[EBB Sightings] Snowy Plovers, Fremont

Hi all:

I called a lifeline (1-800-StephanieEllis) and asked
if anyone at SFBBO was seeing Snowy Plovers in Alameda
Co.  Caitlin Robinson "thought" all the plovers were
in unauthorized territory, but said she'd keep an eye
out. 
Caitlin saw 30 Snowy Plovers on Friday, in fair
territory, and I followed up this a.m. I found 8, but
I wouldn't be surprised if all 30 were there.
Caitlin/Stephanie, thank you!
The location is along the refuge access trail on the
northwest edge of Lam Research, Cushing Parkway,
Fremont. You get there by taking the Fremont Ave exit
off of 880, turning right at the end of the exit, and
then right on Cushing Pkwy.  There is no good parking
next to the access trail. The best parking is at the
Fremont/Cushing intersection where there's a
McDonald's and a small group of retail stores. If you
have a bike and can bike over that would be ideal,
otherwise you have to hoof it. Fortunately, these
plovers are/were visible at the first bend in the
trail, just a 10th of a mile along the trail. You look
south/southwest into the craggy salt crust area and
hope for the best. Scopes are probably necessary.  The
birds were not there at dawn but were up and preening
at 8, so I think they were just hunkered down.  A
decent picture of the habitat, so you know the area to
scan, is at:
http://flickr.com/photos/14935921 at N00/

Other highlights: Continuing White-winged Scoter at
San Leandro marina.
Caspian Tern (2) at Arrowhead Marsh. Thanks Kathy!

By the way, if you want to know more about our
breeding birds, like Caspian Tern and Snowy Plover,
the Oakland Bird Club is hosting Bill Bousman at the
Montclair branch of the Oakland Public Library on
Wednesday night March 19th, 7:30 p.m. to hear about
the Breeding Birds of Santa Clara County (which have a
lot in common with the breeding birds of Alameda
County).  Bill's a terrific speaker and makes even our
most common breeding birds fascinating. Hope to see 
you there.

Good birding,
Bob Power
Oakland, CA