Today I walked from the Orinda Connector Trail along the San Pablo Trail toward the reservoir (EBMUD Trail Permit required). (Didn't see the Bald Eagle.) When I looked for the Great Blue Heron nests (tons of them!), I also saw 4 Great Egret nests with 6 egrets in attendance. One pair was actively constructing their nest. A nice cooperative effort. The nest are high in the eucalyptus trees to the left of the EBMUD gas pumps.
Kitty
Kitty O'Neil
Orinda, CA
Editor's note: EBMUD requests that you check in at the office and let them know what you are doing before you go wandering around the yard with the trucks, gas pumps, etc.
Bullock's Orioles in Dublin
Tue, 1 Apr 2003
18:53:22 -0800
From: Steve Huckabone
Today during the lunch hour 3 adult male Bullock's Orioles were at the Tassajara Creek Regional Park (off Tassajara Rd north of Hwy 580 in Dublin). They flew into the big oak tree over the lunch table. They were sparring a little but remained until I left.
Good birding.
Steve Huckabone
Alameda County
Livermore California
Red-throated Loon at Berkeley Aquatic Park
Tue, 1 Apr 2003 19:38:55 -0800 (PST)
From: Stewart Bolinger
This evening I saw one Red-throated Loon at the south end of the main pond in Berkeley Aquatic Park, near the access road for the rowing club. That was a first for me at that park, and I go to Aquatic about three times per week to bird and walk my dogs.
Request for blackbird identification help
Tue, 01 Apr 2003 20:55:37 -0800
From: Bob Power
Hi all:
I hate to flaunt ignorance in a crowd, but my interest in identifying this bird outweighs my finely honed sense of self-preservation.
I had the opportunity to swing by the Richmond Sewer Ponds off Richmond Pkwy today. I planned to drive to the west end of the block from the corner of Richmond Pkwy and Pittsburg Ave, but a Brewer's Blackbird caught my eye. I mean really caught my eye. So I pulled over. It was a cross between a Varied Thrush and a Brewer's Blackbird ... that's the short story. Full description follows.
So of course, having no experience with Rusty Blackbird, I said "Rusty Blackbird!" to no one in particular, since I was alone. Then I looked at the book, and the other book, and the other book. No matches.
So, I fear I've found a hybrid that everyone knows about, like domestic ducks, but I'm the last to learn.... here's the full description.
Call was a high pitched clear note: Tee or See and it seemed to make a double clicking or chupping noise like you'd use if you wanted your horse to move along.
The blackbird(?) moved between the parking lot and the berm on the other side of the adjacent northwest corner fence. The blackbird(?) also seemed to have a constant companion in the form of a female Brewer's Blackbird who was obviously magnetized by his magnificence.
Oh, and for those who read this far, I observed a Western Kingbird on the fence adjacent to the entrance to Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, off of Giant Rd. First of the year. Didn't know they came this far west, but there you go.
Any response would be most welcome,
Bob Power
Alameda County
Oakland, CA
Reply #1 Reply #2 Subject Index
Lake Del Valle, Livermore
Thu, 3 Apr 2003
17:53:27 -0800
From: Don Lewis
Among the 65 species seen by Bingham Gibbs's group at Lake Del Valle and along lower Mines Rd (southeast of Livermore in Alameda County) Thursday morning were 3 Pacific-slope Flycatchers, 3 Western Kingbirds, and several Bullock's Orioles.
Don Lewis
Lafayette, CA
Bushtit eggs
Thu, 03 Apr 2003 23:30:22 -0800
From: Leonora Ellis
Today I found a small (smaller than I've seen before) Bushtit nest on the ground in San Ramon. It was thoroughly drenched from last night's rain. Inside were 6 jelly-belly size eggs - remarkably large for such a tiny bird! (ouch!!). Of course it's not possible that the eggs could be incubated and survive after the low temperatures last night even if the parents were to return if I hung the nest up again.
Some of the eggs are cracked - I'd like to preserve them all, but I'm afraid to puncture them with a needle because they are so fragile. What can I do to keep them from getting smelly?
Is it OK to microwave the nest for 30 seconds to a minute to kill mites and dry it somewhat - or should I put it in a very low oven temp for a few hours?