[EBB Sightings] Kingfisher, and Northern Harrier breeding/nesting matter

Hi Birders... sorry for the late posting...
On Friday, 2/20, Rusty Scalf and I saw a female Belted Kingfisher
at the edge of the Berkeley Meadow. More importantly, we saw the destruction done by EBRPD contracted workers in the NW part of the meadow: coyote bushes and cover weeds ripped out in the precise location where Northern Harriers have nested for years.(Harriers are ground nesting birds)  The radish and fennel weeds about 25 feet away is the other location where the harriers have nested. Harriers practice Site Fidelity when they nest. They have nested in this NW since 1994.  
      EBRPD knows this, but is deliberately trying to prevent the Harriers from nesting so that the park can tear out the rest of the area and "restore" this section of the meadow. The EBRPD is hoping the Harriers will nest elsewhere in the meadow, but this is a gamble, and there is no other specifically suitable nesting area.   EBRPD has to complete this work before March 1 - March 15..when the Harriers have records of breeding there. However, Wednesday, 2/18/09, the  Harrier pair were seen actively mating right there... a clear indicator of a high likelihood of a nest. The Harriers don't read the breeding bird atlases. Many changes in bird behavior are occurring due to climate change.   This flushing of breeding birds (Harriers are a Species of Special Concern) seems to be a CEQA matter...Please make some calls, email to stop threats to the Harriers, and also if you can go and observe, and see any other mating behaviors, nest building/stick carrying,
 food drops, etc. , please report those too..
EBRPD rep on this work is: Brad Olson 544-2622,
John Kraus, Fish & Game Wildlife Biologist 415-454-8050
Cyndy Schafer, State Parks 707-769-5652, ext 208
Roxanne Bowers, Fish & Game Warden 758-1024

Thank you, Corinne Greenberg  510-526-3593



--- On Sun, 2/22/09, drashe at comcast.net  wrote:

> From: drashe at comcast.net 
> Subject: [EBB Sightings] Harris's Sparrow 2-22
> To: sightings at diabloaudubon.com
> Date: Sunday, February 22, 2009, 8:16 AM
> 2-22, 7:00 am, Sunday morning. 
> The Harris's Sparrow continues to feed on the seed
> provided. 
> New comers to the back yard water bath are Cedar Wax-wings
> and American Robin. 
> The Yellow-Rumped Warblers are starting to show much more
> color as are 
> the American Gold Finches.
> Large flock, 7-15, of Mourning Doves are sucking up the
> seed.
> Fewer House Sparrows
> Spring is here, Yeah!!!
> Take care, Dennis Rashe'
> Livermore
> 925-455-5539_______________________________________________
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