Date: 10/13/26 5:39 pm From: Claude Lyneis via groups.io <cmlyneis...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Red Cross-bills at the Tilden Botanical Garden
I walked from the Lake Anza Swimming Area to the Botanical Garden hoping to see an Evening Grosbeak, as recently reported. But when I got to the Botanical Garden, several birders were watching for a small flock of Red Crossbills.
After about 1/2 hour at least 20 flew into the trees. It was the first time I have seen them in the Bay Area and as has been reported they may be part of a montane irruption.
The lighting was challenging but the photos leave now doubt they were Red Crossbills.
Date: 10/12/26 2:36 pm From: lswaim via groups.io <lswaim...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Common Murre, Arrowhead Marsh
Greetings,
This morning I observed a Common Murre land in the marsh channel near the observation platform/boardwalk at Arrowhead Marsh. It swam slowly out toward the bay. It was a first sighting for me at this location.
I spent yet another fruitless morning looking for Pinyon Jays, this time along Morgan Territory Road. The only sign of the montane irruption was a Cassin’s Finch at the Diablo Bowmen archery range, otherwise all normal. I then spent the afternoon in the delta. At Clifton the winds were 30+ mph, but two Sabines Gulls were acrobatically foraging in them. Afterwards, Holland Tract was completely windless. I turned up 3 Gray-headed Orange-crowns and 3 Cranes, and watched a drone (that makes peregrine falcon sounds) chase a flock of a few thousand blackbirds around the rice fields. Most were Red-winged but I estimated that about 300 were Yellow-headed.
Yesterday, a quick afternoon trip to Landfill Loop produced a Loggerhead Shrike on the landfill’s northern edge. This species is quite rare in Richmond and this was my first sighting. This is presumably the same bird found by Susana de Trapaga here in early September.
Date: 9/27/26 7:52 pm From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Community meeting: Plans for Golden Gate Fields Race Track site in Albany/Berkeley
This was only announced Friday apparently, but there’s a community meeting
5pm tomorrow / Monday 9/28, at the Albany Community Center (library
building), to discuss plans and get input on what is East Bay Regional Parks
District should do with the old Golden Gate Fields racetrack site:
Date: 9/24/26 7:38 pm From: Bob Toleno via groups.io <bob...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Christmas Bird Counts
Ohlone Audubon's Hayward-Fremont CBC will be on Sunday, December 20. For
anyone who doesn't already have an assignment for the Oakland CBC, we'd
love help, as we've lost many leaders over the past two years.
Bob Toleno
On Thu, Sep 24, 2026 at 11:29 AM Susana dT via groups.io <trapaga=
<sbcglobal.net...> wrote:
> Could somebody please post the dates for MDBA, GGBA and Sherman Is
> Christmas bird counts?
> Thank you
>
>
>
>
Date: 9/24/26 3:23 pm From: BA EC via groups.io <bae.crofts92...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Christmas Bird Counts
Richmond CBC is Saturday, January 2nd 2027! More details to come on
registration in the coming months.
On Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 15:12 Edward Vine via groups.io <elvine=
<lbl.gov...> wrote:
> And SF CBC is Dec. 28.
>
> Ed
>
> On Thu, Sep 24, 2026 at 11:38 AM Dawn Lemoine via groups.io <lemonbirder=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> The Oakland CBC is Dec 20.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Sep 24, 2026 at 11:33 AM Chris Ortega via groups.io <chrisorte9a=
>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Susana,
>>>
>>> Thanks for the request! MDBA Eastern CBC is set for 12/16, and Central
>>> is 12/19. I'll send out a more complete invitation a little later but
>>> appreciate your prompt to get the dates out now.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> Chris Ortega
>>> Bay Point
>>>
>>> On Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 11:29 AM Susana dT via groups.io <trapaga=
>>> <sbcglobal.net...> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Could somebody please post the dates for MDBA, GGBA and Sherman Is
>>>> Christmas bird counts?
>>>> Thank you
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Edward Vine
>
> Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
> Building 90R2002
> Berkeley, CA 94720-8136
>
> Email: <elvine...>
>
>
>
>
Date: 9/24/26 3:12 pm From: Edward Vine via groups.io <elvine...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Christmas Bird Counts
And SF CBC is Dec. 28.
Ed
On Thu, Sep 24, 2026 at 11:38 AM Dawn Lemoine via groups.io <lemonbirder=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> The Oakland CBC is Dec 20.
>
>
>
> On Thu, Sep 24, 2026 at 11:33 AM Chris Ortega via groups.io <chrisorte9a=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> Hi Susana,
>>
>> Thanks for the request! MDBA Eastern CBC is set for 12/16, and Central is
>> 12/19. I'll send out a more complete invitation a little later but
>> appreciate your prompt to get the dates out now.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Chris Ortega
>> Bay Point
>>
>> On Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 11:29 AM Susana dT via groups.io <trapaga=
>> <sbcglobal.net...> wrote:
>>
>>> Could somebody please post the dates for MDBA, GGBA and Sherman Is
>>> Christmas bird counts?
>>> Thank you
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
--
Edward Vine
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Building 90R2002
Berkeley, CA 94720-8136
Date: 9/24/26 11:38 am From: Dawn Lemoine via groups.io <lemonbirder...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Christmas Bird Counts
The Oakland CBC is Dec 20.
On Thu, Sep 24, 2026 at 11:33 AM Chris Ortega via groups.io <chrisorte9a=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Hi Susana,
>
> Thanks for the request! MDBA Eastern CBC is set for 12/16, and Central is
> 12/19. I'll send out a more complete invitation a little later but
> appreciate your prompt to get the dates out now.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Chris Ortega
> Bay Point
>
> On Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 11:29 AM Susana dT via groups.io <trapaga=
> <sbcglobal.net...> wrote:
>
>> Could somebody please post the dates for MDBA, GGBA and Sherman Is
>> Christmas bird counts?
>> Thank you
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
Date: 9/24/26 11:33 am From: Chris Ortega via groups.io <chrisorte9a...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Christmas Bird Counts
Hi Susana,
Thanks for the request! MDBA Eastern CBC is set for 12/16, and Central is
12/19. I'll send out a more complete invitation a little later but
appreciate your prompt to get the dates out now.
Cheers,
Chris Ortega
Bay Point
On Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 11:29 AM Susana dT via groups.io <trapaga=
<sbcglobal.net...> wrote:
> Could somebody please post the dates for MDBA, GGBA and Sherman Is
> Christmas bird counts?
> Thank you
>
>
>
>
Date: 9/21/26 4:42 pm From: Jane Chinn via groups.io <janechinn...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] FOS Sparrows
Hello: I woke up Sunday morning to a lovely sight at my birdbath. Two adult White-crowned Sparrows and two juvenile White-crowned Sparrows. They seem a bit early this year. For the past 10 years I've been trying to keep a record of their arrival and numbers. Most years they show up around September 28. Hoping to see more and the Golden-crowned too. Also for the past three years a single White-throated Sparrow has been a part of the group. They stay the winter and leave around the middle of April.
Can anyone recommend a study of their migration pattern from the S. F. Bay Area.Â
Thank you.
Jane ChinnHayward Hills (above CSUEB)
Date: 9/19/26 9:16 pm From: Claude Lyneis via groups.io <cmlyneis...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Western Gull vs a Rock Crab
Saturday afternoon I went out to walk along Stege Marsh and Meeker Slough. With the tide above 3.5, a moderate wind out of the southwest not many birds were out. There were 12 White Pelicans on the island where Meeker Slough empties in the bay.
Still, just as I was headed for the car there was a Western Gull that had a Rock Crab in its bill. The gull tried several different holds on the crab, but in the end the crab escaped. So score one for the crab with its thick shell and strong claws. Link to photos below.
Date: 9/19/26 1:12 pm From: Alan Krakauer via groups.io <Alan.krakauer...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Western Tanagers, Gyuto Monastery (Richmond)
I wanted to post a quick comment about the Gyuto Monastery in Richmond (6401 Bernhard Ave). The grape arbor they have is now in season (has been for a week or two), and Western Tanagers continue to visit regularly. They often hide in the middle but visible on top when they first arrive at the grapes, or in nearby trees when they stage in or out. I've seen Swainson's Thrushes, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Yellow Warblers, and more common resident species there as well. It's a nice spot for a relaxing sit or short walk on the edge of Wildcat Canyon.
Date: 9/19/26 1:02 pm From: Alan Krakauer via groups.io <Alan.krakauer...> Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Mt. Diablo, nutcrackers, etc.
Hi Ethan,
Thanks for the informative report from Mt. Diablo. I led a small GGBA field trip to San Pablo Ridge in Wildcat Canyon on Thursday. We had Red-breasted Nuthatches throughout the park with especially large numbers in the Monterey Pine stands along the top of the ridge. The flocks on the ridge were doing a lot of foraging on the ground below the trees which was interesting. We didn't notice an insect emergence or any obvious food source but we saw them doing this in multiple places.
I'll try to get back there soon to look for Nutcrackers. I'm still haunted by the calls I heard in Wildcat Canyon a few years ago that caused me to ask here "what else might sound like a Clark's Nutcracker?" and then nutcrackers were seen elsewhere in the Berkeley hills a few days later.
I saw the 3 Nutcrackers found by Ethan at Mt Diablo summit today at 6pm. They all flew out of a pine tree a few yards before the 'summit elev. 3849ft.' sign on the one way road to the summit parking lot. There were also many Red-breasted Nuthatch and two Peregrine falcons circling over the lower/overflow parking lot.
Date: 9/18/26 12:09 pm From: Ethan Monk via groups.io <z.querula...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Mt. Diablo, nutcrackers, etc.
Hi all,
The listservs are sort of dead, but long form content posted to these was the greatest resource to me as a newer birder. It helped me learn so much from the very knowledgeable community about what was showing up (not just the rare things!) and bird status and distribution, and all else. So, in the spirit of keeping it going, even if I am the last dinosaur...
I spent a few hours running around upper Mt. Diablo (above the Junction of North and South Gate roads) this morning, hoping to run into the "montane invasion." As many of us have noticed, the Red-breasted Nuthatches are moving en masse this year, and to our south in coastal Southern California they are seeing hundreds of nutcrackers and smaller numbers of Pinyon Jays. It was a clear day, somewhat chilly with a north wind of 8-10 mph at the summit.
Some highlights, montane invasion related and otherwise:
-"Intergrade" Flicker: one at Grapevine Ridge--between Juniper Campground and Green Ranch Rd.--was my first of fall. -Nuttall's Woodpecker: at least in spring and winter, this species is rare much above the junction, so one off Summit Rd. west of Devil's Pulpit was unusual. -CLARK'S NUTCRACKER: three+ vic. summit. See end of email for more. -PURPLE MARTIN: one female-type flew north over the summit, trailing a small flock of Violet-green Swallows. -R-C. Kinglet: my first of season were two--one at the Summit, and one at Juniper CG. -Red-breasted Nuthatch: everywhere! I had 50+, including close to 20 around the summit. -Rock Wren: one calling at Grapevine Ridge Hermit Thrush: ~5 total. -Pine Siskin: an irruption is in evidence... small flocks seen throughout my morning. -Fox Sparrow: very large numbers of these on the day--50+-- including several "Thick-billed" Fox Sparrows. One Th-Billed at Grapevine Ridge was not far from where they are regular in the winter, but one at Juniper Campground and one at the summit were not in wintering locations. -White-crowned Sparrow: This species is rare on the upper mountain in winter, these are migrants and will not stay here. The handful (~10-12) I saw today scattered were all apparently pugetensis. -CASSIN'S FINCH: One female type, photographed, sat calling for a long time this morning on summit rd. just east of Juniper CG. Off the top of my head, I believe this is the earliest fall record for Contra Costa County. -Audubon's Warbler: two at the summit.
More re. NUTCRACKERS: I was standing around the Everest Radio Tower around 8:30, which is just north of the summit overflow parking lot, when from far below towards Deer Flat I distantly heard what I thought was a nutcracker. I looked down and saw a Stellar's Jay way down there... thought, oh shoot, I messed it up... and then 1-2 minutes later I heard it again! I pulled out a speaker and played some nutcracker calls (sorry, but what else do you do when you hear a nutcracker calling at the bottom of a cliff you are standing on top of) and a nutcracker emerged from Deer Flat and began to fly upslope towards me! I unpacked the camera and began to take photos as it settled into a gray pine along Summit Rd. After taking photos for a while, I looked away from the camera and saw that in the sky above it were two Nutcrackers flying south! I took photos of the birds in flight. I spent the next 40 minutes in the overflow summit lot, where there were several (meaning >1) nutcrackers that would occasionally appear, catching the wind blowing over the summit and doing big loopdeloops in the gusts. Eventually, two dropped into the parking lot, where one hopped around and inspected the vault toilet. One sat distantly more towards Deer Flat in a gray pine and called occasionally. A very cool experience, hopefully more nutcrackers (and Pinyon Jays?!) to come!
For reference, in 2003 there was a large Pinyon Jay irruption, and they were found during this time in the Oakland Hills, in the area around Redwood Park/Sibley. So, this is probably a good location to look for this species and nutcrackers, as well as the other places birders think off--Diablo, Vollmer Peak, etc.
Date: 9/13/26 1:24 pm From: Jackie Bobrosky via groups.io <electricjmb...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Red Breasted Nuthatch
I've had a single Red Breasted NH in my yard for the last few days. Visits a birdbath, and today finally heard its familiar "ank ank". Someone mentioned an irruption year, I have had them visit in the past.
Date: 9/13/26 8:15 am From: lwpayne919 via groups.io <lwpayne919...> Subject: [EBB-Sightings] Juv Yellow Warbler Hayward Shoreline
@ end of W. Winton.
In the last moments of birdwalk around the ponds n waterways there, thru a cyclone fence that borders path to parking lot, some little yellow-gray something darted into a bush.
I didn’t see it exit that bush, but I initially didn’t see it in the bush either…had to wait it out. Finally seeing movement, but unable to determine what it was with binoculars, I just held camera steady aimed at the spot by holding onto outer lens and the fence with the same hand.
It was so exciting! And I had no idea what it was.
Got home, moved photos to laptop, and was so happy to find there were some really good (for me) photos. I resisted Merlining them and pored over birdbooks instead.
Didn’t initially imagine a warbler would have such a large bill, but Peterson’s and Nat’l Geo birdbooks told me otherwise. I tried to turn this into a female Connecticut warbler. But I had to reach out to birdwatching comrades for consultation. Thanks to C. Waterman and his sis for guiding me to the correct ID. I hadn’t known or seen that immature yellow warblers could have such a prominent, perfect white eye ring.
While this didn’t turn out to be a lifer, it was nonetheless a really beautiful experience all around.
Tide was super high, literally lapping at the bottom of the wooden footbridge. There were willets, yellowlegs sp., hunting wt kite and rt hawk, song sparrows, lesser goldfinches, huge #s of barn swallows - a few daintily picking prey from the wavy waterways, crows, ravens. g & s egrets, b phoebes, and CA towhees.
