Arrowhead Marsh, December 6, 2008

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

It was a beautiful day for birding, It was sunny, the
temperature was 50 degrees at 8:30 and warmed up nicely.
There were lots of birds on the water and in the marshes,
though we've seen more in the past. There were also lots of
species present but some of the common species like
sparrows, jays, crows, and hawks were noticeably absent.

Several Pelicans were in breeding plumage and gifted us with
spectacular dives just off shore. We saw a surprising number
of Horned Grebes swimming and diving with the other shore
birds.

A clapper rail was quite cooperative and posed nicely for us
for quite a while. An immature Red-tailed Hawk declared the
area his own and sat vigil for a long time, at one point driving
away a Northern Flicker that had dared to perch in the
top of a tree.

A local birder befriended us and walked with us most of the
morning. Just as we turned back towards the car, he spotted a
Burrowing Owl and called us back. It was at a distance, but
clear enough to be one of the day's highlights.


Total Species: 47

Bufflehead
American Coot
Double-crested Cormorant
Dowitcher sp.
Ruddy Duck
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Northern Flicker
Marbled Godwit
Common Goldeneye
Canada Goose
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Western Grebe
Clark's Grebe
Glaucous-winged Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Western Gull
Red-tailed Hawk
Anna's Hummingbird
Killdeer
Mallard
Burrowing Owl
Brown Pelican
Black Phoebe
Northern Pintail
Black-bellied Plover
Clapper Rail
Common Raven
Spotted Sandpiper
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Surf Scoter
Northern Shoveler
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Black-necked Stilt
Green-winged Teal
Turkey Vulture
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Wigeon
Willet
Marsh Wren
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Common Yellowthroat
__________________

Clapper Rail


Northern Pintail
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Lafayette Reservoir, November 1, 2008

This month's bird walk was cancelled due to rain. It was the first one to be cancelled in roughly the last ten years.

So we stayed home and wondered what we may have missed....


Great Egret


Great Blue Heron

McNabney Marsh, October 4, 2008

October 4, 2008
Wild Birds Unlimited Bird Walk
McNabney Marsh and Mt. View Sanitation Ponds
Leader: Chuck Groff

The sun came out early, but a few clouds and tiny
sprinkles joined us a few short times during the morning.
In all, the weather was good for birding. The only problem
was that there were not many birds around compared to
previous years. We saw no Red-tailed Hawks and no
Crows, and the usual juvenile Night-Herons were nowhere
to be seen either.

On the other hand, we did get a beautiful view of an adult
Red-shouldered Hawk, perched near the ground at a good
viewing distance, and American White Pelicans gave an
amazing aerial performance as they came in low, entered
an updraft, and spiraled upward into tiny specks with nary
a wing flap.

Total Species: 34

American Avocet
Red-winged Blackbird
American Coot
Double-crested Cormorant
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Dowitcher (sp.)
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
House Finch
Gadwall
Canada Goose
Great-tailed Grackle
Pied-billed Grebe
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Red-shouldered Hawk
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Anna's Hummingbird
American Kestrel
Killdeer
Belted Kingfisher
Mallard
Northern Mockingbird
American White Pelican
Black Phoebe
Common Raven
Northern Shoveler
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Black-necked Stilt
California Towhee
Turkey Vulture
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Great Blue Heron

Pine Canyon, June 7, 2008

June 7, 2008
Wild Birds Unlimited Bird Walk
Pine Canyon, Mt. Diablo
Leader: Chuck Groff

It was a beautiful day though not as many birds were around as we've seen before. There were 16 of us and we didn't keep a list this time but we saw about 35 species in total.

The noteworthy birds were Bullock's Oriole, Purple Finch, Lark Sparrow, Western Kingbird, Western Bluebird, Turkey Vulture, and, of course, the Peregrine Falcon.

There were a few "serious" falcon watchers in the meadow who told us where the nest had been and that there were two young falcons this year, and that they had just fledged on the previous Monday and Tuesday. We did not see they young ones but we heard them begging. We got some good looks at one of the adults.

While driving back to the store we saw about 12 White Pelicans soaring over Walnut Creek.
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Peregrine Falcons at Castle Rocks, 2005:

Mitchell Canyon, May 3, 2008

May 3, 2008
Wild Birds Unlimited Bird Walk
Mitchell Canyon, Mt. Diablo
Leader: Chuck Groff

The day started cool, about 59 degrees and calm. It took a while before the temperature rose a bit and started a few thermals that brought in some raptors. Eventually it warmed up to the low 70's, making it a very comfortable day with good visibility.

The highlights included seeing both Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, and the Ash-throated and Olive-sided Flycatchers that posed together and separately for as long as we cared to watch.

Total species:31

Western Bluebird
Bushtit
Mourning Dove
House Finch
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Lesser Goldfinch
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-tailed Hawk
Anna's Hummingbird
Dark-eyed Junco
White-breasted Nuthatch
California Quail
Common Raven
Western Scrub-Jay
Violet-green Swallow
Western Tanager
Oak Titmouse
Spotted Towhee
California Towhee
Wild Turkey
Cassin's Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Turkey Vulture
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Acorn Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Wrentit
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Wild Turkey Female


Ash-throated Flycatcher

Briones Regional Park, April 5, 2008

April 5, 2008
Wild Birds Unlimited Bird Walk
Briones Regional Park
Leader: Chuck Groff

It was 43 degrees and sunny when we arrived but it warmed
up to 59 by noon. It was good birding weather. We saw a
variety of birds, but our usual Acorn Woodpeckers were
missing. It looks like they may have abandoned their old
acorn tree.

The highlight of the walk was a Western Screech-owl sitting
in a tree-trunk hole with his head in plain view. He didn't
bother to even open his eyes, though I'm sure he heard us
talking and taking his picture. A couple we met on the trail
told us he's been living there for a couple of years and
they come by regularly to see him.

Later on we got good views of a Hermit Thrush murmuring
to itself in a trailside tree, and when we finally saw a few
Titmice, they were actively displaying to one another and
loudly singing a surprising variety of sounds.

Total species: 37

Red-winged Blackbird
Western Bluebird
Bushtit
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Crow
Mourning Dove
House Finch
Northern Flicker
Lesser Goldfinch
Northern Harrier
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Blue Heron
Anna's Hummingbird
Steller's Jay
Dark-eyed Junco
Black Phoebe
California Quail
Common Raven
American Robin
Western Screech-Owl
Western Scrub-Jay
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
European Starling
Violet-green Swallow
Hermit Thrush
Oak Titmouse
Spotted Towhee
California Towhee
Wild Turkey
Turkey Vulture
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Wrentit
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Western Bluebird and Prey



Western Screech-owl in Tree

Big Break Trail, March 1, 2008

March 1, 2008
Wild Birds Unlimited Bird Walk
Big Break Trail, Oakley, CA
Leader: Chuck Groff

The day started overcast about 52 degrees with a cold wind
greeting us as we arrived. The sun came out later and
temperatures climbed to 63. The area has many habitats:
marsh, river, pond, and plowed fields. The treatment ponds
were full of gulls, almost all Bonapart's and a few
Ring-billed. At first we only saw the females of some birds
such as the Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and Ruddy
Duck. But the males showed up and were appropriately
complimented on their attire. We never did see the male
Red-winged Blackbirds, adding a little mystery to the
identification process.

Total species: 41

American Bittern
Red-winged Blackbird
Bufflehead
American Coot
American Crow
Rock Dove
Ruddy Duck
Great Egret
Northern Flicker
Common Goldeneye
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Horned Grebe
Bonaparte's Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Northern Harrier
Red-shouldered Hawk
Great Blue Heron
Anna's Hummingbird
Dark-eyed Junco
White-tailed Kite
Mallard
Northern Mockingbird
Common Moorhen
Black-crowned Night-Heron
American White Pelican
Black Phoebe
American Pipit
Common Raven
Lesser Scaup
Western Scrub-Jay
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
House Sparrow
Black-necked Stilt
Tree Swallow
Spotted Towhee
Turkey Vulture
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Marsh Wren
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Common Goldeneye

Grizzly Island, February 2, 2008

February 2, 2008
Wild Birds Unlimited Bird Walk
Grizzly Island, SF Bay Delta
Leader: Chuck Groff

The morning weather was dreary and drizzly, so we only
had 8 folks total in 5 cars. The rain held off for our walk
and it only rained hard on our way back. Unfortunately, we
couldn't go beyond the visitor center because hunting
season was extended and still open for 2 more days. But
we got a few short walks near the visitor center in and still
came up with an impressive species list.

Total Species: 48

American Avocet
American Bittern
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Bufflehead
Canvasback
American Coot
Double-crested Cormorant
Mourning Dove
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
House Finch
Northern Flicker
Common Goldeneye
Canada Goose
Pied-billed Grebe
Eared Grebe
Ring-billed Gull
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Blue Heron
Dark-eyed Junco
American Kestrel
Killdeer
White-tailed Kite
Mallard
Western Meadowlark
Northern Mockingbird
Black Phoebe
Say's Phoebe
Northern Pintail
Common Raven
American Robin
Least Sandpiper
Lesser Scaup
Western Scrub-Jay
Northern Shoveler
Loggerhead Shrike
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
European Starling
Forster's Tern
Spotted Towhee
California Towhee
Turkey Vulture
American Wigeon
Marsh Wren
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Bufflehead

Thornton Delta Area, January 12, 2008

January 12, 2008
Wild Birds Unlimited Bird Walk
Thornton Delta Area, CA Central Valley
Leader: Chick Chickering

The weather was cool but comfortable at 50 degrees when
we arrived at our first stop. Shortly after leaving the cars
and walking to the observation area, we were greeted with
Sandhill Crane calls as they flew overhead.

There were lots of birds and the cranes were out in good
numbers, though not as in past years. It had been foggy the
night before and the sun was hiding behind clouds a lot, so
the raptors were mostly just sitting and drying off. We
didn't see vultures at all, and even though Red-tailed Hawks
were very numerous, they seemed to fly only short
distances between perches. We saw only one Northern
Harrier later in the trip, and he was way in the distance.

Tundra Swans were numerous and as visible as the cranes.
One highlight of the trip was coming across a recently
plowed field covered with Tundra Swans, Sandhill Cranes,
and Greater White-fronted Geese. The geese were nearly
invisible among the others as they blended in so closely,
but nearly every square foot of the field had one kind of
bird or another on it.

Trip List (40 species):

Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
American Coot
Double-crested Cormorant
Sandhill Crane
American Crow
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Pied-billed Grebe
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Blue Heron
American Kestrel
Killdeer
Belted Kingfisher
White-tailed Kite
Mallard
Western Meadowlark
Merlin
Northern Mockingbird
Black Phoebe
Northern Pintail
Common Raven
Western Scrub-Jay
Northern Shoveler
Loggerhead Shrike
Savannah Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
House Sparrow
European Starling
Black-necked Stilt
Tundra Swan
Green-winged Teal
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Wigeon
Lesser Yellowlegs

The overcast made it difficult to take photos, but Judy
caught the mood with a couple below. I counted only nine
Tundra Swans but at least 30 Greater White-fronted Geese
blending into the background of the first picture. The
Red-tailed Hawk in the second picture is drying his wings
as he perches.