Fwd: Contra Costa County, Part 2: East County
Locations
Wed, 05 May 1999 20:54:48 -0700
From: Mike Feighner
Posted to EBbird by Mike Feighner, Livermore
Contra Costa County, Part 2: East County Locations
Sun, 2 May 1999 19:24:08 PDT
From: Mary Beth StoweHi, all.
Well, it started off pretty decent heading north from Santa Nella, but by the time I hit the county line (Contra Costa, that is), little droplets started hitting the windshield, and by the time I got to Clifton Court Forebay it was coming down pretty good! Welcome to Contra Costa! ;-)
There were some die-hard fishermen on the dike braving the rain, but not many other people (self included) cared to get out in the stuff, so I refrained from hiking the dike. Noticed that the wind must have been pretty bad last night: one of the porta potties had overturned! The lake itself was pretty bare except for coots, but did pick up several pretty Eared Grebes for the day there.
I was trying to follow Steve Glover's excellent writeup of birdfinding within the county, so after a fruitless jaunt down Delta Road (still raining), made it up to Piper Slough instead, where there really didn't appear to be anyplace you could hike: both levees were closed off. Since it was still sprinkling I sat in the car and listened for five, and picked up Downy Woodpecker, Spotted Towhee, Bewick's Wren, and Pheasant all in the lush riparian area there.
Found my way to Iron House Sanitary District, but the gates were closed! (Gonna hafta find out the hours, I guess...) How maddening to see a nice brown sign that says "TRAILS ->" on the OTHER side of the fence! Oh, well, it was still raining anyway...
Decided to head down to Marsh Creek Road after that, and by the time I got to the reservoir the rain had finally let up and you could actually see some blue peeking through! You can't get to the lake, but you get a marvelous view of it from the road; only picked up a Red-tailed Hawk and Nuttall's Woodpecker for the day there.
My plan was to wind around and head up to Contra Loma Reservoir, but I got surprised by a regional park on the way (not on the map, naturally) called Round Valley! I eagerly swung in and parked, and hiked up the lovely trail that first takes you over a creek (via a bridge), then up the side of the hill through gorgeous oak savannah habitat. Got my exercise, but the view was worth it: picked up Oak Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Western Kingbird, Bushtit, Flicker, Western Bluebird, and Violet-green Swallow along this trail. At the bridge on the way back, a gorgeous male Bullock's Oriole posed for pictures while singing, then made his way lower down the tree, where he was promptly challenged by a House Wren!
They had a brochure available wherein they showed several regional parks, so I decided to check out as many as possible. Continued on up to Contra Loma as originally planned, and drove as far around to the east end of the lake as I could. It appears that one can walk all the way around the lake if you want (looks like they've got a bike trail), but I just went down to where the dam starts, then looped back. Several Mallards were on the lake, and a pair of Canada Geese were on the far shore. Several first-year Ring-billed Gulls were squalling, and a solitary Forster's Tern fed near the dam.
Then I drove over to one of the fishing piers where you could pick up the paved trail again, which I did, walking west to the beach and back. A Yellowthroat sang in the reeds, while tons of "Bicolored" Red-winged Blackbirds flopped about and displayed, their borderless epaulets standing up up like big red puffballs! (One even joined me at the picnic table I was resting at!) At the beach another blackbird flew past that gave me a white flash, and as I caught him landing on the ground, he indeed turned out to be a nice Tricolored.
Cruising around the grassland a female harrier was hunting low, and here and there a robin would be feeding on the lawn. Just outside the park proper was a parking area for the Stewartville Trail, which takes you through rolling green hills dotted with cattle and an occasional oak. Meadowlarks were the primary avian life on this rather quiet trail, but did have a close encounter with a puffy juvenile Loggerhead Shrike on the way back!
Decided to try out Morgan Territory Regional Park after that, so I retraced my route down Deer Valley Road to Marsh Creek, then south on windy, skinny, Morgan Territory Road. The habitat was wonderful: lush hilly woodland (mostly oak, I believe, but other deciduous trees were in there that I don't recognize) and a roadside creek made it a very lovely drive. Lots of Black-headed Grosbeaks and Steller's Jays were calling along here.
Found a trail that I guess technically was part of Mount Diablo State Park (Morgan Ridge Trail), so I hiked that a little bit: beautiful woodland, but rather quiet, only picking up Acorn Woodpecker, Orange-crowned Warblers, juncos, and Hutton's Vireo there. An Ash-throated Flycatcher called close to the trail head.
Continuing down the road, found another trail that was actually part of Morgan Territory RP, called the Highland Ridge Trail, and personally I think they oughta rename it the Warbling Vireo Trail, cuz they were all over: at the resting spot had at least three going at once! Also had a Purple Finch calling on that trail.
The next trail, the Volvon Trail, was at the main parking area, but by this time the clouds were coming in with a vengeance (down-jacket time again), and things had really quieted down, but the trail was lovely, taking you past a little pond and into a moist oak woodland with moss-covered rocks. Enjoyed a White-tailed Kite hunting over the grassland on the way out, then headed in to Walnut Creek for the night after that.
Bird List (birds in bold are new for the trip):
Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus)
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
California Quail (Callipepla californica)
American Coot (Fulica americana)
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)
California Gull (Larus californicus)
Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri)
Rock Dove (Columba livia)
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Vaux's Swift (Chaetura vauxi)
Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon)
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Nuttall's Woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii)
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans)
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens)
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis)
Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)
Yellow-billed Magpie (Pica nuttalli)
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Northern Raven (Corvus corax)
Hutton's Vireo (Vireo huttoni)
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus)
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)
Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana)
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)
Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)
Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus)
Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina)
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Cliff Swallow (Hirundo pyrrhonota)
Oak Titmouse (Parus inornatus)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus)
Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora celata)
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)
California Towhee (Pipilo crissalis)
Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)
Bullock's Oriole (Icterus bullockii)
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor)
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)
Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)64 SPECIES
So Far: 80 SpeciesMary Beth Stowe
San Diego, CA
Fwd: Contra Costa County, Part 3: Ironhouse &
Central Regional Parks
Wed, 05 May 1999 20:51:20 -0700
From: Mike Feighner
Posted to EBbird by Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA
Contra Costa County, Part 3: Ironhouse & Central RPs
Mon, 3 May 1999 20:21:30 PDT
From: Mary Beth StoweHi, all.
Thought it was gonna be another dreary, drizzly day as I headed north from Walnut Grove (was glad I wasn't going south based on the mess on the other side of the freeway median), and then east on highway 4 (same sentiment). But by the time I got to Oakley the rain had stopped, although it was still quite overcast and looked like it was indeed threatening!
Steve Glover (Contra Costa's "guru") had contacted me and told me where to find the trailhead at Ironwoods I was so desperately looking for yesterday, and I really wanted to get that spot checked cuz it was my best chance for the only real potential lifer on this trip: Black Rail. Found it with no problem, so with great anticipation headed out the nice paved trail into the marshland (found out this was officially called the Big Break Regional Trail). I was greeted by lots of Yellowthroats, and further down in the first sewage pond, a handful of shorebirds fed, including both dowitchers (mostly Long-billed, judging by the amount of vocalization I heard) and Black-necked Stilt. In addition to Mallards, there were also several Cinnamon Teal, plus a Green Heron that flushed. A Canada Goose family was on the dike, and in the "second marsh" the Marsh Wrens were singing up a storm (two even popped out, their tails straight up in the air as they either challenged or courted each other; I couldn't tell which). I sat and rested for five where the trail makes a sharp left (you get a great view of the Benicia Bridge from there), adding a crowing pheasant to the day list. In the second sewer pond were a couple of Gadwall, and even a couple of shovelers hanging around! A Snowy Egret behind me was good for the trip, and his "big brother" flew in shortly thereafter.
I started back, somewhat disappointed that I hadn't heard any rails yet (because they're supposed to be quite vocal right now), but telling myself to learn to be content with what you do see (and hear); someday, somehow, that bird'll show up! In a last ditch attempt to get something to respond, I stopped at the last marsh before the trailhead and clapped my hands (that often elicits rail/bittern noises), but nothing whinneyed, cackled, or otherwise paid any attention. So I started sadly down the trail again when I suddenly thought I heard a "boop" off to my right. I froze, then slowly crept towards the edge of the trail, and sure enough, not five feet from the trail (yet deep within the stuff, of course) came that distinctive "bidi-boop" song of the Black Rail! Presently another bird answered from a distance, but this guy was great! I just stood and listened to him for awhile, enjoying this quality audio experience! I finally tore myself away, adding a singing Yellow Warbler to the trip list, but he was rather anti-climactic!
The next place I wanted to check out was Black Diamond Mine Regional Park (it seems that every time I pick up a map for one regional park, I discover another...). Headed down to the end of Somerville Road and took what I thought was gonna be a reasonably short loop trail: little did I know that it went straight up the hill (as many of these trails do, I'm discovering)! But this was still a terrific area: it had a lot of grassland like the other parks, but many more trees; in fact, one mistletoe-laden tree had several things including Phainopepla, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Wilson's Warbler, Warbling Vireo, and a mystery Empid I only got a glimpse of. White-throated Swifts chattered overhead, and California Quail called in the distance.
Huffed and puffed my way up to the first mine, where I rested, adding Hairy Woodpecker, Black-headed Grosbeak, and a shy Hermit Thrush to the list. I did find another little trail that went downhill, but discovered that it wasn't on the map, and it eventually took me to the Pittsburg Trail (also not on the map), then back around to the main trail I was on before, and that made a nice little loop through some beautiful woodland habitat, including some pines but mostly oak and some chaparral. Much of the trail gave you stunning views of the surrounding hillsides.
After that decided to head to Briones RP (where, according to my original itinerary, I was gonna spend all day, but you know how that goes). Well, the freaky weather hit with a vengeance on highway 4, and I got caught in a downpour! Although it vascillated between steady rain and sprinkles, it never did let up the whole time I circled around Briones, stopping at each staging area and waiting for five to see if the rain would let up (picked up Red-shouldered Hawk at one of these spots). At one point I literally got lost trying to find Happy Valley Road, and stumbled upon Lafayette Reservoir, which turned out to be a wonderful little place (although, by now the rain had finally let up and the sun was even trying to come out, so I was very glad to be able to get out and hike again)! I parked in the upper lot, picking up butterbutt [Yellow-rumped Warbler] for the county, then took the paved fishing access trail down to the tule-lined lakeshore. The habitat was wonderful, with lots of lush trees, but as Steve had alluded to, not many migrants; except for Redwings and towhees it was pretty quiet in the songbird department. Several Pied-billed Grebes "sang', however, and down at the water several cormorants dried their wings. Enjoyed a coot giving its youngsters some vegetable matter (one chick was quite a bit bigger and was doing fine on his own, thank you very much, Mom) before again getting rained on! It didn't last long, however, and the sun was out again by the time I got back to the car!
The trail heading out along the lakeside looked pretty enticing, however, so I took that one, too, and that was quite a "birdy" walk: picked up lots of Bewick's Wrens, Violet-green Swallows overhead, a Hutton's Vireo, and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher that sounded like something was in his last gnat... At the resting spot overlooking the lake (they have plenty of benches) picked up Western Grebe. After that I drove back towards the dam and to the far side of the parking area, and couldn't resist trying the trail going the other way from that point (the trail goes all the way around the lake, I figured out, since the little old man I had met at the "Western Grebe" spot was now approaching me on this trail). This end of it wasn't as scenic, but did pick up Wrentit for the trip here.
Thanks to the nice ranger who gave me a map of the area, I was able to figure out where I really was and made my way back to Happy Valley (still made a wrong turn; it's easy to get lost on these little windy roads) and up towards Bear Valley, where I found another access point to Briones RP at the Bear Creek Staging Area. In the parking lot picked up a singing Chipping Sparrow for the trip before hiking up the Abrigo Trail, another lush oak (and other things) woodland area. Oak Titmice and Orange-crowned Warblers were all over (as they were at all the other places that had oak woodland), and managed to pick up a couple of trip birds as well: a flock of Pine Siskins, and a Chestnut-backed Chickadee knocking the snot out of a grub that looked half as big as him!
It was time to head to the hotel after that, so headed on up Bear Valley Road, but stopped almost immediately to shoot (with the camera) a nice hen Turkey in the field next to the road!
Bird List:
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)
Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis)
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
Gadwall (Anas strepera)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera)
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Green Heron (Butorides virescens)
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
California Quail (Callipepla californica)
Black Rail (lifer!!) (Laterallus jamaicensis)
American Coot (Fulica americana)
Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus)
Long-billed Dowitchdr (Limnodromus scolopaceus)
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
California Gull (Larus californicus)
Rock Dove (Columba livia)
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis)
Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon)
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Nuttall's Woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii)
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans)
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens)
Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Northern Raven (Corvus corax)
Hutton's Vireo (Vireo huttoni)
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus)
Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens)
Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana)
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris)
Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)
Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus)
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina)
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Cliff Swallow (Hirundo pyrrhonota)
Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata)
Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Parus rufescens)
Oak Titmouse (Parus inornatus)
Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus)
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)
Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora celata)
Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata)
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
Wilson's Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla)
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)
California Towhee (Pipilo crissalis)
Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)
Bullock's Oriole (Icterus bullockii)
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)78 SPECIES
So Far: 103 speciesMary Beth Stowe
San Diego, CA