Date: 4/14/26 5:58 pm From: Paul Miller <paulbug.2876...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] White-breasted Nuthatch
Also had a White-breasted Nuthatch calling near the main house at Quail Hollow this morning, and I had one just now in my front yard at Mount Hermon. I've had one before a couple times in the huge oak tree in front of my house. They seem to be getting more common in the county. Paul Miller
Date: 4/14/26 5:52 pm From: Paul Miller <paulbug.2876...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Chipping Sparrow
I had a CHIPPING SPARROW near the UCSC bike path north of the farm. Heard only, unmistakable song. Location right about here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8bRCAPyxvWiHENrUA Paul Miller
Date: 4/8/26 9:58 am From: Barbara Monahan <monahan...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Hummingbird dust bath
I’ve been racking my brain but i’m having difficulty dredging up any hummer species taking a dust bath.
I’m sure this could be more likely in drier habitats.
Barb
Sent from my iPad
> On Apr 8, 2026, at 3:15 AM, Carol Pecot <carol.pecot...> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> A couple of days ago I saw something I haven’t seen before. A female Anna’s had been coming around collecting the dandelion fluff for a nest, but this time, she kept going lower and lower, and then actually landed in a small dusty dirt patch that was pretty sheltered by the surrounding plants. Then I saw her moving around a bit on the ground. It looked like a gentle dust bath!
> Has anyone heard of hummingbirds doing that?
>
> Carol Pecot
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "mbbirds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<AFA49AFC-5DC3-47DA-8A55-7646C02BC4CB...>
Date: 4/8/26 3:15 am From: Carol Pecot <carol.pecot...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Hummingbird dust bath
Hi All,
A couple of days ago I saw something I haven’t seen before. A female Anna’s had been coming around collecting the dandelion fluff for a nest, but this time, she kept going lower and lower, and then actually landed in a small dusty dirt patch that was pretty sheltered by the surrounding plants. Then I saw her moving around a bit on the ground. It looked like a gentle dust bath!
Has anyone heard of hummingbirds doing that?
Date: 4/8/26 3:09 am From: Carol Pecot <carol.pecot...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] FOS Orange-crowned Warbler and FOS Warbling Vireo
Hi All,
Here in the forest downhill of Summit and uphill of Soquel, we had a FOS Orange-crowned Warbler today, FOS Warbling Vireo on Sunday and a lot of bird action!
I really appreciated Pete’s information about the Easter weekend Migration Pulse! That explains this Sunday….. This is the list of what we (mostly) heard and saw on Sunday late morning. (the list has both migratory and resident birds). The woods were alive with the sound of bird song!
Happy Spring!
Carol Pecot
Newer visitors:
Black-headed Grosbeak
FOS Warbling Vireo
Hutton’s Vireo (starting the last week or so)
Birds we usually see/hear every day now, including Sunday:
Bewick’s Wren
Western Bluebirds
Acorn Woodpecker
Mourning Dove
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Oak Titmouse
Dark-eyed Junco
Pygmy Nuthatch
Stellers Jay
Purple Finch
House Finch
Very common birds, we see/hear several times a week at least, including Sunday:
Black Phoebe
Bushtit
Lesser Goldfinch
Black-throated Gray Warbler
(Prob) Piliated Woodpecker (we sometimes confuse with Flicker)
Red-shouldered Hawk
Turkey Vulture
Raven
Spotted Towhee
Birds Merlin heard, but we didn’t notice:
Ca Towhee -they are always around, but we didn’t see them today or specifically hear them
Wrentit- They are sometimes here, but we haven’t heard them around this year yet.
MIA (birds we usually see/hear most days right now, but not Sunday)
Anna’s Hummingbird
American Robin
Scrub Jay
Townsend’s Warbler
Hello birders, Black-headed grosbeaks are also now in Meder canyon. And I believe I heard a warbling vireo at the top of the canyon. Happy birding. -Ann
Hi Pete:
Just writing to confirm our get together on the 8th. is Nancy joining us? Are we having lunch out? Should I make rice pudding?
Shantanu
-----Original Message-----
From: 'Pete Sole' via mbbirds <mbbirds...>
Sent: Apr 5, 2026 10:18 AM
To: MBB Monterey Bay Birds <mbbirds...>
Subject: [MBBIRDS] Easter Weekend Migration Pulse
Hi birders,
Last night we had a big migration pulse. According to BirdCast, from Cornell Lab, some 731,800 birds crossed Santa Cruz County last night. This is the largest migration pulse of the season by far. If you would like to nerd out on more data see:
In micro local news, i.e. our yard, Oak Titmouse seem to have nested in one of our nest boxes, and there is very "suspicious" activity by Violette-green Swallows at another. The partially leucistic Chestnut-backed Chickadee has disappeared, but was last seen with another Chickadee, industrially cleaning out the duff we put into our third nest box by the kitchen window. Just yesterday, an Anna's Hummingbird was collecting cotton from the cotton container put out for the birds.
This morning, a richly "dressed" Black-headed Grosbeak stopped by our feeders and sang repeatedly close by. The Golden-crowned Sparrows are still present and signing, but in declining numbers as they molt into more dapper plumage. "Rumor" has it that the Golden-crowned Sparrows will be departing around April 23rd. (Never mind the fairly consistent historical data, that shows that almost all will have left our area between April 22nd and 24th.) Western Flycatchers, formerly known as Pacific-slope Flycatchers, continue to sing and call, while a Hooded Oriole occasionally calls in in the distance.
For a list of birds seen or heard this morning in our Soquel neighborhood, see:
Down here on The Land in Royal Oaks the last of our spring migrants showed up.. Violet-green swallow and female Black-headed Grosbeak.
Happy BirdingLaura and Betty
Date: 4/5/26 10:18 am From: 'Pete Sole' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Easter Weekend Migration Pulse
Hi birders,
Last night we had a big migration pulse. According to BirdCast, from
Cornell Lab, some 731,800 birds crossed Santa Cruz County last night.
This is the largest migration pulse of the season by far. If you would
like to nerd out on more data see:
In micro local news, i.e. our yard, Oak Titmouse seem to have nested in
one of our nest boxes, and there is very "suspicious" activity by
Violette-green Swallows at another. The partially leucistic
Chestnut-backed Chickadee has disappeared, but was last seen with
another Chickadee, industrially cleaning out the duff we put into our
third nest box by the kitchen window. Just yesterday, an Anna's
Hummingbird was collecting cotton from the cotton container put out for
the birds.
This morning, a richly "dressed" Black-headed Grosbeak stopped by our
feeders and sang repeatedly close by. The Golden-crowned Sparrows are
still present and signing, but in declining numbers as they molt into
more dapper plumage. "Rumor" has it that the Golden-crowned Sparrows
will be departing around April 23rd. (Never mind the fairly consistent
historical data, that shows that almost all will have left our area
between April 22nd and 24th.) Western Flycatchers, formerly known as
Pacific-slope Flycatchers, continue to sing and call, while a Hooded
Oriole occasionally calls in in the distance.
For a list of birds seen or heard this morning in our Soquel
neighborhood, see:
Date: 4/5/26 1:49 am From: Clay Kempf <ltjaegerv4...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Jennifer Green
I'm sad to share that the Saturday Santa Cruz Sentinel includes an obituary for long-time Santa Cruz Birder and pelagic trip leader Jennifer Green. Details in the obit are vague, other than to say she passed away on 3/31 in Botswana.
Jennifer was one of the most frequent co-leaders on the 33 years of Shearwater Journeys pelagic trips that I was part of, and I can't believe she's gone. When I'd see her in the morning as we boarded the boat, I knew we were in for a good trip. Jenn always paid a lot of attention to the customers; showing them where we were on the ocean on overcast days via a hand-held GPS device; spending extra time chumming and taking the pressure off the other leaders; calling out birds, and bringing a container of "ropes/red licorice vines" that were generously shared with all.
It was always fun to be the leader who spotted and called out the first albatross of the day, and back in my younger days of 20/15 vision, I was luckily enough to do that fairly often. But there was a two-to-three-year stretch when Jennifer beat me EVERY time. And she had something like a ten-year run of seeing an (Black-footed) Albatross on every trip. She was also part of and/or a witness to some of the more infamous California birding events of recent decades, and it was always fun to share those memories with her and others that had lived them.
Date: 4/3/26 7:04 pm From: David Sidle <dsidle...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Royal Tern San Lorenzo River Mouth April 1
Royal Tern is resting on Main Beach with gull flock opposite the highest peak of the Giant Dipper. Could be scopable from overlook.
David Sidle 7:03pn
Sent from Samsung Galaxy smartphone. Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> ________________________________ From: <mbbirds...> <mbbirds...> on behalf of Joseph Morlan <jmorlan...> Sent: Friday, April 3, 2026 2:43:53 PM To: Abram Fleishman <abfleishman...> Cc: Michael Bolte <mjbolte...>; Jonathan Wahl <jonny_wahl...>; <kyansr......> <kyansrussell...>; mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Royal Tern San Lorenzo River Mouth April 1
Here is an image showing the differences between Elegant and Royal Terns.
In addition to the difference in relative bill length and depth, notice the much thicker legs of Royal Tern. In winter plumage Royal usually has the eye surrounded by white.
>There were two terns on Main Beach mid-morning today. Both looked similar >size and build. But maybe one was 5-10% larger. But that apparent size >difference may have been posture related. > >Extent of white on forehead and black on nape was similar. Black on nape >extended to the eye in a narrow band. Both had stout bills with the >gonydeal angle 1/3 from the tip. Both birds had uniform bill color that did >not transition to a noticeably lighter color at the tip. They both had >clean white breasts And dark primaries. Neither had the long shaggy crests >I associate with Elegant terms but these were young birds so maybe not >fully mulleted yet. the bill did taper more than I expect for a Royal Tern >but only slightly. The size was hard to judge against the CAGU and WEGU >nearby. But was bigger than I expect for ELTE and smaller than I expect for >ROYT but I have not studied them extensively when I do not have both >species side by side. > >Both birds are in the first winter plumage indicated by the dark centers to >the tercials. it must be noted that orange billed terns often continue to >grow their bill into their second summer so the shortness of the bill might >be age related. > >Theresa two birds did not want to roost together and even though they >flushed several times they always landed in different parts of the gull >flock. > >So looking at the pictures I took we either had two Royals or two Elegants > >iNat IDed 10 of my 13 pictures as Royal, 1 as Elegant and 2 to the genus. >Merlin suggested Royal for several pictures even when cropping out the >head, or only doing the bill or the head with out the bill. 8 on my >pictures were of one bird and 5 were from another. > >Bird 1 >https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/347054599 > >Bird 2 >https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/347054786 > >Happy to have the pros weigh in. Also if you reply please do so to the >entire list so we all can learn something!! > >-Abram > >Sent from my phone > > >On Fri, Apr 3, 2026 at 11:22 Michael Bolte <mjbolte...> wrote: > >> I think it is pretty clearly a Royal Tern. Here is the San Lorenzo bird >> and a Royal and Elegant from on line. The bill of the San Lo bird is heavy, >> has only a small downward curve and about the length of his head. Elegant >> turn bills are thinner, more curved and about 50% longer than the length of >> the head. >> >> >> >> On Fri, Apr 3, 2026 at 9:06?AM Abram Fleishman <abfleishman...> >> wrote: >> >>> The ROTE is foraging between the SC harbor and the Wharf night now >>> >>> -Abram >>> >>> Sent from my phone >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Apr 2, 2026 at 17:18 'Jonathan Wahl' via mbbirds < >>> <mbbirds...> wrote: >>> >>>> I think the bird is at the river mouth right now. >>>> >>>> [image: image0.jpeg] >>>> >>>> >>>> On Apr 2, 2026, at 12:09?PM, <kyansr......> <kyansrussell...> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>> ?Just the messenger - I noticed this observation of a Royal Tern on >>>> iNaturalist >>>> >>>> https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/346709286 >>>> >>>> Cheers, >>>> Kai >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "mbbirds" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...> >>>> To view this discussion visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<b8c8fc18-b9bd-4301-918f-9a68b1a84035n...> >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<b8c8fc18-b9bd-4301-918f-9a68b1a84035n...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> . >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "mbbirds" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...> >>>> To view this discussion visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<2767E04A-4D03-47A6-8DC5-08981C9FA0F8...> >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<2767E04A-4D03-47A6-8DC5-08981C9FA0F8...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> . >>>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "mbbirds" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...> >>> >> To view this discussion visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAH5dYzi%<3DpRMOwkr-uBJGqrHQQteSTBVro2jEaApYATv9hXW-Mw...> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAH5dYzi%<3DpRMOwkr-uBJGqrHQQteSTBVro2jEaApYATv9hXW-Mw...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >> -- Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
In addition to the difference in relative bill length and depth, notice the much thicker legs of Royal Tern. In winter plumage Royal usually has the eye surrounded by white.
>There were two terns on Main Beach mid-morning today. Both looked similar >size and build. But maybe one was 5-10% larger. But that apparent size >difference may have been posture related. > >Extent of white on forehead and black on nape was similar. Black on nape >extended to the eye in a narrow band. Both had stout bills with the >gonydeal angle 1/3 from the tip. Both birds had uniform bill color that did >not transition to a noticeably lighter color at the tip. They both had >clean white breasts And dark primaries. Neither had the long shaggy crests >I associate with Elegant terms but these were young birds so maybe not >fully mulleted yet. the bill did taper more than I expect for a Royal Tern >but only slightly. The size was hard to judge against the CAGU and WEGU >nearby. But was bigger than I expect for ELTE and smaller than I expect for >ROYT but I have not studied them extensively when I do not have both >species side by side. > >Both birds are in the first winter plumage indicated by the dark centers to >the tercials. it must be noted that orange billed terns often continue to >grow their bill into their second summer so the shortness of the bill might >be age related. > >Theresa two birds did not want to roost together and even though they >flushed several times they always landed in different parts of the gull >flock. > >So looking at the pictures I took we either had two Royals or two Elegants > >iNat IDed 10 of my 13 pictures as Royal, 1 as Elegant and 2 to the genus. >Merlin suggested Royal for several pictures even when cropping out the >head, or only doing the bill or the head with out the bill. 8 on my >pictures were of one bird and 5 were from another. > >Bird 1 >https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/347054599 > >Bird 2 >https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/347054786 > >Happy to have the pros weigh in. Also if you reply please do so to the >entire list so we all can learn something!! > >-Abram > >Sent from my phone > > >On Fri, Apr 3, 2026 at 11:22 Michael Bolte <mjbolte...> wrote: > >> I think it is pretty clearly a Royal Tern. Here is the San Lorenzo bird >> and a Royal and Elegant from on line. The bill of the San Lo bird is heavy, >> has only a small downward curve and about the length of his head. Elegant >> turn bills are thinner, more curved and about 50% longer than the length of >> the head. >> >> >> >> On Fri, Apr 3, 2026 at 9:06?AM Abram Fleishman <abfleishman...> >> wrote: >> >>> The ROTE is foraging between the SC harbor and the Wharf night now >>> >>> -Abram >>> >>> Sent from my phone >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Apr 2, 2026 at 17:18 'Jonathan Wahl' via mbbirds < >>> <mbbirds...> wrote: >>> >>>> I think the bird is at the river mouth right now. >>>> >>>> [image: image0.jpeg] >>>> >>>> >>>> On Apr 2, 2026, at 12:09?PM, <kyansr......> <kyansrussell...> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>> ?Just the messenger - I noticed this observation of a Royal Tern on >>>> iNaturalist >>>> >>>> https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/346709286 >>>> >>>> Cheers, >>>> Kai >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "mbbirds" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...> >>>> To view this discussion visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<b8c8fc18-b9bd-4301-918f-9a68b1a84035n...> >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<b8c8fc18-b9bd-4301-918f-9a68b1a84035n...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> . >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "mbbirds" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...> >>>> To view this discussion visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<2767E04A-4D03-47A6-8DC5-08981C9FA0F8...> >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<2767E04A-4D03-47A6-8DC5-08981C9FA0F8...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> . >>>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "mbbirds" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...> >>> >> To view this discussion visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAH5dYzi%<3DpRMOwkr-uBJGqrHQQteSTBVro2jEaApYATv9hXW-Mw...> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAH5dYzi%<3DpRMOwkr-uBJGqrHQQteSTBVro2jEaApYATv9hXW-Mw...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >> -- Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
Date: 4/3/26 12:39 pm From: Abram Fleishman <abfleishman...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Royal Tern San Lorenzo River Mouth April 1
There were two terns on Main Beach mid-morning today. Both looked similar
size and build. But maybe one was 5-10% larger. But that apparent size
difference may have been posture related.
Extent of white on forehead and black on nape was similar. Black on nape
extended to the eye in a narrow band. Both had stout bills with the
gonydeal angle 1/3 from the tip. Both birds had uniform bill color that did
not transition to a noticeably lighter color at the tip. They both had
clean white breasts And dark primaries. Neither had the long shaggy crests
I associate with Elegant terms but these were young birds so maybe not
fully mulleted yet. the bill did taper more than I expect for a Royal Tern
but only slightly. The size was hard to judge against the CAGU and WEGU
nearby. But was bigger than I expect for ELTE and smaller than I expect for
ROYT but I have not studied them extensively when I do not have both
species side by side.
Both birds are in the first winter plumage indicated by the dark centers to
the tercials. it must be noted that orange billed terns often continue to
grow their bill into their second summer so the shortness of the bill might
be age related.
Theresa two birds did not want to roost together and even though they
flushed several times they always landed in different parts of the gull
flock.
So looking at the pictures I took we either had two Royals or two Elegants
iNat IDed 10 of my 13 pictures as Royal, 1 as Elegant and 2 to the genus.
Merlin suggested Royal for several pictures even when cropping out the
head, or only doing the bill or the head with out the bill. 8 on my
pictures were of one bird and 5 were from another.
Date: 4/3/26 11:22 am From: Michael Bolte <mjbolte...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Royal Tern San Lorenzo River Mouth April 1
I think it is pretty clearly a Royal Tern. Here is the San Lorenzo bird and
a Royal and Elegant from on line. The bill of the San Lo bird is heavy, has
only a small downward curve and about the length of his head. Elegant turn
bills are thinner, more curved and about 50% longer than the length of the
head.
On Fri, Apr 3, 2026 at 9:06 AM Abram Fleishman <abfleishman...>
wrote:
Date: 4/2/26 2:49 pm From: silverbirder via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] First of the season
Today down at The Land in Royal Oaks the first of the season beautiful male Black-headed Grosbeak was chowing down at our back yard feeder.
Happy Birding, Laura and Betty who will be on their way to High Island Texas in a week or so for spring migration. One of our favorite birding trips. We have been going to High Island since 1999. Beautiful sanctuaries and great people
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "mbbirds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<176953385.62404.1775166576397...>
Date: 4/1/26 12:31 pm From: David Wilhelm <david.wilhelm...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Loon in trouble
There is an alive loon on Capitola beach that looks in destress and needs help. I have to take someone to the airport so can’t take it over to the shelter. If anyone is around can you grab it. Thanks.
--Dave
Date: 4/1/26 9:32 am From: 'Pete Sole' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] All present and accounted for...
Hi birders,
Well, the last of the neighborhood migrants checked in. In less than
ideal weather, we saw two BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, an adult male, and
what I suspect was a second year male, come to our feeders yesterday
afternoon. That completes the "pentafecta" (April fools word?), of five
migrating bird species that usually breed near our home. In order of
appearance for 2026:
* Allen's Hummingbirds - Unfortunately after an initial appearance in
January, have not seen more individuals.
* Violette-Green Swallows - For a few days, checked out the nesting
boxes we put up.
* Hooded Orioles - Calling most days near the neighborhood palm trees.
* Western Flycatchers - Calling most days.
* Black-headed Grosbeaks - One second year male? ate seed from our
feeders as I typed this.
I guess that the last 4 will likely breed in our neighborhood. The last
4 showed up in March, with the grosbeaks, barely making the month.
In other migrant news, although last night was fairly quiet, we seem to
be tracking bird migration numbers close to, if not slightly above, the
historical average for Santa Cruz (SC) county. It's still early in our
migration season, but for more SC county data, check out Cornell Lab's
Migration Dashboard at:
Oh, and one last migrant note, the numbers of Golden-crowned Sparrows
seems to be dropping, even as the birds molt into more colorful breeding
plumage. Right now, the ones that are still present, look pretty messy.
This is a fun volunteer opportunity that I thought some of you may be
interested in! BeachCOMBERS which was founded at Moss Landing Marine
Labs back in the 90's is now managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service
out of the Ventura office and has a long history in Monterey Bay. It's a
good excuse to get out and walk the same stretch of beach each month and
you learn a lot about bird ID from a very different perspective than
through bird behavior and movement. Feel free to share with anyone else
that you think might be interested!
Enjoy those spring birds,
Amanda
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: BeachCOMBERS Virtual Training Registration
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:58:29 -0700
From: North Coast BeachCOMBERS <beachcombersmb...>
To: North Coast BeachCOMBERS <beachcombersmb...>, Ventura
BeachCOMBERS, FWS8 <beachcombers...>
Hello Current and Prospective BeachCOMBERS,
We are excited to invite you to an upcoming virtual BeachCOMBERS
volunteer training on *May, 1st 2026 from 9-noon*. During the training
we will cover the fundamentals of the BeachCOMBERS program, survey
protocols, and marine mammal and seabird species ID. For our current
volunteers, please feel free to join us if you wish to brush up on your
skills. Please use the link below to register.
Background:
BeachCOMBERS is a long-term community science program that monitors the
health of coastal ecosystems in Central and Southern California. Founded
in 1997, BeachCOMBERS is a collaborative program powered by volunteers
and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in partnership
with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Through
BeachCOMBERS, trained volunteers survey selected sections of coastline
monthly from Santa Cruz to San Diego with the specific goal of
monitoring deposition of beach cast carcasses and oil presence to use as
a metric of coastal ecosystem conditions. BeachCOMBERS has provided data
for a number of scientific papers, contributed to the conservation of
marine resources, quantified oiled wildlife, and has informed resource
managers about wildlife entanglement from fishing gear and other
anthropogenic debris.
Volunteer requirements:
* Ability to walk on unstable ground (sand and cobble) for distances
between 2 to 6 miles
* Completion of volunteer trainings
* One-year commitment to survey an assigned beach one day during a low
tide within the first week of each month (2-6 hours)
We welcome you to share the attached registration link with anyone who
may be interested in joining the BeachCOMBERS program 😊
Date: 3/31/26 5:25 am From: Carol Pecot <carol.pecot...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] FOS Black-headed Grosbeak
FOS Black-headed Grosbeak seen today (male) up the mountain above Soquel/below Summit. It seemed early, but my bird arrival calendar confirmed this was a common time for us. I can hardly wait to hear the singing!
The Western Flycatchers are back at my house (Pleasant Valley, Aptos). They
nest here so I hope to experience at least one of the nests again this
season. One of the two nests I know about is on my porch and I've left it
there hoping that they'll use it again this year (it would be the third
year in a row if they do). The other nest is in my open-air tractor shed on
top of a fire extinguisher - it was a big surprise when I found that one a
few years ago! I had to wait to mow until the chicks fledged - it was a
small inconvenience for a great reward - three chicks fledged!
I also saw the Black-headed Grosbeaks at my feeder for the first time
yesterday. I was away all last week so they might have arrived earlier, but
for sure yesterday!
Cheers!
Debbie
On Sat, Mar 21, 2026 at 8:08 PM Kimberly Butts <kimberlygrey33...>
wrote:
> Hey!
>
> We heard a few over at Peckham last weekend, and then I heard many more
> today on the trail from Henry Cowell campground up to the observation deck.
> Even got lucky and got pics of one that was being very cooperative- right
> before it got into a spat with a Brown Creeper haha.
>
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "mbbirds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<7D9B3986-E7AC-4A6C-AC4D-855DBBFEBE71...> > .
>
>
>
> -Kim
>
> > On Mar 21, 2026, at 6:30 PM, larry corridon <larry961357...>
> wrote:
> > While hiking in Nicene Marks today, I heard many Pacific Wrens in full
> song and a couple of Western Flycatchers. I didn't see them, but their call
> is distinctive and Merlin confirmed after I listened to them. Have they
> been showing up? I haven't seen any postings, but I'm never sure when birds
> come in the spring. I count on others to let me know 😆
> >
> > Larry
> >
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "mbbirds" group.
> > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> > To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<4C329FF0-6DCC-4FA1-89C6-433A80888104...> > .
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "mbbirds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<7D9B3986-E7AC-4A6C-AC4D-855DBBFEBE71...> > .
>
Date: 3/27/26 10:24 am From: Paul Miller <paulbug.2876...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] White-throated Sparrow
My friendly tan-striped WTSP is still hanging around my yard. Observed him/her catching flies near my woodpile yesterday. Observing him as we speak, walking in my driveway. Has a favorite spot near some bricks. Let me know if you need one for your year list. Contact me offline. Easy to find and comfy around people. He'll be off soon. 831 334 4138 Paul Miller Mount Hermon
We heard a few over at Peckham last weekend, and then I heard many more today on the trail from Henry Cowell campground up to the observation deck. Even got lucky and got pics of one that was being very cooperative- right before it got into a spat with a Brown Creeper haha.
> On Mar 21, 2026, at 6:30 PM, larry corridon <larry961357...> wrote:
> While hiking in Nicene Marks today, I heard many Pacific Wrens in full song and a couple of Western Flycatchers. I didn't see them, but their call is distinctive and Merlin confirmed after I listened to them. Have they been showing up? I haven't seen any postings, but I'm never sure when birds come in the spring. I count on others to let me know 😆
>
> Larry
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "mbbirds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<4C329FF0-6DCC-4FA1-89C6-433A80888104...>
Date: 3/21/26 6:30 pm From: larry corridon <larry961357...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Western Flycatcher
While hiking in Nicene Marks today, I heard many Pacific Wrens in full song and a couple of Western Flycatchers. I didn't see them, but their call is distinctive and Merlin confirmed after I listened to them. Have they been showing up? I haven't seen any postings, but I'm never sure when birds come in the spring. I count on others to let me know 😆
Date: 3/18/26 3:53 pm From: 'Pete Sole' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Rufous Hummer (photos) and other FOS
Hi birders,
We had our first of season (FOS) RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD in the garden today.
Managed to snap some so so images, but still good enough for ID,
including these three:
(Well the coloring looks like a warning, and it might be relatively big...)
Interestingly enough, it looks like this hummer is still molting into
it's breeding plumage. Yet it is still migrating to its breeding grounds
north. Also, although small about 3.75 inches in length, according to
the Cornell Bird's of the World online resources:
"The Rufous Hummingbird is North America's “extremist” hummingbird,
widely known in the west for its aggressive nature. Venturing far from
the equatorial tropics in which its ancestors evolved, it reaches the
northernmost latitude of any hummingbird (61° N). After making the
longest (measured in body lengths) known avian migration, individuals
from Alaskan populations face a short breeding season but the longest
day-length seen by any hummingbird."
In other migrant news, yesterday and today we heard our FOS WESTERN
FLYCATCHERS, affectionately known as Pac-slopes. At this point, I think
our only missing typical neighborhood breeding migrant, would be
black-headed grosbeaks. The grosbeaks should start showing up any day now.
Date: 3/18/26 12:54 pm From: silverbirder via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] First of the season
On March 16 we had a gorgeous male Rufous hummingbird show up here on The Land in Royal Oaks. Now all we are missing are the Black-headed Grosbeaks, Olive-sided Flycatchers, Barn and Violet-green swallows.
Happy Birding, Laura and Betty
Date: 3/17/26 3:07 pm From: silverbirder via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] First of the season
Western Flycatcher showed up down on The Land in Royal Oaks yesterday March 17 Happy Birding, Laura and Betty
-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "mbbirds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<239961754.22328.1773785259029...>
Date: 3/15/26 6:26 pm From: silverbirder via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] First of the season
Yesterday we had a beautiful male Wilson's warbler show up at our bird bath down here on The Land in Royal Oaks Happy Birding, Laura and Betty
-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "mbbirds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<853317675.950901.1773624374547...>
Date: 3/15/26 10:29 am From: Ryan Phillips <norcalbirding...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Migration Musings
Good timing as I was going to post that I had my FOS WESTERN WARBLING VIREO
yesterday (rare on eBird by a day!) at Glenwood Reserve (West trails) and
today at the same location my FOS WESTERN FLYCATCHER and now 3 WESTERN
WARBLING VIREOS. In the past couple weeks a huge influx of ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLERS.
Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Townsend's Warblers are in full song now as they
prepare for departure.
So, definitely migration is on for arrivals returning. Breeders/residents
are busy singing.
With this heatwave the activity and movement us going to change quickly!
Enjoy this fun and exciting spring time. My favorite time of the year as I
know most like fall vagrant season.
Good Birding,
Ryan
*Ryan Phillips* ǀ Owner and Guide
Personal and Group Birding Excursions in Northern California and Beyond
"Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes
and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?"
- Sir David Attenborough
On Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 10:01 AM 'Pete Sole' via mbbirds <
<mbbirds...> wrote:
> Hi birders,
>
> Last night I checked Cornell's Birdcast Migration resources, and was
> happy to see the beginnings of bird migration movement. Specifically, we
> had a small bump of activity early in the evening, the second small
> migration bump of the season. ( For those that are curious about the
> data, see the Santa Cruz county migration dashboard
> at: https://dashboard.birdcast.org/region/US-CA-087 )
>
> My guess at this point, is that the migration activity is mostly birds
> starting to leave, rather than arrive. But we've already had a number of
> migrant species return. Three of five migrant species that I track, that
> breed in my neighborhood, have already shown up; an early male Hooded
> Oriole, multiple Violette-green Swallows, and one Allen's Hummingbird.
> In the coming weeks I'll be looking for more of the same as well as,
> Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Western Flycatchers, which have already
> landed in other parts of the county.
>
> Still present Golden-crowned and some White-crowned Sparrows, as well as
> Yellow-rumped Warblers are molting, before they migrate to their
> breeding grounds. In the case of the Golden-crowned Sparrows, they breed
> in Alaska and Canada. Both, molting into breeding plumage and migration
> flight, have very high energy requirements. So most species molt before,
> or after arriving on their breeding grounds. Very few species molt into
> breeding plumage and migrate at the same time. Those that do so, usually
> molt at a temporary stop, before continuing on their journey, but even
> then, there are exceptions.
>
> Hermit Thrushes are still present, but in the coming weeks, they too
> will leave our coast. Some heading as far north as Alaska, while perhaps
> a small number, make a much shorter flight to the Santa Cruz mountains
> to breed.
>
> Migration, one of the wonders of the natural world.
>
> Pete Solé
>
> appreciating migrants in Soquel, CA
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "mbbirds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<d944655e-3498-4e77-b8d4-e3c76e338367...> > .
>
Date: 3/15/26 10:01 am From: 'Pete Sole' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Migration Musings
Hi birders,
Last night I checked Cornell's Birdcast Migration resources, and was
happy to see the beginnings of bird migration movement. Specifically, we
had a small bump of activity early in the evening, the second small
migration bump of the season. ( For those that are curious about the
data, see the Santa Cruz county migration dashboard
at: https://dashboard.birdcast.org/region/US-CA-087 )
My guess at this point, is that the migration activity is mostly birds
starting to leave, rather than arrive. But we've already had a number of
migrant species return. Three of five migrant species that I track, that
breed in my neighborhood, have already shown up; an early male Hooded
Oriole, multiple Violette-green Swallows, and one Allen's Hummingbird.
In the coming weeks I'll be looking for more of the same as well as,
Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Western Flycatchers, which have already
landed in other parts of the county.
Still present Golden-crowned and some White-crowned Sparrows, as well as
Yellow-rumped Warblers are molting, before they migrate to their
breeding grounds. In the case of the Golden-crowned Sparrows, they breed
in Alaska and Canada. Both, molting into breeding plumage and migration
flight, have very high energy requirements. So most species molt before,
or after arriving on their breeding grounds. Very few species molt into
breeding plumage and migrate at the same time. Those that do so, usually
molt at a temporary stop, before continuing on their journey, but even
then, there are exceptions.
Hermit Thrushes are still present, but in the coming weeks, they too
will leave our coast. Some heading as far north as Alaska, while perhaps
a small number, make a much shorter flight to the Santa Cruz mountains
to breed.
Migration, one of the wonders of the natural world.
Date: 3/12/26 5:17 pm From: Karen Kreiger <karenkreiger...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] California Bird Atlas Update and March 19 Town Hall
Hi Birders,
As many of you know, California’s first statewide Breeding Bird Atlas
launched on January 1, 2026. The level of participation across the state
has been remarkable, breeding code use in January and February was up a
staggering +545% over last year.
*Our local stats as of March 12, for Monterey County*:
• 160 atlasers have joined the project and submitted at least one
checklist
• 146 of 354 blocks have Atlas data (~41.24%)
• 130 species have had breeding codes assigned
• 29 species have confirmed breeding codes
*As of March 12, for Santa Cruz County:*
• 60 atlasers have joined the project and submitted at least one
checklist
Participating is very similar to how you already use eBird, but opting into
the Atlas ensures your observations become part of the permanent statewide
dataset being built to guide conservation and land management decisions for
decades to come.
Thank you all for joining the project. It has been inspiring to see the
California birding community come together around this effort, and we are
only just getting started.
