Date: 9/11/26 7:10 pm From: Christopher Hayward via groups.io <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Coastal Rarities around Half Moon Bay, 9/11/26
Hi All,
Today I birded near Half Moon Bay mostly checking riparian areas. First stop was the Half Moon Bay WTP where as I was walking down to the creek two White-faced Ibis flew over heading south.
Next I stopped at the willow patch near the pond along Verde Rd. almost immediately I heard a strong chip note and spotted a Chestnut-sided Warbler flitting around low in the vegetation, I was joined a short time later by young birder Nathan Malick and mom Kathleen who also got nice looks at the warbler.
We decide to check other areas nearby, along Tunitas Creek road where the road dips down about 1/2 mile east of Hwy 1, we made a brief stop where Nathan spotted a Willow Flycatcher in the Eucalyptus Trees by the pull out on the south side of the road.
Certainly the highlight of the day though was as we walked along Seaside School Rd. near San Gregorio, we came upon a nice flock halfway along the road where Nathan spotted a Blackburnian Warbler, soon after that suddenly a Gray Catbird showed itself below the flock, seen well by all of us, disappearing before we could grab a photo. We spent another 30 minutes or so before we saw it fly across the road and bury itself deep in the thicket on the south side of the road, great work by Nathan to get at least document photos of this very skulky bird!
Really a fun day, especially to be with such a good young birder for several county lifers!
Photo, links below
