Mostly cloudy to overcast with rain later in the day. Moderate winds and temperatures near 50F.
Snow level was down to under 3300 feet.
I got out earlier than I expected this morning, when I got a ride request.
A patch of blue sky was drifting to the north (more accurately, a hole in the clouds), but a little sun shone through as I was out.
I stopped by the channel and saw plenty of gulls, though none appeared unusual to me.
Early this afternoon I walked down to Sage Beach where I met up with Whitekeys. He was in town to give a talk this evening. He found the Western Gull (a new state bird for him) on Sage Rock. It continues to be reliably found there during high tides.
On a stop by Swan Lake we spotted the pair of Wood Ducks well up the lake. Also a fourth coot had joined the other three.
Our last birding stop was Castle Hill.
I was surprised to see 7 Cedar Waxwings. Also a Yellow Warbler in the maples. Perhaps the same one I saw there last week.
Reviewing photos, I noticed the level at which snow was present on Bear Mountain had noticeably risen. Not surprising in hindsight, but I hadn’t noticed it at the time.
I learned the permit for the haulout project will likely be another 3-4 weeks before it’s approved. There are some down sides to the delay, but for me personally, it should mean I have a better chance of seeing any unusual birds that show up during this last half of October. It’s a time that often has at least one or two rarities show up.
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
