Chukar in Orinda
Sun, 08 Jun 2003 18:30:44
-0700
From: Kitty O'Neil
I just saw a Chukar on the corner of Monte Vista & Camino Pablo / San Pablo Dam Rd (near Wildcat Canyon / Bear Creek Rd). It was in the lot with the "For Sale" sign.
Kitty
Yellow-headed Blackbird at Coyote Hills Regional Park
Sun, 08 Jun 2003 23:59:01 -0700
From: Larry Tunstall
I am forwarding this message to the list for Lee Ellis:
Date: Sun, 8 Jun 2003 23:00:58 -0700
We went to Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont Sunday afternoon to look for the reported Rose-breasted Grosbeak. It was fairly windy (trees bending a bit). On the dead tree at the south end of the Quarry parking lot, a glossy, black bird was perched with its back to me. When I got closer, and it turned sideways, I could see a definite yellow head and throat. It appears to have been a juvenile or first-year bird, as the yellow was not bright, but suffused with black. Its call was a high thin prolonged note. After perching for 10 to 15 minutes, it flew off, and was not seen again.
Didn't see the grosbeak.
Lee Ellis
Posted to EBB by Larry Tunstall
Grasshopper Sparrow and Yellow Warbler
Mon,
9 Jun 2003 11:58:03 -0700 (PDT)
From: Rusty Scalf
Yesterday I ran my Breeding Bird Survey route which starts in Moraga, winds through Orinda, then follows San Pablo Dam Rd, Castro Ranch Rd, and Alhambra Valley Rd. I heard Grasshopper Sparrow singing near the Valle Vista Staging Area across from Upper San Leandro Reservoir. At one stop along Alhambra Valley Rd was a singing Yellow Warbler in some willows. This is a first for this route. Given the date, June 8, I assume it was a territorial bird. Yellow Warblers were found as a breeding bird nearby by Steve Hayashi and Lillian Fujii during the Contra Costa County Breeding Bird Atlas effort.
Lawrence's Goldfinch were not present this year.
Rusty
Grasshopper Sparrow heard in Briones Regional Park
Mon, 09 Jun 2003 12:29:14 -0700
From: Larry Tunstall
On Saturday morning, Karen Peterson, Karen DeMello, and I hiked up Old Briones Road trail from the Bear Creek Staging Area of Briones Regional Park (Orinda) to the Briones Crest Trail, then southeast, and back down on Valley Trail. We twice passed the area where the Indigo Bunting was reported, but neither saw nor heard it. There were numerous Lazuli Buntings, some very deep bright blue Western Bluebirds, Ash-throated Flycatcher, swallows, and some Lark Sparrows in that area (near intersection of Old Briones Road with Black Oak Trail).
On the Briones Crest Trail, near a gate not far southeast of Old Briones Road, what sounded like a single Grasshopper Sparrow was singing quite near the trail. Although the three of us looked for some time, we could not spot the bird. Apparently it was singing from the ground under the grass - not surprising in the strong cold wind. Despite the overcast and cool wind, there was quite a lot of activity from birds and insects, including many butterflies and dragonflies.
Early in the morning, we stopped briefly at the east end of Briones Reservoir (Bear Creek Staging Area), where the Pied-billed Grebes are still "whooping" and fishing for families of striped-faced youngsters - a scope is helpful for a good view from the Oursan Trail on the north side of the reservoir (East Bay Municipal Utility District trail permit required). There was also a gorgeous male Ruddy Duck in full breeding plumage.
Apologies for the late report, Larry
Larry Tunstall
El Cerrito CA
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Blue Grosbeak on Patterson Pass Rd
Mon, 9
Jun 2003 15:42:54 -0700
From: Bob Battagin
Hi EBBers
This morning, on Patterson Pass Rd (parallels Hwy 580 at Altamont Pass) in Alameda County, at milepost 5.90, there was a singing male Blue Grosbeak in the willows just south of the road. Proceeding east, there was a roosting Barn Owl in the smaller of the two holes in a high dirt bank 150 yards west of the large white Gate #2 sign. A juvenile Golden Eagle flew near the power substation at Midway (the intersection of Midway Rd and Patterson Pass Rd) being harassed by an American Crow - to the point of dropping its prey item. Finally, a half mile or so before reaching southbound Hwy 580, Via Nicolo Rd intersects with Patterson Pass on the right. Following Via Nicolo about a mile gets you to a railroad track crossing and the entrance to the Musco warehouse complex - on top of and next to the red plastic "pipeline" marker to the left were two Burrowing Owls. There were also quite a few Western Kingbirds, Loggerhead Shrikes, and Lark Sparrows along this route this morning.
Good birding,
Bob Battagin
Oakland, CA
Indigo Bunting in Briones Regional Park
Tue,
10 Jun 2003 19:08:34 -0700
From: Judi Sierra
This morning I went out to the area in Briones Regional Park mentioned by Gary Baker - Old Briones Road trail & Briones Valley Trail - and did indeed see an Indigo Bunting in the area of the corral.
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