California 30/12/02 - 6/1/03

California

Mon 30^th Dec: Early morning drive to Sydney returning car at 10.00. Left Sydney 15.10 for San Francisco crossing International Date Line so arriving c.10.00. Collected car from Dollar and drove south to Palo Alto where raining and very cold but a good selection of species seen. Found a nearby Motel in nearby San Antonio at 15.00 for US$53.90.

Tues 31^st Dec: Back to Palo Alto for a clear dawn where waited for high tide at 10.00 but unfortunately any hoped-for Black Rails failed to show. Met Lesley Flint who kindly gave us some up-to-date news on our target species around San Francisco and who quickly found a Clark’s Grebe. Drove north to nearby Foster City where birded the Port Royal drain producing the hoped-for Hooded Mergansers and onto the Leo Ryan State Park lake which failed to provide the 8 drake Barrow’s Goldeneyes seen by Lesley a few days earlier. Continued north at 13.00 driving across the Golden Gate Bridge and onto the nearby Muir Woods where we quickly walked the Dipsea Trail from the Overflow Car Park in the opposite direction to the popular Visitor’s Centre. Found two Varied Thrushes, being the overwhelming reason for the stop-off in California and a fitting finale to 2002. Drove after dark to Stinson Beach where failed to find reasonably-priced accommodation so slept in the car at the Pt. Reye’s Bird Observatory Car Park at nearby Bolinas.

Weds 1^st Jan: All morning spent birding Bolinas Lagoon and adjacent woodland failing to locate any Barrow’s Goldeneye. In the early afternoon we drove to Five Woods pool where we walked the trail circling the pool and amazingly meeting an ex. Eastbourne College pupil who used to take afternoon tea to Arnold. Drove onto Pt. Reyes making a brief stop at the Visitor Centre before driving out to the Lighthouse where we watched several Grey Whales on their southbound migration. Another night in the car this time at Pt. Reyes Visitor Centre.

 

 Bolinas Lagoon

 

 

 

Pt. Reyes

Thurs 2^nd Jan: Awoke to several Varied Thrushes in the immediate vicinity of the car and Picnic Area opposite the Centre. Walked the Earthquake and Woodpecker Trails and spent time trying to photograph the Thrushes. Afternoon drive to Bodega Bay where checked the Harbour and Bodega Head. Found a Motel for US$60.

 Bodega

 

Bodega Bay

Fri 3^rd Jan: Dawn at Bodega Bay spending 3 hours watching the high-tide Wader-roost on the breakwaters but no Rock Sandpipers showed. Drove north to the pier at the southern end of Pt. Arenas where immediately saw Al, the wintering Laysan Albatross back for its seventh Winter before driving north to Fort Bragg where found a Motel for $50.

 Californian Coast

Sat 4^th Jan: Awoke to a very wet morning. Walked Glass Beach but failed to find any Harlequin Ducks in atrocious conditions. Drove inland stopping at Rodman Slough at Lake Mendocino before continuing east to Sacremento NWR for the late afternoon and evening where a female Nuttall’s Woodpecker in the Car Park was more of a surprise than the hoped-for Ross’s Geese amongst the thousands of Snow Geese. Drove north finding a Motel at Willow for $48.

 View near Sacremento

 

 

Sacremento NWR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snow Goose spectacle at Sacremento NWR

Sun 5^th Jan: Awoke to a frozen landscape driving c.10 miles east towards Glenn where enjoyed the amazing spectacle of Sandhill Cranes, Geese and found a family party of 3 Trumpeter Swans amongst the 1,000 or so Tundra Swans. Drove south to Dixon where located Robinson Road which lies to the south and drove 3.5miles east where spent 5 hours searching the fields before finally locating the flock of 150+ Mountain Plovers which regularly Winter in this area.

Sierras from near Sacremento

 

Tundra Swans near Willow

 

 

 Sacremento Sunset

Mon 6^th Jan: Dawn at Leo Ryan State Park in Foster City in a final unsuccessful attempt to see Barrow’s Goldeneye where birded until 8.30am witnessing a number of Duck fatally colliding with the overhead power-lines at the southern end of the lake - just to show what a disaster power-lines across water really are. Drove to airport dropping car before leaving San Francisco at 12.45 for Heathrow.

Tues 7^th Jan: Arrived to a snowy Heathrow at 07.30 where met by John & Doreen Cooper.

Systematic List

Red-throated Diver - Gavia stellata C

We saw 6 at Bodega on the 2^nd and 1 there the following day.

Pacific Loon - Gavia pacifica C

A partially-oiled individual was seen on the Leo Rya State Park Lake on the 6^th.

Great Northern Diver - Gavia immer C

We saw 3 on Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st, 5 at Bodega Bay on the 2^nd and 10 there the following day.

Red-necked Grebe - Podiceps grisegena C

At least 2 were seen at Bodega on the 2^nd and 5 there the next day.

Slavonian Grebe - Podiceps auritus C

A single individual was seen at the Leo Ryan Lake on the 31^st, 3 were seen at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st, 5 at Bodega on the 2^nd and 4 there the next day.

 Slavonian Grebe at Bolinas Lagoon

 



Black-necked Grebe - Podiceps nigricollis C

We saw 2 at the Leo Ryan Lake on the 31^st, 3 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st, 5 at Bodega on the 2^nd and 3^rd with a tight group of 20 off the Pt. Arenas pier on the 3^rd and 8 at the Leo Ryan Lake on the 6^th.

Pied-billed Grebe - Podilymbus podiceps C

We saw 3 at the Leo Ryan Lake on the 31^st, 2 at Five Wood pool on the 1^st, 4 at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th and 2 on the Leo Ryan Park lake on the 6^th.

Western Grebe - Aechmophorus occidentalis C

We saw 1 at Leo Ryan Lake on the 31^st, 2 on Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st, 20 at Bodega on the 2^nd and 10 there the following day with 1 off Pt. Arenas pier.

 Western Grebe at Pt. Arenas

Clark’s Grebe - Aechmophorus clarkii C

We identified 2 off the boardwalk at Palo Alto on the 31^st and 2 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st.

Laysan Albatross - Phoebastria immutabilis C

A superb adult was watched from the pier at Pt. Arenas on the 3^rd. It was sat on the sea at a range of c.75m sometimes approaching passing surfers both bill-snapping and head-bowing! It raised its wings on a few occasions showing its underwing pattern but unfortunately never took to the air.

 

 

 Adult Laysan Albatross at Pt. Arenas

 

Pacific Northern Fulmar - Fulmarus glacialis C

At least 10 were seen from Pt. Reyes lighthouse on the 1^st with most being dark morphs.

American White Pelican - Pelecanus erythrorhynchos C

A circling flock of c.250 was seen to the east of Robinson Road south of Dixon on the 5^th.

Pacific Brown Pelican - Pelecanus occidentalis C

Seen on five dates along the coast with a daily maximum of 10 seen flying south off the Glass Beach at Ft. Bragg on the 4^th.

 Brown Pelican at Bodega

Double-crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritus C

We saw 3 at Leo Ryan Lake on the 31^st, 1 on the 4^th and 3 at Leo Ryan Lake on the 6^th.

Pelagic Cormorant - Phalacrocorax pelagicus C

Only identified at Bodega where 10 were seen on the 2^nd and 6 the next day.

Brandt’s Cormorant - Phalacrocorax penicillatus C

Only identified at Bodega where 6 were seen on the 2^nd and 4 the next day.

Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen to the east of Willow on the 5^th.

Great Egret - Ardea alba C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 25 seen on the 3^rd.

Snowy Egret - Egretta thula C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen on the 31^st with some very confiding birds present at Leo Ryan Lake.

Night Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax C

We saw 3 roosting in the trees at Port Royal, Foster City on the 31^st, 1 in flight at dusk near Oakland on the 5^th and 3 at Leo Ryan Lake on the 6^th.

White-faced Ibis - Plegadis chihi C

A flock of around 20 were seen flying to roost at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th and 250 were seen feeding in a roadside field to the south of Willow on the 5^th.

Trumpeter Swan - Cygnus buccinator C

A family party of 2 adults and their single offspring were seen c.10 miles east of Willow towards Glenn just north of the road. More wary than the accompanying Tundra Swans.

 Trumpeter Swans near Willow

Tundra Swan - Cygnus columbianus C

A flock of 100 were seen on flooded fields just north of Pt. Arenas on the 3^rd and c.1,000 were seen c.10 miles east of Willow on the 5^th.

Tundra Swans near Willow

 

Common Canada Goose - Branta canadensis C
A flock of c.10 presumably feral birds were seen at Leo Ryan Lake on the 31^st, 4 were seen at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st, 15 were seen in flooded fields just north of Pt. Arenas on the 3^rd and 10 were seen at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th.

Aleutian Canada Goose - Branta canadensis

Two complete with white neck-rings and therefore more closely resembling this form than Cackling were present at the flooded field just north of Pt. Arenas on the 3^rd.

Lesser Canada Goose - Branta canadensis

A single individual was present in flooded fields just north of Pt. Arenas on the 3^rd.

Black Brant - Branta bernicla C

Around 500 were seen on our arrival at the harbour at Bodega Bay but surprisingly were nver seen again.

White-fronted Goose - Anser albifrons C

There were 2 present in the flooded fields to the north of Pt. Arenas on the 3^rd, c.1,000 seen at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th and c.500 seen east of Willow on the 5^th.

 White-fronted Geese at Willow

Ross’s Goose - Chen rossii C

Around 20 were identified at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th including a single juvenile.

 

Ross's Geese at Sacremento

 

Roos's & Snow Geese at Willow

 

Lesser Snow Goose - Chen caerulescens C

A single individual was present at the flooded fields just north of Pt. Arenas on the 3^rd, c.10,000 were seen at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th and c.50,000 were seen in the vicinity of Willow on the 5^th.

 

Lesser Snow Geese at Sacrmento NWR

 

 

Lesser Snow Geese at Willow

 

Northern Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos C

Seen on six dates with a maximum of 20 noted at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th but probably under-recorded.

Gadwall - Anas strepera C

We saw 6 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st and c.200 at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th.

Pintail - Anas acuta C

We saw c.40 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st and c.1,000 at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th.

American Wigeon - Anas americana C

At least 2 were seen at Palo Alto on the 30^th, 6 were seen at Port Royal on the 31^st, c.500 were seen at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st, c.50 were seen at Bodega on the 3^rd and c.500 were noted at Sacremento on the 4^th.

Eurasian Wigeon - Anas Penelope C

A single drake was found consorting with American Wigeon at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st.

Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata C

We saw 10 at Palo Alto on the 30^th and 4 there the following morning, 2 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st and c.1,000 at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th.

Cinnamon Teal - Anas cyanoptera C

We saw 2 at Bodega on the 2^nd and c.10 at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th.

Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca C

Around 20 were present at Palo Alto on the 30^th, 6 were seen at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st and 2 were seen at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th.

Canvasback - Aythya valistineria C

At least 15 were seen at Palo Alto on the 30^th, c.40 were seen on the Port Royal drain in Foster City on the 31^st, 6 were seen at Bodega on the 2^nd and 8 were seen at the Leo Ryan Lake on the 6^th.

Redhead - Aythya americana C

A single drake was seen on Lake Mendocino on the 4^th.

Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula C

Drakes were seen on Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st and at Leo Ryan Lake in Foster City on the 6^th.

Ring-necked Duck - Aythya collaris C

A pair were seen at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th.

Greater Scaup - Aythya marila C

We saw 6 at Palo Alto on the 30^th, 10 at Leo Ryan Lake on the 31^st, 30 on Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st, c.250 in Tomales Bay on the 2^nd and c.150 at Leo Ryan Lake on the 6^th.



Female Greater Scaup at Palo Alto

 

 

Drake Greater Scaups at Palo Alto

Lesser Scaup - Aythya affinis C
Surprisingly just 8 identified at Palo Alto on the 30^th and 1 at Leo Ryan Lake on the 6^th.

 

Female Lesser Scaup at Palo Alto

 

 

Drake Lesser Scaups at Palo Alto

 

Surf Scoter - Melanitta perspicillata C
Around 20 were seen at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st, 100 were seen at Bodega on the 2^nd and 80 there the following day and 1 off the Glass Beach at Ft. Bragg on the 4^th.

Female or first-winter Surf Scoter at Bodega Bay

 

First-winter drake Surf Scoter at Bodega Bay

 

Adult drake Surf Scoter at Bodega Bay

 

Black Scoter - Melanitta nigra C
A drake and two females were seen off Pt. Reyes lighthouse on the 1^st.

Common Goldeneye - Bucephala clangula C

Around 40 were seen at the Leo Ryan Lake on the 31^st, 20 were seen at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st, 2 were seen at Bodega on the 2^nd, 15 were seen on Lake Mendocino on the 2^nd and c.30 were seen at Leo Ryan Lake on the 6^th.

Bufflehead - Bucephala albeola C

Around 20 were seen on Leo Ryan Lake on the 31^st, 40 were seen at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st, 60 were seen on the drive to and at Bodega on the 2^nd with 10 seen at Bodega the following morning, 10 were seen on Lake Mendocino on the 4^th and 15 were seen at Leo Ryan Lake on the 6^th.

Buffleheads at Leo Ryan Lake

 

Hooded Merganser - Lophodytes cucullatus C
A pair were found on the Port Royal drain at Foster City on the 31^st and 6 (including 3 drakes) were seen on the Leo Ryan Lake on the 6^th.

 

Hooded Mergansers at Foster City

 

Red-breasted Merganser - Mergus serrator C
We saw 4 on Leo Ryan Lake on the 31^st, 10 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st, 2 at Bodega on the 2^nd with 5 there the following morning and 8 on Leo Ryan Lake on the 6^th.

Ruddy Duck - Oxyura jamaicensis C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 200 seen at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st.

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura C

Seen on seven dates in good numbers with a daily maximum of 50 seen on the 2^nd.

Northern Harrier - Circus cyaneus C

Singles were seen at Palo Alto on the 31^st and at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st, 2 were seen at the flooded fields to the north of Pt. Arenas on the 3^rd, 15 were seen at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th and an impressive 20 were seen on the day spent around Willow and Dixon on the 5^th.

White-tailed Kite - Elanus leucurus C

Seen on six dates often whilst driving between sites with a daily maximum of 6 seen on the 4^th.

California Red-shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus C

Noted on four dates in small numbers often being seen whilst driving between sites with a daily maximum of 5 seen on the 5^th with several present around the Pt. Reyes Visitor Centre.

Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis C

Noted on five dates in fair numbers often being seen whilst driving between sites with a daily maximum of 20 seen on the 5^th.

Ferruginous Hawk - Buteo regalis C

A single light juvenile was seen along Robinson road south of Dixon on the 5^th.

Rough-legged Hawk - Buteo lagopus C

A single individual was watched hovering over a grassy hillside just south of Bodega on the 2^nd.

Bald Eagle - Haliaeetus leucocephalus C

A pair were seen at Rodman Slough on the 4^th with 1 allowing prolonged scope views perched atop a tree. Superb.

Osprey - Pandion haliaetus C

A single individual was seen near Pt. Arenas on the 3^rd.

Merlin - Falco columbarius C

A single individual was seen at Palo Alto on the 31^st.

American Kestrel - Falco sparverius C

Seen on six dates in good numbers proving commoner inland with a daily maximum of 25 seen on the 5^th.

Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus C

Singles were seen on the cliffs at Pt. Arenas on the 3^rd and whilst driving on the 4^th.

California Quail - Callipepla californica C

We saw a party of 12 at Five Woods pool on the 1^st and c.20 at Pt. Reyes Visitor Centre the following day.

 California Quail at Bolinas

Pheasant - Phasianus colchicus C

Around 15 were seen at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th.

Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus C

A pair were seen at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th.

American Coot - Fulica Americana C

Seen daily in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 50 seen at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th.

Sandhill Crane - Grus canadensis C

Around 130 were seen along the first 10 miles of the road heading east from Willow towards Glenn on the 5^th.

 

 First-winter Ring-billed Gull at Palo Alto

 

 

Adult Ring-billed Gull at Palo Alto

 

Adult Ring-billed Gull at Palo Alto

 

 

Adult winter California Gull at Palo Alto

 

 

First-winter Glaucous-winged Gull at Palo Alto

Presumed first-winter Glaucous-winged Gull at Bodega Bay

Presumed hybrid 1w Glaucous-winged x American Herring Gull at Palo Alto

Possible hybrid adult Glaucous-winged x American Herring Gull at Bodega Bay

 

 

 

First-winter Western Gulls at Bodega Bay

Second-winter Western Gulls at Bodega Bay

 

Adult Western Gulls at Bodega Bay

Gull sp. at Bodega with presumably Western Gull in its make-up

 

 

Presumed Glaucous-winged x Western Gull hybrids at Bodega Bay

 

 

First-winter Heermann's Gull at Bodega

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presumed Glaucous-winged Gull hybrid at Pt, Arenas

On seeing this I thought it a Thayer's Gull but RM soon pointed out the bill was too stout for that option presumably rendering it a Glaucous-winged Gull hybrid

 

Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola C

We saw 2 at Palo Alto on the 30^th and 10 at Bodega on the 3^rd.

Semipalmated Plover - Charadrius semipalmatus C

We saw 6 at Palo Alto on the 30^th.

Snowy Plover - Charadrius alexandrinus C

At least 5 were seen on the first sandy beach north of Bodega on the 3^rd.

Mountain Plover - Charadrius montanus C

A regular wintering flock of at least 150 were eventually seen after searching for 5 hours 3.5 miles east along Robinson road to the south of Dixon on the 5^th. Superb.

Killdeer - Charadrius vociferous C

We saw 2 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st, 2 near Pt. Arenas on the 3^rd and 15 along Robinson road south of Dixon on the 5^th.

Black Oystercatcher - Haematopus bachmani C

We saw 2 at Bodega Head on the 2^nd, 15 roosting on the breakwaters at Bodega Harbour on the 3^rd and 10 at Glass Beach, Ft. Bragg on the 4^th.

American Avocet - Recurvirostra americana C

We saw 15 at Palo Alto on the 30^th and 40 there the following day, 200 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st and 2 at Bodega on the 3^rd.

Black-necked Stilt - Himantopus mexicanus C

We saw 4 at Palo Alto on the 30^th and 15 there the following day, 10 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st, 1 at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th and 2 at Leo Ryan Lake on the 6^th.

Greater Yellowlegs - Tringa melanoleuca C

A single individual was identified at Palo Alto on the 31^st.

Anna’s Hummingbird - Calypte anna C

A juvenile female was seen in woodland bordering the Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st and 3 males were seen along the gardens of the apartments bordering Leo Ryan Lake on the 6^th.

Belted Kingfisher - Ceryle alcyon C

We saw 1 at the Port Royal drain on the 31^st, 5 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st, 1 at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th and 1 east of Willow on the 5^th.

Acorn Woodpecker - Melanerpes formicivorus C

We saw 6 at the Pt. Reyes Visitor Centre on the 1^st and 10 there the following morning with singles seen on the 3^rd and at Rodman Slough mobbing the perched adult Bald Eagle on the 4^th.

Red-breasted Sapsucker - Sphyrapicus ruber C

Singles were seen in the woodland adjacent to Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st and at the Picnic area at Pt. Reyes Visitor Centre on the 2^nd.

 Red-breasted Sapsucker at Pt. Reyes

Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus C

Singles were seen at Muir Woods on the 31^st and in woodland near Bolinas on the 1^st and 2 were seen at Pt. Reyes on the 2^nd.

Nuttall’s Woodpecker - Picoides nuttallii C

A single female was seen in trees at the Sacremento NWR Visitors Centre Car Park on the 4^th.

Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus C

Singles were seen at Pt. Reyes on the 2^nd and near Dixon on the 5^th.

Black Pheobe - Sayornis nigricans C

Seen on six dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 5 seen on the 2^nd.

Say’s Pheobe - Sayornis saya C

A single individual was seen along Robinson road south of Dixon on the 5^th.

Loggerhead Shrike - Lanius ludovicianus C

Around 10 were seen along Robinson road to the south of Dixon on the 5^th.

Hutton’s Vireo - Vireo huttoni C

We saw 6 in woodland adjacent to Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st and 10 at Pt. Reyes along the Earthquake Trail on the 2^nd.

Steller’s Jay - Cyanocitta stelleri C

We saw 6 in woodland adjacent to Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st, 2 at Pt. Reyes on the 2^nd and 2 whilst driving on the 3^rd.

Western Scrub-Jay - Aphelocoma californica C

We saw 4 in gardens adjacent to Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st and 4 near Lake Mendocino on the 4^th.

Yellow-billed Magpie - Pica nuttalli C

Around 12 were seen around and to the east of Willow on the 5^th.

 Yellow-billed Magpie near Willow

Common Raven - Corvus corax C

Seen on six dates in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 10 seen on the 3^rd.

American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos C

Seen daily in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 20 noted on the 4^th.

Horned Lark - Eremophila alpestris C

Around 200 were seen along Robinson road to the south of Dixon on the 5^th.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee - Poecile rufescens C

Seen on four dates with just a total of 7 seen at sites including Muir Woods, Pt. Reyes and Van Damme State Park.

Bushtit - Psaltriparus minimus C

We saw 10 at Muir Woods on the 31^st and 6 at Bolinas on the 1^st.

White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis C

A single individual was seen in woodland bordering Rodman Slough on the 4^th.

Bewick’s Wren - Thryomanes bewickii C

A single individual was seen at the Five Woods pool on the 1^st.

Winter Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes C

A single individual was seen in woodland adjacent to Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st.

Golden-crowned Kinglet - Regulus satrapa C

We saw 8 along the Dipsea Trail in Muir Woods on the 31^st and 2 at Bolinas the following day.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Regulus calendula C

We indentified just 2 along the Dipsea Trail in Muir Woods on the 31^st.

Western Bluebird - Sialia mexicana C

A party of 6 were seen near the Pt. Reyes Overflow Car Park on the 2^nd.

Varied Thrush - Zoothera naevius C

We saw 2 along the Dipsea Trail in Muir Woods on the 31^st proving my last new bird of the year and c.15 in the vicinity of the Picnic Area/Earthquake Trail/Woodpecker Trail at the Pt. Reyes Visitors Centre on the 2nd. As expected, the undoubted highlight of the trip. Stunning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Varied Thrush at Pt. Reyes

 

American Robin - Turdus migratorius C
Seen on five dates in good numbers with a daily maximum of 50 seen at Muir Woods on the 31^st.

 

 

 American Robins at Pt. Reyes

Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus C

Seen on four dates with 1 at Muir Woods, 5 at Bolinas, 5 at Pt. Reyes and 1 roadside on the 4^th. Superb.

 

 

Hermit Thrush at Muir Woods

 

Hermit Thrush at Point Reyes

 

Starling - Sturnus vulgaris C
Seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen on the 4^th.

Buff-bellied Pipit - Anthus rubescens C

A single individual was seen at Glass Beach, Ft. Bragg on the 4^th and 8 were seen east of Willow on the 5^th.

Audubon’s Warbler - Dendroica coronata C

An impressive 15 were watched on a beach at Bodega Harbour on the 2^nd, with 6 seen there the following morning, 3 at Glass Beach, Ft. Bragg on the 4^th and 5 seen near Dixon on the 5^th.

 

Audubon's Warbler at Pt. Reyes

 

Myrtle Warbler - Dendroica coronata C
A single individual was seen at Bolinas on the 1^st and 2 were seen at Bodega on the 2^nd.

Townsend’s Warbler - Dendroica townsendi C

A stunning ringed 1^st winter female was seen in woodland bordering Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st.

 Townsend's Warbler at Bolinas Lagoon

Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas C

We saw 2 at Palo Alto on the 31^st including a smart male.

Spotted Towhee - Pipilo maculates C

A single individual was seen at Five Woods pool on the 1^st and 3 were seen at Pt. Reyes in the vicinity of the Visitors Centre the following day.

California Towhee - Pipilo crissalis C

A single individual was seen at San Antonio on the 30^th, 5 were seen at Bolinas and Five woods pool on the 1^st and 6 were seen at Pt. Reyes in the vicinity of the Visitors Centre on the 2^nd.

 

California Towhee at Pt. Reyes

 

Savannah Sparrow - Passerculus sandwichensis C
A single individual was seen in the Car Park at Palo Alto on the 30^th and 40 were seen along Robinson road to the south of Dixon on the 5^th.

Golden-crowned Sparrow - Zonotrichia atricapilla C

We saw 2 at Palo Alto on the 31^st, 10 at Five Woods pool on the 1^st and 15 at Sacremento NWR on the 4^th.

Golden-crowned Sparrow at Palo Alto

 

White-crowned Sparrow - Zonotrichia leucophrys C

Seen on four dates in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 15 at Palo Alto on the 31^st.

Sooty Fox Sparrow - Passerella iliaca C

We saw 1 at Muir woods on the 31^st and 6 around Bolinas on the 1^st.

 

Sooty Fox Sparrow at Muir Woods

 

Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia C

Commoner than noted as just 15 at Bolinas on the 1^st and 15 at Pt. Reyes on the 2nd were noted.

 

 

 Song Sparrow at Muir Woods

Oregon Dark-eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis C

We saw 10 at Muir Woods on the 31^st, 20 at Bolinas on the 1^st and 6 at Pt. Reyes on the 2^nd.

 

Oregon Dark-eyed Juncos at Muir Woods

 

Western Meadowlark - Sturnella neglecta C
Noted on four dates in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 35 seen along Robinson road south of Dixon on the 5^th.

Bicolored Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus C

A flock of around 25 were present around the Pt. Reyes Visitor Centre on the 2^nd.

Brewer’s Blackbird - Euphagus cyanocephalus C

Seen on four dates but no doubt overlooked. A daily maximum of 50 were recorded at the Pt. Reye’s Visitor Centre on the 2^nd.

 

 Male Brewer's Blackbird at Pt. Reyes

Pine Siskin - Carduelis pinus C

We saw a feeding flocks of 50 in woodland adjacent to Bolinas Lagoon on the 1^st and 20 along the earthquake Trail at Pt. Reyes the following day.

Western Lesser Goldfinch - Carduelis psaltria C

A party of 5 including males were seen at Rodman Slough on the 4^th.

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus C

Noted on three dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen along Robinson road south of Dixon on the 5^th.