[EBB Sightings] Arrowhead Marsh/Hayward Shoreline

This morning's high tide produced nearly identical results on the rails: 2
Virginia's, a Sora, maybe half a dozen Clappers. The Sora showed early,
before most birders were on the scene.

Highlight was a SWAMP SPARROW moving around the marsh. Not sure who found it
first (not me) but many of us got good looks. No Nelson's.

Most surprising bird for me was a fly-over BLACK SKIMMER, flying high and
fast, due north, about 8:45 am.

Made a tick-n-split stop at Hayward Regional Shoreline, where the Tropical
Kingbird was out on his power line and the Lapland Longspur was still
keeping company with the Horned Lark flock. The larks were working the first
bare slope I came to as I walked west on the north side of the canal. That
would be the southeast corner of the landfill. Didn't stick around to
goose-watch.

Bruce Mast
Oakland

-----Original Message-----
From: sightings-bounces at diabloaudubon.com
[mailto:sightings-bounces at diabloaudubon.com] On Behalf Of Laura Look
Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2007 8:15 PM
To: sightings at diabloaudubon.com
Subject: [EBB Sightings] Arrowhead Marsh/Hayward Shoreline

This morning's (Sat., Dec. 22) windless high tide at Arrowhead Marsh 
produced at least 4 Clapper Rails, 2 VIRGINIA RAILS, and 1 
Sora.  Marsh Wrens were popping out of the reeds like popcorn.

We then visited Hayward Regional Shoreline from the end of W. Winton 
Ave.  We saw the TROPICAL KINGBIRD almost immediately on the fence 
and wires near the maintenance yard near the flood control 
channel.  The bird was last seen flying south along the channel.

We then walked westward along the north side of the flood control 
channel.  About halfway along the landfill to the north, we saw a 
flock of about 30 Horned Larks, which included the LAPLAND 
LONGSPUR.  This flock was seen again later in the southwest corner of 
this landfill, very visible and accessible.  Also in the area were 5 
American Pipits.

After seeing a couple hundred Canada Geese, we finally found the 
flock with the weird geese to the north, just south of Frank's 
Dump.  It included 5 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, 5 ROSS'S GEESE, 1 
SNOW GOOSE, and at least 10 Aleutian CACKLING GEESE.

As the tide went out, the shorebirds returned to the mudflats north 
of Hayward Landing, including about 30 RED KNOTS.  An Osprey flew by 
along the shoreline.

We swung by the Oakland Estuary Park on the way home, but were unable 
to locate the Palm Warbler.  A White-throated Swift was a nice 
consolation prize.

Good birding,
--
Laura Look
Pinole, CA

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