Date: 7/15/25 9:17 am From: larry nigro via groups.io <larrymtb...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Pt. Reyes, Fish Docks, question about loons, 7.14.25
Hi Denise et al
Molly and I have also noticed big numbers of Red Throated Loons in Drake's
Bay this summer
[image: 6J0A7956.JPG]
[image: 6J0A7952.JPG]
[image: 6J0A7886.JPG]
. The otters seem happy about it. We believe this photo is a river otter
eating a Red Throated Loon which we viewed from the elephant seal lookout.
The otter hauled out onto the rocks, ate and headed up to New Willows.
Bird on!
Larry
On Mon, Jul 14, 2025 at 11:34 PM Denise Hamilton via groups.io
<2napabirders...> wrote:
> Hi all, Tired of sitting at home and didn't want to go birding inland
> because of the heat, so headed over to Pt. Reyes. Went out to the Fish
> Docks, walking down the road to get down to the water's edge. There we saw
> a 'flock' of RED-THROATED LOONS - 20 together right next to the shore and
> more a bit further out. About 1/2 of them had red throats & silvery
> heads. There were also 10+ PACIFIC LOONS in various plumages. And, one
> RED-NECKED GREBE in decent breeding plumage, but a bit too far off to see
> it clearly. Did not see any COMMON LOONS.
>
> When I got home I went to Birds of the World, to read about the loons. It
> says, "Rarely observed in most wintering areas during the summer, although
> juveniles remain at sea throughout the year." It also says that fall
> migration starts the earliest in mid-August. *So does this mean that all
> of these loons actually wintered here and have just stayed put? * Amazing
> to see so many together!
>
> Swainson's Thrushes singing all over! Also a lot of singing Wrentits &
> Purple Finches. American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins were abundant among
> all the other birds we saw.
>
> Happy birding!
> Denise & David Hamilton
> Napa
>
>
>
