[Editor’s note: This article appears to have some factual problems, and the writer’s knowledge of birds and their migratory movements is sketchy. But the article’s tone reflects that era of growing environmental consciousness, and the listing of favorite places to watch birds makes this an historically interesting document. Al Bergeron was President of Sequoia Audubon Society from 1972-1974
– Jennifer Rycenga, August 2011]

County’s Rich for Birdwatchers

San Mateo Times Friday November 14, 1975

By Vera Graham

Now's the time for all interested folk to get acquainted with some mighty fine, feathered friends.
The annual autumn spectacular which sends 100 million migrating ducks, geese and swans winging over the United States is underway.

And San Mateo County is hosting thousands who either come to winter or touch down in local lakes, marshes, sloughs and the bay for a snack and rest.

There are many vantage points from which some of the 45 species of waterfowl may be seen now, next month, and during various times of the year. Some birds can be seen throughout the year since they make this county their home.

One of the Bay Area's best known birdwatchers is Al Bergeron of Foster City. He is San Mateo's superintendent of maintenance, member of the Foster City Park and Recreation Commission, is on the board of directors for the Sequoia branch of the Audubon Society as well as the Audubon Canyon Ranch in Marin County.

He's a devoted bird fancier and anyone who wants to know something about who's who in birddom locally need only ask Bergeron.

He's already earning the title of the "Birdman of San Mateo County."

Other informed sources are Biologists John Williams and Roger Clemens of the College of San Mateo. Life Science Division Chairman Terry Curren can also provide helpful hints.

The interesting and spectacular birds which can be spotted in increasing, though some in passing number, in the county include Canada geese, the honkers, and a variety of "diving ducks," sea ducks and other birds.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that areas which have salt marshes, ponds and sloughs will be the wintering place for over 90 million ducks of 35 species, about three to four million geese of seven species and upwards of 150,000 swans of two species.

Bergeron who long ago forsook the gun for the camera and binoculars comments, "There's no reason for any brutal killing or maiming of a waterfowl in my book."

While there are many hunters to dispute this, Bergeron's comment strikes a responsive note in many other hearts.

Those who want to spy ducks can find likely viewing points along the bayfront, the location in Foster City where the old dredge used to sit at the end of Marlin Avenue and Beach Park Boulevard, reports Bergeron.

The idea is to be armed with a tidetable, and at high tide to head for the shell bar at that location when hundreds of shore birds can be seen congregating en masse, particularly at high tide when they have little else to do. The best time is about 6:30 or 7 a.m.

The area from which Canada geese can be seen coming down for a dramatic landing, is just south of Crystal Springs Lake near the Pulgas water temple.

Another strategic viewing point is the Coyote Point Yacht Harbor, the Anza-Pacific development site in Burlingame, and just to the north, the small eucalyptus crowned point which edges the bay.
Werder Pier in Foster City is another good spot, Bergeron reports.

On the Coastside, Pescadero Marsh, which lies on the east side of Highway 1, provides home for flocks of migrating ducks. It's located about 18 miles south of Half Moon Bay.

And Bergeron reports for those who wish to make a day's trip of it, the Audubon Canyon Ranch, located two miles north of Stinson Beach on Highway 1 offers a fascinating experience. One of the major rookeries in the state, it provides a home for the Great Blue Herons and the Common Egrets who stay around to raise their families in the tops of redwood trees. A special viewing position has been established on a ridge which enables the bird-watcher to peek into the domestic activities of the birds, see nests with their eggs and finally watch the hatching and raising process, the latter occurring from spring to early summer. Bergeron, who is also a member of the Audubon Canyon Ranch board, calls it a "fantastic place."

The Palo Alto Yacht Harbor is another likely viewing spot.

Sawyer Camp Road, above San Mateo, provides dandy access to the lakes where migratory birds, including Canada Geese can be spotted, notes Bergeron. He says, "I frankly believe cars and motorcycles should be banned and only an elephant train or electric car be permitted in order to convey people who can't hike to certain areas. They can have lunch there and return after a pleasant excursion. It would probably pay for itself," he adds.

Those who wish to get more information may contact the Sequoia chapter of the Audubon Society, which is readying its Christmas bird watch count. A date will be announced. The society will be holding regular meetings shortly at the Beresford Garden Center in San Mateo.
Bergeron emphasizes, "This isn't just an activity for the much-ridiculed little old lady in tennis, we have many great young people who have added much to our knowledge of local and migrating birds," he points out.

For year-round viewing the large White Egret also known as the Common American Egret moves about from slough to slough and marsh to marsh in this county. Its smaller cousin, the Snowy Egret, is also an increasingly welcome sight. And from time to time the county is visited by the Great Blue Heron with its startling blue, grey and white feathered markings. "They're beautiful," comments Bergeron.

They can be spotted when there's good fishing in particular when anchovies, shiners, or a supply of small fish is available. Belmont Slough, as well as some of the Mariner's Island waterways are favorite feeding places for the egrets.

Occasionally a great white swan will make the scene and when that happens, Bergeron said, "It causes quite a stir, since it is a rarity, but every now and then if you're lucky you can spot one. They only come here however by mistake."

How did Bergeron ever develop his longstanding interest in birds? It started when he went hunting as a 10-year-old with a friend. "I became fascinated with the skill of the hunters in using the bird call to literally talk the ducks out of the sky . . . I soon graduated from that to binoculars and a camera," he adds. "I can't see winging a beautiful bird and sending it off someplace to die . . ."

Bergeron reports that 80 per cent of the total population of the scaup ducks and a number of other species winter on the bay, indicating the importance of that body of water to the general environment.

Werder Pier is the spot from which to get a look or a photo of large rafts of ducks sitting on the bay during the winter. They are mostly the scaup ducks, usually known as blue-bills by hunters. They are not much sought after for eating.

And for those who are charmed by the rows of long-necked birds who perch of the power towers that straddle the bay - those are Double-Crested Cormorants, one of the first migratory birds to come to this area, seasonally.

Those who favor conservation of wild waterfowl, can purchase a migratory bird hunting stamp at the local post office for $5. Proceeds of the stamps, popularly called "duck stamps," go directly to buy wetland habitats for ducks and geese.

The stamp is issued annually and is required of all waterfowl hunters 16 years of age and older, but the Interior Department is now encouraging non-hunters who enjoy birdwatching and photograph to buy the stamps to promote the conservation effort. Since 1934, the stamp sale has produced over $160 million in revenue. And that's literally strictly for the birds.

[Editor's note: One of the great rarities in San Mateo county birding history was the 1988 appearance of a Rustic Bunting in Half Moon Bay. - Jennifer Rycenga, August 2011]

Wayward rare bird draws crowds to Coastside

Half Moon Bay Review Wednesday, November 30, 1988

By Eric Rice

A bird very rare to the United States was spotted in Half Moon Bay over the weekend, drawing bird watchers from around the state.

Bird watchers converged on a Brussels sprout field in Half Moon Bay Saturday, Sunday and Monday hoping for a "lifer," a glimpse of a rare - and quite lost - rustic bunting.

About 100 people from as far away as Long Angeles and San Diego dropped what they were doing Saturday when the sighting was confirmed in a field between Chesterfield Avenue and the sewage treatment plant.

The 5-inch-long rustic bunting is a member of the finch family, but more closely resembles the five or so other varieties of sparrows that are also found in the field.

Bird watchers consider it a treasure because it is rarely found in the lower 48 states or Canada. Only two other sightings have been confirmed south of Canada, one in Washington and one in Crescent City. The bird's native territory is northeastern Asia.

"It would have been a lifer for a lot of us," said a disappointed Mary Louise Rosegay, who came from San Francisco Sunday and Monday, but didn't see it.

"It's a chance to see something I'm not likely to see unless I visit Japan or China," said bird watcher Kevin Hintsa of San Ramon.

Only about a dozen people actually saw the bird. There was a spate of sightings Saturday, but only one on Sunday, perhaps because the bird was scared away by the large crowd, observers said.

The bird was first spotted by accident by a man who was conducting a "Christmas bird count" for this area. The count is conducted throughout the nation every year. The man, whose name visitors could not remember, did not recognize the bird so he called a friend, Ron Thorne (sic), from Redwood City, who identified it.

Immediately, a "bird alert" - a taped message by the Golden Gate Audubon Society - was put out attracting Arnold Small, a University of California at Los Angeles ornithologist, Guy McKaskie, one of the state's leading "birders" and a host of other bird watchers.

Hintsa, 31, spent all day Sunday and part of Monday gazing through his binoculars looking for the characteristic dark streak across its breast and neck and listening for its chirp, akin to that of a palm warbler's. This particular bird is said to have "rich rusty colors' distinguishing it.

Hintsa said the bird was probably attracted to that particular field by a strip of tall weeds, rich with seeds that the bird eats and a nearby group of willows which it takes shelter in.

How does a bird that's normally found in Siberia make its way to Half Moon Bay?
"Birds sometimes appear to have 180-degree misorientations," said Hintsa, a bird watcher for 19 years.

He said heavy fog, storms or even the earth's magnetic pull might have accounted for it being thousands of miles off course.

Marian and Max Johnson of Oceanside, just north of San Diego, canceled reservations in Death Valley when they heard of the sighting. Max Johnson, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and his wife have traveled to Costa Rica, Hudson Bay and Carmel in search of rare birds this year so a jaunt up the coast was nothing for them.

"It's a disappointment," said Marian Johnson after not seeing the bird, "but this happens more often than not."

They planned to spend most of Monday morning at the site and then head to Lodi to look for a bendire's thrasher.

"He may still be here," Hintsa said. "One did (spend) winter in Washington two years ago, so he might still be here."

Though it is the only one of its species seen, Hintsa said California has been visited this year by at least give other birds traditionally found in Siberia, including the Siberian sandpiper in Monterey and the spotted redshank in San Joaquin County.