[EBB Sightings] BRRP Grasshopper Sparrow and Horned Lark

Birders,

After observing my first Bishop Ranch Regional Preserve GRASSHOPPER 
SPARROW of the season for several minutes this morning it finally moved 
out of sight and I turned my attention to the ruckus that had erupted 
behind me. Two male HORNED LARKS were brawling on, and in the air 
above, Red Tail Hawk Trail. They kept at it for several minutes, 
occasionally stopping long enough to see which of them could stand 
taller. In the same general area along the 1/4 mile of Red Tail Hawk 
Trail (and a spur trail) northwest of its intersection with Stream View 
Trail (a nearby hilltop sports a solar panel powering a domed thingy), 
I saw several more Horned Larks in flight and possibly 2 or 3 more 
Grasshopper Sparrows, though I never saw more than one at a time and 
they are sneaky little guys.

On the way up the very steep Grayfox Trail I had a pair of copulating 
LARK SPARROWS. Coming down Stream View Trail and the narrow side trail 
(pale orange on map) that drops down to the creek I had a pair of 
company-keeping ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS (many others calling), a 
WILSON'S WARBLER, several singing ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS and WARBLING 
VIREOS, and a whistling PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER.

Directions and map - http://www.ebparks.org/parks/bishop.htm

Dennis Braddy
San Ramon