Snowy Egret by Kira Oleweiler
April 26:
On April 26, the Golden Finches team explored Baylands Nature Preserve and Palo Alto Foothills Park in search of many species for the Birdathon. We were out for 4 hours in the afternoon. It was a chilly day, with wind making the air colder, but we enjoyed our time in nature.
Black-necked stilt: Kira Oleweiler
We started out at the Baylands Nature Preserve, where we saw birds swimming in the waters of the bay and a pond, as well as flying in the air and walking on the ground. We were excited to observe Black-necked Stilts standing in the water on their long legs. The black on their backs and necks provided a stark contrast to their bright white stomachs. We also noticed many ducks, including Mallards and Ruddy Ducks. The Mallard was our most common species found, with 14 sightings. Hovering above the water was a beautiful Forster’s Tern. It fluttered in mid-air, and then would dip down into the water to grab food in its beak before rising back up into the air. As we walked along the paths, we heard the sweet, melodic sounds of a Song Sparrow, moving from bush to bush and perching in the leaves to make music. In total, we found 18 species.
Canada Geese: Kira Oleweiler
Next, we went to Palo Alto Foothills Park, which had a different environment with a lake, wooded areas, and grassy fields. When we entered the park, we were greeted by large Wild Turkeys walking through the rolling hills. As we came closer to the lake, we heard the calls of Red-winged Blackbirds and saw flashes of vibrant red on their wings. We saw approximately 21 Red-winged Blackbirds in the trees, sitting in tall grass next to the water, and on the ground. In the lake, American Coots were swimming and feeding, and we even saw a baby following one of the adults. Canada Geesemade a bold appearance in the lake and on the grass, loudly calling to one another. In the trees, we noticed tiny Oak Titmice, Bushtits, and a Chestnut-backed Chickadee hopping through the branches and constantly tweeting. Overall, we counted 11 species and had a nice walk on the path circling the lake.
Our birding adventures were very fun and we were thrilled to see some species for the first time!
Check out the eBird Trip Report and Species List here: