[EBB Sightings] Passerines pig out

A late afternoon hike at Huckleberry Preserve treated me to sights of many birds actively feeding on the last of the ripe huckleberries, all bathed in the golden glow of the lowering sun. For the first time in 20+ years, I saw several Western bluebirds there, flycatching and berry picking. They were in open areas below the upper trail, where Park personnel have chopped out swathes of huckleberries in hopes of encouraging the endangered pallid manzanita. Those huckleberries are returning in strength (yay), but the temporarily open space has encouraged wildlife of many sorts. 

I saw one drab adult bluebird so stuffed full that it was lounging atop a sprawling mazanita; the bird was also sprawling, and oblivious as a fledgling. A purple finch was perched nearby atop the same manzanita, its bill stained as purple (blue) as its name. Wrentits rapidly gathered berries from one bursting bush; I was sorely tempted to join them in their pursuit, unlike in former years when I've observed them eating poison oak berries. 

Spotted towhees joined the feast, and fox sparrows, too. Even a yellow-rumped warbler was working the bushes, altho perhaps it was gleaning the insects that are also attracted to this sweet and delicious resource. A flock of seven bandtail pigeons winged strongly overhead; by the time I turned my glance towards them, they were disappearing over the tree-lined horizon. As always, I felt a priviledged and grateful witness to all of their lives.

A late Swainson's thrush greeted my eye as I headed up the last leg of the lower trail. 

Today, perhaps I'll go view the avian goings on at Lake Merritt, and see how the other half lives! 

Debbie Viess
Oakland