[EBB Sightings] Swainson's Hawks and Burrowing Owls near Livermore

Unable to resist the previous reports of Swainson's in quantity, I went 
with my husband to Lindemann and Byron Roads to witness the vole buffet 
activity. In the verdant field at the northeast corner of the 
intersection, we saw the same scene reported by Hilary Powers on 7/2 
and the same numbers mentioned by the Braddys on 7/1 (along with a nice 
array of Loggerhead Shrikes on other area roads). During the hour or so 
we were there, we witnessed the hawks rise from the field in a kettle 
and circle the area. Intermittently, a bird from the group would 
descend, peruse the ground, kite briefly, and drop down to nab another 
morsel.

A viewing tip: If you are parked along Lindemann and the birds are too 
far away, try parking (carefully, as traffic moves fast) on the 
generous shoulder along Byron Road. Train tracks border the field on 
this side, and the parked train provides an ideal blind, allowing you 
to exit your vehicle.

On the way to Lindemann, we discovered Burrowing Owls. After you exit 
580 at Grant Line Road, turn left on Mountain House Road. Go no more 
than a couple tenths of a mile. On the right you'll see the beginning 
of a row of wind turbines. On the left is a field of bare ground 
encircled by a fence. Beyond the field to the far left is a levee. We 
first spotted an owl perched on a thick wooden post on the far side of 
the field. It flew to a burrow and joined another owl. The burrow is in 
the center of the field, across from about the tenth or twelfth 
turbine.

Sorry for the somewhat late posting.

Judith Dunham
Berkeley