I Just Discovered a Great Website

 I recently discovered a great website, Birds of the Villages. Put together by Villages resident Bruce Blinn, this is a very useful resource for all those Birders living at The Villages Golf and Country Club in San Jose, CA.
To go to the site, click the following link:
 http://www.bruceblinn.com/photography/Villages/Birds/index.html

Below is an example of some of the useful information you will find on Bruce's website.

Birds of the Villages

 

This web site contains pictures and information about the birds that can be found in The Villages Golf and Country Club in San Jose, California. This web site is not complete; there are many birds that you may see in the Villages that are not yet included on this page. I will continue to add new birds whenever I can photograph and identify them.

You can click on any of the pictures of birds on this page to see additional pictures of that bird. You can then select any of those pictures to see a larger version of that picture.

Note: The pictures on this web site were all taken at the Villages, but the audio recordings of the birds were found on the web.

 

• Bluebird, Western

  
  The western bluebird is about 5-7 inches from beak to tail. The head, tail, and wings of the male are deep blue. They have a rusty colored breast and back and their belly is light gray. The colors of the female are much more muted. They are easily recognized; if you see a small bird and catch a glimpse of blue, it is probably a bluebird.
  The western bluebird is very common in the Villages all year long, but more so in the summer. It is one of the birds that nests in the birdhouses around the golf course. Their nesting period is from May and June. When you see a bluebird, there are usually several others nearby. You will frequently see them in the grass eating insects or flying back to a nearby tree. They frequently perch on upright posts or wires. You can find these birds all over the golf course, but they seem to be most abundant around the 9-hole golf course or holes #4 and #5 on the 18-hole golf course.
  Reference: Sibley (c2000) p401; Peterson (c2010) p288.
  rnia.

Some additional information that may be useful:

• Villages Birdhouse Map - This is a PDF file of a map showing the location of the twelve birdhouses that are located on the Villages golf courses.
• Birds of Santa Clara County - This is a PDF file from the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society showing the distribution of birds in Santa Clara County.
• Birds of California - This is a link to a Wikipedia page that lists all the birds that can be found in Califonia

Time To Buy The Cigars

The eggs have hatched inside the birdhouse adjacent to the Vineyard Center. To see the baby Swallows live, click on the link below.

 

Live streaming from the NestCam

Third Annual Birdhouse Tour

Come join the fun at the third annual Villages Birdhouse Tour. We'll meet at the Bistro at 9:00 AM on Monday, May 13th. We're very lucky once more to have Villages bird experts Mary and Dave Fullerton lead the tour.  They will talk about the various bird species that are nesting in some of the 12 birdhouses scattered around the gold course. Additionally, they will discuss any birds spotted along the way and answer any questions you may have. You're welcome to walk or ride in your golf cart. We will be handing out maps of the golf course, showing the location of all 12 birdhouses, as well as a recently updated inventory of all birds ever seen at The Villages. See you there!

Here are some photos from last year's Birdhouse Tour:


Click on Photos to Enlarge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Annual Birdhouse Tour

More than 45 Villagers participated in the Second Annual Birdhouse Tour on Monday, May 21st. We were very lucky again this year to be led by Mary and Dave Fullerton. Many interesting birds were seen along the way, including a Red Shouldered Hawk, a White-Tailed Kite and a Green Heron.

Mary Fullerton leads tour of the birdhouses at The Villages.

Tour gatheres around birdhouse at the first tee

Perfect weather greeted Villages birders

First Baby Ducks of the Season

Mama  and 5 Baby Ducklings

Algae Attack!

The call went out. The volunteers gathered in preparation, weapons by their sides. The attack began at dawn. Needless to say, the algae was caught completely off guard and never stood a chance. Thanks to all those dedicated volunteers who came out at the break of dawn to remove algae from the lakes. Because these volunteers were able to rid the lakes of all the algae without the use of chemicals, they were able to help The Villages save money, as well as help the environment. 

Golf Course Maintenance employee Jorge, in the hip waders, assisting in the gathering of algae that is out of reach of the volunteers.

Richard Warren and Don Roberts by the 18th tee

Hugh Fahrner encouraging the troops, including: Gary Sharps, Richard Warren, George Southland, Claude Bramwell, and Dick Fisher.

The Villages designated as "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary"

The Villages Golf and Country Club Recognized for Environmental Excellence

SAN JOSE, CA – The Villages Golf and Country Club golf course has achieved designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program.  Brian Bagley, Course Superintendent, has led the effort to obtain sanctuary status on this course and is being recognized for Environmental Stewardship by Audubon International.  The Villages Golf and Country Club is the 66^th course in California and the 845^th in the world to receive the honor. 

"The Villages Golf and Country Club has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program.  They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property," said Jim Sluiter Staff Ecologist for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs.

"To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas," explained Sluiter.  These categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.

Bird House Tour

Thanks to everyone who came out for the First Annual Golf Course Birdhouse Tour. Close to 65 people showed up to walk and ride around the golf course, looking at the 12 new birdhouses that were installed back on March 31st. Led by local bird experts, Mary and David Fullerton, the highlight of the morning had to be the birdhouse by the 4th tee, where the Violet-Green Swallows were swooping in and out of the birdhouse, being completely oblivious to the large crowd that had surrounded them. Hand outs included a map of the course and a complete inventory of all birds seen at The Villages. There will be extra copies at the pro shop for anyone still needing one.


Getting ready to take the Tour



Walkers heading down the 3rd fairway

Checking out the Violet-Green Swallow

Bird House Tour

         It’s time to gather up your binoculars, field guides and water proof shoes. The first annual Golf Course Bird Watching Tour heads out onto the golf course from the pro shop on Monday, June 6^th at 9:00 AM. Villages residents, Mary and Dave Fullerton will be leading the tour. They will take the group to 10 of the 12 birdhouses on the golf course, hopefully helping to identify any of the house’s new occupants as well as any other birds that they see along the way. The tour can be done on foot or in your golf cart. Everyone will receive a map of the golf course, showing the location of all 12 birdhouses and a list of all birds ever seen at The Villages.

Raptors of The Villages G and CC

Photo by Michael Kulakofsky

Cooper's hawks are agile forest hawks. They feed mostly on smaller birds. The curved tail is a good way to tell a Cooper's Hawk from a Sharp-shinned Hawk. The Cooper's Hawk has a tail that is longer in proportion to the wings than does the Sharp-shinned Hawk. You will  also see that the tail has a deeply curved tail while the Sharp-shinned Hawk's tail seems to be squared off.

Wild Thing

Lake Along the Right Side of the First Fairway

The golf course maintenance staff has created several vegetated buffer or "no spray" zones around the golf course. These areas which are around some of the edges of our lakes are specifically maintained with plants that will reduce storm water flow and potential pollution from runoff. Buffer zones protect water quality and aquatic species.

Raptors of the Villages G & CC

Red-shouldered hawks usually inhabit mature deciduous or mixed deciduous-conifer forests and swamps. They build their nests 20 to 60 feet above the ground in the branches of deciduous trees in wet woodland areas. They prefer to have dead trees nearby, where they can perch and enjoy an unobstructed view of the forest floor.

Golf Course Gardens Go Native

                        
In an effort to preserve the biological diversity of our region by protecting the existing native habitat and species, we are converting several of our gardens to native plants.
 
8 Tee

18 Green

18 Green

5 Tee

Raptors of the Villages G & CC

The White-Tailed Kite’s ability to hover or “kite” in the air gives is what gives this striking bird  its name.  It is also sometimes called the “Angel” hawk for its white feathers and the appearance of “floating” in the air.  It is a delicate and graceful bird of prey, and the only falcon-like bird  in California to have a white tail.  It is about 15″ long with a 39″ wing span.

 

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary program (ACSP)

     We have recently decided to get involved in an exciting environmental improvement program for our golf course. The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary program (ACSP) provides information, guidance, and support to help golf courses conduct proactive environmental projects that benefit people and the environment. We have many sound environmental practices in place already and this program will help us expand upon these.

     The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary program for Golf Courses helps courses to enhance wildlife habitats and protect natural resources for the benefit of people, wildlife, and the game of golf. The program is designed to give golf course managers the information and guidance they need to implement stewardship projects and receive recognition for their efforts.

       The Golf Program is part of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System, a nationwide network of conservation partnership that includes backyards, schools, corporate and business properties, and golf courses. It is administered by Audubon International, a non-profit environmental organization that spearheads education and conservation assistance programs that promote environmental stewardship and sustainability. There will be more information to follow.

Raptors of The Villages G & CC

Many thanks to Mike Kulakofsky for supplying me with some incredible photos of raptors that he has taken  at The Villages. This month's raptor is the Red Tailed Hawk.

• Size & Shape

  Red-tailed Hawks are large hawks with typical Buteo proportions: very broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail. Large females seen from a distance might fool you into thinking you’re seeing an eagle. (Until an actual eagle comes along.)

• Color Pattern

  Most Red-tailed Hawks are rich brown above and pale below, with a streaked belly and, on the wing underside, a dark bar between shoulder and wrist. The tail is usually pale below and cinnamon-red above, though in young birds it’s brown and banded. “Dark-phase” birds are all chocolate-brown with a warm red tail. “Rufous-phase” birds are reddish-brown on the chest with a dark belly.

• Behavior

  You’ll most likely see Red-tailed Hawks soaring in wide circles high over a field. When flapping, their wingbeats are heavy. In high winds they may face into the wind and hover without flapping, eyes fixed on the ground. They attack in a slow, controlled dive with legs outstretched – much different from a falcon’s stoop.

• Habitat

  The Red-tailed Hawk is a bird of open country. Look for it along fields and perched on telephones poles, fenceposts, or trees standing alone or along edges of fields.