Field Journal – Rodeo Lagoon
Date and Location:
10/4/23 – Rodeo Lagoon, Marin County, CA
Site Description and Conditions:
(roughly) Mid 60s warming to 70 (deg. F) under sunny skies; breezy. The site included multiple habitats, including a coastal lagoon, beach/shorelines, adjacent scrub + brush, and adjacent trails with bordering forested areas, with many shrubs and trees of various sizes. Panoramic views of the lagoon, and the oceanside, including “Bird Rock”. Various trails connect these habitats and allow for sweeping views; some trails are uphill allowing for a top-down view of the lagoon; Rodeo Lagoon is surrounded by hillsides except for the beach-facing quadrant.
Narrative:
This location provided a variety of habitats where a huge number of species are found; waterfowl/ducks/shorebirds as well as perching birds in more forested areas and shrubs (e.g. Orange-crowned Warbler, Pine Siskin, Violet-green Swallow); overhead, some raptors/accipiters were found (Turkey Vulture, one unknown accipiter), and a variety of birds on the shoreline with expansive views of Bird Rock where many Brandt’s Cormorants and Brown Pelicans were seen. Notable numbers of the Greater White-fronted Goose were observed flying overhead along with Canada Geese in V formation, as well as a large group of Vaux’s Swifts. A couple of otters greeted us from the lagoon as well…quite a diversity of species here.
Species Account: Canada Goose – Branta canadensis
MY FAVORITE BIRD, the Canada Goose, a true master of its domain. Found to be intelligent, exhibiting remarkable group behavior. Known to use crosswalks better than humans, defecate wherever and whenever in defiance of humans, with an unmistakable honk and broad distribution. Found from sea to shining sea. Usually unintimidated by humans, these are roughly 30-40 in. in length with a wingspan of 4-6 ft.
Canada Goose. Fenway, Boston, MA
Home Time – Stinson Beach
For this week’s Home Time I decided to turn a beach trip into an impromptu birding experience. While enjoying some time on Stinson Beach I noticed a variety of gull species congregating, so I checked them out. Huge flocks of the Heermann’s Gull, many of them small/juvenile, were moving together across the beach, all in sync. Other gulls seen on this excursion included the Western Gull, also seen in groups but much smaller, and the Ring-billed Gull. Some Brandt’s Cormorants were seen in the distance on some rocks relaxing, as some crows/ravens/Turkey Vultures flew overhead. An underwhelming trip, but notable for the number of Heermann’s Gulls seen.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S156123003
Merlin Meditation – Stinson Beach
On Stinson Beach I used Merlin to identify the sounds of different gulls, and was able to differentiate between the calls of the Heermann’s, Western, and Ring-billed. The Western exhibits the “traditional” gull sound, while the Heermann’s is very different and unique; the Ring-billed sometimes sounded like a door opening/distinct squeaking in the call.