I spent yet another fruitless morning looking for Pinyon Jays, this time along Morgan Territory Road. The only sign of the montane irruption was a Cassin’s Finch at the Diablo Bowmen archery range, otherwise all normal. I then spent the afternoon in the delta. At Clifton the winds were 30+ mph, but two Sabines Gulls were acrobatically foraging in them. Afterwards, Holland Tract was completely windless. I turned up 3 Gray-headed Orange-crowns and 3 Cranes, and watched a drone (that makes peregrine falcon sounds) chase a flock of a few thousand blackbirds around the rice fields. Most were Red-winged but I estimated that about 300 were Yellow-headed.
Yesterday, a quick afternoon trip to Landfill Loop produced a Loggerhead Shrike on the landfill’s northern edge. This species is quite rare in Richmond and this was my first sighting. This is presumably the same bird found by Susana de Trapaga here in early September.
Date: 9/27/26 7:52 pm From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Community meeting: Plans for Golden Gate Fields Race Track site in Albany/Berkeley
This was only announced Friday apparently, but there’s a community meeting
5pm tomorrow / Monday 9/28, at the Albany Community Center (library
building), to discuss plans and get input on what is East Bay Regional Parks
District should do with the old Golden Gate Fields racetrack site:
Date: 9/24/26 7:38 pm From: Bob Toleno via groups.io <bob...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Christmas Bird Counts
Ohlone Audubon's Hayward-Fremont CBC will be on Sunday, December 20. For
anyone who doesn't already have an assignment for the Oakland CBC, we'd
love help, as we've lost many leaders over the past two years.
Bob Toleno
On Thu, Sep 24, 2026 at 11:29 AM Susana dT via groups.io <trapaga=
<sbcglobal.net...> wrote:
> Could somebody please post the dates for MDBA, GGBA and Sherman Is
> Christmas bird counts?
> Thank you
>
>
>
>
Date: 9/24/26 3:23 pm From: BA EC via groups.io <bae.crofts92...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Christmas Bird Counts
Richmond CBC is Saturday, January 2nd 2027! More details to come on
registration in the coming months.
On Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 15:12 Edward Vine via groups.io <elvine=
<lbl.gov...> wrote:
> And SF CBC is Dec. 28.
>
> Ed
>
> On Thu, Sep 24, 2026 at 11:38 AM Dawn Lemoine via groups.io <lemonbirder=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> The Oakland CBC is Dec 20.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Sep 24, 2026 at 11:33 AM Chris Ortega via groups.io <chrisorte9a=
>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Susana,
>>>
>>> Thanks for the request! MDBA Eastern CBC is set for 12/16, and Central
>>> is 12/19. I'll send out a more complete invitation a little later but
>>> appreciate your prompt to get the dates out now.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> Chris Ortega
>>> Bay Point
>>>
>>> On Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 11:29 AM Susana dT via groups.io <trapaga=
>>> <sbcglobal.net...> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Could somebody please post the dates for MDBA, GGBA and Sherman Is
>>>> Christmas bird counts?
>>>> Thank you
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Edward Vine
>
> Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
> Building 90R2002
> Berkeley, CA 94720-8136
>
> Email: <elvine...>
>
>
>
>
Date: 9/24/26 3:12 pm From: Edward Vine via groups.io <elvine...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Christmas Bird Counts
And SF CBC is Dec. 28.
Ed
On Thu, Sep 24, 2026 at 11:38 AM Dawn Lemoine via groups.io <lemonbirder=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> The Oakland CBC is Dec 20.
>
>
>
> On Thu, Sep 24, 2026 at 11:33 AM Chris Ortega via groups.io <chrisorte9a=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> Hi Susana,
>>
>> Thanks for the request! MDBA Eastern CBC is set for 12/16, and Central is
>> 12/19. I'll send out a more complete invitation a little later but
>> appreciate your prompt to get the dates out now.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Chris Ortega
>> Bay Point
>>
>> On Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 11:29 AM Susana dT via groups.io <trapaga=
>> <sbcglobal.net...> wrote:
>>
>>> Could somebody please post the dates for MDBA, GGBA and Sherman Is
>>> Christmas bird counts?
>>> Thank you
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
--
Edward Vine
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Building 90R2002
Berkeley, CA 94720-8136
Date: 9/24/26 11:38 am From: Dawn Lemoine via groups.io <lemonbirder...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Christmas Bird Counts
The Oakland CBC is Dec 20.
On Thu, Sep 24, 2026 at 11:33 AM Chris Ortega via groups.io <chrisorte9a=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Hi Susana,
>
> Thanks for the request! MDBA Eastern CBC is set for 12/16, and Central is
> 12/19. I'll send out a more complete invitation a little later but
> appreciate your prompt to get the dates out now.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Chris Ortega
> Bay Point
>
> On Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 11:29 AM Susana dT via groups.io <trapaga=
> <sbcglobal.net...> wrote:
>
>> Could somebody please post the dates for MDBA, GGBA and Sherman Is
>> Christmas bird counts?
>> Thank you
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
Date: 9/24/26 11:33 am From: Chris Ortega via groups.io <chrisorte9a...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Christmas Bird Counts
Hi Susana,
Thanks for the request! MDBA Eastern CBC is set for 12/16, and Central is
12/19. I'll send out a more complete invitation a little later but
appreciate your prompt to get the dates out now.
Cheers,
Chris Ortega
Bay Point
On Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 11:29 AM Susana dT via groups.io <trapaga=
<sbcglobal.net...> wrote:
> Could somebody please post the dates for MDBA, GGBA and Sherman Is
> Christmas bird counts?
> Thank you
>
>
>
>
Date: 9/21/26 4:42 pm From: Jane Chinn via groups.io <janechinn...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] FOS Sparrows
Hello: I woke up Sunday morning to a lovely sight at my birdbath. Two adult White-crowned Sparrows and two juvenile White-crowned Sparrows. They seem a bit early this year. For the past 10 years I've been trying to keep a record of their arrival and numbers. Most years they show up around September 28. Hoping to see more and the Golden-crowned too. Also for the past three years a single White-throated Sparrow has been a part of the group. They stay the winter and leave around the middle of April.
Can anyone recommend a study of their migration pattern from the S. F. Bay Area.Â
Thank you.
Jane ChinnHayward Hills (above CSUEB)
Date: 9/19/26 9:16 pm From: Claude Lyneis via groups.io <cmlyneis...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Western Gull vs a Rock Crab
Saturday afternoon I went out to walk along Stege Marsh and Meeker Slough. With the tide above 3.5, a moderate wind out of the southwest not many birds were out. There were 12 White Pelicans on the island where Meeker Slough empties in the bay.
Still, just as I was headed for the car there was a Western Gull that had a Rock Crab in its bill. The gull tried several different holds on the crab, but in the end the crab escaped. So score one for the crab with its thick shell and strong claws. Link to photos below.
Date: 9/19/26 1:12 pm From: Alan Krakauer via groups.io <Alan.krakauer...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Western Tanagers, Gyuto Monastery (Richmond)
I wanted to post a quick comment about the Gyuto Monastery in Richmond (6401 Bernhard Ave). The grape arbor they have is now in season (has been for a week or two), and Western Tanagers continue to visit regularly. They often hide in the middle but visible on top when they first arrive at the grapes, or in nearby trees when they stage in or out. I've seen Swainson's Thrushes, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Yellow Warblers, and more common resident species there as well. It's a nice spot for a relaxing sit or short walk on the edge of Wildcat Canyon.
Date: 9/19/26 1:02 pm From: Alan Krakauer via groups.io <Alan.krakauer...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Mt. Diablo, nutcrackers, etc.
Hi Ethan,
Thanks for the informative report from Mt. Diablo. I led a small GGBA field trip to San Pablo Ridge in Wildcat Canyon on Thursday. We had Red-breasted Nuthatches throughout the park with especially large numbers in the Monterey Pine stands along the top of the ridge. The flocks on the ridge were doing a lot of foraging on the ground below the trees which was interesting. We didn't notice an insect emergence or any obvious food source but we saw them doing this in multiple places.
I'll try to get back there soon to look for Nutcrackers. I'm still haunted by the calls I heard in Wildcat Canyon a few years ago that caused me to ask here "what else might sound like a Clark's Nutcracker?" and then nutcrackers were seen elsewhere in the Berkeley hills a few days later.
I saw the 3 Nutcrackers found by Ethan at Mt Diablo summit today at 6pm. They all flew out of a pine tree a few yards before the 'summit elev. 3849ft.' sign on the one way road to the summit parking lot. There were also many Red-breasted Nuthatch and two Peregrine falcons circling over the lower/overflow parking lot.
Date: 9/18/26 12:09 pm From: Ethan Monk via groups.io <z.querula...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Mt. Diablo, nutcrackers, etc.
Hi all,
The listservs are sort of dead, but long form content posted to these was the greatest resource to me as a newer birder. It helped me learn so much from the very knowledgeable community about what was showing up (not just the rare things!) and bird status and distribution, and all else. So, in the spirit of keeping it going, even if I am the last dinosaur...
I spent a few hours running around upper Mt. Diablo (above the Junction of North and South Gate roads) this morning, hoping to run into the "montane invasion." As many of us have noticed, the Red-breasted Nuthatches are moving en masse this year, and to our south in coastal Southern California they are seeing hundreds of nutcrackers and smaller numbers of Pinyon Jays. It was a clear day, somewhat chilly with a north wind of 8-10 mph at the summit.
Some highlights, montane invasion related and otherwise:
-"Intergrade" Flicker: one at Grapevine Ridge--between Juniper Campground and Green Ranch Rd.--was my first of fall. -Nuttall's Woodpecker: at least in spring and winter, this species is rare much above the junction, so one off Summit Rd. west of Devil's Pulpit was unusual. -CLARK'S NUTCRACKER: three+ vic. summit. See end of email for more. -PURPLE MARTIN: one female-type flew north over the summit, trailing a small flock of Violet-green Swallows. -R-C. Kinglet: my first of season were two--one at the Summit, and one at Juniper CG. -Red-breasted Nuthatch: everywhere! I had 50+, including close to 20 around the summit. -Rock Wren: one calling at Grapevine Ridge Hermit Thrush: ~5 total. -Pine Siskin: an irruption is in evidence... small flocks seen throughout my morning. -Fox Sparrow: very large numbers of these on the day--50+-- including several "Thick-billed" Fox Sparrows. One Th-Billed at Grapevine Ridge was not far from where they are regular in the winter, but one at Juniper Campground and one at the summit were not in wintering locations. -White-crowned Sparrow: This species is rare on the upper mountain in winter, these are migrants and will not stay here. The handful (~10-12) I saw today scattered were all apparently pugetensis. -CASSIN'S FINCH: One female type, photographed, sat calling for a long time this morning on summit rd. just east of Juniper CG. Off the top of my head, I believe this is the earliest fall record for Contra Costa County. -Audubon's Warbler: two at the summit.
More re. NUTCRACKERS: I was standing around the Everest Radio Tower around 8:30, which is just north of the summit overflow parking lot, when from far below towards Deer Flat I distantly heard what I thought was a nutcracker. I looked down and saw a Stellar's Jay way down there... thought, oh shoot, I messed it up... and then 1-2 minutes later I heard it again! I pulled out a speaker and played some nutcracker calls (sorry, but what else do you do when you hear a nutcracker calling at the bottom of a cliff you are standing on top of) and a nutcracker emerged from Deer Flat and began to fly upslope towards me! I unpacked the camera and began to take photos as it settled into a gray pine along Summit Rd. After taking photos for a while, I looked away from the camera and saw that in the sky above it were two Nutcrackers flying south! I took photos of the birds in flight. I spent the next 40 minutes in the overflow summit lot, where there were several (meaning >1) nutcrackers that would occasionally appear, catching the wind blowing over the summit and doing big loopdeloops in the gusts. Eventually, two dropped into the parking lot, where one hopped around and inspected the vault toilet. One sat distantly more towards Deer Flat in a gray pine and called occasionally. A very cool experience, hopefully more nutcrackers (and Pinyon Jays?!) to come!
For reference, in 2003 there was a large Pinyon Jay irruption, and they were found during this time in the Oakland Hills, in the area around Redwood Park/Sibley. So, this is probably a good location to look for this species and nutcrackers, as well as the other places birders think off--Diablo, Vollmer Peak, etc.
Date: 9/13/26 1:23 pm From: Jackie Bobrosky via groups.io <electricjmb...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Red Breasted Nuthatch
I've had a single Red Breasted NH in my yard for the last few days. Visits a birdbath, and today finally heard its familiar "ank ank". Someone mentioned an irruption year, I have had them visit in the past.
Date: 9/13/26 8:15 am From: lwpayne919 via groups.io <lwpayne919...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Juv Yellow Warbler Hayward Shoreline
@ end of W. Winton.
In the last moments of birdwalk around the ponds n waterways there, thru a cyclone fence that borders path to parking lot, some little yellow-gray something darted into a bush.
I didn’t see it exit that bush, but I initially didn’t see it in the bush either…had to wait it out. Finally seeing movement, but unable to determine what it was with binoculars, I just held camera steady aimed at the spot by holding onto outer lens and the fence with the same hand.
It was so exciting! And I had no idea what it was.
Got home, moved photos to laptop, and was so happy to find there were some really good (for me) photos. I resisted Merlining them and pored over birdbooks instead.
Didn’t initially imagine a warbler would have such a large bill, but Peterson’s and Nat’l Geo birdbooks told me otherwise. I tried to turn this into a female Connecticut warbler. But I had to reach out to birdwatching comrades for consultation. Thanks to C. Waterman and his sis for guiding me to the correct ID. I hadn’t known or seen that immature yellow warblers could have such a prominent, perfect white eye ring.
While this didn’t turn out to be a lifer, it was nonetheless a really beautiful experience all around.
Tide was super high, literally lapping at the bottom of the wooden footbridge. There were willets, yellowlegs sp., hunting wt kite and rt hawk, song sparrows, lesser goldfinches, huge #s of barn swallows - a few daintily picking prey from the wavy waterways, crows, ravens. g & s egrets, b phoebes, and CA towhees.
Date: 9/12/26 5:37 pm From: richard s. cimino via groups.io <rscimino...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] White-tailed Kites Roost in Pleasanton -anyone remember the one in Livermore?
More Kite history,
My earliest White-tailed Kite record for Pleasanton County began in 1979.
Then, as now, the Kites were showing up in late summer, in small numbers, 5 to 7 a night, at a home on Golden and Harvest Rd. Pleasanton. Seasonally, during the late 1980 into the 90s, the numbers reached up to 35 White-tailed Kites. One memorable White-tail kite event was in 1999, when my physician called me to tell me she had 135 White-tailed Kites behind her barn in eastern Livermore. The White-tailed Kites have a history of gathering in the fall months in the Pleasanton area. Why? Hopefully, with Isabella Rady's interest in this phenomenon, and with more eBird submissions, new facts will be developed about the species. Recently, Isabella had emailed me about this event, so on Saturday, Sept 5th I made the trip over from Marin County, where I live, to witness the Kite roost for myself. That night, Isabella and I counted 162 White-tailed kites.
Rich Cimino
Marin County
Yellowbilledtours.com
Cell; 925-353-0266
From: <EBB-Sightings...> <EBB-Sightings...> On Behalf Of Amy Dawson via groups.io Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2026 12:52 AM To: <ebb-sightings...>; <ireddy...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] White-tailed Kites Roost in Pleasanton -anyone remember the one in Livermore?
Hi all,
Speaking of Kites, does anyone know if the large roost found in Livermore in 2011 is still there? At the time, I saw over a hundred!
Here is a string of emails that I dug up from that time, it has the location, so if anyone can go look it would be good to know! And it was this time of year as well.
To: <mailto:<EBB_Sightings...> <EBB_Sightings...> Sent: Wed, September 7, 2011 10:01:44 AM Subject: [EBB_Sightings] White-tailed Kites in Livermore
For the last two afternoons, just before sunset, these kites have gathered in large numbers. There were perhaps 30 on Monday and maybe 10 yesterday, allowing me to get some nice photos. They gather around my house on Felicia Court near the west entrance to Lawrence Livermore Natl Laboratory on Vasco Road. They perch in the tops of the redwoods trees, with a lot of takeoffs and landings.
Larry Thompson 1069 Felicia Court Livermore -----------------------------
I found a large roosting tree in the back yard of a house between Evelyn Way and Jessica in Livermore. The kites started circling at 7:15 and started landing 2 or 3 at a time from 7:30 to 7:45pm. In all more than 65 kites landed in just this one tree!
Bill Clark Livermore
-----------------
A friend and I drove down to Livermore at dusk yesterday to see the kites - and we're so glad we did - it was a wonderful sight to see.
We arrived sometime between 7:15 and 7:30 and began to see a few kites here and there, flying into the area from all directions. As time went on, we saw 20, then 30 or even 40 or more in the air at one time.
They would fly around, some would hover a bit, before landing on various trees only to take off again to fly around over head. Eventually they all settled down for the night - from what we could tell - primarily in the top of some three trees in the area. Even after it was fairly dark, we could still see a few flying in to roost.
We think we probably saw well over one hundred - but this is a conservative estimate as they kept landing and taking off again - making it hard to keep track of them.
It seemed the best spots to watch them were on Jessica Drive, just south of the park and across from Anita Court - where you could see them landing on trees behind the homes on the right and left side of the street. Specifically, that would be the block between Jessica Dr.and Felicia Ave. and Jessica Dr. and Evelyn Way. They were also roosting on the trees between the park and Evelyn Way. In addition, if you go down and make two right turns onto Evelyn Way - to where it turns to the left, you will have the sun shining on the birds as it sets, and you'll be closer to some of the trees - so it may be easier to see them and better for taking photos.
It was good to run into Larry Thompson - who first posted about the kites - thanks Larry!
Amy in Oakland.
---------
Sunday evening I went to Evelyn Way to watch the white-tailed kites come in at sunset.
Most didn't start to come in until it was too dark to photograph, but it was fun watching them come in to land on a treetop, discover it occupied, and circle for another tree roost.
Allen
On Friday, September 11, 2026 at 09:28:19 PM PDT, ireddy via groups.io < <mailto:<ireddy...> <ireddy...> wrote:
I feel I should share some updates about the very big White-tailed Kites roost I discovered in my neighborhood in Pleasanton on August 28 and that I have been observing since then.
I have been in contact with Ed Pandolfino (co-author of the article above) and Jeffrey Dunk (author of the White-tailed Kite entry for Birds of the World) as soon as I realized that this roost was massive and that there wasn't a ton of information about them. Ed and Jeffrey are both the co-authors of the soon to be released new version of the BOW entry and are very interested in the information we can find at this roost.
I try to count the number of birds who arrive at the roost each night. Since I started, the roost has changed place and the numbers fluctuate. It was first on Woodthrush Way, but then moved to Crestline Street and is now spreading to Willowren and probably further West to what I gather. Their numbers are often in the hundred or more (138 tonight) but it is hard to know if all the birds are accounted for.
I also try to record the directions they are coming from or leaving to. I also take notes of what they are doing, their use of trees - especially the tall pointy ones where the first comers perch (cypress/pine/redwoods). It would be interesting to know the proportion of juveniles/adults but it is very hard to tell because of the low light.
Their arrival time is shifting earlier every day - now before 7pm and all is quiet by 7:45pm. In the morning, they always leave a minute after the first crow calls around 6:20am. At this roost, they take more time to leave than the 3-5 minutes mentioned in the above article and they seem to first depart much later. I experimented coming earlier, at 5:10am but nothing happened until 6:20am. The mystery, though, is that I count less birds in the morning as compared to the evening.
And of course, as Dominik mentioned, if you come, be mindful of the residents, the kites are very much in the trees that border their houses (in their frontwards or backyards).
If any of you has observed a roost before and wants to share info with me of what they saw, where it was located, its size, when they saw it... I would love to know. I find it all very interesting.
Enjoy the birds, they give us so many opportunities to learn!
Date: 9/12/26 12:51 am From: Amy Dawson via groups.io <dawson.amy...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] White-tailed Kites Roost in Pleasanton -anyone remember the one in Livermore?
Hi all, Speaking of Kites, does anyone know if the large roost found in Livermore in 2011 is still there? At the time, I saw over a hundred!Â
Here is a string of emails that I dug up from that time, it has the location, so if anyone can go look it would be good to know! And it was this time of year as well.
Amy in Oakland
From: purrboycasey <thompson14ster...>
To: <EBB_Sightings...>
Sent: Wed, September 7, 2011 10:01:44 AM
Subject: [EBB_Sightings] White-tailed Kites in Livermore
For the last two afternoons, just before sunset, these kites have gathered in large numbers. There were perhaps 30 on Monday and maybe 10 yesterday, allowing me to get some nice photos. They gather around my house on Felicia Court near the west entrance to Lawrence Livermore Natl Laboratory on Vasco Road. They perch in the tops of the redwoods trees, with a lot of takeoffs and landings.
Larry Thompson
1069 Felicia Court
Livermore
-----------------------------I found a large roosting tree in the back yard of a house between Evelyn Way and Jessica in Livermore. The kites started circling at 7:15 and started landing 2 or 3 at a time from 7:30 to 7:45pm. In all more than 65 kites landed in just this one tree!
Bill Clark
Livermore-----------------A friend and I drove down to Livermore at dusk yesterday to see the kites - and we're so glad we did - it was a wonderful sight to see. Â
We arrived sometime between 7:15 and 7:30 and began to see a few kites here and there, flying into the area from all directions. As time went on, we saw 20, then 30 or even 40 or more in the air at one time.Â
They would fly around, some would hover a bit, before landing on various trees only to take off again to fly around over head. Eventually they all settled down for the night - from what we could tell - primarily in the top of some three trees in the area. Even after it was fairly dark, we could still see a few flying in to roost. Â
We think we probably saw well over one hundred - but this is a conservative estimate as they kept landing and taking off again - making it hard to keep track of them.
It seemed the best spots to watch them were on Jessica Drive, just south of the park and across from Anita Court - where you could see them landing on trees behind the homes on the right and left side of the street. Specifically, that would be the block between Jessica Dr.and Felicia Ave. and Jessica Dr. and Evelyn Way. They were also roosting on the trees between the park and Evelyn Way. In addition, if you go down and make two right turns onto Evelyn Way - to where it turns to the left, you will have the sun shining on the birds as it sets, and you'll be closer to some of the trees - so it may be easier to see them and better for taking photos.
It was good to run into Larry Thompson - who first posted about the kites - thanks Larry!
Amy in Oakland.
---------
Sunday evening I went to Evelyn Way to watch the white-tailed kites come in
at sunset.
Most didn't start to come in until it was too dark to photograph, but it was
fun watching them come in to land on a treetop, discover it occupied, and
circle for another tree roost.
Allen
On Friday, September 11, 2026 at 09:28:19 PM PDT, ireddy via groups.io <ireddy...> wrote:
Hello birders, Following up Dominik Mosur's message from sept 8 and Patricia Bacchetti who kindly shared this article on the roost in Sacramento https://journal.cvbirds.org/index.php/cvb/article/view/514/814I feel I should share some updates about the very big White-tailed Kites roost I discovered in my neighborhood in Pleasanton on August 28 and that I have been observing since then. I have been in contact with Ed Pandolfino (co-author of the article above) and Jeffrey Dunk (author of the White-tailed Kite entry for Birds of the World) as soon as I realized that this roost was massive and that there wasn't a ton of information about them. Ed and Jeffrey are both the co-authors of the soon to be released new version of the BOW entry and are very interested in the information we can find at this roost.  I try to count the number of birds who arrive at the roost each night. Since I started, the roost has changed place and the numbers fluctuate. It was first on Woodthrush Way, but then moved to Crestline Street and is now spreading to Willowren and probably further West to what I gather. Their numbers are often in the hundred or more (138 tonight) but it is hard to know if all the birds are accounted for.  I also try to record the directions they are coming from or leaving to. I also take notes of what they are doing, their use of trees - especially the tall pointy ones where the first comers perch (cypress/pine/redwoods). It would be interesting to know the proportion of juveniles/adults but it is very hard to tell because of the low light.  Their arrival time is shifting earlier every day - now before 7pm and all is quiet by 7:45pm. In the morning, they always leave a minute after the first crow calls around 6:20am. At this roost, they take more time to leave than the 3-5 minutes mentioned in the above article and they seem to first depart much later. I experimented coming earlier, at 5:10am but nothing happened until 6:20am. The mystery, though, is that I count less birds in the morning as compared to the evening.  For those of you who want to experience this roost and gather information on it, ebird if a good place to record it. I am putting all of my notes here https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/hotspot/L76641473/activity?yr=all&m=And of course, as  Dominik mentioned, if you come, be mindful of the residents, the kites are very much in the trees that border their houses (in their frontwards or backyards). If any of you has observed a roost before and wants to share info with me of what they saw, where it was located, its size, when they saw it... I would love to know. I find it all very interesting. Enjoy the birds, they give us so many opportunities to learn! IsabelleÂ
Date: 9/11/26 9:28 pm From: ireddy via groups.io <ireddy...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] White-tailed Kites Roost in Pleasanton
Hello birders,
Following up Dominik Mosur's message from sept 8 and Patricia Bacchetti who kindly shared this article on the roost in Sacramento https://journal.cvbirds.org/index.php/cvb/article/view/514/814 I feel I should share some updates about the very big White-tailed Kites roost I discovered in my neighborhood in Pleasanton on August 28 and that I have been observing since then.
I have been in contact with Ed Pandolfino (co-author of the article above) and Jeffrey Dunk (author of the White-tailed Kite entry for Birds of the World) as soon as I realized that this roost was massive and that there wasn't a ton of information about them. Ed and Jeffrey are both the co-authors of the soon to be released new version of the BOW entry and are very interested in the information we can find at this roost.
I try to count the number of birds who arrive at the roost each night. Since I started, the roost has changed place and the numbers fluctuate. It was first on Woodthrush Way, but then moved to Crestline Street and is now spreading to Willowren and probably further West to what I gather. Their numbers are often in the hundred or more (138 tonight) but it is hard to know if all the birds are accounted for.
I also try to record the directions they are coming from or leaving to. I also take notes of what they are doing, their use of trees - especially the tall pointy ones where the first comers perch (cypress/pine/redwoods). It would be interesting to know the proportion of juveniles/adults but it is very hard to tell because of the low light.
Their arrival time is shifting earlier every day - now before 7pm and all is quiet by 7:45pm. In the morning, they always leave a minute after the first crow calls around 6:20am. At this roost, they take more time to leave than the 3-5 minutes mentioned in the above article and they seem to first depart much later. I experimented coming earlier, at 5:10am but nothing happened until 6:20am. The mystery, though, is that I count less birds in the morning as compared to the evening.
For those of you who want to experience this roost and gather information on it, ebird if a good place to record it. I am putting all of my notes here https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/hotspot/L76641473/activity?yr=all&m= And of course, as  Dominik mentioned, if you come, be mindful of the residents, the kites are very much in the trees that border their houses (in their frontwards or backyards).
If any of you has observed a roost before and wants to share info with me of what they saw, where it was located, its size, when they saw it... I would love to know. I find it all very interesting.
Enjoy the birds, they give us so many opportunities to learn!
Date: 9/11/26 6:34 pm From: Patricia Bacchetti via groups.io <bacpab...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] San Ramon area migrant notes and Pleasanton Kite Roost - Labor Day Weekend (9/6 and 9/7 2026)
