After the convention, I had a day and a half to spend birding. I relocated from the city centre further south, and stayed in San Carlos, which is about 20 miles south of the airport. I had mapped out six or seven places I wanted to go, but did not plan on a 90 minute wait to get a car at the airport. This curtailed my half day activities to one outing.
On the second day, I set out and planned to use El Camino Real as my main thoroughfare. However, there was a propane tank fire at a warehouse on this road and this cost me at least two hours of travel time as well. Still, I did get to a few good locations on the day.
#198 Western Gull - Date: Sept 22. Location: Fisherman's Wharf.
This is the most common big Gull in the area. I may have seen one in 1989, the last time I did any birding in the area, but I did not list them then. So this sighting was life list addition #375. Both photos are at Fisherman's Wharf. Note the much darker colour on the sides, compared to our large gulls.
#199 Heerman's Gull - Date: Sept 22. Location: Fisherman's Wharf.
This is a much smaller gull, as can seen in the first photo which also has a Western Gull. I did see and list this bird in 1989.
The next set of birds were all seen after the convention, south of San Francisco.
#200 Great Egret - Date: Sept 26. Location: Bedwell Bayfront Park, Menlo Park, CA.
I parked my car in front of a small lake and there was my first sighting for the evening. As the name implies, this is the largest of the Egrets, nearly the size of the Great Blue Heron. I was not able to get a great photo as the light was dwindling by the time I arrived. The second photo was taken the next day at the Nob Hill Ponds in Redwood City.
#201 Snowy Egret - Date: Sept 26. Location: Bedwell Bayfront Park, Menlo Park, CA.
A mid sized Egret, both of the white Egret species were endangered in the early 1900's due to the use of their feathers as plumes in women's hats. They have recovered quite well since then. Once again, the second photo is from the next day, taken at the Nob Hill Ponds.
#202 Black-necked Stilt - Date: Sept 26. Location: Bedwell Bayfront Park, Menlo Park, CA.
This is a very unique bird with its black and white body and the long pink legs. It does appear to be on stilts. The first photo was taken on Sept 27 at the Radio Road ponds in Redwood City, The second photo was taken off of the White Rock Pier in October. It was the subject of a rare bird alert for the Lower Mainland. The reflection in the water makes the legs look even longer.
#203 California Thrasher - Date: Sept 27. Location: Holbrook Palmer Park, Atherton CA.
I had spent a long time in traffic due to the propane explosion and finally arrived at this park. It is in set in a well-treed suburban area. Upon entering the park, I heard a bird singing above me. I did not recognize the sound and eventually found it. I knew what it was on sight as I had read about them in my pre-trip preparation. This was life list addition #376.
#204 Black Phoebe - Date: Sept 27. Location: Holbrook Palmer Park, Atherton CA.
I usually see this bird whenever I'm in California and this trip was no exception. The second photo was taken the next day at Radio Road Sewage Ponds in Redwood City.
#205 Oak Titmouse - Date: Sept 27. Location: Holbrook Palmer Park, Atherton CA.
Titmice are related to Chickadees and are common in the southern US. They all have a peaked cap on the back of their heads. I had seen one other species in Arizona in 2008. This one was on the list for this area and I was happy to see it. This was lifer #377.
#206 American Avocet - Date: Sept 27. Location: Radio Roads Sewage Ponds, Redwood City, CA.
This is one of my favourite shorebirds. In summer, their necks and heads turn a brownish pink colour. However, I found the non-breeding plumage quite attractive as well. There were good numbers of these birds present, as the second photo shows.
#207 Black Skimmer - Date: Sept 27. Location: Radio Roads Sewage Ponds, Redwood City, CA.
This is a most unusual bird, it is closely related to the Tern family. It is a large, prehistoric looking bird with a 44" wingspan and 18" length, but only weighs 11 oz (300 grams). It is a powerful flier and skims above the water for small fish.
#208 Willet - Date: Sept 27. Location: Radio Roads Sewage Ponds, Redwood City, CA.
A drab large sandpiper, I finally added it to my year list. There is a Willet that winters in White Rock, usually seen on the beach right by the big white rock. I had made several trips there with no luck. Even here, I took this photo and only noticed the Willets in the background when I got home. Not the greatest photo to end the month, but I'll take it.
This closes out September. Coming up next, the last three months of the year wrapped into one post.
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