Some of the better bird sightings at our banding sites included two White-throated Swifts at Redwood Creek near Muir Woods and a recently caught Hatch Year MacGillivray’s Warbler here at Palo.

I have not had the fortune of doing much birding this season, but over the past two weeks I have been able to get out a little more, particularly since I got my new binoculars just a few days ago. It also helped that an old college buddy, Richard Aracil, contacted me telling me he was in the area visiting for a few days from his job in Nevada. With Rich at my side we hit some of the local hotspots and we were able to get him not only a few year birds, but also some North American Birds and a few Life Birds to boot.

I was also able to pick up a few year birds as well (a small consolation). While we had some great birding in and around Bolinas with the likes of Anna’s and Allen’s Hummingbirds, Hooded Oriole, and Elegant Terns by the thousands, I feel our best time was at Abbott’s Lagoon in the National Seashore…one of my absolute favorite spots to go birding. While there, not only were we able to manage great looks at nesting Snowy Plover, but we also a variety of looks at such things as Heermann’s Gulls, Brown Pelicans, Sanderlings, Marbled Godwits, and even a Cassin’s Auklet. Unfortunately, the Cassin’s Auklet was found dead on the beach (below). Having seen this species many times on Monterey Bay and over Cordell Bank, I was really blown away by how small the bird actually is when it is seen on land. They seem small on the water, but wow, that is because it is just a small alcid.

We also had many looks at a wonderful selection of sparrows in a variety of ages. Sparrows observed included Song, Lincoln’s, White-crowned, and Grasshopper (below).

All in all it felt great to get out again birding, especially with an old friend who I haven’t spent time with in close to 3 years. It was especially nice to show Rich around to the places that I have gotten to know and love over the years, including Abbott’s Lagoon.

Time flies too fast, but it is amazing how birds can instantly slow it down just enough for people to catch up. Thanks Rich for the good time.

~Chad (07/26/2006)