Saturday, Septembr 21, 2019

Temp in the 40s, overcast, dry in the morning, steady rain from noon to 3 PM, then more rain after 3:45 PM!, Wind E 5-15 mph

Despite the good morning weather, we didn’t find anything new.

We did however, see the whale that has been hanging around closer up – although we did not see anymore of it than before. It was in Sweeper Cove. We saw it as we were driving out the breakwall.

We believe it is a Minke Whale. If there are any whale experts out there, please feel free to correct us.

Minke Whale?, Sweeper Cove, September 21, 2019

We didn’t see any shorebirds at Contractors Camp Marsh. The rainfall before we arrived must have been way above normal, as we have never seen the marsh flooded as deep as it is now. As mentioned yesterday, the main road is under 6 inches of water. The area where we had the Spotted Redshank last year is a lake. Usually, half of this would be dry.

Contractors Camp Marsh (Redshank Drive), September 21, 2019
Contractors Camp Marsh, September 21, 2019
Contractors Camp Marsh, September 21, 2019

At Candlestick Bridge, we saw a Peregrine Falcon chasing a Kittiwake and was soon joined by a second Peregrine. The two falcons soon gave up the chase and flew off in different directions – as did the Kittiwake… We later saw a Peregrine harassing the teal flock on Clam Lagoon.

At the Seawall, there were three Emperor Geese out on Goose Rocks (for which it is named!).

Several Short-tailed Shearwaters are still hanging around. We saw several fly in front of the hovercraft as it was leaving late this afternoon (see below).

The Marsh Sandpiper is still here.

On today’s flight, Bob and Steve Bossert arrived to add two more sets of eyes to help find more birds. It was pouring rain when they arrived, but I led them up to Clam Lagoon and showed them where I last saw the sandpiper this afternoon and then left them go for it.

Being late in the afternoon, the resident flock of several hundred Common Teal (and others) were out feeding in the area of the sandpiper and apparently flushed as Bob and Steve got nearer, and took the sandpiper with them. They saw what they believe was the bird, but will try again tomorrow morning in better conditions – and without the excitable teal flock to interfere!

We had two Rock Ptarmigan today, the most we have had this trip.

There were 12 Black Scoters off the Palisades Overlook.

The Sanderling flock was on the east side of Clam Lagoon this afternoon.

The Marines are leaving. No grand invasion (bad weather — such wimps!). According to news reports, there were 3000 marines aboard that assault ship! That would have been an interesting experience to watch. As it was, there was absolutely no infringement on our birding activity while they were here.

Here are a few shots of one of the hovercrafts going out to the mothership. The amount of spray it generates all but obscures it as it gets going.

Marine hovercraft leaving NavFac Beach, heading out to the mothership (note the other hovercraft still on the beach).
Marine hovercraft leaving NavFac Beach, heading out to the mothership (Note the other hovercraft still on the beach)
Marine hovercraft leaving NavFac Beach, heading out to the mothership
Marine hovercraft leaving NavFac Beach, heading out to the mothership. Take our word for it…

No change to the Trip or Year lists

Today’s eBird list is at: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59994993

The weather is supposed to get nicer the next few days.