[EBB Sightings] Hooded Mergansers in Livermore

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Hi birders,
 
On Monday afternoon (1/16) I saw five Hooded Mergansers in some old  gravel 
ponds along the Del Valle Trail in Livermore.  To get to the  area:  Take 
Murdell Lane south from Stanley Blvd.  At the end of  Murdell, turn right on Alden. 
 As you near the end of Alden, you will see a  paved trail and the ponds on 
your left.   Unfortunately, the ponds are  private property and can only be 
viewed through the chain link fence along the  trail (therefore, a scope is 
pretty much necessary).

In the large  westernmost pond, I first found a pair (male and female) of 
Hooded  Mergansers playing hide-and-seek in the middle clump of tules along the  
west edge.  As you walk east on the trail, there is a narrow pond/channel,  
which curves south and widens out into another large pond.  I saw three  more 
females around the grassy islands there.

Many other duck species on  the ponds too.

Later, at Shadow Cliffs, I didn't see the Common Loon, but  the Horned Grebe 
is still there.  There were three Osprey flying and  chirping around the main 
lake.

Good birding,
Kathy  Robertson
Hayward, CA

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gravel ponds along the Del Valle Trail in Livermore.  To get to the=20
area:  Take Murdell Lane south from Stanley Blvd.  At the end of=20
Murdell, turn right on Alden.  As you near the end of Alden, you will s=
ee a=20
paved trail and the ponds on your left.   Unfortunately, the ponds=
 are=20
private property and can only be viewed through the chain link fence along t=
he=20
trail (therefore, a scope is pretty much necessary).

In the large=20
westernmost pond, I first found a pair (male and female) of Hooded=20
Mergansers playing hide-and-seek in the middle clump of tules along the=
=20
west edge.  As you walk east on the trail, there is a narrow pond/chann=
el,=20
which curves south and widens out into another large pond.  I saw three=
=20
more females around the grassy islands there.

Many other duck species=
 on=20
the ponds too.

Later, at Shadow Cliffs, I didn't see the Common Loon,=
 but=20
the Horned Grebe is still there.  There were three Osprey flying and=20
chirping around the main lake.

Good birding,
Kathy=20
Robertson
Hayward, CA

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