Oakland Christmas Bird Count
Mon, 16 Dec 2002
08:46:57 -0800
From: Kay Loughman
Forwarded message:
Subject: Oakland CBC - Preliminary Results
Date: Sun, 15 Dec 2002 22:42:51 -0800
From: Clyde A MorrisPlease call compilers Clyde Morris & Joelle Buffa (510.494.1098) if you see these birds in the Oakland CBC count circle during count week (December 12 through 18): Pacific Loon, Tufted Duck, Hooded Merganser, Golden Eagle, White-throated Swift, Long-billed Dowitcher. These birds were missed on Count Day.
An enthusiastic & dedicated group of approximately 170 participants braved wet and windy weather on Sunday December 15 to complete the Oakland Christmas Bird Count. Preliminary species count was 170 species (with several areas not yet reporting), which is good considering the weather. Most areas reported typical species numbers (again, amazing and a testament to our persistent group) and high spirits, but perhaps lower than average bird numbers. Notable were Western Bluebirds, reported widely in many areas.
Unusual birds included: Short-eared Owl seen in Arrowhead Marsh, Selasphorus hummingbird seen at UC Botanical Garden, Tree Swallows observed along the Berkeley Waterfront and Lake Temescal, a Black-throated Gray Warbler seen in DeFemery Park, Black-and-white Warbler seen by a feeder-watcher in Berkeley, and Wild Turkey (which would be the Oakland CBC's first record , pending acceptance by our Rare Bird Committee), seen by the Dunsmuir House.
Joelle Buffa & Clyde Morris
Co-compilers, Oakland CBCPS: Could someone please post this to the East Bay Birds list server. We are not subscribed.
Posted to EBB by Kay Loughman.
Christmas Bird Count highlights from Moraga
Mon, 16 Dec 2002 10:20:53 -0800
From: Matt Ricketts
Sean O'Brien and I managed to get in a few hours of birding yesterday morning before the rains started as part of the Moraga portion of the Oakland Christmas Bird Count. Highlights included a Wilson's Snipe and Green Heron at the Moraga Country Club golf course and an immature Cooper's Hawk and tan-striped White-throated Sparrow on the hillsides above (south of) Miramonte High School in Orinda. The Green Heron and snipe were both seen along the margins of the easternmost pond in the golf course. No Hooded Mergansers this year - the only other waterfowl we had were Ring-necked Duck (20), Bufflehead (20), and Mallard (45). We also saw an unidentified accipiter (probably Cooper's Hawk) flying west over the golf course towards the hills. Not much else to report, besides the numerous flocks of Cedar Waxwings (one flock over 100 birds) and American Goldfinches and Lesser Goldfinches. American Robin numbers definitely weren't as high as they were last year, when we had something like 150.
On a separate note, as I walking along the southeastern shore of Lake Merritt this morning I noticed several Ring-billed Gulls rapidly patting the ground with their feet in the wet grass, almost like dancing. Has anyone else ever observed this or have any hypotheses as to what this behavior is? Unfortunately I didn't have my binoculars so was unable to scan the large flock of scaup and Ruddy Ducks that's been loafing on that side of the lake over the past week.
Matt Ricketts
Oakland, CA
Red Phalaropes at Hayward Regional Shoreline
Mon, 16 Dec 2002 13:57:00 -0800
From: Peter Dramer
Today at 1:45 PM, one day after the Hayward-Fremont Christmas Bird Count, at least a dozen Red Phalaropes have appeared in Frank's Dump West at Hayward Regional Shoreline. According to Phil Gordon, the area count coordinator, another birder reported three Red Phalaropes on the bay in the same area about an hour earlier.
To reach Frank's Dump - from the end of W Winton Ave, take the trail out to the bay. At the Bay Trail, head north to the first pond north of the radio towers. At times the birds are right at the edge of the trail levee.
Reply #1 Reply #2 Reply #3 Reply #4 Reply #5 Subject Index
Pheasant in Danville
Mon, 16 Dec 2002 14:39:56
-0800 (PST)
From: Diane P.
I'm not sure if this is unusual or not, but my sister has been seeing (nearly daily recently), a large and glorious male pheasant which comes and sits on her garden bench in her terraced hillside garden (which backs up to open space on the east side of Hwy 680, off Sycamore Valley Rd). I need to do some research to see if pheasants are native to this area.
They have also been seeing lots of Wild Turkeys recently, down there in Danville.
Diane
Hayward-Fremont Christmas Bird Count
Mon,
16 Dec 2002 19:43:00 PST
From: Phil & Pat Gordon
Greetings Birders,
The Hayward-Fremont Christmas Bird Count happened yesterday with considerable incident - e.g. a break in the good weather of the last 5 years to gummy, blowy and almost impossible. The miles of levee driving & walking blocked or greatly taxed those involved. We expect numbers to be considerably down as was the preliminary final species count at 162. We're thankful for the efforts by all involved to produce this respectable list as it is.
Highlights included (with some results still to be submitted or reviewed):
2002 Rare/Special Bird List for Count CA HF CBC
(Ohlone Audubon Society Sponsored)
Count Day - Sunday, December 15, 2002
- Brown Pelican (several)
- Ross' Goose (2 or 3), San Lorenzo Park
- Eurasian Wigeon, bay of Hayward Regional Shoreline
- Osprey, Cargill Salt Ponds along shoreline
- Peregrine Falcon (many)
- Prairie Falcon, Hayward hills
- Wild Turkey, Hayward hills
- Black-bellied Plover (5,000 to 7,000 !)
- Snowy Plover (400+), Eden Landing Regional Reserve (near Hwy 92)
- Lesser Yellowlegs
- Whimbrel, Old Alameda Creek, Fremont
- Red Knot
- Black Oystercatcher, West Winton Trail end, Hayward Regional Shoreline
- Red Phalarope (count period only [12]), Hayward Regional Shoreline pond north of Frank's Dump West, Hayward
- Violet-green Swallow, Coyote Hills Regional Park (south)
- Golden-crowned Kinglet, Don Castro Regional Recreation Area, Hayward
- Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Coyote Hills Regional Park
- Phainopepla (new), ridge above Garin Regional Park, Hayward hills
- Orange-crowned Warbler
- Chipping Sparrow, Palomares Canyon Rd
- White-throated Sparrow, Niles Canyon, Fremont
- Tricolored Blackbird (400+/-), Don Castro Regional Recreation Area (roost)
- Yellow-headed Blackbird (new), Stables near Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont
- Pine Siskin, Kennedy Park, Hayward
Count Period Thursday 12 December to Wednesday 18 December 2002
- Short-eared Owl (1) at Coyote Hills Regional Park, Friday, 13 December 2002, Derek Heins of Piedmont, CA (fide: Nancy Christensen & Lee Ellis & acknowledged: Derek Heins)
- Red Phalarope (2 & 12) at Hayward Shoreline (W Winton Ave, Johnson's Landing) & Frank's Dump West (north) pond, San Lorenzo Trail, Hayward Regional Shoreline, 16 December 2002, Ed Pandolfino (AM) & Peter Dramer (PM)
Happy Holidays and Good Birding,
Phil and Pat Gordon, Compilers
Hayward-Fremont Christmas Bird Count
Note: In an update on December 18, the preliminary species count was raised to 165. A second Osprey had been reported on upper Alameda Creek in Niles, and the number of Black Oystercatchers was specified as 6.
Where the Chukars come from
Wed, 18 Dec 2002
18:41:19 -0800
From: Peter Dramer
In a conversation with the Wildlife Manager at East Bay Regional Parks I learned that Chukars are appearing on East Bay Municipal Utilities District property also. It appears that someone is obtaining commercial Chukars and releasing them. At Roberts Regional Recreation Area where they were many of the birds, 17 commercial Chukar cartons were found. At, perhaps, 20 birds per carton that represents a lot of birds at that one spot.
While they are being removed where possible, evidence at the site indicates that the ultimate fate for the birds is one of becoming Cooper's Hawk kibble.
Original Message Next Reply Subject Index
Re: Where the Chukars come from
Thu, 19 Dec
2002 12:11:52 -0800
From: Tom Condit
I would certainly hope that something is eating them. The ones I saw looked absolutely delicious, even with feathers on!
Original Message Subject Index