Date: 10/15/26 7:33 am From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Tropical Storm Rachel summary
Following is a summary of the bird highlights of Tropical Storm Rachel for San Bernardino (SBE), Riverside (RIV), and Imperial (IMP) counties. Note that while some of these species were obviously pushed inland off the ocean or coast by Rachel, others [Red Phalarope(?), Parasitic Jaeger, Arctic Tern(?)] were more likely rare but regular southbound migrants downed by the weather.
Tom BensonRedlands, CA
PS. A reminder that Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel is a CBRC review species--the CBRC appreciates direct submissions of documentation via email (<secretary...>) or through its website: https://www.californiabirds.org/report_sighting.html Red Phalarope – Singles of this species were reported at the IID Wetlands (IMP) in Niland and at Senator Wash Reservoir (IMP) along the Colorado River on 11 Oct, and at Lake Havasu (SBE) on 12 Oct. Parasitic Jaeger – One off the west end of Young Road (IMP) at the south end of the Salton Sea on 13 Oct was likely either a southbound migrant downed by the weather or a continuing bird. Heermann’s Gull – Three at Spring Valley Lake (SBE) in Victorville and two at Lake Perris (RIV) on 11 Oct were almost certainly blown inland ahead of Rachel. Arctic Tern – One was reported flying around a flooded field just north of Mecca on 11 Oct. Elegant Tern – Two were at Senator Wash Reservoir (IMP) along the Colorado River on 11 Oct and one was at Spring Valley Lake (SBE) in Victorville on 12 Oct. The latter was the first record for San Bernardino County. Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel – At the Salton Sea, there were scattered reports on 11 Oct, including singles at Bombay Beach (IMP), Desert Shores (IMP), and Corvina Beach (RIV), and up to four at the Salton Sea State Recreation Area (RIV). Later, birds seemed to coalesce around the west end of Young Road (IMP), where up to five were seen 13-15 Oct. Eight were reported at Lake Havasu (SBE) 13-14 Oct, with as many as ten present on the Arizona side of the lake. Black Storm-Petrel – Up to two off the west end of Young Road (IMP) at the south end of the Salton Sea 13-15 Oct were the only representatives of this species documented inland in California following Rachel. Least Storm-Petrel – At the Salton Sea, there were scattered reports on 11 Oct, including singles at Johnson Landing (IMP), Bombay Beach (IMP), and Corvina Beach (RIV), up to two at the Salton Sea State Recreation Area (RIV), and up to four at Desert Shores (IMP). Later, birds seemed to coalesce around the west end of Young Road (IMP), where up to six were seen 13-15 Oct. Only one was reported at Lake Havasu (SBE) 13-14 Oct, with up to three present on the Arizona side of the lake. Cocos Booby – One at Lake Havasu (SBE) was documented on the California side of the lake 12-13 Oct. This bird has been present along the Colorado River on the Arizona side since 17 Sep, so was not delivered by Rachel, but added to the impressive list of pelagic species present.
