Arrowhead Marsh, December 1, 2007

December 1, 2007
Wild Birds Unlimited Bird Walk
Arrowhead Marsh, Oakland
Leader: Chuck Groff

The marsh was well-populated with birds and numerous
species were present. For example, we saw all five local
species of grebes. The day started cold, 45 degrees, but
clear and calm. Even though it warmed up later, a breeze
started up and made it a bit chilly. But by then we had seen
a lot of birds.

One of the highlights was a Raven mobbing a Red-tailed
Hawk high overhead. We were surprised to see how similar
in size the birds were. I've since checked Sibley's guide and
it shows the Raven is actually bigger than the Red-tailed
Hawk.

We heard Clapper Rails all over the marsh but couldn't get
a good glimpse of them. Same for the Marsh Wrens, they
were definitely there but stayed out of sight.

While we were on the board walk we got a good long look
at a Peregrine Falcon, soaring overhead and scouting the
area.

The two pictures below the trip list were taken near the
bridge by Judy during the trip.

Trip list (47 species):

Bufflehead
Canvasback
American Coot
Double-crested Cormorant
American Crow
Long-billed Dowitcher
Ruddy Duck
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Peregrine Falcon
Northern Flicker
Marbled Godwit
Common Goldeneye
Canada Goose
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Eared Grebe
Western Grebe
Clark's Grebe
Ring-billed Gull
Western Gull
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Blue Heron
Mallard
Western Meadowlark
Brown Pelican
Black Phoebe
Northern Pintail
Clapper Rail
Common Raven
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Surf Scoter
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Black-necked Stilt
Forster's Tern
Black Turnstone
Turkey Vulture
American Wigeon
Willet
Downy Woodpecker
Marsh Wren
Greater Yellowlegs
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Ring-billed Gull


Surf Scoter