[EBB Sightings] Oakland: Gray Fc, Palm Warbler, Hooded Goldeneye, Tufted Scaup

Today (Mon, Dec 28) we went rarity-hunting in Oakland.  First stop, 
Knowland Park in southeast Oakland.  We entered the park at the end 
of Ettrick St as previously described.  After milling around for 
about 30 minutes, we turned around to find the GRAY FLYCATCHER right 
in front of us, having apparently teleported in.  Very cooperative 
bird, coming to within about 15 ft of us.  We viewed the bird from 
about 11:00 to 11:45 am.

Next stop, Estuary Park just south of Jack London Square (free 2-hour 
parking in the parking lot at the estuary mouth).  We walked north on 
the Bay Trail and found the PALM WARBLER within about 15 minutes near 
the 3 pine trees near the flagpole near the D'Anna Yacht Center 
marina.  The bird hung out in the pine trees, the grass, the hedge 
along the adjacent building, and in the rocks along the marina.

The Red-breasted Nuthatch also continues in the pine trees here.

Under the Embarcadero bridge over the estuary was a male HOODED 
MERGANSER, very excited with neck extended and crest fully raised.

Next we moved upstream, parking on 10th St and walking up and down 
the estuary looking for the HYBRID HOODED MERGANSER X BARROW'S 
GOLDENEYE.  We found him just upstream of the 10th St bridge with 
both Common and BARROW'S GOLDENEYES and a female HOODED 
MERGANSER.  After all these years, I feel like I'm saying hi to an 
old friend when I watch this unique duck.

Finally, we went up to Lake Merritt to check the ducks near the 
Nature Center.  The male Ring-necked Duck and apparent female Redhead 
were with the mooching flock.

We also got extended views and close-up photos of an apparent HYBRID 
TUFTED DUCK X SCAUP (probably the same bird mentioned by Dominik 
Mosur yesterday).  He was also hanging out with the mooching flock 
and came within 10 ft of us.  He looks like someone stuck a scaup 
head on a tuftie body and put a dab of gel on the back of his head.

Good birding,
--
Laura Look
Pinole, CA