[EBB Sightings] Note to eBirders in Santa Clara, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties

For those of you who are eBird users:

The county eBird checklists throughout California are in the process of being refined and updated. Most of these changes are not major, and will act to refine and improve the data gathered from eBird users.?However, the next time you log in you will notice some differences.?For example, there is no longer a "Western Scrub-Jay" option.?It is now "Western Scrub-Jay (Coastal)".?Likewise, species such as Purple Finch, Whimbrel, Green-winged Teal and Red-shouldered Hawk?have?been changed to reflect the fact that different forms of these species?can be identified in the field.?In addition, several "spuhs", such as "Buteo Sp.", and several "slashies", such as "Blue-winged/ Cinnamon Teal" are now available.?

The updated Santa Clara county checklist is now in place. Updates to Alameda county will be completed?within the next few days?and Contra Costa county will be?completed by the end of this week (Feb 27).

Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions.

Amy McDonald
San Jose