Natural History Wanderings

Today we went to Elkhorn Slough where we saw we hiked Long Valley Loop. Five Fingers Loop and the Visitors Center to the Barn for about three and half miles. We identified 33 different bird species. A more skilled birder by ear would have had a number more. Most abundant were Bufflehead. Best sightings were Red-breasted Merganser, A White-tailed Kite kiting, and a female Surf Scoter.

Wildflowers were starting to bloom. Native plants in bloom were California Poppy, Yarrow, Red Maids, a small Lupine, Suncups, Buttercups, Wild Current, Black Sage, Purple Sanicle, Yellow Lomatium or Hog Fennel, Miner’s Lettuce, Wild Cucumber, Live Oak, and Poison Oak. Aliens in bloom included Filaree, Mustard, Wild Radish, and Sea Rocket. Plenty of Poison Oak but the paths were wide. Also saw Monarch Butterflies and a rabbit.

Moss Beach we went to see the Sea Lions and Sea Otters both of which were present. Although not doing much birding we did see fifteen species. Best sighting was a group of eight Brant. Also of interest were a group of Red-breasted Mergansers and a large number of Brown Pelicans.

To see birds lists click read more

Elkhorn Slough Reserve

Feb 20, 2016 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Protocol: Traveling

3.5 mile(s)

Comments: Long Valley Loop, Five Fingers Loop, and Visitor Center to Little Barn

32 species (+1 other taxa)

 

Canada Goose X

Northern Pintail X

Greater/Lesser Scaup X

Surf Scoter X

Bufflehead X

Common Goldeneye X

Red-breasted Merganser X

Ruddy Duck X

California Quail X

Eared Grebe X

Double-crested Cormorant X

Great Egret X

Snowy Egret X

Turkey Vulture X

White-tailed Kite X

Cooper’s Hawk X

Red-tailed Hawk X

Willet X

Long-billed Curlew X

Marbled Godwit X

Ring-billed Gull X

Western Gull X

Anna’s Hummingbird X

Black Phoebe X

 

 

 

Moss Landing

13 Species

 

Brant X

Northern Shoveler X

Bufflehead X

Red-breasted Merganser X

Common Loon X

Eared Grebe X

Double-crested Cormorant X

Pelagic Cormorant X

Brown Pelican X

Willet X

Whimbrel X

Long-billed Curlew X

Marbled Godwit X

Western Sandpiper X

Western Gull X