Approached observation deck @ approximately 8:30 on 7/14. Stopped at the last tree located just west of the deck and spotted the parakeet auklet in the surbnear Hermit Rock. Got to observation deck where David Nelson and Elenora (sp?sorry if I got your name wrong) had it in sight. We were joined by James from CT. The matter of note is that it spent about 20 minutes in the surf near the shore and for most of the time was not visible from the deck. Could be seen about 5-10 yards east of the deck looking just over the planted edge of the bluff into the surf area. At one point it flew to Hermit Rock and displayed for about 5 minutes before heading to the north face.

Best of birds,

Ken Moy

The Paraket Auklet flew in and landed in the water 100 yds. west of Hermit Rock, usual location. It quickly moved to 30' off the shore below the overlook and is diving at 10:15am

Good birding!

David W. Nelson

Today at Crissy Field there was a Short Billie Dowitcher, one of a few that have returned to SF county. 4 Leasts and a Western Sandpiper also made an appearance. Other than that, nothing too uncommon. 

Continuing - two LEAST TERNS at Heron’s Head - close to India Basin

Sorry for the late notice but I just reviewed my pictures from Monday of a LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL at Crissy Lagoon. Peter Pyle is sure that this is the same bird that he saw on Ocean Beach on June 28th so this bird is worth looking for.

Reporting for the two Lee's, the Parakeet Auklet was being seen at 12:01.

Rob Cullison

Interesting.

There is a female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER in Crissy Lagoon. First San Francisco July record for this species.

Hi All,
This morning I went out to do a PAAU watch and waited about 45 mins and saw the Parakeet Auklet for about 3 mins. It flew in and was being pushed towards the shoreline, then it flew out of sight not sure if it flew back out or to the other side of the rock. Small dark alcid with red bill and white stripe behind eye. It looked quite sick. Also saw a rhinoceros auklet. This was about 11:25-11:35.
Max Benningfield

July 3: Did a mini-Bio-blitz at Pier 94 and Yosemite slough with Bob Hall and Brent Plater this morning

Pier 94 highlights included a LEAST SANDPIPER that circled us calling, briefly landed in the marsh, a raft of 86 Western and Clark's Grebes , a PELAGIC CORMORANT in Islais Creek, 5 Caspian Terns plunge diving and two NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS foraging in the upland. There were at least two fledged Red-winged Blackbirds. The very vocal Mockingbird included a pretty good California Towhee song and an even better Willet in it's repertoire. 

Yosemite Slough: a visit to this neglected area is always a sobering visit but the slough itself is looking a bit cleaner and the uplands had at least two fledged SAVANNAH SPARROWS, on fed repeatedly by a parent during our visit. The Mockingbird at this location did a fair Belted Kingfisher mimic. 

Pier 94 had a surprisingly high number of aquatic invertebrates, butterflies in fair numbers at both sites.

Happy Trails!

Eddie Bartley

Fall shorebird migration is starting. Yesterday at Hermit Rock, while looking in vain for the Parakeet Auklet, 15 MARBLED GODWITS flew by, heading into the Bay.  While the Parakeet Auklet didn't show up, a RHINOCEROS AUKLET did.  Today, at Heron's Head there were a number of shorebirds, including a flock of 26 WILLETS in alternate plumage, a WHIMBREL, two LONG-BILLED CURLEWS, four LEAST SANDPIPERS, and five BLACK-NECKED STILTS. At Crissy Lagoon, a WILLET, two LEAST SANDPIPERS and a LONG-BILLED CURLEW joined the resident KILLDEERS. Lake Merced had a strange looking MEW GULL, and the trio of unusual ducks were all still at Stow Lake - the male HOODED MERGANSER and the female MANDARIN DUCK were following each other on the west side, and the now motley-looking male WOOD DUCK was east of the Boathouse.

Just flew east over Aquatic Park.