I thought I saw a falcon, but it disappeared before I could make an id.
European Starling |
Lesser Scaup |
Along the road, there are various places to pull off: a nature trail, beach access points, a bayside kayak access point, and a crabbing pier. I saw a sign at one of the beach access points advising that this area is essential to a threatened species and providing information on how to help protect them. My field guide actually lists them as endangered.
There were a few fishermen that caused the birds to move down the beach, but not deliberately. I followed and was able to get within 20 feet of plovers, sandpipers, and sanderlings without alarming them.
Snowy Plover |
At first glance, it looks like I found one of the Piping Plovers. After studying my photographs and referring to my field guides, I determined this is actually a Snowy Plover, which is also listed as threatened and is another lifer. A Piping Plover would have had orange legs.
White Ibis and Tri-colored Heron |
At the crabbing pier, I found a pair of interesting birds. A White Ibis and Tri-colored Heron were following each other around. Wherever one went, the other followed. When I passed by later in the day, they were still there and still together. How's that for an odd couple?
On a day that wasn't particularly birdy I identified a total of 16 species, two of them lifers. Not too bad.
Linking with The Bird D'Pot.
UTC105
11/23/2014
Midday - Late afternoon
70 deg F, windy, clear
Species identified (16): Great Blue Heron, White Ibis, Great Egret, Brown Pelican, Great-tailed Grackle, Eastern Phoebe, Willet, Lesser Scaup, European Starling, Herring Gull, Laughing Gull, Semipalmated Plover, Sanderling, Western Sandpiper, Snowy Plover, Tricolored Heron