[EBB Sightings] Heather Farm in Walnut Creek

The extra cold weather has brought about a change in the duck population in 
Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek.
For the last several weeks there have been 2-6 Buffleheads.
Yesterday a female Ruddy Duck showed up.  This is the first Ruddy Duck in a 
couple of years.  They bred here for a couple of years during the Contra 
Costa Breeding Bird survey, but none of the ducklings made it to maturity 
that I know.  We used to have up to 20 during the winter, but they 
eventually abandoned the pond here.
Today a female Common Goldeneye was on the main natural pond.  When it is 
really cold like this we usually find a few every winter.
Double-crested Cormorants have greatly increased, too.  From the usual 2-3, 
the numbers have jumped to 15 today.

Hugh B. Harvey