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Iona Jetty Walk, Oct 20

Posted: Oct 21 10:30 am
by zwest
When I noticed the sun shining just after noon, I decided to end my workday early and made a bee line out to Iona Beach Park. I specifically wanted to find the Snow Buntings and a Surf Scoter or two.

The place did not disappoint!

At the start of the jetty, this little golf ball sized Western Sandpiper strutted out in front of me, and it felt to me like a good omen:
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Shortly after, a Horned Lark landed next to me on the higher trail:
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A few minutes later, I found my Snow Buntings:
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There were also many Lapland Longspurs along the way:
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At the very end of the jetty, I found some Surf Scoters, and one in particular within 20 feet of the rocks:
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Plenty of Bald Eagle action as well:
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And quite a few (8+) of these guys:
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There were of course all the regulars: Double-crested Cormorant, American Wigeon (stay away from mee-hee), Mallard, Northern Pintail, and I also saw one lonely Ruddy Duck!
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^^ At least I think that's what it was - please correct me if I'm mistaken...

I was feeling the blessings of the Bird Gods, so I took the long away round back to the car to see if I could find anything else interesting...

And I spotted a Belted Kingfisher!
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And last but not least, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet:
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In the woods there were of course Golden Crowned, Fox, and Song Sparrows, Spotted Towhees, Starlings, Northern Flickers, a wren that got away on me...

All in all, a very satisfying outing... Iona really is an amazing place.

Re: Iona Jetty Walk, Oct 20

Posted: Oct 21 11:17 am
by SueCoastalObserver
Wow what a successful birding day, everything you were looking for plus more! Lovely images as well.

Re: Iona Jetty Walk, Oct 20

Posted: Oct 21 5:57 pm
by Owlet
Wow! One of the last places I would expect to see a Ruddy Duck.

I envy your Horned Lark! They are one of my nemesis birds :wink: !

Great sets of photos!

Re: Iona Jetty Walk, Oct 20

Posted: Oct 22 8:39 am
by surreybird
Great photos!

Re: Iona Jetty Walk, Oct 20

Posted: Oct 22 8:31 pm
by zwest
Thanks all - now if I could only find a Red-breasted Nuthatch :x

Re: Iona Jetty Walk, Oct 20

Posted: Oct 24 2:30 pm
by revs
Nice set of shots zwest, love all those shots!
the only location i have ever gotten shots of horned larks so far.

Re: Iona Jetty Walk, Oct 20

Posted: Nov 04 1:10 pm
by featherweight
Great set of photos, what a fantastic "birdy" day you had!

Re: Iona Jetty Walk, Oct 20

Posted: Nov 08 6:57 pm
by nealdoan
Looks like a great day for sure. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Iona Jetty Walk, Oct 20

Posted: Nov 10 12:33 pm
by Winniman
What a great day to see so many.
Congrats~