Date: 9/13/25 9:32 pm From: <chucao...> Subject: RE: [MBBIRDS] Re: possible Snow Bunting at Sunset Beach campground
Pete
Snow Buntings are really different in shape from this, rotund, long-winged an short tailed critters. You also tend to have a hard time seeing their legs. This is a leucistic/amelanic common species, like you mention it looks good for a Junco.
From: <mbbirds...> <mbbirds...> On Behalf Of Pete Sole
Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2025 5:25 PM
To: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...>
Cc: MBB Monterey Bay Birds <mbbirds...>
Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Re: possible Snow Bunting at Sunset Beach campground
Hi folks,
Attached/inline is the image mentioned below. Please note, this is not my image.
Pete
On 9/13/25 2:19 PM, David Suddjian wrote:
Hi Pete,
Can you share the photo on MBB?
David
On Sat, Sep 13, 2025 at 3:03 PM Pete Sole <pete...> <mailto:<pete...> > wrote:
Hi Janna,
Thanks for reaching out. This looks like a very intriguing bird. I might
be able to go check it out today. I think it is quite likely a Snow
bunting, an adult male molting out of it's breeding plumage into
non-breeding plumage. Another possibility I can't discount quite yet, is
a partially Leucistic (white/missing pigment) junco. But my sense is
that it IS a bunting.
Tell your friend that it's quite a find! (Even it if turns out to be
some common Leucistic bird.)
If he can send or post to "mbb Monterey Bay Birds
<mbbirds...> <mailto:<mbbirds...> >" as a possible find, the local birding
community will be able to weigh in.
Very nice bird!
Pete
On 9/13/25 1:49 PM, Janna Pauser wrote:
> A friend sent me a photo of a possible Snow Bunting while camping at
> Sunset State Beach campground 9-10 and 11.
>
> I gave him your email and told him to send you the photo. Sorry I am
> not tec. savvy but I took a photo with my camera and attached it.
>
> Look for text from Doug, but he is shy and may not contact you.
>
> Janna Pauser
> San Jose
