Wordless Wednesday – birding @ Palo Alto Baylands

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Wordless Wednesday – birding @ Palo Alto Baylands

26 August, 2009 by Adam R. Paul

Tuesday, 18 August, 2009:

Muscovy "mutt" duck by you.

Mutt duck w/a lot of Muscovy ancestry

Ring-necked Pheasant by you.

Ring-necked Pheasant

Song Sparrow by you.

Song Sparrow

American Avocet by you.

American Avocet, 3 ways

Long-billed Curlew by you.

Long-billed Curlew

Semipalmated Plover by you.

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)

18 Responses

on 26 August, 2009 at 08:15 Donald Kinney

Fabulous photos, and a duck that’s a mutt — how interesting…
- on 26 August, 2009 at 15:18 Adam R. Paul
  
  No shortage of mutt ducks in urban lakes! Most are more mallard’y, though.
on 26 August, 2009 at 14:03 scienceguy288

Interesting duck mutt. Would it be fertile?
- on 26 August, 2009 at 15:19 Adam R. Paul
  
  I don’t know, but I bet it would be crispy (those ducks were bred as food ducks originally).
on 26 August, 2009 at 15:06 Red

There’s a ring-necked pheasant there?
He/she is so pretty!

I love your Avocet picture – excellent opportunity and capture!
on 26 August, 2009 at 15:20 Adam R. Paul

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!
- on 26 August, 2009 at 15:38 Red
  
  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 🙂
  - on 26 August, 2009 at 16:46 Adam R. Paul
    
    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!
on 26 August, 2009 at 20:43 montucky

Very nice collection! I love the trio of Avocets!
- on 27 August, 2009 at 16:01 Adam R. Paul
  
  Thanks, Terry!
on 27 August, 2009 at 11:18 Rita

Stunning photos!!! Each one tells a story…no need for words!!!
Thanks for sharing them
- on 27 August, 2009 at 16:01 Adam R. Paul
  
  Thank you for the kind words, Rita!
on 28 August, 2009 at 07:58 Mary Carlson

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.
- on 28 August, 2009 at 09:57 Adam R. Paul
  
  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).
on 29 August, 2009 at 10:42 bernie kasper

Wonderful shots Adam, love the American Avocet, especially three way, nice work !!
- on 2 September, 2009 at 20:34 Adam R. Paul
  
  Thanks, Bernie!
on 2 September, 2009 at 01:57 Thomas

The closeup images of the birds has brought out stunning details and are very sharp. Awesome.
- on 2 September, 2009 at 20:35 Adam R. Paul
  
  Thank you, Thomas!