Pink sunrise landscape reflecting in ponds with duck silhouettes

PWA Monthly Bird Survey at Shollenberger (10/29/20)

Thursday, October 29, was the bimonthly bird survey at Shollenberger Park for the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance (PWA). The group gathered early, and the soft pink sunrise did not disappoint!
 
As with all survey mornings, a bevy of Red-winged Blackbirds declared “Good morning!” from the tules. As the sun rose, hundreds emerged en masse – here’s what it’s like to be beneath one of the emerging flocks.

Silhouettes of flying Red-winged Blackbirds against blue morning sky
Red-winged Blackbirds

And here’s a view of an extra large flock dispersing to the northwest.

Hundreds of Red-winged Blackbirds flying against pink sunrise sky with trees
Red-winged Blackbirds

Small flocks of Canada Geese streamed overhead as well.

Canada Geese flying in V shape against blue sky morning background
Canada Geese
Birders carrying scopes walking on a path with sunrise behind trees in the distance
Setting off for the count

The harsh cries of a hidden Red-shouldered Hawk rang out as we walked by.

We spied five tucked-in swans in the central pond which we assumed were of the Mute variety. But, when they later untucked, we discovered three Tundra Swans sitting beside two Mute Swans!

Three Tundra Swans flying against golden morning hillside with ranch house in the foreground
Tundra Swans

We heard a Northern Mockingbird singing and spotted it atop a tall tree, serenading the morning sun.

Northern Mockingbird perched on top of tree against blue morning sky
Northern Mockingbird

Listen below to the mockingbird’s spot-on rendition of an Acorn Woodpecker between 0:18 and 0:20 seconds.

Pop Quiz #1: To whom does this flying silhouette belong? Find the answer at the bottom of this post.

Silhouette of Black-necked Stilt against blue sky background
Mystery silhouette

Near the Point Blue building, our count leader, Andy LaCasse, pulled the years-old remains of a barely recognizable kite from a tree. The White-tailed Kite was historically called the “Black-shouldered Kite” – you can see the remnants of the namesake black shoulder below.

Man wearing face mask showing off a White-tailed Kite carcass
Andy and what’s left of a White-tailed Kite
Group of birders wearing face masks doing a bird survey
[L-R] Jordan, Len, Andy, Malcolm, Miles, JJ (not pictured – Teresa)

As we came upon a group of foraging Killdeer, one took to flight and cruised overhead, giving us a look from below of its diagnostic double breast-bands.

Underside of Killdeer flying against blue sky
Killdeer

Listen below to the noisy group that remained on the mudflats.

Pop Quiz #2: Who’s the owner of this cute duck butt??? Stay tuned to find out.

Duck butt of Northern Shoveler male in a pond
Mystery duck butt

In a small puddle beside the trail, we encountered a single Greater Yellowlegs rushing about.

Greater Yellowlegs standing in shallow ephemeral pond in the wetlands
Greater Yellowlegs

This male Common Yellowthroat obligingly showed off his flashy colors to his eager onlookers.

Common Yellowthroat perched sideways in the reeds above a wetlands pond
Common Yellowthroat

As we watched a giant barge move by slowly in the Petaluma River, we heard a Virginia Rail call once from the tall, marshy grass.

Barge sailing along the Petaluma River with mudflats and golden hills in the background
Floating behemoth

Meanwhile, a Northern Harrier caught our eye as it effortlessly swooped past searching for its next meal.

Northern Harrier female flying against the sky
Northern Harrier

Along the opposite riverbank, a healthy-looking coyote trotted by.

Coyote walking in the grass along the Petaluma River at Shollenberger Park
Coyote

Though many folks tend to overlook and even scorn Rock Pigeons, we find their iridescence worthy of an admiring look.

Rock Pigeon with iridescent green and purple standing on a metal railing
Rock Pigeon

Answer to Pop Quiz #1: The flying silhouette was a Black-necked Stilt.

Black-necked Stilt flying against blue sky background
Black-necked Stilt

Answer to Pop Quiz #2: The cute duck butt belongs to a male Northern Shoveler.

Northern Shoveler male swimming in a pond
Northern Shoveler

And here’s a female Northern Shoveler for good measure!

Northern Shoveler female swimming in a pond
Northern Shoveler

By the end of the morning, the team had tallied 64 species for PWA’s October 2020 survey.
 
If you have any questions about this particular count or if you’re interested in participating in future counts, please contact the coordinator/compiler for these surveys, Len Nelson, at lennelsn@comcast.net.

6 thoughts on “PWA Monthly Bird Survey at Shollenberger (10/29/20)

  1. Great to see you counting so many species. Up here, north of 45, at -4,5°C and snow this morning, only small feeder bunch. So keep publishing nice posts like this one, it’s good for the mood.

  2. Love your photos and posts. Thank you! My office is in Cotati, and back when I used to go there, a walk along the nearby creek yielded great birding, and particularly an abundance of Northern Mockingbirds, always at the top of something . . . house, tree, antenna, etc. It was always fun to listen for awhile and try to figure out who they were mimicking. I love the acorn woodpecker voice you caught!

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