[EBB Sightings] Grasshopper Sparrows at Garin Regional Park, Hayward

Birders:

This morning I followed up on Bob Power's May 21 report  of Grasshopper  
Sparrows at Garin.  Because it took me lots longer to find them than  
I expected, I thought I'd try to amplify Bob's directions in hopes of  
saving other folks some time.

 From the Garin Avenue entrance to the park, pass through the gate on  
the east side of the picnic and play area and hike uphill, eastward,  
on the High Ridge Loop Trail.  About a half-mile up the trail there  
is another gate.  When you get close enough to see that gate from the  
trail, turn left (north) off the trail, and uphill.  After 50 yards  
or so you will reach the top of a flattish knoll that is not much  
lower in elevation than the upper gate.  This knoll is tens of yards  
in extent in each direction; it is densely covered with grass mixed  
with low, white morning glory-like flowers and short (mostly less  
than 2 ft. high) thistles.  This morning it also contained at least  
two singing (well, their bills opened . . . ) Grasshopper Sparrows.   
Depending on your resources, you might hear them from the trail, see  
and/or hear them once you reach their territories, or entice them  
into view with tape.

The first worked for Bob; the latter two worked for me.

Good luck if you try for the birds.

Dave Quady
Berkeley, California
davequady at att.net