[EBB Sightings] Hayward Regional Shoreline and vicinity

I stopped at the end of Depot Road in Hayward to check for grackles. I found
none but was pleased to find a flock of 35+ BONAPARTE'S GULLS on the water
treatment pond.

Over at Winton Avenue, I ran into a birder named Douglas from Castro Valley,
who was busy studying a MERLIN dining on a fresh shorebird. Among the
remaining live birds were 3 SURFBIRDS, and 30-40 RED KNOTS. 

CACKLING GEESE are still everywhere, accompanied by a couple SNOW GEESE. 

Douglas and I located the Horned Lark flock and were rewarded with decent
looks at the LAPLAND LONGSPUR, now showing a nice chestnut nape. A PEREGRINE
FALCON was perched on one of the radio towers.

P. S. someone, perhaps Bob Lewis, recently reported a flock of Bonaparte's
Gulls at the Union City Sanitary District. I tried to visit today but could
not figure out any access. Could someone clarify the status of public access
to that area? The only option I could see (which I didn't take) was to go
past the private property signs to follow the levee toward the model
airplane field.

Bird on,

Bruce Mast
Oakland