[EBB Sightings] Lake Merritt, 2-15-06

Hi all:  

Embrace your local parks. They yield pleasant
surprises. 

Red-breasted Merganser female hunting the North west
shoreline. Can't remember the last time I saw a
Red-breasted Merganser in the lake. Then again, I need
to get out more.

Juvenile American White Pelican shored up under the
trees at lake's edge next to the gull playground
adjacent to the visitor's center. Injured? Have not
seen an AmWhPelican at the Lake before.

Chestnut-backed Chickadees on nest?! Certainly
entertaining the idea if not enacting it. Adjacent to
Children's Fairyland entrance. Had a nest hole and
they exchanged places inside the hole at least once.
Frisky devils. I've always maintained that Chickadee
eyes sparkle.  Anyway...........

========================
The Great Backyard Birdcount is this weekend, 2/17 --
2/20. Everything you need to know is at:
http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/

It would be awesome if anyone birding this weekend
would post their birdlists.  New innovations,
contests, easy to use, citizen science. Log your
Chickadees and Titmice. They all count.

Good birding,

Bob Power
Oakland,CA