[EBB Sightings] Redhead, Hoodies in Castro Valley

Greetings Birders.

Today at the Willow Park Golf Course off Redwood Rd. I saw one male REDHEAD and?2 male and 3 female HOODED MERGANSERS.? They were in?the pond just to the left as you enter the golf course.? This pond is at the end of a short driving range and is?definitely not safe for man or beast! ?Ordinarily I only see a few Coots there; maybe the others?are taking advantage of a winter decrease in?golfers.??A BELTED KINGFISHER and PIED-BILLED GREBE were also present.? 

I?heard lots of GREAT HORNED OWL hooting walking the nearby Proctor and Cameron Loop trails?late in the afternoon.? At least one male and one female were calling.??(Interestingly, according to the Stokes' Guide to Bird Behavior, the male has the lower hoot even though he's smaller than the female.)?

Happy Holidays!

Emily Serkin
Castro Valley