Bird Report from Albion Trip

Location: Albion River Campground
Observation date: 5/18/08
Number of species: 16

Canada Goose – Branta canadensis
Mallard – Anas platyrhynchos
Common Merganser – Mergus merganser
Pelagic Cormorant – Phalacrocorax pelagicus LIFER
Great Blue Heron – Ardea herodias
Turkey Vulture – Cathartes aura
Osprey – Pandion haliaetus
Bald Eagle – Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Black Oystercatcher – Haematopus bachmani LIFER
Mourning Dove – Zenaida macroura
Steller’s Jay – Cyanocitta stelleri
Common Raven – Corvus corax
Tree Swallow – Tachycineta bicolor
Barn Swallow – Hirundo rustica
American Robin – Turdus migratorius
House Sparrow – Passer domesticus

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

The cut and dried report above doesn’t tell the whole story. Somehow, just a list of birds can’t really convey the experience. The Albion River — where we camped — is a river that dumps into the Pacific Ocean. It is influenced by the tides. We found it to be still salty nearly 5 miles up river. It is utterly beautiful and filled with amazing wildlife. Thankfully, it is remote. We drove for 6 hours to get there. (Of course, all of you should just stay away! If you are reading this . . . don’t go there! Nothing to see! Move along!)

Okay, well, you might see this but otherwise just move along!

Early Saturday morning, I got up to walk Ruby. My sister-in-law’s boyfriend said he’d seen some Canada Geese with babies at the river so we walked that way. Didn’t see them but we did some an Osprey flying around. My pictures didn’t turn out but I have clear and crisp memories of the Osprey wheeling around the harbor and landing in a tree on the cliff on the other side of the river. Back at camp, we were talking and getting ready to start the day. “Look! A Bald Eagle,” my step-father called out! I could see the white of his head from the ground. Amazing.

This Osprey was just toying with us — he didn’t intend to dive at anything

Later at the beach with the kids, this Osprey — probably the same one from earlier — buzzed us.

Before lunch, the abalone divers were back and Bob (aforementioned sister-in-law’s boyfriend) took us on a cruise up the river on his boat. Wow! The scenery was spectacular. There were so many fantastic things to see. But, the Ospreys really stole the day. Especially this one who was enjoying his lunch on a branch, low over the river. We cut the motor and drifted in to him. He didn’t like it but he liked his flounder lunch more. The river trip was the highlight for us. Amazing birds and mammals. It was truly lovely!

Go away! You are too close to my lunch!

Forget it! I’m eating anyway!

Barn Swallow posing so prettily

Family Portrait!

And some mammals:

Uh! Hello?

Excuse us?

We see you!

Hauling out of the water!

Heading home as the fog rolls in!