Berkeley Backyard Bird Blog: March 2015

Great Egret on the hunt at Jewel Lake

One writes about the places

one cherishes and returns to

time and time again.

A drab Towhee showing off a subtle patch of blue

Perhaps because each time,

and time again,

there's always something

new and different to experience.

Pretty maids all in a row

Nothing is ever the same,

throughout the seasons,

or even a week later,

or the next day.

Tilden Nature Area in autumn's colorful cloak

Which accounts for my numerous posts

on the splendors and treasures

of Tilden Regional Park.

Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron stalking

The overlooked splendors, the inappreciable treasures, the small miracles, perhaps, of a gem of a "park" in our backyard. Accessible by bike from my North Berkeley home, I'm there in forty minutes, dialed in to endless trails for choice, secluded birding spots.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee in a (rare) still moment

There being grueling mountain bike rides to ridge tops hoping to spot Meadowlarks or Horned Larks, certain to see Red-tails circling or an American Kestrel perched on a fence post.

Red-tailed Hawk perched on fence post

There being a recondite bend in the small but rugged and infinitely charming Wildcat Creek, where I first spotted a Wilson's Warbler and, like any discovery, waxed childlike in my enthusiasm at having finally spotted the marvelous bird.

Wildcat Creek raging after Spring rain

There being Conlon Knoll, in a recent post, always a fun place to hang out in the vicinity where I saw my only Lazuli Buntings and Winter Wrens.

Mount Diablo vista from Tilden Park

And there being . . . Jewel Lake and Tilden Nature Area . . . where birding is a year-round, world-class prospect. Fanatic birders, nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities love the place.

Turtle convo on Jewel Lake

In earlier times, I neglected to appreciate the hills above Berkeley, living as I did below the Oakland Hills, always off to Redwood Regional Park or somewhere farther to the southeast.

Wilson's Warbler baring his black pate

Today, it's a sanctuary, a get-away, a must-do / must have place of spiritual retreat where I go to wind down and just take a long slow look around.

Wild Turkeys are abundant in the Berkeley Hills (and flats!)

Instagram that!

Beautiful tree along Laurel Canyon trail in Tilden Park

Perhaps my affinity owes itself more to proximity and ease of access than to – blasphemy! it being a very beautiful place and ecological wonderland. After all, where else does a car-free couple have to go?

Robin gathering nesting material on the creek

But now that I know what I know, and being a birder on top of it, I designate this little parcel of protected land, with a creek running through it, to be a VSP:

Sharp-shinned Hawk eyeing me from nest above Wildcat Creek

VERY SPECIAL PLACE!

Seasonal artery to Jewel Lake in the heart of Tilden Nature Area

Take yesterday, for example,

where in a few short, quickly passing hours

I spotted 30 different birds!

Black Phoebe taking a time out

Twitter that!

My first sighting of a Warbling Vireo in Tilden Nature Area

Including my second sighting ever of a Warbling Vireo! I spot the little cuss in a tree near the Boardwalk – managing a decent snapshot! Oddly, this guy looks quite different in color and appearance from the less distinct image of the same bird I spotted – ecstatically! – (in the same area) – a few months ago.

Tilden Nature Area boardwalk showcasing ancient Horsetail stand

Could be an "Adult, Eastern" variety, but probably not. AllAboutBirds, even though it's barely spring, notes:

Warbling Vireo looking pretty different from above photo

"Worn midsummer birds

can be nearly entirely gray

above and whitish below."

Hermit or Wood Thrush, I never know!

Which describes my baby. See for yourself. Probably not an Eastern, but the difference is subtle, and my two sightings seem like two different birds.

Fox Sparrow poking around

I'd heard Wilson's Warblers were out 'n about in force, but I only saw one or two, and for just a short time, on the Boardwalk – fabulous habitat for birds along Wildcat Creek in thick protected forest. Nothing doing for a photograph or hearing their sweet "chip chip" calls.

Jewel Lake overrun by Wildcat Creek flooding (big rain!)

Do see two Steller's Jays, which an elderly gentleman I meet soon thereafter – John Smayles, walking with his grandson – claims are imitating the cawing of a Hawk. Never heard of it, I say, but he says, yes, it's true, and we go on to have an hour long conversation about birds, birding, "birdier than thou" people, and his association as one-time director of the Point Reyes Bird Observatory back in the seventies.

John Smayles

Engaged in a story he's telling about the subtle nuances between certain species of Terns, suddenly, high in the eucalyptus branches, two Hawks cry out and begin to scuffle, one soon flying off.

Red-shouldered Hawk in the Ukes of Tilden

Turns out, they're Red-shouldered Hawks, and despite Mr. Smayle's determination, I suspect they provided the earlier "imitation" Jay caws . . . but I could be wrong, and Mr. Smayle sure seems intent on that as being the explanation. As well as a bit annoyed with me.

Scrub Jay grooming self

So, the appearance of the Red-shoulders, just a coincidence, perhaps, but I will defer to he who seems more expert, seasoned and wiser than I. (And grumpier!)

Spotted Towhee in the brush

Also seen along Blue Gum Trail – several large male Toms; Anna's Hummingbirds; Crows; Spotted Towhees and – what Mr. Smayles referred to as "Rufous-sided" ones; Golden-crowned Sparrow flocks (ground-feeding as usual).

Some kind of ground foraging Sparrow

Around the lake,

including the marshy pond area,

I see ton of birds:

Woodrat nests abound in the dense woodlands, even in treetops

All the usual Warblers and Juncos

and Woodpeckers and Goldfinches

and Sparrows and whonot.

Belted Kingfisher zooming in for a landing

And some unID'd Flycatchers

performing aerial antics

over the replenished lake surface,

then landing to roost

like a pair of love birds

in willow branches.

Anna's Hummingbird inspecting something

Who are you, my friends?

I cannot ID you by the book.

Tilden Nature Area seasonal newt ponds under rehab

Jewel Lake / Tilden Nature Area is a full of other wildlife surprises apart from "just the birds." On the trail to the ponds, a turtle inches along, but disappears by the time I circle back a few minutes later. I'm impressed with his quickness.

Young buck hiding out

Four deer crash through a woodsy curtain

down a gully and out of sight.

Jewel Lake from the impoundment's Spillway

Minnows or tadpoles – which would a fourth grader say? –

can be found in the muddy shores of the lake.

Pacific Tree Frog poking out of thrushes

Tiny green Pacific Tree frogs mate in season and can be seen clinging to sedge grasses in the marshes like tiny survivors holding on for dear life until big enough to retreat to the safety of the tall trees where they chirp up a cacophonous chorus announcing territorial and amorous intentions.

Western Fence Lizard

Western Fence Lizards dart and scurry on rocks,

posing languidly in sunny patches,

or actively, doing "push-ups."

Baby Rattler

Expect to see rattlesnakes now and again.

Mountain Lion on display at Tilden Nature Area Environmental Education Center

One of these days, a mountain lion.

Great Blue Heron on the lookout

And always, blessings from birds who come near and far

to find welcoming shelter and plenty of pickings

in the lush surroundings of Tilden Nature Area.

Band-tailed Pigeon settling in

That's how wild the Berkeley Hills are.

Trail through the woods

Read more essays from Gambolin' Man

on birding in beautiful & hidden Wildcat Creek & the Watershed,

along with a link to all bird posts at his backyard bird blog:

BIRDS BEIN' BIRDS ON WILDCAT CREEK (September 4, 2012)

PRIME TIME BIRDING IN THE BERKELEY HILLS (June 3, 2014)

INSATIABLE BIRDING IN THE WILDCAT CREEK WATERSHED (June 23, 2014)

JEWEL LAKE BIRDING (July 25, 2014)

FIRST SIGHTINGS DOWN ON THE CREEK (October 20, 2014)

BIRDING AT JEWEL LAKE (November 17, 2014)

MORE "CAN'T GET ENOUGH" BIRDING IN TILDEN NATURE AREA (July 9, 2017)

POETIC & INSIGHTFUL ESSAYS ON OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS

Robin Red Breast
striking a pose

Read more from Gambolin' Man

about the simple wonders & charming splendors

of Wildcat Creek (& watershed) in the Berkeley Hills:

BACKYARD EXPLORATIONS DOWN ON THE CREEK (2006)

CALL OF THE WILD IN OUR BACKYARD (2007)

TILDEN TRANSFORMS IN BIG RAINS (2008)

WILDCAT GORGE TRAIL IN THE MUD & DRIZZLE (2009)

SPLENDOR DOWN UNDER IN WILDCAT'S BACK STRETCHES (2010)

SEEKING OUT TILDEN'S AMAZING (HIDDEN!) (EPHEMERAL!) WATERFALLS (2011)

AN INTIMATE LOOK AT WILDCAT CREEK IN THE BOTANIC GARDEN (2013)

Great White and Mallard

Enjoy dozens of live-action scenes

of a special creek & watershed in the Berkeley Hills:

SPLENDORS OF WILDCAT CREEK & WATERSHED

SMALL MIRACLES ABOUND IN TILDEN REGIONAL PARK

THE WARBLING VIREO WARBLING AWAY

Wildcat Peak @ 1200+ ft.
more like a knoll, but still:
FABULOUS 360 degree views!

LoveBirds in the branches (Western Bluebirds)

Is one bird watching spot

better than another?

Atop Conlon Knoll near Wildcat Peak

Is a riparian / woodland setting preferred

over bay / pelagic shoreline viewing?

Yellow-rumped Warbler in private, still moment

Is meadow / range country more attractive

than desert scrub / High Sierra sparsity?

Wildcat Canyon hills and Quail family crossing trail

Does altitude matter?

Yellow-rumped Warbler at attention

I suppose it all matters and depends on – many factors! Including seasonal migration patterns, weather conditions, climate influences, and birds' adaptability to varied ecosystems, which we know is infinite and shrewd.

Always a stop-off and bike drop to picnic and spot birds here

The good news is that no matter where you find yourself, birds will be there, too, in all their physiological diversity, richness of behavior, and pure delightful quirkiness.

Northern Flicker pops in for a brief appearance

It's why you love birding – birds! – so much.

Beautiful colors of Western Bluebird

A rise of land in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park beckons up a final stretch of gravelly trail to attain a high plateau and eventually Conlon Knoll, as I call it. One of my favorite places for birds and more.

One of the dying but still majestic trees on the knoll

Up here, maybe 1150 ft. elevation, fabulous near 360 views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, Angel Island, Mount Tamalpais, Briones and San Pablo watershed lands, Las Trampas wilderness, and Mount Diablo radiate, stretching as far south as the Santa Cruz Mountains to 4000 ft. Bay Area visible peaks.

Mount Diablo viewed from the bird hot spot knoll

Up here, it's a detour off the main path; few people pass through, despite a connector from Conlon Trail to Wildcat Peak and the Peace Grove Lookout.

Yellow-rumped Warblers can sometimes fool you

Up here, I've seen my only instances of Lazuli Buntings, Ash-throated Flycatcher and Winter Wrens.

Western Bluebirds perching together

Up here, four Monterey Pines dominate in the shadow of 1250 ft. Wildcat Peak. A gigantic healthy tree stands alone on the bare ridge, an iconic natural feature seen from San Francisco's waterfront.

Iconic sentinel Pine atop Conlon Knoll seen from afar

Two other nice sized trees grow nearby, but, rather suddenly, it seems, a third tree has perished, for after many visits over the past few years, I'm only now noticing it is completely, 100% dead.

Western Bluebird hunting and pecking

But like all dead things in nature, it continues to provide life (or life-giving gifts) in countless ways.

Yellow-rumped Warbler in a tangle of branches

Why the tree died, while the other trees live on, is a mystery. Maybe it's older and naturally at the end of its life? If not that, I have my suspicions: climate change / drought drove the nail through the coffin of this great tree that was somehow already compromised.

Wildcat Creek churns and burbles below in the small gorge

We're seeing this pattern of mortality throughout the American West, where aspens are being ravaged by beetle infestation and stately oaks in California are under severe attack by Sudden Oak Death.

Hence, the name

Climate change is probably to blame for this unprecedented dying off of the planet's most important living things – taking place before our eyes, and we wonder, are we powerless to prevent, is it too late to stop, the disappearance of trees.

Egg fallen from nest

Well, for now our bird friends don't mind the tree's "non-living" status. They arrive in flocks to roost in the gnarled branches and roust up seeds and insects on the ground.

Western Bluebird ground feeding for grub

Just passing time up here, lackadaisically, hoping for a bunting sighting, wouldn't that be something. So far, nothing much exciting: a few Juncos, solitary appearances of Hermit Thrush, Scrub Jay, Red-breasted Nuthatch and Northern Flicker. Above circle Red-tailed Hawks and Vultures, the usual stuff.

Red-breasted Nuthatch finds bounty of insect delights

When suddenly, leaving to go scout out a woodsier area, in fly a bunch of colorful birds, drawn to the dead tree and rich pickings beneath. It's the return of my little lovelies, Western Bluebirds and Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Yellow-rumped Warbler clutching to thin stalk

They flit out and float in and aeroglide to the ground to find a seed or a nut or a worm, putting on an absolute show, adding dashes of avian spice and elan to the once quiet scene.

Wildcat Canyon country

Up here, that's why I love it!

Yellow-rumped Warbler loving it

That's why the birds love it.

Pretty Western Bluebird

The sociable, smart Bluebirds are delightful and very pretty. Males come in a shade of blueberryblue, with a handsome rust "vest" and white breast belly combo.

Yellow-rumped Warblers are delightful birds to watch

The Warblers, of the Adult Male Audubon's variety, are handsome fellows adorned with yellow throats, yellow side streaks, yellow rump patch, and a pat of sunshine atop the pate.