[EBB Sightings] Black Oystercatchers at Point Pinole

Yesterday (Saturday) afternoon, Lory Poulson and I briefly birded  
Bayfront Park in Pinole and then birded Point Pinole Regional  
Shoreline for about three hours.

We saw 6 Black Oystercatchers roosting on the dilapidated wood  
pilings east of the fishing pier. I'm accustomed to finding two,  
maybe three oystercatchers together in various spots around the bay  
and was pleased to see so many here.

San Pablo Bay had large rafts of Ruddy Ducks and Greater Scaup. We  
observed one Osprey east of Bayfront Park, consuming a fish, and  
another Osprey on the west side of Point Pinole--maybe different  
birds, maybe the same one.

An immature Cooper's Hawk was moving from euc to euc on the west side  
of Point Pinole. Many Western Bluebirds were active, including one  
male that attacked, dismembered, and consumed a nice plump Jerusalem  
cricket.

No rarities, but a great day to be out.

Judith Dunham
Berkeley