Date: 6/4/26 11:02 am From: Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Central Contra Costa co. breeding bird notes
Inspired by Ethan Monk's post about breeding birds in Contra Costa county I wanted to share some observations of the same nature from the past couple of days in San Ramon, Mount Diablo State Park and Las Trampas Regional Wilderness.
Breeding observations I found notable were as follows:
California Quail - while still a relatively common breeding species in suitable habitat of undeveloped parts of the county, our state bird has declined dramatically in many segments of the Wildland - Urban Interface so I was very pleased on 5/31 to note a pair of adults shepherding (14) small chicks along the Twin Creeks Trail in San Ramon (which runs between two of the more busy thoroughfares of that city, San Ramon Valley Blvd and Bollinger Canyon Rd.)
Band-tailed Pigeon - a pair were constructing a nest in a backyard ornamental maple along the Twin Creeks Trail 5/31
Golden Eagle - an adult was flying around in the vicinity of a nest that was used in 2024 along Bollinger Canyon Rd/Las Tramps, however no activity was observed at the nest
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - adults were feeding fledglings near Rock City in Mount Diablo State Park 5/31 and on Trampas Ridge 6/1
Phainopepla - singing near the Elephant Rock Picnic Area in Rock City/Mount Diablo SP 5/31
Lawrence's Goldfinch - a singing male was moving around together with a female at the same location as the Phainopepla 5/31.
Bell's Sparrow - a group of four moving around together in the Chamise near The Pines Day Use Area on Mount Diablo 6/1. I suspect this was a family group but in typical Bell's Sparrow fashion they wouldn't cooperate for better study
a trip report with associated checklists can be viewed here:
