Re: Ovenbird in El Cerrito yard
Mon, 28 Jan 2002 08:56:34 PST
From: Doug Greenberg
Lisa Viani wrote:
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.
An Ovenbird would be extremely rare even during migration, let alone as a wintering bird.
Did you see an orange stripe on the top of the head? Also, the Ovenbird walks as it feeds, rather than hopping or running. The "quivering" you describe actually seems more characteristic of a thrush than an Ovenbird. And Hermit Thrushes do have whitish eye rings.
That said, I too, would love to see your bird.
Doug Greenberg
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Re: Ovenbird in El Cerrito yard
Mon, 28 Jan 2002 09:53:40 -0800
From: Lisa Viani
I am willing to admit I could be wrong here. But the breast was more "striped" than spotted - do Hermit Thrushes' breasts look striped? (I thought they looked more spotted.) This bird was walking as it was feeding, not hopping. Also - the "stripes" were more of the same brown color on its back than the black shown for either the Hermit Thrush or Ovenbird - does anyone know what that might indicate? (Are the spots/stripes more brownish in younger birds)?
For people who are interested in seeing this bird - I haven't seen it yet today at all. Believe me, I am keeping my eyes peeled....
Lisa Viani
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"Slate-colored" Dark-eyed Junco
in Oakland yard
Mon, 28 Jan 2002 10:21:36 PST
From: Sylvia Sykora
No ovenbirds here ... but I did just have a very nice "slate-colored" Dark-eyed Junco at the seed dishes this morning, along with the usual crowd. It was undoubtedly confused by the snow on the ground here at 1500 feet elevation in Oakland.
Re: Birding in Sycamore Grove and Veterans
Park, Livermore
Mon, 28 Jan 2002 12:04:36 -0800
From: Akira So
All:
This is a follow-up to a message about Sycamore Grove Regional Park's future plan, originally posted back in November.
The park is located just south of Livermore.
In case any East Bay Birders are interested in attending the meeting to learn (and perhaps even influence?) the future plan for the park from birders' point of view, the meeting will be held this Thursday in Livermore at 7 PM. (See below for the official announcement.)
It sure sounds boring, but birders need birds and birds need habitats. Since birds aren't allowed to attend the meeting as far as I know, for birders to attend might not be a bad idea, IMHO. I myself did not attend any of the previous meetings, so I don't know what to expect. Just for your information.
Who knows, you might see an owl after the meeting. (Bring your binoculars!)
Good birding,
Akira
Pleasanton, CA
[From http://www.larpd.dst.ca.us/ ]
LARPD sets third Sycamore Grove resource management study meeting
The Livermore Area Recreation and Park District will hold the third Sycamore Grove Resource Management Plan Study meetings at 7 PM Thursday, Jan. 31 at the Livermore City Council Chambers, 3575 Pacific Ave.
The focus will be the draft resource assessment of the park.
The public is encouraged to attend and participate.
For further information, call Kenneth Craig, LARPD Superintendent of Planning and Parks, at 925.373.5729.
Redheads at Point Emery
Mon, 28 Jan 2002 14:51:21 -0800
From: Nick Newton
I don't know if this is noteworthy at all, since I am fairly new to birding in this area, but I saw a group of about 20 male and female Redheads at Point Emery, Emeryville, this lunchtime, close in and giving nice views. Also of note were a couple of Common Loons a little further offshore.
Nick Newton
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