Eastern Bell's Vireo for President

26 Sep 2016

A nice assortment of birds arrived on the island today (see the complete checklist here), but the obvious highlight was an eastern Bell's Vireo(!) that was found by Major Tietz late in the day in the Coast Guard Tree. All hands were on deck to see the vireo in the light of the setting sun.

Three nerds, including D. Mastwell and R. Rockly, successfully viewing the Bell's Vireo in the failing light. Guest Portrait by Jacob Drucker.

Thankfully, the vireo flew into a net and allowed us to examine it in all of its glory. Guest Portrait by The Future.

Heat Waves

25 September 2016

Today was very hot on the island and very clear--and very birdy. Visibility greater than 60 miles often bodes poorly for bird arrivals on the island--but this was an exception. About 200 birds arrived, mostly Golden-crowned and Fox Sparrows with good numbers of Spotted Towhees, Hermit Thrushes, and Savannah Sparrows--see a complete eBird checklist here.

The island residents, J. Tietz, Alyssa Om, J. Drucker, and G. Duncan were very pleased with the avian bounty brought by Mastwell and Rockly.

Don Mastwell in action at Heligoland. He's either recording bird numbers or reading some trashy fantasy fiction. It's impossible to tell.

Smoke from the Sawmill Fire in Sonoma county provided for a nice sunset--and a further reminder that much of California remains in a severe drought.

Hello

Well, we're off to a punctual start: Blog #1 is four days late.

On 24 September, Don Mastwell, Rob Rockly, and Mach Zikalonis arrived to reinforce the Farallones Crew. East Landing is broken again, so we have to use North Landing for the foreseeable future--just like old times.

Birds were slow on Day 1, but Rob was able to score an island bird in short order (see below).
Click here for the eBird checklist for 24 September.

We are all crossing our fingers hoping for good weather to incite bird migration. Until then? Portraits.

Rob's 171st Island Bird: Rock Pigeon

A portrait of the Aulon Islets at sunset

It's True. All of it.

Rumors are to be believed. Rob Rockly and Don Mastwell are heading back out to the Farallones. Rob's trip was cut short by a pesky eyeball infection(?), resulting in some Seriously Missed Birds, but the pain was more obtuse than it could have been.

If rumors suggest that I am already on The Island, those rumors are Lies.

Rumors that I have unfinished business, however, are true. I do have unfinished business. Here you will find business, finished. The final blog of the 2015 season.

First order of business:

107.04	101.1
SCI	SEFI

Alas, it is true. The Stahlian Hordes were able to surge to victory in the great Battle of El Niño. However, a rematch has been ordered and will commence Saturday, 24 September, upon the arrival of Don and Rob on The Island.

Here, now, are your eight missing portraits from 2015. 

[Portait #1 is the new frontispiece of the blog (look up there ^)]

A traditional portrait of a traditional man

This is a Pelagic Cormorant. Contrary to unpopular belief, this is not a snake.

This must be one of the least disappointed bird species that ends up on SEFI, the lovely Rock Wren. Please, friend, inform the Canyon Wrens of our stony bounty.

"Bloody Mary Bloody Mary Bloody Mary" The smaller of these two Elephant Seals (bottom) took a grazing bite from a shark--it was a shallow wound and likely healed right up.

"Hello"

Red-breasted Nuthatches are probably somewhat more disappointed than Rock Wrens. Few things to hatch.

Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi)