Natural History Wanderings

Yesterday morning I was participating in the Coastal Clean-up at Pt. Isabel along the Richmond Bay Trail. I walked about four miles going back and forth on main trail and side trails between the parking lot and slightly past 51st. I also made an effort to pay attention to the birds and butterflies when possible. It was sunny and in the sixties and seventies and quickly warming up. It was low tide. I identified 26 bird species. My favorite of the day was the Common Yellowthroat.

The dominant plants were Anise, Toyon and Coyote Bush. Also in bloom were California Poppy, California Fuschia, Lizard Tail, and Gumplant.

Butterflies seen were Anise Swallowtail, California Buckeye, Common Hairstreak, Cabbage White and most surprisingly two sightings of Pipevine Swallowtail.

Click read more to see bird list

Bird List

Canada Goose  X

Mallard  X

Double-crested Cormorant  X

Brown Pelican  X

Great Egret  X

Snowy Egret  X

Turkey Vulture  X

American Avocet  X

Killdeer  X

Greater Yellowlegs  X

Willet  X

Whimbrel  X

Long-billed Curlew  X

Marbled Godwit  X

Least Sandpiper  X

Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitcher  X

Western Gull  X

Forster’s Tern  X

Mourning Dove  X

Anna’s Hummingbird  X

Black Phoebe  X

American Crow  X

Common Yellowthroat  X

White-crowned Sparrow  X

California Towhee  X

House Finch  X