Monday 30 December 2002

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

California


Mon 30th 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 31st 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 1st 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 4th 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 5th 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 6th 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 7th 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 2nd 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 6th.

Great Northern Diver - Gavia immer C
We saw 3 on Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st, 5 at Bodega Bay on the 2nd and 10 there the following day.

Red-necked Grebe - Podiceps grisegena C
At least 2 were seen at Bodega on the 2nd and 5 there the next day.

Slavonian Grebe - Podiceps auritus C
A single individual was seen at the Leo Ryan Lake on the 31st, 3 were seen at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st, 5 at Bodega on the 2nd 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 31st, 3 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st, 5 at Bodega on the 2nd and 3rd with a tight group of 20 off the Pt. Arenas pier on the 3rd and 8 at the Leo Ryan Lake on the 6th.

Pied-billed Grebe - Podilymbus podiceps C
We saw 3 at the Leo Ryan Lake on the 31st, 2 at Five Wood pool on the 1st, 4 at Sacremento NWR on the 4th and 2 on the Leo Ryan Park lake on the 6th.

Western Grebe - Aechmophorus occidentalis C
We saw 1 at Leo Ryan Lake on the 31st, 2 on Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st, 20 at Bodega on the 2nd 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 31st and 2 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st.

Laysan Albatross - Phoebastria immutabilis C
A superb adult was watched from the pier at Pt. Arenas on the 3rd. 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 1st 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 5th.

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 4th.

 Brown Pelican at Bodega

Double-crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritus C
We saw 3 at Leo Ryan Lake on the 31st, 1 on the 4th and 3 at Leo Ryan Lake on the 6th.

Pelagic Cormorant - Phalacrocorax pelagicus C
Only identified at Bodega where 10 were seen on the 2nd and 6 the next day.

Brandt’s Cormorant - Phalacrocorax penicillatus C
Only identified at Bodega where 6 were seen on the 2nd 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 5th.

Great Egret - Ardea alba C
Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 25 seen on the 3rd.

Snowy Egret - Egretta thula C
Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen on the 31st 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 31st, 1 in flight at dusk near Oakland on the 5th and 3 at Leo Ryan Lake on the 6th.

White-faced Ibis - Plegadis chihi C
A flock of around 20 were seen flying to roost at Sacremento NWR on the 4th and 250 were seen feeding in a roadside field to the south of Willow on the 5th.

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 3rd and c.1,000 were seen c.10 miles east of Willow on the 5th.

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 31st, 4 were seen at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st, 15 were seen in flooded fields just north of Pt. Arenas on the 3rd and 10 were seen at Sacremento NWR on the 4th.

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 3rd.

Lesser Canada Goose - Branta canadensis
A single individual was present in flooded fields just north of Pt. Arenas on the 3rd.

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 3rd, c.1,000 seen at Sacremento NWR on the 4th and c.500 seen east of Willow on the 5th.

 White-fronted Geese at Willow

Ross’s Goose - Chen rossii C

Around 20 were identified at Sacremento NWR on the 4th 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 3rd, c.10,000 were seen at Sacremento NWR on the 4th and c.50,000 were seen in the vicinity of Willow on the 5th.
 
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 4th but probably under-recorded.

Gadwall - Anas strepera C
We saw 6 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st and c.200 at Sacremento NWR on the 4th.

Pintail - Anas acuta C
We saw c.40 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st and c.1,000 at Sacremento NWR on the 4th.

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

Eurasian Wigeon - Anas Penelope C
A single drake was found consorting with American Wigeon at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st.

Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata C
We saw 10 at Palo Alto on the 30th and 4 there the following morning, 2 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st and c.1,000 at Sacremento NWR on the 4th.

Cinnamon Teal - Anas cyanoptera C
We saw 2 at Bodega on the 2nd and c.10 at Sacremento NWR on the 4th.

Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca C
Around 20 were present at Palo Alto on the 30th, 6 were seen at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st and 2 were seen at Sacremento NWR on the 4th.

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

Redhead - Aythya americana C
A single drake was seen on Lake Mendocino on the 4th.

Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula C
Drakes were seen on Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st and at Leo Ryan Lake in Foster City on the 6th.

Ring-necked Duck - Aythya collaris C
A pair were seen at Sacremento NWR on the 4th.

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


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 30th and 1 at Leo Ryan Lake on the 6th.

 
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 1st, 100 were seen at Bodega on the 2nd and 80 there the following day and 1 off the Glass Beach at Ft. Bragg on the 4th.

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 1st.

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

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

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

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

Ruddy Duck - Oxyura jamaicensis C
Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 200 seen at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st.

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura C
Seen on seven dates in good numbers with a daily maximum of 50 seen on the 2nd.

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

White-tailed Kite - Elanus leucurus C
Seen on six dates often whilst driving between sites with a daily maximum of 6 seen on the 4th.

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 5th 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 5th.

Ferruginous Hawk - Buteo regalis C
A single light juvenile was seen along Robinson road south of Dixon on the 5th.

Rough-legged Hawk - Buteo lagopus C
A single individual was watched hovering over a grassy hillside just south of Bodega on the 2nd.

Bald Eagle - Haliaeetus leucocephalus C
A pair were seen at Rodman Slough on the 4th 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 3rd.

Merlin - Falco columbarius C
A single individual was seen at Palo Alto on the 31st.

American Kestrel - Falco sparverius C
Seen on six dates in good numbers proving commoner inland with a daily maximum of 25 seen on the 5th.

Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus C
Singles were seen on the cliffs at Pt. Arenas on the 3rd and whilst driving on the 4th.

California Quail - Callipepla californica C
We saw a party of 12 at Five Woods pool on the 1st 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 4th.

Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus C
A pair were seen at Sacremento NWR on the 4th.

American Coot - Fulica Americana C
Seen daily in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 50 seen at Sacremento NWR on the 4th.

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 5th.
 
 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 30th and 10 at Bodega on the 3rd.

Semipalmated Plover - Charadrius semipalmatus C
We saw 6 at Palo Alto on the 30th.

Snowy Plover - Charadrius alexandrinus C
At least 5 were seen on the first sandy beach north of Bodega on the 3rd.

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 5th. Superb.

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

Black Oystercatcher - Haematopus bachmani C
We saw 2 at Bodega Head on the 2nd, 15 roosting on the breakwaters at Bodega Harbour on the 3rd and 10 at Glass Beach, Ft. Bragg on the 4th.

American Avocet - Recurvirostra americana C
We saw 15 at Palo Alto on the 30th and 40 there the following day, 200 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st and 2 at Bodega on the 3rd.

Black-necked Stilt - Himantopus mexicanus C
We saw 4 at Palo Alto on the 30th and 15 there the following day, 10 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st, 1 at Sacremento NWR on the 4th and 2 at Leo Ryan Lake on the 6th.

Greater Yellowlegs - Tringa melanoleuca C
A single individual was identified at Palo Alto on the 31st.

Anna’s Hummingbird - Calypte anna C
A juvenile female was seen in woodland bordering the Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st and 3 males were seen along the gardens of the apartments bordering Leo Ryan Lake on the 6th.

Belted Kingfisher - Ceryle alcyon C
We saw 1 at the Port Royal drain on the 31st, 5 at Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st, 1 at Sacremento NWR on the 4th and 1 east of Willow on the 5th.

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

Red-breasted Sapsucker - Sphyrapicus ruber C
Singles were seen in the woodland adjacent to Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st and at the Picnic area at Pt. Reyes Visitor Centre on the 2nd.

 Red-breasted Sapsucker at Pt. Reyes

Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus C
Singles were seen at Muir Woods on the 31st and in woodland near Bolinas on the 1st and 2 were seen at Pt. Reyes on the 2nd.

Nuttall’s Woodpecker - Picoides nuttallii C
A single female was seen in trees at the Sacremento NWR Visitors Centre Car Park on the 4th.

Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus C
Singles were seen at Pt. Reyes on the 2nd and near Dixon on the 5th.

Black Pheobe - Sayornis nigricans C
Seen on six dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 5 seen on the 2nd.

Say’s Pheobe - Sayornis saya C
A single individual was seen along Robinson road south of Dixon on the 5th.

Loggerhead Shrike - Lanius ludovicianus C
Around 10 were seen along Robinson road to the south of Dixon on the 5th.

Hutton’s Vireo - Vireo huttoni C
We saw 6 in woodland adjacent to Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st and 10 at Pt. Reyes along the Earthquake Trail on the 2nd.

Steller’s Jay - Cyanocitta stelleri C
We saw 6 in woodland adjacent to Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st, 2 at Pt. Reyes on the 2nd and 2 whilst driving on the 3rd.

Western Scrub-Jay - Aphelocoma californica C
We saw 4 in gardens adjacent to Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st and 4 near Lake Mendocino on the 4th.

Yellow-billed Magpie - Pica nuttalli C
Around 12 were seen around and to the east of Willow on the 5th.

 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 3rd.

American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos C
Seen daily in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 20 noted on the 4th.

Horned Lark - Eremophila alpestris C
Around 200 were seen along Robinson road to the south of Dixon on the 5th.

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 31st and 6 at Bolinas on the 1st.

White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis C
A single individual was seen in woodland bordering Rodman Slough on the 4th.

Bewick’s Wren - Thryomanes bewickii C
A single individual was seen at the Five Woods pool on the 1st.

Winter Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes C
A single individual was seen in woodland adjacent to Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st.

Golden-crowned Kinglet - Regulus satrapa C
We saw 8 along the Dipsea Trail in Muir Woods on the 31st 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 31st.

Western Bluebird - Sialia mexicana C
A party of 6 were seen near the Pt. Reyes Overflow Car Park on the 2nd.

Varied Thrush - Zoothera naevius C
We saw 2 along the Dipsea Trail in Muir Woods on the 31st 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 31st.
 
 
 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 4th. 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 4th.

Buff-bellied Pipit - Anthus rubescens C
A single individual was seen at Glass Beach, Ft. Bragg on the 4th and 8 were seen east of Willow on the 5th.

Audubon’s Warbler - Dendroica coronata C
An impressive 15 were watched on a beach at Bodega Harbour on the 2nd, with 6 seen there the following morning, 3 at Glass Beach, Ft. Bragg on the 4th and 5 seen near Dixon on the 5th.

 
Audubon's Warbler at Pt. Reyes
 
Myrtle Warbler - Dendroica coronata C
A single individual was seen at Bolinas on the 1st and 2 were seen at Bodega on the 2nd.

Townsend’s Warbler - Dendroica townsendi C
A stunning ringed 1st winter female was seen in woodland bordering Bolinas Lagoon on the 1st.

 Townsend's Warbler at Bolinas Lagoon

Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas C
We saw 2 at Palo Alto on the 31st including a smart male.

Spotted Towhee - Pipilo maculates C
A single individual was seen at Five Woods pool on the 1st 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 30th, 5 were seen at Bolinas and Five woods pool on the 1st and 6 were seen at Pt. Reyes in the vicinity of the Visitors Centre on the 2nd.

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

Golden-crowned Sparrow - Zonotrichia atricapilla C
We saw 2 at Palo Alto on the 31st, 10 at Five Woods pool on the 1st and 15 at Sacremento NWR on the 4th.

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 31st.

Sooty Fox Sparrow - Passerella iliaca C
We saw 1 at Muir woods on the 31st and 6 around Bolinas on the 1st.

 
Sooty Fox Sparrow at Muir Woods
 
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia C
Commoner than noted as just 15 at Bolinas on the 1st 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 31st, 20 at Bolinas on the 1st and 6 at Pt. Reyes on the 2nd.

 
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 5th.

Bicolored Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus C
A flock of around 25 were present around the Pt. Reyes Visitor Centre on the 2nd.

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 2nd.

 
 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 1st 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 4th.

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus C
Noted on three dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen along Robinson road south of Dixon on the 5th.