Date: 5/19/26 7:20 pm From: Vicki Silvas-Young via groups.io <mrnngwrblr...> Subject: [southbaybirds] SCVBA California Gull Colony Field Trip, 5-19-2026
Hello, SBBers, On a warmish day, Diane, Julie, Mary Ann, and I met 11 intrepid birders from near and far, San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz, to take a look at the infamous and well studied Palo Alto California Gull colony at Charleston Slough. At the meeting place we were greeted by the "always present at the bathroom" Northern Mockingbird, owning the property by chasing off all other birds. Cliff, Barn, and Violet-Green Swallows flew overhead while many Song Sparrows serenaded us as we started down the road. The walk out to the colony was sprinkled with hungry Black-crowned Night Herons, Snowy Egrets, Black Oystercatchers with a Great Egret and a Great Blue Heron thrown in for good measure. As we approached the more open part of Adobe Creek, Mallards and a Gadwall or two were hanging with a bunch of the California Gulls who use the creek to bathe and as a "highway" to the colony. About 3 or 4 American Avocet chicks were found across the creek.......so C U T E! And then just when we were minding our own business, someone in the group pointed to a group of dark birds toward the north. What are those? Many guesses: Double-crested Cormorants ?, Brown Pelicans ?, Pterodactyls ?. For the next couple of minutes we stood in awe of a very unusual sighting.....64 White-faced Ibis in breeding plumage! Check out Mary Ann's photos in the eBird list here. https://ebird.org/checklist/S342442855
Well, after that mind-blowing moment, we continued on to the colony. Savannah Sparrows egged us on to our goal. Black Oystercatchers and Elegant Terns flew over to direct us. When we arrived, we hunted and hunted for chicks, but could not find any, making it a fairly quiet gull colony. We are too early. *Sigh!* But about 9,000 adult CAGU were sitting faithfully on fluffy nests, hopefully incubating the next generation. A Cinnamon Teal pair swimming among the European Carp brightened the slough. A M A L E (we all love them!) Ruddy Duck smacked the water to make bubbles for his lady love. On the way back we were escorted by Black Skimmers and Marbled Nitwits, er, I mean, Godwits, Elegant Terns and serenaded by Marsh Wrens. Not a bad day! Thank you to Mary Ann Robertson for being a continuous support for this trip. She has guided us over the years with SFBBO facts and her photos. Thank you to Diane for keeping the eBird list. Diane and Julie keep us abreast with CAGU facts, ie where do they come from? Where are they going? I dedicate this email to David Gaines of the Mono Lake Committee, Vicki
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
