Alan Krakauer

We're now into May, so this will probably be my final update with new photos for my photo challenge fundraiser. In this last set I finally notched Red-breasted Nuthatch, a common local bird I heard many times during my photo outlets but hadn't managed to get an eye on. This set also contained a few Spring arrivals including Western Tanagers, Lazuli Bunting, and Brown-headed Cowbird, plus one unusual migrant (Chipping Sparrow, maybe the 3rd or 4th I've seen in Wildcat Canyon and I think the first adult).

Looking back on the challenge, I'm thrilled with the 123 species I found. These were all within 10 miles of my house and with the exception of a handful from Fernandez Ranch and Briones, within only 5 miles. I had some misses, the biggest was probably Great Horned Owl (although heard many times). Other misses included White-breasted Nuthatch, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Grasshopper Sparrow and House Wren. Still, really happy with what I was able to find and photograph.

Many thanks to everyone who's followed along and supported this fundraiser. Golden Gate Bird Alliance will continue to advocate for birds and their habitats and to ensure everyone has access to birding and ecoeducation and your donations will help them with this mission. Every dollar counts.

Final List of Birds Photographed: https://www.alankrakauerphotography.com/GGBA-Birdathon-2025-Challenge

Photo Gallery: https://www.alankrakauerphotography.com/GGBA-Birdathon-2025-100-Birds-Challenge

I'm slowly racking up a few photos of new spring arrivals, but most of my new additions to the list are winter birds or resident species that had eluded me until now. The search has been fun though, whether it's finding something new or getting a new look at something I've already gotten a picture of. Case in point - this Black-bellied Plover in its honey badger style breeding plumage. This is a fairly common shorebird along the bay, but most of the time we see them here they lack much or any black their belly. What a treat to see this one! Another sighting that blew my mind – I finally saw a stunning adult bald eagle flying over Landfill Loop along the North Shore of Richmond. It had something trailing behind clutched in its talons that I took to be nest material but when I got the photos on my computer it turns out the eagle was carrying a Snowy Egret. Wow!

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Full list of birds photographed: https://www.alankrakauerphotography.com/GGBA-Birdathon-2025-Challenge

Gallery of photos: https://www.alankrakauerphotography.com/GGBA-Birdathon-2025-100-Birds-Challenge

If you've been following my updates since the beginning, most of them have mentioned how almost all the birds I've been finding are either winter birds or year round residents. Spring birds, where are you?! Since my last update I am now hearing some new spring species when I'm out and about. Warbling Vireo and Western Flycatcher are adding their voice to the chorus of local birds. But just because they are around doesn't mean I'm finding them with my camera! I've added a terrible photo of an Orange-crowned Warbler and a distant pic of a Black-headed Grosbeak, along with a few new year round residents for my list (Wild Turkey! Band-tailed Pigeon and California Thrasher). I'll keep trying to fill this out.

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Thank you again for your support! Every dollar counts and helps a great organization.

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Gallery Here: https://www.alankrakauerphotography.com/GGBA-Birdathon-2025-100-Birds-Challenge

List Here: https://www.alankrakauerphotography.com/GGBA-Birdathon-2025-Challenge

101 Birds! We did it! Bird number 100 was this sunny yellow Wilson's Warbler at the Gyuto Monastery in Richmond. This was one of the very first spring arrivals I've found this month – almost all of the remaining 99 I've tallied are either year round residents or wintering species. Spring is here!

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The other species in the latest update are Barn Owl, Pygmy Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Hermit Thrush, Cooper's Hawk, and California Quail. These were scattered across several short birding outings and I don't have eBird lists for these.

Although I reached my goal, I won't be able to resist getting out there for more birding and photography during the Birdathon. Rest assured you won't be on the hook for additional species above my goal if you pledged per species and wish to cap it at 100. You'll have the option to increase your pledge to include these bonus birds if you wish.

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Thank you for all your support for GGBA!

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Full Species List: https://www.alankrakauerphotography.com/GGBA-Birdathon-2025-Challenge

Only 3 new birds in this update, all from Miller-Knox on Saturday. Three from an eBird list of 50 isn't very impressive, although this is partly due to all the birding I've already done along the Richmond Shoreline this month, and also that I was there as a co-leader for a GGBA bird walk! Instead of capturing photos for later, I was helping people enjoy our local bird life in real time.

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New birds for this update were Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, and a nice surprise of a couple of Red-throated Loons that surfaced quite near the old pier.

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Many thanks to everyone who's contributed so far!

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eBird shared list from the field trip: https://ebird.org/checklist/S218750911

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My cumulative list and photo gallery: https://www.alankrakauerphotography.com/GGBA-Birdathon-2025-Challenge