Date: 10/18/25 10:55 am From: Joe Morlan via groups.io <jmorlan...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Red Crossbills at Skylawn Cemetery.
Al & All,
Thanks for the feedback. I noticed this journal article..
Martin, R., Rochefort, J., Mundry, R. and Segelbacher, G. (2024), Fast
cultural evolution of Crossbill (Loxia spp.) calls in the Palaearctic.
Ibis, 166: 267-284. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.13253
...documents significant change in crossbill calls over relatively short
periods of time. I have personally witnessed crossbills at Skylawn switch
calls. Most types including Cassia rarely switch calls, but it does happen.
On Thu, 16 Oct 2025 22:44:20 -0400, <chucao...> wrote:
> All crossbill calls are learned, ALL of them. But the learning and
>copying of calls is something that they do for flock cohesion, and for type
>matching (bill/ecological type matching). It is not random copying and
>mimicry. Cassia Crossbills have been wandering widely away from Idaho since
>the big fires there. Crossbills move massive distances when their core tree
>or trees do not have food. All crossbills move. There is no such thing as a
>resident crossbill, at least not long term. The Cassia situation is special,
>but it was incorrect to think they were resident. It was better to have
>thought of them as having a particularly stable food supply, such that for
>long periods of time they did not move out of their spot. But large fires
>did do this to them, with many records in Colorado, and later the ones in
>California.
> We need a really thorough genomic study of crossbills to sort out what
>is going on, there are no birds like them. We can have sympatric breeding
>without mixing (at least not commonly). Yet they can changeable home ranges
>and next breeding season encounter an entirely different vocal type where
>they breed. Nothing is quite like them. We need more data, and open minds to
>sort out crossbills. I look forward to when more information is available.
>
>Alvaro
>
>Alvaro Jaramillo
><alvaro...>
>www.alvarosadventures.com
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of
>Joe Morlan via groups.io
>Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2025 9:33 PM
>To: <peninsula-birding...>
>Subject: [pen-bird] Red Crossbills at Skylawn Cemetery.
>
>This morning I visited Skylawn hoping to photograph the Red Crossbills which
>have been reported there. My eBird list with photos, video and voice
>recording is here..
>
>https://macaulaylibrary.org/catalog?taxonCode=redcro&subId=S279761664&view=g >rid
>
>I did not recognize the calls so I contacted some experts who said that the
>call I recorded closely resembles type 12. However that type is centered in
>the northeast and has only one previous California record. Another
>possibility is the enigmatic type 7, the rarest call type with unknown call
>variation and unknown range. For now it remains a mystery. I welcome other
>opinions.
>
>Some of you may recall when the Cassia Crossbills were at Skylawn October -
>December 2023 with voice recordings by multiple observers confirmed by
>experts. This would have been a first California record except that it was
>not accepted by the CBRC. Perhaps for good reason. Cassia Crossbill was
>described as a species with limited range confined to one county in Idaho.
>Then records started in Colorado. But California was perhaps too far a
>stretch for the committee when it became apparent that crossbills may
>imitate other call types.
>
>Regardless, it would be good to get better recordings of these birds. If it
>can be confirmed they are type 7, I think that would be very interesting as
>few such recordings exist.
--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
Date: 10/17/25 6:38 pm From: Christopher Hayward via groups.io <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Vesper Sparrow, Johnston House, Hal Moon Bay, 10/17/25
Hi All,
Malia and I decided to check some local patches today, while we were checking Sparrows near the Johnston House we came across a Vesper Sparrow perched on the fence line to the west of the house itself. It was a bright individual, quite striking with a lot of brownish tan tones.
It eventually moved across to the utility wires where we got nice looks and good photos. In some of the photos the rufous lesser coverts are visible, not always easy to see.
Photos on our checklist, link below.
Date: 10/17/25 5:17 pm From: Kent Forward via groups.io <kforward...> Subject: [pen-bird] Tennessee Warbler at Frenchman's Creek Park 10/17/25
Hi All,
While birding Frenchman's Creek Park a short while ago I came upon a Tennessee Warbler. It was quite birdy along the park riparian so was hoping a rarity might be lurking and it was! Photos and gps in my eBird checklist link below.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S279966162 Happy Migration!Kent ForwardEl Granada
Date: 10/17/25 1:23 pm From: Carolyn Belknap via groups.io <belknaps...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Tropical Kingbird and Clay-colored Sparrow, /10/17/25
On the subject of Tropical Kingbirds, below is a photo of a bird I spotted on September 23 on a neighbor's roof in Frenchman's Creek. It looked like it could be a Tropical Kingbird, but I never saw it again and didn't share the finding at the time.
Date: 10/17/25 10:20 am From: Christopher Hayward via groups.io <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Tropical Kingbird and Clay-colored Sparrow, /10/17/25
Hi All,
Yesterday morning Malia spotted a Clay-colored Sparrow in our Half Moon Bay backyard, it is still here this morning. This prompted us to check records for the yard, quite remarkably this is the fifth different one we have seen in the yard, including one individual in 2017 that spent the winter here and stayed until mid April.
Also yesterday on my way back from birding the south coast there was a Tropical Kingbird on utility wires along Highway 1, about half a mile south of Bean Hollow State Beach, this area has had Tropical Kingbirds before, a couple of years ago I remember seeing two together at the same spot, the exact location is on my checklist.
Photos of both birds on the eBird lists, Link below.
Date: 10/16/25 7:44 pm From: Alvaro Jaramillo via groups.io <chucao...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Red Crossbills at Skylawn Cemetery.
Joe and pen bird
When we found the Cassia Crossbills, there were other calls in there that
were likely the "Enigmatic" type 7 crossbill. Skylawn Cemetery may be the
most interesting Red Crossbill spot in all of North America!! The types of
calls that have gone through there are many, and it seems that oddities can
hang in there for some time. I am sure that it has to do with the makeup of
the conifers there, but most importantly the fact that it is right up on top
of a singular range that is isolated and essentially right along the coast.
Nothing like that is similar elsewhere in the West.
All crossbill calls are learned, ALL of them. But the learning and
copying of calls is something that they do for flock cohesion, and for type
matching (bill/ecological type matching). It is not random copying and
mimicry. Cassia Crossbills have been wandering widely away from Idaho since
the big fires there. Crossbills move massive distances when their core tree
or trees do not have food. All crossbills move. There is no such thing as a
resident crossbill, at least not long term. The Cassia situation is special,
but it was incorrect to think they were resident. It was better to have
thought of them as having a particularly stable food supply, such that for
long periods of time they did not move out of their spot. But large fires
did do this to them, with many records in Colorado, and later the ones in
California.
We need a really thorough genomic study of crossbills to sort out what
is going on, there are no birds like them. We can have sympatric breeding
without mixing (at least not commonly). Yet they can changeable home ranges
and next breeding season encounter an entirely different vocal type where
they breed. Nothing is quite like them. We need more data, and open minds to
sort out crossbills. I look forward to when more information is available.
-----Original Message-----
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of
Joe Morlan via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2025 9:33 PM
To: <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: [pen-bird] Red Crossbills at Skylawn Cemetery.
This morning I visited Skylawn hoping to photograph the Red Crossbills which
have been reported there. My eBird list with photos, video and voice
recording is here..
I did not recognize the calls so I contacted some experts who said that the
call I recorded closely resembles type 12. However that type is centered in
the northeast and has only one previous California record. Another
possibility is the enigmatic type 7, the rarest call type with unknown call
variation and unknown range. For now it remains a mystery. I welcome other
opinions.
Some of you may recall when the Cassia Crossbills were at Skylawn October -
December 2023 with voice recordings by multiple observers confirmed by
experts. This would have been a first California record except that it was
not accepted by the CBRC. Perhaps for good reason. Cassia Crossbill was
described as a species with limited range confined to one county in Idaho.
Then records started in Colorado. But California was perhaps too far a
stretch for the committee when it became apparent that crossbills may
imitate other call types.
Regardless, it would be good to get better recordings of these birds. If it
can be confirmed they are type 7, I think that would be very interesting as
few such recordings exist.
--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
Date: 10/16/25 6:32 pm From: Joe Morlan via groups.io <jmorlan...> Subject: [pen-bird] Red Crossbills at Skylawn Cemetery.
This morning I visited Skylawn hoping to photograph the Red Crossbills
which have been reported there. My eBird list with photos, video and voice
recording is here..
I did not recognize the calls so I contacted some experts who said that the
call I recorded closely resembles type 12. However that type is centered in
the northeast and has only one previous California record. Another
possibility is the enigmatic type 7, the rarest call type with unknown call
variation and unknown range. For now it remains a mystery. I welcome other
opinions.
Some of you may recall when the Cassia Crossbills were at Skylawn October -
December 2023 with voice recordings by multiple observers confirmed by
experts. This would have been a first California record except that it was
not accepted by the CBRC. Perhaps for good reason. Cassia Crossbill was
described as a species with limited range confined to one county in Idaho.
Then records started in Colorado. But California was perhaps too far a
stretch for the committee when it became apparent that crossbills may
imitate other call types.
Regardless, it would be good to get better recordings of these birds. If
it can be confirmed they are type 7, I think that would be very interesting
as few such recordings exist.
--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
Date: 10/16/25 11:07 am From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] San Mateo County Cumulative Year-list Report for --- September 2025
*Greetings Pen-birders,*
San Mateo County birders found a total of 16 species that were new for the year by the end of September. The 16 new bird species found in September will bring the total species observed by the end of the ninth month to 317. 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. Click link below:*
*Here are the new birds for September, their finders and locations where found:*
Malia DeFelice spotted a PECTORAL SANDPIPER (5) on a mudflat along Pilarcitos Creek at Venice State Beach. Several Alvaro’s Adventures pelagic trips in September encountered BLACK STORM-PETREL (2), FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER (5), and SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER (4). Gary Deghi spotted a group of WHITE-FACED IBIS (5) flying over Ocean Colony in Half Moon Bay. Caitlin Chock observed a BROAD-WINGED HAWK (5) at San Bruno Mountain. Marty Freeland found the following birds; BELL’S VIREO (6) Cascade Creek along Hwy 1, NORTHERN PARULA (4) Seaside School Rd. riparian, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (4) Sanchez Adobe Pacifica, BLACKPOLL WARBLER (4) Pilarcitos Ave. X Oak Ave. riparian. George Chrisman came across a LARK BUNTING (5) at Gazos Creek beach. Jari Toivanen discovered a VESPER SPARROW (4) in a Canvasback Way neighborhood in Redwood Shores. Cricket Raspet photographed a GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE (5) at a location along Sunshine Valley Rd. in Moss Beach. Ron Thorn and Leonie Batkin discovered a CAPE MAY WARBLER (6) while visiting Cypress Lawn Cemetery. Field Guides birding tour with Chris Benesh and Alex Sundvall located a CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER (4). WORM-EATING WARBLER (6) was reported somewhere along Gazos Creek by Aaron Maizlish as being found by he and Noah Arthur. Ryan Mense was able to re-find and photograph this warbler a distance from where it was originally reported.
*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
*Alvaro’s Adventures runs offshore pelagic trips* now through October, with many seabird, whale and sea-life finding trips out of Half Moon Bay and other ports. Alvaro’s pelagic schedule here: https://www.alvarosadventures.com/pelagic-dates-2025.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 a volunteer for the San Mateo County Bird Alliance I 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 me directly. Thank you!
If you have questions or comments regarding this report, or if I missed something,
Date: 10/15/25 8:23 am From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Vesper Sparrow, Eurasian Wigeon
Yesterday 10/14, there was a Vesper Sparrow with crown sparrows and House Finches on the south end of the trail accessed from the end of Sem Lane in Belmont. The last few dayswaterfowl numbers have greatly increased on the Nob Hill Pond in Redwood Shores. An adult male Eurasian Wigeon in eclipse plumage was in a large group of American Wigeon.A casual visitor to the pond was an adult male Ring-necked Duck.
Ron Thorn
Date: 10/13/25 2:15 pm From: Christopher Hayward via groups.io <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Continuing Canada Warbler, Gazos Creek Road, 10/13/25
Hi All,
This morning I was able to find the Canada Warbler reported yesterday on eBird by Jari Toivanen. I first found it in a fast moving flock of mostly Chickadees and Townsend Warblers, very close to the gps given by Jari on his checklist.
Later I was joined by several other birders and we eventually re-located it farther down the road here, 37.18429, -122.34944.
Also near that second location Ryan Mense pointed out a Rose-breasted Grosbeak that he has previously reported on eBird.,
The Canada Warbler was really difficult to photograph but I did manage a couple of document shots, that are on the checklist, link below. Great find Jari!
Date: 10/12/25 11:55 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] report of Canada Warbler
Hi All,
Just passing this report along .....
A Canada Warbler was reported today, 10/12/25, along Gazos Creek Rd., south of the town of Pescadero, by Jari Toivanen. Here is a link to his checklist with a photo of the bird and GPS as to where it was seen.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S279060819 This is a good bird for San Mateo County, so just wanted to get the word out.
With Red-necked Grebes arriving, a casual visitor to the inside of San Francisco Bay was a Red-necked Grebe seen this morning. The Red-necked Grebe was north of the jetty at the OysterPoint Marina jetty in South San Francisco. Yesterday the 11th, a nice view of a Tennessee Warbler foraging with Yellow-rumped Warblers on the lawn between Myrtle and Willow Avenues atthe Cypress Lawn Cemetery in Colma. The number of Tennessee Warblers have been at the above expected numbers this fall in the county.
Ron Thorn
Date: 10/11/25 11:44 pm From: Jim Dehnert via groups.io <dehnert...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Lapland Longspur, Mavericks 10/9/25
The Longspur was still in the same location until at least 6pm today
(Saturday) when I left. Very cooperative.
Jim Dehnert
On Fri, Oct 10, 2025 at 4:22 PM Joe Morlan via groups.io <jmorlan=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Thanks. Still present today and very cooperative.
>
> More details and photos on my eBird list...
>
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S278387117 >
>
> On Thu, 09 Oct 2025 18:54:24 -0700, "Christopher Hayward via groups.io"
> <p_t_nymph...> wrote:
>
> >Hi All,
> >The Lapland Longspur reported by Cricket gave great looks to a group of
> us until dusk this evening.
> >It was actively feeding on flies on the kelp
> >beds here, 37.49564, -122.49637.
> >Nice find Cricket!
> >
> >Chris Hayward
> >Half Moon Bay
> >
> >
> >
> >
> --
> Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 10/11/25 7:16 pm From: Kent Forward via groups.io <kforward...> Subject: [pen-bird] Palm Warbler, Clay-colored Sparrow 10/11/2025
Good Evening Birders,
I had a yard first today when a Palm Warbler popped up on our fence! Last year I had one back in Rancho Corral de Tierra (El Granada area) not far from our house, so it was great to have one visit the yard this year!
Also wanted to note that Adam Dudley found a Clay-colored Sparrow late this afternoon at Pillar Point Bluffs - on the gravel path at 37.510925, -122.501451 which is just beyond the Pillar Point Bluff Parking lot on the Jean Lauer Trail. It would frequently get flushed by passersby but would faithfully return before too long to its favorite weed patch on the trail. I was able to obtain a few photos just before the sun set behind the bluff! Hopefully it'll stick around tomorrow. Great find Adam!
https://ebird.org/checklist/S278770053 Good birding,Kent ForwardEl Granada
Date: 10/10/25 6:34 pm From: Barbara Kossy via groups.io <bkossy...> Subject: [pen-bird] Morning kayaking, Pillar Point
Driving to the harbor to launch from the Half Moon Bay Yacht Club I spotted 2 American Kestrels on the line at Hwy 1 and the turnoff. I later saw them hunting over the airport fields. Paddling along in the harbor spotted numerous birders looking for the Lapland Longspur. Enjoyed great views of Willets, Black Turnstones, and Whimbrels up on the breakwater during the rising tide. Out on the ocean waters of Half Moon Bay we saw small groups of Common Murres, Brandt's Cormorants , Western Gulls, and lots of Brown Pelicans. In the kelp beds we banged our paddles on moon jellies (oops). We saw sea lions, (one long dead) seals, and a humpback whale. Elegant tern fished a bit closer to shore. On our way back in, a fisher flushed hundreds of pelicans and Heerman's gulls from the breakwater as he walked to the end to get to a good spot to fish. The flushed birds rested in the waters inside the harbor. Picnicking after the paddle an Osprey landed up on the flagpole of the Yachtclub. It looked pretty grand.
I hoped to see the Belted Kingfisher I'd seen recently in the harbor, but no luck today. A few days ago I saw a Black winged kite perched on a small tree in the Princeton marsh. A robin popped up in my yard. It caught my attention since I hadn't seen one in awhile.
It was a beautiful morning to be outside! Barbara Kossy Moss Beach
On Thu, 09 Oct 2025 18:54:24 -0700, "Christopher Hayward via groups.io"
<p_t_nymph...> wrote:
>Hi All,
>The Lapland Longspur reported by Cricket gave great looks to a group of us until dusk this evening.
>It was actively feeding on flies on the kelp
>beds here, 37.49564, -122.49637.
>Nice find Cricket!
>
>Chris Hayward
>Half Moon Bay
>
>
>
>
--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
Date: 10/10/25 9:28 am From: Peter Metropulos via groups.io <pjmetrop...> Subject: [pen-bird] Major White-fronted Goose flight
Yesterday(Oct.9) I witnessed a major flight of Gr.White-fronted Geese over central San Mateo.Between 2:20 and 4:13 PM I saw 5 large V formations involving at least 830 individuals appearing from the west and heading in a northeasterly direction.This is one of the largest concentrations of the species ever recorded in SM County.
Peter Metropulos
Date: 10/9/25 6:54 pm From: Christopher Hayward via groups.io <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Lapland Longspur, Mavericks 10/9/25
Hi All,
The Lapland Longspur reported by Cricket gave great looks to a group of us until dusk this evening.
It was actively feeding on flies on the kelp
beds here, 37.49564, -122.49637.
Nice find Cricket!
Date: 10/8/25 11:01 am From: john tsortos via groups.io <jtsortos99...> Subject: [pen-bird] Good migration conditions
Hi everyone,
I spent a few minutes outside of my office (near Westpoint Harbor) around
10:40 am, and witnessed a flock of ~30 swallows go by and 5-6 raptors
soaring overhead. Seems like a lot of things are moving right now, and I’m
kicking myself for leaving my bins at home. Thought I’d get the word out!
Date: 10/7/25 5:40 pm From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Sightings bay and coast sides
Today at Coyote Point County Park, the male Harlequin Duck was resting on a concrete slab at the south end of the line of slabs near Double-crested Cormorants. A rare visitor inside SanFrancisco Bay was a Red Phalarope resting on the edge of the mudflat among other shorebirds east of the marina. I have been reading sightings of Vaux's Swifts coming through the EastBay and San Francisco. I average one or two along the bay shoreline in the fall. I was surprised to note a group of ( 15 ) moving south over the golf coarse. On the 3rd, I headed out to thecoast to check riparian corridors. The wind was just to gusty to even give it a look. I stopped at Moss Beach and did a two hour seawatch. Always a treat was to see the Northern Gannetpass by headed north. During the seawatch, there was a constant movement of Elegant Terns headed south. Nice showing of ( 23 ) Parasitic Jaegers following the Elegant Terns!
Ron Thorn
Date: 10/7/25 4:11 pm From: Kent Forward via groups.io <kforward...> Subject: [pen-bird] Brewer's Sparrow - Moss Beach 10/7/25
Good Afternoon Birders,
Just a quick note to say I saw what is likely a Brewer's Sparrow at the southern end of Vermont Ave. this afternoon (more location details in my eBird checklist plus a few photos). At first I was thinking Clay-colored based on quick impressions I had in the field, but closer examination of photos once downloaded to my laptop got me soliciting feedback for possible Brewer's Sparrow since photos showed a drabber bird without a discernible crown stripe, and so far Brewer's is the consensus I'm getting (of course open to feedback). I've been out of the country most of fall migration so far in SMC, so very exciting to be back and find a cool spizella the first outing since coming back! Seems the county has been rocking! Happy October birding all!
https://ebird.org/checklist/S277887019 Good Birding,Kent ForwardEl Granada
Date: 10/5/25 4:31 pm From: Troy Guy via groups.io <guytroy...> Subject: [pen-bird] Pescadero Tropical Kingbird
A large yellow kingbird with an all brown tail - no white in the outer tail feathers and no band at the tip of tail - was in Pescadero Marsh today around 1230. It did not call. It was actively flying and perching among the willow tops downstream of the confluence of Butano and Pescadero Creeks. The estuary mouth is closed and the water is high, but one could walk the shoreline to see the bird. I had kayaked from the firehouse to the highway 1 bridge. Phone pic attached or available upon request if not allowed.
Troy J Guy
37.21681, -122.34689
PO Box 643
Pescadero, CA 94060
(503) 298-3227
Date: 10/4/25 4:29 pm From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Palm Warblers, Gray Flycatcher, Sabine's Gull on the bayside
Leonie and I visited migration locations along the bayside. Looks like a good season for Palm Warblers. One was with a Yellow Warbler in the Sweet Fennel along Lakeside Dr. next to theMariner's Point Driving Range in Foster City. Another Palm Warbler was in the fennel along the San Francisco Bay Trail near the bridge that crosses over Colma Creek to Costo in SouthSan Francisco. Also in South San Francisco, a Gray Flycatcher was foraging in the scrubs at the edge of the field on the south side of DNA Way and Forbes Blvd. at Genetech. Last I sawof the Gray Flycatcher, a Black Phoebe had chased it over to the other side of DNA. We checked the nearby jetty at Oyster Point for terns. We were surprised to see among Elegant andForster's Terns a juvenile Sabine's Gull. Rare in San Francisco Bay, where I have only seen a few at this time of the year from Oyster Point and Coyote Point over the years.
Ron Thorn, Leonie BatkinÂ
Date: 10/4/25 11:29 am From: San Mateo County Bird Alliance via groups.io <office...> Subject: [pen-bird] Thurs. Oct. 9 Zoom with Jane Kim
*Join us Thursday, October 9, at 7:00 pm.*
*A Once in a Lifetime Work: The Wall of Birds Turns Ten*
*Jane Kim*
With 2025 marking the 10th anniversary of the "Wall of Birds" at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, artist Jane Kim takes the audience on a spectacular 375-million-year artistic journey celebrating the evolution and diversity of birds. Jane reflects on how the mural has shaped her career and reveals lessons and tales learned from the project that hold more relevance today than ever before.
If you're not familiar with it, the Wall of Birds is a 2,500-square-foot mural at Cornell that celebrates the diversity and evolution of birds. It took 2.5 years to make and is the only mural depicting the modern family of birds.
Additionally, Jane has curated "Yay Birds!", a collection of her favorite avian artists, including George Boorujy, Kirsten Furlong, and James Prosek, who created a sibling mural to Jane's at the Cornell Lab. "Yay Birds!" is a poignant, timely, and riotously fun visual reminder of the way birds connect us. Through birds, we explore the enduring importance of science, diversity, conservation, and the arts. The opening reception is on October 11, from 4 to 6 pm, and will run through November 8th at Andra Norris Gallery, 311 Lorton Ave, Burlingame.
Date: 10/4/25 8:53 am From: Donna Pomeroy via groups.io <dpom...> Subject: [pen-bird] Continuing Painted Bunting
The continuing female-type Painted Bunting showed up early to refuel at the feeders. Since this is a private backyard and the bird can only be observed from inside the house, please check with me before coming.
Donna Pomeroy
Date: 10/3/25 6:16 pm From: Marty Freeland via groups.io <martinf3...> Subject: [pen-bird] Recent notes: Chestnut-sideds, parula, etc.
Hi all,
Highlights from the past week included 2 Chestnut-sided Warblers, a Northern Parula, an American Redstart, a Black-and-white Warbler, and several Tennessee Warblers. Several of these (e.g., I think all the Tennessees) may have been continuing birds.
On 9/29, I covered the north coast from Pacifica to Montara in the morning. A Cassin's Vireo was in the willows at the north end of Farallone Ave in Montara.
On 9/30, birding the north-central coast from Montara to Half Moon Bay in the morning, a female-type American Redstart was in Princeton Willows early. This is the same location where I had one with Logan Kahle exactly a week previously. My impression was that this week's individual was duller and, in combination with the gap in time, I suspect it may have been a new bird, but am not positive. A dishevelled Chestnut-sided Warbler was at Emergency Willows. (Emergency Willows is the small willow patch by the Obispo Rd. fire station where there are sometimes more emergency vehicles with loud sirens than there are birds.) This was the first Chestnut-sided I have seen in the county this fall, though others have had five over the past couple weeks for a respectable total of six so far this season. Migrant numbers were generally low on this day.
On 10/1, two Tennessee Warblers and a Nashville were at Cypress Lawn Cemetery. This is precisely the same set of uncommon warblers I had at the same location the previous week, although some different individuals may conceivably have been involved. A White-breasted Nuthatch at the same site was notable and perhaps the same one reported recently by Ron Thorn and Leonie Batkin. More unexpected was a female Common Yellowthroat high in the Eucalyptus at the neighboring Holy Cross Cemetery. It took me a second to work out what I was seeing as it was so spectacularly out-of-place.
On 10/2, there was drizzle on the south coast until nearly 9 a.m. Looking for sparrows in the drizzle was not very productive. The late morning, however, was very birdy after it stopped raining and numbers of winged Western Subterranean Termites started emerging in some locations. Gazos Ck Rd had 4 large flocks, one of which contained a Chestnut-sided Warbler and another of which contained a Tennessee Warbler (likely the same one found by Chris Hayward the previous day) and a female-type Northern Parula! There were also two Hermit Warblers on the upper part of the road. I have only had a better morning on Gazos Ck once, and that was the time in fall 2023 when a flock that contained a Prairie Warbler and an American Redstart together started mobbing a tailless female Rose-breasted Grosbeak! The Pescadero Ck valley contained excellent migrant numbers, including 4 each of Wilson's and Yellow warblers, and a final stop on the way back for classes produced a Black-and-white Warbler at Seaside School Rd in San Gregorio. Ryan Mense had one at the same location on 9/21.
Today (10/3) the south-central coast was blown out with strong NW and W winds all morning. I did not have anything notable and struggled to find any migrants at many locations. I enjoyed checking riparian on upper Pilarcitos Ck off of Hwy 92 at several farms that are closed to the public for most of the year, but open briefly in October as pumpkin patches. There are many sites that are readily accessible only during pumpkin patch season, and some of them are really quite productive (fields at Bob's Farmstand by Verde Rd, fields at the pumpkin patch by the Pescadero High School, fields at Farmer John's Pumpkin Patch by the HMB WTP, and riparian off of 92 as mentioned above).
As always, location details, photos, etc., are on eBird.
Date: 10/3/25 4:37 pm From: Donna Pomeroy via groups.io <dpom...> Subject: [pen-bird] Painted Bunting in El Granada
I just had a young female Painted Bunting visit my feeders in my backyard. If it returns tomorrow, I can get the word out. Here is a link to my eBird list with a couple photos of the bunting.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S277083343
Birdcast this morning showed a movement of migrants overnight on the peninsula. Leonie and I headed out on the bayside looking for any fallout of migrants that had come in during therain overnight. We looked for migrants at Sem Lane in Belmont. There was not much, but the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW we first noted on the 29th was still present foraging in thefennel at the end of Sem Lane. Arriving at Shorebird Park off of Marine Parkway in Redwood Shores, there were a number of migrants. Birds were already dispersing out of the parkinto the neighborhood. What we did note were a first fall female MAGNOLIA WARBLER and a BLACKPOLL WARBLER. Both warblers were flycatching from the emergence of termitesduring the rain. Other migrants were a very late Western Wood-Pewee, Swainson's Thrush getting near the late side, Yellow Warbler and ( 2 ) Townsend's Warblers. Another wanderingWhite-breasted Nuthatch was unexpected at this location.
Ron Thorn, Leonie BatkinÂ
I ran into Ron and Leonie at Sem Lane this morning and they told me they had just seen the clay colored sparrow in its usual spot. However, I looked for it for quite a while, but did not see it. I came back this afternoon at 3:30 walked around, didn’t see it, didn’t see it, and finally I took a long walk down the path and came back and there it was in the fennel right at the beginning of the path.
Date: 9/29/25 4:53 pm From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Clay-colored Sparrow in Belmont
The last couple of days, there has been an influx of crown sparrows along the public access trail at the end of Sem Lane in Belmont. Today, Leonie and I noted a Clay-colored Sparrowforaging in the Sweet Fennel among the traffic cones at the end of Sem Lane, the beginning of the trail. There was also a Chipping Sparrow in the fennel.
Ron Thorn, Leonie Batkin
Date: 9/26/25 2:55 pm From: Marty Freeland via groups.io <martinf3...> Subject: [pen-bird] Recent notes: Blackburnian, Blackpoll, etc.
Hi all,
Highlights from the past week have included multiple new Tennessees and Black-and-whites, a Blackburnian, a Blackpoll, a redstart, and a Willow Flycatcher. Wilson's Warblers have really cleared out, going from 1–2 per flock on 9/18 to 1–2 per morning over the past couple days. Yellow Warblers have also diminished substantially and are now vastly outnumbered by Townsend's at most sites. Small numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and other late-season birds are present on the coast, although numbers of western migrants in general continue to be somewhat below average for me.
On 9/18, a couple hours in the afternoon on the south coast (at various times with Logan Kahle, Caitlin Chock, Chris Henry, Kadynn Hatfield, and Matt Brady) produced a Black-and-white Warbler on upper Gazos Creek.
On 9/19, after spending most of the day in Santa Cruz I had my San Mateo County FOS Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Lincoln's Sparrow in the Whitehouse Ck valley. A Black-throated Gray Warbler was at Costanoa.
On 9/20, a Tennessee Warbler was at Princeton Willows early in the morning. My FOS Sooty Fox Sparrow was in the same location. A grosbeak on Pilarcitos Ck below the parking lot for Fisherman’s Tavern was likely a Rose-breasted, but I was unable to obtain photos and views were not quite good enough to be certain. It was a formative-plumaged bird that appeared to show coarse streaking across the entire upper breast.
On 9/21, I spent the whole day on the north coast (all other days this week were half-days or less in the county). Migrant numbers were fair to low but good birds were still present. E.g., I was only able to find one substantial flock on lower San Pedro Ck, an area where I usually find 2–4, but this single flock contained a HY male (I think) Black-and-white Warbler. Nearby at Sanchez Adobe, somewhat higher on San Pedro Creek, I was surprised to see a dull Blackburnian Warbler with a flock, using not only the alders in the riparian but also the nearby stands of Eucalyptus. Blackburnian is a more regular vagrant to the county now than it was historically, though still quite rare. At Mussel Rock Park, a Willow Flycatcher was in the back (upslope) portion of the large willow basin. This year, as with most years, I have had fewer Willow Flycatchers on the San Mateo coast than waterthrushes, or redstarts, or Tennessees, etc. Speaking of Tennessees, yet another was at the west Miramar willows (near the DCFL spot), birded from the end of Ventura St in the early afternoon. And a fourth good warbler was a HY Blackpoll with a flock at the west end of Oak Ave. Pk in Half Moon Bay in the evening, the first I have noted in the county this fall. Other locations I checked on this day included Mori Pt, Calera Ck, several patches in Montara, Fitzgerald MR, Denniston Ck, the Emergency Willows, the east Miramar willows, Carter Pk, Mariners Church, the Johnston House, Miramontes Ck, the ends of Pilarcitos Ave and Chesterfield Blvd, and (briefly) the small pine tree at Devil's Slide where, remarkably, other birders photographed an American Redstart the day before.
On 9/22, always fun to see together were Nashville and Tennessee warblers at Cypress Lawn Cemetery in Colma. At least 2 Tennessees were present. Unfortunately I had to leave to make it to classes shortly before Summer Lee and Chris Hayward refound the AHY male Cape May discovered the previous day by Ron Thorn and Leonie Batkin.
On 9/23, a brief check of parts of the north coast with Logan Kahle produced an American Redstart at Princeton Willows before I had to leave for classes. This was the 8th in the county this fall, which is an above-average number.
Finally, this morning (9/26) a Cassin's Vireo on Butano Ck below Pescadero Ck Rd was notable on the immediate coast.
Date: 9/21/25 6:34 pm From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Warbler Bonanza CAPE MAY and others
Hey all
Additional species of migrants today at the Cypress Lawn. Western Flycatcher ( 1 ), Red-breasted Nuthatch ( 2 ), Cedar Waxwing ( 1 ), Yellow Warbler ( 23 ), Nashville Warbler ( 1 ), Townsend'sWarbler ( 9 ), Yellow-rumped Warbler ( 1 ), Western Tanager ( 16 ) and a female type SUMMER TANAGER feeding on bees with Western Tanagers. To mention, there are NO organized warblerflocks. Warblers are spaced-out among the many trees. It becomes tedious checking the many trees. Many take flight to other trees, giving a chase before flying off again. Cypress Lawn is notwhat we expect, as visited to a riparian where warblers will be in an organized flock. The Cypress Lawn Arboretum has become the powder of trees connecting with nature, which has becomehaven for the many migrants that pass through. So enjoy, if you visit!
Ron Thorn, Leonie Batkin
On Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 10:33:20 AM PDT, Leonie Batkin via groups.io <leonie.batkin23...> wrote:
There is a warbler bonanza today at Cypress Lawn Cenetery which includes a female/immature male CAPE MAY WARBLER, Nashville, Chestnut-sided, Tennessee, Townsends and Yellows. The warblers were moving around Section K, near the Sutro gravestone. Coordinates are 37.67554, -122.44870. Ron will send more details later.
Date: 9/21/25 10:33 am From: Leonie Batkin via groups.io <leonie.batkin23...> Subject: [pen-bird] Warbler Bonanza CAPE MAY and others
There is a warbler bonanza today at Cypress Lawn Cenetery which includes a female/immature male CAPE MAY WARBLER, Nashville, Chestnut-sided, Tennessee, Townsends and Yellows. The warblers were moving around Section K, near the Sutro gravestone. Coordinates are 37.67554, -122.44870. Ron will send more details later.
