Local birder Scott Carey’s report of an adult Emperor Goose at Bodega Head caused a great stir yesterday! Eager for a dose of the outdoors during this pandemic, we ventured out to the Head. However, when we discovered a group of excited birders upon arrival, we opted to keep our social distance. Though it was tempting to say hello to our friends, we decided to return later in the day in hopes of observing the goose among less people.
We popped over to Shorttail Gulch Trail, and discovered Douglas Irises springing up everywhere! What a delightful and comforting reminder that the natural world carries on despite the current uncertainty in our lives.
Many hummingbirds zipped about, including this male Anna’s who perched briefly.
We returned to Bodega Head an hour before sunset. The Emperor Goose was among 50 or so gulls and did not disappoint, as it posed majestically in front of the frothy sea.
Apparently, a pair of Emperor Geese was observed in San Luis Obispo County at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery back on January 9, 2020.
On March 11, 2020, a pair was spotted again in the same general vicinity – see eBird checklist here. The last observation of the pair together was March 15. According to eBird reports and the SLO County Birding List, the remaining single goose was still present as of March 17.
Could Sonoma County’s Emperor Goose be the bird from SLO that disappeared on March 15?! How long will it remain in our area??? As of right now, it has not been reported today from Bodega Head.
If the early birder catches the metaphorical worm, then the late birder catches the beautiful sunsets.
Love your caption “Contemplating the 2,500+ mile distance to its breeding grounds in Eastern Russia?”
Haha, thanks – it really was just staring that direction the whole time we were watching!
Thanks for this great post! I was up at Salt Point so missed the alert from Nancy Hunn. Your beautiful photos and thoughtful prose were a treat today! Keep safe and well!
Thanks, Monica – hope you are doing well, too!!
Glad they (goose and kittiwake) stuck around for you! As always, great photos. and great prose to go with. Hope we’re together, safely, again soon.
Thanks, Anne! Us too, looking forward to birding reunions someday! Hope you and the whole fam are doing okay – be well!
That sunset!
Not unlike the one we all got to enjoy a little while back 🙂