The Pleasanton detention pond on southwest side of Valley Ave. and
Laguna Creek Lane had 1500 Red-winged Blackbirds this afternoon about 2:25.
Take HY 680 to the Bernal exit headed east turn right on Valley Ave and
follow to the "turn about" the pond is on the southwest corner.
A low flying Red-tailed Hawk put about half - 750 each of the RWBB into
the air.
A few minutes later a Great Egret flew in low preparing to land, this
caused another large group of 600 + to take flight.
Then for several minutes additional smaller group's of RWBB continue to
fly out.
They all flew past the sports park baseball diamond field maybe 1000 ft
. in distance.
I drove around this agricultural field on Oak Vista Way to re-find the
RWBB which were easily seen in mass on the ground under the Cottonwood
trees.
Also in the area White-tailed Kites -2 , Wilson's Snipe - 2 and 45 Killdeer.
Zone 7 our local water carrier ( in Pleasanton ) this fall cut all the
field green growth on the islands in the detention pond closest to HY680.
Viewing the islands is much easier this year.
The eastern Alameda County - CBC is Friday December 17th.
Happy Holidays
Rich Cimino