Natural History Wanderings

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go birding with three excellent birders (Graham Chisolm, Aaron Maizlish, and Chris Gardner) in eastern Alameda County. We birded Patterson Pass Road and Mines Road.  We mainly drove and got out at many locations along the way. It was a sunny and warm day in the 80’s and even 90’s. The habitat was mostly grasslands and oak woodland with some riparian sections and assorted other trees.The highlights included good views of Bullock’s Oriole, Great Horned Owl, Golden Eagle, Rufous-crowned Sparrow and mating Lark Sparrows. Wildflowers in bloom included Lupines, California Poppies, Indian Paintbrush and two species of Calochortus.

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Mines Rd.–MP 12.67 (ALA Co.), Alameda, US-CA
Apr 27, 2015 1:15 PM – 1:45 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments:     Parked and walked around MM 13.0, included sightings from two quick stops between 8-13 as well
14 species (+1 other taxa)

Turkey Vulture  4
Red-tailed Hawk  1
hummingbird sp.  1
Acorn Woodpecker  2
Common Raven  3
Tree Swallow  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Canyon Wren  1     1-maybe 2 birds singing in canyon below the road, only heard
House Wren  1
Bewick’s Wren  1
Western Bluebird  1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow  2     Well seen pair at 13.0 MM
Black-headed Grosbeak  1
House Finch  6
Lesser Goldfinch  2

Mines Rd.–MP 4.5 (ALA Co.), Alameda, US-CA
Apr 27, 2015 11:50 AM – 12:35 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments:     Sightings from a walk along Mines Road at 4.5 marker
27 species (+1 other taxa)

California Quail  6
Turkey Vulture  4
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1     2.0 M
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Eurasian Collared-Dove  6
Mourning Dove  4
Great Horned Owl  1     4.0 MM
Anna’s Hummingbird  1
hummingbird sp.  1
Acorn Woodpecker  3
Western Kingbird  3
Western Scrub-Jay (Coastal)  2
Yellow-billed Magpie  4     Various locations along Mines from about 2-4 MM
Common Raven  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Tree Swallow  2
Oak Titmouse  1
House Wren  1
Western Bluebird  2
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  50
Phainopepla  3
California Towhee  2
Black-headed Grosbeak  1
Lazuli Bunting  1
Bullock’s Oriole  2
House Finch  8
House Sparrow  3

Along Greenville Road, Livermore, Alameda, US-CA
Apr 27, 2015 11:45 AM
Protocol: Incidental
Comments:     Spotted while driving by
1 species

White-tailed Kite  1

Patterson Pass Rd., Alameda, US-CA
Apr 27, 2015 9:55 AM – 11:40 AM
Protocol: Traveling
15.0 mile(s)
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
29 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose  2
Turkey Vulture  8
Golden Eagle  3     Two subadults together and an adult
Northern Harrier  2
Red-tailed Hawk  3
Eurasian Collared-Dove  2
Mourning Dove  8
hummingbird sp.  1     Most likely a Calliope based on sized, but it was difficult to get on the bird (a female)
Nuttall’s Woodpecker  1
American Kestrel  1
Western Kingbird  3
Loggerhead Shrike  3
Western Scrub-Jay (Coastal)  3
Common Raven  4
swallow sp.  4
Bewick’s Wren  1
Western Bluebird  2
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  60
Common Yellowthroat  1
California Towhee  3
Lark Sparrow  5
Lazuli Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  25
Western Meadowlark  18
Brewer’s Blackbird  25
Great-tailed Grackle  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  3
Bullock’s Oriole  1
House Finch  8
Lesser Goldfinch  2