Re: San Pablo Reservoir
Tue, 12 Nov 2002 08:18:42
-0800
From: Roger Hartwell
White-breasted Nuthatches are common in the riparian forest around the upper end of San Pablo Reservoir. Also common are Red-breasted Nuthatches and Brown Creepers. Less common, but by no means an odd occurrence, are Pygmy Nuthatches. They all love the mix of mature Monterey pines, oaks and bays. The Bald Eagles are here each year, where they frequently mug the Ospreys for their catch.
San Pablo Reservoir is closed from mid-November to mid-February for wildlife and to allow maintenance on the recreational facilities. The reservoir closure will begin this year after Sunday, November 17. The trails, including the Orinda Connector, Bear Creek and Oursan trails will remain open as long as there is not excessive mud, or in some seasons, a fire hazard. A trail permit is required ($10/year, $20 for 3 years) and can be obtained at the Orinda Watershed Headquarters, 500 San Pablo Dam Road (on the road to the San Pablo Reservoir Launch Ramp). The permit applies to all East Bay Municipal Utility District East Bay trails, including Rocky Ridge, Canyon Loop, Redwood, and others. Call 510.287.0459 for details.
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Christmas Bird Counts in Northern California
Wed, 13 Nov 2002 07:23:43 -0800
From: Kay Loughman
An almost-complete listing of Christmas Bird Counts in northern California can be found on the Golden Gate Audubon Society's website at
http://www.goldengateaudubon.org/BirdingExcursions/CBC2002dates.htm
Harlequin Duck and Nashville Warbler at Richmond Marina
Bay
Wed, 13 Nov 2002 07:49:20 PST
From: Steve Glover
Hello all,
On Tuesday morning, November 12, I birded around the vicinity of Marina Bay in Richmond. I did a loop from Vincent Park at the harbor mouth down to Meeker Slough and had 70 species. Most interesting were the male Harlequin Duck about halfway between the mouth of the harbor and Brooks Island and a Nashville Warbler near the southeast corner of the harbor.
It will be interesting to see if the Nashville Warbler winters as there are only about 5 winter records for the county.
Good luck,
Steve
Steve Glover
Dublin
Ross' or Snow Geese (?) at Arrowhead Marsh
Wed, 13 Nov 2002 13:53:24 -0800
From: David Couch
At Arrowhead Marsh in Martin Luther King Jr Regional Shoreline (Oakland) today, on the lawn near the sculptures, there were two small white geese among the many much larger Canada Geese. One had a grey beak and the other had a bill that appeared pink but was gray near the base.
Is there anybody who knows geese better than I do (that's most of you) who can tell me whether they are more likely to be Ross' or Snow Geese? (or anything else)
Thanks!
David Couch
Berkeley
Continuing Fox Sparrows in Pleasanton
Wed,
13 Nov 2002 15:50:31 -0800
From: Rich Cimino
Yesterday November 12 there were 4 Fox Sparrows in my yard. This morning November 13 there were two Fox Sparrows still feeding. This morning from 7:15 AM to 10 AM, a yard survey included:
Hermit Thrush - single bird
Fox Sparrows (2)
Golden-crowned Sparrows (3)
White-crowned Sparrow (many)
House Finch (several)
Purple Finch
Mourning Dove
California Towhee
Western Scrub-Jay
Chestnut-backed Chickadee (3)
Oak Titmouse (2)
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin (3)
Anna's Hummingbird (2)
Cedar Waxwings - flyover
Northern Flicker - heard
Richard S. Cimino, Pleasanton, Calif.
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Pygmy Nuthatches near San Pablo Reservoir
Thu, 14 Nov 2002 16:48:51 -0800
From: Doug Vaughan After learning
from Roger Hartwell's post that Pygmy Nuthatches can be found on East Bay Municipal
Utility District land near San Pablo Reservoir, I walked the trail from Bear
Valley Rd to the reservoir on Tuesday, then up to the Briones dam this morning.
The latter was new for me.
I've consistently struck out on this bird in the East Bay, but I'm quite sure I crossed paths with a flock in the pines just above the first gate en route to the dam today. However, I never really got close to them, and matters were complicated by both Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches and kinglets of both species, so I never got a satisfying look. I'm basing my claim as much on their twittering peeps as fleeting glimpses. I'll try again sometime soon.
I will also add a few species to the composite list of John Poole and Judith Dunham (though I won't mention the several species I dipped on both days!):
American White Pelican
Ring-necked Duck
Common Merganser
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Band-tailed Pigeon
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Oak Titmouse
Pygmy Nuthatch (?)
Wrentit (heard only)
Fox Sparrow
Cheers.
Doug Vaughan
Berkeley
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Re: San Pablo Reservoir
Thu, 14 Nov 2002 20:26:09
PST
From: Bill Gilbert
John,
I live in Lafayette close to the "Res" (which is not too far from where you saw your White-breasted Nuthatch) and do bird research in Tilden Regional Park. "Across the road," as you say, makes a big difference. I, also, have never seen a White-breasted Nuthatch at Tilden (although I saw some near Redwood Park many years ago; they occasionally get over the hills). Yet we had one at a suet feeder all last winter, and I see them off and on at other seasons. They may nest around here, although I don't know for sure. I don't know why White-breasted Nuthatches occur to the east of the hills, and rarely to the west, but for the Acorn Woodpecker it apparently is a matter of number of oak species; they apparently require at least two. To the east of the hills (and generally east of San Pablo Dam Rd) we have Coast Live and Valley Oaks, while to the west we have only Coast Live Oaks. So Acorn Woodpeckers nest even around the former JFK University campus (now Wagner Ranch school) just east of San Pablo Dam Rd, but I only recall seeing one west of the hills.
Bill Gilbert
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