[EBB Sightings] lower Mines Rd - chat, gnatcatcher et al.

Greetings all,

I took a visiting birder friend out for a brief noontime drive today to
the beginning of Mines Rd. Missed some of our chaparral targets, but had a
few nice birds anyhow.

Jaan Lepson
Livermore, ALA


Highlights included:

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT - nice view on the downstream side of the bridge just
before you head up the canyon.  No vocalizations.

probable SWAINSON'S THRUSH - same location.  He glimpsed what he thought
was a Swainson's at the same time I heard what I thought was a Swainson's.

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER - just uphill of the MP 5.75 curve

RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW - singing at MP 5.75 curve

WRENTIT - singing at MP 5.75 curve

CALIFORNIA THRASHER - seen, but silent at MP 5.75 curve

GOLDEN EAGLE - one at MP 5.75 curve, one at junction with Rd to Del Valle
(both adults).  My New Jersey friend was most pleased, though I admit I've
gotten used to them.

possible CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD?? - two in chase at MP 5.75 curve.  Did not
get to look at them, only saw two small hummers in a chase whose wing
trill did not sound like Anna's or Rufous/Allen's.

ho-hum birds, but still nice to see (and all out of taxonomic order!):
Yellow-billed Magpie (including one without a tail), W. Scrub-Jay, W.
Bluebird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Bewick's Wren, Black-headed
Grosbeak, Turkey, Turkey Vulture, Red-winged and Red-shouldered Hawks,
Acorn Woodpecker, Anna'a Hummingbird, Hooded Oriole, California Quail, N.
Flicker, N. Rough-winged Swallow, Red-winged (Bicolored) Blackbird,
Killdeer, Western Kingbird, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Oak Titmouse.

missed: Phainopepla, Roadrunner, Lazuli Bunting