Gualala Birds

I’ve had a few exciting new finds this month… and one less than exciting.

Let’s start with the less than exciting find out of the way – and it’s my most recent.

I had been out walking the dog when I heard a large group of geese like birds flying southbound – Merlin Bird ID was already running, so I whipped out my phone to see Cackling Goose show up. The flock was pretty far away, but I was able to get a photo with enough detail to verify Cackling Goose,

Lifer # 126 – Cackling Goose

This bird… looks like a very common Canada Goose we see frequently — but they have a shorter head. A new lifer is a new lifer, so I’ll take it.

Now, the next trio are more exciting to me.

I love a good raptor, and this one didn’t disappoint. I had seen this hawk landing on this specific tree at a distance every night at 6pm, but never with my camera in hand. This particular night I was ready and was able to get a photo of him – again, at a distance, but good enough for id.

Lifer #124 – Ferruginous Hawk

I mentioned this guy in my initial blog post, but this was a real surprise to me.

He was a lone flyer as the sun went down… I give to you

Lifer # 125 – Tundra Swan

Finally, a bird that I recently capture at Walnut Creek California just a week before seeing him in Gualala. I was really excited to see him in Walnut Creek, even though he was 50 yards away. But in Gualala, I got close to him…. or rather, he got close to me ! The bonus is this bird meows like a kitten.

Lifer # 123 – Red-breasted Sapsucker