Date: 3/29/26 3:15 pm From: Dave Bengston via groups.io <davebengston...> Subject: Re: [Mendobirds] Royal Tern, Garcia River mouth
Good photo Tim!
Dave B
> On Mar 28, 2026, at 3:57 PM, Tim Bray via groups.io <tbray...> wrote:
>
> 28 March 2026 - In among a large flock (200+) of gulls at the mouth of the Garcia River, viewed from Lighthouse Point, we found and photographed a single Royal Tern. In the field it appeared to have a straighter and thicker bill than Elegant and a narrow black mask/nape, and this was confirmed by photos. There was an eBird report of one here yesterday but the description did not rule out Elegant, which is far more likely here.
>
> <ROTE crop3.JPG>
>
> The gull flock was interesting as well, still going through photos but there was one Heermann's Gull.
>
> Also nearby were three Brant and 31 Short-billed Dowitchers.
>
> --
> Cheers,
> Tim
> “I now belong to a higher cult of mortals for I have seen the albatross.” Robert Cushman Murphy, 1912
> mendocinocoastaudubon.org
> kzyx.org/show/ecology-hour
> kzyx.org/show/oak-and-thorn
>
