Date: 5/7/25 7:42 pm From: keith_in_eg via groups.io <keith_ineg...> Subject: [pen-bird] Pillar Point this evening, 5/7
Greetings,
I spent my happy hour in the marsh and along the trail out to Mav’s. Wind has finally come down so the water was pretty flat. Some good May finds included:
* Red-breasted Merganser (females, large pond and in the harbor),
* Gadwall (male, large pond),
* Red-necked Phalarope (continuing individual in main pond sporting fresh breeding plumage),
* Bufflehead (female),
* Lazuli Bunting (female),
* Northern Shoveler (a pair looking pretty cozy in the bend of the outer breakwater).
Notable was the absence of Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, swallows, and Common Yellowthroat.
Date: 5/6/25 8:41 pm From: San Mateo County Bird Alliance via groups.io <office...> Subject: [pen-bird] Thurs. May 8 Meeting - Pt Blue's Palomarin Field Station
This month's meeting features Dr. Kristy Dybala with Point Blue’s Palomarin Field Station
Please join us online on Thursday, May 8, at 7:00 pm when Dr. Kristy Dybala, Principal Scientist at Point Blue Conservation Science, will discuss the critical work at Point Blue’s Palomarin Field Station. She’ll highlight the station’s long-standing contributions to avian research, early career training, and conservation. As one of the longest-running avian field stations in North America, Palomarin has been monitoring bird populations and their responses to environmental changes for over 50 years. The station’s research includes tracking migration patterns, changes in bird body size, and the effects of climate variability on avian populations. Through long-term data collection, scientists at Palomarin provide valuable insights into how birds adapt to climate change and which species may require targeted conservation efforts. The station also serves as a training ground for early-career scientists, providing opportunities to develop skills in bird banding, field ecology, and data analysis. Hundreds of interns have participated in the program, many of whom go on to careers in conservation science. The training emphasizes rigorous data collection methods, contributing to the station’s extensive database used to study long-term ecological trends. Point Blue Conservation Science is a nonprofit dedicated to using science to guide nature-based solutions to climate change and other ecological challenges. With a mission to conserve birds, other wildlife, and ecosystems through innovative research, partnerships, and outreach, Point Blue works across various habitats, from coastal wetlands to agricultural landscapes from California to Antarctica and beyond.
Date: 5/6/25 5:47 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] Fw: [CALBIRDS] a spring landbird migration update--good news!
Hi Pen-birders,Hi Pen-birders,Wanted to share this interesting update from Paul Lehman talking about Spring Migration.Malia
----- Forwarded Message ----- From: <lehman.paul...> via groups.io <lehman.paul...>To: <calbirds...> <calbirds...>Sent: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 11:36:46 AM PDTSubject: [CALBIRDS] a spring landbird migration update--good news!
Back near the end of the third week of April, I (and others) posted our thoughts about the spring landbird migration to date in parts of CA and how late and slow it was. Pretty depressingly so. Similar sorts of news was coming out of the Gulf Coast and Southeast U.S. at the same time. But some of us, at least, are happy to report that there has been a substantial improvement during the last week of April and now through the first week of May. Not only where I am here in San Diego County, but also I've heard similar news from other places such as the southern deserts, LA and Santa Barbara Counties, etc. Not all species, and not everywhere everyday, by any means, but generally much better and involving a good selection of species. One species seemingly doing especially well is Lazuli Bunting, with lots of folks from many areas reporting large numbers. Also finally reasonable numbers of W. Wood-Pewees, Swainson's Thrushes, Nashville, B-t Gray, & Wilson's Warblers, Western Tanagers, and Black-headed Grosbeaks. It seemed as though Townsend's & Hermit Warblers were a bit slow to get untracked, but during the past week they too seem to be doing better. Several folks from a wide swath of CA commented earlier on the very poor numbers of Empidonax flycatchers through April (except for some brief pulses of Hammond's locally), but at least down here around San Diego I am happy to report a major uptick in the numbers of migrant Western Flycatchers during the past week.
On the landbird VAGRANT front, April was quite slow, even though in a "normal" year by the last 10 days of the month one often starts hearing about a few. But I am also happy to report that at least here in San Diego County the past four days have produced several typical early May vagrants: Northern Parula, Black-and-white Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, and coastal Summer Tanager. Hopefully the trend will continue.
Given that it seems lots of species were running late, it will be interesting to see if stuff quickly catches up or if the spring migration ends up being protracted well into June. Also how many truly late-lingering birds will be found this season? Here in San Diego County, for example, we have more than the usual number of Gambel's White-crowned Sparrows turning up this past week, at a time when they typically have become pretty rare.
Date: 5/1/25 9:54 pm From: Peter Metropulos via groups.io <pjmetrop...> Subject: [pen-bird] SHOREBIRD MIGRATION(Ruddy Turnstone,Red Knot,etc.
Since passerine migration and near-shore pelagics have been such a disappointment this Spring I have turned my attention to shorebirds in our baylands.For the past few weeks I have been monitoring the numbers of waders utilizing the SF Bay NWR restoration ponds south of Bedwell Bay Front Park.During high tide when mudflats along the bay are inundated shorebirds mass in these ponds for roosting and feeding.
On 4/8/25 an adult BALD EAGLE flew over the ponds heading east toward the bay.
On 4/12/25 numbers of LESSER YELLOWLEGS peaked at 16 individuals, all in breeding plumage.
On 4/25/25 a RED KNOT was roosting with Black-bellied Plovers and 2 breeding-plumaged RUDDY TURNSTONES were present as well.
Today,May 1, I counted 26 RED KNOTS, almost all of them sporting their "robin redbreast" breeding plumage. This is the highest total I've seen in SM County in at least 20 years. This species has declined alarmingly throughout its range in recent years. Fifty years ago local counts of 100+ in our baylands were not unusual.
Also today, one RUDDY TURNSTONE was present among the roosting Black-bellied Plovers. I tallied 440 of the plovers of which only 5% were in breeding plumage unlike the other shorebirds which were mostly in their fancy attire. Three SNOWY PLOVERS were in habitat suitable for nesting. One of these,a male, was wearing color bands which I was able to read and will find out where he was "ringed". Adding to the action was an immature PEREGRINE having fun scaring up the thousands of Western Sandpipers present.
Date: 4/30/25 8:58 pm From: Kent Forward via groups.io <kforward...> Subject: [pen-bird] Lazuli Buntings and more 4/30/2025
Good Evening Birders,
I've been able to get out recently and enjoy some spring migration birding in San Mateo County. A highlight today was seeing 4 lovely adult male LAZULI BUNTINGS recently arrived along the first stretch of Pomponio Creek Road. Seems a very reliable spot through the years for this species in the county. Earlier in the day a treat was seeing BANK SWALLOWS flying above the bluff above the west end of Cove Beach at Ano Nuevo SP (Malia and Chris had also noted them there yesterday), no doubt soon moving into their nesting colony above the beach at that location. Also, seeing some migrating shorebirds on the beach progressing into their breeding plumage was a treat (Dunlin, Western Sandpiper, etc.), some photos of that action in my checklist:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S231332389 Also of note today was a pleasant surprise of seeing a good number of RED-NECKED PHALAROPES in the ocean just offshore of Gazos Creek State Beach. This scene repeated itself later at Pigeon Point, so a nice pulse of that species coming through at the moment.
It seems to be an uncommonly good spring for eagles in the county, or I'm just having more luck than usual? On April 25th I had 2 adult GOLDEN EAGLES soaring over Lobitos Creek Cut-off road. Individual adult BALD EAGLES were noted on April 4th soaring above Burleigh Murray SP, April 27th over Pomponio SB, and April 28th over Edgewood Park.
This past Sunday a stroll up Old Woman's Creek Road yielded quite a surprise, a female WILD TURKEY emerged with at least 15 very recently fledged chicks! I've never seen Wild Turkeys on that road in all the years of birding there, let alone so many recently fledged tiny chicks, many of whom were still having difficulty walking, tumbling to the ground, only to get up again and give it another try! Learning to walk before they can fly!
Happy Migration,Kent ForwardEl Granada
We've had a pale variant Eurasian Collared-Dove in our yard in Pacifica the
last couple of days. Sometimes considered a morph, but recent speculation
centers on a mutation of the Slc45a2 gene possibly a consequence of
hybridization with "Ringed Turtle-Dove" a domestic form of Barbary Dove.
The origin of these birds remains unclear.
Also in our yard was a late White-throated Sparrow on 21 April.
And lastly a Swainson's Thrush was singing in the willows behind Mezza Luna
restaurant in El Granada last Wednesday evening.
On Sun, 27 Apr 2025 10:55:40 -0700, "Leonie Batkin via groups.io"
<leonie.batkin23...> wrote:
>The LESSER BLACKED GULL first reported by Noah Arthur is here at Pomponio State. Marti Freeland posted earlier this morning it was here. Currently feeding on something.
>
>A LONG awaited County bird for Leonie.
>
>Ron Thorn
>Leonie Batkin
--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
Date: 4/27/25 10:56 am From: Leonie Batkin via groups.io <leonie.batkin23...> Subject: [pen-bird] Lesser Blacked Gull-Pomponio State Beach San Mateo County
The LESSER BLACKED GULL first reported by Noah Arthur is here at Pomponio State. Marti Freeland posted earlier this morning it was here. Currently feeding on something.
Date: 4/26/25 9:54 am From: Curt Bianchi via groups.io <curt...> Subject: [pen-bird] Birder Need for the Palo Alto Summer Bird Count
Hi all. I am in need of an experienced birder to count at Los Trancos Open Space Preserve for the Palo Alto Summer Bird Count. The count will take place on Saturday, June 7. Los Trancos is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains on Page Mill Road just below Skyline Blvd. If you are interested in this opportunity, let me know.
Date: 4/25/25 6:11 pm From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Sightings along the bayside the last several days
At Coyote Pt. County Park, there were ( 2 ) Aleutian Cackling Geese with Canada Geese. A late date on the 22nd was a male Eurasian Wigeon. Most Eurasian Wigeons have departed by the end of March. A Common Goldeneye and a Bufflehead are nearing the late side, also for a Common Goldeneye and ( 2 ) Buffleheads at the Nob Hill Pond. Still being noted on the pond were ( 6 ) Blue-winged Teal. I was surprised in the number of Northern Shovelers at this date on the Ravenswood Salt Pond SF2. A high number of ( 3,400 ) Northern Shovelers were noted. The salt pond in with Caspian Terns were ( 41 ) Elegant Terns, where this species has bred the last several years. Returning to a breeding site on the salt pond were ( 4 ) Black Skimmers. Passerine migration along the bayside has been at a snail's pace. The number of Yellow-rumped Warblers and sparrows have gone down. Passerines that Leonie and I have found at drop-in locations along the bayside. Most were Orange-crowned and Wilson's Warblers. Few of other migrants noted were ( 5 ) Vaux's Swifts, ( 3 ) Western Kingbirds, Bullock's Oriole, White-throated Sparrowand the Lark Sparrow on the 21st at Sem Lane. At home in Redwood Shores, there is still a lingering Red-breasted Nuthatch from last winter.
Ron Thorn Leonie Batkin
Date: 4/23/25 5:07 pm From: Peter Metropulos via groups.io <pjmetrop...> Subject: [pen-bird] BROWN BOOBY at Bean Hollow State Beach,4/21/25
In recent weeks near-shore pelagic birding has been quite unremarkable so when I visited BEAN HOLLOW STATE BEACH on Monday(4/21/25) my expectations were low. Therefore I decided to watch GRAY WHALES (total of 4) that were feeding far offshore. A commercial fishing vessel was working fairly close to shore, attracting a few gulls.At 9AM a sub-adult BROWN BOOBY appeared near the boat rapidly winging its way south low over the water. Fifteen minutes later it reappeared flying north(towards Pescadero Beach). It was not seen again.Otherwise it was quite dull. It was nice,however, to see a breeding-plumaged RHINOCEROS AUKLET feeding just off the beach.
Peter Metropulos
Date: 4/19/25 7:41 pm From: Ross Millikan via groups.io <rmillika...> Subject: [pen-bird] Disturbed chickadee
We have a nest box in front of our house that currently has (or had) a chestnut-backed chickadee pair using it. Tonight one of the chickadees came back with a bug in its beak but did not enter the box and called a great deal. It never did enter the box and ate the bug it was carrying. We saw a bewick's wren near the box as well and have another box at the back of the house that is occupied by bewick's wrens. Does this suggest a failure of the chickadee nest? A photo of the chickadee with bug is at https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/271607926 but I don't think that will help.
Date: 4/16/25 1:09 pm From: Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur...> Subject: [pen-bird] [CALBIRDS] April migration: Late and Slow! , Some annual early questionable reports
A very informative post from Paul Lehman regarding this year's spring
migration and related matters. It's from Southern California but highly
applicable here as well.
Dominik Mosur
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <lehman.paul...> via groups.io <lehman.paul=
<verizon.net...>
Date: Wed, Apr 16, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Subject: [CALBIRDS] April migration: Late and Slow! , Some annual early
questionable reports
To: <calbirds...> <calbirds...>
I think almost everyone in California would agree that the passerine
migration so far this April is notably LATE and SLOW. Down here in parts of
southern California, a number of folks (including myself) have commented on
it being a good migration earlier in the season for Violet-green Swallow,
and since then OK for Western Kingbird and Chipping Sparrow. But almost
everything else.....late and slow! One very common refrain virtually
statewide has been, "Where are all the Hooded Orioles?" Here in San Diego
County, where common and widespread, they were remarkably scarce until just
a little over a week ago. Still below average, but at least they have
filled in a fair bit of their widespread range locally--but this is almost
A FULL MONTH LATE. Bullock's Orioles and Black-headed Grosbeaks have also
finally begun to increase, but still below normal and running 2-3 weeks
late. And where are all the many Ash-throated Flycatchers that normally
start appearing by late March? Anyway, the list goes on and on. So, what's
happening? Major population declines? Inappropriate local weather
conditions locally for migration? Or something odd going on farther to the
south(east), either en route or closer to the wintering grounds? In support
of the latter factor are reports that a fair chunk of southern Arizona had
it driest winter on record, EVER, and--perhaps more important--one friend
of mine reported that parts of Mexico had a cooler or colder than usual
(relatively speaking) winter and early spring--which could well translate
into a lot of stuff running late. We will certainly know a lot more once
the next month plays out!
It's another first half of April, and yet another year of multiple reports
of the following species that are way early and which in most cases likely
reflect misidentifications. (And all of which could really use photo
documentation.) Western Wood-Pewees are not expected to start arriving
until after about 15 April, so any reports before that need to come with
strong documentation, and need to be flagged by eBird filters. (For
example, the all-time early arrival in San Diego County is around 8 April.)
Most such early reports involve either heard-only birds (think vocalizing
starlings or a number of other mimics) or are poorly documented and have no
photos. Often these reports are from observers who do not at all appreciate
how unusually early their bird would be. And a problem that I bet many
birders don't realize is that the first Olive-sided Flycatchers actually
arrive before wood-pewees do--and probably get misidentified. This month,
there were several poorly documented early reports, but also one well
photographed bird in Orange County on 10 April. The next species is
Swainson's Thrush, which already has a bunch of reports in California
during the first half of the month. This species is not reliable until
around late the third week in the month, with a just a few documented
records as early as the 12th-15th. A fair number of the earliest records
are of birds at breeding sites, arriving even earlier than through-migrants
do farther to the SOUTH, but such local breeders need to be heard SINGING.
Unfortunately, almost all of the early reports this month have involved
birds not seen and only heard calling, or heard calling and seen rather
poorly, again mostly by folks who don't appreciate the true status of this
species so early--and who report the bird giving the "wink" or "wheet" call
only, but some other species (e.g., Song Sparrow) can give similar calls.
Last but not least comes Black Swift. There are a small number of legit
records for the last week or perhaps ten days of April in California (some
associated with southern or lowland nesting areas), but of course this
species is a notorious late arriver and typically doesn't show until into
May. The problem here is the usual one of an observer not appreciating the
true status and seasonal timing, and either seeing a White-throated or
Vaux's Swift at a distance or in mediocre light and not properly assessing
size and/or color. And the other recurring problem is misidentifying male
Purple Martins. Heck, some especially early reports of Black Swift, if
indeed of a large all-dark swift, might need to also consider either Common
Swift or White-collared Swift. So far this year, there have already been
one or two Black Swift reports. From previous years, there is an especially
"egregious" report with very limited details coming from Butte County on 30
March 2021 and apparently being validated by eBird.....
Anyway, I'd recommend all county ebird filters be tightened for these and
several other migrants that are notoriously reported "too early" almost
every spring (e.g., add Willow and Dusky Flycatchers to the list), and set
to 0 until these species are truly known to occur REGULARLY in at least
small numbers.
Exceptional arrival and departure dates certainly DO exist. But such
exceptional occurrences need to be appreciated by the observer AT THE TIME
OF THE OBSERVATION and need to be exceptionally well documented.
Date: 4/13/25 1:47 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] San Mateo County Cumulative Year-list Report for --- March 2025
*Greetings Pen-birders,*
San Mateo County birders found a total of 16 species that were new for the year by the end of March. This brings the total species observed by the end of the third month to 240.. 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 2025 *, 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 March, their finders and locations where found:*
While biking the bayside, Dorian Anderson found a REDHEAD (4) just off Seal Point Park and noted the first of year WESTERN KINGBIRD (4) at Coyote Pt. An adult male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD (2) made an appearance at Malia DeFelice’s home, attracted to the red bottlebrush flowers in her backyard. Nilesh Shah reported PIGEON GUILLEMOT (2) while visiting Año Nuevo SP. Chris Hayward photographed a 2 nd cycle LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (6) at Pilarcitos Creek. Another year for an early March arrival for ELEGANT TERN (2), with terns first detected by Jake Shorty at Coyote Point. During a seawatch at Pigeon Pt., Marty Freeland spotted a NORTHERN FULMAR (1). During another seawatch at Pigeon Pt. Ron Thorn had the first SOOTY SHEARWATER (1) for the year. WESTERN FLYCATCHER (1) popped up in two different county locations on the same day, Loni Ye encountered one at Burleigh Murray SP and Nicolas Pino had one at Año Nuevo SP. WARBLING VIREO (2) were noted by Multiple Observers on the same day at foothill and Santa Cruz Mt. locations. Kent forward reported NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (2) at Coyote Pt. and Michael Long observed CLIFF SWALLOW (1) at the Seaport Blvd. hotspot. Summer Lee spotted a SAGE THRASHER (5) at the Mariner’s Point viewing platform and the following day, Alane Gray located SWAMP SPARROW (4) at the same location. Alane also found the first of the year HOODED ORIOLE (2) along Verde Rd. On a whim, Chris Hayward rode his bike over to Frenchman’s Creek where he encountered a/the AMERICAN REDSTART (4), likely the same bird that was found on the Crystal Springs CBC at the very same location on 12/14/24 by Dan Keller and Susie Hons.
*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
*To stay informed of the latest 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.
*This Report:* As volunteers for the San Mateo County Bird Alliance we gather content for this report, each month, by primarily using eBird and Pen-bird. When posting to Pen-bird, please include the location and date of your sighting in either the subject line or in the body of your email. If you don’t use eBird or Pen-bird, you can always email Malia directly. Thank you!
If you have questions or comments regarding this report, or if we missed something,
Date: 4/10/25 8:38 pm From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Passerine migration along the bayside
Still waiting for migration of passerines to pick-up at locations along the bayside. There has been an increased of Cedar Waxwing groups that have started moving through. Few Orange-crowned Warblers have been noted at locations. Migrant White-crowned, Golden-crowned and Lincoln's Sparrows have been coming into locations.Today, there was a Lark Sparrow with White-crowned Sparrows and House Finches working the edges of theparking lot at the Coyote Point Yacht Club. In Redwood Shores, a passing male Great-tailed Grackle was atthe pond behind the dog park along Radio Road.
Ron Thorn
Date: 4/10/25 7:00 am From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Pigeon Pt. seawatch, Cocos Booby, Ancient Murrelet 4/9
Yesterday 4/9, the forecast looked good for a seawatch, so I was out the door to Pigeon Point. Clear visibility out toto the horizon. West wind ( 8-12 ) mph. Surf Scoters and Brant on the move. Pacific Loon migration is underway and is just the beginning of thousands to past by going into May. No tubenoses. Here is a list of what was notedduring the three hour seawatch. The highlight of the seawatch was an adult male COCOS BOOBY flying south pastthe outside of the rock off the lighthouse. This Cocos Booby with the whitish head, also had most of the neck whitishcontrasting against the dark brown breast. Species that were all noted northbound were ( 254 ) Brant, ( 4 ) AmericanWigeon, ( 1 ) Greater Scaup, ( 2,706 ) Surf Scoters, ( 14 ) Red-breasted Mergansers, ( 11 ) Whimbrels, ( 468 ) Common Murres, ( 10 ) Pigeon Guillemots, ( 2 ) ANCIENT MURRELETS together, ( 1 ) Marbled Murrelet, ( 16 )Rhinoceros Auklets, ( 57 ) California Gulls, ( 1 ) Herring Gull, ( 1 ) Iceland Gull, ( 3 ) Glaucous-winged Gulls, ( 83 )Western Gulls, ( 5 ) Elegant Terns, ( 115 ) Red-throated Loons, ( 35 ) Common Loons, ( 1,360 ) Pacific Loons, ( 8 )Double-crested Cormorants, ( 5 ) Pelagic Cormorants, ( 104 ) Brandt's Cormorants, ( 12 ) Brown Pelicans and last,( 5 ) Gray Whales.
Ron Thorn
