Indigo Bunting returns to Lafayette yard
Mon,
24 Mar 2003 08:10:21 -0800
From: Maury Stern
The Indigo Bunting returned to my feeder in Lafayette yesterday intermittently during the day. I just saw the bird again this morning. You're welcome to sit in my backyard to look for the bunting. Call 925.284.5980.
Maury Stern
Original Message Subject Index
Do Brown Pelicans breed in Alameda?
Mon, 24
Mar 2003 18:33:30 -0800
From: Joseph Morlan
I just received the April 2003 issue of The Gull from Golden Gate Audubon Society. The cover prominently shows young Brown Pelicans on a nest, with a caption stating: "The Brown Pelican is just one of many species that nest and roost at the refuge." This is the proposed Alameda National Wildlife Refuge.
This is the first I heard that Brown Pelicans have colonized Alameda. This locality is well outside their historical range and a very important range extension.
How many Brown Pelicans nest at Alameda? How long have they been nesting there? Have any young been successfully raised?
Any further information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
California Birding & new rarities
http://fog.ccsf.org/~jmorlan/
California Bird Records Committee http://www.wfo-cbrc.org/cbrc/
Brown Pelicans do not breed in Alameda
Tue,
25 Mar 2003 07:58:08 -0800
From: Joseph Morlan
Many people responded privately to my request for more information on breeding Brown Pelicans in Alameda as described in the Gull article. I would like to thank them all.
I have learned that the article is in error; Brown Pelicans do not nest at Alameda. However they do roost on the jetty. The article should have said the Brown Pelican is one of the species that nests or roosts at the refuge (not nests and roosts). I understand that The Gull will be printing a clarification in the next issue.
The photo of nestling Brown Pelicans was not taken at Alameda and is misleading. It comes from a US Fish & Wildlife National Image Library of public domain images at:
http://tinyurl.com/84dd
More information and a map of the proposed refuge is at:
http://www.audubon.org/chapter/ca/sfbay/sfbay_2_16/whatwedo_bay_map4.html
Sorry for all the confusion.
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
Original Message Subject Index
Tri-Valley Area birds
Tue, 25 Mar 2003 19:55:06
-0800
From: Steve Huckabone
Today I saw two Allen's Hummingbirds, one at my backyard feeder at daybreak and one at Tassajara Creek park during lunch break. Also this morning while driving to work I saw approximately 20 Long-billed Curlews north of Hwy 580, just west of Airway Dr.
Steve Huckabone
Alameda County
Livermore California
Cliff Swallows at Briones Dam
Wed, 26 Mar
2003 11:37:48 -0800
From: Kitty O'Neil
Yesterday I walked over the Briones Reservoir Dam from the Briones Overlook (near Orinda, EBMUD trail permit required). Wow, the Cliff Swallows! I have seen them working on their nests before but this was like watching the Discovery Channel. They all swooped together in big circles overhead then flew up under the bridge. There are remnants from last year's mud nests and the pairs would meet up in the nests and flutter and chirp and then after a minute or so they would all fly out again and start swooping again as a big group. They did this the whole time I was there (from 5:30 to 6 PM). They were so involved in this activity, I was able to get really close. What a sight!
Also saw of note: A Great Horned Owl, lots of California Quail, and a Belted Kingfisher flying over. (And lots of bunnies!!)
Kitty
Briones Overlook is located on Bear Creek Rd 1.5 miles from Camino Pablo Rd and 2.7 miles before Bear Creek Staging Area.
Kitty O'Neil
Orinda, CA
Sunol Regional Wilderness
Wed, 26 Mar 2003
14:15:45 -0800
From: Tim Daly
Monday afternoon at Sunol, Frano and I observed the Red-shouldered Hawk sitting quietly in her nest. There was no sign of the male. From the road, her tail was visible, and from the bridge, just the top of her head. Thought this would be of interest to those who saw them mating on Saturday.
tim
Ravens nesting in Berkeley
Thu, 27 Mar 2003
12:24:03 -0800
From: Tom Condit
A pair of Common Ravens are building a nest in the palm tree at the corner of Berkeley Way & Bonita Ave in Berkeley.
Tom Condit
Wilson's Warbler in Oakland Hills yard
Sat,
29 Mar 2003 16:44:36 -0800
From: John Luther
My first Wilson's Warbler of the year was singing and setting up territory in my yard in Oakland Hills today. Last year the first one arrived on March 28.
John Luther
Oakland
Pacific-slope Flycatchers in Lafayette yard
Sat, 29 Mar 2003 20:47:09 -0800
From: Maury Stern
Two male Pacific-slope Flycatchers arrived in my yard today. There are usually 4 nesting pairs in the breeding season. It was nice to hear their song again.
Maury Stern