Thursday, August 5, 2010

Fisherman Bay Birds



Lopez Beach Watchers have done several bird surveys this summer with ornithologist Kelley Palmer-McCarty (Lopez resident and graduate student at WWU,) as part of the Kwiaht/WSU Beach Watchers Fisherman Bay Marine Health Observatory project.
With spotting scope, clipboard, and copies of Sibley in hand, Kelley, Ann Palmer, (Kelley's Mom,) and several Beach Watchers have been watching the birds from eight different locations around the bay on a regular basis. Among the interesting things we have seen so far:

A good number of Pigeon Guillemots appear to be nesting in the cliff just north of the entrance to the F.B. channel.
Caspian Terns have been regular visitors to the inland side of the tombolo at Otis Perkins Park, and have been seen catching fish from the Bay.
California gulls are back and mingling with the year-round resident Glaucous-Winged Gulls. Flocks of upwards of 80 birds have been observed.
A pair of Ospreys and at least one juvenile eagle have been seen. Adult eagles also.
On our last outing, we saw nine Great Blue Herons roosting in evergreen trees at the south end of the Bay.

The bird surveys will continue through the summer. Meanwhile Kwiaht intern Anne Harmon has been focusing on the marine life in the bay. The next fish and marine life survey will be Aug. 10, from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. Meet at the Galley dock if you're interested in helping.

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