Can't believe how common Bald Eagles have become locally. I watched six soaring in two trios at Valle Vista this morning and while biking home saw three soaring over Pinehurst Road which obviously could have been overlapping. Some photos of one munching a snack in the link below:
Orange-crowned Warbler is a common species in the county year-round. The Rare Bird Alert that showed up was for the Gray-headed subspecies of Orange-crowned Warbler.
Chris Ortega
Bay Point
Matt,
Saw an Orange-crowned Warbler at Twin Ponds Trail, Shell Ridge on the 10th. And heard them at two other parks the week before that. So they are definitely in the East Bay already.
Rosemary Johnson
Hercules
13 Band tailed pigeons feeding on discarded seeds under my feeder.
1/2 mile north Alamo Safeway, Danville Blvd east side.
In past. we have had singles or doubles watering in fountain. Never a small "flock".
On 3/29 I co-led a casual nature walk at Lime Ridge---that finger of grassy hills that reaches north from the foothills of Mt. Diablo toward Concord. Before I got there---so about 8AM---my co-leader, who is up there often, said he'd heard an Orange-crowned Warbler in likely habitat. Needing to get the public walk organized, we did not have time then to stake out the bird, and it did not appear or call later.
I did not include this in our Ebird, since I hadn't confirmed it myself, and wouldn't have posted until I saw in the Rare Bird Report an Orange-crowned elsewhere in the region. Just posting to say: maybe the migrants are arriving.
We also had a pair of White-tailed Kites, putting on an aerial display together. And a trio of Acorn Woodpeckers pecking at a utility pole near Kiska lane. My Lime-Ridge-local comrade said that the ACWO were the first he'd ever seen there.
--
----
Matt Tarlach
Walnut Creek
Hello,
Keep up the good work!
I am writing to ask that my email address in your database be changed from iwgarden@... to idellplants@...
This would be for both Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
Thank you.
Idell Weydemeyer
This evening I went for a walk around Jewel Lake, and was pleased to find my first of season Wilson’s Warbler (4+) and Western Flycatcher (2). Golden-crowned Kinglets are still clearing out after their big season, and one was still around the Little Farm.
Tuesday morning, 3/26, a Baywatch at Pt. Isabel turned up 1+ Elegant Tern, which I believe is the record early date for the county. The last record early dates that I have are 3/28 (2022 and 2023). I am not sure the species was ever found in March or April in the county prior to 2020, but none of this is particularly surprising if you have been paying attention! A couple small V’s of Brant were moving north up the bay, totaling just over 40 birds, Red-throated Loons totaled at least 14 with most moving towards the gate.
Saturday I spent the day in the delta. Highlights were my first of season Bullock’s and Hooded Orioles in the same tree on Bethel Island, a hybrid White-front x Cackling Goose on Holland Tract, and 8 or so Violet-green Swallows at Clifton Court Forebay. Two were also at Holland Tract. This species is often difficult to come by in this region. Cloudy, drizzly days in spring like this one will likely prove more reliable. I saw probably over 20 Swainson’s Hawks through the day, a few thousand White-fronts, and hundred or so white geese.
Ethan Monk
Enjoying the crazily warm day, I spent the late morning at Frenchman's Creek Park looking (unsuccessfully) for the Redstart. Really frustrating as there was a crew with chain saws cutting down trees a short distance up the creek on the south side, then gardeners with leaf blowers and other equipment, making for almost continuous noise and distraction. Alane Gray and Barbara Dye joined the search for awhile, managing to hear a singing House Wren during one of the brief respites from the noise, but I inadvertently ruined Alanes's recording by calling out the bird's name (sorry Alane!). A small consolation was finding a female Anna's on her nest (with a small feather still in her beak!). Photo on
https://ebird.org/checklist/S220617345 Later Joe Morlan came and we searched together in the trees and along the creek, but no luck. Advisory: we did see a drab Myrtle Yellow-rumped (grey head and body, just a touch of yellow on the sides) that could be mistaken for a Redstart if seen at distance and one does not clearly see the tail or note carefully the position of the yellow plumage.
After noon I ambled along the Devil's Slide trail, practically baking in the sun (has it ever been that warm and calm along this stretch before?). Alane was there as well, having just seen one of the Peregrines perched on the cliff face. Shortly afterwards I spotted the pair of Rock Wrens and we got entertaining, if somewhat distant, views. I stayed to have a late lunch and was rewarded by an aerial spectacle. A Red-tail was kiting for a bit just off the northwest edge of the big rock/cliff south of Egg Rock, spotted something and pounced on the vegetated slope. But it came up empty. Worse, it was spotted by the returning male Peregrine, which promptly flew speedily after it. The engagement lasted at least a couple of minutes, with the falcon strafing the hawk repeatedly, flying against the hillside below the trail, then the hillside just to the west, then again and again in the sky above until the Red-tail managed to fly off. My camera and my woeful single shot technique are inadequate for birds in flight, but I managed to get a few photos of the aerial combat - see
https://ebird.org/checklist/S220620073
Also of note was a really weird looking immature White-crowned Sparrow that I spotted just after it bathed. Some of the feathers were wet, but that doesn't explain the blotchy and varied plumage pattern - unlike any WcSp I've seen before. I only managed to get one photo, unfortunately at a distance after it had scampered a ways up the hillside (also on the same checklist as the falcon photos). If interested, give it a look; I'd really like to know what others think of this odd bird.
Always something to learn and enjoy from our avian friends. Good luck all!
Richard Bradus
San Francisco
--
Richard Bradus
San Francisco
A nice couple days to catch the last of the ducks and winter residents. A bike ride today around Aquatic Park turned up a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers (male with red breast), Eurasian Widgeon across the freeway along frontage road and 40 other species (without close inspection) up to Albany Mud flats, couple Sanderlings, BB Plover turning black. Hot and quiet by the end. Saturday 3 Bald Eagles at Valle Vista - 1 adult and 2 juveniles (one had face turning white - second year)? Day before that 29 Black Skimmers between Meeker Slough and 51st street bridge (no eBird list; it was a walking meeting). Ridgway Rail, too, per usual at low tide.
Good birding as we move into spring.
Cathy Bleier, El Cerrito
Monday was the first warm day of spring and I was happy to see about 20 Black Skimmers still showing up at Meeker Slough. Besides their large red bills, their wingspan seems almost out proportion to their body. I am still working on photos of them, but this time I caught them taking flight. Two Caspian Terns were also hanging out along the Meeker Slough Channel.
Claude Lyneis
cmlyneis@...
Good morning birders,
Not that it's a big deal, but had a Chipping Sparrow singing this morning in one of the flowering trees in the Monte Vista HS parking lot in Danville. Had good looks at it and Merlin verified it as well. Merlin picked one up a couple of days ago at the adjacent Oak Hill Park, but I wrote it off. . . .
The Cackling Geese pair are surprisingly still hanging out at the park, as well. Guessing they'll be heading north soon. The resident Canada Geese are already on nests. . . .
First of season Hutton's Vireo at home, as well.
Happy birding!
Steve Hutchcraft
Alamo, CA
About a dozen of us were out looking from sunup. Unfortunately as of when I had to leave at nine there were no sightings
Sent from my mobile - please excuse nonstandard typography.
see attached list for details:
Happy birding,
Dominik Mosur
San Francisco
It is now daylight and I hope folks are out there looking for
this remarkable bird. Please post information here immediately if
found, preferably with GPS coordinates to help those of who are
not sufficiently familiar with Alameda.
Thanks very much,
John Cant, Fremont
On 3/15/2025 12:50 AM, Bob Richmond via
groups.io wrote:
A Crested Auklet was seen on the water just south of the south end of Monarch Ave on the old Alameda?Naval Air Station.
East Bay birders:
I wanted to give a big shout out to local birder, Melani King, for having her video selected by the team at Cornell Lab / eBird / Macaulay Library as one of their 21 favorite videos (worldwide) for 2024! Congratulations Melani!
The video, which features an Allen’s Hummingbird lovingly building her nest, was the product of a lot of patient observation, and repeated visits (if I recall correctly?) to monitor the bird and nest’s progress.
I happened to watch the compilation of winning videos today - not expecting to see a video from anyone familiar. What a surprise! The sequence of selected videos is gorgeous, with beautiful music plus bird sounds.
During these fraught times, watching this was very soothing and peaceful, reminding me why we all enjoy birds.
(Melani’s video appears at 3 minutes, 7 seconds, but I’d highly recommend watching the whole thing).
Huge congratulations and kudos once again to Melani!
Zac Denning
Albany
My apologies in advance if this does not comply with the posting rules, but I wanted to let lots of people know that there is a sale of books about birds, birders, ecotravel, and lots of related topics this weekend. There are shelves and shelves of books to choose from. And it's a fundraiser for Golden Gate Bird Alliance.
2465 Shoreline Drive (Tower Apartment)
Apartment 303
Alameda
(across the street from the Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary platform)
Saturday March 15 10am -- 2pm
Sunday March 16 10 am -- 2 pm
Cost - $2 for basic books, $5 for premium books. We can accept checks to Golden Gate Bird Alliance or cash, but not credit cards or Venmo, etc.
BYOB - bring your own bags or boxes (assume that you will find one or more books you can’t resist).
At the building door, use the call box to call apt 303 or 306 and someone will buzz the door open. Then come to the third floor and follow the signs to apt 303.
Marjorie Powell
Alameda
For about a month there have been a group of Black Skimmers showing up on the mudflats along Stege Marsh and Meeker Slough. When I have been there they were typically out on the mudflats too far from the Bay Trail to get a good photo, but easy to see with scopes. Late yesterday afternoon they had moved to the east side of the slough next to the old pier and the sun was farther around to the North, so they weren’t backlit. Anyway there were 10 or 15 and here is a photo of a couple of them.
Claude Lyneis
cmlyneis@...
There is a pair of Eurasian Wigeons associating with American Wigeons in the slough east of the bike/walking trail from Pt Isabel to Meeker Slough spotted Sunday March 2. I can't give exact GPS spot, but they were in the small ponds about 3/4 of way from Pt Isabel.
We also spotted a small flock of Skimmers landing on Bay side with some Marbled Godwits on shore of the outlet of stream near the same spot. Unfortunately, once they landed they were invisible due to vegetation.
Dozens of "migrating" robins in evenings and mornings on our lawn and in our fountains and baths.
1/2 mile north Alamo Safeway, east side Danville Blvd.
I hope it's worthy of reporting. Regardless, it's enjoyable to experience it.