Pacific Loon. Photo by Alec Olivier
Waterbird migration has finally started to heat up this week. September 26 was the first big day since 8/30. Oddly enough, the first three hours of the count of 9/26 were fairly slow. It seemed like it was going to be another slow day when the floodgates suddenly opened. The day ended with 458 Red-necked Grebes, 73 Common Loons, 200 Greater Scaups, 134 scaup sp., and 293 American Wigeons, among other things. Various other species have also been seen recently, but nothing in significant numbers. Red-necked Grebes had three days in a row of over 400 being counted, Sept. 26–28. Red-throated Loon numbers peaked with 61 on 9/24. An alternate plumaged Pacific Loon that passed the Point on 9/27 was a real treat. Jaegers have been showing well, with Parasitic Jaegers being seen on 9/24 and 9/26. Unknown jaegers have been seen on 9/23, 9/26, and 9/27. The week’s highlight was a distant adult Long-tailed Jaeger seen during the last five minutes of the count on 9/26. On 9/27, I was surprised to look high over the bay and see several flocks of Sandhill Cranes. In total, there were 73 cranes. Sandhill Cranes are common in the spring but relatively uncommon in the fall. In the non-waterbird department, I was fortunate enough to find the fourth Nelson’s Sparrow for the Point on 9/28, one of my days off.
Sandhill Cranes. Photo by Alec Olivier
~ Alec Olivier
2022 Fall Waterbird Counter
Featured Photo: Surf Scoters. Photo by Alec Olivier
