Date: 5/21/26 11:46 am From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] San Mateo County Cumulative Year-list Report for --- April 2026
*Greetings Pen-birders,*
San Mateo County birders found a total of 28 species that were new for the year by the end of April. This brings the total species observed by the end of the fourth month to 272. 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.*
*Here are the new birds for April, their finders and locations where found:*
Michael Long found a GARGANEY (6) at Nob Hill Pond. A county first! The addition of the Garganey brings a total of 482 recorded species in San Mateo County and its offshore waters. Excellent find Michael! VAUX’S SWIFT (3) were reported by Michael Rogers and Richard Jeffers at Miramontes Point. A San Francisco County focused pelagic trip out of Half Moon Bay on the Outer Limits went offshore and recorded RED-NECKED PHALAROPE (2), POMARINE JAEGER (3), SABINE’S GULL (2), LAYSAN ALBATROSS (4), and BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS (3) in San Mateo County waters. Even further offshore several repositioning cruises reported LONG-TAILED JAEGER (3), PARASITIC JAEGER (2), LEACH’S STORM-PETREL (4), MURPHY’S PETREL (6), HAWAIIAN PETREL (6), and COOK’S PETREL (6). From a seawatch at Pigeon Point, Ron Thorn reported PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER (2). OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (3) was found by Ryan Mense along Whitehouse Canyon Rd. Alane Gray and Richard Hopf had WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE (3) at 2 different locations on the same day, Seaside School Rd. in San Gregorio and Windy Hill Open Space. HAMMOND’S FLYCATCHER (4) was encountered at Sem Lane in Belmont by Ron Thorn. Multiple Observer’s reported ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (2) in expected habitat at different locations on the same day. A set of reports for CASSIN’S VIREO (2) were provided by Multiple Observers at different locations. Caitlin Chock found the first BANK SWALLOW (2) for the year at Bedwell Bayfront in Menlo Park. While biking Sawyer Camp Trail, Dorian Anderson observed PURPLE MARTIN (4) investigating probable nesting sites in a utility pole used by martins in the previous year. Multiple Observers reported SWAINSON’S THRUSH (2) at various riparian locations on the same date. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW (2) was recorded by Multiple Observers at La Honda Creek Opens Space. Ryan Mense found the first YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (4) of the year at Año Nuevo. Aaron Maizlish and Richard Bradus discovered a YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (4) at Nob Hill Pond. A trip to Burleigh Murray State Park presented Alex Rinkert with a BULLOCK’S ORIOLE (2). Naomi Goodman observed a WESTERN TANAGER (2) in the San Francisquito Creek area. LAZULI BUNTING (2) caught Kent Forward’s attention during a visit to La Honda Creek OSP.
*2026 has been a pretty epic year so far* in terms of numbers of species reported. Our end of April total of 272 is the 2 nd highest end of April total since this report began being produced in 2009. Only one other end of April total beats our current 2026 total with 2015 reporting 273 species by the end of the 4 th month! Keep up the good work and let’s see how the year pans out!
*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,
