[EBB Sightings] Del Puerto Canyon Road

Yesterday Mount Diablo Audubon Society had their annual field trip to Del 
Puerto Canyon Road.  A total of 61 species was seen or heard.

Starting from I-5, we did not find or hear any Grasshopper Sparrows.

Bullock's Orioles, Western Kingbirds and Ash-throated Flycatchers along the 
lower stretches with the cottonwoods and tree tobacco.

A male Costa's Hummingbird was found just up from the large painted rock on 
the streamside of the road.  The Costa's was seen on the lower leafless 
branches going to the left of the tree upstream from the painted rock. 
Patience is a virtue.  This large rock is a little before the rocks with the 
owl holes.  No owls were seen.

A pair of Phainopeplas was also seen in this area.

Canyon Wren was heard, but not seen, at several places.  We did not hear it 
at MP 11, the usual place.  We did have a singing Rufous-crowned Sparrow on 
a fence post here and enjoyed the 1000s of Mariposa Lilies on the hillside. 
We also had a Green Heron flying and perching along the creek here.

Most of the usual western species were also seen.

Hugh B. Harvey

At the Off Highway Vehicle portion of Frank Raines Park, we had one brief 
sighting of Lawrence's Goldfinch.  They were not seen anywhere else during 
our trip through the canyon, nor were they at the old fire station near the 
Junction.

Lewis' Woodpecker was seen about 1/2 mile south of the Junction along San 
Antonio Valley Road.

2-1/2 miles south of the Junction, in the marshy pond to the left, we saw 3 
male Wood Ducks.  If you stop here, please do not leave your car from the 
pond side of the car.