Date: 11/14/26 12:02 pm From: maliadances via peninsula-birding <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] San Mateo County Cumulative Year-list Report for --- October 2026
*Greetings Pen-birders,*
San Mateo County birders confirmed a total of 17 species that were new for the year by the end of October. This brings the total species confirmed by the end of the tenth month to 341. In reading the following, please note, the number in parenthesis next to the bird name is the rarity code assigned for San Mateo County birds. *From the link below* , you can *see definitions for the rarity codes,* *download a checklist* which shows seasonality, frequency, and county breeding information, *find a full list of the birds* observed so far in 2026 *, plus* *all monthly reports going back to 2009.* http://www.sequoia-audubon.org/SMCbirds.php ( http://www.sequoia-audubon.org/SMCbirds.php )
*Here are the new birds for October, their finders and locations where found:*
During the Big Sit a COMMON GALLINULE (4) was reported by participants. An Alvaro’s Adventures Pelagic trip turned up a COCOS BOOBY (6). While Visiting Pillar Point Harbor, Killian Haml, Reef Comer and Ann Stockert located a YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON (6).
Ron Thorn noted a SWAINSON’S HAWK (5) flying over Redwood Shores. Ron also had a PRAIRIE FALCON (5) in flight at Skylawn Memorial Park. Dominik Mosur posted to Pen-bird that he had received a phone call from Al DeMartini indicating Al had a group of PINYON JAYS (6) along Alpine Rd. near Heritage Grove. Al heard and saw a minimum of 18 Pinyon Jays on the move. Ron Thorn observed a MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (6) at Skylawn Memorial Park. CASSIN’S FINCH (6) were recorded by Tristan Yoo and Ryan G. at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. Carol Miller had a BALTIMORE ORIOLE (6) visiting her suet feeder. While birding the Butano Creek riparian area, Aidan Sinha encountered a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (5). HOODED WARBLER (4) was discovered in the Princeton Willows by Marty Freeland. Leonie Batkin and Ron Thorn located a BLACKPOLL WARBLER (4) at Cypress Lawn Cemetery. A trip to Gazos Creek Rd. presented Ryan Mense with a BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER (4). Ce’dric Duhalde discovered a BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (5) in the riparian area near the electronic gate for the Pacifica Police Department. A trip made by Marty Freeland to the Costanoa Lodge and Resort , yielded a PAINTED REDSTART (6) ---now renamed PAINTED WHITESTART after the recent taxonomic update. This sighting by Marty is the 2 nd county record and Marty was able to document this important observation with photos, videos and audio recording.
*The last two birds to be mentioned in this report are COUNTY FIRSTS* and both were found by Marty Freeland. While birding the area a YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER (6) was located in the riparian habitat accessed from the dirt road leading into the Ember Ridge Equestrian Center in Moss Beach. Word was put out immediately by Marty. Here are a few of Marty’s comments from his checklist “Pending CBRC acceptance this will represent the second for California. The last one, found by Todd Easterla in Alpine Co., stayed two days (10/24–25/2019) and the British Columbia bird stayed seven (10/18–24/2019). There is also a hypothetical one-day single-observer fall record from Wisconsin (10/21/2006), a winter record from Baja California Sur, and a spring record from Ontario; that's it for the New World outside Alaska.” His full commentary on this bird, which was enjoyed by 100+ birders, can be found on his eBird checklist here https://ebird.org/checklist/S404567035
Making a visit to the end of Water Lane area in Pescadero, Marty detected a GRACE’S WARBLER (6) .Once again word got out and a number of birders were able to enjoy this beautiful county first!
*As the compiler of this report* , *I am blown away by this October 2026 list of birds.* I thought October 2020 was big, but I have to say 2026 tops 2020. We gained 2 new county records, bringing our county birds list for all time to 484. The 17 October birds had rarity codes consisting of four 4’s, four 5’s a and a whopping nine 6’s !!!! 341 is the biggest end of the month of all Octobers since this report began in 2009. Big thanks to all the birders out there for finding the birds, getting the word out and for documenting the birds with your photos, videos, and audio recordings …. And taking the time to upload them to eBird,…. ALSO much appreciated are all the nicely detailed descriptions on eBird checklists…….all of which not only enhances the eBird database but also enriches our knowledge and our enjoyment of the birds in San Mateo County. A BIG THANK YOU!
And we still have 2 months to go!
*Birding San Mateo County:* There are plenty of ways to see birds. Did you know *The San Mateo County Bird Alliance leads birding Field Trips* on a regular basis? To join a field trip, check out their schedule here: http://www.sequoia-audubon.org/fieldtrips.html
*Alvaro’s Adventures runs offshore pelagic trips* *now through November,* with many seabird, whale and sea-life finding trips out of Half Moon Bay and other ports. Alvaro’s pelagic schedule here: https://www.alvarosadventures.com/pelagic-dates-2026.html
*California’s First Statewide Breeding Bird Atlas* *-* This landmark effort is being led by *California Bird Atlas* ( https://www.californiabirdatlas.org/ ) ( CBA), an independent nonprofit, in collaboration with state agencies, thousands of volunteers, and dozens of partner organizations. All birders are now officially invited to join the project by visiting the new *California Bird Atlas eBird website* ( https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/home ). Simply click “ *Join Project* ” ( or “Log in to Join Project”) and you will automatically be able to contribute checklists to the Atlas project. The Atlas is fully integrated with the eBird mobile app. If you submit checklists on mobile, this *Quick Start Tutorial video* ( https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8Z3kbqiO9rw ) provides a brief overview.
*To stay informed of the latest local bird news, consider creating an account with both Peninsula Birding (Pen-bird) and eBird.* To join eBird, simply go to https://ebird.org/home and create an account. To join the Peninsula Birding group, join here: https://groups.io/g/peninsula-birding You can post your sightings there and be kept informed of sightings throughout the county including discussions about birds, population trends, where-can-I-find topics, events, field trips, webinars, pelagic trips and conservation issues. You can engage with other members of the birding community and can connect with online/offline discussions.
