Date: 7/18/25 1:20 pm From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Berkeley Meadow Winter Wren accepted by CBRC - (Nov, 2024 - Mar, 2025)
Regarding the Winter Wren at Berkeley Meadows that I found last November:
I noticed today that the CA Birds Record Committee (CBRC) accepted this record, a first for Alameda County. A number of other Winter Wren records were also accepted, though the Creekside Park bird (a potential 2nd for Alameda County) is being recirculated, meaning the first vote wasn't conclusive. A bird that others found at SF Zoo (which I contributed documentation for), as well as a bird at Muir Beach were also accepted. A few proposed Winter Wrens are still pending, including the SF Golden Gate Heights Park bird.
FYI: For the Berkeley Meadows bird, some checklists list this bird as Pacific/Winter Wren, so I wanted to give a heads up, in case people were waiting for CBRC before including Winter Wren on their checklists. Of course, please ask your reviewer if you have questions about whether your observation should be changed or not, and what the criteria should be. But I'll add my non-expert two cents below in case it helps.
Confusingly, a Pacific Wren was also reported at Berkeley Meadow over the first 2 weeks that the Winter Wren was present, though seemingly a bird that didn't stick around long. For what it's worth, after reviewing all the checklists with "Pacific/Winter Wren" at Berkeley Meadows from Nov 2024 through Mar 2025, those with media pretty much all seem like a good match for Winter Wren, based on sonograms etc. In particular, I saw sonograms with stacked inverted-chevron shaped harmonics and other features that seemed good. The faintest recordings only showed one inverted chevron (from the loudest portion of the call, as might be expected in this scenario), but still sounded like probably the Winter Wren to my ear. But once again, please ask a reviewer if you have doubts. The photos for Pacific/Winter Wren from Berkeley Meadows also seemed to match the bird, with a noticeably pale throat etc - with many accompanied by audio recordings.
The only exception (by a birder who also documented the Winter Wren on a separate list) was one audio recording under Pacific/Winter Wren that seemed like a good fit for Pacific Wren (which the birder notes as a distinct possibility in their description).
Thank you to the CBRC, whose members volunteer their time and extensive expertise, and whose task is never ending and far from easy.
Date: 7/18/25 12:15 am From: Jaan Lepson via groups.io <lepson...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Missing Hooded Orioles
I’m in Livermore, and they are drinking me out of house and home!
=============================
Jaan Lepson
(he/him/his)
> On Jul 17, 2025, at 17:42, Anne Krysiak via groups.io <vakrysiak...> wrote:
>
> Hi: I live in Castro Valley. I've noticed that the Hooded Orioles are no longer in my neighborhood. Normally, they don't migrate until late August or early September. I haven't seen or heard them in over a week. Has anyone else noticed this?
>
>
>
As you may know, I live just down the street from you in Castro Valley on Stanton and Miramar. Every year we have a hooded oriole pair who nest and raise young in the palm across the street. They come almost daily to our bird bath. They seem to have just one young this year and are still here.
Sorry you aren’t seeing any in your neighborhood this year.
Marty Morrow
> On Jul 17, 2025, at 5:42 PM, Anne Krysiak via groups.io <vakrysiak...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi: I live in Castro Valley. I've noticed that the Hooded Orioles are no longer in my neighborhood. Normally, they don't migrate until late August or early September. I haven't seen or heard them in over a week. Has anyone else noticed this?
>
>
>
I live in Oakland off of 580 near Mills College, in Maxwell Park - and this year we’ve had a pair coming regularly to our hummingbird feeders much more than in prior years, and some years we don’t see them at all. Today they visited both our feeders multiple times! I have no idea where they are nesting though, but it must be close by.
Amy Dawson
> On Jul 17, 2025, at 8:45 PM, Chris Waterman via groups.io <chriswaterman555...> wrote:
>
> There’s an active Hooded Oriole nest with 3 chicks where I work at oakland library Main branch near a lake Merritt. It’s the second brood I’ve watched there this year. Seems to be more Orioles there than in recent years. Maybe I can send em your way Castro Valley!
>
> Chris Waterman
>
>
>>> On Jul 17, 2025, at 5:53 PM, Jackie Bobrosky via groups.io <electricjmb...> wrote:
>>>
>>
>> I heard some in my backyard at a hummingbird feeder earlier today and realized then that most are gone! Seems early to me too. I'm in Martinez.
>> Jackie Bobrosky
>>> On 07/17/2025 5:42 PM PDT Anne Krysiak via groups.io <vakrysiak...> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> Hi: I live in Castro Valley. I've noticed that the Hooded Orioles are no longer in my neighborhood. Normally, they don't migrate until late August or early September. I haven't seen or heard them in over a week. Has anyone else noticed this?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
Date: 7/17/25 7:45 pm From: Chris Waterman via groups.io <chriswaterman555...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Missing Hooded Orioles
There’s an active Hooded Oriole nest with 3 chicks where I work at oakland library Main branch near a lake Merritt. It’s the second brood I’ve watched there this year. Seems to be more Orioles there than in recent years. Maybe I can send em your way Castro Valley!
Chris Waterman
> On Jul 17, 2025, at 5:53 PM, Jackie Bobrosky via groups.io <electricjmb...> wrote:
>
>
> I heard some in my backyard at a hummingbird feeder earlier today and realized then that most are gone! Seems early to me too. I'm in Martinez.
> Jackie Bobrosky
>> On 07/17/2025 5:42 PM PDT Anne Krysiak via groups.io <vakrysiak...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hi: I live in Castro Valley. I've noticed that the Hooded Orioles are no longer in my neighborhood. Normally, they don't migrate until late August or early September. I haven't seen or heard them in over a week. Has anyone else noticed this?
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
I heard some in my backyard at a hummingbird feeder earlier today and realized then that most are gone! Seems early to me too. I'm in Martinez. Jackie Bobrosky
> On 07/17/2025 5:42 PM PDT Anne Krysiak via groups.io <vakrysiak...> wrote: > > > Hi: I live in Castro Valley. I've noticed that the Hooded Orioles are no longer in my neighborhood. Normally, they don't migrate until late August or early September. I haven't seen or heard them in over a week. Has anyone else noticed this? > > > >
Date: 7/17/25 5:42 pm From: Anne Krysiak via groups.io <vakrysiak...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Missing Hooded Orioles
Hi: I live in Castro Valley. I've noticed that the Hooded Orioles are no longer in my neighborhood. Normally, they don't migrate until late August or early September. I haven't seen or heard them in over a week. Has anyone else noticed this?
Date: 7/15/25 1:13 pm From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Movement of Red-tailed Hawks in Numbers in Wildcat Canyon
Thanks Mike for sharing! It's interesting to see that others have noticed
similar Red-tailed groupings. As Dominick mentioned, it seems plausible
that local territorial pairs and/or juveniles might soar together in
favorable conditions (to reestablish territories or hierarchies), before
returning to their territories. It was certainly interesting to watch.
Thanks all for the comments - this is a nice learning opportunity for me.
Happy birding,
Zac
On Tue, Jul 15, 2025 at 11:12 AM Mike & Linda via groups.io <llc_mgk=
<comcast.net...> wrote:
> I forgot to report that most (if not all) of the redtails in both
> gatherings were juveniles. The social interactions we observed in 2019
> make me wonder if they might pair-up before dispersing.
> Mike
>
>
> On Jul 15, 2025 10:57 AM, Dominik Mosur <dominikmosur...> wrote:
>
> This sounds like a convention of local birds taking advantage of favorable
> flight conditions getting together in a little community meeting and
> re-establishing territorial boundaries rather than a migratory movement.
>
> DM
>
> On Tue, Jul 15, 2025 at 10:54 AM Mike & Linda via groups.io <llc_mgk=
> <comcast.net...> wrote:
>
> My wife and I have witnessed two similar gatherings of red-tailed hawks,
> both at this time of year.
>
> On the morning of 7/17/2019 I noticed 6 redtails flying over our yard and
> the hill behind our house. A while later, my wife returned from an errand
> and reported that their were lots of redtails soaring above Cummings
> Skyway. As we stood in our yard and watched, we realized that we were
> seeing more than 20 redtails at one time. I was able to count 17 with
> confidence three different times. That was in one area and I could see
> several more redtails by turning my head in either direction. They were
> soaring, swooping, and diving at high speed, sometimes across our deck
> right over our heads. They also interacted in mid-air. Chasing each other
> and sometimes rolling onto their backs to show their talons, or coming
> together "face-to-face", hovering briefly and then falling away. It was
> lovely and thrilling to see!
>
> On the morning of 7/16/2023 I noticed 5 red-tailed hawks over our yard and
> the hill behind our house. More had joined by late morning and I was able
> to confidently count 9 redtails two different times. There may have been
> more. They did occasionally swoop over our deck, but we did not witness
> any of the social interactions that we had seen in 2019.
>
> Mike Kellogg
> Tormey (between Rodeo and Crockett)
>
>
> On Jul 14, 2025 10:40 PM, "Zac Denning via groups.io" <zdenning1=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> PS:
> Modest correction to the timing / numbers in my email below: I realized
> that the first group of soaring birds was 8 (6 together plus 2 further to
> the south) and that we saw 4 additional along Rifle Range instead of 2 as
> I said (plus the screeching juvenile). The overall count of 13 was the
> same, but I misrepresented when 2 of them were seen. Sorry about that.
>
> Zac Denning
> Albany
>
> On Mon, Jul 14, 2025 at 10:24 PM Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> Yesterday, Jack Hayden and I birded Wildcat Regional Park from the Rifle
> Range Rd trailhead, covering portions of the Leonard trail (above Wildcat
> Trail) as well as the wooded east-west draws to either side of Leonard
> trail. It was a rewarding morning, with a high count of Lazuli Buntings,
> lots of Grasshopper Sparrows, close views of some very tame fledgling
> Rufous-crowned Sparrows, Ash-throated Flycatchers (in a previously
> documented breeding location), a kestrel, a male Western Tanager and an
> inadvertently flushed Great Horned Owl.
>
> But one thing that seemed notable, was seeing Red-tailed Hawks moving in
> numbers that I'd usually associate with migration here in Sep-Oct. We'd
> been seeing 1-3 at a time throughout the morning (on perhaps 5 occasions),
> including 2 adults and one juvenile which we presumed were local breeders
> and their youngster.
>
> As we returned along Wildcat Trail towards the bottom of Rifle Range Trail
> at around 11:30am, we were surprised to see a kettle of 8
> Red-taileds soaring together, all adults! We at first only noticed a few of
> them, but the more we scanned that area of sky, the more we found. As we
> scanned much further to the south, we picked up an additional 2 more adults
> in that direction - with all 10 visible at once. Those birds were all
> moving SSE, soaring in circles, and as we walked back along Wildcat Trail,
> they disappeared from view far to the south. Perhaps 10 minutes later, we
> saw 2 additional adult Red-taileds, these much closer and moving east to
> west with more direct flight, obviously not part of the first large group.
>
> Since before 11:30am, a juvenile had also been insistently screeching
> nonstop from a perch in the eucalyptus grove to the west of us, bringing
> the total to at least 13 unique individuals that we were sure of! To avoid
> double counting, we included only the 13 that we knew were unique
> individuals, though there could have been more.
>
> Has anyone else been seeing Red-taileds in numbers? I read on Birds of the
> World that their migration is complex, but migration is generally described
> as starting later - with the earliest movements starting with birds much
> further to the north as I understand it. I'd be curious if anyone has
> insight into what's happening here, or if there's some precedent for a
> mid-July movement of Red-taileds?
>
> Here's a link to our checklist, including photos and recordings of some of
> the highlights, as well as 2 of the Red-taileds seen before 11:30am (one
> adult, one juvie):
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S259657947 >
> Happy birding,
>
> Zac Denning
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 7/15/25 12:32 pm From: Claude Lyneis via groups.io <cmlyneis...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Tilden Birds on a Plum Tree
Sunday afternoon I spent a couple of hours photographing birds attracted by the ripening plums of a tree at the edge of Tilden. It is downhill near 580 Wildcat Canyon Road. This tree is in an ideal location for photographing birds since the main branches are almost level with the roadway. These plum trees appear at other locations in Tilden including in the hill above Jewel Lake. Here are some photos of some of the birds seen. Not seen yet, but spotted there last year at this time, Western Tanagers.
Date: 7/15/25 11:12 am From: Mike & Linda via groups.io <llc_mgk...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Movement of Red-tailed Hawks in Numbers in Wildcat Canyon
Date: 7/15/25 10:57 am From: Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Movement of Red-tailed Hawks in Numbers in Wildcat Canyon
This sounds like a convention of local birds taking advantage of favorable
flight conditions getting together in a little community meeting and
re-establishing territorial boundaries rather than a migratory movement.
DM
On Tue, Jul 15, 2025 at 10:54 AM Mike & Linda via groups.io <llc_mgk=
<comcast.net...> wrote:
> My wife and I have witnessed two similar gatherings of red-tailed hawks,
> both at this time of year.
>
> On the morning of 7/17/2019 I noticed 6 redtails flying over our yard and
> the hill behind our house. A while later, my wife returned from an errand
> and reported that their were lots of redtails soaring above Cummings
> Skyway. As we stood in our yard and watched, we realized that we were
> seeing more than 20 redtails at one time. I was able to count 17 with
> confidence three different times. That was in one area and I could see
> several more redtails by turning my head in either direction. They were
> soaring, swooping, and diving at high speed, sometimes across our deck
> right over our heads. They also interacted in mid-air. Chasing each other
> and sometimes rolling onto their backs to show their talons, or coming
> together "face-to-face", hovering briefly and then falling away. It was
> lovely and thrilling to see!
>
> On the morning of 7/16/2023 I noticed 5 red-tailed hawks over our yard and
> the hill behind our house. More had joined by late morning and I was able
> to confidently count 9 redtails two different times. There may have been
> more. They did occasionally swoop over our deck, but we did not witness
> any of the social interactions that we had seen in 2019.
>
> Mike Kellogg
> Tormey (between Rodeo and Crockett)
>
>
> On Jul 14, 2025 10:40 PM, "Zac Denning via groups.io" <zdenning1=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> PS:
> Modest correction to the timing / numbers in my email below: I realized
> that the first group of soaring birds was 8 (6 together plus 2 further to
> the south) and that we saw 4 additional along Rifle Range instead of 2 as
> I said (plus the screeching juvenile). The overall count of 13 was the
> same, but I misrepresented when 2 of them were seen. Sorry about that.
>
> Zac Denning
> Albany
>
> On Mon, Jul 14, 2025 at 10:24 PM Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> Yesterday, Jack Hayden and I birded Wildcat Regional Park from the Rifle
> Range Rd trailhead, covering portions of the Leonard trail (above Wildcat
> Trail) as well as the wooded east-west draws to either side of Leonard
> trail. It was a rewarding morning, with a high count of Lazuli Buntings,
> lots of Grasshopper Sparrows, close views of some very tame fledgling
> Rufous-crowned Sparrows, Ash-throated Flycatchers (in a previously
> documented breeding location), a kestrel, a male Western Tanager and an
> inadvertently flushed Great Horned Owl.
>
> But one thing that seemed notable, was seeing Red-tailed Hawks moving in
> numbers that I'd usually associate with migration here in Sep-Oct. We'd
> been seeing 1-3 at a time throughout the morning (on perhaps 5 occasions),
> including 2 adults and one juvenile which we presumed were local breeders
> and their youngster.
>
> As we returned along Wildcat Trail towards the bottom of Rifle Range Trail
> at around 11:30am, we were surprised to see a kettle of 8
> Red-taileds soaring together, all adults! We at first only noticed a few of
> them, but the more we scanned that area of sky, the more we found. As we
> scanned much further to the south, we picked up an additional 2 more adults
> in that direction - with all 10 visible at once. Those birds were all
> moving SSE, soaring in circles, and as we walked back along Wildcat Trail,
> they disappeared from view far to the south. Perhaps 10 minutes later, we
> saw 2 additional adult Red-taileds, these much closer and moving east to
> west with more direct flight, obviously not part of the first large group.
>
> Since before 11:30am, a juvenile had also been insistently screeching
> nonstop from a perch in the eucalyptus grove to the west of us, bringing
> the total to at least 13 unique individuals that we were sure of! To avoid
> double counting, we included only the 13 that we knew were unique
> individuals, though there could have been more.
>
> Has anyone else been seeing Red-taileds in numbers? I read on Birds of the
> World that their migration is complex, but migration is generally described
> as starting later - with the earliest movements starting with birds much
> further to the north as I understand it. I'd be curious if anyone has
> insight into what's happening here, or if there's some precedent for a
> mid-July movement of Red-taileds?
>
> Here's a link to our checklist, including photos and recordings of some of
> the highlights, as well as 2 of the Red-taileds seen before 11:30am (one
> adult, one juvie):
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S259657947 >
> Happy birding,
>
> Zac Denning
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 7/15/25 10:54 am From: Mike & Linda via groups.io <llc_mgk...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Movement of Red-tailed Hawks in Numbers in Wildcat Canyon
Date: 7/14/25 10:40 pm From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Movement of Red-tailed Hawks in Numbers in Wildcat Canyon
PS:
Modest correction to the timing / numbers in my email below: I realized
that the first group of soaring birds was 8 (6 together plus 2 further to
the south) and that we saw 4 additional along Rifle Range instead of 2 as I
said (plus the screeching juvenile). The overall count of 13 was the same,
but I misrepresented when 2 of them were seen. Sorry about that.
Zac Denning
Albany
On Mon, Jul 14, 2025 at 10:24 PM Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Yesterday, Jack Hayden and I birded Wildcat Regional Park from the Rifle
> Range Rd trailhead, covering portions of the Leonard trail (above Wildcat
> Trail) as well as the wooded east-west draws to either side of Leonard
> trail. It was a rewarding morning, with a high count of Lazuli Buntings,
> lots of Grasshopper Sparrows, close views of some very tame fledgling
> Rufous-crowned Sparrows, Ash-throated Flycatchers (in a previously
> documented breeding location), a kestrel, a male Western Tanager and an
> inadvertently flushed Great Horned Owl.
>
> But one thing that seemed notable, was seeing Red-tailed Hawks moving in
> numbers that I'd usually associate with migration here in Sep-Oct. We'd
> been seeing 1-3 at a time throughout the morning (on perhaps 5 occasions),
> including 2 adults and one juvenile which we presumed were local breeders
> and their youngster.
>
> As we returned along Wildcat Trail towards the bottom of Rifle Range Trail
> at around 11:30am, we were surprised to see a kettle of 8
> Red-taileds soaring together, all adults! We at first only noticed a few of
> them, but the more we scanned that area of sky, the more we found. As we
> scanned much further to the south, we picked up an additional 2 more adults
> in that direction - with all 10 visible at once. Those birds were all
> moving SSE, soaring in circles, and as we walked back along Wildcat Trail,
> they disappeared from view far to the south. Perhaps 10 minutes later, we
> saw 2 additional adult Red-taileds, these much closer and moving east to
> west with more direct flight, obviously not part of the first large group.
>
> Since before 11:30am, a juvenile had also been insistently screeching
> nonstop from a perch in the eucalyptus grove to the west of us, bringing
> the total to at least 13 unique individuals that we were sure of! To avoid
> double counting, we included only the 13 that we knew were unique
> individuals, though there could have been more.
>
> Has anyone else been seeing Red-taileds in numbers? I read on Birds of the
> World that their migration is complex, but migration is generally described
> as starting later - with the earliest movements starting with birds much
> further to the north as I understand it. I'd be curious if anyone has
> insight into what's happening here, or if there's some precedent for a
> mid-July movement of Red-taileds?
>
> Here's a link to our checklist, including photos and recordings of some of
> the highlights, as well as 2 of the Red-taileds seen before 11:30am (one
> adult, one juvie):
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S259657947 >
> Happy birding,
>
> Zac Denning
>
>
>
>
Date: 7/14/25 10:24 pm From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Movement of Red-tailed Hawks in Numbers in Wildcat Canyon
Yesterday, Jack Hayden and I birded Wildcat Regional Park from the Rifle Range Rd trailhead, covering portions of the Leonard trail (above Wildcat Trail) as well as the wooded east-west draws to either side of Leonard trail. It was a rewarding morning, with a high count of Lazuli Buntings, lots of Grasshopper Sparrows, close views of some very tame fledgling Rufous-crowned Sparrows, Ash-throated Flycatchers (in a previously documented breeding location), a kestrel, a male Western Tanager and an inadvertently flushed Great Horned Owl.
But one thing that seemed notable, was seeing Red-tailed Hawks moving in numbers that I'd usually associate with migration here in Sep-Oct. We'd been seeing 1-3 at a time throughout the morning (on perhaps 5 occasions), including 2 adults and one juvenile which we presumed were local breeders and their youngster.
As we returned along Wildcat Trail towards the bottom of Rifle Range Trail at around 11:30am, we were surprised to see a kettle of 8 Red-taileds soaring together, all adults! We at first only noticed a few of them, but the more we scanned that area of sky, the more we found. As we scanned much further to the south, we picked up an additional 2 more adults in that direction - with all 10 visible at once. Those birds were all moving SSE, soaring in circles, and as we walked back along Wildcat Trail, they disappeared from view far to the south. Perhaps 10 minutes later, we saw 2 additional adult Red-taileds, these much closer and moving east to west with more direct flight, obviously not part of the first large group.
Since before 11:30am, a juvenile had also been insistently screeching nonstop from a perch in the eucalyptus grove to the west of us, bringing the total to at least 13 unique individuals that we were sure of! To avoid double counting, we included only the 13 that we knew were unique individuals, though there could have been more.
Has anyone else been seeing Red-taileds in numbers? I read on Birds of the World that their migration is complex, but migration is generally described as starting later - with the earliest movements starting with birds much further to the north as I understand it. I'd be curious if anyone has insight into what's happening here, or if there's some precedent for a mid-July movement of Red-taileds?
Here's a link to our checklist, including photos and recordings of some of the highlights, as well as 2 of the Red-taileds seen before 11:30am (one adult, one juvie): https://ebird.org/checklist/S259657947
Date: 7/14/25 11:25 am From: Kat Palermo via groups.io <katarinapalermo...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] East Bay Queer Birders meet up Albany Bulb Sunday, July 20 at 9 am
Hi birders,
According to the guidelines I may post once about a bird walk, so here I go!
I've organized a queer birder meet up this upcoming Sunday, July 20 at Albany Bulb. We will meet by the public restrooms at 9 am and roam the bulb for an hour. This is an informal event, as I am an amateur birder myself, so please bring binoculars and a good attitude.
Being queer is not a requirement, we would love to have any allies and curious bird enthusiasts join us. All ages welcome! Consider leaving dogs at home, or keep them on-leash throughout the event.
Thank you and I hope to see some of you on Sunday.
found a Rufous/Allen's hybrid zone on the Oregon/California border 300 kilometers long and 90 kilometers wide. Detecting hybrids in the field will not likely be easy, but we need to keep in mind the possibility that some of the birds we identify as one species or the other, even those based on a combination of field marks may be hybrids.
Having said that, I agree the bird in the excellent photos is likely Allen's beyond the margin of error.
On Sat, 12 Jul 2025 10:16:59 -0700, "Peter Pyle via groups.io" <ppyle...> wrote:
>Good subject right now and excellent posts. >Another reason the initial ALHU is a juvenile male is the heavy bronze spotting to the throat, whether or not there is iridescence as well. Juvenile females have cleaner white throats while adult females have cleanish white throats with a patch of iridescence in the center. >Outer rectrix width is indeed very useful, with little or no overlap within each age/sex group. So aging and sexing needs to precede analysis of rectrix width and, luckily, it is easy enough to do this based on the above characters. >Ethan's cautions and info on timing are spot on. There's a good paper by Howell and Gardali on this in Journal of Field Ornithology a number of years ago that should be easy to locate on line. >Cheers, Peter > > >On Jul 12, 2025, at 09:47, Ethan Monk via groups.io <z.querula...> wrote: > > >?Hi, > Immature male feels safely supported by the iridescent gorget feathers coming in at the very side of the gorget (bottom of auricular-ish), and the more inner rectrices often have more green showing in females. So for example on the R2 (second rectrix from center) you will often have green sandwiched between the rufous and black on the females. The green will often be more extensive on the R1 in females, etc. >When it comes to the finer points of the ID, which is importantly done based on age/sex, I think Zac's explanation did a good job. >I will say, the width of the outermost rectrix-- R5 --has burned me before. The apparent width of that tail feather can change a lot based on the angle of the photo, and I just stay away in cases where it feels even vaguely ambiguous. But I know people better than me disagree. >As this conversation handily illustrates, non-adult male Rufous and Allen's Hummingbirds are generally not identifiable under standard field conditions, which is why Allen's Hummingbird flags as "rare" in eBird for Contra Costa County in late June. Most adult male Allen's depart earlier in the month, so it will get really hard to find a "safe" Allen's by the end of June. Obviously, Allen's are still around, so if you go around photographing tail feathers you will find plenty of Allen's (females and immatures) right after they flag in eBird, but it's worth noting Rufous Hummingbirds start to show up at end of June, too. By second week of July, Rufous Hummingbirds are very present in the interior parts of the East Bay. And presumably the more coastal parts too, but harder to say for obvious reasons! >Ethan >On Fri, Jul 11, 2025 at 6:59?PM Bob Lewis via groups.io <RLewis0727...> wrote: >Wow, I just sent Claude a note saying it was a female. Reasoning being the tips of R3-R5 are bright white, and immature male is more tan-tipped. I do think the R5 is quite narrow, supporting Allen's. If indeed it's a male, then I think Zac's comments regarding the absence of a notch (or nipple-like tip) is convincing, and it's an Allen's. But obviously I have no real clue!!Bob >On Friday, July 11, 2025 at 06:48:58 PM PDT, Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> wrote: > > >Hey Claude, >This is a juvenile male, so the ID is a bit more subtle than for adult males. Unfortunately, by this time of year, my understanding is that the adult males have mostly left the scene, so the tougher birds are what were left with ... >Others are more expert, but for what it’s worth, here’s my take:The R2 feather (next to innermost tail feather in your 3rd shot) appears to be missing the slight notch that juvenile male Rufous would usually show. If you happen to also have a shot of the outermost tail feather that’s separated enough from the others to see the feather width, that might help clarify further. >In terms of whether the 3rd photo (with spread tail) meets the reviewers’ threshold for listing as Allen’s, I’m not sure. The default right now would be listing all these birds as a slash (Allen’s/Rufous Hummingbird). >If you don’t get definitive feedback from a reviewer/expert on this email thread, and if you have the reviewer’s contact, you could list as a slash on eBird, reach out to them, then wait for confirmation before proceeding with a more definitive ID. Otherwise, you could try listing as Allen’s, and say in the eBird description that you’re seeking reviewer feedback. If your reviewer responds (whatever the outcome), please be sure to thank them for their unpaid work to keep eBird data accurate! It’s not an easy job. >Maybe someone has another suggestion, but that’s usually how I’d usually handle this type of situation. >I hope that helps. >Zac DenningAlbany > > >On Fri, Jul 11, 2025 at 5:44?PM Claude Lyneis via groups.io <cmlyneis...> wrote: >After seeing several eBird reports of Allen’s Hummingbirds in U.C. Blake Garden I thought I would try again to get some definitive photos that would pass expert judgement and not have to be labeled Allen’s/Rufous. A couple of these photo show good detail of the tail feathers, but is that enough? There were several of these Hummers buzzing around and at least one Anna’s. Blake Garden seemed a rather magical place hidden away in Kensington. >Here is an album with four photos of the bird. ><54648983475_d4aa3e69a4_c.jpg> >Allen's Hummingbirdflic.kr > > >Claude <Lyneiscmlyneis...>://www.youtube.com/bhsvideodadFlickr Photos at https://flic.kr/ps/36it5P > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
Date: 7/12/25 9:51 am From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Is this an Allen's at Blake Garden?
Thanks Ethan - very helpful info!
Zac
On Sat, Jul 12, 2025 at 9:47 AM Ethan Monk <z.querula...> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Immature male feels safely supported by the iridescent gorget feathers
> coming in at the very side of the gorget (bottom of auricular-ish), and the
> more inner rectrices often have more green showing in females. So for
> example on the R2 (second rectrix from center) you will often have green
> sandwiched between the rufous and black on the females. The green will
> often be more extensive on the R1 in females, etc.
>
> When it comes to the finer points of the ID, which is importantly done
> based on age/sex, I think Zac's explanation did a good job.
>
> I will say, the width of the outermost rectrix-- R5 --has burned me
> before. The apparent width of that tail feather can change a lot based on
> the angle of the photo, and I just stay away in cases where it feels even
> vaguely ambiguous. But I know people better than me disagree.
>
> As this conversation handily illustrates, non-adult male Rufous and
> Allen's Hummingbirds are generally not identifiable under standard field
> conditions, which is why Allen's Hummingbird flags as "rare" in eBird for
> Contra Costa County in late June. Most adult male Allen's depart earlier in
> the month, so it will get really hard to find a "safe" Allen's by the end
> of June. Obviously, Allen's are still around, so if you go around
> photographing tail feathers you will find plenty of Allen's (females and
> immatures) right after they flag in eBird, but it's worth noting Rufous
> Hummingbirds start to show up at end of June, too. By second week of July,
> Rufous Hummingbirds are very present in the interior parts of the East Bay.
> And presumably the more coastal parts too, but harder to say for obvious
> reasons!
>
> Ethan
>
> On Fri, Jul 11, 2025 at 6:59 PM Bob Lewis via groups.io <RLewis0727=
> <aol.com...> wrote:
>
>> Wow, I just sent Claude a note saying it was a female. Reasoning being
>> the tips of R3-R5 are bright white, and immature male is more tan-tipped.
>> I do think the R5 is quite narrow, supporting Allen's. If indeed it's a
>> male, then I think Zac's comments regarding the absence of a notch (or
>> nipple-like tip) is convincing, and it's an Allen's. But obviously I have
>> no real clue!!
>> Bob
>>
>> On Friday, July 11, 2025 at 06:48:58 PM PDT, Zac Denning via groups.io
>> <zdenning1...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hey Claude,
>>
>> This is a juvenile male, so the ID is a bit more subtle than for adult
>> males. Unfortunately, by this time of year, my understanding is that the
>> adult males have mostly left the scene, so the tougher birds are what were
>> left with ...
>>
>> Others are more expert, but for what it’s worth, here’s my take:
>> The R2 feather (next to innermost tail feather in your 3rd shot) appears
>> to be missing the slight notch that juvenile male Rufous would usually
>> show. If you happen to also have a shot of the outermost tail feather
>> that’s separated enough from the others to see the feather width, that
>> might help clarify further.
>>
>> In terms of whether the 3rd photo (with spread tail) meets the reviewers’
>> threshold for listing as Allen’s, I’m not sure. The default right now would
>> be listing all these birds as a slash (Allen’s/Rufous Hummingbird).
>>
>> If you don’t get definitive feedback from a reviewer/expert on this
>> email thread, and if you have the reviewer’s contact, you could list as
>> a slash on eBird, reach out to them, then wait for confirmation before
>> proceeding with a more definitive ID. Otherwise, you could try listing
>> as Allen’s, and say in the eBird description that you’re seeking reviewer
>> feedback. If your reviewer responds (whatever the outcome), please be sure
>> to thank them for their unpaid work to keep eBird data accurate! It’s not
>> an easy job.
>>
>> Maybe someone has another suggestion, but that’s usually how I’d usually
>> handle this type of situation.
>>
>> I hope that helps.
>>
>> Zac Denning
>> Albany
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Jul 11, 2025 at 5:44 PM Claude Lyneis via groups.io <cmlyneis=
>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>>
>> After seeing several eBird reports of Allen’s Hummingbirds in U.C. Blake
>> Garden I thought I would try again to get some definitive photos that would
>> pass expert judgement and not have to be labeled Allen’s/Rufous. A couple
>> of these photo show good detail of the tail feathers, but is that enough?
>> There were several of these Hummers buzzing around and at least one
>> Anna’s. Blake Garden seemed a rather magical place hidden away in
>> Kensington.
>>
>> Here is an album with four photos of the bird.
>>
>> [image: 54648983475_d4aa3e69a4_c.jpg]
>>
>> Allen's Hummingbird <https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCm8Gz> >> flic.kr <https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCm8Gz> >> <https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCm8Gz> >>
>> Claude Lyneis
>> <cmlyneis...>
>> https://www.youtube.com/bhsvideodad >> Flickr Photos at https://flic.kr/ps/36it5P >>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
Date: 7/12/25 9:47 am From: Ethan Monk via groups.io <z.querula...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Is this an Allen's at Blake Garden?
Hi,
Immature male feels safely supported by the iridescent gorget feathers
coming in at the very side of the gorget (bottom of auricular-ish), and the
more inner rectrices often have more green showing in females. So for
example on the R2 (second rectrix from center) you will often have green
sandwiched between the rufous and black on the females. The green will
often be more extensive on the R1 in females, etc.
When it comes to the finer points of the ID, which is importantly done
based on age/sex, I think Zac's explanation did a good job.
I will say, the width of the outermost rectrix-- R5 --has burned me before.
The apparent width of that tail feather can change a lot based on the angle
of the photo, and I just stay away in cases where it feels even vaguely
ambiguous. But I know people better than me disagree.
As this conversation handily illustrates, non-adult male Rufous and Allen's
Hummingbirds are generally not identifiable under standard field
conditions, which is why Allen's Hummingbird flags as "rare" in eBird for
Contra Costa County in late June. Most adult male Allen's depart earlier in
the month, so it will get really hard to find a "safe" Allen's by the end
of June. Obviously, Allen's are still around, so if you go around
photographing tail feathers you will find plenty of Allen's (females and
immatures) right after they flag in eBird, but it's worth noting Rufous
Hummingbirds start to show up at end of June, too. By second week of July,
Rufous Hummingbirds are very present in the interior parts of the East Bay.
And presumably the more coastal parts too, but harder to say for obvious
reasons!
Ethan
On Fri, Jul 11, 2025 at 6:59 PM Bob Lewis via groups.io <RLewis0727=
<aol.com...> wrote:
> Wow, I just sent Claude a note saying it was a female. Reasoning being
> the tips of R3-R5 are bright white, and immature male is more tan-tipped.
> I do think the R5 is quite narrow, supporting Allen's. If indeed it's a
> male, then I think Zac's comments regarding the absence of a notch (or
> nipple-like tip) is convincing, and it's an Allen's. But obviously I have
> no real clue!!
> Bob
>
> On Friday, July 11, 2025 at 06:48:58 PM PDT, Zac Denning via groups.io
> <zdenning1...> wrote:
>
>
> Hey Claude,
>
> This is a juvenile male, so the ID is a bit more subtle than for adult
> males. Unfortunately, by this time of year, my understanding is that the
> adult males have mostly left the scene, so the tougher birds are what were
> left with ...
>
> Others are more expert, but for what it’s worth, here’s my take:
> The R2 feather (next to innermost tail feather in your 3rd shot) appears
> to be missing the slight notch that juvenile male Rufous would usually
> show. If you happen to also have a shot of the outermost tail feather
> that’s separated enough from the others to see the feather width, that
> might help clarify further.
>
> In terms of whether the 3rd photo (with spread tail) meets the reviewers’
> threshold for listing as Allen’s, I’m not sure. The default right now would
> be listing all these birds as a slash (Allen’s/Rufous Hummingbird).
>
> If you don’t get definitive feedback from a reviewer/expert on this email
> thread, and if you have the reviewer’s contact, you could list as a slash
> on eBird, reach out to them, then wait for confirmation before proceeding
> with a more definitive ID. Otherwise, you could try listing as Allen’s,
> and say in the eBird description that you’re seeking reviewer feedback. If
> your reviewer responds (whatever the outcome), please be sure to thank them
> for their unpaid work to keep eBird data accurate! It’s not an easy job.
>
> Maybe someone has another suggestion, but that’s usually how I’d usually
> handle this type of situation.
>
> I hope that helps.
>
> Zac Denning
> Albany
>
>
> On Fri, Jul 11, 2025 at 5:44 PM Claude Lyneis via groups.io <cmlyneis=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> After seeing several eBird reports of Allen’s Hummingbirds in U.C. Blake
> Garden I thought I would try again to get some definitive photos that would
> pass expert judgement and not have to be labeled Allen’s/Rufous. A couple
> of these photo show good detail of the tail feathers, but is that enough?
> There were several of these Hummers buzzing around and at least one
> Anna’s. Blake Garden seemed a rather magical place hidden away in
> Kensington.
>
> Here is an album with four photos of the bird.
>
> [image: 54648983475_d4aa3e69a4_c.jpg]
>
> Allen's Hummingbird <https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCm8Gz> > flic.kr <https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCm8Gz> > <https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCm8Gz> >
> Claude Lyneis
> <cmlyneis...>
> https://www.youtube.com/bhsvideodad > Flickr Photos at https://flic.kr/ps/36it5P >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 7/11/25 6:59 pm From: Bob Lewis via groups.io <RLewis0727...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Is this an Allen's at Blake Garden?
Wow, I just sent Claude a note saying it was a female. Reasoning being the tips of R3-R5 are bright white, and immature male is more tan-tipped. I do think the R5 is quite narrow, supporting Allen's. If indeed it's a male, then I think Zac's comments regarding the absence of a notch (or nipple-like tip) is convincing, and it's an Allen's. But obviously I have no real clue!!Bob
On Friday, July 11, 2025 at 06:48:58 PM PDT, Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> wrote:
Hey Claude,
This is a juvenile male, so the ID is a bit more subtle than for adult males. Unfortunately, by this time of year, my understanding is that the adult males have mostly left the scene, so the tougher birds are what were left with ...
Others are more expert, but for what it’s worth, here’s my take:The R2 feather (next to innermost tail feather in your 3rd shot) appears to be missing the slight notch that juvenile male Rufous would usually show. If you happen to also have a shot of the outermost tail feather that’s separated enough from the others to see the feather width, that might help clarify further.
In terms of whether the 3rd photo (with spread tail) meets the reviewers’ threshold for listing as Allen’s, I’m not sure. The default right now would be listing all these birds as a slash (Allen’s/Rufous Hummingbird).
If you don’t get definitive feedback from a reviewer/expert on this email thread, and if you have the reviewer’s contact, you could list as a slash on eBird, reach out to them, then wait for confirmation before proceeding with a more definitive ID. Otherwise, you could try listing as Allen’s, and say in the eBird description that you’re seeking reviewer feedback. If your reviewer responds (whatever the outcome), please be sure to thank them for their unpaid work to keep eBird data accurate! It’s not an easy job.
Maybe someone has another suggestion, but that’s usually how I’d usually handle this type of situation.
I hope that helps.
Zac DenningAlbany
On Fri, Jul 11, 2025 at 5:44 PM Claude Lyneis via groups.io <cmlyneis...> wrote:
After seeing several eBird reports of Allen’s Hummingbirds in U.C. Blake Garden I thought I would try again to get some definitive photos that would pass expert judgement and not have to be labeled Allen’s/Rufous. A couple of these photo show good detail of the tail feathers, but is that enough? There were several of these Hummers buzzing around and at least one Anna’s. Blake Garden seemed a rather magical place hidden away in Kensington.
Here is an album with four photos of the bird.
Date: 7/11/25 6:49 pm From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Is this an Allen's at Blake Garden?
Hey Claude,
This is a juvenile male, so the ID is a bit more subtle than for adult
males. Unfortunately, by this time of year, my understanding is that the
adult males have mostly left the scene, so the tougher birds are what were
left with ...
Others are more expert, but for what it’s worth, here’s my take:
The R2 feather (next to innermost tail feather in your 3rd shot) appears to
be missing the slight notch that juvenile male Rufous would usually show.
If you happen to also have a shot of the outermost tail feather that’s
separated enough from the others to see the feather width, that might help
clarify further.
In terms of whether the 3rd photo (with spread tail) meets the reviewers’
threshold for listing as Allen’s, I’m not sure. The default right now would
be listing all these birds as a slash (Allen’s/Rufous Hummingbird).
If you don’t get definitive feedback from a reviewer/expert on this email
thread, and if you have the reviewer’s contact, you could list as a slash
on eBird, reach out to them, then wait for confirmation before proceeding
with a more definitive ID. Otherwise, you could try listing as Allen’s,
and say in the eBird description that you’re seeking reviewer feedback. If
your reviewer responds (whatever the outcome), please be sure to thank them
for their unpaid work to keep eBird data accurate! It’s not an easy job.
Maybe someone has another suggestion, but that’s usually how I’d usually
handle this type of situation.
I hope that helps.
Zac Denning
Albany
On Fri, Jul 11, 2025 at 5:44 PM Claude Lyneis via groups.io <cmlyneis=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> After seeing several eBird reports of Allen’s Hummingbirds in U.C. Blake
> Garden I thought I would try again to get some definitive photos that would
> pass expert judgement and not have to be labeled Allen’s/Rufous. A couple
> of these photo show good detail of the tail feathers, but is that enough?
> There were several of these Hummers buzzing around and at least one
> Anna’s. Blake Garden seemed a rather magical place hidden away in
> Kensington.
>
> Here is an album with four photos of the bird.
>
> [image: 54648983475_d4aa3e69a4_c.jpg]
>
> Allen's Hummingbird <https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCm8Gz> > flic.kr <https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCm8Gz> > <https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCm8Gz> >
> Claude Lyneis
> <cmlyneis...>
> https://www.youtube.com/bhsvideodad > Flickr Photos at https://flic.kr/ps/36it5P >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 7/11/25 5:44 pm From: Claude Lyneis via groups.io <cmlyneis...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Is this an Allen's at Blake Garden?
After seeing several eBird reports of Allen’s Hummingbirds in U.C. Blake Garden I thought I would try again to get some definitive photos that would pass expert judgement and not have to be labeled Allen’s/Rufous. A couple of these photo show good detail of the tail feathers, but is that enough? There were several of these Hummers buzzing around and at least one Anna’s. Blake Garden seemed a rather magical place hidden away in Kensington.
Date: 7/6/25 4:20 pm From: RON & MARILYN MODAFFERI via groups.io <tahoemod...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Male Quail with 3 chicks
A few observations east of Danville Blvd, 1/2 mile north of new Tesla charging station.
Today, there was male CA quail with 3 chicks feeding on grounded seeds discarded from our squirrel proof elevated feeder.
The chicks were a tiny size that would have fit in a typical chicken egg.
The chicks searched and fed on seeds super close to the male as he fed ravenously.
Must be a 2nd brood?
Our hummers drained the feeder very quickly in the last week.
Seems like Bwick's wrens are more common here than in last 4 years.
Date: 6/29/25 10:16 pm From: MARK M WEGNER via groups.io <markmwegner...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Wood Ducks at Jewel Lake
To my surprise I discovered two wood ducks at Jewel Lake late morning today. They appeared to be immature. After a couple of minutes they disappeared under the overhanging bushes opposite the bench on the west side of the lake. I'm generally on the lookout for wood ducks at Valle Vista but not Jewel Lake. The much more common mallards were also present.
Date: 6/28/25 11:28 pm From: <tonybrake...> via groups.io <tonybrake...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Nesting ELEGANT TERNS on the Richmond Breakwater
[Edited Message Follows]
Here is a link to a video I took 5 days earlier than the photos and eBird checklist posted above. It gives a better idea of the spectacle of the nesting ELEGANT and CASPIAN TERNS on the Richmond breakwater. This was take with my phone in a digiscope setup during very windows conditions, hence the shakiness. The first segment is at full speed and the second is at 1/2 speed and zoomed in a bit.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16W3dMl0RUI8QWIkln9Zl3wOF6QbHcM6T/view?usp=sharing
Date: 6/28/25 8:53 pm From: <tonybrake...> via groups.io <tonybrake...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Nesting ELEGANT TERNS on the Richmond Breakwater
Here is a link to a video I took 5 days earlier than the photos and eBird checklist posted above. It gives a better idea of the spectacle of the nesting ELEGANT and CASPIAN TERNS on the Richmond breakwater. This was take with my phone in a digiscope setup during very windows conditions, hence the shakiness. The first segment is at 1/2 speed and the second is zoomed out a bit.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wo05qY22RzL3XOLnodBM3twCF8AN3bI1/view?usp=drive_link
Date: 6/27/25 3:54 pm From: JD Bergeron via groups.io <bergeronjd...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Nesting ELEGANT TERNS on the Richmond Breakwater
Hi Tony,
Thank you for sharing your observations.
When you see Elegant Terns, please look for red or orange leg bands.
International Bird Rescue conducted a large-scale rescue operation in
summer 2021, and over 3,000 Elegant Tern chicks passed through our hands.
We are eager for reports on this cohort.
Thanks,
JD
On Fri, Jun 27, 2025 at 12:36 <tonybrake...> via groups.io
<tonybrake...> wrote:
> [Edited Message Follows]
>
> Since April, we had been noticing the early arrival of ELEGANT TERNS
> along the Richmond channel breakwater along with the CASPIAN TERNS that
> usually nest, which we can observe from our home. In recent years ELEGANT
> TERNS have arrived at later date (June-July?) presumably post-breeding. On
> 8May we rode the Richmond-SF ferry and I took photographs along the
> breakwater in order to get a better look and make an estimated count.
>
>
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S239003744 > It seemed quite likely that many were in an incubation posture, presumably
> on eggs. Ethan Monk told me that this would be the first nesting record for
> Contra Costa County, so I conservatively recorded them as “Occupied Nest”
>
> Yesterday, 26June, we gain rode the ferry along the breakwater and this
> time saw many juvenile ELEGANT TERNS, as well as juvenile CASPIAN TERNS. I
> made a rough estimate of about 3,000 ELEGANT TERNS. This is likely an under
> count since the birds were densely packed especially in/around the creche
> of juveniles. Also many terns were flying to and fro. Here is a checklist
> of these and other species.
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S254165210 >
> I have attached a few photos that give an idea of the scene.
> --
> Tony Brake
> Point Richmond
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/27/25 12:36 pm From: <tonybrake...> via groups.io <tonybrake...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Nesting ELEGANT TERNS on the Richmond Breakwater
[Edited Message Follows]
Since April, we had been noticing the early arrival of ELEGANT TERNS along the Richmond channel breakwater along with the CASPIAN TERNS that usually nest, which we can observe from our home. In recent years ELEGANT TERNS have arrived at later date (June-July?) presumably post-breeding. On 8May we rode the Richmond-SF ferry and I took photographs along the breakwater in order to get a better look and make an estimated count.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S239003744 It seemed quite likely that many were in an incubation posture, presumably on eggs. Ethan Monk told me that this would be the first nesting record for Contra Costa County, so I conservatively recorded them as “Occupied Nest”
Yesterday, 26June, we gain rode the ferry along the breakwater and this time saw many juvenile ELEGANT TERNS, as well as juvenile CASPIAN TERNS. I made a rough estimate of about 3,000 ELEGANT TERNS. This is likely an under count since the birds were densely packed especially in/around the creche of juveniles. Also many terns were flying to and fro. Here is a checklist of these and other species.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S254165210
I have attached a few photos that give an idea of the scene.
Date: 6/26/25 8:41 pm From: <tonybrake...> via groups.io <tonybrake...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Nesting ELEGANT TERNS on the Richmond Breakwater
Since April, we had been noticing the early arrival of ELEGANT TERNS along the Richmond channel breakwater along with the CASPIAN TERNS that usually nest there that we can observe from our home. In recent years ELEGANT TERNS have arrived at later date (June-July?) presumably post-breeding. On 8May we rode the Richmond-SF ferry and I took photographs along the breakwater in order to getter a better look and make an estimated count.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S239003744 It seemed quite likely that many were in an incubation posture, presumably on eggs. Ethan Monk told me that this would be the first nesting record for Contra Costa County, so I conservatively recorded them as “Occupied Nest”
Yesterday, 26June, we gain rode the ferry along the breakwater and this time saw many juvenile ELEGANT TERNS, as well as juvenile CASPIAN TERNS. I made a rough estimate of about 3,000 ELEGANT TERNS. This is likely an under count since the birds were densely packed especially in/around the creche of juveniles. Also many terns were flying to and fro. Here is a checklist of these and other species.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S254165210
I have attached a few photos that give an idea of the scene.
Date: 6/24/25 5:14 pm From: Claude Lyneis via groups.io <cmlyneis...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Swainson's Thrush and Merlin
I was out near Jewel Lake looking for a photogenic Swainson’s Thrush today and Merlin was a great help in identifying their calls, even though they seemed to stay out of sight most of the time. On the trail from the parking lot up to the Pack Rat trail there were frequent calls by several Thrush. Finally one landed on a branch close by for 30 seconds, and I got the photo,
Date: 6/21/25 7:13 am From: SteveLombardi via groups.io <hotrock175...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Leucistic Acorn Woodpeckers, San Ramon
Two years ago Dom spotted leucistic Acorn Woodpeckers at Bishop Ranch Open Space ( https://ebird.org/checklist/S142837463 )
The birds, or their relatives, are still there. I saw two or three yesterday.
They're about 50 yards straight up the steep Gray Fox Trail (the fire road) past the gate at the entrance off Morgan Dr. near Hawkins Dr. hanging around the oaks adjacent to the road.
Unmistakable; white birds with red crowns.
