[EBB Sightings] Shadow Cliffs 12 Oct

Hi all,

I decided to bike over to Shadow Cliffs park in between Pleasanton and
LIvermore during lunch yesterday.  I had noticed a large flock of
waterbirds when I drove by on Weds and wanted to check them out.

They were mostly AMERICAN COOT.  I estimated around 200 from the path
above, but when I sat down on the beach to do a count I ended up with 366!
 I likely missed a few, with all the diving and moving around, but I
figure this is accurate to within 5-10 percent.

Also present were around the main picnic/swimming beach:

Pied-billed Grebe - 6
Western/Clark's Grebe - 2  The black apperared to extend below the eye, so
I'm assuming
Western, at least if they are still in summer plumage.
Forster's Tern - 16 in winter plumage, most with very short tails
(probably molting)
Ring-billed Gull - 1
Turkey Vulture - 13 on the beach and on tables
Canada Goose - didn't bother counting, but around 75-100 on the lawn

Also 13 TURKEYS were present in the 15 foot or so wide strip of greenery
between bustling Stanley Blvd and the quarry fence, looking a bit
concerned.  They were still there when I biked back.


good birding,

Jaan Lepson
Livermore