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9/18/2025 Lower Packrat Trail

I'd kind of planned to go sit on the bench at the top of Lower Packrat for a while, but the succumbed to the lure of possibilities at Jewel Lake (despite the chipping/occ chainsaw noise). I found nothing terribly exciting there, a Warbling Vireo and a Townsend's Warbler, but the Red-breasted Nuthatches were surprisingly numerous and loud, and when the sun came out the activity exploded. I heard a Swainson's Thrush and two Western Flycatchers on the way, and possibly a Wilson's Warbler, though just one chip so I did not report it. Surprise of the morning was two Northern House Wrens... ah, just twigged to why they were right there. Stacks of brush are perfect habitats for NHWR, I saw this a few years ago up in the eucalyptus grove along Nimitz Way, and the chipping operation has not gotten as far as the road across from the Lake. The wrens were buzzing loudly and even singing a bit. But those lovely piles won't be there long. ( The list: )

Rain has disappeared from the forecast, big surprise.

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9/17/2025 Inspiration Trail

Today was the third of three clear, hot days this week, good weather for getting out there and back early. I was at the top of the rise by dawn and by the time I was there again two and a half hours later it was warmer than I like. Two warblers, a Townsend's and a Yellow, were the only incoming migrants. Migrants I thought had left were Western Wood-pewee, Western Flycatcher, Swainson's Thrush, and two Black-headed Grosbeaks who seemed to be heading west. The Western Tanager I think was just passing through. I was surprised to see a single American White Pelican on San Pablo Reservoir; I think they're around all year now. ( The list: )

There's a chance of rain tomorrow night. I'll believe it when I hear it!

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9/15/2025 Tilden Nature Area

Just me and U today, and I chose to simply walk up the boardwalk and back on the road. Loud neighbors til midnight may not be so bad for most, but for me that's three or four hours of voices in my bedroom. Best moment of the morning came right in the parking lot: our first of season Fox Sparrow! exactly where they often are. If they were only passing through, that spot must send out a "perfect spot for sparrows" vibe. We heard only two Swainson's Thrushes and no Wilson's Warblers, but saw several Townsend's Warblers. Nuthatches were very evident, Pygmy in a couple of places, White-breasted around the bridge at the Lake, and several Red-breasted loudly working trees right beside the trail. Interestingly, no finches at all. ( The list: )

We'd only just started up the road when we heard a Belted Kingfisher rattling, looked up and saw them, too, flying south. We imagine that they came to check out Jewel Lake, found absolutely no fishable open water, and departed forthwith. The lake bed isn't entirely dry yet, but what water there is can't be more than an inch deep, stagnant, and scummy. We're waiting for the rain.

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9/13/2025 Inspiration Trail

There was fog but it wasn't blowing so very hard so I put on a windbreaker and started down the trail ten or fifteen minutes after the initially invisible sunrise. But soon the fog thinned enough for me to see where the sun was, so that was a good start. It as quiet on the way out to the north end of the trail, and out there it was very quiet. I didn't find a single new species there, bar the probable thus unreportable Blue-gray Gnatcatchers at the point on return. No vocalizations but one or more small, blueish birds flitting about with Chestnut-backed Chickadees and Lesser Goldfinches. The sun made it's best attempt at 8:30 or so when I was approaching the very tall pines just north of the dip. Suddenly I was in the middle of great activity, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Bushtits, all three nuthatches, Bewick's Wrens, Purple Finches, Lesser Goldfinches, Dark-eyed Juncos, a pair of California Towhees, a Wilson's Warbler, and a flock of Townsend's Warblers. I reported six but I'm pretty sure there were more. I think they only flock when they are on migration, which they almost certainly were. It was wonderful, what we always hope for. Unfortunately I was at the end of my stamina and couldn't stay watching as long as I would have liked, but it did make the fog worthwhile. ( The list: )

I expected to run into game day detours and had learned a new alternate route home, but it's an evening game and nothing was blocked yet.:) Game days are such pain, especially since Cal Stadium is right at the beginning of the road I take up to the western ridge.

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9/11/2025 WCRP Alvarado Staging Area / Picnic Area

U and I spent the morning in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, first walking up from the parking area at Alvarado Staging Area to the Belgum Trail Gate. It's still early, and the only Fall migrants were two Yellow Warblers unless there were some Allen's or Rufous amongst the surprising number of hummingbirds we found feeding on flowering eucalyptus and bottlebrush. Ebird had to be reassured that U really meant the number of hummingbird sp she entered. Then we went down to the picnic area, where we had not only Yellow but a Townsend's Warbler, and a Warbling Vireo most likely just stopping to eat while on migration to Central America. We had a little rain a day or so ago but it hadn't done much for Wildcat Creek, and we didn't find anything around the few little pools. It was a good woodpecker and nuthatch day and of course there was a Red-shouldered Hawk flying and yelling. ( The morning's lists: )

It's the time of year when the American Crows start to gather. They were in the tops of some very tall eucalyptus, flying out in a loose flock and then returning. They made quite a racket in which a surprising number (to me ) of individual voices could be picked out. Crows are certainly interesting. Every so often I think about trying to befriend my locals but then come to my senses. I do not need that!

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9/8/2025 Tilden Nature Area

This morning I walked in from Cañon Drive on Memory Trail and met U and Chris at the top of Upper Packrat. I didn't pick a very birdy day for this, but it was wonderful to be up there with them again. Fewer Swainson's Thrushes and Wilson's Warblers, but there were still Warbling Vireos and U spotted an Orange-crowned Warbler. Only incoming bird was a Yellow Warbler making its kissy chip in the willows towards the north end of the trail. ( The list: )

This should have been the last Monday with chainsaws. Here's hoping.