Natural History Wanderings

Today  was birding along the Bay Trail from Point Isabel (near the dog park) about 1.25 miles out and back. Highlights were a Cooper’s Hawk, a female Northern Harrier, watching many Pelicans fish, a Wilson’s Snipe and seeing lots of Snowy Egrets. 24 species were identified. The snipe was seen courtesy of Denise Wight, who taught the birding by ear class I did last year.We had the good fortune to run into Denise as she was doing a Contra Costa big day. The Butterfly highlight was seeing a number of Monarchs. Other butterflies included Anise Swallowtail,  Cabbage White and probably an Orange Sulfur. There are still California Poppies, Gumplant and lots of Fennel(Anise)  in bloom.

To see today’s bird list click read more

Pt. Isabel Regional Shoreline and Bay Trail Bird List for 9/30/12
23 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose

Mallard

Northern Shoveler

Northern Pintail

Greater/Lesser Scaup

Clark’s Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Brown Pelican

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Snowy Egret

Turkey Vulture

Northern Harrier

Cooper’s Hawk

American Coot

American Avocet

Willet

Long-billed Curlew

Wilson’s Snipe

Western Gull

American Crow

California Towhee

White-crowned Sparrow

Brewer’s Blackbird