Observations
BRUCE MAST
Bruce Mast may be contacted at observe@goldengateaudubon.org
Comprehensive data of the year’s notable sightings to date in the Bay Area, from which the Observations column is drawn, may be viewed in a spreadsheet that can be searched by species and location.
Cape May Warbler at Fort Mason
Photo by Bob Gunderson/www.flickr.com/photos/bobgunderson
August 1–Septempber 30, 2011
Loons to Ducks
Fall is pelagic trip season, and this year’s trips produced some gems, starting with a Laysan Albatross on the Aug. 7 trip to the Farallon Islands, SF (DSh; mob), and 4 more on the Aug. 28 trip to Cordell Bank, MRN (RiS; mob). The jaw-dropping, envy-provoking bird of the season had to be a Great-winged Petrel (Pterodroma macroptera), seen by a few lucky souls on the Sep. 17 boat out of Half Moon Bay, SM (PH, TMK; oob). Coming in a close second was a probable Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis), found cruising SF waters near the Farallon Islands on Aug. 13 (DWi, MDo, JMy, BP; oob).
A sea watch from Gazos Cr. mouth, SM, on Sep. 10 yielded 2 or 3 Black-vented Shearwaters (PhG, PaG). An out-of-place Ashy Storm-Petrel on Aug. 26 was the reward for diligent field work at Hayward RS, ALA (BRi). At least 1 Brown Booby has been lurking offshore this summer, and it showed up again on Aug. 1 in the ship channel between SF and MRN (DMo; mob). Presumably the same bird made a guest appearance on the Aug. 7 pelagic trip to the Farallon Islands, SF (DSh; mob). On Sep. 11, the bird landed on a sport fishing boat near the Cliff House and accepted fish hand-outs from the other passengers on the ride to Alcatraz (DWi).
Raptors to Alcids
A Sep. 3 sojourn up King Ridge Rd., SON, in search of Sooty Grouse was rewarded with 4 beauties (JK). A molting American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica) made a brief appearance on Aug. 16 at Frank’s Dump West, located at Hayward RS, ALA (BRi). On Sep. 6, another American Golden-Plover was recorded from Abbott’s Lagoon, PRNS, MRN (SHo, JMi). In SCL, Solitary Sandpipers were reported on Aug. 25 at Salt Pond A3W (FV, BRe) and on Sep. 4 at Ranch L. Res. (JPa). A Sharp-tailed Sandpiper paused at Spaletta (C) Ranch, PRNS, MRN, on Sep. 5 (RCi).
Five Stilt Sandpipers were ID’d between Aug. 16 and Sep. 13 from San Leandro Marina, ALA (BRi); Abbott’s Lagoon (BB; mob); Mare Island, SOL (JS); and Albany mudflats, ALA (HN; JPo). Abbott’s Lagoon also hosted a Buff-breasted Sandpiper Sep. 3–4 (CC; mob) and a Ruff on Aug. 30 (LH). Two more Ruffs visited Mountain View Forebay at Shoreline Park, SCL, on Aug. 6 (SR; DP) and Mare Island, SOL, on Sep. 20 (MBe, CL, RM, RoL).
The MRN Laughing Gull is apparently considering permanent residency, moving back and forth between MRN Civic Center and Las Gallinas Sewer Ponds through at least Sep. 17 (SD; DWi). A Glaucous Gull Sep. 12–30 at Año Nuevo SR, SM, may be the same bird that over-summered at the Gazos Cr. mouth (PM; mob). An Arctic Tern joined a flock of 10,000+ Sooty Shearwaters off Pescadero Beach, SM, on Sep. 4 (MK, DSi). Another entered the Bay as far as Hayward RS, ALA, on Sep. 13 (BRi), and 7 more cruised the coast along the Great Highway, SF, on the 17th (PSa, ME). A Black Tern lingered Sep. 13 and 14 at Sunnyvale WPCP, SCL (GH; STr).
A Xantus’s Murrelet wandered north to Pigeon Pt., SM, on Aug. 8 (SRT, JB). Two Ancient Murrelets journeyed south to Limantour Beach, PRNS, MRN, on Sep. 10 (CS) and to Pigeon Pt., SM, on the 25th (GH).
Doves to Thrashers
A Black Swift over Año Nuevo SR, SM, Aug. 13 was followed by 8 more migrant swifts along the coast between Sep. 7 and 28 (DG, RCi, KG, DMo, SRT). An unusual swift over San Bruno Mt., SM, on Sep. 18 proved to be a Chimney Swift (SRT, LB). A Black-chinned Hummingbird settled in at the Wildlife Gallery in Bolinas, MRN, Aug. 10–29 (KH). In SF, Costa’s Hummingbirds explored the Sloat Garden Center on Sep. 7 (ADM) and Lobos Cr. on the 12th (PSa).
SFBBO banded a Least Flycatcher at the CCFS, SCL, on Sep. 3 (JD). A Dusky Flycatcher made a nice addition to a Cole Valley, SF, yard list on Sep. 9 (PSa). A Cassin’s Kingbird worked a willow clump at Coyote Hills RP, ALA, on Sep. 8 (JT). A couple Eastern Kingbirds flew into MRN on Sep. 10, showing up at Las Gallinas Sewer Ponds (LG, JF; mob) and Mendoza (B) Ranch, PRNS (RLB, LH). Another made a fleeting appearance at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, SM, on the 17th (BM).
A Northern Shrike was reported from the Stanford Dish, SCL, on Aug. 28 (JVM, MBi). PRBO banded a Philadelphia Vireo on Sep. 27 near Muir Beach, MRN (RCo). A Red-eyed Vireo commemorated Sep. 11 at the East Wash in Lincoln Park, SF (DMo).
A small Purple Martin flock lodged Aug. 6–8 near PRNS headquarters, MRN (JY; DWi). Scattered Martin sightings were reported Aug. 26 to Sep. 25 from Monte Bello OSP, SCL (GH); S. L. Merced, SF (DMo); L. Del Valle, ALA (AJ); and Battery Godfrey, SF (HC). On Aug. 4, a Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva) apparently forsook TX for Shoreline Park in Mountain View, SCL, where photo documentation was obtained (TJ, fide JMo). If accepted, this sighting would constitute just the 6th CA record and the 1st record outside of IMP.
A Townsend’s Solitaire descended to Morgan Territory RP, CC, on Sep. 29 (MMo, MS). A Sage Thrasher was discovered on Aug. 26 at Pomponio SB, SM (SRT). A Red-throated Pipit was reported from the Winton Ave. entrance to Hayward RS, ALA, on Sep. 14 (BRi).
Wood Warblers to Finches
In celebration of fall migration, birders flocked to coastal migrant traps to watch the southbound passerines and hope for a rarity. The highlights of the vagrant warbler parade were a Mourning Warbler (Oporornis philadelphia) and a Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis) that turned up on the 11th and 12th, respectively, at the PRNS Fish Docks (ScT, MP, SHa; mob).
A Summer Tanager paused on Aug. 1 at Año Nuevo SR, SM (ER). Brewer’s Sparrows turned up beginning Sep. 9 along Verde Rd., SM (SRT), and at Bedwell Bay Front Park, SM (PM); Spaletta (C) Ranch, PRNS, (STu, SC); an SF feeder (DM); and Hayward RS, ALA (BRi; BD). Vesper Sparrows arrived Sep. 25–30 at Fort Scott, SF (DMo); Charleston Slough, SCL (STr); and S. Twin Peak, SF (DMo).
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks visited feeders in Glen Park, SF, on Sep. 17 (Glen Park backyard) and in Corte Madera, MRN, on the 22nd (NW). A probable Indigo Bunting was reported Aug. 31 from Mt. Davidson, SF (BF), and a 2nd individual was located Sep. 13 at Campbell Cove, Bodega Harbor, SON (RR; PC). A basic-plumage Painted Bunting was identified Sep. 30 along Stevens Cr., which would be a 2nd SCL record for this species (MR, SR).
On Sep. 12, a Bobolink sought refuge at Año Nuevo SR, SM (PM). On the 16th, a Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) joined the blackbird flocks along the Petaluma River at Shollenberger Park, SON (T). Orchard Orioles began arriving Sep. 17 at Outer PRNS, MRN (LH; mob); Mt. Davidson, SF (PSa); and Stevens Cr., SCL (MR, SR). The last sighting would be just a 2nd SCL record.
| Tennessee Warbler | ||
| Aug. 29 | N. L. in GGP, SF | BF |
| Sep. 3 | Fish Docks, PRNS, MRN | ScH, CC |
| Sep. 3–7 | Randall Museum, Corona Heights, SF | DMo |
| Sep. 4 | Water Lane in Pescadero, SM | MK; MDo |
| Sep. 7–13 | Owl Cyn. at Bodega Harbor, SON | SC; mob |
| Sep. 11–12 | PRNS Lighthouse, MRN | ScT; MP, SHa |
| Sep. 12 | Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, SM | PM |
| Sep. 12 | Princeton willows, SM | SRT |
| Sep. 14 | S. L. Merced, concrete bridge, SF | BF; mob |
| Sep. 16 | Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, SM | MDF, CH |
| Sep. 16–18 | Sunnyvale Baylands Park, SCL | BRe, DMe, STr, PK; mob |
| Sep. 17–24 | Tunitas Cr. Rd., SM | SRT, LB; LF |
| Sep. 18 | Berkeley Aquatic Park, ALA | ZB |
| Sep. 25 | Pescadero Rd., SM | MK |
| Oct. 1 | Pine Gulch Cr., Bolinas, MRN | RDG |
| Sep. 23-28 | Ferry Park, SF | JH; mob |
| Chestnut-sided Warbler | ||
| Sep. 9 | Nunes (A) Ranch, PRNS, MRN | DF |
| Sep. 11 | PRNS Fish Docks, MRN | ScT |
| Sep. 11 | Pescadero backyard, SM | MK |
| Sep. 12–19 | New Willows, Outer PRNS, MRN | MP, SHa; STu, SC |
| Sep. 12 | Pillar Pt. Harbor, SM | AJ |
| Sep. 14–15 | S. L. Merced, concrete bridge, SF | BF; mob |
| Sep. 14–16 | Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, SM | JK |
| Sep. 14 | Tunitas Cr., SM | SRT |
| Sep. 15 | SON State University, SON | BO |
| Sep. 17–27 | Mt. Vision Rd., MRN | LH; mob |
| Sep. 17 | Gazos Cr., SM | SRT, LB |
| Sep. 18 | San Bruno Mt. State and CP, SM | SRT, LB |
| Sep. 21–29 | Tunitas Cr. Rd., SM | ADM; mob |
| Sep. 25 | Bean Hollow Rd., SM | MK |
| Sep. 25 | Gazos Cr., SM | GH |
| Sep. 27 | Atherton, SM | PM |
| Sep. 30 | Fort Mason, SF | DB |
| Sep. 30 | Cascade Ranch, SM | PM; oob |
| Magnolia Warbler | ||
| Sep. 5 | Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, SM | PM; MDF, CH |
| Sep. 11 | New Willows, Outer PRNS, MRN | ScT |
| Cape May Warbler | ||
| Sep. 11–14 | Drakes Beach Monument PRNS, MRN | ScT; STu, SC |
| Sep. 14 | S. L. Merced, concrete bridge, SF | DMo; mob |
| Sep. 25 | Drakes Beach Monument PRNS, MRN | TE, AE |
| Sep. 26–30 | Fort Mason, SF | DMo; mob |
| Black-throated Blue Warbler | ||
| Sep. 26 | Five Brooks, PRNS, MRN | DoS |
| Yellow-throated Warbler | ||
| Sep. 5 | S. L. Merced, Vista Grande Canal, SF | HC |
| Sep. 13–27 | Ferry Park, SF | JH; mob |
| Prairie Warbler | ||
| Sep. 10 | Owl Cyn. at Bodega Harbor, SON | HK; RoS |
| Sep. 15–19 | New Willows, Outer PRNS, MRN | DWi, MF, JMi |
| Palm Warbler | ||
| Sep. 14 | PRNS Fish Docks, MRN | KF |
| Sep. 20 | Campbell Cove, Bodega Harbor, SON | RR |
| Sep. 21 | PRNS Lighthouse, MRN | KW, BO |
| Sep. 23 | Pescadero, SM | MK |
| Sep. 24 | Buffalo Paddock, GGP, SF | BF, LS |
| Sep. 24 | Fort Miley, SF | JC |
| Sep. 24–28 | Skylawn Cemetery, SM | FT, RJ, MMa, MR; PD |
| Sep. 25 | Pescadero Rd., SM | MK |
| Bay-breasted Warbler | ||
| Sep. 21 | Tunitas Cr. Rd., SM | ADM |
| Blackpoll Warbler | ||
| Sep. 5 | PRNS Lighthouse, MRN | RCi |
| Sep. 10–12 | Oyster Pt., SM | SRT; DP |
| Sep. 11 | PRNS Fish Docks, MRN | ScT |
| Sep. 11 | PRNS Lighthouse, MRN | ScT |
| Sep. 11 | Owl Cyn. at Bodega Harbor, SON | SC, PC |
| Sep. 12–13 | Crab Cove in ALA, ALA | NA; JK |
| Sep. 12 | PRNS Fish Docks, MRN | MP, SHa |
| Sep. 12 | N. L. in GGP, SF | AH |
| Sep. 12–17 | S. L. Merced, concrete bridge, SF | DMo; mob |
| Sep. 12 | Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, SM | PM |
| Sep. 12 | Moss Beach, SM | SRT |
| Sep. 17 | Tunitas Cr. Rd., SM | SRT, LB |
| Sep. 19 | Oakland Hills residence, ALA | JK |
| Sep. 19 | Coyote Pt., SM | SRT |
| Sep. 21 | PRNS Lighthouse, MRN | KW, BO |
| Sep. 21 | Tunitas Cr. Rd., SM | ADM |
| Sep. 22 | S. L. Merced, Vista Grande Canal, SF | ME |
| Sep. 23 | Lincoln Park, East Wash, SF | PSa, HC |
| Sep. 23 | Sunnyvale Baylands Park, SCL | RK, STr, PK; DWe |
| Sep. 26–30 | Fort Mason, SF | CL; mob |
| Sep. 27 | Atherton, SM | PM |
| Sep. 28 | Miller-Knox RS, Pt. Richmond, CC | BL |
| Black-and-white Warbler | ||
| Sep. 16 | Water Lane, Pescadero, SM | MK |
| Sep. 26 | Rodeo Lagoon, MRN | WL |
| American Redstart | ||
| Aug. 28–Sep. 3 | Owl Cyn. at Bodega Harbor, SON | TE; mob |
| Sep. 11 | PRNS Fish Docks, MRN | ScT; LK |
| Sep. 12 | Battery Chester, SF | DMo |
| Sep. 13 | N. L. in GGP, SF | LS |
| Sep. 14 | Mendoza (B) Ranch, MRN | STu, SC |
| Sep. 14–16 | Sunnyvale Baylands Park, SCL | PK, RK; mob |
| Sep. 16 | SF Botanical Garden, SF | RC |
| Sep. 17–24 | Fort Scott Community Garden, Presidio, SF | PSa, ME; mob |
| Sep. 25 | Owl Cyn. at Bodega Harbor, SON | DF |
| Sep. 27 | Ferry Park, SF | DA; mob |
| Ovenbird | ||
| Sep. 24 | Palomarin Field Station, MRN | RCo |
| Northern Waterthrush | ||
| Aug. 30–Sep. 5 | Contra Loma RP, Antioch, CC | PSc; mob |
| Sep. 9 | San Gregorio Cr., SM | GH |
| Sep. 10 | Abbott’s Lagoon, PRNS, MRN | DH |
| Sep. 30 | Stevens Cr. from La Avenida to Crittenden Lane, SCL | MR |
| Canada Warbler | ||
| Sep. 13–15 | Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, SM | SRT; mob |
| Sep. 15 | Gazos Cr., SM | GH |
| Yellow-breasted Chat | ||
| Sep. 7 | Coyote Hills RP, ALA | BD |
| Sep. 17 | Owl Cyn. at Bodega Harbor, SON | DF |
| Sep. 24 | Coyote Hills RP, ALA | NB; GT |
Abbreviations for Observers: ADM, Al DeMartini; AE, Andy Engilis; AH, Alan Hopkins; AJ, Alvaro Jaramillo; BB, Bob Battagin; BD, Bob Dunn; BF, Brian Fitch; BL, Bob Lewis; BM, Bruce Mast; BO, Becky Olsen; BP, Bob Power; BRe, Bob Reiling; BRi, Bob Richmond; CC, Chris Conard; CH, Chris Hayward; CL, Calvin Lou; CS, Chris Selvig; DA, David Assmann; DB, David Bell; DF, Dea Freid; DG, Don Glasco; DH, David Herlocker; DM, Dan Murphy; DMe, Donna Meyer; DMo, Dominik Mosur; DoS, Doug Shaw; DP, Don Pendleton; DSh, Debbie Shearwater; DSi, Dan Singer; DWe, Dave Weber; DWi, David Wimpfheimer; ER, Erik Rogers; FT, Francis Toldi; FV, Frank Vanslager; GH, Garth Harwood; GT, Glen Tepke; HC, Hugh Cotter; HK, Helen Kochenderfer; HN, Harold Newman; JB, Jonathan Batkin; JC, Josiah Clark; JD, Jill Demers; JF, Jeff Fairclough; JH, Jack Hayden; JK, John Luther; JMi, Jeff Miller; JMo, Joe Morlan; JMy, Jean Myers; JPa, Janna Pauser; JPo, John Poole; JS, John Sterling; JT, Jerry Ting; JVM, John V. Moore; JY, James Yurchenco; KF, Kathy Francone; KG, Keith G.; KH, Keith Hansen; KW, Ken Wilson; LB, Leonie Batkin; LF, Leslie Flint; LG, Laurie Graham; LH, Lisa Hug; LK, Logan Kahle; LS, Linda Swanson; MAR, Mary Anne Rotella; MBe, Murray Berner; MBi, Mary Bibb; MBu, Mark Butler; MDF, Malia DeFelice; MDo, Matthew Dodder; ME, Mark Eaton; MF, Mark Forney; MK, Mark Kudrav; MMa, Mike Mammoser; MMo, Mike Moran; MP, Michael Perrone; MR, Mike Rogers; MS, Maury Stern; NA, Noah Arthur; NB, Ned Bagno; NW, Nick Whelan; PaG, Pat Gordon; PC, Peter Colasanti; PD, Pete Dunten; PH, Phil Hansbro; PhG, Phil Gordon; PK, Pat Kenny; PM, Peter Metropulos ; PSa, Paul Saraceni; PSc, Paul Schorr; RC, Rob Cullison; RCi, Rich Cimino; RCo, Renee Cormier; RDG, Ryan DiGaudio ; RiS, Rich Stallcup; RJ, Richard Jeffers; RK, Roland Kenner; RLB, Rick LeBaudour; RM, Roger Muskat; RoL, Robin Leong; RoS, Ron Storey; RR, Ruth Rudesill; SC, Scott Carey; ScH, Scott Hoppe; ScT, Scott Terrill; SD, Sheila Dickie; SHa, Steve Hampton; SHo, Steve Howell; SR, Steve Rottenborn; SRT, Ron Thorn; STr, Steve Tracey; STu, Steve Tucker; T, Tony; TE, Todd Easterla; TJ, Tom Johnson; TMK, Tristan McKee; WL, William Legge; ZB, Zach Baer
Semicolons separate original observer(s) from subsequent observer(s). Abbreviation “mob” = many observers; “oob” = other observers. Information is compiled from BirdBox transcripts and regional listservs; the author apologizes for any errors or omissions.
Abbreviations for Counties and Others: ALA, Alameda; CC, Contra Costa; CCFS, Coyote Creek Field Station; CP, County Park; Cr., Creek; Cyn., Canyon; DENWR, Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge; EEC, Environmental Education Center; GGP, Golden Gate Park; IMP, Imperial; L., Lake; MRN, Marin; Mt., Mount; N., North; NAP, Napa; NWR, National Wildlife Refuge; OSP, Open Space Preserve; PRBO, Pt Reyes Bird Observatory; PRNS, Pt Reyes National Seashore; Pt., Point; Rd., Road; Res., Reservoir; RP, Regional Park; RS, Regional Shoreline; S., South; SB, State Beach; SCL, Santa Clara; SF, San Francisco; SFBBO, SF Bay Bird Observatory; SM, San Mateo; SOL, Solano; SON, Sonoma; SP, State Park; SR, State Reserve; WPCP, Water Pollution Control Plant