Northern and Central California 2024-2026

September 21, 2026 Pacific Grove, Monterey County CA (29 Species) Callyn Yorke

Weather: Overcast; 62F. wind WNW 5- 7 mph. Seas relatively calm; surf 1-2 ft. High tide @ 0730 hrs. Visibility about 4 mi..

Time: 0730 -1910 hrs.

Area Covered: Intermittent, stationary observations using a 30-60x scope with tripod and a 10 x 42 binocular., centered on a private residence in the Del Monte Park subdivision of Pacific Grove (see Wildlife Yard List). Habitats surveyed included, mature Monterey Pine(90 ft., 3-4 ft. dbh) and Coast Live Oak with a riparian seepage (an extension of the Morse Botanical Reserve); suburban gardens featuring mostly exotic, ornamental plants; mature, heavily trimmed Monterey Pine and Monterey Cypress; rocky shoreline and intertidal zone, scattered large rock outcrops (Pt. Joe), coastal dune-sage golf course landscaping adjacent to the 17-mile Drive; Pacific Ocean to an offshore distance of about 0.3 mi. within the Asilomar Marine Reserve adjacent to Monterey Bay.

BIRDS NOTED

• Feral Rock Pigeon 8 greg. in flight around neighborhood.
• Eurasian Collared Dove 3 greg. on utility poles.
• Anna’s Hummingbird 2 (m, f) frequenting flowering plants in yard.
• Black Oystercatcher 1 seen briefly in flight over intertidal zone.
• Common Murre 4 individuals diving about 100m offshore.
• Heermann’s Gull 2 individuals flying E, about 150m offshore.
• Western Gull 10 (ad., imm.) on utility poles, rock outcrops and in flight throughout the area.
• Loon sp. 10 low, fast flight, W 200-500m offshore.
• Sooty Shearwater 100 + (conserv. est. during about 15 min. total observation time), intermittent, loosely greg. flocks in low, fast flight 500-1500m offshore.
• Brandt’s Cormorant 60 greg. in linear flocks, flying low 100-400m offshore; a few on large rock outcrops and flying over intertidal zone.
• Pelagic Cormorant 3 ID, relatively rapid wing stroke, in late afternoon, individuals and pairs flying low, E & W, 100-200m offshore.
• Turkey Vulture 1 soaring above neighborhood.
• Red-shouldered Hawk 1 vocal; in flight over neighborhood; a pair being seen and heard for several days in this area.
• Acorn Woodpecker 4 (m,f) greg. vocal, frequenting suet and mixed seed-nut feeders.
• Hairy Woodpecker 1 (m) low on dead pine trunk next to a large woodpile in the woodland easement behind the yard. Not observed visiting the feeders.
• Hutton’s Vireo 1 using bird bath in backyard.
• Steller’s Jay 1 vocal (unseen) in the neighborhood.
• California Scrub-jay 1 on utility line in front yard.
• American Crow 4 vocal, greg. in flight over the neighborhood.
• Chestnut-backed Chickadee 2 visiting suet and mixed seed-nut feeders.
• Oak Titmouse 2 visiting mixed seed-nut feeder.
• Barn Swallow 3 in flight over golf course.
• Pygmy Nuthatch 3 greg. frequenting suet and mixed seed-nut feeders; also drinking (not bathing) at bird bath.
• Bewick’s Wren 1 on ground beneath large garden shrub in backyard.
• House Finch 8 greg. in flight over golf course.
• Lesser Goldfinch 5 in flight over same area as HOFI.
• Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 6 greg. frequenting feeders and using bird bath in backyard.
• California Towhee 2 greg. a pair using bird bath and foraging on ground in backyard.
• Spotted Towhee 1 (f) scratching and removing surface pine chips on ground in backyard.

______________________________

September 10, 2026 Salinas River State Beach and Moss Landing Harbor, Monterey County CA (30 Species) Callyn Yorke

Weather: Fair with high stratus; 68F (regional heat wave diminished from previous two days); wind W, 5- 7 mph; seas relatively calm, surf 1-1.5 ft.; incoming tide.

Time: 0750-0950 hrs.

Observers: Johnny Powell and I

Areas Covered:

Beginning in the parking lot at the Salinas River State Beach (SRB) south trail entrance, we walked north on both sides (east and west) of the channel bordered by a wetland with mixed coastal sage and dune revegetation areas; non-native patches of ice plant along the east embankment trail (satellite map & photo).

Continuing westward into the dunes, we emerged onto the inner, sandy shore above the high tide line. Abundant driftwood and dried wrack interspersed with divots in the sand from pedestrian traffic. Noteworthy findings in the sandy zone above the high tide line included a flock of Western Snowy Plover and a grouping of three dead Common Murre (excluded from species count). A few people were in the area during our visit; two with leashed dogs. We surveyed the dunes, shoreline and nearshore waters to about 0.25 mi..

We then drove the CA-1 access road north into Moss Landing harbor, visiting the magnificently restored Western Flyer (photo) docked adjacent to the Western Flyer Foundation office (closed).We surveyed the harbor channel, old docks and pilings and patches of ornamental trees and shrubs around the shipyard.

BIRDS NOTED

• Mallard 20 (m,f) greg. dabbling in main channel, mostly in shallows.
• Surf Scoter 8 (m,f) greg. a cohesive flock swimming just outside the breakers.
• Feral Rock Pigeon 10 greg. on harbor dock.
• Eurasian Collared Dove 2 greg. a pair on a utility line, SRB.
• Anna’s Hummingbird 5 individuals in coyote bush and ornamental shrubs throughout.
• Snowy Plover 10 greg. mostly stationary in sand divots above the high tide line (none found with leg bands), SRB.
• Short-billed Dowitcher 1 foraging with a WILL on west marginal mudflat of tidal channel, SRB.
• Marbled Godwit 5 greg. two small flocks, flying low, downstream over tidal channel SRB..
• Willet 100 (conserv. est.) greg. in Salicornia marsh and adjacent mudflats, SRB.
• Greater Yellowlegs 1 on west marginal mudflat of tidal channel, SRB.
• Least Sandpiper 12 greg. on inner, west mudflat margins of tidal channel, SRB.
• Common Murre 3 in odd grouping, dead in sand above high tide line; cause of death undetermined, SRB.
• Heermann’s Gull 50 greg. (predominantly ad. bsc. plmg; one or two juv.) on harbor breakwater with BRPE and BRCO.
• California Gull 2 in flight downstream over main channel, SRB.
• Western Gull 20 (ad., imm.) ubiq..
• Elegant Tern 80 greg. scattered flocks in unidirectional, SW flight offshore, SRB; several diving in harbor channel.
• Brandt’s Cormorant 25 greg. on harbor breakwater.
• Pelagic Cormorant 1 in flight offshore, SRB.
• Double-crested Cormorant 30 greg. on harbor pilings and breakwaters.
• Snowy Egret 10 loosely greg in marsh and backwater shallows, SRB.
• Great Egret 3 individuals at edge of channel and marsh, SRB.
• Great Blue Heron 1 in shallows at edge of channel, SRB.
• Brown Pelican 80 (ad.,imm) greg. most on harbor breakwater; a few in flight near shore, SRB.
• Northern Harrier 1 (m) low flight and landing in open field of mixed Salicornia and coastal sage, SRB.
• Red-tailed Hawk 1 (imm.) low flight over dunes, SRB.
• Black Phoebe 2 trailside sallying from coyote bush, SRB.
• House Finch 10 (m,f) greg. in residential garden and on adjacent utility lines, SRB.
• Savannah Sparrow 2 voc. on post at edge of parking area on northwest edge of SRB near bridge;
• White-crowned Sparrow 5 individuals and pairs in coastal sage and dune edge, SRB; harbor parking area.
• Brewer’s Blackbird 6 (m,f) greg. on ground in parking lot at SRB trail entrance.
• Red-winged Blackbird 4 (m) greg. vocal in large cypress, harbor parking lot.

__________________________

September 8, 2026 Seawatch Pt. Pinos, Pacific Grove, Monterey County CA (8 Species) Callyn Yorke

Weather: Fair, 65F; wind NW 5-7 mph; High tide; seas relatively calm, surf 0.5 ft.; visibility about 3 mi..

Time: 1020-1120 hrs.

Observers: Johnny Powell and I

Area Covered: Stationary observations using 10 x 42 binoculars and a 30-60x scope from the roadside parking areas adjacent to the Seawatch at Pt. Pinos. Shoreline, rock outcrops, intertidal and nearshore waters to about 0.5 mi.; adjacent golf course, Crespi Pond and fringing marsh; roadside coastal sage and patches of coastal dune revegetation areas.

BIRDS NOTED

• Black Oystercatcher 5 vocal; pairs on rocks and low flights over intertidal zone.
• Brandt’s Cormorant 20 greg. low flight offshore; small flocks on large rock outcrops.
• Pelagic Cormoreant 8 greg. on large rock outcrops with BRCO but usually lower ledges closest to waterline.
• Brown Pelican 30 greg. in low flight offshore; small flocks on large rock outcrops with BRCO.
• Western Gull 30 ad., imm. vocal, greg. in low flight near and offshore; small flock on rocky beach with HEEG.
• Heermann’s Gull 10 (ad) greg. a small flock with WEGU on rocky beach.
• Elegant Tern 180 geg., largely unidirectional, NW flight in disjointed flocks offshore.
• American Crow 2 vocal, greg. a pair in flight over adjacent pond and golf course.

_____________________________

September 7, 2026 Kirby Park, North Elkhorn Slough, Monterey County CA (33 Species) Callyn Yorke

Weather: Fair; 61F to 72F; wind NW 2-6 mph. High tide.

Time: 0925-1155 hrs.

Observers: Johnny Powell and I

Area Covered:

Beginning at the parking lot of Kirby Park, we observed birds in the adjacent saltwater lagoons, backwaters and main slough (see August 30, 2026 entry for a description of this area). Continuing on a trail northward with a boardwalk section, and returning the same route, we covered a round-trip distance of about 0.6 mi.(see satellite image above). The parking area was nearly full by the time we left the area; several other birders were present during our visit. A dead California Sea Lion was at the NW corner of the parking lot. Presumably, this and many other sea lion deaths relate to toxins associated with algal blooms caused by regionally elevated seawater temperatures.

BIRDS NOTED

• Blue-winged Teal 5 (f) greg. dabbling in shallow backwaters.
• Black-necked Stilt 25 greg. foraging in shallow backwaters.
• Black-bellied Plover 1 (bsc. plmg.) at edge of Salicornia marsh and main slough channel.
• Killdeer 1 on railroad rail.
• Semi-palmated Plover 3 greg. on backwater mudflats.
• Hudsonian Whimbrel 4 greg. in Salicornia marsh.
• Long-billed Curlew 2 in Salicornia marsh.
• Marbled Godwit 60 greg. in Salicornia marsh and low flight around area.
• Short-billed Dowitcher 2 greg. (bsc. plmg.) a pair on narrow mudflat at edge of slough.
• Red-necked Phalarope 30 greg. foraging in shallow backwaters; low flight around area.
• Lesser Yellowlegs 1 foraging in shallow backwater.
• Willet 30 greg. in shallow backwater, Salicornia and mudflats throughout.
• Least Sandpiper 60 greg. (ad., imm; bsc. plmg.) foraging on marginal mudflats in backwaters and edge of slough; intraspecific aggression (chasing on mudflat) observed in one adult individual, with outstretched neck and appearing significantly larger than nearby LESA.
• Western Sandpiper 25 (ad., imm. bsc. plmg.) greg. foraging on backwater mudflat, mostly 10-20 yd. apart from LESA.
• Ring-billed Gull 5 swimming at edge of slough and Salicornia; low flight over slough.
• American Herring Gull 1 C3 (ID: a relatively large gull with conspicuous light gray upper wings) in steady, low flight northward over slough.
• Western Gull 5 (ad., imm) swimming in slough at edge of marsh; in low flight over slough; perched on post at edge of slough.
• Forster’s Tern 1 repeated dives in slough.
• Elegant Tern 65 (ad., imm) greg. vocal, a fairly cohesive flock flying around slough; frequent diving.
• Pelagic Cormorant 1 (ad. bsc. plmg.) on post in slough.
• Double-crested Cormorant 5 in low flight over slough.
• Snowy Egret 15 greg. in Salicornia marsh and backwater mudflats.
• Great Egret 7 individuals scattered in Salicornia marsh and backwaters.
• Red-tailed Hawk 1 flying low over oak woodland, Elkhorn Rd..
• Black Phoebe 3 individuals sallying from fence at edge of marsh.
• California Scrub-jay 1 vocal (unseen) adjacent hillside chaparral-oak woodland.
• American Crow 2 vocal in flight over Elkhorn Rd..
• Violet-green Swallow 2 greg. a pair in repeated low flights over slough.
• Barn Swallow 2 greg.. a pair in repeated low flights over marsh and backwaters.
• Song Sparrow 2 in Salicornia marsh near the boardwalk.
• Savannah Sparrow 3 vocal (calls) Salicorni a marsh, trailside.
• California Towhee 1 at edge of Elkhorn Rd..
• Brewer’s Blackbird 1 (m) on boardwalk trail.

____________________________

September 1, 2026 Pt. Lobos State Reserve, Monterey County CA (18 Species) Callyn Yorke

Weather: Fair; 69F to 72F; wind WNW 2 – 5mph; seas relatively calm @ high tide.

Time: 114-1300 hrs.

Areas Covered: Beginning at the Cypress Grove parking area and visitor’s kiosk, I walked out to the bluff overlooking intertidal rocks, shoreline and nearshore waters (CG).Dozens of California Sea Lions were vocalizing on the offshore rocks; one Harbor Seal was on a nearshore rock outcrop; several Sea Otters were also in the nearshore intertidal giant kelp zone. I next drove southward on the paved road terminus at the Bird Island parking area. From there, I took the trail out to the bluff overlooking Bird Island, coves, beaches and the intertidal zone largely filled with kelp (BI – photo). Bird Island supported hundreds of Brown Pelican and with much smaller aggregations of Brandt’s Cormorant. Landward coastal sage dominated with monkey flower, false heather and abundant poison oak. Scattered stands of mature Monterey Pine and Monterey Cypress occurred throughout the area. Dozens of other visitors were on the trails during the survey; automobile traffic increased substantially as I was leaving the reserve at 1300 hrs..

BIRDS NOTED

• Mallard 1 (f) dabbling in giant kelp bed near a beach and cove, BI.
• Feral Rock Pigeon 1 flew to edge of bluff trail, BI.
• Black Oystercatcher 4 individuals standing on the edges of nearshore rock outcrops, CT.
• Heermann’s Gull 20 (ad., imm) greg. resting on nearshore rock outcrop with WEGU.
• Western Gull 80 (ad., imm. – juvenile; C1) greg. on nearshore and offshore rock outcrops; beaches and coves, CT, BI.
• Elegant Tern 8 individuals; direct flight southward about 50 ft. above surface, 0.25 mi offshore.
• Brandt’s Cormorant 40 greg. in low flight offshore and on nearshore and offshore rock outcrops, CT, BI.
• Pelagic Cormorant 15 greg. on cliff face and edges of nearshore rock outcrops.
• Great Egret 1 standing on floating giant kelp mat, moving to a floating utility pole, sheltered cove, BI.
• Brown Pelican 500 (conserv. est) ad., imm. greg. in low flight nearshore; most birds fairly evenly spaced apart (3-5 ft.) throughout Bird Island. Many sitting in full sun.
• Turkey Vulture 3 soaring over intertidal rocks; two individuals soaring 150-200 ft. agl on thermals over adjacent hills.
• Northern (RS) Flicker 1 flushed from trailside field of coastal sage, CT.
• Steller’s Jay 1 vocal (unseen) forest behind parking area, BI.
• California Scrub-Jay 1 on ground in parking lot picnic area, BI.
• American Crow 2 vocal, in flight over parking area, BI.
• Northern (Common) Raven 1 vocal (unseen) in forest behind parking area.
• White-crowned Sparrow 1 on ground at edge of poison oak patch in parking area, CT.
• Song Sparrow 3 vocal (calls) trailside coastal sage, CT, BI.

_________________________

August 30, 2026 Elkhorn Slough, Watsonville, Monterey County CA (30 Species) Callyn Yorke

Weather: Fair; 65F; Wind WNW 5 – 10 mph; high tide.

Time: 1140-1300 hrs.

Area Covered: Kirby Park, about 4 miles northwest of the intersection of Dolan Rd. and Elkhorn Rd., is in the northern section of Elkhorn Slough. I surveyed birds from the parking area and adjacent railroad tracks, mostly those birds found foraging and resting in the shallow backwater lagoons and saltwater marsh on the northeast side of the railroad tracks; A distant saltwater marsh to the southwest, across the slough, was also partially surveyed. I used a 30x spotting scope and monopod; a 10 x 42 binocular and Nikon D3X camera fitted with a Nikon 80-400mm lens. Digital images of distant birds were subsequently reviewed and used to verify bird identifications. About twenty acres of slough and marsh habitat were surveyed.

BIRDS NOTED

• Black-necked Stilt 14 (ad., imm.) greg. foraging in shallows.
• Black-bellied Plover 60 greg. a cohesive flock in low flight over the slough.
• Semi-palmated Plover 2 on exposed mudflat.
• Long-billed Curlew 1 resting in saltmarsh.
• Marbled Godwit 115 (conserv. est.) foraging in shallows and resting in saltmarsh.
• Short-billed Dowitcher 10 (perhaps many more concealed at edge of saltmarsh), most resting at edge of saltmarsh; two foraging in shallows.
• Red-necked Phalarope 130 (ad., imm.; most in bsc.; about 10 % trans. bsc. plmg.) greg. foraging in shallows; some resting at edge of saltmarsh; in low flight around the backwaters.
• Lesser Yellowlegs 2 foraging in shallows and adjacent saltmarsh.
• Willet 5 greg. foraging in shallows at edge of saltmarsh.
• Greater Yellowlegs 2 foraging in shallows with LESA, WESA and RNPH.
• Sanderling 100 a cohesive flock in low, circling flight over backwater, then leaving the area and flying SW.
• Least Sandpiper 30 loosely greg. foraging in shallows and mudflats at edge of saltmarsh.
• Western Sandpiper 20 loosely greg. foraging with LESA in shallows and mudflats at edge of saltmarsh.
• Ring-billed Gull 2 (ad. ) resting on mudflat peninsula to the south.
• Western Gull 4 (ad., imm. C2) resting on mudflat peninsula; one swimming in slough at edge of saltmarsh.
• California Gull 2 (imm. C1, C2) in low flight over slough; one on mudflat peninsula.
• Forster’s Tern 5 resting on mudflat peninsula with ELTE; in flight over slough; perched on partially submerged fence post.
• Elegant Tern 3 resting on mudflat peninsula with nearby BRPE.
• Double-crested Cormorant 12 greg. resting on peninsula mudflat with BRPE.
• Snowy Egret 16 greg. resting in saltmarsh.
• Great Egret 5 on mudflat and in saltmarsh.
• Great Blue Heron 1 on fence post at edge of saltmarsh.
• American White Pelican 40 greg. resting on mudflat peninsula; two alighting next to flock.
• Brown Pelican 15 resting on mudflat peninsula, mostly apart from AWPE.
• Turkey Vulture 2 individuals soaring 30-50 ft. agl over adjacent oak woodland on Elkhorn Rd..
• Black Phoebe 1 sallying from fence post at edge of saltmarsh and coastal sage.
• American Crow 2 in flight over Elkhorn Rd.
• Barn Swallow 2 in low flight over slough.
• Savannah Sparrow 1 on fence post at parking area. (photo).

• Brewer’s Blackbird 1 (m) on ground in parking area.

____________________________

August 25, 2026 Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach, Monterey County CA (13 Species) Callyn Yorke

Weather: Partly cloudy, visibility about 5 mi.; low tide with choppy seas; surf 1-2 ft. 68F. wind W 3 -7 mph.

Time: 1550-1640 hrs.

Areas Covered: Traveling at an average speed of 12 mph on an e-bicycle from Austin Ave., Pacific Grove, I proceeded on multiple paved streets northwest through Pebble Beach, directly to the west end of Spanish Bay. Birds were surveyed visually and aurally while in transit; PB habitats included pine-oak woodland, suburban gardens, golf course and coastal sage. At Spanish Bay, I surveyed birds on the kelp lined shore, intertidal rocks, surf zone and nearshore waters to about 0.5 mi., using a 10 x 42 binocular. Pedestrian traffic was light throughout the area; auto traffic moderately heavy on Sunset Drive., at the east end of Spanish Bay adjacent to Asilomar Beach. My survey route totaled about 6 mi.

BIRDS NOTED

• Killdeer 3 on sandy shore of brackish estuary pond at east end of Spanish Bay.
• Semipalmated Plover 1 with KILL on sandy shore of brackish estuary pond.
• Hudsonian Whimbrel 5 greg. in low flight over intertidal area and on sandy shore of brackish estuary pond.
• Wandering Tattler 2 vocal when flushed from kelp beach wrack by a pedestrian on west shore of bay.
• Least Sandpiper 1 foraging on sandy shore of brackish estuary pond with SEPL and KILL.
• Western Gull 10 (8 ad., 1 C1) on intertidal rocks, west side of bay.
• Brandt’s Cormorant 20 greg. low flight offshore; 2 on intertidal rocks, west side of bay.
• Pelagic Cormorant 3 greg. with BRCO, preening on intertidal rocks.
• Brown Pelican 1 flying low over shore, east end of bay.
• Acorn Woodpecker 2 vocal, in flight, PB pine-oak woods.
• American Crow 4 greg. in flight, PB.
• California Scrub-jay 2 in flight, PB.
• Brewer’s Blackbird 1 (m) on beach around picnic table, west bay.

______________________

August 23, 2026: Point Pinos Seawatch, Pacific Grove, Monterey County, CA (13 Species) Callyn Yorke

Weather: Overcast with patchy low fog; visibility about 0.5 mi.. Wind WNW 5 -10 mph; 60F., high tide, seas choppy; surf 2-3 ft.

Time: 1100-1215 hrs.

Area Covered: Stationary observations from the low bluff next to the parking area. I scoped the nearshore waters to the visibility limit of about 0.5 mi.; A Zeiss 10 x 42 binocular was used for shoreline rock outcrops and adjacent coastal sage with extensive patches of roadside ice plant. Sunday pedestrian (many with leashed dogs), cycle and auto traffic was heavy.

BIRDS NOTED

• Turkey Vulture 2 greg. initially perched on shoreline rock outcrop, then taking flight over the shore.
• Black Oystercatcher 4 vocal, greg. on and flying around intertidal rocks.
• Western Gull 15 (ad., imm) on rocks and in flight.
• Heermann’s Gull 2 (ad, imm) in low flight over water.
• Stercorarius sp. 1 0.5 mi. offshore with SOSH flock and WEGU, circling above.
• Elegant Tern 1 hovering around a fast moving flock of SOSH about 0.5 mi. offshore.
• Sooty Shearwater 1,500 (conserv. est.) greg. fairly cohesive flocks moving fast; difficult to count due to distance from shore; keeping predominantly to an easterly heading; a wheeling, undulating flight pattern, 1 – 30 ft. over water surface.
• Caspian Tern 1 flying west over water near shore.
• Brown Pelican 12 greg. low flight over water near shore.
• Pelagic Cormorant 50 greg. preening on rocks; in flight and diving near shore.
• Brandt’s Cormorant 20 greg. most seen in low flight, eastward about 100 yd. offshore; a few on rocks.
• Double-crested Cormorant 1 on rocks near shore.
• American Crow 2 greg. a pair on rocks near shore.

____________________________

January 7, 2026 Pt. Pinos Seawatch; Crespi Pond, Pacific Grove, Monterey County, CA (24 Species) Callyn Yorke

Weather: Partly cloudy; visibility about 3 mi.; 53F; wind WNW 10 mph; Tide medium high, surf 2-4 ft.

Time: 0915 – 1100 hrs.

Areas Covered: Roadside parking next to the golf course, directly opposite shoreline parking areas; I walked along the roadway, initially surveying Crespi Pond and the adjacent fairway. Subsequently, I walked about 0.2 mi westward on the coastal trail, stopping frequently to observe birds in the intertidal zone and nearshore waters, using a 10 x 42 binocular and Nikon D850 coupled with a Nikon pf 500 mm lens. Pedestrian and auto traffic was fairly heavy after 1000 hrs.

BIRDS NOTED

• Canada Goose 3 greg. flying over golf course.
• Surf Scoter 18 greg. in a cohesive, linear flight formation, low over the water, about 200 yd. offshore heading eastward.
• Red-breasted Merganser 5 (m,f) individuals diving in the intertidal areas.
• Pacific Loon 12 most seen in low flight over the surface, 100-300 yards offshore.
• Common Murre 5-10 individuals and pairs flying low over surface, 100-300 yards offshore.
• Pied-billed Grebe 1 swimming in pond.
• Western Grebe 5 loosely greg. swimming outside of surf zone.
• Black Turnstone 2 greg. a pair on tidepool rocks.
• Black Oystercatcher 5 greg. highly vocal, on large intertidal rocks; in low flight between rock outcrops.
• Western Gull 50 (80% ad.) on rocks, shore, in flight; ubiq..
• Heermann’s Gull 70 (80% ad.) in msf with WEGU on outer rocks.
• Snowy Egret 2 an individual at edge of pond and another on intertidal rocks.
• Brown Pelican 25 greg. in low flight over inshore waters.
• Pelagic Cormorant 30 greg. diving in intertidal areas; on rocks.
• Brandt’s Cormorant 40 greg. on rocks; in flight, low over surface, 50-200 yards offshore.
• Double-crested Cormorant 1 flying low over tidepool rocks.
• Black Phoebe 2 on tidepool rocks.
• Say’s Phoebe 1 on fairway post.
• American Crow 10 greg. ubiq..
• White-crowned Sparrow 10 (ad.) greg. pairs on ground in parking areas and adjacent coastal sage scrub.
• Yellow-rumped (Audubon’s) Warbler 3 aerial hawking from intertidal and shoreline rocks.
• Red-winged Blackbird 12 in marsh around pond.
• Brewer’s Blackbird 8 on lawns and bare ground in parking area.

_____________________________

January 6, 2026 Carmel Meadows Trail, Monterey County CA (34 Species) Callyn Yorke

Weather: Partly cloudy; 52F; wind NW 5-10 mph., medium high tide, surf 2-5 ft.

Time: 0815-1020 hrs.

Area Covered: From the trailhead @ Cuesta and Ribera Rd., I walked south on the upper trail overlooking the shore and nearshore waters. The trail goes through coastal chaparral with a mixture of coyote bush and native herbs with outcrops of exotic ice plant. alyssum and other escapees from adjacent gardens. The trail turns northward approaching the intertidal zone with large rocks and sand. I reached the mouth of the Carmel River, surveying the tidal channel and sandy banks, where scattered flocks of Bufflehead, were observed. I returned along the same outgoing trail route. A few other people were on the trail, some with leashed dogs. No dogs were seen on the north side of the riverbank.

BIRDS NOTED

• Surf Scoter 16 (m,f) greg. swimming outside of surf zone.
• Bufflehead 20 (m,f) greg. diving in river channel.
• Anna’s Hummingbird 1 (m) on conspicuous perch in chaparral.
• Black Oystercatcher 5 greg. highly vocal, in flight, near shore.
• Common Murre 1 diving outside of surf zone.
• Heermann’s Gull 4 (ad., imm) with flock of WEGU and CAGU.
• Short-billed Gull 6 greg. with CAGU on sandy riverbank.
• Western Gull 20 (ad., imm) greg. with CAGU on sandy riverbank.
• California Gull 25 ad. and imm. (C2,C3, C4), greg. large flock on sandy riverbank.
• Glaucous-winged Gull 1 (C4) in flight over intertidal zone.
• Horned Grebe 3 greg. swimming outside of surf zone.
• Western Grebe 1 swimming outside of surf zone.
• Pacific Loon 1 swimming outside of surf zone.
• Brandt’s Cormorant 15 individuals diving outside of surf zone.
• Pelagic Cormorant 1 swimming outside of surf zone.
• Double-crested Cormorant 2 in flight over river.
• Snowy Egret 2 upriver in shallows; in flight over shore.
• Great Egret 1 offshore standing on shallow reef.
• Brown Pelican 2 greg. low flight over river mouth.
• Northern Harrier 1 (f) perched in marsh at river mouth.
• Black Phoebe 1 on pile of driftwood, sandy riverbank.
• Say’s Phoebe 1 perched atop chaparral next to beach.
• American Crow 5 vocal, in flight.
• Wrentit 3 loosely greg. vocal in trailside chaparral, n.
• Bewick’s Wren 1 in tree at trailhead.
• American Pipit 1 on sandy riverbank.
• House Finch 12 (m,f) greg. vocal, trailside chaparral, n.
• White-crowned Sparrow 15 in trailside chaparral throughout.
• Golden-crowned Sparrow 12 (ad. , imm) trailside chaparral, n.
• Song Sparrow 15 vocal, ubiq..
• Lincoln’s Sparrow 1 with WCSP, trailside chaparral.
• Spotted Towhee 3 vocal in trailside chaparral.
• Common Yellowthroat 1 vocal, trailside marsh, n.
• Yellow-rumped (Audubon’s) Warbler 8 individuals hover-gleaning, aerial-hawking insects; trailside chaparral and adjacent gardens.

____________________________________

_______________________________

October 12-14, 2024: Pillar Point and Harbor, James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Venice State Beach, Half Moon Bay; Bayfront Park, Millbrae, San Mateo County, CA (60 Species) Callyn Yorke

Weather: Low fog AM; clearing by 1100 hrs.. 57°F to 68°F; Wind WNW 2 – 10 mph; low tide @ 1030 hrs.; surf 1-2 ft.; seas calm until around 1130 hrs., when becoming choppy from onshore winds.

Time: 0856 – 1600 hrs.

Observers: Dạ Thảo Lê Nguyễn and C. Yorke (10/12/24); CY (10/13/24).

Areas Covered:

1) Pillar Point, Princeton Harbor, El Granada of Half Moon Bay, including the Pillar Point Wetlands, harbors, breakwaters, pier, shoreline, nearshore waters; adjacent coastal chaparral and ruderal patches (PP); James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (FMR) and Venice State Beach (VSB) (10/12; 10/13/24).

Our initial visit to the area (10/12/24: 0856-1010 hrs.) began at the Pillar Point Wetlands trailhead parking area, where we walked westward at the base of a bluff, bordering a shoreline, harbor and breakwater. The trail terminated at the legendary Maverick’s, winter big wave surfing spot. We returned to the parking area along the same route.

At least twenty people, the majority with unleashed dogs, were in the posted Pillar Point Wetlands and on adjacent shorelines during our visit (photos). There were no shorebirds or waders and very few waterbirds near shore, along the route surveyed. This was particularly true for the shoreline bordering the Pillar Point Wetlands.

The scene was similar to a bird survey I made here in November 2012, in which there were fewer than a dozen free-ranging dogs; yet those present with their owners appeared quite adept at flushing flocks of highly mobile Sanderlings and Western Sandpipers. Evidently, many dog owners are oblivious to the worldwide biodiversity crisis and simply ignore official signs that state either, NO DOGS or ALL DOGS MUST BE ON A LEASH. At Pillar Point, there is no effective enforcement of local dog-control ordinances. As a result, wintering and resident shorebirds have vanishingly few foraging or sheltering options and are often forced vacate the area in search of relatively remote shorelines, breakwaters and State refuges and beaches, where dogs are absent and/or dog regulations are taken seriously. Those locations are often terribly overcrowded with migratory birds, which are subjected to the rapid spread of avian diseases.

Additional surveys of the Pillar Point main harbor and pier, adjacent breakwaters and harbor waters, were made (10/13/24 & 10/14/24: 1000-1125 hrs.; 0800-0830 hrs.). Although sightings of a Northern Gannet on the breakwater were made here earlier by another birder (10/14/24: around 0700 hrs.), I was unable to locate this vagrant species from the Atlantic Ocean region. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of Brown Pelican, Double-crested and Brandt’s Cormorant on the breakwaters around the PP harbor, had apparently attracted the wayward gannet to the likes of its closest phylogenetic relatives.

Two nearby, dog-less ecological reserves in Half Moon Bay were visited: James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (FMR – 10/12/24: 1430-1600 hrs.) and Venice Beach State Park (VSP -10/13/24: 1200-1335 hrs.). Of those two places, the latter produced a substantial number of birds, including a flock of about one-hundred gulls resting at the high tide line, together with a variety of land birds occupying adjacent coastal chaparral-riparian-Eucalyptus habitat.

2) Bayfront Park, Millbrae (BFP – 10/14/24: 1217-1250 hrs.). I made a brief visual survey, using a Zeiss 10×42 binocular and Nikon D850 with a pf 500mm lens, of waterbirds in the tidal saltmarsh bordering the SFO airport. This wetland, which, viewed from the busy Old Bayshore Highway, appears to have little potential as viable habitat for birds.

This section of the San Francisco Bay experiences constant, high-decibel jet-aircraft noise during take-offs, combined with an adjacent busy roadway. Perhaps due to its infrequent use by dog owners, the Bayfront trail provides relatively close-up views of birds in the tidal marsh. In fact, flocks of waterbirds could be seen resting at high tide within about twenty-five yards of the pedestrian walkway (photo). Further northward, immediately adjacent to an airport runway, inaccessible to the public, many more waterbirds were visible, perhaps most easily identified with a 25-35x spotting scope. Evidently, those birds have habituated to the aircraft noise, jet fuel vapors, air turbulence and other disturbances. Signs posted along the Bayfront trail advise people to refrain from feeding birds (i.e., ducks and geese), which can be a significant hazard to aviation.

BIRDS NOTED

• Canada Goose 21 greg. (gregarious), resting on the the southern section and little disturbed, inner beach dunes, VSP.
• Northern Shoveler 60 (m,f) greg. most in shallows and resting on mudflats, n border of airport runway, BFP.
• Teal sp. cf. Cinnamon Teal 1 (f) in shallows with NOSH, n border of airport runway, BFP.
• Mallard 3 (m,f) greg. in lower stream-marsh outlet to beach, VSB.
• Surf Scoter 2 (m) greg., a pair flying nw, low, about 0.1 mi. offshore, VSB.
• Pied-billed Grebe 1 swimming in harbor, PP.
• Eared Grebe 2 diving nearshore at Maverick’s, PP.
• Western Grebe 6 loosely greg. swimming, resting, outside of surf zone, VSB.
• Feral Rock Pigeon 10 greg. around harbor and settlements, ubiq. (ubiquitous).
• Eurasian Collared Dove 6 greg. trailside and adjacent hillside with utility line and trees, PP.
• Mourning Dove 1 on hillside utility line, PP.
• American Coot 2 swimming near shore and marsh next to kayak rental shop, PP.
• Black-necked Stilt 8 greg. a cohesive flock resting in marsh, n border of runway, BFP.
• American Avocet 80 loosely greg. widely dispersed, foraging in shallows near marsh and mudflats, n side near runway, BFP.
• Black-bellied Plover 20 greg. resting in marsh and on mudflats, n border of runway, BFP.
• Whimbrel 21 greg. in msf with WILL, resting on inner harbor shore next to kayak rental and small stream outlet with a marsh patch, PP; 1 (probably more unidentified) in msf resting with MAGO, BFP.
• Long-billed Curlew 1 (probably more unidentified) in msf resting with MAGO and WILL, BFP.
• Marbled Godwit 80 greg. in msf resting with WILL in marsh near walkway (see previous photo), BFP (photo).

• Western Sandpiper 25 greg. in flight, low over inner bay and marsh, BFP.
• Dowitcher sp. 8 resting in marsh with WILL and MAGO; moving onto narrow mudflat and into shallows foraging, BFP.
• Willet 150 greg. most resting in msf with MAGO, saltmarsh in a cohesive flock at high tide, BFP; on inner harbor shore next to kayak rental with WHIM, PP.
• Heermann’s Gull 500 (conserv. est.) (90% adult + C1, C2; juveniles scarce) most numerous crowded on harbor breakwaters with DCCO and BRPE, PP; on outer beach with CAGU and WEGU, VSB; ubiq..

• Western Gull 300 (conserv. est.) (ad., C1, C2; about 15% C3 & C4; 5% juvenile) ubiq..(photo).

• Iceland Gull 1 (C1) ID: comparatively small head and black bill; pale gray mantle and coverts; with large flock of WEGU, HEEG and CAGU on outer beach, VSB.
• Glaucous-winged x Western Gull 1 (C4/ad.) ID: dusky head and neck; bill large, yellowish with red subterminal patch; bill shape appeared intermediate between WEGU and GWGU; a comparatively pale mantle, wing and tail feathers standing on boat launch dock with flock of WEGU, PP.
• Forster’s Tern 2 in flight over inner bay, BFP.
• Elegant Tern 1 flying fairly high (about 80 ft.), steadily NW, 0.1 mi. offshore, VSB.
• Brandt’s Cormorant 4 in flight, low offshore, PP; an undetermined number with the more numerous DCCO on breakwaters, PP.
• Double-crested Cormorant 600 (ad. imm) (conserv. est.) greg. on breakwaters; in flight nearshore; ubiq..
• Pelagic Cormorant 2 in flight, low 0.1 mi offshore at Maverick’s, PP.
• Brown Pelican 1,200 (ad., imm) greg. most numerous and densely aggregated on harbor breakwaters, PP; some diving offshore, followed by WEGU, HEGU, DCCO and dolphins, ubiq.. (photo).

• Great Blue Heron 3 flying over saltmarsh; 1 resting on scuttled fishing boat in harbor with DCCO and BCNH, PP.
• Great Egret 1 on shore next to breakwater; 1 at edge of n marsh near runway, PP; BFP.
• Snowy Egret 5 loosely greg. at edge of n marsh near runway, BFP; ubiq..
• Black-crowned Night Heron 7 (ad., imm) on scuttled fishing boat in harbor, PP.
• Turkey Vulture 4 in flight over parking area and on shore feeding on wrack at the high tide line, VSB.
• Red-tailed Hawk 2 individuals perched in isolated trees and on utility poles; an adult declivity soaring over bluff, PP; VSB (photos).

• Belted Kingfisher 1 vocal in flight over harbor, PP.
• Northern (RS) Flicker 1 vocal (unseen) hillside conifers, PP.
• Black Phoebe 3 individuals sallying from rocks to insect swarms over beach wrack; sallying from low perches to trailside ruderal patches, PP; 1, trailside marsh, BFP.
• Say’s Phoebe 2 greg. a pair sallying from low perches in hillside chaparral, PP (photo).

• California Scrub-Jay 2 vocal, flying along hillside chaparral with scattered conifers, PP.
• American Crow 2 vocal, in flight over trail, PP.
• Common (Northern) Raven 2 greg. vocal, at hillto residence with a bird bath and cypress tree above a kayak rental shop, boat launch and breakwater, PP.
• Wrentit 1-2, vocal (unseen) hillside chaparral, PP.
• House Wren 1 active in trailside chaparral, PP.
• Bewick’s Wren 1 vocal (calls) active in trailside chaparral, PP.
• Western Bluebird 5 (m,f) greg. sallying to ruderal field from cypress tree, VSB.
• House Finch 10 (m,f) greg., vocal, brushy areas with scattered trees; shorelines and breakwaters, ubiq..
• Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 4 greg. with WCSP, feeding on bird seed around trailhead, PP.
• White-crowned Sparrow 12 greg., vocal, feeding on bird seed scattered on the ground around at the trailhead, PP; brushy areas with scattered trees, ubiq.. (photo).

• Golden-crowned Sparrow 1 with WCSP, foraging on bird seed at trailhead, PP.
• Savannah Sparrow 2 greg. with HOFI in ruderal patch along breakwater, PP; vocal (unseen) BFP (photo).

• Song Sparrow 5 vocal (calls and song) active in trailside chaparral and edge of marsh, PP.
• California Towhee 2 vocal, at trail head in chaparral with WCSP, PP; 2 on ground at edge of ruderal field, VSB.
• Red-winged Blackbird (m,f) greg., vocal active, though remaining mostly hidden in and around fringe marsh, PP.
• Brown-headed Cowbird 4 (m,f) feeding on bird seed at trailhead, PP.
• Great-tailed Grackle 1 distantly vocal (unseen) possibly across the street in the adjacent hotel grounds or around nearby trailside picnic benches, BFP.
• Common Yellowthroat 2 (m,f) active on trailside, in lower hillside chaparral and edge of marsh, PP.
• Townsend’s Warbler 1 (m) foraging on needle clusters in outer and inner limbs of cypress trees, 8- 15 ft. agl., VSB (photo).

_________________________