Date: 8/31/25 12:31 pm From: Ethan Monk via groups.io <z.querula...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Jewel Lake
This morning Sarah Lynch and I went for a walk around Jewel Lake. We noted a smattering of migrants/lingering breeding neotrops. Birds of interest included 2 Pewee, 1 Willow Flycatcher, 25 Warbling Vireo, 1 W-b Nuthtach, 1 Gnatcatcher, 1 House Wren, 10 S Thrush, 1 N. Waterthrush, 4 O-c Warbler, 2 Yellow Warbler, 2 B-t-g Warbler, 3 Townsends Warbler, 15 Wilson’s Warbler, 3 Tanager and 1 Grosbeak.
The Waterthrush was at the junction of Packrat Trail with the main fire road, right by the roundabout.
It seems to have been a good season for wayward W-b Nuthatch. I had one Friday on Bethel Island behind Russo’s, where very rare. Another at Booker T Anderson Park on the 23rd. And Forest Chapman had one Aug. 7th at Clifton Court Forebay (perhaps the first record for this location) and one at Piper Slough July 1st.
Date: 8/30/25 3:13 pm From: Donald Lewis via groups.io <donlewis2...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Lesser with Greater Yellowlegs photo
At Elsie Roemer in Alameda on August 28, we saw a Lesser Yellowlegs directly in front of a Greater Yellowlegs. I have added a photo by Judy Johnstone to the eBird checklist at https://ebird.org/checklist/S270103343 . It's a good comparison of size, bills, and back spotting.
Date: 8/30/25 7:22 am From: Peter Pyle via groups.io <ppyle...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Noyo Pelagics trips September 5th, 7th, 8th
Greetings Bay Area -
We still have some spaces available on all three of these trips. The current forecast is for calm seas on all three dates so we should be able to make it well off shore, especially during the full-day trip on the 7th. Warmer ocean water is currently moving in, and fishing boats are currently bringing in 100s of albacore.
Reports from these fishing boats over the past two weeks indicate a lot of marine productivity: whales, dolphins, and swarms of shearwaters accompanying them, and we'll be looking through these flocks for rarer shearwater species. On August 17th we had a 15' white shark breach right in front of the boat and during a fishing trip last week our captain videotaped one of similar size in clear water circling under the boat. Storm-petrels and murrelets should be easy to find under these favorable conditions. We will be able to put out 1-2 slicks on the half-day trips (5th and 8th) and 3-4 of the full-day trip in hopes of attracting storm-petrels and Pterodroma. Birding for shorebird and landbird migrants and vagrants along the magnificent Mendocino coast is also picking up.
Date: 8/29/25 12:27 pm From: Maureen Lahiff via groups.io <MLahiff...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] World Shorebirds Day and week of counting
World Shorebirds Day is September 6
This year’s week of counting is September 1 to 7.
To participate, all you need to do is share your eBird checklists from shorebirding with the eBird user name worldshorebirdsday
The Bay is such a great place for shorebirds, here for a refueling stopover or to spend the nonbreeding season.
More information at worldshorebirdsday.org
Maureen LahiffOakland
Date: 8/27/25 6:30 am From: Rosalie via groups.io <barhowarth...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Heather Farm Park
My husband Barry has seen the osprey hanging out every morning since then, flying from one end of the lake to the other, and perching on the big oak by the beach or a tree at the dog park end of the lake.
Date: 8/26/25 7:51 pm From: Don Simonson via groups.io <don.r.simonson...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Snow Goose Richmond Contra Costa
A lone Snow Goose was unusual , my first summer record for this spot or elsewhere in county, seen squatting in marsh grass on bayside at Bay Trail at S51st Street Richmond about 5 pm. 500 plus pelicans were spectacular.
Date: 8/22/25 9:43 am From: Yahoo via groups.io <Sjbu...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Heather Farm Park
I visited the park today and saw a pair of Wood Ducks and an Osprey along with the usual birds. The Wood Ducks were on the western beach and the Osprey did a fly over of the pond before landing on a light pole. Lots of construction in the park.
Date: 8/18/25 4:36 pm From: Peter Pyle via groups.io <ppyle...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Injured or just molting?
Great info Maureen. I do think there is something else wrong with the left wing of this GRSC, though.
Everything looks good with the right wing and it should be molting the primaries and secondaries synchronously soon, if not now.
The very bleached quills without barbs remaining on its left wing, however, indicate that they did not get replaced last year and may be multiple years old. This happens in birds that get injured follicles due to collision or predation, the molt just doesn't happen. You see it fairly often in gulls and sometimes alcids as well, and it is a big reason why some northern diving ducks like this over-summer in our area. It may well not be able to fly, if not due to the original injury then now due to the lack of molt.
Cheers, Peter
On 8/18/2025 2:57 PM, Maureen Lahiff via groups.io wrote: > Bree Ann, > > I think this scaup is molting, and not injured. Notice that its tail > is also growing out. > > What is unusual is 1. that it is here and 2. it is not on the water. > > Like many ducks and other waterbirds that "do not have to fly to eat," > Greater Scaup undergo a synchronous molt. First, the males get new > body feathers that are more camouflage grey, like the one in your > photo. This helps them hide in vegetation because they then drop all > their flight feathers and regrow them simultaneously, which takes a > lot of food resources. (They are flightness for a couple of weeks.) > Finally, they get new body feathers, the bright "breeding" ones for > males. > > I've seen a number of ducks, especially Northern Shovelers that get > here fairly early in the fall, arrive when they are still getting > those updated spiffy body feathers. And if you look at local Mallards > in September, you won't find males with their signature green heads. > You can still tell the males from the females because the males have > yellow-green bills and the females still have orange bills with big > black patches. > > Greater Scaup males make a "molt migration" in July to inland lakes in > the north between their breeding grounds in Alaska and northern Canada > and their final wintering grounds, making a several week stop over > there to molt before coming here for the rest of the non-breeding > season. (The Birds of the World account, alas, doesn't say what the > females do. The males leave before the eggs hatch, so they can make > molt migration earlier than the females, who have sole responsibility > to care for the precocial young. I'm guessing that the females also > make a molt migration to ensure enough food to replace flight feathers > in a synchronous molt.) > > I'd be happy to talk more off of the list about this. > > Maureen Lahiff > Oakland > > On Monday, August 18, 2025 at 10:59:38 AM PDT, BA EC via groups.io > <bae.crofts92...> wrote: > > > Hello all! > > I saw a Greater Scaup perched on a rock over in the Richmond Marina > this morning, which I thought was strange. The left wing appeared to > be growing a lot of new feathers, but I also wasn't sure if it was > injured because there was a large chunk of wing feathers growing. I > have some pictures attached to my eBird checklist and I would love to > hear some perspectives. > > https://ebird.org/checklist/S268097699 > > Thanks all! > BreeAnn > > > > > >
Date: 8/18/25 2:58 pm From: Maureen Lahiff via groups.io <MLahiff...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Injured or just molting?
Bree Ann,
I think this scaup is molting, and not injured. Notice that its tail is also growing out.
What is unusual is 1. that it is here and 2. it is not on the water.
Like many ducks and other waterbirds that "do not have to fly to eat," Greater Scaup undergo a synchronous molt. First, the males get new body feathers that are more camouflage grey, like the one in your photo. This helps them hide in vegetation because they then drop all their flight feathers and regrow them simultaneously, which takes a lot of food resources. (They are flightness for a couple of weeks.) Finally, they get new body feathers, the bright "breeding" ones for males.
I've seen a number of ducks, especially Northern Shovelers that get here fairly early in the fall, arrive when they are still getting those updated spiffy body feathers. And if you look at local Mallards in September, you won't find males with their signature green heads. You can still tell the males from the females because the males have yellow-green bills and the females still have orange bills with big black patches.
Greater Scaup males make a "molt migration" in July to inland lakes in the north between their breeding grounds in Alaska and northern Canada and their final wintering grounds, making a several week stop over there to molt before coming here for the rest of the non-breeding season. (The Birds of the World account, alas, doesn't say what the females do. The males leave before the eggs hatch, so they can make molt migration earlier than the females, who have sole responsibility to care for the precocial young. I'm guessing that the females also make a molt migration to ensure enough food to replace flight feathers in a synchronous molt.)
I'd be happy to talk more off of the list about this.
Maureen LahiffOakland
On Monday, August 18, 2025 at 10:59:38 AM PDT, BA EC via groups.io <bae.crofts92...> wrote:
Hello all!
I saw a Greater Scaup perched on a rock over in the Richmond Marina this morning, which I thought was strange. The left wing appeared to be growing a lot of new feathers, but I also wasn't sure if it was injured because there was a large chunk of wing feathers growing. I have some pictures attached to my eBird checklist and I would love to hear some perspectives.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S268097699 Thanks all!BreeAnn
Date: 8/18/25 10:59 am From: BA EC via groups.io <bae.crofts92...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Injured or just molting?
Hello all!
I saw a Greater Scaup perched on a rock over in the Richmond Marina this morning, which I thought was strange. The left wing appeared to be growing a lot of new feathers, but I also wasn't sure if it was injured because there was a large chunk of wing feathers growing. I have some pictures attached to my eBird checklist and I would love to hear some perspectives.
Date: 8/14/25 2:31 pm From: Mary Korn via groups.io <wegorn...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Red-necked phalarope at Pt. Pinole
On Wednesday, August 13, a single Red-necked phalarope in non-breeding plumage was swimming in a very small body of water at Pt. Pinole. From the Atlas Road Staging area this pond is located on the east side of Cook’s Point trail (the outer edge of the eucalyptus trees) as it turns towards the beach by the marsh area reserve.
On Monday, August 11, 2025, 5:29 PM, Michaela F. via groups.io <michaelafigari...> wrote:
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Kimberlie Moutoux via groups.io <kimberliemoutoux...>
Date: Mon, Aug 11, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Subject: [pen-bird] GGRO 2025
To: <peninsula-birding...>
Hello all. I’m sure some of you know this but for those not involved- there is an active construction site on the road to Hawk Hill. It may be that way til Nov. So only current GGRO Hawk watch volunteers will be allowed to access the counting site. I want to spare you the drive and disappointment in case you regularly visit.
The season opened today. You can still check the website to see what was counted
Kimberlie MoutouxWed 1 Team
Date: 8/8/25 10:15 am From: Alvaro Jaramillo via groups.io <chucao...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] NEW - Sun Aug 10 Farallon Island trip from Sausalito
Hello all,
We had to reschedule our Thursday trip to Sunday Aug 10 due to weather. The Sunday forecast looks super nice with calm winds and calm waves. This is the last Farallon Island trip we will have this season, and it is a particularly great time to see Tufted Puffin out there as well as growing numbers of shearwaters, Humpback Whales etc. If you have wanted to go to the Farallons and had some trepidation. This looks like a great forecast, on the most stable boat going out there - the Outer Limits.
Date: 8/6/25 5:31 pm From: Ethan Monk via groups.io <z.querula...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] fall migrant misc.
I forgot the “Intergrade” Northern Flicker I photographed this morning, which I considered my most interesting bird !
Ethan Monk
> On Aug 6, 2025, at 10:35 AM, Ethan Monk via groups.io <z.querula...> wrote:
>
>
> 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.
>
> Ethan Monk
>
>
>
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.
Date: 8/4/25 5:10 pm From: JENNIFER FURY via groups.io <jennyfuzzy...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Phalaropes
excellent, thank you everyone for the clear details, I will spend time there...Cheers,Jennifer FurySaltwater is the cure for everything, sweat, tears, or the sea... -------- Original message --------From: <donlewis2...> Date: 8/4/25 11:36 AM (GMT-08:00) To: <jennyfuzzy...>, <samzuckerman...>, <EBB-Sightings...> Subject: RE: [EBB-Sightings] Phalaropes Jennifer, See the Mt View sanitary District at https://www.mvsd.org/wetlands and also on Google maps “Waterbird Regional Preserve”. That Google maps link will show you the main McNabney viewing site (parking, picnic table, restroom). Note that the Google map shows the slough as it was before restoration; there is a sizable lake now. The other main viewing site is the less well-known viewing platform on Service Road, on the way into the Mt View /Moorhen Marsh facility. It is accessed via the Pacheco Blvd exit on northbound 680, then turning right onto Arthur Road, which takes you to Service Road after a couple turns in a neighborhood. It can be quite good; a few years ago, there were seven Baird’s Sandpipers viewable from that platform. It’s not exactly wilderness but in a few months there will be tons of ducks and fellow travelers at McNabney. Don LewisLafayette, CA From: <EBB-Sightings...> <EBB-Sightings...> On Behalf Of JENNIFER FURY via groups.ioSent: Monday, August 04, 2025 7:57 AMTo: <samzuckerman...>; <EBB-Sightings...>: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Phalaropes hi Sam, very interesting. I've not heard of that marsh, could I ask you where it is?sounds like it would be good for general marsh habitat birding as well?thank you very much! Cheers, Jennifer FurySaltwater is the cure for everything, sweat, tears, or the sea... -------- Original message --------From: "Sam Zuckerman via groups.io" <samzuckerman...> Date: 8/3/25 5:54 PM (GMT-08:00) To: <EBB-Sightings...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Phalaropes On phalarope watch at McNabney Marsh this morning, a small flock of seven Wilson's swooped in, hung around one of the small islands to the southwest of the parking area and flew off to the south. I've seen them onesies or twosies before in the East Bay during migration, but this was a first. Here's the checklist with photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S264851306 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Groups.io Links: You receive all messages sent to this group.
View/Reply Online (#17528): https://groups.io/g/EBB-Sightings/message/17528 Mute This Topic: https://groups.io/mt/114523584/858290 Group Owner: EBB-Sightings+<owner...>
Unsubscribe: https://groups.io/g/EBB-Sightings/unsub [<lists...>]
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Date: 8/4/25 11:36 am From: Donald Lewis via groups.io <donlewis2...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Phalaropes
Jennifer,
See the Mt View sanitary District at https://www.mvsd.org/wetlands and also on Google maps “Waterbird Regional Preserve”. That Google maps link will show you the main McNabney viewing site (parking, picnic table, restroom). Note that the Google map shows the slough as it was before restoration; there is a sizable lake now.
The other main viewing site is the less well-known viewing platform on Service Road, on the way into the Mt View /Moorhen Marsh facility. It is accessed via the Pacheco Blvd exit on northbound 680, then turning right onto Arthur Road, which takes you to Service Road after a couple turns in a neighborhood. It can be quite good; a few years ago, there were seven Baird’s Sandpipers viewable from that platform.
It’s not exactly wilderness but in a few months there will be tons of ducks and fellow travelers at McNabney.
Don Lewis
Lafayette, CA
From: <EBB-Sightings...> <EBB-Sightings...> On Behalf Of JENNIFER FURY via groups.io
Sent: Monday, August 04, 2025 7:57 AM
To: <samzuckerman...>; <EBB-Sightings...>
Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Phalaropes
hi Sam,
very interesting. I've not heard of that marsh, could I ask you where it is?
sounds like it would be good for general marsh habitat birding as well?
thank you very much!
Cheers,
Jennifer Fury
Saltwater is the cure for everything, sweat, tears, or the sea...
On phalarope watch at McNabney Marsh this morning, a small flock of seven Wilson's swooped in, hung around one of the small islands to the southwest of the parking area and flew off to the south. I've seen them onesies or twosies before in the East Bay during migration, but this was a first. Here's the checklist with photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S264851306
Date: 8/4/25 8:16 am From: Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Phalaropes
Hi Jennifer,
McNabney/Waterbird preserve is your last exit off north bound 680 before you get on the bridge. I highly recommend it, it’s one of the best wetland birding spots in the central Contra Costa county area.
DM
> On Aug 4, 2025, at 07:56, JENNIFER FURY via groups.io <jennyfuzzy...> wrote:
>
>
> hi Sam,
> very interesting. I've not heard of that marsh, could I ask you where it is?
> sounds like it would be good for general marsh habitat birding as well?
> thank you very much!
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jennifer Fury
> Saltwater is the cure for everything, sweat, tears, or the sea...
>
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: "Sam Zuckerman via groups.io" <samzuckerman...>
> Date: 8/3/25 5:54 PM (GMT-08:00)
> To: <EBB-Sightings...>
> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Phalaropes
>
>
> On phalarope watch at McNabney Marsh this morning, a small flock of seven Wilson's swooped in, hung around one of the small islands to the southwest of the parking area and flew off to the south. I've seen them onesies or twosies before in the East Bay during migration, but this was a first. Here's the checklist with photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S264851306 >
>
>
Date: 8/4/25 7:57 am From: JENNIFER FURY via groups.io <jennyfuzzy...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Phalaropes
hi Sam, very interesting. I've not heard of that marsh, could I ask you where it is?sounds like it would be good for general marsh habitat birding as well?thank you very much!Cheers,Jennifer FurySaltwater is the cure for everything, sweat, tears, or the sea... -------- Original message --------From: "Sam Zuckerman via groups.io" <samzuckerman...> Date: 8/3/25 5:54 PM (GMT-08:00) To: <EBB-Sightings...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Phalaropes
On phalarope watch at McNabney Marsh this morning, a small flock of seven Wilson's swooped in, hung around one of the small islands to the southwest of the parking area and flew off to the south. I've seen them onesies or twosies before in the East Bay during migration, but this was a first. Here's the checklist with photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S264851306
Date: 8/3/25 5:54 pm From: Sam Zuckerman via groups.io <samzuckerman...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Phalaropes
On phalarope watch at McNabney Marsh this morning, a small flock of seven Wilson's swooped in, hung around one of the small islands to the southwest of the parking area and flew off to the south. I've seen them onesies or twosies before in the East Bay during migration, but this was a first. Here's the checklist with photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S264851306
