April 14, 2004
Waders and Pelicans
Yesterday I headed out with birding partner-in-crime Marcel to the Vic Fazio Wildlife Area, an extensive wetland reserve in Yolo Co. (for those of you in the UK, the place is very similar to the Ouse Washes - large numbers of swans and other wildfowl on the winter floods, drying out almost entirely in the summer). There were many signs of breeding activity: many Yellow-headed Blackbirds have returned to the area, 2 pairs of Blue-winged Teal were present and American Bittern called from the reeds. There were a good number of White Pelicans in the area (c. 80), and I managed to grab a couple of nice shots through the car window as they flew by.
Shorebird migration also seems to be hotting up. Amongst the many breeding-plumaged Long-billed Dowitchers, Least Sandpipers and Dunlin were a single Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit and a couple of Lesser Yellowlegs. The following shot was the only salvageable photo of the dowitchers, taken through bins in strong wind!
