Laguna
Mts. & San Diego
Nov 22, 2003,
cool & sunny
- narrated
by Henry Detwiler
Al & Helga and I took a day trip to the coast to see if we could
spot some new birds!
100
species total
Click on
thumbnail pictures for full-sized shots.
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We started out at 5:30a.m. and made it to Jacumba at
the break of dawn. After some hunting, we found Tri-colored
Blackbirds, a Nutall's Woodpecker, California Thrashers, and
California Towhees.
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Al & Helga on the Ocean Beach Pier
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Western Scrub Jay
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A little farther down the road at Live Oak Springs we
saw a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks, Oak Titmice, Lesser Goldfinches,
lots of sparrows, and this Western Scrub Jay |
| Our first stop in San Diego was at Mission Bay, where
we saw Brant and this beautiful male
Harlequin Duck! |
Harlequin Duck
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Heerman's Gull
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At the flood control channel of the San Diego River we
found many varieties of shorebirds, and on a return trip in the late
afternoon we scored with the Eurasian Wigeon. |
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Marbled Godwit
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Along the coast at Ocean Beach we were treated to
close views of this Marbled Godwit, Black-bellied Plovers, and
lots of gulls, including the handsome Heerman's Gull.
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At the end of the Ocean Beach Pier we found our
prize - eleven dark-phase Northern Fulmars and one light-phase
Northern Fulmar. It was great watching these pelagic birds
swimming and flying about, from our vantage point 30' above them
on the pier. These birds have learned the art of stealing
bait and fish from the fishing lines.
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Northern Fulmar
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Hermit Thrush
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From there we went to the "Drip" at
Coronado National Monument on Point Loma, where we spent a little
while watching Golden-crowned Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, and this
Hermit Thrush.
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Our final stop for the day was at Quivera Basin and the mouth of
Mission Bay, where we spotted a Red-throated Loon. And then
we drove home to Yuma, reflecting on all the great birds we had
seen! |
Al on Mission Bay
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