Tag Archives: Whimbrel

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Rozanne Rapozo found these two birds flying together and hanging out on the beach together. She dubbed them "Best Friends."

The Whimbrel is facing left, with its long downward curving beak. Whimbrels are migrating southward now. This shorebird has a piping call that you can listen to at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Whimbrel/sounds

Look at the Marbled Godwit's beak - it's two-toned, very long and slightly turns up. This shorebird might spend the winter here on the Mendonoma Coast. They have a very funny call that made me laugh when I heard it - it almost sounds like these birds are laughing...and perhaps they are! https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Marbled_Godwit/sounds

Here is a photo of these two birds in flight, with another bird, perhaps a Sandpiper, in the distance.

Thanks to Rozanne for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

We had sprinkles overnight but the clouds are now gone, and it's a beautiful autumn day here on the Mendondoma Coast. The forecast is for sunny and warmer temps next week. Head for the coast!

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Black-necked Stilts, with their long pink legs, are an uncommon sighting here on the Mendonoma Coast. But Eric Zetterholm spotted one on a beach at The Sea Ranch, along with three Whimbrels. Eric photographed the elegant Stilt and one of the Whimbrels.

It's interesting to see how this bird flies, with its loooong legs stretched out behind its body. A very nice sighting! A close-up photo of this bird will be in Thursday's Independent Coast Observer in my Mendonoma Sightings column.

Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

Sunny and breezy and warm today!

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Sara Bogard spends time each week counting Harbor Seals off the Point Arena Lighthouse bluffs. She sees more than just Harbor Seals! She saw this beautiful Whimbrel. Just look at that curved beak.

And a Common Loon.

Both species of birds are migrating southward now. Yes, the fall migration has already begun. Sara also saw some Jellyfish.

You never know what you might see when you take some time to watch the ocean. We have had Humpback Whales here in recent days, along with a few Gray Whales. Two Blue Whales were seen off the Point Arena Pier, and Harbor Porpoises...and more!

Thanks to Sara for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

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Whimbrels are large, beautiful shorebirds, They nest far to our north in tundra. Non-breeders can been seen occasionally on the Mendonoma coast. Perhaps that is what Rusty Babcock photographed recently at Elk.

Just look at that long decurved beak! They use that beak to get small crabs and other invertebrates. You can hear their twittering call at this link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Whimbrel/sounds

Thanks to Rusty for allowing me to share her photos with you here. And thanks to her brother, Tom Reidenbach, for sending them to me.

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Annie Mills was enjoying Cook's Beach, which is just north of the town of Gualala. She found two Whimbrels enjoying the beach too.

Migrating Whimbrels breed far to our north and they travel several thousand miles, twice each year. They can occasionally be seen feeding and resting on local beaches. Whimbrels use their long beaks to probe in the sand for tasty treats - crabs being one of their favorite food source.

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

To see more about Cook's Beach and learn how to find it, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/02/12/cooks-beach-a-beautiful-pocket-beach-just-north-of-gualala/

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