Point Reyes for Vagrants, 09/19/2026
The irruption of Red-breasted Nuthatch was witnessed on this field trip. © Ray Rozema
Leader Dan Williams reported: Ten of us had a superb early fall day on the Point, with picture perfect weather, stellar views, and excellent birding with a few standouts. We started in dense fog at the Lighthouse where the birding was a bit slow, but the setting is always a special experience. White-crowned Sparrows and a couple of newly arrived Yellow-rumped Warblers flitted around in the brush. An invisible Rock Wren called from the fog and a single Vaux's Swift streaked past. The cypresses that often host myriad vagrants this time of year held only the first (but not the last) Red-breasted Nuthatches of the day as their irruption was reaching a frenzied peak.
Merlin was one of the raptors we enjoyed on the walk to the Lifeboat Station. © Ed Harper
We then made our way back down to the Fish Docks where it was immediately apparent there was a lot more activity. As soon as we reached the cypresses below the parking lot, we were greeted by a couple of stirring American Barn Owls, a Western Warbling Vireo, a Western Wood-Pewee, several more Red-breasted Nuthatches, a frantically foraging BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, and a PRAIRIE WARBLER. Drake's Bay below was teeming with the usual contingent of Brown Pelicans, Heermann's Gulls, Elegant Terns, and loons including a few Commons, a basic plumage Pacific, and a breeding plumage Red-throated. We walked the road to the lifeboat station and were treated to a Merlin, a Kestrel, and a Harrier in light combat above, a Say's Phoebe, and yet another Red-breasted Nuthatch that seemed exhausted and was trying to land on each of us as we walked! The pier was decorated with the usual multitudes of cormorants, pelicans, and gulls, but below the pier swam a female elephant seal, and on the shore were hauled out two juvenile California sea lions.
Semipalmated Plover fed in the shallows at Abbott’s Lagoon. © Daniel Lee Brown
After a brief picnic lunch at our cars, we headed on to Abbott's Lagoon where a number of rarities had been seen in the past week. The lagoon was teeming with shorebirds and a giant flock of Elegant Terns that contained 1 Bonaparte's Gull. Hundreds of Least and Western Sandpipers, several newly arrived Dunlin, and Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plovers fed in the shallows, while dozens of Snowy Plovers lounged in the sand. An Osprey made repeated dives into the lagoon, and a brief scan of the ocean revealed hundreds of Sooty Shearwaters wheeling by just offshore. Reaching the southwest corner of the lagoon, we found the most sought-after prize of the day: the HUDSONIAN GODWIT that had been resting and refueling there for the past week after its long wayward journey. Life bird for many of us, state bird for all, and a perfect finale for this outstanding trip.
Woodland Water Treatment Plant, 09/24/2026
A huge flock of Long-billed Curlew was the highlight for many. © Dana J. Miller-Blair
Leader Ed Harper reported: We were a small, but highly engaged group eager for an enjoyable morning of sharing a plethora of birds. Ed Pandolfino joined us bringing an extra scope into play plus his extensive knowledge of the many birds at hand. Being a weekday, we had access to the large pond south of the entrance road that is closed on weekends. Water depth had receded to a favorable level allowing shorebirds to gather at a point on the south side where a mass of birds was gathered. We estimated 650 Long-billed Dowitchers were present along with scores of Greater Yellowlegs, and nice gathering of both Western and Least Sandpipers. With light behind us we were able to study the sandpipers in detail and note their distinctive features. Scanning the pond, we picked up 62 Red-necked Phalaropes, and singles of Lesser Yellowlegs, Black-bellied Plover, Common Goldeneye, and an early American Herring Gull. At midmorning we traveled to the large pond north of the entrance road and found another large gathering of birds. An adult male Eurasian Wigeon was a delight for the group but that was soon eclipsed by the arrival of a huge flock of Long-billed Curlews that settled in near us. It was certainly the highlight of the morning! We counted some 450 of these striking birds! Finally, with temperatures warming after a pleasant morning, we called it just before noon with an impressive total of 69 species, a Marbled Godwit being the last species.
We enjoyed dozens of American Coot. © Daniel Lee Brown
William B. Pond Park, 09/26/2026
Leader Michael Curtis reported: Nine birders arrived at William B. Pond on a cool fall morning. We started our day at the fishing pier, where we observed a Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, and dozens of American Coots, among others. We headed slightly downriver to observe the rest of the small island in front of us; there, we saw a perched Red-shouldered Hawk, a better view of the American Coots, several Pied-billed Grebes, and a Wood Duck. As we continued our walk, we came across our returning White-crowned sparrows. As we moved toward the far side of the pier, we came across a Western Tanager. Once again, as we reached the river, we observed much of the same waterfowl and shorebirds, plus a Spotted Sandpiper.
Green Heron. © Larry Hickey
Moving along the trail, we saw very active Anna's Hummingbirds, Bewick’s Wrens, and a Northern House Wren moving through several trees, as the familiar calls of our resident Acorn and Nuttall's woodpeckers, and Northern Flicker rang out around us. As we finished our walk along the river, we came across a Green Heron, Northern Yellow Warbler, and Cooper's Hawk. As we walked back to the car, we heard a Red-shouldered Hawk above the picnic benches and saw a dozen Yellow-billed Magpies flying around and in the trees —a great way to end a wonderful morning of birding with familiar faces and several new ones.
Mather Regional Park, 10/04/2026
Common Gallinule was one of the usual residents we observed. © Daniel Lee Brown
Leader Lynne Attar reported: Nine enthusiastic birders enjoyed a warm and pleasant morning at Mather Lake. The calm weather and active bird life made for an enjoyable morning of observation and conversation. The abundance of Northern Flickers, both seen and heard throughout the outing, served as a welcome reminder that fall has arrived. We also encountered many of the lake's usual avian residents, including California Quail, Belted Kingfishers, Common Gallinules, American Coots, and Pied-billed Grebes.
We were delighted to spot 3 White-faced Ibis. © Paul Miller
Looking skyward, we were treated to an impressive variety of raptors, including White-tailed Kites, Cooper's Hawk, American Kestrel, Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, and Swainson's Hawks. As a special bonus to end the walk, we spotted three beautiful White-faced Ibises, a delightful surprise that capped off the morning perfectly. With a lovely group of people, excellent birds, and beautiful weather, it was a wonderful outing that everyone enjoyed. To enjoy our complete list, here is the eBird report generated from our walk eBird Checklist - 4 Oct 2026 - Mather Lake - 51 species (+2 other taxa)
Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 10/07/2026
Northern Pintail has migrated into our area. © Timothy Jackson
Leader Molly Shea reported: Our group saw a total of 38 species, with highlights including the single Say's Phoebe that accompanied our many Black Phoebe sightings, the Green Heron sneaking through the hatchery raceway, and the male Northern Pintail who has migrated into our settling ponds for the season, along with all the great water birds along the river and songbirds amongst the oaks.
Seasonal Transitions at the Bufferlands, 10/10/2026
We enjoyed the migratory Northern Shoveler. © Mary Forrestal
Leader Chris Conard reported: Sixteen of us had a good morning despite windier than hoped for conditions. The wind kept some of the songbirds from popping up for long, but we had a nice mix of species. For the first time recorded this season, there were good numbers of Cackling Geese flying south along with a smattering of Greater White-fronted Geese. Ducks included Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, and Wood Ducks. An American Bittern was briefly seen by some. Shorebirds notables included Long-billed Dowitchers, a Wilson's Snipe, two Lesser Yellowlegs, Greater Yellowlegs, 200 Least Sandpipers, and a dozen Western Sandpipers. Additional species we enjoyed seeing were American Pipit, wintering sparrows, including Lincoln's, and Common Yellowthroats.
As they so often are in the Fall, California Scrub-Jay were loud and active. © Dana J Miller-Blair
Beginning Birder Walk, William B. Pond Park, 10/11/2026
Leader Larry Hickey reported: 12 beginning birders joined us for a beautiful early fall morning of birding at William Pond. The chilly morning was a delightful surprise following a week of unseasonably hot weather, but it resulted in slow birding at first. Soon enough, though, the White-crowned Sparrows were heard singing, and the Yellow-billed Magpies and California Scrub-Jays were loud and active. At the open water, we had good looks at a Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, a pair of Snowy Egrets, and a pair of Green Herons, along with many American Coots and Pied-billed Grebes. We spotted a total of 48 species. Highlights were a calling Red-breasted Nuthatch that we heard just after talking about them, and excellent looks at a cooperative Bald Eagle perched just across from our stop at the river.