[EBB Sightings] Black Skimmers continue at Eastshore SP, Richmond

Birders:

Shortly before noon today, three Black Skimmers were present in the 
same general area where Sheila Dickie reported them over the weekend.

Arriving independently at about the same time after having parked at 
the end of 51st Street in Richmond, from the bay trail John Luther and 
I both saw a single skimmer cruise southward along the shoreline.  It 
passed south of a rocky breakwater, then appeared to turn westward, 
where we both lost it.  A bit further north, another two Black Skimmers 
roosted on a mudflat offshore from the dilapidated pier.  We enjoyed 
these two for 10-15 minutes, during which the third skimmer did not 
reappear.  As Sheila reported, there were many Caspian and Forster's 
Terns present also.

I had looked for the skimmers the afternoon before, but did not find 
them.  That was several hours after the day's high tide, and it was 
much windier than today, with numerous whitecaps on the bay.  Either 
circumstance might have encouraged the skimmers to take their business 
elsewhere.

Dave Quady
Berkeley, California
davequady at att.net