[EBB Sightings] Kirk's Long-Tailed Duck bobs into Pinole

I saw Kirk Swenson's message about the LONG-TAILED DUCK just before leaving 
for errands and decided to swing by Pinole Bayfront Park (at the end of 
Tennent Ave in Pinole).  The bird was just visible from the end of the 
jetty by the creek, saving me a hike north up the shoreline.  The bird was 
resting on the bay, just bobbing slowly southward with the current.  In the 
15 minutes I watched it, it actually drifted south past the jetty.

My impression was a winter-plumaged female.  I did not have a scope, but 
the lack of wind helped.  I would recommend a scope for this picking of one 
duck out of thousands of duck spots.

After my errands, I tried swinging by San Pablo Bay Regional Shoreline 
(from the end of Pinole Shores Dr), in case the duck had continued its 
southward drifting.  However, I was unable to locate the bird from here, so 
either it headed back north, or I missed it.

Also of note at Bayfront Park: OSPREY flyby headed south.

And I saw a Willet actually *swimming* across the creek, which was a first 
for me.  I've seen rails and phalaropes swim, but not other shorebirds.  It 
was a very high tide, and the small marsh area near the creek was 
wall-to-wall shorebirds.


Good birding,
--
Laura Look
Pinole, CA