Farallonathon: Day 1
October 9, 2011
The Score
Breeding Birds: 8 points
Migrant Birds: 53 points
Pinnipeds: 5 points
Cetaceans: 3 points
Butterflies: 3 points
Dragonflies: 3 points
Shark Attacks: 2 (10 points)
Total: 85 points
Opening day of Farallonathon was a strong beginning to what will hopefully become a record setting year. We had decent numbers of the more common fall migrants. There were good butterfly/dragonfly totals, three species of Cetaceans (Northern Right-whale Dolphin, Pacific White-sided Dolphin, and California Gray Whale), and most importantly- two shark attacks!
Yesterday was the first time this fall that we saw good numbers of Golden-crowned and White-crowned Sparrows. The first White-throated Sparrows of the fall were also seen. Other notable birds included Pectoral Sandpiper, Merlin, Chimney Swift, and Palm Warbler.
Here are a few photos of things we saw yesterday.
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| This hatch-year male Anna’s Hummingbird was one of two individuals seen buzzing around the island. |
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| Here you can see the oil slick and swarming gulls that are a telltale sign of a shark attack in progress. |
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| This Burrowing Owl on Lighthouse Hill was worth a Farallonathon point. |
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| We have been seeing this guy out on the Marine Terrace for the last few days now. |
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| One of our only warblers so far for Farallonathon. Hopefully there are many more to come. |
Stay tuned for days 2 through 7 of Farallonathon 2011!