Date: 4/11/24 6:49 pm From: Peter Metropulos <pjmetrop...> Subject: [pen-bird] Bean Hollow State Beach: April 9 Seawatch
On Tuesday(4/9/24) I set up my spotting scope at BEAN HOLLOW STATE BEACH to see what Spring migration might reveal to me.With no westerly winds and a light haze my expectations were not high.Large numbers of PACIFIC and RED-THROATED LOONS were passing but too far out to get an accurate count.
Highlights were: BRANT: 5 flying North.
SURF SCOTER: 1,110 flying North.
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER: One flying North.
COMMON LOON: 126 (most in breeding plumage) flying North.
BONAPARTE'S GULL: 1 flying North.
HEERMANN'S GULL: 6 (immatures) flying North.
ELEGANT TERN: 57 flying North. High number for Spring !
RHINOCEROS AUKLET: 2 flying North.
MARBLED MURRELET: 9 (5 feeding, 4 flying South).
Additionally, an OSPREY was hunting a half-mile offshore, and a black MERLIN zoomed over my head with a small songbird in its talons.
Peter J, Metropulos
PS: I saw my first WESTERN KINGBIRD of the Spring at Bedwell Park on April 10.
