Date: 8/20/26 7:43 pm From: Jg Deva <grrrrrrrrrr8...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] At least 1/4 mile whirl pool of birds 1/2 mile out
Looks like s. Shearwaters very low to the water but when the get across from the river mouth the leaders move to the back. Making it circling birds staying over the same area, thousands Sent from my iPhone
Great photo! And how fantastic you get to see it without leaving your
chair! Best wishes for a speedy recovery, and happy birding!
On Wed, Aug 19, 2026 at 12:15â¯PM Barbara Monahan <monahan...> wrote:
> He?She? Is still here.
>
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>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
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>
Date: 8/19/26 11:13 am From: Phil Brown <pdpbrown...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Pelagic out of Morro Bay
A bit out of area, but nonetheless posting for Reef Comer.:
I’m setting up a deepwater pelagic out of Morro Bay on Thursday, August
27th! I’ve attached the sign up flyer, but would you be so kind as to post
it to the local Santa Cruz list serve? Trying to drum up some interest in
my old stomping grounds. There are five spots still available.
Please note this is a new domain website, to which I’m migrating from my previous website. The new “creagrus.com†has all the old material from the old site, as well as new and updated pages.
I very much appreciate the Monterey County bird photographers whose works are shown on this new page.
Date: 8/16/26 2:05 pm From: 'cdlou37' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: RE: [MBBIRDS] Arctic Tern - end of wharf 10:15 (sunday)
2:00pm Sunday. Arctic Tern at lagoon by cliffs. On little island.Calvin LouSFSent from my Galaxy
-------- Original message --------From: Matthew McKown <matthew.mckown...> Date: 8/16/26 10:23 AM (GMT-08:00) To: MBB Bay Birds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Arctic Tern - end of wharf 10:15 (sunday) Hi, just a note that the (a?) Arctic Tern just flew by just off the end of the SC Wharf at 10:15 ( Aug 16).It's staying close foraging on both sides of the wharf.Thought I'd missed it!Best,Matthew
Date: 8/16/26 12:01 pm From: Nico Schnack <nicoprezles...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Spotting scope up for grabs
Howdy all,
Looking for someone to give my old spotting scope to - it’s a Celestron
trailseeker with an angled eyepiece, have had it for a while but still good
quality.
Date: 8/15/26 7:27 pm From: David Apgar <d_apgar...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Sooties off the wharf
Sooty shearwater in the tens of thousands have a good sunset to run against today from Main and Twin Lakes Beaches around the Bay toward Aptos. David Apgar
Date: 8/15/26 10:43 am From: Barbara Monahan <monahan...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] RECR and Black-throated Gray
All,
Red Crossbill female/juvenile type on my deck this morning. I’ve just had my third back surgery in 3 years so I only bird from my chair near a window. Yesterday a Black-throated Gray, BTYW came by for a visit.
Anyone can find fun birds, even a in chair.
I believe my back is finally better but I will never be able to go thru a metal detector again. My hope is for continued improvement and be able to join everyone in the field soon.
Barbara Monahan
At 1100’ ft. Off of Jarvis Rd., near ScottsValley.
A short message to let you know that on Sunday we are operating a pelagic out of Monterey. Conditions offshore in the state have been quite unusual this year with lots of warm water, and offshore species coming closer to shore than normal. Currently the offshore weather buoy is detecting a temperature of 63.5 F, which is quite high. Lots of unusual birds have been seen recently, including a Streaked Shearwater in SF county yesterday, Guadalupe Murrelet, Cook's Petrels and Leach's Storm Petrels on Sunday, on a San Mateo/San Francisco trip. We are eager to see what is offshore from Monterey next Sunday. Here is the link to book the trip:
Date: 8/11/26 6:02 pm From: Kyan Russell <kyansrussell...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] A breeding bird report conundrum...
CBA produced an excellent tool for this situation! Type in the species and
it will show you what codes are appropriate - for example, a Great Blue
Heron does not sing. Plugging in the cowbird, we see the following:
Date: 8/11/26 5:52 pm From: 'Pete Sole' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] A breeding bird report conundrum...
Hi birders,
I find myself with a bit of a conundrum on how to code a "breeding" bird
report on eBird. Perhaps the birding community can suggest a path forward.
Background: Went to Lighthouse Field State Beach today, to look for the
Eastern Kingbird that had been reported and photographed. I dipped on
the Kingbird, but saw a poor Song Sparrow feeding a young Brown-headed
Cowbird. The question is, how should I report the breeding activity for
these two species?
For now, I've coded the Song Sparrow as "Carrying Food" and the
Brown-headed Cowbird as "Feeding Young", but I'm not sure that is
correct. Fortunately, this little conundrum is not the end of the world,
but still not sure how to proceed. For those curious, here is a link to
the relevant eBird report with related photos attached, to the Cowbird
list item.
Your thoughts on the appropriate Breeding Behavior Codes for the sparrow
and cowbird?
Separately, there was a Scaly-breasted Munia in Lighthouse Field, the
first I've ever seen at that location, as well a an adult female Hooded
Oriole feeding a young Hooded Oriole.
Date: 8/10/26 1:39 pm From: 'Pete Sole' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Loma Prieta quiet, but Peacock on the road... (photos)
Thanks Debbie,
What might be of interest was a nice note I received from R. Wallen. He
stated, and I agree with him, that my photos are likely of a second
year, not fully grown adult male. In the photos we "can see a lot of the
brown juvenile feathers sticking out". Also, the "peacock" feathers are
not fully grown.
I should also clarify that I saw the bird about 1/2 mile before
Casalegno's, according to the GPS coordinates of my phone (37°01'35.0"N
121°57'04.3"W). The bird was very close to Alfadel Lane, on the east
side of the road.
Date: 8/10/26 1:19 pm From: Deborah Diersch <debbiediersch...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Loma Prieta quiet, but Peacock on the road... (photos)
Hi Pete,
Thank you for the bird sightings and the photo of the peacock - that poor
bird! It looks like someone plucked-off its gorgeous tail feathers. Maybe
that is why whoever owns it keeps them - some vendors sell them at farmer's
markets. I know of a ranch further up Old San Jose Soquel Road that used to
have several peacocks, originally domestic, that escaped and are now living
a relatively feral life, but I doubt that they would have been that far
down by Casalegno's. The ones I used to see lived up at Webb's Farm Supply.
Thanks again for your reports and photos.
Debbie
Aptos
On Sun, Aug 9, 2026 at 12:25 PM 'Pete Sole' via mbbirds <
<mbbirds...> wrote:
Date: 8/9/26 12:25 pm From: 'Pete Sole' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Loma Prieta quiet, but Peacock on the road... (photos)
Hi birders,
For some reason I decided yesterday, that a birding visit to Loma Prieta
was on order. Loma Prieta was almost silent. The only consistently
singing birds were Wrentits. Occasionally a Spotted Towhee, CA Scrub
Jay, Lesser Goldfinch or N. Flicker called, but that was about it. Loma
Prieta was warm and buggy, with not a flycatcher in sight. A few
Violette-green Swallows foraged, but that was it for insect eaters. I
guess I saw what I should have expected, given that the breeding season
is mostly over. For full lists see:
The only real surprise was on my way up. On Old Soquel San Jose Road,
there was a male peacock (domestic Indian Peafowl), on the side of the
road, about a mile before Casalegno's. Had to turn around and take a a
few photos of this insane looking bird before continuing on:
I have to believe that this is a domestic bird wandering about its home
where it, and likely a few others live. I heard another one so, likely
somebody's aviary birds, but worth an ebird list, well, because why not!
Date: 8/8/26 11:35 pm From: Lola Ross <lolabones...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Royal Tern?
Thanks, all! I appreciate the input from everyone. It’s no fun being wrong,
but I know it’s a great way to learn!
Immature ELTE it is!
On Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 9:17 PM Kyan Russell <kyansrussell...> wrote:
> Looks like a juvenile Elegant Tern by size as Jeff pointed out. Royals are
> closer in size to Caspian. Also, young Elegants' bills start out short like
> Royal and get longer as they get older. Common Tern would be significantly
> smaller, with a thinner beak and different head and wing pattern.
>
> There seem to be quite a few Royals here in Monterey this week, so
> definitely keep checking!
>
> Happy birding,
> Kai
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 7:38 PM Jeff Manker <fireweed8...> wrote:
>
>> Lola,
>>
>> I am not an expert on terns either, but size alone would make me say it
>> is not a ROTE. Comparing it only to the birds that it is flying in front
>> of, it seems smaller than both of them. If it were a ROTE it would be close
>> to the size of the CATE and yet it appears smaller than the ELTE.
>>
>> Could it be a Common Tern?
>>
>> Jeff Manker
>> Alameda
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 7:05 PM Lola Ross <lolabones...> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> Brian Scanlon and I looked at a lot of terns on 21st Beach on Thursday,
>>> August 6 (nice meeting you and birding with you, Brian!). We found several
>>> candidates for the ROTE that had been spotted the day before, but we kept
>>> eliminating them as young ELTEs. However, going back through my photos
>>> today, there were a few birds that gave me pause, none more than this one.
>>> I’m talking about the one with open wings, landing in front of the CATE. I
>>> may be off, but to me it looks like there are a couple of good markers for
>>> ROTE, based on what I can find in Sibley, Merlin, and elsewhere online.
>>>
>>> 1. The darkness of the bill for what is clearly a juvenile/immature bird.
>>> 2. The gonydeal angle on the bill looks (to my eye) like it is more
>>> forward on the bill, closer to â…” of the way away from the base, which would
>>> be a possible indicator for ROTE.
>>> 3. The “obvious dark bars,†as Sibley says, on the wings.
>>>
>>> However, I know I am no expert, and I would appreciate a weigh-in before
>>> I add it to my eBird checklist for that outing. I don't want to rely on
>>> Merlin Photo ID (which also says this is a ROTE).
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Lola
>>>
>>
>>> --
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>> Groups "mbbirds" group.
>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
>>> an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
>>> To view this discussion visit
>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAFCCGgmj6oFz3WeNZkX6S1Tp%2B%<3DpihMzJiJCm2RWf9TKLuhXCbw...> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAFCCGgmj6oFz3WeNZkX6S1Tp%2B%<3DpihMzJiJCm2RWf9TKLuhXCbw...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> .
>>>
>> --
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "mbbirds" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
>> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
>>
> To view this discussion visit
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAAF0wfHENqfM%<3DmVHCn35x2sbZFS2ugfnFz2o4eOBONdsoCaqpw...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAAF0wfHENqfM%<3DmVHCn35x2sbZFS2ugfnFz2o4eOBONdsoCaqpw...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
>
Date: 8/8/26 10:41 pm From: Brian Scanlon <briancscanlon...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Royal Tern?
Sorry, Lola. I think that's another immature ELTE for all the reasons that
others gave.
Brian
On Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 7:05 PM Lola Ross <lolabones...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Brian Scanlon and I looked at a lot of terns on 21st Beach on Thursday,
> August 6 (nice meeting you and birding with you, Brian!). We found several
> candidates for the ROTE that had been spotted the day before, but we kept
> eliminating them as young ELTEs. However, going back through my photos
> today, there were a few birds that gave me pause, none more than this one.
> I’m talking about the one with open wings, landing in front of the CATE. I
> may be off, but to me it looks like there are a couple of good markers for
> ROTE, based on what I can find in Sibley, Merlin, and elsewhere online.
>
> 1. The darkness of the bill for what is clearly a juvenile/immature bird.
> 2. The gonydeal angle on the bill looks (to my eye) like it is more
> forward on the bill, closer to â…” of the way away from the base, which would
> be a possible indicator for ROTE.
> 3. The “obvious dark bars,†as Sibley says, on the wings.
>
> However, I know I am no expert, and I would appreciate a weigh-in before I
> add it to my eBird checklist for that outing. I don't want to rely on
> Merlin Photo ID (which also says this is a ROTE).
>
> Thanks,
> Lola
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "mbbirds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAFCCGgmj6oFz3WeNZkX6S1Tp%2B%<3DpihMzJiJCm2RWf9TKLuhXCbw...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAFCCGgmj6oFz3WeNZkX6S1Tp%2B%<3DpihMzJiJCm2RWf9TKLuhXCbw...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Date: 8/8/26 9:18 pm From: Kyan Russell <kyansrussell...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Royal Tern?
Looks like a juvenile Elegant Tern by size as Jeff pointed out. Royals are
closer in size to Caspian. Also, young Elegants' bills start out short like
Royal and get longer as they get older. Common Tern would be significantly
smaller, with a thinner beak and different head and wing pattern.
There seem to be quite a few Royals here in Monterey this week, so
definitely keep checking!
Happy birding,
Kai
On Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 7:38 PM Jeff Manker <fireweed8...> wrote:
> Lola,
>
> I am not an expert on terns either, but size alone would make me say it is
> not a ROTE. Comparing it only to the birds that it is flying in front of,
> it seems smaller than both of them. If it were a ROTE it would be close to
> the size of the CATE and yet it appears smaller than the ELTE.
>
> Could it be a Common Tern?
>
> Jeff Manker
> Alameda
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 7:05 PM Lola Ross <lolabones...> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> Brian Scanlon and I looked at a lot of terns on 21st Beach on Thursday,
>> August 6 (nice meeting you and birding with you, Brian!). We found several
>> candidates for the ROTE that had been spotted the day before, but we kept
>> eliminating them as young ELTEs. However, going back through my photos
>> today, there were a few birds that gave me pause, none more than this one.
>> I’m talking about the one with open wings, landing in front of the CATE. I
>> may be off, but to me it looks like there are a couple of good markers for
>> ROTE, based on what I can find in Sibley, Merlin, and elsewhere online.
>>
>> 1. The darkness of the bill for what is clearly a juvenile/immature bird.
>> 2. The gonydeal angle on the bill looks (to my eye) like it is more
>> forward on the bill, closer to â…” of the way away from the base, which would
>> be a possible indicator for ROTE.
>> 3. The “obvious dark bars,†as Sibley says, on the wings.
>>
>> However, I know I am no expert, and I would appreciate a weigh-in before
>> I add it to my eBird checklist for that outing. I don't want to rely on
>> Merlin Photo ID (which also says this is a ROTE).
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Lola
>>
>
>> --
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "mbbirds" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
>> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
>> To view this discussion visit
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAFCCGgmj6oFz3WeNZkX6S1Tp%2B%<3DpihMzJiJCm2RWf9TKLuhXCbw...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAFCCGgmj6oFz3WeNZkX6S1Tp%2B%<3DpihMzJiJCm2RWf9TKLuhXCbw...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "mbbirds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAAF0wfHENqfM%<3DmVHCn35x2sbZFS2ugfnFz2o4eOBONdsoCaqpw...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAAF0wfHENqfM%<3DmVHCn35x2sbZFS2ugfnFz2o4eOBONdsoCaqpw...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Date: 8/8/26 7:38 pm From: Jeff Manker <fireweed8...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Royal Tern?
Lola,
I am not an expert on terns either, but size alone would make me say it is
not a ROTE. Comparing it only to the birds that it is flying in front of,
it seems smaller than both of them. If it were a ROTE it would be close to
the size of the CATE and yet it appears smaller than the ELTE.
Could it be a Common Tern?
Jeff Manker
Alameda
On Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 7:05 PM Lola Ross <lolabones...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Brian Scanlon and I looked at a lot of terns on 21st Beach on Thursday,
> August 6 (nice meeting you and birding with you, Brian!). We found several
> candidates for the ROTE that had been spotted the day before, but we kept
> eliminating them as young ELTEs. However, going back through my photos
> today, there were a few birds that gave me pause, none more than this one.
> I’m talking about the one with open wings, landing in front of the CATE. I
> may be off, but to me it looks like there are a couple of good markers for
> ROTE, based on what I can find in Sibley, Merlin, and elsewhere online.
>
> 1. The darkness of the bill for what is clearly a juvenile/immature bird.
> 2. The gonydeal angle on the bill looks (to my eye) like it is more
> forward on the bill, closer to â…” of the way away from the base, which would
> be a possible indicator for ROTE.
> 3. The “obvious dark bars,†as Sibley says, on the wings.
>
> However, I know I am no expert, and I would appreciate a weigh-in before I
> add it to my eBird checklist for that outing. I don't want to rely on
> Merlin Photo ID (which also says this is a ROTE).
>
> Thanks,
> Lola
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "mbbirds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAFCCGgmj6oFz3WeNZkX6S1Tp%2B%<3DpihMzJiJCm2RWf9TKLuhXCbw...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAFCCGgmj6oFz3WeNZkX6S1Tp%2B%<3DpihMzJiJCm2RWf9TKLuhXCbw...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Date: 8/8/26 7:05 pm From: Lola Ross <lolabones...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Royal Tern?
Hi all,
Brian Scanlon and I looked at a lot of terns on 21st Beach on Thursday,
August 6 (nice meeting you and birding with you, Brian!). We found several
candidates for the ROTE that had been spotted the day before, but we kept
eliminating them as young ELTEs. However, going back through my photos
today, there were a few birds that gave me pause, none more than this one.
I’m talking about the one with open wings, landing in front of the CATE. I
may be off, but to me it looks like there are a couple of good markers for
ROTE, based on what I can find in Sibley, Merlin, and elsewhere online.
1. The darkness of the bill for what is clearly a juvenile/immature bird.
2. The gonydeal angle on the bill looks (to my eye) like it is more forward
on the bill, closer to â…” of the way away from the base, which would be a
possible indicator for ROTE.
3. The “obvious dark bars,†as Sibley says, on the wings.
However, I know I am no expert, and I would appreciate a weigh-in before I
add it to my eBird checklist for that outing. I don't want to rely on
Merlin Photo ID (which also says this is a ROTE).
Date: 8/8/26 6:58 pm From: Matthew Coale <matthewcoale02...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Re: sooty Shearwtats Again
Sooty Shearwaters off the Harbor and whale activity beyond the Shearwaters. Sorry for the typos
Sent from my iPhone please excuse any spelling or typing errors.
Matthew
> On Aug 8, 2026, at 6:53 PM, Matthew Coale <matthewcoale02...> wrote:
>
> Right off the harbor extending down to Blacks point
> Matthew
> Sent from my iPhone please excuse any spelling or typing errors.
> Matthew
>
These three photos are all the same bird, taken at Wilder Ranch on the Old Cove Trail a few days ago. I suspect OCW, but the messy head with black flecks is throwing me off. Any suggestions or thoughts would be appreciated. Merlin had picked up an OCW shortly before I saw this bird, and it seemed right size-wise too. Seemed bigger than a lesser goldfinch (and the bill is all wrong for a goldfinch), but I know I have difficulties with gauging size in the field.
Date: 7/25/26 6:56 pm From: Matthew Coale <matthewcoale02...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Late Report
A good yard bird yesterday. One of the juvenile BALD EAGLES from Schwan Lake was seen from 6th Ave. looking east towards 7thAve. It attracted a gull that wanted to harass it a bit but a nice view. Nice to see the "little" ones getting out.
Unfortunately, this sequence was shot through two tinted double pane
windows, in misty light. Did what I could to clean up in post
processing. If you have a favorite, or perhaps pithy caption for a
particular image, please feel free to share. It would be fun to read.
For a list of birds seen or heard this morning near our home in Soquel,
see the ebird list:
