Home»Portola Valley Ranch, Windy Hill, Etc.»12/31/2024 Mixed Flock visits Lone Blue Oak

Western Bluebirds, young and mature; Dark-eyed Junco of course; and finches: Lesser Goldfinch; House Finch; and Purple Finch. Mixed flocks visit the lone Blue Oak in Portola Valley Ranch, again and again, resting in the tree, swooping down to forage in the grass, then returning to the relative safety of an elevated branch. They all seem happy to be together: more eyes and ears means more safety from hawks and other predators. These are all passerines – songbirds, comprising the largest order of birds by far. No woodpeckers, hummingbirds, hawks, or ducks here. Not even any corvids (crows, ravens, jays etc.), a large, intelligent, omnivorous, and vocally versatile passerine that has been known to prey on others.

I am sure I missed a few species here. Clouds of birds fluttered into the tree, nervously foraged, then moved on together, suddenly.

The Blue Oak shows signs of springtime. Autumn leaves have fallen. New shoots with leafbuds erupt from last year’s branches. Our rain, then sunshine, bodes well for a fruitful spring. One more year of holding our breath, hoping no terrible fire comes to this happy land. Take care!