57
SPECIES SEEN
11/9/08 to 11/16/2008
There were 57 species located along the trail this week. It was a good week for new Fall species.
Several Plumbeous and Cassin's Vireos were seen. Also two new flycatchers, Hammonds and Pacific-slope were sighted south of Clark's crossing. (The Pacific-sloped was identified only because of its location and not because I could tell it was not the almost identical Cordilleran). Every season a couple of Red-naped Sapsuckers are seen along the trail, and the Tuesday birding group found one north of Bridge Rd. A couple of Cassin's Kingbirds remain in the vicinity despite the late date, and a Great-horned Owl was heard hooting very early Saturday morning just north of Clark's Crossing Saturday. The Pied-billed Grebes were on the Rio Rico Pond. Missing so far is the rare Greater Pewee that spent the last few early winter seasons in the Clark's Crossing area. Listen for its distinctive song "jose maria".
The trail north of the golf resort's cow pens is not being cleared for use because the resort and the Anza Trail Coalition are re-examining the trail's location. It would be shame for birders if it is moved off the grassy area where the only wintering Western Bluebirds in Santa Cruz County were found regularly last season. It is also a terrific area for Spring flycatchers, including Vermilion Flycatcher, and Cassin's, Western, Tropical, and even an occasional Thick-billed Kingbirds.
Keep your fingers crossed. ~Jim