Sequoia Audubon Society
                              San Mateo County, California

Field Trip Report

May 30, 2009
Pillar Point Harbor by Kayak

Leader, Barbara Kossy wrote:
Our group of kayakers enjoyed good conditions for this trip -  overcast, light breeze and a low tide.

  • Western gull on a nest on the semi-abandoned sailboat w/broken mast near Romeo Pier.
  • Flyover by Pigeon Guillemot.
  • Approx. 10 or more Common Loons in basic to primary plumage fishing in the harbor.
  • 3 Red-throated Loons in basic plumage. Enjoyed seeing one come up with a good-sized fish.
  • 4 Brant near the W. outer breakwater.
  • Eared Grebe, and ample opportunities to compare Clark's Grebes and Western Grebes.
  • One Common Murre on the water.
  • Brandt's Cormorants and Double Crested Cormorants in the water and on the breakwaters.
  • 2 Caspian Terns on sand, a few overhead
  • One Greater Scaup
  • One Surf Scoter
  • One first winter Glaucous-winged Gull
  • 2 Black Oystercatchers in the air.
  • One Black Turnstone in the mouth of Denniston Creek
  • 100 Brown Pelicans preening and interacting with nesting Western Gulls.

Other wildlife:

  • Two very young sea lions on the breakwaters, inner and outer.
  • Adult sea lion in the water.
  • 6 harbor seals in the harbor
  • Starfish hanging on the rocks, moon and brown jellyfish here and there in the harbor.

Great trip with thanks to Sequoia Audubon and California Canoe & Kayak.

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