Natural History Wanderings

I was in the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley today. I split my time between photographing flowers and birding. Even though it is now winter there are a few flowers in bloom.  The very early season Manzanitas have started to bloom. I also found Prickly Phlox, a white violet, San Diego Barberry, and a couple of California Poppies. I was able to identify 14 bird species, some only by sound.

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Birds seen and/or heard today:

• Anna’s Hummingbird  4
• Nuttall’s Woodpecker  1     heard only
• Black Phoebe  1
• Steller’s Jay  1     heard only
• Western Scrub-Jay  2
• Chestnut-backed Chickadee  3
• Red-breasted Nuthatch  1     heard only
• Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
• Spotted Towhee  6
• California Towhee  1
• Fox Sparrow  1
• Golden-crowned Sparrow  8
• Dark-eyed Junco  3
• Lesser Goldfinch  2