[EBB Sightings] Lake Merritt

Clark Peterson wrote:

> Hello, thanks to Travis Hails for the information on the Cooper's
> hawks at Lake Merritt. Last night at 7 I went to the area south of
> the fountain near Perkins and Grand and found a juvie in a tall
> conifer tree. ...

We got a good look at one of the adults - probably mama - yesterday
morning on the regular monthly GGAC walk, but didn't see any of the 
youngsters.

> I then walked over to the lake and saw that there are many more
> Canada geese than my last visit about 6 weeks ago.

That's the local molt migration at work.... Did you see the Ross's Goose 
wandering around among 'em? It was right by the nature center yesterday 
morning around 9:30.

> Also many more cormorants, which are nesting offshore in some trees.
> Must be at least 100. There were plenty of mallards and egrets and
> black-crowned night herons (some juveniles too). Unlike my last
> visit, there were no scaups. I assume they migrated or were just in
> hiding.

Yes, the last of the scaups have all headed north for the breeding 
season. I saw lots of pairs near Churchill, Manitoba, at the beginning 
of June, and couldn't help wondering if they could include some of the 
same individuals who'd been chasing grain and bread crumbs at Lake 
Merritt all winter.

We racked up 34 species in the course of a 3-hour stroll (plus an 
almost-vireo that we couldn't quite identify) - way more than I was 
expecting at this quiet time of year. Hooded orioles in the garden made 
my second life bird of the day; it's nice being a beginner - there's so 
much new to see.

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