[EBB Sightings] MDAS Jan. Field trip report

This is the message sent to me by Denise Wight, who led us on our great day 
of birding.  Next week we go to Putah Creek.  Check our website.

Hugh B. Harvey
Walnut Creek


Hi E. B. Birders,

The Mount Diablo Audubon Society's January 2nd "Rarity Chase"  had no real 
rarities to chase, so 20 of us went out to the Martinez area and East Contra 
Costa County to see what we could find. Our day total was 106 species for 
the day.

No rare birds found, but here are some of the highlights:

McNabney Marsh, Martinez:
Great-tailed Grackles and a nice selection of ducks.

Carquinez Regional Shoreline, Martinez, around the pier near the end of the 
road:
Long-tailed Duck - 1
Barrow's Goldeneye - at least 2
Thayer's Gull - 1 adult
Ferruginous Hawk - 1 above the Nejedly Staging area

Iron House San in Oakley:
Bonaparte's Gulls, Buffleheads and Ruddy Ducks in swirling groups
Sora and Virginia Rail heard.

Los Vaqueros Reservoir:
Lewis's Woodpecker - 3-4
Bald Eagle - 1 adult

Byron Road, Byron
Yellow-headed Blackbird - 2 males

We also saw Burrowing Owls, a Barn Owl, and two flocks of Long-billed 
Curlew.

Thanks to Bingham Gibbs for co-leading this field trip with me. Thanks to 
everyone for spotting birds and just being a great group!

All the Best Birding,
Denise Wight
Moraga, CA