[EBB Sightings] Merganser Bonanza at Berkeley Aquatic Park

Lured by the possibility of bittern mentioned in a posting yesterday  
(I am an optimist), I birded Aquatic Park this morning, beginning  
about 8:30. I did not find the bittern, but that didn't matter, as  
just five minutes after leaving the car, I spotted an absolutely  
stunning male HOODED MERGANSER in the water. The bird was about  
thirty feet out from the eastern side of the shore, just north of the  
children's playground and adjacent parking lot.

Farther south, opposite the viewing platform and along the  
westernmost shoreline, was a group of RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, diving  
and feeding vigorously. I counted eight birds.

On the return trip to the car, I did not see the Hooded Merganser  
again, but it probably did not go far. The species has been at the  
park in previous winters.

A photographer would have had the proverbial picnic this morning. All  
the birds I observed--including male Townsend's Warblers as gorgeous  
as I've ever seen, a Belted Kingfisher atop a tree, and numerous male  
and female Common Goldeneyes--were all within easy viewing distance  
and beautifully illuminated in the morning light.

Judith Dunham
Berkeley