We spent our second morning in coastal California at La Jolla. It was our first visit to rocky shoreline so we were hoping for a few new wader species. We did have a few Black Turnstones feeding amongst the resting California Sea Lions and Brandt's Cormorants. However there was no sign of any Surfbirds or Black Oystercatcher. Thankfully I had an extra week around San Francisco for a second chance at these species. We also had our first Pelagic Cormorants here along with good numbers of Heermann's and Western Gulls.
We spent the afternoon at a nearby local park where several Varied Thrushes had bee reported on eBird. We eventually managed to catch up with a few individuals but they were rather elusive in nature. California has experienced a bit of an influx of this species this winter and they are often difficult to come across in normal winters. We also had our first Califronia Towhees, White-throated Swifts, Red-shouldered Hawks and Goshawk.
We spent the afternoon at a nearby local park where several Varied Thrushes had bee reported on eBird. We eventually managed to catch up with a few individuals but they were rather elusive in nature. California has experienced a bit of an influx of this species this winter and they are often difficult to come across in normal winters. We also had our first Califronia Towhees, White-throated Swifts, Red-shouldered Hawks and Goshawk.
 |
| Wester and Heerman's Gull |
 |
| Adult summer Heermann's Gull |
 |
| Adult winter Heermann's Gull |
 |
| Adult Heermann's Gull |
 |
| Second-winter Heermann's Gull |
 |
| Adult Heermann's Gulls |
 |
| Adult Heermann's Gull |
 |
| Adult Heermann's Gull |
 |
| Adult Heermann's Gull |
 |
| Adult Western Gull |
 |
| First-winter Western Gull |
 |
| First-winter Western Gull |
 |
| Second-winter Western Gull |
 |
| Second-winter Western Gull |
 |
| Third-winter Western Gull |
 |
| First-winter California Gull |
 |
| Royal Terns |
 |
| Royal Terns |
 |
| Royal Tern |
 |
| Brown Pelican |
 |
| Pelagic Cormorant |
 |
| Snowy Egret |
 |
| Spotted Sandpiper |
 |
| Black Turnstone |
 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk |
 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk |
 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk |
 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk |
 |
| Varied Thrush |
 |
| Varied Thrush |
 |
| White-throated Swift |
 |
| Hermit Thrush |
 |
| Hermit Thrush |
 |
| California Ground Squirrel |
 |
| This caused a bit of confusion when I called Osprey. |
Hi Dermot. Not sure if my first comment took. Looks like a great trip. If your in San Fran I'd recommend Palo Alto wetlands. Check out the burrowing owl dire at the entrance.
ReplyDeleteI was there 2 weeks ago. Full of shorebirds and nice scrub areas around. Also recommend Rancho San Antonio in the foothills to the west of Cupertino. Have a great trip. John
ReplyDeleteHi John, I've been back in Ireland since 19th Feb. I actually did visit Palo Alto on my first morning in San Francisco, great views of Canvasbacks.
Delete