Date: 12/1/25 9:47 am From: Milo Linaman via groups.io <linamanlearn...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Geese are flying again in Oakland Hills
I heard what sounded like a large flock of Greater White-fronted geese or possibly Cackling flying over my house last night at 2:30 AM! I live in Oakland flats near High and Brookdale. The weather was clear with some clouds, very cold.
-Milo Linaman
Date: 12/1/25 8:16 am From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Geese are flying again in Oakland Hills
Similarly, I’ve had one small very high flying flock each of Cackling and
Greater White-fronted Geese on my sky watch so far, plus one duck flock.
For the past week or so, we’ve had persistent cold northeast winds, which I
suspect may be encouraging these waterfowl flights.
Zac Denning
Albany
On Mon, Dec 1, 2025 at 7:58 AM Wendy Parfrey via groups.io <wparfrey=
<live.com...> wrote:
> Just saw and heard 30-40 geese in a 'V' heading southwest directly over
> our house, one mile from Huckleberry reserve. Not sure what species but
> not Canada geese since I would recognize that common call. It's really
> blustery and thick fog up here with no visibility but they must like the
> direction of the wind this morning.
>
> Wendy Parfrey
> Colton at Heartwood
>
>
>
>
Date: 12/1/25 7:58 am From: Wendy Parfrey via groups.io <wparfrey...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Geese are flying again in Oakland Hills
Just saw and heard 30-40 geese in a 'V' heading southwest directly over our house, one mile from Huckleberry reserve. Not sure what species but not Canada geese since I would recognize that common call. It's really blustery and thick fog up here with no visibility but they must like the direction of the wind this morning.
Date: 11/28/25 7:39 pm From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Local interest: Lark Sparrow at Landfill loop
Apologies- my info on the wintering range of Lark Sparrows was totally
incorrect. I should have checked that before posting. They winter pretty
widely in California (though less so in bayside side / coastal areas.
Still, a neat bird for Landfill Loop.
Zac
On Fri, Nov 28, 2025 at 4:40 PM Zac Denning <zdenning1...> wrote:
> Birding Landfill Loop today with Nat Smale, we had a nice adult (or barely
> subadult) Lesser Black-backed Gull, standing cooperatively in the shallows
> close to the trail at (37.9715485, -122.3850165) from about 1:30-2:15pm,
> beautifully lit.
>
> While technically, Lesser Black-backed Gull is rare, the most surprising
> bird of the day - and more unusual for this location and date - was a very
> cooperative Lark Sparrow, which was foraging in the shallow drainage
> channel that borders the parking lot and the entrance drive to the landfill
> at about (37.9684635, -122.3797040). Western Lark Sparrows generally
> winter in far southeast CA, SW Arizona and Mexico, so this is a pretty late
> lingering bird.
>
> Zac Denning
> Albany
>
Date: 11/28/25 4:41 pm From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Local interest: Lark Sparrow at Landfill loop
Birding Landfill Loop today with Nat Smale, we had a nice adult (or barely subadult) Lesser Black-backed Gull, standing cooperatively in the shallows close to the trail at (37.9715485, -122.3850165) from about 1:30-2:15pm, beautifully lit.
While technically, Lesser Black-backed Gull is rare, the most surprising bird of the day - and more unusual for this location and date - was a very cooperative Lark Sparrow, which was foraging in the shallow drainage channel that borders the parking lot and the entrance drive to the landfill at about (37.9684635, -122.3797040). Western Lark Sparrows generally winter in far southeast CA, SW Arizona and Mexico, so this is a pretty late lingering bird.
Date: 11/27/25 11:21 am From: Kay Loughman via groups.io <kayloughman...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Geese over the Oakland Hills
Geese again today. At 10:15 this morning, a skein of 100-200 geese flew over Panoramic Ridge/Claremont Canyon. Merlin identified as Cackling Geese. 30 minutes earlier an even larger skein (unidentified) flew over north Oakland, heading south.
Kay Loughman
Patricia Bacchetti via groups.io wrote: > As Zach Denning noted, there's a movement of geese over the East Bay > today. I was in my garden in Upper Rockridge about 30 minutes ago and > heard the unmistakable sound of Great White-fronted Geese; above a > V-shaped flock of about 30 birds with one Snow Goose. Fortunately, I > had my handy bins at the ready and was able to get a glimpse. > Interestingly, they were headed west. It's not the first time that > I've had Greater White-fronts overhead, but it's always been in > October and at night. The Snow Goose is a yard bird, though! Keep > your eyes and ears open today. > Pat Bacchetti > Oakland > > >
Date: 11/25/25 8:10 pm From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Geese, a word of caution
Hi Ethan,
Thank you for the very helpful caution on numbers and sound ID.
For me at least, Greater White-fronteds were almost the only species for
the first 30 minutes, then transitioned to progressively more Cackling
flocks by about 45 minutes. My 350 Greater White-fronted count might be an
under-estimate (I’m in process hand counting birds I photographed). But my
current estimate of visually identified goose species is currently 40%
Greater White-fronted (which is unusual).
I counted only birds I could identify visually, taking photos when I could.
Regardless of the exact proportion, it was certainly an unusually Greater
White-front heavy morning (7:30-9am) in Albany at least.
On Tue, Nov 25, 2025 at 7:04 PM Ethan Monk via groups.io <z.querula=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> While I was locked inside today, not actually seeing or hearing any geese,
> I enjoyed reading a number of reports of geese moving in the Bay Area.
> These days are always wonderful! But I wanted to extend a note of caution.
> Many reports, on listservs and eBird, alluded to being heard only.
> Considering the stifling, drippy fog over much of the region today, this
> doesn't surprise me! Yet, while they can be told apart by the experienced
> ear, Greater White-fronted and Cackling Geese sound very similar,
> especially in large flocks. I confuse them often, thinking I hear one
> species, and then seeing another! Reports I read on listservs over much of
> the day made it seem like White-fronts were in the large majority, however
> my personal experience is that later season flight days of geese are more
> often dominated by Cackling Geese, with White-fronts more often in the
> minority. I also received a number of reports off list from observers that
> saw more Cacklers than White-fronted, or only saw Cackling Geese. So, while
> it is totally possible for a Nov. 25th "goose flight day" to be dominated
> by White-fronts, I just want to make sure we are all being careful when
> IDing geese, lost in fog over head.
>
> Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
>
> Best
> Ethan Monk
>
>
>
>
Date: 11/25/25 7:04 pm From: Ethan Monk via groups.io <z.querula...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Geese, a word of caution
Hi all,
While I was locked inside today, not actually seeing or hearing any geese, I enjoyed reading a number of reports of geese moving in the Bay Area. These days are always wonderful! But I wanted to extend a note of caution. Many reports, on listservs and eBird, alluded to being heard only. Considering the stifling, drippy fog over much of the region today, this doesn't surprise me! Yet, while they can be told apart by the experienced ear, Greater White-fronted and Cackling Geese sound very similar, especially in large flocks. I confuse them often, thinking I hear one species, and then seeing another! Reports I read on listservs over much of the day made it seem like White-fronts were in the large majority, however my personal experience is that later season flight days of geese are more often dominated by Cackling Geese, with White-fronts more often in the minority. I also received a number of reports off list from observers that saw more Cacklers than White-fronted, or only saw Cackling Geese. So, while it is totally possible for a Nov. 25th "goose flight day" to be dominated by White-fronts, I just want to make sure we are all being careful when IDing geese, lost in fog over head.
Thanks all for the add-on reports of goose movements this morning. My final
estimate over an hour and a half was close to 3,000 geese, estimating
mostly by 25s to 50s, with perhaps 400 in the largest group. A good
proportion of these were picked up by scanning non-foggy skies / horizons
for distant skeins of geese that weren't visible with the naked eye (1-2.5
miles away I'd guess). Those distant birds were added as goose sp, but were
at least distinct enough to estimate numbers. I missed a lot as the fog
closed in over 50% of the sky overhead for the last 30-40 minutes, and some
flocks (uncounted) were heard only through the fog.
On Tue, Nov 25, 2025 at 10:21 AM Brian Fitch <fogeggs...> wrote:
> Battery Godfrey has some clarity between fog banks, and sporadic waterfowl
> movement. Nothing unusual so far.
> Brian Fitch
>
> On Tue, Nov 25, 2025 at 8:49 AM Liam Murphy via groups.io <liammsf=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> Just had a flock of GWFG high over McLaren heading northwest, at least 50.
>>
>> Liam
>>
>> On Tue, Nov 25, 2025, 8:31 AM Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1=
>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>>
>>> 2200 and counting, moving NW to NE now, white geese (presumably Snow)
>>> are now in the mix. Ducks on the move as well.
>>>
>>> Zac
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Nov 25, 2025 at 8:07 AM Zac Denning <zdenning1...> wrote:
>>>
>>>> 1100 and counting. Now mostly Cackling, but fog is rolling in,
>>>> obscuring par of my view - more flocks audible above the fog.
>>>>
>>>> Zac
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Nov 25, 2025 at 7:56 AM Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1=
>>>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> PS - goose movements continuing - 150 more just now, heading WSW.
>>>>>
>>>>> Zac
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Tue, Nov 25, 2025 at 7:53 AM Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1=
>>>>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> On my usual morning, skywatch, I just had close to 300
>>>>>> high-flying geese over Albany, heading west southwest, plus another sizable
>>>>>> flock I heard but couldn’t get eyes on. There were 3 main groups visible,
>>>>>> with 2 to 5 skeins of geese in each. For those I saw and by calls, the vast
>>>>>> majority were Greater White-fronted Geese with perhaps some Cackling mixed
>>>>>> in.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I’m copying the SF list, in case these continue westward, or if this
>>>>>> is a wider trend for today.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> At least where I am, there’s been lots of flyover activity generally,
>>>>>> with flickers, American Goldfinches, cormorants and amazingly, 4 Northern
>>>>>> Shovelers.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Eyes up and good birding.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Zac Denning
>>>>>> Albany
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>
>>
Date: 11/25/25 3:12 pm From: Hilary Powers via groups.io <hilary...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Green-winged Teal at Lake Merritt
Missed the Tufted Duck, but a Green-winged Teal drake was swimming in front of the Rotary Nature Center at Lake Merritt late this morning.
Hope they're both there for the Golden Gate Bird Alliance walk tomorrow (Wednesday the 26th)....
-- -- ~ Hilary Powers <-Hilary...> - Oakland CA ~ ~www.salamanderfeltworks.com;www.Etsy.com/shop/SalamanderFeltworks ~ ~ Now a member of the the Oakland Cottage Industry Collective! ~ ~ Needle Felted Sculpture - Real and Fantasy Creatures ~
Date: 11/25/25 2:09 pm From: JENNIFER FURY via groups.io <jennyfuzzy...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Female Tufted Duck reported at Lake Merritt
Thanks Maureen, great tip Cheers,Jennifer Fury Saltwater is the cure for everything, sweat, tears, or the sea 🌊 -------- Original message --------From: "Maureen Lahiff via groups.io" <MLahiff...> Date: 11/25/25 1:35 PM (GMT-08:00) To: GGBA-Chat <ggba-chat...>, East Bay Birds <ebb-sightings...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Female Tufted Duck reported at Lake Merritt
On eBird rare bird report for Alameda County that arrived in my email this morning, a female Tufted Duck was reported at Lake Merritt. Seen along the path east of the Rotary Nature Center. I’m not sure how far towards the pergola from the bird islands.Female Tufted Ducks have a much smaller tuft than the males. They often hang out with their Aythya relatives, the scaups (same genus). Compared to a female scaup, look for a black back and almost no white around the base of the bill.When aTufted Duck is seen there, it usually stays for the winter.Maureen LahiffOakland
Date: 11/25/25 1:59 pm From: L Weiss via groups.io <tortoise...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Many skeins at dawn
Heard Greater White-fronted flying above the fog here in Walnut Creek this morning, guessing it was around 8:15 am. Did not sound like a big group.
Lisa Weiss, Walnut Creek
Date: 11/25/25 1:46 pm From: Erica Buhrmann via groups.io <ebuhrmann...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Many skeins at dawn
We were up at dawn for an outdoor exercise class in North Berkeley. I heard the geese before the fog lifted, then by 7:15 saw 5
V's of Greater White Fronted Geese (id'd by their high-pitched cries). I estimate that there were 50-100 geese in the skeins I saw.
They were flying very high, like necklaces of tiny dots thrown up into the sky. So full of awe at their stamina and beauty!
Erica Buhrmann
Date: 11/25/25 1:35 pm From: Maureen Lahiff via groups.io <MLahiff...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Female Tufted Duck reported at Lake Merritt
On eBird rare bird report for Alameda County that arrived in my email this morning, a female Tufted Duck was reported at Lake Merritt. Seen along the path east of the Rotary Nature Center. I’m not sure how far towards the pergola from the bird islands.
Female Tufted Ducks have a much smaller tuft than the males. They often hang out with their Aythya relatives, the scaups (same genus). Compared to a female scaup, look for a black back and almost no white around the base of the bill.
When aTufted Duck is seen there, it usually stays for the winter.
Date: 11/25/25 12:25 pm From: Susana dT via groups.io <trapaga...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Geese over the Oakland Hills

Skeins of Great White-fronted Geese flying over Hercules too.
> On Nov 25, 2025, at 12:12 PM, Patricia Bacchetti via groups.io <bacpab...> wrote:
> 
> As Zach Denning noted, there's a movement of geese over the East Bay today. I was in my garden in Upper Rockridge about 30 minutes ago and heard the unmistakable sound of Great White-fronted Geese; above a V-shaped flock of about 30 birds with one Snow Goose. Fortunately, I had my handy bins at the ready and was able to get a glimpse. Interestingly, they were headed west. It's not the first time that I've had Greater White-fronts overhead, but it's always been in October and at night. The Snow Goose is a yard bird, though! Keep your eyes and ears open today.
>
> Pat Bacchetti
> Oakland
>
>
Date: 11/25/25 11:51 am From: Dawn Lemoine via groups.io <lemonbirder...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Registration for the 2025 Oakland CBC Closes Sun 30-Nov!
Hello birders!
Time is running out! This year's count will be on *14-Dec*.
Registration closes on *Sunday 30-Nov*. Â Please register by *30-Nov*. Â While there are always extenuating circumstances, we know you want to avoid imposing on your volunteer CBC coordinators with a late, manual sign-up. Â Manual sign-ups are very time consuming.
Please contact us at this email address if you have any questions: <oaklandcbc...>
Best regards!
Dawn & Viviana
--
Oakland CBC Compilers,
Viviana Wolinsky
Dawn Lemoine
Date: 11/25/25 8:42 am From: JENNIFER FURY via groups.io <jennyfuzzy...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] [SFBirds] Geese movements
Yes indeed, the same, or similar, geese clouds have been rolling over El Cerrito all morning. Cheers,Jennifer Fury Saltwater is the cure for everything, sweat, tears, or the sea 🌊 -------- Original message --------From: "Zac Denning via groups.io" <zdenning1...> Date: 11/25/25 8:31 AM (GMT-08:00) To: <zdenning1...> Cc: "<EBB-Sightings...> Group Moderators" <EBB-Sightings...>, SF Birds <sfbirds...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] [SFBirds] Geese movements 2200 and counting, moving NW to NE now, white geese (presumably Snow) are now in the mix. Ducks on the move as well.ZacOn Tue, Nov 25, 2025 at 8:07 AM Zac Denning <zdenning1...> wrote:1100 and counting. Now mostly Cackling, but fog is rolling in, obscuring par of my view - more flocks audible above the fog. ZacOn Tue, Nov 25, 2025 at 7:56 AM Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> wrote:PS - goose movements continuing - 150 more just now, heading WSW.ZacOn Tue, Nov 25, 2025 at 7:53 AM Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> wrote:On my usual morning, skywatch, I just had close to 300 high-flying geese over Albany, heading west southwest, plus another sizable flock I heard but couldn’t get eyes on. There were 3 main groups visible, with 2 to 5 skeins of geese in each. For those I saw and by calls, the vast majority were Greater White-fronted Geese with perhaps some Cackling mixed in. I’m copying the SF list, in case these continue westward, or if this is a wider trend for today. At least where I am, there’s been lots of flyover activity generally, with flickers, American Goldfinches, cormorants and amazingly, 4 Northern Shovelers.Eyes up and good birding. Zac DenningAlbany
Date: 11/25/25 8:32 am From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] [SFBirds] Geese movements
2200 and counting, moving NW to NE now, white geese (presumably Snow) are
now in the mix. Ducks on the move as well.
Zac
On Tue, Nov 25, 2025 at 8:07 AM Zac Denning <zdenning1...> wrote:
> 1100 and counting. Now mostly Cackling, but fog is rolling in, obscuring
> par of my view - more flocks audible above the fog.
>
> Zac
>
>
> On Tue, Nov 25, 2025 at 7:56 AM Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> PS - goose movements continuing - 150 more just now, heading WSW.
>>
>> Zac
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Nov 25, 2025 at 7:53 AM Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1=
>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>>
>>> On my usual morning, skywatch, I just had close to 300 high-flying geese
>>> over Albany, heading west southwest, plus another sizable flock I heard but
>>> couldn’t get eyes on. There were 3 main groups visible, with 2 to 5 skeins
>>> of geese in each. For those I saw and by calls, the vast majority were
>>> Greater White-fronted Geese with perhaps some Cackling mixed in.
>>>
>>> I’m copying the SF list, in case these continue westward, or if this is
>>> a wider trend for today.
>>>
>>> At least where I am, there’s been lots of flyover activity generally,
>>> with flickers, American Goldfinches, cormorants and amazingly, 4 Northern
>>> Shovelers.
>>>
>>> Eyes up and good birding.
>>>
>>>
>>> Zac Denning
>>> Albany
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
Date: 11/25/25 8:25 am From: BA EC via groups.io <bae.crofts92...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] [SFBirds] Geese movements
I saw about 100 Greater-white fronted Geese flying over (only got by call)
around 7:50 by the Richmond Marina! They were heading south ish. Wonder if
we saw some of the same geese.
BreeAnn
On Tue, Nov 25, 2025, 07:56 Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> PS - goose movements continuing - 150 more just now, heading WSW.
>
> Zac
>
>
> On Tue, Nov 25, 2025 at 7:53 AM Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> On my usual morning, skywatch, I just had close to 300 high-flying geese
>> over Albany, heading west southwest, plus another sizable flock I heard but
>> couldn’t get eyes on. There were 3 main groups visible, with 2 to 5 skeins
>> of geese in each. For those I saw and by calls, the vast majority were
>> Greater White-fronted Geese with perhaps some Cackling mixed in.
>>
>> I’m copying the SF list, in case these continue westward, or if this is a
>> wider trend for today.
>>
>> At least where I am, there’s been lots of flyover activity generally,
>> with flickers, American Goldfinches, cormorants and amazingly, 4 Northern
>> Shovelers.
>>
>> Eyes up and good birding.
>>
>>
>> Zac Denning
>> Albany
>>
>>
>
>
>
Date: 11/25/25 7:53 am From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Geese movements
On my usual morning, skywatch, I just had close to 300 high-flying geese
over Albany, heading west southwest, plus another sizable flock I heard but
couldn’t get eyes on. There were 3 main groups visible, with 2 to 5 skeins
of geese in each. For those I saw and by calls, the vast majority were
Greater White-fronted Geese with perhaps some Cackling mixed in.
I’m copying the SF list, in case these continue westward, or if this is a
wider trend for today.
At least where I am, there’s been lots of flyover activity generally, with
flickers, American Goldfinches, cormorants and amazingly, 4 Northern
Shovelers.
Date: 11/22/25 9:24 pm From: Sam Zuckerman via groups.io <samzuckerman...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Pacific Golden Plover at Hayward Shoreline
Coming back from Japan after three weeks away, I found I had missed the excitement of a Barred-tailed Godwit at Hayward Landing. Fighting off jet lag, I hurried to Hayward this morning in hope that the godwit was still around. No success, so I walked to Frank's Dump to see what I could find. It was high tide and an enormous throng of Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover, Willets and other shorebirds were packed onto the sandbars that offered footing to roosting birds. I scoped a large concentration of plovers and saw a brown-orange anomaly significantly smaller than the Black-bellied. Later, when I went over my not-very-good-quality photos, it was evident that the orangey speck was a different plover than the others surrounding it: golden upperparts, face and chin, with some white; brownish cap; light brown flanks ... all good for Pacific Golden. Here's the checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S285689567 The photos are poor, but they do show coloration and stature, the features that caught my eye in the first place.The plovers were roosting near the southern shore of the dump about 200 yards from the Bay Trail, roughly 37.652581, -122.154175.
Date: 11/22/25 7:53 pm From: Alexander Henry via groups.io <awhenry...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Black-throated Green Warbler at Estuary Park on Alameda Island
My take is that even though it’s pretty bright, it’s probably either a very
mature female (ASY female) or a male hatched in summer 2024 or 2025 (SY or
HY male). But I’m sort of just guessing here. Makes you you think how nice
a singing adult male in late spring and early summer in the East is!
On Saturday, November 22, 2025, Teale Fristoe via groups.io <fristoe=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Yesterday, Alex Henry tracked down a Townsend's Warbler like chip at
> Estuary Park on Alameda Island, only to discover the bird was actually a
> very nice Black-throated Green Warbler. Congrats on the fantastic find!
>
> The bird continued today, sometimes showing very well, sometimes
> disappearing for long periods of time.
>
> The main reason I want to post about this bird is the confusing location.
> There is actually another park east of this one on the mainland called
> Estuary Park, which has an existing hotspot. This is NOT the hotspot you
> should be using. I've created a new Estuary Park/Challenger Field,
> Alameda hotspot <https://ebird.org/hotspot/L55359419> you should use.
> It's also fine to use the established Mosley Ave Marsh hotspot if you cover
> that area in addition to the park looking for the warbler. And remember,
> it's always preferable to use a hotspot over a personal location if an
> appropriate hotspot exists.
>
> Again, congrats to Alex on the great find and good luck to everyone who
> chases this beautiful bird!
>
> Teale Fristoe
> Berkeley
>
Date: 11/22/25 6:44 pm From: Teale Fristoe via groups.io <fristoe...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Black-throated Green Warbler at Estuary Park on Alameda Island
Yesterday, Alex Henry tracked down a Townsend's Warbler like chip at Estuary Park on Alameda Island, only to discover the bird was actually a very nice Black-throated Green Warbler. Congrats on the fantastic find!
The bird continued today, sometimes showing very well, sometimes disappearing for long periods of time.
The main reason I want to post about this bird is the confusing location. There is actually another park east of this one on the mainland called Estuary Park, which has an existing hotspot. This is NOT the hotspot you should be using. I've created a new Estuary Park/Challenger Field, Alameda hotspot <https://ebird.org/hotspot/L55359419> you should use. It's also fine to use the established Mosley Ave Marsh hotspot if you cover that area in addition to the park looking for the warbler. And remember, it's always preferable to use a hotspot over a personal location if an appropriate hotspot exists.
Again, congrats to Alex on the great find and good luck to everyone who chases this beautiful bird!
Date: 11/20/25 9:46 pm From: Claude Lyneis via groups.io <cmlyneis...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Bald Eagle and others at Stege Marsh
I went out north of Pt Isabel starting at S 51 st not expecting to see too much today. With very light winds a a gray sky it turned out to be surprisingly good. Among the species I hadn’t seen there were a Bald Eagle, Cooper’s Hawk, a couple of Cedar Waxwings, and a White-throated Sparrow. I was on my way back and watching a hundred or so shore birds in Stege Marsh, when they all launched into the air. They saw the Bald Eagle long before I did. It flew over to a telephone pole on the east side and stayed for the next half hour or so.
Date: 11/20/25 4:44 pm From: David Assmann via groups.io <david_assmann...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] San Francisco CBC training session this Saturday; High Counts from 2024 and Registration Links for the 2025 Count
The results of the 2024 Count have now been compiled by Audubon, and the San Francisco Count had the highest number of birds counted for a number of species. We had the highest count in the country for Townsend's warblers with 539; White-crowned Sparrows with 3,480; Orchard Oriole with 4; Western Gull with 3,701; Anna's Hummingbird with 1,343; Red-Masked Parakeets with 208; Common Raven with 1,538 and Hermit Thrush with 395. We were also one of only three counts in the country to report a Grace's Warbler; and we recorded the first ever Jouanin's Petrel for a CBC Count in the United States!
Registration for the Monday December 29th San Francisco Christmas Bird Count is open. You can register as a Field Observer or Feeder Watcher, and you can also sign-up for the Count Dinner at the links below. Participation is free; the cost of the optional dinner is $35.
The San Francisco Christmas Bird Count covers all of the City of San Francisco, and the northern part of San Mateo County. You can see a map of our Count Circle at https://cbcviewer.appspot.com/map (select San Francisco on the drop down menu).
Thanks to the generosity of San Francisco Baykeeper, we will have access to a boat to survey birds in San Francisco Bay.
Date: 11/17/25 6:27 pm From: mattbaker via groups.io <mattbaker...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Black Tern at Lake Merritt
All - just joined the group to echo my report from ebird this morning of a black tern near the Lake Chalet side:
Juvenille bird seen close to shore south of Lake Chalet restaurant. Showed more patterns on the back than a 'nonbreeding' bird, meaning darker streaking instead of solid dark gray. Facial patterns consistent with immature/nonbreeding bird, including black and white markings. The bird fished close to shore in front of the Chalet then proceeded to the NW part arm of the lake and out of sight. It did not appear to be associating with the Forster's terns that were further out in the lake. So far I have not been able to re-locate it. I am a recent transplant to the area but have a lot of experience with black terns from the Great Lakes region. Hoping someone else can spot the bird today before the weather clears again.
I hope it can be re-found, as I still haven't seen it again since around noon.
I also had an interesting gull I believe to be an iceland gull around the same time: This bird looks just like the 'darker juvenille' in Sibley with the 'white windows' very prominent in the primaries. Smaller than WEGU but larger than RBGU. Again hoping someone else can get eyes on this bird.
Date: 11/13/25 9:31 am From: RON & MARILYN MODAFFERI via groups.io <tahoemod...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Robin group
Yesterday, at 4:pm there were about 40 robins on our luscious backyard lawn. They were there for about 20 minutes. i only observed a few in our Chinese Maple tree which is loaded with berries.
1/2 mile north San Ramon Safeway, just east of Danville Blvd.
Ron Â
This afternoon at the south end by the amphitheater, I spotted my first goldeneye of the fall at Lake Merritt which to my surprise turned out to be a male Barrow's. The number of Barrow's Goldeneyes at Lake Merritt and the channel by Laney College have dwindled as the years have gone by, so it's good to see one this early and hopefully that will be a good omen. The first seen at Lake Merritt last year was on December 1st.
Date: 11/7/25 8:26 pm From: ireddy via groups.io <ireddy...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Sage Thrasher in Shadow Cliffs
Hello everyone,
I found a Sage Thrasher this afternoon in Shadow Cliffs. It was hanging out near the park entrance between the end of the parking lot and the lake, around the picnic tables. It was mostly on the ground, running at time, it also jumped on the benches. It finally flew on top of a tree nearby.  Here are the approximate coordinates where I saw it 37.67106° N, 121.84284° W
Here is my ebird listing for photos https://ebird.org/checklist/S283366557
There was also a juvenile Greater White-fronted Goose (Akira So found one on the 4th https://ebird.org/checklist/S283089900 but from the photos they seem to be different birds), it was on the main lawn hanging out with many Canada Geese and a dozen Cackling Geese.
Last year, there were about 6 or 7 American Pipits in the lawn area but today I found a group of at least 16 of them.
Happy birding,
Date: 11/5/25 1:13 pm From: Claude Lyneis via groups.io <cmlyneis...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Bar-tailed Godwit at Hayward Shoreline
A single Bar-tailed Godwit was reported at the Hayward Regional Shoreline several days ago and has been since been reported in eBird by many birders. Yesterday with some expert spotter's help I was able to photograph it. A lifer for me as was the appearance of a few Surf Birds. They were mixed in with many Willets and a challenge to sort out looking through my camera’s viewfinder. So I did the sorting in post.
A couple of photos showing the Godwit and its companions.
Date: 11/4/25 7:47 am From: Rudyard Wallen via groups.io <arelist12...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Red-naped Sapsucker at Niles Community Park
Hi Folks,
At first blush this bird seems to be a female. The red cap is more extensive and reaches farther back, the black eye stripe is narrower, the black submustachial is stronger and reaches farther back. The red in the throat is a slightly smaller patch than you generally see in males. And lastly in one of the original photos taken by the finder, Madhavi B., you can see a small white crescent between the bill and the throat. https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/644286408
The bend where the black malar connects to the back bib appears weak due to veiling. Fresh basic plumage with pale fringes that will eventually wear off. Much like a fresh meadowlark with a tan breast and a vague black V - once the tips wear off it then resembles the bird we typically see. This veiling tripped me up and I wondered if this was a hatch year female.
You can see some similarities on this adult female, and it took 24 days of attempts before getting this shot https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/208826231 of a bird that otherwise appeared to have a red throat
When ageing Spring birds the main focus is on the white greater coverts (though in any situation an open wing shot is golden). Fall birds are more difficult, and often require an open wing photo. Monitoring the images of this bird led to this image by Peter S. https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/644503216
It's also possible this bird has a small bit of Red-breasted influence. Note the red within the black collar here https://ebird.org/checklist/S281939520
If you've uploaded images of this bird and tagged it as male, please change it to female, and additionally tag it as adult: from your checklist click on> manage media> click on image> fill in grid under Age/Sex
Note that comments are a different, and as far as I know, unsearchable field. This helps researchers immensely, as a filtered search in Macaulay library for an adult female RNSA eliminates images that aren't tagged- so it requires a lot more digging
Please email me off list if you have questions on this
Date: 11/3/25 8:30 pm From: Dawn Lemoine via groups.io <lemonbirder...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Registration for the 2025 Oakland CBC is Open! #CBC
Registration is now open for the December 14, 2025, Oakland Christmas Bird Count!
Join us for a day of bird counting and camaraderie. While you're having fun, you'll also be collecting valuable data for the world's longest-running and largest citizen science project; this data is used in scientific studies for conservation efforts. The Oakland count circle primarily covers a large portion of Alameda County and parts of Contra Costa County, and it is divided into 30 areas. We will do our best to place you in an area of your choice.
You can register as a Field Observer to go out into the field with others, or as a Feeder Watcher if you prefer to count from your home or another stationary site. In either case, we encourage you to also sign up for the dinner afterward and participate in the bird countdown, which many participants consider a highlight of the day.
We look forward to seeing you at the Oakland CBC and/or dinner!
Oakland CBC Compilers,
Viviana Wolinsky
Dawn Lemoine
Date: 11/3/25 6:56 pm From: Derek via groups.io <dlheins...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Richmond CBC registration is open
Registration for our fourth annual Richmond Christmas Bird Count to be held on Saturday, January 3 is *now open*. Spend a fun day outdoors with a team counting individual birds and species, and contributing to our understanding of bird populations! Our first three years have established this count circle as one of the highest in the nation in regards to both participants and species observed, which helps this community science project thrive! Below are links to register as a field observer, feeder-watch, and the post-count dinner. Both beginners and experienced birders are welcome.
Date: 11/2/25 1:01 pm From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Nelson’s Sparrow back at Arrowhead Marsh
A Nelson’s Sparrow is back at Arrowhead Marsh. I saw it today in sagebrush
at the southeast corner of the boardwalk at (37.7417808, -122.2107818) at
about 9:15 am. My camera is in for repairs, but I had nice clear looks at
very close range. I then ran into Jeff Manker and Carlos Mendoza. After
some searching, Carlos refound it 15-20 feet east of the original spot.
It’s as skulky as usual, but should be around for a while this year. I’m
assuming this is the same bird which has been seen here each winter since
at least 2022, and possibly well before that.
