[EBB Sightings] Heather Farm Park, Walnut Creek

This morning I saw the Common Moorhen just before I saw Fred Safier across 
the large pond.  I rode my bike around to speak with him.  Eventually, he 
saw a large white bird flying over the pond.  We walked around to be clear 
of the trees and watched a Caspian Tern flying over the pond hunting.  It 
dove once, missing its prey.  A few moments later it did have a small fish, 
then we realized there was another Caspian Tern present at the same time. 
They both disappeared to the north.

I have seen the terns here once or twice each year for many years.  They 
don't stay long during any particular visit, so it is purely a matter of 
chance to see them at all.  Last year I missed them for the first time in a 
long while.  If my memory is correct, Steve Glover has told me the closest 
breeding colony is at Brooks Island, off Richmond.

Before we left, Fred also pointed out a White-throated Swift flying over the 
large pond, too.

Hugh B. Harvey