Date: 9/15/26 11:51 pm From: Gregory Luckert via groups.io <Greg.luckert...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] White-crowned Sparrows and Red-breasted Nuthatches
Hi,
Melanie is correct—Calabazas Creek near the footbridge is great for fall
migrants, offering close views due to its size. Standing below the levee on
the east side during a mid-September mid-morning usually yields most common
migrants, including willow flycatchers and occasionally red-breasted
nuthatches.
On a side note, I spotted two white-crowned sparrows today on the Bay Trail
by the Residence Inn near the lower Guadalupe River. I’ve also been seeing
and hearing red-breasted nuthatches in unusual spots this year.
Best,
Greg Luckert
On Tue, Sep 15, 2026 at 21:59 Melanie Barnett via groups.io <mjb2024=
<proton.me...> wrote:
> Hi Eve! Hi all!
>
> I saw my FOS *White-crowned Sparrow* yesterday at Calabazas Creek - and
> also had a nice view of a calling *Red-breasted Nuthatch.*
>
> The Creek was also active with migrants; I had several each of *Western
> Flycatcher *and *Northern Yellow Warbler.* Checklist:
> https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/checklist/S393240177 >
> Anecdotally, I've seen eBird reports and posts to other birding email
> lists suggesting there's an irruption of *Red-breasted Nuthatches* in the
> Bay Area.
>
> BTW, if anyone is interested in birding this stretch of the creek, it's
> easy to access. Park in the Lakewood Village neighborhood, near the path
> here: 37.3981107, -121.9873974, then walk over to, and across the
> pedestrian bridge. *Willow Flycatchers* are usually here in September (in
> fact Greg L. had 2, maybe 3 on Sept 8). I don't know if the vegetation is
> dense enough now to attract a *Northern Waterthrush*, but one passed
> through in Sep 19, 2023. Good times!
>
> Happy Birding!
>
> Melanie Barnett (Sunnyvale)
>
> On Tuesday, September 15th, 2026 at 3:55 PM, Eve Meier via groups.io
> <eve.m.meier...> wrote:
>
> Hi Everyone!
>
> While walking with my mom at Hellyer CP (northside), I spotted my first of
> season *White-crowned Sparrows*. So happy for their return. Also, has
> anyone else noticed more *Red-breasted Nuthatches* lately? I had one
> across the street from my house and another on a neighborhood walk. That's
> unusual for my area (Cambrian Area of San Jose).
>
> Happy birding!
>
> Eve Meier (San Jose)
>
>
>
>
>
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