[EBB Sightings] Mt. Diablo Audubon Field Trip to Grizzly Island Thursday Feb. 11

What a day it was for the 17 birders on this field trip.  We made our way
slowly across the grasslands below the Potrero Hills as we approached the
Grizzly Island Wildlife Area, stopping in several places to view raptors,
waterfowl and song birds.  Beyond the headquarters we birded several of the
regular stops for this trip, before continuing to the end of the road at the
eastern portion of Montezuma Slough.  Along the way we saw 13 waterfowl
species, 8 raptor species, many other birds and numerous Tule Elk.  During
and after lunch at Rush Ranch, we added 2 raptors and 2 owls to bring our
day list to 76 species.  Highlights were one Bald and one Golden Eagle, a
Merlin devouring a blackbird atop a short power pole, distant Lark Sparrows,
several Say's Phoebes, an American Bittern, many Tree Swallows, one Barn Owl
at the ranch, 2 Burrowing Owls and 3 Ferruginous Hawks on the way north as
we left.  We had the interesting distinction of crossing Hill Slough over
the old one-lane bridge as we arrived and leaving over the newly constructed
and wider bridge.  Thanks go to Ken Poerner, Land Steward for Solano Land
Trust, for helping us with the owls.

Hugh B. Harvey
Walnut Creek