[EBB Sightings] Western Meadowlark in Heather Farm Park

Apparently waiting for the Walnut Festival to start later today, a Western 
Meadowlark was on the south ball fields with Brewer's and Red-winged 
Blackbirds, Starlings, Crows and one Ring-billed Gull.  The Festival rides 
are located in the parking areas to the south and west of this field.

I don't even remember how long it has been since I last saw a Meadowlark 
anywhere close to the park.  I would imagine it was in the mid-1980s on the 
Hale property, otherwise known as the 7 Hills Ranch.  The east end of the 
property is the hillside between the equestrian area and the Seven Hills 
School, all of them located at the northwest corner of the park.

Also seen this morning by me were two Orange-crowned Warblers, Yellow-rumped 
Warblers and a male Black-throated Gray Warbler across the Ygnacio Canal, 
which runs along the west side of the large pond.  A White-breasted Nuthatch 
called from nearby.  The White-crowned Sparrows are very busy here, too.

Hugh B. Harvey
Walnut Creek