Date: 12/2/24 4:57 pm From: Marty Freeland via groups.io <martinf3...> Subject: [pen-bird] Recent notes: Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Red-naped Sapsucker, hybrid Townsend's x Yellow-rumped Warbler, etc.
Hi all,
Late fall and early winter has been incredible so far in the county! Highlights from the past week have been the continuing Field Sparrow, a Dusky-capped Flycatcher in Miramar, an apparent hybrid Yellow-rumped x Townsend's Warbler, a new Red-naped Sapsucker, a wintering Cassin's Vireo, and a coastal Northern Mockingbird. Also, congrats to Malia DeFelice on 400!!
Today (Monday 12/2) I had a female Red-naped Sapsucker on private property near the Sharon Heights Golf Course in Menlo Park. The site is not publicly accessible but if you are particularly interested in chasing this bird for whatever reason, let me know. The county has averaged roughly one wintering bird per year over the past decade plus the occasional fall migrant.
On Sunday 12/1 a Dusky-capped Flycatcher was in Miramar. This is, remarkably, the 7th county record, but only the second from the past 20 years. Neighborhoods in the general vicinity of the DCFL spot, especially north of the willow/eucalyptus belt where it hangs out, look nice and might very easily hold additional wintering goodies (along the lines of Orchard Oriole, Tennessee Warbler, etc.); folks looking for the flycatcher should consider taking some time to bird these neighborhoods too. In the late afternoon, I was surprised to see a Pacific Wren in Myoporum along the back side of the flower farm at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma.
On Friday 11/29 an apparent hybrid Yellow-rumped x Townsend's Warbler was near Miramontes Point in Half Moon Bay. This hybrid combination is quite rare and I am not aware of any previous records for the county; in fact, there are fewer than 10 well-documented records in the state. Photos are on eBird. Later in the morning, a Cassin's Vireo was in Miramar not far from the DCFL spot. And in the afternoon, a Northern Mockingbird in Pescadero was notable on the coast. Hopefully it sticks around for the Ano Nuevo CBC. Two Varied Thrushes were near the old Eastern Phoebe spot on Stage Road.
And on Wednesday 11/27 the Field Sparrow continued in Princeton, as did the Indigo Bunting at a private residence in Pacifica for a third and final day. There are a number of records of late November/early December Indigo Buntings from the San Mateo coast that stayed only for a week or less. An abnormally-plumaged Black Phoebe with a gleaming white throat was at the Farallone Willows in Montara later in the day, though the Gray Flycatcher was absent.
Date: 12/2/24 12:53 pm From: Dave Weber via groups.io <dwbirdster...> Subject: [pen-bird] Dusky-capped Flycatcher Dec 2
DCFC last seen at 1230 pm from cul de sac on Champ Elysee in Miramar, looking eastish low in eucs and other veg in the side of 2909.Dave Weber,Milpitasby phone
Date: 12/1/24 7:28 pm From: Christopher Hayward via groups.io <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Miramar area, 12/1/24
Hi all,
Today Marty Freeland found a Dusky-capped Flycatcher in the Miramar area north of Half Moon Bay.
Many birders were able to see the bird in the area where Marty found the bird, I saw it at the north end of Pullman Ave. and later at the north end of Champs Elysee Blvd.
Amazing find by Marty!
Just want to say a huge thankyou to Marty, my amazing wife and birding partner saw the bird and this is a landmark bird for her, number 400 in San Mateo County, Malia has been birding the county for over thirty years so we are celebrating this landmark tonight, Malia is too modest to post this, so I did it for her.
Thanks to Marty on this great bird and to all the great birders who helped Malia reach this number!
I was able to get photos on my checklist link below.
Date: 12/1/24 12:04 pm From: Adam Burnett via groups.io <adamburnett33...> Subject: [pen-bird] Swamp Sparrow in East Palo Alto
I just saw a Swamp Sparrow in the marsh vegetation at the south end of the O’Connor Street pond in East Palo Alto. Heard giving phoebe-like chip call as I biked by, then tracked down and seen well. Also 3 Wilson’s Snipe at the north end of the pond, which has low water.
Date: 11/28/24 10:54 am From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Miscellaneous sightings
I did a short seawatch from Moss Beach as there was not much activity. The number of migrating Surf Scoters,  loons and gulls were very low. There was a single Northern Fulmar. ( 2 ) Ancient Murrelets together were flying  south. There have been a number of Ancient Murrelets at Pt. Reyes and Southeast Farallon Island. The 22nd,observers doing a seawatch from Pt. Pinos, Monterey County that day had over ( 100 ) Ancient Murrelets. PigeonPt. could be worth checking out, as most sightings of Ancient Murrelet in the county have come from that location.
At the Westpoint Harbor in Redwood City, there was an Aleutian Cackling Goose with Canada Geese flying towardsBedwell Bayfront Park.
The male Blue-winged Teal x Northern Shoveler hybrid noted last winter at the Nob Hill Pond in Redwood Shoreshas return. Not often reported from Redwood Shores is Ridgway's Rail. During the king tides, Leonie and I had ( 2 ) in the cord grass that was still exposed during the tide on Bird Island viewed from the end of Canvasback Way.
At Coyote Point County Park in with Sooty Fox Sparrows at the Captain's House was a Red Fox Sparrow. It wasthe altivagans race which is more genetically most like a Slate-colored Fox Sparrow. A California Quail alongthe public access trail near the kiosk was most likely a release. The only other sighting of a California Quailalong the bayside was at Sem Lane and may well have been another release. It would be an obstacle to comedown from the hills making its way through the residential areas, El Camino Real and the 101 freeway to thebayside. But hey, birds have shown up in the least expected locations. Â
Ron Thorn and Leonie BatkinÂ
Â
Date: 11/27/24 9:36 am From: Chris M. via groups.io <chrismac...> Subject: [pen-bird] Ano Nuevo CBC on Dec 28
Dear birders, This year's Ano Nuevo CBC falls right between Christmas and New Year's. Which means many are out of town and therefore I could use the help of a few good birders. Not excluding beginners, of course. This is usually a lovely area to count in, ranging mostly from the redwoods to the coast, from Ano Nuevo itself to San Gregorio. Often involves hiking at parks, preserves, beaches. We end with a hearty dinner in Pescadero. If you would like to join us, you can sign up at https://www.sequoia-audubon.org/CBC.html <https://www.sequoia-audubon.org/CBC.html> Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving/
Chris MacIntosh <cbc...> *<chrismac...> <chrismac...>*
Date: 11/26/24 10:23 pm From: Michael Park via groups.io <dpbot...> Subject: [pen-bird] Field Sparrow photos
[Edited Message Follows]
[Reason: Thanks given to Joe Morlan, and hyperlinks fixed so that they open properly.]
Thanks to the finders and my birding pals without whom I would not have seen this gem of a sparrow. Also, thanks to Joe Morlan, who prodded me nicely to post pictures.
Date: 11/26/24 9:26 pm From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Field Sparrow, Pillar Point Harbor, Denniston Creek Mouth, 11/26/24
 Thank you Chris for posting on Peninsula-birding that Eddie Monson and Mark lantosca found the second county record for San Mateo County! Thanks Chris for your directions. Leonie and I arrived at 3:35 . We parked at the end of Broadway over-looking PrincetonHarbor. After twenty-minutes the Field Sparrow flew in and landed below us providing views so close that I had to back up with my binoculars. It had flown in form to the willows close to the creek as Chris mention. After a couple of minutes during the viewingof the Field Sparrow it flew off to a bush at the corner of the Maverick's House. Photos were taken and a write-up will be sent to theCalifornia Bird Records Committee. A special thanks from us to to Michael Park, Joshua Stacy, Cedrik von Briel and Caitlin Chockfor giving us an update when we arrived.Â
Ron Thorn and Leonie Batkin    Â
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 05:15:33 PM PST, Christopher Hayward via groups.io <p_t_nymph...> wrote:
Hi All,This morning a Field Sparrow was found by Eddie Monson and Mark Iantosca at Denniston Creek Mouth in Pillar Point Harbor. The bird was first seen in the willows quite close to the creek mouth itself. When I arrived the bird was not being seen, after some searching I relocated it under the deck area of the Maverick's House just west of the creek. Several other birders arrived and we all got nice views as it flitted around in some wispy grasses.The Maverick's House is private property but I re-found the sparrow by walking down on the beach and slightly west without having to go on the property.GPS here 37.5036136, -122.4876508I believe this is a second county record, we have put photos on our ebird checklist link below https://ebird.org/checklist/S203718930 Chris Hayward and Malia DeFeliceHalf Moon Bay
Date: 11/26/24 5:15 pm From: Christopher Hayward via groups.io <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Field Sparrow, Pillar Point Harbor, Denniston Creek Mouth, 11/26/24
Hi All,
This morning a Field Sparrow was found by Eddie Monson and Mark Iantosca at Denniston Creek Mouth in Pillar Point Harbor. The bird was first seen in the willows quite close to the creek mouth itself. When I arrived the bird was not being seen, after some searching I relocated it under the deck area of the Maverick's House just west of the creek. Several other birders arrived and we all got nice views as it flitted around in some wispy grasses.
The Maverick's House is private property but I re-found the sparrow by walking down on the beach and slightly west without having to go on the property.
GPS here 37.5036136, -122.4876508
I believe this is a second county record, we have put photos on our ebird checklist link below
Date: 11/26/24 1:06 pm From: Al Eisner via groups.io <eisner...> Subject: [pen-bird] Palo Alto CBC: Counter needed, bayside Redwood City
I'm looking for a relatively-experienced birder for a few hours on Monday December 16 to count in Redwood City bay-side of highway 101. This is at the edge of our CBC count circle, and includes some (not all) of the area reached from Seaport Blvd. and Bair Island Road. (It includes only a small bit of Bair Island itself.) As a selling point, it offers the best shot in the circle for Barrow's Goldeneye - of course no guarantees! A scope would be useful here.
Date: 11/25/24 2:16 pm From: Joe Morlan via groups.io <jmorlan...> Subject: [pen-bird] Indigo Bunting in Pacofoca
A wet, soggy female/immature INDIGO BUNTING dropped into the birdseed in
our backyard this afternoon. Probably formative plumage based on mixed
primary coverts. New for our yard.
Here are a few photos.
--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
Date: 11/24/24 5:23 pm From: David Assmann via groups.io <david_assmann...> Subject: [pen-bird] Less than 3 weeks left to register for the San Francisco Circle Christmas Bird Count (including northern San Mateo County)
The first half of November in the county has been awesome! Highlights have included Scarlet Tanager and Gray Flycatcher found by others, a Common Gallinule at Lake Lucerne, a Slate-colored Junco in Moss Beach, Lapland Longspur and Horned Lark on the south coast, Black-vented Shearwaters from Pigeon Point, and assorted minor winter rarities (Wilson's Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, etc.).
Sunday (11/17) covering the south coast with Dessi Sieburth, a seawatch at Pigeon Point produced numbers of Northern Fulmar and decent loon movement despite light east winds. Elsewhere Dessi had a Nashville Warbler on lower Gazos Creek and a male Black-throated Gray Warbler was in scrub at Wavecrest in the evening while looking unsuccessfully for Short-eared Owl.
Saturday (11/16) I had 1–2 flyover Horned Larks and a single flyover Lapland Longspur in the early morning at a location on the south coast where access is complicated. However, this location is rather near the fields along the Cascade Trail which were burned last year and while grass is now much taller and thicker in those fields than is ideal for most open-country birds, the lower portions still present reasonable habitat. Walking the lower parts of those fields seems like a decent way to try for longspurs and larks in the coming weeks. Later in the day, Kent Forward's wintering Gray Flycatcher was still in Montara. And a striking junco likely of the nominate subspecies (Boreal Slate-colored) was on Etheldore Street in Moss Beach. This subspecies is quite uncommon in the county.
Friday (11/15) a seawatch from Pigeon Point in the morning with great visibility and heavy NW winds (gusting 25+ mph) was very productive with major movements of Surf Scoter and Pacific Loon. I was happy to see three Black-vented Shearwaters and a Northern Fulmar. Black-vented Shearwaters occur fairly regularly in November at Pigeon Point, but except in irruption years it seems that that is often the northernmost point along the California coast where they are observed. (This year is not a strong year for the species, but nevertheless there is already one record from slightly further north of a single bird off Moss Beach on 9/27 from Ron Thorn.)
Last Monday and Tuesday (11/11–11/12), attempts to seawatch from Pigeon Point were hampered by poor visibility. Later on Monday two Nashville Warblers were in Pescadero, at least one of them new. The hatch-year male Scarlet Tanager found by Alane Gray in El Granada continued in the early afternoon. I believe the only prior record from San Mateo was of a spring migrant male on San Bruno Mountain in 2011. An odd-looking Mallard in Half Moon Bay with a cheek stripe and a bill pattern like that of an Eastern Spot-billed Duck was suggested by some Japanese experts to represent an Eastern Spot-billed Duck x Mallard hybrid, although it is of course impossible to eliminate an aberrant Mallard, perhaps with domestic ancestry.
On Sunday 11/10, a Caspian Tern, another rare winterer, was at Ravenswood in the morning. Late in the afternoon, the wintering Pacific Golden-Plover found by Keith Gress was still at Wavecrest and a Common Gallinule was at Lake Lucerne along Bean Hollow Road. Common Gallinule has become legitimately quite rare in the county with only 4 individuals, counting this bird, reported over the past 5 years.
And way back on Saturday 11/9, the Horned Lark at Ano Nuevo found two days prior by James Maughn continued and a second bird came in to join it for a brief period. A wintering Wilson's Warbler was along Butano Creek; what was likely the same bird was observed nearby yesterday (11/18) by Dominik Mosur.
Date: 11/19/24 6:27 pm From: Kent Forward via groups.io <kforward...> Subject: [pen-bird] Gray Flycatcher continuing in Montara 11/19/24
Good evening birders,
I was able to re-find the continuing Gray Flycatcher in Montara today around 3PM or so. Unlike when I first found it on 11/11 I was finally able to carefully observe the unique tail dipping behavior unique to Gray Flycatchers and was able to get a video of the behavior (in my eBird checklist). Thanks to Marty for re-finding it on 11/16 which inspired me to return and see if it was still there and attempt to get a video!
https://ebird.org/checklist/S203052308 The following details below are in my eBird checklist, but just copying/pasting here for those not familiar with the area, hopefully it'll stick around for a while longer!
I added GPS (below) of where the bird was seen today, and also a good parking area to access the spot (a small dirt pullout with enough room for 3 cars or so at the entrance to Rancho Corral de Tierra in the Montara area). Once parked, as you enter the trail it immediately forks, take the right fork (east) and hike up the gently ascending trail towards the elevated school yard/fence with eucalyptus trees in the distance. Look on both sides of the trail as you walk up towards the school in the open scrubby areas, especially as you get closer to the school, it really seems to prefer that area. Look for it on low brush in the open areas, and it occasionally drops to the ground. I didn't see it my first 15 minutes there today, but finally saw it and got a video of its classic tail dipping behavior, unique to Gray Flycatchers. Then I lost it, and wasn't able to re-find for close to an hour afterwards before it became too dark and cold to stick around (for me and the Flycatcher apparently!)
Bird seen today at: 37.544449, -122.510356Parking: 37.545070, -122.511675
Date: 11/19/24 1:44 pm From: Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur...> Subject: [pen-bird] coastal notes 11/18/24 - geese, owls, Swamp Sparrow, cont. "rare" warblers et al
Yesterday, 11/18/24 I spent the day birding various locations along the San Mateo County Coast in the area of Pescadero and a couple of late afternoon stops south of Half Moon Bay. Some bird observations I found of note:
Greater White-fronted Goose - one flew over the town of Pescadero mid-morning, one was with Canada and Cackling Geese in the tilled fields of Cowell Ranch in the late afternoon
Brant - a total of (4) were noted flying by north during a seawatch from near Bean Hollow SB in the morning
Cackling Goose (Aleutian) - (7) touched down in the tilled fields of Cowell Ranch in the late afternoon with Canada Geese and the aforementioned White-fronted
Common Gallinule - Marty Freeland's great find continued on the west portion of Lake Lucerne
Burrowing Owl - one is likely attempting to winter in the uplands of Pescadero Marsh, I can share a more precise location with CBC counters for that section
Short-eared Owl - continued at Wavecrest in the early evening, emerging to forage approximately 35-40 minutes after sunset
White-throated Sparrow - one was with a mixed sparrow near the gardens behind Duarte's Tavern in "Downtown" Pescadero
SWAMP Sparrow - with a mixed flock along Artichoke Rd. a few dozen meters west of jct w/Bean Hollow Rd.
Tricolored Blackbirds - a flock of about (60) was along Pescadero Rd. about halfway between Water Lane and "downtown"
"Celata" Orange-crowned Warbler - tentative ID of a darb gray-headed Orange-crown with white throat along Pescadero Rd. across from R&R Farm. A rather measly total of only (5) Orange-crowns were noted in a big loop around town mid-morning
NASHVILLE Warbler - almost certainly one (of two?) continuing in Pescadero although at a slightly different location where the others had been seen. This bird was in the blooming ornamental eucalyptuses along the driveway to the Pescadero Inn at the jct of North Street and Stage Rd.
WILSON'S Warbler - very likely the continuing bird first reported by Marty F. a few days back, still along Butano Creek but yesterday a few hundred meters north of the original location along the Pescadero Marsh trail within sight of the bridge
Numbers of expected/common species seemed particularly low yesterday including only singles of things like Downy Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Cedar Waxwing, Varied Thrush.
Date: 11/17/24 8:24 am From: Troy Pittock via groups.io <troypittock...> Subject: [pen-bird] Nashville warbler HMB wtp 11/16
Stopped by wtp around 3p. NAWA was with OCWA about 30 yards before end of creek path, low in thistle patch east of creek towards willows. Delightful. Happy birding!
Please excuse typos and brevity. Sent from my handheld device
Date: 11/14/24 4:26 pm From: Christopher Hayward via groups.io <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Scaly-breasted Munias return to backyard for another year, 11/14/24
Hi All,
This morning as soon as I went into our backyard I heard the somewhat familiar calls of Scaly-breasted Munias, after a while four juvenile types came into our feeders and low wall to feed.
This is now the sixth year they have shown up here, interestingly every year since first being seen in November 2019 they were regular visitors, showing up almost daily between mid November and early May. Last year however after a large group arrived on 11/11/23 they vanished and were not seen again until today.
Will be curious to see if they become regular visitors again this year.
Photos and Audio on are checklist link below.
Date: 11/12/24 4:52 pm From: Sequoia Audubon Society via groups.io <office...> Subject: [pen-bird] November 14 Monthly Meeting
*November 14 Monthly Meeting*
*Urban Exploits from an Animal Control Officer – Michael Barnett*
Michael Barnett has been a photographer since 2016. In 2019, he focused on wildlife photography. His primary subjects are owls and pelagic birds. His love of both birds stems from his Humane/Animal Control Officer career since 2018 in Solano County. Through this, he frequently comes into close contact with injured birds of prey. As an ACO, he began to learn more about birds of prey in urban settings. He further expanded this knowledge through personal study and became a volunteer for the UC Davis Raptor Center. His love of pelagic bird photography was sparked after his first pelagic tour out of Half Moon Bay in 2022 with Alvaro’s Adventures. He specializes in raptor identification and finding owl nests in urban environments.
Date: 11/11/24 10:28 pm From: Kent Forward via groups.io <kforward...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Possible Gray Flycatcher - Rancho Corral de Tierra Montara 11/11/24
Just a quick note that it seems expert opinion is for Gray Flycatcher! I'm putting a lot more details in my eBird post for those interested. Hopefully it'll stick around? It's a county lifer for me, I've tried chasing a few through the years with no luck, so this was quite awesome.
Good Birding,Kent ForwardEl Granada
On Monday, November 11, 2024 at 09:25:29 PM PST, Kent Forward via groups.io <kforward...> wrote:
Good Evening Birders,
I'd appreciate some more feedback on this empid from the community but so far feedback has been this is a Gray Flycatcher! I saw this empid sp. late this afternoon at approximately 37.544524, -122.509822 from the trail in the grassy field area just below (west) of Farallone View Elementary School in Rancho Corral de Tierra in Montara. I hesitated when I saw it because it seemed much drabber and more gray than a Western, but I noted the tail pumped upwards a few times instead of downwards which I know is a unique trait of Gray, so thought I'd just wait and study photos more tonight and get feedback. Perhaps tail flicking direction can be upwards sometimes with Gray? Photos in my checklist here:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S202221001 Good birding all!Kent ForwardEl Granada
Date: 11/11/24 9:25 pm From: Kent Forward via groups.io <kforward...> Subject: [pen-bird] Possible Gray Flycatcher - Rancho Corral de Tierra Montara 11/11/24
Good Evening Birders,
I'd appreciate some more feedback on this empid from the community but so far feedback has been this is a Gray Flycatcher! I saw this empid sp. late this afternoon at approximately 37.544524, -122.509822 from the trail in the grassy field area just below (west) of Farallone View Elementary School in Rancho Corral de Tierra in Montara. I hesitated when I saw it because it seemed much drabber and more gray than a Western, but I noted the tail pumped upwards a few times instead of downwards which I know is a unique trait of Gray, so thought I'd just wait and study photos more tonight and get feedback. Perhaps tail flicking direction can be upwards sometimes with Gray? Photos in my checklist here:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S202221001 Good birding all!Kent ForwardEl Granada
Date: 11/8/24 7:03 pm From: Kent Forward via groups.io <kforward...> Subject: [pen-bird] Continuing Ovenbird and Horned Lark - 11/8/24
Good Evening Birders,
Just a quick note to let folks know the Ovenbird first found by Marty Freeland on Nov. 2nd continued this afternoon when I visited the location. I put some more notes in my eBird checklist in case anyone is interested in today's sighting details, location etc. Unfortunately no photos of this incredibly skulky bird! Great find Marty!
https://ebird.org/checklist/S201829327 As Chris & Malia noted, the Horned Lark continued today at Ano Nuevo, what an accommodating bird! I did manage some photos of this NOT skulky bird! While roaming about there I was reminded again just how beautiful Ano Nuevo is, an hour or so before sunset and the light and all the birds were magical!
https://ebird.org/checklist/S201829605 Happy birding,Kent ForwardEl Granada
Date: 11/8/24 6:53 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] Continuing Horned Lark - Ano Nuevo State Park 11/8
Hi All,
Chris and i visited Ano Nuevo State Park today and refound the HORNED LARK that was first reported yesterday on eBird by James Maughn. The Horned Lark was not shy as it foraged along the wide trail that takes one out to the newly, in the process of being remodeled, kiosk at the staging area.  Even though passer-bys would flush it off the trail, it would return almost immediately along the trail to continue foraging. Photos and GPS noted in eBird checklist linked below.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S201825161
Date: 11/8/24 5:01 pm From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Moss Beach seawatch Ancient Murrelet
Conditions this morning were good for a seawatch from Moss Beach. The haze from the northeast wind a numberof days had dissipated, as a northwest kicked in. Here is partial list of what was noted from 7-9:30. Most of the birdswere southbound. No tubenoses! Surf Scoter ( 1,423, mostly males ), Black Scoter ( 1 male ), White-winged Scoter( 1 male ), Bufflehead ( 5 ), Red-breasted Merganser ( 1 ), Red-throated Loon ( 346 ), Common Loon ( 2 ), PacificLoon ( 120 ), Parasitic Jaeger ( 1 ), Bonaparte's Gull ( 6 ), Elegant Tern ( 2 ), Common Murre ( 180 ), RhinocerosAuklet ( 2 ), ANCIENT MURRELET ( 1 north ), Marbled Murrelet ( 2 ), Orange-crowned Warbler ( 1 flying in fromsea ).Â
A few notes from the bayside. Aleutian Cackling Goose with Canada Geese at Mariners Island Park in San Mateo.A lingering Caspian Tern in Redwood Shores yesterday. Early to say if these late migrants may set in to winter.Yellow Warbler Redwood Shores and a Hermit Warbler Foster City.Â
Ron Thorn
Date: 11/7/24 6:25 pm From: Ann Hepenstal via groups.io <annhep...> Subject: [pen-bird] Christmas Bird Counts in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties: Dec 15, 16, 28 and Jan 4!
 It's the 125th year of the National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count, a nationwide community science program, and you're invited to join in.  The Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance will sponsor 4 "Count Circles" as part of the count, and we’re welcoming birders of all experience levels to join this year’s effort.
During the Christmas Bird Count (which does not occur on Christmas Day!), teams of people cover the 15-mile diameter "Count Circle" and count the number of individuals of each species of bird seen within that team's assigned territory. Most teams use eBird to track their sightings, so you're likely already familiar with most of the protocols!(Hint: this is a great excuse to go out birding, because it's for science!)
If you've helped with one of the CBC Count Circles in prior years, reach out to your team leader or to the count circle organizer if you've not been contacted yet.  If you're new, contact the organizer for the count you wish to join (see below), and they'll help to find an assignment for you. Â
We need volunteers for tasks including:Â organize people into teams, lead a birding group in the field, run the eBird tracker, identify birds, document special sightings with photos, or simply to spot and point out birds!
December 15 (Sunday) - San Jose Count Circle, Mike Azevedo <geochelone...>
December 16 (Monday) - Palo Alto Count Circle, Ann Hepenstal organizer; Al Eisner, compiler <paloaltocbc...> range from part of San Mateo County into Santa Clara County
December 28 (Saturday) - Morgan Hill/Calero Count Circle, Rick Herder <rick.herder...>
January 4 (Saturday) - Mt. Hamilton Count Circle, Bob Hirt <bobhirt...>
And--you can learn more about the CBC and participating at a free, in-person workshop on Saturday, December 7, 10-11:30am at McClellan Ranch in Cupertino with Mike Azevedo from the San Jose Count Circle. This workshop is perfect for birders new to the CBC, as well as experienced CBC participants who want to learn more or get more comfortable with the process. We’ll learn about the data we collect on the CBC, the planning that goes into organizing an event that involves more than 200 birders across our county, and doing some practice counting in the ranch’s restored meadow habitat. Register here:  https://scvbirdalliance.org/event-calendar/special-event-intro-to-the-cbc
thanks!Annemail <paloaltocbc...> to get connected to a CBC team
Date: 11/4/24 2:32 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] San Mateo County Cumulative Year-list Report for --- October 2024
**
*Greetings Pen-birders,*
*San Mateo County birders found a total of 9 species* that were new for the year by the end of October, bringing the end of the tenth month totals to 321. In reading the following, please note, the number in parenthesis next to the bird name is the rarity code assigned for San Mateo County birds. The definitions for the rarity codes can be found below the current month's list. The rarity code system was set up in 2009 By the late Kris Olson based on Peter Metropulos' codes on the San Mateo County Checklist which was published by Sequoia Audubon Society in 2006. *From the link below* , you can *download a checklist* which shows seasonality, frequency, and county breeding information. A full list of the birds observed so far in 2024, plus all monthly reports going back to 2009 can be found here: http://www.sequoia-audubon.org/SMCbirds.php ( http://www.sequoia-audubon.org/SMCbirds.php ) **
*Here are the new birds for October, their finders and locations where found:*
During an October pelagic trip with Alvaro’s Adventures, FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER (5) and SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER (4) were seen in San Mateo County waters. While birding together, Donna Pomeroy, Ginny Marshall, Jennifer Rycenga and Peggy Macres found a TROPICAL KINGBIRD (4) along the coastal trail between Francis and Venice State Beach. Alvaro Jaramillo observed a fly-over HORNED LARK (4) at the Blufftop Park/Poplar Beach area. While conducting a skywatch at Skylawn Cemetery, Ron Thorn spotted a TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE (4). Adam Dudley photographed a GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE (5) in the Rancho Corral de Tierra trail system above El Granada. While birding along Seaside school Rd. in San Gregorio, Malia DeFelice picked out a VIRGINIA’S WARBLER (4) loosely associating with a lively flock of birds in riparian foliage. Marty Freeland located a BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (4) at Mori Point. And, a small group of birders with Ginny Marshall, encountered a BLUE GROSBEAK (4) at Wavecrest of which Ed Vermeulen obtained photos.
*Birding San Mateo County:* There are plenty of ways to see birds. Did you know *Sequoia Audubon Society leads birding Field Trips* on a regular basis? To join a field trip, check out their schedule here: http://www.sequoia-audubon.org/fieldtrips.html
*To stay informed of the latest bird news, consider creating an account with both Peninsula Birding (Pen-bird) and eBird*. Please join and post your bird sightings to <peninsula-birding...> ( <peninsula-birding...> ) and/or www.eBird.org ( https://www.eBird.org ). When posting to Pen-bird, please include the date of your sighting in either the subject line or in the body of your email. When submitting records to eBird, if prompted for details for a rare or unusual bird, please add details which describe the bird using a physical description and field marks that helped you confirm the ID. Thank You eBird users for adding your descriptions and uploading your photos and audio to your checklists. *To join eBird,* simply go to https://ebird.org/home ( https://ebird.org/home ) and create an account.
*To join the Peninsula Birding group,* join here: https://groups.io/g/peninsula-birding ( https://groups.io/g/peninsula-birding ) You can post your sightings there and be kept informed of sightings throughout the county including discussions about birds, population trends, where-can-I-find topics, events, field trips, webinars, pelagic trips and conservation issues. You can engage with other members of the birding community and can connect with online/offline discussions. *About* *This Report:* As a volunteer for Sequoia Audubon Society, every month, I gather content for this report mainly by using eBird and Pen-bird. When posting to Pen-bird, please include the location and date of your sighting in either the subject line or in the body of your email. If you don't use eBird or Pen-bird, you can always email me directly. Thank you! If you have questions or comments regarding this report, please email: <maliadances...> ( <maliadances...> )
*Malia DeFelice*
Sequoia Audubon Society Volunteer
**Cumulative Year Report**
Date: 11/3/24 3:45 pm From: Christopher Hayward via groups.io <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Continuing Ovenbird, Pescadero Creek, 11/3/24
Hi All,
This morning around 8.00 am I had nice looks at the Ovenbird found by Marty Freeland yesterday, it was still in the general location Marty mentioned yesterday, along the riparian area west of the Gas Station parking lot. This is the GPS where I saw the bird 37.25220, -122.38429
It was making sharp chip calls occasionally as it moved around in the low vegetation.
Quite hard to photograph but managed one decent shot which is on my ebird checklist, link below. Great find Marty!
