Re: Northern Saw-whet Owls
Wed, 25 Apr 2001 11:41:51 -0700
From: Russ Wilson
Hi Scott -
Having done the Christmas Bird Count at Upper San Leandro Reservoir [near Moraga] for 22 years I'm quite familiar with the area (at least in December). We have never found a saw-whet owl in the Valle Vista Staging Area specifically, but 0.7 mile to the west at the intersection of Canyon Rd and Pinehurst Rd we've often been successful in getting a response to a tape: 2 in 1997, 3 in 1998, and 1 in 1999.
Good luck
Russ Wilson
Original Message Subject Index
Eastshore State Park workshop Thursday evening
Wed, 25 Apr 2001 18:22:48 -0700
From: Larry Tunstall
The new Eastshore State Park (administered by East Bay Regional Park District) extends from the Bay Bridge to Meeker Slough near Richmond Marina Bay. The planning process for this park is in its early stages - preliminary studies have identified many "stakeholders" with many desired uses for park land, ranging from habitat conservation and restoration through various kinds of recreation. The first public workshop to discuss the planning process and the possible uses will be held Thursday evening April 26 at the Berkeley Marina. It is important that humans speak out at these meetings for the needs of birds.
Meet at Hs Lordships restaurant at the Berkeley Marina. Go to the west end of University Ave at the Berkeley Pier, turn left and continue into the restaurant parking lot.
For more info, see
Best wishes, Larry
Larry Tunstall
El Cerrito CA
Common Poorwill
Wed, 25 Apr 2001 21:36:51 -0700 (PDT)
From: Emilie Strauss
Emilie Strauss and George Griffeth took a twilight walk in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley on the Seaview and Big Springs trails Tuesday night (April 24). At about 8:15, at a high point on the Seaview Trail just north of its junction with the Big Springs Trail, we had wonderful (although of course not brightly-lit) looks at a Poorwill, which repeatedly perched on the road, calling with quiet "pip" notes, and then fluttered up to swoop after insects, and settled again at about the same spot. A short while later, descending the Big Springs Trail, George "whistled" a Northern Saw-whet Owl in to a perch in a bay tree beside the trail and were able to see it just overhead. There were Golden-crowned Sparrows at several spots along the trails.
UC Botanical Garden
Thu, 26 Apr 2001 14:39:45 -0700
From: Tom Condit
UC Botanical Garden, Centennial Dr
Berkeley, Alameda County
April 26, 2001
Selasphorus hummingbirds at the Mesoamerican Hill - at least a dozen - the only one I could positively identify was a male Allen's Hummingbird.
Several Anna's Hummingbirds
Steller's Jays
Dark-eyed Juncos (one singing) - I don't know how many times I've heard this sound before and never knew what it was....
Song Sparrows (singing)
Spotted Towhees (singing)
California Towhees
American Robins (some carrying nesting material)
Turkey Vulture
Bushtits (at least one carrying nesting material)
American Crow
Female House Finch carrying nesting material
Tom Condit
Re: Golden-crowned Sparrows
Thu, 26 Apr 2001 15:18:56 -0700
From: Don Lewis
All my Golden-crowned Sparrows left the night of Tuesday, April 24. I'll miss the Oh-Dear-Me.
Don Lewis
Lafayette, CA
Original Message Subject Index
Hooded Oriole
Thu, 26 Apr 2001 15:35:04 -0700
From: Mary
Don Lewis wrote:
All my Golden-crowned Sparrows left the night of Tuesday, April 24. I'll miss the Oh-Dear-Me.
I'd love to have some in my yard ...
I didn't have the good camera with me for the sweetest thing I've ever seen yesterday, so I'll just tell you about it.
I have a little sprinkler just for the plants around the edge of my yard, where the piped sprinklers don't reach. I leave it low, so it sprays up about 2 feet, so it won't over-water the fence itself.
Yesterday I had it under a patch of Peruvian lilies, which stand up all pretty and pink on green foliage. As I was walking past a window, a flash of color drew my eyes to the lilies.
Clinging to a bending stem was the male Hooded Oriole, fluffing his feathers and preening in the spray from the sprinkler. It was perfect -- stunning yellow, black, and white bird, pink flowers, green foliage, and the sparkly water. Oh, how I wished for the camera right then! But it wasn't there, so I've got to simply tell you about it, instead.
Mary
Mitchell Canyon
Thu, 26 Apr 2001 19:56:58 PDT
From: Mark Rauzon
Beautiful day in the canyon. Birds singing all day. Saw my season's first Western Tanager (2), Calliope Hummingbird (4), Hermit Warbler (1), MacGillivray's Warbler (1), Nashville Warbler (3), Swainson's Thrush (3), Olive-sided Flycatcher (1), Lazuli Bunting (1).
good birding,
mark rauzon
Late (early?) White-throated Sparrow
Thu, 26 Apr 2001 20:26:47 PDT
From: Sylvia Sykora
This evening within five minutes I had a male Wilson's Warbler at the water, followed by a Rufous Hummingbird checking out the camellias and then, at the empty seed bowl, a White-throated Sparrow with prominent yellow lores and brilliant white throat. Anyone else seen any recently? I usually have one or two each winter but have never had one this late into spring.
Birding campout near Livermore May 19
Fri, 27 Apr 2001 08:27:21 -0700
From: Larry Tunstall
Hi EBBers,
Ron Barklow says that he needs some more campers to make a go of his Ohlone Audubon Society campout at Del Valle Regional Park near Livermore on May 19 to 20. Here's the information:
We'll be camping at Punta Vaca group camp (in the family campground) Saturday night. If enough people are interested, we could add a Friday night campout. On Saturday morning, meet at the Boat Launch at 9 AM for a walk to view the Bald Eagles' nest and look for other birds (non-campers are welcome to join us). In the afternoon, we'll get together at the campsite. Bring something to share for a potluck barbecue dinner - we supply charcoal and propane for the campstoves. Sunday breakfast we'll enjoy Ron Barklow's famous pancakes and sausage. Lunch and snacks are on your own. Sunday morning we'll do an early birdwalk in the camp area. Camping reservations are required - please contact leader by May 5 if you are interested in camping. Fees: Day Use $5, or camping $7/person plus $6/car per night. Leader: Ron Barklow, 510.886.4730. Park info: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/delval.htm
Those who are not OAS members but would like to join the campout should contact Ron as soon as possible. Those who don't want to camp are welcome to join the group at 9 AM Saturday morning for the walk to see the Bald Eagle nest.
Good birding, Larry
Larry Tunstall
El Cerrito CA