Say's Phoebe and more

[Chris]

There's two Say's Phoebes at Harrison. One was on the north side and one was on the apartment building. Also present was a vesper sparrow, horned lark and a Lapland longspur.

[kevinhhood]

Nice! Not as cool as a Blue-footed Booby or a Black Phoebe but worth a trip. I may take Friday off in which case I may end up that way to check out some of these birds (if they're still around).
Thanks for the update.

[Chris]

Kevin, I don't think the Phoebes will hang around there but you never know. I would trade two Say's for a Black Phoebe though. The Horned Lark, Longspur and Vesper Sparrow are decent bets to be there still or at least other individuals could arrive. It's always good to get there on the early side. I arrived at 830 and spent about an hour a bit there.

[Chris]

When I arrived at Harrison a different looking bird flew up to the apartment buildings just near the boat launch. Turned out to be one of the Phoebes.



I started walking the lagoon and the Phoebe was flycatching from the top of the building. A few minutes later on the northeast side of the lagoon was another Phoebe.



Although they are uncommon/rare migrant in the Spring, this is only the 2nd record of them in the Fall. A species I was not expecting.

Lots of smaller birds on the north side, mostly Savannah Sparrows but did see a Vesper Sparrow among them. No picture.

Scoped out the lake, six Common Loons. Tried to turn on into a Pacific Loon but no luck! Most loons I have seen in our area. I walked the north side of the lagoon coming back. I find walking the north side twice instead of doing the loop more successful. Turned up a Lapland Longspur. Haven't been this close to one in well over a year so that was cool.



My Horned Lark pictures didn't tun out too well.

I went past the breakwater to scope the lake. A Merlin was a surprise just flying above the water. There was a large raft of ducks way out there. 60+ individuals. I am 99% sure they were Scoters but too far to tell.

On the way back I stopped in at Cheam. A decent amount of waterfowl. Two Eastern Kingbirds and two Willow Flycatchers. Very late for both species.

[oldfulica]

Nice bunch of birds Chris.