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One of the people reported a rare bird (unconfirmed) the other day, and yup it added it to the county listing as the ‘newest’ bird they had seen. Amazingly they’re not even first 😂. Though, I honestly don’t think it’s done maliciously. I’ve had a few people ‘talk’ to me through their checklists/species comments or ask me (through email/Instagram) where the best place to find X species is at a certain location. The other day someone thanked me in their comments as they found a bird they hadn’t seen that they were able to find as I mentioned where I birded and where I saw that species in my checklist. So I think it’s good to have some sort of awareness of how your lists/birding ability is being perceived by other people, as any list you upload is visible by anyone, and they might base their actions or expectations on what you have reported. Then a good reputation can help from relationships with the birders around you, and then maybe you get to join the secret birding group chat where rare/notable birds get reported as soon as they’re found or something 🤷🏻‍♂️

I'm going with my lifer, Gray Kingbird: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/452385281

1. Olive-sided 2. Least 3-4. Yellow-bellied

Got a new camera and moved to a new apartment in the last week, so I've been using any opportunity I can to take pics. Just a House Finch today, but I still like the way this one came out. :) https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/452231731

Plenty of parking still available!

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/452656681

Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Junco

Some sort of oriole. not western expert. My guess is Bullock's Oriole

Big-headed and short-tailed, along with a thick bill. Additionally, you can make out the creamy throat that contrasts with the overall dusky coloration.

https://ebird.org/species/dwavir1 https://ebird.org/species/yebspo1 https://ebird.org/species/salmon1 Salmon XD

I’m pretty sure that’s a Common Yellowthroat.

Yellow-rumped

Can’t believe I didn’t a good photo of these. That being said, I’ve never actually photographed them.

Scaly-breasted Munia in the backyard https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/451990131 https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/451990151

I actually do have a decent photo of a house sparrow

Man, I really can't believe this is my best photo.

Female Blackpoll Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler from today.

Pomarine Jaeger

Hooray! I finally found a Blackburnian warbler feeling photogenic!

And I certainly wouldn’t say the lighting is “bad.”

The colors of the birds is all wrong for Painted Buntings and House Finches. The structure is also wrong for any finch.

Look at this checklist from the same spot. https://ebird.org/checklist/S110694459?_gl=1*1dxgwha*_ga*MzI0Nzc5NjA2LjE2NTMyMDA4MTI.*_ga_QR4NVXZ8BM*MTY1MzMzNTMzNy43LjEuMTY1MzMzNTg2OS4zMg..#_ga=2.22052019.983238638.1653200812-324779606.1653200812 The OP’s bird is clearly closer, and maybe even identical, to the Marbled in that checklist. In my experience, Hudsonian, especially this time of year, stand out very clearly from Marbled, and if you’re unsure, it’s probably a Marbled.

While I agree that they most probably are, I don't think we should make an id, based almost totally on shape.

You're not alone, I still need Black Swift as well. They are far from easy, especially in the Central Valley. I've missed them both on the breeding grounds and from within Sacramento by minutes.

Yesterdays: https://ebird.org/checklist/S110888902 Today’s: https://ebird.org/checklist/S111003974

This is the only photo of a House Sparrow(s) that I have in my files. And I really don't know why it was still there!

At some point I will check, but I'm not sure I've had this many super-rare birds in one day in the county. These are the first Spring records in the county for White-rumped Sandpiper, Franklin's Gull and Black-bellied Plover. All the best looks I've had at each of these species. Also a late tagged Horned Grebe.

Still racking up FOY birds this past week, 5 of them today. Lifer - Connecticut Warbler (also flagged rare) Rare - Clay-colored Sparrow, Black-bellied Plover, White-rumped Sandpiper Other FOY - Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Common Nighthawk, Cliff Swallow, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Bank Swallow. Dipped on Grasshopper Sparrow this morning.

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/451476661

A Black-crowned Night Heron in Gilbert, AZ a few weeks ago. https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/451189611

I’ve knocked out Orchard Oriole, got the Iceland Gull, and am well on my way to my lifer and audio goals! Lifers: 363 Audio: 156 with more pending

Seaside Sparrow

Red-wing and House Finch