[EBB Sightings] Mobbing above Brushy Peak, Livermore

Today I took a short trip on the eastern most part of the Brush Peak Trail in Livermore looking for raptors. This is the trail that heads towards the wind turbines on top of the Altamont. Going up the trail I saw the resident Loggerhead Strike who always poses willingly. Also present were numerous Western Meadowlarks, House Finches, Northern Flicker, Crows, European Starlings, Black & Say Phoebe's, and several American Krestels. 

As I returned to the parking lot I saw another Krestel and as he headed south I followed. Soon thereafter a Accipter showed up for a brief cruise. Next thing I know two Krestels are chasing and actually hitting the Accipter. As soon as they tire out here comes a flock of blackbirds or starling (hard to tell that high up) in for more mobbing. Evenually the Accipter leaves and a Krestel takes over the open sky. A few minutes later two Red-tailed Hawks show up but no one bothers to mob them. 

After departing the park while driving down Laughlin Rd. I see another three Krestels before arriving near the corner of Laughlin and Northfront Rd when another Red-tailed comes out of nowhere to settle in on a telephone pole.

Ken Wilson
Pleasanton