[EBB Sightings] Lawrence's Goldfinches at Lime Ridge

Spotted 3 LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES (1 male, 2 Females) on the northeastern
spur of Lime Ridge on the Walnut Creek, Concord border.  Location was
reached via the intersection of the Contra Costa Canal and Ygnacio Canal
Trail and heading northeast a few hundred yards up the California Riding
and Hiking Trail. By car, this area is reached by driving to the very
south end of Navaronne Way (reached via Treat Blvd). Walk through the gate
at the end of the road and turn left (east).  The goldfinces were on the
barbed wire fence behind the 2nd house with the fake owl.  After a good
minute of gazing the birds 60 feet away with my binoculars, the
goldfinches were spooked by some dog walkers and I was not able to
relocate them during the next 30 min.  I spotted a pair of WHITE-TAILED
KITES in courtship flight--apparently they are common to this spot.  A few
years earlier, I spotted a pair of Loggerhead Shrikes on the barbed wire
surrounding the riparian marshes, just east of this location. I was hoping
to spot shrikes again but the Lawrence's Goldfinches were a very nice
substitute.

Good birding as always,

Ted Robertson

Lawrence Hall of Science
University of California
Berkeley, CA  94720-5200
510-642-4087