This summer I undertook a trip to California with my wife Mimi and one year old son Koen. It was our first family holiday abroad, but everything, from the flight to camping, went very smoothly. Our son was very excited about all the new things he saw and we all had a good time. My brother-in-law and his friend joined us for a few days, since they were passing through Los Angeles on their year long world.
Our flight was a direct one with KLM, from Amsterdam to San Francisco and back. Tickets were 860 Euro per person (high season price) with an additional 10% for the baby. Make sure you get a good seat where a baby basket fits when travelling with small children. This works just great. Both our flights were totally without trouble.
We hired an Oldsmobile Alero with total insurance from Alamo. It took quite a while before we got the car (which was fine), but were unpleasantly surprised with the lousy quality of the baby seat they deliver. It was not something you want to put your kid in while driving many miles a day. In the end we bought one ourselves (which actually was cheaper that the rental price), although Alamo didn't want to buy it back from us. Another solution is to bring a seat. When we picked my brother-in-law and his friend we upgraded the car to a Dodge Caravan at Los Angeles International Airport, which went fast and easy. The total costs depend greatly on your desires. We took a bigger car (later on even bigger) and had full insurance.
We camped most of our nights, only taking a hotel on days of long driving and two nights in Santa Monica (LA). Camping is very easy in California, since most national and state parks have excellent facilities. The national parks seem to be very crowded in high season. We wanted to rent a tent cabin in Yosemite, but everything was booked, so you need to do this well in advance. The same goes for King's Canyon and Sequoia NP. Reservations can be made through the Internet. The reason for wanting a tent cabin was that we didn't want bears stopping by when smelling Koen's diapers at night. Hotels can be found anywhere, and if you're not too picky you won't have to make reservations in most areas. Along the coast on weekends you need to book (campsites and hotels) in advance, especially if you want to make a pelagic trip from Bodega Bay or Monterey. We booked our first campground by Internet from Holland to avoid problems.
We cooked diner ourselves for quite some nights, but also had diner at some very nice restaurants (some found in Lonely Planet). Just follow your nose and avoid junk food joints as much as possible.
Literature used:
The North American Bird Guide. David Sibley, Chanticleer Press (2000)
Field Guide to the Birds of North America. NGC (2nd edition 1987)
A Birder's Guide to Southern California. Harold Holt, ABA (1990)
Birder's Guide to Northern California. Lolo and Jim Westrich, Gulf Publishing Company (1991)
Contact Mitch Heindel at birdfish@earthlink.net for info on pelagics for southern California (he has a website, but I can't find it again). If you have any questions feel free to contact me on the email address mentioned above.
Itinerary
July 25: Flight from A'dam to San Francisco. Leaving the airport later then hoped we decided to stop for the night at Olema Caravan Park, a 2 hour drive along Highway 1, north of San Francisco.
July 26: A perfect first day in California, driving along Highway 1 from Olema to Stillwater Cove Campground (north of Jenner). Stopping at Tomales Bay and Bodega Bay. Stillwater Cove proves to be very rewarding with Pileated Woodpecker and Hermit Warbler.
July 27: Big day offshore from Bodega Bay with Shearwater Journeys. Although they're not cheap ($150) I recommend them without hesitation. A keen group of guides, very sharp and enthusiastic and we got a good selection of summer pelagic birds (no rarities though; I was the only participant with lifers. I got 9 new birds to see). Seasickness can be a problem if you're sensitive to it (and I am), but it didn't spoil the day at all, since the weather was in fact quite calm. The Bodega Bay pelagic is cancelled frequently due to rough weather offshore (50%) so if you can fit in another pelagic in your itinerary, you should. Summer is surely not the most productive time of year, but still very rewarding and rarities can always turn up. We also saw some jumping and tail slapping Humpback Whales.
July 28: We drove north along Highway 1 to Fort Bragg where we put up our tents at Cleone Campground in McKerricher State Park. Nice campground, with good birding habitat close by. In Fort Bragg make sure you visit the Café Vienna, for the best coffee you'll be able to find in California. It's next to the Laundromat and opposite Longs Drugstore just of the main street through Fort Bragg.
July 29: The whole day was spent in McKerricher State Park, walking around Cleone Lake and along the shoreline. A good variety of birds this day.
July 30: A long drive to Yosemite NP, through the blazingly hot Central Valley. Not much was seen. We stayed at Priest Station Motel at Big Oak Flat. This proved to be the only site where I saw Black-chinned Sparrow and Ash-throated Flycatcher and Phainopepla was quite common.
July 31: Yosemite NP was something of a disappointment. Too crowded (and we didn't visit Yosemite Valley) and no chance to stay overnight as we did not make reservations prior to our arrival. We therefore drove to Tuolumne Meadows stopped at various places, but we didn't find a lot. At Tuolumne Meadows we walked the trail to Elizabeth Lake. A leisurely walk and the habitat could produce any of the Yosemite specialties, but not this day. We took a room at the nice Tioga Lodge, north of Lee Vining.
August 1: I visited the boardwalk area of Mono Lake with Koen early morning. There was a guided walk, but the guide, although very friendly, didn't seem very knowledgeable on bird identification. After breakfast we went to the South Tufa Area, which was very good for some sage specialties. We stayed for the night at Ho!! Ridge Campground at June Lake, with a cracking pair of White-headed Woodpecker right above our tent.
August 2: We decided to make a quick visit to the Devil's Postpile at Mammoth Lakes and chanced upon a Black-backed Woodpecker on our way up. You can reach the Devil's Postpile (an impressive wall off basalt pillars) by bus, or if you want to camp there by own transport. We faked our desire to camp there and drove down ourselves. Next was Crowley Lake for Sage Grouse, but a huge thunderstorm spoiled our visit and zeroed our chance of seeing the grouse. Stayed at Independence in another nice old-fashioned bed and breakfast.
August 3: The day started well with a Lesser Nighthawk over Independence (quite far north) and we wanted to reach the L. A. area, so we did a lot of driving. Our only real stop was at Red Rock Canyon State Park. This was my only chance for some desert species (since we tried to avoid too high temperatures for Koen). A short dash produced Verdin, Cactus Wren and Black-throated Sparrow. Overnight at some motel in Santa Monica, close to the beach.
August 4: We picked up our world travelers from LA international airport and spent the day in L. A. walking along Venice Beach (with Elegant Terns and a Black Oystercatcher) and visiting a friend in Hollywood.
August 5: We drove west to Sycamore Canyon (which is along Highway 1 in the Santa Monica Mountains) where we put up camp. This proved to be an excellent place for quite some species, e.g. Hooded Oriole, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Oak Titmouse, Lawrence's Goldfinch, Costa's Hummingbird, Yellow-breasted Chat and California Thrasher (the last one thrashing under my hammock).
August 6: An early start to reach Ventura Harbor in time for our boat to Santa Cruz Island. This trip can be arranged through Island Packers (phone 805-642-1393). If you want to stay overnight you have to obtain a permit (can be done through the Internet). It takes 1,5 hour to reach the island and I only saw 5 Sooty Shearwaters, but Ventura Harbor was good for Surfbird, Black Turnstone and Least Tern. We camped at Scorpion's Canyon. This is not the best spot for Island Scrub-Jay, but I had very good views of 2 birds on august 7 anyway. Many other (semi)endemic subspecies were seen, as well as 3 obliging Surf Scoters.
August 7: As stated above we had nice views of the jays on the upper section of the campground. On our trip back to Ventura we saw Royal Tern and a lovely Pomarine Jaeger. We stayed overnight in a decent motel somewhere in Ventura (many to choose from), where we also saw our only Eurasian Collared-Doves.
August 8: On our way to Mount Pinos we stopped at Wheeler Gorge Campground, a lovely shady spot. Good birds were Phainopepla, 1 Hutton's Vireo, Western Tanager and Black-headed Grosbeak. Close to Lockwood Valley I had a Cassin's Kingbird opposite a small mine. We put up camp at the infamous McGill Campground. This proved to be a very productive area: 2 adult en 3 juv. Mountain Quail, 5 (possibly 7) White-headed Woodpeckers, 4 Cassin's Finch (male, female, 2 juv.), 1 Chipping Sparrow, 2 MacGillivray's Warblers and much more. After diner we drove up to the top of the mountain (flushing 2 Mountain Quail along the way). Iris Meadow lies just beyond the parking lot and was a very exciting spot, with lots of birds crawling under the sage. Best birds were 2 Fox Sparrows (Large-billed), at least 5 Green-tailed Towhee (brilliant birds) and lots of Clark's Nutcrackers. Back at McGill I wandered over the campground listening for owls until midnight. Without using tape and without accidentally running into a Black Bear I heard a male (3 times) and a female Northern Saw-Whet Owl and a Flammulated Owl. Happy with this score I went to sleep.
August 9: Leaving McGill, we had 10 more Mountain Quails before reaching the main road and another one along the road to Maricopa within the first mile. When you drive to Maricopa from Mount Pinos you pass through very decent grassland. We had no time to stop for longer periods, because we wanted to reach King's Canyon. The birds we numerous though, with dozens of Horned Larks, Loggerhead Shrikes, Western Bluebirds, Western Meadowlarks and Lark Sparrows. In Maricopa I visited the well-known Kerto Road (at the intersection with Petroleum Club Road) for Le Conte's Thrasher. I managed to hear two different birds calling, but only set eyes on one of them, producing all too brief views of a bird running away from me through the bushes. Other birds of interest were 1 Lesser Nighthawk and 2 Sage Sparrows. We made it to King's Canyon safely and spent the night in a tent cabin at Grant Grove (supposedly bear-proof), that should be reserved in high season. On our way there we took the scenic loop through bordering Sequoia NP, where the sequoia trees are truly amazing.
August 10: We drove to Cedar Grove and hiked a short distance to Zumwalt Meadow, a very scenic place, but apart from 1 Cassin's Vireo, 2 juv. Cooper's Hawks and 1 Vaux's Swift it was fairly quiet. On our way back we stopped for a burger at King's Canyon Lodge where the feeders attracted 3 fem. Rufous, 2 fem. Black-chinned and 2 male and 6 female Anna's Hummingbirds. Back at our tent cabin I was surprised to see a White-headed Woodpecker drumming on the front door of our neighbor's cabin.
August 11: Before leaving the High Sierra's we walked down the Dead Giant Loop Trail to the lake overlook early in the morning: 2 Fox Sparrow (Slate-colored) and a few more heard, at least a dozen Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 1 Winter Wren, 1 Lincoln Sparrow, 2 fem. MacGillivray's Warblers, 1 Cassin's Vireo, 1 Spotted Towhee, 1 ad. and 1 juv. Townsend's Solitaire and 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch.
We drove all the way to Pinnacles N.M. and along Route 145 at Helm I saw the only Cattle Egret of the trip and along Route 198 we had 2 Yellow-billed Magpies at Priest Valley and 2 more at the junction with Route 25. The latter provided excellent views, perching on roadside poles. We spent the night at a motel in Soledad, where I saw a male Lawrence's Goldfinch at the big winery east of town.
August 12: Pinnacles itself proved very hot already at 9, so we didn't stay too long, but the drive there was very rewarding. 1 Greater Roadrunner was feeding on the hills to your left just beyond the big vineyards in the valley. In the meadows on the other side of the road we saw a Bobcat. The area proved to be very good for Lark Sparrow as well. At the picnic area we had 35 California Quails and 3 Oak Titmice.
After leaving Pinnacles we drove along the very winding and scenic G16 to the coast. Just SSW of Greenfield I saw 1 Yellow-billed Magpie where the road crosses the river. Further on at Hastings Historic S. P. a Long-eared Owl flew across the road (where a house is on your right and pine trees are planted along the road). A quick stop didn't result in further views of the owl, but a Nuttall's Woodpecker was seen well. Other birds along G16 were dozens of Acorn Woodpecker, 10 Western Bluebirds and dozens of Lark Sparrows.
We put up camp in Monterey at the memorial park (get there early to assure yourself of a spot). A late afternoon visit to Fisherman's Warf produced 12 flyby Western Sandpipers, 1 Pacific Loon, 4 Pigeon Guillemot, both pacific cormorants, hundreds of California Sea-Lions and 3 Sea Otters.
August 13: A Whale watching trip out to Monterey Bay lasted 3 hours (45 minutes speeding to the reliable whales, 1,5 hour fooling around and 45 minutes back) and was 20 dollars each (I believe). Great views of sea mammals (much better than Bodega Bay), although fewer birds (caused by visiting only a small area and no chumming). Best were my first 2 Marbled Murrelets, 500+ Red-necked and 50+ Red Phalaropes, 2 Black-footed Albatross, 3 Pink-footed Shearwaters and hundreds of Sooty Shearwaters. Highlight of the trip were 2 Blue Whales surfacing only meters from the boat (a total of 5 was seen). Furthermore 6 Humpbacks, 20 Risso Dolphins (great creatures), 5 Wright-Whale Dolphins and 10 White-sided Dolphins.
August 14: Once we left Monterey we headed to the Elkhorn Slough area as soon as possible and first we tried to find an easy access to Moonglow Dairy. This proved to be difficult, but there's a track that probably goes to the dairy, left just beyond the oil tanks (actually the first road you may access). We didn't make it to the dairy for two reasons: best was that we soon saw at least 20 males Tricolored Blackbird amongst the many other blackbirds present in the pastures. The second reason was the incredible smell (coming from the dairy??) which made Mimi, who at the time was 3 months pregnant, almost throw up. A group of 20 American White Pelicans migrating south was a nice sight as well. You can view the Elkhorn Slough area reasonably well from Highway 1 (there's a parking place, information board and walking trail). Best birds: 100 Elegant Terns, 2 Common Terns, 230 Least and 7 Western Sandpipers, 40 Semipalmated Plovers, 2 Marbled Godwit, 1 Long-billed Curlew, 300 Red-necked and 30 Wilson's Phalaropes (at last), 6 Black-necked Stilts and 3 "Belding's" Savannah Sparrows. Further north we didn't make many stops and ended up in Loma Mar (in Memorial State Park, which is a very beautiful campground in an impressive Redwood forest). In Loma Mar village I saw the only Purple Finch of the trip (a female). In the evening we visited Pescadero State Beach. The lagoons of Pescadero Wetlands held 2 Hudsonian Whimbrel, 3 Short-billed Dowitcher, 20 Least and 50 Western Sandpipers, 30 Semipalmated Plovers and 1 "Belding's" Savannah Sparrow. At the beach 3 Pigeon Guillemot, 5 Marbled Murrelet, 1 Pacific and 3 summer-plumaged Red-throated Loon's and 1 Western Grebe were seen.
August 15: Just before dawn a Western Screech-owl called from the Redwoods across the creek. I made an early morning visit to Pescadero Beach with Koen, which provided quite some good sightings: 4 Black Oystercatchers, 3 Greater and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Black Turnstone, 1 Wandering Tattler, 6 Snowy Egrets, 3 Surf Scoters, 2 female Goosander and a White-tailed Kite. Further south at Pigeon Point I saw 1 Marbled Murrelet among the more common species. On the way back I turned off at Bean Hollow where 1 juv. Pied-billed Grebe, 1 Belted Kingfisher,1 Red-necked Phalarope, 1 Green Heron and 4 Snowy Egrets were seen.
When we had picked up Mimi we went for our last afternoon to A'o Nuebo. Nice place with easy trails and one big attraction: Northern Elephant-Seals. We were lucky to see two big bulls fighting before they disappeared behind a cliff. Birds in the area: 35 White-crowned Sparrows, 1 Savannah Sparrow (no Belding's though), 32 Red-necked Phalaropes, 2 Ruddy Ducks, 5 American Coots, 1 Clark's Grebe (offshore), 1 Snowy Plover, 6 Sanderlings, 4 Black Turnstones and 1 Ruddy Turnstone.
August 16: Back home again, but not after a night of walking around the campground at night with Koen who was not feeling well. This did result in a calling Great Horned Owl though. Broke up camp early and drove to San Francisco Int. Airport. In the area close to the airport Snowy Egret and Black-necked Stilt were common. Our flight back was very easy as we had great seats and a basket for Koen, who slept almost the entire flight.
Bird list
Red-throated LoonGavia stellata 3 summer plumaged birds swam offshore from the north entrance of Pescadero State Beach on 14/8.
Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica Commonly encountered, nearly every coastal area visited produced a few of these loons, some in summer plumage. Highest count 7 at Stillwater Cove on 26/7.
Common Loon Gavia immer 1 bird seen at Bodega Bay pelagic on 27/7 (at the mouth of the bay) - probably a 1st summer bird.
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podiceps 1 pair Lake Cleone, McKerricher State Park on 28/7 and 29/7, 1 Clear Lake (north of Santa Rosa) on 30/7, 4 birds Boardwalk Mono Lake on 1/8, 1 bird Moonglow Dairy and 2 along Highway 1 between Sta. Cruz and A'o Nuebo on 14/8 and 1 juv. Bean Hollow on 15/8.
Clark's Grebe Aechmophorus clarkii 1 bird was seen from the A'o Nuebo peninsula on 15/8.
Western GrebeAechmophorus occidentalis 10 birds on Clear Lake (north of Santa Rosa) on 30/7 and 1 bird at Pescadero State Beach on 14/8.
Black-footed AlbatrossPhoebastria nigripes 100 were encountered during the Bodega Bay pelagic on 27/7 (of which I actually noted 74. You'll never be able to see every single bird during a pelagic, but I managed to see all species and generally 60 to 80% of the numbers mentioned by Debra Shearwater on her website. Curiously I logged more Common Murres and Sooty Shearwaters, so perhaps the tourleaders tend to underestimate the more common species). Apparently all were adults including some with very pale heads (result of sun bleaching). 2 were seen on the Monterey Bay whale-watching trip on 13/8.
Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 125 at Bodega Bay pelagic on 27/7 were mostly very dark individuals. It seems that they get lighter as they mature, with only the oldest birds being as light as the average European bird. 2 were seen at Monterey Bay on 13/8.
Buller's ShearwaterPuffinus bulleri 1 was briefly seen at Bodega Bay pelagic on 27/7 (being the second of the season in California this year, the first was logged two days earlier at Monterey).
Pink-footed ShearwaterPuffinus creatopus 75 at Bodega Bay pelagic on 27/7, some on the water quite close to the boat. At least 3 were at Monterey Bay on 13/8.
Sooty ShearwaterPuffinus griseus 40 at Bodega Bay pelagic, but I feel this is a slight underestimate. 5 at sea between Ventura and Sta. Cruz Island on 6/8 and 1500 were (mostly on the water) at Monterey Bay on 13/8.
Ashy Storm-Petrel Oceanodromo homochroa 300 were seen at Bodega Bay pelagic, most in a very small area. Very nice views of this species which actually has a very small range (also in winter it's restricted to California and Baja California). An unidentified "white-rumped" storm-petrel (not seen by me) may have been a Wilson's.
American White PelicanPelecanus erythrorhynchos 30 Tomales Bay on 26/7, 62 Bodega Bay 27/7 and 20 flying south at Moonglow Dairy on 14/8.
Brown PelicanPelecanus occidentalis Seen at nearly every coastal locality. Numbers not always noted but highest at Ventura harbor (at least 200).
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus By far the most numerous cormorant and the only species recorded inland. Numbers not noted.
Brandt's Cormorant Phalacrocorax penicillatus 20 just north of Bodega Bay on 26/7, several dozen at Bodega Bay on 27/7, dozens McKerricher State Park on 29/7, several in Ventura harbor on 6/8 and 7/8, 1 at sea between Ventura and Sta. Cruz Island, 3 on Sta. Cruz on 7/8 and several Fisherman's Warf in Monterey on 12/8.
Pelagic Cormorant Phalacrocorax pelagicus 2 just north of Bodega Bay on 26/7, 5 at Stillwater Cove on 26/7, 10 at Bodega Bay on 27/7, 10 McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 1 Venice Beach on 4/8, 10 on Sta. Cruz on 7/8 and several Fisherman's Warf in Monterey on 12/8.
Black-crowned Night-HeronNycticorax nycticorax 3 at Bodega Bay on 27/7.
Green HeronButeroides virescens 1 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7 and 1 at Bean Hollow on 15/8.
Cattle EgretBubulcus ibis 1 Highway 145 near Helm on 11/8.
Snowy EgretEgretta thula 10 Tomales Bay on 26/7, 2 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8, 6 on Pescadero State Beach on 15/8, 4 Bean Hollow on 15/8, 2 A'o Nuebo on 15/8 and 20 San Francisco Bay Area on 16/8.
Great Egret Egretta alba Dozens at Tomales Bay on 26/7, dozens at Bodega Bay on 27/7, 1 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 1 Clear Lake (north of Santa Rosa) on 30/7, 1 at Moonglow Dairy on 14/8 and 2 Bean Hollow on 15/8.
Great Blue HeronArdea herodias 25 Tomales Bay on 26/7, dozens at Bodega Bay on 27/7, 1 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 1 Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8, 2 Ventura harbor on 6/8, 1 at Moonglow Dairy on 14/8, 1 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8 and 2 on Pescadero State Beach on 15/8.
Greater Canada GooseBranta canadensis 8 Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8 and 5 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8.
Black BrantBranta nigricans 5 at Bodega Bay on 27/7.
MallardAnas platyrhynchos 10 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 28/7 and 29/7, 50 on a pond at Lake of Woods on 8/8 and 15 on Pescadero State Beach on 15/8.
Cinnamon TealAnas cyanoptera 2 along Highway 1 between Sta. Cruz and A'o Nuebo on 14/8.
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillata 100 at McKerricher State Park (offshore), 3 immature birds at Sta. Cruz Island and 3 on Pescadero State Beach on 15/8.
Common MerganserMergus merganser 2 females on Pescadero State Beach on 15/8.
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serrator 6 flying south at McKerricher State Park on 29/7.
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensis 3 males Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8 and 2 males A'o Nuebo on 15/8.
Wood DuckAix sponsa 1 bird flushed along the creek running past Olema Caravan Park on 26/7 and 9 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7.
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Common throughout, with regularly up to 100 birds a day.
Osprey Pandion haliaetus 2 Tomales Bay on 26/7, 1 at Stillwater Cove on 26/7, 1 at Bodega Bay on 27/7, 2 Cleone Campground, McKerricher State Park on 28/7 and 29/7, 1 Clear Lake (north of Santa Rosa) on 30/7, 1 Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8, 4 South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8, 2 at Ho!! Ridge Campground, June Lake on 1/8 and 1 on Sta. Cruz on 7/8.
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus 1 adult and 1 juvenile in the Tomales Bay area on 26/7 and 1 on Pescadero State Beach on 15/8.
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus 1 male Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8 and 1 female on Sta. Cruz Island on 7/8.
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetos 1 adult over Ho!! Ridge Campground, June Lake on 1/8.
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus 1 roadside bird just north of Independence on 2/8, 1 immature on Sta. Cruz on 7/8, 1 on McGill Campground on 8/8 and 1 at campsite opposite A'o Nuebo on 14/8.
Cooper's HawkAccipiter cooperi 1 Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8 and 2 juveniles Zumwalt Meadow, Kings Canyon NP on 10/8.
Red-shouldered HawkButeo lineatus 1 Tomales Bay on 26/7, 1 east of Fort Bragg on 30/7 and 1 Memorial Park Campground, Loma Mar on 15/8.
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis 2 Tomales Bay on 26/7, 2 Fort Bragg on 28/7, 1 Clear Lake (north of Santa Rosa) on 30/7, 1 Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8, 3 on McGill Campground and 1 on Mount Pinos on 8/8, 1 along G16 on 12/8 and 5 at Moonglow Dairy on 14/8.
Swainson's HawkButeo swainsoni 1 Mammoth Lakes and 1 at Devil's Postpile on 2/8.
American KestrelFalco sparverius 1 at Stillwater Cove Campground on 26/7, 1 Fort Bragg on 28/7, 1 Mono Lake Boardwalk and 1 South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8, 1 Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8, 4 on Sta. Cruz on 6/8 and 7/8, 10 between Mount Pinos and Maricopa on 9/8, 1 Pinnacles NM-west on 12/8 and 1 at Moonglow Dairy on 14/8.
Prairie FalconFalco mexicanus 1 South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8.
Ring-necked PheasantPhasanius colchicus An introduced Asian species. Heard at Olema Caravan Park on 26/7.
Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopova 1 bird was seen between Fort Bragg and Sacramento on 30/7.
California Quail Callipepla californica 1 north of Bodega Bay on 26/7, 10 at Stillwater Cove Campground on 26/7 to 28/7, 10 Cleone Campground, McKerricher State Park on 28/7 and 29/7, heard at Priest Station Motel, Big Oak Flat on 30/7, 2 pair with 5 young Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8, 3 on Sta. Cruz on 7/8 (introduced on this island), 1 along western entrance road to Pinnacles NM on 12/8, 35 Pinnacles NM-west on 12/8, 2 Butano S. P. on 14/8, 40 between Pescadero and Loma Mar on 15/8 and 7 A'o Nuebo on 15/8.
Mountain Quail Oreortyx pictus 2 adults and 3 juveniles on McGill Campground and 2 on Mount Pinos entrance road on 8/8, 10 on the Mount Pinos entrance road below McGill and 1 on the road to Maricopa, both on 9/8.
Virginia RailRallus limicola 1 bird was heard at Tomales Bay where San Antonio Creek meets the bay on 26/7.
American Coot Fulica americana 50 on a pond at Lake of Woods on 8/8 and 5 A'o Nuebo on 15/8.
Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola 2 McKerricher State Park on 29/7.
Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 1 A'o Nuebo on 15/8 (sandy area near southern viewing point).
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatus 40 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8, 30 Pescadero Wetlands on 14/8 and 1 on Pescadero State Beach on 15/8.
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus 2 Tomales Bay on 26/7, 1 Bodega Bay harbor on 26/7, 10 Mono Lake Boardwalk and 3 South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8 and 10 Pescadero Wetlands on 14/8.
Black OystercatcherHaematopus bachmani 2 just north of Bodega Bay on 26/7, 2 at Stillwater Cove on 26/7, 4 McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 1 Venice Beach on 4/8 and 4 on Pescadero State Beach on 15/8.
American AvocetRecurvirostra americana 15 Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8.
Black-necked StiltHimantopus mexicanus 6 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8 and quite a few in San Francisco Bay Area on 16/8.
Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus Common in most coastal areas, on both rocky shores and mudflats.
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleuca 1 McKerricher State Park on 29/7 and 3 on Pescadero State Beach on 15/8.
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes 1 South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8 and 1 on Pescadero State Beach on 15/8.
Wandering TattlerHeteroscelus incanus 1 at Stillwater Cove on 26/7, 1 McKerricher State Park on 29/7 and 1 on Pescadero State Beach on 15/8.
Spotted SandpiperActitis macularia 3 Mono Lake Boardwalk and 3 South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8.
(Hudsonian) Whimbrel Numenius (phaeopus) hudsonicus 1 McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 2 Pescadero Wetlands and 2 on Pescadero State Beach on 14/8 and 1 on Pescadero State Beach on 15/8.
Long-billed CurlewNumenius americanus Some at Tomales Bay on 26/7, 1 Fisherman's Warf in Monterey on 13/8 and 1 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8.
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoa Dozens at Tomales Bay on 26/7, hundreds at Bodega Bay on 27/7, 2 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8, 5 Pescadero Wetlands on 14/8 and 16 on Pescadero State Beach on 15/8.
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 3 at the docks of Bodega Bay on 26/7, 20 at Bodega Bay on 27/7 and 1 A'o Nuebo on 15/8.
Black TurnstoneArenaria melanocephala 1 at Bodega Bay harbor on 26/7, 23 at Bodega Bay on 27/7, 8 McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 5 Ventura harbor on 6/8, 1 Natural Bridges S. P., Santa Cruz on 14/8, 1 on Pescadero State Beach and 4 A'o Nuebo on 15/8.
SurfbirdAphriza virgata A flock of 200 Surfbirds was seen from the boat, on the mudflats in Bodega Bay on 27/7, 10 McKerricher State Park on 29/7 and 1 Ventura harbor on 6/8.
SanderlingCalidris alba 6 A'o Nuebo on 15/8.
Western SandpiperCalidris mauri 12 flying south past Fisherman's Warf in Monterey on 12/8, 7 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8 and 50 Pescadero Wetlands on 14/8.
Least SandpiperCalidris minutilla 7 South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8, 230 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8 and 20 Pescadero Wetlands on 14/8.
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseus 1 McKerricher State Park on 29/7 and 3 Pescadero Wetlands on 14/8.
Wilson's SnipeGallinago (gallinago) delicata 1 Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8.
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolor 30 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8.
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatus 200 were seen at Bodega Bay pelagic on 27/7 (some still in fine summer plumage), at least 550 were on whale-watching trip Monterey Bay on 13/8 (with 5 at the wharf), 300 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8, 1 Bean Hollow on 15/8 and 32 A'o Nuebo on 15/8.
Red PhalaropePhalaropus fulicara 6 at Bodega Bay pelagic on 27/7 and 50 on whale-watching trip Monterey Bay on 13/8.
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinus 2 at Bodega Bay pelagic (one adult with big spoons and another individual that was already in non-breeding plumage) and 1 adult in non-breeding plumage was on the crossing from Sta. Cruz Island to Ventura on 7/8.
Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus 2 at Bodega Bay pelagic, but sadly I missed the adult, although I had very good views of a fine light juvenile.
Heermann's GullLarus heermanni A common bird of both rocky and sandy coastlines. Also found in estuarine habitat.
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis 2 Tomales Bay on 26/7, 1 at Bodega Bay on 27/7, 1 juvenile McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 4 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8 and 1 Natural Bridges S. P., Santa Cruz on 14/8.
California Gull Larus californicus 10 Tomales Bay on 26/7, 20 at Bodega Bay on 27/7, 20 McKerricher State Park on 28/7 and 40 on 29/7, dozens on Clear Lake (north of Santa Rosa) on 30/7, very numerous on Mono Lake on 1/8, 1 in Ventura Harbor on 7/8 and 1 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8.
Western Gull Larus occidentalis The most common species of gull along the Pacific coast. Found in most coastal habitat, including cities. Strangely I didn't find American Herring Gull, but some of the lighter, Western Gulls that breed further north strongly resemble Herring. Other birders visiting California should know that in summer American Herring Gull is quite scarce in California (c.f. Don Roberson on his website http://www.montereybay.com/creagrus/ discussing the identification of these large gulls and their occurrence in the Monterey area).
Glaucous-winged GullLarus glaucescens A bird at the south end of Bodega Bay on 26/7 was probably a 3rd summer. An adult approaching winter plumage (already brown mottling on head and neck) was seen on the beach of McKerricher State Park on 28/7, directly north of the parking area. A bird in Monterey harbor on 12/8 looked like a Glaucous-winged Gull, but had two fresh primaries that were more like Western Gull and may therefore have been a 3rd year hybrid Glaucous-winged x Western.
Sabine's GullXema sabini 250 at Bodega Bay pelagic. A high estimate to my taste (although I may have missed a flock or two). Generally seen in small flocks, often resting on the water surface. Nearly all were in immaculate breeding plumage. I saw at least 1 juvenile.
Caspian TernSterna caspia 22 Tomales Bay on 26/7, 1 at Stillwater Cove on 26/7, 3 at Bodega Bay on 27/7, 2 McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 5 Venice Beach on 4/8, 2 Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8, 3 between Sta. Cruz and Ventura on 7/8, 1 Fisherman's Warf in Monterey on 13/8, 45 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8, 1 on Pescadero State Beach on 14/8 and 20 on 15/8.
Royal TernSterna maxima 2 Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8 (both in winter plumage and flying north), 6 between Sta. Cruz and Ventura and 3 in Ventura Harbor on 7/8 (all quite early in the season in my opinion).
Elegant Tern Sterna elegans 1 Venice Beach on 4/8, 1 between Sta. Cruz and Ventura on 7/8, 1 Fisherman's Warf in Monterey on 13/8 and 100 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8.
Forster's TernSterna forsteri 5 Ventura harbor on 6/8.
Common Tern Sterna hirundino 2 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8.
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisea 1 at Bodega Bay pelagic on 27/7, although logged by Debi as a "Commic", I believe it actually was an Arctic.
Least Tern Sterna antillarum 2 Ventura harbor on 6/8 and 1 on 7/8.
Common MurreUria aalge 4 Stillwater Cove on 26/7. At Bodega Bay pelagic on 27/7, the official estimate was 400, but I logged at least 502. Regularly we saw not fully grown juveniles. 10 McKerricher State Park on 28/7, 20 McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 14 whale-watching trip Monterey Bay on 13/8, 10 Pigeon Point on 15/8 and dozens A'o Nuebo on 15/8.
Pigeon GuillemotCepphus columba 2 just north of Bodega Bay on 26/7, 30 (including a juvenile) Bodega Bay pelagic on 27/7, 6 McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 4 Fisherman's Warf in Monterey on 12/8 and 5 on 13/8, 3 on Pescadero State Beach on 14/8, 2 Pigeon Point on 15/8 and 6 A'o Nuebo on 15/8.
Marbled Murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus 2 on whale-watching trip Monterey Bay on 13/8, 5 on Pescadero State Beach on 14/8 and 1 Pigeon Point on 15/8.
Xantus's MurreletSynthliboramphus hypoleucus 3 at Bodega Bay pelagic. A pair was seen only in flight, but a little further on I discovered a single bird that landed not too far from the boat and produced reasonable views. A fourth bird was seen by others and could not be identified with confidence.
Cassin's Auklet Ptychoramphus aleuticus 500 at Bodega Bay pelagic.
Rhinoceros AukletCerorhina monocerata 15 at Bodega Bay pelagic, with at least a few seen well enough to see their horn. 3 were on whale-watching trip Monterey Bay on 13/8.
Tufted PuffinFratercula cirrhata 1 at Bodega Bay pelagic. I didn't expect this one, although they breed on nearby Farralon Islands. It seemed to be halfway summer and winter plumage and was seen well on the water and in flight.
Band-tailed PigeonColumba fasciata Common in the coastal area north of San Francisco. Always in small numbers, but present in most visited sites in that region. Also few at Priest Station Motel, Big Oak Flat on 30/7, 3 between Big Oak Flat and B.O.F. entrance on 31/7, 30 Pescadero Wetlands on 14/8 and 1 A'o Nuebo on 15/8.
Mourning DoveZenaida macroura Very common throughout and only absent in mountainous habitat. Numbers not noted.
Eurasian Collared-DoveStreptopelia decaocto 3 in Ventura on 7/8.
Greater RoadrunnerGeococcyx califorianus 1 along western entrance road to Pinnacles NM on 12/8 (opposite the farm which is just beyond the grapevines).
Long-eared Owl Asio otus 1 bird flew across G16 in broad daylight on 12/8. This was just north of Hastings Historic SP at a house with a row of pine trees. I suspect this bird was roosting in one of these trees, but no others were found.
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus 1 heard Memorial Park Campground, Loma Mar on 16/8.
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadius 1 male and 1 female heard on McGill Campground on 8/8.
Flammulated OwlOtus flammeolus 1 heard on McGill Campground on 8/8.
Western Screech-OwlOtus kennicottii 1 heard Memorial Park Campground, Loma Mar on 15/8.
Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis 1 at Independence on 3/8 and 1 Kerto Road, Maricopa on 9/8.
Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi 1 Cleone Campground, McKerricher State Park on 28/7 and 3 on 29/7, 6 Sequoia NP on 9/8, 1 Zumwalt Meadow, Kings Canyon NP on 10/8 and 5 between Pescadero and Loma Mar on 15/8.
White-throated SwiftAeronautes saxatalis 6 Red Rock Canyon on 3/8, 1 Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8 and 1 Roaring River Falls, Kings Canyon NP on 10/8.
Black-chinned HummingbirdArchilochus alexandri 1 female White Wolf Campground on 31/7 and 2 females Kings Canyon Lodge on 10/8.
Anna's HummingbirdCalypte anna Most widespread hummer, found chiefly along the coast but also in Kings Canyon National Park. Only two adult males were seen well.
Costa's HummingbirdCalypte costae 1 subadult male Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8 (where the track crosses the creek).
Rufous HummingbirdSelasphorus rufus 1 female Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8 and at least 3 females Kings Canyon Lodge on 10/8.
Allen's Hummingbird Selasphorus sasin 2 females Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 2 in Santa Monica on 5/8, 1 Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8 and several birds, including 1 male on Sta. Cruz Island on 6/8. The birds on Sta. Cruz Island were of the semi-endemic race S. s. sedentary (which also occurs on the adjacent mainland and therefore the bird at B.S.C. may have been of this race as well).
Belted KingfisherCeryle alcyon 1 Bodega Bay docks on 26/7, 1 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7 and 1 Bean Hollow on 15/8.
Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus 1 Olema Caravan Park on 26/7, 2 Cleone Campground, McKerricher State Park on 28/7, 1 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 2 between Fort Bragg and Sacramento on 30/7, 10 Priest Station Motel, Big Oak Flat on 30/7, 1 between Big Oak Flat and B.O.F. entrance on 31/7, 1 between Ventura and Mount Pinos and 4 on Wheeler Gorge Campground on 8/8, 2 Sequoia NP on 9/8, 1 Zumwalt Meadow, Kings Canyon NP on 10/8, 1 along Highway 180, just outside Kings Canyon NP on 11/8, dozens along G16 on 12/8, 2 Memorial Park Campground in Monterey on 12/8, 1 Butano S. P. on 14/8, 1 between Pescadero and Loma Mar on 15/8 and 2 Memorial Park Campground, Loma Mar on 15/8.
Lewis's WoodpeckerMelanerpes lewis 1 behind Tioga Lodge, Lee Vining on 1/8 was a surprise find.
Red-breasted SapsuckerSphyrapicus ruber 2 along Tioga Road 1 mile east of Tuolumne Grove and 2 from Tioga Road along Yosemite Creek, both on 31/7.
Downy WoodpeckerPicoides pubescens 1 McKerricher State Park on 29/7 and 1 Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8.
Hairy WoodpeckerPicoides villosus 7 at Stillwater Cove Campground on 26/7 to 28/7, 1 Cleone Campground, McKerricher State Park on 28/7, 1 McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 1 Priest Station Motel, Big Oak Flat on 30/7, 1 Elizabeth Lake Trail on 31/7, 2 Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8, 2 on McGill Campground and 1 on Mount Pinos on 8/8.
Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticus 1 female flew over the entrance road to Mammoth Lakes Ski Area on 2/8 and landed in a tree beside the road. Great views!! It was less then a mile east of the first big ski lift on your left.
Nuttall's WoodpeckerPicoides nuttallii 1 along Highway 1 a few miles south of Fort Bragg on 28/7, 1 Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8 and 1 along G16 (same spot as the Long-eared Owl) on 12/8.
White-headed Woodpecker Picoides albolarvatus 2 at Ho!! Ridge Campground, June Lake on 1/8 (above our tent), at least 5, but possibly 7 on McGill Campground on 8/8 and 1 Grand Grove, Kings Canyon NP on 10/8 (clinging to the front door of a cabin).
Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus 5 along Tioga Road 1 mile east of Tuolumne Grove and 2 at "Burnt Tree Site" along Tioga Road (2 miles east of Tuolumne Grove) on 31/7, 3 Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8, 1 along Highway 395 on 3/8, 2 on McGill Campground and 1 on Mount Pinos on 8/8 and 1 Memorial Park Campground in Monterey on 12/8.
Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus After hearing it's call from my tent during siesta I located a stunning male working the tree stumps in the forest above Stillwater Cove Campground on 26/7. Follow the track opposite the toilet block. Also 1 bird was heard drumming at "Burnt Tree Site" along Tioga Road (2 miles east of Tuolumne Grove) on 31/7.
Olive-sided FlycatcherContopus cooperi 2 Cleone Campground, McKerricher State Park on 28/7, 1 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 2 at Ho!! Ridge Campground, June Lake on 1/8 and 1 Sequoia NP on 9/8.
Western Wood-PeweeContopus sordidulus 3 Cleone Campground, McKerricher State Park on 28/7, 1 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 1 Elizabeth Lake Trail on 31/7, 1 Mono Lake Boardwalk and 3 Ho!! Ridge Campground, June Lake on 1/8, 1 at Lake of Woods and 2 on McGill Campground on 8/8, 1 Grand Grove, Kings Canyon NP on 9/8 and 2 Dead Giant Loop Trail, Kings Canyon NP on 11/8.
Pacific-slope FlycatcherEmpidonax difficilis 2 Olema Caravan Park on 26/7, 3 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7 and 1 on Sta. Cruz on 7/8 (presumably of endemic subspecies E. d. insularity).
Hammond's FlycatcherEmpidonax hammondii 1 at "Burnt Tree Site" along Tioga Road (2 miles east of Tuolumne Grove) on 31/7.
Dusky FlycatcherEmpidonax oberholseri 1 along Tioga Road 1 mile east of Tuolumne Grove.
Black PhoebeSayornis nigricans 5 Olema Caravan Park on 26/7, 1 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 2 Clear Lake (north of Santa Rosa) on 30/7, 1 Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8, 2 on Sta. Cruz on 7/8, 1 on Wheeler Gorge Campground on 8/8, 1 at Moonglow Dairy on 14/8 and 1 Bean Hollow on 15/8.
Say's PhoebeSayornis saya 1 South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8.
Ash-throated FlycatcherMyiarchus cinerascens 1 Priest Station Motel, Big Oak Flat on 30/7 and 1 between Big Oak Flat and B.O.F. entrance on 31/7.
Cassin's Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans 1 at Lockwood Valley (opposite a little mine).
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalis Surprisingly scarce in most areas but very common in suitable grassland, like the area around Maricopa and the "Golden hills" of the Coastal Range where dozens a day were seen.
Loggerhead ShrikeLanius ludovicianus 1 bird was seen between Fort Bragg and Sacramento on 30/7, 1 Mono Lake Visitor's Center on 1/8, 1 along Highway 395 on 3/8, 1 Red Rock Canyon on 3/8, 1 on Sta. Cruz on 7/8 above the upper part of Scorpion Campground (this bird also belonged to a subspecies endemic to the Channel Islands, but no scientific name is known to me), dozens between Mount Pinos and Maricopa on 9/8, 5 Kerto Road, Maricopa on 9/8 and 1 along western entrance road to Pinnacles NM on 12/8.
Hutton's VireoVireo huttoni 1 on Wheeler Gorge Campground on 8/8.
Cassin's VireoVireo cassinii 1 Zumwalt Meadow, Kings Canyon NP on 10/8 and 1 Dead Giant Loop Trail, Kings Canyon NP on 11/8 (at Sequoia Lake overlook).
Steller's JayCyanocitta stelleri At least 40 at Stillwater Cove Campground on 26/7 to 28/7, 20 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 1 at Lake of Woods on 8/8, dozens on McGill Campground on 8/8 and dozens on Memorial Park Campground, Loma Mar on 14/8.
Western Scrub-JayAphelocoma californica Very common throughout, only in mature coniferous forests replaced by Steller's Jay.
Island Scrub-JayAphelocoma insularis 2 on Sta. Cruz Island on 7/8 at Scorpion Campground. This endemic species to Sta. Cruz is reportedly easier to find at Prisoner's Harbor, but once found I had very good views of this distinct Scrub-Jay.
Clark's Nutcracker Nucifraga columbiana 1 behind Tioga Lodge, Lee Vining, 15 in the forest east of South Tufa and 6 at Ho!! Ridge Campground, June Lake on 1/8 and common on Mount Pinos on 8/8.
Black-billed Magpie Pica hudsonia 10 Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8.
Yellow-billed MagpiePica nuttalli 2 along Highway 198 at Priest Valley and 2 at the intersection with Highway 25 on 11/8. At least 1 was seen along G16 just west of Greenfield where the road crosses the river on 12/8.
Common Raven Corvus corax Noted in most areas, but particularly common in mountain areas and deserts. Ian Merrill mentions a possible future split for the subspecies resident in California, although I'm not sure on what this is based.
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchos Common in coastal areas (250 were seen flying to a roosting site near San Francisco International Airport on 25/7). Further inland often replaced by Common Raven.
Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris 4 on Sta. Cruz on 7/8 (the subspecies occurring on Sta. Cruz is endemic to the island and it's scientific name may be E. a. insularis) and dozens between Mount Pinos and Maricopa on 9/8.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis At least a few were seen with Cliff Swallows above Stillwater Cove Campground on 26/7 and 3 Cleone Campground, McKerricher State Park on 28/7.
Bank SwallowRiparia riparia 1 South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8.
Violet-green SwallowTachycineta thalassina 12 Mono Lake Boardwalk and dozens at Ho!! Ridge Campground, June Lake on 1/8, several Devil's Postpile on 2/8, 1 on McGill Campground on 8/8 and 4 Dead Giant Loop Trail, Kings Canyon NP on 11/8.
Tree SwallowTachycineta bicolor 1 Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8.
Cliff SwallowPetrochelidon pyrrhonota A common and widespread species.
Barn SwallowHirundo rustica A common species, but less so in mountain areas.
Oak Titmouse Baeolophus inornatus 2 Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8 and 3 Pinnacles NM-west on 12/8.
Black-capped ChickadeePoecile atricapilla Although apparently outside their "normal" range I saw at least 1 bird in a flock of Chestnut-backs at Olema Caravan Park on 26/7.
Mountain ChickadeePoecile gambeli Common in the Sierras and Mount Pinos.
Chestnut-backed ChickadeePoecile rufescens A very common and conspicuous bird of the coastal forests. Also found in the Sierras, where common in Yosemite NP, but less so in other areas visited.
Verdin Auriparus flaviceps 1 Red Rock Canyon (at the visitor's center) on 3/8.
BushtitPsaltriparus minimus Common in coastal areas but also in the foothills of the Sierras, wherever there's scrub. Generally very conspicuous since they fly noisily from bush to bush in small groups.
Red-breasted NuthatchSitta canadensis 1 Devil's Postpile on 2/8 and 1 Dead Giant Loop Trail, Kings Canyon NP on 11/8.
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensis 5 Elizabeth Lake Trail in Yosemite NP, on 31/7, 1 Ho!! Ridge Campground, June Lake on 1/8 and 2 on McGill Campground on 8/8.
Pygmy NuthatchSitta pygmaea Very common in coniferous forests in high Sierras, Mount Pinos and the coastal area between Monterey and Fort Bragg, where these noisy birds were often seen in very large flocks (up to 80 at Stillwater Cove Campground).
Brown CreeperCerthia americana 1 Olema Caravan Park on 26/7, 1 Stillwater Cove Campground on 28/7, 2 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 28/7 and 29/7, 1 along Tioga Road 1 mile east of Tuolumne Grove on 31/7, 1 Grand Grove, Kings Canyon NP on 9/8 and 2 Memorial Park Campground, Loma Mar on 14/8.
Bewick's WrenThryomanes bewickii 1 Olema Caravan Park on 26/7, 2 Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8 and 2 Scorpion Campground, Sta. Cruz on 6/8 (of the endemic subspecies T. b. nesophilus).
House Wren Troglodytes aedon 2 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 2 Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8, 1 on McGill Campground on 8/8 and 15 on Mount Pinos on 8/8.
Winter WrenTroglodytes troglodytes 1 Dead Giant Loop Trail, Kings Canyon NP on 11/8 (at Lion Meadow).
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustris 2 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7.
Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus 1 pair Red Rock Canyon (between the visitor's center and the campground - walk the washes in this area) on 3/8.
Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus 2 Mono Lake Boardwalk and 3 South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8 and 1 Red Rock Canyon on 3/8.
WrentitChamaea fasciata 2 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 28/7, 4 Priest Station Motel, Big Oak Flat on 30/7 and at least 11 Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8. This species is supposedly hard to see, but I saw nearly all of them extremely well at close range.
Golden-crowned KingletRegulus satrapa 5 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 28/7 and 3 on 29/7 and several Zumwalt Meadow, Kings Canyon NP on 10/8.
Ruby-crowned KingletRegulus calendula 10 Big Oak Flat entrance, Yosemite NP on 31/7 and 11 Dead Giant Loop Trail, Kings Canyon NP on 11/8.
Townsend's SolitaireMyadestes townsendi 1 Elizabeth Lake Trail, Yosemite NP on 31/7 and 1 adult and 1 juvenile Dead Giant Loop Trail, Kings Canyon NP on 11/8.
Western BluebirdSialia mexicana 2 Fort Bragg on 28/7, 8 on McGill Campground and 7 on Mount Pinos on 8/8, 10 Grand Grove, Kings Canyon NP on 10/8 and 10 along G16 on 12/8.
American RobinTurdus migratorius A widespread species, found in coastal urban areas, but also in high altitude pine forest. Never in large numbers, but often with recently fledged young.
Swainson's ThrushChatarus ustulatus 1 Cleone Campground, McKerricher State Park on 28/7 and 4 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7.
Hermit ThrushChatarus guttatus 2 Elizabeth Lake Trail, Yosemite NP on 31/7.
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottos 2 Tomales Bay on 26/7, 2 Red Rock Canyon on 3/8, 1 Santa Monica on 4/8 and 1 between Ventura and Mount Pinos on 8/8.
California ThrasherToxostoma redivivum At least 8 Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8 (1 walking under my hammock).
Le Conte's ThrasherToxostoma lecontei 2 birds Kerto Road, Maricopa on 9/8 (1 only heard calling, but a second seen running away between bushes).
Sage ThrasherOreoscoptes montanus 5 Mono Lake Visitor's Center and dozens at South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8.
European StarlingSturnus vulgarus This European species was already concentrating in flocks and sometimes seen in large numbers migrating to and from roosting sites. Found in most rural areas.
PhainopeplaPhainopepla nitens 3 males and 2 fem/juv's Priest Station Motel, Big Oak Flat on 30/7, 2 between Big Oak Flat and B.O.F. entrance on 31/7 and 3 on Wheeler Gorge Campground on 8/8.
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorum 3 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7.
Orange-crowned WarblerVermivora celata 1 at Stillwater Cove Campground on 26/7, 1 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 1 Tuolumne Meadows Campground on 31/7, 1 Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8 and 2 on McGill Campground on 8/8.
Yellow WarblerDendroica petechia Strangely the only bird of the trip was observed at "Burnt Tree Site" along Tioga Road (2 miles east of Tuolumne Grove) on 31/7.
Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler Dendroica (coronata) auduboni Common in Yosemite NP on 31/7, 5 Grand Grove, Kings Canyon NP on 10/8 and 1 Dead Giant Loop Trail, Kings Canyon NP on 11/8.
Hermit Warbler Dendroica occidentalis 1 pair at Stillwater Cove Campground on 26/7 (found on the hill at the eastside of the campground).
MacGillivray's WarblerOporornis tolmiei 1 female and 3 juveniles Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 2 on McGill Campground on 8/8 and 2 females Dead Giant Loop Trail, Kings Canyon NP on 11/8 (1 seen well at Lion Meadow).
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichas 1 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7 and 2 pairs Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8.
Wilson's WarblerWilsonia pusilla 3 Cleone Campground, McKerricher State Park on 28/7, 20 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7 and 1 Dead Giant Loop Trail, Kings Canyon NP on 11/8.
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens 1 seen well Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8 (feeding on berries at the far end of the campground).
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana 1 female at "Burnt Tree Site" along Tioga Road (2 miles east of Tuolumne Grove) on 31/7, 1 male on Wheeler Gorge Campground on 8/8 and 1 female Zumwalt Meadow, Kings Canyon NP on 10/8.
Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus 1 female Mono Lake Boardwalk on 1/8, 1 female and 2 juveniles Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8 and 1 female on Wheeler Gorge Campground on 8/8.
Lazuli BuntingPasserina amoena 1 singing male behind Tioga Lodge, Lee Vining on 1/8.
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus Several at Priest Station Motel, Big Oak Flat on 30/7, 4 Mono Lake Visitor's Center on 1/8, 2 Big Sycamore Canyon on 6/8, 1 male Dead Giant Loop Trail, Kings Canyon NP on 11/8 and 1 along western entrance road to Pinnacles NM on 12/8.
Green-tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorurus 1 South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8 and 5 on Iris Meadow, Mount Pinos on 8/8.
California Towhee Pipilo crissalis 5 Tomales Bay on 26/7, 1 between Fort Bragg and Sacramento on 30/7, 3 Priest Station Motel, Big Oak Flat on 30/7, 2 between Big Oak Flat and B.O.F. entrance on 31/7, 30 Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8, 9 on Wheeler Gorge Campground on 8/8, 7 along western entrance road to Pinnacles NM on 12/8, 2 along Highway 1 between Sta. Cruz and A'o Nuebo on 14/8, 1 Pescadero Wetlands on 14/8 and 2 between Pescadero and Loma Mar on 15/8.
Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps 1 Big Sycamore Canyon on 6/8 and 5 on Sta. Cruz on 7/8 (endemic subspecies).
Sage Sparrow Amphispiza belli 1 Mono Lake Visitor's Center, 1 Mono Lake Boardwalk and 3 South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8 all belonged to A. b. nevadensis and after possible future split will be called Sage Sparrow. 2 were at Kerto Road, Maricopa on 9/8 and those belong to A. b. belli and may be split from nevadensis as Bell's Sparrow.
Black-throated SparrowAmphispiza bilineata 1 cracking adult at Red Rock Canyon on 3/8.
Black-chinned Sparrow Spizella atrogularis 1 singing at Priest Station Motel, Big Oak Flat on 30/7.
Brewer's Sparrow Spizella breweri 3 Mono Lake Visitor's Center and dozens at South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8 and 1 on McGill Campground on 8/8.
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerina 1 on McGill Campground on 8/8.
Grasshopper SparrowAmmodramus savannarum 2 McKerricher State Park on 29/7.
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis 1 South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8 (P. s. nevadensis, status unclear to me), 3 Elkhorn Slough on 14/8, 1 Pescadero Wetlands on 14/8 (were of the "Belding's" form, which consists of P. s. alaudinus and beldingi. I'm not sure what the exact race of the birds I saw) and 1 A'o Nuebo on 15/8 (that looked much paler than "Belding's" and wasn't in saltmarsh habitat - possibly a nevadensis as well).
Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus 1 South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8 and 1 Crowley Lake on 2/8.
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacus Dozens between Mount Pinos and Maricopa on 9/8, dozens along western entrance road to Pinnacles NM on 12/8 and dozens along G16 on 12/8.
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrys 10 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7, 1 Devil's Postpile on 2/8, 30 A'o Nuebo on 15/8. The coastal birds belong to Z. l. nuttalli and the bird of Devil's Postpile probably to Z. l. pugetensis.
Fox SparrowPasserella iliaca 10 along Tioga Road (various places) on 31/7, 2 on Mount Pinos on 8/8 and 2 Dead Giant Loop Trail, Kings Canyon NP on 11/8. The birds on Mount Pinos belong to P. i. stephensi, possibly split as Large-billed Sparrow (and a large bill they have!). The other birds in High Sierra belong to P. i. schistacea and may be split as Slate-colored Sparrow.
Song SparrowMelospiza melodia 1 Olema Caravan Park on 26/7, 2 at Stillwater Cove on 26/7, many at Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 28/7 and 29/7, 1 Mono Lake Boardwalk and dozens at South Tufa, Mono Lake on 1/8, 1 in Malibu on 5/8, 1 Pinnacles NM-west on 12/8 and 10 A'o Nuebo on 15/8. The birds at Mono Lake belong to M. m. fisherella and the others probably to M. m. gouldii - both belong to the Continental North American Group.
Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii 1 Dead Giant Loop Trail, Kings Canyon NP on 11/8 (at Lion Meadow).
Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis 1 pair at Stillwater Cove Campground on 26/7, common in Yosemite NP on 31/7, 2 Devil's Postpile on 2/8, 5 on Wheeler Gorge Campground and 4 on Mount Pinos on 8/8, 4 Grand Grove, Kings Canyon NP on 9/8 and many Dead Giant Loop Trail, Kings Canyon NP on 11/8. All were of the Oregon Junco type, belonging either to J. h. pinosus (Mount Pinos area) or J. h. thurberi (High Sierra and probably also the northern coastal birds).
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglecta 5 at Crowley Lake on 2/8 and dozens between Mount Pinos and Maricopa on 9/8.
Brown-headed CowbirdMolothrus ater Common throughout, although less so than both gregarious blackbirds. Highest count was 100 at Pigeon Point.
Yellow-headed BlackbirdXanthocephalus xanthocephalus 1 female and several heard at Ho!! Ridge Campground, June Lake on 1/8.
Tricolored BlackbirdAgelaius tricolor At least 20 males were at Moonglow Dairy on 14/8 (in a mixed blackbird flock) along a track leading to the dairy just east of the oil tanks.
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceus Common in coastal areas, but in smaller numbers than Brewer's. In McKerricher State Park "Bicolored Blackbird" was identified on 28/7 and 29/7.
Brewer's BlackbirdEuphagus cyanocephalus Very common everywhere, often in large flocks.
Bullock's OrioleIcterus bullockii 1 female behind Tioga Lodge, Lee Vining and 1 female Mono Lake Visitor's Center on 1/8 and 1 female on Sta. Cruz on 7/8.
Hooded OrioleIcterus cucullatus 1 female in Santa Monica and 1 male in Malibu on 5/8, 1 male Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8.
Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus 1 female at Loma Mar on 14/8.
Cassin's FinchCarpodacus cassinii 1 pair with 2 juveniles on McGill Campground on 8/8.
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus Very common throughout, with often large flocks seen.
Red CrossbillLoxia recurvirostra 2 at Stillwater Cove Campground on 26/7, 1 Cleone Lake, McKerricher State Park on 29/7 and 5 Tuolumne Meadows Lodge on 31/7. Paid no special attention to their calls, so no vocal types (and potentially separate species) were identified.
Pine SiskinCarduelis pinus 2 over Mammoth Lakes on 2/8.
Lawrence's GoldfinchCarduelis lawrencei 2 female-type birds (possibly juveniles) Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8 (on the southern slope at the point where the creek crosses the track) and 1 male at Soledad winery on 11/8.
Lesser GoldfinchCarduelis psaltria 2 birds at Olema Caravan Park on 26/7, 40 Priest Station Motel, Big Oak Flat on 30/7, common between Big Oak Flat and B.O.F. entrance on 31/7, 2 Big Sycamore Canyon on 5/8, 2 A'o Nuebo on 15/8. Birds in California belong to the green-backed form.
American GoldfinchCarduelis tristis Fairly common in McKerricher State Park and 1 male A'o Nuebo on 15/8.
House SparrowPasser domesticus This introduced species is common in most urban areas, but also found in villages and farmland, e.g. in Central Valley.
