[EBB Sightings] Migrants at Blake Garden, Kensington

Early this morning, I did some relaxed birding at Blake Garden in  
Kensington. Right out of the car, I had a sizable mixed flock that  
included Townsend's Warbler and Hutton's Vireo, along with numerous  
Chestnut-backed Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches.

Inside the garden proper, there is a drip with a convenient overlook.  
The water attracted Townsend's Warbler and my FOS Yellow-rumped  
Warbler. I sat under a berry-laden tree whose fruit and insects  
pulled in a Warbling Vireo plus another Townsend's Warbler or two,  
along with numerous resident birds. I left the garden with two dozen  
species, without getting to some of the garden's other areas.

The garden, owned and maintained by UC Berkeley, is just over 10  
acres. It is located in Kensington, on 70 Rincon Road, right off the  
Arlington. It is open from 8 to 4:30, Monday through Friday, and  
admission is free. The greenhouse, which doubles as a visitor center  
of sorts, has a bird list. Parking is free.

As an aside: A Nashville Warbler came to our pond in Berkeley on the  
evening of 9/19. I've gone out to look for the bird every evening  
since, but it has not returned.

Judith Dunham
Berkeley