[EBB Sightings] Com Merganser--San Pablo Ck

This morning, while checking Wood Duck nest boxes on EBMUD property  
along San Pablo Creek above SP reservoir, my wife and I noticed a  
female Common Merganser, quacking rather Mallard-like, swimming short  
distances, and wading ashore two or three times. You might even say  
she seemed "anxious." We have no evidence of nesting, of course, but  
we were within the only area where the Contra Costa Breeding Bird  
Atlas indicates "possible" breeding in the county.

(Incidentally, Hooded Mergansers are known to use nest boxes put out  
for Wood Ducks, but I suspect Commons are too large. If I'm wrong  
about this, I'd be interested to know.)

Doug Vaughan
Berkeley