Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Patterson Pass Rd , eastern Alameda County

Today while searching for Blue Grosbeaks on Patterson Pass road I spotted my first ever Patterson Pass Rd. Sharp-shinned Hawk at road marker 6.21.
I did not see or hear any Blue Grosbeak.
Typically the Blue Grosbeak arrives along Patterson Pass Rd. on or near April 16th.
Lark Sparrows, Logger Head Shrikes, Western Kingbirds, and a single Bullock,s Oriole.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Ed Levin Trip

This morning near 10AM in the Spring Valley unit of Ed Levin park in the
equestrian staging area.
Theresa McGovern and I had 4 Bullocks Orioles in the flowering red bud
eucalyptus tree feeding.
This tree was very poplar through the morning.
It appears to be a major food source for many Yellow-rumped Warblers,
Red-shafted Flickers up to 3 at a time.
Red-winged Blackbirds, Nuttall Woodpeckers, Acorn Wood peckers, Anna's and
a single Rufous Humming birds.
Near 11 AM a Sharp-shinned Hawk took over the tree for what seemed like a
minute, allowing for a good study period.
Barn, Tree, Northern Rough-winged Swallows were all present along with
Western Blue Birds + Song and White-crowned Sparrows.
Looking up slope southwest from the equestrian area past the Blue Bird nest
boxes a fly by Lazuli Bunting made an appearance.
Looking up we had six Red-tailed Hawks and a single Golden Eagle.
On the way out we stopped by the Flag Pole and parked.
Across from the parking area we watched and listened to a Pacific-slope
Flycatcher for maybe an half hour.
Near the wooden fence and iron gate road side there were two Bewick's Wrens
carrying nest materials and being very quiet.
Another two Bullocks Orioles appeared also.


Richard Cimino
Pleasanton, Alameda County

Callippe Golf Course trip Pleasanton April 1'09

This morning I lead a birding walk along the mitigated hills sided of The
City of Pleasanton Callippe Golf Course in Alameda County.
There are several pair of Western Kingbird along the two mile fence line
that were gorging themselves with Painted Ladies and i think California
Tortoiseshell Butterflies.
The golf course is named after the Callippe Fritillary Butterfly, which
lives on the mitigated lands.
Also seen, Golden Eagle, several Red Tailed Hawks, nine (!) White-breasted
Nuthatch's, six Bullocks Orioles ( two females already), one Yellow-billed
Magpie.

Koopmann Ranch Tour -Sunol Alameda County April4th '09

Tim Koopmann owner and fourth generation rancher in eastern Alameda County
open his ranch to Ohlone Audubon today.
The ranch is 900 acres of rolling hills - oak savanna habitat along HY680
between Sunol and Pleasanton.
Within the tucks and folds of the hills are mature oak and sycamore forests.
With no wind to speak of the birding conditions were good, even on the
ridge tops.
Ohlone member Irv Thiessen has placed 80+ Bluebird nest boxes on Tim's
ranch over several years .
Irv lead us to a number of the boxes were he has nesting Bluebirds, Tree
Swallows and American Kestrels.
Also we viewed a family of Golden Eagles and their nest which Tim Koopmann
told us has been active for eight years.
44 Species were recorded:
Western Bluebirds 24+
House Finches 20
Horned Larks 11
MeadowLarks 10
Mourning Doves 2
American Wigeon 2
Greater Yellowlegs 1
American Ravens 8
White-throated Swift 1
Tree Swallows 60
Barn Swallow 1
Violet-green Swallow 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallows 11
Gull spices in flight 25
Western Scrub Jay 7
Sterling 30
Anna's Humming bird 1
Allen's Humming bird 1
Acorn Woodpeckers 1
Nuttall Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Coot 1
Mallards 4
Killdeer 2
Redwing Birds 6
Black Phoebe 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Oak Titmouse 1
Harrier 1
American Kestrels 4
Red-tailed Hawks 6
Turkey Vultures 9
Bullocks Oriole 1
Western Kingbird 1
Savanna Sparrows 4
Golden-crown Sparrows 7
White-crown Sparrow 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Wrentit 1
Golden Eagles 3 (2 adults, 1 juvenile)
Yellow-billed Magpies 10