Date: 12/29/25 7:28 pm From: Tim Bray via groups.io <tbray...> Subject: [Mendobirds] CAFB preliminary report
Preliminary total for yesterday's Fort Bragg Christmas Bird Count was
138 species, a little below our running average of 141. Weather was
unusually good, sunny and calm all day, and even the ocean settled down
for us.
Highlights included Long-tailed Duck in the surf north of Pudding Creek,
a Palm Warbler near the Virgin Creek access point, stakeout Tennessee
Warblers and Bullock's Oriole in Rose Memorial Cemetery, a Wandering
Tattler south of Glass Beach, Clark's Grebe at two locations, and Snow
Geese at two locations.
The offshore trip encountered a huge feeding frenzy of gulls, estimated
at 1,500 individuals, with seven species present including many
Black-legged Kittiwakes. We also had both Sooty and Short-tailed
Shearwaters, a Northern Fulmar, and Black-footed Albatrosses. Rhinoceros
Auklets were present in large numbers, and Ancient Murrelet in small
numbers.
We missed a number of ducks (two of which were found today).
The eBird Trip Report is proving to be somewhat of a hassle, with
several people having difficulty getting their checklists to appear. We
are still sorting that out, so I'll wait until it's complete before
posting a link here.
As always, we had a very convivial Count Dinner with excellent food. It
is such a great feeling to walk into a warm hall at the end of a long
day out and find everything you could hope for all ready for you! HUGE
thanks to Angela and Matt Liebenberg, Pam Huntley & Peter Steel, and
chef Heather who prepared a really great meal for us.
Many thanks also to Roger Adamson for helping coordinate the team
assignments, and of course to each and every one of you who
participated. A great way to wrap up a birding year!
--
Cheers,
Tim
“I now belong to a higher cult of mortals for I have seen the
albatross.” Robert Cushman Murphy, 1912
mendocinocoastaudubon.org
kzyx.org/show/ecology-hour
kzyx.org/show/oak-and-thorn
