Audubon Christmas Bird Count, Calero/Morgan Hill Casa Loma Rd. & OSA Rancho Property, 26 December 2004 Santa Clara County Open Space Authority |
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| Bird Count volunteers scan the area around an old barn on Casa Loma Road. | ||
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| Area's bird habitat includes pastures and derelict walnut orchards. | ||
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| When birds suddenly break cover, volunteers quickly identify and count them. | ||
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| Volunteers enjoyed the solitude of birding along a quiet country road. | ||
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| Broad meadow edged with a creek screened by trees. | ||
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| Birds can often be sighted foraging for food in barnyards. | ||
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| Section of unpaved road along Llagas Creek. | ||
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| A steady mist fell as we set out across Rancho's home meadow. | ||
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| Birding our way up a narrow canyon. | ||
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| Near one creek crossing we observed California Newts migrating. | ||
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| Amphibians, newts return to shallow pools in late winter/early spring to breed. | ||
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| Soggy meadow below Hidden Lake. | ||
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| Wind and rain had driven most birds under cover. | ||
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| On previous counts Wood Ducks were sighted here along the far shore. | ||
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| Winter bare oaks at the summit above Hidden Lake. | ||
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| A sudden bird sighting is quickly tracked with binoculars. | ||
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| Dense woods surrounding a high meadow. | ||
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| Steady mist falling; dampening everything but our spirits. | ||
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| Birding downhill following an old ranch road. | ||
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| Last creek to cross before reaching Casa Loma Road. | ||
| Return to Top. | Return to Bird Counts. | |