BACKYARD BIRD SIGHTINGS FROM OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
The past month was a great one for backyard birding!
In February, our winter resident birds foraged away, and our year-round residents were getting busier, preparing for the spring nesting season. Anna’s Hummingbirds are nesting now, in fact, and you sent us stories of the birds tending their nests and caring for their young in your yards.
Reports of Hermit Thrushes and American Robins, both members of the thrush family, have increased in the past month. Robins, like Cedar Waxwings, are often found in flocks, enjoying berries on neighborhood trees, whereas the more solitary Hermit Thrush is likely to be hidden in foliage low to the ground. Nuttall’s Woodpeckers and Downy Woodpeckers have been busy drumming and inspecting trees and feeders. And many of you reported large numbers of finches, juncos, and crowned sparrows in your yards. Of course, our other backyard birds were also around and active, like wrens, titmice, towhees, doves, and crows.
February saw the addition of three new species to our All Around Town list - the Killdeer, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, and the Wrentit - bringing our cumulative total to 95 species. The Killdeer was spotted in Sunnyvale; the other two birds were observed in San Jose neighborhoods. We also added the California Gull, which was identified by a contributor, replacing “Gull species” on our list (you may still report unknown gull species - we know those flyovers can be tough - although we challenge you to figure out the species!). We received reports of domestic and hybrid ducks too.
The Great Backyard Bird Count is held each year in February, and many of you participated in the event by counting birds in your yards and neighborhoods and sharing your lists with scientists. To recognize your efforts and highlight your count stories, we have a special section this month dedicated to the GBBC.
FEBRUARY OBSERVATIONS
Airdrie Kincaid (Santa Clara) reports: “This month we’ve often seen dozens of American Goldfinches and Lesser Goldfinches, some House Finches, a number of American Crows, several California Towhees and Mourning Doves, a few Chestnut-backed Chickadees, two Bewick’s Wrens, two nuthatches, two Dark-eyed Juncos, a Cooper’s Hawk, a California Scrub-Jay, and a Hermit Thrush. There seem to be fewer White-crowned Sparrows than earlier in the year.”
“A pair of Nuttall’s Woodpeckers visits the suet feeder multiple times a day, hops around the persimmon tree in the back, and occasionally pecks on the tree in front.”
The Merlin that has been frequenting Airdrie’s neighborhood this winter, “taking off at high speed,” Airdrie says.
The Merlin still visits Airdrie’s neighborhood from time to time, perching on a particular tree. The bird appears to be an adult female. Merlins tend to return to the same winter territory year over year, so it is likely the same bird that Airdrie observed last winter.
An American Robin enjoys a berry in Airdrie’s yard.
Airdrie writes: “American Robins, which are around the same size as the Merlin, have been perching on the tree when the Merlin isn’t there. One morning a flock of Cedar Waxwings swarmed the ficus tree, eating berries, but my favorite berry-eater was this robin (above).”
Red-shouldered Hawks side by side in Linden’s neighborhood. Could they be a pair?
Linden Skjeie (San Jose) saw these two Red-shouldered Hawks and a Great Egret while walking around her neighborhood in February.
A Great Egret frequents a field in Linden’s neighborhood.
An Anna’s Hummingbird feeding her young in a nest she built in Ginger and Barry’s yard.
In mid-February, Ginger and Barry Langdon-Lassagne (Sunnyvale) wrote to tell us:
“We’ve been watching an Anna’s Hummingbird outside our bedroom window as she builds a nest, sits on her eggs, and now as she’s feeding her young!”
Barry notes that the mother is “blocking the direct sunlight from overheating the baby birds.” Female Anna’s Hummingbirds build their nests, incubate their eggs, and care for their young on their own.
“There are two babies; we thought there was only one the first day we saw her feeding, but the second one popped up the next day. Mom is gone most of the time now, presumably hunting or guarding the nest, so we don’t often get to see her attending to the young. It’s really fun to have this happening right outside our window.”
“Because her nest is so close to our window, we can observe her without disturbing her. These photos were taken through the window.”
Cedar Waxwings outside Michelle’s window. The red “waxy” wing spots are visible on some of the birds, as well as the gradual transition of color on the breast and belly, from buffy brown to lemony yellow.
Michelle Viegas (Cupertino) shared with us a picture of Cedar Waxwings. She writes: “There were about 25-30 of them perched on a tree near my kitchen window. I managed to get just this one picture before they flew away. I haven't seen them since and I hope they come back soon.”
Jack Cole sent us an e-mail in late February entitled: “Hawk Owl?” He says: “I have a glass owl on a planter box, and yesterday a Sharp-shinned Hawk perched on it briefly. Today it’s been calling ‘kik,kik,kik,kik,kik,kik’…from a redwood tree.”
(Kidding aside, there are no actual Hawk Owls in California. Want to see one? Head north!)
Adult male Lesser Goldfinch, identifiable by its black crown, at Steven’s feeder. Note the white patch in the bird’s wing, which is characteristic of this species.
Steven Rice (Palo Alto) tells us he’s had quite a “Finchbruary.” He writes: “I’m seeing Chestnut-backed Chickadees less often, and fewer House Finches. More Lesser Goldfinches, and the Oak Titmice are frequent guests. The Dark-eyed Juncos are ubiquitous as always.”
Lesser Goldfinches are our featured backyard bird for March. Learn more about them in SCVAS volunteer Dave Zittin’s article.
Adult female or immature Lesser Goldfinch at Steven’s feeder. Adult females and immatures have a uniform olive-yellow head, without the black crown of the adult males, and are generally a more muted yellow underneath. In our region, Lesser Goldfinches of both sexes have olive-green backs.
At the end of February, Deanne Tucker (Los Altos) told us: “A large flock of American Robins has been hanging out in our yard the last few days. They like the ivy berries. A few Cedar Waxwings have joined them, but I think the main flock is waiting until the berries are riper (and maybe waiting for the larger robins to vacate).”
American Robins foraging on berries in Deanne’s yard.
An Anna’s Hummingbird mother feeding her baby in Deanne’s yard.
“We also have an Anna's Hummingbird nest right in front of our kitchen window. I read that they will build nests near hawks because it keeps other predators away from the nest. I guess we're serving in that capacity since she surely sees us through the window. I kind of think watching us is her entertainment while she's just sitting there.”
A Bushtit in Deanne’s yard. Note the dark eye, which makes this bird identifiable as a male (hatchlings and recent fledglings of both sexes also have dark eyes). Females have pale eyes.
A wet Bewick’s Wren emerges from Deanne’s bird bath, sporting a scruffy look before finishing its grooming.
Emma Shelton (Menlo Park) tells us: “It’s been really noisy in morning around here, with the drumming from Nuttall’s Woodpeckers and Downy Woodpeckers, constant chirping from Lesser Goldfinches, chatter from Oak Titmice and White-crowned Sparrows, so many squawks from White-breasted Nuthatches, and ‘Brrraacks’ from Spotted Towhees. Plus California Scrub-Jays and American Crows.”
Emma observed 25 species in her yard and on her street in February.
Female Nuttall’s Woodpecker at Emma’s feeder. Females have a black crown and nape. Nuttall’s Woodpeckers can be distinguished from other woodpecker species in our area by the white barring that runs horizontally across their backs.
Male Nuttall’s Woodpecker at Emma’s feeder. Males have a red crown and black nape.
“We really enjoy watching the woodpeckers in our front and back yards! We must have a lot of both Downy and Nuttall’s around - we hear them and they come to the feeders, both male and female. We’ve seen Acorn Woodpeckers only across the street last month. We really get a kick out of the White-breasted and Pygmy Nuthatches too.”
A male Downy Woodpecker at Emma’s feeder. The Downy has a solid white stripe down its back, quite different from the Nuttall’s. The adult male Downy has a red spot on its nape; the adult female does not.
GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 25th annual Great Backyard Bird Count! Collectively, you observed 44 species of wild birds (plus some unusual ducks - details below) in your yards and neighborhoods, and in urban spaces around the region. The full list of species observed is at the end of this section.
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a global count and celebration of birds. Organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada, it is held every year over four days in February. The event is for everyone who loves birds, beginning and longtime birders alike. If you’re new to the world of birding, the GBBC is a great time to start observing, counting, and learning how to identify the birds that live near you.
Here are your stories and photos from this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count, held from February 18 to 21:
An Oak Titmouse visits Jennifer’s yard. Last spring, a titmouse pair successfully fledged their young from Jennifer’s nest box. Will they return this year?
Jennifer Oliver (San Jose) wrote: “For the GBBC weekend I decided to go birding at my favorite locale, at a new locale, and in my neighborhood. In total I identified 39 different species.”
Jennifer found 17 species just in her neighborhood: “The favorites that I found within my neighborhood were the cute little Hermit Thrushes (a bunch of them, hiding from me most of the time), the Say's Phoebe who entertained me for quite a while by diving and capturing bugs, a Yellow-rumped Warbler that I found eating breakfast (berries), and the Oak Titmouse that has been visiting our nest box (hopefully thinking about taking up residence again this year)."
A Yellow-rumped Warbler enjoying breakfast in Jennifer’s neighborhood
Carolyn Straub and Steve McHenry (San Jose) shared: “We looked for three of the days from our front porch, and we recorded: Mourning Dove, House Finch, House Sparrow, Bewick's Wren, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk, and Turkey Vulture. Also, Canada Geese atop houses. We'd say, the usual suspects!”
A Hermit Thrush in Mary Ann’s neighborhood. Hermit Thrushes tend to be solitary, shy birds (as their name suggests), and often hide in foliage close to the ground.
Mary Ann Robertson (Los Altos) identified 14 species over four days at different times of day in her yard. She says: “The Hermit Thrush was my most interesting bird during the Great Backyard Bird Count 2022, the first time I saw one in my yard. At first it was in the neighbor's tree and then under my camellia bushes. I also watched a Black Phoebe hawking insects close to the ground for eight minutes.”
A California Scrub-Jay explores Mary Ann’s fence, presumably finding something tasty to eat.
“During the first day of the GBBC, I watched a California Scrub-Jay jump onto the lower part of my backyard fence. It whisked the dirt caught behind the horizontal lower trim board looking for tasty morsels. I couldn't tell if it found anything but I enjoyed its industrious behavior and it did look proud of itself.”
Mary Ann shared a strategy for discovering new birds in her yard: “I used Merlin Sound ID on my iPhone to allow me to hear high frequencies and then I looked at likely habitats to see the birds. I didn't count the Merlin-suggested species of birds whose calls I didn't recognize.”
Emma Shelton (Menlo Park) says: “I enjoyed doing the Great Backyard Bird Count, especially since I went to several places besides around home. Just a mile or two away in Atherton or Woodside I regularly get to see American Robins, Acorn Woodpeckers, Steller’s Jays, Turkey Vultures, and hawks. I was also on a backpacking trip at Point Reyes, which wasn’t terribly different from the Bay Area, but there were a lot of Wrentits.”
Emma discovered the diversity of ducks during the GBBC: “I went to Burgess Park by the Menlo Park Library and Civic Center and thought I would see what kind of ducks were happening. Boy was I surprised. A lot of ducks, about half being recognizable Mallards, plus some white ducks and a lot of some weird ducks. Bigger than Mallards, funny color patterns, all individual.” After consulting with a couple of people, Emma concluded that the ducks were domestics and hybrids.
Ginger and Barry saw four Killdeer on one of their GBBC walks around their neighborhood.
Ginger and Barry Langdon-Lassagne (Sunnyvale) told us: “We participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count by birding around the block each day. Every walk around the block was different: we had a new bird each time that we hadn’t seen on the previous days. For example, on the last day we had a surprise flyover of a single Band-tailed Pigeon. Definitely fewer birds on that last day, which was windy and cold versus the previous sunny warmer walks.”
This Red-breasted Sapsucker is spending the winter in Ginger and Barry’s neighborhood.
Barry writes: “We love our neighborhood Red-breasted Sapsucker. He’s very skittish so we’re careful to approach his tree slowly and quietly, and not stare too much once we’ve located him.”
Ginger and Barry observed this possible Lesser Goldfinch pair (likely adult female on the left, and adult male on the right) during the GBBC.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to All Around Town in the past month. Your observations highlighted the amazing diversity of birds in our area.
Happy backyard birding in March, everyone!
BACKYARD AND NEIGHBORHOOD OBSERVATIONS
FROM THE 2022 GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
Canada Goose
Mallard
Hybrid ducks
Domestic ducks
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Anna’s Hummingbird
Killdeer
California Gull
Turkey Vulture
White-tailed Kite
Northern Harrier
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Acorn Woodpecker
Nuttall’s Woodpecker
Black Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe
California Scrub-Jay
Steller’s Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Oak Titmouse
Bushtit
Wrentit
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch
Bewick’s Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Western Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
California Towhee
Spotted Towhee
Yellow-rumped Warbler
What birds are you seeing and hearing in your yard and neighborhood?
Send your notes, photos, and sound clips to backyardbirds@scvas.org. We’ll feature them in our next edition of All Around Town.
Bird species reported to All Around Town
from October 2020 onwards
(species in bold are new this month)
Greater White-fronted Goose
Canada Goose
Mallard
Bufflehead
California Quail
Wild Turkey
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Anna’s Hummingbird
Allen’s/Rufous Hummingbird
Killdeer
California Gull
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Turkey Vulture
White-tailed Kite
Golden Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Ferruginous Hawk
Barn Owl
Western Screech-Owl
Great Horned Owl
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Acorn Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Nuttall’s Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Black Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Hutton’s Vireo
Cassin’s Vireo
Steller’s Jay
California Scrub-Jay
Yellow-billed Magpie
American Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Oak Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Barn Swallow
Bushtit
Wrentit
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
House Wren
Bewick’s Wren
European Starling
California Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Western Bluebird
Varied Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Scaly-breasted Munia
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
Lawrence’s Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
California Towhee
Spotted Towhee
Western Meadowlark
Hooded Oriole
Bullock’s Oriole
Brown-headed Cowbird
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Black-headed Grosbeak
Lazuli Bunting
Hybrid ducks, domestic ducks, and unidentified gull species have also been reported to All Around Town.
All Around Town is compiled by SCVAS Member Julie Amato.
Banner Photo - Bushtits: female (left) and male (right) by Barry Langdon-Lassagne