Date: 5/4/26 7:42 pm From: Peter Metropulos via groups.io <pjmetrop...> Subject: [pen-bird] FRANKLIN'S GULLS(3) and Migrant Seabirds,May 2
Despite unfavorable conditions for s seawatch, I found myself last Saturday(May 2) at 8:45AM peering through my spotting scope at an angry-looking ocean: ominous ashen clouds and persistent drizzle. Visibility was terrible but I had my mind set on looking at migrating seabirds from my favorite perch at BEAN HOLLOW STATE BEACH. Lacking favorable westerly winds to nudge them close to shore,the bulk of birds were far too distant to enjoy,muchless,identify. By about 10:00 conditions improved,the drizzle halting and the clouds parting to reveal patches of blue sky. I spotted an unusual gull flying in from offshore toward the beach and swung my scope into high gear. It was a breeding-plumaged FRANKLIN'S GULL ! Seconds later another one appeared close behind. Then a THIRD one joined them and the trio headed up the coast. (Note: The month of May is when one is most likely to find a FRANKLIN'S GULL on the SM County coast.)Later a breeze picked up stimulating a push of SOOTY SHEARWATERS(16). Then a smaller shearwater appeared, with quick wingbeats,luckily flying toward shore. A scope study revealed its identity: a BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER. I was not expecting to see this species but it's not surprising considering the unusually-warm ocean temperatures lately and lack of prey in ocean waters to the south. A pair of uncommon COMMON TERNS was winging north along the beach as well.OTHER INTERESTING BIRDS included: BRANT(218), SURF SCOTER(1190), HEERMANN'S GULL(9 immatures), ELEGANT TERN(29), PIGEON GUILLEMOT(28), RHINO AUKLET(2), MARBLED MURRELET(2), and an OSPREY flying south low over the ocean a half-mile offshore.And a SEA OTTER was a welcome addition to my non-bird list.
