[EBB Sightings] Alameda County Big Year

I also decided to throw my hat into the ring and started my big year as
well. I got out this morning before the rain and continued heading east all
morning. I stayed clear of the rain until about 1:00PM at the eastern edge
of the county. Had a few nice birds and missed a few. I started in
Springtown along the arroyo and found Ring-necked Pheasant right off the bat
(are we counting introduced species?) followed by Cinnamon and Green-winged
Teal and Common Merganser. Had a flock of Long-billed Curlews and several
hundred gulls feeding in the field south of the Livermore shooting range.
Frick Lake was also packed with about 300 gulls, mostly Cal's with a
sprinkling of Ring-bill's. On South Flynn Rd I found a Prairie Falcon
hunting Western Meadowlark. On Patterson Pass Rd had great prolonged views
of two Golden Eagles feasting on ground squirrel. Two rock Wrens were active
near the rock corral along with numerous Lark and Savannah Sparrows. I ended
the day with a Red-breasted Sapsucker feeding on my neighbors tree. My total
ended at 71 depending on the introduced species situation.
Good birding and have fun.

Steve Huckabone
Alameda County
Livermore California
USA