[EBB Sightings] Mitchell Canyon 4/29

We birded along the Mitchell Canyon Trail at Mt. Diablo SP today (Sat., 
4/29) between about 8:40 am and 4:30 pm.  The birds were apparently not as 
dense as described last weekend, but there were still a lot of good birds 
around.

Best birds were:

Canada Goose (2 flyby - new bird for this location for us)
Sharp-shinned Hawk (2)
Golden Eagle
Pacific-slope Flycatcher (2)
Hammond's Flycatcher
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER
White-throated Swifts
House Wren
Swainson's Thrush (at least 8)
Western Bluebird
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (pair nest-building)
White-breasted Nuthatch (2)
Hutton's Vireo (4)
Warbling Vireo (2)
CASSIN'S VIREO
Townsend's Warbler (3)
Orange-crowned Warbler (2)
Wilson's Warbler (2)
HERMIT WARBLER (3)
Western Tanager
Black-headed Grosbeak (at least 6)
Lazuli Bunting (4 m)
Purple Finch (2 f)

There was also a probable Willow Flycatcher which we were unable to get 
definitive looks at.

Most of the Swainson's Thrushes were along the portion of the trail past 
(south of) the branch with the White Canyon trail.  I actually stopped 
counting.  I never thought I'd see the day when I would consider Swainson's 
Thrush a trash bird. ;-)  Perhaps they are pushing through right now.

The Olive-sided Flycatcher was seen about 4:15 pm flycatching from the 
snags just north of the lower parking lot.  We were actually able to get 
better looks by pulling into the horse trailer parking lot near the park 
entrance.  From there, you can get very close to these snags and the 
lighting is better at that time of the day.

Ticks were plentiful.

Good birding,
--
Laura Look
Pinole, CA