Ovenbird in El Cerrito yard
Sun, 27 Jan 2002 15:59:02 -0800
From: Lisa Viani
Hi,
I swear to all of you I am not drunk. But I have an Ovenbird in my yard. I first saw it yesterday and thought (at first) that it was a Hermit Thrush. But its neck is striped, not spotted, and it seemed a little too small.
Today I dug up an old shrub that I am going to replace (this AM). A few hours later, I peeked out of my window and saw the Ovenbird foraging on the ground, turning over old leaves, eating bugs, etc. It constantly quivers, as if it is very nervous (is anyone familiar with Ovenbird behavior)? It is eating all of the bugs I unearthed digging up the shrub. I got a very very long good look at it, so I am sure this is what it is. White eye ring, insectivore bill, etc., etc. There is nothing else in any of the guides that matches it, nothing.
How often are these seen out here in the winter?
I live on the Richmond/El Cerrito border, just at the foot of the hills.
Best,
Lisa Viani
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Chipping Sparrows at Hidden Lakes Park
Sun, 27 Jan 2002 15:59:45 PST
From: Denise Wight
Hi E.B. Birders,
This afternoon at least 2 of the 6 wintering Chipping Sparrows found on the Contra Costa County Christmas Bird Count were still at Hidden Lakes Park in Martinez. These birds were in the ravine below the north bridge, just south of the eucalyptus grove where we saw them on count day.
Denise Wight
Martinez, CA
Arrowhead Marsh, Oakland
Sun, 27 Jan 2002 16:26:16 -0800
From: Jennifer Rycenga
At Arrowhead Marsh in the Martin Luther King Jr Regional Shoreline in Oakland today, around noon, there were two Clapper Rails near the boardwalk, 3 Barrow's Goldeneyes (1 male, 2 female), and 2 Burrowing Owls among 59 total species. Also noteworthy: at least two Glaucous-winged Gulls, 1 Mew Gull, and 1 Dunlin.
Jennifer Rycenga
Berkeley
Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland
Sun, 27 Jan 2002 21:38:07 PST
From: Anthony Fisher
Spent an hour this eve at boot hill - Mountain View Cemetery at the top of Piedmont Ave in Oakland. A female Hooded Merganser was in pond 3. Green Heron and Belted Kingfisher in pond 2. A singing Fox Sparrow lurked in the broom by the large rock at the very top of the cemetery, as an early rising full moon bloomed over the eastern hills.
On the way out I stopped to watch an adult male Cooper's Hawk that was looking to pick off one of the many birds searching for a nighttime roost.
Peace
Anthony