[EBB Sightings] Oakland Count Week: Pygmy Nuthatches

The "Count Week" for the Oakland Bird Count (three days on each side of the 
count day) began today, so we went to Redwood Park to see if we could get 
early sightings of anything we might miss on count day itself.

On the West Ridge Trail below the Space Science Center, we had a flock of 
eight pygmy nuthatches. This is the third spot on the west ridge where 
we've seen this species in the past week. It used to be a regular at 
Joaquin Miller Park, but in recent years they seem to have moved north up 
the ridge into Tilden. Perhaps we'll have it in multiple areas of the count 
circle this year.

We also had a Red-shouldered Hawk near the Moon Gate, Bewick's Wrens, many 
Golden-Crowned Sparrows, California Towhees, Dark-eyed Juncos, and a pair 
of Red-breasted Nuthatches who seemed to be tending a nest. Do they breed 
at this time of year?

Day before yesterday, we saw a Red-breasted Sapsucker on west ridge, but 
couldn't refind  it today.

Tom Condit


Tom Condit
tomcondit at igc.org