[EBB Sightings] Hayward Regional Shoreline: Sunday

Hi all:

Our Palo Alto Adult school class made three forays
into the wilderness from the Hayward Interp. Center
trailhead today (Breakwater/92 frontage road). 
Shorebirds were scarce as expected, but not without
highlights:

Small flock of Willets
Decent sized flock of Marbled Godwits, maybe 25 or so
Whimbrel where the trail crosses the outlet flow to
the bay (best bird? rarest bird? most unlikely bird?)
Two fast flying shorebirds that flushed from the marsh
that "upon further contemplation" were Dowitcher spp.

It's a singular pleasure to go to a marsh/bay
interface, out of season (whatever that means) and be
able to admire every bird that pops up as a treasure.

The 6 a.m. flyout of Black-crowned Night Herons is
always a pleasure (and where are you going? sleeping?
or hunting?). And the birding by ear is limited to a
discreet number of birds, notably, the Savannah
Sparrows, singing on "territory" which seems to be
about 50 yards maximum, Forster's Terns heard
screeching from significant distances, and the
occasional bark of Black-necked Stilts.

The Cliff Swallow Colony at the first bridge, is worth
visiting, to see their industry and the various cliff
dwellings (Anastazi? sp?) in various stages of
development. 

Park District staff slowed down to inform us of a
Swamp Sparrow sighting three miles to the north.....
and a Falcon sighting in our area moments ago....
missed by us! chagrin.

Good birding,

Bob Power 
Oakland,CA