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Black-legged Kittiwakes!!!!

Kaaren Perry
 

Arriving at Santa Rosa Creek Mouth at 11:00 this morning there was, what I consider to be, an amazing number of BLKIs  present.  Counted by ones,17 were stretched out along the nearshore bank, in small groups of 2-3 mixed in with gulls. 4 adults that I could see showed oil staining on the belly and flanks, I saw 3 immature BLKI and the rest were adults with no oil  seen from where I stood.

After counting from the parking lot overlook and snapping a few distant photos, I walked down the stairs, hoping to get a few closer images and to somehow capture the amazing numbers. The conditions were cloudy/misty and felt like it could rain any moment. As I slowly approached the still distant mixed flock a family (human) came romping along, flushing the entire flock.  The kittiwakes dispersed, some heading out to sea and others heading for the lagoon.  I headed back to my car and home.   Unforgettable morning!
Kaaren Perry
 

One BLKI photo now up on Flickr. 
Kaaren


On Mar 4, 2023, at 1:07 PM, Kaaren Perry <surfbird1@...> wrote:

Arriving at Santa Rosa Creek Mouth at 11:00 this morning there was, what I consider to be, an amazing number of BLKIs  present.  Counted by ones,17 were stretched out along the nearshore bank, in small groups of 2-3 mixed in with gulls. 4 adults that I could see showed oil staining on the belly and flanks, I saw 3 immature BLKI and the rest were adults with no oil  seen from where I stood.

After counting from the parking lot overlook and snapping a few distant photos, I walked down the stairs, hoping to get a few closer images and to somehow capture the amazing numbers. The conditions were cloudy/misty and felt like it could rain any moment. As I slowly approached the still distant mixed flock a family (human) came romping along, flushing the entire flock.  The kittiwakes dispersed, some heading out to sea and others heading for the lagoon.  I headed back to my car and home.   Unforgettable morning!

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