Thanks Jim, I would recommend a on-line presentation by Jon Dunn to the Los Angeles Birders on exactly this issue -- Dowitcher identification -- it is archived and available for your viewing pleasure:

Thanks to Teale, a number of us were able to refind the Lucy's Warbler later this morning. It seemed to spend quite a bit of time feeding in a particular weed (field wormweed, perhaps) along the path

Happy to report that this fall's first White-throated Sparrow showed up at our house in Albany, a nice tan-striped edition, earlier today (10/19). Last winter we had up to three in the sparrow flock t

Thanks to the original finder and Michael Park, I just saw a basic plumage Red Phalarope at Ferry Point @ Miller Knox Regional Park in Point Richmond. The bird is still slowly feeding along the shorel

A number of us who saw the bird are feeling confident that the bird in question was a Brewer's Sparrow. Thanks. Graham Chisholm

Thanks Jerry. The Blackpoll Warbler reported yesterday by Diane and Bobbi continues at Cesar Chavez Park this morning, and was seen by many. Has been working the fennel along the paved path up the eas

Being home more, and limiting walks to my neighborhood means that I am seeing birds I won't normally see or hear close to home, it is also easier to hear birds with less urban noise along the Gilman c

Derk Heins shared a copy of the order which allows exercise as long as you use social distance. Graham For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence only to perform any of the foll

While starting my sheltering in place this afternoon, I had 3 tan-striped White-throated Sparrows in our yard near San Carlos and Portland Ave in Albany. We've had at least two all winter since 11/22/

Bill, thanks for your note, and I was surprised by the level of interest regarding this topic. Thanks for the decision and providing an update. Hope you have time to get in the field and enjoy arrivin

Following up on Phred’s report, I hiked out along the loop trail that starts in the West County Landfill parking lot, and refound the Brewer’s Sparrow he reported. It was a bit west along the trail fe

Aaron Maizlish and I check the West County sewage ponds in Richmond, only a few shorebirds were present : 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Red-necked Phalarope, 2 GreaterYellowlegs, and 19 Killdeer. Graham Chi

Yesterday afternoon I visited the wetlands east of Martinez & east of I-680 on the north side of Waterfront Road. There are two locked gates with parking along the side of the road, and I choose to wa

After wondering if I’d finally see White-throated Sparrows this winter, after having 2 all week, there are now 3 this afternoon in a Sparrow flock coming to a feeder in Albany near the corner of San C

At least a half dozens of us were able to relocate, these three previously found species this morning between 10-11 am along a paved path next to a vegetated channel. A bonus was seeing all three phoe

Bob Richmond and I arrived at about the same time around 12:45 pm, and managed to find the previously report 1st year Northern Shrike at the Cruiser Haven Marina (or Yacht Club) in eastern Contra Cost

Tom Maloney and I had a fall plumaged Lapland Longspur along the Richmond shoreline along Meeker Slough. The longspur remained 30 second before lifting off and flying south toward Pt. Isabell. With th

A Clay-colored Sparrow found by Jim Chiropolis earlier this morning in a fennel patch the end of the road at Emeryville Marina on the marina side near a metal storage container was still present as of

Derek Heinz and I refound the Brewer’s Sparrow at 4:10 pm this afternoon. Feeding at the very NW tip of the Point. Also had a Lincoln’s Sparrow, Willow and Pacific-slope Flycatcher and a quick look at

2nd time is a charm, the towhee was present near the location previously described this evening at 6:15 pm. It was located up the canyon beyond the 2 mile marker (past the chain linked fence to the sm