[EBB Sightings] Mountain Bluebirds on Brushy Peak

Finally paid a visit to Brushy Peak Regional Park today, hoping to refind
Kathy Robertson's Lewis's Woodpeckers. Neither Lewis nor Clark were in
residence but I was more than amply rewarded by some quality time with a
flock of 15 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS and 2 WESTERNS. Taking the Brushy Peak Loop
trail, the beauties were high up the slope to the east of the trail just
before the trail reaches the eucalyptus grove at the sharp switchback. From
the trail the birds could only be made out as Bluebirds so I had to climb
the slope to confirm that I really wasn't seeing any orange on the breasts.
The reward was half an hour with 17 birds flitting to and from the fence
line, 30 feet away. Heaven. But as Bob Power would say, your results may
differ. 

Also at the Peak, 2 GOLDEN EAGLES, 1 of them a subadult, judging by the
remnant white in tail and wings. 4 WHITE-TAILED KITES acting horny.

At Lake Del Valle, a pair of PHAINOPEPLAS near the bridge. Magpies are
nesting. No sign of Bald Eagles.

At Shadow Cliffs, a pair of OSPREYS fishing. Again, no sign of BEagles.
Common Moorhens on the small ponds but couldn't scare up any Hooded
Mergansers.

A few photos from Brushy Peak available here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/cathrasher4/20100214BrushyPeakRegionalPark#

Bruce Mast
Oakland