The Littlest Plovers
“Snowys” winter along our beaches are usually found in depressions, the “wrack,” or high tide line. So, watch your step by Bob Shanman California is the “birdiest” state in the nation. Currently, 709 species have been recorded here. It also has the two birdiest counties in North America. Los Angeles has 544 species and San […]
Birds of the Bay: Cute little Sanderlings, fast and flashy Willets
by Bob Shanman Which two North American counties have the most documented species of birds in North America? Hint: Both are in California, and their total counts are different by one bird. The answer is at the end of the article. Walking along the beach near the surf zone you see many different sized birds […]
Birds of the Bay: Size, beaks and feet distinguish three familiar gulls
by Bob Shanman Last month, I introduced you to one of my favorite birds, the Heermann’s Gull. They are white-headed like most gulls. But with their slate-gray bodies, red bill and black feet, they are easily sorted out from the rest of the gulls. They have now left for their breeding colonies in Mexico, leaving […]
Birds of the Bay: Heermann’s Gull
by Bob Shanman So, two friends were walking along the beach in Hermosa when a large flock of gulls suddenly lifted off the sand and flew right in front of them. “Darn seagulls,” said one friend. The other friend, a birder, corrected him. “Those are not seagulls” he said. “We are on Santa Monica Bay, […]
Birds of the Bay: A Tail of Two Wits (Godwits)
by Bob Shanman This is a story of four bird “cousins” (well, really, only two), who rarely, if ever cross paths. One summer in central Europe to Western Asia, and winters far to the south in Africa and southern Australia. One summer in the high arctic from western Alaska to Greenland, and winters as far […]