Our lean-and-mean team of 6 dedicated birders (Barry, Ginger, Louise, Mike, Christopher and myself) divided up our huge county for a 4-hour distributed effort. We exceeded our goal of 100 species so we’re pretty happy. We each covered our respective areas thoroughly, with an eye toward making sure we got the species most unique to that area.

Louise did some local birding and started us off with 9 species. It’s amazing how often some of the neighborhood birds get missed during a Birdathon. She certainly made sure that didn’t happen. Her lists were a combination of backyard and nearby residential park.

Christopher covered the Guadalupe River Trail and found 24 species, including Sharp-shinned Hawk and Rufous Hummingbird and a number of other riparian birds. This has been a popular area recently, with recent reports of Eastern Phoebe.

Mike created 10 separated eBird checklists for mostly near-bay habitats: Ulistac, Don Edwards, State and Spreckles streets, Gold and Elizabeth streets, Shoreline Park, Pond A1, and Charleston Slough. Among Mike’s 65 species, added roughly 20 unique birds to our grand total—due largely to the Shoerbirds and lingering winter Waterfowl.

Barry and Ginger covered the larger Stevens Canyon area including several stops within Stevens Creek Park, as well as McClellan Ranch and logged 63 species. They picked up several nootropic migrants like Warbling Vireo, Wilson’s Warbler, and a surprise appearance by a Varied Thrush.

Wilson’s Warbler by Barry Langdon-Lassagne

Female Common Merganser by Barry Langdon-Lassagne

Female Varied Thrush by Barry Langdon-Lassagne

Male Ring-necked Duck by Barry Langdon-Lassagne

Matthew (that’s me) covered the South County. I followed the upper parts of Coyote Creek through shaded canyons and stunning emerald green meadows.

I left the house at 6:00 AM to arrive on San Felipe Road off Hwy 152 and began birding at 7:00 AM. The CASSIN’S KINGBIRDS were cooperative. Also found here were LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCHES.

Gilroy Hot Springs Road by Matthew Dodder

Next was a windy drive up Cañada Road to find BULLOCK’S ORIOLES along Jamieson Road. I had hoped to find Lark Sparrows here, but instead found a Bobcat. I was smitten and momentarily distracted from my goal.

Parking at Henry Coe State Park (Hunting Hollow entrance) I walked along Gilroy Hot Springs Road and found my target WOOD DUCK as well as COMMON MERGANSER.

A quick trip to Coyote Lake Park (dam area) produced BALD EAGLE, CANYON WREN, RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW and WHITE-THROATED SWIFT as well as courting Aechmophorus Grebes and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER.

I made a final stop at Coyote Lake Park (Mendoza Ranch entrance) where I got better looks at WESTERN KINGBIRD, and had my previously-missed LARK SPARROW and a nice surprise CHIPPING SPARROW.

Coyote Lake Park (Mendoza Ranch Entrance) by Matthew Dodder

I finished my birding at 11:00 AM with 84 species for the team, but was unable to count several extra birds in my own neighborhood like Townsend’s Warbler and Red-breasted Nuthatch…. So it goes.

In the evening some of us met on zoom to share our stories. After I compiled all the checklists from everyone we found we had located a grand total of 122 species during the 4-hour window! Thrilled but tired.

Now on to the next team…

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