Reports to the Northern California BirdBox, transcribed for BirdWest by Adam
Winer.
Reports from Dec 4 through 20 were not transcribed because Winer was on vacation
and
"some truly awful events prevented the volunteer substitute from writing
up
transcripts in my absence."
ALAMEDA COUNTY
30 December In Alameda, a male Barrow's Goldeneye and an Oldsquaw were on the south side of the Doolittle Dr bridge to Bay Farm Island. Keith Slawson28 December In northeastern Alameda County, a Lark Bunting was still near Bethany Reservoir in the field where Bruns Rd becomes Christensen Rd. Tim Shaumerdime(?)
26 December In Livermore, a male Northern Cardinal was along the south side of Arroyo Mocho, between North L St & Holmes St. Dennis Rochet
25 December In San Lorenzo, the Tropical Kingbird was still along the railroad tracks next to the golf course. Steve Chance(?)
24 December In San Lorenzo, the Tropical Kingbird was seen a couple of hundred yards north of where it was first found by Denise Wight on 21 December. Hop the fence by the westernmost ball field at San Lorenzo Community Park, and walk south along the railroad tracks. It was mostly seen on the fence or nearby posts opposite the golf course. Alternatively, you can walk north from W Winton Ave along the railroad tracks. Snow Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose have been seen recently at the park. Kevin Hintsa
23 December In northeastern Alameda County, 2 basic-plumaged Lark Buntings were near Bethany Reservoir, in the field where Bruns Rd turns into Christensen Rd, 0.25 to 0.5 mile south of Kelso Rd. Art Edwards
21 December Highlights of the Oakland Christmas Bird Count include a Stilt Sandpiper at the Berkeley waterfront, a Northern Rough-winged Swallow at Upper San Leandro Reservoir, and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Mills College. Two Golden Eagles flew over Roundtop in Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. Burrowing Owls were seen at Bay Farm Island, Oakland Airport, and San Leandro Bay. Two Black Scoters were seen, one off Golden Gate Fields in Albany, the other in the Emeryville Crescent area. An Oldsquaw was in San Leandro Bay, and a Red-necked Grebe was along the Berkeley waterfront. Joelle Buffa
1 December East of Livermore, a Greater Roadrunner was 1 mile west of milepost 5.29 on Patterson Pass Rd, and 10 Mountain Bluebirds were at milepost 5.29. George Finger
1 December In Oakland, 2 Black Skimmers were roosting on the leftover dredging pipelines in the channel at Martin Luther King Jr Regional Shoreline, off Doolittle Dr. An "Aleutian" Canada Goose was in the grassy field on the left side of the road at Harbor Bay Dr & Doolittle Dr. Anna Wilcox
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
29 December In Concord, the "Western" Flycatcher was still at New Hall Park. From Hwy 680, take Ygnacio Valley Rd toward the Concord Pavilion. Turn left on Clayton Rd, then left again on Newhall Pkwy. Park at the end, and look in the line of willows on the left (in Newhall Community Park). A pair of Hooded Mergansers were at the first pond on the other side of the parking lot. A Greater White-fronted Goose was in the pond adjacent to that, and a Mew Gull also was in the area. Steve Glover27 December In Concord, a "Western" Flycatcher was in Newhall Community Park. Kevin Hintsa
24 December Near Martinez, 4 female Hooded Mergansers were in the greater Sindicich Lagoon in Briones Regional Park. Mark Mentke
21 December Near Orinda, 2 Bald Eagles were seen on the Oakland Christmas Bird Count over Briones and Lafayette Reservoirs. Joelle Buffa
21 December Near Clyde, a female Tufted Duck was at Mallard Reservoir. There may not be public access to this area (off Bates Ave), but half the reservoir can be seen through a chain-link fence. Steve Glover