Tag Archives: overwinter on the coast

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Roland Coombs noticed three ducks swimming on one of the ponds at The Sea Ranch golf course. They were beautiful Buffleheads, perfectly reflected in the water.

Male Buffleheads by Roland Coombs (Large)

These ducks overwinter here on the Mendonoma Coast. They quickly dive underwater for tasty invertebrates. They nest far to our north. I find it interesting that they nest in old woodpecker holes, especially those created by Northern Flickers.

To hear their call, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bufflehead/sounds

Thanks to Roland for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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American White Pelicans often head to the coast to overwinter. A flock has been seen near the mouth of the Russian River. Richard Kuehn recently photographed one giving him the eye. The second photo was taken by Allen Vinson of a pair in Bodega Bay. That is followed by Siegfried Matull's photo of one coming in for a landing.

American White Pelican by Richard Kuehn American White Pelicans off Bodega Bay by Allen Vinson American White Pelicans by Siegfried Matull SONY DSC American White Pelicans by Janet Tervo

The second to last photo is by Jim Garlock and the last by Janet Tervo. These are huge birds with a wing span of 108 inches! They are usually silent away from their breeding grounds, which is inland and to the north.

Thanks to all the photographers for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Jan McCormick spotted a Wandering Tattler wading through the surf.

Wandering Tattler by Jan McCormick

Their breeding grounds are far to our north, in the mountains of Alaska and north-western Canada. They over winter on the west coast of California, Baja and all the way down to South America.

They come by their name "Tattler" because they give a warning call when disturbed, warning other birds too. To hear their calls, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wandering_Tattler/sounds

Thanks to Jan for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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So much bigger than Brown Pelicans, American White Pelicans have been seen floating near the mouth of the Russian River. Janet Tervo recently photographed a flock.

American White Pelicans by Janet Tervo American White Pelicans by Siegfried Matull

The photo above was taken by Siegfried Matull, showing a White Pelican in flight.

To hear the sound of these birds, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_White_Pelican/sounds

American White Pelicans breed inland and travel to the coast to overwinter. It seems a little early for their appearance but the first of them have arrived.

Thanks to Janet and Siegfried for allowing me to share their photos with you here.