[EBB Sightings] Short-eared Owls in Contra Costa (and Alameda)

Hi Birders,

This afternoon (Monday,  1/15/07), shortly after 3 pm, I saw several 
Short-eared Owls (SEOW) along Byron  Hot Springs Road (CoCo) flying in broad daylight. 
 Started out with one  perched on a fence post along the road.  After it 
flew, it was interacting  with a second SEOW -- not sure if it was territorial or 
courtship, but they were  diving at each other and vocalizing.  Then a third 
SEOW appeared in the  area, and then a fourth and fifth!  The birds all 
appeared to be hunting,  although I didn't see them catch any prey.  There was also a 
Northern  Harrier and a Burrowing Owl in the area.

The birds were all seen in a  fenced area which is signed as "Byron Airport 
Habitat Protection Area".  To  get there, turn off the Byron Highway onto Holey 
Rd., then turn left on Byron  Hot Springs Rd.  The SEOWs were in the field on 
the right (west) side, from  the intersection down to the first sharp right 
turn (later, I had one perched  along the road just past the turn).

Yesterday at dusk, I saw a SEOW on  Del Valle Rd. in Livermore, at the 
intersection with Mendenhall.  Earlier  that day, I saw two Varied Thrush (male & 
female) at the north end of the  campground at Lake Del Valle, on the lawn next 
to the restroom across from the  group camp area.

Good birding,
Kathy Robertson
Hayward, CA