I've been seeing White-Throated Sparrows (1 to 3 at a time) at my yard feeders for over a month. This is the first year I've noticed them. Are they common in the East Bay? I am participating in Projec

This morning I saw (at close range) a Greater White-Fronted Goose at Lake Merritt. It was just east of the Rotary Nature Center area on the grass (bill covered in grass clippings). It was alone, but t

This morning Blake Edgar were watching the feeders for Project FeederWatch, and we had extended looks at close range of two white-throated sparrows. This is in a yard adjacent to the Morcom Rose Garde

This morning I saw a white-throated sparrow at my seed feeder. That's a first in many years of having feeders. Very exciting! This was right near the Oakland rose garden. Last year I saw a pair of whi

The beautiful male Wood Duck first spotted more than a month ago continues at Lake Merritt. I've seen it twice this week (as recently as Sunday morning) hanging out with the Mallards by the Rotary Nat

Monday morning I walked along the north end of Lake Merritt. I spotted my first Lake Merritt Canvasback of the season by the Rotary center islands among a lot of Ruddy Ducks. Other treats in the same

Late Sunday morning I saw a solo male Hooded Merganser in the third reservoir pond up the hill at Mountain View Cemetery. It was in the company of half a dozen Canada Geese, two Pied-Billed Grebes, a

Today over 15 minutes, I spotted a very dark Red-Tailed Hawk (almost black in full sunlight), an American Kestrel going after a young Red-Tail, and a Red-Shouldered Hawk ground hunting on a slope cove

On Sunday morning, Blake Edgar and I spotted a pair of adult White-Throated Sparrows along the Olive St. side of the Morcom (aka Oakland) Rose Garden. Kate Hoffman Oakland

During an outing for Denise Wight's Birding by Ear class, I spotted my FOS Allen's Hummingbird. Along another path, Denise clarified that the Oak Titmouse I pointed out at the top of a nearby bush was

Today a Great Egret was stationed at the reflecting pond and cascade at the garden. A gardener spooked it and it flew, circled, and returned to the pond. In search of fresh water? I've lived next to t

Two bird questions for you: On Saturday I hiked up to Wildcat Peak in Tilden, and ahead of us on the dirt trail, we spotted a covey of adult California Quail trying to herd about 20 baby quail. The ba

Yesterday Tim Kingston and I saw two Moorhens (aka Common Gallinules) paddling around with two babies (what's the right word--ducklings?). The young were very small but definitely showed the red head

Last night at dusk I was walking in the Oakland Rose Garden when a Raven flushed a Cooper's Hawk from a tree and chased it across the park, where the hawk disappeared into a tree. I was surprised by t

This afternoon around 2pm, Blake Edgar and I spotted an adult Golden Eagle atop the tallest tower on Round Top. Also got a good look at a singing CA Thrasher along the trail to the pond. At the pond i

Though the main area of Del Valle Regional Park continues to be closed due to storm damage, I discovered that the northern gate was open and busy with walkers (this entrance and parking lot is at the

On Saturday two friends and I took advantage of the lull between the storms to slog the muddy Mt Diablo to Black Diamond Mines Trail. The birding was excellent--lots of good looks, especially of rapto

On Sunday afternoon I took a lovely walk through Point Pinole, and while there were not a lot of birds, they were good ones--an Osprey hunting along SF Bay, and a Kingfisher doing the same. A number o

Can anyone suggest a good shop for binocular repairs? Local would be better, but I would also be willing to ship them farther if need be. I dropped my pair, and now I'm seeing double.

Yesterday morning and this morning a stunning male Black-headed Grosbeak has eaten voraciously at my suet feeder. I've never seen one in my yard before (near the Morcom Rose Garden). Do they migrate t