[EBB Sightings] A few more uncommon species in Berkeley

This morning a female BARROWS GOLDENEYE was seen in the big pond in 
Aquatic Park.  The bird was approximately 100 yards south of the 
Children's Play Area - when we stood on the east side, a sign on the 
freeway announcing the Ashby exit was directly across from us.  The bird 
was found by David Rice, and also seen by both Helen Green, and me.

In Berkeley Meadow, we were unable to relocate the Ross's Goose reported 
a few days ago; but Helen Green was able to identify a THAYER'S GULL in 
a pond on the left of the trail 50+ yards north of the big willow patch.

In the Tom Bates playing fields (frontage road, south of Gilman St.) I 
saw the ROSS'S GOOSE together with lots of Canada Geese.  Still on the 
frontage road, 100 yards south of the playing fields, I saw a MERLIN 
hovering over the brushy area between the frontage road and the North 
Basin.  (Maybe the same bird reported in the same area a while back by 
Domenic Mazur?)

Not bad for a few hours birding!  Happy New Year, everyone!

Kay Loughman
Berkeley