Marbled Godwit wings spread

Sonoma County Birding: Bodega Bay

We enjoyed a Bodega Bay runaround this past Thursday. The weather was gorgeous and mild for January, with hardly any wind. Here are some of the many wonderful birds we saw.
 

White-crowned Sparrow perched at Doran Regional Park, Bodega Bay, California
White-crowned Sparrow

Red-shouldered Hawk perched at Doran Regional Park, Bodega Bay, California
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-necked Grebe at Doran Regional Park, Bodega Bay, California
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe at Doran Regional Park, Bodega Bay, California
Western Grebe
Sanderlings at Doran Regional Park, Bodega Bay, California
Sanderlings
Sanderlings at Doran Regional Park, Bodega Bay, California
Sanderlings

A few of these birds are not like the others – can you spot them?

Sanderlings flying at Doran Regional Park, Bodega Bay, California
Sanderlings (mostly…)

A couple of Dunlin!

Two Dunlin flying with Sanderlings at Doran Regional Park at Bodega Bay, California
Two Dunlin with Sanderlings

But wait! There’s one more, and it’s a special one – a Snowy Plover!

Snowy Plover flying with Sanderlings at Doran Regional Park at Bodega Bay, California
Snowy Plover with Sanderlings and two Dunlin

We’re so grateful to be able to see Snowy Plovers regularly because they’re just so stinkin’ cute. Let us count the ways…
 
They’re cute while standing.

Snowy Plover at Doran Regional Park, Bodega Bay, California
Snowy Plover

They’re cute while walking.

Snowy Plover at Doran Regional Park, Bodega Bay, California
Snowy Plover

And they’re especially cute while loafing!

Snowy Plover at Doran Regional Park, Bodega Bay, California
Snowy Plover
Photographing shorebirds at Bodega Bay, California
Teresa getting a Sanderlings’ eye view

We came across a couple of clever corvid cousins.

American Crow & Common Raven collage
American Crow (L) & Common Raven (R)

While scanning the Surf Scoters in Campbell Cove, we glimpsed a tiny sliver of white on the side of one – hooray, a White-winged Scoter! Soon after, it took flight and flashed its namesake white wing in all its glory.

White-winged Scoter flying at Campbell Cove, Bodega Bay, California
White-winged Scoter

We watched this Willet fly in… who do you think he joined?

Willet flying at Bodega Bay, California
Willet

A large group of Marbled Godwits, of course! They were engaged in an intense session of self-maintenance.
 
This one scratched itself.

Marbled Godwit scratching face and bill at Bodega Bay, California
Marbled Godwit

And this one scratched itself.

Marbled Godwit scratching face and bill at Bodega Bay, California
Marbled Godwit

And this one scratched itself.

Marbled Godwit scratching face and bill at Bodega Bay, California
Marbled Godwit

And this one scratched it– wait, that’s not a Godwit!

Willet scratching face and bill at Bodega Bay, California
Willet

This Godwit attempted its best Ralph Macchio à la Karate Kid pose.

Marbled Godwit standing on one leg at Bodega Bay, California
Marbled Godwit

This Godwit still couldn’t believe his buddies weren’t buying his tall tale.

Marbled Godwit in Bodega Bay with wings spread
Marbled Godwit

He hid his head as the others laughed at him.

Marbled Godwit wings spread at Bodega Bay, California
Marbled Godwit

The flock moved on and that was our cue to head back home to the redwoods.

Marbled Godwit group flock flying at Bodega Bay, California
Marbled Godwits
Russian River Redwoods Guerneville Sonoma County California
Back home by the Russian River

4 thoughts on “Sonoma County Birding: Bodega Bay

  1. Teresa & Miles: what a great blog and thanks for sharing. So happy you are joining as monitors! -Ellie&Patrick

    1. Hi Ellie and Patrick! Thanks! We’re really looking forward to next seabird monitoring season – hope to see you soon. – M&T

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