Sightings - December 2025

Swamp Sparrow 12/13, Noyo Headlands trail. Photo by Roger Adamson.

Tennessee Warblers made a strong showing from the end of November through December. On 11/29 one was found in the Rose Memorial Cemetery in Fort Bragg along with a Bullock’s Oriole (CK, TB). The Tennessee at the Rose was seen by several people throughout the month and at the end of the month four were found on a single visit in the banksia flowers (PP on 12/28). On 12/2 another Tennessee Warbler was found at a home near Albion (TB, MF) and yet another appeared, also at Tim and Catherine’s home, later in the month. A fifth (or is it sixth?) Tennessee was found on the third Wednesday outing at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens (MCBG) on 12/17 (RA, CL, JT, JL).

A Black-necked Stilt was seen on 12/2 at the Ukiah water treatment plant (JR). Also in Ukiah, a late Western Tanager was found along Mendocino Drive (GG). On 12/4 a Northern Parula, the same as first seen in November, was reported at the Rose Cemetery (LW). On the first Saturday trip to the MCBG on 12/6 participants viewed a late migrating Common Yellowthroat (DJ). Also on 12/6, a late migrating Hermit Warbler was seen near Anchor Bay (EP)

Two Swamp Sparrows and another Common Yellowthroat were found on 12/7 at the Mill Pond on the Noyo Headlands (PP). One of the Swamp Sparrows was re-found by the field trip group of about 20 birders on 12/13.

During a whale watch trip 12/8 out of Noyo Harbor on the Kraken, three Tufted Puffins, one of which circled the boat 19 times (!) were seen in addition to a variety of typical pelagic birds (PP, TB, CK). Also on 12/8, two Bullock’s Orioles were seen in the Rose Cemetery (LW). A hybrid White-crowned Sparrow x White-throated Sparrow returned on 12/10 with a group of Golden-crowned Sparrows to a home in Fort Bragg (RA); this is the seventh year this bird has been seen. A Grasshopper Sparrow was seen and well-photographed on the Noyo headlands trail on 12/13 (CK). During the Ukiah Christmas Bird Count on 12/14 there were multiple reports of American White Pelicans, probably all of one group of birds seen in flight from multiple locations (MC, DJ, MF, DB, JF). These are infrequent in Mendocino County and not previously reported on the Ukiah CBC.

A Swamp Sparrow was found on 12/14 on Old Smith Ranch trail (PP). An American Crow, notable only because “we don’t have crows on the coast” is the usual response to reports of crows by visitors, was seen at the home of Tim Bray and Catherine Keegan near Albion on 12/22 (TB, CK). And lastly, during the Fort Bragg Christmas Bird Count on 12/28 there were a few notable birds including a Long-tailed Duck, a Palm Warbler, Tennessee Warblers, Bullock’s Oriole, Wandering Tattler, two Clark’s Grebes and three Snow Geese seen at various locations and by several observers.

Thanks to all who reported sightings: Catherine Keegan (CK), Tim Bray (TB), Peter Pyle (PP), Matt Franks (MF), Roger Adamson (RA), Chris Lamoreux (CL), Janet Theilen (JT), Julia Larke (JL), Jake Ruygt (JR), George Gibbs (GG), Lisa Walker (LW), Dave Jensen (DJ), Ellen Plane (EP), Mike Curry (MC), Dave Bengston (DB), Joel Franks (JF).