[EBB Sightings] Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Winton Ave; Arrowhead Marsh drama

Hi EBB;

As Kris Olson reported, the SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER was found again this morning from about 11:30-12 PM.  It was reported seen by a birder coming from Frank's Dump just as Bob Dunn, Kathy Parker, Judith Dunham, Ron, and others were walking out.  When she saw it, it was roosting with some BB Plovers on the north side of Frank's Dump.

We scoped Frank's Dump but didn't find the bird. Ron suggested Ora Loma as a good place to look.  I rode my bike down along Ora Loma Marsh and flushed a single bird that was along the levee on the marsh side of the road.  It was easily spooked and solitary; had a strong black wingstripe when flying; it kept circling over the bay and settling in the pickleweed and grass on the east side of the road, invisible to see.  It finally settled on the riprap on the bay side, near Frank's Dump, and stayed there for about 10-15 minutes. We were all able to get good views of the strong white supercilium, the distinct rufous cap and white eye-ring.

The GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET continues in the fennel behind the eucs, with a mixed flock of ORANGE-CROWNED and YELLOW WARBLERS, and a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET.

After Winton, Judith and I went to Arrowhead Marsh to look for Steve Huckabone's Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, hoping that our sharp-tailed day luck would hold.  That bird wasn't around today, but we witnessed a juvenile RT Hawk take a Clapper Rail about 20 yards northwest of the boardwalk.  The whole marsh became filled with Clapper Rail and shorebird distress calls.   As the hawk sat in the marsh over the rail, it was mobbed by 7 Amer Crows, also making quite a racket.  A very dramatic way to end our birding day.

Pat Bacchetti
Oakland