SANTA CLARA COUNTY BIRD LIST DISCUSSION ARCHIVE 2024

| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September| October | November | December |

Compiled by: Brooke Miller. Please email additions, corrections, or comments to Brooke at idbirds@me.com. Monthly reports are made up of eBird sightings, postings on South Bay Birds, and direct email reports.

Please post all your sightings at southbaybirds@groups.io and/or eBird. You can use eBird to follow first-of-the-year sightings. Due to the fact that not everyone uses eBird, not all sightings will be included, however. To see first-of-the-year sightings in eBird do the following:

  • Click on "Explore Data" at the top of any eBird page

  • Select "Explore a Region"

  • Type in "Santa Clara" and wait for the page to fill it in

  • Select "Current Year" and click "set"

  • Click on "First Seen"

Go back to the Santa Clara County Bird List 2024 or view all the cumulative year lists.

January

We started off 2024 with 160 countable birds seen on January 1, and a total of 214 countable birds for the month of January. The average for January 1st is 157, and the average for the month of January is 202. There were 3 birds that were not ABA-countable in January (see below). Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.

Of the countable 214 birds that were recorded for January, there were 4 birds rated as rarity (6), and 8 birds rated as rarity (5). As a reminder, here is what each rarity code means:

**Rarity Codes:

  • 1 = common, always seen in habitat in season.

  • 2 = fairly common, usually in habitat in season, but missed sometimes.

  • 3 = uncommon, always around, but sometimes you can't find.

  • 4 = rare, occurs yearly in the county, but not always in same places.

  • 5 = very rare, does not occur every year.

  • 6 = casual or vagrant, generally fewer than 10 records.

Rarity Code 6’s for January 2024:

  1. Pelagic Cormorant, 1/1/2024, in Salt Pond A1, by Richard Jeffers and Mike Rogers

  2. Tropical Kingbird, 1/1/2024, near Salt Pond A4, by Richard Jeffers and Mike Rogers

  3. Chestnut-sided Warbler, 1/23/2024, at Mitchell Park, by Mike Rogers

  4. Williamson’s Sapsucker, 1/26/2024, at Cuesta Park, by Gary Koerzendorfer

Rarity Code 5’s for January 2024:

  1. Black Rail, hidden date, location, and observer – ‘sensitive species’

  2. Red Crossbill, 1/1/2024, at the pond at Bear Creek Redwoods OSP, by multiple observers

  3. Palm Warbler, 1/1/2024, along the San Francisquito Creek Trail, by multiple observers

  4. Ruddy Turnstone, 1/2/2024, at the mouth of San Francisquito Creek, by Brad Keitt

  5. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1/3/2024, found by Garrett Lau on Santa Clara Street

  6. Red-necked Grebe, 1/6/2024, found by Steve Rottenborn at Lake Cunningham

  7. Summer Tanager, 1/13/2024, found by Carter Gasiorowski, at Chris Hotts Park

  8. Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 1/27/2024, found by Alice Liu in her yard in San Jose

The 3 ABA non-countable birds for January were:

  1. Red-masked Parakeet, 1/3/2024, seen by Garrett Lau at Las Palmas Park

  2. Scaly-breasted Munia, 1/19/2024, seen by Leo O’Neill, at the Santa Clara Valley Water District Headquarters

  3. Red-whiskered Bulbul, 1/26/2024, seen by anonymous birder in a backyard

My monthly reports are made up of eBird sightings, postings on south-bay-birds, and direct emails. The monthly cumulative lists are archived on the SCVAS website at https://scvas.org/sc-county-cumulative-year-lists. Please post all your sightings to: south-bay-birds@groups.io or to www.ebird.org .

Please contact me if you find errors or omissions, or have questions or comments.

Brooke Miller

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February

Last month I made a mistake on the total number of species. Instead of 214, we had 215 species. For February we had a total of 7 species, so that brings us to 222 species at the end of February. The average for February is 9, and the average total is 202. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.

The birds seen in February are as follows:

  1. Hermit Warbler (3), 2/3/2024, found by Brian Ahern at Sanborn County Park at the Sunnyvale Mountain Trailhead

  2. Brandt’s Cormorant (6), 2/7/2024, found by Ray Trent at Harvey Marsh

  3. Harris’s Sparrow (6), 2/11/2024, found by Noah Eckman at Emily Renzel Wetlands

  4. Lesser Black-backed Gull (5), 2/16/2024, found by Desi Sieburth and Cameron Tescher, at Salt Pond A13

  5. Red-naped Sapsucker (5), 2/16/2024, found by Mike Mammoser at Ogier Ponds

  6. Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2), 2/18/2024, seen by Charles and Jillian Sismondo

  7. Dickcissel (6), 2/20/2024, seen by Matthew Dodder at a Cambrian Park home

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March

For March we had a total of 13 species, so that brings us to 235 species at the end of March. The average for March is 13, and the average total is 224. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.

The birds seen in March are as follows:

  1. Cliff Swallow (1), 3/1/2024, seen by Tristan Yoo along the Coyote Creek Trail—Tasman Drive to CA-237

  2. Laughing Gull (6), 3/3/2024, found by Garrett Lau at the Sunnyvale WPCP

  3. Rufous Hummingbird (3), 3/7/2024, seen by Garrett Lau at Ed Levin CP—Spring Valley Area

  4. Vermilion Flycatcher (6), 3/8/2024, found by Howard Friedman at Joseph D Grant County Park

  5. Nashville Warbler (4), 3/9/2024, found by Ariel Potter and John Scharpen at Agnews Historic Park

  6. Warbling Vireo (2), 3/10/2024, found by Linda Sullivan at La Rinconada Park

  7. Nelson’s Sparrow (5), 3/11/2024, found by Dani Christensen at the Sunnyvale WPCP—East Pond

  8. Hooded Oriole (1), 3/13/2024, seen by Janna Pauser in her yard

  9. Western Flycatcher (1), 3/15/2024, found by William Webb along Morrill Road in Los Gatos

  10. Cassin’s Vireo (2), 3/21/2024, found by Mike Beggs at Guadalupe River Park

  11. Western Kingbird (2), 3/22/2024, seen by Dave Weber at Ed Levin County Park—Sandy Wool-Elm Area

  12. Vaux’s Swift (3), 3/23/2024, seen by Ozzie Altus at Los Gatos Creek County Park and Oka Ponds

  13. Common Poorwill (3), 3/31/2024, found by Tim Miller at Blue Oak Ranch Reserve (restricted access)

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April

Before I get to April, there is one change and 2 new birds for March that were not reported last month:

  1. Western Kingbird (2), was first seen on 3/15/2024 by Juliette Bryson at Ulistac Natural Area (not 3/22/24).

  2. Slaty-backed Gull (6), was found by Dessi Sieburth, Cedrik von Briel, and Marty Freeland on 3/15/2024, at Salt Pond A13 (new for March).

  3. Lazuli Bunting (2), was found by Susan Weinstein at Alum Rock Park (new for March).

That increased March’s total from 13 new birds to 15 new birds, and the total number of birds at the end of March from 235 to 237.

For April we had a total of 17 new species, bringing us to 254 species at the end of April. The average for April is 20, and the average total is 244. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.

The 17 new birds seen in April are as follows:

  1. Black-headed Grosbeak (1), 4/1/2024, found by Felix Cloutier, at Lake Ranch Reservoir at Sanborn County Park;

  2. Ash-throated Flycatcher (2), 4/8/2024, found by Alexander Auer, on Cordelia Ave., in San Jose;

  3. Solitary Sandpiper (5), 4/9/2024, found by Carter Gasiorowski, at Ogier Ponds;

  4. Purple Martin (4), 4/11/2024, seen by Ezra Garfield at the Lower Saddle of Loma Prieta;

  5. Red-necked Phalarope (2), 4/14/2024, found by Pete Dunten at Salt Pond A15;

  6. Blue Grosbeak (4), 4/15/2024, found by Mike Beggs at Guadalupe River Park;

  7. Olive-sided Flycatcher (3), 4/16/2024, found by Richard Bradus at Ogier Ponds;

  8. Black-chinned Hummingbird (3), 4/16/2024, seen by Brooke Miller in her yard in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose;

  9. Western Wood-Pewee (2), 4/16/2024, found by Nick Henry along the Lookout Trail in Saratoga;

  10. Calliope Hummingbird (4), 4/16/2024, two birds found in different locations—one along the Stile Ranch Trail in Santa Teresa County Park by Eve Meier, and one in Janna Pauser’s backyard in the Almaden Valley;

  11. MacGillivray’s Warbler (4), 4/19/2024, found by Eve Meier along the Tony Look Trail in Stevens Creek County Park;

  12. Greater Roadrunner (4), 4/20/2024, seen by Craige Edgerton at the Kirby Landfill;

  13. Elegant Tern (3), 4/21/2024, seen by Pete Dunten at Salt Pond A12;

  14. Black Oystercatcher (6), 4/21/2024, found by Garrett Lau and Matthew Dodder at the San Francisquito Creek Mouth;

  15. Swainson’s Thrush (2), 4/21/2024, found by Andrew Melnick and Sheila Raymond at Belgatos Park;

  16. Black Turnstone (6), 4/23/2024, seen by Chris Overington at San Francisquito Creek Mouth;

  17. Red Knot (4), 4/28/2024, seen by Garrett Lau from the sailing dock at the Palo Alto Baylands.

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May

For May we had a total of 7 new species, bringing us to 261 species at the end of May. The average for May is 9, and the average total is 261. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.

The 7 new birds seen in May are as follows:

  1. Black Tern (5), 5/2/2024, seen by Ryan Phillips at Shoreline Lake;

  2. Yellow-breasted Chat (4), 5/5/2024, found by Michael Schulte at Shannon Valley OSP;

  3. Black-chinned Sparrow (4), 5/10/2024, found by Noah Eckman at Loma Prieta—Lower Saddle;

  4. Wilson’s Phalarope (2), 5/15/2024, found by “BT” at Don Edwards NWR;

  5. Yellow-throated Warbler (6), 5/16/2024, (a new County bird), found by Ozzie Altus at Vasona Lake County Park;

  6. Bank Swallow (5), 5/18/2024, seen by Matthew Dodder at Palo Alto Baylands

  7. Black Swift (4), 5/27/2024, 4 individuals seen flying by Carter Gasiorowski and Susan Weinstein at Monte Bello OSP.

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June

For June we had a total of 2 new species, bringing us to 263 species at the end of June. The average for June is 3, and the average total is 256. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.

The 2 new birds seen in June are as follows:

  1. Yellow-headed Blackbird (5), 6/2/2024, found by Ginny Murphy at Shoreline Park;

  2. Northern Parula (5), 6/24/2024, found by ‘Anonymous eBirder’ at Central Park.

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July

For July we had a total of 3 new species, bringing us to 266 species at the end of July. The average for July is 4, and the average total is 260. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.

The 3 new birds seen in July are as follows:

  1. Least Tern (4), 7/11/2024, seen and heard by Edric Chan flying over his neighborhood (near Quito x Highway 85);

  2. Pacific Golden-Plover (5), 7/28/2024, found by Matthew Dodder at the Palo Alto Baylands;

  3. Semipalmated Sandpiper (4), 7/31/2024, seen by Eve Meier along the entrance road to Don Edwards NWR.

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August

Before reporting for August, the eBird reviewers decided that the June sighting (song only) of a Northern Parula did not provide enough concrete evidence, and that bird has been removed from the cumulative list. That leaves us at a total of 265 at the end of July. For August we had a total of 4 new species, bringing us to 269 species at the end of August. The average for August is 6, and the average total is 266. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.

The 4 new birds seen in August are as follows:

  1. California Condor (6), 8/1/2024, seen by Rick Herder above Canada de los Osos;

  2. Baird’s Sandpiper (4), 8/11/2024, found by Russ Namitz at Salt Pond A12;

  3. White-faced Ibis (4), 8/17/2024, seen by John Scharpen at the Palo Alto Baylands;

  4. Willow Flycatcher (4), 8/21/2024, found by Chris Johnson along the Penitencia Creek Trail.

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September

For September we had a total of 11 new species, bringing us to 281 species at the end of September. The average for September is 10, and the average total is 276. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.

The 11 new birds seen in September are as follows:

  1. White-winged Dove (6), 9/2/2024, found by Carter Gasiorowski at the Sunnyvale WPCP;

  2. Costa’s Hummingbird (5), 9/3/2024, found by Melanie Barnett at Andy’s Orchard;

  3. Pectoral Sandpiper (4), 9/4/2024, seen by John Tsortos at Palo Alto Baylands;

  4. Sage Thrasher (6), 9/5/2024, discovered by Joan Tisdale at Coyote Lake CP—Harvey Bear Ranch entrance;

  5. Black-and-white Warbler (5), 9/5/2024, found by Roberta Baker and Janna Pauser at Vasona Lake County Park;

  6. Least Flycatcher (6), 9/10/2024, found by Ozzie Altus at Vasona Lake County Park;

  7. Least Bittern (6), 9/13/2024, seen by Edward Rooks at Calero Reservoir;

  8. Blackpoll Warbler (5), 9/24/2024, found by Chris Johnson at Penitencia Creek Trail;

  9. Bay-breasted Warbler (6), 9/25/2024, found by Juliette Bryson at Vasona Lake County Park;

  10. Blackburnian Warbler (6), 9/27/2024, found by Tristan Yoo along the Coyote Creek Trail—Tasman Dr to 237;

  11. Tennessee Warbler (6), 9/28/2024, found by Mike Mammoser along the Coyote Creek Trail at Cerano Park.

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October

For October we had a total of 3 new species, bringing us to 284 species at the end of October. The average for October is 5, and the average total is 281. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.

The 3 new birds seen in October are as follows:

  1. Lapland Longspur (6), 10/6/2024, seen by Pete Dunten along Laguna Ave. in Coyote Valley;

  2. Clay-colored Sparrow (5), 10/14/2024, found by Adam Burnett at the O’Donohue Family Stanford Educational Farm;

  3. Vesper Sparrow (5), 10/29/2024, seen by Caroline Bliss at the Palo Alto Baylands.

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November

December