William Hoppes

Nonproliferation scientist, enjoys birdwatching, hiking, land trusts, soccer referee, follows Oakland Athletics. Oakland Raiders and Golden State Warriors.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

With the nice weather headed out to Sycamore Grove for the standard 3.5 mile loop. Spotted 17 species, the usual suspects. Surprised to see this sign on a hiking-biking trail. An unfortunate indication of how many people on electric motorcycles are on multi-use trails.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Out with my Tuesday hiking group for 3.5 miles on the Bayview Trail at Coyote Hills Regional park-one of my favorite places. Birding as I went spotted 32 species. Best were flocks of 15 Wild Turkey and nearly 100 American White pelicans.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Finished our second breeding bird census down at Creston. Saw 50 species. Highlight was a Golden Eagle harassed by six crows. Lowlight is the continued drop in Yellow-billed Magpie numbers. When we began this route 30 years ago we would see up to 50. Today we saw two.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Up to Jackson for our first of two breeding bird census trips. Spotted 50 species on our way from Clinton to Paloma. More cars than ever. Highlights included Western Bluebirds and Phainopepla. Scored an apple pie on our way home.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Out to Lake Chabot for the annual Ohlone Audubon Society member potluck. Thirty-four members attended. This is one of the few times each year we get together in person rather than via Zoom. It was really good to see everyone .

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Weather was still nice so made a quick trip over to Shadow Cliffs. Spotted 30 species including Ash-throated Flycatcher and Western Kingbird. Also a few Western Bluebirds were around and I am always on the lookout for Wood Ducks.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Out to one of my favorite spots, Coyote Hills Regional Park to man the Ohlone Audubon table at the Birds and Butterflies Festival. We do this every year and always have fun. Weather was great, big crowds and met lots of folks.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

@KathleenWinche3 LA to Disneyland

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Out to Fremont for a nicely shaded 3 mile out and back on Mission Creek Trail. This trail starts at Gomes Park which I usually visit when birding Lake Elizabeth. Birding was very good with 37 species including a nice Hooded Oriole and four Western Bluebirds.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Joined 20 Ohlone birders at the Stream Trail in Redwood Regional park for California Breeding Bird Atlas Big Weekend. This is one of my favorite spots to hike and bird. Spotted 35 species. Best was a Western Flycatcher on nest, and good looks at Wilson’s Warbler and Pacific Wren.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Out with my Wednesday hiking group for five miles at Springtown wetlands. This is also one of my favorite birding spots and it didn’t disappoint with 33 species with a Belted Kingfisher and Cinnamon Teal and Gadwall still hanging around.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Birding at a new spot today, Green Ridge Park in the hills above Castro Valley. Nice habitat with many pines. Surprised to see a Say’s Phoebe. Got to practice on Hutton’s Vireo songs and call notes.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Accompanied by the incessant din of gas-powered leaf blowers, did four miles with my Wednesday hiking group on the Alamo Canal Trail in Dublin. Birding not bad with 27 species, best was a Spotted Sandpiper.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Out with my Tuesday hiking group for 4.8 miles along the Tassajara Ridge and East Alamo Creek trails. Weather excellent. Good birding with 33 species including Hooded Oriole and California Quail which are always good to see.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Banding day today down at Coyote Creek Station. Highlights were a slew of Yellow Warblers and especially a sure sign of summer coming, many Swainson’s Thrushes.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Out to Morgan Territory Regional Preserve for 3.5 miles on the Blue Oak and Volvon trails. Things still kind of green. Nice breeze kept the temps down. Good birding with 33 species including Lark Sparrow, Say’s Phoebe, and a Golden Eagle.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

@JohnSheaHey Another death to lay at John Fisher’s feet.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Great fun trip to Mitchell Canyon at Mount Diablo State Park with Ohlone Audubon. Lots of Spring migrants , wildflowers and butterflies so there was something for everyone. Spotted 43 species. It was a good flycatcher day with Olive-sided, Western wood Pewee and Ash-throated.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Out to Springtown Wetlands for a quick morning of birding. Not bad birding with 28 species. Lots of young birds out with baby Mallards, Coots and this Common Gallinule with its chicks.

[William Hoppes @hoppes1949]

Bird banding at Coyote Creek. Caught a White-throated Sparrow. You can see the white throat and yellow lores. We see them here with some regularity but this is the first one we caught at Coyote Creek this year. I love its song, “old Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody”.