Date: 4/24/24 3:59 pm From: Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] San Ramon/Danville area Earth Day weekend birds and a new hotspot/birding site
On 4/22 Megan and I explored a new portion of Las Trampas Regional Wilderness hiking up from Remington Loop in southwest Danville. This is the quickest way to get to the east side of Trampas ridge and allows one access to some ephemeral ponds with great potential (solitary sand. etc)
of note here:
Violet-green Swallows - exploring roof soffit vents for nest site in house at Remington Loop trailhead
Savannah Sparrow - this species not known to nest in the interior grasslands of the county, likely a lingering wintering bird
Rufous-crowned Sparrow - calling in rocky sage scrub patch in the middle of the grassland above the main pond, el ~1100'(330m), first time I've noted this species on Trampas ridge but they most certainly as regular in spots as they are on Rocky Ridge
Later that morning I checked the South portion of Sycamore Valley Open Space Preserve between Tassajara and Crow Canyon Roads on the border of Danville and San Ramon. This site is accessed off Northview Ct. via Woodranch Rd./Cir.
Fun observations here:
Golden Eagle - fly-over adult
Northern Harrier - male, a california species of special concern, perhaps nesting here which would be notable considering all the appropriate habitat lost to development in this part of the county
Say's Phoebe - adult attending three recently fledged juveniles at trailhead corral/Northview Ct.
Grasshopper Sparrow - a minimum count of 5 singing males +1 (apparent pair)
White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's) - on ridge, obvious migrant
Western Meadowlark - 4+ including a breeding confirmation via a a food carrying adult flying into a grass thicket
In the late afternoon I paid a visit to the Canyon Lakes Golf Course/subdivision. Among the fun sightings here were :
Rufous Hummingbirds - male and female, obvious migrants fighting for feeding spots in blooming eukes along east edge of course just south of the solar panel array
Lesser Goldfinch - a first of season fledgling in redwood row near entrance along Crow Canyon.
