STEVENS CREEK COUNTY PARK

Villa Maria -- easily found ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, CALIFORNIA THRASHER, BLUE-GRAY GNATCHER onthe uphill trail above Villa Maria plus Standard oakwoodland species in the picnic area, many by voice.

Ranger station -- following a hot tip from Al Eisner,located WARBLING VIREO behind the ranger station by sound,turning up a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER in the same binocular view. Staked out WESTERN WOOD PEWEE and BROWN CREEPER by the bridge to Baytree picnic area in time for Snipe Hunters big day team to pick up that bird for their day list. Heard butnever saw an insistent PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER on the upstream side of the bridge.

STEVENS CREEK RESERVOIR

Dam -- Hunting the shoreline for a certain sandpiperwe'd be sent to find, we came up empty at thislocation, but had fabulous views of a two DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS showing their "crests". One bird had black crestserect over both eyes - but a second individualshowed much longer white crests. Very silly looking, ifyou ask me.

Back corner -- Located the SPOTTED SANDPIPER at the back corner along with a KILLDEER. We made several stops around thereservoir looking for this bird, which might have paid off on a weekday, but for our next Saturday morning visit, wewill skip all those stops in favor of the backcorner of the reservoir - not quite to the place where thecreek crosses the road.

ED LEVIN

Elm Picnic Area -- Last week when we arrived at Ed Levin, there wasabsolutely zero parking to be had at the Elm PicnicArea thanks to the Society for Creative Anacronismgathering in the meadow and we ended up skippingthis stop entirely. This week, we had the place nearlyto ourselves. Did not locate the special goldfinch, butwasted a good hour figuring out the directions."North fence" ??? Best birds: GOLDEN EAGLE, WILD TURKEY, BULLOCK'S ORIOLE,beautiful abundant YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, male Selasphorous hummeringbird.

Sandy Wool Area -- Stopped at Hang / Para glider parking to locate twoLAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH as described by Dean Manley. From there, headed straight up the hill from the dog parkfollowing the Agua Calliente trail to the sycamoregrove and beyond. Heard but never saw Rufous-crownedSparrow on the hillside beyond the sycamores. Heardand saw GRASSHOPPER SPARROW in the same area and came down the hill pleased as punch. Big payoff was our best view ofthe GRASSHOPPER SPARROW on the way down the hill. Sparrow was singing in the grassy field opposity the large red water tank near sunset. Remained perched in one location for 5minutes and was easily seen with scope.