[EBB Sightings] Looney Tunes--Chavez Park, Berkeley

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My summer camp kids and I observed a rather lethargic Common Loon that was in 
first year or basic plumage last Thursday, in the southeastern corner of the 
Berkeley Marina harbor.   We were there again today, but did not see the bird 
anywhere along our route, though we came upon a small dock fire at the same 
location!
Other sightings of interest have been sparse so far, but I'll mention a few.  
 A pair of late American Wigeons was on the bay at Albany on the 21st, and a 
single Pelagic Cormorant was at the tip of the bulb on the 28th, while Western 
and Least Sandpipers and S-b Dowitchers returned from points north on that 
date as well.   The same morning, a pair of Least Terns was courting on top of 
the old piles, which are opposite the nesting site on the shellmounds off 
Central Avenue, but I haven't gone over to confirm whether nesting continues there. 
  On the down side, both Ruddy Ducks and Western/Clark's Grebes have been 
nearly absent from normal sites at both waterfront parks.
Up in the hills, we had an unusually high number of Lark Sparrows on the 
27th, just north of Wildcat Peak, around the huge evergreen that dominates the 
skyline.   Just north of there, in Wildcat Reg. Park, two Grasshopper Sparrows 
were singing where we've been watching them for years.   White Pelicans were 
over San Pablo Reservoir, and an Osprey flew over the ridge heading to the lake.  
 On the 29th, we discovered a colony of House Wrens where none were evident 
in years past, with at least six birds around the intersection of Seaview and 
Big Springs trails, and an active nest in the eucs below.   An Ash-throated 
Flycatcher was hawking along the crest, a species that we've found to be quite 
uncommon in Tilden, and Lazulis have been very scarce so far.

Brian Fitch and crew

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eva" FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" SIZE=3D"2">My summer camp kids and I observed a ra=
ther lethargic Common Loon that was in first year or basic plumage last Thur=
sday, in the southeastern corner of the Berkeley Marina harbor.   We we=
re there again today, but did not see the bird anywhere along our route, tho=
ugh we came upon a small dock fire at the same location!

Other sightings of interest have been sparse so far, but I'll mention a few.=
   A pair of late American Wigeons was on the bay at Albany on the 21st=
, and a single Pelagic Cormorant was at the tip of the bulb on the 28th, whi=
le Western and Least Sandpipers and S-b Dowitchers returned from points nort=
h on that date as well.   The same morning, a pair of Least Terns was c=
ourting on top of the old piles, which are opposite the nesting site on the=20=
shellmounds off Central Avenue, but I haven't gone over to confirm whether n=
esting continues there.   On the down side, both Ruddy Ducks and Wester=
n/Clark's Grebes have been nearly absent from normal sites at both waterfron=
t parks.

Up in the hills, we had an unusually high number of Lark Sparrows on the 27t=
h, just north of Wildcat Peak, around the huge evergreen that dominates the=20=
skyline.   Just north of there, in Wildcat Reg. Park, two Grasshopper S=
parrows were singing where we've been watching them for years.   White=20=
Pelicans were over San Pablo Reservoir, and an Osprey flew over the ridge he=
ading to the lake.   On the 29th, we discovered a colony of House Wrens=
 where none were evident in years past, with at least six birds around the i=
ntersection of Seaview and Big Springs trails, and an active nest in the euc=
s below.   An Ash-throated Flycatcher was hawking along the crest, a sp=
ecies that we've found to be quite uncommon in Tilden, and Lazulis have been=
 very scarce so far.

Brian Fitch and crew

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