[EBB Sightings] Winter wren and Jewel Lake

Dear Birders:

In the recent Sighting's discussions of Winter Wrens, no mention has
been made of the resident (and breeding) Winter Wrens in the riparian
corridor around Jewel Lake.

But the Winter Wren was not sighted by the participants of last
Friday's scheduled first-Friday-of-the-month GGAS field trip. 

Only four noble participants gathered at the parking lot at 8:30.  I
say 'noble' because Friday morning was a rare break in the rainy week
and it was very cold and damp with ice glazing the planks and rails of
the bridge inside the entrance.

First bird heard was a Hairy Woodpecker on a morning of low bird
activity.  Because I had a cold, the group went ahead to the lake while
I departed (not without a big helping of self-imposed guilt).

As arranged ahead of time David Barr sent a list.  The lake itself
yielded up the most interesting birds -- a Hooded Merganser and a
Common Goldeneye (both females), a mixed group of Buffleheads, a
Pied-billed Grebe, and possibly the best sighting -- a Green Heron in
the reeds at the far end of the lake. (Interesting note:  A female
goldeneye was seen earlier by Chris Carmichael of the UC Botanical
Garden in their Japanese pond).

The Wilson's Warbler, reported by Naturalist Bethany Facendini on
Tuesday morning, was not sighted again. 

Juncos seem to be the only and earliest spring singers, but by next
month on the Jewel Lake walk (March 7), the newly-leafed out streamside
vegetation should be alive with birdsong.

Phila Rogers


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