Reports to the Northern California BirdBox, transcribed for BirdWest by Adam Winer.
ALAMEDA COUNTY
27 December In Fremont, a White-faced Ibis and a Merlin were at Coyote Hills Regional Park. Matthew Dodder23 December In Oakland, the Black-and-white Warbler was still at Lake Merritt. In Albany, a Snow Goose and a Ross's Goose were near the racetrack. John Sterling
23 December In Albany, a Black Oystercatcher was on the big rock at the beach on the parking lot north of the racetrack. Ken Archibaud
22 December In Albany, the immature Snow Goose and a "cackling" Canada Goose were at the Albany Mudflats. Ken Archibaud
20 December The Oakland Christmas Bird Count recorded 178 species in rather difficult weather. In Oakland, a female Tufted Duck was at Lake Merritt. A Violet-green Swallow was at Arrowhead Marsh, Martin Luther King Jr Regional Shoreline. A Palm Warbler was found in Alameda. A Long-eared Owl was at Siesta Valley. An Allen's Hummingbird was in Redwood Regional Park. fide Clyde Morris
20 December In Berkeley, on the Oakland Christmas Bird Count, a first-winter Glaucous Gull was at the northeast corner of the Berkeley Marina. An adult Ross's Goose was over Aquatic Park. Graham Etherington
20 December In Oakland, on the Oakland Christmas Bird Count, a Tennessee Warbler and a Black-and-white Warbler were just south of the Rotary Nature Center at Lake Merritt. fide Graham Etherington
20 December In Albany, a Greater White-fronted Goose, a Snow Goose, and a male Eurasian Wigeon were at the Bay Trail just north of the racetrack. A Ross's Goose also was present in the morning, but had left by the afternoon. Ken Archibaud
19 December In Berkeley, a pair of Hooded Mergansers were at the Berkeley Lagoon [Aquatic Park?]. Ken Archibaud
16 & 17 December In Albany, a Ross's Goose, a Greater White-fronted Goose, and a small-type Canada Goose were with other Canada Geese on the Albany Mudflats, where the creek comes in at the foot of Buchanan St. Kathy Fellerman
13 December In Oakland, the female Tufted Duck was still at Lake Merritt. Calvin Lou
11 December In Oakland, the female Tufted Duck was still at Lake Merritt, near the Rotary Nature Center. The usual Barrow's Goldeneyes and Ring-necked Ducks also were present. Graham Etherington
4 December In Fremont, an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Glaucous Gull were at Coyote Creek Lagoon. The former is likely the same bird that has been seen in Alviso (Santa Clara County). From Hwy 880, take the Fremont Blvd exit in extreme southern Fremont. Go to its south end, park, and take the trail to the west along a creek until you reach the lagoon. Bob Richmond
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
27 December In Martinez, the Tropical Kingbird was in the hilltop eucalyptus trees to the north of the pool at Glacier & Center Sts in Hidden Lakes Park. Jim Lomax24 December In Point Richmond, a Black-and-white Warbler was seen briefly in a backyard at 85 Scenic Ave. Don Schmoldt
22 December In Martinez, the Tropical Kingbird was still at Hidden Lakes Park from 9:30 to 10 AM, but it flew off after that. This bird apparently is present only in the morning. John Sterling
20 December The Oakland Christmas Bird Count found 4 Black Oystercatchers and 2 Surfbirds at Point Isabel in Richmond. Thirty Tree Swallows were along San Pablo Ridge. An adult Bald Eagle was at Lafayette Reservoir. fide Clyde Morris
18 December In Martinez, the Tropical Kingbird was seen again at Hidden Lakes Park, in the eucalyptus grove directly behind the seating area. Denise White
11 December In Martinez, the Tropical Kingbird was refound at Hidden Lakes Park. Park near Center & Redwood Dr, and take the trail past the blue and yellow playground equipment to an amphitheater. The kingbird was flycatching from the eucalyptus grove behind the amphitheater. Mike Feighner
10 December In Oakley, at least two Swamp Sparrows were at the Iron House Sanitary District. Go north on Vintage Pkwy from Hwy 4, go over the overpass and trun right on Walnut Meadows Dr, then left on Jordan to the Big Break Regional Trail trailhead. Follow the trail past the ponds and about 0.5 mile to an area with a few tamarisk trees and an outhouse. Look in tules near the water and a trail bend to the left. Steve Glover
7 December In Martinez, a Tropical Kingbird was still at the west end of Hidden Lakes Park (this bird was first found on 2 December). Park in the lot just west of Center & Glacier, and follow the paved path to the left past the blue and orange playground. Look for a group seating area on the right - the bird was in a eucalyptus grove directly behind the seating area. Denise Wight
5 December In Richmond, 3 Barrow's Goldeneyes were off Point Isabel. Kirk Swenson