Date: 2/25/25 3:37 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Ocean Park, Feb. 25
I decided to check out the estuary and beach before the latter is closed due to Plover nesting season. though the estuary mouth is open, the water level in the estuary is still quite high. However, I noticed that the large majority of ducks I had observed on two visits when the estuary mouth was blocked were no longer present. Perhaps some of them have moved upstream where they are difficult to view, but the change was very noticeable.
Obviously missing was the Long-tailed Duck, which usually hung out near the trestle. However in place of the missing ducks, the Eared Grebe population has exploded. I would estimate that I saw close to 100 of them this morning, most of whom were well along in their molt to alternate plumage. In one flotilla, I found a single Horned Grebe, still in basic plumage.
I walked out to the beach at the estuary mouth (into the teeth of a very strong wind) where there was a moderate-sized flock of Gulls resting. I managed to pull out 2 Herring Gulls form the flock , There was some movement within the flock and there may have been other gull species of note that I missed.
I checked the cattle pan across the road from the park entrance and it had no cows and no blackbirds. Then I drove to the Santa Maria River Mouth where I had no wind and virtually no birds! I made a brief stop at Jack O'Connell Park in Guadalupe and found that the male Vermillion Flycatcher is still there.
Florence Sanchez
