Lesser Frigatebird

I’m probably not the best messenger here, but I feel compelled to advance the conversation started over texts and then on the WhatsApp group.

 

Today (Feb 4) sometime between 2:15 and 4pm, Michael Schramm photographed a frigatebird at San Elijo Lagoon west of I-5. This bird appears to show a white hind collar and white armpits and small bill consistent with a Lesser Frigatebird. The February date certainly would make Magnificent unexpected, which is most likely in our area over the summer. Right now, I think we just have the one photo of this bird, so please don’t fire me if it turns out to be a different species.

 

I see another eBird report now from Julie Parker of a frigatebird at 8pm at Fletcher Cove Park in Solana Beach, just a mile south of San Elijo. How the bird was seen in presumably pitch darkness, I’m not sure. Perhaps the time on the list is wrong. But if true, this may mean this bird could theoretically be hanging around in the morning.

 

Either way, anyone on the coast tomorrow should be on the lookout for a frigatebird (remember to look up). And if you do see one, please get the word out ASAP and note what direction it is flying in. This is true for summer frigatebird reports as well – please give some indication of the bird’s behavior in addition to its presence/absence.

 

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Nick Thorpe
University Heights