[EBB Sightings] Pelican Party at Coyote Hills

Saw a huge number of American white pelicans today at
Coyote Hills.  I've seen two or three at a time
before, but nothing like this.  Around 4 pm, about a
dozen flew west in a straight line.  Then at 4:30
around 20 flew in formation going east.  Around 5, at
least 30-40 flew in multiple formations back over to
the west, flying along the north edge of the marsh
through the hills and out over the bay.  It was quite
a sight.  Some may have been multiple flyovers
naturally.

Here are two photos I took when stray pelicans broke
formation and flew right over me.  I also have two
nice mallard portraits from this weekend in that "New"
directory in case anybody else still finds novelty in
ducks.

http://www.pbase.com/zeiler/image/48731166
http://www.pbase.com/zeiler/image/48731167


I was a little disappointed that I only saw one WHITE
TAILED KITE (a mile away as usual), but they probably
won't show up in full till Oct/Nov like last fall when
at least six were living in the park.  Also saw a
COOPER'S HAWK, two PIED BILLED GREBES, lots of STILTS,
and the usual mallards, coots, Canada geese, etc.  I
was surprised that I didn't see any harriers or
red-taileds like normal.

Also, at Don Edwards, in the small marsh along the
road across from Sun Micro about 100 yards north of
the entrance, there was a huge SNOWY and GREAT EGRET
party.  At least 100, including many first-year
fledglings, were foraging alongside hundreds of BLACK
NECKED STILTS.  I recommend a car blind since they
were pretty skittish.

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