Returned a week ago and thought I would give some info for anyone who might be interested.
I had a great trip with 138 species seen, 59 of which were new for me (60 if you count the red-masked parakeets on Telegraph Hill, which I don't). I'd highly recommend the
SFBirds email list recommended by Dan Singer as I got lots of information from just lurking on this list. I'm sure the figure would have been higher if I had been able to identify more things by ear. It would also, however, have been much lower if it were not for the Hayward Harriers (see below).
I was lucky that my trip coincided with the
Golden Gate Audubon Society's (GGAS) annual Birdathon. This meant that there was lots of news around of what people were seeing but also meant that I could join in with an event. I joined 'The Hayward Harriers' for a 'Big 4 Hours' split between Garin State Park and the Hayward Shore in the east Bay area. We managed 91 species in the 4 hours, 88 of which I am happy to count (all 91 were good birds, but some were flyovers or heard-only which, as lifers, I would not be happy with). As a bonus, by taking part I managed to get some sponsorship and raised $140 for GGAS!
Other major birding locations where I 'collected' several species were Golden Gate Park (GGP), Cliff House/Seal Rocks/Sutro Baths and a two day trip to Monterey Bay for a whale-watching trip (Day 1 drove to Moss Landing and went on trip aboard the
Sanctuary. Stayed in Big Sur. Day 2 returned via Monterey, Santa Cruz and Henry Cowell Redwood State Park). In GGP, the Botanic Garden (AKA Strybing Arboretum) was especially good.
Highlights:
Anna's Hummingbirds - common throughout the city and seen every day
Allen's Hummingbird - Excellent views in Botanic Garden and AIDS Memorial Garden in GGP
Warblers - Wilson's, Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's and Myrtle) and the stunning Townsend's seen at several sites
Californian Towhee at Garin State Park and Botanic Garden in GGP
Red-winged (bicoloured) Blackbirds - several sites but in stunning display
Grasshopper Sparrow - Garin
Nuttall's Woodpecker - Garin and GGP
Acorn Woodpecker - Fernwood Campsite, Big Sur. I was also told about some near to the Academy of Science building in GGP
Am White Pelican - Hayward Shore (Brown common at coast)
White-tailed Kite - Hayward and near Monterey
Shorebirds - great selection at Hayward Shore inc. Am Avocet, Huds Whimbrel, Long-billed Curlew, Least and Western Sands, Willets, Marbled Godwits all in great plumage.
Gulls - Western common everywhere, Glauc-winged, Am Herring and Californian scattered but best at Hayward, Santa Cruz seafront and north end of Ocean Beach near Cliff House.
Heerman's Gull - single 1st years at Moss Landing and Pier 39 on Fisherman's Wharf
Mew Gull - 1 1st summer at Aquatic Park, SF
Western and Clarke's Grebes - abundant at coastal and harbour sites
Surfbirds, Black Turnstones, Black Oystercatcher - Rocks north of Santa Cruz board walk, Seal Rocks/Sutro Baths
Black-footed Albatross - about 20 from whale-watch boat. Fantastic views.
Rhino Auklet - 3 from whale-watch boat but only one seen well
Pigeon Guillemot - all around coast. Best views Santa Cruz pier.
Cormorants - Brandt's common around coast (best views Moss Landing nesting on pilings), Pelagic as for Brandt's but less frequent (best views Santa Cruz and by Golden Gate Bridge), 2x crested common.
Band-tailed pigeon - common in Big Sur woods, one flock in GGP
California Quail - very few remaining in the city. I saw one male after some searching and with help in GGP Botanic Garden
Great Horned Owl - 1 adult and 2 juvs in nest GGP
Brown Creeper - Big Sur woodland and GGP
Steller's Jay - Big Sur woodland and GGP
Pygmy Nuthatch - several in GGP but best views in Succulent Garden of Botanic Garden where a bird was nesting in a dead Agave stem
House Wren - one at Garin
Bewick's Wren - Garin, GGP, Sutro Baths area, Big Sur
Pacific (Winter) Wren - several singing in coastal scrub (one seen) along Land's End Trail (N of Seal Rocks)
Full list attached.
Mammals seen inc. Grey Whale, Sea Otter, Californian and Steller's Sea Lion, Harbour Seal.
Hope this helps any future travellers. Thanks to all those who helped. San Francisco was such a friendly city, even the vagrants in the park helped point out the birds to me!
Happy birding!
Ken