[EBB Sightings] California Thrasher@Shadow Cliffs

  Hello!   I have been lurking on this list for awhile, and although I  
go out birding on a weekly basis, have never had a sighting that I  
believed justified to write to the list about..today was different! : )

My husband and I stopped by Shadow Cliffs(Pleasanton)this am for a  
couple of hours, and saw all our favorite rare birds!  Save for the  
lovely Belted Kingfisher, of course....the ever elusive
and stylish Kingfisher...anyway..

As we walked the levee westward toward the water slides, we noticed  
two quail, a female foraging on the road, and her mate. They stayed  
foraging for a good 5 minutes!

Then closer to the slides, we saw a Say's Phoebe up on a tall branch,  
singing and cooperating nicely for several minutes while we thumbed  
through our guide to confirm its id.

Then as we were walking back along the levee, saw a California  
Thrasher at the top of a tree between us and the water slides, singing  
his little heart out(possibly looking for a mate?).

We stayed several minutes to hear him, and until we saw his profile(to  
confirm the downturned beak).


Lastly, we walked down to the lagoon, and as we reached that junction  
trail that leads back up to the levee, we caught glimpse of something  
fliting about in the brush-it flew down
and revealed itself to be a Spotted Towhee!   Nice end to a great  
morning of birding!


Happy springtime weather birding,


Bridget
Fremont




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