Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, Oakland Hills
Sat, 11 Oct 2003 19:50:06 -0700
From: John Luther
I spent a couple of hours today on the grassy ridge east of Round Top in Sibley Regional Preserve (Oakland Hills). There was no hawk migration, but many residents including a Golden Eagle, several Red-tailed Hawks, an American Kestrel, a Cooper's Hawk and a Red-shouldered Hawk. However, the woodpeckers were interesting. A flock of three Acorn Woodpeckers flew by going northnorthwest and about 45 minutes later a flock of five Lewis' Woodpeckers flew by going northnorthwest. The Cooper's Hawk tried for one of the Acorn Woodpecker without success. This area is in Contra Costa County, but very close to Alameda County.
John Luther
Oakland
Juncos back! (Already?)
Sun, 12 Oct 2003 11:32:47
-0700 (PDT)
From: Diane Perry
I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw an Oregon Junco (Dark-Eyed Junco? I can never keep those two straight ...) underneath my feeders this morning, pecking away for fall-outs (from the feeders above -- the House Finches make a mess searching through for the "best stuff," ... oh, can't blame it all on them -- the chickadees and titmice do it too, but to a lesser extent). His more drab "significant other" was along with him, too. What day is this? October 12th? Almost seems too early to see them, especially with the weather being so warm still (it was mid 80s yesterday; supposed to be upper 80s today but I don't think it's going to make it ... at 11:30, there's a nice breeze out). I hope this "means something," like an early winter coming. We deserve that after this hellishly long, hot summer (even though it's autumn, technically it still feels like summer to me).
Here's a picture (link, below) that looks just like the junco (the male one) I saw this morning:
http://www.montereybay.com/creagrus/CAlistDEJU.html
Diane Perry
Walnut Creek, near Northgate High School
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Editor's Note: Once considered separate species, the Oregon Junco, Slate-colored Junco, White-winged Junco, Gray-headed Junco, and Pink-sided Junco are now lumped together as "races" of the single species Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis). The "Oregon" Junco (J. h. oreganus) is the common form in Northern California. The juncos do not migrate north and south, but birds of the high mountains retreat to lower elevations in winter. Juncos are widespread all year around the East Bay.
Ferruginous Hawk in Livermore
Sun, 12 Oct
2003 13:32:57 -0700
From: Steve Huckabone
I had a really nice juvenile Ferruginous Hawk over my backyard around 11:30 AM this morning. Turkey Vultures started kettling around 11:00 AM; as I watched I spotted a Golden Eagle nearby and 5 Red-tailed Hawks. The Ferruginous Hawk just appeared about 100 feet above my yard and circled around for approximately 5 minutes and was harassed by the one of the Red-tailed Hawks. I continued to watch the Ferruginous Hawk as it circled slowly to the south and eventually out of sight.
Good birding.
Steve Huckabone
Alameda County
Livermore California
Re: Juncos back! (Already?)
Wed, 15 Oct 2003
17:16:44 -0700
From: Tom Condit
I could be wrong (because I've been extraordinarily slothful about keeping lists and taking notes), but I think there've been a few juncos resident through the summer in the Oakland-Berkeley area. Certainly they're plentiful now.
Tom Condit
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Juncos back! (Already?)
Wed, 15 Oct 2003 22:54:10
-0700
From: Bruce Mast
Dark-eyed Juncos breed in the regional parks in the Berkeley-Oakland hills and probably other well-wooded areas. By mid-summer I regularly see numerous juncos with fledglings begging for food up at Tilden Regional Park. I think they disperse into the urbanized areas in winter. Oregon Juncos are a race of Dark-eyed Juncos. Other recognizable races include Pink-sided, White-winged, Slate-colored, Gray-headed, and Red-backed (according to Sibley). It's worth checking each bird carefully because Slate-colored Juncos show up here from time to time.
Bruce Mast
Oakland
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Pinyon Jay at Redwood Regional Park, Oakland Hills
Wed, 15 Oct 2003 23:33:59 PDT
From: Bruce Mast
Early this afternoon I went up to the hills above Oakland to look for what was migrating by. But not much was seen. I started at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve and heard what may have been a Pinyon Jay, but I have also heard strange sounds from Steller's Jays. I left there at 4 PM and went to the Skyline Gate of Redwood Regional Park. I heard and saw a Pinyon Jay as it flew in a southerly direction..The only raptors were the local Red-tailed Hawks and Turkey Vultures.
Good Birding
Bob