Date: 9/21/26 10:33 pm From: Richard Bradus via groups.io <grizzledjay...> Subject: [pen-bird] Venice Beach in the mists - shearwater spectacle
The last full day of summer so, of course, it was dank and drizzly along the coast at Venice Beach/Pilarcitos Creek mouth. While that may have put a damper on human visits, it didn't stop the continuing rarities or the amazing shearwater spectacle!
The juvenile Baird's Sandpiper and the Pectoral Sandpiper continue their seemingly non-stop foraging along the creek outflow, accompanied this afternoon by a few other shorebirds including a similarly industrious Long-billed Dowitcher. Masses of gulls and peeps huddled on the beach. The real action was over the ocean, where there were thousands of Sooty Shearwaters resting not too far out and additional thousands streaming steadily by southward. Some looked different (a few Pink-footed perhaps?) and there were at least two smaller Black-vented clearly visible briefly in the mix (but dedication required to view given the heavy drizzle). As I have not ventured on any pelagics, these were a real treat for me to see from the shore. Adding to the fun were a possible Common Tern, and a Parasitic Jaeger briefly harassing an Elegant Tern.
I need to do more sea-watching! And I encourage those of you who have not seen this spectacle to go out to the shore (hopefully under drier conditions) to witness this amazing mass movement of seabirds. Forget the troubles of the world and enjoy this wonder of nature!
Richard BradusSan Francisco
