nina

I see and hear flocks of crows in our North Berkeley Hills neighborhoods, quite active in early morning and later in the day.  Seems like a fairly recent phenomenon, as in last 10 years developing.  I notice fewer Stellar Jays, Scrub Jays coming 'round in  our redwood tree areas.  Lots of Juncos and the California Towhees, a few Oak Titmouse. This is mid-hills area, residential with lots of redwoods and oaks.  Just up the hill near Tilden Regional Park are a much more diverse population of birds, including more of the migratory ones ( various sparrows, Spotted Towhee...)  Canada Geese stay year-round in the lagoon areas, the broad athletic fields of the schools.

I mostly see and recognize the very common brown Towhees in my neighborhood, North Berkeley hills.  They are first to chirp in the early morning, 5:30-ish, and vocalize until mid-morning, then again at evening.  Juncos come to our feeder.  Scrub jays abound, also Stellar jays and now robins this season. Once in a while I see small yellow or russet finches flitting about.  Anna's hummingbird, too.  Rarely I hear a Great Horned Owl very early morning in the redwood trees.  We have the occasional red-tailed hawk with high whistle but rarely see them at this elevation, mostly up a bit higher in Tilden Park area. A rare Western bluebird sighting, but mostly higher up in open grasslands of Tilden. The Olive-sided flycatcher and also the black-headed Grosbeak are supposed to be flying through, according to local ornithologist.  I do hear many bird calls I do not recognize, would like to expand my repertoire of knowledge in this micro-region. thanks!