[EBB Sightings] Segue to a Huckleberry Spring

  Band-tail pigeons were still abundant at Huckleberry
Preserve last Friday afternoon. I surprised a flock of
about fifty around one turn of the trail; we both
jumped, and their take-off was thunderous. I came upon
this flock twice more (although perhaps there were
additional flocks). We did seem to be taking the same
route; I can just imagine them thinking, ?Oh no, not
her again!? The perched birds were quite handsome,
with the males a lovely shade of deep rose across
their breast, and brilliant yellow bills; irresistible
to the ladies, no doubt.

While pausing on one of the manzanita barrens that
extend into the canyon, I observed a flock of eight
ravens. They were aerially ?strutting their stuff?
near the com towers at Sibley. This is a favorite
perch for the resident golden eagles; tormenting the
golden eagles appears to be one of the ravens?
favorite pastimes. The ravens then did a slow pass
along the lower bowl of the canyon, flying just below
tree-top level. I couldn?t help but think that they
were choosing to fly at that height for the mental and
physical challenge; another two feet higher and it
would?ve been a straight shot, no dodging trees. I was
so engrossed watching the ravens that I ignored a
large shadow in my peripheral vision. Finally looking
up, I saw an eagle fly by at eye level. Talk about
sensory overload!

The varied thrush, commonly seen here throughout the
winter, were absent from their usual spot among the
trail-side bay trees; perhaps they have finally moved
on? What a late spring this has been. But soon flowers
will fill the meadows, and sunshine will be the rule.
Although the abundance of rain and standing water has
been a hardship for some of us humans, it has been a
boon to the waterfowl and wading birds, with dry
fields becoming instant wetlands.

Yesterday, my hubby asked where our neighborhood cedar
waxwings had gotten off to (farewell, my tseeeeping
friends). Today, back at Huck, I watched a Hutton?s
vireo gather nesting materials, and a furtive orange
crowned warbler hop thru the underbrush. Wrentits sang
their staccato songs, and I heard and saw my first
Pacific-slope flycatcher of the year. All the while
caressed by sunshine. 

Flocks of band-tail pigeons were still lurking in the
woods, casting their bulky shadows upon the ground,
and taking advantage of the fine perches afforded by
the mature madrones. Thanks to Judi Sierra?s efforts,
we know that the Sibley eagles have at least one chick
in the nest (but please, friends, give them the space
and respect that they deserve). 

The great cycle of life continues, and I am well
content.

Debbie Viess
Oakland, CA