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Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher Wrens, Kinglets, and Gnatcatchers Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Summer Wrens, Kinglets, and Gnatcatchers Daniel Fitzgerald This active insectivore is blue-gray above and whitish below with a narrow white eye ring. Its longish tail is mostly white underneath.

Hammond's Flycatcher Flycatchers Hammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii Migrating Flycatchers Daniel Fitzgerald All Empidonax Flycatchers in our area have light eye-rings and two pale wing bars. Distinguishing features are subtle and include size, shape and coloring of the bill. This species is less yellowish than the Pacific-slope Flycatcher with a shorter, thinner, darker bill and a more tear drop shaped eye ring.

Rock Wren Wrens, Kinglets, and Gnatcatchers Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus All Year Wrens, Kinglets, and Gnatcatchers Daniel Fitzgerald This is one of the larger wrens, grayish with a rusty rump and finely streaked breast.

Black-throated Gray Warbler Warblers Black-throated Gray Warbler Setophaga nigrescens Summer Warblers Daniel Fitzgerald The male has distinctive black throat, cheek and crown separated by white and small yellow lore spot while the female and immature are more slate gray with less prominent head markings.

Red-breasted Sapsucker Kingfishers and Woodpeckers Red-breasted Sapsucker Sphyrapicus ruber Winter Kingfishers and Woodpeckers Daniel Fitzgerald Sapsuckers drill orderly rows of small holes in trees for sap and insects it attracts. This sapsucker has the characteristic white wing patch but sports an entirely red head and breast. Often hybridizes with Red-naped Sapsucker where the ranges overlap.

White-tailed Kite Diurnal Birds of Prey White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus All Year Diurnal Birds of Prey Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald The long whitish tail and black shoulders make the adult unmistakable. It has long pointed wings and soars and glides. Immatures are similar to adults with buffy breasts.

White-throated Swift Swifts and Trogons White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis All Year Swifts and Trogons Daniel Fitzgerald Found in open areas, including mountainous terrain and areas near cliffs and canyons. Although the upperparts are dark, the underside of the swift exhibits contrasting black-and-white pattern, including white throat; note also forked tail. Twittering call may sometimes be heard in the middle fo the night; once learned, it is easy to use this attribute to identify this species. Nest is usually placed in rock crevice of cliff or canyon wall. Feeds on insects caught in flight.

The Amphitheater by Frank Valle-Riestra Reprinted from Mountain News, Spring/Summer 2009 Frank's Favorite Hikes July 1, 1998 All of us who enjoy walking in Mount Diablo State Park have our own favorite destination, perhaps a secret spot which we visit now and then, where we find peace of mind and nature at its best. The topographic complexity of Mount Diablo shelters quite an array of such spots—possibly a hidden cascade on the Falls Trail, a favorite formation on China Wall, or the perennial display of JohnnyJump-Ups on the Bruce Lee Road. My own favorite secret spot is “The Amphitheater”. “The Amphitheater” is a unique phenomenon in Mount Diablo State Park. It is a large bowl formed by the vertical cliffs of Highland Ridge, with sides of enveloping sandstone strata tilted and eroded into picturesque outcrops, not unlike those in Rock City. The bowl bottom is a level area of deep soil supporting a growth of lush grasses and magnificent, centuries-old oak trees, scattered like isolated giant sentinels across the green sward. It is a pastoral scene of unmatched beauty, and on a quiet sunny day you can imagine ghostly images of dancing nymphs in the mottled shade of the huge overhanging limbs, a vision from Greek mythology. The magic of this secret spot is enhanced by its location, in the southeastern-most part of the Park bordering Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, an area much less often visited than the main peak. Chances are you will have “The Amphitheater” all to yourself. A relatively easy way to reach “The Amphitheater” is from the Red Corral trailhead. Red Corral is on Morgan Territory Road, just one half mile beyond the twin narrow bridges, in the direction of Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, or south. You cannot miss the corral on your left, as it is indeed painted red. There is very limited parking at the edge of the road; be sure not to block access to the two gates across the road from the corral. Start your walk at the left of the two gates, and follow the road straight ahead; posted “Morgan Creek Road”. The route takes you upward through a mature stream-side deciduous forest. Soon you penetrate a more open oak savanna where the road veers to the left. Here be on the lookout for a single-track trail on your right, Jeremiah Creek Trail. It is a delightful path that wends its way at the side of Jeremiah Creek, through an open forest typical of our coastal ranges. The gently rising route ends in a saddle of Highland Ridge, on the Old Finley Road. Take a left on Old Finley Road, and after a few steps, at another junction, follow the road as it veers off to the right and downhill. You will be treated to fine views of the Jackass Canyon wilderness below you and imposing Oyster Point beyond. After just a few minutes of easy walking, you will reach the first single-track trail on your left, the beginning of the posted Amphitheatre Trail. A short jaunt will deposit you in the middle of “The Amphitheater”, such a welcoming environment, to let you rest from your exertions so far. Find a sheltered spot for a picnic lunch, and afterward do a bit of exploring to discover any number of surprises. You might even scramble up one of the gentler sandstone formations for a bird’s-eye overlook. Photographic opportunities abound—if you find those nymphs, bring me a picture! The easiest way to return to your car is by retracing your steps. Should you prefer to see new things on the way back, however, why not complete a loop that will not take you all that much longer? Continue on the Amphitheatre Trail to its end at Crestview Road. This trail meanders below Highland Ridge, and its final climb to meet Crestview Road is quite steep, but not long. At Crestview Road turn left. Notice the spectacular views of Mount Diablo in profile and the distant delta region. Shortly you will reach the Highland Ridge Trail. Here make a sharp left and continue until you reach the posted “Morgan Creek Road” on your right, which you descend back to Red Corral. The loop is less than five miles, and your total climb is just under 1,000 feet. Figure on two-and-one-half hours of walking plus an hour in “The Amphitheater”. BACK TO LIST

Become a Member Join us! MDIA counts on your support to provide docents for the visitor centers, sponsor the Junior Ranger program, guide hikes, and provide interpretive material and publications to park visitors. In addition, MDIA member volunteers spend countless hours each year working side by side with park staff to insure that visitors continue to enjoy Mount Diablo State Park to its fullest . Mount Diablo In terpretive Association is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to supporting Mount Diablo State Park. We are a 501(c)(3) organization, and our Tax ID# is 23-7444529. All Net Proceeds from dues, donations, and sales of publications directly support Mount Diablo State Park. Dues and donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by the law.

White-crowned Sparrow Towhees, Sparrows, Juncos, and Longspurs White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys Winter Towhees, Sparrows, Juncos, and Longspurs Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Encountered in grassy and weedy fields, brushy woodland edge, and hedgerows. Combination of grayish underparts, pink bill, and striped crown identify this sparrow in all plumages. Immatures have reddish-brown and pale buff head stripes; adults have black and white head stripes. Feeds on seeds, grass, fruits, and insects.

Northern Mockingbird Thrushes and Thrashers Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos All Year Thrushes and Thrashers Daniel Fitzgerald As suggested by its common name, it mimics the calls of other birds and some animals and is conspicuously common with slim long tail with white patches on its wings and tail.

Chipping Sparrow Towhees, Sparrows, Juncos, and Longspurs Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina Summer Towhees, Sparrows, Juncos, and Longspurs Daniel Fitzgerald Frequents open woodlands and forest edge; also frequents brushy and shrubby habitats. In breeding plumage, combination of dark bill, reddish crown, black eye line, white eyebrow, and unstreaked breast identify this sparrow. Nests in trees. Nest is a cup-shaped structure built from grasses, weed stems, and small roots. Feeds mostly on plant seeds; insects and other invertebrates supplement diet during breeding season.