[EBB Sightings] A Four Loon Day At Bodega Bay

Dear Birders.

Even without that long, leisurely sighting of the scarce and elusive Yellow-billed Loon, it would have been a wonderful day at Bodega Bay.

About two dozen of us gathered at the Doran Beach County Park parking lot.  On the west side of the spit, Black Brant's, newly arrived, bobbed on the open water or flew in tight disorganized flocks.  These handsome black and white geese are a regular winter feature at Bodega Bay where they come to feed on the eel grass. No Snowy Plovers were on the beach probably because of the dogs and people.  On the leeward side of the spit, we set up scopes to view a variety of shorebirds feeding on the mudflats.  

>From the park we drove around the bay to another parking area adjacent to the marina at the northeast corner of the bay (watch for the saltwater taffy store).  Rusty said we probably wouldn't be able to do any serious looking for the Yellow-billed Loon.  He had seen it a few days earlier with only brief glimpses in poor light.  "This is not a bird you can count on," he said, adding that historically there have been only two sightings in Sonoma County. 

We watched a group of shorebirds bathing where a fresh-water stream flows into the shallow water -- including four Surf Birds mingled in with the godwits. 

Moving across to the marina, one of the first arrivals immediately sighted the Yellow-billed Loon.  The usually unflappable Rusty, definitely 'flapped' as he moved his scope back and forth to assure us all a good look.  He needed have hurried as the loon was in a lingering mood, diving occasionally to retrieve yet another small crab to ingest whole (some gizzard!)  Some folks walking along the floating dock managed to get to almost touching distance taking photos where the loon's head and bill filled the viewer.  And that's some bill -- heavy, daggerlike, pale on this young bird, slightly uptilted.  A Common Loon, fishing in the same area, offered a good chance for observing differences.

By midday when we arrived at the channel, a strong offshore wind began to blow. Rusty guessed that when we got up to the top of Bodega Head, we would be mostly out of the wind and the sea would be calm.  He was right.

The wave-washed sea stacks had the usual birds -- Pelagic and Brandt's Cormorants, Surf Birds (where they belonged), a couple of Oystercatchers and out beyond the surf our fourth loon for the day -- a small,pale, small-billed Red-throated Loon.

"Now, Rusty, how about lunch?!"  At Spud Point, we had fresh crab sandwiches with the crab still warm right out of the cooker and some awesome clam chowder.  Even though the crab boats were coming in an out with their decks piled up with crab cages, the season appears to be a disappointing one.

And where are the scaups and Surf Scoters (we probably saw fewer than a   dozen scoters)? Being a birder means there's always something to worry about.

For more information about birding at Bodega Bay, go to the Madrone Audubon Society website.  It lists what to see month by month and the places to go.

Phila Rogers