[EBB Sightings] Walnut Creek Birds

Still catching up on a few birds in the Walnut Creek area since our return 
from Chile.  Following Win Kryda's message about the Mergansers in the creek 
near Trader Joe's at California Blvd and Newell Avenue, I rode my bike 
downtown Wednesday to check them out.  Behind Trader Joe's, on the east side 
of California Blvd, were some Canada Geese, Mallards and a pair of Common 
Mergansers.  On the west side of California and behind Sunrise Bakery were a 
pair of Hooded Mergansers.  Pretty cool.

Monday I had gone out Olympic Blvd near Pleasant Hill and Reliz Valley Roads 
looking for the Mergansers to no avail.  I did find a pair of Wood Ducks 
there.

In Heather Farm I have been seeing Killdeers in the short grass of the 7 
Hills Ranch, the open slope just near the entrance of the the 7 Hills 
School.  The ranch is also called the Hale property and is private.  One 
son, Norman, was a high school classmate of mine.

In Heather Farm this morning I found the Red-breasted Sapsucker reported to 
me by Fred Safier.  It was in the left hand pine tree between the walkway 
and the more natural pond, close to the dirt "boat ramp."  There are also 
several eucalyptus trees in this same row.  This is at the southwest corner 
of the more natural pond.

Many Cedar Waxwings were bathing at the northeast corner of the park in the 
ditch near the footbridge.  They were also using the shallow water in the 
mostly empty Contra Costa Canal to the east of the footbridge.

And in our patio maybe 45 minutes ago, Rosita and I watched a Pine Siskin at 
our thistle feeder with many Lesser Goldfinches.  Rosita says she has seen 
Anna's Hummingbirds taking some of our nesting material.

Hugh B. Harvey