Tuesday, 18 August, 2009:
Mutt duck w/a lot of Muscovy ancestry
Ring-necked Pheasant
Song Sparrow
American Avocet, 3 ways
Long-billed Curlew
Semipalmated Plover
Location: Palo Alto Baylands Observation date: 8/18/09 Number of species: 20 Canada Goose - Branta canadensis 5 Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos 10 Ruddy Duck - Oxyura jamaicensis 4 + Ring-necked Pheasant - Phasianus colchicus 1 Snowy Egret - Egretta thula 2 Black-crowned Night-Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax 1 + Semipalmated Plover - Charadrius semipalmatus 5 Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus 8 Black-necked Stilt - Himantopus mexicanus 15 American Avocet - Recurvirostra americana 25 Willet - Tringa semipalmata 7 Long-billed Curlew - Numenius americanus 1 Marbled Godwit - Limosa fedoa 1 Ring-billed Gull - Larus delawarensis 75 Rock Pigeon - Columba livia 20 Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica 15 Bushtit - Psaltriparus minimus 7 Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos 2 California Towhee - Pipilo crissalis 1 Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia 2 + = year bird This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Fabulous photos, and a duck that’s a mutt — how interesting…
No shortage of mutt ducks in urban lakes! Most are more mallard’y, though.
Interesting duck mutt. Would it be fertile?
I don’t know, but I bet it would be crispy (those ducks were bred as food ducks originally).
There’s a ring-necked pheasant there?
He/she is so pretty!
I love your Avocet picture – excellent opportunity and capture!
Thanks, Heidi! There is at least one male RNPH, probably more, and several females. This fellow is often foraging on the ground just east of the under-restoration Sea Scout building across from the Duck Pond. I see him perhaps every 2 visits or so. Non-native, but very pretty!
Thanks! I’ll have to head up there maybe tomorrow evening, and for sure Saturday afternoon. With two trips, maybe I’ll see it too 🙂
Besides where I described above, check the gravel lot between the ranger’s house & the visitor’s center, and I’ve seen females (but not recently) in the paved parking lot closest to the visitor’s center. Good luck!
Very nice collection! I love the trio of Avocets!
Thanks, Terry!
Stunning photos!!! Each one tells a story…no need for words!!!
Thanks for sharing them
Thank you for the kind words, Rita!
Adam, had you noticed the “mutt” duck you featured has beautiful blue eyes? That’s what attracted me to this bird the first time I saw it back in April (I think). There seems to be two of them, and I thought maybe they were mates. And as Heidi mentioned: “there’s a RNPH there?” I guess she and I will have to traipse up there. Besides, I always enjoy going to Palo Alto Baylands. I’m never disappointed. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, its eyes are unusually-colored. You’re right – there are two (the bit of white on the bottom right of my photo is part of the other one).. Hope you can find the Pheasant(s).
Wonderful shots Adam, love the American Avocet, especially three way, nice work !!
Thanks, Bernie!
The closeup images of the birds has brought out stunning details and are very sharp. Awesome.
Thank you, Thomas!