The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming!
Well at least their birds…
Temp in the 40s, overcast, showers starting late afternoon, wind SW 5 mph, increasing as the day went on.
![](http://www.franklinhaas.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Weather_05232023.jpg)
There is a strong storm system coming from Russia that is starting to hit us tonight. It should bring some interesting birds…
If you read last night’s blog, I listed a Common(?) Gull. We have now changed it to Short-billed and I have updated yesterday’s blog and eBird list.
The gull was still present earlier today, but I did not see it when I went back up to Clam Lagoon this evening.
The other good news is that the Eye-browed Thrush appears to be settling in. There is a junk pile in town that it is favoring and it was seen there several times today. And I finally got a good photo.
![](http://www.franklinhaas.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EyeBrowedThrush_05232023.jpg)
Here is the mandatory annual eagle closeup. An eagle overlooking the palisades…
![](http://www.franklinhaas.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/BaldEagle_05232023.jpg)
I went up to North Lake and while I didn’t see any birds, I did get a panoramic view of Clam Lagoon.
![](http://www.franklinhaas.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ClamLagoon_05232023.jpg)
At Clam Lagoon, the Bar-tailed Godwit and Short-billed Gull were still present.
![](http://www.franklinhaas.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/BarTailedGodwit_05232023.jpg)
Both yesterday and today, there were Red-necked Phalaropes in Phalarope Cove (in Sweeper Cove). I had named this cove as such because of this very behavior — gathering in this spot. However, the last few years, I had not seen any phalaropes in the cove! It is nice they are gathering there again. Here is one from near Lake Shirley today.
![](http://www.franklinhaas.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RedNeckedPhalarope_05232023.jpg)
Most of the Sea Otters have pups right now.
![](http://www.franklinhaas.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SeaOtter_05232023.jpg)
Sam and Steve had a flock of 8 Bramblings at Andrew Lake this afternoon (and a possible thrush)!
On a very different note, Sam and Steve found the skull of a Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel out near Candlestick Bridge. We assume it was left there by a jaeger.
![](http://www.franklinhaas.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Petrel2.jpg)
![](http://www.franklinhaas.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Petrel1.jpg)
The Trip List is 58 (67 is average for my May trips)
Today’s eBird list can be seen at https://ebird.org/checklist/S139047092