Date: 02/13/20
Location: Stinson Beach, 37.90612o°N, -122.65067°W, elevation = sea level
Site description: We first stopped at the south end of the Stinson Beach area at a small break on the edge of the wet lands. Besides low-lying and partially dead shrubs, there were not many plants close to the water. However, there was a vast amount of different aquatic birds in the area. We continued up the road stopping at multiple side streets along the water. Some key bird species that were identified at the time of visit were the American Wigeon, Snowy Egret, and the Marbled Godwit.
Species account: Belted Kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon. Belted Kingfishers are small stocky birds with a large-crested head and thick beak. Their plumage is mainly an ashy-blue with a white underbelly wrapped in a single blue breast band. They are most often found alone perched along the edges of different types of bodies of water: rivers, lakes, marsh lands, etc. These birds hunt mainly fish by diving straight into the water from their perching or gliding locations. Female Belted Kingfishers can be identified by having an additional brown layer of feathers located on either side of their underbelly (eBird.org). The specific Belted Kingfisher spotted during the Field Lab was perched on an above ground electric pole that ran alongside the shoreline of the Stinson Beach area.
Narrative: Our trip began at roughly 8:00Am on Thursday, February 13th. Once again, we trekked across the bridge through Marin Headlands up towards Stinson Beach. Upon arrival at the first stop, the weather was frigid, windy, and cloudy. This weather remained throughout our time in the area. Contrary to this, many different types of birds scoured the area, most of them being aquatic. We saw multiple fast-action scenes of birds diving into the water for fish.
eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S64423955
