It was a cold, overcast morning at the Urban Forest. Temperatures never rose past the mid 50’s with the slight chilling breeze. Surveyors were: Lena Hayashi, Betty Kanne (eBirder), Debra Gala, Dave and Sharon Telford, and Jim Currie. Birds were quiet and few except the House Finches, adults and juveniles, flocking together. It was a [...]
A highly anticipated harbinger of spring is the March/April arrival of the male Hooded Oriole, with its brilliant golden-yellow plumage and its noisy whistles and staccato chatter. The vibrant yellow hood with striking black mask has earned this slender member of the blackbird family its well deserved name. The male is soon followed by receptive [...]
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The Song Sparrow is a much beloved year-round resident in the Urban Forest and adjacent verdant patches. They are readily seen as they walk or hop on the ground and flit or hop through branches, grasses, and flowering plants. Song Sparrows stay low and forage secretively, but males boldly hop up to exposed perches, including [...]
After being blown and rained out in February and March, April turned out to be a grand day to bird the Urban Forest. Though it was overcast and cold, seven of us enjoyed counting more species than ever before. A record number of 54 species! Spring has sprung and we took our time to enjoy [...]
