Date: 3/19/25 7:34 am From: Ronald- Thorn via groups.io <Tronthorn...> Subject: [pen-bird] Seawatch, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3/18
Headed out yesterday for a seawatch at Pigeon Pt. to see what had come in after the storm. No surprises andstill slow as my previous seawatches were from the point. Viewing was very good, clear visibility out to the horizon. ( 2 ) northbound Brant were the first I have noted this spring. Other northbound migrants were ( 146 ) Surf Scotersand ( 1 ) Red-breasted Merganser. Migrant loons in alternate plumage were a Common and ( 26 ) Red-throateds.I thought for sure with the brisk northwest wind, there would be Black-footed Albatross and Sooty Shearwater. Just( 1 ) tubenose, a Sooty Shearwater. The start of migrant shorebirds were Long-billed Curlews, Marbled Godwitsand Whimbrels. The number of gulls moving north over the ocean were very low for this time of the year with mostbeing Western Gulls. The number of Black-legged Kittiwakes have been very low since February, so I was glad tonote an adult northbound. More arrival of Pigeon Guillemots with ( 8 ) noted. ( 24,000 ) Common Murres wereheaded south to Monterey Bay.
Later, I took Stage Road out of Pescadero. I stopped at the traditional grove of Eucalyptus Trees that has attractedsapsuckers over the years on the eastside of the road near 1800 Pescadero Road. I was surprised to see the maleYellow-bellied Sapsucker Leonie Batkin and I found on January 24 is still present. I believe there were still sightings a short time after that date, but none since then.
Ron Thorn
