Reports to the Northern California BirdBox, transcribed for BirdWest by Adam Winer.
ALAMEDA COUNTY
28 May In Oakland, a Black Skimmer and a White-faced Ibis were in ponds in the new Mitigation Marsh near Arrowhead Marsh at Martin Luther King Jr Regional Shoreline. The birds were on the right as you drive into the shoreline toward the Arrowhead Marsh parking lot, less than 0.1 mile past the handicapped parking area. John Bucot(?)25 May In Fremont, a female Summer Tanager was in the gardens of the Shinn Park, off Peralta Blvd (Hwy 84) one-eighth mile west of its intersection with Mowry Blvd. The bird perches on and around a rose arbor in front of the Victorian mansion. Phil Gordon
24 May In Berkeley, a female Evening Grosbeak came several times to a feeder in front of 2061 Park Hills Rd. Bob Brandriff
24 May In Oakland, 7 White-faced Ibis were in freshwater ponds in the new mitigation marsh at Martin Luther King Jr Regional Shoreline. Courtenay Peddle
16 May In Oakland, a family of Clapper Rails were at Arrowhead Marsh in Martin Luther King Jr Regional Shoreline, to the left of the boardwalk about two-thirds of the way out. Tim Molter
13 may Along Mines Rd southeast of Livermore, a Brewer's Sparrow was between mileposts 4.7 and 4.8, just south of the bridge. Les Chibana
8 May In Hayward, a female Yellow-headed Blackbird was at the end of Arden Rd. From Hwy 92, take the Clawiter Rd exit and go south (in this direction, Clawiter becomes Eden Landing Rd). Turn left on Arden Rd - the bird was at the road's end. Mark Peterson
6 May East of Livermore along Patterson Pass Rd, Blue Grosbeaks were at mileposts 2.94, 4.96, and 6.91. Rich Cimino
4 May In Hayward, the Tropical Kingbird continued at the W Winton Ave entrance to Hayward Regional Shoreline. Calvin Lou
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
20 May Near Oakley, 8 Brant were along the Big Break Regional Trail. From Hwy 4 in Oakley, go north on Vintage Pkwy, right on Walnut Meadows, and left on Jordan Ln. From the trailhead at the end of Jordan, take the trail about 0.75 mile around the ponds to a picnic area. The trail bends left, giving views of the water where the Brant were. A Red-necked Phalarope, 5 Wilson's Phalaropes, and 62 White-faced Ibis also were here. A little farther east on Hwy 4, take Cypress Rd east to Bethel Island Rd. A Willow Flycatcher was at Piper Slough, at the north end of Bethel Island Rd. Steve Glover15 May South of Clayton in Mitchell Canyon in Mount Diablo State Park, a male Calliope Hummingbird and a male Rufous Hummingbird were above Black Point Trail. A Black-chinned Sparrow was singing on the hillside above. Willow Flycatcher and Hammond's Flycatchers and many Hermit Warblers were also in the area. Two Lawrence's Goldfinches were in oaks above the parking lot. Brian Fitch
13 May In Martinez, a male Great-tailed Grackle was at McNabney Marsh. A pair was reported here earlier by another birder. Heading north on Hwy 680, take Marina Vista exit, the last offramp before the Benicia Bridge toll plaza, and go about 0.25 mile east to Waterbird Way. Turn right and park in a small dirt lot at the intersection. The grackles have been seen in this area. Steve Glover