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Mount Diablo Audubon Society Elsie Roemer and Ballena Bay

rosita94598
 

Today was a beautiful day to bird the Alameda shore, starting at Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary.  Eleven birders met at 9 AM to watch the shorebirds as the tide rose, allowing us to see hundreds of peeps and other with fairly close viewing.  We had lots of Western and Least Sandpipers, Sanderlings, Semi-palmated Plovers maybe two Snowy Plovers, some Dunlins, and a few Killdeers.  These were all joined by Dowitchers, Marbled Godwits, Long-billed Curlews, Black-bellied Plovers, Black Oystercatchers, Greater Yellowlegs and Willets.  Before we left some American Avocets joined the group.  Others included Western and Ring-billed Gulls, Forster's and Elegant Terns, Double-crested Cormorants, Brown Pelicans and a couple of Snowy Egrets.

While we watched, suddenly the birds became excited.  The peeps flew off in great clouds of murmurations.  The Godwits and Curlews became erect and moved into a very tight group before taking flight.  The Elegant Terns flew off toward the bay and disappeared. Finally one of our group spotted the Peregrine Falcon, which eventually came closer before being chased off by Crows and gulls.  That was quite a show well worth the price of admission--which was gas money and time spent in commute traffic.  As we were discussing moving on, another eruption occurred, this time it was a Northern Harrier, which did not really care about the littler birds and just flew through.

We moved on to Ballena Bay, not knowing what to expect, but that had a nice selection of birds, too.  On one of the empty piers in the marina were twenty-two Black and one Ruddy Turnstone.  They were joined by two Double-crested Cormorants and two Pelagic Cormorants, some Greater Yellowlegs, a Forster's Tern and a couple of Least Sandpipers.

We happened to find Dawn Lemoine there and she joined us for a short time.  As she was driving out, she spotted a Red-necked Grebe on the bay and came back to tell us.  By the time we walked back to her car the only grebes we saw were very far out on the water and hard to identify, so we did not include that bird on our group list.  We did count our species, though, and our group had 43 for the morning.

Hugh B. Harvey
Walnut Creek
Re: Two confirmed Wandering Tattlers at Cesar Chavez

Joyce Rybandt
 

This is just to confirm the sighting of two Wandering Tattlers at Cesar Chavez park on Sunday.

 

I responded to Jay Dodge’s post yesterday morning, and arrived at the location he described around 12:40 pm at Cesar Chavez and quicky found the Wandering Tattler. While I sat on the rocks observing the bird, I noticed another tattler, also on the rocks, a bit further to the north. I walked over to it to confirm the ID. I later saw the two birds together, foraging in the seaweed.

 

After a quick walk around the circumference of the park, I returned around 2:15 pm and watched at least one of the tattlers and two Black Turnstones with three other birders, Gail, Elliot, and Maggie for over an hour. At this time the tattlers had moved away from the water and further up the rocks.

 

Joyce Rybandt

 

 

From: EBB-Sightings@groups.io <EBB-Sightings@groups.io> On Behalf Of Sam Zuckerman
Sent: Monday, October 4, 2021 2:15 PM
To: EBB-Sightings@groups.io
Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Two confirmed Wandering Tattlers at Cesar Chavez

 

 

Earlier today I posted a report of five Wandering Tattlers on riprap along west shoreline of park. Photos show two Tattlers and two Spotted Sandpipers, while I could't determine species of the fifth medium-size sandpiper. Two WATA is consistent with earlier reports, including original report of Tattlers by David Yeamans and Rosemarie Richardson Oct. 1.

Two confirmed Wandering Tattlers at Cesar Chavez

Sam Zuckerman
 

 
Earlier today I posted a report of five Wandering Tattlers on riprap along west shoreline of park. Photos show two Tattlers and two Spotted Sandpipers, while I could't determine species of the fifth medium-size sandpiper. Two WATA is consistent with earlier reports, including original report of Tattlers by David Yeamans and Rosemarie Richardson Oct. 1.

Re: FOS yard Golden crowned sparrow

Rosemary Johnson
 

However, as the years go on (at least 5 now or more?), I have wondered whether it is exactly the same birds or their descendants.

On 10/04/2021 12:26 PM Rosemary Johnson <compasros@...> wrote:


Not surprised by this because I've had the same flock of exactly 6 GCS in my yard for years.
On 10/04/2021 12:08 PM Idell Weydemeyer <iwgarden@...> wrote:


Gold Crowns (GC)  in EL Sobrante singing on the 26th Sept and White Crowns arrived on the 1st. . If you have seen the Pacific Hort article , a study in santa cruz showed that GC  come back to the SAME   individual  bush and some nearby bushes  they were in the previous winter- amazing- check out the Pacific Hort article.


Idell Weydemeyer


From: EBB-Sightings@groups.io <EBB-Sightings@groups.io> On Behalf Of Randy Prunty
Sent: Monday, October 4, 2021 11:26 AM
To: judisierra@...
Cc: EBB <ebb-sightings@groups.io>
Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] FOS yard Golden crowned sparrow


Yesterday I saw two here in Pinole. They were just across the fence in my neighbor's yard. Also close enough. 


On Mon, Oct 4, 2021 at 11:08 AM judisierra via groups.io <judisierra=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:

After seeing them on Vollmer Peak a few days ago,  they finally arrived here. I heard the "Oh dear me" song this morning. It was across the street while I was washing my car. Close enough.

Judi Sierra
Oakland
Multiple dead gulls on Canal Blvd

Preston Mui
 

While out for a bike ride yesterday I happened upon three dead adult Western Gulls on Canal Blvd in Richmond. All three were together on the bike path, but close to the road. Coordinates were 37.916058, -122.371139. I reported this to the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, and they asked to be notified if more gulls were found in the area, as it may indicate a disease or other issue. You can report dead birds (and other wildlife) here: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Laboratories/Wildlife-Health/Monitoring/Mortality-Report

Also on this ride, I sadly saw a dead Acorn Woodpecker in the road in Tiburon and a dead Savannah Sparrow at McLaughlin Eastshore State Park.
Re: FOS yard Golden crowned sparrow

Phila Rogers
 

Oh you lucky people!  I now live in Santa Barbara and I haven't heard a GC since I moved here eight years ago.  And I have to go to our Bot. garden in Mission Canyon to see a fox sparrow.  Phila Rogers


On Mon, Oct 4, 2021 at 12:26 PM Rosemary Johnson <compasros@...> wrote:
Not surprised by this because I've had the same flock of exactly 6 GCS in my yard for years.
On 10/04/2021 12:08 PM Idell Weydemeyer <iwgarden@...> wrote:


Gold Crowns (GC)  in EL Sobrante singing on the 26th Sept and White Crowns arrived on the 1st. . If you have seen the Pacific Hort article , a study in santa cruz showed that GC  come back to the SAME   individual  bush and some nearby bushes  they were in the previous winter- amazing- check out the Pacific Hort article.


Idell Weydemeyer


From: EBB-Sightings@groups.io <EBB-Sightings@groups.io> On Behalf Of Randy Prunty
Sent: Monday, October 4, 2021 11:26 AM
To: judisierra@...
Cc: EBB <ebb-sightings@groups.io>
Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] FOS yard Golden crowned sparrow


Yesterday I saw two here in Pinole. They were just across the fence in my neighbor's yard. Also close enough. 


On Mon, Oct 4, 2021 at 11:08 AM judisierra via groups.io <judisierra=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:

After seeing them on Vollmer Peak a few days ago,  they finally arrived here. I heard the "Oh dear me" song this morning. It was across the street while I was washing my car. Close enough.

Judi Sierra
Oakland
FOS yard Fox Sparrow

judisierra
 

Just after I posted the Golden-crowned sparrow note, a Fox sparrow appeared in my real yard this time. Again after I saw 17 at Vollmer Peak a few days ago.

Judi sierra
)akland
Re: FOS yard Golden crowned sparrow

Rosemary Johnson
 

Not surprised by this because I've had the same flock of exactly 6 GCS in my yard for years.

On 10/04/2021 12:08 PM Idell Weydemeyer <iwgarden@...> wrote:


Gold Crowns (GC)  in EL Sobrante singing on the 26th Sept and White Crowns arrived on the 1st. . If you have seen the Pacific Hort article , a study in santa cruz showed that GC  come back to the SAME   individual  bush and some nearby bushes  they were in the previous winter- amazing- check out the Pacific Hort article.


Idell Weydemeyer


From: EBB-Sightings@groups.io <EBB-Sightings@groups.io> On Behalf Of Randy Prunty
Sent: Monday, October 4, 2021 11:26 AM
To: judisierra@...
Cc: EBB <ebb-sightings@groups.io>
Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] FOS yard Golden crowned sparrow


Yesterday I saw two here in Pinole. They were just across the fence in my neighbor's yard. Also close enough. 


On Mon, Oct 4, 2021 at 11:08 AM judisierra via groups.io <judisierra=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:

After seeing them on Vollmer Peak a few days ago,  they finally arrived here. I heard the "Oh dear me" song this morning. It was across the street while I was washing my car. Close enough.

Judi Sierra
Oakland
Re: FOS yard Golden crowned sparrow

Idell Weydemeyer
 

Gold Crowns (GC)  in EL Sobrante singing on the 26th Sept and White Crowns arrived on the 1st. . If you have seen the Pacific Hort article , a study in santa cruz showed that GC  come back to the SAME   individual  bush and some nearby bushes  they were in the previous winter- amazing- check out the Pacific Hort article.

 

Idell Weydemeyer

 

From: EBB-Sightings@groups.io <EBB-Sightings@groups.io> On Behalf Of Randy Prunty
Sent: Monday, October 4, 2021 11:26 AM
To: judisierra@...
Cc: EBB <ebb-sightings@groups.io>
Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] FOS yard Golden crowned sparrow

 

Yesterday I saw two here in Pinole. They were just across the fence in my neighbor's yard. Also close enough. 

 

On Mon, Oct 4, 2021 at 11:08 AM judisierra via groups.io <judisierra=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:

After seeing them on Vollmer Peak a few days ago,  they finally arrived here. I heard the "Oh dear me" song this morning. It was across the street while I was washing my car. Close enough.

Judi Sierra
Oakland
Sora at Heather Farm Park nature lake

Rosalie
 

Spotted what appears to be a Sora two mornings at "Gallinule Gap" (clearing between lakeshore willows on narrow asphalt path, west side of lake) at Heather Farm nature lake. Once swimming, once just disappearing into reeds. Sept 29 & Oct 3.
Re: FOS yard Golden crowned sparrow

Kay Loughman
 

We had three Golden-crowns show up at our house on 9/23 - all with immature plumage.  Heard chips, but no songs all week.  But then on 10/2 there was a lot of singing, and (coincidentally?) there were two adult plumaged birds on the deck.  It's well known that this species sings on the wintering ground; but I wonder if the singing - at least in the fall - comes primarily from adult birds returning to the wintering ground?

Kay Loughman
in the hills on the Berkeley/Oakland border   


judisierra via groups.io wrote on 10/4/2021 11:08 AM:
After seeing them on Vollmer Peak a few days ago,  they finally arrived here. I heard the "Oh dear me" song this morning. It was across the street while I was washing my car. Close enough.

Judi Sierra
Oakland



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Re: FOS yard Golden crowned sparrow

Randy Prunty
 

Yesterday I saw two here in Pinole. They were just across the fence in my neighbor's yard. Also close enough. 


On Mon, Oct 4, 2021 at 11:08 AM judisierra via groups.io <judisierra=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
After seeing them on Vollmer Peak a few days ago,  they finally arrived here. I heard the "Oh dear me" song this morning. It was across the street while I was washing my car. Close enough.

Judi Sierra
Oakland
FOS yard Golden crowned sparrow

judisierra
 

After seeing them on Vollmer Peak a few days ago, they finally arrived here. I heard the "Oh dear me" song this morning. It was across the street while I was washing my car. Close enough.

Judi Sierra
Oakland
Re: Wandering Tattlers at Cesar Chavez

Sam Zuckerman
 

Total of five Wandering Tattlers on western riprap at Chavez this morning from far northwest corner to traffic circle.

On 10/04/2021 10:05 AM Jim Roethe via groups.io <jimroethe@...> wrote:


Now out at the point


Jim Roethe

On Oct 4, 2021, at 10:00 AM, Jim Roethe via groups.io <JimRoethe@...> wrote:

Two Tattkers now, second bench past the trees,


Jim Roethe

On Oct 2, 2021, at 7:59 AM, David Yeamans <davidralphyeamans@...> wrote:

Friday, 2021-10-01, Rosmarie Richardson and I went to Cesar Chavez Park and then Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary for my first foray in close to four months -- it's too hot for me otherwise. We walked along the south edge and turned north along the Bay. She watched the land birds and those in trees where they perched straight overhead and directly into the sun. Aggravating my warbler neck and staring into bad light wears me out so I looked over the shoreline revetment instead. When she joined me again I asked tongue in cheek if she'd seen any wandering tattlers down there along the sea edge -- it was my way of saying she might find it rewarding. Not five seconds later a WATA appeared, my first ever in Alameda County. We followed it along and began predicting which photogenic rock it would go onto next. A second tattler revealed itself and they both harvested small invertebrates from the wet algae in the very calm splash zone.

I call it channeling for birds. In the '60s it would have been a Berkeley thing. Photos at https://ebird.org/checklist/S95452668

High and gentle tide wasn't very high at noon in Elsie Roemer. There were mixed flocks of sanderling, dunlin, semi-palmated plover, and western sandpiper. Black oyestercatchers and long-billed curlews were in the ten-ish range. We estimated 60 elegant terns and only a few Forster's.


*************************
Dave Yeamans
If you see bad, do good.









Re: Wandering Tattlers at Cesar Chavez

Jim Roethe
 

Now out at the point


Jim Roethe

On Oct 4, 2021, at 10:00 AM, Jim Roethe via groups.io <JimRoethe@...> wrote:

Two Tattkers now, second bench past the trees,


Jim Roethe

On Oct 2, 2021, at 7:59 AM, David Yeamans <davidralphyeamans@...> wrote:


Friday, 2021-10-01, Rosmarie Richardson and I went to Cesar Chavez Park and then Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary for my first foray in close to four months -- it's too hot for me otherwise. We walked along the south edge and turned north along the Bay. She watched the land birds and those in trees where they perched straight overhead and directly into the sun. Aggravating my warbler neck and staring into bad light wears me out so I looked over the shoreline revetment instead. When she joined me again I asked tongue in cheek if she'd seen any wandering tattlers down there along the sea edge -- it was my way of saying she might find it rewarding. Not five seconds later a WATA appeared, my first ever in Alameda County. We followed it along and began predicting which photogenic rock it would go onto next. A second tattler revealed itself and they both harvested small invertebrates from the wet algae in the very calm splash zone.

I call it channeling for birds. In the '60s it would have been a Berkeley thing. Photos at https://ebird.org/checklist/S95452668

High and gentle tide wasn't very high at noon in Elsie Roemer. There were mixed flocks of sanderling, dunlin, semi-palmated plover, and western sandpiper. Black oyestercatchers and long-billed curlews were in the ten-ish range. We estimated 60 elegant terns and only a few Forster's.


*************************
Dave Yeamans
If you see bad, do good.
Re: Wandering Tattlers at Cesar Chavez

Jim Roethe
 

Two Tattkers now, second bench past the trees,


Jim Roethe

On Oct 2, 2021, at 7:59 AM, David Yeamans <davidralphyeamans@...> wrote:


Friday, 2021-10-01, Rosmarie Richardson and I went to Cesar Chavez Park and then Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary for my first foray in close to four months -- it's too hot for me otherwise. We walked along the south edge and turned north along the Bay. She watched the land birds and those in trees where they perched straight overhead and directly into the sun. Aggravating my warbler neck and staring into bad light wears me out so I looked over the shoreline revetment instead. When she joined me again I asked tongue in cheek if she'd seen any wandering tattlers down there along the sea edge -- it was my way of saying she might find it rewarding. Not five seconds later a WATA appeared, my first ever in Alameda County. We followed it along and began predicting which photogenic rock it would go onto next. A second tattler revealed itself and they both harvested small invertebrates from the wet algae in the very calm splash zone.

I call it channeling for birds. In the '60s it would have been a Berkeley thing. Photos at https://ebird.org/checklist/S95452668

High and gentle tide wasn't very high at noon in Elsie Roemer. There were mixed flocks of sanderling, dunlin, semi-palmated plover, and western sandpiper. Black oyestercatchers and long-billed curlews were in the ten-ish range. We estimated 60 elegant terns and only a few Forster's.


*************************
Dave Yeamans
If you see bad, do good.
FOS Yellow-rumped Warblers - Antioch yard - 10/3

Paul Schorr
 

Today we had 2-3 FOS Yellow-rumped Warblers show up in our yard. At times they gleaned insects from our birch tree and also visited our bird bath. In addition, a FOS Golden-crowned Sparrow showed up and joined the 12+ White-crowned Sparrows that have been here for a couple of weeks. One more FOS was heard - a Northern Flicker was calling from our neighbor’s redwood tree. Interestingly, a male and female Nuttall’s Woodpecker have been roosting lately in a nest box we have had up all year without any interested nesters. Last night the male used the nest box and before it got dark it would occasionally stick its head out of the opening and call. We don’t know if he ever had company.

Good birding,

Paul Schorr
Antioch
Re: Wandering Tattler Continues at Cesar Chavez

Jay
 

Still there right this moment. North along the path as described. It’s right opposite where the trees on the right give away to open brush. A little higher than the seaweed mostly and was completely still when I arrived. But now starting to do its little dance and head down to the seaweed.



Jay Dodge
Berkeley 



On Sunday, October 3, 2021, 9:09 AM, Sam Zuckerman <samzuckerman@...> wrote:

In approximately the same location where David Yeamans found two WATA Oct 1. At medium and rising tide, single bird foraging in seaweed on rocks on west shore of park about 100 yards north of traffic circle where road ends. Non-breeding plumage with little barring on belly. Tail bobbing. Photo at:
 
 



Wandering Tattler Continues at Cesar Chavez

Sam Zuckerman
 

In approximately the same location where David Yeamans found two WATA Oct 1. At medium and rising tide, single bird foraging in seaweed on rocks on west shore of park about 100 yards north of traffic circle where road ends. Non-breeding plumage with little barring on belly. Tail bobbing. Photo at:
 
 

Warbling Vireo - Antioch yard - 10/2

Paul Schorr
 

This morning we had a Warbling Vireo come to our nearby bird bath and provide really good views.

Good birding,

Paul Schorr
Antioch
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