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Lake Merrit -> Coyote hills sightings via bike
Philip Georgakakos
Hi folks,
Teal Fristoe and I biked from north Oakland to Coyote Hills today birding along the way. Our route was Lake Merrit -> MLK Regional Shoreline -> San Leandro Marina -> Hayward Regional Shoreline -> Eden Landing -> Coyote Hills. Notable Sightings:
114 bird species on the day. Good birding! Phil Georgakakos Oakland
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Golden eagle stoop at Sunol
Wendy Parfrey
Good morning, birders
Yesterday in Sunol we watched a golden eagle, high in the cloudy sky soaring in broad, leisurely circles. At least a dozen rotations and not one wingbeat. Slow, measured, powerful circles.
Suddenly the eagle folded its wings and entire body into a tiny dark origami box with four small corners and stooped in a spectacular angled descent into a canyon.
I've been to falconry trials and watched peregrine falcons exhibit their dramatic stoop - this was every bit as spectacular. Having now researched 'golden eagles stoop', eagles might be less agile than peregrines, but can reach speeds of 150-200 mph and are
considered one of the earth's fastest animals in a stoop. The behavior is territorial and also to surprise prey.
In fact, this behavior is immortalized in a famous 6-line poem:
The Eagle by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1851)
He clasps the crag with crooked hands; Close to the sun in lonely lands, Ring’d with the azure world, he stands.
The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls; He watches from his mountain walls, And like a thunderbolt he falls.
Enjoy, Wendy Parfrey Oakland Hills
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Least Tern and Snowy Plover at MLK - Arrowhead
Frank Fogarty
Hi birders, While scoping a trio of Snowy Plover at Arrowhead, Julia spotted a pair of Least Tern roosting together on the big gravel pile near the SE corner. Looks like a good nesting spot. Quite a birdy morning despite the rain, Frank Fogarty and Julia DeMarines Oakland
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Heather Farm Monday morning Mar. 4
rosita94598
Things are starting to change, some of the trees are blossoming, some of the ducks are fewer in number. Today we had Buffleheads and a Common Goldeneye. The Red-winged Blackbirds are more numerous now and singing. Lots of the expected sparrows, and while it was not seen today, Fred Safier had the Fox Sparrow yesterday. Fred and Walt Duncan pointed out to me the first Rough-winged Swallows flying over the large, mostly natural pond. We also had the Tropical Kingbird today, it was seen from the wood railing to the left under a white-flowering tree. It flew out to hawk insects a few times. Some gulls were on the lawn between the parking lot and the railing, Ring-billed Gulls with one Mew Gull. Fred and Walt saw the Merlin flying away before I arrived. A Marsh Wren sang in the willows on the west side of the big pond. Due to the varying weather conditions and approaching spring, every day is different. Hugh B. Harvey Walnut Creek
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Richmond Black Scoters
Sheila Dickie
With apologies for late post. The two previously reported Black Scoters were seen swimming with 11 Surf Scoters on Saturday afternoon, March 2, 2019 in the Richmond Marina near the large Cal Trans moored boat. They were seen from the overlook to the left of the Anh Restaurant as you are facing the moored boats near the restrooms for the yacht harbor. Also seen in same location but on the lawn the Snow Goose and its eight Greater White-fronted Goose companions.
Sheila Dickie Richmond
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Heather Farm Friday March 8
rosita94598
Tracy Farrington wrote before 8 AM that he had Violet-green Swallows over the big pond at Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek's Ygnacio Valley. I did not leave the house until about 9:30 and by that time it was fairly windy. No Violet-green Swallows for me, in fact I had a hard time finding my usual sparrows. But I rode my bike past the equestrian area and around the corner to the entry gate of the private Seven Hills School. Rough-winged Swallows were flying over this pond, which we call the Seven Hills Pond. Along the closest edge of this concrete pond is a single smaller oak tree. While looking at the swallows, I found the Tropical Kingbird perched in the lower right branches of this tree. It hawked insects several times while I watched. A couple of Ring-necked Ducks remain on the big pond, along with Buffleheads and a single Common Goldeneye. A gorgeous Red-shouldered Hawk landed on one of the light poles along north San Carlos, the street which runs the length of the park. Hugh B. Harvey Walnut Creek
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Heather Farm Monday Mar. 11
rosita94598
It was cold enough this morning, but that did not stop the newly arrived Barn Swallows and continuing Tropical Kingbird from being active. I had the Fox Sparrow come out of the bushes across from the dog park. A Queenfisher flew off a signpost at the north side of the dog park crosswalk. If anything good shows in the next couple of weeks, I am sure that Fred Safier, Walt Duncan or Tracy Farrington will post a message. later, Hugh B. Harvey Walnut Creek
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Sparrow note
fgsafier
I am posting again, although I did not see the sparrow this morning, but Hugh Harvey explained to me how to make sure that my info also goes to sialia.com.
On my usual morning walk today* (technically one hour later than usual due to the time change) I turned from Cherry Lane east onto the Contra Costa Canal Trail. Normally there is a Cal Towhee pair there, but when a small brown bird flew across the trail it didn't look right. In fact it was a White-crowned Sparrow. It went into some underbrush and I started counting WC Sparrows for my eBird report. But one of the sparrows looked different. Black and white stripes extending back further on the head than on a White-crown, bright white throat, and the clincher: clear yellow spot on the lores. White-throated Sparrow, unmistakable. https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S53666065. * that was yesterday, March 10.
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Orange-crowned Warbler
Johan Langewis
I spent about 3 hours at Valle Vista in Moraga today, saw/heard 59 species. Included was a single Orange-crowned Warbler feeding on the white blossoms of a fruit (wild plum?) tree near the trail leading up to the bridge. FOS for me. Also seen was a Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s) molting into breeding plumage. A Lincoln’s Sparrow was seen near the horse corral shed, in the brush on the lake side of the trail. Other highlights were 6 Wood Ducks and 11 Common Mergansers. All of the mergansers were female. Complete list on eBird.
Johan Langewis Oakland
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East County 3/10 (and a Yellow-billed Magpie question)
Ethan Monk <z.querula@...>
Hi All,
Did a quick afternoon run through some East County sites this Sunday, nothing too extraordinary but a few sightings of note. Morgan Territory Road: I drove from the intersection of Morgan Territory Road to around mile marker 4 until turning around, birding in breaks in the rain. The most noteworthy sightings included a large flock of Lark Sparrows (I counted 39) hanging out together in a break in the rain, and several flocks of Lesser Goldfinch, most heard only, but one flock on the road numbered 29. No Lawrence's (yet) but in a few weeks this might be a good area to check for breeding individuals. https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S53687283 Knightsen: Another fruitless quest for the Yellow-billed Magpies, I believe my 5th or 6th in the past 6 months. I have checked practically all of town at this rate, the school, the Eucalyptus along Knightsen Ave., Hotchkiss Rd., etc., etc. I also know several others that have looked for the Magpies recently and have failed. Does anyone know when these birds were last seen? I am beginning to wonder whether they nest at this locale anymore? eBird's last credible report from this vicinity comes from September 2017 (Dunn). Have they been seen since? Unfortunately, it appears to me that Contra Costa may have lost its last Magpies? Deer Ridge Golf Course: Quick check for the Roadrunner. Last I know of this bird being seen is in the Fall of 2017. I am not sure if this bird still lives in the area, but I only spent 10 or so minutes in the general vicinity of where it hung around back when it was first found in 2014, so I could have easily missed it. Holland Tract: Spent around 2.5 hours at Holland Tract. I drove all of the public levee road and then walked into the Central Tract Marshes and out to the first ponds ( 37.984710, -121.607795). In these ponds there was one male Wood Duck, probably one of the hundred or so that are resident in the Central Tract Marshes, among Goldeneye, Gadwall, Gallinule, and others. Good groups of geese are present still with about 200 Snows (no Ross's as far as I could tell) and 140 White-fronts. Swans and Cranes were also present. A flock of 30 Snipe flushed out of the flooded fields--quite a large number, for me. Coinciding with Spring, swallows have begun to move in, and there were good numbers of Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows (these mostly male). Two Cliff Swallows and one Violet-green Swallow, quite rare for East County, were flying around, as well. Kingbirds should show up in a week or two.
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Richmond: Snow Goose & Eurasian Wigeons continue, oyster-harvesting Oystercatchers
Lee Friedman
Tuesday at the Richmond Marina the Snow Goose with the 8 Greater White-fronted Geese continue in the lawn areas. At Miller-Knox, two Eurasian Wigeons continue in the pond. Also, the Black Oystercatchers seem to be harvesting oysters from the bay. Perhaps this is due to the restoration efforts that began several years ago around the Richmond Harbor area. Here are a few photos: Snow Goose: https://www.flickr.com/photos/99583878@N06/46451085975/in/dateposted-public/ Eurasian Wigeon: https://www.flickr.com/photos/99583878@N06/32424227797/in/dateposted-public/ Black Oystercatchers with Oyster: https://www.flickr.com/photos/99583878@N06/46642855314/in/dateposted-public/ The full list of species with additional photographs are on the checklists: Miller-Knox: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S53758428 Richmond Marina: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S53758666 Good birding, Lee Friedman
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Nutall's woodpecker returns. Oakland Laurel
Marcus
Late morning, a few minutes of banging on the tree. Extra loud. Then flew away. Signal time? I was correct about the local plum blossoms. They did not burst out until teh last week of February and it took then a while to fully bloom so indeed a more normal start to the year - as global warming did indeed push thing earlier except for this year. Marcus Pun Video Editor / Producer/Editor / Camera C: 510-384-8085 | H: 510-530-2507 Oakland, CA
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Possible Kamchatka Gull in CoCo County
albertlinkowski
Yesterday (13/3/2019) at West County Wastewater District - Sewage Ponds, located by Richmond Pkwy just west of San Pablo. Contra Costa County (exact address include in attached eBird checklist), I found, this interesting and quite untypical I think Mew Gull. The Gull was relatively large, almost Ring-billed Gull size (side by side for cf) with conspicuous unmarked large / long yellow bill and strikingly bright (pale gray) eyes what in my opinion may be the basis to consider it as the so-called Kamchatka Gull. Adult bird (in winter plumage) was together with another Mew Gull (2nd Winter immature, also photographed). During observation I also saw the third Mew gull (not affiliated with these two) clearly smaller, and with an obvious smaller bill
Albert W. Linkowski
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S53799858
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Nutall's woodpecker returns. Oakland Laurel - the Female has arrived
Marcus
This morning, heard the tapping and grabbed my camera and checked. No bird but did hear a distant tap. Then a few minutes later the female showed up and started tapping around the same places the male was yesterday, paying particular attention to one spot. So question here, to they smell freshly pierced wood, does the male leave a scent or taste? No construction debris yet. I do have pics but can't deal with them until later. Marcus Pun Video Editor / Producer/Editor / Camera C: 510-384-8085 | H: 510-530-2507 Oakland, CA
On Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 4:28:34 PM PDT, Marcus <scrod2000@...> wrote:
Late morning, a few minutes of banging on the tree. Extra loud. Then flew away. Signal time? I was correct about the local plum blossoms. They did not burst out until teh last week of February and it took then a while to fully bloom so indeed a more normal start to the year - as global warming did indeed push thing earlier except for this year. Marcus Pun Video Editor / Producer/Editor / Camera C: 510-384-8085 | H: 510-530-2507 Oakland, CA
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Harris's Sparrow in walnut Creek
fgsafier
Tracy Farrington asks me to post his sighting of a Harris's Sparrow in the Castle Tree picnic area, across from the ball field lawn in Castle Rock park, Walnut Creek.
Fred Safier
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Harris's Sparrow, Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area, Walnut Creek
tracy_farrington
I wish to thank Fred Safier for posting the HARRIS'S SPARROW, on my behalf.
I was unable to do so as reception was extremely poor. I've had some requests for directions and a few details regarding the location of this bird. It was found at about 9am, this morning, by John Missing, and myself, on and around the little grassy ball field on the right as you proceed into the park, a little ways beyond the swimming pool. These geo-coordinates should put you very near: 37.889240, -121.992393 Here's a Google Maps link. There's a gravel lot at the end of Castle Rock Rd. The entrance, by foot, is a little further. https://goo.gl/maps/afQDTYPDwAt Look for flocks of Golden-crowned Sparrows foraging on the grass, and at the leafy/gravely margins of the field. It was among about 20-30 when It was spotted. Good birding, all. Tracy Farrington Walnut Creek
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Re: Harris's Sparrow, Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area, Walnut Creek
John Missing
I will posting pictures shortly along with an associated eBird checklist. John Missing
On Fri, Mar 15, 2019 at 3:26 PM tracy_farrington via Groups.Io <tracy_farrington=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote: I wish to thank Fred Safier for posting the HARRIS'S SPARROW, on my behalf.
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Re: Harris's Sparrow, Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area, Walnut Creek
John Missing
And here is the link to the eBird checklist with pictures of the Harris's Sparrow. Tracy Farrington deserves credit for picking this bird out of a flock of about 25 GCSP.
On Fri, Mar 15, 2019 at 3:26 PM tracy_farrington via Groups.Io <tracy_farrington=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote: I wish to thank Fred Safier for posting the HARRIS'S SPARROW, on my behalf.
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Black-chinned Hummingbird - Antioch yard - 3/15
Paul Schorr
This morning an immature male Black-chinned Hummingbird appeared in our yard. The bird was vigorously hawking insects from high locations in the yard and aggressively protected the feeders. This is only the third time in nineteen years that we have seen this species in our yard.
Good birding Paul Schorr Antioch
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Harris's Sparrow continues, Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area, Walnut Creek
tracy_farrington
A little after 8, this morning, the HARRIS'S SPARROW was re-found by myself and
a pleasant group of eight other birders. It was seen quite well in and around the grassy ball field just beyond the pool. As was the case, yesterday, it was commingling with about 20+ Golden-crowned Sparrows. In addition, there were about half a dozen LARK SPARROWS. Spring beckons, so get outside and enjoy the birding. Tracy Farrington Walnut Creek
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