[EBB Sightings] Aquatic Park this AM

I had great looks of the male TUFTED DUCK this morning (9:23) at Aquatic
Park in Berkeley. Contrary to past sightings, it was present at the east
side of the lagoon, where it was easily visible from the jogging path where
it forms a "U" immediately south of the light green restroom building (under
a row of 3 large eucalyptus). The bird was within 30 feet of the shore just
as the sun was coming out, so I got fantastic looks of the fresh breeding
plumage that this male is showing, including the obvious tuft. When I
returned to this spot while walking back to my car (~15 minutes later), the
bird appeared to have drifted to the opposite side of the lagoon while
sleeping.

Also, the BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER was easily  seen foraging in the
flowering eucalyptus branches above and to the right of the post marking
frisbee hole #16 at 9:36 a.m.

Finally, at 9:10, a nice male RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was in clear view of
the parking area along the east side of the lagoon (only 10 feet from the
shoreline!), just south of where Bancroft Way terminates at the park.
Interestingly enough, while walking back to my car from frisbee post #16 I
saw a female RBME at the same spot where I had seen the Tufted Duck just 25
minutes earlier, with no sign of the male RBME. Since I saw these two birds
at different times and in separate locations, I was unable to confirm if
they are associating with each other.

Matt Ricketts
El Cerrito