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TPSR Merganser Extravaganza

TPSR Merganser Extravaganza
By – 12:02 pm
This morning (12/4/21) Kathy Estey and I while doing the Torrey Pines State Reserve monthly bird survey (we have done this together for 23 years) we had two male and two female HOODED MERGANSERS in the pond just north of Pump Station #65 along the closed to traffic portion of Sorrento Valley Road.  We also saw four RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS in the Los Penasquitos Lagoon just west of the railroad trestle seen from Carmel Valley Road.  Also of interest to us was a Lincoln’s Sparrow and seven Western Meadowlarks seen from Sorrento Valley Road.Gary GranthamScripps Ranch

Black Scoter in Oceanside

Black Scoter in Oceanside
By – 3:09 pm
I noted a female Black Scoter off of Oceanside Beach yesterday.  It was associated with thelarge Surf Scoter flock prevalent this fall/winter which frequents the area between the Oceansidepier and the jetty at the south side of the boat channel leading out of the harbor.  The main partof the flock with the Balck Scoter was north of the now-closed mouth of the San Luis Rey River.  The scoters stay offshore beyond the breakers so a scope is needed to sort through the many individual ducks.Ken WeaverFallbrookgnatcatcher@…

new (?) Tropical Kingbird, cont. Lewis’s Woodpecker, kingbird & oriole declines?

new (?) Tropical Kingbird, cont. Lewis’s Woodpecker, kingbird & oriole declines?

By – 12:26 pm
Early this morning, 2 Dec, there was a presumably returning Tropical Kingbird with waking-up roosting Cassin’s Kingbirds in central Nestor Park sycamores. About a dozen Cassin’s in all, which is way down from previous years when 30+ birds there at this time of year. I’ve noted similar declines at several Cassin’s Kingbird roosts during the past two years. Also 2 Black-throated Gray Warblers in the area, one an adult male that is likely returning there now for over 6 or 7 years. Yesterday, the 1st, the Lewis’s Woodpecker continued at Los Penasquitos Canyon. And speaking of declines, other than the resident Scott’s Oriole(s) at Jacumba, during the past month or so I’ve seen a grand total of ONE oriole–a returning adult male Bullock’s in Balboa Park. Now, often I see relatively few orioles and tanagers during November, but then see more in December and January (!), but this year’s very poor oriole (and Western Tanager) showing is well below normal.–Paul Lehman, San Diego

Greater White-fronted Geese at Mission Bay

Greater White-fronted Geese at Mission Bay
By – 7:52 am
There are 2 Greater White-fronted Geese hanging out on the grass just N. of the San Diego Mission Bay Resort on East Mission Bay Drive (about here 32.78267659488858, -117.21204268569329.)  This is probably the same pair that was reported in this area in October.Marcie

Varied Thrush-Lindo Lake

Varied Thrush-Lindo Lake
By – 12:48 pm
For those still wanting a good view and/or photos the Varied Thrush is currently along the fence line West of the playground almost adjacent to the care takers house at Lindo Lake There’s a white trailer with a blue covering directly behind the fence line where the bird is foraging Mike WittmerEscondido

Approx. 500 Brown Pelicans at South Ponto Beach, Nov. 30, 2021

Approx. 500 Brown Pelicans at South Ponto Beach, Nov. 30, 2021
By – 11:51 am
At 11:30 today I observed approx. 500 or more Brown Pelicans at South Ponto Beach in a feeding frenzy in the Batiquitos Lagoon mouth/jetty.  Also of note, were many 100’s of gulls, dozens of loons and many other pelagic birds too far offshore to id without a scope.  All parking was taken so I only had a quick look due to being parked illegally. Gretchen NellLeucadia

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