2022 Species Accounts: Birds

White-throated Swift
Aeronautes saxatalis

5/14: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. A few swifts were zooming around near the lake and over the parking area. This was the first time I’d managed to get even half-way decent photos.

Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus

3/28: Sears Point Trail
4/15: Safari West
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Headquarters
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve
4/25: SSU Copeland Creek. Picked up by Merlin at a bit of a distance, but I was able to verify them with my recordings later. I think these birds were hanging out in the Green Music Center parking lot.
5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. Seen from the car.
5/12: Driving from Rohnert Park to Baker, California. These birds were seen near the road in a few locations, particularly before we’d left northern California.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz
8/8: Cotati: While I was walking between my house and my car, I heard some interesting birds, so I opened up Merlin.

Wood Duck
Aix sponsa

4/15: Safari West. While there are wood ducks in the collection, we also saw two wild ones, near the rhino enclosure near the start of the safari tour.

Black-throated Sparrow
Amphispiza bilineata

5/13: Microtower Road site. I caught a glimpse of this bird near where we’d parked the cars, while I was waiting for my students to return from their hike down the wash.
5/14: Mid-Hills Campground. Spotted this bird perched near the road as we drove back down the mountain. So pretty.

Green-winged Teal
Anas crecca/carolinensis

3/4: Ellis Creek

Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos

3/11: Sonoma State University
3/26: Laguna de Santa Rosa main channel
4/15: Safari West. A few mallards were hanging out with the flamingos.
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve. A few of these birds flew overhead during our walk, and I later spotted one flying to and from Kelly Pond.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz
6/3: Bodega Marine Lab. Swimming in the bay near the entrance to the marine lab.

(Domestic type) (f. domestica)

3/4: Ellis Creek
3/26: Laguna de Santa Rosa main channel

California Scrub Jay
Aphelocoma californica caurina

3/26: Laguna de Santa Rosa main channel
5/2: San Geronimo Creek, Marin County. I spotted my first scrub jay of the day at the site in Lagunitas, and then another at the Roy’s Riffles site.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. One of these birds was on the road near house and barn near the Bear Valley parking lot.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz. Picked up by Merlin during the BioBlitz.
6/2: Bodega Marine Lab housing area. Heard, not seen.
6/3: Bodega Marine Lab. Seen along the BML road. I heard this bird call, and then was able to spot it in some bushes near the road.

Great Egret
Ardea alba egretta

3/4: Ellis Creek
3/28: Sears Point Trail. I had expected to see more herons, but I think this was the only one I spotted at the site on this day.
4/15: Safari West. I was able to get a great, close-up look at an egret who had perched on the fence of the giraffe enclosure. Such a gorgeous bird!
5/12: Driving from Rohnert Park to Baker, California. Several of these birds were in a grassy field near Bakersfield (possibly a rice field)?
6/2: Bodega Bay Harbor. There were two great egrets very near the road, and I was able to watch them hunting and preening.
6/3: Campbell Cove. Just a single bird hunting in the shallow water near the beach.
6/3: Bodega Marine Lab. Seen in the bay near the pelican and gull, although I’m not entirely sure this wasn’t a Snowy.

Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias wardi

3/4: Ellis Creek
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve. A single bird was seen flying away from us not long after we started hiking the trail.
6/2: Bodega Marine Lab. A single heron flew down to the beach in the cove, and then up to land on the cliff.

Greater Scaup
Aythya marila

6/2: Bodega Bay Harbor. A few ducks were floating out on the water. They were too far away for me to get any really good photos, but based on the photos and the location (salt water on the coast), I’ve ID’d them as Greater Scaup.

Canvasback
Aythya valisineria

3/28: Sears Point Trail. A few of these birds were floating on a pool in the salt marsh to the west of the trail.

Oak Titmouse
Baeolophus inornatus inornatus

4/25: SSU Copeland Creek. Heard a couple of titmice, and saw one of them, behind the Art Building.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz. Picked up by Merlin during the BioBlitz.
8/8: Cotati: While I was walking between my house and my car, I heard some interesting birds, so I opened up Merlin.
10/11: Sonoma State. Picked up by Merlin in the Police Services parking lot.

Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum

5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. This call was picked up by Merlin, but I wasn’t able to verify it.
5/13: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. I heard on of these birds south of the compound (picked up by Merlin, actually), but I never saw that bird. A few minutes later, by the lake, I did manage to photograph another individual.
5/14: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. Near the lake.
6/1: Bodega Marine Lab. Picked up by Merlin.

Canada Goose
Branta canadensis moffitti

3/4: Ellis Creek
3/11: Sonoma State University. Our first Canada goose of the day was seen on top of the Environmental Technology Center. Later, we saw others near the lakes, including one who appeared to be nesting near the gazebo.
3/28: Sears Point Trail
4/15: Safari West
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Headquarters. A few birds flying overhead.
4/25: SSU Copeland Creek. A few of these birds were foraging near the Commencement Lake (one might have been a Cackling goose); and a few flew overhead while I was walking.
5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes. Heard a few of these birds calling, but never spotted them.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz

Cackling Goose
Branta hutchinsii leucopareia

3/4: Ellis Creek. There were several of these birds in with the Canada geese.

Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus

December: I’ve heard at least two of these birds calling to one another throughout the month. They usually start calling very early in the evening (just as darkness is falling), and may be heard at anytime of night through the very early morning (2 or 3 a.m.).

Bufflehead
Bucephala albeola

3/4: Ellis Creek

Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis calurus

4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Headquarters
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve
5/12: We saw this bird fly overhead with some sort of prey species in its talons – a somewhat long-legged mammal. My best guess was a juveline lagomorph.
5/13: Bajada site, Kelbaker Road.
5/13: Microtower Road site.
5/14: Mid-Hills Campground. Soared overhead.
6/2: Bodega Marine Lab housing area. I caught just a glimpse of this large hawk as it soared toward the bay.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus elegans

3/4: Ellis Creek
4/1: Fairfield Osborn Preserve*. Heard near the lower parking lot
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Headquarters. Seen on a light post while driving to the site.
5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes. Heard this bird early in the day.
6/1: Bodega Marine Lab. Seen driving down to the marine lab.

California Quail
Callipepla californica brunnescens

3/28: Sears Point Trail. I caught a glimpse of one of these birds when it flushed as we walked nearby. A few minutes later, I heard one calling and spotted it down by the railroad tracks. On our way back along the trail, we spotted one more quail and I was able to get a quick photo of it before it ran off.
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve. One of my students was being jokingly competitive about seeing more birds than me, and was bragging that he’d seen some quail that I hadn’t spotted. A few minutes later I heard a quail vocalize in the grasslands (while we were at Kelly Pond). Add this one to my list haha.
5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes. I’d heard a few quail while walking the trail, but just as we were leaving (literally, driving out of the parking lot), four quail (two adult males, and two adult females) were walking in the road in front of us. They weren’t at all bothered by the car. As I crept up behind them, going extremely slowly, they just kept boodling around on the dirt road. It took us literally 5 minutes to get safely past them, but no one was made. They are so adorable.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz
6/1: Bodega Marine Lab. Returning to the marine lab along the private road, I spotted one of these birds in middle of the road. Everything about them is charming, and I am always happy to see these gorgeous quail. Also picked up by Merlin.
6/3: Bodega Marine Lab. My first sighting in the morning along the road between the marine lab and the main road was a male quail sitting on a sign near the main gates. Later, when I was leaving to head home, I had one more big treat along this road: a entire family of quail. I noticed the female crossing the road ahead of me, and I realized that she was not alone. She was accompanied by the TINEST little babies I’d ever seen!! They must have been very recently hatched, as they seemed impossibly small. And cute. Unfortunately, I had to take my photos through the car’s windshield, so they aren’t great, but those tiny babies and their mama were so adorable. Right after they were across the road, the male brought up the rear.

Anna’s Hummingbird
Calypte anna

3/4: Ellis Creek
3/26: Laguna de Santa Rosa main channel
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve. A cooperative bird sat in a bush nearby where we stopped for lunch at Kelly Pond.
5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes. A couple of Anna’s hummingbirds were coming to the feeder right next to the deck of the bird banding station. I got some great close-up looks. (Although my pictures would have been better if the weather had been a bit brighter).
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz

Wilson’s Warbler
Cardellina pusilla chryseola

4/1: Fairfield Osborn Preserve. This bird was singing nearby us, according to the Merlin app.
5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. Heard several of these birds throughout the day, but they trolled me hard. Even though they’re bright yellow and hard to miss, I wasn’t able to get a look (or a photograph) of any of them.
5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes. Several of these birds were singing along the nature trail, but I wasn’t able to spot one. Audio can be heard here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116000726. Then, one of them flew into a mist net so we had the opportunity to see a gorgeous male bird super close up. What a treat!
5/12: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. One of these birds was flitting about in some vegetation, and I had a difficult time getting eyes on it. My photos aren’t great, but they are clear enough to identify the yellow underside and darker wings of this bird.
5/13: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx.
5/13: Microtower Road site.
5/14: Kelso Dunes. Bopping around in some creosote bushes near the parking area.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz

Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura aura

3/4: Ellis Creek
3/11: Sonoma State University
3/26: Laguna de Santa Rosa main channel
4/1: Fairfield Osborn Preserve
4/15: Safari West
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Headquarters. A Turkey Vulture soared right above us for several minutes while we were in the propagation greenhouse.
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve
4/25: SSU Copeland Creek. A few of these birds overhead, including some flying pretty low. They’re commonly seen along the creek.
5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. We saw these birds at the first and last sites of the day.
5/2: San Geronimo Creek, Marin County. We saw these birds at the first and last sites of the day.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. At the very end of the day, I spotted one of these from the Bear Valley parking lot, just as we were preparing to head for home. Weird to have gone almost the entire day without seeing one – they’re usually so ubiquitous.
5/14: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx.
5/14: Kelso Dunes.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz
6/1: Bodega Marine Lab. Every so often, one of these birds would soar by overhead.
6/2: Bodega Marine Lab.

Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttatus slevini

4/25: SSU Copeland Creek. Not completely sure that I heard this bird. But first I thought I heard a hermit thrush, and then it was picked up by Merlin, which gives me a bit more confidence in the ID. I need to get better at sound recording. I was walking a lot, and my footsteps often drown out the sounds being made by the birds.
5/13: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. This was the first bird spotted on my walk, and I was able to get some great photographs as it foraged in the scrubby vegetation on the ground. It allowed me to get pretty close before fleeing a short distance away, and when I returned back this way at the end of my walk, I saw the bird again. I’d originally ID’d this as a Swainson’s Thrush, but in looking at some of the photos, it has distinctly reddish coloration on the tail and wings, which would indicate Hermit. It’s been ID’d both ways on iNaturalist.

Swainson’s Thrush
Catharus ustulatus oedicus

5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes. Picked up this call on Merlin, over near the mist nets.
5/14: Mid-Hills Campground. After I called everyone over to make sure they saw the lizards, I thought I’d spend a few minutes off by myself looking at birds (which is tricky when a bunch of students are around). This is where I’d seen a Brown Crested Flycatcher on my last visit, so I was hopeful about what I might find. Unfortunately, almost immediately after I walked away from the group, they started calling out for me, and I had to cut my walk short. I did see an Ash-throated Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, and a Swainson’s Thrush. I was able to spend a few minutes following after birds that were flushing in front of me, but I know I would have had better success if they’d given me a few minutes of quiet.

Pigeon Guillemot
Cepphus columba

6/2: Tidepooling at Campbell Cove. A single guillemot was floating out in the bay

Brown Creeper
Certhia americana

5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. This bird was a fun addition to my list for the day. Near the end of our walk, this little friend popped over to a tree very near where we were walking. Adorable!

Vaux’s Swift
Chaetura vauxi

5/12: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. A few smallish birds were zooming around catching insects just before dark.

Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus vociferus

3/4: Ellis Creek

Lesser Nighthawk
Chordeiles acutipennis

5/13: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. A few of these birds were hunting over one of the Zzyzx lakes in the late afternoon.

Northern Harrier
Circus hudsonius

6/1: Bodega Marine Lab. Uncertain ID. Light brown, uniform color, rounded head, smallish – larger than kestrel, smaller than buteo. This bird flew by while I was inside the dining hall, and I just had a quick impression. Unfortunately, it was long gone by the time I made it outside with my camera.

Marsh Wren
Cistothorus palustris aestuarinus

3/4: Ellis Creek (H). Wasn’t ever able to get a glimpse at any of these birds, although they were calling vocally throughout the reeds that ringed some of the ponds.

Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus collaris

5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. Heard one of these birds calling loudly a couplle of times, but wasn’t able to spot it.
6/3: Bodega Marine Lab. I caught a quick photo of this bird on a powerline, and then it flow down into the brush and out of sight. I was able to see the flash of red under the wings.

Olive-sided Flycatcher
Contopus cooperi

5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. This was a treat. Merlin picked up this call, and I was able to verify that it was, indeed, an olive-sided warbler singing. I tried to spot it, but it was just too far back in the woods for me to have any luck. Still, it’s a great song and a fun new life bird for me!
5/12: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. Flycatchers seem to be one of the most common types of bird at the DSC, and this is one of the first ones I spotted on this trip, perched in a tree.
5/13: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. Seen along Zzyzx Road.
One of the flycatchers seen to the south of the Desert Studies Center compound, in the mesquite shrubland next to the dry lake bed.

Western Wood Pewee
Contopus sordidulus veliei

5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. Heard a couple of these birds along the Morgan Trail. (Or maybe it was just one, and we heard it on the way in and again on the way out).
5/13: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. One of these birds was perched in a tree near the first lake after entering the Desert Studies Center property. This is also one of the flycatchers seen to the south of the Desert Studies Center compound, in the mesquite shrubland next to the dry lake bed. A wood-pewee was also seen flitting around near the lake.

American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos hesperis

3/4: Ellis Creek
3/26: Laguna de Santa Rosa main channel
3/28: Sears Point Trail
4/1: Fairfield Osborn Preserve
4/15: Safari West. Seen near the Lesser Flamingo pond.
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve
4/25: SSU Copeland Creek. A couple of these birds were in the trees along the creek. I was able to get some audio of one of them.
5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County.
5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes. Spotted a crow perched high in a tree (a Douglas fir, I think).
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz. Picked up by Merlin during the BioBlitz.
5/23: SSU campus. Picked up on Merlin.
6/2: Bodega Marine Lab. Heard a couple of crows calling as they flew overhead. I was kind of surprised not to see more, or to see or hear any ravens.
9/27: Sonoma State. Picked up by Merlin in the Police Services parking lot.

Northern Raven
Corvus corax clarionensis

3/26: Laguna de Santa Rosa main channel
3/28: Sears Point Trail. A huge raven flew past us when we were in the Benson House (part of the Sonoma Land Trust facilities).
5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. There were a few very vocal ravens at the Lagunitas Creek site.
5/12: Driving from Rohnert Park to Baker, California.
5/12: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx.
5/14: Mid-Hills Campground. Overhead.

Steller’s Jay
Cyanocitta stelleri

4/1: Fairfield Osborn Preserve. A couple of these birds were calling and flying around the tops of the trees near the lower parking lot.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. I heard these birds a couple of times, but never got a good look at one today.

Mute Swan
Cygnus olor

3/4: Ellis Creek

Nuttall’s Woodpecker
Dryobates nuttallii

4/15: Safari West. While on the tour, we heard this bird call, and I looked up to see it perched on a branch overhead. Sadly, it flew away before I could get my camera focused to get a photo.
5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. Heard this bird at the Lagunitas Creek site.
5/19: Jaded Toad, Cotati This bird was foraging around in a small tree on the other side of the wall from where we were eating. I was surprisingly close to the bird, and able to get some nice looks, and a few decent photos. My impression of this bird was that it was actually fairly large, but looking at the pattern on the back, I’m sure it’s Nuttall’s, and not Hairy.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz
8/21: Fairfield Osborn Preserve Picked up by Merlin.

Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus abieticola

4/1: Fairfield Osborn Preserve. We heard this bird call several times over about 15 minutes, down near the creek where we were looking for salamanders.

Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Empidonax difficilis difficilis

5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. Heard at least one of these birds today.
5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes.
5/13: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. Another of the flycatchers seen in the mesquite trees. It was nice to be able to get some photographs of the birds, as I rarely see them back home – I just hear them somewhere up in the trees.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz

American Dusky Flycatcher
Empidonax oberholseri

5/13: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. This was a treat that I only realized I’d seen when I got home to look at my photos. There were several flycatchers in the honey mesquite trees, including this little flycatcher. Of course, the Empidonax flycatchers are notoriously difficult to distinguish from one another, but this bird’s eyering and subtle olive-colored “vest” helped make the ID.
5/14: Mid-Hills Campground. Saw this bird while trying to have some alone time in the forest.

American Gray Flycatcher
Empidonax wrightii

5/13: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. Seen near one of the Desert Studies Center lakes.

Horned Lark
Eremophila alpestris

5/14: Mid-Hills Campground. Saw this attractive bird perched on a branch near the road when we were driving up to the campground. It had been a long time since I’d seen one!

Brewer’s Blackbird
Euphagus cyanocephalus

4/15: Safari West
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve. Seen in oak tree not far from the trailhead.
5/2: San Geronimo Creek, Marin County. Saw a female Brewer’s blackbird that was taking a bath in the creek.
5/12: Driving from Rohnert Park to Baker, California. Seen at some of the rest stops where we pulled off the highway for gas and snacks.
6/1: Bodega Marine Lab. One of the more common birds at the site. I never saw them in large numbers, but they were pretty much a constant presence throughout my trip. Today I saw them at the dorms and also at the main facility.
6/2: Bodega Marine Lab.
6/3: Bodega Marine Lab. Seen along the BML road.

American Coot
Fulica americana americana

3/4: Ellis Creek
5/12: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. A pair of these birds was boodling around on the lake pretty much the entire time we were at the DSC. They’re super fun to watch, especially when they start chasing on another around the lake. They make some weird vocalizations, as well, although these were pretty quiet, for the most part.
5/13: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. These birds were on both of the lakes, swimming and occasionally chasing after one another.
5/13: Desert Studies Center. Two coots were present on the lake every time I walked by. This morning, they were chasing one another around on the surface of the lake. Later in the day, I saw a pair on the lake nearer the main road.

Greater Roadrunner
Geococcyx californianus

5/12: Driving from Rohnert Park to Baker, California. I had just a glimpse of this bird as we drove by a field alongside I-5. The size and angles of the body and neck were right, and I can’t imagine what other bird this could have been.
5/14: Kelso Dunes. Found roadrunner footprints in the sand.

Common Yellowthroat
Geothlypis trichas sinuosa

3/28: Sears Point Trail. A single yellowthroat was singing at the far end of the trail, near the south-most levee. I wasn’t able to get a great view of it, but that song is distinctive.

Black Oystercatcher
Haematopus bachmani

6/2: Bodega Marine Lab. This is one of the birds I’d hoped to see (and photograph) on this trip, and these two were the only ones I saw during my visit. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a very good look at them . . . I was fairly far away from the cliff edge when I saw these two largish (gull-sized) birds interacting with one another as they flew. I was able to get a few photos before they flew away.

House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus frontalis

3/11: Sonoma State University
3/26: Laguna de Santa Rosa main channel
3/28: Sears Point Trail
4/15: Safari West
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Headquarters. A few of these birds were near the office and in the meadow behind the viewing platform.
5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes. Heard by Merlin.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz. Picked up by Merlin during the BioBlitz.
6/1: Bodega Marine Lab. Seen near the dorms, and again on the grounds of the marine lab. Also picked up by Merlin.

Purple Finch
Haemorhous purpureus californicus

4/15: Safari West. I spotted a single purple finch while on the driving tour.
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve. Seen perched high in a snag near Kelly Pond.
5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. Heard early in the day at Lagunitas Creek.
5/20: Sonoma State University. Picked up by Merlin during the BioBlitz.

Black-necked Stilt
Himantopus mexicanus mexicanus

3/4: Ellis Creek. I only noticed this bird in one of my photos after returning home.

Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica

6/1: Bodega Marine Lab. These birds were seen throughout my stay here, swooping back and forth as they hunted. I was fortunate on this day to see one perched – first on one of the dorms, and then on a fence very near to where I’d parked), and I was able to get some photos of the bird at rest.
6/2: Bodega Marine Lab. These birds fly so fast, and were so close to me, it was difficult to get any good pictures. I did manage to get a few, although nothing that’s completely in focus. Still, it was fun trying to keep up with them.
6/2: Bodega Marine Lab housing area. Later, back at housing for the evening, before dinner, I hung around outside trying to get some photos of the barn swallows. I was marginally successful in getting photos. I got some good angles, but none of the photos were completely in focus.
6/3: Bodega Marine Lab. I was able to get some photos of a swallow that was nesting under the awning outside the main entrance to the marina lab. Swallows were also seen along the road.

Caspian Tern
Hydroprogne caspia

6/2: Bodega Bay Harbor. Part of a large mixed flock of birds on a strip of land between the road and the bay.
6/2: Bodega Marine Lab housing area. Saw a lone tern flying toward the bay.

Bullock’s Oriole
Icterus bullockii

4/15: Safari West. These birds were exciting! I haven’t seen orioles in a while, and I’d forgotten how bright and cheerful they are! Some of my favorite sightings of the day.

Oregon/Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis oreganus

3/4: Ellis Creek
3/11: Sonoma State University
4/15: Safari West. Also seen during the tour. Appeared to have been collecting nesting materials.
5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. Heard junco at a couple of the sites we visited.
5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes.
5/19: Jaded Toad, Cotati
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz. Picked up by Merlin during the BioBlitz.
6/4: Cotati. Picked up on Merlin.

Loggerhead Shrike
Lanius ludovicianus

5/14: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx.
5/14: Mid-Hills Campground. This was a fantastic sighting from the van as we drove up to the campground. We saw a couple of shrikes perched on branches near the road, and one of them had half of a lizard in its beak. (I wasn’t able to ID the lizard, though).
5/15: Desert Tortoise Sanctuary. This bird was active near the interpretive pavilion and the sanctuary entrance. So pretty.

Herring Gull
Larus argentatus

3/4: Ellis Creek

California Gull
Larus californicus

6/2: Tidepooling at Campbell Cove. A few of these birds were seen on the beach.
6/2: Bodega Bay Harbor. Part of a large mixed flock of birds on a strip of land between the road and the bay.

Western Gull
Larus occidentalis

6/1: Bodega Marine Lab. Definitely the most common gull seen on this trip. They are large, and gorgeous, with a robust orange bill. I’m trying to work on learning the juvenile plumages, so we’ll see how that goes.
6/2: Tidepooling at Campbell Cove. These gulls, various ages, were seen on the beach.
6/2: Bodega Bay Harbor. Part of a large mixed flock of birds on a strip of land between the road and the bay.
6/2: Bodega Marline Lab.
6/3: Campbell Cove.
6/3: Bodega Marine Lab. As I left the BML property, I wasn’t quite ready to head for home, so I thought I’d pull off the road next to the bay for a few minutes. I didn’t see a lot of things, but I did get to see a lone gull swimming.

Orange-crowned Warbler
Leiothlypis celata lutescens

5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes. One of the calls picked up by Merlin that I was able to verify. Audio can be heard here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116000144.

Gadwall
Mareca strepera strepera

3/4: Ellis Creek

Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi

4/15: Safari West. Saw a few of these flying around in the trees while on the tour. We also saw a tree trunk packed with acorns.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. Heard these in the woods near the Morgan Trail.

Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo

4/1: Fairfield Osborn Preserve. Flew across the road in front of the van while we were driving back down the mountain.
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve. Seen from the car during the short drive from the headquarters to the trailhead.
5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. One of the first birds of the day, seen crossing the road while we were driving to the site.
6/1: Bodega Marine Lab. A single female turkey was foraging around near the dining hall.
6/2: Bodega Marine Lab housing area. The turkey from the previous night was back (or maybe a different bird, but I tend to think it was the same individual). While I was watching, she flew up into one of the nearby trees. What a sight!

Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia

3/4: Ellis Creek
3/28: Sears Point Trail. This is the most common bird (and vocal) in the bushes alongside the trail.
4/1: Fairfield Osborn Preserve*. Heard these birds near the marsh.
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Headquarters
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve
5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. Singing loudly at the Lagunitas Creek and first San Geronimo Creek sites.
5/2: San Geronimo Creek, Marin County.
5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz. Picked up by Merlin during the BioBlitz.
6/2: Bodega Marine Lab housing area. Heard and saw one of these birds while watching the swallows. Also picked up by Merlin.
6/3: Bodega Marine Lab. Seen along the BML road.

California Towhee
Melozone crissalis

3/4: Ellis Creek
3/11: Sonoma State University
3/30: Sonoma State University. I was able to get an audio recording of this bird during this short walk. I’m trying to get serious about learning the bird calls in this area.
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Headquarters. Spotted a couple of these birds near the office.
5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. Heard these at a couple of sites
5/2: San Geronimo Creek, Marin County. Had a wonderful view of one on the footbridge over San Geronimo Creek.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. Just a few of these along the edge of the meadow. I first became aware of their presence because of the “chip” call, but later saw a couple of them on the fence.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz
9/27: Sonoma State. Picked up by Merlin in the Police Services parking lot.

Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos polyglottos

3/28: Sears Point Trail. A single mockingbird was singing from a bush near the parking lot.
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Headquarters
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve

Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater

5/14: Mid-Hills Campground. I heard this bird before I saw it, perched high in a tree right next to the picnic table where some of my students were eating.
6/3: Bodega Marine Lab. I heard this bird before I was able to ID it visually, as it sat on a power line.

Ash-throated Flycatcher
Myiarchus cinerascens

5/14: Mid-Hills Campground. I was hopeful that this might have been another Brown-crested Flycatcher, but based on the utterly horrible, out of focus photos I managed to get, it was this species instead. Still cool, and I wish I’d been able to get a better look.

Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli

4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve. A single juvenile bird flushed from some trees alongside the creek.

House Sparrow
Passer domesticus

4/15: Safari West

Savannah Sparrow
Passerculus sandwichensis

3/28: Sears Point Trail. I was pleased to find this sparrow at the far end of the trail, near where I saw the yellowthroat.

Lazuli Bunting
Passerina amoena

5/13: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. Saw a female bunting near Zzyzx Road while driving back to the Desert Studies Center.

Band-tailed Pigeon
Patagioenas fasciata fasciata

5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes. Just a single one of these birds was perched high in a tree near the nature trail. I think I also saw a few more flying overhead later in the day, but I wasn’t able to get any photos of those.

American White Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

3/4: Ellis Creek
6/2: Bodega Bay Harbor. Part of a large mixed flock of birds on a strip of land between the road and the bay. Several white pelicans were hanging out with a bunch of gulls and terns on the sand.
6/3: Bodega Marine Lab. Swimming in the bay near the marine lab, dipping its bill into the water to catch fish.

California Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis californicus

6/1: Bodega Marine Lab. While we were being given a tour of the marine lab grounds, several flocks of pelicans flew overhead, including a couple of very large flocks of more than 30 birds. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many pelicans in one day.
6/2: Bodega Marine Lab. Large numbers of pelicans flying by throughout the day.

American Cliff Swallow
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

5/20: Sonoma State University BioBlitz. Hunting near the Wine Spectator building.

Phainopepla
Phainopepla nitens

5/13: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. I adore these pretty, pretty birds, and was happy to remember that they can be found in the Mojave Desert. There were 4 of them present in the area where I took my morning walk – 3 males, and a female.
5/14: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. Seen near the lake.

Common Poorwill
Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

5/12: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. We first spotted this bird as it flew across the road in front of us as we were returning along Zzyzx Road after having dinner in Baker. Of course, I was super excited about the prospect of seeing a largish bird, but it flew out of view. A few minutes later, we’d parked the van to go investigate a small pond with some vocal frogs. I had stayed near the van, and was looking for scorpions when my companions called out to me that they’d found an “owl.” The bird was perched on a rock beside the road, hunkered down. It was mottled greys and browns, with a round no-neck kind of silhouette. I can understand why they thought it was an owl, but immediately I recognized that the posture wasn’t right for an owl – leaning too far forward, rather than upright. This was a nighthawk of some kind – probably a Lesser Nighthawk. I was able to snap a few photos with my phone, and the bird flushed. We continued on with our searching for frogs (and ended up finding a magnificent desert nightsnake!!). On our way back to the van, however (which had been parked very close to the nighthawk’s rock), the bird had returned. Supremely cooperative, the nighthawk allowed me not only to take more photos with my phone, but also return to the van to retrieve my DSLR, and I was able to get some much better quality photos. Taking a look at the photos back home revealed that the coloration wasn’t quite right for the Lesser Nighthawk, and that this was, in fact, as Common Poorwill. We spotted these birds (maybe this same individual) a few more times during the trip. Super cute and a fun bird to see under any circumstances, but I was particularly glad my companions in the van were able to get such a fantastic, close-up look at this one.

Ring-necked Pheasant
Phasianus colchicus

3/28: Sears Point Trail. I heard this bird calling, and several minutes later we spotted him walking along the trail behind us.

Black-headed Grosbeak
Pheucticus melanocephalus maculatus

4/1: Fairfield Osborn Preserve. This bird was singing, according to the Merlin app.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. Heard this bird singing near where we first spotted the Allen’s hummingbird.
5/12: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. A female was perched in a tree near the lake. Slight warm wash on the breast, and the most defining characteristic was the patterning on the face and wings.
5/13: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. Spotted a male bird right next to the road while driving back to Zzyzx.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz

Spotted Towhee
Pipilo maculatus

5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. Heard one singing at Lagunitas Creek, and then was able to get some photos of one not far from the path.
5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz. Picked up by Merlin during the BioBlitz.

Western Tanager
Piranga ludoviciana

5/14: Kelso Dunes. Saw one of these birds in a creosote bush.
5/14: Mid-Hills Campground. This bird was spotted near the road as we were driving back down from the campground.
5/15: Desert Tortoise Sanctuary. Seen from the little interpretive pavilion where I was sitting in an attempt to escape the worst of the heat.

Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps podiceps

4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve. Not long after we’d arrived at Kelly Pond, I saw a bird swimming at the far end of the lake. Slowly, it worked its way closer, and I was able to get some photos. Not great photos, but it was excited to see this little grebe – it’s been a few years since I’ve seen one.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Poecile rufescens neglectus

4/15: Safari West. Spotted one of these birds near the cheetah enclosure.
5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. Right next to the car park at Leo T. Cronin, chickadees were nesting in a cavity in a small tree.
5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes. Never spotted one, but there were a few singing quite vocally near the mist nets.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz. Picked up by Merlin during the BioBlitz.

American Bushtit
Psaltriparus minimus minimus

3/26: Laguna de Santa Rosa main channel
4/25: SSU Copeland Creek. A tree full of these cuties is always a welcome sight. I heard them first, and then spotted them in one of the trees along the creek. Didn’t get a close look, as I hadn’t brought my good camera.
5/20: Sonoma State University BioBlitz.

American Avocet
Recurvirostra americana

3/28: Sears Point Trail. Largish flocks (~30 birds) flew overhead a few times.

Golden-crowned Kinglet
Regulus satrapa olivaceus

5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes. Another camera shy bird whose call came up on Merlin. I was able to verify this one in two locations at the bird banding station. Audio can be heard here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116000358.

Black Phoebe
Sayornis nigricans semiater

3/4: Ellis Creek
3/11: Sonoma State University
4/7: Sonoma State University. Heard this bird on campus. Audio Can be heard here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/114082291.
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Headquarters. One of these birds was hunting hear the viewing platform.
4/25: SSU Copeland Creek. Only heard one of these birds today.
5/2: San Geronimo Creek, Marin County. Spotted one of these birds down near San Geronimo Creek at the Roy’s Riffles site. In one of my photos, it appears to have caught a ladybug.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. Some phoebes appeared to be nesting under the eaves at one corner of the horse barn.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz. Picked up by Merlin during the BioBlitz.

Say’s Phoebe
Sayornis saya

5/13: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. This bird appeared to have been nesting in one of the residential garages on the property. We were able to watch it for several minutes. We were losing the light, so my photos aren’t great, but enough to see this lovely bird with some sort of prey in its mouth.

Allen’s Hummingbird
Selasphorus sasin sasin

5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. This was one of the highlights of the day. I picked up this call using Merlin, and immediately started looking for hummingbirds. When we’d gone as far as we intended down the Morgan Trail, one of my companions spotted the bird. All three of them were watching it perch in a tree right in front of us, but no matter how they tried to describe where it was, I couldn’t find it! I think I was just at a slightly wrong angle, as when I moved a few feet over, suddenly I was able to see it . . . and before I could get my camera focused, it flew away. I was feeling just a bit sad, but before we moved on, the bird came back and perched cooperatively in the same tree, and I was able to get some decent photos. As we were headed back down the trail, we saw another Allen’s (or maybe it was the same bird). Pretty spectacular, and I think this is the only one I’ve ever seen that I’m 100% certain about the ID.

Audubon’s Warbler
Setophaga auduboni auduboni

3/4: Ellis Creek
3/11: Sonoma State University
3/26: Laguna de Santa Rosa main channel
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. This call was picked up by Merlin, but I wasn’t able to verify.

Yellow Warbler
Setophaga petechia

4/15: Safari West. I heard these birds while on the walking tour. I was never able to get a good look at the bird, but Merlin confirmed the ID.
5/14: Kelso Dunes. Seen in creosote bushes near where I’d spotted the Wilson’s.

Western Bluebird
Sialia mexicana occidentalis

4/15: Safari West. Several pairs of bluebirds were seen during the driving tour.
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Headquarters. Hunting from the fence that borders the road.
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve
5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz
6/1: Bodega Marine Lab. A male bluebird was hunting near the dorms.
6/2: Bodega Marine Lab housing area.

White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis aculeata

5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. Picked up by Merlin; not verified.

Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeata

3/4: Ellis Creek

Pine Siskin
Spinus pinus pinus

5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. Picked up by Merlin, and later one was spotted in the horse pasture.

Lesser Goldfinch
Spinus psaltria hesperophilus

3/4: Ellis Creek
3/11: Sonoma State University. These birds were abundant today, along the creek and also near the Holocaust Memorial.
4/15: Safari West
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Headquarters. At least one of these birds near the office.
4/25: SSU Copeland Creek. Picked up by Merlin.
5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. Heard a few of these birds today.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz
5/23: SSU campus. Picked up on Merlin.
8/8: Cotati: While I was walking between my house and my car, I heard some interesting birds, so I opened up Merlin.

American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis jewetti

4/25: SSU Copeland Creek. Picked up by Merlin.
6/3: Bodega Bay (near road). Before I arrived at the Lab, I pulled over on the main road, to see if I could find any birds on the mudflat where the tide had receded. I didn’t see any shorebirds, but did spot this American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis).

Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina arizonae

5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. Heard a few of these birds near the horse barn.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Stelgidopteryx serripennis

6/2: Bodega Marine Lab. Another fast-flying swallow, and I was pretty sure these were rough-winged, based on their coloration.Like the barn swallows, I didn’t manage to get any really good photos, but I did get some shots that were good enough for the identification.

Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaocto

4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Headquarters. I was surprised to see this bird at the headquarters. I don’t think I’ve seen one in Sonoma County before.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. Picked up by Merlin and confirmed by ear.
5/12: Driving from Rohnert Park to Baker, California. These birds seem fairly common throughout California, in populated areas. I saw a number of them flying, or perched on electrical wires.
5/12: Baker, California.
6/1: Bodega Marine Lab. Heard one of these birds calling while we were waiting to start our tour of the lab.
6/3: Bodega Marine Lab. I finally spotted the dove that I’d heard calling earlier in my trip, perched amongst the trees in the center of the circular drive.

European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris

4/15: Safari West
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Headquarters. Lots of these birds throughout the area.
5/2: San Geronimo Creek, Marin County. Heard at the Roy’s Riffles site.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. Vocalizations picked up by Merlin, and on our way back to the car, I spotted a small flock of them at the far end of the field.
6/2: Bodega Marine Lab.
6/3: Bodega Marine Lab. Perched on a wire along the road.

Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor

3/4: Ellis Creek
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Headquarters. I was super happy to see these gorgeous birds close up. They are using nest boxes near the viewing platform, and several of them were coming and going from the boxes during the 15 minutes we were there. They’re so pretty.

Violet-green Swallow
Tachycineta thalassina thalassina

4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve. At least one of these birds was hunting in the grasslands. I was able to get some photos while it was perched on an oak tree.
5/2: San Geronimo Creek, Marin County. Spotted several of these swallows at the Roy’s Riffles site. There might have been some additional species of swallow, but this is the only one I was able to verify photographically.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes. Merlin picked up this call, but I wasn’t able to verify it.

Bewick’s Wren
Thryomanes bewickii marinensis

4/25: SSU Copeland Creek. This is one of the birds picked up by the Merlin app. Turns out there were several of them, being very vocal, along much of the creek. This is a good song for me to learn.
5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes. Just a single one of these birds singing near the mist nets.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz. Picked up by Merlin during the BioBlitz.

Pacific Wren
Troglodytes pacificus

5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes. One of the first birds of the day, I started hearing this song right after heading down the nature trail. When I’d gone about as far as I intended to go (not all the way down to the little creek – I didn’t feel like having to hike all the way back up), I spotted one of them flitting around in the bushes, but wasn’t able to get a good look. I stayed in this location, and a few minutes later, the bird was singing really close to me, but for the life of me, I couldn’t spot it. A couple of my students wandered over and caused the bird to flush, at which point I realized that it had been perched on a branch RIGHT in front of me (not 10 feet away). ARGH I need to get my search image brain back in gear. A few minutes later, this bird (or maybe another individual), started singing from the other side of the path, and this time it popped up on some trees right over the path. In clear, beautiful view. And I couldn’t get my camera to focus on the bird, so I have a single super blurry photo. Ah well. just one more reminder that I need to spend some time learning the features of my new camera. I did get some fantastic audio recordings of both the song and the call, on my phone. Audio can be heard here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/115999283 and here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/115996427.

House Wren
Troglodytes aedon

5/7: Sonoma State University. Heard near the creek. Audio can be heard here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116008748

American Robin
Turdus migratorius propinquus

3/26: Laguna de Santa Rosa main channel
4/15: Safari West
5/2: San Geronimo Creek, Marin County. Heard at Roy’s Riffles.
5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes. One of these birds was singling majestically for most of the time we were at the station. I never managed to spot one, but I did get some excellent audio recordings. Audio can be heard here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116000619.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz. Picked up by Merlin during the BioBlitz.

Western Kingbird
Tyrannus verticalis

5/13: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. Seen perched in an evergreen tree along Zzyzx Road.

Pelagic Cormorant
Urile pelagicus

6/1: Bodega Marine Lab. Lone cormorants flew by from time to time, but were mostly too far away to be ID’d. They’d be this species, or Brandt’s.
6/2: Tidepooling at Campbell Cove. A single bird, seeing flying away from us over the water.
6/2: Bodega Marine Lab.

Brandt’s Cormorant
Urile penicillatus

6/2: Bodega Marine Lab. One of the cormorants that flew by had a light patch on the lower edge of the face, enough to give me the ID.

Warbling Vireo
Vireo gilvus swainsoni

5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. I was excited to see this bird pop up on the Merlin app. I was never able to actually get a look at one of these birds, but I heard them at the first three stops.
5/2: San Geronimo Creek, Marin County.
5/6: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes.
5/13: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. Another bird ID’d back at home from photos. I’d originally thought this was a Bell’s vireo, but with some help from an iNaturalist member, we decided that the small bill and prominent supercilium distinguished this bird as a warbling vireo, rather than Bell’s.

Hutton’s Vireo
Vireo huttoni

5/7: Cotati. Heard this bird near my home. You can hear the audio here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116009656

Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura marginella

3/11: Sonoma State University
4/15: Safari West
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Headquarters
5/2: Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. Saw flying near the road white driving.
5/6: Palomarin Field Station, Point Reyes. Saw a couple of these birds flying overhead.
5/12: Driving from Rohnert Park to Baker, California.
5/12: Baker, California.
5/12: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx.
5/14: Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. Sitting on rocks near the road as we drove out along Zzyzx Road.
5/20: Sonoma State Vertebrate Biology BioBlitz

Golden-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia atricapilla

4/15: Safari West. I saw my first sparrow of the day near the rhinos. Later, I saw a few others in the walking part of the park.
4/18: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail/Laguna Wetlands Preserve. At least one of these birds was foraging near the edge of the grassland path.

White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli

3/4: Ellis Creek
6/1: Bodega Marine Lab. The commonest sparrow on this trip, I had a lot of opportunity to get familiar with their song – similar to a song sparrow, except it’s more 2-parted, rather than 3. Very cute. Also picked up by Merlin.
6/2: Bodega Marine Lab. The commonest sparrow I saw and heard throughout this trip. Also picked up by Merlin.
6/3: Bodega Marine Lab. Seen along the road between the lab and the main highway.
10/11: Sonoma State. Picked up by Merlin in the Police Services parking lot.

2022 Species Accounts: Birds

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Unless otherwise specified, all works on this site by Wendy A. St. John are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.