Alameda’s wonderful wildlife / character / chicken photographer, Rick Lewis, has curated these ten birds to showcase the astounding variety of birds that are uncovered in Alameda both seasonally or calendar year-spherical, from our island shorelines and tree-filled parks to your yard gardens. All of the birds are at danger to impacts of local weather modify. What actions will you get to enable limit local weather adjust and minimize those impacts? For thoughts, stop by Local community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA) and Golden Gate Audubon Culture.
Brown pelican, the ultimate plunge diver, can be observed in many destinations together Alameda’s shoreline. At the time detailed as a threatened species, its figures recovered and it’s been delisted—a good results tale! Alameda has the largest evening roost of brown pelicans in the Bay Location.
California The very least Tern, an legendary and pretty exclusive species for all birders in the Bay Space, is both of those federally and state-detailed as endangered. These birds are simply just wonderful. But you have to be rapid to see them, for they are quickly and very small and only right here for a couple months in the summer time. Alameda has the northernmost breeding colony.
Western snowy plovers, little and rare, can be observed at Crown Memorial Seaside in the wintertime. Several beachgoers surface to be unaware of these very small ambassadors as they stroll or jog along the shoreline. The plovers, if disturbed, typically operate along the sand and hunker down in a melancholy. On event, they will fly off in a roundabout and return when the threat has passed.
Double-crested cormorants nest and occupy a crowded rookery together a active Alameda avenue. They are gregarious and noisy when breeding. The double crests on their heads are quickly found and pronounced in the course of breeding and courtship.
Purple-shouldered hawk is a typical raptor. The most vocal of our raptors, its piercing cries can be heard on Bay Farm Island in or in close proximity to the golf class.
Nuttall’s woodpecker, easily determined by its “rattling” connect with, allows the observer know its vicinity ahead of really sighting the bird. It’s consistently identified at Crab Cove.
Black phoebe is extremely typical and observed in several neighborhoods and habitats in Alameda. A serious handle to check out, it actively flies from perch to air and again once again as it hunts insects on the wing. A favored of mine, as I see phoebes pretty much day to day, standard as dawn and normally entertaining.
Snowy egrets nest regionally and can be uncovered wading together the shoreline, hunting for food items. This is the lesser edition of the two egret species located in Alameda, the other getting the terrific egret. “Snowys” are breathtaking in their breeding plumage.
Ruby-crowned kinglets are welcoming minor birds, really lively, and their “ji-dit” contact usually reveals their existence ahead of they are viewed. Take into consideration your self lucky if you see the ruby crown, for it largely stays concealed. Crab Cove is a fantastic place for kinglets in the trees and shrubs.
Western bluebird, in the thrush loved ones, often behaves like a flycatcher as it darts from perch to prey and back again again, routinely dropping to the ground for its prey. These beautiful birds are observed in quite a few wooded spots in Alameda. A absolutely sure spot to locate them is Crab Cove, in and all over the nest packing containers set up by park employees and volunteers.
Introduction by Sharol Nelson-Embry.
Rick Lewis is a longtime member of the Golden Gate Audubon Culture, together with other environmental businesses. He contributes typically to Bay Location and Central Valley birding teams that promote wildlife and habitat conservation. Study more about our area’s birds at Golden Gate Audubon Modern society.
