Field Trip Report

Pescadero Marsh
Saturday, May 21, 2011, 8:00am

Today I led a field trip for Sequoia Audubon at Pescadero Marsh. We did a brief sea watch, walked over the new bridge to overlook the ponds, then took the Sequoia Trail to the benches overlooking Pescadero Creek. After returning to our cars, we drove to the Water Lane entrance and walked the entire length of the trail there. It was a wonderful day with 70 total species.

Highlight in terms of rarities was a WESTERN KINGBIRD at the large pond on the Water Lane trail. Later we heard at least three VIRGINIA RAIL using this pond, but we could not coax them into view. A large flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS was present along the Water Lane trail, as were a feeding flock of BAND-TAILED PIGEONS.

We had a heard-only YELLOW WARBLER along the Sequoia Audubon Trail. A pair of COMMON MERGANSERS were resting on the banks of Pescadero Creek there, too.

We were surprised to see three SURFBIRDS; it seems late for this species. One of these birds was approaching alternate plumage.

The CANADA GEESE continue to use the marsh - a flock of eight.

Good birding!

— Jennifer Rycenga, Half Moon Bay, CA