Contra Costa

Since I needed to spend the weekend in Concord, instead of driving all the way up into Napa County I decided to try and duplicate a mini Big Day run I did back in May of 1999. Didn't really work (as I had forgotten how to get to some of the places, and spent way too much time at others), but had a nice list, adding a few trip birds and several county birds, and it was just fun revisiting old areas. All I can say is thank God for the Internet, as I had long forgotten what places I included then, so was able to find that trip report in the Birdchat archives, then since some of the places weren't on the map and I had no idea how to get to them, Steve Glover's writeup on Joe Morlan's site came in very handy!

First stop was Contra Loma Reservoir (where I got lost), and the place was really jumping: on the entrance road had lots of Meadowlarks, a few shrikes, and a White-tailed Kite playing Tree Tag! On the water had a knockout foursome of Common Mergansers, who made strange noises in a little cove! Also added Common Goldeneye here, as well as Moorhen and Sora, and several other common water-related birds, including some complaining Forster's Terns. Say's Phoebe was new for the county, and the place was Robin City with the thrushes flying all over!

Contra Loma Reservoir

Two similar rallids: Coot and Moorhen (can you tell them apart?) White-tailed Kite

Common Mergansers (female at left) Golden-crowned Sparrow

Next stop was the trail at the Ironwood Sewage Treatment Plant, where at least three species of gulls batted around the rushing water like butterflies: most were Bonies, but there were a few Mews and at least one immature Ring-billed Gull in the mix. There was a good variety of water birds in the first pond: several Canada Geese, a few more goldeneye, a scaup which I wasn't able to key to species (although I think someone told me once that the default here is usually Greater), several stilts, a single Greater Yellowlegs, and a bunch of Long-billed Dowitchers that flew in. There were lots of sparrows to study (including several Lincoln's), but alas no Swamp, although the habitat looked great! (The Goldies had me going several times...) I really didn't expect to hear any Black Rails (although I was told they'll often "churr" in the winter), but picked up at least two pairs of Virginia Rails and another Sora calling. Harriers were all over.

Ironwood Marshes

Spotted Towhees Golden-crowned Sparrow (immature)

Next stop was Mitchell Canyon, which was a lovely walk through the oak woodland. Picked up the expected oak stuff in there, but the highlight was a pair of Golden Eagles soaring against the carved-out mountainside! A Myrtle Warbler gave its harsher "check" while a Hutton's Vireo sang in the background. In the parking area I thought I might have had some chickadees, but all I could spot were Bushtits...

Scenes from Mitchell Canyon (Mount Diablo State Park)

At that point I probably should have headed for Tilden Woods and/or the bay, but I couldn't resist birding that road up to the summit (especially since it was such a bright, sunny day--at least it started out that way), and indeed had some superb views, but only picked up a handful of birds for the day (but all quality ones: California Quail, Wrentit, Steller's Jay, and Fox Sparrow). Got some more exercise by hiking the Fire Interpretive Trail; thought I had a hawk on top of one of the huge rocks there but it turned out to be some guy's head... But I did catch a Redtail on the way down having way too much fun, swooping up and down like a roller-coaster!