Varied Thrush

Varied Thrush are moving into Almaden Valley this winter. I've seen them in Quicksilver County Park and elsewhere. I thought this would be the year to find this colorful species in Guadalupe Oak Grove Park. Right out of my car I heard it's distinctive call. I found my first Varied Thrush across from the parking lot. Walking along the wooded trail I found two more beautiful bright orange males picking through the leaf litter under the oaks. That should be species number 98 for the park.

(Varied Thrush photo by Peter LaTourrette)

Winter Species Survey

I completed my winter survey in Guadalupe Oak Grove Park this morning Jan. 18, 2007. I had been waiting for some rain, which has been sparce this winter. Today I found 36 spcies. Most interesting were Hairy Woodpecker, Merlin, Red-breasted Sapsucker, W. Bluebirds, and White-throated Swifts, which seemed unusual for this time of year.

The huge Starling flock flew overhead and fifty more were seen in the park.

36 species for winter survey

Double-crested Cormorant 1 flyover
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 1
California Quail 6
Rock Pigeon 4
Mourning Dove 12
White-throated Swift 5
Anna's Hummingbird 10
Acorn Woodpecker 25
Red-breasted Sapsucker 1
Nuttall's Woodpecker 5
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 4
Black Phoebe 2
Western Scrub-Jay 8
American Crow 1
Cedar Waxwing 40
Western Bluebird 4
American Robin 80
European Starling 200
White-breasted Nuthatch 6
Bewick's Wren 3
Bushtit 13
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 3
Oak Titmouse 13
Lesser Goldfinch 2
House Finch 14
Yellow-rumped Warbler 75
Golden-crowned Sparrow 23
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Spotted Towhee 1
California Towhee 4