[EBB Sightings] Red-necked Phalarope--Heather Farm and other local sightings

This morning about 8:30, Fred Safier and I were talking while standing on 
the bike trail which parallels the Contra Costa Canal along the north edge 
of Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek.  We were comparing notes of recent 
sightings when Fred noticed a small bird in the canal.  A single Red-necked 
Phalarope was feeding along one edge of the canal quite close to us.  This 
seems to be a new bird for this area and only reinforces the importance of 
the park and surrounding lands.

Fred has also been seeing Western Tanagers on occasion at the north end of 
Homestead at Seven Hills Ranch Road.

An American Kestrel has been hunting from the wires across the east part of 
the ranch property, which is next to the Heather Farm Equestrian Center and 
Seven Hills School.

The Common Moorhen teenager, it's not really a baby any longer, continues to 
been seen almost everyday at the northeast corner of the natural pond in the 
park.  There is a chain link fence at this location.  If the bird is not 
spotted right away, walk around the pond and check it upon your return.

A Sora was seen by Fred and another spotter at this same location a little 
over a week ago.

This morning, too, a couple of Killdeers were flying around and making a lot 
of noise over the new dog park facility.  Perhaps they were upset at the 
loss of their breeding grounds.

And finally, though I had to work pretty hard for it, today was a 4-heron 
day, with 2 Snowy Egrets, a Great Egret, a Black-crowned Night-Heron and a 
Green Heron.

Hugh B. Harvey