[EBB Sightings] E. Contra Costa Co. - 27 Feb 09

This morning I decided to head into Contra Costa County to try for the  
Barrow's Goldeneyes reported by Art Edwards..
There were 2 male BARROW'S GOLDENEYEs in the Delta Mendota Canal where  
Lindemann Road crosses it north of the Byron Highway.  Driving west on  
Herdlyn, a FERRUGINOUS HAWK flew south into Alameda County airspace.
At the Holland Tract, a flock of SNOW GEESE was flying in to Bacon  
Island, which is San Joaquin County, but a few circled around over me  
in Contra Costa County. Holland Tract was fairly dry, but one marshy  
area had a few wigeon, and more Wilson's Snipe than I had ever seen in  
one place . There must have been at least 50, and every time I looked  
over the area, more would emerge from their camoflage.
I then spent some time at the end of Byron Hot Springs Road. I saw a  
light-morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK and a juvenile GOLDEN EAGLE among the  
many raptors circling overhead.

Kathy Parker
Los Gatos