May 25, 2023
9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; hazy and cool
I was helping out with a Steelhead release program, where elementary school students released trout that they had raised in the classroom. I was able to release a few of the fish, as well, which was fun. And during down time between groups of children, of course I took the opportunity to listen for birds, and do some plant photography.
My first bird of the day was a Pacific-slope Flycatcher, heard near the Jasmine Court creek crossing. I did confirm the ID with Merlin, and was happy to have been able to recognize the song on my own. Chestnut-backed Chickadee were seen and heard, and I caught a glimpse of a Western Gray Squirrel across the creek. My first of many Wilson’s Warbler today were heard but not seen, and I also picked up a Hutton’s Vireo on Merlin, which was a nice addition to my list (although I wasn’t able to spot that bird, either). In this area, plants included California Wild Rose and Multiflora Rose, and California Mugwort. I also took some photos of the willow catkins, hoping that they will help with identification. I think the two species were Red Willow and Narrowleaf Willow (pending ID on iNaturalist).
After the release was finished, I decided that since I was already on campus, I’d go on a little walk down the creek to see what I could see. I ended up with a pretty nice species list. Better than on the BioBlitz, I think, even though I wasn’t walking that much longer than the Blitz period.
I had a great look at a Western Gray Squirrel crossing the street at Snowberry Corner, and when it saw me approach, it ran up one of the maple trees growing alongside the Art parking lot. I ended up inadvertently following after this squirrel for a while, as it tried to stay ahead of me on the path, before veering off into some creekside vegetation. I saw at least one other squirrel during my walk. At least I think there were multiple individuals, and not just the same one that I kept seeing all over the place.
I heard another Pacific-slope Flycatcher, but this time I was able to get my eyes on it . . . the bird was singing from the top of a bare tree in the parking lot, right out in plain sight. I had a nice look at a Turkey Vulture perched near the creek, and I enjoyed seeing the California Buckeye and Spicebush in bloom.
By the lakes, I saw most of the usual suspects: Mallard and Canada Goose, both of whom had young. Western Bluebird and Black Phoebe. No turtles today, but there was a domestic Muscovy Duck hanging around by the Commencement Lake, an individual that had been reported a couple of days earlier on iNaturalist.
Another thing I noticed on today’s walk is that I see more birds, and have better photo opportunities when I’m out by myself, rather than going out to make observations with students. Partly because there’s less noise to disturb the wildlife, but I also think I’m able to go at a slower pace, and take more time to wait and watch things to happen.
A good example of this, I think, were the Chestnut-backed Chickadee I was able to view near the footbridge. There were several of them in a tree across from the big Eucalyptus, and I was able to watch them for several minutes, including some behavior that I’m pretty sure was a fledgling begging for food from its parent.
I’d been hearing Bewick’s Wren all along the creek, and on my way back to my car, I was thrilled to spot one in the riparian vegetation. My photos aren’t great, but hey! They’re better than nothing. Another bird I was happy to spot was an adorable Oak Titmouse who popped out of the vegetation to perch on some grass, giving me the opportunity to get some decent photos.
Near the end of my walk, I saw this very large, primarily black, Horse-fly Carpenter bee foraging on Wild Radish beside the ETC parking lot. I was quickly reminded just how “busy” bees really are – it makes them difficult to photograph, because they seem to be constantly in motion. But I managed a few decent snaps, and was happy to realize that this is a new species for me (or at least one I’d not seen often in the past).
Species List
Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis), Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla), Western Gray Squirrel (Sciurus griseus), Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii), American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens), Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus), Hutton’s Vireo (Vireo huttoni), possible Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius), California Towhee (Melozone crissalis), possible Sixspot Cranefly (Limonia nubeculosa), unidentified Cranefly (Tipulidae), Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria), Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), possible Soldier Beetle (Cultellunguis americanus), California Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica), Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana), Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), American Robin (Turdus migratorius), Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna), Domestic Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata domestica), Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus), Horse-fly Carpenter (Xylocopa tabaniformis), Boxelder (Acer negundo), Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), Harding Grass (Phalaris aquatica), California Wild Rose (Rosa californica), California Buckeye (Aesculus californica), Bristly Oxtongue (Helminthotheca echioides), possible Bull Mallow (Malva nicaeensis), possible Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne), Greater Periwinkle (Vinca major), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), possible Red Willow (Salix laevigata), possible Narrowleaf Willow (Salix exigua), Valley Oak (Quercus lobata), Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), California Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana), Common Vetch (Vicia sativa), Northern California Black Walnut (Juglans hindsii), Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis), possible Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora), Broad-leafed Helleborine (Epipactis helleborine), Italian Thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus), Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum), Catchweed Bedstraw (Galium aparine), Wild Radish (Raphanus sativus), Lawn Daisy (Bellis perennis), Mock Strawberry (Potentilla indica), Rough-fruited Buttercup (Ranunculus muricatus), Oak Mistletoe (Phoradendron villosum), Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa), Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), Eggleaf Spurge (Euphorbia oblongata), Spicebush (Calycanthus occidentalis), Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis), possible California Brome (Bromus carinatus), possible Curly Dock (Rumex crispus), Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), possible Shortpod Mustard (Hirschfeldia incana), possible Cretan Mallow (Malva multiflora), Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii), Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis), possible Oregon Ash (Fraxinus latifolia), Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum), possible Common Cat’s-Ear (Hypochaeris radicata)
Let me know what you think!