[the shrike]

Today 7/12/2012 I went to Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz, CA.
I saw American Robin, Wilson's Warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Wood-pewee, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Black Oystercatcher, Heerman's gull, Western gull, Whimbrel, Kildeer, American Goldfinch, Bewick's Wren, Hooded Oriole, Western Tanager, Song sparrow, Orange Crowned Warbler, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Bushtit, Spotted Towhee, CA Towhee, White-tailed Kite, Red-tailed Hawk, Green Heron, Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird, Brandt's Cormorant, Pigeon Guiliomot, Northern Mockingbird, House Finch, Barn Swallow, Violet-Green Swallow, Western Scrub Jay, Stellars Jay, Mourning Dove, Band-tailed Pigeon, Dark-eyed Junco, Mallard, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brown Pelican, Brewer's Blackbird, Black Phoebe, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and I heard American Kestrel, Wrentit, and Red-shouldered Hawk. Then I went to Neary Lagoon Nature Preserve where I saw Wood Duck and Pied-billed Grebe. It was a pretty birdy day!
(P.S. I also saw European Starling and House Sparrow but who's counting those.)

[Brian2]

Hi, I have family in San Jose so have spent some time around the Santa Cruz area...great birding country (AND LOADS OF SEA LIONS AND SEE OTTERS)
sounds like you had a good day too....I'm green with envy!

[the shrike]

Thanks Brian, it has been nice here of late. Funny thing is I did not see any otters or sealions but did see a harbor seal out there. Oh and forgot to mention California Quail, American Coot, and Common Raven were seen as well. That is 50 species seen and three heard in about 3.5 hours of birding

[Brian2]

Nice work. Had the Sea Lions off the pier at Santa Cruz ) and of course always loads around San Fran bay which is where I always see the otters when I geet out your way.
Not much happening here ..rained every day for the last six weeks and summer migrants are a little lait arriving but just looks like they may be coming in now.