Natural History Wanderings

Yesterday I went birding in the Eastshore State Park in Berkeley, CA. We walked three miles from Gilman St. to University Av. along shore and through Berkeley Meadow, west along University north around Berkeley Meadow, Virginia Annex and back to Gilman St. The habitat is bay, coastal scrub and restored meadow. Berkeley Meadow is still dry and the seasonal ponds were non-existent.

Due to the incoming high tide coming in there were few shore birds but we did have three sightings of Spotted Sandpiper. Most abundant today were American Coots, Scaup (only identified Greater), Ruddy Ducks, Red-winged Blackbirds, Brewer’s Blackbirds, and House Finch. Best bird of the day was a Eurasian Wigeon in the cove behind the Sea Breeze Market and Deli at University Av. 33 bird species were identified.

Plants in bloom were Gumplant, Anise, California Poppy, Lizard Tail , California Fuchsia, Coyote Bush and Blackberry. Butterflies seen were several Monarchs and one American Lady. We also one quick sighting of a rabbit.

 

Click read more to see bird list

Bird List for Eastshore State Park Berkeley 11/14/15

Canada Goose  1

Eurasian Wigeon  1

American Wigeon  10

Mallard  2

Greater Scaup  X

Surf Scoter  10

Bufflehead  X

Ruddy Duck  X

Eared Grebe  6

Western Grebe  1

Clark’s Grebe  3

Double-crested Cormorant  3

Pelagic Cormorant  1

Brown Pelican  8

Snowy Egret  1

Turkey Vulture  2

American Coot  X

Spotted Sandpiper  3

Least Sandpiper  8

Ring-billed Gull  X

Western Gull  X

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  X

Anna’s Hummingbird  2

Black Phoebe  2

American Crow  X

Common Raven  2

European Starling  X

Yellow-rumped Warbler  X

White-crowned Sparrow  X

Savannah Sparrow  3

Red-winged Blackbird  X

Brewer’s Blackbird  X

House Finch  X