[EBB Sightings] Martinez Cackling Geese

Hi E. B. Birders,

I did a bit of birding in Martinez this morning. 

At the duck pond at Martinez Reg. Shoreline there were nine Cackling Geese.  Eight looked good for Aleutians, having white neck rings of varying width. The other slightly smaller goose appeared to be a B.h.minima.  It lacked any hint of a white neck band, and had a darker brown breast than the other eight geese.  It was fun to hear difference between the vocalizations of the Cackling Geese and those of the nearby Canada Geese. I've posted four snapshots.

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

At McNabney Marsh (from Waterbird Park) there were two separate pairs of White-tailed Kites, a Merlin, about twenty-five Great-tailed Grackles, and two Eurasian Collared-Doves. There was a nice assortment of ducks, but many were hunkered down and hard to see.

I had been told that Point Edith is no longer accessible to birders, so I asked the refinery gatekeeper.  He said there is no longer access through the refinery property, but one could get there by boat.  Too bad...the slough near the parking spaces was a great place to see and/or hear up to four species of rails.  A reminded to appreciate and enjoy the birding hot spots we still have!

All the Best Birding,
Denise Wight
Moraga, CA