Reports to the Northern California BirdBox, transcribed for BirdWest by Calvin Lou.
ALAMEDA COUNTY
27 January In San Leandro at the San Leandro Marina, the Snow Bunting was not seen. Kevin Hintsa
26-27 January In Oakland at Lake Merritt, the Black-and-white Warbler was at the edge of Children's Fairyland, opposite the entrance kiosk off Grant Ave. The Cattle Egret was between the duck feeding area and the aviary near the Rotary Nature Center. Kevin Hintsa
26-27 January In Hayward at Hayward Regional Shoreline, 2 Ross' Geese, 17 Snow Geese, and about 30 Aleutian Canada Geese were in the vicinity of Mt Trashmore (elevated plateau west of W Winton Ave trailhead) and the area to the north by the radio towers. Kevin Hintsa
26-27 January In San Leandro at the San Leandro Marina, the male Mountain Bluebird continues at the south end of the marina, about 100 yards past the end on Monarch Bay Dr by a maintenance shed. Kevin Hintsa
26 January In San Leandro at the San Leandro Marina, the Snow Bunting was refound at 11:44 AM. Kay Loughman, Phil Gordon, Emily Serkin
25 January In San Leandro at the San Leandro Marina, a Mountain Bluebird was found at the very south end of the marina. It was on the golf course fenceline near the East Bay Dischargers Dechlorination Facility building, which is just south of the Alameda Flood Control Channel. Emily Serkin
25 January In San Leandro at the San Leandro Marina, a Snow Bunting was near parcourse station 15 until 4:50 PM or so, then flew south to the rocks along the bay shoreline near station 16. At 5 PM the bird flew further south, past station 17, and could not be relocated. From Hwy 880, take Marina Blvd west to the end. Here it turns 90 degrees to the left (street name unknown). Keep going on this road to the end (a gate across the road), and park in the parking area to the right. From this parking area, a paved trail goes to the west but bends north fairly soon, and the parcourse is along this trail Bob Richmond, Dave Quady
25 January In Oakland at Arrowhead Marsh in Martin Luther King Jr Regional Shoreline, the Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow was seen again west of the south end of the wooden boardwalk. Kathy Robertson
21 January In Oakland at Arrowhead Marsh in Martin Luther King Jr Regional Shoreline, a Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow was at the southeast corner of the triangular island immediately west of the long pier that extends north into the marsh (this is not the new, fenced marsh). The bird was with 6 to 8 Marsh Wrens that were also at this corner nearest the long pier. It would come up into the dead sticks above green bushes with yellow flowers. It would then drop down behind the island. Travis Hails
18 January In Berkeley at Aquatic Park, the pair of Hooded Mergansers continues in the middle pond. The Black-throated Gray Warbler continues in the top of the pine tree by the red #17 sign, which is next to the paved pathway. Ken Archibald
18 January In Livermore at Las Positas Golf Course, there was a Eurasian Wigeon in a flock of 30 to 40 American Wigeons. From Hwy 580, take the Airway Blvd exit south, turn right onto Club House Dr. Note that birders are not allowed on the greens - bird from the parking lot. Near the golf course along Jack London Blvd west of Kitty Hawk Rd, there were 300 Canada Geese, 2 Ross' Geese, 1 Snow Goose, 20 Greater White-fronted Geese, and several Cackling Canada Geese. Art Edwards
17 January Near Livermore at Del Valle Regional Park, a flock of Greater White-fronted Geese were on the lawn next to the last parking lot. Tim Mouter
15 January In Oakland at Lake Merritt, the Black-and-white Warbler was seen again with Yellow-rumped Warblers, chickadees, and Bushtits. The bird was found working the tree trunks in the live oak tree to the right of the entrance to Children's Fairyland. Bruce Mast
14 January In Berkeley at Aquatic Park, the Black-throated Gray Warbler continues (see 16 December 2003). It was in the top of the pine tree next to the marker, just east with the red #17 on it. Ken Archibald
6 January In eastern Alameda County east of Livermore, the Long-eared Owl continues in the tamarisk trees along Mountain House Rd. From Hwy 580 east of Livermore, take Grant Line Rd north, turn left on Mountain House Rd and take an immediate left back along Grant Line Rd. There is a little store, bar, bait shop on the corner. Follow the road south for a hundred yards or so. The parking location was marked with a stick stuck in the dirt with a white cup, and another stick-and-cup marker was at the best viewing location just inside the tree line. Jean Richmond
2 January In Oakland, the Black-and-white Warbler was refound at Lake Merritt. From the intersection of Perkins St & Bellevue Ave, walk [southwest] into the park. Look for four metal poles - the bird was in the trees directly above. A Cattle Egret was at the Rotary Nature Center across the street. Fritz Steurer
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
No rare birds were reported this month in Contra Costa County.