[EBB Sightings] Vaux's Swifts, Tilden Park

After a FOS Hermit Thrush in my yard (North Berkeley), I took a quick stroll around Jewel Lake this morning and for once was rewarded with lots of bird activity (my timing seems to have been off this season).  Maybe it was the almost wintery conditions, but through the haze of chickadees and bushtits I was finally able to spot FOS (for me) Ruby Crowned Kinglets and Townshend's Warblers (one did a manic flight-dance about 5 feet away), in addition to Orange-Crowned Warbler and Pacific-Slope Flycatcher.  The most activity was in Oak Trees up the hill from the Lower Pack Rat trail.  But the real reward was a pair of Vaux's Swifts (lifer for me) up the Wildcat Canyon trail.  This was at approximately the sign that indicates the Tilden/Wildcat Canyon border flying on the east side of the trail.

Also, I forgot to post this last Sunday when I saw it but there were more Western Bluebirds than I've ever seen in a couple of separate flocks at miles 2 and 2.5 off Nimitz Way.  The latter flock had many Lark Sparrow's mixed in, which I thought was interesting--I'll let others judge if report-worthy.  I'd guess 20-30 in each group, and they were very active riding the wind, chasing each other and making a big general racket.


Good birding,
Jay Dodge
Berkeley