Date: 9/5/26 5:48 pm From: David Webster via groups.io <davisigno...> Subject: [SFBirds] Blue Grosbeak
Some chip calls but mostly flight calls several times in the Cypress grove just north of Lobos Overlook. It was calling from the center of the grove toward the middle and lower north end.
Date: 9/3/26 6:52 pm From: Logan Kahle via groups.io <logan...> Subject: [SFBirds] Canada Warbler at Mountain Lake
Hi all,
This evening Joaquim Gonzales, Caitlin Chock and I observed a HY Canada Warbler in the willows on the southeastern side of Mountain Lake Park. It was relatively uncooperative. Relatively few other migrants around, but a few Wilson's and Yellows.
Date: 9/3/26 9:33 am From: Paul Saraceni via groups.io <paulsaraceni...> Subject: [SFBirds] Cocos Booby over SF Bay, 9/3/26
This morning between 8:05-8:15 from Warm Water Cove Park I scoped an adult COCOS BOOBY flying N then back S a ways out over the Bay. At ~9:15 from the Pier 94 site I got a quick look at it heading N again low over the Bay, but then lost it from view and have not relocated it. Perhaps it will make its way past the waterfront out towards Ft. Mason or Crissy Field.
The past couple days I birded around Westside SF in the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, and Lake Merced region in search of migrants and the first vagrant passerines of the fall season. Migrant numbers were shockingly low, with large chunks of good habitat hosting not a single warbler, vireo, or flycatcher. The concentrations I did find seemed to be associated with food-rich regions: willows, red flowering eucs, and fruiting trees like mulberries. It seems likely many of the birds present have been present for a while, and that turnover with all this weird weather has been somewhat minimal.
9/1
I started my morning by birding various spots in the eastern Presidio. The highlight was a single TENNESSEE WARBLER in the willows around Morton Field. Other migrants noted in the various spots checked in the morning were: Western Wood-Pewee-1 Western Flycatcher-6 Willow Flycatcher-1 on Simonds Loop House Wren-2 Warbling Vireo-6 Hooded Oriole-2 on MacArthur ave (perhaps lingering breeders?) Bullock's Oriole-1 on MacArthur ave Yellow Warbler-14 Wilson's Warbler-10 Common Yellowthroat-2 in dry vegetation where the sp does not breed or winter Orange-crowned Warbler-2 Townsend's Warbler-3 Western Tanager-5 Black-headed Grosbeak-1
I then went to Golden Gate Park where I birded with Joaquim Gonzales for the rest of the day. We hit a few select locations in the central portion of the park (Elk Glen Lake, Lloyd Lake, the Arboretum, and the Log Cabin trail). At the log cabin there was a female/immature AMERICAN REDSTART flitting over the trail. However the real bird that caught our attention was a calling warbler in the same general area as the redstart. It sounded interesting to me and I thought it may be a Kentucky Warbler, or possibly an Ovenbird or something else. The bird was heard only for one bout of calls midday. That evening the bird was heard calling again at a nearby spot, and this morning it was found and confirmed to be a KENTUCKY WARBLER. This represents the second city record and the first since Alan Hopkins found one in singing in Land's End in the 1980s. More details about finding it below. Other migrants noted in Golden Gate Park were:
Western Wood-Pewee-1 Willow Flycatcher-1 Western Flycatcher-8 Warbling Vireo-1 Red-breasted Nuthatch-1 House Wren-1 Orange-crowned Warbler-1 Yellow Warbler-17 Townsend's Warbler-2 Wilson's Warbler-8 Western Tanager-8
9/2
Several birders looked for the mystery Warbler this morning and were eventually treated to good looks of the Kentucky Warbler. Some tips on seeing the Kentucky Warbler: it is extremely skulky. The bird calls a lot, primarily in the early morning and late evening, so get there early if you want a best shot at encountering it. It calls persistently but is exceptionally hard to see. This morning, it appeared only as a couple very fleeting glimpses before finally revealing itself for an extended period of time at 8:20am, when it bathed on the leaves of some deciduous trees for a few minutes. After that, it seemed to go back to its normal skulky behavior for the rest of the day. Patience is key for seeing and hearing this bird, but the call is loud, so listen to recordings that folks have uploaded into eBird before chasing it.
I then split off with Caitlin Chock and Jonah Benningfield to check the Rhododendron Dell and the Lily Pond area. The highlight was the continuing EASTERN KINGBIRD that Jonah spotted immediately south of the LIly Pond. This bird was first found by Eli Gross several days ago but went AWOL for the past few days. The bird is eating berries with a flock of tanagers and is in very fresh juvenile plumage. Pretty fun sight.
From there I headed south to Lake Merced, where I birded around the south end on both sides of the Concrete Bridge, the Wooden Bridge, and the willow thickets on the east end of the northern lake. The highlights here were two seperate RED-EYED VIREOS almost a mile apart: one at the north end of Gun Club Marsh in the tall eucs there, and one in the willows by the west side of the Wooden Bridge. Both appeared to be immatures.
Other migrants noted around Lake Merced included:
Willow Flycatcher-1 Western Flycatcher-6 Warbling Vireo-1 Red-breasted Nuthatch-1 House Wren-1 Orange-crowned Warbler-2 Yellow Warbler-22 Townsend's Warbler-1 Black-throated Gray Warbler-2 Wilson's Warbler-13 Western Tanager-2
Anyways, it seems that many of the birds that presumably summered in Northern California and Oregon this year (highlighted by extra-large numbers of Yellow-throated, Hooded and Kentucky Warbler and White-eyed and Red-eyed Vireos) are migrating south now, so it's a great time to get out and see what might be skulking around your local patch!
Date: 9/2/26 6:06 pm From: Logan Kahle via groups.io <logan...> Subject: [SFBirds] Bodega Pelagic Friday 9/4--a few spots remaining
Hi all,
Due to a weather window offshore, I am running a pelagic from Bodega Bay running out to Bodega Canyon and the Cordell Banks with Captain Rick Powers aboard the Surf Scooter this Friday, September 4th. The weather looks excellent with some wind and relatively calm seas.
There are still a few spots remaining for this make-up date, so if you have interest please let me know as soon as you can. The price will be $240 and payable via cash, venmo, or zelle.
A few days ago a Short-tailed Albatross was noted off of this port around Bodega Canyon, and with some luck we may be able to track it down!
Date: 9/2/26 3:16 pm From: Megan Jankowski via groups.io <mindfuldocumentation...> Subject: [SFBirds] Sue Bierman/Russ Bright Park - migrants and tree removals
I birded Russ Bright Park at lunch today and had some good looks at migrants like Western Tanager, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warblers and a Red-breasted Nuthatch.
I'm sure some of you have been following this closely, but I wanted everyone to know that a notice was posted that tree removals will begin *on or after September 14* for the park renovation project. They are removing 97 of 113 trees and work will last about 5 weeks. They will be replanting new trees (and new species) next year to match the number of trees there currently. All of the work is going to happen east of Drumm Street. The hilly portion west of Drumm is going to be unaffected.
Date: 9/2/26 9:51 am From: Jonah Benningfield via groups.io <falco1440...> Subject: [SFBirds] Eastern Kingbird - AIDS memorial
Hi all,
Juvenile Eastern Kingbird feeding with some Tanagers from the fruiting Arrayan and Autumn Olive bushes between the Lily Pond and AIDS memorial here (37.7701775, -122.4615506). Still picking through the flock with Logan and Caitlyn.
Date: 9/2/26 7:58 am From: Keith Maley via groups.io <keith.maley...> Subject: [SFBirds] From Logan K - Kentucky Warbler
Hi all,
This morning there very vocal Kentucky Warbler at the log cabin trail in Golden Gate Park. Joaquim Gonzales and I had heard an odd warbler chip yesterday and I returned this morning to follow up in case it was something rare.
The bird is exceptionally skulky and only easily found by call, which it gives every 10-30 minutes.
It has ranged from here (37.7700686, -122.4744594) to here (37.7703787, -122.4750887).
Date: 9/1/26 11:51 am From: Ryan Lemon via groups.io <ryanjlemon...> Subject: [SFBirds] Blue Grosbeak at Fort Mason
Hey all,
With 3 other birders in the community garden at Fort Mason and we just spotted a female/immature bue brosbeak. It started in the largest tree in the SW corner of the garden, moved into the low branches of the eucalyptus tree just outside the garden, and then took of to the south, southwest. I lost sight of it behind a tree, so I'm not sure how far it went, or if it's chaseable.
Date: 9/1/26 10:40 am From: Ryan Lemon via groups.io <ryanjlemon...> Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
A group of us just briefly spotted two more Swinhoe's in the community
garden at Fort Mason. They flew away to the south, too far to follow.
It's "Swinhoe September!"
Ryan
On Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 9:03 AM Liam Murphy via groups.io <liammsf=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Looking at my photos this bird also looks to be unbranded. I will post
> some to eBird later.
>
> The bird was active and foraging in grass and low plants along the north
> hillside, low to the ground but high above the paved path. It was working
> its way generally west and giving occasional 'tsiew' calls. Last seen
> approximately here:
> 37.743713,-122.414334
>
> There was some migrant activity on Bernal this morning beyond this exotic
> species: two RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, four WESTERN FLYCATCHER, two NORTHERN
> HOUSE WREN, one SWAINSON'S THRUSH, three PINE SISKIN, two HOODED ORIOLE,
> one LAZULI BUNTING, and at least six WESTERN TANAGER. WARBLERS included one
> WILSON'S, two ORANGE-CROWNED, one BLACK-THROATED GRAY, and three NORTHERN
> YELLOW.
>
> Happy September!
> Liam
>
> On Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 7:48 AM Liam Murphy via groups.io <liammsf=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> Interestingly enough, there was a Swinhoe's White-eye on Bernal Hill this
>> morning, north side. Timely report for now, more later.
>>
>> Liam
>>
>> On Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 9:15 PM Roberta Guise via groups.io <roberta=
>> <guisemarketing.com...> wrote:
>>
>>> Gosh golly. I’m sure as heck glad I opened my digital mug and asked for
>>> Swinhoe info.
>>>
>>> From available images looks like Swinhoe the naturalist was a typical
>>> English mid-19th century chap.
>>>
>>> Warmly,
>>> Roberta
>>>
>>> Roberta Guise | Reputation cultivator (she/her)
>>> c: 415-420-6276
>>> *https://www.guisemarketing.com/* <https://www.guisemarketing.com/> >>>
>>>
>>> *From: *<SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> on behalf of Marty
>>> Freeland via groups.io <martinf3...>
>>> *Date: *Monday, August 31, 2026 at 20:51
>>> *To: *<chucao...> <chucao...>;
>>> <darmstrong99...> <darmstrong99...>; 'SF Birds' <
>>> <SFBirds...>
>>> *Subject: *Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
>>>
>>> Swinhoe’s White-eye is on the official California list; it was accepted
>>> as established by the CBRC earlier this year and I believe the ABA-CLC will
>>> follow the CBRC in its next update. This only applies to the established
>>> SoCal population and not to individual independent releases/escapes.
>>>
>>> Dispersants from the SoCal population have turned up quite far south in
>>> Baja, but most or all Bay Area records very likely relate to independent
>>> escapes, as a number (including some of the group that bred in downtown SF)
>>> have aviculturists' leg bands.
>>>
>>> Marty Freeland
>>> ------------------------------
>>> *From:* <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> on behalf of Alvaro
>>> Jaramillo via groups.io <chucao...>
>>> *Sent:* Monday, 31 August 2026 17:33:24
>>> *To:* <darmstrong99...> <darmstrong99...>; 'SF Birds' <
>>> <sfbirds...>
>>> *Subject:* Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
>>>
>>>
>>> David
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I am not in the listing game, but one thing you said confused me. If
>>> it is on the official California list, does that not make it countable no
>>> matter where in California it is seen?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Regards
>>>
>>> Alvaro
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Alvaro Jaramillo
>>>
>>> *<alvaro...>* <alvaro...>
>>>
>>> *www.alvarosadventures.com*
>>> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.alvarosadventures.com__;!!G92We9drHetJ8EofZw!bHXxqF3ziaoD-vuTi-wUtw3CF6setLpCMUiRLSVwZTrrOwX0OoSXFEzsUotjkvtcQvBBzmg_qHpyGSoYDN2cUV_L672cF62poQ$> >>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *From:* <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> *On Behalf Of *David
>>> Armstrong via groups.io
>>> *Sent:* Monday, August 31, 2026 8:23 PM
>>> *To:* SF Birds <sfbirds...>
>>> *Subject:* Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Hi Roberta and SF Birders
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Presumably David is referring to *Swinhoe's White-eye*
>>> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ebird.org/species/swiwhe1__;!!G92We9drHetJ8EofZw!bHXxqF3ziaoD-vuTi-wUtw3CF6setLpCMUiRLSVwZTrrOwX0OoSXFEzsUotjkvtcQvBBzmg_qHpyGSoYDN2cUV_L672LDb2icg$>,
>>> which has established a large population in Southern California, and has
>>> been steadily working its way up the coast with sightings by Dom and others
>>> in SF, as well as in East Bay locations. It's not considered countable here
>>> yet but it is on the official California list.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The "Calliope Tree" refers to *an eBird hotspot *
>>> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2021839__;!!G92We9drHetJ8EofZw!bHXxqF3ziaoD-vuTi-wUtw3CF6setLpCMUiRLSVwZTrrOwX0OoSXFEzsUotjkvtcQvBBzmg_qHpyGSoYDN2cUV_L672QsXiceg$>on >>> Lincoln Golf Course and in particular to a flowering eucalyptus that hosted
>>> a Calliope Hummingbird a couple of falls back (and is a magnet for birds in
>>> general). You can access this area by parking along Clement Street near the
>>> corner of 40th Ave.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Hope this helps
>>>
>>> David Armstrong
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:15:12 PM PDT, Roberta Guise <
>>> *<roberta...>* <roberta...>> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> This assumes a lot of institutional knowledge and accrued arcana. Alas,
>>> some of us are not quite there yet. And perhaps I missed a previous email
>>> about this..
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> What’s Swinhoe?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Where’s the Calliope tree?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Warmly,
>>> Roberta
>>>
>>> Roberta Guise | Reputation cultivator (she/her)
>>> c: 415-420-6276
>>>
>>> *https://www.guisemarketing.com/* >>> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.guisemarketing.com/__;!!G92We9drHetJ8EofZw!bHXxqF3ziaoD-vuTi-wUtw3CF6setLpCMUiRLSVwZTrrOwX0OoSXFEzsUotjkvtcQvBBzmg_qHpyGSoYDN2cUV_L670QBniALw$> >>>
>>> Guise Consulting + Marketing
>>>
>>> Where leading authorities are made
>>>
>>> Author of the forthcoming book, “The Reputation Formula”
>>>
>>>
>>> ***********************************************
>>> Former National Board Director, Institute of Management
>>> Consultants USA (IMC USA)
>>>
>>> Past President,
>>>
>>> IMC USA NorCal Chapter
>>>
>>> linkedin.com/in/robertaguise
>>> @robertaguise
>>>
>>> **********************************************
>>>
>>> *From: **<SFBirds...>* <SFBirds...> <*<SFBirds...>*
>>> <SFBirds...>> on behalf of David Webster via groups.io <
>>> *<davisigno...>* <davisigno...>>
>>> *Date: *Monday, August 31, 2026 at 16:34
>>> *To: *SF Birds <*<SFBirds...>* <SFBirds...>>
>>> *Subject: *[SFBirds] Swinhoe
>>>
>>> In the Calliope tree - not banded
>>>
>>
>
Date: 9/1/26 9:03 am From: Liam Murphy via groups.io <liammsf...> Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
Looking at my photos this bird also looks to be unbranded. I will post some
to eBird later.
The bird was active and foraging in grass and low plants along the north
hillside, low to the ground but high above the paved path. It was working
its way generally west and giving occasional 'tsiew' calls. Last seen
approximately here:
37.743713,-122.414334
There was some migrant activity on Bernal this morning beyond this exotic
species: two RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, four WESTERN FLYCATCHER, two NORTHERN
HOUSE WREN, one SWAINSON'S THRUSH, three PINE SISKIN, two HOODED ORIOLE,
one LAZULI BUNTING, and at least six WESTERN TANAGER. WARBLERS included one
WILSON'S, two ORANGE-CROWNED, one BLACK-THROATED GRAY, and three NORTHERN
YELLOW.
Happy September!
Liam
On Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 7:48 AM Liam Murphy via groups.io <liammsf=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Interestingly enough, there was a Swinhoe's White-eye on Bernal Hill this
> morning, north side. Timely report for now, more later.
>
> Liam
>
> On Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 9:15 PM Roberta Guise via groups.io <roberta=
> <guisemarketing.com...> wrote:
>
>> Gosh golly. I’m sure as heck glad I opened my digital mug and asked for
>> Swinhoe info.
>>
>> From available images looks like Swinhoe the naturalist was a typical
>> English mid-19th century chap.
>>
>> Warmly,
>> Roberta
>>
>> Roberta Guise | Reputation cultivator (she/her)
>> c: 415-420-6276
>> *https://www.guisemarketing.com/* <https://www.guisemarketing.com/> >>
>>
>> *From: *<SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> on behalf of Marty
>> Freeland via groups.io <martinf3...>
>> *Date: *Monday, August 31, 2026 at 20:51
>> *To: *<chucao...> <chucao...>; <darmstrong99...>
>> <darmstrong99...>; 'SF Birds' <SFBirds...>
>> *Subject: *Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
>>
>> Swinhoe’s White-eye is on the official California list; it was accepted
>> as established by the CBRC earlier this year and I believe the ABA-CLC will
>> follow the CBRC in its next update. This only applies to the established
>> SoCal population and not to individual independent releases/escapes.
>>
>> Dispersants from the SoCal population have turned up quite far south in
>> Baja, but most or all Bay Area records very likely relate to independent
>> escapes, as a number (including some of the group that bred in downtown SF)
>> have aviculturists' leg bands.
>>
>> Marty Freeland
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> on behalf of Alvaro
>> Jaramillo via groups.io <chucao...>
>> *Sent:* Monday, 31 August 2026 17:33:24
>> *To:* <darmstrong99...> <darmstrong99...>; 'SF Birds' <
>> <sfbirds...>
>> *Subject:* Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
>>
>>
>> David
>>
>>
>>
>> I am not in the listing game, but one thing you said confused me. If it
>> is on the official California list, does that not make it countable no
>> matter where in California it is seen?
>>
>>
>>
>> Regards
>>
>> Alvaro
>>
>>
>>
>> Alvaro Jaramillo
>>
>> *<alvaro...>* <alvaro...>
>>
>> *www.alvarosadventures.com*
>> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.alvarosadventures.com__;!!G92We9drHetJ8EofZw!bHXxqF3ziaoD-vuTi-wUtw3CF6setLpCMUiRLSVwZTrrOwX0OoSXFEzsUotjkvtcQvBBzmg_qHpyGSoYDN2cUV_L672cF62poQ$> >>
>>
>>
>> *From:* <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> *On Behalf Of *David
>> Armstrong via groups.io
>> *Sent:* Monday, August 31, 2026 8:23 PM
>> *To:* SF Birds <sfbirds...>
>> *Subject:* Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi Roberta and SF Birders
>>
>>
>>
>> Presumably David is referring to *Swinhoe's White-eye*
>> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ebird.org/species/swiwhe1__;!!G92We9drHetJ8EofZw!bHXxqF3ziaoD-vuTi-wUtw3CF6setLpCMUiRLSVwZTrrOwX0OoSXFEzsUotjkvtcQvBBzmg_qHpyGSoYDN2cUV_L672LDb2icg$>,
>> which has established a large population in Southern California, and has
>> been steadily working its way up the coast with sightings by Dom and others
>> in SF, as well as in East Bay locations. It's not considered countable here
>> yet but it is on the official California list.
>>
>>
>>
>> The "Calliope Tree" refers to *an eBird hotspot *
>> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2021839__;!!G92We9drHetJ8EofZw!bHXxqF3ziaoD-vuTi-wUtw3CF6setLpCMUiRLSVwZTrrOwX0OoSXFEzsUotjkvtcQvBBzmg_qHpyGSoYDN2cUV_L672QsXiceg$>on >> Lincoln Golf Course and in particular to a flowering eucalyptus that hosted
>> a Calliope Hummingbird a couple of falls back (and is a magnet for birds in
>> general). You can access this area by parking along Clement Street near the
>> corner of 40th Ave.
>>
>>
>>
>> Hope this helps
>>
>> David Armstrong
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:15:12 PM PDT, Roberta Guise <
>> *<roberta...>* <roberta...>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> This assumes a lot of institutional knowledge and accrued arcana. Alas,
>> some of us are not quite there yet. And perhaps I missed a previous email
>> about this..
>>
>>
>>
>> What’s Swinhoe?
>>
>>
>>
>> Where’s the Calliope tree?
>>
>>
>>
>> Warmly,
>> Roberta
>>
>> Roberta Guise | Reputation cultivator (she/her)
>> c: 415-420-6276
>>
>> *https://www.guisemarketing.com/* >> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.guisemarketing.com/__;!!G92We9drHetJ8EofZw!bHXxqF3ziaoD-vuTi-wUtw3CF6setLpCMUiRLSVwZTrrOwX0OoSXFEzsUotjkvtcQvBBzmg_qHpyGSoYDN2cUV_L670QBniALw$> >>
>> Guise Consulting + Marketing
>>
>> Where leading authorities are made
>>
>> Author of the forthcoming book, “The Reputation Formula”
>>
>>
>> ***********************************************
>> Former National Board Director, Institute of Management
>> Consultants USA (IMC USA)
>>
>> Past President,
>>
>> IMC USA NorCal Chapter
>>
>> linkedin.com/in/robertaguise
>> @robertaguise
>>
>> **********************************************
>>
>> *From: **<SFBirds...>* <SFBirds...> <*<SFBirds...>*
>> <SFBirds...>> on behalf of David Webster via groups.io <
>> *<davisigno...>* <davisigno...>>
>> *Date: *Monday, August 31, 2026 at 16:34
>> *To: *SF Birds <*<SFBirds...>* <SFBirds...>>
>> *Subject: *[SFBirds] Swinhoe
>>
>> In the Calliope tree - not banded
>>
>
>
Date: 9/1/26 7:48 am From: Liam Murphy via groups.io <liammsf...> Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
Interestingly enough, there was a Swinhoe's White-eye on Bernal Hill this
morning, north side. Timely report for now, more later.
Liam
On Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 9:15 PM Roberta Guise via groups.io <roberta=
<guisemarketing.com...> wrote:
> Gosh golly. I’m sure as heck glad I opened my digital mug and asked for
> Swinhoe info.
>
> From available images looks like Swinhoe the naturalist was a typical
> English mid-19th century chap.
>
> Warmly,
> Roberta
>
> Roberta Guise | Reputation cultivator (she/her)
> c: 415-420-6276
> *https://www.guisemarketing.com/* <https://www.guisemarketing.com/> >
>
> *From: *<SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> on behalf of Marty Freeland
> via groups.io <martinf3...>
> *Date: *Monday, August 31, 2026 at 20:51
> *To: *<chucao...> <chucao...>; <darmstrong99...>
> <darmstrong99...>; 'SF Birds' <SFBirds...>
> *Subject: *Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
>
> Swinhoe’s White-eye is on the official California list; it was accepted as
> established by the CBRC earlier this year and I believe the ABA-CLC will
> follow the CBRC in its next update. This only applies to the established
> SoCal population and not to individual independent releases/escapes.
>
> Dispersants from the SoCal population have turned up quite far south in
> Baja, but most or all Bay Area records very likely relate to independent
> escapes, as a number (including some of the group that bred in downtown SF)
> have aviculturists' leg bands.
>
> Marty Freeland
> ------------------------------
> *From:* <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> on behalf of Alvaro
> Jaramillo via groups.io <chucao...>
> *Sent:* Monday, 31 August 2026 17:33:24
> *To:* <darmstrong99...> <darmstrong99...>; 'SF Birds' <
> <sfbirds...>
> *Subject:* Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
>
>
> David
>
>
>
> I am not in the listing game, but one thing you said confused me. If it
> is on the official California list, does that not make it countable no
> matter where in California it is seen?
>
>
>
> Regards
>
> Alvaro
>
>
>
> Alvaro Jaramillo
>
> *<alvaro...>* <alvaro...>
>
> *www.alvarosadventures.com*
> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.alvarosadventures.com__;!!G92We9drHetJ8EofZw!bHXxqF3ziaoD-vuTi-wUtw3CF6setLpCMUiRLSVwZTrrOwX0OoSXFEzsUotjkvtcQvBBzmg_qHpyGSoYDN2cUV_L672cF62poQ$> >
>
>
> *From:* <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> *On Behalf Of *David
> Armstrong via groups.io
> *Sent:* Monday, August 31, 2026 8:23 PM
> *To:* SF Birds <sfbirds...>
> *Subject:* Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
>
>
>
> Hi Roberta and SF Birders
>
>
>
> Presumably David is referring to *Swinhoe's White-eye*
> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ebird.org/species/swiwhe1__;!!G92We9drHetJ8EofZw!bHXxqF3ziaoD-vuTi-wUtw3CF6setLpCMUiRLSVwZTrrOwX0OoSXFEzsUotjkvtcQvBBzmg_qHpyGSoYDN2cUV_L672LDb2icg$>,
> which has established a large population in Southern California, and has
> been steadily working its way up the coast with sightings by Dom and others
> in SF, as well as in East Bay locations. It's not considered countable here
> yet but it is on the official California list.
>
>
>
> The "Calliope Tree" refers to *an eBird hotspot *
> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2021839__;!!G92We9drHetJ8EofZw!bHXxqF3ziaoD-vuTi-wUtw3CF6setLpCMUiRLSVwZTrrOwX0OoSXFEzsUotjkvtcQvBBzmg_qHpyGSoYDN2cUV_L672QsXiceg$>on > Lincoln Golf Course and in particular to a flowering eucalyptus that hosted
> a Calliope Hummingbird a couple of falls back (and is a magnet for birds in
> general). You can access this area by parking along Clement Street near the
> corner of 40th Ave.
>
>
>
> Hope this helps
>
> David Armstrong
>
>
>
>
>
> On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:15:12 PM PDT, Roberta Guise <
> *<roberta...>* <roberta...>> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> This assumes a lot of institutional knowledge and accrued arcana. Alas,
> some of us are not quite there yet. And perhaps I missed a previous email
> about this..
>
>
>
> What’s Swinhoe?
>
>
>
> Where’s the Calliope tree?
>
>
>
> Warmly,
> Roberta
>
> Roberta Guise | Reputation cultivator (she/her)
> c: 415-420-6276
>
> *https://www.guisemarketing.com/* > <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.guisemarketing.com/__;!!G92We9drHetJ8EofZw!bHXxqF3ziaoD-vuTi-wUtw3CF6setLpCMUiRLSVwZTrrOwX0OoSXFEzsUotjkvtcQvBBzmg_qHpyGSoYDN2cUV_L670QBniALw$> >
> Guise Consulting + Marketing
>
> Where leading authorities are made
>
> Author of the forthcoming book, “The Reputation Formula”
>
>
> ***********************************************
> Former National Board Director, Institute of Management
> Consultants USA (IMC USA)
>
> Past President,
>
> IMC USA NorCal Chapter
>
> linkedin.com/in/robertaguise
> @robertaguise
>
> **********************************************
>
> *From: **<SFBirds...>* <SFBirds...> <*<SFBirds...>*
> <SFBirds...>> on behalf of David Webster via groups.io <
> *<davisigno...>* <davisigno...>>
> *Date: *Monday, August 31, 2026 at 16:34
> *To: *SF Birds <*<SFBirds...>* <SFBirds...>>
> *Subject: *[SFBirds] Swinhoe
>
> In the Calliope tree - not banded
>
>
From: <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> on behalf of Marty Freeland via groups.io <martinf3...>
Date: Monday, August 31, 2026 at 20:51
To: <chucao...> <chucao...>; <darmstrong99...> <darmstrong99...>; 'SF Birds' <SFBirds...>
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
Swinhoes White-eye is on the official California list; it was accepted as established by the CBRC earlier this year and I believe the ABA-CLC will follow the CBRC in its next update. This only applies to the established SoCal population and not to individual independent releases/escapes.
Dispersants from the SoCal population have turned up quite far south in Baja, but most or all Bay Area records very likely relate to independent escapes, as a number (including some of the group that bred in downtown SF) have aviculturists' leg bands.
Marty Freeland
________________________________
From: <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> on behalf of Alvaro Jaramillo via groups.io <chucao...>
Sent: Monday, 31 August 2026 17:33:24
To: <darmstrong99...> <darmstrong99...>; 'SF Birds' <sfbirds...>
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
David
I am not in the listing game, but one thing you said confused me. If it is on the official California list, does that not make it countable no matter where in California it is seen?
From: <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> On Behalf Of David Armstrong via groups.io
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2026 8:23 PM
To: SF Birds <sfbirds...>
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:15:12 PM PDT, Roberta Guise <roberta...><mailto:<roberta...>> wrote:
This assumes a lot of institutional knowledge and accrued arcana. Alas, some of us are not quite there yet. And perhaps I missed a previous email about this..
Whats Swinhoe?
Wheres the Calliope tree?
Warmly,
Roberta
Roberta Guise | Reputation cultivator (she/her)
c: 415-420-6276
Swinhoes White-eye is on the official California list; it was accepted as established by the CBRC earlier this year and I believe the ABA-CLC will follow the CBRC in its next update. This only applies to the established SoCal population and not to individual independent releases/escapes.
Dispersants from the SoCal population have turned up quite far south in Baja, but most or all Bay Area records very likely relate to independent escapes, as a number (including some of the group that bred in downtown SF) have aviculturists' leg bands.
Marty Freeland
________________________________
From: <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> on behalf of Alvaro Jaramillo via groups.io <chucao...>
Sent: Monday, 31 August 2026 17:33:24
To: <darmstrong99...> <darmstrong99...>; 'SF Birds' <sfbirds...>
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
David
I am not in the listing game, but one thing you said confused me. If it is on the official California list, does that not make it countable no matter where in California it is seen?
From: <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> On Behalf Of David Armstrong via groups.io
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2026 8:23 PM
To: SF Birds <sfbirds...>
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:15:12 PM PDT, Roberta Guise <roberta...><mailto:<roberta...>> wrote:
This assumes a lot of institutional knowledge and accrued arcana. Alas, some of us are not quite there yet. And perhaps I missed a previous email about this..
Whats Swinhoe?
Wheres the Calliope tree?
Warmly,
Roberta
Roberta Guise | Reputation cultivator (she/her)
c: 415-420-6276
For those of you interested in learning more about Swinhoe’s White Eyes and
their status in various parts of California, the following webinar to the
LA County Birders group, from a researcher studying them (Devin DeRaad,
PhD) is very informative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFv1F6G7QUk
It’s been a little while since I watched this webinar, but if I remember
right, Dr DeRaad seemed to think the Bay Area population was likely sourced
from more recently released captive birds, rather than dispersing birds
from the established SoCal population.
In terms of their status here on eBird, I’ve chatted with various local
reviewers about this over the last several years, in trying to understand
the origins of birds I’ve seen locally.
My understanding is that when the current exotic/provisional system was
introduced by eBird, local reviewers requested eBird central change the
status of this species from provisional to exotic escapee for all Bay Area
counties. This eBird status change did happen, though it’s not certain this
was in response to that request. This request was based on the following:
- At the time at least, there was a big gap in records between the
Southern California population and those in the bay (I think that gap was
roughly between San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz counties at the time),
though the distribution may be different now
- The first birds reported in the bay (Contra Costa County, Bay Point, I
believe) were color banded, suggesting escaped captive birds
- The timing and location patterns of early observations didn’t match
the patterns one might expect for birds dispersing from the Southern
California population - and suggested instead possible escapees. As the rese
- At the time of this discussion - several years ago, there were not yet
breeding records for the bay. Reviewers also noted that there was less
abundant food here - while southern California’s lush tropical flowering
and fruiting vegetation supports a booming population.
Of course breeding records now exist in the bay, so the picture is now
different - though that wouldn’t necessarily change the origins of the Bay
Area population.
I am paraphrasing here, from various correspondence, so please pardon any
inaccuracies or info I missed.
I hope that’s helpful.
Happy Birding,
Zac Denning
Albany
On Mon, Aug 31, 2026 at 6:09 PM Bruce Mast via groups.io <cathrasher4=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Who exactly is "eBird" in this context? Are these decisions left to the
> discretion of county reviewers or is this a more centralized decision
> process emanating from Cornell or thereabouts?
>
> Bruce Mast
> Oakland
>
> On Mon, Aug 31, 2026 at 5:59 PM Adam Winer via groups.io <awiner=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> I hate that I know this stuff, but the ABA rules are (highlight added by
>> me):
>>
>> "an individual of an introduced species may be counted only *when part
>> of, or straying from*, a population that meets the first seven criteria
>> of the ABA Checklist Committee’s Criteria for Determining Establishment
>> of Exotics
>> <https://www.aba.org/criteria-for-determining-establishment-of-exotics/>" >>
>> The Swinhoe's White-eye population in Southern California meets this
>> criterion. The impossible question to answer is whether a bird seen in San
>> Francisco is "straying from" the Southern California population, or is it
>> an independent escaped bird? If you think it isn't a stray from southern
>> CA, how close do you have to be to Santa Barbara (the seeming northern end
>> of its range) to be countable? eBird treats Morro Bay records as countable,
>> San Jose (and further north) as not. I suspect this was not an
>> evidence-based decision.
>>
>> Deferring to eBird is reasonable, making up your own mind is allowed.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Aug 31, 2026 at 5:47 PM David Armstrong via groups.io
>> <darmstrong99...> wrote:
>>
>>> Whether to add it to one's personal list would be a matter of
>>> preference, but as of now it is categorized as "Exotic/Escapee" in eBird at
>>> least as far as SF is concerned, I assume due to the paucity of records.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:33:28 PM PDT, Alvaro Jaramillo via
>>> groups.io <chucao...> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> David
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I am not in the listing game, but one thing you said confused me. If
>>> it is on the official California list, does that not make it countable no
>>> matter where in California it is seen?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Regards
>>>
>>> Alvaro
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Alvaro Jaramillo
>>>
>>> <alvaro...>
>>>
>>> www.alvarosadventures.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *From:* <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> *On Behalf Of *David
>>> Armstrong via groups.io
>>> *Sent:* Monday, August 31, 2026 8:23 PM
>>> *To:* SF Birds <sfbirds...>
>>> *Subject:* Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Hi Roberta and SF Birders
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Presumably David is referring to Swinhoe's White-eye
>>> <https://ebird.org/species/swiwhe1>, which has established a large
>>> population in Southern California, and has been steadily working its way up
>>> the coast with sightings by Dom and others in SF, as well as in East Bay
>>> locations. It's not considered countable here yet but it is on the official
>>> California list.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The "Calliope Tree" refers to an eBird hotspot
>>> <https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2021839>on Lincoln Golf Course and in
>>> particular to a flowering eucalyptus that hosted a Calliope Hummingbird a
>>> couple of falls back (and is a magnet for birds in general). You can access
>>> this area by parking along Clement Street near the corner of 40th Ave.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Hope this helps
>>>
>>> David Armstrong
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:15:12 PM PDT, Roberta Guise <
>>> <roberta...> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> This assumes a lot of institutional knowledge and accrued arcana. Alas,
>>> some of us are not quite there yet. And perhaps I missed a previous email
>>> about this..
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> What’s Swinhoe?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Where’s the Calliope tree?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Warmly,
>>> Roberta
>>>
>>> Roberta Guise | Reputation cultivator (she/her)
>>> c: 415-420-6276 <(415)%20420-6276>
>>>
>>> https://www.guisemarketing.com/ >>>
>>> Guise Consulting + Marketing
>>>
>>> Where leading authorities are made
>>>
>>> Author of the forthcoming book, “The Reputation Formula”
>>>
>>>
>>> ***********************************************
>>> Former National Board Director, Institute of Management
>>> Consultants USA (IMC USA)
>>>
>>> Past President,
>>>
>>> IMC USA NorCal Chapter
>>>
>>> linkedin.com/in/robertaguise
>>> @robertaguise
>>>
>>> **********************************************
>>>
>>> *From: *<SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> on behalf of David
>>> Webster via groups.io <davisigno...>
>>> *Date: *Monday, August 31, 2026 at 16:34
>>> *To: *SF Birds <SFBirds...>
>>> *Subject: *[SFBirds] Swinhoe
>>>
>>> In the Calliope tree - not banded
>>>
>>>
>
>
Date: 8/31/26 6:59 pm From: John Harris via groups.io <jhh.birder...> Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
My understanding is that it was a centralized decision on the part of Ebird
staff, but that county reviewers can modify at their discretion.
A similar situation exists with Scaly-breasted Munia. The last time I
looked ebird was treating it as naturalized up to about the latitude of
Sacramento, and as an escapee north of there.
Where I currently live in Stanislaus County, Munia's are seen annually, but
aren't widespread. Even though Ebird treats it as a naturalized species
here, the number of records remains small, so it's not clear to us locally
that the species is established. We are still awaiting our first Swinhoe's
White-Eyes.
John Harris
Oakdale
On Mon, Aug 31, 2026 at 6:09 PM Bruce Mast via groups.io <cathrasher4=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Who exactly is "eBird" in this context? Are these decisions left to the
> discretion of county reviewers or is this a more centralized decision
> process emanating from Cornell or thereabouts?
>
> Bruce Mast
> Oakland
>
> On Mon, Aug 31, 2026 at 5:59 PM Adam Winer via groups.io <awiner=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> I hate that I know this stuff, but the ABA rules are (highlight added by
>> me):
>>
>> "an individual of an introduced species may be counted only *when part
>> of, or straying from*, a population that meets the first seven criteria
>> of the ABA Checklist Committee’s Criteria for Determining Establishment
>> of Exotics
>> <https://www.aba.org/criteria-for-determining-establishment-of-exotics/>" >>
>> The Swinhoe's White-eye population in Southern California meets this
>> criterion. The impossible question to answer is whether a bird seen in San
>> Francisco is "straying from" the Southern California population, or is it
>> an independent escaped bird? If you think it isn't a stray from southern
>> CA, how close do you have to be to Santa Barbara (the seeming northern end
>> of its range) to be countable? eBird treats Morro Bay records as countable,
>> San Jose (and further north) as not. I suspect this was not an
>> evidence-based decision.
>>
>> Deferring to eBird is reasonable, making up your own mind is allowed.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Aug 31, 2026 at 5:47 PM David Armstrong via groups.io
>> <darmstrong99...> wrote:
>>
>>> Whether to add it to one's personal list would be a matter of
>>> preference, but as of now it is categorized as "Exotic/Escapee" in eBird at
>>> least as far as SF is concerned, I assume due to the paucity of records.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:33:28 PM PDT, Alvaro Jaramillo via
>>> groups.io <chucao...> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> David
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I am not in the listing game, but one thing you said confused me. If
>>> it is on the official California list, does that not make it countable no
>>> matter where in California it is seen?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Regards
>>>
>>> Alvaro
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Alvaro Jaramillo
>>>
>>> <alvaro...>
>>>
>>> www.alvarosadventures.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *From:* <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> *On Behalf Of *David
>>> Armstrong via groups.io
>>> *Sent:* Monday, August 31, 2026 8:23 PM
>>> *To:* SF Birds <sfbirds...>
>>> *Subject:* Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Hi Roberta and SF Birders
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Presumably David is referring to Swinhoe's White-eye
>>> <https://ebird.org/species/swiwhe1>, which has established a large
>>> population in Southern California, and has been steadily working its way up
>>> the coast with sightings by Dom and others in SF, as well as in East Bay
>>> locations. It's not considered countable here yet but it is on the official
>>> California list.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The "Calliope Tree" refers to an eBird hotspot
>>> <https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2021839>on Lincoln Golf Course and in
>>> particular to a flowering eucalyptus that hosted a Calliope Hummingbird a
>>> couple of falls back (and is a magnet for birds in general). You can access
>>> this area by parking along Clement Street near the corner of 40th Ave.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Hope this helps
>>>
>>> David Armstrong
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:15:12 PM PDT, Roberta Guise <
>>> <roberta...> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> This assumes a lot of institutional knowledge and accrued arcana. Alas,
>>> some of us are not quite there yet. And perhaps I missed a previous email
>>> about this..
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> What’s Swinhoe?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Where’s the Calliope tree?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Warmly,
>>> Roberta
>>>
>>> Roberta Guise | Reputation cultivator (she/her)
>>> c: 415-420-6276 <(415)%20420-6276>
>>>
>>> https://www.guisemarketing.com/ >>>
>>> Guise Consulting + Marketing
>>>
>>> Where leading authorities are made
>>>
>>> Author of the forthcoming book, “The Reputation Formula”
>>>
>>>
>>> ***********************************************
>>> Former National Board Director, Institute of Management
>>> Consultants USA (IMC USA)
>>>
>>> Past President,
>>>
>>> IMC USA NorCal Chapter
>>>
>>> linkedin.com/in/robertaguise
>>> @robertaguise
>>>
>>> **********************************************
>>>
>>> *From: *<SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> on behalf of David
>>> Webster via groups.io <davisigno...>
>>> *Date: *Monday, August 31, 2026 at 16:34
>>> *To: *SF Birds <SFBirds...>
>>> *Subject: *[SFBirds] Swinhoe
>>>
>>> In the Calliope tree - not banded
>>>
>>>
>
>
Date: 8/31/26 6:10 pm From: Bruce Mast via groups.io <cathrasher4...> Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
Who exactly is "eBird" in this context? Are these decisions left to the
discretion of county reviewers or is this a more centralized decision
process emanating from Cornell or thereabouts?
Bruce Mast
Oakland
On Mon, Aug 31, 2026 at 5:59 PM Adam Winer via groups.io <awiner=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> I hate that I know this stuff, but the ABA rules are (highlight added by
> me):
>
> "an individual of an introduced species may be counted only *when part
> of, or straying from*, a population that meets the first seven criteria
> of the ABA Checklist Committee’s Criteria for Determining Establishment
> of Exotics
> <https://www.aba.org/criteria-for-determining-establishment-of-exotics/>" >
> The Swinhoe's White-eye population in Southern California meets this
> criterion. The impossible question to answer is whether a bird seen in San
> Francisco is "straying from" the Southern California population, or is it
> an independent escaped bird? If you think it isn't a stray from southern
> CA, how close do you have to be to Santa Barbara (the seeming northern end
> of its range) to be countable? eBird treats Morro Bay records as countable,
> San Jose (and further north) as not. I suspect this was not an
> evidence-based decision.
>
> Deferring to eBird is reasonable, making up your own mind is allowed.
>
>
>
> On Mon, Aug 31, 2026 at 5:47 PM David Armstrong via groups.io
> <darmstrong99...> wrote:
>
>> Whether to add it to one's personal list would be a matter of preference,
>> but as of now it is categorized as "Exotic/Escapee" in eBird at least as
>> far as SF is concerned, I assume due to the paucity of records.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:33:28 PM PDT, Alvaro Jaramillo via
>> groups.io <chucao...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> David
>>
>>
>>
>> I am not in the listing game, but one thing you said confused me. If it
>> is on the official California list, does that not make it countable no
>> matter where in California it is seen?
>>
>>
>>
>> Regards
>>
>> Alvaro
>>
>>
>>
>> Alvaro Jaramillo
>>
>> <alvaro...>
>>
>> www.alvarosadventures.com
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> *On Behalf Of *David
>> Armstrong via groups.io
>> *Sent:* Monday, August 31, 2026 8:23 PM
>> *To:* SF Birds <sfbirds...>
>> *Subject:* Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi Roberta and SF Birders
>>
>>
>>
>> Presumably David is referring to Swinhoe's White-eye
>> <https://ebird.org/species/swiwhe1>, which has established a large
>> population in Southern California, and has been steadily working its way up
>> the coast with sightings by Dom and others in SF, as well as in East Bay
>> locations. It's not considered countable here yet but it is on the official
>> California list.
>>
>>
>>
>> The "Calliope Tree" refers to an eBird hotspot
>> <https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2021839>on Lincoln Golf Course and in
>> particular to a flowering eucalyptus that hosted a Calliope Hummingbird a
>> couple of falls back (and is a magnet for birds in general). You can access
>> this area by parking along Clement Street near the corner of 40th Ave.
>>
>>
>>
>> Hope this helps
>>
>> David Armstrong
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:15:12 PM PDT, Roberta Guise <
>> <roberta...> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> This assumes a lot of institutional knowledge and accrued arcana. Alas,
>> some of us are not quite there yet. And perhaps I missed a previous email
>> about this..
>>
>>
>>
>> What’s Swinhoe?
>>
>>
>>
>> Where’s the Calliope tree?
>>
>>
>>
>> Warmly,
>> Roberta
>>
>> Roberta Guise | Reputation cultivator (she/her)
>> c: 415-420-6276 <(415)%20420-6276>
>>
>> https://www.guisemarketing.com/ >>
>> Guise Consulting + Marketing
>>
>> Where leading authorities are made
>>
>> Author of the forthcoming book, “The Reputation Formula”
>>
>>
>> ***********************************************
>> Former National Board Director, Institute of Management
>> Consultants USA (IMC USA)
>>
>> Past President,
>>
>> IMC USA NorCal Chapter
>>
>> linkedin.com/in/robertaguise
>> @robertaguise
>>
>> **********************************************
>>
>> *From: *<SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> on behalf of David Webster
>> via groups.io <davisigno...>
>> *Date: *Monday, August 31, 2026 at 16:34
>> *To: *SF Birds <SFBirds...>
>> *Subject: *[SFBirds] Swinhoe
>>
>> In the Calliope tree - not banded
>>
>>
>
>
Date: 8/31/26 5:59 pm From: Adam Winer via groups.io <awiner...> Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
I hate that I know this stuff, but the ABA rules are (highlight added by
me):
"an individual of an introduced species may be counted only *when part of,
or straying from*, a population that meets the first seven criteria of the
ABA Checklist Committee’s Criteria for Determining Establishment of Exotics
<https://www.aba.org/criteria-for-determining-establishment-of-exotics/>"
The Swinhoe's White-eye population in Southern California meets this
criterion. The impossible question to answer is whether a bird seen in San
Francisco is "straying from" the Southern California population, or is it
an independent escaped bird? If you think it isn't a stray from southern
CA, how close do you have to be to Santa Barbara (the seeming northern end
of its range) to be countable? eBird treats Morro Bay records as countable,
San Jose (and further north) as not. I suspect this was not an
evidence-based decision.
Deferring to eBird is reasonable, making up your own mind is allowed.
On Mon, Aug 31, 2026 at 5:47 PM David Armstrong via groups.io <darmstrong99=
<yahoo.com...> wrote:
> Whether to add it to one's personal list would be a matter of preference,
> but as of now it is categorized as "Exotic/Escapee" in eBird at least as
> far as SF is concerned, I assume due to the paucity of records.
>
>
>
> On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:33:28 PM PDT, Alvaro Jaramillo via
> groups.io <chucao...> wrote:
>
>
> David
>
>
>
> I am not in the listing game, but one thing you said confused me. If it
> is on the official California list, does that not make it countable no
> matter where in California it is seen?
>
>
>
> Regards
>
> Alvaro
>
>
>
> Alvaro Jaramillo
>
> <alvaro...>
>
> www.alvarosadventures.com
>
>
>
> *From:* <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> *On Behalf Of *David
> Armstrong via groups.io
> *Sent:* Monday, August 31, 2026 8:23 PM
> *To:* SF Birds <sfbirds...>
> *Subject:* Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
>
>
>
> Hi Roberta and SF Birders
>
>
>
> Presumably David is referring to Swinhoe's White-eye
> <https://ebird.org/species/swiwhe1>, which has established a large
> population in Southern California, and has been steadily working its way up
> the coast with sightings by Dom and others in SF, as well as in East Bay
> locations. It's not considered countable here yet but it is on the official
> California list.
>
>
>
> The "Calliope Tree" refers to an eBird hotspot
> <https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2021839>on Lincoln Golf Course and in
> particular to a flowering eucalyptus that hosted a Calliope Hummingbird a
> couple of falls back (and is a magnet for birds in general). You can access
> this area by parking along Clement Street near the corner of 40th Ave.
>
>
>
> Hope this helps
>
> David Armstrong
>
>
>
>
>
> On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:15:12 PM PDT, Roberta Guise <
> <roberta...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> This assumes a lot of institutional knowledge and accrued arcana. Alas,
> some of us are not quite there yet. And perhaps I missed a previous email
> about this..
>
>
>
> What’s Swinhoe?
>
>
>
> Where’s the Calliope tree?
>
>
>
> Warmly,
> Roberta
>
> Roberta Guise | Reputation cultivator (she/her)
> c: 415-420-6276 <(415)%20420-6276>
>
> https://www.guisemarketing.com/ >
> Guise Consulting + Marketing
>
> Where leading authorities are made
>
> Author of the forthcoming book, “The Reputation Formula”
>
>
> ***********************************************
> Former National Board Director, Institute of Management
> Consultants USA (IMC USA)
>
> Past President,
>
> IMC USA NorCal Chapter
>
> linkedin.com/in/robertaguise
> @robertaguise
>
> **********************************************
>
> *From: *<SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> on behalf of David Webster
> via groups.io <davisigno...>
> *Date: *Monday, August 31, 2026 at 16:34
> *To: *SF Birds <SFBirds...>
> *Subject: *[SFBirds] Swinhoe
>
> In the Calliope tree - not banded
>
>
>
>
Date: 8/31/26 5:47 pm From: David Armstrong via groups.io <darmstrong99...> Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
Whether to add it to one's personal list would be a matter of preference, but as of now it is categorized as "Exotic/Escapee" in eBird at least as far as SF is concerned, I assume due to the paucity of records.
On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:33:28 PM PDT, Alvaro Jaramillo via groups.io <chucao...> wrote:
David
I am not in the listing game, but one thing you said confused me. If it is on the official California list, does that not make it countable no matter where in California it is seen?
Regards
Alvaro
Alvaro Jaramillo
<alvaro...>
www.alvarosadventures.com
From: <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> On Behalf Of David Armstrong via groups.io
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2026 8:23 PM
To: SF Birds <sfbirds...>
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
Hi Roberta and SF Birders
Presumably David is referring to Swinhoe's White-eye, which has established a large population in Southern California, and has been steadily working its way up the coast with sightings by Dom and others in SF, as well as in East Bay locations. It's not considered countable here yet but it is on the official California list.
The "Calliope Tree" refers to an eBird hotspot on Lincoln Golf Course and in particular to a flowering eucalyptus that hosted a Calliope Hummingbird a couple of falls back (and is a magnet for birds in general). You can access this area by parking along Clement Street near the corner of 40th Ave.
Hope this helps
David Armstrong
On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:15:12 PM PDT, Roberta Guise <roberta...> wrote:
This assumes a lot of institutional knowledge and accrued arcana. Alas, some of us are not quite there yet. And perhaps I missed a previous email about this..
What’s Swinhoe?
Where’s the Calliope tree?
Warmly,
Roberta
Roberta Guise | Reputation cultivator (she/her)
c: 415-420-6276
Author of the forthcoming book, “The Reputation Formula”
***********************************************
Former National Board Director, Institute of Management
Consultants USA (IMC USA)
Past President,
IMC USA NorCal Chapter
linkedin.com/in/robertaguise
@robertaguise
**********************************************
From: <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> on behalf of David Webster via groups.io <davisigno...>
Date: Monday, August 31, 2026 at 16:34
To: SF Birds <SFBirds...>
Subject: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
I am not in the listing game, but one thing you said confused me. If it is on the official California list, does that not make it countable no matter where in California it is seen?
From: <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> On Behalf Of David Armstrong via groups.io
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2026 8:23 PM
To: SF Birds <sfbirds...>
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
Hi Roberta and SF Birders
Presumably David is referring to Swinhoe's White-eye <https://ebird.org/species/swiwhe1> , which has established a large population in Southern California, and has been steadily working its way up the coast with sightings by Dom and others in SF, as well as in East Bay locations. It's not considered countable here yet but it is on the official California list.
The "Calliope Tree" refers to an eBird hotspot <https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2021839> on Lincoln Golf Course and in particular to a flowering eucalyptus that hosted a Calliope Hummingbird a couple of falls back (and is a magnet for birds in general). You can access this area by parking along Clement Street near the corner of 40th Ave.
Hope this helps
David Armstrong
On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:15:12 PM PDT, Roberta Guise <roberta...> <mailto:<roberta...> > wrote:
This assumes a lot of institutional knowledge and accrued arcana. Alas, some of us are not quite there yet. And perhaps I missed a previous email about this..
What’s Swinhoe?
Where’s the Calliope tree?
Warmly,
Roberta
Roberta Guise | Reputation cultivator (she/her)
c: 415-420-6276
Date: 8/31/26 5:23 pm From: David Armstrong via groups.io <darmstrong99...> Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
Hi Roberta and SF Birders
Presumably David is referring to Swinhoe's White-eye, which has established a large population in Southern California, and has been steadily working its way up the coast with sightings by Dom and others in SF, as well as in East Bay locations. It's not considered countable here yet but it is on the official California list.
The "Calliope Tree" refers to an eBird hotspot on Lincoln Golf Course and in particular to a flowering eucalyptus that hosted a Calliope Hummingbird a couple of falls back (and is a magnet for birds in general). You can access this area by parking along Clement Street near the corner of 40th Ave.
Hope this helpsDavid Armstrong
On Monday, August 31, 2026 at 05:15:12 PM PDT, Roberta Guise <roberta...> wrote:
This assumes a lot of institutional knowledge and accrued arcana. Alas, some of us are not quite there yet. And perhaps I missed a previous email about this..
What’s Swinhoe?
Where’s the Calliope tree?
Warmly,
Roberta
Roberta Guise | Reputation cultivator (she/her)
c: 415-420-6276https://www.guisemarketing.com/Guise Consulting + MarketingWhere leading authorities are madeAuthor of the forthcoming book, “The Reputation Formula”
***********************************************
Former National Board Director, Institute of Management
Consultants USA (IMC USA)Past President, IMC USA NorCal Chapterlinkedin.com/in/robertaguise
@robertaguise
**********************************************From: <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> on behalf of David Webster via groups.io <davisigno...>
Date: Monday, August 31, 2026 at 16:34
To: SF Birds <SFBirds...>
Subject: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
Date: 8/31/26 5:15 pm From: Roberta Guise via groups.io <roberta...> Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
This assumes a lot of institutional knowledge and accrued arcana. Alas, some of us are not quite there yet. And perhaps I missed a previous email about this..
Whats Swinhoe?
Wheres the Calliope tree?
Warmly,
Roberta
Roberta Guise | Reputation cultivator (she/her)
c: 415-420-6276
https://www.guisemarketing.com/ Guise Consulting + Marketing
Where leading authorities are made
Author of the forthcoming book, The Reputation Formula
***********************************************
Former National Board Director, Institute of Management
Consultants USA (IMC USA)
Past President,
IMC USA NorCal Chapter
linkedin.com/in/robertaguise
@robertaguise
**********************************************
From: <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> on behalf of David Webster via groups.io <davisigno...>
Date: Monday, August 31, 2026 at 16:34
To: SF Birds <SFBirds...>
Subject: [SFBirds] Swinhoe
Date: 8/28/26 7:47 am From: Daniel Scali via groups.io <daniel.s.scali...> Subject: [SFBirds] MacGillivray’s Warbler at Sea Cliff entrance to Baker Beach
Date: 8/27/26 9:57 am From: Daniel Scali via groups.io <daniel.s.scali...> Subject: [SFBirds] Warbler Time - botan
All,
I was poaching Ken Moy’s fall spot the last hour. Here:
(37.7683589, -122.4714074)
Nice action. Black-throated Gray, a few Yellows, a Willow Flycatcher, other
expected small birds. A couple Western Tanagers. A diving displaying Rufous
Hummingbird.
Date: 8/27/26 9:07 am From: Brian Fitch via groups.io <fogeggs...> Subject: [SFBirds] Eastern Kingbird Continues
While checking Ft. Miley East, the kingbird blasted by me at close range,
heading back toward the south side of the Legion. I’ve been unable to find
it again over about fifteen minutes of searching. The conditions here are
terrible with thick ground fog, but once it lifts, the bird could be easier
to find than at present.
Brian Fitch
Date: 8/27/26 7:50 am From: Aaron Maizlish via groups.io <amm.birdlists...> Subject: [SFBirds] Black-chinned Hummingbird at North Lake
All,
Dominik Mosur is reporting a female/immature type Black-chinned Hummingbird in the flowering tobacco west of the restrooms at North Lake in Golden Gate Park.
Date: 8/26/26 11:46 am From: David Assmann via groups.io <david_assmann...> Subject: [SFBirds] MacGillivray’s Warbler at Fort Mason
On the hillside above Aquatic Park. Other migrants included at least three WESTERN TANAGERS, a WESTERN WOOD PEWEE, a WILSON’S WARBLER, and a NORTHERN YELLOW WARBLER. One of the GREAT HORNED OWLS was moving around in a Eucalyptus tree behind the General’s House. A single Selasphorus was in with the many ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRDS.
Date: 8/25/26 1:21 pm From: Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur...> Subject: [SFBirds] Breeding and migration notes and a health concern for bird feeders
Breeding season is pretty much a wrap with the exception of grebes and Columbids. We were able to get confirmation for our last two target species.
Green Heron - A recently fled juvenile was photographed by Nico Stuurman at Lake Merced on 8/10 in the very same area where a pair had been observed for the previous several months
Western (Pacific-slope) Flycatcher - Fledglings were observed at North Lake in Golden Gate Park by Eddie Bartley and Noreen Weeden in mid July and near the Main Post in the Presidio by Emily C in early August.
This brings the total of breeding confirmations for San Francisco City and County (Including Farallones) to 96 for the first year of the Atlas effort. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Migrant activity has been increasing with some of the more notable in recent days:
Northern Harrier - fly-over juvenile during the "Birding the Hill" hike/Corona Hill 8/15
White-tailed Kite - Mount Sutro 8/23
Olive-sided Flycatcher - Corona Hill 8/15
Willow Flycatcher - a nice push the past two days; East Wash and West Wash 8/24, Laguna Honda Hospital (garden) Corona Hill 8/25
Cassin's Vireo - East Wash 8/24
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 5 over Pine Lake 8/16
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2 Mount Sutro 8/24, a region wide irruption appears to be underway with multiple birds being noted throughout the city in recent days as well as on the Farallones/Outer Point Reyes migrant traps and even on boats well offshore
Swainson's Thrush - Pine Lake 8/20
Cedar Waxwing - Corona Hill 8/15
Common Yellowthroat - Laguna Honda Reservoir and 7th Avenue Community Garden 8/20
MacGillivray's Warbler - Corona Hill 8/22
AMERICAN REDSTART - Land's End Trail between Deadman's Seep and East Wash 8/24
Hermit Warbler - Pine Lake 8/20
Lazuli Bunting - Corona Hill 8/15 and 8/19 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, for anyone who puts out seed feeders for the birds in your neighborhood, please keep an eye out for individuals showing symptoms of Avian Pox typified by wart-like growths around unfeathered body parts - usually around the eyes/bill and sometimes legs. I've noticed several instances recently on birds going to residential feeding stations around Corona Hill starting in mid-July. If you see birds showing this at your feeders consider taking them down for a while or at the least step up hygiene protocol with more frequent disinfection. Same goes for water features, fountains and similar.
Date: 8/19/26 1:31 pm From: Brian Fitch via groups.io <fogeggs...> Subject: [SFBirds] Phaino
A female Phainopepla just flew into a poplar at the Davies Med Center, perched for twenty seconds, then flew off southwestward. Slender bodied, long-tailed, 50 per cent bigger than adjacent House Finches, dark gray, with a tall spindly crest. Brian Fitch
Date: 8/19/26 11:22 am From: Brian Fitch via groups.io <fogeggs...> Subject: [SFBirds] Turnstones
Early this morning there were three Ruddy Turnstones on the beach with the
Sanderling/Snowy flock between Moraga and Noriega. The continuing bright
bird photographed by many continued, and two duller individuals were
nearby, though I didn’t check their vintage. I ran into Jahvin after
seeing the dull pair, and he refound the bright bird, and might also have
photos.
Another Red-breasted Nuthatch was just east of the Beach Chalet later in
the morning.
Brian Fitch
Date: 8/16/26 5:42 pm From: David Assmann via groups.io <david_assmann...> Subject: [SFBirds] Bald Eagle at Fort Mason
Migrants were almost non-existent on today's GGAS Field Trip at Fort Mason (a WESTERN FLYCATCHER and a WESTERN TANAGER), but we had better luck with birds of prey, with the highlight being an adult BALD EAGLE that flew over heading south a little before 11 am. Earlier we had great scope looks at one of the resident GREAT HORNED OWLS, and an OSPREY flew over heading east.
Date: 8/16/26 2:47 pm From: Liam Murphy via groups.io <liammsf...> Subject: [SFBirds] Another Oak Titmouse
Happy Sunday SFBirders,
While doing some chores and listening to the Giants game on the radio, I heard an interesting call in the backyard. I was shocked to see an OAK TITMOUSE visiting my seed cake feeder along with a House Finch. The bird snacked for 20-30 seconds and then flew off to the south.
If the bird returns and establishes a pattern, I will do my best to accommodate viewing requests as much as possible, though my schedule is relatively full this week so I appreciate your understanding.
Fall is starting up and this is an additional data point for certain California interior species irrupting to the coast. Keep those eyes and ears open, even at home!
Date: 8/14/26 8:50 am From: Keith Maley via groups.io <keith.maley...> Subject: [SFBirds] Baird’s Sandpiper - Crissy Lagoon
Brian and I just briefly observed a Baird’s Sandpiper land in Crissy Lagoon just north of the tern flock before it disappeared. Also, a breeding plumaged Common Tern is among the many Elegant Terns.
Date: 8/12/26 8:29 am From: San Mateo County Bird Alliance via groups.io <office...> Subject: [SFBirds] Thursday August 13 Meeting - Alcatraz Breeding Bird Sanctuary
*Join us on Zoom Thursday, August 13 at 7:00 pm*
Kimberlie Moutoux has volunteered at Alcatraz as a Waterbird Docent with the National Park Service since 2019. She provides information to visitors about the breeding population during the breeding season, March to August, when the wintering population swells from 400 to 30,000 birds. In the winter, she co-leads the winter bird counts. This year, she is collaborating with a small team to monitor nesting behavior on the island and observe disturbance events involving Western Gulls. At Alcatraz, there are seven species of waterbirds—Western Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Brandt’s Cormorant, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-heron, and Great Blue Heron.
Kimberlie is also a practicing artist at the Sanchez Art Center, creating data -driven art quilts based on her research. Kimberlie will share stories from Alcatraz and some of her artwork.
Date: 8/11/26 5:20 pm From: David Assmann via groups.io <david_assmann...> Subject: [SFBirds] City List through July 2026 and Updated Cumulative City and County Lists
Six new species were added in July to the annual City list, which is above average for the month of July. The additions were Scripp's Murrelet, Northern Fulmar, American Bittern, Ash Storm-Petrel, Ruddy Turnstone, and Baird's Sandpiper. This brought us to a record 277 species through the end of July. You can access the complete year list at https://sfbirds.net/2026-city-cumulative. Also Hugh Cotter has updated both the City and County cumulative list as of July 3rd, 2026. You can access the City list at https://sfbirds.net/sf-city-checklist and the County list at https://sfbirds.net/sf-county-checklist
Date: 8/10/26 10:20 pm From: Logan Kahle via groups.io <logan...> Subject: [SFBirds] Marine Madness 8/10 San Francisco county STREAKED SHEARWATER etc
Hi all,
Today, August 10th, a boat full of birders ventured out from Sausalito
Harbor to the deep water far off of the continental shelf including the
northern edge of the Pioneer Seamount. Warm waters offshore have continued
to provide interesting conditions and an influx of species not normally
found in our region.
The day started in overcast weather and reasonable wind. As we left the
harbor and the typical stream of nearshore species, Lucas Stephenson and
Eddie Monson started shouting out "BLACK TERN!!!" The bird paralleled the
boat and ascended into the sky until we lost it in the fog. This was the
start of many highlights to come.
As we headed off but were still relatively inshore, calls came out of a
MANX SHEARWATER zipping by. Our first Pink-foots and Buller's came by the
boat, as well as some Parasitic and Pomarine Jaegers.
Numbers of seabirds in the waters between the shore and the Farallons are
typically low, and were spiced up only by a couple Tufted Puffins as we
passed Northwest Farallon Island. As we crossed over the shelf break, birds
started to materialize. The first Storm-Petrel of the day took the form of
Wilson's flying in front of the bow. A smattering of Ashy and Black
Storm-Petrels appeared, along with some jaegers and Sabine's Gulls. As we
left the shelf edge and the associated temperature break, birds thinned out
again and made way for the "Pelagic Desert" ecosystem characteristic of the
far offshore waters of Northern California.
Nonetheless, we charged on, with smaller numbers of birds along the way. It
was during this time in the pelagic desert that a couple species
characteristic of more southern warm-water ecotypes came by: a mostly
dark-rumped Leach's Storm-Petrel (likely a "CHAPMAN'S" LEACH'S
STORM-PETREL) and a FLYING FISH sailed away from the boat. Both of these
species have a typically more southern distribution. The Flying Fish that
are showing up (which is apparently likely a Bennett's Flying Fish) are
almost never found north of Southern California Waters, even by fishermen
who spend weeks every summer on the water. Occasionally during large El
Niño events they have reached as far north as Monterey Bay, but before this
year I have never heard of one off of the Bay Area. This year, however,
this is at least the third pelagic to record this taxon, a significant
northward movement indeed. The Leach's is somewhat similar. In warm water
years they will occasionally reach far offshore regions such as Davidson
Seamount and likely Guide and Pioneer Seamounts. However, the encoursion of
them this year even from boats just at the shelf edge at Pioneer Canyon is
remarkable.
After spinning around the north end of the Pioneer Seamount we started to
head back towards shore. It was then that a young female COCOS BOOBY flew
right by the boat. The bird headed along the length of the boat then peeled
off.
We were now headed back into harbor and were just 14 miles offshore. Most
of the boat was silently napping in the cabin or back while a few birders
still diligently scanned through the Sooty Shearwater flocks. That is when
the call came out from Lucas Stephenson that a STREAKED SHEARWATER was
heading by the bow!!! A mad rush to the front of the boat ensued and most
people on board got solid views of this mega-rarity as it passed north with
the Sooties. A lifer on board for many, and a state bird for many others.
We were all in shock and awe of what had just happened. This also
represented the first record of this species for San Francisco county.
There were a solid number of photos as this bird passed by. The photos of
this bird can be seen in the eBird checklist here:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S382127931
Full rough list of pelagic birds seen over the day:
South Polar Skua-1
Parasitic Jaeger-15
Pomarine Jaeger-3
Long-tailed Jaeger-2
California Gull
Western Gull
Sabine's Gull-10
Arctic Tern-5
BLACK TERN-1
Common Murre
Cassin's Auklet-50
Rhinoceros Auklet-8
Tufted Puffin-3
"Mexican Murrelet sp"-3
Black-footed Albatross-10
Northern Fulmar-5
Sooty Shearwater-10,000
Pink-footed Shearwater-200
Buller's Shearwater-50
STREAKED SHEARWATER-1
Manx Shearwater-1
Wilson's Storm-Petrel-1
Ashy Storm-Petrel-45
Black Storm-Petrel-6
"Chapman's" Leach's Storm-Petrel-1
Red-necked Phalarope-80
Red Phalarope-10
Marine Mammals:
Fin Whale-3
Humpback Whale-2
Minke Whale-1
Harbor Porpoise-4
I will also likely be running some more deepwater trips off of the Bay
Area. If you have interest in these please email me privately for
additional details.
Date: 8/10/26 7:11 am From: Tim Winkler via groups.io <tkwinkler...> Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Seawatch Highlights
I had an Osprey fly over me returning from Fort Funston at the Oceanside
Water Pollution Plant by the end of Sloat Blvd. on 07/31 and then I spotted
one at Pine Lake in Stern Grove on 08/02. (I also got a good photo) I'm
wondering if we're seeing the same bird.
Thanks for the update.
Tim WInkler
On Sun, Aug 9, 2026 at 8:40 PM Erick Masias via groups.io <erickjmasias=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Some fun highlights from a few days of seawatching. Wednesday 8/5
> <https://ebird.org/checklist/S380253872> had some slow but steady elegant
> tern movement with the terns blasting by low. The local dolphin trio was a
> nice treat, I’ve seen them twice since.
>
>
>
> The interesting thing I noted was only two vessels out on the water which
> was very different than the 47 vessels I saw on Thursday 8/6
> <https://ebird.org/checklist/S380987188> the fishers clearly knew
> something I didn’t because there were much larger feeding frenzies, several
> hundred sooties and a show put on by a squad of three parasitic jaegers
> harassing a local osprey. Does anyone know how these fishing boats knew to
> be out…
>
>
>
> On Saturday <https://ebird.org/checklist/S381366617> 8/8, presumably the
> same local osprey attracted in another jaeger to come over land, not just
> over the beach but past the beach sand and was over chasing over the great
> highway. I went further north to the sutro baths to scout for a larger
> gathering the next day and I saw something so unbelievable to my midwestern
> brain but apparently not too wild for the west coast: a flock of what I
> believe were 19 jaegers seen close to shore. Video can be seen here
> <https://ebird.org/checklist/S381620250>.
>
>
>
> Today <https://ebird.org/checklist/S381727237> 8/9 was slow up north
> despite the sooty show down south but I convinced a nice group of beginning
> to intermediate birders to join me. On most days I had a friend or two out
> with me to experience the magic of seawatching. If you’re familiar with the
> sociological concept of a “third place”, I’m hoping seawatching can be that
> here as I convince more people to come out. It was huge to have more eyes,
> I would’ve missed the close by osprey chases because I was locked in on the
> scope.
>
>
>
> I hope the local ospreys will continue enticing jaegers to come close to
> shore, I’ll be out either at the pollution plant seawatch or Sutro
> Tuesday-Sunday and hope these reports will inspire some of you to join!
> I’ve learned a lot from Paul and Brian and still need lots of help with
> alcids, still feeling pretty useless with non-PIGUs.
>
>
>
> Happy Sunday night!
>
> -Erick
>
>
>
Some fun highlights from a few days of seawatching. Wednesday 8/5 ( https://ebird.org/checklist/S380253872 ) had some slow but steady elegant tern movement with the terns blasting by low. The local dolphin trio was a nice treat, I’ve seen them twice since.
The interesting thing I noted was only two vessels out on the water which was very different than the 47 vessels I saw on Thursday 8/6 ( https://ebird.org/checklist/S380987188 ) … the fishers clearly knew something I didn’t because there were much larger feeding frenzies, several hundred sooties and a show put on by a squad of three parasitic jaegers harassing a local osprey. Does anyone know how these fishing boats knew to be out…
On Saturday ( https://ebird.org/checklist/S381366617 ) 8/8, presumably the same local osprey attracted in another jaeger to come over land, not just over the beach but past the beach sand and was over chasing over the great highway. I went further north to the sutro baths to scout for a larger gathering the next day and I saw something so unbelievable to my midwestern brain but apparently not too wild for the west coast: a flock of what I believe were 19 jaegers seen close to shore. Video can be seen here ( https://ebird.org/checklist/S381620250 ).
Today ( https://ebird.org/checklist/S381727237 ) 8/9 was slow up north despite the sooty show down south but I convinced a nice group of beginning to intermediate birders to join me. On most days I had a friend or two out with me to experience the magic of seawatching. If you’re familiar with the sociological concept of a “third place”, I’m hoping seawatching can be that here as I convince more people to come out. It was huge to have more eyes, I would’ve missed the close by osprey chases because I was locked in on the scope.
I hope the local ospreys will continue enticing jaegers to come close to shore, I’ll be out either at the pollution plant seawatch or Sutro Tuesday-Sunday and hope these reports will inspire some of you to join! I’ve learned a lot from Paul and Brian and still need lots of help with alcids, still feeling pretty useless with non-PIGUs.
Date: 8/9/26 8:41 am From: Nico Stuurman via groups.io <nico...> Subject: [SFBirds] Shearwaters off Ocean Beach
Very high numbers (many thousands) of Shearwaters are swarming a few hundred yards off shore just south of Sloat (epicenter kind of aligns with Fort Funston). Great spectacle!
Date: 8/8/26 3:31 pm From: Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur...> Subject: [SFBirds] some late breeding notes + recent misc./ Corona Hill Bird walk returns 8/15
The breeding season is winding down but there's still some work to be done. Several species continue to tend 2nd and in some cases 3rd broods including: House Finches, White-crowned Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos and Hooded Orioles. Numerous Brown-headed cowbirds still dependent on surrogate parents have been noted the past week even as a post breeding flock of (300) was noted at McCoppin Square 8/4.
Several notable confirmations from the end of July - early August:
Ruddy Duck - females with (4) and (3) small precocial young were noted on 8/6 in both blocks containing Lake Merced. One group was visible from the Concrete Bridge near the Water Treatment Facility, the other was west of the Law Enforcement Shooting range.
White-throated Swifts - breeding was confirmed by Presidio biologists who located a dead juvenile below a nest site in late July
American Kestrel - big thanks to Paul Saraceni, who's regular visits to Pier 94 resulted in confirmation of American Kestrel. An adult has been noted with at least one recently fledged juvenile through the first days of August. Looking at the eBird distribution map this is the only confirmation of breeding on the entire west side of San Francisco bay down through San Mateo and Santa Clara county. Kestrel has really declined on the Peninsula over the last several decades so it's somewhat surprising that the only known breeding occurred in the City.
Acorn Woodpecker - Richard Bradus confirmed breeding at Lafayette Park with the discovery of an occupied nest cavity on 7/20.
This now leaves only Green Heron and Western Flycatcher unconfirmed of the likely breeders in SF.
a few migrants moving through the first week of August were:
Northern Harrier - Corona Hill 8/6
American Kestrel - Corona Hill 7/31
Western Kingbird - Laguna Honda Reservoir 8/2
Western Flycatcher - Corona Hill 8/1 and 8/4, Mount Sutro 8/2
W. Warbling Vireo - 2 E.Oak Woodland/GGP 8/4
Bullock's Oriole - Corona Hill 8/3 and 8/5 (maybe same bird lingering) and E. Oak Woodland 8/4
Orange-crowned Warbler - Mount Sutro 8/2, E.Oak Woodland 8/4
Western Tanager - Vista Grande Canal 8/2, 6 Corona Hill 8/3, Hoover Middle School 8/4
Black-headed Grosbeak - 8 Mount Sutro 8/2
Finally, Birding the Hill is back from summer hiatus. Join me for a hike around Corona Hill as we look for birds. Beginning observers are encouraged to join but all levels are welcome. There is a bit of elevation gain over some rocky terrain so prepare accordingly. I have loaner binoculars as well. Sign up here:
