Photo: Nazca Booby by Philip Dickinson
October 3, 2023
What’s that bird in the photo? Make sure to read to the end. We began an overcast day with good activity in the orchard and along the maintenance road: multiple Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing, and three cavorting Bald Eagle, among others. The east boardwalk and the Twin Barns overlook were quiet, but better along the dike. Duck species included numerous American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Northern Pintail. We also spied Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher and Western Sandpiper. At that point, we cut short our walk and headed over to Luhr Beach across McAllister Creek because a Nazca Booby discovered the day before had been resighted. What a thrill to see this rarity from the Galapagos, even at a distance! Surf and White-winged Scoter, and Horned, Red-necked and Western Grebe were nice additions to end the day.
52 Species (Approx. Qty)
Attendees: Phil, Dianne, Lisa, Tari, Rex, Jeff, Denny, Frank, Ken, Teri, Reg, Bruce, Maureen T., Pam T., Karen, Kay, John H., Pat, Marcia, Joanie, Terry
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Cackling Goose (45), American Wigeon (20), Mallard (6), Northern Shoveler (20), Northern Pintail (200), Green-winged Teal (20), Greater Scaup (30), Surf Scoter (50), White-winged Scoter (5)
LOONS, GREBES: Common Loon (2), Horned Grebe (10), Red-necked Grebe (5), Western Grebe (2)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Double-crested Cormorant (3), Great Blue Heron (2)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (5), Northern Harrier (1)
SHOREBIRDS: Greater Yellowlegs (15), Western Sandpiper (40), Long-billed Dowitcher (1)
GULLS: Ring-billed Gull (100), Short-billed Gull (2), California Gull (2), Glaucous-winged Gull (7)
FRIGATEBIRDS, BOOBIES, GANNETS: Nazca Booby (1)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (25)
HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna's Hummingbird (2)
WOODPECKERS: Northern Flicker (2)
CORVIDS: American Crow (6), Common Raven (1)
LARKS, SWALLOWS: Barn Swallow (5)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (12), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (5)
NUTHATCHES, CREEPER: Brown Creeper (4)
WRENS: Bewick's Wren (1)
KINGLETS: Golden-crowned Kinglet (1), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2)
THRUSHES: American Robin (4)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (10)
WAXWINGS, PIPITS: Cedar Waxwing (30)
WARBLERS, CHAT: Common Yellowthroat (1)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (5), Fox Sparrow (3), Song Sparrow (12), Golden-crowned Sparrow (6)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (8)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (1), American Goldfinch (6), House Sparrow (1)