Probable Tufted Duck at Lake Merritt
Mon, 03 Dec 2001 10:20:57 -0800
From: Mike Ezekiel
In brief walks at Lake Merritt, Oakland, yesterday evening just before dusk and again this morning, yesterday eve I saw the Cattle Egret and numerous Barrow's Goldeneye. Today, most of the goldeneye seemed to be down by the inflow channel at the [south] end of the Lake - altho I couldn't stop the car to check the flock.
This morning I saw a resting duck (bill tucked in) which was almost certainly a Tufted Duck - with a definite but faint wisp of feathers sticking out. (The light was also bad and I didn't have my scope - just binoculars - but I am 95% confident that it was a Tufted Duck and not a ruffled scaup. However, I will not report it to the RBA or CalBirds until I am positive.)
The duck was near the Rotary Nature Center between the islands fairly close to the path.
I will try to check it again this evening if I can cut out from work early enough.
Mike Ezekiel
Oakland
Editor's Note: I have set all subscriptions at @home.com to null (no mail) mode for the time being. Those subscribers should let me know as soon as they have a valid address for their e-mail. Thanks, Larry
Mandarin Duck at Lake Merritt
Mon, 03 Dec 2001 13:10:08 -0800
From: Kitty O'Neil
Saw a gorgeous Mandarin Duck at Lake Merritt (Oakland) this morning. It was near the nature center in the grass eating acorns with the Mallards.
Kitty O'Neil
Orinda, CA
Odd bird behaviors
Mon, 3 Dec 2001 15:50:31 PST
From: Sylvia Sykora
I just saw the Ruby-crowned Kinglet that spent last month knocking itself against my window each morning in a rage against its own reflection, today poaching on the sapsucker holes drilled during the past two weeks by the returning Red-breasted Sapsucker. The kinglet had a bit of trouble finding a way to cling to the trunk of the Pittosperum tobira that the sapsucker prefers, but eventually was successful and spent some time feeding there. Has anyone else had a sapsucker actually girdle and kill a branch with its feeding holes? My pittosperums lose about one large trunk each year to sapsucker drilling.
Hayward Regional Shoreline
Tue, 4 Dec 2001 16:44:50 PST
From: Bob Richmond
The following was seen at the Hayward Regional Shoreline today:
Cassin's Finch - 1 female flying over Winton Ave trailhead
Black Oystercatcher - 3 at Hayward Landing
Surfbird - 1 at Hayward Landing
Black Scoter - 1 male on the bay, seen from Hayward Landing
Snow Goose - 1 at San Lorenzo Community Park. Seen with the domestic geese. Bird has been seen here for 7+ winters. It is also very tame.
Good Birding
Bob
White-throated Sparrow in Orinda
Wed, 05 Dec 2001 08:02:12 -0800
From: Kitty O'Neil
I have no idea whether this is unusual or not, but this morning I had a White-throated Sparrow ground-feeding in my back yard. I live in Orinda near Rheem Blvd & Glorietta Blvd. A new yard bird for me!
Kitty O'Neil
Orinda, CA
Lake Merritt on Tuesday
Wed, 5 Dec 2001 08:55:12 -0800
From: Mike Ezekiel
Belated report on Lake Merritt (Oakland) walk yesterday morning.
In about 45 minutes checking the large scaup/Canvasback/goldeneye/Ruddy Duck flock near the Nature Center with my spotting scope, I was unable to refind the suspect Tufted Duck which I saw on Monday morning, although I still remain convinced that it was a Tufted Duck rather then a scaup. In addition, I couldn't find the Cattle Egret or even the Mandarin Duck. Pesky creatures just won't stay put.
There were numerous Barrow's Goldeneye - especially concentrated at the end of the Lake near the inflow channel.
Mike Ezekiel
Oakland