Pileated Woodpecker not found in Oakland Hills
Wed, 19 Mar 2003 19:24:05 -0800
From: Judi Sierra
Two of us went in search of the Pileated Woodpecker this morning in the areas of Redwood Regional Park previously reported, without any luck. We were entertained by a male Allen's Hummingbird attempting to dethrone a very vocal and stationary Wilson's Warbler from the highest perch in a near tree.
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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker not found near Sunol
Wed, 19 Mar 2003 20:52:07 -0800
From: Frano
I went looking for the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker near the wilderness room in Sunol Regional Wilderness today with no luck. Several Acorn Woodpeckers keeping an eye out. I was treated to a quick look at Red-breasted Sapsucker in the same area, but it did not stay around very long. I also viewed what I believe to be a Spotted Towhee working the brush in front of the deck.
An earlier post by Dennis and Patricia Braddy mentioned a Peregrine Falcon in "...its usual post above Flag Hill." If you could send me back a quick note and let me know where that spot is, I would greatly appreciate it.
Good birding,
Frano
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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker not found near Sunol again
Thu, 20 Mar 2003 19:45:20 -0800
From: Gene Stevens
I was unable to locate the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker this morning from 10:30 AM to noon. While I observed many bird species in the area identified by others as the location of the sapsucker - a benefit I suppose of remaining quietly in a birdy area for an extended period of time - the target bird did not show.
I would be interested in having it posted if the sapsucker should be observed at a later date.
Thanks,
Gene Stevens
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Wild Turkeys in Berkeley Hills
Fri, 21 Mar
2003 12:51:07 -0800
From: Judi Sierra
On my usual early morning run at Strawberry Canyon in the hills above the UC Berkeley campus, my golden retriever and I spotted 2 Wild Turkeys at the lower end of the connector near Panoramic, heading up the hill. I did not see them on the way back.
Pileated Woodpecker and Tufted Duck continue
Sat, 22 Mar 2003 18:06:31 -0800
From: Calvin Lou
Hi All,
This morning,the male Pileated Woodpecker continues at the spot that Mark Rauzon had the bird in Redwood Regional Park (Oakland Hills). We first heard the bird as he was stripping bark off a tree. We observed the bird for about 45 minutes. (9:00 AM to when I returned and left at 9:45 AM.)
Park at Skyline Blvd and Waterloo Dr. Enter the park, follow the trail down where it hits West Ridge Trail (not too far). Immediately, you will see a trail (marked on the post) which leads downslope. This is Tres Sendas.
Take this trail down for about 2 or 3 minutes (not far). Just as you enter a canopy of trees and where the stream is close by the trail, and just before you hit a series of logs where frame the trail, on the right hand side, there will be at least two different branches on trees on the hillside which are stripped of bark. (Good sections, 5 or 6 feet). Also Mark's crude arrow is still there.
The female Tufted Duck continues at Lake Merritt in downtown Oakland.
Calvin D Lou
San Francisco
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Sunol Regional Wilderness
Sun, 23 Mar 2003
13:50:00 -0800
From: Bruce Mast
Saturday morning at Sunol Regional Wilderness, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker remained notably absent. In consolation, I got to observe a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks mating while 4 spectacular male Wild Turkeys strutted around for the hens. Another birder told me she saw a Varied Thrush but I was unable to track it down.
A male Bullock's Oriole showed up briefly in the sycamores near the bridge and a California Thrasher sang sporadically from the chaparral above Indian Joe trail. Up on the ridge, a Golden Eagle went rushing past a mere 50 feet from my head. The canyons are full of singing Orange-crowned Warblers and 2 pairs of Purple Finches were hanging out with the goldfinches.
Wild flowers are blooming in profusion right now. The park is offering a wildflower festival in a couple weeks, which is sure to be fantastic.
Bruce Mast
Oakland
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Redwood Regional Park & Sibley Regional Preserve
Sun, 23 Mar 2003 16:28:37 PST
From: Sylvia Sykora
No sign of the Pileated Woodpecker along the Tres Sendas Trail in Redwood Regional Park (Oakland Hills) this afternoon in spite of many searchers; the roadside parking area at Waterloo and Skyline Blvd was packed. I heard my first Wilson's Warbler song from the canyon east of the West Ridge Trail.
Yesterday, late afternoon, had good close views of an Osprey that sailed past me on the ridge trail east of Round Top in Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve (Oakland Hills). Western Bluebirds were in the eucalyptus burn area. Emergency vehicles at Sibley were there for a dog walker who had fallen down the cliff face at the maze. Be careful birding along those unstable rocky cliffs.
Sylvia Sykora
Oakland, CA
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Dog-and-bird walk in San Ramon
Sun, 23 Mar
2003 17:46:57 -0800
From: Dennis Braddy
EastBayBirders,
On our dog-and-bird-walk yesterday Skip had his first of the year Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird and Hooded Oriole. Today we saw a female Mallard - only slightly unusual in our west side San Ramon suburb. But this is the first one we've seen splashing about in the community pool.
Skip and Dennis (Skip insisted on top billing today.)
San Ramon
Hummingbirds and more
Sun, 23 Mar 2003 19:25:56
-0800
From: Johan Langewis
We have had the good fortune this year to have 3 species of hummingbird at our feeder: Allen's, Anna's and Rufous. A beautiful male Rufous Hummingbird has been visiting the feeder since March 8. He also spends time at the bottlebrush blooms. A male Anna's Hummingbird has been vigorously chasing away all other hummers from the feeder since last year, but the others manage to sneak a drink once in a while. A female Anna's has been collecting dryer lint I put out near the feeders since mid February. I have also observed Bushtits collecting nesting material. Early in March a Bewick's Wren was investigating a cavity in a stump in our yard, but does not seem to have taken up residence. See the website for our yard description.
As with others, I have heard the Pileated Woodpecker near Sequoia Arena in January and February. We exercise our dog in the area and occasionally I hear the Pileated Woodpecker calling. The Sequoia Arena is across Skyline Blvd from the Mountain Horseman's Association clubhouse, just South of the Chabot Science Center. Being with the dog & family I never chased it down.
Johan Langewis
Sunol Regional Wilderness
Sun, 23 Mar 103
20:36:03 PST
From: Patrick King
I spen5 Saturday from 9.30 AM to 2 PM at Sunol Regional Wilderness, perhaps half the time in the vicinity of the Wilderness room. No sign of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. A park ranger reported that it hadn't been seen since Wednesday.
Three minutes walk beyond the metal bridge, along the one-way road in a small picnic area, was an entertaining pair of Yellow-billed Magpie. I was treated to a male Northern Flicker building a nesting cavity nearby. Acorn Woodpeckers were everywhere, and around the creek and trails were Varied Thrush, Spotted Towhee, California Quail, Yellow Warbler, and a pair of Wood Ducks.
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