[EBB Sightings] Come to Crockett Hills Sunday 4/15

All;

A number of folks have contacted me about doing a hawk-watch day at Crockett
Hills on Sunday 4/15. If you are interested in coming, let?s meet at the
turn-out at 11 am. If you can?t come at 11, I plan to be there until 3:30,
so come any time. 

For those that come at 11, I have a key to the gate, so no need to crawl
through the barbed wire.

If rain or bad weather is forecast, I will post a cancellation to EBB no
later than 9 pm Friday 4/13. 

The summer westerlies have started blowing, so dress warmly. Don?t forget to
bring lunch and water. There are no bathrooms. A folding lawn chair is also
recommended. If you have a scope, it will come in handy.

PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL OF TRAFFIC WHEN PULLING INTO AND OUT OF THE TURN-OUT.
AND BE VERY CAREFUL CROSSING THE ROAD ON FOOT!

If you have any questions or comments, contact me at harvmon at comcast.net.

Harv Wilson



DIRECTIONS

Here are the latest directions (rev 3) to the site:

The site is located near Crockett and the Carquinez Bridge. 

WALNUT CREEK/CONCORD
Take Highway 4 toward Crockett.? Take the Crockett exit and turn toward
Crockett. You are now on the Cummings Skyway(There is no Cummings Skyway
street sign).? In approx. 2 miles, you will pass a stop light (Crockett
Blvd.).? Don't turn but continue on Cummings Skyway about 1/2 mile until
you see the first large gravel pullout on your right. Park here. There is
room for at least 20 cars.


SFO/BERKELY/OAKLAND
Take 80/580 north toward Vallejo/Sacramento and the Carquinez bridge. Near
the Carquinez bridge, take the Cummings Skyway exit. 

Turn right onto Cummings Skyway and go about 1 mile. Then turn left into the
large, gravel pull-out. (If you come to a stop light at Crockett Blvd, you
have gone too far).


NAPA/SONOMA/NORTH BAY
Take 101 to 37. When you reach Vallejo, turn south on 80 toward
Richmond/Berkeley. Cross the Carquinez Bridge. 

About one quarter mile after crossing the bridge, take the Cummings Skyway
exit. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left and cross over 80 on the
Cummings Skyway.

Go about 1 mile and turn left into the large, gravel pull-out. (If you come
to a stop light at Crockett Blvd, you have gone too far).


BENICIA/VALLEJO/DAVIS/SACRAMENTO
Get on 80 and cross the Carquinez Bridge. About one quarter mile after
crossing the bridge, take the Cummings Skyway exit. At the end of the exit
ramp, turn left and cross over the 80 on the Cummings Skyway.

Go about 1 mile and turn left into the large, gravel pull-out. (If you come
to a stop light at Crockett Blvd, you have gone too far).

AFTER YOU PARK
Walk to the downhill end of the turn-out and then cross the highway.? BE
VERY CAREFUL OF TRAFFIC. On your right, you will see an old dirt road--head
to this dirt road.? At the gate, you will be able to pass under the barbed
wire fence through a hole on your left. When you get on the other side, you
are in Crockett Hills Regional Park. This is public land; you are not
trespassing.? 
?
Once through the fence, you'll encounter a dirt road that parallels the
fence.? Turn left on the dirt road and head up the hill.? About halfway up
the hill (about a 4 to 5 minute walk), you will pass a lone oak tree on your
right.? Exit the trail to your right once you pass this oak tree and head
down the ridge a few hundred yards.? You will see a fence in the near
distance with several long piles of wood stacked parallel against the
fence.? Hike about half way toward this fence from the dirt road you just
left and find a comfortable place to sit.? It is about an 8 to 10 minute
walk from where you park.

There are cows and bulls grazing in this area sometimes. If they are in your
path, stay about 50 feet away. Avoid getting between a cow and her calf. 

Once you are settled, the cows sometimes come over to investigate.
Typically, they stay about 10 feet away. I recommend gently shooing them
away; they will sneak up behind you and slobber on you if you don't keep an
eye on them. That said, they are not dangerous or a nuisance.?

WHAT TO BRING 
There is frequently at 10?15 mph wind, so dress warmly. I recommend bringing
a hat with visor, light-weight chair, lunch, and water. Note there are no
bathrooms.?If you have a scope, it will come in handy for spotting birds on
distant hills.