Recent Sightings - March 2024

Harris’ Sparrow, 2/13/2024, near Hopland, Roger Adamson.

Mendocino County had a moderate number of unexpected sightings in February. We started with a Barn Swallow on 02/01 in Ukiah (GG). These are becoming more frequent during winter, either over-wintering birds or very early returning migrants. A Long-tailed Duck was recorded on the Garcia River on 02/02 (TF). A Red-necked Grebe was found on Lake Mendocino on 02/05—unusual for the inland location (MB). A very unusual winter sighting of a Costa’s Hummingbird was reported 02/11 in Fort Bragg (MB & DM). Costa’s winter from Santa Barbara south through Baja and to near Puerto Vallarta. The Harris’s Sparrow reported in January near Hopland continued into February, apparently content to forage with a large group of crown sparrows (CV). While enjoying the Harris’s Sparrow, a group of birders spotted an early Chipping Sparrow on 02/13 (GG, RA, CV, DB, MC). An early Western Flycatcher was seen on 02/15, also near Hopland (CV). A small group of returning Cliff Swallows was reported near Willits on 02/24 (MB). This record was not unexpected; Cliff Swallows, which winter primarily in Argentina and Brazil, start arriving in Central California in early February. And finally, a group of local birders joined a brief whale-watching trip on 02/24 and spotted two Pigeon Guillemots (CK, TB, MF, others). These are common breeders here in summer but are infrequently found in winter when they are primarily foraging well offshore.

Thanks to the following for their reports: George Gibbs (GG), Teale Fristoe (TF), Matt Brady (MB), Dan Maxwell (DM), Chuck Vaughn (CV), Roger Adamson (RA), Dave Bengston (DB), Mike Curry (MC), Catherine Keegan (CK), Tim Bray (TB), Matt Franks (MF).

First published MCAS Black Oystercatcher March 2024