Today I was birding along the Bay Trail from Point Isabel (near the dog park) to the first boat docks which I am guessing is about three miles each way. I was able to identify 34 species of birds. Horned Grebes and Avocets were showing breeding plumage and Brown Pelicans were flying by and fishing. The challenge of the day was identifying a female Surf Scoter. They look very similar to white-winged Scoters. Even though I hadn’t planned to do photography I did take a compact camera and was able to get photos of it to work on later.
Although it’s not a walk for wildflowers, I did enjoy seeing some of the flowers in bloom. Native plants are starting to show greater bloom, some of which are planted. These included Phacelia, California Poppy, Yellow Bush Lupine, Bush Monkeyflower and Suncups. Also very beautiful were the many Pride-of- Madera (non-native) that were planted along the way. Butterflies identified were Anise Swallowtail, American Lady,West Coast Lady, and Cabbage White. Photos taken of the butterflies were essential to ID the American Lady and West Coast Lady otherwise I probably would have guessed they were Painted Lady.
A few quick photos from today’s walk with a compact camera
To see bird list click read more
Bay Trail Bird List for April 8,2010
Canada Goose 22
Mallard 3
Green-winged Teal 6
Scaup sp.15
Surf Scoter 1
Bufflehead 20
Common Goldeneye 1
Ruddy Duck 10
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Horned Grebe
Eared Grebe 1
Horned/Eared Grebe 10
Western Grebe 10
Western/Clark’s Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Brown Pelican 3
Snowy Egret 5
Turkey Vulture 2
American Coot 55
American Avocet 24
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Willet 50
Marbled Godwit 10
Western Sandpiper 10
Least Sandpiper 1
peep sp. 50
Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitcher 10
Western Gull 1
California Gull 2
gull sp. 50
Rock Pigeon 3
Mourning Dove 3
American Crow 3
European Starling 1
Song Sparrow 3
White-crowned Sparrow 6
Golden-crowned Sparrow 4
Red-winged Blackbird 5
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 5
Natural History Wanderings 
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