Date: 3/30/25 2:42 pm From: Naomi via groups.io <nlgoodman...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Absence of Fox Sparrows
The eBird Status and Trends report shows a steep decline (>25%) over their entire range between 2012 and 2022. After 2022, it appears that 2024 was a particularly bad year. Here are the number of checklists with Fox Sparrows and number of individual Fox Sparrows reported each year in San Mateo County (stats from Birdview).
Date: 3/30/25 12:13 pm From: Lisa Sheffield Guy via groups.io <sheffield.lisa...> Subject: [pen-bird] Absence of Fox Sparrows
Hey all. I typically have 5-6 Fox Sparrows overwinter in my yard/driveway (Eden West Road, Pescadero). This winter I have not seen a single Fox Sparrow. All the usual sparrows are here (even have two White-Throated instead of one this winter). Anyone else not seeing them? Sometimes it's harder to notice the zeros in the lists. Wondering if this is a pattern beyond my little patch of yard?
The 45th annual Palo Alto Summer Bird C ount will be on Saturday, 7 June. The count circle is the same as that used for the Palo Alto Christmas Bird Count, spanning both Santa Clara and San Mateo counties from the bayside to the Santa Cruz Mountains. (See the map of the Palo Alto Count Circle at https://scvbirdalliance.org/capa-sector-map ( https://scvbirdalliance.org/capa-sector-map ) , to better understand the territories.)
The Summer Bird Count uses the same methodology as the Christmas Bird Count, setting a single day in which volunteers count all the individual birds and species that they spot within their assigned territories. However, the Summer Bird Count consistently gets better weather! and many of the bird species are in the middle of their breeding activities. The counters will also track breeding bird behaviors such as courtship, nesting, and carrying food.
For the 2025 count, we're looking for volunteers
1) to join the count! Experienced birders are excitedly welcomed, but we can match beginning birders with a team of more skilled birders
2) to coordinate a Sector (a territory which will be covered by multiple groups of birders)
We will host a "Countdown Dinner" the evening of June 7th, where you can meet the other birders, hear about the great sightings of the day, and review the initial data coming back from the count.
Date: 3/25/25 12:50 am From: Richard Bradus via groups.io <grizzledjay...> Subject: [pen-bird] Hot day at the coast - hits and misses
Enjoying the crazily warm day, I spent the late morning at Frenchman's Creek Park looking (unsuccessfully) for the Redstart. Really frustrating as there was a crew with chain saws cutting down trees a short distance up the creek on the south side, then gardeners with leaf blowers and other equipment, making for almost continuous noise and distraction. Alane Gray and Barbara Dye joined the search for awhile, managing to hear a singing House Wren during one of the brief respites from the noise, but I inadvertently ruined Alanes's recording by calling out the bird's name (sorry Alane!). A small consolation was finding a female Anna's on her nest (with a small feather still in her beak!). Photo on https://ebird.org/checklist/S220617345 Later Joe Morlan came and we searched together in the trees and along the creek, but no luck. Advisory: we did see a drab Myrtle Yellow-rumped (grey head and body, just a touch of yellow on the sides) that could be mistaken for a Redstart if seen at distance and one does not clearly see the tail or note carefully the position of the yellow plumage.
After noon I ambled along the Devil's Slide trail, practically baking in the sun (has it ever been that warm and calm along this stretch before?). Alane was there as well, having just seen one of the Peregrines perched on the cliff face. Shortly afterwards I spotted the pair of Rock Wrens and we got entertaining, if somewhat distant, views. I stayed to have a late lunch and was rewarded by an aerial spectacle. A Red-tail was kiting for a bit just off the northwest edge of the big rock/cliff south of Egg Rock, spotted something and pounced on the vegetated slope. But it came up empty. Worse, it was spotted by the returning male Peregrine, which promptly flew speedily after it. The engagement lasted at least a couple of minutes, with the falcon strafing the hawk repeatedly, flying against the hillside below the trail, then the hillside just to the west, then again and again in the sky above until the Red-tail managed to fly off. My camera and my woeful single shot technique are inadequate for birds in flight, but I managed to get a few photos of the aerial combat - see https://ebird.org/checklist/S220620073 Also of note was a really weird looking immature White-crowned Sparrow that I spotted just after it bathed. Some of the feathers were wet, but that doesn't explain the blotchy and varied plumage pattern - unlike any WcSp I've seen before. I only managed to get one photo, unfortunately at a distance after it had scampered a ways up the hillside (also on the same checklist as the falcon photos). If interested, give it a look; I'd really like to know what others think of this odd bird.
Always something to learn and enjoy from our avian friends. Good luck all!
Richard BradusSan Francisco
Date: 3/21/25 2:31 pm From: Christopher Hayward via groups.io <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] American Redstart, Frenchman's Creek, 3/21/25.
Hi Pen Birders,
This morning I checked the Frenchman's Creek area at the east end of Ruisseau Francais Ave, wondering if the American Redstart found last December could possibly still be around. Soon after arriving at the very east end of the avenue I heard several clear high pitched chip notes, then I saw the Redstart flitting around in the bushes which still have some red flowers. Wow! Quite surprised I managed a few photos before it vanished.
Later after Malia and Summer joined me we had nice looks at it about 50 yards west down the road, sallying low in some willows
This bird is likely the one found by Susie Hons and Dan Keller during the Crystal Springs CBC on 12/14/24 and last reported on 12/28/24.
I'm not sure how many records of wintering Redstarts there are in the county, but quite rare I would imagine.
Photos on my ebird checklist link below. Malia also made a audio recording which she will add to the checklist.
Date: 3/19/25 7:56 am From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: Fw: [pen-bird] Seawatch, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3/18
Not 1800 Pescadero Road, correction is 1800 Stage Road.
Helps to have my coffee!
Ron Thorn
----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <tronthorn...>To: Peninsula Birding <peninsula-birding...>Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 07:34:38 AM PDTSubject: [pen-bird] Seawatch, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3/18
Headed out yesterday for a seawatch at Pigeon Pt. to see what had come in after the storm. No surprises andstill slow as my previous seawatches were from the point. Viewing was very good, clear visibility out to the horizon. ( 2 ) northbound Brant were the first I have noted this spring. Other northbound migrants were ( 146 ) Surf Scotersand ( 1 ) Red-breasted Merganser. Migrant loons in alternate plumage were a Common and ( 26 ) Red-throateds.I thought for sure with the brisk northwest wind, there would be Black-footed Albatross and Sooty Shearwater. Just( 1 ) tubenose, a Sooty Shearwater. The start of migrant shorebirds were Long-billed Curlews, Marbled Godwitsand Whimbrels. The number of gulls moving north over the ocean were very low for this time of the year with mostbeing Western Gulls. The number of Black-legged Kittiwakes have been very low since February, so I was glad tonote an adult northbound. More arrival of Pigeon Guillemots with ( 8 ) noted. ( 24,000 ) Common Murres wereheaded south to Monterey Bay.
Later, I took Stage Road out of Pescadero. I stopped at the traditional grove of Eucalyptus Trees that has attractedsapsuckers over the years on the eastside of the road near 1800 Pescadero Road. I was surprised to see the maleYellow-bellied Sapsucker Leonie Batkin and I found on January 24 is still present. I believe there were still sightings a short time after that date, but none since then.
Ron Thorn
Date: 3/19/25 7:34 am From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Seawatch, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3/18
Headed out yesterday for a seawatch at Pigeon Pt. to see what had come in after the storm. No surprises andstill slow as my previous seawatches were from the point. Viewing was very good, clear visibility out to the horizon. ( 2 ) northbound Brant were the first I have noted this spring. Other northbound migrants were ( 146 ) Surf Scotersand ( 1 ) Red-breasted Merganser. Migrant loons in alternate plumage were a Common and ( 26 ) Red-throateds.I thought for sure with the brisk northwest wind, there would be Black-footed Albatross and Sooty Shearwater. Just( 1 ) tubenose, a Sooty Shearwater. The start of migrant shorebirds were Long-billed Curlews, Marbled Godwitsand Whimbrels. The number of gulls moving north over the ocean were very low for this time of the year with mostbeing Western Gulls. The number of Black-legged Kittiwakes have been very low since February, so I was glad tonote an adult northbound. More arrival of Pigeon Guillemots with ( 8 ) noted. ( 24,000 ) Common Murres wereheaded south to Monterey Bay.
Later, I took Stage Road out of Pescadero. I stopped at the traditional grove of Eucalyptus Trees that has attractedsapsuckers over the years on the eastside of the road near 1800 Pescadero Road. I was surprised to see the maleYellow-bellied Sapsucker Leonie Batkin and I found on January 24 is still present. I believe there were still sightings a short time after that date, but none since then.
Ron Thorn
Date: 3/13/25 7:49 am From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Miscellaneous sightings from the last several days
The 11th, I did a seawatch from Pigeon Point. I spent only a couple of hours, as it has been and is slow out therefor this time of the year! Brandt's Cormorants and Common Murres were not in a short supply. Disappointing lownumber of gulls moving north. Finally a tubenose, the first arrival of a Sooty Shearwater I have noted. Anotherarrival was a Pigeon Guillemot. Just a trickle of northbound Surf Scoters with ( 208 ) noted. Lots of Red-throatedLoons in basic plumage flying north or south. ( 62 ) Red-throated Loons were the first migrants I have noted inalternate plumage. A lone Rhinoceros Auklet was with a group of murres flying north.
Miscellaneous sightings Leonie and I have had from Redwood Shores. ( 3 ) Cackling Geese were with Canadasin flight near the Nob Hill Market. The pond behind the dog park along Radio Road there were ( 5 ) drakes and( 4 ) female Blue-winged Teal with Cinnamon Teal. The number of Black Skimmers varies every day. The highestnumber noted were ( 117 ). Most Ring-billed and Short-bill Gulls depart in March, and every March the pond is astopover location for the both species. On the 9th, there were ( 208 ) Ring-billed Gulls and ( 227 ) Short-billedGulls. The adult Bald Eagle continues to be seen perched on top of the P.G.E. towers on Bair Island viewedfrom the levee near the dog park. A short morning skywatch from home, I noted an immature Bald Eagle flyingfrom Belmont and headed east towards the bay. The Yellow Warbler first noted November 1 along Twin Dolphin Drive was still present on the 9th. ( 4 ) Yellow Warblers during the winter in the county was a good number, as there are winters, where no Yellow Warblers have been noted. ( 2 ) Orange-crowned Warblers that have beenwintering at the Nob Hill Pond continued. One of the Orange-crowned Warblers is a gray-headed. A run ofswallows ( Barn, Violet-green, Rough-winged, Tree ) on the 7th. There was the first Cliff Swallow I have notedthis season on that day.
Ron ThornLeonie Batkin
Date: 3/12/25 4:41 pm From: Sequoia Audubon Society via groups.io <office...> Subject: [pen-bird] Thurs. March 13 - Owlet Nightjars and Hoatzins - a taxonomical endgame
Tomorrow's Monthly Meeting Presentation: Owlet Nightjars and Hoatzins - a taxonomical endgame Robert Siegel, M.D., PhD This talk will focus on two fairly obscure but fascinating orders of birds: the Aegotheliformes and the Opisthocomiformes. After recent journeys to Northern Australia and the Ecuadorian rainforest, Dr. Siegel completed (the first draft of) his project to photograph every order of birds. Once again, this effort required fortuitous encounters with remarkable individuals and a whole lot of luck. I will also discuss the first iteration of my undergraduate class, 46 Orders of Birds. Key themes of the course include discussions of why and how we classify, taxonomic and nomenclatural challenges of bird classification, and how these themes can be generalized in myriad ways.
Owlet-nightjars are small crepuscular birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. Most are native to New Guinea, but some species extend to Australia, the Moluccas, and New Caledonia. Wikipedia ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owlet-nightjar )
The hoatzin or hoactzin is a species of tropical bird found in swamps, riparian forests, and mangroves of the Amazon and the Orinoco basins in South America. Wikipedia ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owlet-nightjar )
*Dr. Siegel will provide insight into this cryptic topic while showing his excellent photos and is guaranteed to entertain us. Register: https://bit.ly/3ERC9zO*
Date: 3/12/25 3:07 pm From: susan hons via groups.io <susieturtlewings...> Subject: [pen-bird] American Goldfinches in San Carlos, 3/12/25
American Goldfinches at the feeder here in San Carlos. Don't know how many years it's been since I've seen them. In this light they are gorgeous. Very aggressive compared to the Lessers.
Susie Hons
If at night the crow does fly,
Does one see feathers or the sky?
*In this email, I would like to highlight a few topics* :
Everyone who has used eBird to report a *rare bird, unusually high counts of a species, or birds that are unusual for the time of year, or location* , is familiar with the automated prompt requesting more documentation. Just a few reminders about documenting your rare/unusual sightings on eBird:
*Written Documentation :* When you are prompted to provide documentation for a sighting of an unusual or rare bird, the #1 comment to add is *a description of the bird*. A description of the bird should contain field marks and defining physical or audible characteristics that helped you separate it from similar species. The bird’s behavior, where it was seen etc. can add depth to the record, but *a description* of what the bird looked/sounded like is the most important element. *Photos, audio or video are generally best for documenting a rare bird, but if quality of media does not clearly support the ID, please back up the observtion with a detailed description*. Remember, the rarer the bird, the more important thorough documentation becomes. Here is an eBird help article about how to document your sightings.
*Early Arrivals* : *Accurate reporting of arrival timing is just as important to science as correct ID* , and the two can go hand in hand. It is understood that not everyone will know if a bird is extremely early, sort of early, or just a little bit early. Some migrants return earlier than others. Some return a lot later than others. *So please treat the prompt for more details for an early bird* in a similar way that you would treat rare birds *.* *Please provide confirmable media, or a description* of what the bird looked like or sounded like and how it was separated from confusion species. When writing your details, consider how helpful your choice of words will be to other eBirders, researchers, scientists and people doing important conservation work now, and far into the future.
*Species High Counts* : If a high count prompts for more details a brief comment describing how the number was determined, i.e. “counted by 10’s” or “direct count” is what eBird is looking for. A numeric estimate of birds is always better than an “X”. In addition, in some cases it may be necessary to confirm how the species was ID’d by providing a brief description of the species and how it was separated from similar species. For more information and tips for counting large numbers of birds or birds observed over a duration of time here are 3 eBird help articles:
*Photos and Audio* : eBird has made uploading photos and audio recordings relatively easy. Media are a great way to document your sightings. And we are fortunate in San Mateo County to have many good photographers. “ *Photos to be added”: or similar wording for a RARE sghting* is something we see all the time. Please don’t make these statements a permanent part of your record. Also *Back of Camera (BOC) photos should be replaced with the actual photos* as soon as convenient *Please upload your photos or audio!*
Here are eBird help articles about uploading photos and audio.
*Merlin Users:* If you are using Merlin to identify a bird that gets flagged for more details, *please upload your audio recording or photo to your checklist as soon as it is convenient*. Leaving a comment *“ID”d by Merlin” is not considered sufficient documentation*. Merlin can be accurate, but Merlin can also be very wrong and still needs the human element to review suggested Identifications. *It is always best to try to see a vocalizing bird in order to get visual confirmation of the ID when possible.*
*“Details to be added” “Photos/Audio to be added”*. When compiling checklists in the field using a smart device, it can be difficult to type detailed notes. *For birds flagged for more details* , it is OK to say “ *Details to be added” or “Photos/Audio to be added”.* But use that wording *only as a temporary placeholder* in your checklist comments. *Do not* *make these* “to be added” *comments permanent*. Try to *write your descriptions* of the birds and field marks/notes etc. as soon as you can *while the details are still fresh in your mind*. Don’t wait until a time too far in the future when details are fuzzy at best . *Upload your supporting photos and audio as soon as it is convenient* , especially if it is an *early arrival or a rarity* you are documenting.
*Use eBird Hotspots* : If you are birding at *a known eBird Hotspot please select the known eBird Hotspot* as your checklist location. *Hotspots allow multiple birders to enter data into the same shared location, creating aggregated species data which is searchable through eBird's "Explore" tools ( https://ebird.org/explore ). And reduces Personal Location Splatter.* Unfortunately, it is very easy to select an auto-assigned location, which contributes to Personal Location Splatter when entering your checklist data with a smart device in the field. The eBird Hotspot may not be the first location option in the list of location choices, so please take care to look for the official hotspot.
*A Big Thank You to All,* for your diligent eBird Hotspot use, continued media contributions, and documentation efforts to support rare bird sightings, unusually high counts of a species, or birds that are unusual for the time of year or location in San Mateo County. You make San Mateo County eBird what it is!
*One Last Thing:* we are seeing a lot of new users on eBird. If you are new or know someone who is new to eBird here is a help article about Getting Started with eBird:
Date: 3/8/25 10:33 am From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] San Mateo County Cumulative Year-list Report for --- February 2025
*Greetings Pen-birders,*
San Mateo County birders found a total of 9 species that were new for the year by the end of February. This brings the total species observed by the end of the second month to 224. 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. *From the link below* , you can *see definitions for the rarity codes,* *download a checklist* which shows seasonality, frequency, and county breeding information, *find a full list of the birds* observed so far in 2025 *, plus* *all monthly reports going back to 2009.* http://www.sequoia-audubon.org/SMCbirds.php ( http://www.sequoia-audubon.org/SMCbirds.php )
*Here are the new birds for February, their finders and locations where found:*
A male TUFTED DUCK (4) was found in the pond at Oracle by Barry Thomson. Jake McCumber saw a WANDERING TATTLER (4) at Pescadero State Beach. During a sea-watch at Pigeon Point Ron Thorn spotted a RHINOCEROS AUKLET (1). Another sea-watch at Pigeon Point provided views of a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (3) for Alex Henry, Sharon J and Teale Fristoe. Aidan Sinha encountered a LEAST BITTERN (6) at Pilarcitos Creek. Records provided to me by Ron Thorn and Leonie Batkin indicate there were 4 previous records LEAST BITTERN in San Mateo County, making this the 5 th county record. Joshua Stacy has spent a lot of time in the forest tracking this bird down and finally his efforts paid off with being able to photograph and obtain audio of a/the BARRED OWL (6) in the Memorial Park area. Jeff Pace got a look at a PRAIRIE FALCON (5) while visiting the La Honda Creek OSP. Malia DeFelice and Chris Hayward were very much surprised to see a LAWRENCES GOLDFINCH (4) in their Half Moon Bay yard as this is not the species habitat. Liam Murphy discovered a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (4) while birding along Tunitas Creek Rd.
*Birding San Mateo County:* There are plenty of ways to see birds. Did you know *The San Mateo County Bird Alliance 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.* To join eBird, simply go to https://ebird.org/home and create an account. To join the Peninsula Birding group, join here: 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.
*This Report:* As volunteers for the San Mateo County Bird Alliance we gather content for this report, each month, by primarily 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 Malia directly. Thank you!
If you have questions or comments regarding this report, or if we missed something,
My wife was cycling the bluff above the beach from Surfers Beach to Miramar Beach today about 1:40pm. She saw lots of tiny peeps that she says were smaller than sanderlings. They were running back and forth along the edge of the water line (not towards and away from it), and others congregating in clumps along the beach. She wondered whether they might be snowy plovers, although maybe least sandpipers? Did anyone get a closer look and ID?
She's got some video but they're too far away for a good ID, although it captures their movement nicely. They're in .MOV format and I don't know how to convert that to .MP4. Should I post those anyway?
Date: 3/3/25 4:17 pm From: Ryan Mense via groups.io <hello...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Lesser Black-backed and Glaucous Gull, Pilarcitos Creek Mouth, 3/3/2025
Glaucous still around as of 4 p.m. Monday. Didn’t see lesser black backed.
Ryan M
On Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM Christopher Hayward via groups.io <p_t_nymph=
<hotmail.com...> wrote:
> Hi All,
> There was a good sized gull flock at Pilarcitos Creek Mouth this morning,
> which included a first year Glaucous Gull, a Glaucous x Glaucous Winged
> Hybrid and a Second Cycle Lesser Black Backed Gull.
> I only saw the Lesser Black-backed Gull for about 30 seconds before the
> whole flock lifted up for some reason and although the group quickly
> settled back down, I never saw it again despite hanging around for over an
> hour. Fortunately I managed a couple of decent photos before loosing it.
> I was joined by Malia and others a bit later but although the Glaucous
> Gull and Hybrid were seen, none of us re-located the Lesser Black-backed
> Gull.
> Photos on my checklist, link below.
>
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S216494082 >
> Chris Hayward
> Half Moon Bay
>
>
>
Date: 3/3/25 2:01 pm From: Christopher Hayward via groups.io <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Lesser Black-backed and Glaucous Gull, Pilarcitos Creek Mouth, 3/3/2025
Hi All,
There was a good sized gull flock at Pilarcitos Creek Mouth this morning, which included a first year Glaucous Gull, a Glaucous x Glaucous Winged Hybrid and a Second Cycle Lesser Black Backed Gull.
I only saw the Lesser Black-backed Gull for about 30 seconds before the whole flock lifted up for some reason and although the group quickly settled back down, I never saw it again despite hanging around for over an hour. Fortunately I managed a couple of decent photos before loosing it.
I was joined by Malia and others a bit later but although the Glaucous Gull and Hybrid were seen, none of us re-located the Lesser Black-backed Gull.
Photos on my checklist, link below.
