2026 Species Accounts: Birds

Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus

• 9/26: Point Reyes, CA. During a brief late afternoon visit, several of these birds were active near the Olema Marsh Trailhead.

Snowy Plover
Anarhynchus nivosus

9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA. We saw several of these adorable, tiny birds going about their business on the sand between the lagoon and the larger sand dune when we first arrived at the beach. They weren’t particularly shy – quite a few people were watching and photographing them. I also saw Semipalmated Plover and Least Sandpipers in the area. A couple of hours later, on our return to the trailhead, they had moved closer to the lagoon.

Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos

• 2/10: Kentfield, CA. Seen during walking field trip along Corte Madera Creek.
• 5/12: Kentfield, CA.
• 9/26: Point Reyes, CA. A few of these birds were heard and seen at the Olema Marsh trailhead during a very brief later afternoon stop.

California Scrub-Jay
Aphelocoma californica

• 2/18: Kentfield, CA.
• 6/18: Novato, CA. These birds are in the backyard every day. I’ve been putting out peanuts for them, but they also visit the suet feeder. They’re a lot of fun to watch.
• 6/30: Novato, CA. Spotted on the wildlife camera.
• 7/1; Novato, CA. Backyard
• 7/4: Novato, CA. Witnessed some really interesting behavior before, for the second time (sort of). A couple of weeks ago, I’d noticed a scrub-jay sitting on the back of one of our Black-tailed Deer. Again today, I noticed a deer on the hill next to the fence, and once again, a scrub-jay was perched on it’s back.Then I noticed that the jay was grooming the deer – picking things (presumably insects and ticks) from its fur. Classic symbiotic behavior, but I’ve never heard mention of this relationship between our deer and jay. SO COOL!
• 7/6: Novato, CA. Backyard.
• 7/21: Sky Oaks, CA.
• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA. Saw just one of these birds during our day at this site.
• 10/1: Indian Valley campus, Novato, CA.

Great Egret
Ardea alba

• 5/29: Newport, OR. Seen during a late afternoon walk around the bay from the Hatfield Marine Lab to the aquarium.
• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA. Saw a number of these birds throughout the day, foraging in the freshwater lagoon and near the bridge that separates the upland habitat from the beach. Saw a couple of successful hunting attempts – in both cases, fish, I think.
• 10/1: Indian Valley campus, Novato, CA.

Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias

• 5/29: Newport, OR. Seen on the mudflat during a late afternoon walk from the Hatfield Marine Lab to the aquarium.
• 5/31: Newport, OR. This gorgeous bird spent a good chunk of the day perched in a tree just behind the Hatfield Marine Lab dorms where we were staying.
• 9/15: College of Marin. We were out along Corte Madera Creek after dark during an activity with my General Ecology course, when we noticed this bird hunting in the creek. I wasn’t aware that these birds would be active at night, but apparently they have a high rod count in their eyes, making them capable of hunting after dark, usually in shallow water during a bright moon and low tides.
• 9/16: Corte Madera Creek. While on a walking field trip with the Intro Biology lab, we saw this bird perched over the little oxbow that runs behind COM’s Ecological Study Area.
• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA. Saw several of these birds during our hike, mostly near the freshwater lagoon and footbridge between the inland habitat and the brackish lagoon. One of them seemed to spend most of the day just beneath the bridge, giving us some great views.
• 10/1: Indian Valley campus, Novato, CA.

Oak Titmouse
Baeolophus inornatus

• 6/18: Novato, CA. This was the first bird that I saw come to the feeders I put up in the backyard.
• 6/20: Novato, CA. These are probably the most reliable birds that come to the yard – I see them every day. Not in large numbers (usually just one or two at a time), but they stop by frequently throughout the day.
• 6/30: Novato, CA. Backyard.
• 7/10: Novato, CA. Backyard.
• 7/4: Novato, CA. Backyard.
• 9/26: Novato, CA. Backyard.
• 10/1: Indian Valley campus, Novato, CA.
• 10/1: Novato, CA. Backyard.

Marbled Murrelet
Brachyramphus marmoratus

• 5/31: Agate Beach, Newport, OR. This was one of a huge number of birds we saw on and near Colony Rock below the lighthouse. This one was floating on the water. I didn’t get a great look, but the markings are consistent with this species.

Canada Goose
Branta canadensis

• 5/12: Kentfield, CA. These were seen on Corte Madera Creek during a walking field trip with my Introduction to Biology lab course.
• 9/17: Corte Madera Creek. Saw several of these birds near the recent restoration, just south of the Stadium Way Bridge.
• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA. A small flock (4 or 5 birds) flew overhead while we were on the beach.

Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis

Sanderling
Calidris alba

• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA. Near the end of our day, two of my students and I were spending some time looking at some gulls and shorebirds in the brackish lagoon when a smallish flock (~20) of Sanderlings flew down to forage on a sandbar.

Dunlin
Calidris alpina

• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA. While trying to sort out a mixed flock of gulls and other assorted shorebirds, we spotted a couple of Dunlin foraging in the shallow water in the brackish lagoon. This was a nice surprise – I don’t see them very often.

Least Sandpiper
Calidris minutilla

• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA. We saw several of these birds throughout the day. Our first were hanging out near the Snowy Plover on the beach. Later, we saw a few more near the brackish lagoon, and had a very nice view of two birds which were spotted from the footbridge.

California Quail
Callipepla californica

• 3/31: Novato, CA. While on a house-hunting tour, as we drove up the hill into this neighborhood, there were about 2 dozen quail along the side of the road. This struck me as a very good sign – I could live here. 🙂
• 6/23: Novato, CA. We ended up purchasing the home mentioned in the previous entry, and these birds are regularly seen in the yard. It always makes me so happy to see them, and I especially love seeing chicks. The ones today were fairly big – pretty close to being full-sized. They’re so fun to watch – they “scrape, scrape” at the ground (usually twice, one foot at a time), and then peck at whatever they’ve uncovered.

• 7/1: Novato, CA. I don’t think there’s been even one day when I didn’t see quail in the yard, but I’m only listing the times when I manage to get some photos. One pattern I’ve noticed is that during the day, they come through in what seem to be single family groups: a male, a female, and perhaps some chicks. But in late afternoon, multiple family groups flock together, and it’s not unusual for me to have two dozen or more birds in the yard at the same time, presumably getting one last good forage before going to wherever they spend the night.

• 7/6: Novato, CA.

• 7/12: Today, a family of quail showed up with some REALLY TINY ADORABLE babies! OMG they are so small and precious. I shouted frantically for Cassie to come and see them while they were in the yard. I assumed that this was probably a second clutch of the season for these parents, but in speaking with Diane Humple (at Point Blue), she said that it’s not at all unusual for quail to breed late in the season. So, these could be just the first babies of the year for this pair. They’re so cute I kind of feel like crying.

• 7/13: I thought the birds from yesterday were tiny, but today another family stopped by with EVEN YOUNGER babies!

• 7/21: Novato, CA. More babies!

• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA. Almost the last birds of the day, as we were almost to the parking lot after our entire day at the lagoon, we heard a quail call, and then a couple of them popped up out of the bushes! Even though we’re nearly through September, this family still has relatively small chicks. Actually, it looks like we saw two different ages of juveniles.

• 9/27: Novato, CA.
• 10/1: Novato, CA.

Anna’s Hummingbird
Calypte anna

• 6/20: Novato, CA.
• 6/23: Novato, CA.
• 6/30: Novato, CA.
• 7/4: Novato, CA.
• 7/5: Novato, CA.
• 7/12: Novato, CA.
• 10/1: Novato, CA.

Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura

• 5/31: Newport, OR.
• 5/31: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
• 7/10: Bolinas, CA.
• 7/21: Marin County, CA.
• 9/26: Marin County, CA.
• 9/26: Marin County, CA.

Semipalmated Plover
Charadrius semipalmatus

Northern Harrier
Circus hudsonius

• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA. This is always a fun bird to see, flying low over the landscape. We saw at least three today. The first was a juvenile or female flying near the parking lot. The second was another brownish bird (perhaps the same individual) closer to the footbridge. Near the end of the day, as we were returning up the trail through the upland habitat, we saw an adult male hunting along the edge of the freshwater lagoon.

Marsh Wren
Cistothorus palustris

• 9/26: Marin County, CA. At least one of these birds was bopping around the little Azolla covered pond, and one of them popped into sight just long enough for me to get a crappy photo. (Not even going to post it here, that’s how bad it is).

American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos

• 2/10: Kentfield, CA.
• 2/18: Kentfield, CA.
• 2/25: Kentfield, CA.
• 5/31: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.

Common Raven
Corvus corax

• 1/16: Agate Beach, Marin, California.
• 9/26: Marin County, CA. Several of these birds were seen throughout the day, including a relatively close encounter on the beach.

Steller’s Jay
Cyanocitta stelleri

8/29: Fairfield-Osborn Preserve, Sonoma County, CA. Had some relatively close views of several of these birds on the Marsh Trail.

Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens

• 5/11: Kentfield, CA. Seen at the suet feeder outside my office window.
• 7/4: Novato, CA. Seen at the suet feeder at home.

Snowy Egret
Egretta thula

• 5/12: Kentfield, CA.
• 7/10: Bolinas, CA.
• 9/16: Kentfield, CA.
• 9/17: Kentfield, CA.

White-tailed Kite
Elanus leucurus

• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA. This bird was seen very near the parking lot at the trailhead, harassing a Red-tailed Hawk.

House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus

• 2/18: Kentfield, CA.
• 6/20: Novato, CA. One of the most abundant birds at the backyard feeder (with numbers rivalled only by the quail).
• 6/29: Novato, CA.
• 6/30: Novato, CA.
• 7/4: Novato, CA.
• 7/7: Novato, CA.
• 7/12: Novato, CA.

Purple Finch
Haemorhous purpureus

• 6/19: Novato, CA. One of the first birds seen at the feeders at our new home.

Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus

• 5/29: Newport, OR. While walking from the Hatfield Marine Center to the aquarium, we spotted this bird flying over the lagoon.

Harlequin Duck
Histrionicus histrionicus

• 5/31: Agate Beach, Newport, OR. Seen swimming in a little protected “bay” south of the lighthouse.

Hooded Oriole
Icterus cucullatus

• 6/30: Novato, CA. When we moved into our new home, I noticed an oriole at a feeder behind the neighbors house, so I put out an oriole feeder of my own, stocking it with orange halves and some oriole “jelly” – it’s the jelly they seem to like best. It didn’t take them long to find it! So thrilled to have these gorgeous birds as part of our backyard family.
• 7/5: Novato, CA.
• 7/6: Novato, CA.
• 7/8: Novato, CA.

Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis

• 6/29: Novato, CA. Regular visitors to our new home.
• 7/4: Novato, CA.

Short-billed Gull
Larus brachyrhynchus

• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

California Gull
Larus californicus

• 5/28: Lincoln, Oregon.
• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis

• 2/10: Corte Madera Creek, Kentfield, CA.
• 9/26: Marin County, CA.

Glaucous-winged Gull
Larus glaucescens

• 5/29: Newport, OR.
• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

Olympic Gull
Larus glaucescens × occidentalis

• 5/29: Newport, OR.

Heermann’s Gull
Larus heermanni

• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

Western Gull
Larus occidentalis

• 2/10: Corte Madera Creek, Kentfield, CA.
• 5/29: Newport, OR.
• 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

American Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus

• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

Hairy Woodpecker
Leuconotopicus villosus

• 6/29: Novato, CA.
• 7/4: Novato, CA.

Short-billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus griseus

• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus

• 2/10: Corte Madera Creek, Kentfield, CA.

American Wigeon
Mareca americana

• 2/10: Corte Madera Creek, Kentfield, CA.

Western Screech-Owl
Megascops kennicottii

• 4/9: Novato, CA.

Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus

• 6/23: Novato, CA.
• 7/4: Novato, CA.
• 7/5: Novato, CA.
• 7/21: Marin County, CA.
• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

Surf Scoter
Melanitta perspicillata

• 5/31: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.

Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo

• 6/20: Novato, CA.
• 6/30: Novato, CA.
• 7/2: Novato, CA.
• 7/6: Novato, CA.
• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia

• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

California Towhee
Melozone crissalis

• 6/25: Novato, CA.
• 6/29: Novato, CA.
• 7/4: Novato, CA.
• 7/20: Novato, CA.

Common Merganser
Mergus merganser

• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

Ash-throated Flycatcher
Myiarchus cinerascens

• 6/21: Novato, CA.
• 7/21: Marin Municipal Water District Watershed, Marin, California.

Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum

• 5/12: Kentfield, CA.
• 7/10: Bolinas, CA.
• 8/12: Marin County, CA.
• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax

• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.CA.

Osprey
Pandion haliaetus

• 8/7: Kent Island, Marin County, CA.

Band-tailed Pigeon
Patagioenas fasciata

• 2/25: Kentfield, CA.

Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis

• 5/31: Lincoln, Oregon.
• 5/31: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

Red Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicarius

• 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

Black-headed Grosbeak
Pheucticus melanocephalus

• 6/23: Novato, CA.

Spotted Towhee
Pipilo maculatus

• 6/25: Novato, CA.

Black-bellied Plover
Pluvialis squatarola
9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps
9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Poecile rufescens
6/20: Novato, CA.
6/29: Novato, CA.
7/5: Novato, CA.

Black Phoebe
Sayornis nigricans
9/26: Marin County, CA.

Say’s Phoebe
Sayornis saya
9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

Western Bluebird
Sialia mexicana
5/6: Kentfield, CA.
5/11: Kentfield, CA.
9/26: Marin County, CA. See briefly from the car while driving near Roy’s Redwoods.

Lesser Goldfinch
Spinus psaltria

• 2/18: Kentfield, CA.
• 6/30: Novato, CA.
• 7/4: Novato, CA.
• 9/26: Marin County, CA.

Elegant Tern
Thalasseus elegans
9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

Bewick’s Wren
Thryomanes bewickii
6/20: Novato, CA.
6/30: Novato, CA.
9/26: Marin County, CA.

Common Murre
Uria aalge
5/31: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.

Pelagic Cormorant
Urile pelagicus
5/29: Newport, OR.

Brandt’s Cormorant
Urile penicillatus
5/31: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.

Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura

• 6/20: Novato, CA.
• 6/23: Novato, CA.
• 6/29: Novato, CA.
• 7/4: Novato, CA.
• 7/6: Novato, CA.
• 7/7: Novato, CA.
• 7/13: Novato, CA.
• 7/14: Novato, CA.

Golden-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia atricapilla
9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.

White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA.