[EBB Sightings] Swainson's Hawks and Great-tailed Grackles

Yesterday morning, Aug. 11, at about 10 a.m., there were
about 40 Swainson's Hawks in the usual places in 
E. Alameda Co., near the Contra Costa and San Joaquin
County lines:  Kelso Road, Byron Highway, Lindemann Rd.
and Herdlyn Road.  On Lindemann Rd., up to 20 were on
the ground at one time.  There were light and dark morphs
and immatures.

Today, Aug. 12, at about 8 a.m., there were five Great-tailed
Grackles, an adult female and 4 juveniles, at Shadow Cliffs
Regional Park, which is off Stanley Blvd., between Livermore
and Pleasanton.  There is an entrance fee, and it gets very
crowded after about 9:30  a.m.

A ranger there said a male Grackle was there also.
Look along the north shore of the main lake, near
the beach, and south to the boat rental docks and the
fishing pier.  Great-tailed Grackles have nested there at
least 3 of the last 5 or 6 years.

Art Edwards