While BirdingPI.com staff is gearing up for weekend field operations at Presque Isle State Park (forecast: rain), it’s back to the beach at Oceanside Harbour in Oceanside, California, early last month:
Marbled GodwitImmature Royal TernBrown Pelicans on breakwaterElegant Tern (center) + Royal TernsImmature Royal Tern 2Marbled Godwit 2Elegant Tern (l) + Royal Terns 2
ID note: Elegant Terns smaller than Royal Terns (which are in tern smaller than, e.g., Caspian Tern) (ha ha) + much narrower bill w/ more yellow (see above).
Willet exhibiting preening behaviorMore Royal TernsMarbled Godwit 3Elegant Tern (center)Willet 2Another group of Royal TernsMarbled Godwit 4Immature Royal Tern 3Marbled Godwit 5Adult and immature Royal TernsMarbled Godwit 6Immature Royal Tern 4Marbled Godwit, detail w/ reflectionImmature Royal Tern 5Marbled Godwit 8Western Gull takes flightMarbled Godwit 9Western Gull takes flight 2Marbled Godwit 10Western Gull takes flight 3Godwit, detail w/ expelled waterImmature Royal Tern 6Western Gull takes flight 4
Finally, a great sighting of Hermann’s Gull, soon to be renamed something like American Sooty Gull hopefully:
Western Gull (l) + Hermann’s Gull (r)Hermann’s Gull (l) + Western Gull (r)
Wishing everyone a nice weekend, and for those celebrating Judeo-Christian holidays, a happy Easter and Passover!
Mostly the shorebirds weren’t too concerned with human presence – guess because it’s a fairly busy/popular spot, for humans and birds. So easier to get reasonably close shots.
Very good
Thanks for watching!
Terns look like they are ‘built for speed,’ with that cool head gear! And Godwits…..such great shots !
Mostly the shorebirds weren’t too concerned with human presence – guess because it’s a fairly busy/popular spot, for humans and birds. So easier to get reasonably close shots.