[EBB Sightings] Berkeley shoreline

Dear Birders:

This morning early Emilie Strauss and I met at the cove behind the
Seabreeze Cafe. The map refers to the area as the University Avenue
Shoreline, but I prefer to call it the Strawberry Creek outfall
acknowledging where this important East Bay creek flows into the 
Bay and once the site of Indian village.

Though shorebirds in particular are never numerous there, you can
always count on a good variety and occasionally something special. 
This foggy morning, it was a Red-necked Phalarope and the Brandt
reported earlier who was up on the rocky beach preening.  This 'sea
goose' is an especially handsome bird with its dark head and pure white
upper tail coverts. Usually you have to go along the sea coast to see
it.

Walking across Berkeley Meadows failed to yield the reported Barn Owl
but two other walkers had seen the bird carrying a mouse over the north
section of Cesar Chavez Park.

On the open water of the North Basin, mostly empty of birds this time
of year, we spotted what we first thought was the Common Murre.  But
the markings and the shorter, chunkier look made us question that call.
 The bird left the area before Emilie could retrieve her scope, so for
now we are referring to it as the 'mystery alcid.'

Phila Rogers




       
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