April 28, 2004
Sparrows, snakes and flycatchers
This morning Mary Schiedt very kindly agreed to lead a Yolo Audubon group onto a normally private area of the Yolo Bypass Wetlands to look for Grasshopper Sparrows (for UK birders, something like a cross between a Corn Bunting and a Grasshopper Warbler in terms of looks, habits and song). Sure enough several males were singing, although they were often obscured by the long grass, making photography difficult. Mary also pointed out many of the stunning wildflowers growing in the vernal pools here. Other birds of note included an obliging Burrowing Owl, several migrant Whimbrel and my first Yolo Caspian Terns on the drive out.
Joan Humphrey (another regular birding buddy) spotted a Gopher Snake sunning itself in the road. After assurances that it wasn't venomous, we decided to move the snake to the slightly safer location of the grass verge. Was fantastic to get such a great view of this reptile!
Joan and I stopped off at Grasslands regional park, and quickly bumped into my life Olive-sided Flycatcher. Also here was a Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo and a Wilson's Warbler or two. Back in Davis, a fruiting mulberry tree was drawing many Cedar Waxwings and a female Western Tanager (another lifer). All in all not a bad morning!
Great photo of you with the snake! These guys have a hard time here, too many things to chop them up. I'm glad you scooted him off the road.
Did the olive-sided sing?
Posted by: Pica at April 29, 2004 12:46 AMPica, you're the second person to comment on the song of Olive-sided today! Unfortunately the bird didn't sing - guess I'll have to head on up to the mountains to hear that.
Posted by: rjhall at April 29, 2004 1:02 AMI'm sure you've heard this, but just listen for "Quick three beers!" and you've heard your Olive-sided. I've always tried to live according to their song.
Posted by: Chet at April 30, 2004 4:08 AM