Date: 1/24/26 8:38 am From: keith_in_eg via groups.io <keith_ineg...> Subject: [pen-bird] PAINTED BUNTING in El Granada (private yard) Fri., Jan. 23, 2026
Greetings,
Yesterday morning, as I was standing at my kitchen sink washing the coffee pot, a small bird caught my eye as I was glancing out the window. My immediate thought was, “Whoa! That’s soooo green!” The bird dropped down from the bamboo and into the raised bed where I scatter seed on the ground for the sparrows. I quickly and cautiously grabbed a nearby pair of binoculars to get a look.
In the binoculars I immediately confirmed that this was not the Orange-crowned Warbler that has been a recent casual visitor in the yard. This bird was eating seed, was about the same size as a nearby White-crowned Sparrow, was bright green with no distinct markings with only a hint of a thin and paler complete eye ring. “Holy s—-!” was my next thought as I grabbed my camera and got off several shots through the double-pane windows of the French door. PAINTED BUNTING !!! was confirmed with my photo review. “Whoa!”
I cropped up an image and sent it to Chris Hayward for a reality check and second confirmation. “Yes!” was his reply.
The individual is a bright green female type. Bill is a basic conical seed-eater type and legs are dark. It was feeding on the ground with sparrows and I watched it for probably three minutes before one of the neighbors cats strolled along the top of the fence above it and everything flushed. The cats (unfortunately there are three of them) are the main reason I did not post the sighting to Telegram or invite folks to come by and try for a look. The cats hang around and move along the fence row all day making for long periods with no birds. I also have a young Red-shouldered Hawk that is in the mix every morning. It’s not ‘chaseable’ for these reasons. I did see it briefly in the afternoon between 14:00-15:00 when it came in for a drink and some seed.
Here is my eBird checklist link with some cropped images taken through the windows. It was overcast yesterday morning so the light is not the best. I’ve made no color or other adjustments.
This is a new yard bird and new San Mateo County bird for me so I’m pretty stoked!! Interestingly, Donna Pomeroy had a Painted Bunting in her El Granada yard on Jan. 20, 2026. She has previous eBird reports from Oct. 3-4, 2025 from her yard. She’s probably about 1/3 of a mile from my yard. Pretty neat!
Date: 1/22/26 9:36 am From: San Mateo County Bird Alliance via groups.io <office...> Subject: [pen-bird] February Field Trips - Kepler's Sat. Jan. 24
February field trips are activated on Eventbrite and posted to the website.
Additionally, we're excited to announce an event at Kepler's on Saturday, January 24, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. *Photographer Dick Evans and author Hannah Hindley will be joined by San Mateo County Bird Alliance President John Epperson to present In the Shadow of the Bridge: Birds of the Bay Area* a beautifully photographed art book that showcases the wild beauty and biodiversity of the greater Bay Area.
https://www.keplers.org/upcoming-events-internal/photography
Date: 1/21/26 5:31 pm From: David Assmann via groups.io <david_assmann...> Subject: [pen-bird] 2025 San Francisco Christmas Bird Count Results
The 2025 San Francisco Christmas Bird Count was one of the best in many years. Although our final species total of 183 did not set a record (falling two short) and the Count Week total of 185 fell six short of a record, the number of birds counted was the second highest ever at 94,315 (second only to 95,939 in 1986), up 36,985 from last year's total of 57,330. We set a record for the number of participants, with 214 birders participating. Our most common bird species was the Red-throated Loon at 9,225. Several species showed dramatic increases from last year - Common Murre went from 3 to 7,785; Northern Pintail from 0 to 412; Band-tailed Pigeon from 5 to 5,368; and American Robin from 698 to 4,171. We did not miss any common bird species.
We set all time Count records for a number of species. Greater White-fronted Goose (44), Snow Goose (3), Redhead (6), Common Loon (55), Great Blue Heron (59), Bald Eagle (7), Red-tailed Hawk (269), Common Murre (7,785), Band-tailed Pigeon (5,368), Great Horned Owl (34), White-throated Swift (25), Nuttall’s Woodpeckers (137), Steller’s Jay (174), American Crow (3,260), Bewick’s Wren (152), American Robin (4,171), Black-and-white Warbler (2), Tennessee Warbler (3), Orange-crowned Warbler (109) and Wilson’s Warbler (3). No new birds were added to the Count, but the Grace’s Warbler sighting represented only the second sighting ever, and the MacGillivray’s Warbler and Rufous-crowned Sparrow were seen for only the third time.
However, there were declines for some species - Sanderlings dropped from 2,430 to 1,190; California Gull went from 3,327 to 1,554 and White-crowned Sparrow numbers declined from 3,480 to 2,552. We set an all-time low for Marbled Godwit with 7. We will be doing more analysis on trends and posting more results later.
Thanks to the Area Leaders - Jonah Benningfield, David Assmann, Josiah Clark, Keith Maley, Joachim Gonzales, Travis Smith, Lydia Bruno, Zac Denning, Whitney Grover, Adam Winer, Dominik Mosur, Maureen Lahiff, Bob Toleno, Juli Chamberlin, Siobhan Ruck, Crima Pogge, Noreen Weeden, Eddie Bartley, Cedric Duhalde and Liam Murphy. Special thanks to my *co-compilers, Anna Sojourner, Patrick Meeker and Keith Maley for putting in many hours behind the scenes working on the Count. Thanks also to San Francisco Bay Keeper for once again providing a boat free of charge, and to the Golden Gate Bird Alliance for sponsoring the Count, and handling all the logistics for the Count Dinner.*
*Next year's count will be on Monday December 28th.*
Date: 1/21/26 8:51 am From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Long-tailed Duck and other recent sightings ( 1/17-1/20 )
January 17, checking shorebird habitat between Bair Island and the Ravenswood Salt Ponds, there were ( 14 ) Lesser Yellowlegs among Greater Yellowlegs. I have noted on an occasionon the salt ponds Red Knot and Ruddy Turnstone. During a high tide among Black-bellied Plovers were ( 4 ) Red Knots and a Ruddy Turnstone. ( 1/18 ) There was a Yellow Warbler atan office complex along Twin Dolphin Drive in Redwood Shores. Last winter, ( 2 ) Yellow Warblers Leonie and I noted at this location. Yesterday ( 1/20 ) at the Coyote County Park, I wasscoping from the shoreline near the parking lot for the yacht club. In with a group of Surf Scoters beyond the concrete slabs was a Long-tailed Duck. The Long-tailed Duck took flightwith a number of Surf Scoters north to the tip of the rock jetty where the male Harlequin Duck was present. The Long-tailed Duck and Surf Scoters did appeared to go past the end ofthe jetty. ( 5 ) Snowy Plovers were on the shoreline that I have rarely noted at the point. Around midday, I did a quick scan of the sky from the upper deck at home in Redwood Shores. Flying north high over Belmont was a flock of ( 12 ) Greater White-fronted Geese. Yesterday morning, there was a brisk ENE wind coming out of the interior.
Ron Thorn
Date: 1/17/26 10:58 am From: Christopher Hayward via groups.io <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Striking Glaucous Gull at Pilarcitos Creek Mouth on 1/16/25
Hi All,
Yesterday morning I found a strikingly pale almost pure white Glaucous Gull in the fairly large group of gulls at Pilarcitos Creek Mouth.
So white that I was wondering if it was possibly an Albino or Leucistic bird of another species. Malia put photos out to the Gull group and the unanimous verdict was a Glaucous Gull. Really a stunning bird.
I checked the flock just now but didn't see it, although with the off shore winds here today there were more gulls sitting on the ocean, so it could still be around.
Have put some photos on my ebird list, link below.
I send this email out every year, but I’m making a change this year. Rather than put half a dozen or more topics in one email, I’m going to break it up into just a few topics per email in order to make these important points more easily digested. In this email, I would like to highlight:
Reporting Birds that trigger a RARE BIRD ALERT and requests that the observer provide details
• Written Documentation
• Uploading Photos and Audio
• Using Merlin as documentation
*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*. 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. A *description* of the bird should contain field marks and defining physical or audible characteristics that helped you separate it from similar species. *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 observation 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.
*Photos and Audio* : eBird has made uploading photos and audio recordings easy. Media are a great way to document your sightings. However, when reporting a rare bird , checklist comments like, “ *Photos to be added”, “Photos taken” , or similar wording* is something we see all the time…….And sometimes we never get to see the photos or hear the audio. *Please don’t make these comments a permanent part of your record!!!* *Please upload your photos or audio as soon as it is convenient*. If photos or audio are poor quality, you can still upload them, but try to back them up *with a description. If you decide not to upload media, then a description is needed.* Try to *write your descriptions* with field marks/separating from similar species 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 . *Back of Camera (BOC) photos should be replaced with the actual photos* as soon as convenient as well.
*Here are eBird help articles about uploading photos and audio.*
*Using Merlin as Documentation:* If you are using Merlin to identify a bird that gets flagged for more details, *please upload your audio recording to your checklist as soon as it is convenient*. Leaving a comment *“ID”d by Merlin” or “Sound ID” is not considered sufficient documentation* as Merlin can be accurate, but *Merlin can also be very wrong* and still needs the human element to review *suggested Identifications*. *It is always a best practice to try to see a vocalizing bird in order to get visual confirmation of the ID when possible.*
A few more notes about using Merlin to document a rare or unusual bird:
• If birding in a group please ask folks to stop talking and try to be still while recording the vocalizing bird. We need to hear the bird!
• Also, If you are uploading a long recording, please indicate at what minute/second the target bird is vocalizing.
• Please don’t add a screen shot of your audio to your checklist. We cannot listen to a screen shot. Some spectrograms may be Identifiable visually, but we really want to hear the audio.
*The following link takes you to more info such as how to prepare and upload your audio to your checklist*
*A Big Thank You to All,* for your using eBird, your continued media contributions, and documentation efforts to support rare bird sightings, 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: 1/12/26 11:51 am From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Recent sightings, Red-naped Sapsucker
On the 7th, a morning skywatch from home in Redwood Shores scanning towards the Belmont hills, I noticed a large group of geese moving south. I grabbed my scope, as the geesereversed their course to the north and then to the west. There was a high of ( 82 ) Greater White-fronted Geese. On the 9th at the Fioli Estate, there was a Red-naped Sapsucker workingthe roll of trees along the entrance road before the orchard at the lower parking lot. At one time, a Red-breasted Sapsucker joined the Red-naped in the same tree. On the 10th, therewere ( 8 ) Lesser Yellowlegs among Greaters on the Ravenswood Salt Ponds along Highway 84.
Ron Thorn
Date: 1/11/26 1:20 pm From: Marty Freeland via groups.io <martinf3...> Subject: [pen-bird] Lucy's Warbler and Eurasian Teal
Hi all,
On 1/8, Eddie Monson and I birded the south coast for part of the morning. We found a Lucy's Warbler at the Butano Cutoff bridge over Pescadero Ck near the high school, foraging in cape ivy. The Lucy's was a very fresh-looking bird and quite cooperative. Although the county has many records from December, few have stayed into January (e.g., the only ones in eBird/Penbirds were at Seal Pt last year, at Fitzgerald in 2018, and in Pescadero in 1990, although there may certainly be a couple others). The flooded field by the Pescadero Ck Rd bridge over Butano Ck was looking amazing and was full of waterfowl.
This morning (1/11), I spent a couple hours birding the central bayshore. The large rafts of bay ducks that are sometimes off Seal Pt were not present, but there were four Burrowing Owls. On Marina Lagoon in Foster City, two Lesser Yellowlegs were with other shorebirds. Checking the Belmont Slough from behind Design Tech HS in Redwood Shores, a male Eurasian Green-winged Teal ("Common Teal") was with a couple Americans. It was a striking bird and showed no signs of introgression. There have only been 34 others reported in the state so far this season, which feels a little below average (although it is still only early January). The male Tufted Duck present for its second winter at Oracle Lagoon was very close in and fed on shellfish within ten yards or so of me for an extended period.
Date: 1/8/26 4:36 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] Eurasian Wigeon vs. hybrids
Penbirders,
There have been a couple of adult male Eurasian Wigeons reported this year in San Mateo county that have turned out to be EurasianXAmerican Wigeon hybrids. I’ve been conferring with experts about these birds.
This link shows photos of Eurasian Wigeons. https://ebird.org/species/eurwig The photo of the adult male from this link is an excellent example of what an adult male Eurasian wigeon, should look like.
Below are some characteristics for what adult male Eurasian Wigeon should show. There are other characters, but these are the most obvious and important ones to look for:
• Rufous head and face with the same quality of saturated rufous color and texture both above the eye as well as on the cheek. Can be slightly darker rufous around the eye, but cheeks should not be paler, nor show a grainier look, than the area above and behind the eye as those can indicate an American Wigeon trait.
• A golden-yellow toned forehead extending to the center of the crown – a pale whitish tan forecrown on a rufous head can point to an American trait.
• Breast pink and sharply demarcated, contrasting with completely gray appearing flanks.
• Gray appearing flanks are actually finely vermiculated whitish and blackish feathering, and should show no pinkish/rufous wash.
• Back should appear Gray with no rufous or pink wash.
• There should be no strong vertical black border at the base of the bill on an adult male Eurasian Wigeon as that is an American Wigeon trait.
*EurasianXAmerican Wigeon hybrids will show mixed traits of both species.*
When seeing red-headed adult wigeons at a far distance on the water it can sometimes be impossible to discern some of the traits that will help clarify the ID. Also photos taken in poor or less than optimal conditions can add artifacts that aren’t there or obscure traits that are there. But knowing what to look for and with experience, training the eye over time, can help. Consider that some birds viewed in less optimal circumstances should sometimes be left unidentified.
Best case scenario is to see these birds up close if possible.
A good waterfowl specific reference is “Waterfowl of North America, Europe and Asia” An Identification Guide by Se’bastien
Reeber
Date: 1/7/26 1:19 pm From: Rich Ferrick via groups.io <richferrick...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] White Goose - Menlo Park
Hi Pen Birders
The white goose was in closer today ay Bedwell Bayfront Park (assuming same bird). A couple of photos in the attached checklist. Reviewer feedback from yesterday indicated there were some Ross's Goose characteristics but the bird could also be a hybrid. Today, it appeared more stubby billed and the head looked more rounded, not as long necked/headed as yesterday. I entered it as Ross's today pending additional feedback.
Also, a Pacific Golden Plover along the eastern edge, in the traditional location.
Date: 1/6/26 6:20 pm From: Chris M. via groups.io <chrismac...> Subject: [pen-bird] Ano Nuevo CBC, January 3
Hi everyone,
Despite predictions of much rain, most sections of the Año Nuevo count
circle were drier than expected. In my Cloverdale section, we barely got a
sprinkle, though it was breezy and gray.
The preliminary total of species was 148. 85 volunteer counters
participated.
Birds were not very numerous, probably due to the weather. The most
unexpected find was a Royal Tern, which flew past the counters at Año Nuevo
State Park. The sea watchers remarked on the high numbers of loons -
thousands - that they saw passing by.
This count circle is more rural than Crystal Springs, with more hiking
required of counters. I appreciate everyone that turned out to help. As
always, we welcome new birders on their first CBC, and people who are
visiting from out of town and join a CBC in a new-to-them area.
As well as our long-time and invaluable counters who know their areas so
well.
Many thanks to everyone who participated! See you again in December!
Date: 1/6/26 1:53 pm From: Rich Ferrick via groups.io <richferrick...> Subject: [pen-bird] White Goose - Menlo Park
Hi Pen Birders
There was a Snow or Ross's Goose along Bayfront Expressway in Menlo Park today (1/6, 10:15AM) between Bedwell Bayfront Park and the Facebook Perimeter Trail. I thought it looked good for Snow Goose and one was reported here during the Palo Alto CBC but the media filter of the eBird checklist suggested two photos were Ross's...so awaiting reviewer input.
Date: 1/5/26 4:54 pm From: San Mateo County Bird Alliance via groups.io <office...> Subject: [pen-bird] Thurs. Jan 8 Zoom w/ Peter Cavanagh
*Happy New Year!*
*Please join us on Thurs. Jan. 8 at 7:00 pm on Zoom.*
*How Birds Fly: The Science and Art of Avian Flight with Peter Cavanagh*
Peter Cavanagh is a scientist, author, and bird photographer who lives in the San Juan Islands of Washington State. He is drawn to the study of bird flight by his experiences as an instrument-rated private pilot, his professional training in anatomy and biomechanics, and his passion for nature and the outdoors. In his presentation, Peter will show photographs and videos illustrating various aspects of bird flight described in his recent book *How Birds Fly.* His images have been featured in the Audubon Society's Top 100 Bird Photographs of the Year. Peter is also the author of *100 Flying Birds: Photographing the Mechanics of Flight* and has traveled widely to photograph birds on every continent, most recently to India and Bhutan. Don't miss this exciting presentation!
Date: 1/5/26 7:46 am From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Recent miscellaneous sightings
Large numbers of American Wigeon have been coming into salt marshes that have been under water during the King Tides. Among the American Wigeons at Bair Island on the 1st werean adult male Eurasian Wigeon and an adult male Eurasian x American Wigeon hybrid. On the 2nd at the Third Avenue marsh in San Mateo were an adult male Eurasian Wigeon andan adult male Eurasian x American Wigeon hybrid. On the 3rd at Bird Island at the end of Canvasback Way in Redwood Shores was an adult male Eurasian Wigeon. Also at thislocation on the 1st was an adult male Blue-winged Teal. On the 1st, a Lesser Yellowlegs was with other shorebirds during a high tide at the Westpoint Harbor in Redwood City. On the1st in Belmont during the King Tide, there were ( 23 ) Wilson's Snipe along the O'Neill Slough Trail. Black Skimmers returned to Radio Road in Redwood Shores with ( 138 ) noted onthe 1st. Early morning skywatches from the upper deck at home in Redwood Shores looking out towards the Belmont hills I have noted large numbers of Band-tailed Pigeons in groupsmoving north. On the 2nd, noted were ( 1,128 ) Band-tailed Pigeons. There were also that morning in groups ( 540 ) American Robins moving north.
Ron Thorn
Date: 1/1/26 12:50 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] San Mateo County Cumulative Year-list Report for --- December 2025
*Greetings Pen-birders,*
San Mateo County birders found a total of 1 species that was new for the year by the end of December. *The 1 new bird species found in December brings the end of year total species observed in 2025 to 334.* 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* *****Note, As I write, the website may not be updated with the December 2025 report yet so please give it a couple of days.
*Here is the new bird for December, the finders and location where found:*
Janet Duerr and Steve Schafer described a BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER (5) seen off Pescadero State Beach. The same day there were multiple reports of this species from counties further south along the coast.
*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 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, please email: <maliadances...>
THAT’S A WRAP FOR 2025 – HAPPY NEW YEAR - GOOD BIRDING IN 2026!
Date: 12/29/25 10:39 am From: David Suddjian via groups.io <dsuddjian...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Juvenile Great Egrets or Cattle Egrets?
I think it is a Great Egret. Western Cattle-Egret has a differently shaped
head/chin and bill, a shorter neck and would look a good bit smaller yet
than an adjacent Great Egret than is shown in your photo. There are sexual
size differences in the Great Egret, with males being larger all around.
Considering just tarsus length, for example, the male Great Egret averages
10-15% longer than the female, according to data given in the Birds of the
World species account. I believe that an immature bird born this year would
appear similarly sized to the same sex adult, and not smaller because it is
younger.
David Suddjian
Littleton, CO
On Mon, Dec 29, 2025 at 10:15 AM Naomi Goodman via groups.io <nlgoodman=
<hotmail.com...> wrote:
> I posted it to iNat with additional pictures, and one person agrees with
> you, but it's surprisingly difficult to find reliable information on
> juvenile Great Egret size after fledging. Some sources suggest they are
> the same size as adults.
>
> https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/332546665 >
> I think the dark bill tips on the three smaller birds weighs it toward
> Great Egret, compared to the Cattle Egrets seen in November nearby, as here
> in Chris Hayward's checklist.
>
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S285125299 >
>
> On 12/29/2025 9:08 AM, Lisa Larson wrote:
>
> Yes, I did. And yes, LBHE have dark beaks, so my bad. I think it's a
> smaller Great Egret. Plus, the perspective of the photo makes it look
> smaller.
>
> It doesn't seem stocky enough for a Cattle Egret. And it seems devoid of
> color in the plumage.
>
> What's the consensus?
>
> On Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 8:03 PM Naomi Goodman <nlgoodman...> wrote:
>
>> Little blue heron juveniles have dark beaks. Why did you suggest that?
>>
>> From my cell phone
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* Lisa Larson <lisafaylarson...>
>> *Sent:* Sunday, December 28, 2025 5:18:36 PM
>> *To:* <nlgoodman...> <nlgoodman...>
>> *Cc:* Peninsula Birding <peninsula-birding...>
>> *Subject:* Re: [pen-bird] Juvenile Great Egrets or Cattle Egrets?
>>
>> I suspect it is an immature Little Blue Heron.
>>
>> Lisa
>>
>> On Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 5:04 PM Naomi Goodman via groups.io <nlgoodman=
>> <hotmail.com...> wrote:
>>
>> This afternoon at 2:30 PM there was a Great Egret and three smaller white
>> egrets in the field next to the Pescadero post office. The smaller ones
>> were about 3/4 the size of the Great Egret - see picture. All the egrets
>> had yellow bills and black or grey-black legs and feet.
>>
>> To me, the smaller egrets looked similar to the 3 Cattle Egrets that were
>> on Water Lane in November, but I can't distinguish Cattle Egrets from
>> juvenile Great Egrets. What do you think?
>>
>> Naomi
>>
>>
>
>
Date: 12/29/25 9:08 am From: Lisa Larson via groups.io <lisafaylarson...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Juvenile Great Egrets or Cattle Egrets?
Yes, I did. And yes, LBHE have dark beaks, so my bad. I think it's a
smaller Great Egret. Plus, the perspective of the photo makes it look
smaller.
It doesn't seem stocky enough for a Cattle Egret. And it seems devoid of
color in the plumage.
What's the consensus?
On Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 8:03 PM Naomi Goodman <nlgoodman...> wrote:
> Little blue heron juveniles have dark beaks. Why did you suggest that?
>
> From my cell phone
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Lisa Larson <lisafaylarson...>
> *Sent:* Sunday, December 28, 2025 5:18:36 PM
> *To:* <nlgoodman...> <nlgoodman...>
> *Cc:* Peninsula Birding <peninsula-birding...>
> *Subject:* Re: [pen-bird] Juvenile Great Egrets or Cattle Egrets?
>
> I suspect it is an immature Little Blue Heron.
>
> Lisa
>
> On Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 5:04 PM Naomi Goodman via groups.io <nlgoodman=
> <hotmail.com...> wrote:
>
> This afternoon at 2:30 PM there was a Great Egret and three smaller white
> egrets in the field next to the Pescadero post office. The smaller ones
> were about 3/4 the size of the Great Egret - see picture. All the egrets
> had yellow bills and black or grey-black legs and feet.
>
> To me, the smaller egrets looked similar to the 3 Cattle Egrets that were
> on Water Lane in November, but I can't distinguish Cattle Egrets from
> juvenile Great Egrets. What do you think?
>
> Naomi
>
>
>
Date: 12/28/25 5:18 pm From: Lisa Larson via groups.io <lisafaylarson...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Juvenile Great Egrets or Cattle Egrets?
I suspect it is an immature Little Blue Heron.
Lisa
On Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 5:04 PM Naomi Goodman via groups.io <nlgoodman=
<hotmail.com...> wrote:
> This afternoon at 2:30 PM there was a Great Egret and three smaller white
> egrets in the field next to the Pescadero post office. The smaller ones
> were about 3/4 the size of the Great Egret - see picture. All the egrets
> had yellow bills and black or grey-black legs and feet.
>
> To me, the smaller egrets looked similar to the 3 Cattle Egrets that were
> on Water Lane in November, but I can't distinguish Cattle Egrets from
> juvenile Great Egrets. What do you think?
>
> Naomi
>
>
Date: 12/28/25 5:04 pm From: Naomi Goodman via groups.io <nlgoodman...> Subject: [pen-bird] Juvenile Great Egrets or Cattle Egrets?
This afternoon at 2:30 PM there was a Great Egret and three smaller white egrets in the field next to the Pescadero post office. The smaller ones were about 3/4 the size of the Great Egret - see picture. All the egrets had yellow bills and black or grey-black legs and feet.
To me, the smaller egrets looked similar to the 3 Cattle Egrets that were on Water Lane in November, but I can't distinguish Cattle Egrets from juvenile Great Egrets. What do you think?
Date: 12/26/25 2:33 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] San Mateo County Cumulative Year-list Report for --- November 2025
*Greetings Pen-birders,*
Chris and I have just returned from an epic 3 week self-guided birding trip to Australia and New Zealand with ocean cruises back and forth across the Tasman Sea…..hence the tardiness of this November report. The December report will be right on its heels as the 2025 birding year comes to a close.
*San Mateo County birders found a total of 5 species* that were new for the year by the end of November. But first….. a March record for BONAPARTE’S GULL (2) found by Noah Arthur at Gazos Creek Beach, got overlooked and was not counted in the March report. The record has been added, thus adjusting our end of October totals to 328. The 5 new bird species found in November will bring the total species observed by the end of the eleventh month to 333. 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*
*Here are the new birds for November, their finders and locations where found:*
Marty Freeland found a WESTERN CATTLE-EGRET (4) in a horse paddock along Water Lane in Pescadero. Donna Pomeroy obtained photographs of a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (4) at Wavecrest. An EASTERN PHOEBE (5) was discovered by Garth Harwood in the Dearborn Park Area. Two separate reports of HORNED LARK (4) found independently on the same day at two different locations, were made by Adam Dudley at La Honda Creek OSP (lower section) and by Marty Freeland, while checking a plowed field just north of the Gazos Creek Beach parking lot. Avis Boutell encountered a RUSTY BLACKBIRD (6) in a field near her Moss Beach home.
*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 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: 12/26/25 9:31 am From: Peter Metropulos via groups.io <pjmetrop...> Subject: [pen-bird] Yellow-headed Blackbird,etc
Last Saturday,December 20, I covered the baylands from Coyote Point to Seal Point on the Crystal Springs Xmas Bird Count.Highlights were the continuing drake HARLEQUIN DUCK and a flock of 14 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE at Coyote Point,and a drake EURASIAN WIGEON and 5 BURROWING OWL at Seal Point.The previous Wednesday,December 17, I was pleasantly surprised to encounter a male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD strutting around the parking lot at Seal Point among a mixed blackbird flock. Unfortunately it didn't hang around to participate on the Xmas Count. This species is very rare in SM County with most records in Spring along the bay. There may be only one or two previous winter records for the county.
Peter J.Metropulos
Date: 12/26/25 6:02 am From: judisierra via groups.io <judisierra...> Subject: [pen-bird] Leucistic sandpiper
A friend took this photo at Seal Point Park 12/24 and wanted to know the ID (as do I). When I asked at nearby birds she had taken the photo of one least sand piper. So this may also be one.
Date: 12/25/25 3:47 pm From: David Assmann via groups.io <david_assmann...> Subject: [pen-bird] Last minute openings in northern San Mateo County for the San Francisco Christmas Bird Count
Due to a few last minute cancellations, we are looking for a few counters for the San Francisco Christmas Bird Count on Monday December 29th to cover parts of the area in San Mateo County around South San Francisco and San Bruno. You can see the area on the map at this link (click San Francisco on the drop down menu - it's the area around South San Francisco). https://cbcviewer.appspot.com/map If you are interested please send us an email at <sfcbcount...> - please give us your name, email, phone #, birding skill level (good, fair or beginning), if you use eBird and whether you prefer to count land or water birds.
