[EBB Sightings] Grackle in Heather Farm Park

The Great-tailed Grackle, which was reported to me by several birders last 
week, was making lots of noise this morning in Walnut Creek's Heather Farm 
Park.  It moved from near the dog park area, to the trees on the island 
where the Cormorants like to perch.

The Killdeer nest on the gravel levee next to the Contra Costa Canal, and 
about 30 yards west of the footbridge, narrowly avoided destruction 
yesterday.  A mower was driven down the levee to cut the grass below the 7 
Hills School.  The tracks of the tire are about a foot from the nest site.

Over the weekend the Killdeers were not so lucky.  It was reported to me 
today that another pair had 4 young behind the corporation yard in the area 
of a new, large gravel area.  Saturday the Gardens at Heather Farm held 
there fund raising plant sale near the area.  Though cars did not park on 
the gravel area, the parents had brought or followed the young out to the 
area where the cars did park.  There is only one surviving chick.

Hugh B. Harvey