Re: Amtrak ride
Fri, 25 May 2001 09:31:16 -0700
From: Kirk Swenson
On May 23, Rusty Scalf wrote:
Today I took Amtrak to Sacramento to attend a meeting. Took the 7:55 AM train out of Emeryville. It never ceases to amaze me how much one can see from that train. I assumed that the marshes of Suisun Bay would be quieter than in Winter, and they were.
That's my regular commute three or four times a week, so I think I'm qualified to comment. ;-) The birding is certainly interesting year-round, but waterfowl variety is obviously much better during the winter, in the marshes as well as on the bay outside of Richmond/Pinole. I've been remiss in not putting together a complete list before now, but I would estimate I've seen 70+ species in about a year of doing this, including 20 waterfowl species. I think approximately 40 species is about my best on a single trip. The inability to hear and the motion of the train conspire to make it difficult to get landbirds - I'm still awaiting my first conclusive Song Sparrow, for instance. ;-(
But there were two flocks of White-faced Ibis (about 15 and about 65), two flocks of American White Pelican (12 and about 30) and broods of Cinnamon Teal and Mallard ducklings clearly visible from the train. I looked straight down on the teal family from my window.
The White-faced Ibis are a good sighting. I'm chagrined to admit that I've never seen them from the train, but I could have missed them as I do have to spend some of my commute time with my head in my laptop. The White Pelicans and the others are pretty reliable. Fairly large flocks of pelicans will sometimes take wing just as the train approaches which is an impressive sight.
I spotted at least three Swainson's Hawks. Don't know if these are migrants or locals. And the usual kites, harriers, egrets, etc.
Swainson's Hawks are resident in the Davis/Sacramento area and pretty reliable from the train. If one of the fields near the tracks is being plowed you can get quite a few of them. My best raptor sighting was a one-time Rough-legged Hawk between Davis and Suisun this past winter.
Kirk Swenson
Davis, CA
Original Message Subject Index
Re: Lazuli Buntings
Fri, 25 May 2001 23:14:27 -0700
From: Bob Lewis, via Larry Tunstall
I'm forwarding this message to the list for Bob Lewis, who was having trouble getting AOL 6.0 to send plain text.
Larry Tunstall
Re: Grasshopper Sparrows in El Sobrante
Fri, 25 May 2001 20:52:47 PDT
From: Bob LewisOn May 24, Larry Tunstall wrote:
This morning I hiked up Clark-Boas Trail into the north end of Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. I saw at least 3 singing Grasshopper Sparrows near the trail, a short walk from the trailhead. However, I didn't see any Lazuli Buntings. Is it just me or are the buntings scarce this year in their usual spots?
Just to note that at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve last weekend I had at least 5, probably more Lazuli Buntings ... so they're around. But folks were telling me that Briones Regional Park seems to have a dearth of same.
Bob Lewis
Berkeley, CA
Original Message Next Reply Subject Index
Got Pygmy?
Sat, 26 May 2001 15:11:32 PDT
From: Anthony Fisher
Please share your East Bay Pygmy-Owl experiences.
Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve
Sat, 26 May 2001 15:34:06 -0700
From: Bob Lewis, via Larry Tunstall
I am forwarding this to the list for Bob Lewis.
Larry
From: Bob Lewis
Date: Sat, 26 May 2001 11:55:08 PDT
Subject: GGAS trip to SibleyAbout 22 birders met for a short walk in dense fog at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve in the Oakland Hills this morning for a scheduled Golden Gate Audubon Society field trip. The fog was swirling around us as we left the parking lot, having recorded Orange-crowned Warbler, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco and Purple Finch by voice only. It thickened, and the temperature dropped as we ascended the hill, noting Bewick's Wren and Spotted Towhee by song. Nothing was visible. The temperature dropped, and the wind picked up as we arrived at the little fenced enclosure, where we actually saw a California Towhee. Our list of 20 species follows, most of which were heard only. This was the worst birding trip I've ever been on, and if I had paid anything for it, and if I hadn't been the leader, I'd want my money back! But in truth, everyone was very good humoured about the bad weather.... Sibley is a great place, so maybe next time!
California Quail - seen by a few entering the park
Mourning Dove - actually seen by some
Anna's Hummingbird - zoomed by us, and identified by sound
Nuttall's Woodpecker - heard only
Downy Woodpecker - heard only
Western Scrub-Jay - actually seen by some
Chestnut-backed Chickadee - heard only
Bushtit - heard only
Bewick's Wren - heard only, but it was loud
Wrentit - heard only
Orange-crowned Warbler - heard only
Lazuli Bunting - heard by most, and seen by a few
Spotted Towhee - posed for us on the way out, but we did hear a lot on the way in
California Towhee - seen
Rufous-crowned Sparrow - heard only (I'm only pretty sure of this because I'd just listened to the song before the trip started)
Song Sparrow - heard only, but frequently
Dark-eyed Junco - almost stepped on, on the trail
Purple Finch - seen!
Lesser Goldfinch - heard only
American Goldfinch - seen fleetinglyWe did identify about 20 types of wildflowers (some not so wild) and didn't see a single butterfly. There was no sun. Grumble, grumble, grumble.......
Bob Lewis
Berkeley, CA
Re: Lazuli Buntings
Sat, 26 May 2001 23:08:39 PDT
From: Denise Wight
Bob Lewis wrote:
But folks were telling me that Briones seems to have a dearth of [Lazuli Buntings].
I took a class to the Bear Creek entrance of Briones on May 19th where we were only able to find one singing male Lazuli Bunting. I did have better luck May 3rd on the East Bay Municipal Utility District land (permit required) across the road to the northeast were the grass was tall and lush. Here a pair of male Lazuli Buntings were flying around a patch of hemlock.
Any theories on why Briones seems so less productive bird-wise in the last few years? Too many people, bikers, etc.? Are land management practices not beneficial for certain species? European Starlings seem to be doing quite well. Any thoughts?
Denise Wight
Martinez, CA
Original Message Next Reply Subject Index