[EBB Sightings] More Wood Ducks at Shadow Cliffs; Also Grasshopper Sparrows at Bishop Ranch

Hi everyone,

Today (5/29) at about 3 p.m. at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area 
(near Pleasanton), I saw a total of 7 adult WOOD DUCKs and 9 WOOD DUCK 
chicks. (3 adult males, 4 adult females, a total of 9 ducklings - two 
broods of 8 and 1)

I believe the brood of 8 is the same one I saw last weekend, except 
there were 11 ducklings then...

Location: The ducks were seen in the "Arroyo Del Valle" creek, 
specifically in the western end of the park as it appears on the 
official park map; it is adjacent to the area being bulldozed. On the 
map, at 0.14 miles from the western end of park on Levee Trail, there is 
a Y-junction. At that location you will find a brown sign post in the 
middle of trail showing "Park Curfew 10 to 5, No Motor Vehicles" etc. 
The ducks were seen in the water nearest to it, where the creek is very 
  wide. I suggest use of a scope. There is a parking fee of $6 per car.

Yesterday (5/28), I got up early to be at Bishop Ranch Regional Preserve 
(near San Ramon) at the ridge top ("Red Tail Hawk Trail") at 7 a.m., 
where GRASSHOPPER SPARROWs have been reported by Dennis Braddy, et al, 
earlier this year as well as last year.

I heard several GRSP singing in the ridge top grass fields on both sides 
of Red Tail Hawk Trail, but saw only one as it flew away. They were at 
the very south end of Red Tail Hawk Trail and also another cluster near 
the GPS dome with a solar panel structure, near the junction of Red Tail 
Hawk Trail and Stream View Trail. Two weeks ago on 5/14, I had a better 
look at one of the GRSP through a scope. I thought I might get an even 
better view this time, but no such luck.

For map and directions: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/bishop.htm

Park on Morgan Drive in front of the staging area. No admission fee, but 
beware that the climb via Grayfox Trail is very steep.

(I noticed that the unnamed "spur trail" off of the Red Tail Hawk Trail 
comes out to a paved road in a residential area under construction, 
which could become a much easier access point in a few months(?) - IF 
it's not a gated community.)

I would suggest going early in the day, not only for better sparrow 
activities but for lower grass pollen counts. At my last visit in the 
mid-day, I had an AWFUL time with allergic reactions, that caused loss 
of voice the following day. I saw waves of grass pollens in the air that 
day.

Good birding,
Akira
Pleasanton, CA (Alameda County)