Skunked by the Lewis' Woodpeckers on Saturday
Mon, 19 Mar 2001 14:58:27 -0800
From: Rebecca Freed
I went out to Round Valley Regional Park near Brentwood on Saturday to look for the Lewis' Woodpeckers. They didn't show themselves, but seeing a Golden Eagle swoop low over Miwok Trail was a treat. The Lewis' Woodpeckers had been seen earlier in the day, and a ranger stopped to ask if we had a camera because she saw 50 of what she thought were Long-billed Curlew in the valley. I heard a woodpecker call that sounded like a Pileated Woodpecker several times, but I can't identify it as such with any confidence.
Here's the list for the day:
Mallard
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
White-tailed Kite
Golden Eagle
Brewer's Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
White-breasted Nuthatch
Oak Titmouse
Lesser Goldfinch
Downy Woodpecker
Nuttall's Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker
woodpecker sp.
Northern Flicker (red-shafted?)
Western Bluebird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Dark-eyed Junco
California Towhee
Rebecca Freed
Berkeley CA
New Oakland Bird Club
Mon, 19 Mar 2001 21:44:22 -0800
From: Larry Tunstall
Ted Pierce, who teaches a birding class at Piedmont Adult School, has gathered a group of about 10 birders who are interested in forming a birding club that emphasizes field trips near and far, a book discussion group, a local conservation effort, and friendly camaraderie.
The first general meeting of the Oakland Bird Club, which is open to the public, will be Thursday, March 29, at 7 PM at the Rockridge Library on College Ave. There will be a $25 annual membership fee if you join the club.
All interested birders are welcome. Ted will present a slide show and outline the club's agenda. Refreshments will be served.
For more information, contact Ted Pierce, 510.527.8287.
Posted to EBbird by Larry Tunstall.
Horned Larks in Redwood Regional Park
Tue, 20 Mar 2001 11:54:56 -0800
From: Hillary Hansen
Hello,
After seeing a Pileated Woodpecker last week near Skyline Gate in Redwood Regional Park, I searched out this mailing list and was happy to see that others have been seeing this bird there too recently.
But this morning, I saw for the first time a beautiful pair of Horned Larks. I've never seen them in Redwood Park before, and was pretty excited. They were in the area between Skyline and Joaquin Miller (a wide open grassy area). I've periodically seen Western Meadowlarks there, but these were pretty clearly Horned Larks. It was a pair, male with yellow on its neck, female with no yellow, both with the dark rings around the neck. Mostly white underneath when flying. The pair was mostly walking around and calling out to each other in high pitched distinctive cries. Just beautiful!!
I hope someone else sees them and confirms my identification.
The Varied Thrushes are pretty abundant in Redwood this year, but not like last year, when you might see 20 or more at a time among the bay trees.
There are more Hermit Thrushes this year in Redwood than I have ever seen before.
Hillary Hansen
Caspian Terns at Hayward Shoreline
Wed, 21 Mar 2001 18:29:14 PST
From: Peter Dramer
Today, with the first day of spring, arrived the Caspian Terns.
Wed, 21 Mar 2001 19:51:28 PST
The Caspian Terns were in Oro Loma Marsh at Hayward Regional Shoreline. From the end of West Winton Ave take the Bay Trail north to the large marsh north of the radio towers. When you get to the Sulphur Creek bridge (identified by a name sign on the bridge), go up the south levee of Sulphur Creek to where you can look into the back area of the marsh.
Peter
Lake Merritt - Oakland - Tufted Duck
Thu, 22 Mar 2001 09:43:26 -0800
From: Mike Ezekiel
This morning at about 8:30 the female Tufted Duck which has wintered at Lake Merritt was present again in the area of the Lake between the islands and the kids playground just beside the Rotary Nature Center. It obligingly lifted its head and displayed its tuft and then as usual folded up and went back to sleep. However, it is practically the nearest, brown, female scaup-like thing there and was quite easy to find.
Mike Ezekiel
Oakland
Otto Haubensak died Monday
Thu, 22 Mar 2001 18:59:30 -0800
From: Larry Tunstall
I am forwarding the following message from Otto's friend David Able. You may recall that it was Otto who first reported the Lewis' Woodpeckers in Round Valley a few months ago. --Larry
Otto Haubensak died on Monday, March 19, at his home in Pleasant Hill. The cause of death has not yet been determined, but he was working in the backyard, and apparently collapsed. Although it appeared to be a heart attack, the coroner has ruled that out as a cause of death. The family is still awaiting further tests and it may yet be months before they know the true cause of his death.
Otto's brief graveside service will be at 10:00 AM this Saturday, March 24, at Oakmont Memorial Park, in the Serenity Garden. Drive in past the gate and look for the funeral director, who will lead cars in a procession.
Otto's many cycling friends can gather at Otto's house (214 Greenwich Dr, Pleasant Hill) by 9:30 for a short bicycle ride to the service.
After the service, we'll meet again at Otto's house. We'll provide refreshments, and we hope people can bring photos of Otto and memories to share.
Directions to Oakmont: Oakmont Memorial Park is located at the intersection of Grayson and Reliez Valley Road.
Directions to Otto's: From the intersection of Grayson and Taylor Blvd., go east on Grayson. Greenwich is the third right.
Posted to EBbird by Larry Tunstall, El Cerrito CA