[EBB Sightings] Frank's Dump; Sunday a.m. 7-08-07

Hi all:

Dave Weber, Sarah Tasker, and I spent high tide at
Frank's dump this a.m. Like Hawk Hill (late
September), Mitchell Canyon (April/May), Arrowhead
Marsh (Dec./Jan. high tides), etc., Frank's dump is a
place that needs to be visited at least once a year
and July/August is the best time.  We weren't
disappointed.  Red Knots, Wilson's Phalaropes (Dave
had two red-necked Phalaropes), Snowy Plovers, Least
Terns.... There was more, but  you get the idea.  
Dave picked out a breeding plumage Dunlin, about 3
months ahead of the dunlin migration curve (dmc);
Sarah picked out a distant Bonaparte's Gull.  

Catching a rising tide gets you the shoreline mudflats
shorebirds and then if you can follow the tide to high
tide as you approach Frank's Dump, then you get all of
the roosting shorebirds inside the "safe roosting
zone" of this depressed wetland.  With Frank's Dump on
the east side of the Bay trail, an a.m. high tide gets
you the least heat shimmer. A p.m. high tide gets you
the better light at your back as you face east. 
Don't try this at home. Your results may differ. 

Franks' Dump is a key component of Hayward Regional
Shoreline (ebparks.org for a spiffy new web-site and a
good pdf map).  Access is most typically made from
Winton Ave. in Hayward (oddly enough) off of Hwy. 880.
Take Winton Ave. west to its terminus and either park
inside the gate if open, or outside the gate. Head
west on either side of the flood control channel.  A
half-mile walk gets you to Hayward's landing. Turn
right/north and another 1/2-mile walk gets you to a
depressed wetland with no vegetation and several
island roosting areas. Voila!  Frank's Dump!  At low
tide there are usually a few birds around. At high
tide, this can be the most accessible location in the
bay area for consistent Red Knots (July/August) and a
broad assortment of other shorebirds as the season
progresses.

Good birding, 

Bob Power
Oakland, CA