[EBB Sightings] Red-necked Grebe. Shadow Cliffs, Pleasanton

What a beautiful day for birding it was today at Shadow Cliffs  
Regional Park in Pleasanton.  We were delighted to see the RED-NECKED  
GREBE (originally reported by Kathy Robertson and again by Scott  
Restivo) where the lake narrows toward the far end of the elevated  
levee trail.  Apparently, spring begins earlier for some birds than  
it does for us humans as the rookery at the very end of the levee  
trail already has several occupants displaying courtship behaviors  
and very seriously preparing their nests.  We counted 16 Great Blue  
Herons and 11 Double-crested Cormorants in the trees on a small  
island to the right as you walk out.  Many of the nests suspended in  
the trees are occupied. I believe Great Egrets also have nested in  
these trees, but their biological clocks must run a little slower as  
they weren't in attendance today.   Interestingly, that would make  
three different species using the same few trees as a rookery.

To get to Shadow Cliffs, take I-580 east (toward Livermore) and exit  
at Santa Rita Road.  Turn right on Santa Rita Road.  Left on Valley.   
Left again on Stanley.  The address is 2500 Stanley Blvd.  There is a  
$6 parking fee, unless you have a EBRP pass.  (Not sure if this is  
every day or just holidays and weekends.)

Marilyn Trabert
Walnut Creek

Canada Goose     X
Mallard     X
Bufflehead     X
Common Goldeneye     X
Ruddy Duck     X
Pied-billed Grebe     X
RED-NECKED GREBE    X
Eared Grebe     X
Western Grebe     X
Clark's Grebe     X
Double-crested Cormorant     11
Great Blue Heron     16
Red-shouldered Hawk     X
Red-tailed Hawk     X
Common Moorhen     X
American Coot     X
Ring-billed Gull     X
Black Phoebe     X
Western Scrub-Jay     X
American Crow     X
Tree Swallow     X
Bewick's Wren     X
Yellow-rumped Warbler     X
White-crowned Sparrow     X
Golden-crowned Sparrow     X
(25 species)