Trip Reports

  • 2005 Trip Reports

    Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park

    December 28, 2005

    Leader(s): Travis Hails and Hilary Powers

    # of participants: 0

    # of species: 37

    It rained heavily and no participants showed up, but there were lots of birds so the two intrepid leaders looked around anyway, spotting at least two Phalaropes in the lake. They were probably Red Phalaropes, but were just too far out to be sure. Four Great Blue Herons were chasing each other. The heavy rain stopped by 9:30 and conditions improved. We finished in the sun.

    Cache Creek

    December 16, 2005

    Leader(s): Rusty Scalf

    # of participants: 11

    # of species: 40

    It was a great trip, if foggy at the start. We had a nice list of birds including Varied Thrush, Common Moorhen, Belted Kingfisher, Hutton’s Vireo, Bewick’s Wren, Tree Swallow (surprising!), and Lincoln’s Sparrow. The trip ended with a fascinating tour by a Southern Wintun woman of the garden featuring plants of economic value to Native Americans. They grow large stands of five kinds of native grasses as well as seeds gathered for food. There were plants for basket making such as a native sedge, and roots gathered for heavy-load baskets and also medicinal plants. The docent discussed harvest and utilization techniques, and described acorn gathering and preparation. She spoke of her grandmother, and the many details her grandmother left her for use of these plants.

    Aquatic Park

    December 11, 2005

    Leader(s): James Sword, Park Ranger (substituting for Carol) Kiser

    # of participants: 3

    # of species: 26

    We had a cold morning but were fortunate to ID a White-throated Sparrow as well as encounter the Common Loon that spends most winters here but usually eludes us on our bird walks. We also saw Pelagic Cormorant, Heermann’s Gull, Mew Gull, Hermit Thrush, and Yellow-rumped Warbler.

    Gray Lodge and Sacramento Wildlife Refuges

    December 10–11, 2005

    Leader(s): Steve and Rene Margolin

    # of participants: 11

    # of species: 85

    We had beautiful weather, especially compared with some years when we have been washed out on this trip. We saw massive numbers of wintering waterfowl as well as Sandhill Cranes and raptors including Bald Eagle. We had good scope looks at all the ducks and geese and also Wilson’s Snipe. Ring-necked Pheasant were abundant throughout the Sacramento refuge, despite hunting season.

    San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum

    December 4, 2005

    Leader(s): Allan Ridley and Ginny Marshall

    # of participants: 40

    # of species: 36

    The highlight of our trip was two Red-bellied Sapsuckers fighting and chasing one another in a Photinia berry tree.

    …

  • 2004 Trip Reports

    Arrowhead Marsh
    December 15, 2004
    Leader(s): Travis Hails (substituting for Courtenay Peddle)
    # of participants: 18
    # of species: 62

    Courtenay Peddle’s Arrowhead Marsh monthly trip ended with the location of the Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow in the same location as previously reported, the eastern corner of the triangular island immediately west of the boardwalk leading into Arrowhead Marsh. The bird allowed lengthly scope views for several people before it flew NW into the marsh as the high tide ended, and the marsh became dryer.

    Aquatic Park
    San Francisco
    December 5, 2004
    Leader(s): Carol Kiser
    # of participants: 2
    # of species: 18

    We saw a Red-breasted Sapsucker at the foot of Van Ness Avenue. Also Western Grebe, Brown Pelican, Heermann’s Gull, resident Parrots.

    Strybing Arboretum
    San Francisco
    December 5, 2004
    Leader(s): Allan Ridley and Helen McKenna
    # of participants: 25
    # of species: 43

    We had great views of golden-crowned Kinglets bathing in a small pool by the Japanese moon-viewing garden. Also excellent sighting of a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks. Hooded Merganser, California Quail, Mew Gull, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin.

    Grey Lodge, Sacramento Wildlife Refuge Butte
    Colusa and Glenn Counties
    December 4 and 5, 2004
    Leader(s): Rene and Steve Margolin
    # of participants: 15
    # of species: 79

    This trip is outstanding for wintering waterfowl, cranes and raptors. Saw Snow Goose, Ross’s Goose, Tundra Swan, Ring-necked Duck, White-faced Ibis, Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Sandhill Crane, Broad-winged Hawk, Common Moorhen, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler.

    Mountain View Bike and Bird Trip
    San Mateo County
    December 4, 2004
    Leader(s): Kathy Jarrett
    # of participants: 10
    # of species: 48

    There were 10 of us, including 2 children. It was a cool beautiful day and we had a sighting of a Golden Eagle and large number of Green-winged Teal at Mt. View Shoreline. The eagle posed for us for a long time. Then Lionel Schour broke his ankle at the lunch break at Shoreline Lake. Patti Roberts and Susan Hampton went on by themselves, Rosalind Meisel and Val Rumya returned with Kathy to Mt. View, and Blair stayed with Lionel while Kathy got his van. David Donnenfield and his two boys Zachary and Jonas had returned earlier. The boys are good spotters and bicyclists. Lionel was able to drive with his good right leg and Blair and Kathy finally passed through part of Palo Alto Baylands and got the train back from Calif.…