Date: 7/23/26 3:09 pm From: Ethan Monk via groups.io <z.querula...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] [CALBIRDS] California Bird Atlas Town Hall Webinar TONIGHT - Late Breeders
Date: 7/21/26 7:33 pm From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] 5 Warbler morning at Vollmer Peak, plus post-breeding dispersers
My recent birding has been fairly quiet, but this morning really stood out for variety and novelty.
Following up on reports of *Black-throated Gray* and *Hermit Warblers* at Vollmer Peak, I went to see if they continued. While these species are regular here later in the fall, the 3rd week of July is earlier than I usually start monitoring this spot. I'm not sure if Hermits typically show up this early, but it's definitely early for Black-throated Gray.
I was pleased to find both of those species (including at least 2 Hermits - perhaps as many as 4), plus a female *MacGillivray's Warbler seemingly with a begging fledgling* in tow, plus *Orange-crowned Warblers with fledglings*, and *Wilson's Warblers*. I can't remember having a 5 warbler day in late July, so this was quite a treat. The MacGivllivray's seemingly had a breeding territory here earlier in the year, so it's nice to see they've been successful.
Other highlights:
- One major highlight for me was a f*ledgling Rufous-crowned Sparrow*, which I photographed in harsh light in the midst of chasing warblers - assuming at the time that it was a Song Sparrow fledgling. I only noticed my hasty mis-ID later when reviewing photos. This is my first for this species at Vollmer (and a nice breeding code), so in retrospect, that turned out to be a real treat! I thought at one earlier point that I'd heard Rufous-crowned Sparrow deer-deer calls, but this wasn't heard clearly enough - so I've only counted the one I photographed. - *2 Lazuli Buntings* called from dense brush on the NE side of the peak, making buzzy flight calls in response to a low flying Red-tailed Hawk. Thanks to the Red-tail, otherwise I'd never notice the buntings! - A *banded adult Red-tailed Hawk* was interesting to see perched on a radio dish on one of the towers - though I couldn't get the whole band number. It might include the numbers 669, but I'm not sure. - *Blue-gray Gnatcatchers* were present at several locations - a bird that's less common except on the lower slopes. - *California Thrashers* were being quite vocals, making various cryptic calls from the poison oak thickets on the east side of the peak - *House Wrens and Purple Finches* (in incognito mode) were seemingly everywhere - probably post-breeding dispersers - The *Western Flycatchers* have seemingly bred successfuly here (or are dispersing from elsewhere) - since there were mixed adults and juveniles. They tend to breed down by the steam train area, so they're less often on the east side of the peak along the Seaview trail, except during migration.
Many of these species are being more quiet (mostly calls and few songs) and less visibly obvious right now, so if you go look for them, listening for calls can really help.
Date: 7/18/26 7:34 pm From: Ethan Monk via groups.io <z.querula...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] East County misc.
Today I spent the morning walking the levee at Clifton. The highlight came in the form of a Black Tern foraging over the south end of the forebay. I am not sure the species has ever been found in July in Contra Costa County. Other noteworthy birds included a pair of Goldeneye, a pair of Common Mergansers, ~3 (+?) Semipalmated Plovers, 41+ Long-billed Dowitchers, and 9 Godwits.
On Monday, I did the same walk as this morning but a bit more pressed for time. I saw the same two Goldeneye, but did not see the Mergansers (which I think are new arrivals), also a Bank Swallow, a pair of dancing Clark's Grebes and a Forster's Tern being trailed by two brownish begging young.
Otherwise today I checked a number of other spots in East County. The first solid evidence of passerine migration-- I found 3 Western Tanagers, 2 Western Flycatchers and a Warbling Vireo. At Byron WTP I found a Say's Phoebe (I did not find them anywhere in this area in June) and a Peregrine, and I ran into Erica Rutherford and John Colbert on Bethel Island who pointed out some Cattle Egrets.
Date: 7/10/26 7:21 am From: Chris Waterman via groups.io <chriswaterman555...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Swinhoe’s White-eye in Alameda
Update- there are 3 chicks/ fledglings. Found in the Blue Jacaranda tree at 2066 Eagle Ave in Alameda. I got a pic of the 3 fledgelings and some audio but will have to return at a later time for more media.
Date: 7/10/26 7:06 am From: Chris Waterman via groups.io <chriswaterman555...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Swinhoe’s White-eyes in Alameda
Just found another 2 chicks being fed in alameda, same tree where I found chicks on 5/30. Corner of Willow and Eagle im city of Alameda. Heading back to get some pics.
Date: 7/6/26 11:33 am From: Teale Fristoe via groups.io <fristoe...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Brown Thrasher in Berkeley
Kathy,
With distinct streaking on the flanks and whitish (rather than pink)
wingbars, this is a House Finch.
Teale Fristoe
Berkeley
On Fri, Jul 3, 2026 at 8:25 PM Kathryn Macbride via groups.io
<kathymacbride...> wrote:
> Please, Can anyone tell me. Is this a purple finch on my feeder in Orinda
> today? My iphone changed the color a little. It was not quite this rasberry.
>
> Kathy
>
> On Sat, Jun 13, 2026 at 9:42 PM Tyche Hendricks via groups.io
> <tychehendricks...> wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I’m new to this group, thanks to an invitation from my friend Marissa
>> Ortega-Welch. Happy to be here!
>>
>> I wanted to share that I’ve had an interesting visitor in my backyard the
>> last couple of days. At first I only got fleeting looks as it flew off and
>> I wondered if it was an exceptionally rusty-colored California Towhee (with
>> a long tail).
>>
>> But this morning I got a good look and some photos and it appears to be a
>> Brown Thrasher. It kept perching above my suet feeder, maybe not sure how
>> to get the suet. Also hopping around on the lawn and pecking in the dirt,
>> then flying into nearby bushes/trees, then off.
>>
>> You can’t see from the photo, but the eye is yellow.
>>
>> Enjoy!
>>
>> Tyche
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
Date: 7/3/26 8:25 pm From: Kathryn Macbride via groups.io <kathymacbride...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Brown Thrasher in Berkeley
Please, Can anyone tell me. Is this a purple finch on my feeder in Orinda
today? My iphone changed the color a little. It was not quite this rasberry.
Kathy
On Sat, Jun 13, 2026 at 9:42 PM Tyche Hendricks via groups.io
<tychehendricks...> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I’m new to this group, thanks to an invitation from my friend Marissa
> Ortega-Welch. Happy to be here!
>
> I wanted to share that I’ve had an interesting visitor in my backyard the
> last couple of days. At first I only got fleeting looks as it flew off and
> I wondered if it was an exceptionally rusty-colored California Towhee (with
> a long tail).
>
> But this morning I got a good look and some photos and it appears to be a
> Brown Thrasher. It kept perching above my suet feeder, maybe not sure how
> to get the suet. Also hopping around on the lawn and pecking in the dirt,
> then flying into nearby bushes/trees, then off.
>
> You can’t see from the photo, but the eye is yellow.
>
> Enjoy!
>
> Tyche
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 7/1/26 8:17 pm From: JENNIFER FURY via groups.io <jennyfuzzy...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Cussed Out by a Hummingbird
A water source, especially one that makes a little bubbly sound, will definitely add enticement to you deck. And fresh water is always welcome by birds. Even a tiny fountain will be heard a far waysCheers,Jennifer Fury Saltwater is the cure for everything, sweat, tears, or the sea 🌊 -------- Original message --------From: "Jeff Manker via groups.io" <fireweed8...> Date: 7/1/26 5:50 PM (GMT-08:00) To: <hilary...> Cc: East Bay Birds <EBB-Sightings...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Cussed Out by a Hummingbird Hilary,The birds in your neighborhood likely already have found reliable sources of food that they are depending on. They will return and return as long as that source lasts. That is why it is taking longer than you like for them to find your feeder. However, As more chicks leave the nest, both young and parents will disperse to look for new supplies. Many nests are fledging chicks already so I don't think you will need to wait too much longer before you become their favorite new source. They will come.Jeff MankerAlamedaOn Wed, Jul 1, 2026 at 5:01 PM Hilary Powers via groups.io <hilary...> wrote:
How long does it take birds to notice a new feeder?
I hung a feeder with black oil sunflower seed on the balcony (my first ever) of my new apartment a few days ago. Nada. So yesterday I hung a stem of artificial flowers on it in the hope of attracting some attention... and a few hours later a hummingbird came up and seesawed back and forth nearby, then I swear it sneered at me through the window before darting off.
So that didn't work. Is there anything but patience that I can try? -- -- ~ 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: 7/1/26 5:50 pm From: Jeff Manker via groups.io <fireweed8...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Cussed Out by a Hummingbird
Hilary,
The birds in your neighborhood likely already have found reliable sources
of food that they are depending on. They will return and return as long as
that source lasts. That is why it is taking longer than you like for them
to find your feeder. However, As more chicks leave the nest, both young and
parents will disperse to look for new supplies. Many nests are fledging
chicks already so I don't think you will need to wait too much longer
before you become their favorite new source. They will come.
Jeff Manker
Alameda
On Wed, Jul 1, 2026 at 5:01 PM Hilary Powers via groups.io <hilary=
<salamanderfeltworks.com...> wrote:
> How long does it take birds to notice a new feeder?
>
> I hung a feeder with black oil sunflower seed on the balcony (my first
> ever) of my new apartment a few days ago. Nada. So yesterday I hung a stem
> of artificial flowers on it in the hope of attracting some attention... and
> a few hours later a hummingbird came up and seesawed back and forth nearby,
> then I swear it sneered at me through the window before darting off.
>
> So that didn't work. Is there anything but patience that I can try?
>
> --
> --
> ~ 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: 7/1/26 5:01 pm From: Hilary Powers via groups.io <hilary...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Cussed Out by a Hummingbird
How long does it take birds to notice a new feeder?
I hung a feeder with black oil sunflower seed on the balcony (my first ever) of my new apartment a few days ago. Nada. So yesterday I hung a stem of artificial flowers on it in the hope of attracting some attention... and a few hours later a hummingbird came up and seesawed back and forth nearby, then I swear it sneered at me through the window before darting off.
So that didn't work. Is there anything but patience that I can try?
-- -- ~ 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 ~
