Lake Temescal
Tue, 06 Aug 2002 10:25:38 -0700
From: Mike Ezekiel
This morning, along with the more expected birds, I saw a Green Heron and Wrentit at Lake Temescal, in Temescal Regional Recreation Area, Oakland. (I'm not sure why I shouldn't have expected the Green Heron - I think I have seen them there before, and the hillside above the lake seems like a good place for a Wrentit, but still....)
Also present were the usual gang of Bushtits and House Finches, Black Phoebe, Red-winged Blackbird, Pied-billed Grebes, American Coots, Ruddy Ducks, Western Scrub-Jays, etc.
Mike Ezekiel
Red-shouldered Hawk in West Oakland
and Kingfisher at Lake Temescal
Thu, 08 Aug 2002 10:06:16 -0700
From: Mike Ezekiel
This morning, at Temescal Regional Recreation Area in Oakland, I found a Belted Kingfisher, along with the usual gang of Double-crested Cormorant, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coots, Snowy Egret, assorted small things such as Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Bushtits,Barn Swallows, etc.
On arriving at work in West Oakland just beyond the Emeryville border, a Red-shouldered Hawk was being chased by and then chasing an American Crow. (I didn't report, but did see 2 Red-shouldered Hawks at Lake Merritt in downtown Oakland last week.)
Pretty strange to see Red-shouldered Hawks down in the flatlands - has the hawk migration started? It's just about time.
Mike Ezekiel
Upcoming SFBBO Fall Challenge Kickoff
&am; Summer Social
Fri, 09 Aug 2002 06:17:41 -0700
From: Karen DeMello
Calling all birders! Thursday evening, August 15th, is the kickoff party for the 6th Annual California Fall Challenge.
Learn what the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory has been up to lately, meet SFBBO's dedicated staff and board members, find out what this intriguing CFC is all about, and have loads of fun! This birders social event of the summer begins at 6:30 PM at the South Bay Yacht Club, just 2 blocks away from SFBBO headquarters in Alviso. See http://www.sfbbo.org/cfcflyer.html for details and directions.
The San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory has an extensive monitoring program, including sites in the East Bay. A friend of mine is currently monitoring a Forster's Tern colony in the ex-salt ponds east of the Dumbarton Bridge. These breeding pairs live on former levies that have decayed into islands, which helps to protect them from predators. Tom observes the terns every couple of weeks and turns in his collected data to the SFBBO biologists who then analyze the data to determine long term trends. He always has lots of exciting stories to tell after his monitoring trips!
Looking forward to meeting you Thursday in Alviso,
Karen DeMello (SFBBO Volunteer)
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO)
P.O. Box 247
Alviso, CA 95002
http://www.sfbbo.org/
Mixed species flock in Tilden Nature
Area
Sat, 10 Aug 2002 10:03:28 -0700
From: John Poole
Birders:
In Tilden Nature Area (Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley Hills) at the Jewel Lake dam this morning, we saw a large mixed flock of Warbling Vireos, Wilson's Warblers and a few Yellow Warblers. Jewel Lake, (particularly the willows, oaks and firs near the dam) is a very productive spot this time of year.
John Poole
Red-shouldered Hawks, and pipits versus
larks
Sun, 11 Aug 2002 12:04:59 -0700
From: Michael Melius
I read with interest of the Red-Shouldered Hawks in urban Oakland. I am from South Dakota, living and working here temporarily. That hawk would be a new species for me, and I'd love to see it. Could someone advise me of a good place and time to see the species?
I read about the Horned Lark / Sprague's Pipit sighting a little late to do anything about it. Back home, I can see Horned Larks on a daily basis, and the pipit rarely in migration. (It's heard more than seen.) One feature I didn't see mentioned in this EBB dialogue was the eye. When I have had good looks at Sprague's Pipits, I have been struck by how large the eye appears.
Michael Melius
Oakland
Young Barn Swallow question
Wed, 14 Aug 2002 20:11:54 -0700
From: Courtenay Peddle
Hello folks,
At Mitigation Marsh, Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland, on Monday, I saw two juvenal Barn Swallows with very pale gapes. Clearly they were young birds, but I wonder how long they retain that gape after fledging? I didn't know they bred this late in the year.
Anyone know the latest date for breeding Barn Swallows here?
Thanks for your help, birders!
Courtenay Peddle
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Ringed Turtle Dove in East Oakland
Wed, 14 Aug 2002 20:17:40 -0700
From: Courtenay Peddle
Hello birders,
I had a great East Oakland yard bird Wednesday, a Ringed Turtle Dove. But since its tail was scruffy and very short (barely extending to its folded primaries), I figure it was an escaped cage bird.
Anyone lost one recently?
Good birding!
Courtenay Peddle