[EBB Sightings] (EBB Sightings) Hayward Regional Shoreline

Yesterday, December 26, from approximately 11:00 until 11:45 A.M., we  
had great views of the Tropical Kingbird.  The bird was observed at  
the east end of the flood control channel just before it bends into a  
southerly direction.  It was very windy and the bird's activity was  
concentrated low, and it often perched atop the brush piles and  
stakes located on the shoulder of the flood control channel.  When it  
left that area it flew into the tallest of the adjacent trees.   Only  
at one point during that time did it perch on the wire.

We then walked westward along the north side of the flood control  
channel searching the southerly side of the landfill for the Lapland  
Longspur.  When we discovered the small flock of Horned Larks, strong  
gusts of wind pushed the birds out of view.  A similar fate occurred  
when we discovered the American Pipits.  It seemed that loud dogs  
running loose and earth-moving heavy equipment atop the landfill may  
have also disturbed the birds, so we decided to break for lunch and  
return afterward.

At about 2:30 we returned to the previously mentioned location and  
found the flock of Horned Larks and the Lapland Longspur.  They were  
located approximately halfway down the trail and about halfway up the  
slope of the landfill.

Good birding,

Paul and Nancy Schorr,
Antioch