Date: 1/26/21 10:27 am From: Leonie Batkin <leonie.batkin23...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Mountain Bluebird at Mori Point, Pacifica 24 January
The lovely Moutain Bluebird is out at the
Point sallying out from the wire fence.
Thank you Joe for getting word out!
Great new county bird for Leonie!
Leonie Batkin
Ron Thorn
> On Jan 26, 2021, at 7:44 AM, Donna Pomeroy <dpom...> wrote:
>
> Bluebird still here. At the first plateau with the three low graffiti walls.
>
> Donna Pomeroy
>
>>> On Jan 25, 2021, at 8:41 PM, Pixie couch <pixiec...> wrote:
>>>
>> Does anyone have an explanation of why this bird shows up in our area? Part of it’s migratory pattern?
>> Thanks,
>> Pixie
>>
>>
>>> On Jan 25, 2021, at 5:24 PM, Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> wrote:
>>>
>>> Cédric,
>>>
>>> Thanks so much for staying on point with the MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD.
>>>
>>> Photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S79906695?view=photos >>>
>>> The bird is working a plateau area of short vegetation and bare dirt
>>> centered on an old concrete railroad platform.
>>>
>>>
>>> On Mon, 25 Jan 2021 14:59:05 -0800, Cédric Duhalde
>>> <allaboutbirds...> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Thanks for the tip Joe, the bird continues right now at this location (37.6188654, -122.4959719).
>>>>
>>>> Cheers,
>>>> Cédric
>>>>
>>>> Envoyé de mon iPhone
>>>>
>>>>> Le 25 janv. 2021 à 2:09 PM, Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> a écrit :
>>>>>
>>> --
>>> Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
>>>
>>>
>>
>
Date: 1/26/21 7:44 am From: Donna Pomeroy <dpom...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Mountain Bluebird at Mori Point, Pacifica 24 January
Bluebird still here. At the first plateau with the three low graffiti walls.
Donna Pomeroy
> On Jan 25, 2021, at 8:41 PM, Pixie couch <pixiec...> wrote:
>
> Does anyone have an explanation of why this bird shows up in our area? Part of it’s migratory pattern?
> Thanks,
> Pixie
>
>
>> On Jan 25, 2021, at 5:24 PM, Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> wrote:
>>
>> Cédric,
>>
>> Thanks so much for staying on point with the MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD.
>>
>> Photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S79906695?view=photos >>
>> The bird is working a plateau area of short vegetation and bare dirt
>> centered on an old concrete railroad platform.
>>
>>
>>> On Mon, 25 Jan 2021 14:59:05 -0800, Cédric Duhalde
>>> <allaboutbirds...> wrote:
>>>
>>> Thanks for the tip Joe, the bird continues right now at this location (37.6188654, -122.4959719).
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>> Cédric
>>>
>>> Envoyé de mon iPhone
>>>
>>>> Le 25 janv. 2021 à 2:09 PM, Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> a écrit :
>>>>
>> --
>> Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
>>
>>
>
>
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of Dana Bangs
Sent: Monday, January 25, 2021 8:38 PM
To: Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...>
Cc: <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Information request, banded CAGO
Hi All,
So I received a reply on this banded Aleutian Cackling Goose. It was banded on 11/3/2017 near Modesto by the CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, so unfortunately we don't know what island it came from. The certificate indicates that it is a female hatched in 2017. Interestingly it is listed on the certificate as an "Aleutian Canada Goose". I don't know if it is an error, as the AOU split off Cackling Goose in 2004, or whether there is some other reason for that.
Best
Dana Bangs
Palo Alto
On Sat, Jan 23, 2021 at 11:13 PM Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...> <mailto:<chucao...> > wrote:
Hi All,
Today after finding the continuing yellow-billed loon on the S. Mokelumne River, I took a pic nearby off Hwy 12 of an Aleutian Cackling Goose with a blue and white neck band with ID number. Does anyone have any knowledge regarding whom I can forward images and coordinates to for this bird. Something akin to the recent discussion about banded snowy plovers. Please advise!
Thanks
Dana Bangs
Palo Alto
Date: 1/25/21 8:41 pm From: Pixie couch <pixiec...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Mountain Bluebird at Mori Point, Pacifica 24 January
Does anyone have an explanation of why this bird shows up in our area? Part of it’s migratory pattern?
Thanks,
Pixie
> On Jan 25, 2021, at 5:24 PM, Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> wrote:
>
> Cédric,
>
> Thanks so much for staying on point with the MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD.
>
> Photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S79906695?view=photos <https://ebird.org/checklist/S79906695?view=photos> >
> The bird is working a plateau area of short vegetation and bare dirt
> centered on an old concrete railroad platform.
>
>
> On Mon, 25 Jan 2021 14:59:05 -0800, Cédric Duhalde
> <allaboutbirds...> <mailto:<allaboutbirds...>> wrote:
>
>> Thanks for the tip Joe, the bird continues right now at this location (37.6188654, -122.4959719).
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Cédric
>>
>> Envoyé de mon iPhone
>>
>>> Le 25 janv. 2021 à 2:09 PM, Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> a écrit :
>>>
> --
> Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
>
>
>
Date: 1/25/21 8:38 pm From: Dana Bangs <danabangs...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Information request, banded CAGO
Hi All, So I received a reply on this banded Aleutian Cackling Goose. It was banded on 11/3/2017 near Modesto by the CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, so unfortunately we don't know what island it came from. The certificate indicates that it is a female hatched in 2017. Interestingly it is listed on the certificate as an "Aleutian Canada Goose". I don't know if it is an error, as the AOU split off Cackling Goose in 2004, or whether there is some other reason for that. Best Dana Bangs Palo Alto
On Sat, Jan 23, 2021 at 11:13 PM Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...> wrote:
> Hi, > > You report it here: > > > > https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/bblretrv/ > > > > Use the color marker choice, as you do not know the band number. When you > get a reply, let us know which island it came from. > > > > Alvaro > > > > Alvaro Jaramillo > > <alvaro...> > > www.alvarosadventures.com > > > > *From:* <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> *On > Behalf Of *Dana Bangs > *Sent:* Saturday, January 23, 2021 10:54 PM > *To:* <peninsula-birding...> > *Subject:* [pen-bird] Information request, banded CAGO > > > > Hi All, > Today after finding the continuing yellow-billed loon on the S. Mokelumne > River, I took a pic nearby off Hwy 12 of an Aleutian Cackling Goose with a > blue and white neck band with ID number. Does anyone have any knowledge > regarding whom I can forward images and coordinates to for this bird. > Something akin to the recent discussion about banded snowy plovers. Please > advise! > Thanks > Dana Bangs > Palo Alto > > >
The bird is working a plateau area of short vegetation and bare dirt centered on an old concrete railroad platform.
On Mon, 25 Jan 2021 14:59:05 -0800, Cédric Duhalde <allaboutbirds...> wrote:
>Thanks for the tip Joe, the bird continues right now at this location (37.6188654, -122.4959719). > >Cheers, >Cédric > >Envoyé de mon iPhone > >> Le 25 janv. 2021 à 2:09 PM, Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> a écrit : >> -- Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
I received details from Snowy Plover researchers on both of these birds.
The paler one with the bright blue bands on its left leg hatched and fledged from Oceano Dunes SVRA in 2015 (near Pismo Beach), about 250 miles south of where I photographed it. This is the first sighting of this bird at Francis beach.
The other darker bird was banded in July 2017 at Coos Bay North Spit, Coos City, Oregon, about 500 miles north of where I photographed it.
That these two birds from considerable distances and opposite directions ended up wintering together in Half Moon Bay is fascinating and not something I would have expected. -- Joseph Morlan, Pacifica CA "The nice thing about standards is that you have so many to choose from." A.Tanenbaum
Date: 1/24/21 9:07 am From: Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Information request, banded CAGO
Dana
Just to clarify the blue plastic marker on the neck is not the band. The band is metal and is on the leg. A goose like this has a color neck marker with code, and a metal band on the leg. So your photos show you the marker (you will input the location, color, code, and color of the code) and they will find the bird’s banding history. Make sure you select that you want a certificate, as you get this little pdf certificate with all of the data.
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of Dana Bangs
Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2021 7:14 AM
To: Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...>
Cc: <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Information request, banded CAGO
Thanks Alvaro. Actually I do know the band number as it is visible in my pics (attached). I'll let you know the bird's origin when I get a reply.
Best
Dana
On Sat, Jan 23, 2021 at 11:13 PM Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...> <mailto:<chucao...> > wrote:
Hi All,
Today after finding the continuing yellow-billed loon on the S. Mokelumne River, I took a pic nearby off Hwy 12 of an Aleutian Cackling Goose with a blue and white neck band with ID number. Does anyone have any knowledge regarding whom I can forward images and coordinates to for this bird. Something akin to the recent discussion about banded snowy plovers. Please advise!
Thanks
Dana Bangs
Palo Alto
Date: 1/24/21 7:14 am From: Dana Bangs <danabangs...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Information request, banded CAGO
Thanks Alvaro. Actually I do know the band number as it is visible in my pics (attached). I'll let you know the bird's origin when I get a reply. Best Dana
On Sat, Jan 23, 2021 at 11:13 PM Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...> wrote:
> Hi, > > You report it here: > > > > https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/bblretrv/ > > > > Use the color marker choice, as you do not know the band number. When you > get a reply, let us know which island it came from. > > > > Alvaro > > > > Alvaro Jaramillo > > <alvaro...> > > www.alvarosadventures.com > > > > *From:* <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> *On > Behalf Of *Dana Bangs > *Sent:* Saturday, January 23, 2021 10:54 PM > *To:* <peninsula-birding...> > *Subject:* [pen-bird] Information request, banded CAGO > > > > Hi All, > Today after finding the continuing yellow-billed loon on the S. Mokelumne > River, I took a pic nearby off Hwy 12 of an Aleutian Cackling Goose with a > blue and white neck band with ID number. Does anyone have any knowledge > regarding whom I can forward images and coordinates to for this bird. > Something akin to the recent discussion about banded snowy plovers. Please > advise! > Thanks > Dana Bangs > Palo Alto > > >
Date: 1/24/21 12:17 am From: Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...> Subject: [pen-bird] Using eBird photos to study plumage and forms
Hello all,
I posted this video the other day about how to filter photos in eBird as an aid to learning ID or geographic variation. Pass it on, post it, share! And if you like this type of stuff, do subscribe to my youtube channel. Enjoy the rain!
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of Dana Bangs
Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2021 10:54 PM
To: <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: [pen-bird] Information request, banded CAGO
Hi All,
Today after finding the continuing yellow-billed loon on the S. Mokelumne River, I took a pic nearby off Hwy 12 of an Aleutian Cackling Goose with a blue and white neck band with ID number. Does anyone have any knowledge regarding whom I can forward images and coordinates to for this bird. Something akin to the recent discussion about banded snowy plovers. Please advise!
Thanks
Dana Bangs
Palo Alto
Date: 1/23/21 10:53 pm From: Dana Bangs <danabangs...> Subject: [pen-bird] Information request, banded CAGO
Hi All,
Today after finding the continuing yellow-billed loon on the S. Mokelumne River, I took a pic nearby off Hwy 12 of an Aleutian Cackling Goose with a blue and white neck band with ID number. Does anyone have any knowledge regarding whom I can forward images and coordinates to for this bird. Something akin to the recent discussion about banded snowy plovers. Please advise!
Thanks
Dana Bangs
Palo Alto
Date: 1/23/21 6:22 pm From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Glaucous Gull at Pomponio State Beach
Today, Leonie and I had a first-cycle GLAUCOUS GULL in with other gulls at Pomponio State Beach. Still about ( 20 ) lingeringHeerman's Gulls with only ( 1 ) adult among the flock. A brief stop at Pigeon Point, there were ( 8 ) Northern Fulmars flyingnorth. Otherwise, there was LOW activity on the ocean. Yesterday there were ( 2 ) Aleutian Cackling Geese among CanadaGeese at Coyote Point County Park. It may be the Aleutian Cackling Geese are the same ( 2 ) that have been noted in nearbyFoster City and another location in San Mateo.
Ron ThornLeonie Batkin
Date: 1/22/21 9:04 pm From: Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Glaucous Gull photos, Pilarcitos Creek / Venice Beach 1/21/21
Went out to the mouth of Pilarcitos Creek this afternoon 22 January dodging rain showers and managed to find a different first cycle GLAUCOUS GULL. This one is almost all white and quite large suggesting the possibility of the race "L. h. pallidissimus" which breeds in Western Alaska and the Russian Far East.
On Thu, 21 Jan 2021 14:50:33 -0800, "Christopher Hayward" <p_t_nymph...> wrote:
>Hi All, >Wanted to add a few details to my earlier post from the field. The Juvenile / First Cycle Glaucous Gull, was first seen bathing in the creek with about 20 other gulls and then after Malia joined me we re-found it in the main gull flock, which was a large group of perhaps 600 gulls when I first arrived but had dwindled to about 70 or so by the time we left. I have not been checking the gull flock that much this year, just too many people on our local beaches, but with the colder foggy conditions this morning it was nice to be able to check through the gull flock with very few people on the beach. >Have put photos on my ebird checklist link below. > >https://ebird.org/checklist/S79660221 > >Chris Hayward >Half Moon Bay
Date: 1/22/21 8:24 pm From: John Cant 793-5216 <jgcant...> Subject: [pen-bird] Herring spawning event in San Francisco
Has anyone gone to SF to check out the poorly reported apparent event? Any rarities? If nothing rare to report, still, please report it.
John CantFremont CA
Date: 1/22/21 2:59 pm From: Peter Metropulos <pjmetrop...> Subject: [pen-bird] Tropical Kingbird in East Palo Alto
Today at 11AM I saw the TROPICAL KINGBIRD that has been wintering in the vicinity of the Palo Alto Golfcourse. Parking in the lot at the end of Geng Road, I started on the Bay Trail when the kingbird flew up from the golfcourse and across San Francisquito Creek to East Palo Alto(San Mateo Co.). I watched it actively sallying out from limbs of a dead tree hanging over a backyard fence.
Date: 1/21/21 2:50 pm From: Christopher Hayward <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Glaucous Gull photos, Pilarcitos Creek / Venice Beach 1/21/21
Hi All,
Wanted to add a few details to my earlier post from the field. The Juvenile / First Cycle Glaucous Gull, was first seen bathing in the creek with about 20 other gulls and then after Malia joined me we re-found it in the main gull flock, which was a large group of perhaps 600 gulls when I first arrived but had dwindled to about 70 or so by the time we left. I have not been checking the gull flock that much this year, just too many people on our local beaches, but with the colder foggy conditions this morning it was nice to be able to check through the gull flock with very few people on the beach.
Have put photos on my ebird checklist link below.
Date: 1/20/21 6:45 pm From: Kent Forward via groups.io <kforward...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Inauguration Day Bald Eagle at Johnston House - 1/20/2021
As we’ve seen recently you have to take most online information with a grain of salt! So one correction from one of the online quotes thanks to Alvaro: the Bald Eagle is endemic to the continent!
Cheers,Kent
On Wednesday, January 20, 2021, 6:39 PM, Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...> wrote:
Interesting. Not sure where the statement comes from, but Bald Eagles are endemic to the continent. They have been vagrants elsewhere, but are a North American endemic. That bit struck me as I read it “… because it was then believed to exist only on this continent”
Cool sighting!
Alvaro
Alvaro Jaramillo
<alvaro...>
www.alvarosadventures.com
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of Kent Forward via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2021 6:23 PM
To: Peninsula Birding <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: [pen-bird] Inauguration Day Bald Eagle at Johnston House - 1/20/2021
Good Evening Birders,
I went for a quick birding hike at the Johnston House late today. It being inauguration day I was thinking about the events of the day and of our country's history as I looked upon the lovingly maintained local historic house. Then, right as the sun was setting off the west end of our vast country, a BALD EAGLE flew in over the Johnston House. Quite moving and thrilling to see. I did some online research tonight about the history of our national emblem, and the following just seems very appropriate for our times:
"The bald eagle was chosen June 20, 1782 as the emblem of the United States of America, because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks, and also because it was then believed to exist only on this continent. Its symbolic meaning is of freedom, courage, strength, and bravery, especially in times of oppression."
"What does the bald eagle represent for the Greeks and the modern world? It means that regardless of our cultural and religious beliefs, we revere, honor, respect, and take care of the creatures."
Here's hoping for a bright future for all of us. A majestic bird, but a not so majestic picture here ;-)
Date: 1/20/21 6:39 pm From: Alvaro Jaramillo <chucao...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Inauguration Day Bald Eagle at Johnston House - 1/20/2021
Kent
Interesting. Not sure where the statement comes from, but Bald Eagles are endemic to the continent. They have been vagrants elsewhere, but are a North American endemic. That bit struck me as I read it “… because it was then believed to exist only on this continent”
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of Kent Forward via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2021 6:23 PM
To: Peninsula Birding <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: [pen-bird] Inauguration Day Bald Eagle at Johnston House - 1/20/2021
Good Evening Birders,
I went for a quick birding hike at the Johnston House late today. It being inauguration day I was thinking about the events of the day and of our country's history as I looked upon the lovingly maintained local historic house. Then, right as the sun was setting off the west end of our vast country, a BALD EAGLE flew in over the Johnston House. Quite moving and thrilling to see. I did some online research tonight about the history of our national emblem, and the following just seems very appropriate for our times:
"The bald eagle was chosen June 20, 1782 as the emblem of the United States of America, because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks, and also because it was then believed to exist only on this continent. Its symbolic meaning is of freedom, courage, strength, and bravery, especially in times of oppression."
"What does the bald eagle represent for the Greeks and the modern world? It means that regardless of our cultural and religious beliefs, we revere, honor, respect, and take care of the creatures."
Here's hoping for a bright future for all of us. A majestic bird, but a not so majestic picture here ;-)
Date: 1/20/21 6:25 pm From: Kent Forward via groups.io <kforward...> Subject: [pen-bird] Inauguration Day Bald Eagle at Johnston House - 1/20/2021
Good Evening Birders,
I went for a quick birding hike at the Johnston House late today. It being inauguration day I was thinking about the events of the day and of our country's history as I looked upon the lovingly maintained local historic house. Then, right as the sun was setting off the west end of our vast country, a BALD EAGLE flew in over the Johnston House. Quite moving and thrilling to see. I did some online research tonight about the history of our national emblem, and the following just seems very appropriate for our times:
"The bald eagle was chosen June 20, 1782 as the emblem of the United States of America, because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks, and also because it was then believed to exist only on this continent. Its symbolic meaning is of freedom, courage, strength, and bravery, especially in times of oppression."
"What does the bald eagle represent for the Greeks and the modern world? It means that regardless of our cultural and religious beliefs, we revere, honor, respect, and take care of the creatures."
Here's hoping for a bright future for all of us. A majestic bird, but a not so majestic picture here ;-)
https://ebird.org/checklist/S79620217
Date: 1/18/21 4:12 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] Allen's Hummingbird in yard 1/18
This afternoon we had an Allen's Hummingbird in our yard. It was buzzing another bird, which we did not see, in our bottlebrush. This is the earliest date for this species for us in the yard. Additionally there has been an increase in Anna's Hummingbirds coming to our feeders.
Date: 1/18/21 11:21 am From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] San Mateo County cumulative year report December 2020 - And favorite sightings of 2020 - SMCO birders tell all!
Greetings San Mateo County Birders:
San Mateo County birders tallied 4 new birds during the final month of the year. These December birds bring our end of year totals to 337. This is the 2 nd highest end of year tally since this report began in 2009, and coming in 2 nd only to the 2017 total of 341.
Here are the 4 new birds for December, their finders and locations where they were found. Please note, the number in parenthesis next to the bird name is the rarity code assigned for San Mateo County birds. TUNDRA SWAN (4) were first reported at Pescadero Marsh by Joshua Stacy. While observing the Tundra Swans at the marsh Keith Gress noted four SANDHILL CRANES (6) flying north. A LONG-EARED OWL (3) was detected by Dan Keller and Don Keller during the Crystal Springs CBC in the outskirts of Half Moon Bay. Adam Burnett found a DUSKY FLYCATCHER (5) at the O’Connor Pond area in East Palo Alto.
I am wrapping up this December report here in mid-January while simultaneously keeping track of all January observations for 2021. But here’s Something Fun…
*I asked folks to tell me what their favorite bird sighting or experience was in 2020 and here are their stories:*
*Leonie Batkin:* I have a tie. The Rufous Hummingbird in our garden on April 6th and the Broad-billed Hummingbird in Malia and Chris’s garden on October 22. Both during migration seasons. I love Hummingbirds and Oriole’s.
*Doug Brown* : My favorite bird was on December 4th, while visiting the Tundra Swans, like everyone else. There was about a 20 second opportunity to see my county-first Sandhill Cranes flying by. The moment brought home to me how luck can come to birding.
*Malia DeFelice:* So many “FBE's" (favorite birding experiences) in 2020. We had our suspicions in 2019, b ut confirming 1 st county record for breeding of the Western Kingbirds in 2020 at La Honda Creek OSP had to be way up there.
*Robbie Fischer:* My favorite sighting this year was the July 23rd Summer Tanager. Joe and I so enjoy birding Seaside School Rd and have had quite a few rarities there over the years. It was wonderful that the Summer Tanager stayed for long enough for many birders to observe its bee catching behavior.
*Kent Forward:* I have a tie for 2020, the first was finding a personal county first Brewer's Sparrows in Rancho Corral de Tierra (El Granada) on May 27th, and then incredibly another one at Rancho Corral de Tierra (Moss Beach) on August 25th - and finally getting some good photos of that one. The other was a long sought after personal county first Broad-winged Hawk in San Gregorio on October 4th. Despite all the other hardships going on this year, it has been a fun birding year, birding has really provided a needed outlet from all the nuttiness!
*Keith Gress:* My fave was an easy choice. You might remember... because Malia, you were there! 😃 Many hundreds/thousands of storm petrels: Black, Ashy, and Wilson’s on the Labor Day 9/7/2020 pelagic to Pioneer Canyon with Alvaro and Cap’n Dennis. A truly amazing spectacle!
*Garth Harwood:* I'm never good with 'favorite' questions because it's such a moving target. I have many different 'favorites' every year! So I had to review my eBird records for 2020 to recall a lot of those - an excellent exercise because it let me re-live many special birding moments that were already fading from working memory. And the one that stands out for me was one of those that was already almost gone, overshadowed perhaps by all the chaos of fires and pandemics in between: Vaux's Swift. Early on May 6th, I was descending the Camp Pomponio Road into Pescadero Creek County Park from above. I decided to park on the road shoulder at the entrance and walk down from there, in order to fully absorb the grand views from that grassy ridge before descending into the shaded Redwood habitat that dominates almost all of the park. And, I thought, there was a good chance for some aerial species given the time of year. Just a few minutes into my serene walk I heard the excited chittering flight calls of Vaux's Swifts far overhead. Pay dirt! A new park species for me! I figured that their delicate forms would be difficult to spot against the bright blue sky, but not this time. There must have been some flying insects in abundance over the exact spot where I was standing, because for the next 15 minutes or more, the swifts dropped down to almost eye level, swooping and chasing and calling all around me. I listed 6 in my eBird report because that was my highest simultaneous count, but there could have been 20 or more in the fast-moving, widely dispersed group. There were at least a couple of times when I thought I might have felt the wind from their wings on my skin, they passed so close, as I stood still in wonder. Now, of course, much of the Pescadero Creek Park has burned and it will be some time before public access is restored. And Vaux's Swifts could use some 'restoration' in the county, too. I used to have breeding swifts in my Pescadero neighborhood but my neighbor whose chimney they had bred in for many years decided to block them out for their own good - she was afraid they'd get toasted one day. So she saved them from themselves - but there have been no breeders here for 15 years now. I believe a similar thing happened at Portola State Park when the chimneys at the visitor's center were brought up to code a few years back. This flock was probably a group of migrants passing through, but I sincerely hope that a few old-growth Redwood hollows remain after the fires, to allow some natural breeding to occur again someday.
*Chris Hayward:* Malia, this bird could well be your favorite as well. At about 3:00 pm on Oct. 20, while enjoying a cup of coffee and the many Anna's Hummingbirds coming to our backyard feeders, we both exclaimed simultaneously " that birds got a red bill" it was actually more orange, but what a surprise. A Broad-billed Hummingbird, a hatch year male, a real gem and the rarest bird ever seen in our yard, a second county record! The bird was seen until 11.00 am the next morning then just vanished. Covid rules in place the little miracle was enjoyed by about ten other birders before it vanished. I think sharing with those who came by was as much fun as finding it!
*Winnie Homer-Smith:* I was helping Jennifer Rycenga cover Huddart Park on the Crystal Springs count day. It was chilly that day, so the raptors were slow in appearing. Finally, I was standing in the Zwerlein area & hearing red tails screaming at each other. Just as I spotted them heading up on their thermals, I heard another voice: an excited little boy saying to his parents, "Look! There's an eagle!" I didn't correct him. I figured it didn't make that much difference to them. I went on and walked a short distance down the hill, looked up and saw - a Bald Eagle!
*Aaron Maizlish:* Discovering the large flock of Red Crossbills coming to the Bodhisattva Statue in the new Lotus Garden at Skylawn Cemetery has to be the year’s highlight for me. I have been making brief stops at Skylawn for many years, especially when my daughter was attending grade school nearby. This spring I watched the Lotus Garden being expanded, and this fall when I came back I was delighted to see flocks of birds using the new water features. In October I observed a large flock of Pine Siskins descend on the statue, which I thought was strange behavior. But it was pure enchantment on November 21st to see large flocks of Red Crossbills using the new statue as their perch over the pools. Though I didn’t make a public posting, about it at the time, trying to respect the calm of the setting, it has been great to see all number of birders and photographers enjoy the crossbills in this totally unique setting. I think this beautiful ridge top water-feature may bring in a lot of interesting birds in the coming years too!
*Joe Morlan:* Probably hearing a puzzling song in our neighborhood, making a recording
and having it turn out to be San Mateo County's first Kentucky Warbler.
*Jennifer Rycenga:* Back in late April, when we were still under very strict stay-near-home restrictions, it was time for me to participate with my team for a Santa Clara county Big Day - except that we had to do this in a distributed manner. But being compelled to stay in my beloved San Mateo County is not really a restriction! I chose to do the Foster City/San Mateo bayfront, figuring that this would add some cool shorebirds and stuff to the overall list, which indeed it did. What I didn’t expect was my personal favorite bird of the year, a Lark Sparrow that leapt up from a grassy patch along a sidewalk to a fence line, allowing for pictures and such. Utterly unexpected but most welcome, during this most unpredictable of years.
*Shannon Sharma* : I just relocated to Half Moon Bay from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania a few days ago. In Pittsburgh, I was a volunteer docent at the National Aviary. I was sad to end my time at the National Aviary, but was elated to have been welcomed into this awesome birding community as soon as I arrived! During our first walk at dusk, a Great Horned Owl swooped overhead and landed in a nearby bush along the dunes. This is only the second owl I’ve spotted in my birding experiences! The first was a screech owl in a Pennsylvania forest. I have spotted a *new to me* bird on every birding walk so far, and began logging my finds on eBird. So very glad to join this community! Happy New Year!
*Sreedhara:* Thanks for the initiative. While it is almost impossible to choose, my most memorable experience this year (one of the most memorable) was over the months of Apr and May when I was able to photograph and video the American Avocets (mating through raising chicks).
*Bob Toleno:* So far, my favorite San Mateo County birding experience was standing just 15 feet from the male Summer Tanager on Seaside School Road and watching him catch and devour a steady stream of yellowjackets. We must have seen him eat 25-30 of these insects in just the 15-minute period that we observed him.
I hope you enjoyed this final installment for 2020. I f you have questions or comments regarding this report, please email:
<maliadances...>
Happy New Year and Good Birding!
*What will your favorite birding experience be in 2021?*
Date: 1/17/21 9:33 am From: Linda Swanson <lswanson...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Moss Beach Merlin
Barbara and All,
A Merlin as you describe was perched and hunting just beyond the north parking lot of the Devil’s Slide Trail two days ago, on the 15th.
Of note this morning was a California Thrasher at the north end of the trail. The location from the north parking lot is along the incline to the left, where there is chainlink fence and signage, and before the trail turns along the ocean. I also observed one here on December 1.
Linda Swanson
> On Jan 17, 2021, at 8:51 AM, Barbara Kossy <bkossy...> wrote:
>
> My morning walk in the neighborhood near the Fitzgerald parking lot was relatively birdy,
> especially after all the wind and fog here yesterday.
> A highlight was spotting a Merlin flyover. It flew west and landed in one of the eucalyptus just south of the bridge over San Vicente Creek.
> This is the first Merlin I've seen in the neighborhood.
> Very small raptor. Gray back. Peregrine-like band on face.
> Banded tail.
> What confused me a bit was the very pale chest and belly.
> It may have been the direct hit by the morning sun that made it look so bright.
> Other birds seen include Red-shouldered hawk, flock of Cedar waxwings flyover.
>
> I often think of changes in the neighborhood altering the habitat for birds.
> The Red-shouldered Hawk used to hunt from a wire over a vacant lot. Now there's construction in the lot and the hawk no longer hunts there.
> My neighbor removed multiple Cotoneasters. That's a good thing, getting rid of an invasive plant and he's getting his native garden going and planting Coyote bush which hosts lots of insects..
> But in the short term the Cedar waxwings flew over, and in the past they would feed on the Cotoneaster berries.
> On the north end of Airport road a row of Monterey Cypress were planted where I would find Northern Shrikes.
> After the trees were planted I never saw the shrikes again (maybe coincidence?)
> Since the Marine Reserve has been closed the gulls and other birds that like to rest and feed on the reef have been left in peace.
>
> What changes are happening in your neighborhood that affect the birds?
>
> Best,
> Barbara Kossy
> Moss Beach
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> <bkossy...> <mailto:<bkossy...> > txt: 650-430-1094
>
Date: 1/17/21 8:52 am From: Barbara Kossy <bkossy...> Subject: [pen-bird] Moss Beach Merlin
My morning walk in the neighborhood near the Fitzgerald parking lot was relatively birdy, especially after all the wind and fog here yesterday. A highlight was spotting a Merlin flyover. It flew west and landed in one of the eucalyptus just south of the bridge over San Vicente Creek. This is the first Merlin I've seen in the neighborhood. Very small raptor. Gray back. Peregrine-like band on face. Banded tail. What confused me a bit was the very pale chest and belly. It may have been the direct hit by the morning sun that made it look so bright. Other birds seen include Red-shouldered hawk, flock of Cedar waxwings flyover.
I often think of changes in the neighborhood altering the habitat for birds. The Red-shouldered Hawk used to hunt from a wire over a vacant lot. Now there's construction in the lot and the hawk no longer hunts there. My neighbor removed multiple Cotoneasters. That's a good thing, getting rid of an invasive plant and he's getting his native garden going and planting Coyote bush which hosts lots of insects.. But in the short term the Cedar waxwings flew over, and in the past they would feed on the Cotoneaster berries. On the north end of Airport road a row of Monterey Cypress were planted where I would find Northern Shrikes. After the trees were planted I never saw the shrikes again (maybe coincidence?) Since the Marine Reserve has been closed the gulls and other birds that like to rest and feed on the reef have been left in peace.
What changes are happening in your neighborhood that affect the birds?
Date: 1/16/21 8:35 am From: Diane McCoy <dianemccoy10...> Subject: [pen-bird] Wunderlich County Park
>
>
> Hi All,
I am new to this group but have been a subscriber to south bay birds for about a year.
I think I am still a beginner birder as far as knowledge/skill go, but am grateful to all on SBB who have been very patient and supportive of us beginners during Covid, since we cannot bird with Audubon groups, etc.
> Hiked Wunderlich County Park Friday. Just beautiful. Not crowded at all.
> Saw and heard 2 Pileated Woodpeckers (my first this year)!!!
> Acorn Woodpeckers; about half dozen.
> 2 Stellar Jays
> 1 Junco
> 1 Spotted Towhee and…….
> 8 deer!
Saw the woodpeckers and jays around 11:45 am, near end of the Bear Gulch Trail, just before we came to the Meadow.
>
> Was hiking with my son who likes to get a bit going…..
>
> First time at this park; it was a joy.
>
> Best,
> Diane McCoy
Three hours later, the Tropical Kingbird was in exactly the same place, for Peter Headland and me. Very bad photos taken, as there were many vehicles parked by the flags, so we were quite a way from the bird.
---- On Fri, 15 Jan 2021 19:32:05 -0800 Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> wrote ----
This morning Robbie Fischer and I had the TROPICAL KINGBIRD as a drive-up bird. It was sitting on the sign next to the row of flags at the Holy Cross Cemetery.
Checking through the flocks of Canada Geese at the cemetery, I found an odd CACKLING GOOSE that has been identified as a "Taverner's Goose" B. h. taverneri, a poorly known subspecies in our area. We also saw the continuing immature SNOW GOOSE at the far NW end of the cemetery.
On Thu, 14 Jan 2021 12:53:07 -0800, "Christopher Hayward" <mailto:<p_t_nymph...> wrote:
>Hi All, >The Tropical Kingbird reported during the San Francisco CBC on 12/29/20 and I believe last reported here by Leonie Batkin and Ron Thorn on 1/1/21, is still present. I found the bird this morning in the same area Leonie described in her post. For anyone interested in trying to see it, the bird was easy to find in the southwest area of the cemetery just as Leonie reported, sallying around an area uphill from the mausoleum, right in the vicinity of a line of flags. >Have photos on my ebird checklist link below. > >https://ebird.org/checklist/S79237226 > >Chris Hayward >Half Moon Bay -- Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
Joe et al.
Having seen geese in Nome that are theoretically Taverner's, I have been confused. There are some weird issues. Here is the original description of taverneri:
http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/bitstream/handle/2246/3908/N1537.pdf?sequence=1 The type is from Colusa, a wintering bird, which creates a problem. Particularly so since the current main wintering area for Taverner's is not in California, but to our East. My guess is that the specimen is not a Taverner's, but likely an Aleutian which he compares it to, rather than comparing it to the more similar Lesser Canada Goose. Although the type is from 1913, when Delacour described taverneri, Aleutian Goose was thought to possibly be extinct! We know Aleutians better than he did 😊.
My other guess based on how variable taverneri is supposed to be, is that it is likely a hybrid population between Cackling and Lesser Canada. It seems to me that the safest way to identify Taverner's is that it breeds in Tundra near the coast, while Lessers breed farther away from the coast, often in Taiga habitats.
A lot needs to be sorted out. But I am not a believer that we know what Taverner's is, and if there is a different population is up there, it may need a new name as my guess is that the type is of something else. Obviously, I am guessing a lot, but my point is that it is worthwhile being critical of the actual existence of Taverner's Goose. I am not convinced. It may be the goose version of "Kumlien's Gull"
Very cool bird though, a definite teacher bird.
-----Original Message-----
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of Joe Morlan
Sent: Friday, January 15, 2021 7:32 PM
To: <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: Snow Goose and "Taverner's" Cackling Goose Re: [pen-bird] Tropical Kingbird, Holy Cross Cemetery, 1/14/21
This morning Robbie Fischer and I had the TROPICAL KINGBIRD as a drive-up bird. It was sitting on the sign next to the row of flags at the Holy Cross Cemetery.
Checking through the flocks of Canada Geese at the cemetery, I found an odd CACKLING GOOSE that has been identified as a "Taverner's Goose" B. h.
taverneri, a poorly known subspecies in our area. We also saw the continuing immature SNOW GOOSE at the far NW end of the cemetery.
On Thu, 14 Jan 2021 12:53:07 -0800, "Christopher Hayward"
<p_t_nymph...> wrote:
>Hi All,
>The Tropical Kingbird reported during the San Francisco CBC on 12/29/20 and I believe last reported here by Leonie Batkin and Ron Thorn on 1/1/21, is still present. I found the bird this morning in the same area Leonie described in her post. For anyone interested in trying to see it, the bird was easy to find in the southwest area of the cemetery just as Leonie reported, sallying around an area uphill from the mausoleum, right in the vicinity of a line of flags.
>Have photos on my ebird checklist link below.
>
>https://ebird.org/checklist/S79237226 >
>Chris Hayward
>Half Moon Bay
--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
This morning Robbie Fischer and I had the TROPICAL KINGBIRD as a drive-up bird. It was sitting on the sign next to the row of flags at the Holy Cross Cemetery.
Checking through the flocks of Canada Geese at the cemetery, I found an odd CACKLING GOOSE that has been identified as a "Taverner's Goose" B. h. taverneri, a poorly known subspecies in our area. We also saw the continuing immature SNOW GOOSE at the far NW end of the cemetery.
On Thu, 14 Jan 2021 12:53:07 -0800, "Christopher Hayward" <p_t_nymph...> wrote:
>Hi All, >The Tropical Kingbird reported during the San Francisco CBC on 12/29/20 and I believe last reported here by Leonie Batkin and Ron Thorn on 1/1/21, is still present. I found the bird this morning in the same area Leonie described in her post. For anyone interested in trying to see it, the bird was easy to find in the southwest area of the cemetery just as Leonie reported, sallying around an area uphill from the mausoleum, right in the vicinity of a line of flags. >Have photos on my ebird checklist link below. > >https://ebird.org/checklist/S79237226 > >Chris Hayward >Half Moon Bay -- Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
Date: 1/15/21 4:57 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] Black Scoters @ Mussel Rock Park and continuing rarities 1/15/21
This morning we hit some birding spots in San Mateo County. Starting in the riparian area at the end of Bev Cunha Country Rd. (known to locals as the Half Moon Bay Water Treatment Plant) we spent a good part of an hour looking for the wintering BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER. Almost as we were about to leave, Chris spotted it in the foliage on the far bank of the creek. This checklist has photos and also shows where the hotspot marker is for this location. Do not go into the facility itself. Park in the dirt lot and take the path on the south side of the row of cypresses to the creek. https://ebird.org/checklist/S79294756
Afterwards, we visited Mussel Rock Park where we counted (13) Black Scoters in with Surf Scoters on the water beneath the cliff. From there we visited Holy Cross Cemetery and saw the continuing TROPICAL KINGBIRD. Leonie Batkin gave very good description of the birds location on her previous Pen-bird post here: https://groups.io/g/peninsula-birding/message/20446
Last stop of the day was at Bayfront Park in Milbrae to see the continuing EURASIAN TEAL. The Eurasian Teal, originally found by Ron Thorn and Leonie Batkin, was present at the end of the park nearest to where Milbrae Ave. intersects with Old Bayshore Hwy.
I had to go to an outdoor covid safe meeting at Año Nuevo today (Merlin, Ring-necked Duck, 5 species of gull etc.) and on my way over I stopped by the pond visible from Hwy1 near Bob’s Pumpkins south of Half Moon Bay. The swans are still there, but what caught my attention were a couple of Canvasbacks. I can’t remember if I have seen a Canvasback on the coast before, even in Pillar Point Harbor. Probably have, but cannot remember. This is a relatively rare species on the coast. In fact it turned out to be a new “5 mile radius” bird for me. Species 310 seen 5 miles from my house. It just squeaked in, 4.8 miles straight line distance. 😊. These are those micro-level status things, an abundant bird on the Bayside at some sites, but on the coast, quite rare. Peter Metropoulos has an eBird record for Canvasback at the same pond in the 70s, so for all I know they are regular there! The canvasback was new, the swans were not for the 5 mile radius list.
This morning, Ginny Marshall and I went to Devil’s Slide to check for the RNGR reported by Chris Hayward recently and the Rock Wrens. Scoping from the parking lot we saw nothing but Murre’s and gulls, so we walked the trail to Rock Wren land but it was very windy and they were not to be seen. Back to the parking lot where we ran into Linda Swanson just finishing her daily walk. She indicated she had seen the grebe earlier, walked over to the railing and there THEY were. There were two Red-necked Grebes swimming close together and pretty close to shore. I was able to get some distant poor photos. Here is my eBird checklist with the pics: https://ebird.org/checklist/S79285730 <https://ebird.org/checklist/S79285730>
We decided to walk back to look again for the Rock Wrens and this time they were more cooperative: one sitting on the wall on one side of the trail and the other up above on the cliff face, calling. In addition there are now hundreds of Murre’s on Egg Rock and in the water nearby.
Date: 1/14/21 4:40 pm From: Ben Pearl <bpearl...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Odd looking Killdeer ID help please
Hi Oliver,
These are Semipalmated Plovers. They are intermediate in size between Snowy Plovers and Killdeer, and during Spring and Summer have a full chest band compared to two on Killdeer and an incomplete band on Snowy Plovers. There is also a Dunlin on the far left of your first photo and a few Western Sandpipers in the others.
Cheers,
Ben Santa Clara
On Thu, Jan 14, 2021 at 4:21 PM Oliver Zhang <BLACKROCKARTSTUDIO...> wrote:
> Hi friends. > > I was getting some fresh air along the Foster City coastline on Jan 6, > 2021, Southside of San Mateo Bridge, the sunrise was splendid, there was a > large flock of sandpipers ( or KILLDEARSs ? ) singing. Upon closer look, I > was not sure if these were LESSER SANDPIPER or KILLDEARs. Perhaps the more > knowledgeable birders can ID this bird? Thanks in advance. > > > Oliver > > > > >
-- Ben Pearl, M.S. Plover and Tern Program Director San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory 524 Valley Way Milpitas CA 95035 Office: 408.946.6548 ext 206 Cell: 805.550.0881 www.sfbbo.org
Date: 1/14/21 4:21 pm From: Oliver Zhang <BLACKROCKARTSTUDIO...> Subject: [pen-bird] Odd looking Killdeer ID help please
Hi friends.
I was getting some fresh air along the Foster City coastline on Jan 6, 2021, Southside of San Mateo Bridge, the sunrise was splendid, there was a large flock of sandpipers ( or KILLDEARSs ? ) singing. Upon closer look, I was not sure if these were LESSER SANDPIPER or KILLDEARs. Perhaps the more knowledgeable birders can ID this bird? Thanks in advance.
Hi All,
The Tropical Kingbird reported during the San Francisco CBC on 12/29/20 and I believe last reported here by Leonie Batkin and Ron Thorn on 1/1/21, is still present. I found the bird this morning in the same area Leonie described in her post. For anyone interested in trying to see it, the bird was easy to find in the southwest area of the cemetery just as Leonie reported, sallying around an area uphill from the mausoleum, right in the vicinity of a line of flags.
Have photos on my ebird checklist link below.
Date: 1/13/21 4:54 pm From: Christopher Hayward <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Red-necked Grebe, Devils Slide County Park, 1/13/21
Hi All,
Today I made my annual pilgrimage to try to see the Rock Wrens at Devil's Slide County Park. Two were seen about 75 yards up the trail from the main parking lot, where there is a low wall on the cliff top. On my way back I stopped to scan the ocean from the parking lot and noticed a Red-necked Grebe diving about 100 yards off the rocks. Interesting to note from ebird records, I noted a Red-necked Grebe at this location on 1/28/20 last year and Cedric Duhalde saw two on 1/13/19, so a pretty consistent spot for this species it seems.
Date: 1/13/21 11:41 am From: Davena Gentry <davena...> Subject: [pen-bird] Sequoia Audubon Monthly Meeting - Jan 14 - Mary Ellen Hannibal
"Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" is one of Wallace Stevens' most beloved poems, taught in many an English class, and accessible even to those who don't love poetry. Given the seasonality of the poem, it is likely Stevens was writing about a Rusty Blackbird, evidently so common as to be taken for granted as part of the scenery. The bird is not given a name, a history, or its own reality outside the mind of the poet.
In this presentation, noted Bay Area author Mary Ellen Hannibal will take a look at Stevens' poem alongside the natural history and current situation of the Rusty Blackbird. Questioning whether Stevens was really looking at a blackbird and not just thinking about one, she will highlight how citizen science helps reveal the deepest truths about the world. She'll discuss how the group mind of citizen science, which aggregates millions of individual observations into discernable patterns, has an emerging poetry all its own. And the blackbird “is involved” in a starring role.
Mary Ellen Hannibal is the author of numerous significant works on the ecology of our times, most prominently Citizen Scientist and The Spine of the Continent. She has been a speaker in the Wallace Stegner Lecture Series with Peninsula Open Space Trust, and delivered a TedTalk on Citizen Science in 2020. She has been a favorite speaker at Sequoia before, and it is an honor to welcome her back.
Sequoia Audubon Society has consistently forefronted the importance of participatory science initiatives like eBird, iNaturalist, and official seasonal Bird Counts. We have also endeavored to make birding multidimensional, understanding how it includes science, art, literature, history, and all dimensions of community. This talk will unite many of these elements.
Date: 1/13/21 9:37 am From: Kris via groups.io <grlbordr...> Subject: [pen-bird] Pine Siskins - Salmonella Outbreak
Greetings Birders,
I'm sure you're aware, but I'm writing to let you know just in case, this is a "big year" for salmonella in (primarily) pine siskins. I found two dead in the picnic area of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (Moss Beach) this morning. I found a dead one in my yard last week and there are two in my yard right now with symptoms (puffed up, swollen eyes - almost let me catch them by hand within three inches...). I called Vector Control this morning to see if they wanted to test the carcasses, they said they only test for West Nile but they were well aware of the "big year" and the high mortality this season, which seems to have started in the northwest and is actively occurring in California right now. It seems to hit the pine siskins the hardest but it's transmitted to all feeder birds and they are aware of goldfinches taking hard hits as well as all other "little birds". I spoke to folks at PHS and they are also aware of the issue.
Both Vector Control and PHS suggest shutting down feeders and water containers.
As a newer bird enthusiast, it's heartbreaking to turn away the birds I've come to love and admire over the past couple of years, and part of me worries about where they'll find food and water, but experts have told me repeatedly - the best thing I can do *for the birds* is to shut it all down.
https://audubonportland.org/blog/help-pine-siskins-by-practicing-safe-bird-feeding/
The AOS and eBird currently consider this to be a race of Green-winged Teal, but the two are genetically quite distinct and other authorities consider them to be separate species.
Also there was an apparent hybrid Eurasian x American Wigeon hybrid at Bayfront Park. It looks mostly like a Eurasian and may be a backcross with Eurasian.
Also included on are images of male, female and immature BARROW'S GOLDENEYES.
Stay well!
On Tue, 12 Jan 2021 01:27:13 +0000 (UTC), "Ronald- Thorn via groups.io" <Tronthorn...> wrote:
>This morning, Leonie and I noted a male EURASIAN TEAL resting with Green-winged Teal in the salt marsh at the Bayfront Park at the end of Millbrae Avenue. -- Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
This morning, Leonie and I noted a male EURASIAN TEAL resting with Green-winged Teal in the salt marsh at the BayfrontPark at the end of Millbrae Avenue.
Yesterday during the large breakers and high tide leaving little beach space for gulls and Sanderlings, we were surprised to see a MASS of Sanderlings on the beach. Counting twice, there were up to ( 900 ) Sanderlings on what little exposedbeach there was at Pomponio State Beach. Late Heerman's Gulls have been passing through with higher numbers thanexpected at this time of the year. ( 84 ) Heerman's Gulls were noted at Pomponio State Beach.
Passing through Half Moon Bay during the week, we noticed many Killdeers coming in from an agricultural field to a rainpond along Highway 1. Between ( 80-90 ) Killdeers were noted. Many coming into the pond were joined by ( 6 ) Wilson'sSnipe.
A Greater White-fronted Goose at Sea Cloud Park in Foster City on January 6 is most likely the one seen at other locationsin Foster City.
Ron ThornLeonie Batkin
Date: 1/11/21 10:17 am From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] Snow and Greater white fronted goose Foster city
There is currently both a Snow and. Greater WF goose in with Canadians at the field at bow ditch middle school at the corner of swordfish and beach park in Foster city. 10:10am
Date: 1/11/21 8:38 am From: Luca <luucaa...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Chickadee ID help
Yes, correct, Chestnut-Backed Chickadee. A very beautiful little bird.
Luca
On Sun, Jan 10, 2021 at 8:33 PM Oliver Zhang <BLACKROCKARTSTUDIO...> wrote:
> Hi friends, this morning I was walking along the O'Brian Dr in the Menlo > Park Biolab Park, around 9:00 am, a large group of CEDAR WAXINGs flew in to > have breakfast, amongst them a tiny bird caught my attention, it hopped on > the tree branches for 5 seconds before I could get some decent photos. > > Upon closer look, I wonder if this was a Bay Area Adult CHESTNUT-BACKED > CHICKADEE.? Can anybody confirm this ? > > > > Thanks > > > > Oliver > > >
Date: 1/10/21 8:33 pm From: Oliver Zhang <BLACKROCKARTSTUDIO...> Subject: [pen-bird] Chickadee ID help
Hi friends, this morning I was walking along the O'Brian Dr in the Menlo Park Biolab Park, around 9:00 am, a large group of CEDAR WAXINGs flew in to have breakfast, amongst them a tiny bird caught my attention, it hopped on the tree branches for 5 seconds before I could get some decent photos.
Upon closer look, I wonder if this was a Bay Area Adult CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE.? Can anybody confirm this ?
Date: 1/10/21 4:44 pm From: Leslie Flint <lflint...> Subject: [pen-bird] Ano Nuevo Christmas Bird Count results
Hi all,
I wanted to get out some info on how we did for the Ano Nuevo Count this year. It was particularly challenging, not only because of COVID restrictions, but also because 4 of our parks were closed because of the CZU fire. Of those, we got restricted access to Butano, where we were allowed 2 people to count on the main road only, and at Memorial, one person to hike one trail. In addition, several of the properties on the east side of Hwy 1 from White House Creek Road to Ano Nuevo suffered burn all the way up and over the ridgeline and could not be counted because of the ash and concern about debris flow.
We had 60 people counting in smaller groups than usual; only 3 teams had 3 people, the rest were 1 or 2 people. AND it rained! Some of us on the coast got sprinkled on but those at higher elevations got rain most of the day. My thanks go out to all of your who participated and stuck it out!
Still I think we did really well with 155 species seen on count day and 6 more during count week. Kent Forward already reported on his day in Pescadero town where they had to check the calendar to be sure it wasn’t really summer when they had Black-headed Grosbeak and Wilson’s Warbler! Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were seen by both the Stage and Pescadero Road teams. The Pescadero Marsh team were happy the Eurasian Wigeon and Bald Eagle made an appearance, but unhappy that yet again peeps are missing from the marsh. Judy Spitler found a Mockingbird in the Bolsa area - I know that doesn’t seem like a big deal, but Mockingbird is virtually absent from this count now. The sea watch was tough with the rain and high surf but Fulmar’s were out there as were a few “dark shearwaters” (Sooty was identifiable). I am happy that a total of 72 Snowy Plovers were found at 3 separate beaches.
I’m hoping that some of the rest of the participants can share their experiences for this day. Again thank you everyone!
There were ( 4 ) Lesser Yellowlegs with ( 21 ) Greater Yellowlegs this morning in the pickleweed ( Salicornia ) marsh Peter described fromyesterday morning.
Ron ThornLeonie Batkin
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Metropulos <pjmetrop...>
To: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...>
Sent: Fri, Jan 8, 2021 6:34 pm
Subject: [pen-bird] Bair Island: LESSER YELLOWLEGS & BARROW'S GOLDENEYES
This morning(1/8/21) I took a walk along the Bair Island Trail in Redwood City. Public parking is available at the intersection of Bair I.Rd/ Sea Anchor Dr.In the deep channel there were two BARROW'S GOLDENEYES, an adult male accompanied by a first-winter female. I viewed them at close range from the bridge which crosses from the road to the island. A short distance past the bridge there is a pickleweed(Salicornia) marsh where a group of 10 Greater Yellowlegs were roosting. Among them was a noticeably smaller LESSER YELLOWLEGS.
Date: 1/9/21 3:35 pm From: Peter Grace <pgrace...> Subject: [pen-bird] Bald Eagle above Pescadero 1/8/2021
At 1:11am yesterday, 1/8/21, I saw an adult Bald Eagle flying north towards Pescadero. I was on Bean Hollow Road and just north of the Transfer Station.
Date: 1/9/21 3:06 pm From: Leslie Flint <lflint...> Subject: [pen-bird] Adult Ferruginous Hawk along Stage Road today 1/9 plus a few other nice birds
Hi all, this morning I made my 4th/5th? attempt to see the Ferruginous Hawk that had been reported and seen by many along Pescadero Road between Water Lane and town. I didn’t see it. So I drove around checking fields and hillsides near town to no avail. Finally I headed down Stage Road - Ginny Marshall had seen a Ferrug fly over when she was looking for the Sapsucker at 1650 Stage Road this week. I drove past that spot along the section where there are huge Eucalyptus trees and the the road makes a sharp left turn. I stopped and checked the ridgeline and saw several birds flying, one of which was very white; I saw a white tail so jumped out and by the time I got my scope set up, all the birds were out of sight. I scoped the grassland below the ridge and there was the Ferruginous Hawk. It apparently had prey so stayed in one spot for quite a while. I took some photos but the distance was very far; now that I downloaded the photos, such as they are, I could see that the bird had rufous leggings, making it an adult. Here is my eBird checklist. https://ebird.org/checklist/S78936643 <https://ebird.org/checklist/S78936643> I have more terrible pics of the bird if you want to see them!
From there I drove up to Lower La Honda Creek OSP where it was very quiet. I did see the Loggerhead Shrike reported recently on the wires near the big water tank. From there I went to Reflection Pond which has had some changes…sections of the reeds have been bulldozed and a trail created behind the pond. Not sure if that is a great idea since birds were easily flushed by noisy hikers. However I counted at least 26 Hooded Mergansers! Amazing.
Early this morning I stopped at the pond opposite Bob’s Produce Stand but could not see the swans. On the way home I drove up Verde Road and scoped from there. The 4 swans were in north corner of the pond which you can’t see from Hwy 1, especially when there are cows obscuring the view.
This morning(1/8/21) I took a walk along the Bair Island Trail in Redwood City. Public parking is available at the intersection of Bair I.Rd/ Sea Anchor Dr.In the deep channel there were two BARROW'S GOLDENEYES, an adult male accompanied by a first-winter female. I viewed them at close range from the bridge which crosses from the road to the island. A short distance past the bridge there is a pickleweed(Salicornia) marsh where a group of 10 Greater Yellowlegs were roosting. Among them was a noticeably smaller LESSER YELLOWLEGS.
Date: 1/8/21 6:04 pm From: Sree Alavattam <alavattam...> Subject: [pen-bird] 20 best biding experiences in Bay Area in 2020
Hello birders
I have been trying to distract myself from the events that have unfolded this week. I started reminiscing about the great local birding experiences I had in 2020. What else does a bird photographer do? Here is the compilation - would love your comments and feedback. Warning - its a long video. 20 min video for the 20 best birding experiences I had in 2020. So many amazing places in the Bay area to be in nature and enjoy its beauty. Hope this inspires you to make your own and if so please share.
Thanks for indulging me. 2020 has been a great year of growth for me.
Date: 1/8/21 9:22 am From: Christoph Randler <christoph.randler...> Subject: [pen-bird] Covid - birding
Happy New Year
Dear Birders,
Hope you all are fine; we are doing a short study how COVID-19 has changed birding. Please help us and answer a few questions, that take some minutes. You can also forward the link to others.
The study is in several languages and we would be happy for your participation. The study is hosted by the University of Tübingen, and run by a team of people, also being birders.
Stay healthy and good birding,
Christoph
Date: 1/7/21 5:43 pm From: Jane Tatchell <Jane...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] eBird request - changing auto selected location to Hotspot while using mobile app
Recent updates to the Android version of eBird now provide suggested locations rather than defaulting to an automatic new point. That's a big help as it suggests existing nearby hotspots (and personal locations) so you don't get so many blue pins! If that change hasn't yet made it onto Apple devices, I'm sure it will soon.
Good (e)Birding,
Jane Tatchell, Redwood City
---- On Thu, 07 Jan 2021 17:31:57 -0800 maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> wrote ----
Hello San Mateo County eBirders,
I have an eBird related request……When using eBird mobile in the field, please remember to change the “Auto Selected” location (that is automatically chosen at the start of your birding session), to a pre-existing Hotspot if you know what that Hotspot is.
When you reach the change/select a location screen using the app., you have 3 tab choices on the screen to see what locations are available. “Recent”, “Nearby” and “Map”. For visiting birders, less familiar with our county, I strongly suggest using the “Map” option to help you decide which location to use. This option shows not only the markers on the map, but it also shows you where you are in relation to those markers. Blue markers are personal locations. Orange markers are Hotspots.
I think most local birders know what Hotspot they are birding in. However, I think some just simply forget to make the change as I am seeing many checklists coming through with the “auto selected” locations.
I have attached an image to this email to give an idea of how blue auto-selected markers are populating the eBird map. In this case I searched on CB Chickadee reports at Burleigh Murray SP. You can see there are 13 checklists that used the blue auto-selected marker. The data contained in those checklists would better serve eBird users if they had been changed to the Burleigh Murray Hotspot. Using a Hotspot for a location like Burleigh Murray helps users to see all the data that has been collected for that hotspot over time.
If you know you have forgotten to change your auto selected locations to a pre-existing Hotspot at the end of your birding session, please try to take the time to change your location to the Hotspot.
Below is information from the online eBird help files about using Hotspots vs. personal locations:
When should I use a Hotspot instead of a personal location?
Hotspots are a useful way to aggregate results for popular birding locations. However, you should not always use a Hotspot for your checklist. But do use an eBird Hotspot when it accurately represents your entire checklist.
Use a personal location in any situation where no existing Hotspot precisely describes your location or route. If you think that personal location should be a Hotspot in the future, suggest it to eBird's Hotspot Reviewers!
How do I merge a personal location with an existing Hotspot?
If you make a personal location for your checklist(s) in the field, then later realize an existing Hotspot would have been equally appropriate for those lists, you can merge your personal location with that Hotspot. This will move all checklists from that personal location to the Hotspot instead.
Date: 1/7/21 5:32 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] eBird request - changing auto selected location to Hotspot while using mobile app
Hello San Mateo County eBirders,
I have an eBird related request……When using eBird mobile in the field, please remember to change the “Auto Selected” location (that is automatically chosen at the start of your birding session), to a pre-existing Hotspot if you know what that Hotspot is.
When you reach the change/select a location screen using the app., you have 3 tab choices on the screen to see what locations are available. “Recent”, “Nearby” and “Map”. For visiting birders, less familiar with our county, I strongly suggest using the “Map” option to help you decide which location to use. This option shows not only the markers on the map, but it also shows you where you are in relation to those markers. Blue markers are personal locations. Orange markers are Hotspots.
I think most local birders know what Hotspot they are birding in. However, I think some just simply forget to make the change as I am seeing many checklists coming through with the “auto selected” locations.
I have attached an image to this email to give an idea of how blue auto-selected markers are populating the eBird map. In this case I searched on CB Chickadee reports at Burleigh Murray SP. You can see there are 13 checklists that used the blue auto-selected marker. The data contained in those checklists would better serve eBird users if they had been changed to the Burleigh Murray Hotspot. Using a Hotspot for a location like Burleigh Murray helps users to see all the data that has been collected for that hotspot over time.
If you know you have forgotten to change your auto selected locations to a pre-existing Hotspot at the end of your birding session, please try to take the time to change your location to the Hotspot.
Below is information from the online eBird help files about using Hotspots vs. personal locations:
*When should I use a Hotspot instead of a personal location?*
Hotspots are a useful way to aggregate results for popular birding locations. However, you should not always use a Hotspot for your checklist. But do use an eBird Hotspot when it accurately represents your entire checklist.
Use a personal location in any situation where no existing Hotspot precisely describes your location or route. If you think that personal location should be a Hotspot in the future, suggest it to eBird's Hotspot Reviewers!
*How do I merge a personal location with an existing Hotspot?*
If you make a personal location for your checklist(s) in the field, then later realize an existing Hotspot would have been equally appropriate for those lists, you can merge your personal location with that Hotspot. This will move all checklists from that personal location to the Hotspot instead.
Date: 1/7/21 3:34 pm From: Dana Bangs <danabangs...> Subject: [pen-bird] Continuing Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker at Stage Rd.
Howdy All,
After checking the continuing White Wagtail at Santa Cruz, I came north today and went by 1650 Stage Rd. in Pescadero for my third attempt at the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker. Third time was a charm as it arrived at the well-drilled eucalyptus almost immediately. It crossed the road for a bit, then back to its favorite tree and then off beyond the house. I waited about ten minutes and it came back to the eucalyptus where I finally got some half-decent shots. Then back beyond the house. I waited another 20 minutes or so but it didn't reappear. Great bird for the new year.
Date: 1/7/21 11:28 am From: Joshua Stacy <joshua.g.stacy...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Tundra Swans Across from Bob’s Produce
The pond is actually south, not north of the Cowell-Purisima trailhead and
can be viewed from Hwy 1.
On Thu, Jan 7, 2021 at 10:23 AM Joshua Stacy via groups.io <joshua.g.stacy=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> The 4 Tundra Swans were in the pond north of the Cowell-Purisima Trail
> parking lot and across from the Bob’s Produce sign at 9:45 AM. This is the
> same place Ron Thorn reported them a couple of weeks ago. I am guessing
> that they have been there the whole time.
>
> Best,
> Joshua Stacy
>
>
>
Date: 1/7/21 10:23 am From: Joshua Stacy <joshua.g.stacy...> Subject: [pen-bird] Tundra Swans Across from Bob’s Produce
The 4 Tundra Swans were in the pond north of the Cowell-Purisima Trail
parking lot and across from the Bob’s Produce sign at 9:45 AM. This is the
same place Ron Thorn reported them a couple of weeks ago. I am guessing
that they have been there the whole time.
Date: 1/7/21 8:43 am From: Laurie Graham <greylag64...> Subject: [pen-bird] Snow Goose
My early-morning spotter reports the return of the juvenile Snow Goose to South City airspace this morning, with an escort from the royal Canada air force.
Tan striped White-throated Sparrow just seen at the corner of N. Lake and California Ave. in Moss Beach, just south of the little bridge. A week ago I saw a white striped White-throated sparrow near the same location, so I think there are two in the area. Best,
Date: 1/6/21 1:20 am From: Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> Subject: [pen-bird] Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera)
03 January 2021. Phelps Slough, Redwood Shores, Redwood City, California, USA.
Note the powder blue wing coverts visible in the open wing. This striking duck breeds primarily in freshwater ponds and wetlands in Western North America south of the Prairie Pothole region. Its North American population has been estimated at fewer than 300,000 making it one of our least common dabbling ducks. In the Bay Area, these birds are primarily migrants, especially in the Spring, but they also winter locally.
Today, 1/5 Chris and I needed to go to Costco in Foster City. On our way we drove by Edgewater Park where there were (3) Greater White-fronted Geese in amongst about 80 Canada Geese. https://ebird.org/checklist/S78726509
On 1/3 we spent the day catching up with some on the rarities on the bayside. A trip to Coyote Point not only included the continuing HARLEQUIN DUCK, but also, kind of unusual for this location, we spotted a Ridgway's Rail "swimming" at the end of the trail that goes along the east side of the marina. This was during an incoming tide. The rail climbed up on the broken concrete bits scattered there, and sat seemingly undisturbed by us taking photos of it. https://ebird.org/checklist/S78620207
Date: 1/5/21 6:45 pm From: pumpkinn8 <pumpkinn8...> Subject: [pen-bird] Urgently Seeking Advice: Caltrans plans to remove trees supporting established roost of birds in Burlingame
As confirmed by a regular Penbird member, Penbird allows for posting conservation issues pertaining specifically to the birds of the Peninsula. Therefore, I am posting this message with the hope that someone in the birding community might have some advice.
Caltrans is trying to push through a project that could effectively remove a great majority of the Eucalyptus trees located along El Camino, throughout the entire city of Burlingame.
I live in Burlingame, along the west side of El Camino. There is a huge roost of Turkey Vultures that roost in the Eucalyptus trees on the corner of the property on which I live. This roost is well established and has been active for well over a decade, and the number of Turkey Vultures have recently numbered as high as ~90. And now, for at least the past six weeks, an Osprey also roosts in the same Eucalyptus trees every night.
The project proposes to widen the El Camino corridor, which means not only would they remove this stand of Eucalyptus, but in the process could damage and/or irreparably destroy a great number of the other trees that stand adjacent to the Eucalyptus. These include but are not limited to Birch, Liquidambar, Privet, and many other fruit and seed producing trees that support an incredible diversity of birds, especially during the winter months when food supply is critical. I have witnessed the large number of birds that these trees attract and support. While not avian, the Eucalyptus on my corner has also hosted a large wild honey bee hive for many years, that I also feel deserves protection.
Caltrans was ineffective in providing communication regarding this project, including the fact that the Public Comment period ends midnight, January 8th. I understand this means that time is short.
Does anyone know if it is possible to advocate for the protection of the stand of Eucalyptus on my corner of El Camino, based on the fact that they support an established (and very large) roost of Turkey Vultures, and now an Osprey? If so, does anyone have any advice on how to proceed in this direction?
Date: 1/5/21 1:53 am From: Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> Subject: [pen-bird] Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus)
02 January 2021. Pigeon Point, California, USA.
I was covering my area for the Ano Nuevo Christmas Bird Count when I took this photo. Notice the colored bands on this bird's legs. Ben Pearl of the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory advised me that he banded this individual as a chick in Mountain View California on 05 August 2020 and that its whereabouts were unknown until I took this photo. Thus it moved from San Francisco Bay flying over the Santa Cruz Mountains to the Pacific Coast, more than 25 miles from where it was hatched. Ben called it "ko:ag" (black over orange on left, aqua over green on right) and provided a photo of it as a chick which he kindly allowed me to use...
This vulnerable species is classified as "Near Threatened." It was formerly lumped with the similar Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) of Eurasia.
Date: 1/4/21 6:19 pm From: Jim Dehnert <dehnert...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Coyote Point Snow Goose
He was still there in the late afternoon.
On Mon, Jan 4, 2021 at 10:31 AM douglas brown via groups.io <dduggy3= <yahoo.com...> wrote:
> The lone snow goose has abandoned the Coyote Point yacht club, but he is > still there. Found him still within the park, on the road to the Magic > Mountain playground, associating with a large flock of Canada Geese. > > >
Date: 1/4/21 5:33 pm From: Jennifer Rycenga <gyrrlfalcon...> Subject: [pen-bird] Horned Grebe and Bonaparte's Gull along Steinberger Slough
Peggy Macres and I made a quick stop at Steinberger Slough this afternoon, and had a few surprises (but no Long-tailed Duck).
There was a HORNED GREBE in the Slough, and an AMERICAN PIPIT flew up from the grass and headed out pip-pipping enroute to Bair Island. A first-winter BONAPARTE’S GULL was flying east up the slough.
This morning we saw the continuing female Tufted Duck at the Nob Hill Pond in Redwood Shores. It was resting near Lesser Scaup along the southern shore of the pond. This is the fourth year for this duck, first found by Ron on January 25, 2018. Don Pendleton took some excellent photos on Saturday, January 2nd which are in eBirds. This will give you a good idea of what the duck looks like now.
Yesterday, the hatch year Snow Goose was at the Golden Gate National Cemetery. This Snow Goose looks very much like, and likely is, the hatch year Snow Goose that was originally found by us on November 14, 2020 at Holy Cross Cemetery. It was last seen at Holy Cross on December 26th and then reported on December 29th by a team from the San Francisco CBC.
A big shout out to Malia DeFelice for all the hard work she does for our birding community preparing the San Mateo County Cumulative Year List, a champion eBird reviewer and contributor-THANK YOU MALIA!
Date: 1/4/21 10:31 am From: douglas brown via groups.io <dduggy3...> Subject: [pen-bird] Coyote Point Snow Goose
The lone snow goose has abandoned the Coyote Point yacht club, but he is still there. Found him still within the park, on the road to the Magic Mountain playground, associating with a large flock of Canada Geese.
Date: 1/3/21 6:39 pm From: Peter Metropulos <pjmetrop...> Subject: [pen-bird] Short-eared Owl at Cowell Ranch
Yesterday(January 2) I was driving south on Hwy 1 just before sunrise and saw a SHORT-EARED OWL hunting on the west side of the road at Cowell Ranch, south of Half Moon Bay.
Today(Jan.3) I was in San Mateo near the west end of 25th Ave. and spotted a group of 9 WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS foraging above the neighborhood.
Signs of Spring: A pair of Dark-eyed Juncos copulating, and a Mourning Dove singing, both today in San Mateo.
Hi Peter,
I would like that file very much, thank you! I've given up on reliable LB
vs. SB identification and would love to see your shots. The habitat info
is very helpful. What about the notion of SBDO having a flatter back as
presented in Sibley's guide? I've struggled with that feature in the field.
Best
Dana Bangs
Palo Alto
<danabangs...>
On Sun, Jan 3, 2021 at 12:14 PM pauldonahue9 <charadrius1...> wrote:
> Hi Peter,
>
> While I can’t point to specific field marks, based on shape and
> proportions, all three birds look to me like Long-billed Dowitchers.
> Dowitchers are of special interest to me, so I’ve made a point of
> photographing as many known individuals (identified by voice) as I can. If
> you or anybody else is interested I can send you a pdf (9 MB) with photos
> of about 70 winter plumage dowitchers identified to species. Just send me
> an email to the address below.
>
> As Alvaro said, the two species prefer different habitats, but for the San
> Francisco Bay area I would refine their preferences a bit more.
> Short-billed Dowitchers are typically found along the ocean side of the San
> Francisco Peninsula, and on the mudflats along the immediate shore of San
> Francisco Bay, as along the shell bar in Foster City. As you move back
> from the immediate shore of the bay into the tidal creeks and sloughs (Palo
> Alto Baylands, Shoreline Park in Mountain View, Don Edwards Refuge in
> Alviso, etc.), Long-billed Dowitcher becomes the dominant species. The mud
> on the tidal flats at the Foster City shell bar and the mud up along the
> tidal creeks doesn't seem that different to me, but apparently it is to the
> dowitchers.
>
> Paul Donahue
> <charadrius1...>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 1/3/21 5:09 pm From: Barbara Coll <barbaracoll...> Subject: [pen-bird] Geng Road Palo Alto - BALD EAGLE and RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER
I just returned from an exciting hour at the baseball diamonds at the end of Geng Road Palo Alto. I was looking for the summer tanager - which I did not see - and was thrilled to see: a BALD EAGLE (and possibly heard another one that was calling from the creek somewhere) and a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER. Bad pictures and the rest of the checklist https://ebird.org/checklist/S78623101 <https://ebird.org/checklist/S78623101>
Locations:
Bald Eagle on a tall pole on the far side of the creek (North?) from the ramp you walk up to get to the creek path from the baseball diamonds parking lot
Red-breasted Sapsucker was in an eucalyptus tree that it clearly uses regularly. It has just striped a whole bunch of bark off. It was in the tree closest to 1st base of the first diamond.
Hope you get to see these birds there too!
Barbara
Date: 1/3/21 2:51 pm From: Jake Kirkland <kirklandj...> Subject: [pen-bird] Memorial Park & Cloverdale Rd CBC
Reporting of my solo CBC since I missed the Zoom count dinner.
I owled Cloverdale Rd <https://ebird.org/checklist/S78480861> from 5am-7am Saturday morning. I heard one WESTERN SCREECH OWL give one series of calls when I got out of my car near a bridge over Pescadero Creek. It did not call back to tapes at all. I also saw (2) GREAT HORNED OWLS that were certainly different birds. GPS coordinates in my ebird list. One was perched on a short fence and the other on a power pole. Both flushed in my car headlights. I stopped and played calls at about 6 different spots along the route and didn't get a single call back to any species I tried. There was a steady rain that probably affected how far the sound would carry and how many owls were active.
Finally, I birded Memorial Park <https://ebird.org/checklist/S78510815> from 9:26am for 3hrs and 22 minutes. I covered 7 miles on foot. The park was closed to the public but we were able to get in with a permit. Thank you to the county and Carol Masterson. My time included some stationary time at the Wurr St. Bridge where a trail I was on popped out at. There all I did was dip on the American Dipper . That wasn't the only dip either. I also dipped on Pileated Woodpecker and any waterfowl in the creek at all. I did have a nice (1) BELTED KINGFISHER over Pescadero Creek deep in the park for a brief flyby. The best birds might have been (4) VARIED THRUSH. Otherwise it was a race between DARK-EYED JUNCOS and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES to see which would end with the most individuals. The juncos ended up prevailing 117-107 although they are easier to count at eye level rather than high in the redwoods so there may have actually been more chickadees. Overall, the usually quiet redwood forest was EXTREMELY quiet (only 15 species) in the rain that never really let up. I kept hoping the sun would poke out and the birds would bask and sing, but it wasn't in the cards. Flyovers were minimal in the rain/mist combo where seeing the tops of the redwood trees was a challenge most of the day. However, it was glorious to have the entire park to myself to wander around in without hearing another person except for a ranger or two, who were all accommodating and kind to me.
Heading home midafternoon I was able to wave out my car window to Joshua, Kent, and Casey as they biked on Pescadero Rd. during a wonderful day of birding. I have to admit that I was glad to have changed into drier clothes as I passed by the water-slogged and muddy trio.
Good Birding Jake Kirkland East Palo Alto -- Jake Kirkland Ph.D Gerald Crabtree Lab Howard Hughes Medical Institute Stanford University
Date: 1/3/21 2:18 pm From: Kent Forward via groups.io <kforward...> Subject: [pen-bird] Pescadero - Ano Nuevo CBC (Area 3B) Summary
Happy New Year Birders,
I was fortunate to usher in some 2021 birding alongside Joshua Stacy and Casey Girard as we covered the Pescadero town area for yesterday's Ano Nuevo Christmas bird count. We covered our area on bikes, despite more rain than the forecast had called for, we remained in good spirits as we slogged about. It was surprisingly birdy all day with a couple of real surprises - once again the town area delivered some goodies!
As we rode towards Water Lane to kick off the day, our first bird was the continuing FERRUGINOUS HAWK perched on a fence in the field just south of Pescadero Creek Road near the entrance to Water Lane. We also spotted some WILD TURKEYS foraging at the very back of the field:https://ebird.org/checklist/S78515251
Water Lane was surprisingly birding, we tallied 49 species. Highlights here included a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (tan-striped), a PEREGRINE FALCON, and a flock of RED-CROSSBILLS flying over. At last night's wrap-up Zoom meeting, we heard a report of a similar sized flock seen by the Marsh team, quite possibly the same birds (we saw them flying eastwards from the Marsh area). Also, great to see 100's of TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS working fields along the road.
Then it was off to the Butano Creek riparian area where we caught up with two SWAMP SPARROWS in creek-side vegetation just downstream of the Pescadero Creek Road bridge. A dozen COMMON MERGANSERS were also a nice treat, especially being so far upstream - almost to the bridge. While checking the dense riparian habitat on the east bank Casey spotted a WILSON'S WARBLER, we all got on it with the bins and after a decent amount of time and effort managed just one bad document photo. Of course quite common in the summer, but a big surprise for the winter! We also saw the first of what would wind up being three MERLIN's on the day:https://ebird.org/checklist/S78514792
Next we picked up lunch at Mercado & Taqueria De Amigos and were going to enjoy it while staking out the continuing YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER originally found by Noah Arthur on Dec. 22nd, working sap holes in trees on left side of Tri Counties Bank building on Stage Road in town. No stake out needed, it was there upon arrival! So we then opted to eat lunch at the Catholic Church on North Street in the somewhat longshot hope the Orchard Oriole from the prior 2 winters might have returned for a 3rd, alas it was not to be. But good consolation was getting on an adult GOLDEN EAGLE soaring North over the area:https://ebird.org/checklist/S78535108
It was then time to head up Pescadero Creek Road and over to the High School area. As we approached the Butano Cutoff intersection, Casey struck again with another great out of season find, a female/immature type BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK! We had to double check our calendars and we agreed it is indeed winter and not summer in San Mateo County! Also of note while we struggled to get photos of the grosbeak, the FERRUGINOUS HAWK flew over and landed in a pine tree up on the hill side to roost for a time. We figured this was probably the continuing light morph from the field to the west seen earlier in the day, so it might be spending time / roosting in this area as well:https://ebird.org/checklist/S78535175
We were a bit water logged after the day's action, bike riding, some rain (luckily not too cold!), and a decent amount of mud. But all in all, we were quite happy with a great day, great birding companions, and great birds in a great part of San Mateo County!
Good Birding All!Kent ForwardEl Granada
Date: 1/3/21 1:34 pm From: Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> Subject: Blue-winged Teal and Re: [pen-bird] Continuing Long-tailed Duck near San Carlos airport
Robbie Fischer and I were able to see the LONG-TAILED DUCK in the same spot this morning (03 January) until a kayak flushed all the ducks. The bird did not return while we were there.
Also there were two male BLUE-WINGED TEAL in the channel leading out of Nob Hill pond. They were visible from the bridge over Twin Dolphin Drive.
On Sat, 02 Jan 2021 13:44:21 -0800, "Caitlin Chock" <caitlin.crash...> wrote:
>Thanks to those who reported the LONG-TAILED DUCK yesterday, I was able to find her in the same spot at about 9:45am-- the Western end of Steinberger Slough next to the San Carlos airport. She was again diving around the wooden posts there. I lost her after about 20 mins, and waited to see if she'd come up the slough but didn't reappear. eBird checklist https://ebird.org/checklist/S78509973 has my viewing location. -- Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
While I can’t point to specific field marks, based on shape and proportions, all three birds look to me like Long-billed Dowitchers. Dowitchers are of special interest to me, so I’ve made a point of photographing as many known individuals (identified by voice) as I can. If you or anybody else is interested I can send you a pdf (9 MB) with photos of about 70 winter plumage dowitchers identified to species. Just send me an email to the address below.
As Alvaro said, the two species prefer different habitats, but for the San Francisco Bay area I would refine their preferences a bit more. Short-billed Dowitchers are typically found along the ocean side of the San Francisco Peninsula, and on the mudflats along the immediate shore of San Francisco Bay, as along the shell bar in Foster City. As you move back from the immediate shore of the bay into the tidal creeks and sloughs (Palo Alto Baylands, Shoreline Park in Mountain View, Don Edwards Refuge in Alviso, etc.), Long-billed Dowitcher becomes the dominant species. The mud on the tidal flats at the Foster City shell bar and the mud up along the tidal creeks doesn't seem that different to me, but apparently it is to the dowitchers.
Date: 1/3/21 7:54 am From: Chris M. <chrismac...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Continuing Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Stage Rd Pescadero
Late on Jan 2 afternoon , this bird was on eucalyptus on creek side of road, just past the figure in photo. Light was too poor to see red, but bird called (mewed) a great deal (which was how we found it).
It is not all that reliable to identify dowitchers in winter based on photos. Over or under exposure can create a look that favors one or the other, although I am not convinced that coloration helps much in winter. Bill size and shape is a good pointer. One of the best features to go on is habitat in winter, Short-bills take tidal habitats, Long-bills fresh water or brackish/standing water.
Top bird has a very long bill that is straight and relatively thin at the base, so I would call that one a Long-billed. The other two I would pass.
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of Peter Headland
Sent: Saturday, January 2, 2021 5:00 PM
To: <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: [pen-bird] Dowitcher id?
Can anyone id these Dowitchers (photographed around the Bay a couple of days ago)? (Please explain your reasoning.)
Date: 1/2/21 2:08 pm From: Caitlin Chock <caitlin.crash...> Subject: [pen-bird] Continuing Long-tailed Duck near San Carlos airport
Hi All,
Thanks to those who reported the LONG-TAILED DUCK yesterday, I was able to find her in the same spot at about 9:45am-- the Western end of Steinberger Slough next to the San Carlos airport. She was again diving around the wooden posts there. I lost her after about 20 mins, and waited to see if she'd come up the slough but didn't reappear. eBird checklist https://ebird.org/checklist/S78509973 has my viewing location.
Also of note, the male EURASIAN WIGEON and female TUFTED DUCK continue at Nob Hill Pond.
On 2021-01-01 21:42, Jane Tatchell wrote:
> Peter Headland and I stopped at 1650 Stage Rd, Pescadero this
> afternoon and rediscovered the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that Malia
> reported recently. It was tending wells on willow branches close to
> the road, defending them from marauding Kinglets and Yellow-rumped
> Warblers.
>
> EBird checklist https://ebird.org/checklist/S78454180 doesn't yet
> have photos but we'll add them tomorrow.
Photos of the bird and the spot where Jane Tatchell and I found it. It
was quite approachable, but it is working a circuit of sap holes so you
may have to be patient.
Date: 1/2/21 8:58 am From: Jane Tatchell <Jane...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Coastside and La Honda Creek OSP highlights January 1
Sorry about the typo caused by autocorrect - Whitbread should have been Whimbrel!Jane ---- On Fri, 01 Jan 2021 22:04:49 -0800 <jane...> wrote ----Peter Headland and I visited a few places along the coast to start the New Year and got a few interesting sightings. Unfortunately, I haven't entered my eBird checklists yet, but the highlights follow: At San Gregorio SB, at high tide,, many Heerman's Gulls, a Mew Gulls, and, I think, a Ring-billed Gull, which I know is unusual on the coast. I have photos to check, but it was definitely different from the Cal. Gulls of various ages around it. At Pescadero SB south parking lot, with the tide still high, on the big rock that is accessible from the shore at low tide, we counted 22 Whitbread. There were also many Turnstones, both Black and Ruddy. At Pescadero Marsh, we saw one adult Bald Eagle and a male Eurasian Wigeon among the many American Wigeons. I also had a Black-necked Stilt fly through the field of my binocular view, but then disappear into the pickleweed, never to be seen again. Unfortunately, Peter didn't see that bird at all. At Pigeon Point, we got delightful views of a Red-throated Loon diving in the shallow water close to the shore. In the fading light of the late afternoon, we walked the track at La Honda Creek OSP to the farmstead and spotted a single Loggerhead Shrike.A packed day, and we didn't even visit all the places we'd planned! Happy 2021 everyone! Jane Tatchell, Redwood City
Date: 1/1/21 10:05 pm From: Jane Tatchell <Jane...> Subject: [pen-bird] Coastside and La Honda Creek OSP highlights January 1
Peter Headland and I visited a few places along the coast to start the New Year and got a few interesting sightings. Unfortunately, I haven't entered my eBird checklists yet, but the highlights follow: At San Gregorio SB, at high tide,, many Heerman's Gulls, a Mew Gulls, and, I think, a Ring-billed Gull, which I know is unusual on the coast. I have photos to check, but it was definitely different from the Cal. Gulls of various ages around it. At Pescadero SB south parking lot, with the tide still high, on the big rock that is accessible from the shore at low tide, we counted 22 Whitbread. There were also many Turnstones, both Black and Ruddy. At Pescadero Marsh, we saw one adult Bald Eagle and a male Eurasian Wigeon among the many American Wigeons. I also had a Black-necked Stilt fly through the field of my binocular view, but then disappear into the pickleweed, never to be seen again. Unfortunately, Peter didn't see that bird at all. At Pigeon Point, we got delightful views of a Red-throated Loon diving in the shallow water close to the shore. In the fading light of the late afternoon, we walked the track at La Honda Creek OSP to the farmstead and spotted a single Loggerhead Shrike.A packed day, and we didn't even visit all the places we'd planned! Happy 2021 everyone! Jane Tatchell, Redwood City
Peter Headland and I stopped at 1650 Stage Rd, Pescadero this afternoon and rediscovered the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that Malia reported recently. It was tending wells on willow branches close to the road, defending them from marauding Kinglets and Yellow-rumped Warblers. EBird checklist https://ebird.org/checklist/S78454180 doesn't yet have photos but we'll add them tomorrow. Jane Tatchell, Redwood City
Date: 1/1/21 5:41 pm From: Christopher Hayward <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Black-and-white Warbler and other coastal birds. 1/1/21
Hi All,
Today I did some new years birding locally and down the coast.
The White-throated Sparrow that has been wintering in our backyard showed up bright and early amongst many Crowned Sparrows just after sunrise.
Probably the highlight of the day was finding or re-finding a Black-and-white Warbler at the Half Moon Bay W.T.P. The bird was in a small flock right at the south end of the trail along the creek. This is most likely the same bird Malia and I found a bit downstream at the bridge over Pilarcitos Creek on 12/22/20.
Later Malia and took a drive down the coast, in Pescadero the previously reported Ferruginous Hawk was perched on a fence post in the Ag. fields opposite the entrance to Water Lane.
Next we headed along Stage Road where we were able to re-find the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the eucalyptus trees just north of 1655 Stage Road.
Heading home there was an adult a Bald Eagle sitting in a large snag on the north side of the south pond at Pescadero Marsh. A nice start to the new year.
Have put photos of the Black-and-White Warbler on my ebird checklist, link below.
This afternoon (1/1, 1:45PM), there was a Loggerhead Shrike on Bair Island viewed from the dirt path at the end of Skyway Blvd next the San Carlos Airport runway. The shrike was perched on the chain link fence around the construction equipment across the slough.
Other highlights today included a Greater White-fronted Goose with Canada Geese at Edgewater Park in Foster City as well as the resident Harlequin Duck and an Osprey at the jetty at Coyote Point.
This morning around 11:20AM a TROPICAL KINGBIRD was present in the southwest area of the Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, uphill from the mausoleum, in the area across from a grouping of flags.
We observed it for about 5 minutes. It was sallying out from one tree and then flew to another tree where it sat very still. It then flew north out of sight.
We note that two tropical kingbirds were noted in this cemetery on the 29th during the San Francisco CBC.
Thanks to Dan Keller, who we encountered at the Oracle lagoon, for the intel on the continuing Long-tailed Duck. When we saw it around 9:58AM in Steinberger Slough it was diving frequently near to some large wooden pylons next to the San Carlos airport. We scoped it from the shoreline behind the former Marriott Hotel (now closed) at the end of Twin Dolphin Drive.
Date: 1/1/21 11:02 am From: Peter Metropulos <pjmetrop...> Subject: [pen-bird] YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER at Cypress Lawn Cemetery,Colma,Dec.29.
Happy New Year ! On Tuesday,Dec.29,while participating on the San Francisco CBC my job was to cover the western portion of Cypress Lawn Cemetery in Colma.Being an aficionado of birding in the "bone orchard", especially on a sunny day with no humans in sight much of the time, this was a fulfilling task.At noon I was mesmerized by a pack of Pygmy Nuthatches,a dozen strong,frantically caching seeds of an Arborvitae in crevices of tree trunks when a sapsucker flew past me and landed in a dead-looking Ash tree. There was no problem on this i.d. ! It was an adult male YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER.Just then my attention was drawn to a group of four Northern Flickers foraging on the lawn. One of them had a black "whisker",raising suspicions it may be a male of the YELLOW-SHAFTED form. The bird flushed revealing lemon-yellow underwing feathers. This is the third consecutive winter I have observed a similar bird in this cemetery. Earlier that day I met up with Dominic Mosur at the east entrance of Cypress Lawn,where we birded for a few minutes around the small duck ponds.A male YELLOW WARBLER caught us by surprise as it appeared like magic right in front of us in a shrub on the edge of the lawn.
Date: 1/1/21 10:35 am From: Christopher Hayward <p_t_nymph...> Subject: [pen-bird] Black and White Warbler, Half Moon Bay 1/1/21
Hi All,
For anyone in the area this morning I just found a Black and White Warbler south end of riparian trail at the Water Treatment Plant, probably the same bird Malia and I reported at the bridge over Pilarcitos Creek a few days ago.
Happy New Year Everyone !
Chris Hayward
Date: 12/31/20 5:21 pm From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Last posting for 2020
I have been checking the gull flock on Upper Crystal Springs Reservoir in the mornings. There have been ( 200-400 ) on my visits.On December 28 after a night of rain, on that morning ( 1,200 ) gulls came in from the coast and landed in the water before takingoff in the direction of San Francisco Bay. Most of the gulls were adult Herring Gulls. There was one gull showing characteristicsof a first-cycle Vega Gull. A conservative count made of Iceland Gulls, ( 80 ) were noted. There were the expected Californiaand Glaucous-winged Gulls. As on other visits, a single adult Western Gull was noted. Western Gulls are usually scarce in withthe gull flocks. Any dark-backed gull will stand out! There were also a small number of Western x Glaucous-winged and Herringx Glaucous-winged hybrids.
The irruption of Pine Siskins has come to the lowlands east of El Camino Real. Morning skywatches from home in Redwood Shores,( 20-50 ) have been noted in groups. A high number of ( 200 ) were flying in and landing on gravel in front of the Redwood HighSchool along Old County Rd. in Redwood City.
Happy New Year to all!Welcome 2021!
Ron Thorn and Leonie Batkin
Date: 12/31/20 1:27 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] SF CBC - Area 12 - Brisbane Marina, Oyster Cove Marina, Oyster Point Marina etc.
Hi SF and SMCO birders,
Chris and I were a part a 3 team effort for the SF CBC in Area 12. Our survey areas included Sierra Pt. Brisbane Marina and Peninsula, Oyster Cove, Oyster Cove Marina, Oyster Point Peninsula, O.P. Marina, O.P. Park, the SF Ferry Terminal plus stretches of the San Francisco Bay Trail south to the Point San Bruno Park and inland to the Wind Harp in So. San Francisco. I’m copying both counties, as our survey was done completely in San Mateo County and we had some birds of note that San Mateo birders may be interested in. We had 77 species total for the day. Below are some highlights.
We started our day at Sierra Pt. Brisbane Marina with some unusual sightings for the area. First bird of the day was a *Red-breasted Sapsucker* in a Poplar tree. I spotted it before I got out of the car and it flew before I could get my camera out. Chris spotted a *Wilson’s Snipe* which flew up from a wet area. A pair of *Hutton’s Vireo* were seen working some conifers at the north east end of the peninsula there. Our favorite open field where we typically look for unusual geese, Western Meadowlarks and American Pipits has been obliterated by a new construction project.
We searched the Oyster Cove area in hopes the Redhead(s) reported there last month were still present, but we had no luck there. A *Pelagic Cormorant* was a highlight. Our only *Townsend’s Warbler* of the day was at the Oyster Cove Marina. And we did find a *YELLOW WARBLER* on the south side of the peninsula. Photos in checklist here:
At Oyster Point we had an interesting tern sighting. It was sitting with 80+ Forster’s Terns sitting on the concrete wall surrounding the marina. It was the *only tern* with a nearly full black cap. Its bill was almost all black, but showing some orange undertones coming through. Legs reddish-orange. Though it started our minds ticking, after some post-survey review at home, I am confident this is a *Forster’s Tern*. Below is a link to an eBird checklist. In a few photos the legs look short, but that is because it stood behind a concrete lip that made the legs look shorter. Comments welcome. Long distance photos under Forster’s Tern https://ebird.org/checklist/S78231840
We thoroughly enjoyed the day. Thank you Bob Toleno and Juli Chamberlin for organizing and inviting us again this year. Peter Winch it was great seeing you again and Susan Mullaney it was nice meeting you. Hopefully next year we’ll be able to more in-person socializing before and after!
Date: 12/30/20 8:10 pm From: Bob Toleno <bob...> Subject: [pen-bird] San Francisco CBC - Area 12 highlights
(Copying both SFBirds and Peninsula Birding because our area is entirely within San Mateo County)
Juli Chamberlin and i led the area 12 team for the SF CBC again this year, which covers parts of South San Francisco and San Bruno adjacent to the bay. We had a great team consisting of Juli and i, plus two other pairs of birders, Malia DeFelice & Chris Hayward and Susan Mullaney & Pete Winch. Some of the highlights from our area included:
- A male Northern Pintail in Colma Creek where it crosses Airport Blvd - A Pelagic Cormorant at Oyster Cove Marina - A male Yellow Warbler near Oyster Cove Marina, 24 Long-billed Dowitchers at Colma Creek mouth (found by Malia and Chris) - At least 24 Long-billed Dowitchers at Colma Creek mouth (our largest total ever) - A singing Oak Titmouse (!!!) in a San Bruno neighborhood near Lion's Park (this was a first for our area and i believe only the first or second *ever* on the SF CBC--someone correct me if i'm wrong) - A very interesting Sterna tern at Oyster Point Marina with a full black cap that's either a Forster's with an extremely late prebasic molt or possibly a Common Tern with a slightly late molt (found by Malia and Chris, photos are still being circulated for ID opinions) - A hybrid Blue-winged Teal X Northern Shoveler in SamTrans Marsh that i completely forgot to mention at the CBC Zoom meeting last night. You can see distant, mediocre photos of this really cool-looking bird in Juli's and my eBird checklist here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S78236419
Our species total was 109 (or 110 if the interesting Sterna ends up being a Common Tern), which is pretty typical for our area.
Good birding, Bob Toleno & Juli Chamberlin Hayward
Date: 12/30/20 8:09 pm From: Kent Forward via groups.io <kforward...> Subject: [pen-bird] Pescadero Marsh 12/30/20
Good Evening Birders,
I had a great birding stroll along the Sequoia Audubon Trail at Pescadero Marsh this afternoon. Highlights included continuing adult BALD EAGLES (2) roosting in the Great Blue Heron rookery eucalyptus trees. Also, the EURASIAN WIGEON was among the multitudes of American Wigeon on the main pond (presumably the same one that has been reported recently on the north pond). An AMERICAN PIPIT was awkwardly working its way across pickleweed. Several GREATER YELLOWLEGS were heard and seen along the main pond edges. A marsh mainstay, several NORTHERN HARRIERS were seen soaring / foraging low and slow just over the marsh vegetation. A SAVANNAH SPARROW was among many Song Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows and Golden-crowned Sparrows. Among the great variety of wintering water fowl were several NORTHERN PINTAILS rounding out a great outing. Looking forward to the Ano Nuevo CBC on Saturday!
https://ebird.org/checklist/S78285024
Date: 12/29/20 7:07 pm From: Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Red Crossbills at Skylawn 12/29/2020
I had them around 11:40 AM on 18 December. I made a short video clip with sound confirming that these are type 2 Red Crossbills. A few type 5 Red Crossbills continue at the cemetery.
On Tue, 29 Dec 2020 12:48:39 -0800, "Emily Routman" <eoroutman...> wrote:
>We saw the Red Crossbills at Skylawn today, Tuesday December 29, from 11:30 to 11:45am, on the statues and tiled water fountain at the top of area Bai Ling Yuan IV. They flew off to nearby treetops and for the next few minutes could be seen flying overhead and settling in trees in the area. > > > >Emily Routman > >San Carlos, CA > > > >From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of sramachandramurthi via groups.io >Sent: Monday, December 28, 2020 7:12 PM >To: <peninsula-birding...> >Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Red Crossbills at Skylawn 12/24/2020 > > > >We saw the Red Crossbills at the Kuan Yin statue between 1:45 PM and 2 PM on Saturday December 26. >Although we were there until 4 PM, they never returned. > >--Sidd Ramachandramurthi >Sunnyvale, CA
Date: 12/29/20 1:07 pm From: Emily Routman <eoroutman...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Red Crossbills at Skylawn 12/29/2020
We saw the Red Crossbills at Skylawn today, Tuesday December 29, from 11:30 to 11:45am, on the statues and tiled water fountain at the top of area Bai Ling Yuan IV. They flew off to nearby treetops and for the next few minutes could be seen flying overhead and settling in trees in the area.
Emily Routman
San Carlos, CA
From: <peninsula-birding...> <peninsula-birding...> On Behalf Of sramachandramurthi via groups.io
Sent: Monday, December 28, 2020 7:12 PM
To: <peninsula-birding...>
Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Red Crossbills at Skylawn 12/24/2020
We saw the Red Crossbills at the Kuan Yin statue between 1:45 PM and 2 PM on Saturday December 26.
Although we were there until 4 PM, they never returned.
Date: 12/28/20 7:11 pm From: sramachandramurthi via groups.io <sramachandramurthi...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Red Crossbills at Skylawn 12/24/2020
We saw the Red Crossbills at the Kuan Yin statue between 1:45 PM and 2 PM on Saturday December 26.
Although we were there until 4 PM, they never returned.
I was very fortunate to witness an amazing trifecta of raptors at dusk Sunday evening (12/27/2020).
An Osprey continues to roost regularly in the Eucalyptus trees on the corner of El Camino and Willow Avenue here in Burlingame, so I head outside to watch for its arrival late each day.
While watching for the Osprey, I heard an AMERICAN KESTREL calling and looked up to see it fly in and land at the top of the tree in front of me. It had something under its feet, and continued to pick at it, but I could not distinguish what it was eating. It flew away about 5min later .
My neighbor (fellow birder) joined me outside, and just at sunset, we heard the OSPREY calling as it flew in to roost with the TURKEY VULTURES in the Eucalyptus.
Immediately thereafter, a COOPERS HAWK swooped in low and landed on the top of the pole in front of us in the intersection. It had a very large prey in its grasp, and proceeded to eat in front of us. It flew away after a bit, leaving the prey on the top of the pole.
We were getting ready to call it quits when at 5:40pm, the Osprey suddenly called out very loudly and started to circle above the Eucalyptus trees a number of times before settling back into the tree again. Sunset was about ~4:58pm, but the moon was shining very brightly (~98% full) so even at 5:40pm, the Osprey's white torso was visible in the moonlight as it circled above.
I am concerned about the future of this stand of Eucalyptus trees outside my home, as they support a very large, long-established roost of TURKEY VULTURES, and now they serve as a place for the OSPREY to roost at night. A GREAT HORNED OWL also roosts in the Eucalyptus (it wakes me quite often, and I regularly find castings on the ground below), and there is also a WILD HONEYBEE HIVE in one of the trees. The trees are full of YELLOW RUMPED WARBLERS while they winter here, and PYGMY NUTHATCHES and countless other bird species fill this stand of trees year-round. A project to "update" El Camino Real in the City of Burlingame has been proposed, and would most likely include the removal of a great number of the Eucalyptus trees. I greatly fear that this specific stand of trees will be removed, and am struggling to determine what could be done to keep this stand protected from removal. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. The Online Public Forum has been reopened and extended for Comments through midnight on January 8, 2021, so time is short.
Date: 12/28/20 3:14 pm From: Joe Morlan <jmorlan...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Snow Goose at Coyote Point
This morning Robbie Fischer and I saw the continuing adult SNOW GOOSE next to the Yacht Club parking lot. The long-staying HARLEQUIN DUCK was still present but at considerable distance (miserable photos). At least two CACKLING GEESE were in a flock of Canada Geese flying out from the golf course.
On Tue, 22 Dec 2020 12:07:47 -0800, "Aaron Maizlish" <amm.birdlists...> wrote:
>Pen-birders, > >I’m passing along this message from Eddie Monson. He has a Snow Goose at Coyote Point, near the Yacht Club / Marina. Looks like a new one for the fall there. > >Take care, > >Aaron Maizlish >San Francisco, CA
-- Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA The doctors x-rayed my head and found nothing - Dizzy Dean
Date: 12/28/20 2:25 pm From: Aaron Maizlish <amm.birdlists...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Something fun - What was your favorite bird experience in San Mateo County in 2020 - take 2
Hi Malia,
Thanks for putting this together. I had a lot of nice birding moments in San Mateo County this year. But there is one birding moment that will stand out in my memory above all of the others.
Discovering the large flock of Red Crossbills coming to the Bodhisattva Statue in the new Lotus Garden at Skylawn Cemetery has to be the year’s highlight for me. I have been making brief stops at Skylawn for many years, especially when my daughter was attending grade school nearby. This spring I watched the Lotus Garden being expanded, and this fall when I came back I was delighted to see flocks of birds using the new water features. In October I observed a large flock of Pine Siskins descend on the statue, which I thought was strange behavior. But it was pure enchantment on November 21st to see large flocks of Red Crossbills using the new statue as their perch over the pools. Though I didn’t make a public posting, about it at the time, trying to respect the calm of the setting, it has been great to see all number of birders and photographers enjoy the crossbills in this totally unique setting. I think this beautiful ridge top water-feature may bring in a lot of interesting birds in the coming years too!
Best,
Aaron
> On Dec 28, 2020, at 1:10 PM, maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> wrote:
>
> Dear San Mateo County Birders,
>
> As you know I put together a monthly cumulative year report as a volunteer for Sequoia Audubon Society. As the year draws to a close, I thought this might be fun thing to do and something we’ve never done before.
>
> Let me know what your favorite bird sighting in San Mateo County was in 2020 plus when and where you saw it and a short note on why it was your fave. It doesn’t actually have to be a bird, it could also be a birding experience, like a new place you visited or a first time birding adventure you’ve never done before.
> I’ll add your sighting to the December report. The year is not over yet and I typically don’t wrap up a previous month until I’m already working on the next month, so there is time…… let me know. I’d love to hear from you!
>
> Good Birding!
> Malia DeFelice
> Volunteer, Sequoia Audubon Society
> <maliadances...>
>
>
>
Date: 12/28/20 1:16 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] Something fun - what was your favorite bird experience in 2020?
Dear San Mateo County Birders,
As you know I put together a monthly cumulative year report as a volunteer for Sequoia Audubon Society. As the year draws to a close, I thought this might be fun thing to do and something we’ve never done before.
Let me know what your favorite bird sighting was in 2020 plus when and where you saw it and a short note on why it was your fave. It doesn’t actually have to be a bird, it could also be a birding experience, like a new place you visited or a first time birding adventure you’ve never done before.
I’ll add your sighting to the December report. The year is not over yet and I typically don’t wrap up a previous month until I’m already working on the next month, so there is time…… let me know. I’d love to hear from you!
Date: 12/28/20 1:10 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] Something fun - What was your favorite bird experience in San Mateo County in 2020 - take 2
Dear San Mateo County Birders,
As you know I put together a monthly cumulative year report as a volunteer for Sequoia Audubon Society. As the year draws to a close, I thought this might be fun thing to do and something we’ve never done before.
Let me know what your favorite bird sighting in San Mateo County was in 2020 plus when and where you saw it and a short note on why it was your fave. It doesn’t actually have to be a bird, it could also be a birding experience, like a new place you visited or a first time birding adventure you’ve never done before.
I’ll add your sighting to the December report. The year is not over yet and I typically don’t wrap up a previous month until I’m already working on the next month, so there is time…… let me know. I’d love to hear from you!
Date: 12/28/20 12:18 pm From: Gary Deghi <gdeghi...> Subject: [pen-bird] Aleutian Cackling Geese in Half Moon Bay
As I drove past the pond inside the front gate at Ocean Colony this morning I saw a large flock of geese. I counted 54 Canadas, and in among them on the water were four Aleutian Cackling Geese.
Date: 12/28/20 11:57 am From: Mike Feighner <feinerVogel94551...> Subject: Re: [pen-bird] Red Crossbills at Skylawn 12/24/2020
We saw the Red Crossville circling over the statue twice at 11:34 am before they headed back to the east from where they came. A couple there said the only times the birds are seen at the fountain are between 9 and 11 amMike and Ron Correll-Feichtner Livermore Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message --------From: "Kent Forward via groups.io" <kforward...> Date: 12/25/20 4:38 PM (GMT-08:00) To: Peninsula Birding <peninsula-birding...> Subject: [pen-bird] Red Crossbills at Skylawn 12/24/2020 Hello Birders,Yesterday I had the pleasure of catching up with the RED CROSSBILLS that have been regularly visiting the Kuan Yin statue area at highest point of the Skylawn Cemetery (Lotus Garden) this season. It was a lovely day before the clouds of the pending storm system moved in later, and they put on quite a show! Seems several groups came and went during the time I was there, photos in my eBird checklist:https://ebird.org/checklist/S77977435Also of note were the raptors, in a short period I had a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, NOTHERN HARRIER and RED-TAILED HAWK.Side note: unusual for the immediate coastside I have been seeing / hearing a NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER in some trees on the east side of the town of Half Moon Bay. Not a species we're used to seeing over on this side of things so close to the coast!Bountiful Birding,Kent ForwardEl Granada
Date: 12/27/20 5:41 pm From: maliadances via groups.io <maliadances...> Subject: [pen-bird] Ferruginous Hawk and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Pescadero 12/27
Chris and I headed to Pescadero this morning. We drove into town to look for the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that was reported on 12/22/20 by Noah Arthur. While we spent some time hoping to see the sapsucker, we did not get to see it. However, while searching, a juvenile light morph FERRUGINOUS HAWK flew overhead, so we decided to follow it. Driving along Pescadero Creek Rd. we saw the hawk land in the agricultural field south of the road, roughly half way between Water Ln. and Stage Rd. We stopped and got photos of the Ferruginous Hawk which flew up from the field and spent some time circling right above our heads for stellar views. This is probably the same hawk reported on 12/23/20 by Scott Kaiser. Photos of the Ferruginous Hawk here:
We decided to drive over Stage Rd. and stopped at the riparian area near 1655 Stage Rd. There I spotted what may be a previously reported YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER working sap wells in a Eucalyptus. It looks very much like the bird Devin Peyton photographed on 12/2. The red on the crown and throat is not very vibrant, so we feel this may be a young male. Photos of the sapsucker are on checklist below and comments welcome:
Date: 12/27/20 5:38 pm From: Jennifer Rycenga <gyrrlfalcon...> Subject: [pen-bird] Greater White-fronted and Cackling Geese at Fiesta Meadows Park, San Mateo
Today at Fiesta Meadows Park (1141 Bermuda Dr., San Mateo, adjacent to the 101), with the soccer field closed to human use, the geese took over. While performing a careful count of the Canada Geese, I detected some smaller fellow travelers: two CACKLING GEESE and two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE. Pictures are in my eBird list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S78098191
