Date: 8/6/25 10:35 am From: Ethan Monk via groups.io <z.querula...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] fall migrant misc.
This morning I took a stroll up Vollmer Peak, where it was finally not foggy and fall migration was in full swing. Highlights included 5 Hermit Warblers, 1 Blk.-thr. Gray, 2 Lawrence's Goldfinch, 1 Pine Siskin, one Tanager, and one Grosbeak.
On July 29th birding Pt. San Pablo with Southern California birder Luca Cinus, migrants/dispersants included 1 Ash-thr. Flycatcher, 1 adult Chipping Sparrow and 1 Western Tanager. Species that have bred here, but birds well away from breeding locations incl. 1 Western Flycatcher and 1 R-b Nuthatch.
On July 28th investigating a flooded spot on the Byron Highway, I found 6 male Grackles and 1 Say's Phoebe. A check of Holland Tract afterwards produced 120 Tree Swallows and 24 Violet-green. The latter species is unusual in the delta, and the big numbers I have seen here in the past have come later in the season (often Sept.). I revisited Holland Tract on the 31st and found 10 Violet-green Swallows. A visit on August 3rd produced a grand total of zero... but I did find one Bank Swallow mixed in with the Tree. All of these visits produced passerine migrants, starting with BH Grosbeak on the July 28th visit. On the 31st, a Lazuli Bunting, the same (?) BH Grosbeak, and a flock of 30 Yellow-headed Blackbirds which are not found here in late spring and early summer. On Aug. 3rd I found 1 Black-headed Grosbeak, 1 Tanager, 4 Yellow and 1 Wilson's Warbler, a Hooded Oriole (migrant?) and a Western Flycatcher. 5-6 Blue Grosbeaks were singing.
On July 31st I also birded Jersey Island, where Erica Rutherford and John Colbert politely pointed out 6 Wilson's Phalaropes found the day before by Forest Chapman and Susana de Trapaga. With them were a number of shorebirds, including 2 Lesser Yellowlegs and 4 Wilson's Snipe. On August 3rd almost all the shorebirds were gone.
I noted my first juv. W. Sandpiper on July 26th at Dotson Marsh.
