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Riggs Canyon, Mount Diablo State Park
Sun, 4 Apr 2004 17:21:53 -0700
From: Steve Huckabone

This morning I saw my first-of-season Black-headed Grosbeak and Chipping Sparrow in Riggs Canyon in Mount Diablo State Park. Also in one of the holes in the abandoned house I saw an American Kestrel peering out. Along Finley Rd I saw several Bullock's Orioles.

Good birding.
Steve Huckabone
Alameda County
Livermore California

Subject Index

Editor's Note: Access Riggs Canyon from the end of Finley Rd off Camino Tassajara, east of Blackhawk.

Mount Diablo State Park
Sun, 4 Apr 2004 20:11:14 -0700
From: Les Chibana

Yesterday, Saturday, April 3, I took a group from my sparrows class (Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society) to Mt Diablo to look for some sparrows. The timing was not optimal for finding lots of sparrows, but we did manage some good views of our target, Bell's Sage Sparrows. Some were singing already, about 0.75 mile outside of the south gate. Rufous-crowned Sparrows were not detected, and it's a bit early for any Black-chinned Sparrows to have arrived. Other sparrows seen on the trip: Dark-eyed Junco, Spotted Towhee, Lark Sparrow, and Golden-crowned Sparrow. (We added White-crowned Sparrow and Song Sparrows from our starting point in Cupertino.)

A Peregrine Falcon, Cooper's Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk soared over the road before the south gate. White-throated Swifts and Violet-green Swallows were seen from the south gate area up to the summit. A few Orange-crowned Warblers were heard, and one Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler was seen and heard singing. A House Wren was singing near the junction. Several Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were seen and heard.

Other sightings included two coyotes checking out gopher holes, two apparently displaying western fence lizards showing lots of green and blue iridescent spots on their backs, and in the lepitopera department, Sara Orangetips and Propertius Duskywings.

It seems that a spring migration hasn't really ramped up in a big way, yet, as it was generally quiet on the mountain. But the weather and views were excellent!

Les Chibana, Palo Alto CA

Subject Index

Patterson Pass on Saturday
Sun, 04 Apr 2004 22:12:43 -0700
From: Larry Tunstall

I am forwarding the following message to the list for Rich Cimino:

Sun, 4 Apr 2004 21:21:35 -0700

Sorry for the late posting for Saturday observations along Patterson Pass Rd in eastern Alameda Country. I was birding Patterson Pass looking for early Blue Grosbeak arrival. I stopped at all the Blue Grosbeak historical sighting locations, along the way from Greenville Rd in Livermore to the PG&E substation.

I was able to count the following:

One Blue Grosbeak was heard near mile marker 4.90 approximately 9:30 AM. I was unable to find the bird. But its distinctive loud chink, chink, chink was heard several times.

Now is a good time for birders who may be headed east over the Altamont Pass to take some time and use Patterson Pass and do some birding.

I'd be interested to know if this early arrival Blue Grosbeak can be spotted by next weekend.

Happy birding to all
Rich Cimino

Forwarded to EBB by Larry Tunstall

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Mitchell Canyon, Mount Diablo State Park
Sun, 4 Apr 2004 23:05:06 -0700
From: Bruce Mast

Today I made a brief mid-day trip up Mitchell Canyon, on the north side of Mount Diablo. Having seen some recent reports of Calliope Hummingbird further south, I thought I might be able to turn one up at the park. No such luck. Still, despite the breeze, it was a great day out.

Highlights were a singing Cassin's Vireo and Ash-throated Flycatcher. Lark Sparrows and Warbling Vireos were present but not too vocal. Orange-crowned Warblers were everywhere. I heard a couple of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Purple Finches, and think I heard a Wilson's Warbler but my ear's rusty.

Tiger Swallowtails and Sara Orangetip butterflies are everywhere. I also found a California Sister, Commmon Ringlet, and what I believe was a Mustard White.

The flower bloom promises to be impressive this year. Lupines are in full bloom, along with what I think is Coreopsis, Blue Dicks, Purple Nightshade, Blue-eyed Grass, Golden Fairy Lanterns, Delphiniums, and Indian Paintbrush.

Bruce Mast
Oakland

Subject Index

Editor's Note: Access to Mitchell Canyon is from the end of Mitchell Canyon Rd from Clayton.

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