Re: Canyon Trail Park, El Cerrito
Mon, 23 Apr 2001 10:08:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: Peter Rauch
On Sun, 22 Apr 2001, Larry Tunstall wrote:
Sunday morning I spent some time birding in Canyon Trail Park off Gatto Ave in northern El Cerrito. This is a city park that has been in the news recently because the city forester wants to cut down all the Monterey pines in the park and plant new trees more suited to the region.
While those Monterey pines do host the nesting hawk pair (and have in the past), the city has the right idea in removing the pines over time. The resolution to the issue of how to schedule removal, by the city council, was quite reasonable to both "sides" of the issue.
It was sad to listen to testimony from local teachers/educators lamenting how the children were going to be shocked by tree removals. What is sad is that these teachers really did not seem to have any inkling of just how rich a locally-adapted, native flora they have there in that canyon, nor of how to teach youngsters about appropriate plantings, sound environment resource planning and management, and of the importance of preserving the little bit of native habitat which remains in the area. Those emotional issues - rather then the emotional "tree-hugging" color that they painted the issue - would be of significant value to the kids.
... I hope that someone knows who to contact to be sure that the trees in this area don't get logged until the nesting has concluded.
Yes. They're well aware of this issue, and plan to allow the nesting season to complete.
Personally, it looked to me as if ivy removal would be a much higher priority than logging the pines, most of which looked relatively healthy.
The couple of kinds of "ivy" there are indeed worth removing as well. The understory of those pines include young (and not-so-young) oaks and toyon mostly just waiting for a little sunlight to let them grow larger. Hazelnuts and other natives are also found in the understory. So, a quite appropriate native flora is to be expected to be exposed and ready to fill in, providing that the tree removal is done with care.
In addition to the pines, there are more numerous other large trees, both locally native and non-local/non-native, in the park. So, removal of these particular trees is not going to be a devastating ecological trauma; to the contrary, the plans are to make sure that the park and the full complement of animals benefit from a future greater abundance of native plants.
And, that's the job of us birders and native plant folks - to make sure that the city continues with its plans, over the long haul, to make the park a great locally-adapted native plant/animal sanctuary. Administrative/governing memory can be painfully short, and well-intended plans can deteriorate to unfulfilled goals.
Peter
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Calliope Hummingbird in Antioch backyard
23 Apr 2001 14:16:17 -0700
From: Jeanne Bonner
A male, Calliope Hummingbird was seen feeding at our backyard hummingbird feeder. It was particularly exciting for me because this is a new yard bird and a lifer for me. We were fortunate enough to have the bird return to the feeder several times within a period of about five minutes. So, I feel confident about the bird's ID.
Is it common to see these birds in eastern Contra Costa County?
Jeanne Bonner
Antioch, CA
near Black Diamond Mines Regional Park
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Hayward Shoreline
Mon, 23 Apr 2001 17:14:04 PDT
From: Bob Richmond
Today the following was seen at Hayward Regional Shoreline in Hayward:
Black Skimmer
Arctic Tern (only briefly)
Red-necked Phalarope (26). They are the first I have seen here this year. However, Peter saw 14 earlier.
Calliope Hummingbird (Winton)
Bob
Re: Hayward Shoreline
Mon, 23 Apr 2001 17:16:49 -0700
From: Mary
Bob Richmond wrote:
Today the following was seen ... Black Skimmer
Okay, just had to share:
I just said to my sweetie, "Wow, a skimmer's at Hayward!" He asked what they were. I explained how they fly along above water with the longer, lower bill extended.
He asked: "Picking up divers?"
Made me giggle.
Mary
Calliope Hummingbirds
Mon, 23 Apr 2001 23:02:34 -0700
From: Larry Tunstall
Jeanne Bonner asked if Calliope Hummingbirds are common in eastern Contra Costa County.
In his excellent guide to Contra Costa County birding sites at
Steve Glover mentions Calliope Hummingbirds being regularly found in spring at various sites around Mount Diablo and at Piper Slough (north end of Bethel Island Rd).
The Golden Gate Audubon Society East Bay checklist lists the Calliope Hummingbird as an uncommon spring migrant in the East Bay. The Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve checklist lists the species as "occasional - seen only a few times during a year."
So, seeing one in Antioch is not unexpected, but not a routine event either. Congratulations.
Good birding, Larry
Larry Tunstall
El Cerrito CA
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