Date: 4/17/25 8:01 am From: Brian Fitch via groups.io <fogeggs...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] [CALBIRDS] April migration: Late and Slow! , Some annual early questionable reports
Good Morning Birders,
I've just returned from a week of camping at a notable migration passage
area, and because of the synchronicity with the above forwarded message,
I'll chime in.
I was in the desert of eastern San Diego County, at a well known site, a
site that has been consistently productive in spring since I first started
camping there in 1991. The species mix this year was certainly odd, with
early, normal, and late arrivals, as well as late stayers all represented.
There were unprecedented numbers (for this site and time) of Bullock's
Orioles and Brewer's Sparrows, and high numbers of Ash-throats, western
warblers, grosbeaks, and buntings. Empids and vireos seemed to be just
arriving. There was an impressive movement on the 12th and 13th, with many
mesquites and ocotillos having multiple birds hanging from them, either
taking nectar or gleaning tiny green worms. Most of the migrants were gone
by the 14th, so that mob will be showing up soon somewhere further north.
There were other mountain or basin species staying late besides the
Brewer's, and good numbers of resident desert species despite the earlier
extreme drought conditions.
The single most striking and sad issue was not running into another birder
for the first time since 1991, not at this site, at other local known
sites, or at the Salton Sea. In every previous spring, I've met and shared
news with more than one birder, or groups of birders. I think it's quite
possible that migration is moving oddly but at a good pace, but birders are
either not out in the field in decent numbers, or are clustering at "top
ten hotspots." The behavior of birders might be a bigger part of
phenomenology than we take into account.
Brian Fitch
On Wed, Apr 16, 2025 at 1:09 PM Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> A very informative post from Paul Lehman regarding this year's spring
> migration and related matters. It's from Southern California but highly
> applicable here as well.
>
> Dominik Mosur
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: <lehman.paul...> via groups.io <lehman.paul=
> <verizon.net...>
> Date: Wed, Apr 16, 2025 at 12:06 PM
> Subject: [CALBIRDS] April migration: Late and Slow! , Some annual early
> questionable reports
> To: <calbirds...> <calbirds...>
>
>
> I think almost everyone in California would agree that the passerine
> migration so far this April is notably LATE and SLOW. Down here in parts of
> southern California, a number of folks (including myself) have commented on
> it being a good migration earlier in the season for Violet-green Swallow,
> and since then OK for Western Kingbird and Chipping Sparrow. But almost
> everything else.....late and slow! One very common refrain virtually
> statewide has been, "Where are all the Hooded Orioles?" Here in San Diego
> County, where common and widespread, they were remarkably scarce until just
> a little over a week ago. Still below average, but at least they have
> filled in a fair bit of their widespread range locally--but this is almost
> A FULL MONTH LATE. Bullock's Orioles and Black-headed Grosbeaks have also
> finally begun to increase, but still below normal and running 2-3 weeks
> late. And where are all the many Ash-throated Flycatchers that normally
> start appearing by late March? Anyway, the list goes on and on. So, what's
> happening? Major population declines? Inappropriate local weather
> conditions locally for migration? Or something odd going on farther to the
> south(east), either en route or closer to the wintering grounds? In support
> of the latter factor are reports that a fair chunk of southern Arizona had
> it driest winter on record, EVER, and--perhaps more important--one friend
> of mine reported that parts of Mexico had a cooler or colder than usual
> (relatively speaking) winter and early spring--which could well translate
> into a lot of stuff running late. We will certainly know a lot more once
> the next month plays out!
>
>
> It's another first half of April, and yet another year of multiple reports
> of the following species that are way early and which in most cases likely
> reflect misidentifications. (And all of which could really use photo
> documentation.) Western Wood-Pewees are not expected to start arriving
> until after about 15 April, so any reports before that need to come with
> strong documentation, and need to be flagged by eBird filters. (For
> example, the all-time early arrival in San Diego County is around 8 April.)
> Most such early reports involve either heard-only birds (think vocalizing
> starlings or a number of other mimics) or are poorly documented and have no
> photos. Often these reports are from observers who do not at all appreciate
> how unusually early their bird would be. And a problem that I bet many
> birders don't realize is that the first Olive-sided Flycatchers actually
> arrive before wood-pewees do--and probably get misidentified. This month,
> there were several poorly documented early reports, but also one well
> photographed bird in Orange County on 10 April. The next species is
> Swainson's Thrush, which already has a bunch of reports in California
> during the first half of the month. This species is not reliable until
> around late the third week in the month, with a just a few documented
> records as early as the 12th-15th. A fair number of the earliest records
> are of birds at breeding sites, arriving even earlier than through-migrants
> do farther to the SOUTH, but such local breeders need to be heard SINGING.
> Unfortunately, almost all of the early reports this month have involved
> birds not seen and only heard calling, or heard calling and seen rather
> poorly, again mostly by folks who don't appreciate the true status of this
> species so early--and who report the bird giving the "wink" or "wheet" call
> only, but some other species (e.g., Song Sparrow) can give similar calls.
> Last but not least comes Black Swift. There are a small number of legit
> records for the last week or perhaps ten days of April in California (some
> associated with southern or lowland nesting areas), but of course this
> species is a notorious late arriver and typically doesn't show until into
> May. The problem here is the usual one of an observer not appreciating the
> true status and seasonal timing, and either seeing a White-throated or
> Vaux's Swift at a distance or in mediocre light and not properly assessing
> size and/or color. And the other recurring problem is misidentifying male
> Purple Martins. Heck, some especially early reports of Black Swift, if
> indeed of a large all-dark swift, might need to also consider either Common
> Swift or White-collared Swift. So far this year, there have already been
> one or two Black Swift reports. From previous years, there is an especially
> "egregious" report with very limited details coming from Butte County on 30
> March 2021 and apparently being validated by eBird.....
>
>
> Anyway, I'd recommend all county ebird filters be tightened for these and
> several other migrants that are notoriously reported "too early" almost
> every spring (e.g., add Willow and Dusky Flycatchers to the list), and set
> to 0 until these species are truly known to occur REGULARLY in at least
> small numbers.
>
>
> Exceptional arrival and departure dates certainly DO exist. But such
> exceptional occurrences need to be appreciated by the observer AT THE TIME
> OF THE OBSERVATION and need to be exceptionally well documented.
>
>
> --Paul Lehman, San Diego
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/16/25 2:36 pm From: Claude Lyneis via groups.io <cmlyneis...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Costa's vs Anna's Hummingbird discussion
I saw an active discussion on <eBird-alert...> concerning a reported sighting of a Costa’s Hummingbird in Alameda.
Back a week ago go took a photo at Meeker Slough next to some Pride of Medeira of a humming bird shown below. After looking at a lot of photos and consulting Sibley I can to the conclusion it was probably an Anna’s although in the photo, the gorget is somewhat unusual. Not dark purple though. Anyway, I am now curious what the expert view of this is. One thing is the Costa’s seem to have more white below the gorget.
Date: 4/15/25 9:29 pm From: Anne Kelley via groups.io <akell04...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Seen this morning at Valle Vista, about 100 yards down the main trail to the left of the sign-in kiosk. He was singing too.
Yes, a Cal Thrasher. I hear them there quite frequently but have never seen
this guy before today. Lots of white but dark eyes.
Anne
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Aaron Maizlish <amm.birdlists...> wrote:
> Hi Anne,
>
> That’s really cool. Looks like a partially-leucistic California
> Thrasher.
>
> Aaron Maizlish
> San Francisco, CA
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Apr 15, 2025, at 8:29 PM, Anne Kelley via groups.io <akell04=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
> >
> > 
> > <DSC00046.JPG>
> >
> >
> >
>
Date: 4/15/25 9:01 pm From: Aaron Maizlish via groups.io <amm.birdlists...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Seen this morning at Valle Vista, about 100 yards down the main trail to the left of the sign-in kiosk. He was singing too.
Hi Anne,
That’s really cool. Looks like a partially-leucistic California Thrasher.
Aaron Maizlish
San Francisco, CA
> On Apr 15, 2025, at 8:29 PM, Anne Kelley via groups.io <akell04...> wrote:
>
> 
> <DSC00046.JPG>
>
>
>
Date: 4/15/25 8:29 pm From: Anne Kelley via groups.io <akell04...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Seen this morning at Valle Vista, about 100 yards down the main trail to the left of the sign-in kiosk. He was singing too.
Date: 4/14/25 3:50 pm From: Jeff Manker via groups.io <fireweed8...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Hooded Orioles
I was playing disc golf this morning at Oyster Bay Regional Park in San Leandro. Before I left I thought I would check the palm trees at the end of Neptune Street (37.7099900, -122.1926630) for Orioles. I got lucky and saw a male and female pair on the palms and around the general area.
Date: 4/11/25 12:17 pm From: Lee Friedman via groups.io <lfried6...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Amorous Red-Tails, One Banded, at Vollmer Peak
I have learned that it is the larger middle row numerals on the band that are needed to ID this bird, and that they have a nine digit format 1234-56789. Of course it's difficult to see all 9 digits, but often the bird can be identified by a partial sequence.
Date: 4/11/25 7:40 am From: Peter Pyle via groups.io <ppyle...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Noyo Pelagic Trips April 26th and 27th
Greetings again Bay Area -
Our two April trips (see below) are filling but there are still opportunities to sign up. The website is still under construction but we have set up a method in order to sign up. The prices are $125 for the half-day trip on April 26th and $185 for the full day trip on the 27th.
To sign up go to https://noyopelagics.com/times-directions-and-parking/. Scroll down to the bottom of that page and in the small calendar for April click on the 26th for the half-day trip and the 27th for the full day trip.
Once you have made a reservation, it will ask if you want to add any more trips before paying. So if you want to do both days, you can add the second trip and pay all at once.
The Home Page at the above site has the full calendar and the "About our Trips" page is also complete except the list of birds and mammals at the bottom. We hope to have the website fully completed in the next week or so.
Hope to see you that weekend!
Peter
On 4/4/2025 10:34 AM, Peter Pyle wrote: > Greetings Bay Area - > > Mendocino Coast Audubon Society and Noyo Center for Marine Science > Center will be running a number of pelagic trips out of Fort Bragg > this year. There will be a website with the complete schedule of > full-day trips, half-day trips, and 2-hour trips to do marine science > including deploying ROVs when conditions are good. Pending the > website's launch (hopefully soon) you can call Anchor Charters at > 707-964-4550 to reserve a spot. > > The first two trips of the season will be on April 26th (half day, > five hours ) and April 27th (full day, 10 hours). We will aim for the > Noyo Canyon on both trips and and over the continental shelf on the > full-day trip. This was the weekend where, many years ago, we went out > to deep water and had 100+ Murphy's Petrels (confirming them for the > state) and 130+ Horned Puffins out in these waters. Laysan Albatrosses > have been regular over Noyo Canyon this year and a Short-tailed > Albatross was spotted by fisherman there in early March. > > Future full-day trips this year will be on May 9th and 11th, June > 15th, July 15th, August 15th, September 7th, October 31st, and > November 22nd. Most of these will have half-day trips scheduled within > a day or so, such that those coming up to enjoy the Mendocino coast > can make a long weekend of it and include two pelagic trips. > > We'll announce when the website is up with full details. Hope to see > you up here this April or later in the year. > > Good birding! > > Peter
Date: 4/10/25 1:45 pm From: joel.herr via groups.io <emupilot...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Lawrence's Goldfinches + abundant RCSP, Walnut Creek Open Space
It's looking like an up year for Lawrence's Goldfinches locally as I have found them every day this week at Shell Ridge Open Space (pair in same location 4/7 and 4/8), Sugarloaf Open Space (pair on 4/9) and at Lime Ridge Open Space (at least 1 calling flyover, probably multiple birds). Specific locations are in the eBird lists below.
I have noted for a couple years how Rufous-crowned Sparrows are unusually abundant at Shell Ridge, especially where there is more or less complete oak canopy with grass understory and downed logs / large branches. This week, I walked a 5.5 mile route through much of their favorite habitat and found 39 of them (and it's not even fledgling season yet). Specific locations are in the eBird list below.
Date: 4/9/25 1:14 pm From: Lee Friedman via groups.io <lfried6...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Amorous Red-Tails, One Banded, at Vollmer Peak
My primary reason for posting is in case this will help to identify the banded Red-tailed Hawk at Vollmer Peak. Since it is one of an amorous pair busy now with nest construction (and, well, with being amorous), they are also of course simply interesting to watch. They are also likely to continue in that area for several months, barring any nesting failure. The nest is somewhere just north of the parking lot, and I observed them multiple times yesterday generally near the peak and on its west side. Sometimes they were carrying nesting material. They also engage in elaborate courtship displays while soaring, and I observed them copulating in a tree just below the peak on the southwest side.
One of the hawks has a silver band on its right leg. I could not read the markings with any clarity (three rows, with small numerals top and bottom and larger numerals in the middle). I have reported the sighting to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory (reference ID 477779). In case anyone can get a better read on the band markings than I did, please report it as well.
The link below is to five photos of the pair: carrying nesting materials, two of their courtship display, copulation, and one showing the silver lock-on band on the right leg of one of them.
Date: 4/1/25 12:52 pm From: Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Some misc. observations from past several days 3/28-3/31/2025 (Alameda/Contra Costa Co.s)
Date: 4/1/25 12:05 pm From: Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Some misc. observations from past several days 3/28-3/31/2025 (Alameda/Contra Costa Co.s)
Spent the past four days birding around San Ramon (Contra Costa) and Livermore (Alameda) and wanted to share some observations of migrants/breeding behavior I thought may be of interest to other birders in these counties.
Long-billed Curlews - a good sized flock (129) was noted in the fields at N. Livermore Ave. near the junction with Hartford Ave on 3/31
Whimbrels - (3) were with the Curlew flock 3/31
Golden Eagle - a nest in Last Trampas Regional WIlderness was noted once again occupied on 3/29. According to raptor biologists this nest (situated in a Blue Gum Eucalyptus) has been in use for "a number of years now"
Swainson's Hawk - a dark morph bird flying out of the eucalyptus row at N. Livermore just south of Manning Rd. 3/31 was a bit further west than the species is typically noted in the county
Cooper's Hawks - a pair was observed copulating near a nest located in the parking lot of a busy shopping center near "downtown" San Ramon, 3/28.
Western Kingbirds - these have arrived in numbers at known breeding areas around Highland Rd./N. Livermore Ave etc. (3) noted in Last Trampas Regional Wilderness 3/29 may breed in the area as well but likely on ranchland closed to the public (more visits required)
Warbling Vireo - one singing at the main staging/parking area at Las Trampas 3/29 was the first I've encountered locally. Many more should be on the way in upcoming days
Loggerhead Shrike - a bird appearing to carry food at the jct of Manning and Highland Rd.s 3/30 at the county line confirms breeding for this area. This is not an unusual confirmation date; shrikes are one of our earliest nesting passerines
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers - a healthy count (7) was noted along Trampas Ridge 3/29 where the species nests. A bird calling on top of Brushy Peak 3/31 was likely a migrant in that habitat
Grasshopper Sparrow - silent arrivals (2) were on Trampas Ridge 3/29, birds singing on territory noted along Marciel Rd. and in the grassland on east slope of Brushy Peak 3/31
Lark Sparrow - a bird was singing persistently along Marciel rd. 3/31
Dark-eyed Junco - a bird in juvenile plumage with fully grown out tail and no visible remnant of gape was a somewhat early fledgling (with a 12-14 d incubation and 10-12 d to fledge period this would indicate laying date possible in last days of February) , noted at Lake Annabel near the Bishop Ranch shopping center in San Ramon 3/28
Rufous-crowned Sparrow - this species is not uncommon on Trampas and Rocky Ridges in appropriate habitat, patches of Coastal Sage and rocky outcrops, but a pair in a large contiguous stand of Coyotebrush along Trampas ridge was in a somewhat unexpected location 3/29
Bullock's Oriole - recent arrivals in breeding habitat were noted at Las Trampas along Bollinger Creek 3/29, and (2) along a stretch of willow/Cottonwood riparian at the base of Brushy Peak 3/31, a bird singing during the downpour on top of Brushy Peak in sage amidst rocky outcrops and a few oaks may have been a migrant in that habitat
Tricolored Blackbirds -a flock (~30) mostly male birds flew over the Westside trail at Brushy Peak 3/30 was coming out of the direction of the Vasco Road Landfill. There is a big patch of Mustard visible there but unfortunately that area appears to be closed to the public. The Trikes were not noted the next day during a hike up to Brushy Peak.
Orange-crowned Warblers - dovetailing off the discussion on the list a few days ago, I tallied 30+ Orange-crowns during a 10 mile loop of Las Trampas Ridge and Bollinger Canyon Rd. 3/29. Orange-crowned Warblers are one of our earliest arriving migrants - often singing away on territory by the first week of March and sometimes in late February. A smaller number also winters locally.
Numbers of migrants should be picking up again starting this Friday 4/4 as a high pressure sets in for the weekend.
Date: 3/31/25 2:13 pm From: Derek via groups.io <dlheins...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Bald Eagles
Can't believe how common Bald Eagles have become locally. I watched six soaring in two trios at Valle Vista this morning and while biking home saw three soaring over Pinehurst Road which obviously could have been overlapping. Some photos of one munching a snack in the link below:
Date: 3/31/25 12:54 pm From: Chris Ortega via groups.io <chrisorte9a...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Lime Ridge yesterday
Orange-crowned Warbler is a common species in the county year-round. The
Rare Bird Alert that showed up was for the Gray-headed subspecies of
Orange-crowned Warbler.
Chris Ortega
Bay Point
On Mon, Mar 31, 2025, 12:45 PM Rosemary Johnson via groups.io <compasros=
<comcast.net...> wrote:
> Matt,
>
> Saw an Orange-crowned Warbler at Twin Ponds Trail, Shell Ridge on the
> 10th. And heard them at two other parks the week before that. So they are
> definitely in the East Bay already.
>
> Rosemary Johnson
> Hercules
>
> On 03/30/2025 11:12 AM PDT Matt Tarlach via groups.io <mtar925=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>
> On 3/29 I co-led a casual nature walk at Lime Ridge---that finger of
> grassy hills that reaches north from the foothills of Mt. Diablo toward
> Concord. Before I got there---so about 8AM---my co-leader, who is up there
> often, said he'd heard an Orange-crowned Warbler in likely habitat. Needing
> to get the public walk organized, we did not have time then to stake out
> the bird, and it did not appear or call later.
>
> I did not include this in our Ebird, since I hadn't confirmed it myself,
> and wouldn't have posted until I saw in the Rare Bird Report an
> Orange-crowned elsewhere in the region. Just posting to say: maybe the
> migrants are arriving.
>
> We also had a pair of White-tailed Kites, putting on an aerial display
> together. And a trio of Acorn Woodpeckers pecking at a utility pole near
> Kiska lane. My Lime-Ridge-local comrade said that the ACWO were the first
> he'd ever seen there.
>
> --
> ----
> Matt Tarlach
> Walnut Creek
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 3/31/25 12:45 pm From: Rosemary Johnson via groups.io <compasros...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Lime Ridge yesterday
Matt,
Saw an Orange-crowned Warbler at Twin Ponds Trail, Shell Ridge on the 10th. And heard them at two other parks the week before that. So they are definitely in the East Bay already.
Rosemary Johnson Hercules
> On 03/30/2025 11:12 AM PDT Matt Tarlach via groups.io <mtar925...> wrote: > > > On 3/29 I co-led a casual nature walk at Lime Ridge---that finger of grassy hills that reaches north from the foothills of Mt. Diablo toward Concord. Before I got there---so about 8AM---my co-leader, who is up there often, said he'd heard an Orange-crowned Warbler in likely habitat. Needing to get the public walk organized, we did not have time then to stake out the bird, and it did not appear or call later. > > I did not include this in our Ebird, since I hadn't confirmed it myself, and wouldn't have posted until I saw in the Rare Bird Report an Orange-crowned elsewhere in the region. Just posting to say: maybe the migrants are arriving. > > We also had a pair of White-tailed Kites, putting on an aerial display together. And a trio of Acorn Woodpeckers pecking at a utility pole near Kiska lane. My Lime-Ridge-local comrade said that the ACWO were the first he'd ever seen there. > > -- > ---- > Matt Tarlach > Walnut Creek > > > >
Date: 3/30/25 1:43 pm From: RON & MARILYN MODAFFERI via groups.io <tahoemod...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Band tailed pigeons
13 Band tailed pigeons feeding on discarded seeds under my feeder.
1/2 mile north Alamo Safeway, Danville Blvd east side.
In past. we have had singles or doubles watering in fountain. Never a small "flock".Â
Date: 3/30/25 11:12 am From: Matt Tarlach via groups.io <mtar925...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Lime Ridge yesterday
On 3/29 I co-led a casual nature walk at Lime Ridge---that finger of grassy hills that reaches north from the foothills of Mt. Diablo toward Concord. Before I got there---so about 8AM---my co-leader, who is up there often, said he'd heard an Orange-crowned Warbler in likely habitat. Needing to get the public walk organized, we did not have time then to stake out the bird, and it did not appear or call later.
I did not include this in our Ebird, since I hadn't confirmed it myself, and wouldn't have posted until I saw in the Rare Bird Report an Orange-crowned elsewhere in the region. Just posting to say: maybe the migrants are arriving.
We also had a pair of White-tailed Kites, putting on an aerial display together. And a trio of Acorn Woodpeckers pecking at a utility pole near Kiska lane. My Lime-Ridge-local comrade said that the ACWO were the first he'd ever seen there.
Date: 3/27/25 8:52 pm From: Ethan Monk via groups.io <z.querula...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Spring
This evening I went for a walk around Jewel Lake, and was pleased to find
my first of season Wilson’s Warbler (4+) and Western Flycatcher (2).
Golden-crowned Kinglets are still clearing out after their big season, and
one was still around the Little Farm.
Tuesday morning, 3/26, a Baywatch at Pt. Isabel turned up 1+ Elegant Tern,
which I believe is the record early date for the county. The last record
early dates that I have are 3/28 (2022 and 2023). I am not sure the species
was ever found in March or April in the county prior to 2020, but none of
this is particularly surprising if you have been paying attention! A couple
small V’s of Brant were moving north up the bay, totaling just over 40
birds, Red-throated Loons totaled at least 14 with most moving towards the
gate.
Saturday I spent the day in the delta. Highlights were my first of season
Bullock’s and Hooded Orioles in the same tree on Bethel Island, a hybrid
White-front x Cackling Goose on Holland Tract, and 8 or so Violet-green
Swallows at Clifton Court Forebay. Two were also at Holland Tract. This
species is often difficult to come by in this region. Cloudy, drizzly days
in spring like this one will likely prove more reliable. I saw probably
over 20 Swainson’s Hawks through the day, a few thousand White-fronts, and
hundred or so white geese.
Date: 3/25/25 12:47 am From: Richard Bradus via groups.io <grizzledjay...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] 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/S220620073Â 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: 3/24/25 5:59 pm From: Cathy Bleier via groups.io <csbleier...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Red-breasted Merganser, Bald eagles and a lotta Skimmers - not all in the same place
A nice couple days to catch the last of the ducks and winter residents. A bike ride today around Aquatic Park turned up a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers (male with red breast), Eurasian Widgeon across the freeway along frontage road and 40 other species (without close inspection) up to Albany Mud flats, couple Sanderlings, BB Plover turning black. Hot and quiet by the end. Â Saturday 3 Bald Eagles at Valle Vista - 1 adult and 2 juveniles (one had face turning white - second year)? Day before that 29 Black Skimmers between Meeker Slough and 51st street bridge (no eBird list; it was a walking meeting). Â Ridgway Rail, too, per usual at low tide.
Good birding as we move into spring.
Cathy Bleier, El Cerrito
Date: 3/24/25 5:13 pm From: Claude Lyneis via groups.io <cmlyneis...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Black Skimmers and Caspian Terns still at Meeker Slough
Monday was the first warm day of spring and I was happy to see about 20 Black Skimmers still showing up at Meeker Slough. Besides their large red bills, their wingspan seems almost out proportion to their body. I am still working on photos of them, but this time I caught them taking flight. Two Caspian Terns were also hanging out along the Meeker Slough Channel.
Date: 3/22/25 10:54 am From: photohutch via groups.io <steve.hutchcraft...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Chipping Sparrow, Monte Vista HS, Danville
Good morning birders,
Not that it's a big deal, but had a Chipping Sparrow singing this morning in one of the flowering trees in the Monte Vista HS parking lot in Danville. Had good looks at it and Merlin verified it as well. Merlin picked one up a couple of days ago at the adjacent Oak Hill Park, but I wrote it off. . . .
The Cackling Geese pair are surprisingly still hanging out at the park, as well. Guessing they'll be heading north soon. The resident Canada Geese are already on nests. . . .
Date: 3/20/25 10:43 am From: Sharon Jue via groups.io <sljue1...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] 2nd hand report of American Dipper at Lake Temescal (Alameda County) yesterday
About a dozen of us were out looking from sunup. Unfortunately as of when I
had to leave at nine there were no sightings
Sent from my mobile - please excuse nonstandard typography.
On Thu, Mar 20, 2025, 9:21 AM Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
Date: 3/20/25 9:21 am From: Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] 2nd hand report of American Dipper at Lake Temescal (Alameda County) yesterday
