I know this topic was briefly discussed last year, and one or more of the discussions have been closed. But a recent article in Bay Nature (May 5, 2022) nicely describes the controversy and latest pos

Fun spring birds, breeding behavior, and a couple surprises at Hilltop Lake Park. A Hooded Oriole or 2, 4 Western Tanagers, 4 swallow species (CLSW, NRWSW, TRSW, VIGRSW), Great-tailed Grackle, Caspian

The last few weeks I decided to focus on trying to observe morning flights at the Highland Ridge gate saddle location I mentioned last time as it's relatively easy to access and seemed to have good po

This past Saturday (apologies for the late post) there was an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER singing from the top of the cypress grove north of the recycling center (37.92014, -122.30034) from at least 11:00

Last month a male Great-tailed Grackle started singing, if that is what it is called, in the park. I told a number of others that it would tire soon and go back to Martinez. We have had them in years

The last couple of days we have had an adult male House Finch feeding a fledgling. About midday today, we had an adult Chickadee also feeding a fledgling--this one with a still yellow gape. After eati

This morning Nancy and I visited Contra Loma R. P. to search for the reported Vermillion Flycatcher, but we dipped on finding it. However, we had some other good sightings that included a FOS Swainson

What a thrill! At least 2 males and a female western tanagers played and fed on spiders and feijoa flower petals in my backyard this evening for half an hour.

This afternoon Yadira Joy’s second county record Vermilion Flycatcher continued at Contra Loma Park after being refound by Srikant Char a little after 1:00pm. Yadira’s directions are excellent; this a

Wikipedia says 2 to 10 per pair of Canada Geese. This was the weekend, when the breeding pairs of Canada Geese near the Bay Trail and Stege Marsh had new Goslings. As shown in the photo, the winning p

During the SFBBO Big Photo Day yesterday, someone posted a picture of a Vermilion Flycatcher at Contra Loma Regional Park - perhaps the same one found at Dow Wetlands? https://www.facebook.com/photo?f

I mountain biked Black Diamond Mines with a loop covering the west half of the park. Grasses are now yellow except at blue oak savannah were the grass is still green. The blue oak savannah has a spect

Today we had a pair of Black-headed Grosbeaks visit our yard. Both birds sang for a long period throughout the day, but were difficult to locate. Finally, they both appeared at the seed feeder and we

This morning I stepped out for a short time hoping to photo a Rufous Hummingbird on our salvia bushes, but instead a pair of Lawrence's Goldfinches stopped by. Lucky timing, ebird checklist here with

Thanks to Alex and Sharon, I think the most probable identity of the vireo song was that of Cassin’s Vireo, which I heard singing in Canyon Trail Park yesterday. This is a small park with a much varie

Out along the Bay trail north of Pt Isabel and the 51st entrance, I saw a black belly on a Plover, All the other times their bellies seemed more white than black. It was as the tide was about half way

Yesterday April 26th I birded the upper slopes/summit area of Mt. Diablo (Oak Knoll and Blue Oak Campground, Green Ranch Rd., Muir Picnic Area, Juniper Picnic Area, the summit, and some of summit rd.

Best day for migrants this year so far. 5 warbler species and lots of Hermit warblers by 7:15am. (Below Vollmer peak Tilden) Jim Chiropolos Orinda

My superpower is to hold still for long periods of time. That suits my decaying ankle joints and patulous retinaculum just fine, and it's how I came to know today's empidonax (sp) as the gray flycatch

Incredible day of birding. I had heard from a neighbor that the Red-whiskered Bulbul continues in Fruitvale, on Blossom St. and Davis St. the next street east. Found it at 9am. then went to work at La