Reports to the Northern California BirdBox, transcribed for BirdWest by Adam Winer, Bill Hill & Mike Azevedo.
ALAMEDA COUNTY
24 June Between Pleasanton and Livermore at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area, a fledgling Great-tailed Grackle emerged. Both male and female parents were seen near the nest, 25 to 30 yards north of the boat rental house. The juvenile was out of the nest at the top of some reeds. Art Edwards & George Bing18 June Between Pleasanton and Livermore, the pair of Great-tailed Grackles continue at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area, in the reeds near the boat dock. Mike Feighner
1 June In Hayward, the alternate-plumaged Arctic Tern and 3 Black Skimmers were on the southwest island in the pond by the Bay, west of the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center. At least 5 Least Terns were on the island to the north. Jean Richmond
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
19 June Near El Sobrante in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, along the San Pablo Ridge Trail, there were at least 3 colonies of Grasshopper Sparrow, with 4 or 5 singing males in each. There also were Lawrence's Goldfinch feeding young in the area. A word of caution: there are cattle at the north end of the trail and they can be dangerous. Ted Condocjian (sp?)15 June In Mount Diablo State Park, several singing Rufous-crowned Sparrows, Black-chinned Sparrows, and Sage Sparrows were in the chaparral along both sides of South Gate Rd one-half mile below the entry kiosk. Jean Richmond
3 June At Mount Diablo, 10 to 12 Black-chinned Sparrows were seen along the south entrance road, between the start of the chapparal and South Gate. There were also good numbers of Sage Sparrows and Rufous-crowned Sparrows. J D Phillips