Reports to the Northern California BirdBox, transcribed for BirdWest by Adam Winer.
ALAMEDA COUNTY
25 February Southeast of Livermore, 2 Bald Eagles were at Lake Del Valle in Del Valle Regional Park, about 0.25 mile along the East Shore Trail. Several Phainopeplas also were in this area. Near the intersection of Del Valle Rd & Mines Rd were 20 Wild Turkeys. Bob Brandriff13 February In Oakland, the Cattle Egret was still at the Rotary Nature Center at Lake Merritt, and 20 Barrow's Goldeneyes were at the opening of the channel to the Oakland Estuary at 12th St. Tom Condit
11 February In Oakland, 2 Blue-winged Teal were at Arrowhead Marsh [Martin Luther King Jr Regional Shoreline]. Rosemary Pool
4 February North of Livermore, several Ferruginous Hawks and a Prairie Falcon were seen. Take the N Livermore Ave exit from Hwy 580 and go north 1 mile to a green house with mailbox #2747 - the falcon has been seen here. The Ferruginous Hawks were seen on the west side of N Livermore Ave, 1 mile north of May School Rd. Alan Mode
2 February East of Livermore, 7 Mountain Bluebirds were off of S Flynn Rd, near where it joins N Flynn Rd, between Hwy 580 and Patterson Pass Rd. Al DiMartini
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
25 February Near Orinda, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was in EBMUD watershed land near the east end of Briones Reservoir. From the Bear Creek Staging Area, take the Bear Creek Trail south into the EBMUD land (an EBMUD trail-use permit is required), cross Bear Creek, and climb up a hill with railroad ties for steps. At the first major switchback, look ahead into the crowns of the oaks and manzanitas for the woodpecker. The EBMUD permit can be obtained for a small fee at EBMUD offices and many staffed EBRPD facilities. Tom Condit20 February In Richmond, a male Harlequin Duck was at Brickyard Cove. From Hwy 580 in Point Richmond, take Garrard Blvd south. It becomes Dornan Dr and continues south through the tunnel and past Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline, then turns left and becomes Brickyard Cove Rd. Search for the duck in the marina waters here. Charles Runyon
14 February In eastern Contra Costa County, at least 40,000 Snow Goose and Ross' Goose flew over Piper Slough at the end of Bethel Island Rd this morning. A Red-throated Loon also was here. At Holland Tract were 3 Sandhill Cranes. At Jersey Island were 19 Cattle Egrets. At Clifton Court Forebay near Byron were 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and 2 Red-necked Grebes. Steve Glover
12 February In the Berkeley Hills, 7 Common Mergansers and an American Bittern were at Jewel Lake in the Tilden Regional Park Nature Area. Ted Koundakjian
10 February In Mount Diablo State Park, 2 Common Poorwills were seen along the shoulder of Summit Rd near Blue Oak Picnic Area, and just above the Pines Picnic Area. The park closes at sunset, so it will be difficult to see these birds unless you are camping in the park. Kevin Hintsa
10 February In Richmond, the male Harlequin Duck was still visible from the parking lot by the harbormaster's office at the Richmond Marina. John Luther
9 February In Richmond, the male Harlequin Duck was still at the Richmond Marina. George Finger
9 February In Richmond, 2 male Black Scoters and a female Barrow's Goldeneye were at the Richmond Marina. A male Eurasian Wigeon was at the end of Marina Bay Pkwy. Steve Glover
5 February In the Berkeley Hills, a female Common Merganser was at Jewel Lake in Tilden Regional Park Nature Area. John Pool
4 February In Richmond, 2 Black Oystercatchers were at the west end of East Brother Island off Point San Pablo. These birds are difficult to see without a boat. Ken Burton
1 February In Mount Diablo State Park, 2 Common Poorwills were seen in the road near Gibralter Rock, which is near Rock City. The park closes to the public at sunset, so these birds will be difficult to see unless you are camping in the park. Kevin Hintsa