Golden Gate Audubon Society

BRUCE MAST compiles Observations and 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 to the right that can be downloaded and searched by species and location.

 

 

February 1–28, 2013

 

February was a good month to study gulls at herring runs and chase a number of continuing overwintering rarities.

Loons to Ducks

A Red-necked Grebe continued through Feb. 18 at Lower Crystal Springs Res., SM, where it was first discovered on Dec. 2 (JR; AE). Bayside Red-necked Grebes were also reported Feb. 23 at Bayfront Park, SM (GC), and Feb. 24 on Salt Pond A2E, SCL (PD). A Feb. 2 seawatch from Pigeon Pt., SM, produced a Black-vented Shearwater (RT).

Five Tundra Swans were discovered grazing in a field north of Bloomfield Rd. near Gilroy, SCL, Feb. 6–25 (BBo; mob). The male Harlequin Duck at Pier 94, SF, lingered through Feb. 8 (mob), and a female was spotted off the east jetty in Bodega Bay, SON, on the 19th (GHu). The Richmond, CC, Black Scoter shifted over to Miller-Knox RP, Feb. 16–17, to take advantage of the herring run (TB; oob). At least 1 Long-tailed Duck stayed through Feb. 3 at Mile Rock, SF (DM). Two new Long-tailed Duck sightings came in Feb. 24 from Chimney Rock, PRNS, MRN (DE), and Feb. 27 from Emeryville Marina, ALA (NA, BBa; mob).

Raptors to Alcids

A Black Rail continued calling through Feb. 8 at Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, MRN (BN). A Rock Sandpiper joined the rocky shorebird flock at Bodega Head, SON, Feb. 10–19, where it was seen mostly at high tide roosting on rocks below the whale lookout (DSh, SG, EV; mob). A fly-by Red Phalarope graced a Feb. 9 seawatch from Great Highway, SF (PS).

The region’s biggest rarities this month came from the Larus genus, starting with a Kumlien’s Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides), reported Feb. 12 from the Shell Bar in Foster City, SM (AJ). On Feb. 24, an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) staked out the parking lot at the San Leandro Marina, ALA (NA). This would be a different bird from the one reported last month in Sausalito, which was a 2nd cycle individual. On the other hand, an adult Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) that followed the herring to Miller-Knox RP, Feb. 8–13, proved to be the same bird found at the Sausalito herring run (MP, TE; NA, DSi). A north-bound Black-legged Kittiwake on Feb. 17 was an early migrant past Pigeon Pt., SM (RT, LeB). On the 4th, an Ancient Murrelet floated offshore at Ocean Blvd. in Moss Beach, SM (RT).

Doves to Thrashers

A Common Poorwill that was first found near the Gazos Cr. Rd./Cloverdale intersection, SM, in Jan. was refound on the 11th. It and a 2nd Poorwill along the entrance road to Butano SP entertained evening visitors the rest of the month (CM, JS; mob). Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers continued all month at Ed Levin Park and Stevens Cr. CP, Cooley Picnic Area, SCL (mob). A 3rd SCL bird turned up on Feb. 3 at the Thompson Cr. wetlands at Quimby Rd. (AV). The L. Hennessey, NAP, Red-naped Sapsucker was last reported on Feb. 1 (MB), while the hybrid Red-naped x Red-breasted Sapsucker at Spring L. in Santa Rosa, SON, continued through Feb. 25 (KW, BO).

Continuing with the continuation theme, Eastern Phoebes continued through the 11th at Los Capitancillos pond, SCL (mob), and through the 5th along Stage Rd. north of Pescadero, SM (BT). SF scored 2 Tropical Kingbirds: on the 8th at S. L. Merced (DM) and on the 23rd at India Basin Shoreline Park (LoB). A Winter Wren was ID’d by voice and recorded on Feb. 3 along Pescadero Rd. at Dearborn Park Rd., SM (AR, JG). A flock of 15 Mountain Bluebird brightened up Los Vaqueros watershed, CC, on Feb. 10 (CW, TW). Two Townsend’s Solitaires remained through the 27th in the Sargent Cypress grove near the Rock Springs trailhead on Mt. Tamalpais, MRN (mob). Another solitaire showed briefly on Feb. 9 along the Bear Valley Trail, PRNS, MRN (CS).

Wood Warblers to Finches

The San Francisquito Cr. Cape May Warbler (Dendroica tigrina) stayed all month in its favorite flowering eucalyptus tree near East Bayshore and Embarcadero, SCL (mob). Likewise, the Pescadero Rd. Black-throated Blue Warbler stuck close to the sweetgum tree near Dearborn Park Rd., SM (mob). A new warbler for the region was Black-and-white Warbler, located Feb. 6–10 at the Botanical Gardens in GGP, SF (BG; KJ). Northern Waterthrush continued at Berkeley Aquatic Park, ALA (MR), and at Charleston Marsh in Mountain View, SCL (ST).

A Los Gatos (SCL) feeder remained a favored stop for a Rose-breasted Grosbeak through Feb. 10 (LS). The female Baltimore Oriole was seen sporadically throughout the month at San Francisquito Cr. in Palo Alto (mob). Overwintering Bullock’s Orioles were reported Feb. 2 from Ulistac in SCL (KB, JP); Feb. 3 at Pedro Pt. in Pacifica, SM (JM); and Feb. 27 at Coyote Pt. Park, SM (RT).

A Feb. 4 hike to the summit of Mt. Hood between Kenwood and Santa Rosa, SON, produced a flock of 6–9 Cassin’s Finches (LH; GHu). On the 18th, a Cassin’s Finch pair visited a feeder in Kenwood, MRN (RR). The Red Crossbill irruption continued apace with the largest flock reported as 27+ birds on Feb. 21 along Hobbs Rd. and Monument Trail, Henry Coe SP, SCL (BBo; oob).

A single Lawrence’s Goldfinch lingered at the thistle feeder at Hidden Villa, SCL, through the 8th (GHa). Another Larry’s was observed Feb. 3 at the Cowell-Purissima trailhead, SM (EB). A flock of 9–12 Evening Grosbeaks stayed all month in the Cherry Chase neighborhood in Sunnyvale, SCL (mob). Additional individuals and flocks were reported from Page Mill Rd., SCL (FT); GGP, SF (LK); Pt. Reyes Station, MRN (JC; PC, KP); and San Francisquito Cr. (FT).

Abbreviations for Observers: AE, Al Eisner; AJ, Alvaro Jaramillo; AR, Alex Rinkert; AV, Ann Verdi; AW, Alan Wight; BBa, Bob Battagin; BBo, Bill Bousman; BG, Bob Gunderson; BN, Bill Noble; BO, Becky Olsen; BT, Bob Toleno; CL, Calvin Lou; CM, Carol Miller; CS, Chris Selvig; CW, Chris Wills; DE, Daniel Edelstein; DM, Dominik Mosur; DSh, David Shuford; DSi, Dan Singer; EB, Eddie Bartley; EV, Ed Vine; FT, Francis Toldi; GC, George Chrisman; GHa, Garth Harwood; GHu, Gene Hunn; JC, Josiah Clark; JG, John Garrett; JM, Joe Morlan; JP, Janna Pauser; JR, Jennifer Rycenga; JS, Judy Spitler; KB, Karen Burnson; KJ, Kimberly Jannarone; KP, Kathy Parker; KW, Ken Wilson; LeB, Leonie Batkin; LH, Lisa Hug; LK, Logan Kahle; LoB, Logan Bartling; LS, Linda Sullivan; MB, Murray Berner; MP, Michael Park; MR, Mark Rauzon; NA, Noah Arthur; PC, Peter Colasanti; PD, Pete Dunten; PS, Paul Saraceni; RR, Ruth Rudesill; RT, Ron Thorn; SG, Steve Granholm; ST, Steve Tracey; TB, Tony Brake; TE, Todd Easterla; TW, Teri Wills

Semicolons separate original observer(s) from subsequent observer(s). Abbreviation “mob” = many observers; “oob” = other observers. CBRC review species are shown in bold. 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; CP, County Park; Cr., Creek; Cyn., Canyon; EEC, Environmental Education Center; GGP, Golden Gate Park; L., Lake; MRN, Marin; Mt., Mount; N., North; NAP, Napa; NWR, National Wildlife Refuge; OSP, Open Space Preserve; 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; SM, San Mateo; SOL, Solano; SON, Sonoma; SP, State Park; SR, State Reserve; WPCP, Water Pollution Control Plant

 

January 1–31, 2013

 

January brought crisp but dry weather after weeks of rain, along with great opportunities to track down overwintering rarities from the winter CBCs.

Loons to Ducks

A Red-necked Grebe ranged inland to L. Elizabeth in Fremont, ALA, Jan. 17–23 (CA; mob). A flock of 16 Frigatebirds had been seen sporadically along the SoCal coast in Oct. so it was not a complete surprise that a probable Magnificent Frigatebird was noted on Jan. 20, soaring offshore from Abbott’s Lagoon, PRNS, MRN (MBu, MAR). A Common Teal was ID’d on Jan. 16 on a pond near Mitigation Marsh at MLK Jr. RS, ALA (BRi, EW). Currently considered the European subspecies of Green-winged Teal, it remains a candidate for splitting to full species status.

A hybrid Tufted Duck x Scaup was discovered Jan. 5–6 at Piper Park in Larkspur, MRN (EC; LBl). While the L. Merritt Tufted Duck rewarded admirers all month, a Tufted Duck on the NAP Sewage Ponds was a 1-day wonder Jan. 14 (DeH, DaH). Harlequin Ducks made sporadic appearances at Mile Rock, SF, on the 10th (AH); at Mussel Rock in Pacifica, SM, on the 15th (GD); and at Pescadero Cr. Mouth, SM, on the 21st (KJ).

A couple of White-winged Scoters returned to their regular bayside retreat at San Leandro Marina, ALA, starting Jan. 10 (VR; mob). A Black Scoter remained in winter residence at the Richmond Marina and a 2nd Black Scoter joined the duck flocks in search of herring roe at Bay Farm Island, ALA, on the 31st (NA). A female Long-tailed Duck spent the month patrolling the waters of the First Street Pier in Benicia, SOL (EP; TF). Two more Long-tailed Ducks lingered off Mile Rock, SF (BF; mob).

Raptors to Alcids

The most unusual raptor sightings were 2 reports of immature Swainson’s Hawks, first on Jan. 5 from PRNS Headquarters in Bear Valley, MRN (TP, TW), and then on Jan. 20 from Battery Godfrey, SF (PS). A Jan. 26 trek up Bald Mt. in Sugarloaf Ridge SP, SON, was rewarded with a Mountain Quail (GHu). High tide at Corte Madera Marsh, MRN, on Jan. 11 drove a Black Rail into the open (JM). At Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, MRN, a Black Rail was heard calling on the 26th (BN).

A 2nd cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) joined a massive gull influx on Jan. 22–23 in response to the herring run along the Sausalito shoreline, MRN (DS; LK). The same herring run on the Tiburon side of Richardson Bay attracted an adult Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) on Jan. 23–25 (DS, MP, STu; TE, JS, SH). Another adult Slaty-backed Gull was located Jan. 27 at the Pilarcitos Cr. gull roost in Half Moon Bay, SM (GC). Glaucous Gull sightings picked up this month, with 7 sightings in ALA, MRN, SCL, SF, and SM. A Black-legged Kittiwake was spotted from Bodega Head, SON, on Jan. 25, along with 5 Ancient Murrelets (SC). A half-dozen Ancient Murrelets were also recorded on Jan. 5 from Pescadero Cr. Mouth, SM (GC).

Doves to Thrashers

On Jan. 10, a Long-eared Owl was discovered roosting at Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, where it subsequently met its demise in the talons of a Red-tailed Hawk (MBe; mob). An owling trip to Gazos Cr. Rd., SM, on the 12th was rewarded with a Long-eared Owl calling in the distance (JRy). A birder driving Cloverdale Rd. near Pescadero, SM, on the evening of the 18th had to swerve to avoid hitting a Common Poorwill (GHa; RT, LBa).

A hike up Monument Trail in Henry Coe SP, SCL, led to discovery of a male Williamson’s Sapsucker on the 3rd (BB). Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers continued at Ed Levin Park, SCL, and Don Castro RRA, ALA, and new individuals were located at Stevens Cr. CP, SCL (RK; mob); Inverness, MRN (TP); and Pichetti Ranch OSP, SCL (CY). The Jan. 2 Angwin CBC reported a Red-naped Sapsucker at L. Hennessey, NAP (fide MuB; mob); a 2nd bird was reported Jan 17 in Palo Alto, SCL (DK). An odd-looking sapsucker along Coyote Cr. Trail, SCL, on Jan. 16 proved to be a hybrid Red-naped x Red-breasted Sapsucker (BH).

Eastern Phoebes maintained winter residence along Stage Rd., north of Pescadero, SM, and along the Guadalupe River Trail at Taylor St., SCL. Eastern Phoebes also turned up on Jan. 7 at Los Capitancillos Ponds in Almaden, SCL (AV) and on Jan. 24 on East Railroad Ave. in Petaluma, SON (GHu). At least 15 Mountain Bluebirds returned to their winter haunts along Patterson Pass Rd., ALA, where they were noted on Jan. 2 (MRa). As of Jan. 26, at least 1 Townsend Solitaire persisted among the Sargent Cypress trees near Barth’s retreat, Mt. Tamalpais, MRN, and a new Solitaire spot was discovered on Bald Mt. in Sugarloaf Ridge SP, SON (GHu).

Wood Warblers to Finches

An adult male Cape May Warbler (Dendroica tigrina) was discovered Jan. 21–31 foraging around eucalyptus blossoms on San Francisquito Cr. at East Bayshore in Palo Alto, SCL (JF, LG; mob). The continuing Black-throated Blue Warbler remained all month in the vicinity of Pescadero Rd. at Dearborn Park Rd., SM. Overwintering Western Tanagers were located in Sunnyvale, SCL (MRo); in SON, SON (CH, AC); in Santa Rosa, SON (BO, fide KW); and in Glen Park, SF (KS).

A Clay-colored Sparrow made the yard list on Jan. 2 at a Fulton Street address in Berkeley, ALA (BMN). Continuing Harris’s Sparrows awaited spring near Cordelia Junction, SOL, and at Oka Ponds, SCL. A 3rd Harris’s Sparrow joined a mixed sparrow flock at Coyote Pt. Park, SM, beginning the 15th (RT; mob). A Lapland Longspur was located by call on Jan. 28 at Huichica Cr. WA, NAP (DM, MP).

A Rose-breasted Grosbeak continued its regular visits to a Los Gatos feeder, SCL, through the 25th (LS). A male Indigo Bunting was discovered on the 19th hanging out in the sidewalk planters in SF’s Parkside District (DM). A male Yellow-headed Blackbird was photographed Jan. 2 at Coyote Hills RP, ALA (RD, JT). A female Baltimore Oriole visited the Cape May Warbler eucalyptus along San Francisquito Cr. on the 24th (JS, fide STe). An overwintering Bullock’s Oriole was located Jan. 11 at Diekmann’s Store, Bodega Bay, SON (DF).

High counts this month for Red Crossbills were 40 on Jan. 24 in Henry Coe SP, SCL (BB; MRo, BRe, FV, MM), and 30 on the 31st in Bodega Bay, SON (PH, PW). A sole male Lawrence’s Goldfinch discovered the thistle feeder at Hidden Villa, SCL, Jan. 22–29 (LR). Evening Grosbeaks remained concentrated in the S. Bay communities with lots of pistache trees, particularly Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Palo Alto, and Mountain View.

Abbreviations for Observers: AC, Anthony Cermak; AH, Alan Hopkins; AV, Ann Verdi; BB, Bill Bousman; BF, Brian Fitch; BH, Beth Hamel; BMN, Beth McNutt; BN, Bill Noble; BO, Becky Olsen; BRe, Bob Reiling; BRi, Bob Richmond; CA, Charlotte Allen; CH, Chris Harbard; CY, Chad Yarbrough; DaH, David Hamilton; DeH, Denise Hamilton; DF, Dea Freid; DK, Dan Keller; DM, Dominik Mosur; DS, Dan Singer; EC, Everett Clark; EP, Eric Pilotte; EW, Eileen Whitaker; FV, Frank Vanslager; GC, George Chrisman; GD, Gary Deghi; GHa, Garth Harwood; GHu, Gene Hunn; HBH, Hugh B. Harvey; JF, Jeff Fairclough; JM, Jeff Miller; JRi, Jean Richmond; JRy, Jennifer Rycenga; JS, John Sterling; JT, Jerry Ting; KJ, Kent Johnson; KS, Kathryn Spence; KW, Ken Wilson; LBa, Leonie Batkin; LBl, Len Blumin; LG, Laurie Graham; LK, Logan Kahle; LR, Logan Rosenberg; LS, Linda Sullivan; MAR, Mary Anne Rotella; MBe, Mike Berry; MBu, Mark Butler; MM, Mike Mammoser; MP, Michael Park; MRa, Mark Rauzon; MRo, Mike Rogers; MuB, Murray Berner; NA, Noah Arthur; PD, Pete Dunten; PH, Phil Henderson; PS, Paul Saraceni; PW, Pete White; RD, Rudy D.; RK, Roland Kenner; RT, Ron Thorn; SC, Scott Carey; SH, Steve Hampton; STe, Scott Terrill; STu, Steve Tucker; TE, Todd Easterla; TF, Tracy Farrington; TP, Todd Plummer; TW, Terry Wilcox; VR, Vicki Robinson

Semicolons separate original observer(s) from subsequent observer(s). Abbreviation “mob” = many observers; “oob” = other observers. CBRC review species are shown in bold. Information is compiled from BirdBox transcripts and regional listservs; the author apologizes for any errors or omissions.

Abbreviations for Counties and Others: ALA, Alameda; CBC, Christmas Bird Count; CC, Contra Costa; CP, County Park; Cr., Creek; Cyn., Canyon; EEC, Environmental Education Center; GGP, Golden Gate Park; L., Lake; MRN, Marin; Mt., Mount; N., North; NAP, Napa; NWR, National Wildlife Refuge; OSP, Open Space Preserve; 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; SM, San Mateo; SOL, Solano; SON, Sonoma; SP, State Park; SR, State Reserve; WPCP, Water Pollution Control Plant