Monday, September 24, 2012

Leisurely Birding in the Meadows & Riparian Corridors of Brionesland

California Poppies in bloom along Briones Reservoir

With a car on hand, and a couple of hours to spare, we decide to head to a place I call Brionesland, about thirty minutes away down winding Wildcat Canyon Road in the Berkeley Hills, and then five more winding miles up Bear Creek Road.

Lesser Goldfinch

In Brionesland, you can always be assured of seeing deer, coyote, the occasional bobcat, and once, the only mountain lion I have ever seen in the wild.  Also, birds of all kind abound in the thistly meadows and riparian corridors, with their lush understory and sheltering canopy of many varieties of trees. Raptors and Vultures ply the cerulean skies.

Raccoon standing tall defending territory

Bear Creek Loop is an easy trail that takes us through shaded forest of curvaceous bay, stout madrone and green acorn bearing oak trees. Occasional openings afford excellent bird habitat to witness the comings and goings, hoots and calls, of Sparrows, Warblers, Vireos, Chickadees, Hawks and Turkeys.

Bear Creek in reflective brilliance

Lots of poison oak in through here, too, fading to crimson and adding an autumnal quality to things. Bear Creek itself, the major artery which contributes to the impoundment of Briones Reservoir, is not even a trickle at this rainless time of year, yet a patch here and there of water remains – a life-sustaining gift, these important drinking holes for thirsty residents and passers-by.

Yellow-rumped Warbler ground feeding

After a leisurely mile of hiking, with some pushing uphill, we come to the tinderbox dry meadows of Homestead Valley. This area, where Seaborg Trail splits off from Crescent Ridge Trail, is open range. Tons of yellow star thistle grows in these parts – the bane of park ecologists – but the pernicious non-native weed also provides a highly nutritious food source to sustain large populations of several different species of birds.

Brionesland provides provender aplenty for all wild creatures

During a half-hour observation period, I reel in dozens of Western Bluebirds flitting about and feeding, as well as Song Sparrows and Lincoln's Sparrows (the latter probably mis-identified), Purple Finches (probably mis-identified), immature female Yellow Warblers.

Dry and hot Brionesland

Then, a crème de la crème sighting of a resplendent breeding female Yellow Warbler taking up perch on a dead thistle two inches away from a breathtaking specimen of a Western Bluebird spotting up on the same weed.

Western Bluebirds perched atop tree branches

The contrast of a bright yellow, 4-inch Warbler matched against the indigo-orange vestment of the 7-inch sleeker Bluebird is remarkable for its brilliance of color on display as well as unlikely juxtaposition of two disparate birds. Too bad I'm not equipped for some professional up close photography.

Brionesland open range wildlife habitat (and cows - ugh!)

Oh, well, this one's a keeper
in my forever imagination.

A Goose on the loose

Up a steep hill we climb, surprised at the sun's heat, now fully exposed on the slope at a hot 4 pm, with a patch of shade every so often from a lone tree, until we finally make the crest, where we sit down under a copse of oak trees and take in the view.

Tranquil spot of wildflowers and woodland

Brionesland hills are, par excellence, stunning in their voluptuous unendingness. Brionesland is truly an amazing wild natural area, considering that on all sides the park is surrounded by industry, residential sprawl, and highways. It's large and deep enough to make you forget every last bit of it.

Pretty view of the reservoir

Thank Heavens, for the people and organizations responsible
for preserving these 6,000 acres of bounty and beauty!

Ducks skirting and flirting about on seasonal pond

Retracing our steps to the staging area, we dilly-dally for another twenty minutes in the expansive meadow, hoping to spot a tanager or bunting, but no such luck. A couple of clucking old Wild Toms emerge from nearby underbrush and scurry across for shelter on the other side. A Hawk swoops low. Many Bluebirds, Warblers, and an occasional Black Phoebe.

Red-winged Blackbirds are delightful visitors in bunches

It's hard to pull away from the show,
but the sun is getting low, and it's time to go.

After rains, this is a major newt crossing, hundreds of them

At the car, I find excuses to delay getting in and driving away. Someone once said, near the parking areas is where you'll find all the birds. I hear two or three calls I cannot identify. I trace one particularly pretty melody toward the expanse of hills, but it quiets at my approach.

A pair of Western Bluebirds taking a break

The silence is golden in the dying light. Looking about, I lock eyes with a bobcat hiding in tall brown grass, looking down on the parking area. He's skittish at every sound, but sits there patiently for several minutes, letting me observe him unabashedly, before scampering off at the unnerving blare of a baby crying.

Seasonal pond attracts all kinds of animals (cows, too, ugh!)

And so concludes our beautiful outing in Brionesland, where you can always count on seeing birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians in their natural habitats, especially at the right time of day.

Cows are allowed to graze in Briones Regional Park

I’ve seen lazy bobcats, raggedy-ass coyotes, and a handsome gray fox. I've witnessed the noble spectacle of a nine-point antlered buck leading a family of four across a hillside. Once, I espied a doe and her newly born fawn learning how to walk in a misty morning meadow.

Sweet little Yellow-rumped Warbler

I’ve seen baby rattlesnakes curled up like little turds on the trail, and more than one very large Western Diamondback sunning on a rock. During one outing, I came upon a three-foot long California Kingsnake!

Don't wanna mess with this rattler!

There are major sightings of newts on the mating prowl, big old bullfrogs honking up a storm in mossy ponds shared with turtles where skunks and raccoons emerge from hiding places to slake their thirst and perhaps catch a little frog or fish. The truly patient and lucky can only hope to see the California Tiger Salamander or a rare Alameda Striped Racer. (I’ve seen neither.)

Is this a Violet-green Swallow I wonder?

Brionesland comprises one of the richest biotas in the Bay Area. For bird lovers, it's a treasure trove of avian activity. Commonplace sightings of Oak / Woodland / Bay species include Acorn Woodpeckers, Turkey Vultures, Hawks, Quail, Blackbirds, Kingfishers, and Owls; not to mention (but I will!) regular sightings of waterfowl: Ducks, Geese, Egrets, Herons, Terns, Cormorants and other shorebirds making their way to Brionesland's riparian / lake paradise.

Heron and Egret hang-out along the lake shore

In-the-know birders can espy at various times of the year Ospreys, Bald and Golden Eagles, Chipping Sparrows, Lazuli Buntings, Purple Martins, Lawrence's Goldfinches, and, like finding a nugget of gold in a creek, a glimpse of a Northern Shrike impaling a grasshopper on a wooden fence post.

Blazing blue Briones Reservoir

For us birders,
it can't get much better than this!

Cache belonging to Acorn Woodpeckers

As for the birds,
well, it must be a bit like heaven for them.

Seasonal pond bursting with frogs and newts

Since you enjoyed this post on birding at Briones Regional Park and Briones Reservoir, check out Gambolin' Man's write-up on both places @


Briones Reservoir
"bluest body of water
in the Bay Area"
(Tom Stienstra)

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Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Of Insignificant But Titillating Espionage of Busy Birds in Action Along “Hidden” Wildcat Creek in the Berkeley Hills

Tranquil summertime pools in Wildcat Creek

Seems lately all the birds around my neck of the woods have up and fluttered away from their Springtime hang-out in the high camouflaged branches of the big Interior Live Oak gracing our side yard for the past 108 years.

108-year old Interior Live Oak in side yard of Berkeley residence

Apart from Mama Crow feeding her juvenile minion something red, seedy and pulpy, and sporadic appearances of the industrious and at times flirtatious Oak Titmouse, the more exotic songbirds that once frequented my urban aviary have flown the coop during these dog days of summer.

Pair of Crows hangin' out

But just who are these so-called "more exotic" songbirds I'm referring to? Surely not Golden-crowned Kinglets, or Painted Redstarts, or Yellow-breasted Chats, or Black-throated Gray and Hermit Warblers. Let alone Black-headed Grosbeaks, an Oven Bird, or a prized, once-in-a-lifetime sighting of – hmmmmm, who might that be?

Exposed bedrock and trickling creek in summer

How about a Virginia Rail! Yes! A Virginia Rail!

Virginia Rail spotted along shady Wildcat Creek

Just the other day I happened to catch the juvenile Crow napping in the tree with two other Crows, presumably the parents, all snoozing away like big-time slackers! They soon woke up, keeping a low-key vigil while the juvenile continued sleeping, holding on fast with clenched talons, adopting a most interesting posture, erect but for his head twisted inward, furrowed deeply in the feathered tuft of his breastplate, giving the appearance of a headless harbinger.

Spooky Crow

At an opportune moment during my on again / off again observation, I happened to catch him waking up and yawning. Wow, seriously, I don’t ever recall seeing a bird yawn before!

Goldfinches cooling off in small spring

If I’m to see birds today, I’ve got to go where the birds are. One of my favorite places is nearby (but worlds away) Tilden Park, looking to lose myself in a protected preserve of streamside habitat, an urban oasis of sheltering riparian woodland.

Lush bird habitat along riparian zone

What’s not to like about it, especially if you’re a bird staking claim to this pretty little back stretch of Wildcat Creek – the Berkeley Hills’ perennial stream now flowing like a desert trickle in late summer.

Golden-crowned Sparrow ground feeding

Sourcing from deep eons-old subterranean cisterns, this creek will not ever completely dry up. It is a life-sustaining gift. And so throughout the hot hazy summer days, a certain secretive off-trail spot will attract quite a few birds feeding on rich insect life teeming in the air, in the thick tree cover and ample streamside vegetation, and on the water’s surface.

More of the creek as it looks during dry summer months

I love this place I call “my secret spot” – but the whole length of Wildcat Creek is near and dear to me for its  many secret spots, simple beauty of place, humble spirit of being, power of expressive natural rhythms and forces at work (think 10,000,000 year old lava flow and cut bedrock stream).

Remnant pools provide water sources for birds and animals

I come here to let the gentle flow of water soothe my aching senses; to watch blue and green dragonflies swoon over red damselflies; and lizards doin’ their lounge act; and especially I derive great joy and pleasure from simply watching birds do their thing.

A family of wild Turkeys makes their way across a trail

Few people tread here, amazingly enough. Especially since it's in the direct purlieus in and around Lake Anza in heavily impacted Tilden Park, but here we have a little back stretch behind the lake where you can spend the whole day and not interact with another human being.

Wildcat Creek stretch after a rain later in the year

Surely I can’t be the only bird watcher to know of this spot – I imagine you’d have to be a bird watcher to actually stop, pause, look, listen, observe and hang here, because otherwise, what's there to do? For, go and you will see there is “nothing” to do, “nothing” of any particular interest to capture your attention.

Nuttall's Woodpecker (it is believed)

Unless, perhaps, you're a birder or botanist or a person who just likes to sit quietly and meditate on the peaceful vibes of nature.

Black-throated Gray Warbler (rare sighting – for me!)

Well, my secret spot is just big enough and just comfortable enough to kick back (binoculars at hand!) and hang out for a while, soaking my feet in the chill water of a small basin listening to the meditative tinkling of Wildcat’s late summer devotional song of simplicity.

Spotted Towhee poseur

I notice as a pair of familiar-looking but unknown birds come to the water’s edge, thinking they’re hidden beneath overhanging foliage. A perfect voyeur moment. Perhaps they're Vireos. I'll go with that and look it up later, my usual modus operandi when it comes to ID'ing unknown birds.

Hatched and gone – or eaten

I watch the pretty pair warily sate their thirst with dainty sips and occasional dips followed by a very cute display of shaking water of their wings. Ever cautious, nearly to the point of paranoia, these two mates conduct efficient business and do not linger very long. Mark it down as today’s dopest sighting!

Pretty pools with newts, crayfish and bathing birds

But darn it, I was so engaged watching them I neglected to get a photo to ID them later! Heck with it – in a moment of confidence, I conclude they were two Warbling Vireos who graced my presence!

Warbling Vireo (also a pretty rare sighting for me)

Whiling away the next enjoyable hour, I spot a pair of Yellow Warblers perched side by side for a fleeting moment before vanishing lickety-split; then, a diligent Wilson’s Warbler pops into view suddenly, immodestly baring the crown’s black “tam” if but for a few parsimonious seconds.

Wilson's Warbler

Willie’s a favorite bird I haven’t seen since I don’t know when. Soon, I’m entertained for endless minutes by a troupe of enterprising Chestnut-backed Chickadees flying acrobatically from tree to tree gathering bits of stringy moss and spider webbing for constructing their nests.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

And then, not to be outdone, a surprise appearance (to me) of a Red-breasted Nuthatch, an interesting looking, attractive insectivorous bird I’ve seen maybe once or twice before in Live Oak Park down in the flats. And next in the cavalcade of avian appearances a lovely little Brown Creeper and a Black Phoebe make cameos, which is totally cool and adds to today’s Life’s List checkoff of Famous and Not So Famous Flitterati I have come to know.

Black Phoebe

And we’re not near half-finished!

Dark-eyed Junco wondering what up, dude!

The usual suspects also chime in with their excitable ruckus – Jays and Juncos; Anna’s and Rufous Hummingbirds, the latter much rarer (to me) to sight; a couple of Crows; and a handsome Spotted Towhee, which at first I can’t name thinking it must be something infinitely more exotic than “just” a Spotted Towhee – but, my, what a pretty bird!

Rufous Hummingbird

No excuses, though, for my ineptness at bird identification, despite John Muir Laws’ reassurances:

Obscured Varied Thrush

“Do not worry if you cannot identify a bird . . . in spite of your best efforts, you may not be able to . . . remember, birds are not always where they should be and do not always look how they should look.”

Yellow-rumped Warbler (looking not how it should look)

Few places are more inviting for bird watching than Wildcat Creek. Along any number of “secret” stretches of the 11-mile long artery, you will more often than not find your special spot, a secluded nook or off-trail vantage point, where you can catch busy birds in action, engaged in a variety of behaviors and doing their unique thing.

Black-headed Grosbeak in high canopy

It is not far from paradise, if you’re a human. And no doubt if you're a bird, it’s an Edenic haven of survival, a natural refuge for the Earth’s freest creatures.

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Free to come and free to go
when and where they please.

California Thrasher

And always we hope, to return to roost, feed, mate and frolic in their – and your! – favorite spots along precious Wildcat Creek in the Berkeley Hills.

Reflections on the creek surface


Acorn Woodpeckers
storing up winter provender

Read more from Gambolin' Man about the simple wonders and charming splendors of Wildcat Creek (and watershed) in the Berkeley Hills:



Wildcat Creek
resplendent after rainstorm

Enjoy dozens of live-action scenes of a special creek & watershed in the Berkeley Hills:
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