SANTA CLARA COUNTY BIRD LIST DISCUSSION ARCHIVE 2022
| 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 2022 or view all the cumulative year lists.
January
We started off 2022 with 168 countable birds seen on January 1, and a total of 208 countable birds for the month of January. The average for January 1st is 156, and the average for the month of January is 201. There were 3 birds that were not ABA-countable in January. 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 208 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 2022:
Curlew Sandpiper, 1/1/2022, continuing from 2021, at Palo Alto Baylands, seen by multiple observers
Williamson’s Sapsucker, 1/1/2022, continuing from 2021, at Vasona Lake County Park, by multiple observers
Tropical Kingbird, 1/1/2022, continuing from 2021, at Geng Road, by multiple observers
Eastern Phoebe, 1/8/2022, found along the Guadalupe River Trail in North San Jose, by Monica N and “TKP”
Rarity Code 5’s for January 2022:
Tufted Duck, 1/1/2022, continuing from 2021, in Salt Pond A16, seen by Matthew Dodder
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1/1/2022, continuing from 2021, at Vasona Lake County Park, seen by Tim Hoo
Swamp Sparrow, 1/1/2022, seen by multiple observers at Palo Alto Baylands
Red-necked Grebe, 1/5/2022, found by Howard Friedman at Coyote Lake County Park
White-winged Scoter, 1/6/2022, found Bob Reiling, in Salt Pond A11
Cassin’s Kingbird, 1/6/2022, found by Mike Mammoser outside the Gilroy Water Treatment Plant
Hammond’s Flycatcher, 1/10/2022, found by an anonymous eBirder along the Guadalupe River Trail in North San Jose
Townsend’s Solitaire, 1/11/2022, found by Brooke Miller at Sanborn County Park (main entrance)
The 3 ABA non-countable birds for January were:
Scaly-breasted Munia, seen on 1/5/2022, at Guadalupe River Trail--Blossom Hill Rd. to Chynoweth Ave, by Gordon Rydquist
Yellow-crowned Parrot, seen on 1/11/2022, at Las Palmas Park by Vinayak Hebbagil and Shweta Shidhore
Red-masked Parakeet, seen on 1/18/2022, by Garrett Lau and Brooke Miller
My monthly reports are made up of eBird sightings, postings on south-bay-birds, and direct emails. You can find the latest report here , and all the monthly cumulative lists 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
February
We had 9 new birds for the month of February, bringing the total on the last day of February to 217. The average for February is 9 birds, and the average as of the end of February is 210. There were no birds that were not ABA-countable in February. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.
Here are the 9 countable birds for February, including rarity codes in parentheses:
2-Feb: Oriental Turtle-Dove (6), found by Andrew Bradshaw, in his Palo Alto neighborhood
4-Feb: Bullock’s Oriole (1), found by Todd Easterla, along Geng Road in Palo Alto
4-Feb: Rufous Hummingbird (4), found by Sergey Pavlov, at the Arboretum at Stanford University
5-Feb: Black-headed Grosbeak (1), seen by Mary Ann Allan, in her yard in South Los Altos
5-Feb: American Redstart (5), found by Jasen Liu along the Guadalupe River Trail in north San Jose
6-Feb: Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2), seen by Heather Anderson at Guadalupe Oak Grove Park
21-Feb: House Wren (2), found by Matthew Dodder at Charleston Rd Marsh
27-Feb: Common Poorwill (3), heard by Kitty O’Neil and Bill Pelletier at Alum Rock Park
Hidden: Black Rail—sensitive species—no location, date, or observer
March
We had 13 new birds for the month of March, bringing the total on the last day of March to 230. The average for March is 13 birds, and the average at the end of March is 223. There were no birds that were not ABA-countable in March. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.
Here are the 13 countable birds for March, including rarity codes in parentheses:
10-Mar: Cliff Swallow (1), seen by Mike Danzenbaker at the Oriental Turtle-Dove stakeout location in Palo Alto
11-Mar: Greater Roadrunner (4), seen by multiple observers at Kirby Landfill
13-Mar: Warbling Vireo (2), seen by Julian Tattoni at the Los Trancos Banding Site
16-Mar: Vaux’s Swift (3), seen by Ann Verdi at Almaden Lake Park
18-Mar: Western Kingbird (2), found by “TKP” at Ben Rodgers Park
20-Mar: Cassin’s Vireo (2), found by Howard Friedman at Ulistac Natural Area
20-Mar: Pacific-slope Flycatcher (2), found by Melissa Johnson at McClellan Ranch Preserve
21-Mar: Vermilion Flycatcher (6), found by Dave Weber at Joseph D Grant County Park
21-Mar: Hooded Oriole (3), seen by Eve Meier, in her yard in the Cambrian neighborhood of San Jose
25-Mar: Summer Tanager (5), found by Janna Pauser along the Guadalupe Creek Trail
25-Mar: Hermit Warbler (4), seen by Janna Pauser along Woods Rd.
26-Mar: American Bittern (4), seen by Loni Ye at Calero Reservoir
29-Mar: Swainson’s Hawk (5), found by Dave Weber along San Felipe Rd.
April
We had 18 new birds for the month of April, bringing the total on the last day of April to 248. The average for April is 20 birds, and the average at the end of April is 243. There were no birds that were not ABA-countable in April. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.
Here are the 18 countable birds for April, including rarity codes in parentheses:
1-Apr: Ash-throated Flycatcher (2), found by Chris Wilson at ‘Grizzly’
8-Apr: Solitary Sandpiper (5), seen by Erica Fleniken at Ulistac Natural Area
9-Apr: Lazuli Bunting (2), found by multiple observers at multiple locations
9-Apr: Purple Martin (4), found by Carter Gasiorowski and Mike Rogers at Grant Lake
9-Apr: Nashville Warbler (4), seen by Janet Hanson and Mike Mammoser at Smith Creek Fire Station
9-Apr: Black-chinned Hummingbird (4), seen by Howard Friedman at Rosicrucian Park
10-Apr: Elegant Tern (4), found by Adam Burnett at Salt Pond A1
12-Apr: Western Wood-Pewee (2), found by James Swanson at the Baytree Picnic Area of Stevens Creek County Park
13-Apr: MacGillivray’s Warbler (4), found by Brooke Miller at the ranch house area of Joseph D Grant County Park
17-Apr: Olive-sided Flycatcher (3), found by Alex Rinkert on Upper Mt Madonna Rd—Loma Prieta
20-Apr: Red Knot (5), seen by Adam Burnett at the San Francisquito Creek Mouth
20-Apr: Calliope Hummingbird (5), seen by Kitty O’Neil and Bill Pelletier in their yard on Mt Hamilton
21-Apr: Red-necked Phalarope (2), found by Mike Mammoser at the South County Regional Wastewater Authority (Gilroy Ponds)
24-Apr: Ruddy Turnstone (5), seen by Brooke Miller at the San Francisquito Creek Mouth
26-Apr: Swainson’s Thrush (2), found by Dani Christensen at Rancho Canada del Oro OSP
26-Apr: Black-chinned Sparrow (4), found by Brooke Miller at upper Mt Madonna Rd—Loma Prieta
30-Apr: Yellow-breasted Chat (5), found by Matthew Dodder, Barry Langdon-Lassagne, and Katja Zuske at the North Coyote Valley Conservation Area
30-Apr: Bank Swallow (5), seen by Dessi Sieburth flying over Salt Pond A16
May
We had one late-reported bird for April, a Dusky Flycatcher at Ulistac Natural Area, found and photographed by Erica Fleniken on 30-April.
For May we had 7 new birds, bringing the total at the end of the month to 256. The average for May is 9 new birds, and the average at the end of May is 252. There were no birds that were not ABA-countable in May. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.
Here are the 7 new birds for May, including rarity codes in parentheses:
11-May: Black Swift (5), found and photographed by Garrett Lau at the Sunnyvale WPCP—East Pond
14-May: Blue Grosbeak (4), seen and photographed by an anonymous birder at the Spring Valley area of Ed Levin County Park
15-May: Wilson’s Phalarope (2), found and photographed by Garrett Lau at Sunnyvale Baylands Park
15-May: Willow Flycatcher (4), seen by Eve Meier and Jennifer Oliver at Santa Teresa County
20-May: Black Tern (5), seen by Elena Scott at Shoreline Lake
21-May: White-faced Ibis (4), found by multiple observers at Charleston Slough/Coast Casey Forebay
30-May: Eastern Kingbird (6), found and photographed by Caitlin Chock at Shoreline Park kite flying area
June
First, I need to correct a sighting for May. The first Wilson’s Phalarope was, in fact, found on 13-May at the Sunnyvale Baylands by Kirsten Holmquist.
For June we had 2 new birds, bringing the total at the end of the month to 258. The average for June is 4 new birds, and the average at the end of June is 255. There were no birds that were not ABA-countable in June. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.
Here are the 2 new birds for June, including rarity codes in parentheses:
26-Jun: Rose-breasted Grosbeak (5), seen by Elif Soyarslan in her backyard
28-Jun: California Condor (6), seen flying with a group of Turkey Vultures over Highway 17 in Los Gatos, by Ryan Phillips
July
For July we had 5 new birds, bringing the total at the end of the month to 263. The average for July is 4 new birds, and the average at the end of July is 260. There were no birds that were not ABA-countable in July. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.
Here are the 5 new birds for July, including rarity codes in parentheses:
9-Jul: Brant (6), found by Kirsten Holmquist on/near the South levee of Sunnyvale WPCP—East Pond
13-Jul: Least Tern (4), seen by Luca de Alfaro at the Palo Alto Baylands
16-Jul: Least Bittern (6), found by Mike Mammoser at Calero Reservoir
25-Jul: Semipalmated Sandpiper (4), photographed by Brooke Miller at Don Edwards NWR—New Chicago Marsh
31-Jul: Red Phalarope (5), found by Mike Rogers at Salt Pond AB1
August
For August we had 5 new birds, bringing the total at the end of the month to 268. The average for August is 6 new birds, and the average at the end of August is 266. There were no birds that were not ABA-countable in August. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.
Here are the 5 new birds for August, including rarity codes in parentheses:
4-Aug: Common Tern (4), found by Pete Dunten at the SW corner of Salt Pond A1
7-Aug: Baird’s Sandpiper (4), found by Susan Weinstein at the SW corner of Salt Pond A13
19-Aug: Parasitic Jaeger (5), seen by Charles Coston and Larry Spivak at the Palo Alto Baylands
20-Aug: Black Turnstone (6), seen by Peggy Don in Coast Casey Forebay
25-Aug: Long-tailed Jaeger (6), seen by Julio Mulero at the Palo Alto Baylands
September
Before getting to September, I missed a bird reported on 12-May, a Gray Flycatcher (5), found by John Harshman at Joseph D Grant County Park. That brings the total, at the end of August to 269.
For September we had 13 new birds, bringing the total at the end of the month to 282. The average for September is 10 new birds, and the average at the end of September is 276. There were no birds that were not ABA-countable in September. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.
Here are the 13 new birds for September, including rarity codes in parentheses:
10-Sep: Brandt’s Cormorant (6), seen by Garrett Lau at Charleston Slough/Coast Casey Forebay
12-Sep: Northern Waterthrush (5), found simultaneously by Marion Farber and Susan Weinstein, at Vasona Lake County Park
13-Sep: Sabine’s Gull (5), found by Garrett Lau at Alviso Slough
16-Sep: Black-and-white Warbler (5), found by Mark Kinsman at Vasona Lake County Park
17-Sep: Chestnut-sided Warbler (6), reported by Jim Royer at Los Gatos Creek County Park (aka Oka Ponds)
17-Sep: Common Murre (5), found by Mike Danzenbaker in Alviso Slough
17-Sep: Tennessee Warbler (6), found by Gregory Luckert at Agnews Historic Park
21-Sep: Canada Warbler (6), found in Lisa Myers yard in Campbell
21-Sep: Brewer’s Sparrow (5), seen by Garrett Lau at Sunnyvale Baylands Park
21-Sep: Clay-colored Sparrow (5), found by Scott Smithson at Sunnyvale Baylands Park
23-Sep: Yellow-headed Blackbird (5), seen by Mike Mammoser and Mike Rogers at Alviso Slough opposite Pond A10
24-Sep: Blackpoll Warbler (5), found by John Scharpen at Sunnyvale Baylands Park
28-Sep: Painted Redstart (6), a first for the County, found by Ellyn Corey and Meg Barron at Agnews Historic Park
October
For October we had 8 new birds, bringing the total at the end of the month to 290. The average for October is 5 new birds, and the average at the end of October is 281. There were no birds that were not ABA-countable in October. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.
Here are the 8 new birds for October, including rarity codes in parentheses:
1-Oct: Bobolink (6), found by Jacob West at the O’Donohue Family Educational Farm at Stanford University
8-Oct: Pectoral Sandpiper (4), found by Melissa Johnson, Garrett Lau, and Susan Weinstein along the entrance road to Don Edwards NWR
8-Oct: Vesper Sparrow (5), found by Zihan Wei near the Canyon Trail and parking lot at Monte Bello OSP
16-Oct: Green-tailed Towhee (5), found by Sree Alavattam at the Palo Alto Baylands
22-Oct: Pacific Golden-Plover (5), seen by an Anonymous Birder along the entrance road to Don Edwards NWR
27-Oct: Rusty Blackbird (6), found by Carol Ann Krug Graves and David Graves at Los Gatos Creek County Park and Oka Ponds
28-Oct: Pelagic Cormorant (6), seen by Mike Mammoser and Mike Rogers in a closed pond in Alviso
28-Oct: Palm Warbler (5), found by Bill Bousman along the rocky bottom of Stevens Creek Reservoir near the Lakeshore Picnic Area
November
Before getting to November, I need to set the record straight for October’s first Pectoral Sandpiper sighting. The first bird was found by Bill Bousman on 7-October, along the entrance road to Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge in Alviso.
For November we had 6 new birds, bringing the total at the end of the month to 296. The average for November is 3 new birds, and the average at the end of November is 284. There were no birds that were not ABA-countable in November. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.
Here are the 6 new birds for November, including rarity codes in parentheses:
5-Nov: Rough-legged Hawk (5), seen by Steve Rottenborn in the sky above Casa de Fruta
12-Nov: Common Loon (4), found by Adam Burnett, Zihan Wei, and Ishira Fernando at Coyote Lake County Park
13-Nov: Mountain Bluebird (6), found by Bill Bousman at Byxbee Park
17-Nov: Franklin’s Gull (5), found by Dan Wenny during a shorebird survey at Salt Pond A9
19-Nov: Tundra Swan (5), 4 birds seen by John Scharpen and Dorothy Johnson at Coyote Lake County Park
21-Nov: Black-throated Blue Warbler (6), female found by Gregory Luckert at Los Gatos Creek County Park
December
For December we had 3 new birds, bringing the total at the end of the month to 299. The average for December is 3 new birds, and the average at the end of December is 287. I have records going back to 2000, and the 299 bird species for 2022 is a record number since 2000! There were no birds that were not ABA-countable in December. Thank you to everyone who birded, and took the time to report birds either on SBB, eBird, or send emails directly to me.
Here are the 3 new birds for December, including rarity codes in parentheses:
5-Dec: Plumbeous Vireo (6), found by Lisa Myers, in her yard in Campbell
18-Dec: Lesser Black-backed Gull (5), found by Mike Rogers and Steve Rottenborn at Salt Pond A12
18-Dec: Ruff (5), found by Mike Rogers and Steve Rottenborn at Salt Pond A9