[EBB Sightings] American bittern continues off Nobel Drive, Fremont

I stopped by the fenced-in marsh/ponds behind the Synnex building off Nobel Drive in Fremont in hopes of seeing the AMERICAN BITTERN reported by Calvin Lou on January 31.  I was the only person on the path, and as I approached the marsh, the bittern flushed from the corner nearest the brown pillar that says "wander wonder" on it.  I had an excellent view of the bird's brown back, dark flight feathers, and yellow feet as it flew to the long brown grass in the middle of the marsh, landed, and put itself into its most upright posture with bill skyward.

This is a very birdy (and rather smelly) area near the dump at the end of Auto Mall Parkway. In addition to the bittern I saw a COMMON MOORHEN in the marsh and two beautiful CINNAMON TEAL flying from one pond to the next. A scope would be helpful not only for peering into the marsh but for viewing the thousands of gulls and other birds in the wide green fields to the west and south, where I did not see the ferruginous hawk during my very short visit today.

Directions: Take the Auto Mall Parkway off I-880 and go west. Turn left on Nobel Drive, then right at the driveway for Synnex. Continue west to the back of the parking lot where you'll find an opening in the chain link fence leading to the pathways and viewing platforms. Alternatively, stay on Auto Mall Parkway until you reach the end of the buildings in the industrial park, then turn left into the parking lot behind the buildings, and follow the chain link fence south to the opening.


Stephanie Floyd
Fremont