Birding in Neighborhoods - North

By Nancy Luenn

Birding in Neighborhoods North (BIN North) outings are on the second Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. We meet in the parking area of the month’s destination. To be added to (or removed from) the monthly outing reminders email Denise Marion or Nancy Luenn

September 10: Thick fog greeted eleven birders as we gathered at the West Beach/Swan Lake Overlook. Only the birds closest to shore were visible. Among Ring-billed and California Gulls, we spotted Heerman’s Gulls in a full range of plumage, from juveniles to adults. The most dramatic sighting was a fishing boat with a yellow fog lamp moving toward shore. They did an abrupt turn and disappeared into the fog.

As the fog began to clear, we headed inland along the Beach View Farm Trail. The usual hedgerow birds sang while Barn Swallows swooped overhead. We heard Bewick’s and Marsh Wrens. We had excellent views of a Northern Harrier and Red-tailed Hawk. On Swan Lake, Northern Pintails were dabbling, tails skyward. Also seen: Gadwall and Northern Shoveler.

The fog had retreated when we returned to the overlook. We spotted Surf Scoters, Pigeon Guillemots and three species of grebes: Pied-billed, Horned and Eared. We watched White-winged Scoters in flight. Stopping at the gravel turnout near the north end of Swan Lake, we saw a Common Loon still in breeding plumage.

 At the marshy end of the lake, shorebirds were plentiful. We identified Western Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, and a Pectoral Sandpiper. A highlight was a flock of Short-billed Dowitchers. Total species: 40.