Overcast with light rain later in the day. Winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. Temperatures in the 40s.
The marine layer never really broke up before the increasing clouds that had been forecast arrived. I had delayed getting out in part waiting for a but of sun, but by this afternoon decided it was time to go.
I stopped by Swan Lake and was able to spot an American Coot that had been reported yesterday. Unless they spend the whole winter (which doesn’t usually happen), it’s unusual to see them here in the spring.
At the turnaround, I found a nice mix of shorebirds conveniently viewable due to the high tide. Among them was a Long-billed Dowitcher and a Semipalmated Sandpiper. Both were new year birds for me.
Several times a Bald Eagle flew down and appeared to grab something from the water. I was never quick enough to notice and get photos, so I’m unsure what it/they caught (if anything).
Most entertaining to watch were the Semipalmated Plovers. I counted 14 of them. At times they were being feisty with each other. What I could see seemed more about dominance that I would guess was between males. However, I do not know if this was correct. Perhaps some (or all) was between males and females and part of courtship behavior.
The bottom gate is still closed on Harbor Mountain road. Hopefully the road will be open soon. It seems likely the snow is mostly (or entirely) off the road by now.
At south Halibut Point Rec 5 Wandering Tattlers were on the shoreline. They seemed quite wary, but also gave the impression of being a bit tired. They moved down the beach when I was still up on the trail, but were not very active. Perhaps they had just arrived.
This evening Rowan let me know about a shield bug she had told me about earlier was still on the bridge over Indian River. She waited for me to bike there and showed it to me.
I don’t think they are especially unusual, but I don’t see them every year (at least not on my own, Rowan has found them for me before).
She pointed out two American Dippers and said she heard what sounded like young were begging while she waited. I was able to see where they were carrying food, however the nest is not in sight. I think they built it on top of one of the large (water or sewer?) pipes that is between the bridge’s support beams.
I checked Kalkae pond before going home. No birds on the pond today that I saw. I’m still hopeful of finding a Blue-winged Teal somewhere in the next week or two.
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
