Date: 5/19/26 5:09 pm From: H Cotter via groups.io <chatwren...> Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Battery Godfrey flight: May 19, 2026
It was a case of rinse and repeat this morning at Battery Godfrey- May 19.
Joined by Nancy P for the Visit and by David A and Michael P for part we
had very similar results to yesterday.
The main highlights included a flock of 35 White-faced Ibis that flew
directly overhead east first thing; we had two groups of Black Swift going
north - 16 and 18; a Broad-winged Hawk around 10.30 AM going north and many
western migrants including many Western Kingbirds and Tanagers, WW
Peewee's, BG Gnatcatcher, Hermit Warbler etc. and many hundreds of Waxwing,
Hugh
On Mon, May 18, 2026 at 5:21 PM Keith Maley via groups.io <keith.maley=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Blasting north and northeast winds overnight and unusually warm
> temperatures (65 at dawn!) led to a spectacular flight at Battery Godfrey
> this morning of Black Swifts and Purple Martins, among other migrants. A
> small group of observers recorded close to 200 Black Swifts moving
> northeast in groups of 4-49, with excellent views. Other observers from
> different locations around the city also observed this flight, and numbers
> certainly will show SF County high counts for this species. Also coming in
> with a county high count were Purple Martins, with at least 18.
>
> Other highlights from the Battery were a flock of 11 White-faced Ibis
> spotted by Brian Fitch at dawn that came in low over the water in the
> channel, then circled up high and were not seen coming in the Gate. Cédric
> observed these birds from the Sunset a short time later, heading south.
>
> Dozens of Western Kingbirds were seen flying northeast, as well as small
> numbers of Western Tanagers, Lazuli Buntings, and Townsend's Warblers.
> Passerines were difficult to pick up in the howling winds which made it
> difficult to stand at times.
>
> Hugh Cotter spotted one more goodie after I and the others had departed.
>
> Also of note: the Red Knot found by Nancy Palmer on 5/10 continues among
> Sanderlings on Ocean Beach off of Pacheco, in a huge flock flushed
> constantly by off-leash dogs to the delight and for the social media
> accounts of their owners. Many thanks to Paul S. and Rajan R. for keeping
> tabs on its whereabouts earlier today.
>
> Good birding!
>
>
>
>
