Volume 5, Number 1

San Francisco Field Ornithologists

JOURNAL 2004

SFFO

SFFO Journal Volume 5, Number 1 2004

Contents

3 2004 Systematic Species List David Armstrong and Hugh Cotter

16 Glen Park Canyon, 2004 in Detail David Armstrong

17 Sutro Heights, 2004 in Detail Myra Ulvang

18 Birds of Alcatraz Lew Ellingham, Chris Hellwig and Matt Zlatunich

______Front cover photo: Dickcissel ©2004 David Nelson

Editor: Mark W. Eaton Mark W. [email protected] 1524 36th Avenue , CA 94122 San Francisco Field Ornithologist’s Home Page http://www.sffo.org All material ©2004, 2005 San Francisco Field Ornithologists. Additional portions may also be copyrighted by the individuals who generated those portions.

2004 Journal, San Francisco Field Ornithologists 2

2004 San Francisco City Highlights David Armstrong and Hugh Cotter 2004 was a good year for birding in San Francisco with a total of 274 species being recorded within the City boundaries. While spring and fall migrations were not the best in recent years, with very few “typical” vagrant warblers seen, there were a number of excellent birds recorded within the City limits. New species added to the City List in 2004 included; Eurasian Collared Dove in April, Dickcissel in September and Laughing Gull in December. The second confirmed City record of Lapland Longspur was found in October as were the third and fourth known records of White-winged Dove. It was also a good year for normally rare City species such as Harlequin Duck and Blue-winged Teal which appeared in above normal numbers. Also of note was the confirmation of Gull breeding on , the first record outside of the tip of Alameda NWR that is in San Francisco County and one of very few breeding records for San Francisco. Status Categories: • Accidental: Recorded less than 5 times in San Francisco City. (x) indicates the number of known/accepted records for the City • Casual: Rarity recorded more than 5 times in San Francisco City but not seen in most years. • Rare: Usually only one or two sightings in any year. • Uncommon: Many sightings in any year but sometimes difficult to find • Irruptive: A species than can be abundant in one year and hard to find another Abbreviations used: CBC- Christmas Bird Count, Park – , LP – Lincoln Park, SF - San Francisco, SRA – State Recreation Area, CAS, California Academy of Sciences

Tundra Swan Status: Casual in winter A flock was seen flying north from (Myra Ulvang) on Nov 21 and observed also from the Presidio (Alan Hopkins).

Greater White-fronted Goose Status: Rare in winter and spring A juvenile bird was seen at North on Oct 17 (David Armstrong), and a flock of 10 flew over Mount Davidson on Nov 5 (Paul Saraceni).

Snow Goose Status: Rare in fall, winter and spring Flocks of “white geese” presumed to be of this species were seen over Bernal Heights on Oct 29 (Michelle Brodie), over the Haight (Dan Daniel) and near Lobos Dunes (Josiah Clark) on Nov 20, and from the outer Sunset neighborhood on Nov 24 (George Raiche).

Brant Status: Rare in fall, winter and spring A single bird was seen on Alcatraz Island on Dec 4 (Lew Ellingham) and another was at the Cliff House on Dec 31 (Alan Hopkins).

Cackling Goose Status: Rare in winter and spring A total of three small form (Cackling) were seen on Jan 10; one at , two at South Lake Merced (Alan Hopkins, Paul Saraceni).

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Wood Duck Status: Rare This species was well-represented in San Francisco in 2004, with up to 10 sightings: a male and female were seen at Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park, from Jan 12 until Mar 15 (Stephen Davies), what was perhaps the same pair was found at Mallard Lake (Kristi Hein) on Mar 17, another was at South Lake Merced (Calvin Lou) on Aug 15, one was observed at Middle Lake on Sep 23 (Dan Murphy), two at South Lake Merced on Sep 29 (Paul Saraceni, Alan Hopkins, Dan Singer), and three were at Pine Lake Park on Oct 7 (Josiah Clark).

Green-winged Teal Status: Rare/Uncommon One was at the on Oct 7 (Josiah Clark), many were observed in flight from Ocean Beach on Oct 23 (Hugh Cotter), one or two were at South Lake Merced on Oct 30 and Nov 1 (Adam Winer), one was at on Nov 4 (Josiah Clark), more than 100 were seen flying in the Golden Gate Channel Dec 11 (Hugh Cotter, Alan Hopkins), and one was at South Lake Merced on Dec 12 (Calvin Lou).

Blue-winged Teal Status: Rare in winter, spring and fall This bird is normally very difficult to observe in San Francisco, but this was a very good year for this species. One was seen at Heron's Head Park on Mar 12 (Brian Fitch), two were at South Lake Merced on Sep 22 (Hugh Cotter) and again on Sep 29 (Paul Saraceni, Alan Hopkins, Dan Singer), while an incredible 8 were seen on Oct 2 with five at South Lake Merced and three at North Lake, Golden Gate Park (Brian Fitch).

Eurasian Wigeon Status: Rare winter visitor A drake was at Heron's Head Park on Jan 10 (Paul Saraceni, Alan Hopkins) and continued until at least Feb 29. Likely the same individual returned in Dec, when one was seen at the end of Aurelious Walker St. (India Basin) on Dec 18 (Mark Eaton) and continued into 2005.

Harlequin Duck Status: Casual winter visitor This bird is seldom observed within San Francisco, but there were three different observations in 2004, including two in Dec 2004 when there were at least two present in the city at the same time. One bird was seen flying north over the ocean from Merrie Way on May 7 (Brian Fitch), and a bird near Mile Rock lingered from Dec 6 into 2005 (Brian Fitch). Another drake was observed at Candlestick SRA on Dec 31 (Adam Winer) also continuing into 2005.

Long-tailed Duck Status: Rare in winter and spring One individual was seen with the scoter flock off on Jan 29 (Hugh Cotter), and a bird found on the San Francisco CBC at Candlestick SRA on Dec 28 by Bob Lewis et al became two birds the next day (David Armstrong, Alan Hopkins), with three together Dec 30 (Brian Fitch), with at least two continuing into 2005.

Barrow’s Goldeneye Figure 1: Long-tailed Duck ©2004 Calvin Lou Status: Casual in winter A flyby was reported at the Cliff House on Nov 15 (Brian Fitch).

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Hooded Merganser Status: Uncommon in winter This species was observed at numerous locations in Golden Gate Park from January to March, and again in Dec (Alan Hopkins, Nathaniel Wander, Marianne Blair and Alfredo Contreras, Paul Saraceni).

Common Merganser Status: Casual The only report of this species in 2004 was a flyby at the Cliff House on Nov 1 (Brian Fitch).

Red-Necked Grebe Status: Rare in winter and spring A single bird was in San Francisco Bay off Crissy Field from Jan 1 until at least Apr 19, and again in same location from Nov 7 until the end of Dec and into 2005. (Hugh Cotter)

Northern Fulmar Status: Rare offshore primarily in winter; irruptive Figure 2: Drake Hooded Merganser ©2004 Calvin Lou One was seen off Crissy Field and another off of Ocean Beach on Jan 10 (Paul Saraceni, Alan Hopkins), four more off Fort Funston on Jan 29 (Hugh Cotter), and several observations were made from the Cliff House in Feb and Mar (Brian Fitch).

Pink-footed Shearwater Status: Casual The only report was of one offshore from Fort Funston on Sep 10 (Brian Fitch).

Buller’s Shearwater Status: Accidental in fall (4) The only report was of one offshore from Ocean Beach on Sep 14 (Hugh Cotter). This was the first report of this species seen from the City since 1996.

Sooty Shearwater Status: Casual to uncommon The only reports of this sometimes numerous but increasingly uncommon species (in San Francisco) was of a group offshore from Fort Funston on Sep 10 (Brian Fitch). Others were also recorded during the Rare Bird Round-up on Sep 25.

Bald Status: Rare in fall and winter One was seen from Hill on Oct 30 and another on Nov 13 (Steven Bauer).

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Broad-winged Hawk Status: Uncommon fall migrant, casual in winter. A total of five were reported, all from flying into the City, including one dark morph, two adults and two juveniles, between Sep 21 and Oct 1 (Steven Bauer). Based on the number of birds seen at Hawk Hill in 2004 the number of reports from the City is likely an underestimate of the true number of birds migrating through San Francisco in fall.

Swainson’s Hawk Status: Rare in spring and fall. A total of four were observed, one at McLaren Park on Mar 23 (Josiah Clark), two were observed moving into the City from Hawk Hill, on Sep 21 and Sep 30 (Steven Bauer), and one from downtown San Francisco on Oct 10 (Kanani Kauka).

Ferruginous Hawk Status: Rare in fall Thanks to good coverage on Hawk Hill, a high count of eight, mostly juveniles, were seen from Aug 17 until Nov 20 (Steven Bauer) moving across the Golden Gate Channel into the City. As with Broad-winged Hawk, based on the number of birds seen at Hawk Hill in 2004 reported sightings are likely an underestimate of the true number of birds migrating through San Francisco in fall.

Golden Eagle Status: Rare, primarily in spring and fall. One was seen over Cole Valley on Sep 15 (Paul Saraceni) and another was observed from Hawk Hill on Oct 28 (Steven Bauer) moving across the Golden Gate channel.

Prairie Status: Rare in fall A total of five were observed moving into the City, all from Hawk Hill between Aug 21 and Nov 21 (Steven Bauer).

Common Moorhen Status: Casual Not seen every year, a single bird was seen at South Lake Merced on Apr 13 (Dan Murphy).

Black-necked Stilt Status: Casual in winter, spring and fall. Again a species not seen every year, a group of six was seen at Heron’s Head Park on Aug 19 (Alan Hopkins).

Ruddy Turnstone Status: Uncommon to rare in winter, spring and fall. This species is likely in decline in San Francisco, with only two sightings in mainland SF in 2004: the first was at Candlestick SRA on Jan 13 (Brian Fitch), and the second was off the Cliff House in Sep (Alan Hopkins). A third sighting came from Alcatraz Island on 11/21 (Lew Ellingham).

Red Knot Status: Casual Seen less than annually in San Francisco – this species was observed once in 2004, at Ocean Beach on Apr 29 (Alan Hopkins).

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Pectoral Sandpiper Status: Casual in fall A single bird was seen at Heron’s Head Park on Sep 29 (Paul Saraceni, Alan Hopkins, Dan Singer).

Long-billed Dowitcher Status: Rare in fall, winter and spring A single bird was reported from Crissy Field on Jul 23 (Nathaniel Wander) and another seen on Nov 4 (Josiah Clark).

Wilson’s Snipe Status: Unusual to rare in winter and fall A single bird was seen at South Lake Merced on Feb 29 (Dan Murphy).

Red-necked Phalarope Status: Uncommon to rare One was at North Lake, Golden Gate Park, on Jul 12 and on Jul 21, a group was in the same location from Aug 14 to Aug 27, and another group of six to eight was at South Lake Merced from Aug 14 to Aug 27 (Alan Hopkins, m.ob.). This species was likely under-reported during 2004

Red Phalarope Status: Rare There were two sightings in 2004; the first was of a flock of fourteen off Point Lobos on Jan 2 (Paul Saraceni), and the second was of two birds at South Lake Merced on Oct 31 (Calvin Lou). Figure 3: Red Phalarope Pomarine Jaeger ©2004 Calvin Lou Status: Rare, primarily in fall Two birds were observed from Ocean Beach on Sep 14 and Sep 15 (Hugh Cotter, Paul Saraceni), one was seen on San Francisco Bay near Ft. Point on Sep 29 (Hugh Cotter) and another from between the and Angel Island (Paul Saraceni, Alan Hopkins, Dan Singer), and a fifth was observed from Fort Funston on Oct 16 (Michelle Brodie).

Parasitic Jaeger Status: Regular offshore, primarily in fall. A jaeger that was probably a Parasitic was seen from Ocean Beach on Jan 17 (Hugh Cotter), while there were numerous observations from Ocean Beach, the Cliff House, and San Francisco Bay in September and October.

Laughing Gull Status: Accidental (1). No prior records in San Francisco. The year went out with a bang with the discovery of San Francisco’s first LAUGHING GULL, observed offshore during a sea watch from Ocean Beach on Dec. 31 (Paul Saraceni).

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Black-legged Kittiwake Status: Rare spring and fall migrant The only sighting was of a flyby single bird at Battery Crosby, Presidio on Apr 19 (Josiah Clark).

Common Tern Status: Rare spring and fall migrant A single of this species was observed from the East Wash, Lincoln Park on Sep 10 (Hugh Cotter), and another was seen multiple times near Crissy Field from Sep 19 to Oct 16 (Hugh Cotter, m.ob.). This species has remained rare in the City since the large numbers seen in 1998 with hundreds found in the bay.

Ancient Murrelet Status: Casual offshore, usually in winter. The only recorded observation of this species in San Francisco in 2004 came at a surprising time and location: a bird was observed just off Crissy Field on Aug 24 and Aug 25 (Jeff Wall).

Rhinoceros Auklet Status: Casual offshore in fall and winter. San Francisco’s only city record in 2004 was of a bird seen near the Cliff House on Dec 29 (Brian Fitch).

Eurasian Collared-Dove Status: Accidental (1); no prior records in San Francisco. This species is rapidly expanding its range northward up the California coast, and made it to San Francisco with a sighting of two birds at Sutro Heights Park on Apr 25 (Myra Ulvang). While it is impossible to prove that these birds were not released from captivity or descended from an escaped population, this bird will be here in greater numbers sooner or later. White-winged Dove Status: Accidental (4) Two observations were made during 2004, the first at East Wash, Lincoln Park, on Aug 29 (Hugh Cotter), and the second from Inspiration Point, Presidio, on Oct 16 (Dan Murphy) were the third and fourth known City Records. The previous two sighting were from a feeder at a private garden in the outer sunset in the late 1970’s.

Burrowing Owl Status: Rare One was observed on Alcatraz Island on Oct 26 (Lew Ellingham).

Short-eared Owl Status: Rare fall migrant One was observed from Hawk Hill on Oct 31 (Steven Bauer) crossing the Golden Gate channel.

Northern Saw-whet Owl Status: Casual in winter One was heard calling from Inspiration Point, Presidio, on Jan 10 (Paul Saraceni, Alan Hopkins)

Black-chinned Hummingbird Status: Accidental (4) A bird was seen on Mount Davidson on Sep 10 and again on Sep 22 (Paul Saraceni), only the fourth record for this species in the City.

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Acorn Woodpecker Status: Casual year round, normally seen in very small numbers; irruptive. Several were seen in eastern Golden Gate Park from Jan 3 to Apr 30 (Alan Hopkins, m.ob.), continuing birds were at Lafayette Park from Jan 17 to Apr 13 (Pat McCulloch), and three more were at the Lombard Gate in Presidio on Feb 20 (Nathaniel Wander).

Nuttall’s Woodpecker Status: Rare, but increasing in numbers 2004 was yet again a very good year for this species with birds found throughout the year and at several different locations within the city, including McLaren Park, , Golden Gate Park, and the Presidio. The status of this bird has clearly changed in the last few years and is now far more common than casual.

Willow Flycatcher Status: Rare in spring, regular in fall (primarily in September) Only one spring record in 2004, from Sutro Heights Park on May 25 (Myra Ulvang), and several fall records at Mount Davidson, Glen Canyon Park, the East Wash in Lincoln Park, and Golden Gate Park, from Aug 28 to the end of Sep.

Hammond’s Flycatcher Status: Rare in spring and fall 2004 saw one each of spring and fall records; at Mount Davidson on May 7 (Brian Fitch) and at Glen Canyon Park on Sep 25 (Brian Fitch).

Dusky Flycatcher Status: Rare in spring and fall Two each of spring and fall records: one was at Middle Lake, Golden Gate Park on May 20 (Alan Hopkins), and another was at the West Wash, Lincoln Park on May 25 (Siobhan Ruck); in fall, a bird was seen at the East Wash, Lincoln Park, on Aug 30 (Brian Fitch), and a second was at the on Oct 3 (Dan Murphy).

Gray Flycatcher Status: Casual in spring and fall Three spring records were from Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park on Apr 26 (Brian Fitch), from McLaren Park on May 1 (Kevin McKereghan), and from Mount Davidson on May 6 (Calvin Lou).

Tropical Kingbird Status: Uncommon in fall, casual in winter and spring. Tropical Kingbird is the most common kingbird in fall. There were four observations of this species, all in fall: the first was at Merrie Way on Oct 2 (Mark Eaton), the second was at the Thoreau Center in the Presidio on Oct 10 (Felix Regau), the third was at South Lake Merced on Oct 24 (Calvin Lou), and the final one was at Fort Point in the Presidio also on Oct 24 (Steve Anderson).

Cassin’s Kingbird Status: Accidental (2) A single bird observed at China Basin on Apr 9 (Josiah Clark) was likely this species.

Loggerhead Shrike Status: Rare and declining Only two were observed in San Francisco in 2004; this species is in danger of extirpation in the city limits. One was seen in the vicinity of Yosemite Creek on Jan 13 (Brian Fitch), and a probable migrant was at Lobos Dunes, Presidio on Nov 25 (Josiah Clark).

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Cassin’s Vireo Status: Uncommon migrant, casual in winter Of the seven total records for 2004, six were in spring, including a bird on Mount Davidson on Apr 16 (David Armstrong), another at Glen Canyon Park on Apr 20 (Brian Fitch), two more at Mount Davidson on Apr 25 (Calvin Lou), one at Bayview Hill on May 3 (Brian Fitch), yet another on Mount Davidson on May 7 (Paul Saraceni), and a fall record at Strybing Arboretum on Oct 3 (Alan Ridley). This species is likely under-reported and is likely more common than this report suggests.

Red-eyed Vireo Status: Casual in spring and fall. Three total records, including a singing bird on Mount Davidson on Jun 16 (David Armstrong), a sighting in Strybing Arboretum on Sep 11 (Jennifer Matkin), and a bird at La Vista Grande Canal, South Lake Merced on Sep 27 and Sep 28 (Al DeMartini).

Yellow-billed Magpie Status: Annual casual migrant/ Resident? A singe bird at India Basin of uncertain origin was seen twice in spring, on Mar 27 (Brian Fitch) and again on Apr 16 (Stephen Long). A flyover magpie that was most likely this species was observed on Mount Davidson on Nov 2 (Paul Saraceni).

Horned Lark Status: Rare in fall and winter This species is increasingly difficult to find in San Francisco, and only two were seen in 2004, both at Crissy Field, the first on Feb 12 (Matt Zlatunich) and the second on Nov 3 (Hugh Cotter).

Tree Swallow Status: Rare in winter, fairly common otherwise A single bird at South Lake Merced on Dec 4 (Hugh Cotter) was unseasonable.

Violet-Green Swallow Status: Rare in winter, fairly common otherwise A single bird at South Lake Merced on Dec 4 (Hugh Cotter) was unseasonable.

Barn Swallow Status: Rare in winter, fairly common otherwise Six seen on Jan 10 at Ocean Beach (Paul Saraceni, Alan Hopkins), and another on Dec 28, also at Ocean Beach (Paul Saraceni) were unusual. Winter sightings of this species have increased markedly in the last few years.

White-breasted Nuthatch Status: Casual in fall and winter As with many oak woodlands dwellers of the Bay Area, San Francisco has very little habitat to offer this species. However a bird persisted in the Presidio Hills area throughout winter 2003/2004 and was seen on Jan 16 (Matt Zlatunich) and Feb 8 (Alan Hopkins).

Rock Wren Status: Casual in fall and winter Thanks to special access to the Olympic Golf Club, this species was detected on Oct 5 (Josiah Clark). This was the first City record since 1998.

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Townsend’s Solitaire Status: Casual in fall, winter and spring The only city record for 2004 was from Mount Davidson on Oct 28 (Paul Saraceni).

Wrentit Status: Resident?/ Casual migrant, likely extirpated as a breeding species from San Francisco. Despite the lack of much suitable habitat, at least one Wrentit remained at Bayview Hill, and was observed there on Mar 12 (Brian Fitch) and on Sep 25 (Alan Hopkins).

Tennessee Warbler Status: Rare An early fall arrival was at North Lake from Aug 15 to Aug 22 (Brian Fitch), and a second bird was seen at Fort Mason on Sep 20 (Kevin McKereghan).

Virginia’s Warbler Status: Casual in fall Not seen every year in San Francisco, two were seen in 2004, the first on Alcatraz Island on Oct 26 (Lew Ellingham, Matt Zlatunich) and the second in Cole Valley on Nov 6 (Paul Saraceni).

Northern Parula Status: Rare in spring and fall An exceptional total of four to five birds were seen in 2004. A singing male spent at least three days in Glen Canyon Park and was first seen on May 7 (Steven Bauer), another individual was part of a fallout in Golden Gate Park on May 28 (Brian Fitch), one or possibly two different birds were observed at La Vista Grande Canal, South Lake Merced on Sep 10 (Brian Fitch) and Sep 25 (JM), and a final report came from Middle Lake, Golden Gate Park on Oct 16 (Adam Winer).

Yellow Warbler Status: Rare in winter An unusual date for this species was Nov 26 (Alan Hopkins), at North Lake Merced.

Chestnut-sided Warbler Status: Rare in spring and fall Five birds were reported in 2004, including singles at Bercut, Golden Gate Park on May 28 (Brian Fitch) and North Lake, Golden Gate Park on Jun 20 (Alan Hopkins), one at Stow Lake on Oct 4 (Stu Wilson), another at the Olympic Golf Club on Oct 5, and a final observation at La Vista Grande Canal, South Lake Merced on Oct 7 (Roland Franz).

Magnolia Warbler Status: Casual in spring and fall Three birds were reported, one of which lingered for at least a week at North Lake, Golden Gate Park, first seen on Sep 28 (Dan Murphy). A bird on Mount Davidson was a one-morning wonder on Oct 6 (Paul Saraceni) and a surprising overwintering bird was found on the San Francisco CBC, at Pine Lake Park, on Dec 28 and lingered well into 2005 (Dan Murphy).

Black-throated Gray Warbler Status: Rare in winter Two winter reports were from a Sunset backyard on Feb 9 (Siobhan Ruck) and from Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate Park on the San Francisco CBC on Dec 28 (Matt Zlatunich).

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Blackburnian Warbler Status: Casual in fall The only report was of an immature bird at La Vista Grande Canal, South Lake Merced from Oct 30 to Nov 1 (Adam Winer).

Prairie Warbler Status: Casual The only report was on Sep 25 at (Jim White, Brian Fitch).

Palm Warbler Status: Rare primarily in winter and late fall This species was very well represented in 2004, with a total of at least ten sightings all over the city, all of which were in the fall and winter except for a bird at Glen Canyon Park on Apr 16 – Apr 19 (David Armstrong). Other observations were from Mount Davidson, the Presidio, Lafayette Park, South Lake Merced, and Fort Mason.

Blackpoll Warbler Status: Rare fall migrant Three to four fall reports were made, the first coming from Fort Mason on Sep 20 (Brian Fitch), the second from Skyline Grove, Fort Funston on Sep 25 (Steve Glover), the third at La Vista Grande Canal, South Lake Merced on Sep 26 Figure 4: Palm Warbler (Calvin Lou), and a fourth report from the ©2004 Calvin Lou same location on Oct 7 (Roland Franz).

Black-and-white Warbler Status: Rare Two birds were reported, one at North Lake Merced on Oct 19 (David Armstrong), another on Oct 26 in the Presidio (Alan Hopkins).

American Redstart Status: Rare in spring and fall Two fall reports were of singles at La Vista Grande Canal, South Lake Merced on Aug 20 and Aug 21 (Brian Fitch) and from the East Wash, Lincoln Park on Sep 4 (Hugh Cotter).

Ovenbird Status: Casual in spring and fall, Accidental in winter. The only report was of a bird that was part of a Golden Gate Park migrant fallout on May 28 (Brian Fitch).

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Yellow-throated Warbler Status: Accidental (1) A report of a male seen and heard at Crissy Field on May 19 by a Wisconsin birder familiar with the species unfortunately remains unconfirmed (Judith Huf). This species is a CBRC review species and this observation was not submitted for review.

Hooded Warbler Status: Casual in spring and fall, Accidental in winter Three spring reports began with a bird at the East Wash, Lincoln Park on May 25 (Hugh Cotter), a second on Mount Davidson on Jun 1 (David Armstrong), and a singing bird on Mount Davidson on Jun 18 (David Armstrong). A strong year for this species.

Wilson’s Warbler Status: Rare in winter An unusual date for this species was Nov 14 at North Lake, Golden Gate Park (David Armstrong).

Summer Tanager Status: Casual to rare in winter, spring and fall One was observed at Middle Lake, Golden Gate Park on Mar 16 and Mar 17 (Alan Hopkins), and a second was observed in eastern Golden Gate Park on multiple occasions from Nov 29 to Dec 28 (Alan Hopkins).

Western Tanager Status: Rare in winter An out-of-season report was of a bird from Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate Park on Jan 1 (Matt Zlatunich).

Chipping Sparrow Status: Rare spring and fall migrant Reports included two birds at Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park on Apr 25 (Steven Bauer), one at the Fort Miley plateau on Sep 21 (Hugh Cotter) and one at Crissy Field on Oct 13 (Josiah Clark).

Clay-colored Sparrow Status: Casual in spring, rare in fall. The only two reports were of a bird at the Olympic Golf Club on Oct 5 (Josiah Clark) and a bird at Sutro Heights Park on Oct 6 and Oct 7 (Myra Ulvang).

Brewer’s Sparrow Status: Casual in spring and fall The only report came from Mount Davidson on May 28 (Paul Saraceni).

Lark Sparrow Status: Casual in spring and fall The only report came from Sutro Heights Park on Apr 26 (John Perry).

Swamp Sparrow Status: Rare winter visitor

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One or two birds were seen multiple times at Middle Lake from January to March (Kristi Hein, Brian Fitch) and another bird was at the Lily Pond, Golden Gate Park on Apr 3 (Hugh Cotter) and again on Apr 10 (Paul Saraceni, Hugh Cotter, Alan Hopkins, Dan Singer).

Lapland Longspur Status: Accidental (2) The second known sighting of this species, and first to be seen by multiple observers was made at Crissy Field on Oct 10 (Hugh Cotter); the bird remained in this location for at least three days.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Status: Rare in spring and fall, casual in winter Four spring reports came from Mount Davidson on May 28 (Brian Fitch), Jun 11 (Paul Saraceni) and Jun 19 (David Armstrong), and from Glen Canyon Park from Jun 15 – Jun 23 (David Armstrong).

Blue Grosbeak Status: Casual in spring The only report for this species was of a bird at North Lake, Golden Gate Park on Sep 18 (Alan Hopkins). Dickcissel Status: Accidental (1); No prior records in San Francisco Another fall first City record for San Francisco in 2004, a single bird was found by a visiting birder at the Ft. Mason Community Garden on Sep 18 (Ron Becker), and enjoyed by many others during the next five days.

Figure 5: Lapland Longspur Orchard Oriole ©2004 Calvin Lou Status: Casual in fall and winter 2004 was another banner year for this rare Eastern vagrant. The three birds found at Middle Lake in 2003 persisted until at least Apr 19 (m.ob.); another was in the Cole Valley neighborhood sporadically from the beginning of the year until at least Feb 14 (Paul Saraceni); yet another was in a residential area near Broderick St on Apr 1 (Hugh Cotter), and two were around Lake Merced in late fall, the first at the Sunset Circle on Nov 5 (Alan Hopkins) and the second at the Boathouse on Dec 21 (Peter Metropulos), the latter remaining into 2005.

Baltimore Oriole Status: Casual in spring and fall Two spring occurrences of this less than annual species were observed in San Francisco; the first was at Glen Canyon Park on Apr 22 (Werner Schumann) and again on May 8 and May 9 (Mark Eaton), and the second was at East Wash, Lincoln Park on May 20 (Matt Zlatunich).

Cassin’s Finch Status: Casual in fall and winter A flyby finch was likely this species on Nov 23 at South Lake Merced (Josiah Clark); another was heard at Harding Park on Nov 26 (Alan Hopkins).

Red Crossbill Status: Uncommon; irruptive 2004 was a good year for this species in San Francisco, with scattered reports all year long of birds at Presidio Hills, Lincoln Park, North Lake, Golden Gate Park, and Lake Merced throughout the year.

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Lawrence’s Goldfinch Status: Casual One was seen at Twin Peaks on Oct 15 (Brian Fitch).

Evening Grosbeak Status: Casual One was seen in the Presidio Hills area of the Presidio on Oct 22 (Josiah Clark), the first report in San Francisco since 1998.

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Glen Canyon Park, 2004 in Detail David Armstrong 2004 was a very good year for birding in Glen Canyon Park, especially in the spring, when an amazing total of six eastern vagrant species showed up. Highlights among the spring vagrants included Baltimore Oriole, Northern Parula, Black-and-White Warbler and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. These vagrant species are capitalized in the list below. Other locally uncommon birds which appeared during the year included MacGillivray’s Warbler, Bewick’s Wren, Ash-throated Flycatcher, and Hammond’s Flycatcher. Hutton’s Vireo, which is thought to be in danger of extirpation as a breeding species in San Francisco, bred successfully in the park in May. Of the 81 total species recorded, nine were either new to the park list or had not been recorded in the past five years. Cumulative list for 2004: Great Blue Heron Swainson's Thrush Hermit Thrush Sharp-shinned Hawk American Robin Cooper's Hawk Northern Mockingbird Red-shouldered Hawk European Starling Red-tailed Hawk Cedar Waxwing Orange-Crowned Warbler Gull sp. Nashville Warbler Northern Parula Rock Pigeon Yellow Warbler Band-tailed Pigeon Mourning Dove Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated gray Warbler White-throated Swift Townsend's Warbler Anna's Hummingbird Palm Warbler Allen's Hummingbird Black-and-White Warbler Nuttall's Woodpecker MacGillivray’s Warbler Downy Woodpecker Wilson's warbler Hairy Woodpecker Western Tanager Northern Flicker California Towhee Olive-sided Flycatcher Fox Sparrow Willow Flycatcher Song Sparrow Hammond’s Flycatcher Lincoln’s Sparrow Pacific-slope Flycatcher White-crowned Sparrow Black Phoebe Golden-crowned Sparrow Say’s Phoebe Dark-eyed Junco Ash-throated Flycatcher Rose-breasted Grosbeak Cassin's Vireo Black-headed Grosbeak Hutton's Vireo Lazuli Bunting Warbling Vireo Brewer's Blackbird Red-eyed Vireo (heard only) Brown-headed Cowbird Steller's Jay Hooded Oriole Western Scrub-Jay Baltimore Oriole American Crow Bullock's Oriole Common Raven Purple Finch Barn Swallow House Finch Chestnut-backed Chickadee Pine Siskin Bushtit Lesser Goldfinch Pygmy Nuthatch American Goldfinch Brown Creeper House Sparrow Bewick’s Wren Ruby-crowned kinglet

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Sutro Heights Park, 2004 in Detail Myra Ulvang The following 97 species were found in or over the park in 2004. Codes: [N] Nested in park [FO] Flyover (occasional, regular) [PN] Probably nested in park [E] Escapee (#) Number of individuals Species List: Canada Goose 1/21(30), 4/21, [FO] American Crow 1-3, 9-11 [occasional FO] Tundra Swan 11/21(24) [FO] Common Raven 1-12 [N] Mallard 2-5 [occasional FO] Tree Swallow 3/3-11/15 Chukar 4/28-4/29 [E] Violet-green Swallow 4-5 [FO] Brown Pelican 4, [occasional FO] Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4/23 Double-crested Cormorant 1-12 [regular FO] Barn Swallow 1/10-9/1 [FO] Great Blue Heron 3-8, [occasional FO] Chestnut-backed Chickadee 1-12 [N] Great Egret 6,8 [occasional FO] Bushtit 1-12 Turkey Vulture 1/30,3/7,4/1,8/22,8/25,8/27 [FO] Red-breasted Nuthatch 7/1, 9/5-11/21 3/8,3/26,7/23,8/1,8/30 [FO] Pygmy Nuthatch 1-12 [N] Northern Harrier 10/24 [FO] Brown Creeper 1-12 [N] Sharp-shinned Hawk 3/7,3/22,11/1 [FO] Bewick's Wren 10/18, 10/20, 10/31 Cooper's Hawk 1/22,2/9,2/15-18,3/28,4/14,7/22,8/18 House Wren 8/22-9/20 [FO] Winter Wren 1-3/17, 9/19-12 Red-shouldered Hawk 2/24, 4/26, 11/9 [FO] Golden-crowned Kinglet 1-2/26, 10/26-12 Red-tailed Hawk 1-12 [N] Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1-4/6, 10/6-12 American Kestrel 8/27 Hermit Thrush 1-4/2, 10/6-12 Merlin 1-4, 11-12 eleven birds total American Robin 1-12 [N] 2/26, 8/14 Varied Thrush 11/1, 11/21 Killdeer 2/23, 4/26 [FO] Northern Mockingbird 1/11,3/21-4/15,7/28-8/20,12/23 Ring-billed Gull 10/11 [FO] European Starling 1-11 Western Gull 1-12 [regular FO] American Pipit 11/1 [FO] Glaucous-winged Gull 1-4,11 [FO] Cedar Waxwing 2/24-4/27, 10/6-12/2 Caspian Tern 4/2,4/6,6/3,7/9,7/28 [FO] Orange-crowned Warbler 1/29-2/9,3/17,9/3,10/10,11 Rock Pigeon 1-12 [occasional FO] Yellow Warbler 8/18-10/5 Band-tailed Pigeon 3/19(12), 7/5 juvenile Yellow-rumped Warbler 1-4/4, 10/6-12 Eurasian Collared-Dove 4/25(2) Townsend's Warbler 1-4/8, 8/16-12 Mourning Dove 1-12 [N] MacGillivray's Warbler 9/8 White-throated Swift 6/15 [FO] Wilson's Warbler 3/29-10/18 Anna's Hummingbird 1-12 [N] Western Tanager 8/26-9/20, 11/2 Allen's Hummingbird 2/2-9/4 [N] Spotted Towhee 1/19, 1/25 Belted Kingfisher 4/6,8/10,8/13,10/11,10/25,11/14 California Towhee 1-12 [N], including a leucistic [FO] bird Red-breasted Sapsucker 1/17-3/15, 10/24-12 Chipping Sparrow 10/27 Downy Woodpecker 1-12 [N] Clay-colored Sparrow 10/6-10/13 Hairy Woodpecker 1/18, 11/7 Northern Flicker 1/8-3/14, 10/6-12 Olive-sided Flycatcher 5/12 Willow Flycatcher 5/25, 9/5, 9/14 Pacific-slope Flycatcher 7/11-9/4 Black Phoebe 1-12 [N] Hutton's Vireo 1/14-2/22, 8-12 Warbling Vireo 5/9, 9/3-9/21 Western Scrub-Jay 1-12 [PN]

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Birds at Alcatraz Lew Ellingham, Chris Hellwig and Matt Zlatunich This report is a compilation of data from four sources: Alcatraz Bird Census (ABC) monitoring all birds in the months of January, and September through December since 1993; Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO) monitoring breeding seabirds twice a week from February to September since 1996; United States Geological Survey (USGS) monitoring herons and egrets once a week from April to August since 1990; and non-survey observations reported by GGNRA biologist Chris Hellwig. There was no comprehensive songbird survey throughout the nesting period. The majority of this information has been collected by ABC volunteers, who made 55 surveys of two hours each. ABC volunteer opportunities are available for bird censusing September through January, one half day every other week, on day of choice. Call Chris Hellwig at 415-561-4908. The following 63 species were recorded. All species were observed either on/over the island or on/over the bay within one hundred meters of shore. Highlights from the sightings include: • Brant, very unusual away from the coast • Breeding California Gull, one of very few records for San Francisco city and county. The only other breeding records come from the portion of Alameda NWR that is actually within San Francisco boundaries. • Virginia’s Warbler, less than annual anywhere in San Francisco Status codes: [B] Species observed on/over the bay only [F] Species observed in flight only [N] Nests on island

Brant [B] Black Phoebe Canada Goose (a) Say's Phoebe Mallard [F, N] Common Raven [N] Greater Scaup [B] Barn Swallow [N] Surf Scoter [B] Bushtit Red-throated Loon [B] Red-breasted Nuthatch Common Loon [B] Ruby-crowned Kinglet Western Grebe [B] Hermit Thrush Brown Pelican [F] American Robin Brandt's Cormorant [N] (b) European Starling [N] Double-crested Cormorant Virginia's Warbler (f) Pelagic Cormorant [N] Yellow Warbler Black-crowned Night-Heron [N] Yellow-rumped Warbler Red-shouldered Hawk (c) Townsend's Warbler Red-tailed Hawk Savannah Sparrow Peregrine Falcon Fox Sparrow Black Oystercatcher [N] Song Sparrow [N] Wandering Tattler Lincoln's Sparrow Ruddy Turnstone White-crowned Sparrow [N] Black Turnstone Golden-crowned Sparrow Surfbird Western Meadowlark Heermann's Gull Purple Finch Mew Gull House Finch [N] Ring-billed Gull American Goldfinch California Gull [N] (d) Herring Gull Thayer's Gull Western Gull [N] (e) Notes: Glaucous-winged Gull (a) At least 5 pair in 2004 Elegant Tern [B, F] (b) 752 pairs, record high Common Murre (c) Juvenile, driven to Bay and drowned by Pigeon Guillemot [N] Western Gulls Rock Pigeon [N] Barn Owl (d) 2004 was first breeding record / 5 pairs, 3 Burrowing Owl fledged young Anna's Hummingbird [N] (e) 940 breeding pair Belted Kingfisher (f) First ABC record Western Wood-Pewee Pacific-slope Flycatcher

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