Natural History Wanderings

Birding at Cesar Chavez Park

Burrowing Owl by Sandy Steinman

After reading about Burrowing Owls last week in John Wall’s Natural California, I felt motivated to get to Cesar Chavez Park and see the owls myself.  After all it is only a couple of miles from home.  At least one owl was up and waiting when I got there and gave everyone good looks.  I heard there were others but they didn’t make an appearance.  I also  saw a number of water birds including Scaup (probably Lesser), American Wigeon, Ruddy Duck, Willet, Common Goldeneye, American Coot, Horned Grebe, Eared Grebe, Canada Goose, Mallard, Bufflehead, and Western Gull (possibly other gulls but didn’t get good enough looks with my limited birding skills).

On the way out south of University Av.between the Marina and the Freeway were also  Great Blue Heron, Long-billed Curlew, Whimbrel, and Dowitcher sp.  Along Marina Blvd were American Crows, Rock Pigeons and Brewers Blackbirds.

I also saw an Oak Titmouse outside my house for the first time.  No doubt the result of my developing skills from the “Bay Area Birding” class.

Related articles

• Burrowing Owls and Birding Eastshore State Park (naturalhistorywanderings.com)