[EBB Sightings] Merlin and Muskrats in the Mist - and More

I birded Coyote Hills RP in Fremont initially in dense
fog from 3:00 - after 4:30. At 4:45, the fog suddenly
lifted.  What a startling contrast in bird behavior in
those final 45 minutes of daylight after the fog
lifted! In the fog, even the ducks and geese were
fairly quiet. Once the fog was gone, the place came
alive with bird chatter and feeding and flight.

"Best" bird was the MERLIN in a snag along the Dust
Trail near tree swallow box #23A.  I'm sure it's the
same bird we saw in December on the No Name Trail; the
bird lets you practically walk right up to him before
he flies.  Nearby, a DOWNY WOODPECKER climbed the
branches of another snag, allowing very close-up
views.  Three muskrats plowed across the slough, noses
up, near box #16A.  Two BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS
perched in trees near #15A, and three GREATER SCAUP
swam along near #12A.  SONG SPARROWS were popping up
from the reeds like popcorn to scold my passing.

When the fog lifted, I found a FOX SPARROW in the
garden near the visitor center.  A MARSH WREN and a
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT appeared in the reeds by the path
next to the main road, between the visitor center
parking and the first parking lot. The NORTHERN
FLICKER called over and over again, but I never saw
it, even though I climbed all the way up the hill,
following its call.  DARK-EYED JUNCOs foraged under
the trees in the picnic area. I counted six (!)
RED-TAILED HAWKS, two NORTHERN HARRIERS, at least
three WHITE-TAILED KITES, and two AMERICAN KESTRELS.

When I arrived, a female COMMON GOLDENEYE was in the
pond across from the first parking lot, but it flew
off. When I left, the bird had returned to that pond
and was taking a splashing bath under the light of a
half-moon at twilight.




 

Stephanie Floyd
Fremont


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