment of RED-TAILED HAWKS and AMERICAN KESTRELS, and a few LOGGER HEAD SHRIKES, as below. I missed Prairie Falcon, maybe because I was out much later in the day. Ran into another birder from Monterey who said that he had seen one.

Several Burrowing Owls have been reported to me. I looked for the one reported near mile post 3 on Quien Sabe Road, but did not find it. However, I found one BURROWING OWL on Santa Ana Valley Road, at a location where I have not previously seen one. Decided to try John Smith Road, as one was recently reported there. No luck. However, a GREAT-HORNED OWL was near a ranch house. Then, a SHORT-EARED OWL flew from one side of the road to the other. I stopped and squeaked like a mouse, and a BARN OWL flew in!

So, it is a feast out there, 24/7. If you are around in the evening, it might be worth hanging out to see what happens. You might even encounter a magic sunset, such as this evening, below.

Happy Trails,

Debi Shearwater

San Benito County Birding

SAN BENITO COUNTY BIRDING: PANOCHE VALLEY NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Howdy, Birders,

Along with my friends, Bob & Bernadette Ramer, we headed out for some San Benito County birding, ultimately ending the day in Panoche Valley. The weather could not have been better— dreary clouds cleared and the sun broke out. It was beautiful and balmy, with not a breath of wind. Below, are the highlights of our day.

While tanking up at Starbucks, we saw 13 commuter CALIFORNIA GULLS flying over the parking lot and heading for the dump. On John Smith Road 6 BUFFLEHEADS were on the pond at the entrance to Guerra Vineyard; a FERRUGINOUS HAWK was in the plowed field along with 2 GOLDEN EAGLES and 25 AMERICAN PIPITS.

At the intersection of Santa Ana Valley Road, the raptor happening hot spot, we saw 10 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS, 3 GOLDEN EAGLES and a married pair of BALD EAGLES. This morning, he was hunting, while she relaxed in one of the leafless trees. Watch the RAVENS, as they are following the raptors, trying to steal food from them. (Hey, JAEGER RAVENS!)

On lower QUIEN SABE ROAD, we saw a NORTHERN HARRIER, 7 AMERICAN KESTRELS, 2 WHITE-TAILED KITES and 1 YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE, along with the usual suspects.

A stop at Paicines Reservoir found most of the recently reported species, best of which included: 1 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 2 WHITE PELICANS, 25 COMMON MERGANSERS, 2 WESTERN GREBES, 1 COOPER'S HAWK, 7 CANVASBACKS, 2 GADWALL, 4 AMERICAN WIGEON, 2 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 18 WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and 3 AMERICAN PIPITS.

Along Panoche Road, we saw most of the blue oak woodland species, but also a male PRAIRIE FALCON in the first couple of miles. Another PRAIRIE FALCON, female, was near McCullough Ranch. Continuing along this road to the Silver Creek Ranch area, highlights included a GOLDEN EAGLE sitting on a telephone pole; 71 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS, 5 ROCK WRENS and one FERRUGINOUS HAWK.

Below, is a view of Panoche Creek on Panoche Road. We crossed the creek. If it rains a lot, this creek and the dirt road might become impassible. Take care. We heard a MARSH WREN here. A few days ago, I heard a VIRGINIA RAIL, as well.

Along this road, we found a BURROWING OWL, another PRAIRIE FALCON, 38 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS, one MERLIN, see below.

MERLIN, above, by Debi Shearwater. We found this particular merlin on the valley floor. He was particularly confiding, although I was shooting straight into the sun, unfortunately. Near the Douglas Ranch, were 750 TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS.

Zipped through Shotgun Pass on Little Panoche Road, heading for the Panoche Hills BLM lands. It was getting late in the day. Nevertheless, I was determined that we would find a sage sparrow. Flushed lots of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS. Sighted a GREATER ROADRUNNER hoofing it along a ridge top. Finally, a SAGE SPARROW! Great views. On our return to the main road, we found a CHIPPING SPARROW, as well. Success! Although, if you are searching for sage sparrows, I'd recommend visiting this site in the early morning, rather than late in the day, as we did.

The sun had set by the time we wound our way through Shotgun Pass a second time. Near the intersection of Panoche and Little Panoche Roads, I noticed a small, brown pile on the road. Backed up the car— it was a fresh, road killed COMMON POORWILL, unfortunately. I retrieved the bird for a special class that will be taught at UCSC this weekend on preserving birds.

I'll likely head out to Panoche Valley this weekend. Stop and chat, if you see me. License plate: IOLAIR, blue Subaru Outback, for driving the outback, naturally.

Above, the merlin's domain.

Happy Trails,

Debi Shearwater

San Benito County Birding

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: NOVEMBER 1, 2011 AN EVENING WITH RAPTORS

Howdy, Birders,

This evening, November 1, the San Benito Raptor Show was incredible! From 4:25 pm until 5:16 pm, I birded along SANTA ANA VALLEY ROAD. Highlights were the continued presence of a great number and variety of raptors as reported in my October 31 blog post. This evening, though 10 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS and 4 GOLDEN EAGLES were in one single field, alone! Also, an adult female PRAIRIE FALCON was hunting and perched on a telephone pole. See eBird reports, below.

Luckily, I decided to shoot up JOHN SMITH ROAD. Good thing I did, as I encountered a tractor actively discing the field nearest to the intersection with Santa Ana Valley Road. Below, is an image of the tractor towing the disc-like devise. I'm sure this has a name in the farming business, but I do not know it. Actually, in this image, you can see two Ferruginous Hawks, in flight, just above the cab of the tractor.
Below, is a view of the field from John Smith Road. The small white dots on the ground are Ferruginous Hawks. Many Ravens were following the tractor, too.
Below, white dots blown up a little. My regular camera, an old Canon 20D with a 100-400 image stabilizing lens wasn't working. (Operator error, I'm sure). So, I used my little Lumix camera. Bring a spotting scope for closer views of the raptors, although they do fly around, and it is possible to get some outstanding views and images!

A gorgeous rufous/dark morph Ferruginous Hawk, below.

Ferruginous Hawks are my most favorite hawks in the world. Ravens are another favorite. And, my absolute most favorite BIRD in the world is the GOLDEN EAGLE! (Yes, it is not a seabird). These three birds were the first three birds on my yard list when I moved to Hollister nearly 18 years ago!

Happy Trails,

Debi Shearwater

San Benito Birding

Below, are my eBird lists:

Santa Ana Valley Road, San Benito, US-CA
Nov 1, 2011 4:25 PM - 5:16 PM
Protocol: Traveling
5.0 mile(s)
Comments: This area has a concentration of raptors due to discing by the farmers which is disturbing the ground squirrels. Many of the raptors can be found in one single field near the intersection of Santa Ana Valley and John Smith Roads. For instance, in that field alone, I saw 10 Ferruginous Hawks and 4 Golden Eagles. However, I birded the other areas along a 5 mile stretch of Santa Ana Valley Road. Most of the White-tailed Kites are along the section closest to Fairview Road. It was sunny, light breeze, 73F. I also saw: 1 feral cat, 9 feral/wild pigs, all full grown. 6 native black-tailed deer.
19 species

Turkey Vulture 1 On the ground, in the road, consuming roadkill.
White-tailed Kite 2
Northern Harrier 3 Mostly hunting on the far hillsides, not in the fields.
Red-tailed Hawk 8
Ferruginous Hawk 10 Absolutely spectacular to see this large, gray headed, white breasted, regal raptors sitting on the ground, waiting to snag a ground squirrel. All 10 were in one single field. One adult was close enough to age due to its rufous legs, feathered to the toes.
Golden Eagle 7 Most individuals were on the ground, and I could not age or sex, as they were too far away.
American Kestrel 9
Prairie Falcon 1 Hunting and sitting on a telephone pole near mailbox #5250/5238. Look on the line that runs perpendicular to Santa Ana Valley Road.
Mourning Dove 24
Say's Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 5
Common Raven 107
Western Bluebird 3
White-crowned Sparrow 24
Red-winged Blackbird (California Bicolored) 320
Western Meadowlark 37
Brewer's Blackbird 456
House Finch 12

John Smith Road, San Benito, US-CA
Nov 1, 2011 5:30 PM - 5:44 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: A farmer was actively discing the field closest to the intersection with Santa Ana Valley Road. The Ferruginous Hawks and Ravens were actively following the discing operation. This is a tractor that pulls a device with round disc-shaped plow-like thingys on it. I'm sure it has a name, but not being a farmer, I do not know the name of it. This is an area that was formerly a wet land. It was drained, illegally, I'm told. Short-eared Owl should be looked for in this area, as they occurred during winters when the wetland was present.
7 species (+1 other taxa)

White-tailed Kite 1
Red-tailed Hawk (Western) 5
Ferruginous Hawk 3 One incredible rufous/dark morph. The other two were light morphs.
American Kestrel 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Savannah Sparrow 8
White-crowned Sparrow 30
blackbird sp. 1400 These two flocks (about 700 each) could have been composed of a lot of starlings. They were swirling, high in the sky a long way off. I have not ever seen these large flocks in this area before, although I have not birded here in the late evening for some years.