Date: 4/23/24 4:55 pm From: Jonah Benningfield via groups.io <falco1440...> Subject: [pen-bird] San Mateo Biking Big Day 04/21/24
Hi Pennbirders,
On Sunday April 21st, Cédric Duhalde, Josiah Clark and I set off on bikes from the Johnston House a little before 6am for our annual San Mateo biking big day. This year we changed the route from the one we followed in ’22 and ’23, resulting in fewer miles biked and more time spent birding.
We ended the day with 149 species, breaking our previous San Mateo record of 148. A Cédric-stakeout Green Heron was the deciding bird, which came in after sunset to investigate the heron rave we were running on the JBL. All in all, it was another great day of SM spring birding, and a very informative run of a new route!
The Route:
From the Johnston House, we biked inland to Burleigh Murray State Park and birded it thoroughly before coming back out to the coast. We then worked our way as far north as Maverick’s Beach, birding throughout the Pillar Point Harbor area before riding south to get on highway 92. After a harrowing climb alongside an endless stream of automobiles, we gratefully reached Skylawn Cemetery and birded it by foot before descending down the other side of the ridge to Crystal Springs Reservoir. We biked Cañada road as far as Filoli before taking Sheep Camp Road to Waterdog Lake and out through Belmont to Nob Hill Pond. Remaining mostly on the Bay Trail for the rest of the day, we checked Radio Road and the Foster City Shell Bar before finishing the day at Coyote Point.
The only major bummer of the day was losing Josiah, who was taken out by a California roll around 10am. We left him on the beach to convalesce in peace after losing the beet smoothie, and his scouting effort on Saturday was still very beneficial to us later on.
Highlights:
- Hooded Oriole early on by Burleigh Murray
- Lots of MacGillivray’s Warblers, Olive-sided Flycatchers, and California Thrashers
- House Wrens near Burleigh Murray and Waterdog
- Grasshopper Sparrow and Lincoln’s Sparrows near the Johnston House
- Marbled Murrelets at multiple locations
- White-winged Scoter off Pilarcitos Creek
- 2 Brant by Maverick’s Beach
- Red Crossbills at Skylawn Cemetery
- Singing White-throated Sparrow at the Water Temple
- Blue-winged Teal in several bayshore ponds
- Continuing Snow Goose at Radio Rd.
- Knots, Ruddy Turnstones, Oystercatchers at Foster City
- Surfbird at Coyote Point
Notable Misses:
- White-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Creeper, Horned and Eared Grebes, Virginia and Ridgway’s Rails, Black Skimmer, BT Gray, Townsend’s and Hermit Warblers, both Kinglets.
Big-ups to Cédric and Josiah for doing most of the route planning and all of the scouting for this big day, and especially to Cédric for powering through the full route with me. Thanks as well to Chris and Malia for letting us check their yard for WTSP and play the doumbek!
All the best, and happy spring,
Jonah B.
Estimated species total (taxonomic order), and location where first detected:
Date: 4/23/24 10:23 am From: Christopher Hayward via groups.io <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Elegant Terns over Half Moon Bay, 4/23/24
Hi All,
This morning whilst having coffee and checking for backyard birds, I suddenly heard the sounds of Elegant Terns overhead. Looking up high I was surprised to see several large groups flying west towards the beach, I can't recall ever seeing Elegant Terns over our yard here, although we are close enough to the beach to hear them in the summer. I estimated about 120 birds but that is a conservative count. Seems weird to have them flying over our yard, especially in April.
Photos and audio on my ebird checklist, link below.
Date: 4/20/24 11:35 pm From: Marty Freeland via groups.io <martinf3...> Subject: [pen-bird] Common Poorwill in Montara
Hi all,
This evening at about 9:00 a Common Poorwill was audible from the Farallon Trail in Montara around (37.55065, -122.50036). It gave several short series of classical clear "poor-will" calls from across the valley to the north at some distance.
Common Poorwills have been recorded in this general vicinity in previous years, most recently in 2021. The habitat is of decent quality and is very extensive.
I was not quick enough to obtain audio with my phone. I may have gotten recordings with my camera's video function, but need to download and check them. If they do not turn out, I will be back to try for better documentation in the coming days.
In other news, the lingering Snow Goose was still at Radio Road today and the lingering Cackling Goose was still in La Honda yesterday. This morning on San Bruno Mountain a moderately diverse assortment of migrants included late-ish Hermit Thrush, Fox Sparrow, Townsend's Warbler, and several Red-breasted Nuthatches, as well as Swainson's Thrush and Black-headed Grosbeak among other arrivals.
Date: 4/20/24 6:57 am From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Snow Goose, another Palm Warbler
Passerine migrants have been slow in coming in the last few days along the bayside. Most Yellow-rumpedWarblers have departed. At Coyote Point, besides Orange-crowned Warbler and Wilson's Warbler, there hasbeen ( 3 ) Western Kingbirds, 1st I have noted a Vaux's Swift 4/15, Warbling Vireo, Bullock's Oriole and Friday 4/19, a Palm Warbler. The Palm Warbler came into a oak tree at the Captain's House at the park. It has beensome years, there has been large numbers of Cedar Waxwings passing through Coyote Pt. In the mornings,counting Cedar Waxwings coming in from the south and across the golf course, there were ( 738 ).
Did a skywatch from Carlmont Summit in Belmont. Northbound migrants passing through were a Merlin gettingon the late side, ( 2 ) Western Kingbirds, ( 19 ) Band-tailed Pigeons, ( 522 ) Cedar Waxwings, ( 4 ) Bullock'sOrioles together and surprising the number of Pine Siskins for this time of the year with ( 70 ) noted.
At Redwood Shores, the Snow Goose first found at Radio Road March 9 and last reported by Marty Freelandon the bay at the mouth of Steinberger Slough on April 6 was back at Radio Road on the 17th. Leonie and Isaw the Snow Goose resting next to the wet area inside the water treatment plant. It could be viewed from the gate at the entrance for the plant directly across from the office complex. So, it does return to the plant.
Ron ThornLeonie Batkin
Date: 4/19/24 9:52 am From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] San Mateo County Cumulative Year-list Report for --- March 2024
*Greetings San Mateo County Birders,*
San Mateo County birders found a total of 16 species that were new for the year by the end of March. This brings the total species observed by the end of the third month to 234. 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 2024 *, plus* *all monthly reports going back to 2009.* http://www.sequoia-audubon.org/SMCbirds.php ( http://www.sequoia-audubon.org/SMCbirds.php )
*Here are the new birds for March, their finders and locations where found:*
From Coyote Point County Park, Ron Thorn observed a male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD (2) coming to a flowering Eucalyptus tree.
While conducting Snowy Plover surveys at the Don Edwards NWR ponds, Benjamin Pearl found and photographed what was initially thought to be a dilute Semipalmated Plover based on his distant photos which he posted to Pen-bird. In response to Benjamin’s post, Alvaro Jaramillo suggested making sure it was not a Piping Plover as various aspects of the bird’s appearance seemed possibly off for Semipalmated Plover. Alvaro encouraged others to get out there and try for additional photos. As better photos started to stream in, it was becoming more and more apparent that this bird looked best for a Piping Plover. A report of this bird has been submitted to the California Bird Records Committee https://californiabirds.org/ for their review. I have added PIPING PLOVER (6) to our yearlist. It is a first county record, bringing our species totals for San Mateo County to 477.
Ryan Broussard noted a PIGEON GUILLEMOT (2) at Mori Point. A birder who wishes to remain anonymous, and is someone I know and have communicated with, reported the first sighting of the year for ELEGANT TERN (2) at Coyote Point with a photo posted to eBIrd. Ron Thorn reported the following birds during multiple seawatch sessions at Pillar Point BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS (3), NORTHERN FULMAR (1), SOOTY SHEARWATER (1), and BROWN BOOBY (6). Terri Williams photographed a CASSIN’S KINGBIRD (5) at Filoli. While birding the Tunitas Creek riparian area, Erich Waible noted the seasons first WARBLING VIREO (2). Max and Marc Lara encountered CLIFF SWALLOW (1) at Nob Hill Pond. Naomi Goodman photographed a CHIPPING SPARROW (2) in the Francisquito Creek area. While checking out the Sem Lane public access trail in Belmont, Ron Thorn noted a LARK SPARROW (4). Alane Gray obtained photos and audio of a HOODED ORIOLE (2) along Verde Rd. A week later Alane also reported MAC GILLIVRAY’S WARBLER (3) along Gazos Creek Rd. BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (2) was observed by Richard Hopf at his home in Ladera.
**
*To stay informed of the latest bird news, consider creating an account with both Peninsula Birding (Pen-bird) and eBird*. Please join and post your bird sightings to <peninsula-birding...> ( <peninsula-birding...> ) and/or www.eBird.org ( https://www.eBird.org ). When posting to Pen-bird, please include the date of your sighting in either the subject line or in the body of your email. When submitting records to eBird, if prompted for details for a rare or unusual bird, please add details which describe the bird using a physical description and field marks that helped you confirm the ID. Thank You eBird users for adding your descriptions and uploading your photos and audio to your checklists. *To join eBird,* simply go to https://ebird.org/home ( https://ebird.org/home ) and create an account. *To join the Peninsula Birding group,* join here: https://groups.io/g/peninsula-birding ( https://groups.io/g/peninsula-birding ) You can post your sightings there and be kept informed of sightings throughout the county including discussions about birds, population trends, where-can-I-find topics, events, field trips, webinars, pelagic trips and conservation issues. You can engage with other members of the birding community and can connect with online/offline discussions.
*About* *This Report:* As a volunteer for Sequoia Audubon Society, every month, I gather content for this report, mainly by using eBird and Pen-bird. When posting to Pen-bird, please include the location and date of your sighting in either the subject line or in the body of your email. If you don’t use eBird or Pen-bird, you can always email me directly. Thank you!
*To view the Sequoia Audubon Society schedule of events, field trips, and programs, to volunteer, or become a member, visit their homepage here:* http://www.sequoia-audubon.org/
*If you have questions or comments* regarding this report, or if I missed something,
Date: 4/17/24 5:04 pm From: Sequoia Audubon Society via groups.io <office...> Subject: [pen-bird] Seeking feedback
Sequoia Audubon Society is a community of birders and naturalists coming together to enjoy birds and wildlife, conserve their habitat, and educate the public. We are dedicated to being a community that welcomes everyone who enjoys birds and their natural ecosystems, and working for their conservation.
The board of Sequoia Audubon Society is examining our current name to see if it best matches our goals, mission, and values.
On Wed, 17 Apr 2024 at 07:35, Nbi4me via groups.io <nbi4me...>
wrote:
> I think I might have seen this bird yesterday afternoon on the beach near
> the great blue heron rookery.
> Unfortunately it was dead. It was high up on the beach. I'm assuming it
> washed up during high tide.
> Farther down the beach was a dead western grebe. Pics attached.
>
> Bob
>
>
>
Date: 4/17/24 8:40 am From: Garth Harwood via groups.io <gharwood...> Subject: [pen-bird] Great-tailed Grackle in Pescadero 4/16/2024
Hi All, There was a male Great-tailed Grackle creaking and squawking from the roof of the gas station/taqueria in downtown Pescadero at about 6PM yesterday. Given the number of tortilla chip crumbs to be gleaned there, I wouldn't be surprised if it stays a while!
Also of local interest, I began to hear the water-drop calls of Swainson's Thrushes along Pescadero Creek on April 8th, and the first full songs on April 12th. Seems like their arrival date might be creeping forward a bit (climate change effect?)
Garth Harwood, Pescadero
-- *Garth Harwood Pronouns: he/him *Senior Naturalist The Trust for Hidden Villa 26870 Moody Rd., Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 *(650) 949-8643*
Date: 4/17/24 7:35 am From: Nbi4me via groups.io <nbi4me...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Mysterious bird on Pillar Point Harbor
I think I might have seen this bird yesterday afternoon on the beach near the great blue heron rookery.
Unfortunately it was dead. It was high up on the beach. I'm assuming it washed up during high tide.
Farther down the beach was a dead western grebe. Pics attached.
I have seen them in my backyard (RWC) but less often than last year.
On Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 01:46:11 PM PDT, Pixie couch <pixiec...> wrote:
This is a backyard birding question. I have not seen any Chestnut Backed Chickadees this spring. They usually nest in my yard. Any information about where they are?
I do have nesting Bewick’s Wrens, Titmice and Bush Tits.
Thanks,
Pixie Couch
Menlo Park west of hwy 101.
Date: 4/16/24 4:16 pm From: Peter Metropulos via groups.io <pjmetrop...> Subject: [pen-bird] COMMON TERNS at Bean Hollow Beach
Last Sunday(April 14) I was on the coast so I decided to stop off at my favorite perch at Bean Hollow State Beach . With a Northeasterly breeze most birds were pushed way offshore.I noticed quite a few terns moving North so I concentrated on them. During the course of the morning I tallied 209 ELEGANT TERNS,mostly way out there. Closer to shore were 10 FORSTER'S and 2 COMMON TERNS.
Marine mammals included GRAY WHALES, HARBOR PORPOISE, RISSO'S DOLPHINS(pod of 3), and SEA OTTER.
This is a backyard birding question. I have not seen any Chestnut Backed Chickadees this spring. They usually nest in my yard. Any information about where they are?
I do have nesting Bewick’s Wrens, Titmice and Bush Tits.
Thanks,
Pixie Couch
Menlo Park west of hwy 101.
Date: 4/15/24 6:46 pm From: Peter Metropulos via groups.io <pjmetrop...> Subject: [pen-bird] BEDWELL BAY FRONT PARK: WHITE-THROATED SPARROW & VAUX'S SWIFT
Heavily overcast mornings in mid-April are often good for seeing Spring-arrival VAUX'S SWIFTS because when the sky is clear they fly so high you can't see them.I spotted one among a flock of migrant swallows this morning at BEDWELL BAY FRONT PARK.Among the usual wintering sparrows I found a handsome , golden-lored, white-striped WHITE-THROATED SPARROW which was not present during the Winter so must be a Spring migrant.
Peter J.Metropulos4/15/24
Date: 4/15/24 6:12 am From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Sightings during the past week
April 14, I checked shorebirds along the Ravenswood Trail on the north side of Highway 84. On time for thistime of the year were the arrival of Red-necked Phalaropes. ( 36 ) Red-necked Phalaropes were on the saltpond northwest of the P.G.E. substation. There were ( 5 ) Lesser Yellowlegs with Black-necked Stilts at thebeginning of the trail. At the Westport Marina in Redwood City, ( 4 ) Lesser Yellowlegs were among ( 136 )Greater Yellowlegs.
Migrants along the bayside after the cold front that has passed through during the night. There was not in a variety. Orange-crowned Warblers and Wilson's Warblers at a number of migrant drop-in locations A Red-breasted Nuthatch. There were ( 2 ) Gambel's White-crowned Sparrows among an increasein the number of Golden-crowned Sparrows. During the week along the Bay Trail at Coyote Point were( 2 ) male Rufous Hummingbirds, ( 3 ) Western Kingbirds, intergrade Northern Flicker( red-shafted xyellow-shafted ), getting a little late a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a Fox Sparrow. A Cassin's Vireo wasalong Twin Dolphin Drive near the Phelps Slough in Redwood Shores.
During the week, I started my first skywatch of the spring at Carlmont Summit in Belmont which I have beendoing for a number of springs. It is just the start of migrants passing by Carlmont Summit. Migrants notedwere ( 44 ) Band-tailed Pigeons, ( 1 ) Tree Swallow, ( 1 ) Rough-winged Swallow, ( 1 ) Western Kingbird,( 3 ) Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, ( 266 ) Cedar Waxwings, ( 2 ) Yellow-rumped Warblers, ( 1 ) Hooded Oriole,( 2 ) Purple Finches and a surprising number of ( 64 ) Pine Siskins for this time of the year. There were nomigrant raptors noted. It is prime time for migrating Swainson's Hawks and Broad-winged Hawks, where a number has been noted from Carlmont Summit in past springs.
Last on April 8th, the Black Skimmers reached a new high number of ( 109 ) behind the dog park alongRadio Road in Redwood Shores. Where will the skimmers disperse during the upcoming breeding season?There were still ( 2 ) Red-breasted Nuthatches coming into our feeder in Redwood Shores on the 14th.At the Nob Hill Pond, a pair of Blue-winged Teal were still present on the 12th.
Date: 4/13/24 11:03 pm From: BJ Wishinsky <wishin...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Mysterious bird on Pillar Point Harbor
Thanks, Malia! I'm so glad you saw it too. Thanks also to Aaron,
Dominik, and Richard for your help. Pacific Loon makes sense to me.
Between the limited magnification and the way the sun was hitting it,
the head looked more black and white than gray. I've mostly seen
breeding plumage on Common Loons, and that wasn't a match. Think I'll go
back tomorrow with binoculars for a better look.
bj
On 4/13/24 8:53 PM, Malia DeFelice wrote:
> Hi BJ,
>
> In the same spot as you noted per your map, there was an alternate
> plumaged Pacific Loon swimming close to shore near the breakwater.
> Seen around 5:45pm this evening. Here is an eBird checklist with my
> photos of the loon.
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S168501450 >
> Cheers!
> Malia DeFelice
>
> On Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 06:30:26 PM PDT, BJ Wishinsky
> <wishin...> wrote:
> <snip>
Date: 4/13/24 8:53 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Mysterious bird on Pillar Point Harbor
Hi BJ,
In the same spot as you noted per your map, there was an alternate plumaged Pacific Loon swimming close to shore near the breakwater. Seen around 5:45pm this evening. Here is an eBird checklist with my photos of the loon.https://ebird.org/checklist/S168501450 Cheers!Malia DeFelice
On Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 06:30:26 PM PDT, BJ Wishinsky <wishin...> wrote:
Apologies for the poor quality of the images, but we just happened to see this in passing. I didn't have my binoculars or a camera other than my iPhone 12 mini. These were taken at Pillar Point Inner Harbor, along the road to the boat launch. I've included a photo of where we saw the bird around 4:30pm today (Saturday April 13). We couldn't tell what it was but the markings seemed quite distinct from the usual black-and-white birds (loons, scoters, goldeneyes, buffleheads) we see there. Maybe someone else has seen it or will see it?
Date: 4/13/24 6:30 pm From: BJ Wishinsky <wishin...> Subject: [pen-bird] Mysterious bird on Pillar Point Harbor
Apologies for the poor quality of the images, but we just happened to see this in passing. I didn't have my binoculars or a camera other than my iPhone 12 mini. These were taken at Pillar Point Inner Harbor, along the road to the boat launch. I've included a photo of where we saw the bird around 4:30pm today (Saturday April 13). We couldn't tell what it was but the markings seemed quite distinct from the usual black-and-white birds (loons, scoters, goldeneyes, buffleheads) we see there. Maybe someone else has seen it or will see it?
Date: 4/13/24 6:45 am From: Karen Moody - Santa Cruz Mts <moodykmz3...> Subject: [pen-bird] This year's First Blue-Gray Gnatcather Santa Cruz Mountains
While working in my garden, I heard the classic buzzing and spotted my first Blue-Gray Gnatcather of the season on April 11th. I'm in the Santa Cruz mountains just south of Castle Rock State Park. Also saw my first pair of white throated swifts for the season on April 9th.
Happy birding!
Karen
Date: 4/12/24 4:59 pm From: Joshua Stacy <joshua.g.stacy...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Cackling Goose at Reflection Lake in La Honda
Hey all,
The Cackling Goose has been hanging out at Reflection Pond in La Honda
since at least October 30, 2023. It's been great to see it so
consistently but it's also made me curious to know its story. I also wonder
if it will leave sometime this spring or just become a full time resident.
I haven't noticed any obvious injuries.
Happy spring birding!
-Joshua Stacy
On Fri, Apr 12, 2024 at 2:38 PM Ross Millikan <rmillika...> wrote:
> It was there early afternoon on April 12 as well.
>
>
>
Date: 4/12/24 11:13 am From: Dana Bangs <danabangs...> Subject: [pen-bird] Black-and-white warbler
I just had a male black-and-white warbler in a lone willow tree at Burliegh Murray Park, on the north side of the trail headed up halfway between parking lot and first Toilet. Seen at 10:30 AM. EBird report with pics to follow. Dana Bangs Palo Alto
Date: 4/12/24 8:18 am From: Jane Tatchell <Jane...> Subject: [pen-bird] First hearing of Olive-sided Flycatcher
Peter Headland and I went to Burleigh Murray State Park yesterday, April 11. We heard a few Western Flycatchers and, our first this spring, a couple of Olive-sided Flycatchers. I might be able to add some poor recordings to this eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S168209029 It was a glorious, sunny spring day to be out there! We also heard a couple of MacGillivray's Warblers that were singing at each other from opposite sides of the trail, along with many Orange-crowned and Wilson's Warblers, Song Sparrows, and Chestnut-backed Chickadees.
Date: 4/11/24 9:32 pm From: Jane Tatchell <Jane...> Subject: [pen-bird] Cackling Goose at Reflection Lake in La Honda
Peter Headland and I were quite surprised to see an Aleutian Cackling Goose at Reflection Lake this afternoon. It was very relaxed, preening and chilling with the Mallards on the shore of the pond. Also present were a couple of female-type Hooded Mergansers.
Date: 4/11/24 6:49 pm From: Peter Metropulos <pjmetrop...> Subject: [pen-bird] Bean Hollow State Beach: April 9 Seawatch
On Tuesday(4/9/24) I set up my spotting scope at BEAN HOLLOW STATE BEACH to see what Spring migration might reveal to me.With no westerly winds and a light haze my expectations were not high.Large numbers of PACIFIC and RED-THROATED LOONS were passing but too far out to get an accurate count.
Highlights were: BRANT: 5 flying North.
SURF SCOTER: 1,110 flying North.
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER: One flying North.
COMMON LOON: 126 (most in breeding plumage) flying North.
BONAPARTE'S GULL: 1 flying North.
HEERMANN'S GULL: 6 (immatures) flying North.
ELEGANT TERN: 57 flying North. High number for Spring !
RHINOCEROS AUKLET: 2 flying North.
MARBLED MURRELET: 9 (5 feeding, 4 flying South).
Additionally, an OSPREY was hunting a half-mile offshore, and a black MERLIN zoomed over my head with a small songbird in its talons.
Peter J, Metropulos
PS: I saw my first WESTERN KINGBIRD of the Spring at Bedwell Park on April 10.
Date: 4/11/24 4:03 pm From: Christopher Hayward <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Cassin's Vireos, Long Ridge OSP, 4/11/24
Hi All,
This morning I birded Long Ridge OSP starting from the parking lot along Hwy. 35 and walking the Peter's Creek trail to near the Santa Clara County line and back. It was a beautiful warm day up on the ridge and this hike has become one of my favorite walks in the county.
I counted 5 Cassin's Vireos singing at separate locations along the trail, with 2 seen well on perches high up. This area has to be one of the best locations for Cassin's Vireos in the county, and probably the best breeding location for this species in our area.
Photos and Audio on my ebird checklist, link below.
Date: 4/11/24 11:28 am From: Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...> Subject: [pen-bird] a few random sightings today.
Hello birders
Quite weird was seeing a Black Brant today with Canada Geese in the fields
just below the Johnson House in Half Moon Bay. This field has had a great
diversity of geese this season! The Brant is not rare in the area, but
seeing one away from the coast is actually quite rare.
AT Burleigh-Murray Ranch SP today there was a singing MacGillvray's
Warbler, so they are in.
In the backyard the local Hooded Oriole was joined by a migrant Bullock's
Oriole (uncommon in Half Moon Bay), and I have been hearing and seeing a
white-striped White-throated Sparrow here in the last few days.
And don't miss her talk the night before during our Monthly Meeting on Thursday, April 11. The topic is Japan's Iconic Species; she'll discuss her recent visit and share her incredible photos. Join us from the comfort of your own home; this meeting is strictly on Zoom. https://sequoia-audubon-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqc-urrT4uGtyQ1AQtK7EnoL49IC1XW_iG
Date: 4/7/24 9:27 pm From: Parker Kaye <pkfromsaclp...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] San Mateo County Piping Plover continues 4/7
Hi Aidan,
While the signage is very poor, the dirt levee is in fact closed to the public and it has been communicated that it is not open to the public via this listserv and other reporting avenues. I’m a biologist with SFBBO and conduct some of the Snowy Plover monitoring at the Ravenswood ponds. Snowy Plover nesting season is starting to kick into full gear and it’s important that people respect access limitations as to not impact their nesting success. Please do not encourage or suggest people look for the Piping Plover on this levee; it’s easily viewable from various points on the public trail. If the afternoon lighting is good, I suggest searching from (37.4955468, -122.1526081).
Happy birding,
-Parker Kaye
Oakland
Typos from my iPhone
> On Apr 7, 2024, at 9:04 PM, Aidan Sinha <aidansinha...> wrote:
>
> All,
> The Piping Plover was seen by me and several other people at the Ravenswood Salt Ponds today, in the same general area it has been frequenting lately. We saw it from around 12:30 PM to 1:10 PM, just after high tide (the tide when we viewed the bird ranged from 7.7 to 7.3 feet). The bird was seen on mudflats at 37°29'45.9"N 122°08'59.7"W, and later farther out at 37°29'47.2"N 122°09'02.5"W. Both myself and several others saw it from the 90° bend in the dirt levee (at 37°29'40.6"N 122°08'57.1"W), which may be closed to public access - enter at your own risk. Others viewed it from the public trail along the far west edge of the ponds, at 37°29'44.4"N 122°09'09.5"W. After 1:10 PM, I did not see it again, though others had brief sightings of the bird up until 2:00 PM, when I (and the remaining people who had seen the bird) left. Other birders showed up as we were leaving, though I do not know if they refound it or not.
>
> Aidan Sinha
> San Jose
>
Date: 4/7/24 9:04 pm From: Aidan Sinha <aidansinha...> Subject: [pen-bird] San Mateo County Piping Plover continues 4/7
All,
The Piping Plover was seen by me and several other people at the Ravenswood Salt Ponds today, in the same general area it has been frequenting lately. We saw it from around 12:30 PM to 1:10 PM, just after high tide (the tide when we viewed the bird ranged from 7.7 to 7.3 feet). The bird was seen on mudflats at 37°29'45.9"N 122°08'59.7"W, and later farther out at 37°29'47.2"N 122°09'02.5"W. Both myself and several others saw it from the 90° bend in the dirt levee (at 37°29'40.6"N 122°08'57.1"W), which may be closed to public access - enter at your own risk. Others viewed it from the public trail along the far west edge of the ponds, at 37°29'44.4"N 122°09'09.5"W. After 1:10 PM, I did not see it again, though others had brief sightings of the bird up until 2:00 PM, when I (and the remaining people who had seen the bird) left. Other birders showed up as we were leaving, though I do not know if they refound it or not.
Date: 4/7/24 8:11 pm From: Peter Metropulos <pjmetrop...> Subject: [pen-bird] "Rocky Mountain Pipit" at Bedwell Bay Front Park
Yesterday,April 6, I was walking the muddy trails at Bedwell Bay Front Park hoping to find something interesting when I encountered an AMERICAN PIPIT on the path. They have been scarce lately so I checked it out carefully. This was not the usual streaky brown bird that we normally find locally. The entire underparts were colored pinkish-buff with no conspicuous streaking and grayish upperparts. It was of the Rocky Mountain race alticola which breeds from se Oregon east to Montana and winters mainly in Arizona. It is quite rarely found in N.California with most records being in April when they are in breeding plumage and easier to detect.
Also in the park.: I was happy to see a pair of WHITE-TAILED KITES engaged in courtship display, but my glee was short lived as the cranky,local American Crows chased the kites away. CLIFF SWALLOWS are starting to investigate nest sites. I had my first arrival on March 24, the same day I flushed a WILSON'S SNIPE from a rain puddle.The recent restoration of Pond SF 2, adjacent to Bedwell Park in the SF Bay Don Edwards NWR, has provided a high tide roost for thousands of shorebirds. Among these were 4 RED KNOTS coming into breeding plumage March 27. I've also been watching a pair of SNOWY PLOVERS which hopefully will remain to nest. This concentration of birds has attracted the attention of an adult MERLIN which has been causing panic among the "peeps" for over a week.
Peter J. Metropulos
PS: It should be noted that the alticola AMERICAN PIPIT does breed locally in the alpine zone of the Eastern Sierra Nevada, at 10,000-12,000 feet elevation. I was lucky to encounter a pair in July once on breeding territory at Saddlebag Lake,Mono County. According to the literature this race has only recently colonized California,having been first documented as nesting in 1975.
Date: 4/4/24 8:39 pm From: Ross Millikan <rmillika...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Red-throated loon, Coyote Point
The one I saw was oiled in the same area, so it could well be the same bird.
Ross Millikan
On Thu, Apr 4, 2024 at 9:34 AM pauldonahue9 <charadrius1...> wrote:
> Again yesterday (4/4) there was a Red-throated Loon in the marina at
> Coyote Point. The same bird seen by Ross Millikan on 22 March?
> Unfortunately, the bird is oiled, visible in the attached photo, probably
> explaining its presence in the marina.
>
>
> Paul Donahue
> Pacifica
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The 44th annual Palo Alto Summer Bird C ount will be on Saturday, 1 June. The count circle is the same as that used for the Palo Alto Christmas Bird Count, spanning both Santa Clara and San Mateo counties from the bayside to the Santa Cruz Mountains. (See the map of the Palo Alto Count Circle at https://scvas.org/capa-sector-map ( https://scvas.org/capa-sector-map ) , to better understand the territories.)
The Summer Bird Count uses the same methodology as the Christmas Bird Count, setting a single day in which volunteers count all the individual birds and species that they spot within their assigned territories. However, the Summer Bird Count consistently gets better weather! and many of the bird species are in the middle of their breeding activities. The counters will also track breeding bird behaviors such as courtship, nesting, and carrying food.
For the 2024 count, we're looking for volunteers
1) to join the count! Experienced birders are excitedly welcomed, but we can match beginning birders with a team of more skilled birders
2) to coordinate a Sector (a territory which will be covered by multiple groups of birders)
We will host a "Countdown Dinner" the evening of June 1st, where you can meet the other birders, hear about the great sightings of the day, and review the initial data coming back from the count.
If you are interested in participating in the 2024 SBC, contact <paloaltocbc...> ( <paloaltocbc...> ) (or, reach out to the coordinator for the area you would like to help cover).
The eight Sectors and their 2024 coordinators are . . .
*
* *Sector 1.* Bayside habitats mostly east of Hwy 101 in San Mateo County. Coordinator is Al Eisner
*Sector 2.* ** Bayside habitats, mostly east of Hwy 101 in Santa Clara County. Coordinator is Mike Rogers
*Sector 3*. Urban habitats in San Mateo County. A coordinator is needed!
*Sector 4.* Urban habitats in Santa Clara County. Coordinator is Ann Hepenstal
*Sector 5.* Foothill habitats in San Mateo County. A coordinator is needed!
*Sector 6.* Foothill habitats in Santa Clara County. Coordinator is Howard Friedman
*Sector 7*. Montane habitats in San Mateo County. Coordinator is Malia DeFelice
*Sector 8.* ** Montane habitats in Santa Clara County. Coordinator is Curt Bianchi
Date: 4/4/24 9:34 am From: pauldonahue9 <charadrius1...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Red-throated loon, Coyote Point
Again yesterday (4/4) there was a Red-throated Loon in the marina at Coyote Point. The same bird seen by Ross Millikan on 22 March? Unfortunately, the bird is oiled, visible in the attached photo, probably explaining its presence in the marina.
Date: 4/3/24 1:28 pm From: Christopher Hayward <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Sparrows at Lower La Honda OSP, 4/3/24
Hi All,
This morning I walked the trail up from the parking lot at Lower La Honda OSP to just beyond the barn at the top of the hill and back.
There was a singing Grasshopper Sparrow sitting on top of a coyote bush about 50 yards up from the parking lot. Just past the barn at the top of the hill a Lark Sparrow was on the power line, also singing briefly. On my way back to my car a Chipping Sparrow flew across the parking lot and perched on the power lines west of the parking lot, probably one of the two birds photographed by Peter Hart yesterday. A nice morning for Sparrows.
Photos on ebird checklist, link below.
Date: 4/2/24 5:01 pm From: Peter E Hart <peterehart...> Subject: [pen-bird] Two Chipping Sparrows at La Honda Creek OSP
Hello All,
This morning, 4/2, a pair of Chipping Sparrows in breeding plumage were perched on the barbed wire fence at the north side of the parking lot at La Honda Creek OSP.
Today, Ron saw the continuing Palm Warbler in a flowering Eucalyptus tree next to the Nob Hill Pond. Later, he saw the Red-whiskered Bulbul that has been frequenting the Redwood Shores neighborhood near Marlin Park. This bird has been reported a dozen times by Michael Long in the Marlin Park neighborhood. Lastly, we both saw a male Hooded Oriole today while nearby the Starbucks next to the San Carlos Airport. There are many palm trees in this area. It was calling and chattering up a storm!
Date: 4/1/24 12:43 pm From: Dave Weber <dwbirdster...> Subject: [pen-bird] Piping Plover, San Mateo County, Apr 1
Piping plover was present this morning, same pond as previously reported, after 850 am and still there when I left around 1030. It was at the far end of the pond, but lighting was excellent and the bird was easy to follow. Details to be added in Ebird later.Dave Weber,Milpitasby phone
Date: 4/1/24 7:16 am From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Few sightings from the last several days
Saturday, midday, I did a skywatch from home in Redwood Shores for raptors. A casual visitor along the bayside east of Highway 101 was an adult Golden Eagle. The Golden Eagle was high up and drifting in the direction of Bair Island. Passerine migrants have been as expected at this date a trickle at drop-in locations along the bayside. Wilson's Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers and a number of Lincoln's Sparrows. On the 28th, there was a male Rufous Hummingbird at Coyote Pt. County Park. Late March into the first half of April have been when most of the male Rufous Hummingbirds have been noted at the park. On the 27th, a Lark Sparrow was with Golden-crowned Sparrows along the public access trail at Sem Lanein Belmont. Sem Lane has been a magnet for Lark Sparrows over the years during spring and fall migration.
Ron Thorn
Date: 3/31/24 10:16 am From: Aidan Sinha <aidansinha...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Any sightings of Piping Plover after 12:03 PM today?
Mike and others,
Several of us were out during late afternoon today to search for the bird - as far as I know, no one was able to see it. Viewing conditions (distance, stormy/windy weather) may have prevented us from finding it. In addition, high tide was later than the last few days, which may have meant that the bird either showed up later than before (when it was windy/stormy and hard to view the birds) or simply did not appear before everyone left. However, starting tomorrow, the afternoon high tide will likely be too late to view this bird. After Monday, if you show up early in the morning, you may have a chance to find the bird during morning high tide (see https://tides.willyweather.com/ca/san-mateo-county/san-francisco-bay--ravenswood-slough-entrance.html for tides - 5 ft or more is best for this bird).
The piping plover flew in at 0727 this morning. 37.4951848, -122.1503131. Excellent looks and calm winds. It’s about a 5-foot tide and falling. The flocks are moving short distances but they aren’t very flighty.
Date: 3/31/24 9:12 am From: Mike Correll-Feichtner <feinerVogel94551...> Subject: [pen-bird] FW: [CALBIRDS] No Piping Plover 3/30
FYISent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message --------From: Aidan Sinha <aidansinha...> Date: 3/30/24 11:16 PM (GMT-08:00) To: <CALBIRDS...> Subject: [CALBIRDS] No Piping Plover 3/30 All,Several of us were out during late afternoon today to search for the Piping Plover. Unfortunately, as far as I know, no one was able to see the bird (though one birder saw it fly by around noon - see https://ebird.org/checklist/S166526618). It was fairly windy and stormy for some of the time I was there (and the birds were fairly distant) so that may have prevented us from finding the bird. In addition, the high tide was later than the past few days, so the bird may have shown up later than usual (when the wind and rain got stronger and made it hard to view the birds) or simply did not appear until after everyone had left.For anyone planning to search for the bird: Starting tomorrow (Sunday), the afternoon high tide will likely be too late to find the bird. After Monday, if you show up early in the morning, you may have a chance to find the bird during the morning high tide (see https://tides.willyweather.com/ca/san-mateo-county/san-francisco-bay--ravenswood-slough-entrance.htmlfor tides - 5 ft or higher is best for this bird). Please note that the trail (and the trailhead parking area at 37°29'18.3"N 122°08'27.2"W) will likely be fairly muddy for the next couple of days due to the storms. There is a paved public shore parking lot here (37°29'04.6"N 122°08'44.0"W) that you can also park at, although it is a slightly longer walk.Aidan SinhaSan Jose
Date: 3/31/24 9:02 am From: Kent Forward via groups.io <kforward...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Any sightings of Piping Plover after 12:03 PM today?
I don’t believe so. I was there with approximately a dozen other birders yesterday from 2:30 to 6:30 PM and none of us were able to detect it. Weather was fairly poor though (off and on soaking rain, even lightning in the area, pretty poor lighting conditions etc). Hopefully those trying today will have better luck!
Kent ForwardEl Granada
On Saturday, March 30, 2024, 9:48 PM, Mike Correll-Feichtner <feinerVogel94551...> wrote:
Date: 3/30/24 2:22 pm From: Ross Millikan <rmillika...> Subject: [pen-bird] No alerts from eBird
I have stopped getting the daily alerts from eBird as of Feb. 19. I checked and am still subscribed. Is anyone else having trouble? Any suggestions on how to fix it? Thanks
Date: 3/28/24 10:52 pm From: Richard Bradus via groups.io <grizzledjay...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Ravenswood Plover - Continues 3/28
To all,
The presumed Piping Plover continued today (Thurs. March 28) at the Ravenswood Salt Ponds, but in a somewhat different location further west than in Logan's report. Also an important caveat (see below).
I spent a couple of hours from about 3:45pm looking for the plover, along with a bunch of others, many of whom left before it made its reappearance. It was windy and we all got thoroughly chilled, but I managed to get good looks at the PIPL - but almost missed it. I spent most of the time with John Luther, Jim Lomax, Emilie Strauss and a few others on and off along the south end (Ravenswood Trail), a bit to the west of that "mud dike" noted by Logan - a mud berm that goes north (which is actually off limits to humans, per a representative of the SFBay Bird Obsv. - there is no sign to indicate thus because there has not been funding or proper administrative action, but is verboten nonetheless). So, please do not venture out that way (better to protect the habitat and not disturb the birds and other wildlife than to attempt a closer look at a rare bird).
Anyway, as we were shivering in the wind, Jim decided to call it quits a bit after 5pm and we were just about to all leave but, in the nick of time, another birder (didn't get his name) came walking by and excitedly indicated that the plover WAS there, flying on and off the muddy prominence/sandbar just to the west with a bunch of semi-palmated. Sure enough, just a few minutes after we "went west", a birder named Sue got a photo (by scanning through the flock) and I was able to pick up the bird a short time later, getting the rest of the group on it. Yea!It was pretty faithful to this spot: 37°29'26.0"N 122°08'31.2"W (though the terrain is actually a bit different than on the Google Map). It was loosely foraging with the semi-palmated flock, mostly on the drier part near a tiny inlet on the mudflat, once going into the water at the shore. Best of all, it was close enough that we could see it with binoculars (after hours of scanning the other mudflat with scopes, John, Jim and Emilie were much relieved). Yowsa!
Tomorrow may not be the best time to try, given the forecast of rain and wind but, with any luck, it will stick around. Per Logan's comments (and our experience), later in the afternoon and/or high tide may provide the better opportunities as that is when the plovers and peeps seem to come in to rest/forage in this area (which is apparently not subject to tidal action).
A lifer for me, well worth the mud, wind and somewhat limited/distant viewing points.
Tread lightly, and good luck!
Richard BradusSan Francisco
On Thursday, March 28, 2024, 10:18:07 PM PDT, Logan Kahle <logan...> wrote:
The plover was present for 4 minutes around 1:30pm, for another 2
minutes around 4pm. It appeared again around 5:30, and was almost
continuously visible through a little after 6:15 when we departed (as
rain had become unpleasant). It was primarily hanging around this region
37.4944897, -122.1498799. It was most easily visible where there is a
bend in the mud dike here 37.4945740, -122.1492375. Observers were
present at that location almost continuously from 11am-6:15pm. This
pattern matches Marty's experience in the previous evening. I saw the
plover once at the dike west of those coordinated looking east, but that
view was distant. All good views of this bird were obtained at the above
coordinates. I was joined by various observers through the day, but much
of the best views occurred in the evening with Etan Monk, Lucas
Stephenson, Michael Park, Rachel Lawrence and Karen Pinkard.
Yesterday I spent the majority of the day at the Salt Pond in Ravenswood
in Santa Mateo looking for the previously reported plover, with a large
number of other observers over the course of the day. I spent much of
the day checking various parts of the pond. The pond was devoid of
shorebirds before about 10am, when the tide got high enough that birds
started streaming in from the pond from the bayside mudflats.
The plover was present for 4 minutes around 1:30pm, for another 2
minutes around 4pm. It appeared again around 5:30, and was almost
continuously visible through a little after 6:15 when we departed (as
rain had become unpleasant). It was primarily hanging around this region
37.4944897, -122.1498799. It was most easily visible where there is a
bend in the mud dike here 37.4945740, -122.1492375. Observers were
present at that location almost continuously from 11am-6:15pm. This
pattern matches Marty's experience in the previous evening. I saw the
plover once at the dike west of those coordinated looking east, but that
view was distant. All good views of this bird were obtained at the above
coordinates. I was joined by various observers through the day, but much
of the best views occurred in the evening with Etan Monk, Lucas
Stephenson, Michael Park, Rachel Lawrence and Karen Pinkard.
If people want to look for the plover, I recommend arriving at 4pm, or
similar, as that seems to be the best time to find this bird. It was
never found away from the general location listed above (and the pond is
quite large), and was quite cooperative in the evening.
There has been much discussion of the identity of this bird, but it
seems some marks in support of Piping are:
-the white wingstripe was very broad and pronounced, notably moreso than
on a Semipalm
-the tail band was distinctly black, contrasting to a much paler
(whitish) tail base. Semi Plovers should have an all dark tail including
the base
-comparatively short legs
-relatively short, thick bill
-relatively round shape and large-headed appearance
The bird also showed orangy legs in the field. There is still some
discussion on the above marks, but most expert opinion seems to be that
this bird is fine for Piping Plover, and I would strongly encourage
anyone who would be interested in seeing a Piping Plover in San Mateo or
California go to see this bird, and better yet take photos and video.
While waiting for the plover to return, around 2pm, Rachael Lawrence,
Chris Hayward and I observed an adult alternate-plumaged LAUGHING GULL
flew by, westbound.
Hi all,
Andrew Baksh sent this message regarding the possible Piping Plover: "Chiming in from the East Coast. I took a look at the images in the checklists. That bird would be a slam dunk Piping Plover if observed on our beaches in NY. Congrats on the fine record!"
Date: 3/27/24 11:10 pm From: Michael Park <dpbot...> Subject: [pen-bird] Apparent Piping Plover / Menlo Park
After initially seeing the plover with Lucas Stephenson, Rachel Lawrence, Ethan Monk, Logan Kahle, and another unknown to me, there was some discussion regarding field marks that would establish this as a Piping Plover.
The plover was clearly paler than Semipalmated Plover. All dark bill and incomplete breast band were readily apparent. The bill seemed short and stubby. Size was similar to Semipalmated Plover. Consensus among those with an opinion was that this was a juvenile Piping Plover, and not a Snowy Plover or aberrant, leucistic Semipalmated Plover.
The shorebirds regularly took flight, but came back to the foraging location described by Marty Freeland. We believed that flight photos, that showed open wing and tail, as well as those of the legs and feet would be necessary to establish the identification.
In the field, the plover structurally appeared to subtly differ from the Semipalmated Plover. To me, it seemed a bit compact. Looking at photos, i don't know if the there are real differences in tail length, or if subtle body shape differences cause this perception.
Photos show that the legs and feet are orange. Webbing between toes is not visible, which eliminates Semipalmated Plover.
Flight photos show a broad white wing stripe extending to the most distal primary. The uppertail coverts appear to be mostly pale. Both of which suggest Piping Plover.
Photo documentation is best viewed in flickr. The album is here:
The plover reported as a leucistic Semipalmated Plover by Ben Pearl yesterday morning and as a putative Piping Plover by me yesterday afternoon was relocated by others today and better photographs were obtained. (I presume they will be posted on eBird soon.) They show a very pale Charadrius plover with bright orange-yellow legs, a clean unmarked white rump, a bright white wingstripe that is still bold and well-defined into the outer primaries, and a pale breastband with a clear break in the center, among other features.
I think these features, in combination with all those I noted yesterday (striking pale dorsum, very pale face with large black eye on almost whitish background, resulting wide-eyed and "cute" facial expression, stout bill with paler base, evenly rounded head without flat crown, structure somewhat elongated and not as compact as Snowy and other Anarhynchus plovers, instead quite similar to SEPL and other Charadrius plovers, although perhaps slightly plumper than SEPL, etc.), indicate that the bird in question is probably a solid Piping Plover.
The bird has been seen here: (37.49512, -122.15020). The nearest parking is here: (37.48876, -122.14062). High tides (at the very least above 2 ft but higher is probably better) are the best time to look. When the tide is out, shorebirds (including this plover) disperse across a vast area of mudflats. They concentrate inside the salt pond when the tide is in.
Good luck!
Marty Freeland
________________________________
From: <chucao...> <chucao...>
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 9:55 AM
To: Marty Freeland <martinf3...>; 'Benjamin Pearl' <benjaminpearl14...>
Cc: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: RE: [pen-bird] Leucistic semipalmated plover?
Marty
Thanks for these additional comments. Super useful. It does sounds better for a Piping Plover than anything else. Perhaps someone can eventually see it more closely and get more definitive photographs. Certainly the notes sound dead on for Piping Plover. The shape and extent of the breast spur should be looked at too. It varies on Piping, but usually these are thinner than on Semi. Keep in mind that Piping has two different looking subspecies (Atlantic and Interior), with differences in the breast band among other things.
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of Marty Freeland
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 10:44 PM
To: Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...>; 'Benjamin Pearl' <benjaminpearl14...>
Cc: <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Leucistic semipalmated plover?
Sure.
In general, despite poor viewing conditions, this bird stuck out quite clearly as a very pale plover built along similar lines to Semipalmated, Piping, and other Charadrius plovers, as opposed to (generally) smaller, stouter, thinner-billed Anarhynchus plovers. It was not too easy to miss.
I feel Snowy is clearly eliminated by stout bill with apparently pale base, structure (too long), size relative to Semipalmateds (similar or sometimes appearing slightly larger), and perhaps leg color: my views were distant and in strong backlight but my impression was that the bird's legs were not dark, instead pale-ish yellow/pinkish (presumably yellow, but all I could really tell was that they were not very dark). They did not differ notably in color from SEPL legs. They certainly did not appear dark gray like those of nearby Snowies, Western Sandpipers, etc. Piping should have bright yellow-orange legs.
This bird was much paler than nearby Semipalmateds, especially on the face and lores, with a large eye on a predominantly pale background and a very "cute" facial expression. Structurally it seemed slightly plumper than nearby Semis and at some angles appeared larger; at other angles it appeared similar in size.
I find the idea of a leucistic Semi not to be very convincing because, as Alvaro noted, in that case one would expect the bird to be washed out to a more or less equal degree all over. The level of contrast between the pale face of this bird and the darker faces of neighboring Semis was undoubtedly stronger than the contrast between the pale dorsum of this bird and the darker upperparts of the Semipalmateds. That contributes to the exceptionally prominent eye, which may also have been larger (at least proportionally) than those of Semis, and resulting cute wide-eyed facial expression. It was my impression that there were also some slight structural differences, with the putative Piping being slightly more stocky, as mentioned above.
That said, my views were distant and generally quite poor: I would hesitate to claim it with complete confidence as a Piping at this stage, although I certainly feel that seems to be the best fit. I really look forward to seeing better documentation in the coming days.
(Most of these points were discernible in the photos, which are a pretty fair representation of my views in the field; that is why I did not feel too compelled to write detailed notes up right away tonight. But I suppose sooner is better, fair enough.)
Can you fill everyone in on why you think it is a Piping Plover. Photos are great, but sometimes the summary of your ID logic is helpful for those of us who are just looking at the photos and wanting more context. Not doubting anything but trying to understand what you saw and thought about the bird in relation to the others around it etc. Essentially, the “field notes” thanks.
Alvaro
I was able to relocate this bird late this afternoon. Photos are attached. The bird was at about (37.49512, -122.15020).
My impression was certainly Piping Plover, but I look forward to seeing better documentation come in. If this turns out to be a solid Piping, it will be the first for NorCal, the fifth for California, and the first in the state since 2006.
There are also several hundred Semipalmated Plovers, a handful of Snowy Plovers, and thousands of peeps on this salt pond. A Peregrine and a Merlin were both present as well, so shorebirds were flighty and challenging to sort through. I saw the bird several times but only rather briefly each time and took me a couple hours to get poor digiscopes. Hopefully better photos can be obtained tomorrow.
Higher tides may be best; I think shorebirds tend to concentrate at this site at high-ish tides and disperse across a much wider area of bayside mudflats when the tide is well out. The Semipalmated flock with which this bird was associating flew out of sight to the northeast just under 4 hours after this afternoon's high of 7.4 ft.
Thanks for your insights Alvaro! I spent a lot of time studying it in the field to determine if it might be a piping plover (or perhaps even Siberian plover due to the leg and bill color). Although it didn't move much, I was able to get a decent look at the legs and don't believe that they were covered in mud. The way that the breast band spurs bulge out was one of the major field marks that pointed me to semipalmated plover. But I see what you are saying about the lores being extra pale, I had not noticed that and it doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the birds plumage. Hopefully SFBBO or other's can get another look at it before it moves on.
Thanks again,
Ben
On Mon, Mar 25, 2024 at 10:05 PM <chucao...><mailto:<chucao...>> wrote:
Ben
It would be good to make absolutely sure it is not a Piping Plover. Your photo shows it to be weirdly “fat” looking and large eyed. Also, if the paleness is an anomaly and it is evenly paler than the norm, it makes it seem odd that the lores are so pale. Leg color is off, but then that could be mud? I guess I would say that I can’t exclude Piping Plover, and some aspects of it look OK to me although it may be an illusion. On the other hand, the way the breast band spurs bulge out like that, is more of a Semipalmated feature.
Last Wednesday I was conducting snowy plover surveys at Ponds R1 and R2 in Menlo Park when I came upon a flock of semipalmated plovers. Among the flock was what appeared to be a semipalmated plover based upon size, shape, and plumage pattern, with the very notable exceptions that instead of dark brown it had light brown/gray feathers, instead of yellow legs it had dark gray legs, and it's bill was all black instead of orange at the base. Interestingly, my former colleagues at SFBBO told me that they observed this bird in both 2022 and 2023 in these same ponds but were unable to get a photo. Fortunately, I was able to get a decent quality digiscoped photo (attached).
My best guess is that this was a leucistic semipalmated plover, but if someone disagrees or knows a more specific term than leucistic I'm all ears.
Date: 3/27/24 10:14 pm From: Christopher Hayward <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] The Plover at Ravenswood, 3/27/24
Hi All,
Today I spent about 6 hours at Ravenswood trying to see and hopefully get photos of the pale Plover reported by Ben Pearl on 3/22. Marty Freeland was able to find the bird late yesterday afternoon so I decided to stay near Marty's GPS location rather than scour the entire preserve.
After a while I was joined by Dorian Anderson and Killian Hampl. We continued to search with our scopes, around 1.45 Dorian spotted the bird and we scrambled to get digiscoped photos. We had it in view for approximately 5 minutes. All the birds flushed and despite searching for another couple of hours we could not re-find it.
Later in the afternoon others found it again and more and hopefully better photos were taken.
My observation was that it was much paler than the nearby Semipalmated Plovers, basically sand colored, seemed slightly larger, more plump or stocky, the black eye seemed large and in the center of the face, the pale breast band seemed to be broken right in the center of the chest. I don't think any of us could get a feel for leg color.
Thought I would share the ebird checklist with some photos, Dorian's first photo is probably the best we managed. Thanks to Marty for his GPS location, 37.49512, -122.15020.
Checklist link below. Any thoughts or opinions welcome.
Thanks for these additional comments. Super useful. It does sounds better for a Piping Plover than anything else. Perhaps someone can eventually see it more closely and get more definitive photographs. Certainly the notes sound dead on for Piping Plover. The shape and extent of the breast spur should be looked at too. It varies on Piping, but usually these are thinner than on Semi. Keep in mind that Piping has two different looking subspecies (Atlantic and Interior), with differences in the breast band among other things.
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of Marty Freeland
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 10:44 PM
To: Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...>; 'Benjamin Pearl' <benjaminpearl14...>
Cc: <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Leucistic semipalmated plover?
Sure.
In general, despite poor viewing conditions, this bird stuck out quite clearly as a very pale plover built along similar lines to Semipalmated, Piping, and other Charadrius plovers, as opposed to (generally) smaller, stouter, thinner-billed Anarhynchus plovers. It was not too easy to miss.
I feel Snowy is clearly eliminated by stout bill with apparently pale base, structure (too long), size relative to Semipalmateds (similar or sometimes appearing slightly larger), and perhaps leg color: my views were distant and in strong backlight but my impression was that the bird's legs were not dark, instead pale-ish yellow/pinkish (presumably yellow, but all I could really tell was that they were not very dark). They did not differ notably in color from SEPL legs. They certainly did not appear dark gray like those of nearby Snowies, Western Sandpipers, etc. Piping should have bright yellow-orange legs.
This bird was much paler than nearby Semipalmateds, especially on the face and lores, with a large eye on a predominantly pale background and a very "cute" facial expression. Structurally it seemed slightly plumper than nearby Semis and at some angles appeared larger; at other angles it appeared similar in size.
I find the idea of a leucistic Semi not to be very convincing because, as Alvaro noted, in that case one would expect the bird to be washed out to a more or less equal degree all over. The level of contrast between the pale face of this bird and the darker faces of neighboring Semis was undoubtedly stronger than the contrast between the pale dorsum of this bird and the darker upperparts of the Semipalmateds. That contributes to the exceptionally prominent eye, which may also have been larger (at least proportionally) than those of Semis, and resulting cute wide-eyed facial expression. It was my impression that there were also some slight structural differences, with the putative Piping being slightly more stocky, as mentioned above.
That said, my views were distant and generally quite poor: I would hesitate to claim it with complete confidence as a Piping at this stage, although I certainly feel that seems to be the best fit. I really look forward to seeing better documentation in the coming days.
(Most of these points were discernible in the photos, which are a pretty fair representation of my views in the field; that is why I did not feel too compelled to write detailed notes up right away tonight. But I suppose sooner is better, fair enough.)
Can you fill everyone in on why you think it is a Piping Plover. Photos are great, but sometimes the summary of your ID logic is helpful for those of us who are just looking at the photos and wanting more context. Not doubting anything but trying to understand what you saw and thought about the bird in relation to the others around it etc. Essentially, the “field notes” thanks.
I was able to relocate this bird late this afternoon. Photos are attached. The bird was at about (37.49512, -122.15020).
My impression was certainly Piping Plover, but I look forward to seeing better documentation come in. If this turns out to be a solid Piping, it will be the first for NorCal, the fifth for California, and the first in the state since 2006.
There are also several hundred Semipalmated Plovers, a handful of Snowy Plovers, and thousands of peeps on this salt pond. A Peregrine and a Merlin were both present as well, so shorebirds were flighty and challenging to sort through. I saw the bird several times but only rather briefly each time and took me a couple hours to get poor digiscopes. Hopefully better photos can be obtained tomorrow.
Higher tides may be best; I think shorebirds tend to concentrate at this site at high-ish tides and disperse across a much wider area of bayside mudflats when the tide is well out. The Semipalmated flock with which this bird was associating flew out of sight to the northeast just under 4 hours after this afternoon's high of 7.4 ft.
Thanks for your insights Alvaro! I spent a lot of time studying it in the field to determine if it might be a piping plover (or perhaps even Siberian plover due to the leg and bill color). Although it didn't move much, I was able to get a decent look at the legs and don't believe that they were covered in mud. The way that the breast band spurs bulge out was one of the major field marks that pointed me to semipalmated plover. But I see what you are saying about the lores being extra pale, I had not noticed that and it doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the birds plumage. Hopefully SFBBO or other's can get another look at it before it moves on.
Thanks again,
Ben
On Mon, Mar 25, 2024 at 10:05 PM <chucao...> <mailto:<chucao...> > wrote:
Ben
It would be good to make absolutely sure it is not a Piping Plover. Your photo shows it to be weirdly “fat” looking and large eyed. Also, if the paleness is an anomaly and it is evenly paler than the norm, it makes it seem odd that the lores are so pale. Leg color is off, but then that could be mud? I guess I would say that I can’t exclude Piping Plover, and some aspects of it look OK to me although it may be an illusion. On the other hand, the way the breast band spurs bulge out like that, is more of a Semipalmated feature.
Last Wednesday I was conducting snowy plover surveys at Ponds R1 and R2 in Menlo Park when I came upon a flock of semipalmated plovers. Among the flock was what appeared to be a semipalmated plover based upon size, shape, and plumage pattern, with the very notable exceptions that instead of dark brown it had light brown/gray feathers, instead of yellow legs it had dark gray legs, and it's bill was all black instead of orange at the base. Interestingly, my former colleagues at SFBBO told me that they observed this bird in both 2022 and 2023 in these same ponds but were unable to get a photo. Fortunately, I was able to get a decent quality digiscoped photo (attached).
My best guess is that this was a leucistic semipalmated plover, but if someone disagrees or knows a more specific term than leucistic I'm all ears.
In general, despite poor viewing conditions, this bird stuck out quite clearly as a very pale plover built along similar lines to Semipalmated, Piping, and other Charadrius plovers, as opposed to (generally) smaller, stouter, thinner-billed Anarhynchus plovers. It was not too easy to miss.
I feel Snowy is clearly eliminated by stout bill with apparently pale base, structure (too long), size relative to Semipalmateds (similar or sometimes appearing slightly larger), and perhaps leg color: my views were distant and in strong backlight but my impression was that the bird's legs were not dark, instead pale-ish yellow/pinkish (presumably yellow, but all I could really tell was that they were not very dark). They did not differ notably in color from SEPL legs. They certainly did not appear dark gray like those of nearby Snowies, Western Sandpipers, etc. Piping should have bright yellow-orange legs.
This bird was much paler than nearby Semipalmateds, especially on the face and lores, with a large eye on a predominantly pale background and a very "cute" facial expression. Structurally it seemed slightly plumper than nearby Semis and at some angles appeared larger; at other angles it appeared similar in size.
I find the idea of a leucistic Semi not to be very convincing because, as Alvaro noted, in that case one would expect the bird to be washed out to a more or less equal degree all over. The level of contrast between the pale face of this bird and the darker faces of neighboring Semis was undoubtedly stronger than the contrast between the pale dorsum of this bird and the darker upperparts of the Semipalmateds. That contributes to the exceptionally prominent eye, which may also have been larger (at least proportionally) than those of Semis, and resulting cute wide-eyed facial expression. It was my impression that there were also some slight structural differences, with the putative Piping being slightly more stocky, as mentioned above.
That said, my views were distant and generally quite poor: I would hesitate to claim it with complete confidence as a Piping at this stage, although I certainly feel that seems to be the best fit. I really look forward to seeing better documentation in the coming days.
(Most of these points were discernible in the photos, which are a pretty fair representation of my views in the field; that is why I did not feel too compelled to write detailed notes up right away tonight. But I suppose sooner is better, fair enough.)
Marty
________________________________
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> on behalf of Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...>
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 10:13 PM
To: Marty Freeland <martinf3...>; 'Benjamin Pearl' <benjaminpearl14...>
Cc: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Leucistic semipalmated plover?
Marty
Can you fill everyone in on why you think it is a Piping Plover. Photos are great, but sometimes the summary of your ID logic is helpful for those of us who are just looking at the photos and wanting more context. Not doubting anything but trying to understand what you saw and thought about the bird in relation to the others around it etc. Essentially, the “field notes” thanks.
Alvaro
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of Marty Freeland
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 10:01 PM
To: Benjamin Pearl <benjaminpearl14...>; <chucao...>
Cc: <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Leucistic semipalmated plover?
Hi all,
I was able to relocate this bird late this afternoon. Photos are attached. The bird was at about (37.49512, -122.15020).
My impression was certainly Piping Plover, but I look forward to seeing better documentation come in. If this turns out to be a solid Piping, it will be the first for NorCal, the fifth for California, and the first in the state since 2006.
There are also several hundred Semipalmated Plovers, a handful of Snowy Plovers, and thousands of peeps on this salt pond. A Peregrine and a Merlin were both present as well, so shorebirds were flighty and challenging to sort through. I saw the bird several times but only rather briefly each time and took me a couple hours to get poor digiscopes. Hopefully better photos can be obtained tomorrow.
Higher tides may be best; I think shorebirds tend to concentrate at this site at high-ish tides and disperse across a much wider area of bayside mudflats when the tide is well out. The Semipalmated flock with which this bird was associating flew out of sight to the northeast just under 4 hours after this afternoon's high of 7.4 ft.
Thanks for your insights Alvaro! I spent a lot of time studying it in the field to determine if it might be a piping plover (or perhaps even Siberian plover due to the leg and bill color). Although it didn't move much, I was able to get a decent look at the legs and don't believe that they were covered in mud. The way that the breast band spurs bulge out was one of the major field marks that pointed me to semipalmated plover. But I see what you are saying about the lores being extra pale, I had not noticed that and it doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the birds plumage. Hopefully SFBBO or other's can get another look at it before it moves on.
Thanks again,
Ben
On Mon, Mar 25, 2024 at 10:05 PM <chucao...><mailto:<chucao...>> wrote:
Ben
It would be good to make absolutely sure it is not a Piping Plover. Your photo shows it to be weirdly “fat” looking and large eyed. Also, if the paleness is an anomaly and it is evenly paler than the norm, it makes it seem odd that the lores are so pale. Leg color is off, but then that could be mud? I guess I would say that I can’t exclude Piping Plover, and some aspects of it look OK to me although it may be an illusion. On the other hand, the way the breast band spurs bulge out like that, is more of a Semipalmated feature.
Last Wednesday I was conducting snowy plover surveys at Ponds R1 and R2 in Menlo Park when I came upon a flock of semipalmated plovers. Among the flock was what appeared to be a semipalmated plover based upon size, shape, and plumage pattern, with the very notable exceptions that instead of dark brown it had light brown/gray feathers, instead of yellow legs it had dark gray legs, and it's bill was all black instead of orange at the base. Interestingly, my former colleagues at SFBBO told me that they observed this bird in both 2022 and 2023 in these same ponds but were unable to get a photo. Fortunately, I was able to get a decent quality digiscoped photo (attached).
My best guess is that this was a leucistic semipalmated plover, but if someone disagrees or knows a more specific term than leucistic I'm all ears.
Can you fill everyone in on why you think it is a Piping Plover. Photos are great, but sometimes the summary of your ID logic is helpful for those of us who are just looking at the photos and wanting more context. Not doubting anything but trying to understand what you saw and thought about the bird in relation to the others around it etc. Essentially, the “field notes” thanks.
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of Marty Freeland
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 10:01 PM
To: Benjamin Pearl <benjaminpearl14...>; <chucao...>
Cc: <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Leucistic semipalmated plover?
Hi all,
I was able to relocate this bird late this afternoon. Photos are attached. The bird was at about (37.49512, -122.15020).
My impression was certainly Piping Plover, but I look forward to seeing better documentation come in. If this turns out to be a solid Piping, it will be the first for NorCal, the fifth for California, and the first in the state since 2006.
There are also several hundred Semipalmated Plovers, a handful of Snowy Plovers, and thousands of peeps on this salt pond. A Peregrine and a Merlin were both present as well, so shorebirds were flighty and challenging to sort through. I saw the bird several times but only rather briefly each time and took me a couple hours to get poor digiscopes. Hopefully better photos can be obtained tomorrow.
Higher tides may be best; I think shorebirds tend to concentrate at this site at high-ish tides and disperse across a much wider area of bayside mudflats when the tide is well out. The Semipalmated flock with which this bird was associating flew out of sight to the northeast just under 4 hours after this afternoon's high of 7.4 ft.
Thanks for your insights Alvaro! I spent a lot of time studying it in the field to determine if it might be a piping plover (or perhaps even Siberian plover due to the leg and bill color). Although it didn't move much, I was able to get a decent look at the legs and don't believe that they were covered in mud. The way that the breast band spurs bulge out was one of the major field marks that pointed me to semipalmated plover. But I see what you are saying about the lores being extra pale, I had not noticed that and it doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the birds plumage. Hopefully SFBBO or other's can get another look at it before it moves on.
Thanks again,
Ben
On Mon, Mar 25, 2024 at 10:05 PM <chucao...> <mailto:<chucao...> > wrote:
Ben
It would be good to make absolutely sure it is not a Piping Plover. Your photo shows it to be weirdly “fat” looking and large eyed. Also, if the paleness is an anomaly and it is evenly paler than the norm, it makes it seem odd that the lores are so pale. Leg color is off, but then that could be mud? I guess I would say that I can’t exclude Piping Plover, and some aspects of it look OK to me although it may be an illusion. On the other hand, the way the breast band spurs bulge out like that, is more of a Semipalmated feature.
Last Wednesday I was conducting snowy plover surveys at Ponds R1 and R2 in Menlo Park when I came upon a flock of semipalmated plovers. Among the flock was what appeared to be a semipalmated plover based upon size, shape, and plumage pattern, with the very notable exceptions that instead of dark brown it had light brown/gray feathers, instead of yellow legs it had dark gray legs, and it's bill was all black instead of orange at the base. Interestingly, my former colleagues at SFBBO told me that they observed this bird in both 2022 and 2023 in these same ponds but were unable to get a photo. Fortunately, I was able to get a decent quality digiscoped photo (attached).
My best guess is that this was a leucistic semipalmated plover, but if someone disagrees or knows a more specific term than leucistic I'm all ears.
I was able to relocate this bird late this afternoon. Photos are attached. The bird was at about (37.49512, -122.15020).
My impression was certainly Piping Plover, but I look forward to seeing better documentation come in. If this turns out to be a solid Piping, it will be the first for NorCal, the fifth for California, and the first in the state since 2006.
There are also several hundred Semipalmated Plovers, a handful of Snowy Plovers, and thousands of peeps on this salt pond. A Peregrine and a Merlin were both present as well, so shorebirds were flighty and challenging to sort through. I saw the bird several times but only rather briefly each time and took me a couple hours to get poor digiscopes. Hopefully better photos can be obtained tomorrow.
Higher tides may be best; I think shorebirds tend to concentrate at this site at high-ish tides and disperse across a much wider area of bayside mudflats when the tide is well out. The Semipalmated flock with which this bird was associating flew out of sight to the northeast just under 4 hours after this afternoon's high of 7.4 ft.
Good birding,
Marty
________________________________
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> on behalf of Benjamin Pearl <benjaminpearl14...>
Sent: Monday, March 25, 2024 10:47 PM
To: <chucao...> <chucao...>
Cc: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Leucistic semipalmated plover?
Thanks for your insights Alvaro! I spent a lot of time studying it in the field to determine if it might be a piping plover (or perhaps even Siberian plover due to the leg and bill color). Although it didn't move much, I was able to get a decent look at the legs and don't believe that they were covered in mud. The way that the breast band spurs bulge out was one of the major field marks that pointed me to semipalmated plover. But I see what you are saying about the lores being extra pale, I had not noticed that and it doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the birds plumage. Hopefully SFBBO or other's can get another look at it before it moves on.
Thanks again,
Ben
On Mon, Mar 25, 2024 at 10:05 PM <chucao...><mailto:<chucao...>> wrote:
Ben
It would be good to make absolutely sure it is not a Piping Plover. Your photo shows it to be weirdly “fat” looking and large eyed. Also, if the paleness is an anomaly and it is evenly paler than the norm, it makes it seem odd that the lores are so pale. Leg color is off, but then that could be mud? I guess I would say that I can’t exclude Piping Plover, and some aspects of it look OK to me although it may be an illusion. On the other hand, the way the breast band spurs bulge out like that, is more of a Semipalmated feature.
Last Wednesday I was conducting snowy plover surveys at Ponds R1 and R2 in Menlo Park when I came upon a flock of semipalmated plovers. Among the flock was what appeared to be a semipalmated plover based upon size, shape, and plumage pattern, with the very notable exceptions that instead of dark brown it had light brown/gray feathers, instead of yellow legs it had dark gray legs, and it's bill was all black instead of orange at the base. Interestingly, my former colleagues at SFBBO told me that they observed this bird in both 2022 and 2023 in these same ponds but were unable to get a photo. Fortunately, I was able to get a decent quality digiscoped photo (attached).
My best guess is that this was a leucistic semipalmated plover, but if someone disagrees or knows a more specific term than leucistic I'm all ears.
Date: 3/26/24 7:47 am From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Miscellaneous sightings along the bayside
Monday, I took a walk along the Ravenswood Trail at the Don Edwards NWR on the north side of Highway84. There has been a turnover of yellowlegs coming into the salt ponds. Many are mostly in breeding plumage.Among ( 302 ) Greater Yellowlegs, there were ( 22 ) Lesser Yellowlegs. ( 54 ) Caspian Terns were at the colonyon the south side of 84. No returning Elegant Terns were noted at the time. Sightings from Redwood Shores.March 21, there was a Snow Goose sitting among a raft of Surf Scoters and scaup on the San Francisco Bayoff the mouth of Steinberger Slough. The pair of Black Oystercatchers continue on the shell bar at the mouthon the Bair Island side. The Black Skimmers behind the dog park along Radio Road reached a new high with( 93 ) noted. I carefully counted a number of times. The group of skimmers does vary in numbers in my visits.This time of the year, the number of Ring-billed Gulls build up before departing. There were ( 400 ) behind the the dog park. Also ( 150 ) Short-billed Gulls. Leonie and I were glad to see a pair of Ospreys that may nest on the P.G.E tower on Bair Island along Steinberger Slough across from the dog park. The Ospreys were half ways up the small tower above the Double-crested Cormorants. Leonie and I had another Red-throated Loon away from the bay. This one was on the Redwood Shores Lagoon. Last, still coming to a feeder at home in RedwoodShores are ( 2 ) Red-breasted Nuthatches.
Ron ThornLeonie Batkin
Date: 3/25/24 10:47 pm From: Benjamin Pearl <benjaminpearl14...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Leucistic semipalmated plover?
Thanks for your insights Alvaro! I spent a lot of time studying it in the
field to determine if it might be a piping plover (or perhaps even Siberian
plover due to the leg and bill color). Although it didn't move much, I was
able to get a decent look at the legs and don't believe that they were
covered in mud. The way that the breast band spurs bulge out was one of the
major field marks that pointed me to semipalmated plover. But I see what
you are saying about the lores being extra pale, I had not noticed that and
it doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the birds plumage. Hopefully
SFBBO or other's can get another look at it before it moves on.
Thanks again,
Ben
On Mon, Mar 25, 2024 at 10:05 PM <chucao...> wrote:
> Ben
>
> It would be good to make absolutely sure it is not a Piping Plover. Your
> photo shows it to be weirdly “fat” looking and large eyed. Also, if the
> paleness is an anomaly and it is evenly paler than the norm, it makes it
> seem odd that the lores are so pale. Leg color is off, but then that could
> be mud? I guess I would say that I can’t exclude Piping Plover, and some
> aspects of it look OK to me although it may be an illusion. On the other
> hand, the way the breast band spurs bulge out like that, is more of a
> Semipalmated feature.
>
>
>
> Regards
>
> Alvaro
>
>
>
> Alvaro Jaramillo
>
> <alvaro...>
>
> www.alvarosadventures.com
>
>
>
> *From:* <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> *On
> Behalf Of *Benjamin Pearl
> *Sent:* Monday, March 25, 2024 9:32 PM
> *To:* <peninsula-birding...>
> *Subject:* [pen-bird] Leucistic semipalmated plover?
>
>
>
> Hi all,
>
>
>
> Last Wednesday I was conducting snowy plover surveys at Ponds R1 and R2 in
> Menlo Park when I came upon a flock of semipalmated plovers. Among the
> flock was what appeared to be a semipalmated plover based upon size, shape,
> and plumage pattern, with the very notable exceptions that instead of dark
> brown it had light brown/gray feathers, instead of yellow legs it had dark
> gray legs, and it's bill was all black instead of orange at the base.
> Interestingly, my former colleagues at SFBBO told me that they observed
> this bird in both 2022 and 2023 in these same ponds but were unable to get
> a photo. Fortunately, I was able to get a decent quality digiscoped photo
> (attached).
>
>
>
> My best guess is that this was a leucistic semipalmated plover, but if
> someone disagrees or knows a more specific term than leucistic I'm all ears.
>
>
>
> Good birding,
>
> Ben
> Santa Clara
>
>
>
It would be good to make absolutely sure it is not a Piping Plover. Your photo shows it to be weirdly “fat” looking and large eyed. Also, if the paleness is an anomaly and it is evenly paler than the norm, it makes it seem odd that the lores are so pale. Leg color is off, but then that could be mud? I guess I would say that I can’t exclude Piping Plover, and some aspects of it look OK to me although it may be an illusion. On the other hand, the way the breast band spurs bulge out like that, is more of a Semipalmated feature.
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of Benjamin Pearl
Sent: Monday, March 25, 2024 9:32 PM
To: <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: [pen-bird] Leucistic semipalmated plover?
Hi all,
Last Wednesday I was conducting snowy plover surveys at Ponds R1 and R2 in Menlo Park when I came upon a flock of semipalmated plovers. Among the flock was what appeared to be a semipalmated plover based upon size, shape, and plumage pattern, with the very notable exceptions that instead of dark brown it had light brown/gray feathers, instead of yellow legs it had dark gray legs, and it's bill was all black instead of orange at the base. Interestingly, my former colleagues at SFBBO told me that they observed this bird in both 2022 and 2023 in these same ponds but were unable to get a photo. Fortunately, I was able to get a decent quality digiscoped photo (attached).
My best guess is that this was a leucistic semipalmated plover, but if someone disagrees or knows a more specific term than leucistic I'm all ears.
Date: 3/25/24 9:57 pm From: Benjamin Pearl <benjaminpearl14...> Subject: [pen-bird] Leucistic semipalmated plover?
Hi all,
Last Wednesday I was conducting snowy plover surveys at Ponds R1 and R2 in Menlo Park when I came upon a flock of semipalmated plovers. Among the flock was what appeared to be a semipalmated plover based upon size, shape, and plumage pattern, with the very notable exceptions that instead of dark brown it had light brown/gray feathers, instead of yellow legs it had dark gray legs, and it's bill was all black instead of orange at the base. Interestingly, my former colleagues at SFBBO told me that they observed this bird in both 2022 and 2023 in these same ponds but were unable to get a photo. Fortunately, I was able to get a decent quality digiscoped photo (attached).
My best guess is that this was a leucistic semipalmated plover, but if someone disagrees or knows a more specific term than leucistic I'm all ears.
