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.

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.

Here is the mandatory annual eagle closeup. An eagle overlooking the palisades…

I went up to North Lake and while I didn’t see any birds, I did get a panoramic view of Clam Lagoon.

At Clam Lagoon, the Bar-tailed Godwit and Short-billed Gull were still present.

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.

Most of the Sea Otters have pups right now.

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.

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