Berkeley Backyard Bird Blog: Year-Round Birding at Jewel Lake & Tilden Nature Area Never Gets Old

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.