[EBB Sightings] Mission Peak / Rock Wrens & more

I made the hike up Mission Peak in Fremont Sunday
afternoon, more for the exercise than the birds.
I was pleasantly surprised, however to find a
family of Rock Wrens foraging on the east side
of the trail about 200-250 yards below the peak.
Two adults and two juveniles were hunting amid the
rocks in loose group for more than an hour.

Other birds of note:

-- Two Hooded Orioles were foraging in the field
immediately adjacent to the parking lot at the
end of Stanford Ave. They flew repeatedly to a
the largest palm tree in a private yard about 80
yards north of the parking lot.

-- Three Rufous-crowned sparrows were singing
occasionally at widely separated locations along
the trail to the top.

-- Lark Sparrows were on the barbed-wire fence about
two thirds the way to the top. BTW, this area is
the most reliable place I've found right around the
bay for Lark Sparrows. Haven't missed there yet.

-- Also on the fence: Lazuli Bunting and Western
Kingbird.

-- Many Western Bluebirds all along the trail.

-- Ten Turkey Vultures were roosting on one tree
right along the trail. It appeared to be a regular
roosting site for them.

-- Two fledged Red-shouldered Hawks were in the
eucalyptus trees about 150 yards east of the parking
lot, calling incessantly to be fed.

Pix of the Rock Wrens, Rufous-crowned Sparrows and
couple of others are at:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/rwolf/


-- Ron Wolf
    Palo Alto / Oakland