June 21, 2005
Lucky streak part 1
Those of you who have been following my exploits this year will know I've had more than my fair share of luck this year (e.g. finding myself in the same canyon as the 9th US record of Slate-throated Redstart last month). It seems that it hasn't run out yet! After a 4am start and much walking, I was debating whether to spend my last 3 hours in Humboldt County curled up on a couch. However, since the weather had improved I thought I'd walk down to the Arcata Marsh to see what I could see. On arrival my English accent was immediately recognized by local birder Rob Fowler (we sat at the same table at last night's conference banquet). He yelled at me to come over, as a friend of his had just found a singing YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, a rare and difficult-to-see species in California and a lifer for me! The bird gave me the runaround for about 45 minutes (poor old Rob had to run halfway round the marsh to come and fetch me), but eventually gave excellent views right next to the footpath.
In addition we detected a Willow Flycatcher (rare breeder in Humboldt Co.) and confirmed what my be the first nesting record of Yellow Warbler for the Marsh. This Black-crowned Night Heron was very confiding.
Another surprise was a mass of Garter Snakes around the parking lot (I almost trod on a tangle of 6 of them).
The markings are typical for Common Garter Snake, although it appears to have 8 (rather than 7) upper labial scales - any herpetologists care to comment?
Rob kindly agreed to drive me up the hill back to campus, and we even had time for a cheeky pint before I caught the plane back to Davis. All in all a great end to my time in Humboldt County!
Posted by rjhall at June 21, 2005 7:08 PM