Field Trip Report:
Laurelwood Park, San Mateo
January 22, 2012
Jennifer Rycenga, leader

In what has been a winter of drought, it was hard to curse the rainclouds that gathered as we launched on this field trip. We took a chance that we could at least launch an exploration of this hidden gem of a municipal park, and enjoyed ninety minutes before the drops started falling continuously. Our group of eleven hiked a loop of the Tenderfoot Trail and Creek Overlook Trail. We detected twenty-seven species, the best being a male/female pair of VARIED THRUSH. We had many good opportunities to study birds up close, including a cooperative HAIRY WOODPECKER, OAK TITMOUSES, CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, DARK-EYED JUNCOS and STELLER'S JAYS. Most participants were visiting Laurelwood for the first time, and were charmed by it. Too bad we didn't get to explore the Sugarloaf Mountain area of the park, as well, but we will have another field trip here soon!

Species list

Red-shouldered Hawk
California Gull
Anna's Hummingbird
Nuttall's Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Black Phoebe
Hutton's Vireo
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Oak Titmouse
Bushtit
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Varied Thrush
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
California Towhee
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch

– Jennifer Rycenga

Avid birders scanning for California Towhee, at the crossover between the Tenderfoot and the Creek Overlook trails at Laurelwood Park, January 22, 2012. Laurie Graham is in the green hat. (Jennifer Rycenga, photographer)

Field Trip Report:
San Gregorio State Beach
Tuesday morning, October 4, 2011

Overcast skies threatened this field trip, but as the leaders arrived, the clouds began to clear, and by mid-morning the sun shone splendidly, revealing interesting sea birds and some land bird migrant flocks. Co-led by Sequoia Audubon president Jennifer Rycenga and American Birding Association (ABA) trip leader, writer, and editor Michael Retter, this adventure included sea-watching, climbing up the bluff top on the north side of the park, bushwhacking our way down that hill, and watching migrant flocks along the western end of SR 84. The twelve participants were all fine and fun birders, including two people who attended the ABA mini-fest in Half Moon Bay the previous weekend.

The ocean highlights included two Herring Gulls, two Caspian Terns, a flock of Elegant Terns, a few Parasitic Jaegers and Sooty Terns over the ocean, and a substantial returning number of Red-throated Loons and Surf Scoters.

Among land birds, a vagrant Palm Warbler, pumping its tail, was traveling with an Audubon’s Yellow-rumped Warbler; another flock had Warbling Vireo amongst many Townsend’s Warblers and an Orange-crowned Warbler. A few raptors thrilled the crowd, especially a Peregrine Falcon that whipped an entire gull flock into the air. Fifty-nine total species were detected.

– Jennifer Rycenga

Sea-watching from the bluff at San Gregorio.
From left to right: Eric Mills, Michael Retter, Warran Resell, Edwin Geer, J.C. Shaver (looking right), Scott Kaiser, and Greg Edwards

Field Trip Report:
Coyote Point Recreation Area
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Leader: Francis Toldi

On this (Sunday) morning's Sequoia Audubon Society field trip to Coyote Point 15 birders enjoyed a quiet, but moderately productive, morning. Passerine migrants were few, just a single hatch year male YELLOW WARBLER in the fennel on the outer point and a juvenile PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCACTHER in the pines and eucalyptus near the museum enclosure.

On the outer point beyond the yacht club the HARLEQUIN DUCK was conspicuous, in and out of the water. He is now moving into alternate plumage. Also present were 8+ widely scattered BLACK TURNSTONES and a group of 7+ SURFIBRDS on the outer concrete slabs, a single juvenile LONG-BILLED CURLEW, and all the other expected shorebirds and terns.

I had 52 total species on my tally.

Francis Toldi
San Mateo, CA

Field Trip Report
Swarmin’ Swainsons
August 20, 2011
Leader:  Leslie Flint

On August 20, 25 stalwart birders showed up for Sequoia’s field trip “Swarmin’ Swainson’s” to search for Swainson's hawks in Yolo and Solano Counties.  The weather was very pleasant and it turned out to be quite a fantastic day despite the lack of Swainson's (until late in the day).  We started at the Vic Fazio wetlands and enjoyed good looks at ibis, green herons, a flying bittern, yellow-headed blackbirds and a brief look at female blue grosbeak and of course scads of egrets. A peregrine terrorized the dowitchers at the ponds near Parking Lot B. On our way to the Davis Wetlands, we stopped on Road 105 for a small flock of about 10 Swainson's far out in a field and distant birds in the air. As we were driving into the wetlands 2 great horned owls were spotted in the trees and a departing birder told us of the common ringed plover that had been found earlier in the day. Wow, we were in the right place at the right time! We hurried to the Wastewater Pond where there were already lots of birders. We had great looks at the plover and could compare it to the semi-palmated plovers. This was a life bird for most of the group needless to say and a first State record. (Photos are posted on Sonny Mencher's Flickr site) There were a lot of shorebirds as the water level was perfect.   We saw least and western sandpipers and many long-billed dowitchers, and lesser and greater yellowlegs, but not the ruff that had been seen earlier. Also present were American white pelicans, Caspian terns, stilts and avocets. As we were leaving a small flock of black terns flew over - a real treat. We stopped on the way out to check out the ponds at the wastewater treatment plant and found both red-necked and Wilson's phalaropes along with assorted gulls and ducks.

After lunch on the lawn of a Carl’s Jr. in Davis, the afternoon was spent searching for flocks of Swainson's which didn't materialize at first. But we had good looks at juvenile birds interacting in a group of trees over what appeared to be a snake (?) in the talons of one bird and then later several birds in the air.  We also came upon a turkey vulture roost with quite a few birds in the air and in the trees.  About 3:00 about half the group left for home and the rest of us set out looking for burrowing owls (NOT) but were lucky enough to find a flock of about 70 Swainson's in a field and in the air at the junction of Robben Road and Radio Station Road in Solano County. Along Delhi road were hundreds of long-billed curlews - maybe a thousand in all. A few of us were lucky enough to see a merlin on Levee Road before we all headed for home.

Birds seen and heard – 73 species:

Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Ruddy Duck
Ring-necked Pheasant (by a few)
Double-crested Cormorant
American White Pelican
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret (78+)
Snowy Egret
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
White-faced Ibis
Turkey Vulture (100+)
White-tailed Kite
Northern Harrier
Swainson’s Hawk (102)
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
American Coot
Common Ringed Plover (seen well by all)
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Long-billed Curlew (1700+)
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson’s Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Caspian Tern
Black Tern
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Anna’s Hummingbird
Black Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Loggerhead Shrike
Western Scrub-jay
Yellow-billed Magpie
American Crow
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Bank Swallow (heard by a few that were listening)
Marsh Wren
House Wren (by a few)
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Song Sparrow
Blue Grosbeak (female seen by most)
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Field Trip Report:
Edgewood Park, San Mateo
Jun 12, 2011 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Fourteen of us hiked on a sunny day. In addition to the birds we enjoyed several species of wild flowers and flowering shrubs. At one point Susan P. had us gather in the shade of an oak tree on the lower Ridgeview Loop Trail while she talked about the reintroduction program for the extirpated Bay Checkerspot Butterfly. After standing still for about five minutes the group heard a rustling in the grass just a few feet down slope from the trail. We watched the three foot long snake move under a bush about ten feet away and wrap himself around it, facing us. We could see the dark skin and rings around the body. The head seemed triangular, but no one got a good look at the tip of the tail. Many of us believed it to be a rattlesnake. After the hike we visited the new Education Center.

California Quail 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Northern Harrier 2- two separate male sightings
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Anna's Hummingbird 6
Nuttall's Woodpecker 1
Pacific-slope Flycatcher 2- two heard only
Black Phoebe 1
Hutton's Vireo 4
Steller's Jay 4
Western Scrub-Jay 6
Common Raven 2
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 10- one adult seen feeding one juvenile
Oak Titmouse 6
Bushtit 5
Bewick's Wren 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Wrentit 4 heard only
Western Bluebird 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 2- 2 separate birds
Spotted Towhee 10
California Towhee 6- 2 adults feeding 2 chicks in nest
Dark-eyed Junco 20
Black-headed Grosbeak 1
Purple Finch 1- heard only
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 10

29 species

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

— Sue Cossins, Martha O’Neal and Susan Peterson

Field Trip Report:
Junipero Serra County Park, San Bruno
Saturday, June 11, 2011, 8:30am
Leader: Robbie Fischer

The list included those shown here plus many Juncos, Cal Towhee, Hairy Woodpecker, Steller's and Western Scrub Jays. Pigmy Nuthatch, Bushtits, Orange-crowned Warbler, American Robin and Black Phoebe- No TVs!

Note: Spotted Towhee, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Anna's Hummingbird and Purple Finch all on same snag.
Park is in San Bruno between El camino and 280 - off Crystal Springs Road. My first time there and I intend to go back.

Here are links to photos, and GPS map of site and our walk: Slideshow – Map

— Sonny Mencher

Field Trip Report:
Pescadero Marsh Trip Report
Saturday, May 21, 2011, 8:00am

Today I led a field trip for Sequoia Audubon at Pescadero Marsh. We did a brief sea watch, walked over the new bridge to overlook the ponds, then took the Sequoia Trail to the benches overlooking Pescadero Creek. After returning to our cars, we drove to the Water Lane entrance and walked the entire length of the trail there. It was a wonderful day with 70 total species.

Highlight in terms of rarities was a WESTERN KINGBIRD at the large pond on the Water Lane trail. Later we heard at least three VIRGINIA RAIL using this pond, but we could not coax them into view. A large flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS was present along the Water Lane trail, as were a feeding flock of BAND-TAILED PIGEONS.

We had a heard-only YELLOW WARBLER along the Sequoia Audubon Trail. A pair of COMMON MERGANSERS were resting on the banks of Pescadero Creek there, too.

We were surprised to see three SURFBIRDS; it seems late for this species. One of these birds was approaching alternate plumage.

The CANADA GEESE continue to use the marsh - a flock of eight.

Good birding!

— Jennifer Rycenga, Half Moon Bay, CA

Field Trip Report:
Garin Park, Hayward
Saturday, May 7, 2011, 8:00 - 11:30am

Windy, overcast conditions today did not keep the birds or birders down. The park was full of birdsong and we saw many birds entering nests or carrying food.

Highlights include many colorful birds: Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, Black Headed Grosbeak, Wilson's Warbler and many others.

Flycatchers were everywhere: Western Kingbird, Ash-Throated Flycatcher, Olive-Sided Flycatcher, Black Phoebe and Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Wild Turkeys offered comic relief and some participants saw a skunk.

1. Wild Turkey
2. California Quail- heard only
3. Double-crested Cormorant
4. Turkey Vulture
5. unidentified accipiter sp
6. Red-shouldered Hawk
7. Red Tailed Hawk - plus nest
8. American Kestrel
9. American Coot
10. Rock Pigeon
11. Mourning Dove
12. Anna's Hummingbird
13. Allen's Hummingbird
14. Nuttall's Woodpecker
15. Downy Woodpecker - heard only
16. Olive-sided Flycatcher
17. Pacific-slope Flycatcher
18. Black Phoebe
19. Ash-throated Flycatcher
20. Western Kingbird
21. Hutton's Vireo - heard only
22. Warbling Vireo
23. Steller's Jay
24. Western Scrub-jay
25. Tree Swallow
26. Cliff Swallow
27. Barn Swallow
28. Chestnut-backed Chickadee
29. Bushtit
30. Bewick's Wren
31. House Wren
32. Western Bluebird
33. American Robin
34. Northern Mockingbird
35. European Starling
36. Cedar Waxwing
37. Orange-crowned Warbler
38. Yellow Warbler - heard only
39. Wilson's Warbler
40. Spotted Towhee
41. California Towhee
42. Song Sparrow
43. Dark-eyed Junco - heard only

—Ginny Marshall, Trip Leader

Field Trip Report:
Mines Road Trip
Sunday, May 1, 2011, 8:00am

Sequoia Audubon's 2nd field trip this week to Mines Road was very successful. It warmed up nicely and the wind didn't seem to bother us very much. We saw most of the same species as Thursday - rufous-crowned sparrow, Lewis' woodpecker, wood ducks, green heron and phainopeplas in several locations. Also roadrunner along Del Puerto Canyon road.

This is a good time to visit Mines Road if you want to see Lawrence's Goldfinches and Chipping Sparrows. They were very visible today at the junction of Mines, San Antonio Valley and Del Puerto Canyon Roads. The Lawrence's could be viewed in the yellow fiddleneck flowers under the trees whilst sitting at the picnic tables at the bar. Maybe gas prices have kept the traffic down - it wasn't too bad today. We saw Chipping Sparrows there and at the Alameda/Santa Clara county line.

To add to what I reported on Thursday, it seems as though the migrants are moving - we had at least 2 flocks of Vaux's Swifts along Mines Road and at Frank Raines Park (which was amazingly devoid of humans on a Sunday and the bathrooms are deplorable) in addition to a continuing Hermit Warbler, there was Nashville Warbler and Western Tanager.

We saw more rock wrens today than I ever remember and were treated to 2 male Costa's hummingbirds at the usual place on Del Puerto Canyon Road. One tried twice to dislodge the other from its perch.

I want to "correct" something I reported on Thursday. I said that we saw an adult male Allen's hummingbird in the sticky monkey flower at MP 5.74 on Mines Road. I was reminded that any selaphorus hummingbird seen away from the coast at the end of April must be a rufous in migration because all Allen's would have been on their coastal breeding grounds by then. I stand corrected.

— Leslie Flint, San Mateo

Field Trip Report:
Mines Road Scouting Trip
Thursday, April 28, 2011, 8:00am

We had a great day today on Mines Road. It was a bit nippy in the a.m. with wind following us throughout the day but ending well down Del Puerto Canyon Road, the temp was 75 - toasty!

Highlights: Definitely the most surprising bird of the day was a SOLITARY SANDPIPER at the tiny pond just across the road from the old Fire Station at the junction. We surprised it out the pond, but it returned only to fly out again when it saw us and then, unfortunately, gone. There were lots of Lawrence's goldfinches in several locations - mostly at the junction in the fiddlehead flowers; also chipping sparrows seen well from the picnic benches at the junction. We also had at least 3 golden eagles along Mines and Del Puerto Canyon roads. I think this is the best day I have ever had for Lawrence's.

The great horned owl chicks showed nicely as did the red-tails on the nest across from 6326 Mines Road. At MP 5.74 (the magic corner) we had singing rufous-crowned sparrows, CA thrashers and Allen's hummers in the monkey-flowers. We had green heron at the corral as well as Bullock's oriole. The Lewis's Woodpeckers are well down San Antonio road from their previous locations - past the large ranch on the left in the huge oak trees on the right of the road and before the large wood duck pond (where there were 4).

Also Frank Raines Picnic area had hermit warblers, Hammond's flycatcher (and we understand that early in the day there were lots more warblers than we saw at 3 PM). Owl Rock was devoid of owls but had a red-tail nest; the cottonwood in front of the rock however was alive - shrike, W. kingbird, Lawrence's goldfinches, lark sparrow, house finches, say's phoebe, phainopepla and bullock's oriole - all in the space of 15 minutes. Costa's hummer was in his usual location around the corner even though half of his tree has collapsed - he was still sitting on the dead branches - just a little closer to the ground!

Please join me Sunday for the "real" trip - although it should be hotter and you never know what the birds will be doing!

— Leslie Flint, San Mateo

Field Trip Report:
Mitchell Canyon, Mt. Diablo State Park
Sunday, April 17, 2011

Our group enjoyed clear but breezy weather at Mitchell Canyon on April 17. The parking lot was very birdy, with Acorn Woodpeckers, Lesser and American Goldfinch, House Wren and others.

On the main trail we were surprised to see a Lewis's Woodpecker fly by. Shortly thereafter we had a close up Hammond's Flycatcher, and then a singing Black Throated Gray Warbler traveling with a large group of Audubon's and Myrtle Warblers.

Other good birds were several singing Black Headed Grosbeaks, Wild Turkeys, Bullock's Oriole, Ash Throated Flycatcher and a shy Cassin's Vireo. One of the most interesting sights was a beautiful Alameda Whipsnake in a bush. This threatened species was a real treat.

— Ginny Marshall

Field Trip Report:
Redwood Shores
Saturday, April 2, 2011, 8:30-noon

This morning's Sequoia Audubon bird walk in Redwood Shores, led by Sonny Mencher, was surprisingly productive with 50 species found in about 4 hours.

We started in the parking behind the office buildings, crossed over the channel and headed to Gossamer Lane, crossed Canvasback and headed up to the Bay Trail berm Then stopped at each of the observation platforms as we came back on Seabrook to the ponds. Highlights included a Peregrine Falcon flying in from the west and landing on a power pole near Whisperwave.

From the berm at the Baytrail looking over the flooded area behind the Redwood Shores Elementary School there were close to 50 Egrets, if not more. Mainly Snowy with a few Great. We had two Green Herons along Gossamer and another in the pond between Shearwater and Whisperwave - part of our 5 Heron/Egret day.  In the various channels we had Black-bellied plovers, also Greater Yellowlegs and Ruddy Ducks in breeding plumage. Near the radio towers Killdeer and male/female Northern Harriers.

Back at the Radio Road, along the berm between the ponds a Blue winged Teal, and with the help of Ron and Leonie a Cattle Egret and Eurasian Wigeon. In the area behind the dog park parking lot an American Pipit.

  1 American Crow
  2 White Crowned Sparrow
  3 Brewer's Blackbird
  4 Anna's Hummingbird
  5 Yellow-rumped Warbler
  6 Green Heron
  7 Pied-billed Grebe
  8 Mallard
  9 Black Phoebe
10 Bushtit
11 Greater Scaup
12 American Coot
13 Mocking Bird
14 Mourning Dove
15 American Wigeon
16 Snowy Egret
17 Black-necked Stilt
18 Northern Shoveler
19 Northern Pintail
20 Western Grebe
21 Great Blue Heron
22 House Finch
23 Canada Goose
24 Peregrine Falcon
25 Forster's Tern
26 Willet
27 Great Egret
28 American Avocet
29 Ruddy Duck
30 Black-bellied Plover
31 Starling
32 Northern Harrier
33 Song Sparrow
34 Barn Swallow
35 Kildeer
36 Western Sandpiper
37 Golden-crowned Sparrow
38 Turkey Vulture
39 Red-tailed Hawk
40 Greater Yellowlegs
41 Green-winged Teal
42 Marbled Godwit
43 Red-winged Blackbird
44 Black-crowned Night Heron
45 Tree Swallow
46 Blue-winged Teal
47 American Pipit
48 Eurasian Wigeon
49 Cattle Egret
50 Gull Sp(s)

— Sonny Mencher

Field Trip Report
Panoche Valley/Merced County
February 12 and 13, 2011

The Sequoia Audubon trip to Panoche Valley and Merced Wildlife Refuge and environs was blessed with fabulous clear, warm weather. We started Saturday morning at Paicines Reservoir, which, while full of water, had very few birds. We proceeded along Panoche Road finding Barn Owl, Phainopepla, California Thrasher (and lots more) and after a lot of hard work and great spotting by all, Rufous-crowned Sparrow. We were also enjoyed a trio of Ruby-crowned Kinglets – the male had his ruby crest fully fluffed and we were able to watch as he courted the attending females for several minutes.

We stopped for lunch at the Panoche Inn where we were treated to CASSIN’S KINGBIRD sitting in the tree above the picnic tables. From there we searched in vain for Mountain Plover all along the Silver Springs Ranch Road, but were rewarded with nice looks at Mountain Bluebird, Ferruginous Hawk and a Prairie Falcon eating what we believe was a kangaroo rat. We found Chukar on New Idria Road, Rock Wren and Burrowing Owls on Shotgun Pass. Then to Mercey Hot Springs for the Long-eared Owl spectacle.

The group spent the night in Los Banos and some of us enjoyed the plentiful food and wine at the Wool Growers Restaurant.

Sunday morning was COLD – 36 degrees when we reached Merced National Wildlife Refuge. Some of us saw a perched Great-horned Owl at the entrance. We drove the auto tour route checking the ducks, seeing 2 Tundra Swans but being lured by the sound of thousands of geese and cranes we drove right to where they were all sitting next to the road eating the newly cut corn. We sat and watched and retreated to a parking area where we could scope the flocks finding an aberrant totally chocolate brown Lesser Sandhill Crane and at least 3 blue-phase Snow and Ross’ Geese with at least one hybrid. We saw several banded birds that have been reported to USGS for identification. A bright yellow warbler was a great find in the nearby trees. An adult Bald Eagle flew low over the geese and got everyone up and flying. All in all a thrilling morning.

After lunch we drove Santa Fe Grade Road where the best birds were Redhead duck, Peregrine Falcon, Common Moorhen (for a few) and at least 5 Blue-winged Teal. As some of us drove down Gun Club Road toward Hwy 5 we found a small flock of Yellow-headed Blackbirds to round out the day.

Leslie Flint
Ginny Marshall
Trip Leaders

The attached is a combined list of birds seen on either/or both days.
Tundra Swan (Merced)
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Ross’ Goose
Canada Goose (Paicines)
Green-winged Teal (Merced)
Mallard (both days)
Northern Pintail
Blue-winged Teal (Santa Fe Grade Road)
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Canvasback
Redhead
Bufflehead
Common Merganser (Paicines)
Ruddy Duck (both days)
California Quail
Chukar (Panoche Valley)
Pied-billed Grebe
Clark’s Grebe (Paicines)
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
White-faced Ibis (Merced)
Turkey Vulture
White-tailed Kite (seen by some)
Bald Eagle (Merced)
Northern Harrier (both days)
Cooper’s Hawk (Merced)
Red-shouldered Hawk (Merced)
Red-tailed Hawk (abundant both days)
Ferruginous Hawk (Panoche Valley)
American Kestrel (both days)
Peregrine Falcon (Santa Fe Grade)
Prairie Falcon (Panoche Valley – at least 4 sightings)
Virginia Rail (heard Merced)
Sora (heard by some Santa Fe Grade)
Common Moorhen (seen by some Santa Fe Grade)
American Coot
Sandhill Cranes (both Lesser and Greater - thousands)
Black-bellied Plover (Merced)
Killdeer
Black-necked Stilt (Merced)
American Avocet (Merced)
Greater Yellowlegs (Santa Fe Grade)
Lesser Yellowlegs (Santa Fe Grade)
Western Sandpiper (Santa Fe Grade)
Least Sandpiper (Merced)
Dunlin (Merced)
Long-billed Dowitcher (Merced)
Common Snipe (Merced)
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Mourning Dove
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Barn Owl (Panoche Road)
Great Horned Owl
Burrowing Owl (top of Shotgun Pass)
Long-eared Owl (Mercey Hot Springs)
Anna’s Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher (Merced)
Acorn Woodpecker
Nuttall’s Woodpecker (Merced)
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Black Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe
Cassin’s Kingbird (Panoche Valley)
Loggerhead Shrike (both days)
Western Scrub-Jay
Yellow-billed Magpie
American Crow (Merced)
Common Raven (Panoche)
Horned Lark (Panoche)
Oat Titmouse (Panoche Road)
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch (Panoche Road)
Rock Wren (Shotgun Pass)
Canyon Wren (heard only Panoche Road)
Bewick’s Wren
Marsh Wren (Merced)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Panoche Road)
Western Bluebird (Panoche)
Mountain Bluebird (Panoche Valley)
Hermit Thrush
Wrentit
Northern Mockingbird (both days)
California Thrasher
American Pipit
Phainopepla (flying Panoche Road)
Yellow Warbler (Merced)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (abundant everywhere)
Common Yellowthroat (mostly heard)
Spotted Towhee
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
California Towhee
Vesper Sparrow (seen by a few)
Lark Sparrow (abundant in Panoche this year)
Savannah Sparrow
Fox Sparrow (Merced)
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow (seen by a few at Merced)
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Tricolored Blackbird (both days)
Western Meadowlark
Yellow-headed Blackbird (Gun Club Road)
Brewer’s Blackbird
Purple Finch (Panoche)
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Rock Pigeon
European Starling
House Sparrow

121 species

Field Trip Report:
Under Birded State Beaches
Sunday, January 9, 2011

The Sequoia Audubon Society trip on Sunday, January 9, 2011 to San Gregorio, Pomponio, and Bean Hollow State Beaches was a fabulous success. The gull flock at San Gregorio produced our best bird of the day, a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE on the beach at the edges of the flock. It was a life bird for many of the 13 participants. There was a sizable flock of WHITE- WINGED SCOTERS offshore at San Gregorio. We found a recently killed BARN OWL along SR1; Laurie G. and Jeff F. collected it to take to California Academy of Sciences: it was in near-perfect condition, with even its eyes still present. We walked along the creek and under the SR1 bridge to the marsh, where the group had all-too-fleeting glimpses of two WILSON'S SNIPE, and heard a MARSH WREN. Raptors were cooperative, with COOPER'S HAWK, WHITE-TAILED KITE, TURKEY VULTURE, AMERICAN KESTREL, RED-TAILED and RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS.

At Pomponio State Beach, there was one adult THAYER'S GULL, at least two HERRING GULLS, and a HEERMANN'S GULL. The SURF SCOTER flock had one female WHITE-WINGED SCOTER.

At Bean Hollow State Beach, the Blue Whale's decaying skin was still attractive to NORTHERN FULMARS, of which there were about twenty present: another life bird for many present, and certainly excellent conditions under which to see it. The rocks at the southern (main) parking lot had a SURFBIRD in amongst BLACK TURNSTONES, SANDERLINGS, BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS, and MEW GULLS. A CINNAMON TEAL pair graced the lagoon across SR1, but Lake Lucerne held nothing of interest.

Thanks to all the participants: it was a good-spirited, cooperative group - many people contributed to locating all of these excellent birds.

— Jennifer Rycenga, Half Moon Bay

Field Trip Report:
Marina Lagoon, Foster City
Sunday, October 24, 2010, 8:30am

I led a Sequoia Audubon walk today of Marina Lagoon (and greater Foster City - the parts where you didn't need to be more than 20 feet from the car). While being drizzled upon, my small but enthusiastic group had some great birds.

The level of the water in Marina Lagoon has not yet been lowered, so there were fewer birds than usual, however we were treated to at least 3 spotted sandpipers, a greater yellowlegs, belted kingfisher, stilts noisily and actively feeding, and at least 100 Forsters terns flying up and down the lagoon. Nine white pelicans were a treat. We watched them for some time swimming and feeding in unison. There were also brown pelicans along with a smattering of ducks - American wigeon, shovelers, and mallards.

We walked to the Port Royal ponds, but no hooded merganzers - just mallards, wigeon, coots on the newly redone ponds and black-crowned night herons in the trees.

Off to Belmont Slough off Sea Cloud Park. Not many shorebirds even though it was low tide - least sandpipers, avocets. As we began to walk back along the path toward Sea Cloud Park, Laurie Graham noticed a warbler in the fennel that looked different - PALM WARBLER. We were able to study it at close range for a very long time and often it was in the same fennel patch as yellow-rumped warblers for a good comparison. (Laurie will post more on this). At the lagoon next to Sea Cloud there was a red-breasted merganzer.

Off to the Shell Bar which was loaded with shorebirds - mostly willets, godwits, black-bellied plovers, least sandpipers, dowitchers (long-billed we thought) and a few dunlin. I wasn't able to spot any knots. There were lots of Forster's terns and about 6 elegant terns. Best of all were about 23 black skimmers all roosting among the willets and godwits. Maybe I don't visit the Shell Bar as often as I should, but I have never seen skimmers there. A real treat.

The wind and rain started to pick up so we called it a morning. A good time was had by all despite the rainy conditions.

— Leslie Flint, San Mateo

Trip Report: SF Bay Trail, San Bruno Point, South San Francisco, CA
October 17, 2010, time 8:00 a.m. to 11:15 am
By Laurie Graham & Jeff Fairclough
South San Francisco

We lead a walk for Sequoia Audubon Society from Point San Bruno to Colma Creek channel and back, with 9 total participants. About halfway along, it started to rain, although not heavily. It was, however, cold. You've got to hand it to birders: we're standing on Scavenger Marsh Bridge, in the wind tunnel, trying to ID a gull on the transfer station roof. The Ruddy Turnstones were great, and new for us at this site.

Number of species: 49

Mallard     7
Northern Shoveler     55
Green-winged Teal (American)     4; 3 female, 1 male
Greater Scaup     1 female
Horned Grebe     4
Western Grebe     5
Clark's Grebe     3
Brown Pelican     5
Double-crested Cormorant     72
Snowy Egret     3
American Coot     53
Black-bellied Plover     32
Semipalmated Plover     40
Killdeer     14
Black Oystercatcher     2
Black-necked Stilt     4
American Avocet     2
Greater Yellowlegs     4
Willet     250
Whimbrel (American)     11
Long-billed Curlew     2
Marbled Godwit     80
Ruddy Turnstone     5
Black Turnstone     23
Western Sandpiper     2
Least Sandpiper     46
Long-billed Dowitcher     55
Ring-billed Gull     2
Western Gull     28
California Gull     24
Herring Gull     1
Forster's Tern     16
Rock Pigeon     30
Anna's Hummingbird     1
Black Phoebe     3
American Crow     7
Common Raven     3
Northern Mockingbird     2
European Starling     89
Yellow-rumped Warbler     2
Common Yellowthroat     3; 1 female, 2 males
California Towhee     2
Savannah Sparrow     3
Song Sparrow     1
White-crowned Sparrow     33
Golden-crowned Sparrow     10
Brewer's Blackbird     47
House Finch     2
House Sparrow     40

Field Trip Report:
Burleigh Murray State Park
Saturday, October 9, 2010

On today's Sequoia Audubon Society walk at Burleigh Murray, we had a few western migrants. The highlight for me was a HORNED LARK, seen and heard briefly by me, but the rest of the group could not get on what was, at the time, a mystery bird: it was quite distant, but settled into some of the grassy hillside west of the main trail.

Other migrants included a PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER (it called, so we are sure of the ID), a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and both SWAINSON'S (lingering) and HERMIT (arriving) THRUSHES.

Among our thirty-five total species, we had great looks at a PYGMY NUTHATCH coming out of a roost hole in a tree (thanks, Rita), comparison looks and listens to RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET and HUTTON'S VIREO, and some good visuals on DOWNY WOODPECKER and NORTHERN FLICKER.

We also enjoyed some fine butterflies and Brush Rabbits. Hope to see more pen-birders on future Sequoia Audubon Society hikes.

— Jennifer Rycenga

Field Trip Report for May 15, 2010
Burleigh-Murray State Park
Half Moon Bay, CA
Leader: Alvaro Jaramillo
Report by Bill Bechtell

The focus of the trip was identification of birds by sound, not number of species sighted. That being said, the more interesting birds we saw, which we would have probably not seen without Alvaro's skill at recognizing their vocalizations, were Orange-crowned Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Black-headed Grosbeak, Wrentit and Common Yellowthroat.

It was a cool, overcast day and we hiked into the park about a mile.   Alvaro used recorded birdcalls to call in some of the birds, and discussed the pros and cons of that technique.  Essentially he thinks it is OK to use it with a group as a teaching tool, but it should not be overused.

Afterwards we went to Cameron's Pub nearby on Highway 1, adjacent to the POST Wavecrest property.  Cameron treated us all to a great barbeque, and shared his plans for a birder-oriented RV park on property adjacent to his pub.  He plans to convert a greenhouse on the property to an environmental education center and has offered Audubon a presence in the center when it comes to be.  Its proximity to Wavecrest makes it an ideal location for such a venture, and there is a need for more RV camping spots on the coastside.  He already has permission from the Coast Commission, and is now working on getting approval from the city of Half Moon Bay.

Trip Report: San Bruno Mountain
Sunday, April 18, 2010
By Laurie Graham & Jeff Fairclough

We led a walk for Sequoia Audubon, from 8:00 - 11:00, with 6 participants: Howard Higley, Margaret Blunden, Mike Bible, Doug Brown, and Pat & Larry Miller. Three Turkey Vultures were seen on lamp posts on our drive up to the park, and may or may not have been among the birds we saw later. The picnic area was full of activity first thing. There were California Quail in pairs in the parking lot, on the picnic tables, along the service road. The males kept watch while the females fed. When do male quail get to eat? In the small oak trees between the picnic tables and the service road, we had two Warbling Vireos, Two Black-throated Gray Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers, a male Townsend's Warbler, and briefly, the Hammond's Flycatcher, seen by Donald Pendleton on Friday. Also present was a pair of Brown-headed Cowbirds.

The walk up the service road was quiet, except for one singing Winter Wren. There were no birds seen in the trees at the Day Camp entrance. Hoping for anything, we walked up the service road extension to the Saddle Trail. After a view of the city from the northern edge of the plateau, we walked west on the Saddle Trail. Fly-bys included California & Western Gulls, and two Caspian Terns. It was a beautiful day! Clear, sunny, t-shirt weather, and lots of wildflowers, which Margaret identified for us.

Next stop was Willow Pond, which still has a lot of water in it. A male Common Yellowthroat showed himself to a couple of us. As we passed the pond, two Mallards flew by us and landed in it. Overhead we had a Northern Harrier and a good long look at a Cooper's Hawk. Howard found a dead snake, about 2 feet long, very plain, grayish on top and pale on the belly. It hadn't been eaten.

Looking for color, we went out the Crocker Gate to check the residents' feeders, and had the usual American Goldfinches, House Finches, Purple Finches, and one lone Pine Siskin. Back along the Old Guadalupe Trail, we heard two more Winter Wrens and a Wilson's Warbler. Howard spotted a male Hooded Oriole in a euc, but the light was bad, and I don't think everyone got on it before it vanished. At the usual spot, opposite the .5 mile marker, we saw one of the Wrentits. Above it, out in the open at last, was a singing Orange-crowned Warbler.

While three went back to the parking lot along the OGT, five of us took the Lower Bog Trail. There wasn't much to be seen. Howard heard a Common Yellowthroat.

As we ended the walk near the restroom, Howard saw a Western Tanager fly up into the eucs. Some of us got on it when it flew again, but not to ID.

After the others left, Jeff & I tried again for the Hammond's Flycatcher for 45 minutes, to no avail. We got a reprise of the other birds that had been there 4 hours earlier.

Number of species: 49

Mallard 2
California Quail 14
Turkey Vulture 9
Northern Harrier 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 5
Western Gull 13
California Gull 12
Caspian Tern 2
Band-tailed Pigeon 17
Mourning Dove 4
Anna's Hummingbird 5
Allen's Hummingbird 5
Northern Flicker 1
Hammond's Flycatcher 1
Warbling Vireo 2
Steller's Jay 8
Western Scrub-Jay (Coastal) 5
American Crow 2
Common Raven 9
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 2
Bushtit 2
Pygmy Nuthatch 4
Bewick's Wren 1
Winter Wren (Western) 3
American Robin 25
Wrentit 12
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 37
Orange-crowned Warbler 11
Black-throated Gray Warbler 3
Townsend's Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 2
Wilson's Warbler 4
Western Tanager 1
Spotted Towhee 4
California Towhee 2
Song Sparrow 8
White-crowned Sparrow 8
Golden-crowned Sparrow 7
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) 7
Black-headed Grosbeak 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Hooded Oriole 1
Purple Finch 4
House Finch 4
Pine Siskin 1
American Goldfinch 12

Field Trip Report:
Redwood Shores
March 27, 2010

On Saturday 3/27/10 I led a walking tour of Redwood Shores for Sequoia Audubon. There were 10 participants and we walked about 5 miles. Starting at the Nob Hill Pond where we saw the Gadwall x Northern Shoveler (usually found in the slough behind the Redwood Shores Library), a female Common Merganser, many Ruddy Ducks in blue-billed finery and a Greater Yellowlegs in addition to the usual mix.

Headed along the bank towards Radio Road and had several Anna's Hummingbirds, Mockingbirds and a Tree Swallow. We cut through an apartment complex and headed to Davit Lane. Along Redwood Shores Parkway a small flock of Cedar Waxwings landed briefly. At the lagoon on Davit Lane we saw a female Common Goldeneye, Pied billed Grebe, Brown Pelican along with the usual Coots, Scaups, Mallards, etc. Heading back towards Marlin Drive we were surprised to find a pair of Hooded Mergansers in the channel. While watching them, a Hooded Oriole settled in the trees.

Then through Marlin Park to the beach area- Several female Common Mergansers and a Double Crested Cormorant with head plumes showing. Continuing around to Starboard and then to the area under the Bridge Parkway bridge. Here we had a Downy Woodpecker as well as Cliff and Northern Rough-winged Swallows.

Took a brief stop at the Redwood Shores Library to use the facilities and check out the environmental center, then off to the Oracle Pond. Highlight here was a Spotted Sandpiper.

Then checked out the main lagoon behind the Hotel Sofitel - quiet except for several rowing teams working out and two swimmers. Continued along Twin Dolphin Drive. Heard Nuttal's Woodpecker and Oak Titmouse. Saw Eurasian Collared Dove, Copper's and Red tailed Hawks. Back to our cars behind the Pacific Athletic Club. As we crossed the small bridge there were many Swallows foraging and a number of Snowy Egrets had settled on the island in the Nob Hill Pond

Redwood Shores is a great place to bird. Don't limit yourself to Radio Road

— Sonny Mencher

Field Trip Report:
Pillar Point Harbor
February 6, 2010

Despite an overnight rain, about a dozen participants, mostly beginning birders, showed up for a morning of birding at Pillar Point Harbor. We started by scoping both the Inner and Outer Harbor from the area along the road to the boat launch ramp, where the group was able to study Eared, Horned and Western Grebe, Common and Red-throated Loon, Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Surf Scoter and Western and Mew Gulls. Shorebirds along the beach included Western Sandpiper, Sanderling, Black Turnstone and Willet, and Snowy Egret was also present. Perched on the breakwaters were Brown Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Canada Goose and Western Gull. A Belted Kingfisher put on a show hovering over the harbor looking for fish. Other birds here included Anna’s Hummingbird, Mourning Dove, European Starling and White-crowned Sparrow.

We then caravanned to the west end of the harbor. The main parking lot was full so we parked in the overflow parking lot on the east side of Pillar Point Marsh. Walking around the marsh we observed Pied-billed Grebe, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, American Coot, Black Phoebe and Marsh Wren. Birds studied around the marsh edge included Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Northern Flicker, American Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Say’s Phoebe, Bewick’s Wren, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow and House Finch. Scoping the harbor on the way out to the jetty, we observed species seen earlier, in addition to Red-breasted Merganser and a small flock of nine Brant. Along the jetty we saw shorebirds such as Black-bellied Plover, Willet, Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit, Sanderling, and Black Turnstone, both California and Herring Gull, and passerines such as Yellow-rumped Warbler and Brewer’s Blackbird. We hopped over to the ocean side of the jetty and found both Pelagic and Brandt’s Cormorants, shorebirds not previously seen such as Black Oystercatcher and Surfbird, and Glaucous-winged Gull. A flock of about 25 Brant flew over us headed north. Our group watched two Peregrine Falcons near the ocean bluffs; one carrying a shorebird in its talons that looked like it could have at one time been a Sanderling. Marine mammals included California Sea Lion and Harbor Seal. On the way back to the cars we saw the flock of 25 Brant which had obviously circled back to the harbor area from their northward flight, and we watched a Northern Harrier that was now patrolling the area over the marsh.

— Gary Deghi

Field Trip Report:
Panoche Valley
Saturday, February 13, 2010

Sequoia Audubon's field trip to Panoche Valley was treated to fabulous weather and wonderful birds (as usual). Fog on Hwy 101 yielded to sun at Paicines Reservoir and for the rest of the day.

— Leslie Flint

Note: Not all birds were seen by all especially at the beginning of the day since there were dozens of other birders on the road and we are anxious to get on our way at Paicines and late arrivers may have missed a few.

71 species seen

• Gadwall
• American Wigeon
• Mallard
• Norther Shoveler
• Green-winged Teal
• Canvasback
• Common Goldeneye
• Ruddy Duck
• California Quail
• Wild Turkey
• Western Grebe
• Clark's Grebe
• Great Blue Heron
• Great Egret
• Turkey Vulture
• Bald Eagle (1 at Paicines; 2 at the end of the day)
• Northern Harrier
• Sharp-shinned Hawk
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Ferruginous Hawk (at least 4)
• Golden Eagle (also at least 4)
• American Kestrel
• Prairie Falcon (one against the sun)
• American Coot
• Killdeer
• Rock Pigeon
• Mourning Dove
• Greater Roadrunner (4!)
• Burrowing Owl (3)
• Long-eared Owl (10+)
• Anna's Hummingbird
• Lewis's Woodpecker (1)
• Acorn Woodpecker
• Nuttal’s Woodpecker
• Northern Flicker
• Black Phoebe
• Say's Phoebe
• Loggerhead Shrike
• Western Scrub-Jay
• Yellow-billed Magpie
• American Crow
• Common Raven
• Horned Lark
• Tree Swallow
• Oak Titmouse
• Bushtit
• White-breasted Nuthatch
• Bewick's Wren
• Western Bluebird
• Mountain Bluebird
• Hermit Thrush
• American Robin
• Wrentit
• Northern Mockingbird
• California Thrasher
• European Starling
• American Pipit
• Phainopepla
• Yellow-rumped Warbler
• Spotted Towhee
• California Towhee
• Rufous-crowned Sparrow
• Lark Sparrow
• Savannah Sparrow
• White-crowned Sparrow
• Dark-eyed Junco
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Tricolored Blackbird (eating seed out of the feeder at the Panoche Valley Inn!)
• Western Meadowlark
• Brewer's Blackbird
• House Finch
• American Goldfinch
• House Sparrow (including an all white one at Panoche Valley Inn!)

Field Trip Report:
Mori Point – Pacifica Birding
Sunday, February 14, 8am

Today we led a Sequoia Audubon Walk, from 8 am to 12:30 pm, with 8 participants. The weather was warm and sunny, with NO wind. The waves were huge and exciting, leftover from Mavericks Surfing Contest yesterday. There was a lot of moisture in the air; we could hardly see the Pacifica Pier from Horse Stable Pond. From up on the point, everything was clear and we could look down into the wave troughs instead of trying to watch the birds go up and down and up and down. Pumping of the golf course has stopped for the time being.

Annoying mammal: well-fed house cat with Brush Rabbit.

— Laurie Graham & Jeff Fairclough, South San Francisco, CA

Species Seen

Number of species: 46

• Mallard 4
• Surf Scoter 15
• Black Scoter (American) 2
• Common Goldeneye 1
• Ruddy Duck 1
• Red-throated Loon 21
• Pied-billed Grebe 2
• Western Grebe 5
• Clark's Grebe 2
• Brown Pelican 1
• Pelagic Cormorant 6
• Great Blue Heron 1
• Great Egret 1
• American Coot 8
• Black Oystercatcher 4
• Western Gull 4
• California Gull 16
• Glaucous-winged Gull 1
• Rock Pigeon 15
• Mourning Dove 11
• Anna's Hummingbird 2
• Northern Flicker 1
• Black Phoebe 5
• Western Scrub-Jay (Coastal) 4
• Common Raven 45
• Chestnut-backed Chickadee 4
• Bushtit 1
• Pygmy Nuthatch 8
• Brown Creeper 1
• Bewick's Wren 3
• Marsh Wren 4
• American Robin 52
• Wrentit 2
• European Starling 2
• Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
• Townsend's Warbler 1
• Spotted Towhee 3
• California Towhee 14
• Fox Sparrow 1
• Song Sparrow 8
• White-crowned Sparrow 40
• Golden-crowned Sparrow 13
• Red-winged Blackbird 1
• House Finch 6
• Lesser Goldfinch 1
• American Goldfinch 2

Field Trip Report:
Redwood Shores Library Bird Walk
January 24, 2010, 3:00-4:00PM

We participated in Sonny Mencher's Redwood Shores Library Walk. The leader was Sonny Mencher, with assistance from Ginny Marshall, Robin Smith, Laurie Graham, and Jeff Fairclough. There were about 15 participants. People were very enthusiastic. I'd forgotten how much fun it is to turn newbies on to birds. We scoped the birds in Belmont Slough, among which was the GASH (Gadwall/Shoveler), a Male Cinnamon Teal, one Greater Yellowlegs, one Willet, two Black-bellied Plovers, Mallards, American Wigeons, Canvasbacks, Greater Scaup, Snowy Egrets, etc.

— Laurie Graham & Jeff Fairclough, SSF

Species Seen

• Canada Goose     2
• American Wigeon     48
• Mallard     6
• Cinnamon Teal     1 male
• Northern Shoveler     20
• GASH 1 (Gadwall/Northern Shoveler hybrid)
• Canvasback     79
• Greater Scaup     9
• Bufflehead     5
• Ruddy Duck     5
• Snowy Egret     7
• Black-bellied Plover     2
• Black-necked Stilt     8
• American Avocet     52
• Greater Yellowlegs     1
• Willet     5
• Western Sandpiper     1     (in Library parking lot - ill?)
• Ring-billed Gull     50
• California Gull     1
• Black Phoebe     2
• American Crow     42*

Number of species: 20 + 1

*American Crows are roosting in Poplar trees around Oracle, flying in in large numbers at dusk. Our personal total was 475. 

Field Trip Report:
May 30, 2009, Pillar Point Harbor by Kayak

Leader, Barbara Kossy wrote:
Our group of kayakers enjoyed good conditions for this trip -  overcast, light breeze and a low tide.

• Western gull on a nest on the semi-abandoned sailboat w/broken mast near Romeo Pier.
• Flyover by Pigeon Guillemot.
• Approx. 10 or more Common Loons in basic to primary plumage fishing in the harbor.
• 3 Red-throated Loons in basic plumage. Enjoyed seeing one come up with a good-sized fish.
• 4 Brant near the W. outer breakwater.
• Eared Grebe, and ample opportunities to compare Clark's Grebes and Western Grebes.
• One Common Murre on the water.
• Brandt's Cormorants and Double Crested Cormorants in the water and on the breakwaters.
• 2 Caspian Terns on sand, a few overhead
• One Greater Scaup
• One Surf Scoter
• One first winter Glaucous-winged Gull
• 2 Black Oystercatchers in the air.
• One Black Turnstone in the mouth of Denniston Creek
• 100 Brown Pelicans preening and interacting with nesting Western Gulls.

Other wildlife:

• Two very young sea lions on the breakwaters, inner and outer.
• Adult sea lion in the water.
• 6 harbor seals in the harbor
• Starfish hanging on the rocks, moon and brown jellyfish here and there in the harbor.

Great trip with thanks to Sequoia Audubon and California Canoe & Kayak.

Western Bluebird couple


Brown Creeper


Photos courtesy of Sonny Mencher

Filoli Estate
Saturday, April 25, 2009, 8:00am-12:00noon
Leaders: Sue James and Donna Petersen

Several of us joined Sue James and Donna Petersen for the early morning bird walk - let me suggest you go on one of these walks. We saw 48 species and other SAS members found another 4(*) while touring the grounds. I sent the list of 52 to Leonie Batkin and Kris Olson for the Birdiest County contest. Pretty sure we had 3 or 4 species to add to their list.

• Great Blue Heron      
• Turkey Vulture     
• White tailed Kite    
• Sharp shinned Hawk
  
• Red shouldered Hawk   
• Red tailed Hawk    
• Mourning Dove    
• White throated Swift *
  
• Anna's Hummingbird   
• Acorn Woodpecker    
• Nuttal's Woodpecker
  
• Hairy Woodpecker   
• Pacific slope Flycatcher    
• Black Phoebe    
• Tree Swallow
  
• Voilet green Swallow  
• Barn Swallow   
• Steller's Jay   
• Western Scrub Jay
  
• Common Raven    
• American Crow    
• Chestnut backed Chickadee  
• Oak Titmouse
  
• Bushtit   
• White breasted Nuthatch   
• Brown Creeper   
• House Wren   
• Western Bluebird
  
• American Robin   
• Cedar Waxwing    
• European Starling   
• Hutton's Vireo   
• Warbling Vireo
  
• Orange crowned Warbler  
• Yellow rumped Warbler   
• Black throated Gray Warbler
  
• Townsend's Warbler *   
• Wilson's Warbler    
• Black headed Grosbeak   
• Western Tanager *
  
• Spotted Towhee  
• Calif Towhee   
• Chipping Sparrow   
• Song Sparrow   
• Dark eyed Junco
  
• Bullock's Oriole  
• Western Meadowlark   
• Purple Finch   
• House Finch   
• Pine Siskin
  
• Lesser Goldfinch   
• Wild Turkey *

— Sonny Mencher

Pescadero Marsh - State Park Docent Nature Walk
Sunday, April 19, 2009

Meg and I led the Marsh walk with approximately 12 adults (including docent-trainee Ellen) and 3 children.

We saw White-crowned Sparrow, Western Gull, Song Sparrow, Caspian Tern, 6+ Brant, Whimbrel, Common Raven, Common Merganser, Bufflehead, Snowy Egret, Swallow (sp?), Sanderling, Marsh Wren, Great Blue Heron, Gadwall, Mallard, Great Egret, Anna's Hummingbird, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture and heard Wrentit and California Towhee.

Also saw a pond turtle, fence lizard and brush bunny. All to the delight of the 4 year old boy who stayed till the end of the tour. He was also delighted with the stickers I gave him--thank you Sequoia Audubon for the IMBD extras.

Meg Delano did a great job pointing out the native plants.

Nice weather brought everyone to the coast--cars were waiting for our parking places at the end of the tour (approx 2:40pm).

Happy Birding,
Rita Jennings

Pescadero Marsh Walk
April 3rd, 2009

We had a great walk Sunday. Sixteen participants and four Marsh Docents (Avis, Rita, Nancy and Rob).

We saw two garter snakes, four fence lizards andtwo pond turtle. The lizards put on a good show of "push ups" and blue scales and belly visible. Beautiful.

Birds included sanderling, brandt, western gull, great egret, snowy egret, caspian tern, song sparrow, black turnstone, surfbird, crow, raven, bufflehead, swallow (sp?), greater yellowlegs, mallard, great blue heron, marsh wren, coot, gadwall,common yellowthroat, anna's hummingbird, turkey vulture, red tailed hawk, yellow rumped warbler. Also heard robin, wrentit and cal towhee.

— Rita J

San Bruno Mountain County Park
March 22nd, 2009
Laurie Graham & Jeff Fairclough

The weather was very cold, with 20-25 mph winds, and twice, light rain. Participants receive the Croix de SBM: Laurie, Jeff, Edwin, JC, and Paul. The birding was nonexisitent until we hit a patch of sunshine on the Old Guadalupe Trail where there is Albizia and Acacia trees. We walked out the Crocker Gate to check Lee's feeders, where a blast of wind coming from the west almost blew us away.

Number of species: 31

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Western Gull 4
California Gull 4
Band-tailed Pigeon 29
Mourning Dove 6
Anna's Hummingbird 3
Allen's Hummingbird 9
Hutton's Vireo 1
Steller's Jay 3
Western Scrub-Jay (Coastal) 1
Common Raven 10
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 3
Bushtit 4
Winter Wren (Western) 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 28
Wrentit 5
European Starling 16
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) 18
Townsend's Warbler 2
Spotted Towhee 1
California Towhee 1
Song Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) 13
Purple Finch (Western) 16
House Finch 2
Pine Siskin 9
American Goldfinch 7

SamTrans Marsh Walk
March 28, 2009
Leaders: Joe Morlan and Robbie Fischer

Joe Morlan led the field trip this morning with just six participants. There were no Clapper Rails but they saw 45 species total. 3 Hooded Mergansers, a flyover Wilson's Snipe and Peregrines nesting on the cross piece of the "A" in United Airlines were some of the highlights. Both Caspian and Forster's Terns made an appearance. Shorebirds included Long-billed Curlews, Black-bellied Plovers in alternate plumage, a Greater yellowlegs, one Short-billed Dowitcher, Dunlin and Western Sandpipers. Flocks of ducks contained Bufflehead, both scaup species, Green-winged Teal and Canvasback. A House Wren was unexpected at this site.

Photos courtesy of Sonny Mencher.

Photo by A.G.Dody Lee

Redwood Shores Library Bird Walk
Sunday March 15, 2009
Leader:Sonny Mencher

Did the monthly Sequoia Audubon Redwood Shores Library beginners bird walk yesterday afternoon. Spent about 45 minutes observing birds in the slough behind the library from 3:15 - 4:00. For second month in a row we saw the Hybrid Gadwall x Northern Shoveler as well as Eurasian Wigeons. Both times at about the same time of day and a few hours before high tide

Additional info - High Tide was about 5 so when I arrived at library about 2:40 the tide was coming in. I did see both the hybrid and Eurasian at that time. The hybrid was moving around on its own - between the Canvasbacks and N. Shovelers at the Southern end of the slough directly behind the library. The Eurasian was on the far side of the slough (Oracle side) along the edge, usually with 1 or 2 American Wigeons.

There was also one Long billed Curlew and a small flock of Ruddy Ducks with one male approaching breeding plumage.

For me best part is the number of new birders and families with young kids (under10 years of age) participating.

If you are interested in joining us, e-mail me at sequoiaaudubon@yahoo.com and I'll put the on the mailing list for future trips

Pescadero Marsh Docent Walk
Sunday March 15, 2009 afternoon walk

Leaders State Park Docents Rita Jennings, Ginney Conway and Meg Delano

Sunday was drizzle at the Marsh, but Ginny Conboy, Meg Delano and I braved the drops. Unfortunately, no visitors showed.

We saw Brewer's blackbird, red-winged blackbird, Western Gull, black turnstone, oystercatcher, gadwall, mallard, bufflehead, great blue heron, great egret, snowy egret, song sparrow, marsh wren, common merganser, Anna's hummingbird, belted kingfisher, northern harrier, turkey vulture, commorant (sp?), house finch and common goldeneye.

Hayward Shoreline Friday Walk
Friday, February 13, 2009

Leaders Marilyn Nasatir and Inge Svoboda

Perfect timing between rain storms for this half day walk at Hayward Shoreline Park. We had a wonderful almost rain free walk. The morning was sunny with great views around the bay. We could even see the tops of towers of the Golden Gate Bridge through the buildings of the city of San Francisco. Lots of ducks and shorebirds. Had good scope looks at a couple of Peregrine falcons having a nice breakfast snack on the ground. Only on our walk back to the cars did it start to rain (pour.)

1 double crested cormorant
2 snowy egret
3 great egret
4 great blue heron
5 flamingo (Ha ha!! wishful thinking!)
5 Canada goose
6 mallard
7 gadwall
8 green-winged teal
9 American widgeon
10 northern shoveler
11 ruddy duck
12 canvasback
13 greater scaup
14 common goldeneye
15 bufflehead
16 American avocet
17 whimbrel
18 long-billed curlew
19 greater yellowlegs
20 dowitcher (don't know which one)
21 dunlin
22 western sandpiper
23 least sandpiper
24 ring-billed gull
25 western gull
26 glaucous winged gull
27 forster's tern
28 turkey vulture
29 red-tailed hawk
30 American kestrel
31 peregrine falcon
32 marsh wren (heard only)
33 savannah sparrow
34 song sparrow
35 white crowned sparrow
36 golden crowned sparrow
37 house finch
38 European starling

Pillar Point - Coastside Birding
Saturday, February 7, 2009

By Gary Deghi

About a dozen participants showed up for a morning birding outing to Pillar Point Harbor. The plan was to start by scoping for waterfowl and shorebirds in the east harbor area, then search for the rare Northern Waterthrush that has been wintering in Princeton, and finish with birding in the area of the jetty at the northwest corner of the harbor. This was an enjoyable trip with lots of birds, excellent weather and friendly people.

Scoping from near the parking lot for the boat launch ramp, the best bird was a continuing Brant perched up on the breakwater for the inner harbor. Other birds noted along the breakwater included Brown Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Willet, and Western, Glaucous-winged and Herring Gulls. Foraging in the inner harbor were Eared, Horned and Western Grebe, Common Loon, Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Surf Scoter and a couple of Harbor Seals. A Common Yellowthroat was calling from the marsh grass just beneath the road. A Great Blue Heron joined us near the parking lot.

Near the mouth of Denniston Creek in Princeton, we did not find the Northern Waterthrush. Birds seen in the area included Red-shouldered Hawk, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch, Black Phoebe, California Towhee, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Song, White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrow and Purple Finch. The most interesting find was an Anna’s Hummingbird nest, viewable from the bridge over the creek, and in which two little hummingbird heads could be seen poking out from time to time.

The surf was up, and the parking lot for Maverick’s was full with people watching surfers offshore, but we found ample parking nearby. Pillar Point Marsh contained American Coots, and with a little coaxing, we heard a call from a Sora. A Red-tailed Hawk was perched on the nearby radio tower, and American Crows and Common Ravens were seen in the area. Scoping the harbor on the way out to the jetty, we observed species seen earlier, in addition to Clark’s Grebe, Red-throated Loon and Red-breasted Merganser. We arrived at the jetty at the northwest corner of the harbor at a perfect time on the receding tide to study many individuals of a variety of shorebirds, including Black-bellied Plover, Willet, Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit, Sanderling, Red Knot (unusual on the coast, this bird has been wintering at this location), Black Oystercatcher, Surfbird, Black Turnstone and, best of all, a Wandering Tattler. Mew Gulls were here as well. Scoping the rocks offshore, we noted several Snowy Egrets, Brandt’s Cormorants and at least one hauled-out Harbor Seal.

Photo courtesy of Lee Franks

Edgewood Park Walk
Sunday, January 25, 2009

Marilyn Travis

Lee and I went to Edgewood on Sunday but no one joined us!

It was nice after all the rainy/overcast days but...  We saw two Varied Thrushes and the other regulars.  And several Chickadees feeding on some blooming non natives at the bottom (pink and yellow spiky things). 

Lots of Robins and Cedar Waxwings.

Wavecrest Raptors & Short-Eared Owls
January 17, 2009

Gary Deghi

Twenty individuals participated in the annual SAS field trip to Wavecrest on this warm, clear afternoon in Half Moon Bay.  A Wavecrest trip is scheduled for January each year with the intent on seeing wintering raptors known to occur in this area, and with the hope of seeing Short-eared Owl at dusk.  The number of raptors in this area varies each year depending on the population of voles, which serves as a major source of prey for the foraging raptors.  Since last year was an extraordinary year with reports in September of 100 White-tailed Kites and 15 Barn Owls at one time, the resulting low population of voles this year is yielding unusually low numbers of raptors, with only one report of a Short-eared Owl this winter (it was even missed on the Crystal Springs CBC for the first time in years).  Nevertheless, attendance was good for this walk, and hopes were high for a great nature experience.  No one was disappointed.

Photo courtesy Bob Cossins

In approximately 2 ½ hours the group walked south from the ballfields past the arroyo, then along the north side of the arroyo to the ocean bluff, and from there to the area of the old model airplane field to search for owls at dusk.  The raptor species observed included a half dozen each of White-tailed Kite, Red-shouldered Hawk and Northern Harrier, two American Kestrels and one Red-tailed Hawk.  The area around the ballfields harbored common species such as Mourning Dove, Common Raven, Northern Flicker, European Starling, Brewer’s Blackbird and House Finch.  Other birds noted in the grasslands included Say’s Phoebe, Savannah Sparrow and Western Meadowlark.  Birds noted in and around the arroyo included Anna’s Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Bushtit, Bewick’s Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Song Sparrow and Purple Finch.  Overlooking the ocean, we identified Western and Glaucous-winged Gulls and Double-crested Cormorant.  At the model airplane field, we did not see Short-eared Owls, but there were Killdeer calling as they came screaming through the area at dusk.

The most thrilling sightings on this trip were not avian.  While walking along the arroyo, the entire group enjoyed great looks at a bobcat moving along the top of the south bank of the arroyo.  This bobcat represented a “life mammal” for many in the group.  Sunset on the ocean bluff was beautiful on this clear evening, and we enjoyed the incredible experience of seeing the Green Flash as the sun disappeared over the horizon.  One of the participants advised that views of the Green Flash can be aided by using binoculars (but only during the last bit of sunlight!), and this tip was most helpful.  Many (in fact most) in the group had never seen the Green Flash and some had never heard of it, but all were convinced after this experience.  With good attendance, friendly people, birds, a bobcat and the Green Flash, this was a most extraordinary outing!!