Re: Phainopepla in Anthony Chabot Regional
Park
Fri, 13 Jul 2001 10:39:13 -0700 (PDT)
From: John Harris
When I lived in the Davis area (1978 to 1983), I recall that Phainopeplas were regularly seen in the area around Winters (specifically at Solano Lake), and are listed as a nesting species for Yolo County. I think they are found along the inner Coast Ranges. Maybe not directly relevant to this list, but thought some might be interested.
John H. Harris
Biology Department
Mills College
Oakland, CA
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Re: Phainopepla in Anthony Chabot Regional
Park
Fri, 13 Jul 2001 11:05:58 PDT
From: Steve Glover
Hello all,
Just a quick note on Phainopeplas in the East Bay. They are known to nest only in the Diablo Range where the open oak woodlands and arid climate they seem to prefer are present. In Contra Costa County they nest around Mount Diablo, east to Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve and south to Los Vaqueros Reservoir, but they are scarce and local anywhere in the county and it isn't surprising to miss them even when spending lots of time in appropriate habitat. In winter they are slightly more widespread and are found somewhat regularly in suburban areas of central Contra Costa County, including Hidden Lakes Park in Martinez, but we don't get more than a couple on any given Mount Diablo Christmas Bird Count.
In Alameda County they are easier to find but are still generally confined to the southeastern part of the county, especially around Mines Rd. In well over 100 trips in the early to mid-1990s I was never even able to find one at Sunol Regional Wilderness.
The map of Phainopepla for the first three years of the Contra Costa County Breeding Bird Atlas can be viewed at
I think we have added an additional red block this season.
Steve Glover
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Re: Hooded Orioles in El Cerrito
Fri, 13 Jul 2001 14:30:35 -0700
From: Judi Cooper
This morning Bingham and I went to El Cerrito to look for the Hooded Oriole.
We started by driving by Burns Ct area and saw one female. Then we drove down another street in the neighborhood and eureka! - there they were - male and female. They had a nest in the palm tree in the front yard of 8210 Terrace Dr and were flying in and out with food. There were 2 visible nests in the tree. We only saw the one being entered. This was at 11:00 AM.
It was so wonderful to see them - the male was gorgeous. Thanks to all those who sent suggestions of where to see them.
We then went to Wildcat Canyon to find a Hermit Warbler but no luck. Is anyone seeing them now?
Thanks, Judi
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Quail at UC Botanical Garden
Fri, 13 Jul 2001 20:45:36 -0700
From: Tom Condit
Wednesday, July 11, a covey of California Quail came out of the research corporation yard at the UC Botanical Garden [in Strawberry Canyon above the University of California - Berkeley campus], skirted the edge of the Food Plants display area, and went into Bed 302. There were a half-dozen very young chicks, followed by an adult female, then a male. The pater familias flew up to the top of a sprinkler and stood guard while they foraged in Bed 302.
Other birds seen:
Anna's Hummingbird
hummingbird sp.
Chestnut-backed Chickadees
California Towhees
Spotted Towhees (three together!)
Song Sparrows
Black Phoebe
Turkey Vultures overhead
Common Ravens overhead
Western Scrub-Jay
Steller's Jay
Dark-eyed Juncos
For the second time in three weeks, we saw deer along the north side of Centennial Drive in Strawberry Canyon on our way back down. This time it was a young buck with antlers in velvet, not looking very well (red around his eyes and a raw spot behind the left ear). The time before it was a youngster of indeterminate age who crossed the road and went down toward the creek.
Tom Condit
Swainson's Thrush in Tilden??
Fri, 13 Jul 2001 20:47:42 -0700
From: Tom Condit
Early this afternoon we heard what sounded like a Swainson's Thrush (the "corduroy-pants-rubbing together" call) near the boardwalk at Jewel Lake, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley Hills. Is this possible this time of year?
Otherwise just the usual suspects plus a brush bunny and an unusual midday possum on the Pine Tree Trail.
Tom Condit
Re: Swainson's Thrush in Tilden??
Fri, 13 Jul 2001 21:42:44 -0700
From: Larry Tunstall
Yes, the resident breeders are around all summer. Recently I heard lots of Swainson's Thrushes singing and calling at Bort Meadow (Anthony Chabot Regional Park) on July 6 (I even saw one!), and one singing along Rifle Range Rd in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park on July 12.
Good birding, Larry
Larry Tunstall
El Cerrito CA
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Little Blue Heron at Niles Community Park
Fri, 13 Jul 2001 21:53:13 PDT
From: Bill Scoggins
13 July 2001, Niles, CA, Alameda County.
Hello East Bay Birders,
An adult Little Blue Heron is feeding in Alameda Creek at the Niles Community Park off of H St in the Niles area of Fremont.
Nancy Christensen found this bird earlier this week and showed it to me today. We saw it on a gravel bar in Alameda Creek. Travel to Niles Community Park and walk past the gate at the end of the small parking lot (past the tennis courts). The sidewalk will lead you to the levy on Alameda Creek. The Little Blue Heron is dark and looks very small from this vantage point, so check carefully. A scope is recommended. According to Nancy it likes to preen while perched on either of two grocery carts sitting in the bottom of the creek. She originally saw it on Tuesday and it has remained in the creek to feed and preen since then.
Nancy said all are welcome to join her to watch the Little Blue. Her phone is 510.471.4677 if you need more information or wish to meet her at the park.
The park is a great place to observe Green Heron too; we saw four today at about 3 PM. We also saw Greater Yellowlegs, Black-necked Stilt, American White Pelican, Mallard, Killdeer, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Hooded Oriole, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Black Phoebe. One Pied-billed Grebe was building a nest in the water at the edge of a sandbar in Alameda Creek and another was on eggs in the Park pond. Nancy had seen Wood Ducks in the Pond earlier this week. Nancy would be happy to give you a quick birding tour of the pond area and creek.
Happy birding,
Bill Scoggins
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