[EBB Sightings] Jewel Lake

Dear Birders:

More than a month has gone by since my early April visit to Jewel Lake in 
Tilden Park when we were still being soaked by late rainstorms.  Jewel Lake 
was mud-colored and water flowed everywhere.  Now it's been three weeks 
since any significant rain has fallen and though Wildcat Creek still flows 
vigorously, the lake itself is slowly returning to the opaque green of 
summer.  Water continues to spill over the dam but not in the earlier 
thunderous cascade.

The regular summer members of the Jewel Lake chorus are now assembled.  You 
hear the rich contralto of the black-headed grosbeaks, and the mezzo-soprano 
voice of the retiring Swainson's thrush whose high notes are reputed to 
ascend beyond the range of human hearing. The Wilson's warbler make up for 
richness and range by vigor and repetition.   Other voices come from groves 
and thickets -- a warbling vireo, chestnut-backed chickadees, bush-tits, 
wren-tits, song sparrows, orange-crowned warblers, Bewick's wrens, and from 
the sky -- basso ravens and the red-shouldered hawks who are seldom quiet.

The trail on the far side of lake is still wet and muddy in places.
A large bay tree has fallen, bringing sky and sunlight into a formerly shady 
place.  More changes than usual seem to have occurred this winter, mostly 
because water-soaked hillsides have moved, bringing down big trees.

Jewel Lake and its stream canyon, like most riparian habitants are truly 
rich in bird life.  And it's one of those close-by places where at 6:00 am 
you can hear a true 'dawn chorus.'  What a way to begin the day!

Phila Rogers