[EBB Sightings] Wild weather birding

Started out early at Quarry Lakes looking for the Red-throated Loon reported
by Kathy Robertson. After several scope passes I did find the loon in
Horseshoe Lake. The loon was loosely associating with Western and Clark's
Grebe's.

On to Union City treatment plant where a 45 Bonaparte's Gulls flew in over
the parking area. 

Next Arrowhead Marsh but no luck with Yellow Rail. 

Then to Lake Merritt where Bob Brandriff's sharp eyes spotted the
long-tailed Duck for many other birders. Note the Long-tailed Duck would
spend only 3-5 seconds on the surface before diving for what seemed like
30-45 seconds. The bird was in the channel between 12th Street and 10th
street feeding with Common and Barrow's Goldeneye's.

Then up the hill to Sequoia Arena for Pygmy Nuthatch. Found a pair foraging
with a mixed flock of Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Townsend's
Warbler and Chestnut-backed Chickadees. 

Ended my birding day at Frick Lake in Livermore but not a single bird
present. I'll try another time for Thayer's Gull in the Livermore Valley.

Steve Huckabone
Alameda County
Livermore California
USA