[EBB Sightings] Rewards of Virtue at Lake Merritt

The Fourth Wednesday GGAS trip does not stop for a little matter of
weather. And this time, the rain - firehose strength when I left home -
stopped just as I parked at the Lake Merritt boathouse, and the wind
dropped soon after. Travis Hails and I had a charming morning's birding,
marred only by the total absence of other birders to share the wealth.

Highlight of the trip: Red Phalaropes about halfway between the nature
center and the Embarcadero and between the shore and the duck line - at
least two and possibly more; it was hard to tell whether later sightings 
were new individuals or the same birds moving around.

Before I arrived, Travis saw the local Peregrine stoop on an adult Red
Tailed Hawk, which turned claws-up in midair to discourage the attack.
The adult redtail and a juvenile made several appearances while I was there.

Among the usual water birds, we saw the male Ring-Necked Duck and lots
and lots of Buffleheads. Four Great Blue Herons were chasing each other
around the islands. The Barrows' Goldeneyes were gone, but Common were
out in force.

And the sun came out to highlight the little tree birds - Brown Creeper,
Downy Woodpecker, and Townsend's Warbler notable among them. Anna's
Hummingbirds were well launched into their display flights in the fenced
garden.

A nice day, though a little too warm for the way I was dressed....

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