2024 SF Christmas Bird Count Recap
Compiled and Written by David Assmann
Christmas Bird Counts are always full of surprises, which makes them more enjoyable. No one could have predicted that a Jouanin’s Petrel, a bird that nests in Oman, and forages in the Arabian Sea, would be found in the Richmond District on Count Day.
Prior to the Count, rainy weather had been predicted for weeks, but when the day actually started – the skies cleared, and we enjoyed sunshine in the afternoon. So instead of having a low species tally on Count Day, 180 were tallied – only two short of our record in 2019. Our Count Week total ended up at 185, six short of our record.
The advent of eBird and improved electronic communication has clearly had an impact on the number of species spotted on the Christmas Bird Count. Our annual species count averaged 162 prior to 2012, but since then it has jumped to 179. We counted 57,233 birds this year, about the same as the average in recent history.
New and Rare Species
In addition to the Jouanin’s Petrel, the overwintering Grace’s Warbler was a new bird for the San Francisco Count. Second-ever sightings included a Vermillion Flycatcher (seen in the same cemetery in Colma as in 2016), a Black-headed Grosbeak in northern San Mateo (1999), a Pomarine Jaeger (last seen off the coast in 2003) and Brant (2016). A Black-legged Kittiwake at Battery Godfrey was a 4th record. In total, 34 rare or uncommon species were seen. We had a Summer Tanager, a Western Tanager, 4 Orchard Orioles (a record), and a Bullock’s Oriole. Of the expected species, we missed only two – Tree Swallow and Long-billed Dowitcher.
The Bright Spots
Corvids are doing extraordinarily well. We hit a new record for Common Ravens with 1,538 (more Ravens were counted than American Crows which came in at 1,532). California Scrub Jays (305) approached their record number of 353, and Steller’s Jay numbers came in at 148 (160 is the record). These species were extremely uncommon a few decades ago. If you go back to 1986, there were 3 Steller’s Jays and no California Scrub Jays found on the Count, and the combined total number of ravens and crows was 88!
Chestnut-backed Chickadee numbers set a new record at 598 (up from 370 last year), and Oak Titmouse (rare in this area) also set a new record with 6. Wren numbers also hit new records with 25 House Wrens (up from 9 last year), 120 Bewick’s Wrens (up from 73 last year) and 50 Pacific Wrens (up from 27) last year. For the third time in the history of the count, a Rock Wren was found in Golden Gate Park.
Western Bluebirds, which were almost never seen in San Francisco prior to 2008, continue their expansion – hitting a record 181 this year, more than double last year’s total of 77. Golden-crowned Kinglets are rebounding from decades-long low numbers. The 20-year average of this species stands at 27 – this year we counted 159.
Last year, we had the highest number of Townsend’s Warblers of any count in the country with 308. This year we counted significantly more with 539.
Woodpeckers are doing well, with Nuttall’s Woodpecker numbers hitting an all time high of 117, Harry Woodpeckers also setting a record at 46 and Downy Woodpeckers doubling their numbers from last year to 52.
If you’re noticing more hawks, it’s not a surprise – hawk numbers are climbing with three species hitting all-time highs – Cooper’s Hawks at 38 (up from 14 last year), Red-shouldered Hawks at 100 (up from 74 last year) and Red-tailed Hawks at 204 (up from 177). While not setting a new record, the number of Sharp-shinned hawks jumped from 14 to 38.
We had the second highest number of Anna’s Hummingbirds at 1,343 (the record was 1,537 in 2020). This species was also the most widespread species reported, appearing on 245 of the 353 checklists submitted for the Count. Two Rufous Hummingbirds were reported from their overwintering site on Mt. Sutro – only the second time this species has been seen on the Count.
Stable or declining species
Overall duck and geese numbers were about the same this year as last year, although we missed a number of uncommon species – Harlequin Duck, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Wood Duck, Common Merganser and Long-Tailed Duck. However Eurasian Wigeon, Redhead, White-Winged Scoter and Cinnamon Teal were tallied on the Count.
Surf Scoter numbers jumped from 703 to 1,184, but are still well below historical levels. In 1985 the count for Surf Scoters was 13,600 and as recently as 2015, the count totaled more than 3,000. Northern Shoveler numbers continue to decline – 159 were reported – a fraction of numbers in previous years – there were 7,268 reported in 2000. Bufflehead numbers dropped for the third year in a row, from 432 to 252. On a more positive note, Ruddy Duck numbers rose from 579 to 893. We missed Cackling Goose and Snow Goose. Four Greater-White Fronted Geese were reported.
Waterbird numbers were quite variable compared to last year. The Red-Throated Loon total almost tripled – from 509 to 1,454. Western Grebes increased from 354 to 1,524. Cormorant numbers were also up. Brown Pelicans, on the other hand, decreased from 4,112 to 30. This species follows food around, so a big variance is expected from year to year.
Shorebird numbers varied a lot from last year, and remain below historic levels. We missed Rock Sandpiper, Wandering Tattler, Ruddy Turnstone and Red Knot. On the positive side, we set a new record for Black Oystercatcher, with 50 tallied, and for Greater Yellowlegs with 49.
The following species came in at numbers that are more than 90% below their all time highs: Long-Billed Curlew at 20 (historic high 195), Long-Billed Dowitcher at 0 (200), Short-Billed Dowitcher at 6 (850), and Killdeer at 72 (1,884). Dunlin numbers dropped from 2,439 to 693. Several other species increased this year over last, but are still below historic levels. Sanderlings, however, approached their all-time high with 2,430 (up from 750 last year), American Avocet numbers jumped from 139 to 339, and Marbled Godwit numbers increased from 132 to 286.
Sparrow numbers have rebounded from last year with 1,032 Dark-Eyed Juncos vs 690 last year; 3,480 White-crowned Sparrows, up from 2,145 last year; and 1,269 Golden Crowned Sparrows – up from 923. Song Sparrows increased from 352 to 561. California Towhees hit an all-time high with 506.
Red Crossbills, which used to number in the hundreds, were missed totally on Count Day. Only one American Goldfinch was seen, continuing a decline. Western Meadowlarks rebounded to set a new record at 496.
Heartfelt thanks to all the counters who participated this year, including those who made this their first Christmas Bird Count. Many thanks as well to Keith Maley, Siobhan Ruck, and Area Leaders.