[EBB Sightings] Hooded Mergansers & White-throated Sparrow -Hercules, Ca

Hi,
I live in Hercules, CA--at the very end of Refugio Valley--and I'm new to EBB Sightings. I have two recent bird sightings that are exciting for me. On 3/5 & 3/7/07 I saw a pair of Hooded Mergansers (beautiful!) swimming in the Refugio Creek just below the Hercules Swim/Recreation Center. I walk the footpath next to the creek 4-5 times a week and am sad to say I have not seen them since 3/7. The second bird is a backyard visitor I have been seeing 3-4 times a week for 3 weeks now--a White-throated Sparrow --who seems to alternate traveling with either a small flock of White-crowned Sparrows or  2-3 Dark-eyed Juncos. I recognize its coloring when I see it--so am pretty sure its the same bird. I don't know if it is male or female--and I don't see any yellow on its crown/brow--just the broad black & white stripes--but it really stands out in the group with the obvious half-circle of a white bib on its chin!

Cheers,

MaryLou Mull
Hercules, CA

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