Date: 3/18/26 1:48 pm From: Courtney Buechert via groups.io <courtney...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Alternate Plumage Marbled Murrelets (2) Off of Stinson Beach Yesterday 3/17/2026
While on an ocean rescue training exercise off of Stinson Beach yesterday, we saw two alternate plumaged Marbled Murrelets 500 yards offshore from the lifeguard tower. The birds were on the water and dove when we got within 10 yards.
Courtney Buechert
CEO
San Francisco, California, United States |
mekanism.com
Date: 3/17/26 4:36 am From: Alvaro Jaramillo via groups.io <chucao...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Half Moon Bay pelagic this coming weekend.
Hello all
Our 2026 pelagic season is coming together. We are needing to shift some dates due to salmon season and confirm others still. Early trips are available for booking and are live right now, others will come online soon:
We have a winter trip this Saturday March 21 from Half Moon Bay, and so far weather looks stable. While March, we consider this a winter trip as it has a great chance for wintering species such as kittiwakes, winter alcids, and albatross numbers are higher at this time of year than later on in late summer/fall. Surprises can happen at this time of year. Currently water is warm offshore for this time of year. That is unusual, and unusual conditions sometimes turn up surprises. We shall see. You can book the trip using the above web page.
Date: 3/9/26 9:24 am From: Zane Pickus via groups.io <zanep987...> Subject: [northbaybirds] [CALBIRDS] California Bird Atlas Update + March 19 Town Hall
Hi Birders,
Check out the update below from the California Bird Atlas! This important
statewide project continues to grow rapidly and all birders are encouraged
to join. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about the
project or how to get involved.
As for birds, my FOS Swainson's Hawk at Putah Creek on Saturday felt a tad
early, and while there it was enjoyable to watch Yellow-billed Magpies
building nests in the crowns of large Valley Oaks. With the warm weather it
has felt more and more like spring, and the first neotropical migrants are
only weeks away!
Good birding,
Zane Pickus
California Bird Atlas Regional Coordinator - Yolo, Solano, and Napa counties
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Van Pierszalowski via groups.io <van...>
>
Date: Mon, Mar 9, 2026 at 9:11 AM
Subject: [CALBIRDS] California Bird Atlas Update + March 19 Town Hall
To: <CALBIRDS...>
Birders,
As many of you know, California’s first statewide Breeding Bird Atlas
launched on January 1, 2026. In just over two months, the level of
participation across the state has been remarkable. Breeding code use in
January and February was up a staggering *+545%* over last year.
As of March 9:
-
42,885 checklists have been submitted to the Atlas
-
2,538 atlasers have joined the project and submitted at least one
checklist
-
Participating is very similar to how you already use eBird, but opting into
the Atlas ensures your observations become part of the permanent statewide
dataset being built to guide conservation and land management decisions for
decades to come.
We have been deeply encouraged by the number of individual donors stepping
up to support the project. If you are able, please consider making a
tax-deductible contribution *here
<https://donorbox.org/california-bird-atlas>*. Your support helps fund the
infrastructure and coordination needed to sustain this statewide effort.
Thank you all for joining the project. It has been inspiring to see the
California birding community come together around this effort, and we are
only just getting started.
Happy Atlasing,
Van Pierszalowski
Executive Director, California Bird Atlas
<van...>
Date: 3/3/26 4:45 pm From: Parker Kaye via groups.io <parkerk...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Point Reyes Snowy Plover Nesting Season 2026
Hi birders,
It's that time of year again and the Point Reyes National Seashore snowy
plover nesting season is upon us! Although it's early, our team has been
observing pairs and plenty of scrapes at all the usual sites, including
Abbotts Lagoon.
This year, like last, we are keeping part of the southwest lower lagoon
shoreline open to birders and visitors all season long (please see attached
photo; encircled red area is the annual plover closure). However, this area
will only be accessible going off-trail along the east side of the lower
lagoon and around the south end (light green path). *This area will not be
accessible via walking around the lagoon mouth and walking south along the
western lower lagoon shoreline or by crossing over dunes south of the
lagoon mouth; *most of the southwest lagoon shoreline will still be closed
during the nesting season (March-end of August) to reduce disturbance on
incubating adults and broods. Please expect to see (and respect) symbolic
fencing set up in this area over the next few weeks.
In 2025, we had a good number of plovers nesting close to the lower lagoon
shoreline and the area was also used by several broods (i.e., males with
chicks). Because of their success in that area, we expect them to return
again this year.
Last year we continued our Snowy Plover Volunteer Monitoring Program and
will be continuing this year! If you have prior experience with data
collection and/or field work with shorebirds and are interested in
contributing your time to conservation efforts, please let me know by
contacting me at <parker_kaye...> Training will be required.
If there’s any questions regarding the annual closure at Abbotts Lagoon or
anything snowy plover related, feel free to reach out.
Thanks everyone and happy spring birding,
Parker
--
Parker Kaye
Biological Science Technician – Snowy Plovers
Point Reyes National Seashore Association
(916) 835-8614
Date: 2/22/26 5:37 pm From: Cynthia Boyer via groups.io <byerbird...> Subject: [northbaybirds] American Robin eruption here in town of Sonoma
Just off of 5th Street W in town of Sonoma I have counted some 100+ American Robins all over the mobile home park where I live. May they find lots of goodies!
I'm sure some of you are seeing lots of them too.
Cynthia Boyer
Date: 2/19/26 3:16 pm From: David Barry via groups.io <wildbarrydb...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Bald Eagles.
Hello NBB's.
Today driving North on Hwy 101 over the Cotati Grade at 12:42pm I noticed a kettle of birds on the West side of the Hwy just North of the Brake Check Area.
Looking more intently at the kettle I noticed 2 adult BALD EAGLES circling around over the Gallo Vineyards. There was several TURKEY VULTURES and COMMON RAVENS as well.
The BAEA's were unmistakable with their white tails & heads shining brightly.
