Riparian Birds of Mount Diablo's Mitchell Canyon
By Jenn Roe
A diverse mix of birds is drawn to Mitchell Canyon's riparian (stream-side) habitat, a corridor of close-growing trees, shade-loving shrubs, vines, and other vegetation that thrive along the banks of Mitchell Creek. Birds find ample water here, along with food, nesting sites and cover from prey.
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The species found in Mitchell Canyon include year-round and seasonal (summer or winter) residents, visitors from nearby woodland, grassland or chaparral habitats, or those in need of a stopover during migration.
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Those shown here are only a few of the many types of birds seen in and around Mitchell Canyon.
Breeding birds species in the riparian habitat include:
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Nutall's Woodpecker (year-round)
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Black Phoebe (year-round)
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American Goldfinch (year-round)
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Lesser Goldfinch (year-round)
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House Finch (year-round)
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Bushtit (year-round)
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Spotted Towhee (year-round)
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Ash-throated Flycatcher (summer)
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Allen's Hummingbird (summer)
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Wilson's Warbler (summer)
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Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (winter)
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Yellow-rumped Warbler (winter)
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Spotted Towhee | Daniel Fitzgerald
Black Phoebe | Daniel Fitzgerald
Lesser Goldfinch | Daniel Fitzgerald