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always for the community VOL 24 NO 3
March 2019
www.valleysentinel.com
SPOTLIGHT
Celebrating 100 Years of a Good Life Shirley Mannette had her 100th birthday last month. Shirley Mannette, a resident of Sunrise Villa San Ramon celebrated her 100th birthday last month with a visit and special presentation from San Ramon Mayor Bill Clarkson and surrounded by family and friends.
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Snow adorns the top of Mount Diablo in February, and the Marsh Creek Reservoir sparkles, after a recent rainstorm. Photo: Richard Angeloni, Save Mount Diablo. For more information and a message from Caleb Castle, Communications Manager at Save Mt. Diablo, please see page 7.
The Western Grebe By James M. Hale
The Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) is the largest grebe in North America. It weighs up to four and one half pounds, with a wingspan more than three and one half feet. Adults may reach almost three feet in length, with the long bill, head, and swan-like neck making up one half its length. It is the long neck that gives rise to the Western Grebe’s folk names of “swan grebe” and “swan-necked grebe”. Their striking red eye and straight, greenishyellow bill are diagnostic. The whispy, raspy, haunting call of the Western Grebe is a classic sound on western waters. The long legs are located well back on the body, an adaptation for diving and fast, underwater pursuit of their fish prey. Clark’s Grebe is a very similar looking close relative. Much phylogenetic and taxonomic research has been done to help understand the relationship between Clark’s and Western Grebes. Presently, both
Western and Clark’s Grebes have two recognized subspecies. The Western Grebe exhibits classic countershading in its coloration, an example of Thayer’s Law. They are dark gray or black above, and white below. This method of camouflage is an adaptation for protection against predation from above and below. The Western Grebe is a water bird that breeds in colonies on ponds and lakes, with marsh and open water habitat, throughout western North America, from Canada to Mexico. It winters in saltwater, primarily off the Pacific Coast, or in brackish water bays and estuaries. They are a common site in Contra Costa County in the appropriate habitat. Western Grebe fossils from the Late Pleistocene Epoch have been identified from southwestern North America.
Western Grebes breed in colonies, sometime reaching into the hundreds, and generally on large inland lakes with plenty of marsh habitat for nesting. Their “Rushing Ceremony’, a spectacular, ritualized courtship and mating “dance” performed by both sexes, is dramatic and a treat to observe. The pair rear up in unison and patter across
the surface of the water to dive at the finish. It is truly one of nature’s wonders and gems. The synchronous, courtship behavior functions to strengthen the pair-bond in the monogamous Western Grebe. Once the pairbond is established, the “Weed Ceremony” is initiated. The
This Month’s Special Section:
Spring Home & Garden
pages 8-9
See GREBE page 7