Date: 4/19/26 11:02 am From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] San Mateo County Cumulative Year-list Report for --- March 2026
*Greetings Pen-birders,*
San Mateo County birders found a total of 14 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 244. 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:*
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD (2) was first noted by Leo O’Neill at Burleigh Murray State Park. During a seawatch at Pigeon Pt. Ron Thorn had RED PHALAROPE (2) and NORHTERN FULMAR (1). Once again this year, ELEGANT TERNS (2) arrived early and were first observed at Coyote Pt. by Joshua Mitchell. Ryan Mense spotted a SOOTY SHEARWATER (1) during a seawatch at Bean Hollow. Ryan also found a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (4) along Pescadero Creek Rd. and reported the first WILSON’S WARBLER (1) at Frenchman’s Creek. WESTERN FLYCATCHER (1) was observed by Melissa Hero in Belmont. Alex Eisengart located a WESTERN WARBLING VIREO (2) in Huddart Park. CLIFF SWALLOW (1) was seen by Snigdha Sharma at Bedwell Bayfront in Menlo Park. Haoning Gong discovered a TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE (4) along Skyline Hwy 35. Chris Hayward and Malia DeFelice encountered a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (4) near the Historic Johnston House in Half Moon Bay. Leonie Batkin and Ron Thorn came across a HOODED ORIOLE (2) at an office building complex along Twin Dolphin Dr. in Redwood Shores. Richard Hopf reported first one, then three MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLERS (3), the following day, at Windy Hill OSP.
*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
*Alvaro’s Adventures runs offshore pelagic trips* starting in May, with many seabird, whale and sea-life finding trips out of Half Moon Bay and other ports. Alvaro’s pelagic schedule here: https://www.alvarosadventures.com/pelagic-dates-2026.html
**California’s First Statewide Breeding Bird Atlas* -* This landmark effort is being led by *California Bird Atlas* ( https://www.californiabirdatlas.org/ ) ( CBA), an independent nonprofit, in collaboration with state agencies, thousands of volunteers, and dozens of partner organizations. All birders are now officially invited to join the project by visiting the new *California Bird Atlas eBird website* ( https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/home ). Simply click “ *Join Project* ” ( or “Log in to Join Project”) and you will automatically be able to contribute checklists to the Atlas project. The Atlas is fully integrated with the eBird mobile app. If you submit checklists on mobile, this *Quick Start Tutorial video* ( https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8Z3kbqiO9rw ) provides a brief overview.
*To stay informed of the latest local 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 a volunteer for the San Mateo County Bird Alliance I 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 me directly. Thank you! *If you have questions or comments regarding this report, or if I missed something, please email:* <maliadances...>
