[EBB Sightings] GGAS Marsh Creek Trail Bicycle Trip, Saturday April 11, 2009

GGAS Marsh Creek Trail Bicycle Trip, Saturday April 11, 2009

Bullock's Oriole, Western Kingbird and Green Heron were highlights of the day. Cool windy weather as 11 of us started at the Fetzer and Jordan Lanes trailhead in Oakley turned warmer later as we went south away from the bay. The Ironhouse Sanitary District Ponds near the trailhead had Bonaparte's Gulls in breeding plumage, and huge numbers of N. Shovelers and Ruddy Ducks. Only one Kestrel was seen, compared to many more in previous years, as urban encroachment leaves less space for wildlife. We traveled the entire distance of the trail south to Concord Ave, for a round-trip of approx. 20 miles with a stop at Creekside Park in Brentwood for lunch. 48 species of birds were seen. In general the trail from Jordan and Fetzer Lanes to E. Cypress Road was the most productive birding.

EBRPD advisory: The Marsh Creek Trail will be closed in Oakley from East Cypress Road north to the Big Break Trail Bridge. The closure will occur from April 15 to April 24 to accommodate work by the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD). The CCWD construction project may cause additional temporary closures along the trail through October 2009. A temporary ramp will be placed on the trail to accommodate temporary dewatering lines. Safety fencing and signage will be put in place to allow trail users to access the trail.

Pied-billed Grebe
Eared Grebe
Western Grebe
American White Pelican
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Green Heron
Canada Goose
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Greater Scaup
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
White-tailed Kite
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
California Quail
American Coot
Bonaparte's Gull
Forster's Tern
Rock Pigeon (I)
Mourning Dove
Anna's Hummingbird
Acorn Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Black Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Bushtit
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling (I)
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow (I)