[EBB Sightings] fledge season

I kept bumping into a family (or families) of
chickadees yesterday at Huckleberry Preserve. The
parents rode herd on their unruly, plump and begging
chicks, as they tumbled and fluttered through the
trees; Mom led the pack, and Dad followed behind. I
watched one poor, skinny, bedraggled female
frantically glean insects, her belly feathers missing,
and a wild look in her eye. She then flew to her fat
and smugly plump chick, every feather in place and
gleaming, to stuff its mouth with sustenance;
childrearing can be so draining.

Monday's delightful walk at Sibley with Marilyn
Trabert's group brought many sightings of the Lazuli
buntings. Several pairs flew over our heads along the
trail, or posed prettily in perfect light. While they
are still singing on exposed perches is a great time 
to see them; search for them in brushy, grassland
trailside habitat. The electric sky blue of the male
is SUCH a becoming color!

It was a gorgeous clear day at Sibley. As we circled
around the back of Round Top, we saw a kestrel perched
on the fence above the maze, magnificent Mt. Diablo
gleaming in the background. What a photo op, but alas,
no camera.

BTW, my apologies to Sibley birders for my dismissive
remarks about the area. I had only really hiked the
dry and rocky volcano loop, which was not my cup of
tea, hike-wise, despite those inevitable eagle
flyovers. Sibley has many fine areas flush with native
vegetation and wildlife, and is in fact an excellant
area in which to view birds. Especially if you like
dogs.

Happy birding wherever you go this marvelous spring,
Debbie Viess