Hawk watching outing on Saturday
Wed, 10 Oct 2001 09:41:18 PDT
From: Steve Glover
Hello all,
This coming Saturday, October 13th, I will be going up to Inspiration Point in Tilden Regional Park [Berkeley Hills] in search of migrating raptors and am hoping some of you will join me. Though I have never spent time up there in pursuit of raptors I know they pass over that area and the more eyes the better. If anyone wants to join in we will meet at the Inspiration Point parking area at 9 AM. Bring sunscreen and pack a lunch as we may walk north a bit for better viewing. You might even consider a folding chair. I plan on being up there most of the day (unless there really aren't any birds) but of course you would be free to bail out at any time.
Hope to see some of you up there, let me know if you have any questions.
Steve Glover
Re: Seabird viewing in Alameda County?
Wed, 10 Oct 2001 09:49:13 PDT
From: Steve Glover
Vijay and all,
There is really no place in the East Bay that could be called a good place to look for seabirds, though some are better than others. Except for Common Murre, all of the other seabirds are rare to accidental here. So if you do scope for seabirds you might actually find one but you would be using valuable time on your big day. Of course you will be looking for loons, grebes, scoters, etc. anyway but don't spend too much time hoping for shearwaters or storm-petrels. The majority of seabird records from Alameda County are actually from deep into the bay at Hayward Regional Shoreline, but I have always felt that this is a reflection of the dogged determination of Bob Richmond. Your best bet would be from the Berkeley or Emeryville Marinas in morning light. Of course this is a bit of a problem as the birding will be best on Mines Rd in the morning as well. I have run into this problem when I have gone on Alameda County Big Days.
Best of luck,
Steve Glover
Original Message Next Reply Subject Index
Re: Seabird viewing in Alameda County?
Wed, 10 Oct 2001 10:35:55 -0700
From: Tom Condit
Vijay,
In Emeryville, there are two places:
It's possible to walk clear around the Emeryville Marina (the man-made peninsula sticking out into the Bay west of the freeway at Powell Street which was formerly a trash dump) on trails (south and west sides) and boardwalks (north side). From the park at the far end in particular, many seabirds are frequently visible. These include gulls, terns, very rarely jaegers (I saw one about 15 years ago following a fishing boat in), pelicans, murres and guillemots, grebes, coots, loons, etc. The sea ducks aren't here yet so far as I know. When there's a herring run is particularly good. The sheltered boat piers draw a lot of birds as well.
There is also a park called, I think, Ashby Point [actually Point Emery], which sticks out from frontage road at the foot of Ashby Ave, but doesn't go out as far.
Both these locations are excellent for shorebirds, depending on the tides.
Tom
Original Message Subject Index
Asian crane near Lodi (San Joaquin County)
Thu, 11 Oct 2001 11:16:24 PDT
From: Mark Rauzon
Hi All:
I set out to Lodi yesterday morning to view a Demoiselle Crane hanging with the Sandhill Cranes. Unknown origin, suspected to be an escapee or wild - I'm partial to wild bird. If you're going, be there well before 9 AM, when it has been leaving lately.
See http://www.recordnet.com/
scroll down and click on Asian Crane.
Directions:
Hwy 5 heading North, proceed towards Lodi, and Woodbridge crane-viewing area. Exit Turner Rd exit past Hwy 12. Turn right to frontage road and go north. Proceed north to Woodbridge Rd. Turn left. It was in the fields north of the road about a mile from Hwy 5. One might also go via Hwy 680 and Hwy 4 to Hwy 12 to Hwy 5 - consult your road map.
Good luck.
Mark Rauzon
Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Oakland
Thu, 11 Oct 2001 18:15:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: Joy Maxion
Hi East Bay Birders ---
Today we had a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak in our yard. The bird was enjoying the platform sunflower seed feeder. He was here most of the day. My husband claims that he has been here since the weekend, but I just noticed him today for the first time. We had a Rose-breasted Grosbeak here once before in 1997.
I don't know how long he will stick around, but it is fun having him here for the time being....
We live in Oakland, on the San Leandro border.
Good Birding!
Joy Maxion
Birds moving through Oakland
Fri, 12 Oct 2001 08:56:47 PDT
From: Mark Rauzon
Birds were moving through, yesterday in particular, so I did a big day yard count. Counted 22 including 3 new yard birds: Red-breasted Sapsucker, Spotted Towhee and Rufous-crowned Sparrow! An owl finished off the day. I'm guessing juvenile Great Horned Owl but had a series of hoots unlike the adult version, that were loud and hooty - not screechy. Not bad for the lower Oakland hills off Park Blvd. Even missed the easy ones like California Towhee and House Sparrow!
Good birding.
Mark Rauzon
On my morning walk
Fri, 12 Oct 2001 12:35:48 -0700
From: Val Blakely
Fall is here - well, soon. About 20 Northern Shovelers are out in Alameda Creek just slightly upstream from an island. Thursday October 11 I saw a Ruddy Duck swimming in front of the island. I did not see the duck this morning (Oct 12) though. As mentioned before, you can see the island off of J Street in Niles District of Fremont by taking Mission Blvd, turning on to Niles Blvd away from the hills toward old town, and turning on J St. Through two stop signs and go until the street dead ends at a white fence. Walk past the fence and up the levee and there is the island down below. You can also access the Alameda Creek Trail from the Niles Community Park. This park meets ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] requirements and there is a trail that actually leads onto the levee without climbing it.
Happy birding. Until next time
Val Blakely
Fremont, CA