Date: 5/12/26 5:03 pm From: Brooke Miller via groups.io <brooke.bam...> Subject: [southbaybirds] April 2026 Cumulative Bird Report for Santa Clara County
Hi South Bay Birders:
Before I report on April, there were 2 birds missed in prior months. On
27-February was the first sighting of Cliff Swallow (1) by Amber Salt at
Los Gatos Creek County park and Oka Ponds; On 28-March Sarah Chan found a
Nashville Warbler (4) at Rancho Canada del Oro OSP.
In April we added 18 new countable birds, bringing the total to 252 at the
end of the month. The average for April is 20 new birds, with an average
of 245 at the end of the month. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took
the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to
me.
Here are the birds that were found in April:
1. Calliope Hummingbird (4), 3-April, found by Chris Johnson along the
Penitencia Creek Trail
2. White-faced Ibis (4), 3-April, found by Mike Rogers and Michael Mammoser
along the entrance road to Don Edwards NWR
3. Ruddy Turnstone (5), 4-April, found by Mike Rogers, Michael Mammoser,
and Richard Jeffers, at the Stevens Creek delta
4. Hammond’s Flycatcher (4), 6-April, seen by Brooke Miller at Smith Creek
Fire Station
5. Swainson’s Thrush (2), 7-April, seen by Mike Danzanbaker in his home yard
6. Brandt’s Cormorant (6), 7-April, seen by Liz Frith at Shoreline Lake
7. Olive-sided Flycatcher (3), 9-April, heard by Tristan Yoo at the Lower
Saddle at Loma Prieta
8. Common Loon (4), 9-April, found by Andrew Bradshaw at Uvas Reservoir
9. Purple Martin (4), 9-April, Found by Josh McLaughlin at Vasona Lake
County Park
10. Elegant Tern (3), 17-April, seen by Kirsten Holmquist at Sunnyvale WPCP
Pond A4
11. Costa’s Hummingbird (5), 18-April, found by an Ohlone Audubon Group
along Mines Road
12. Gray Flycatcher (5), 19-April, found by Karen Pinckard at McClellan
Ranch Preserve
13. Western Wood-Pewee (2), 19-April, found by Melanie Barnett at Rancho
Canada del Oro OSP
14. Red-necked Phalarope (2), 21-April, found by Susan Weinstein at
Charleston Slough/Coast Casey Forebay
15. Yellow-breasted Chat (4), 21-April, found by Carter Gasiorowski and
Connor Christensen at Santa Clara University
16. Palm Warbler (5), 25-April, found by Julie Rose at Ulistac Natural Area
17. Yellow-headed Blackbird (5), 28-April, seen by Michael McMaster at
Charleston Slough/Coast Casey Forebay
18. Black-chinned Sparrow (4), 30-April, found by Gena Zolotar at Rancho
San Antonio—Chamise Trail.
As a reminder, here is what each rarity code means:
**Rarity Codes:
1 = common, always seen in habitat in season.
2 = fairly common, usually in habitat in season, but missed sometimes.
3 = uncommon, always around, but sometimes you can't find.
4 = rare, occurs yearly in the county, but not always in same places.
5 = very rare, does not occur every year.
6 = casual or vagrant, generally fewer than 10 records.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
