Some highlights from a quick trip around lower Coos Bay:
Empire Sewage treatment Plant- actually across the road along the bay where
the old plant use to be (they completed a new plant this past year), there
were a dozen MARBLED GODWITS with the gulls in back of the plant at high
tide. One Eared Grebe here too.
Empire area, Pigeon Point: the male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE continues. Counted
at least 15 Common Goldeneyes also. Also, very unusual, was a flock of 12
COMMON MERGANSER! I have only seen a few in the lower bay in the past 20
years and never a flock this large- there were also a few RB Mergs in the
same area.
Cape Arago was slow with winds out of SE. Did see a flock of 6 BRANT wing
by.
All three regular loons in bay. Did not see any Rhino Auklets today but
didn't scope the bay real well- they may all be finally gone? Several C.
Murres between jetties, one in breeding plumage. No sign of any Ancient
Murrelets, been looking for a month now. Sounds like a slow winter so far
for Glaucous Gulls too which I have not soon nor heard reported on OBOL.
Counting the days until 2020(never thought I'd make it in my younger
days)!!!
Merry Christmas All,
Tim Rodenkirk
Coos Bay
