Natural History Wanderings

Canada Geese

Today I went birding in Eastshore State Park in Berkeley, CA between Gilman St. and University Av. with my friend Eric Schroeder. We saw 40 different species today with the 40th being the relatively common California Towhee, which we saw in the parking lot just before we left. The least common birds we saw were a Cackling Goose that was with a group of about 20 Canada Geese on the soccer field and a number of Ruddy Turnstones that were hanging out with a larger group of Black Turnstones. The most abundant birds were Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Bufflehead, Western Gull, Least Sandpiper, Rock Pigeon, House Finch, White-crowned Sparrow, and Red-winged Blackbird. I think this was the first time I have been to Eastshore State Park and didn’t see a Mallard.

Spotted Sandpiper

Eric’s has been doing a big year as a fundraiser for Golden Gate Audubon.  A big year is  where you attempt to see as many species as you can in a year. He currently is at 950 birds for the year and hopes to get to over 1000. If you’d like to learn more check out his web page.

Click Read for today’s bird list

Eastshore State Park (between Gilman st. and University AV.), Alameda, California, US
Nov 18, 2019 9:16 AM – 11:58 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.399 mile(s)
39 species (+1 other taxa)

Cackling Goose  1
Canada Goose  26
American Wigeon  40
Green-winged Teal  2
Greater Scaup  7
Bufflehead  30
Common Goldeneye  2
Eared Grebe  1
Western/Clark’s Grebe  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  40
Anna’s Hummingbird  1
American Coot  4
Whimbrel  8
Long-billed Curlew  1
Marbled Godwit  1
Ruddy Turnstone  6     These birds were mixed in with a group of Black Turnstones. Very similar birds but with bright yellow legs.
Black Turnstone  8
Least Sandpiper  25
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Willet  4
Ring-billed Gull  2
Western Gull  40
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Brown Pelican  4
Snowy Egret  3
White-tailed Kite  1
Northern Flicker  1
Black Phoebe  1
American Crow  4
European Starling  2
House Finch  25
White-crowned Sparrow  30
Golden-crowned Sparrow  10
Savannah Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  1
California Towhee  2
Western Meadowlark  3
Red-winged Blackbird  50
Brewer’s Blackbird  20
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s)  1