Long-tailed Duck continues at Albany Waterfront
Park
Tue, 26 Jun 2001 20:04:31 PDT
From: Brian Fitch
Today at the Albany Waterfront Park, we refound the Long-tailed Duck roosting at low tide on the rocks at the northwest tip of the peninsula ["Albany Bulb"]. She was right behind the driftwood sculpture boat labeled the "Marie Whitemore." She was definitely showing more brown feathering on the face than last week, thus approaching the spring rendering in Sibley. A male Greater Scaup joined her on the same rock while we were watching. There was also at least one Black Oystercatcher in the same area, an adult Glaucous-winged Gull, and an out-of-place Nuttall's Woodpecker in one of the few trees. This was around 10 AM. On the mudflats near Hwy 80 and Buchanan St was an American Avocet family (one parent and 3 rather independent chicks) and groups of 3 and 5 American White Pelicans flew over at 9 AM and 2 PM respectively.
At Tilden Regional Park [Berkeley Hills] yesterday, we saw 2 immature or female Hooded Orioles at the pony rides near the Little Farm. Up on Wildcat Peak, on the plateau and saddle areas just north of the peak, we found Ash-throated Flycatcher, Lark Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Lazuli Bunting, all viewable from the same spot.
Brian Fitch
Volunteers needed for International Bird
Rescue
Tue, 26 Jun 2001 23:59:32 -0700
From: Larry Tunstall
Hi EBBers,
As you may know, International Bird Rescue moved from Berkeley Aquatic Park to new headquarters in Fairfield earlier this year. They also have a facility in Southern California. See
IBR is a pioneer in the rescue of oiled birds, and they are called in to help with emergency situations all over the country.
I just received a note from Karen Benzel saying that they are very much in need of volunteers. She says, "we are operating with 40 volunteers and we need 100!" If you are not a trained rehabilitator, this is a chance to get training. They also need people to help with a variety of other tasks.
There is an orientation session for volunteers at the new facility, 4369 Cordelia Rd, Fairfield, on Saturday, July 7, from 10 to 11:30 AM. You must be at least 18 years old and willing to donate four hours a week. If you are interested, send your name, address, and phone number to Karen at volunteer@ibrrc.org
Larry Tunstall
El Cerrito CA
Yardbirds in Berkeley Hills
Wed, 27 Jun 2001 07:40:46 -0700
From: Kay Loughman
East Bay Birders,
I was out of town and missed them, but my husband reports we had two Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at the feeders on June 18. One was easily identifiable as an adult male; the other was pale salmon pink where the "rose" would be. This is the second time we've seen this species in our yard, the first being June 8 to 14, 1997.
Early this morning, while waiting for the coffee to finish dripping, I birded from the window and saw a juvenile White-crowned Sparrow. In atlasing parlance, we might call this one a fledgling, since it was very fluffy and heavily streaked (although no discernible gape). White-crowned Sparrows are regular in my yard during the winter, but I haven't seen or heard one since April. The species is reported to breed in the flats of Berkeley and other East Bay cities; but I don't recall reports from the hills. Does anyone know about post-breeding dispersal with these sparrows?
Great way to start the day!
Kay Loughman
in the hills above the Claremont Hotel
Berkeley
Re: Hummingbirds at UC Botanical Garden
Wed, 27 Jun 2001 18:17:28 -0700
From: Judith Dunham
I also birded the UC Botanical Gardens, but the day before, June 24. Indeed, there was an extraordinary abundance of hummingbirds throughout nearly all of the habitats. Plus lots of other birds. In one corner, a Spotted Towhee fledgling sat on a branch begging as its parents double-scratched frantically in the leaf litter below. Elsewhere a female Hooded Oriole was trailed by two eager young ones. And a Steller's Jay perched on the tall stalk of an agave from Chile and guzzled the nectar from the blooms. Two pipevine swallowtails lilted by. A great birding spot and a perfect morning.
Judith Dunham
Original Message Subject Index
Babies
Thu, 28 Jun 2001 08:52:50 -0700
From: Jerrie Arko
All kinds of babies!
This morning I was trated to a beautiful male Rufous Hummingbird at the feeder. He was so golden and sparkly...like a newly minted penny. Then the female and two babies showed up! One baby had just a glimmer of the golden feathers and some green on his back. I wondered if maybe the female and little ones were Allen's Hummingbirds.
Mama Mourning Dove has successfully hatched yet another chick. Her second so far this year. The little one is so scruffy and has lots of down sticking out of its feathers.
I saw the Red-tailed Hawks over in Hillside Park with a youngster. The baby was sitting on a low branch of a Eucalyptus tree and calling for food.
Most of the American Goldfinches seem to be grown up and gone now. Last week there were several around.
This is the first year I have had Allen's hummers at the feeders in my garden. I have seen Rufous hummers during migration.
Jerrie, El Cerrito, CA
Western Bluebirds in Oakland
Thu, 28 Jun 2001 17:59:27 PDT
From: Mark Westlund
Oakland's Mountain View Cemetery (at top of Piedmont Ave) is a great place to bird ... scores of Violet-green Swallows working the open ground, Black Phoebes, Western Wood-Pewee, many with young. Spent a long time today (in plot 33) watching Western Bluebird fluff, preen and hunt from tops of tombstones. Have seen bluebirds here since February.