Date: 6/4/25 6:27 am From: Daniel Edelstein via groups.io <danieledelstein...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Recent "Seasonal Sightings"/Miscellaneous
*June 3,* Marsh Drive (flooded ephemeral pool area)* (* = southeast corner of Highway 101 & High. 37)
1 hatch year/newborn Black-necked Stilt and 7 adults
(By the way, Will Legge noted to me that he has recently seen several other newborn Black-necked Stilt, in addition to an
American Avocet on a nest along with one male Blue-winged Teal at this location.)
Distant (~2,000 feet), mediocre/fuzzy digiscoped photos of hatch year via:
*June 2,* Loma Alta Trail (via Lucas Valley Road), S. Rafael
3 Lark Sparrow (heard first, then one seen singing while perched on rock ~.2 mile from trailhead)
*June 1,* Las Gallinas Wildlife Ponds
1 male Cinnamon Teal
*May 29,* Hamilton Field near old, abandoned movie theater among palm trees
2 Hooded Oriole (male and female) entering and exiting nest area in the top of one palm
*May 23,* Las Gallinas Wildlife Ponds
1 male Blue-winged Teal (in sludge ponds immediately east to adjacent Pond #2)
*
By the way, 2 adult and 4 hatch year Mute Swan are ongoing at Las Gallinas; I noticed one of seven
newborn Canada Goose were "deleted" (perhaps by one of the American River Otters) in the same location.
Date: 6/3/25 1:54 pm From: Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Point Reyes 6/2/25
After concluding the West Marin BBS yesterday morning (more on that in a separate post) I decided to try my luck with a search for migrants in Point Reyes National Seashore.
Here's a summary of some observation I thought worth noting:
Cinnamon Teal - a drake on the restoration marsh at the parking lot for Drake's Beach, m/f pair was noted here in early May
Northern Shoveler - m/f pair were on the Spaletta Ranch main pond, visited with permission from Mr. Ernie Spaletta
Red-breasted Merganser - a worn looking "female" was with the Surf Scoters off Fish Docks, perhaps it will summer locally
Common Gallinule - the bird found by Mr. Dan Singer on 5/30 continued in the restoration marsh at Drake's Beach
Red-necked Phalaropes - two males in alternate plumage were on the Spaletta Ranch pond
Western Wood-pewee - seen by multiple observers throughout the day at Fish Docks and one of the few migrants noted on the OP yesterday
Violet-green Swallow - a loner flying around with expected Swallow species at Spaletta in the afternoon far from breeding habitat was somewhat exciting given the lack of other migrants
Bushtits - a pair in the Drake's Beach Willows where this species has apparently nested the past couple of years, Bushtit is quite scarce on the OP
Townsend's Solitaire - late migrant at Drake's Beach, this bird was found by David Sexton in the morning and was still cooperatively flycatching from the cypresses next to the Ken Patrick Visitor Center in the afternoon
Cedar Waxwing - 3 birds along Sir Francis Drake between White House Pool and the bridge across Lagunitas creek were of interest. While Waxwings are often known to linger into June before departing, this species has been rumored to have nested in the Point Reyes Station/Olema area the past couple of years
Lawrence's Goldfinch - having lucked into Dan Singer and Brian Browne at Mendoza Ranch late morning we were discussing the presence of Lawrence's nesting in the county and the lack of any further sightings on the OP since a pair was observed at Mendoza in early May. Then as Brian and I were about to part ways (he'd already started his car) a female Lawrence's flew in from the cypresses and began to forage on plantain in the gravel area in front of the residences before flying back into the trees. Someone with time to kill should definitely stake out the place and see if they can confirm another out of range breeding effort
Tricolored Blackbirds - early post breeding dispersants were (~35) males at Mendoza and a single male with Starlings at Spaletta
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) - you know it was a slow day on the OP when a Yellow-rump makes your highlight list but given the scarcity of migrants out there yesterday I can't deny that I felt a thrill at seeing one crisp looking breeding plumage bird pop into view in the Nunes cypresses.
Date: 5/25/25 8:49 am From: Alvaro Jaramillo via groups.io <chucao...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] [SFBirds] Pterodroma off Noyo
Peter
I must say this is a weird one, and hopefully there are more photos. The structure looks better for Herald with the thinner bill, and pointy and long tail, as well as narrower wings. However, Heralds have pretty clean white underparts, not this mottled look of this bird. The mottled look shows up on some Kermadecs, which are super variable as you know. But Heralds that I have seen are not all that variable. Kermadec can take cooler water than Herald, it is by far the more expected one. But we also have the mess of hybrids from Round Island, and who knows where those end up.
-----Original Message-----
From: <SFBirds...> <SFBirds...> On Behalf Of Kenneth Hillan via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2025 9:47 PM
To: <ppyle...>
Cc: <SFBirds...>; Birds North Bay <northbaybirds...>; Birds East Bay <EBB-Sightings...>; Tim Bray <tbray...>; Chuck and Barbara Vaughn <cevaughn...>
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Pterodroma off Noyo
Did it have the flashes of a Kermadec on the upper wing? I couldn’t tell from the pictures.
Curious to learn how Magenta Petrel would be excluded based on the photos and flight pattern. I understand it can be eliminated based on location and rarity.
Apologies if my question is ridiculous, I’ve not done many pelagics.
> On May 25, 2025, at 4:41 AM, Peter Pyle via groups.io <ppyle...> wrote:
>
> Greetings Bay Area birders -
>
> We had apparently three species of Pterodroma off Noyo Harbor (Fort Bragg) including one that appears to be either a Kermadec or a Herald Petrel. A few photos are here
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S242257377 > and we will be loading a few more of this bird as we sort through, and at least one participant gets home and is able to download them. Comments on the ID are welcome.
>
> We also had 12-15 Murphy's and one Hawaiian Petrel.
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S242257375 > The weather was a bit blustery so we only made it 5-6 miles offshore where we had all these birds, as well as 1-2 Laysan Albatrosses, 20-30 Black-foots, Sabine's Gulls, etc.
>
> Spring and summer off Noyo seems a good time to see these offshore species as well as Short-tailed Albatross and we have two June and two July trips on the calendar dedicated to birds:
>
> https://noyopelagics.com/ >
> We're hoping for Cook's Petrels, at least on the full-day June 15th trip, when we'll be spending 7-8 hours in pelagic water, weather permitting. June is a month during which offshore pelagic trips have been sparse, so who knows what we may bump into. This trip is about half full so if you are interested, please sign up soon.
>
> Hope to see you up here, cheers,
>
> Peter
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 5/21/25 9:05 pm From: Denise Hamilton via groups.io <2napabirders...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Interesting article about Anna's Hummingbirds and feeders
Hi all,
Just read this interesting article in 'SCIENCE' about the evolution of Anna's Hummingbirds and the use of feeders. Here is is if you are interested:
Date: 5/19/25 4:24 pm From: Lisa Hug via groups.io <lisahug...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Bodega Bay
Hi Birders,
This afternoon in the low tide and high winds there were 300 to 400
Bonaparte's Gulls scattered throughout the harbor.
Also, the Yellow-billed Loon continues on the north shore of the harbor.
As one of the Sonoma County eBird Reviewers, I am asking that people
please continue to document this bird if you see it. Preferably good or
reasonable photos. Not all observations of this loon have been correct..
It is an interesting bird and it is important to get an accurate date
of last sightings. It is also molting and it can be a real educational
process to watch this molt progression through photos submitted to
eBird.
Date: 5/19/25 11:58 am From: Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur...> Subject: [northbaybirds] misc. observations from Novato area 5/18/25
Spent some time birding various locations on the Bayside of Novato yesterday sandwiching a Breeding Bird Class hike along the San Adreas Fire Rd. on Mount Burdell with Liz Lewis and Kenneth Hillian.
Some sightings I found of interest:
Northern Shoveler - two pairs at Rush Creek marsh from Pinheiro Fire Rd. could be lingering wintering birds but at this location should be followed up as possible (rare/occasional) breeders in the county
California Gulls - flock (~15) of immature birds flew over Rush Creek in the early morning, a group (10) loafing on the island in the Novato Creek Unit of Petaluma marsh visible from Rowland had a couple of adult/near adult birds among the nesting Forster's Terns. As far as I know California gull has not yet been documented breeding in Marin but its rapid expansion of breeding colonies around the SF Bay should put this bird on the radar for a possible nester in the county
Aechmpohorus grebe pair - a Western and Clark's Grebe were associating on the big pond of Novato Creek Unit from Rowland. Another species I'm not sure has yet to be confirmed breeding in the county so this might be of interest to Atlas participants
Lawrence's Goldfinch - the Breeding Bird hike group encountered a pair (m,f) on the way up and again on the return trip along the San Andreas Fire Rd. a few hundred meters above the parking lot at Mount Burdell. This is a bit of a way from where a pair was noted nest building earlier this month so perhaps multiple pairs are nesting in the area
Yellow Warbler - now considered extirpated as a breeder in the county, a bird singing persistently at the edge of the big meadow about .5 mile from the trailhead at Pinheiro Fire Rd. falls well within the window of spring migrants but might be worth a follow up visit
Date: 5/18/25 10:01 am From: Derek Lecy via groups.io <dlecy...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Giacomini Magic Pond
Hi Larry and NBBers,
This is just a plug to use gps coordinates when possible to describe the location of a bird (in eBird reports as well). Cardinal directions and general terminology can be confusing. When highlighting directions, what is crystal clear to one person may be disorienting or downright perplexing to someone else. Gps coordinates provide clarity (assuming they are plotted correctly ;-).
If this bird is at/near the same location as the one last year, it's approximately here: (38.0660743, -122.8089937).
On Sat, May 17, 2025 at 10:44 PM larry nigro via groups.io <larrymtb=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Todd Plumber found a Yellow-breasted chat just south of the seasonal
> Giacomini wetlands pond. Today Molly and I saw and heard it. We also saw
> two Virginia rail chicks with an adult, Red-necked Phalaropes, a Green
> heron, a Mallard family, a male Blue-winged Teal and numerous Common
> Yellowthroats at the pond.
> Preview attachment chat giacomini 2.m4achat giacomini 2.m4a193 KB
> <https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=e3af5dd75f&<attid...>&permmsgid=msg-f:1832420290283713642&th=196e108ba194346a&view=att&zw&disp=safe> > Thought you'd like to know.
>
> Best Larry Nigro
>
>
>
Date: 5/18/25 7:27 am From: larry nigro via groups.io <larrymtb...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Giacomini Magic Pond
HI,
In my recent post I attached a recording I took of the chat in the field.
You need to download it and then open it to play. The pond itself is in
Point Reyes Station, park around C and 3rd Street and walk straight out.
Happy Sunday Birding
Larry
On Sat, May 17, 2025 at 11:55 PM Robin Mitchell <eccommunitygarden...>
wrote:
> Where is the pond? The link to the attachment doesn't work, at least for me
>
> Robin
>
> Robin Mitchell
> El Cerrito Community Garden Network
> Email: <ECCommunityGarden...>
>
> On Sat, May 17, 2025, 10:44 PM larry nigro via groups.io <larrymtb=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> Todd Plumber found a Yellow-breasted chat just south of the seasonal
>> Giacomini wetlands pond. Today Molly and I saw and heard it. We also saw
>> two Virginia rail chicks with an adult, Red-necked Phalaropes, a Green
>> heron, a Mallard family, a male Blue-winged Teal and numerous Common
>> Yellowthroats at the pond.
>> Preview attachment chat giacomini 2.m4achat giacomini 2.m4a193 KB
>> <https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=e3af5dd75f&<attid...>&permmsgid=msg-f:1832420290283713642&th=196e108ba194346a&view=att&zw&disp=safe> >> Thought you'd like to know.
>>
>> Best Larry Nigro
>>
>>
>>
Date: 5/9/25 6:23 pm From: Peter Pyle via groups.io <ppyle...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] [Mendobirds] Offshore pelagics this Friday and Sunday
As promised a brief trip report. A different Short-tailed Albatross followed the boat for 3+ hours, great looks at 3 Hawaiian Petrels, 4 Murphy's. We got to just 21 miles off due to winds. Sunday is calm and we'll be able to get farther offshore. We still have 5-6 spaces available. See noyopelagics.com. Hope to see you there!
Cheers, Peter
> On May 8, 2025, at 08:47, Peter Pyle <ppyle...> wrote:
>
> Greetings North Bay Birders -
>
> Forwarding a message from Tim Bray re this weekends pelagic trips. The weather is looking excellent for both trips. We'll plan to go north in the lee of Cape Mendocino on Friday (tomorrow), out to deep water for 6-7 hours, and back with the following winds, which are forecast now to be only 10-15 knots. We'll be laying out 2-3 slicks to try and coax in those Pterodroma. We'll cross over upper Noyo Canyon at least once, where we had all the albatrosses of three species two weeks ago.
>
> Sunday looks to be flat calm. We may make a run to Navarro Canyon to the SW, where we had all of the Pterodroma two years ago. Or we may repeat Friday's route if it proves a success. Some of you may want to be ready to jump on Sunday's trip once you get our initial reports on tomorrow's trip, which we will provide when we get back ashore.
>
> We also will be hitting upper Noyo Canyon on our half-day trip on Monday.
>
> Cheers, Peter
>
>
> -------- Forwarded Message --------
> Subject: [Mendobirds] Offshore pelagics this Friday and Sunday
> Date: Wed, 07 May 2025 21:26:54 -0700
> From: Tim Bray via groups.io <tbray...>
> Reply-To: <tbray...>
> To: <Mendobirds...>
>
>
>
> Spaces are still available on the Kraken for the pelagics this Friday May 9 and Sunday May 11. Both trips are confirmed to go at this time.
> Marine forecast looks good for both days - a little choppy and breezy on Friday, very calm on Sunday.
> Recent repo cruises have reported good numbers of Murphy's Petrels, a few Hawaiian Petrels, and even a couple of Cook's Petrel; all in waters not far from where we plan to be. Leach's and Wilson's Storm-petrels have also been reported. So there is a very good chance we will find at least some of those species, and of course we will be hoping to re-find the Short-tailed Albatross encountered only eight miles out on our half-day trip April 26.
> These trips are led by Peter Pyle and will have several expert spotters on board as well.
> To sign up, go here: https://noyopelagics.com/ > While there, be sure to look at the full calendar of scheduled trips through November, and sign up for any of those. Marine conditions here are such that rare seabirds can be found on any trip, even the half-day excursions, and we typically encounter tubenoses soon after leaving the harbor.
> Eyes on the horizon!
> Tim Bray
> Mendocino Coast Audubon Society <https://www.mendocinocoastaudubon.org/> >
Date: 5/8/25 8:47 am From: Peter Pyle via groups.io <ppyle...> Subject: [northbaybirds] [Mendobirds] Offshore pelagics this Friday and Sunday
Greetings North Bay Birders -
Forwarding a message from Tim Bray re this weekends pelagic trips. The weather is looking excellent for both trips. We'll plan to go north in the lee of Cape Mendocino on Friday (tomorrow), out to deep water for 6-7 hours, and back with the following winds, which are forecast now to be only 10-15 knots. We'll be laying out 2-3 slicks to try and coax in those Pterodroma. We'll cross over upper Noyo Canyon at least once, where we had all the albatrosses of three species two weeks ago.
Sunday looks to be flat calm. We may make a run to Navarro Canyon to the SW, where we had all of the Pterodroma two years ago. Or we may repeat Friday's route if it proves a success. Some of you may want to be ready to jump on Sunday's trip once you get our initial reports on tomorrow's trip, which we will provide when we get back ashore.
We also will be hitting upper Noyo Canyon on our half-day trip on Monday.
Cheers, Peter
-------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: [Mendobirds] Offshore pelagics this Friday and Sunday Date: Wed, 07 May 2025 21:26:54 -0700 From: Tim Bray via groups.io <tbray...> Reply-To: <tbray...> To: <Mendobirds...>
Spaces are still available on the Kraken for the pelagics this Friday May 9 and Sunday May 11. Both trips are confirmed to go at this time. Marine forecast looks good for both days - a little choppy and breezy on Friday, very calm on Sunday. Recent repo cruises have reported good numbers of Murphy's Petrels, a few Hawaiian Petrels, and even a couple of Cook's Petrel; all in waters not far from where we plan to be. Leach's and Wilson's Storm-petrels have also been reported. So there is a very good chance we will find at least some of those species, and of course we will be hoping to re-find the Short-tailed Albatross encountered only eight miles out on our half-day trip April 26. These trips are led by Peter Pyle and will have several expert spotters on board as well. To sign up, go here: https://noyopelagics.com/ While there, be sure to look at the full calendar of scheduled trips through November, and sign up for any of those. Marine conditions here are such that rare seabirds can be found on any trip, even the half-day excursions, and we typically encounter tubenoses soon after leaving the harbor. Eyes on the horizon! Tim Bray Mendocino Coast Audubon Society <https://www.mendocinocoastaudubon.org/>
