Date: 11/17/25 5:53 pm From: Peter Metropulos via groups.io <pjmetrop...> Subject: [pen-bird] BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, SWAMP SPARROW,etc.
On Saturday,11/15/25, there was an adult male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE among a flock of about 20 Common Goldeneyes at the north end of Marina Lagoon near Third Avenue,San Mateo. This is a week or two earlier than normal for this local and rare species in San Mateo County.An adult SNOW GOOSE with Canada Geese at the same location may have been the same bird reported at Coyote Point the previous day.A SWAMP SPARROW emerged from the edge of a brackish marsh to feed with other sparrows.The wintering BURROWING OWLS at Seal Point Park have attracted the attention and admiration of birders,as well as joggers,dog-walkers,cyclists,and other curious folks. The first arrival appeared in October and now there are Five individuals,the same number I found here last winter.I checked the shorebird roost along the Foster City breakwater(off Beach Park Blvd) at high tide. Our local BLACK SKIMMER population continues to climb. I counted 206 individuals. The first nesting in San Mateo County was in the Menlo Park saltponds in 1996 and they have continued to increase ever since.
Peter J.Metropulos
