WILDLIFE 2012-2018
Please credit all photographs: © FoCLB 2019
"Birding is a convenient and socially acceptable excuse to pay wider attention to the environment, to focus on the passage of time, the changing of the seasons, to find bigger connections in nature, what humans have been doing for millennia."
David Allen Sibley
David Allen Sibley
Click on images to view larger.
eBird - Global tools for birders, critical data for science
A real-time, online checklist program, eBird provides rich data sources for basic information on bird abundance and distribution at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. eBird is organized in "Hot Spots," locations where birders report significant birds sightings. Among the many Hot Spots in Santa Cruz County is Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
Click HERE to go to the Corcoran Lagoon Beach Hot Spot page to see what others have reported and to report your bird sightings.
A real-time, online checklist program, eBird provides rich data sources for basic information on bird abundance and distribution at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. eBird is organized in "Hot Spots," locations where birders report significant birds sightings. Among the many Hot Spots in Santa Cruz County is Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
Click HERE to go to the Corcoran Lagoon Beach Hot Spot page to see what others have reported and to report your bird sightings.
December 3, 2018
This Common Goldeneye female (Bucephala clangula), floating on the outer lagoon water that has covered much of Corcoran Lagoon Beach this year, was photographed at 10:00 AM by Bruce Frye.
November 25, 2018
This Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) rests on a sign that says it all.
  November 22, 2018 An afternoon meal for this Marbeled godwit (Limosa fedoa), who was enjoying a meal undisturbed along an empty Corcoran Lagoon Beach shoreline. Shorebirds find it difficult to rest and feed at the shoreline, which is usually occupied by people (and their pets).
  September 16, 2018
Pelicans and Gulls and Terns ... oh my!
Black's Point, east of Sunny Cove Beach, provides a sanctuary within a sanctuary (the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary) for many species of birds. 
September 1, 2018
A rock-loving shorebird, there were two Surfbirds (Aphriza virgata), feeding on the tide-pool rocks at the west end of Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
"The Surfbird's winter range is among the longest and narrowest of any North American breeding bird. During the winter it can be found from Alaska to the Strait of Magellan, Chile, a distance of more than 17,500 km, and the winter range extends inland only a few meters above the tide line." (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) 
August 16, 2018 The terns are back, the terns are back!
Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia) taking flight from the inner lagoon. 
August 18, 2018 A beautiful Red-necked phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) observed feeding on tiny water-striding insects on the lagoon outflow area that crosses Corcoran Lagoon Beach. A week later, local photographer Bruce Frye spotted a flock of these phalaropes feeding in the inner lagoon.
This lovely migratory shorebird, now gracing the Monterey Bay, nests around arctic tundra pools and is a winter pelagic species, comfortably wintering at sea. 
August 6, 2018
  
Our thanks to birder and photographer David Sidle for these pictures and his report of these beautiful migratory phalaropes.
Around 3:30 pm today both a Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) and a Red-necked phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) were in the lagoon outflow on Corcoran Lagoon Beach. A mostly pelagic species, the Red phalarope is not often seen on land (lagoons), nor with its red plumage. Unfortunately, they were being pursued by unleashed dogs swimming into the outflow lagoon water. The birds eventually flew toward the ocean, where David was able to find them resting together. He said when the dogs had left, both phalaropes returned to continue their feeding. July 27, 2018
Photographed in Corcoran Lagoon, north of E. Cliff Drive. One of three spotted.
May 11, 2018
Photographed in the inner lagoon at Corcoran. Notice the distinctive red bill of these Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia), as well as the classic breeding behavior of offering of fish.
April 23, 2018
Canada Goose pair with two goslings. They follow the lagoon outflow to the beach side of E. Cliff Drive. Everyone enjoys a day at the beach!
  March 17, 2018Egrets - Inner Lagoon - Close to East Cliff Drive
March 16, 2018, 3:45 pm A natural seasonal breach of the sandbar that allowed the draining of Corcoran Lagoon to provide good afternoon feeding for a variety of shorebirds. These birds are not coming up empty beaked!
March 14, 2018 This Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) was taken to Native Animal Rescue today. They do such good work for distressed wild birds. Please consider a donation to help them continue to do so.
January 21, 2018
Snowy egret (Egretta thula) looking for lunch in the lagoon outflow covering part of Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
January 20, 2018
A migrant adult White-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), accompanied by an immature sparrow, seen at 9:46 am on the bushes that grace the cliff below 23 Ave. and above the beach below.
January 10, 2018
Female Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) looking for yummies in the lagoon water covering the beach.
January 6, 2018 Although, for now, Corcoran Lagoon is unnaturally bifurcated by E. Cliff Drive, the lagoon constantly moves from its inner part to its outer part, sometimes with dramatic results whereby the beach becomes the lagoon. Wildlife knows habitat is not static but dynamic with fluctuations. Here Snowy egrets have moved from the inner lagoon to the outer lagoon. Its all watery habitat to them!
A week later (January 15) they are at surf line. Smart birds.
Common mergansers (Mergus merganser) in lagoon water covering the beach. The female has the rusty colored head and the sleek male is black and white. On January 6, there were an equal number of male and female Mergansers. Six of each. Ten days later, the males have apparently departed leaving the females.
October 20, 2017
Surfbird (Aphriza virgata) on the tide-pool rocks at the west end of the beach.
October 2, 2017
A beautiful show of an Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) at the inner lagoon portion of Corcoran Lagoon Beach complex.
   July 21, 2017
Elegant terns (Thalasseus elegans) feeding in the lagoon outflow that traverses Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
  July 17, 2017
Terns galore! Resting from feeding, while in the bay there were humpbacks breaching and pods of dolphins.
  July 4, 2017
Early on the 4th, this Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii) was seen at Corcoran Lagoon, looking for lunch. With thanks to nearby resident Mikey Butler, who shared this photograph.
June 5, 2017
Continuing courtship of Caspian terns. The female didn't accept the fish from the male in the foreground. The female looked at the male for about a second and then looked quickly away. The male immediately left to try his luck with other females with no success. Occasionally he would dip the fish in the water.
  June 2, 2017
Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia) displaying courtship behavior today on a sandbar of the inner lagoon, close to the bridge at East Cliff Drive.
  May 28, 2017
Almost a month old, these two Canada Goose youngsters walked on a sand bar, disturbing a dozen Caspian terns, all but two of whom took flight.
May 27, 2017 A Song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) stopped for a visit at 8:36 this morning, apparently liking the sign.
   Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) looking for dinner at 5:29 pm. Killdeer chicks at risk.
May 26, 2017
Photographer Bruce Frye (Homo sapiens) at work!
May 26, 2017
Two well-dressed Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia), sharing the same watery lagoon spot with several Bonaparte's gulls (Chroicocephalus philadelphia). The gulls numbered a total of eight, beautifully rendered with the refection of four of their number. How nice.
  May 20, 2017
A Bonaparte’s Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia), first year plumage, in flight. There was a group of these gulls on the same sandbar. I had never noticed this species feeding on the shore of the bay and flying over the surf. Usually scared away by human and dog traffic, this one kept returning to where I was. This return was so predictable that I got several good clear shots before it flew back to the inner lagoon.
May 17, 2017
Even geese like the beach!
These four Canada geese (Branta canadensis) enjoyed the lagoon outflow as it meanders through the sandy beach.
May 16, 2017
This Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) joined several Canada Geese (Branta canadensis), who were insisting that the Anser keep its distance. A migratory bird, this goose will breed in the arctic tundra.
May 12, 2017
A migratory Lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) was observed this morning at the lagood outflow on Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
May 5, 2017
Canada Goose pair with three healthy goslings.
January 31, 2017
Surf's Up!
December 8, 2016This 1st cycle Ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) joined a several egrets
who were feeding along the lagoon outflow on the beach. 
December 4, 2016 Immature Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) in the outer lagoon on the beach side near the bridge.
November 15, 2016Pied-billed grebes (Podilymbus podiceps) relax in the inner lagoon, near the E. Cliff Drive bridge.
November 12, 2016A Peregrine falcon visited Corcoran Lagoon Beach this morning.
The falcon had a meal of an American coot. 
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November 4, 2016
Two good days of seasonal rainfall helped to swell the waters of Corcoran Lagoon, which spilled onto its namesake beach. Where there's water, there are egrets. These were protected from disturbance in the inner lagoon.
September 27, 2016
A Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) that thinks its a shorebird. Smart bird, looking for lunch about 11:00 am, near the rocks of the western edge of Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
The Kingfisher was joined by Willets, Whimbrels, this Black Turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala) and these dainty Sanderlings (Calidris alba).
September 7, 2016
Juvenile Semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) in lagoon outflow on the beach.
August 19, 2016
Marbeled godwits and their one lone Willet friend. Photos taken at 3:57 pm. These birds were trying to feed at the shoreline for days before this picture was taken. At one time twenty-five were counted. Unfortunately the birds were frequently chased by unleashed dogs.
August 14, 2016
Bird diversity found in the lagoon outflow along the County beach. These were feeding between 10:00 and 11:00 am.
August 6, 2016
Western sandpipers (Calidris mauri) feeding at 7:30 pm in the lagoon outflow that covered most of the Corcoran Lagoon Beach area from the apartments east to the rocks below 23rd Avenue.
July 20, 2016
Corcoran Lagoon Beach is a watery world, even though it is now artificially separated from Corcoran Lagoon itself by East Cliff Drive, with a small opening that constricts ebb and flow of tidal waters.
These birds can be found on both sides of the street, seasonally, following their food sources as conditions change.
FoCLB hopes that someday a causeway can replace the poorly designed street. A raised causeway will allow the lagoon and its wetlands to function more naturally, save wildlife from being hit by cars, stop the annual expensive maintenance to keep sand off E. Cliff Dr., and stop the flooding of E. Cliff Dr.
These birds can be found on both sides of the street, seasonally, following their food sources as conditions change.
FoCLB hopes that someday a causeway can replace the poorly designed street. A raised causeway will allow the lagoon and its wetlands to function more naturally, save wildlife from being hit by cars, stop the annual expensive maintenance to keep sand off E. Cliff Dr., and stop the flooding of E. Cliff Dr.
July 1, 2016
Black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) and Western sandpiper (Calidris mauri) visit the lagoon outflow on Corcoran Lagoon Beach. Photos taken at 4:15 pm.
June 16, 2016
A Bonapartes Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) in non-breeding plumage visited Corcoran Lagoon Beach this morning.
June 10, 2016
Chocolate ducks in chocolate water!
May 17, 2016
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) at the beach!
May 2, 2016
Red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator) resting on log across the street from Corcoran Lagoon Beach, while Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia) snooze.
April 16, 2016
Caspian terns, Whimbrels and Willets occupy habitat at Corcoran Lagoon. Migratory birds need all the habitat they can get, so management decisions on migratory routes is essential to their well-being.
April 15, 2016
Shorebirds feeding at surf line, late morning. An instant later, no birds in this spot, because of an unleashed dog.
April 14, 2016
Two Black-bellied plovers (Pluvialis squatarola) visit the eastern Corcoran Lagoon Beach shoreline. These birds breed in the Arctic and stop along their migratory route to forage for food (small molluscs, polychaete worms, crustaceans and insects).
March 31, 2016
Migratory birds (Willets and Godwits) come and go to Corcoran Lagoon Beach. Come and go. Then do it again. For thousands of years. Here they share the beach with a Snowy egret, who has a nibble in its beak.
March 14, 2016
Crows work as a team gathering nesting material from wood washed inland to Corcoran Lagoon
March 8, 2016
10:30 am Egrets and gulls on the shoreline of the energetic Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, at the end of the lagoon outflow that passes through Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
February 20, 2016
Tide pool areas of County beaches harbor unseen and fragile wildlife, like these anemones, encrusted in shell fragments. Take care when walking on exposed tide pools; there are fragile things living there!
February 10, 2016
Whimbrel and godwit and egret...oh my.
January 30, 2016
Snowy egrets looking for edibles at the outflow of Corcoran Lagoon
January 7, 2016
Birds follow habitat, wherever and however it is. In this case, a winter storm really churned stuff up. The Egrets knew what to do. The Killdeer seems nonplussed but they knew what to do also.
January 6, 2016
Pacific storm? No problem for these Snowy egrets. They moved from the inner lagoon to the shoreline, then back to the lagoon again, utilizing habitat as necessary. Smart birds.
The egrets were joined by many other birds feeding along the beach.
December 30. 2015
Belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) roosting momentarily on a post
by the apartments next to the Corcoran Lagoon outflow on the beach.
by the apartments next to the Corcoran Lagoon outflow on the beach.
December 28, 2015
This Say's phoebe (Sayornis saya) was on the beach all day, at several locations,
apparently having a territorial battle with a Black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans).
apparently having a territorial battle with a Black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans).
December 27, 2015
Common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) and Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)
joined American coots on the waters of Corcoran Lagoon.
joined American coots on the waters of Corcoran Lagoon.
December 17, 2015
Black-bellied plovers (Pluvialis squatarola) in winter plumage were observed to the west of the lagoon outflow on Corcoran Lagoon beach, in front of nearby apartments.
December 15, 2015
Yellow-rumped warblers (Setophaga coronata) seem to be beach-y birds! They have been observed at several Santa Cruz beaches. This afternoon there were five of them on the east edge of the lagoon outflow.
December 14, 2015
Whoa! Killdeer in the nesting area in December? These two lost their inner lagoon pad to flooding this past week, so they have been hanging out on the site of the past season's CLB nesting area. Smart birds. But wait! One, a female, was seen displaying today. Practice makes perfect. The upcoming rain storm system should put a halt to courtship, however.
December 13, 2015
E. Cliff Drive was closed to traffic this week, due to flooding. Birds seem to know what to do with extra water.
December 11, 2015
High tide this morning. Birds at rest all over the beach.
Herrmann's gulls (Larus heermanni)...up close and personal
December 8, 2015
Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) at the northern end of Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
December 7, 2015
Corcoran Lagoon Beach presents many varied, seasonal faces to the visitor, depending on the season. The outflow form the inland lagoon meanders, waxes and wanes, creating a variety of marine landscapes. Dotted with a variety of species, especially at the spring and winter migratory times, no day at the beach ever looks the same. Today, from 8:45 to 11:20 am was no exception.
10:23 am until 10:53 am
A pair of Common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) swam comfortably in the lagoon outflow pond on Corcoran Lagoon Beach, resting for 20 minutes before leaving for parts unknown.
A pair of Common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) swam comfortably in the lagoon outflow pond on Corcoran Lagoon Beach, resting for 20 minutes before leaving for parts unknown.
December 5, 2015
Marbled godwits (Limosa fedoa) grace the shoreline at the eastern edge of Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
December 3, 2015
Snowy Plovers at Corcoran Lagoon Beach again!
Just before sunset, these two endangered Snowy Plovers (Charadrius nivosus) were seen at the tide line of the eastern end of CLB.
Just before sunset, these two endangered Snowy Plovers (Charadrius nivosus) were seen at the tide line of the eastern end of CLB.
November 28, 2015
This morning there were thirty-six American Coots,
three egrets and one Bufflehead in the lagoon outflow at Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
three egrets and one Bufflehead in the lagoon outflow at Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
Later that evening, the Coots enjoyed a sunset.
November 21, 2015
Pelicans are feeding on the Monterey Bay again.
This beauty (Pelecanus occidentalis) was seen launching from the water close to shore.
This beauty (Pelecanus occidentalis) was seen launching from the water close to shore.
Click on images to enlarge.
November 15, 2015
Snowy egret (Egretta thula)
November 14, 2015
Late morning on the beach, this handsome Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) takes a walk to feed
just east of the apartments and straight out from the end of the lagoon outflow of Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
just east of the apartments and straight out from the end of the lagoon outflow of Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
November 13, 2015
Cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae) resting in the lagoon east of the beach.
November 12, 2015
Not all migratory birds land at Corcoran Lagoon Beach. Many feed offshore.
These Surf Scoters (Melanitta perspicillata) were quite close to the shoreline.
These Surf Scoters (Melanitta perspicillata) were quite close to the shoreline.
November 11, 2015
Bonaparte's gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) in winter plumage.
"While taking these pictures, a young couple stopped and told me that since they had discovered
all the bird life at CLB they had become birders."
"While taking these pictures, a young couple stopped and told me that since they had discovered
all the bird life at CLB they had become birders."
October 21, 2015
Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) feeding on the exposed tide pool area adjacent to Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
October 17, 2015
All of these birds (heron, egret, duck) move as they choose,
from the inner to the lagoon outflow water on the beach, floating on the lagoon waterway.
from the inner to the lagoon outflow water on the beach, floating on the lagoon waterway.
October 16, 2015
Egrets continue to feed on the lagoon outflow on Corcoran Lagoon beach. There were seventy-five egrets (both Great and Snowy). After the egrets retreated to the inner lagoon, three White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) took their place.
September 30, 2015
8:30 am Egrets feeding on the lagoon outflow water of Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
September 13, 2015
In the natural world, all lifeforms are connected to one another. Corcoran Lagoon Beach has bird habitat. The birds are a part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, where whales, dolphin, sea otters and seals thrive off shore.
American avocets (Recurvirostra americana) on Corcoran Lagoon Beach, feeding in the lagoon outflow.
Some of the now more than three hundred Elegant terns (Thalasseus elegans) in the inner lagoon are babies. Lots of flying back forth, as parent terns catch fish and to feed to their babies. The transfer of fish from parent to baby is almost instantaneous and speedy. I haven't been able to catch the transfer on camera, but the pictures show the moments just after. Baby gets all fluffed up when fed.
September 11, 2015
Lesser yellowlegs sandpiper (Tringa flavipes) at the lagoon outflow on Corcoran Lagoon Beach
Early afternoon and it's a birdy world right on the beach!
September 10, 2015
The migratory urge strikes these Canada geese, seen leaving Corcoran Lagoon.
September 7, 2015
It's a birdy world at inner Corcoran Lagoon!
September 6, 2015
This White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) was seen in Corcoran Lagoon today (9:15 am).
September 3, 2015
Elegant terns (Thalasseus elegans) at rest in the inner lagoon.
August 28, 2015
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) seen at Corcoran Lagoon and in flight over Corcoran Lagoon Beach!
August 4, 2015
Two Green herons (Butorides virescens) at the lagoon outflow of Corcoran Lagoon Beach this evening.
August 2, 2015
Pied-billed grebes (Podilymbus podiceps) in inner Corcoran Lagoon.
July 31, 2015
7:45 pm Even seagulls need an evening rest and what better place than the cool sand of the beach?!
July 21, 2015
Birds as art. Least Sandpipers (Calidris minutilla) at Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
July 9, 2015
This Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) was on the edge of the lagoon outflow all day, except when disturbed by three unleashed dogs who were allowed to run into the outflow.
The Dowitcher settled in for the evening, with eight Killdeer, in the protected shorebird nesting area. A few tussles ensued, then all would settle in once more.
The Dowitcher settled in for the evening, with eight Killdeer, in the protected shorebird nesting area. A few tussles ensued, then all would settle in once more.
July 7, 2015
Post fireworks, gulls have returned. Here is a 1st winter Ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) with a winter adult (center).
July 6, 2015
Pictures taken between 10:00 and 11:30 am. These Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri) in alternate (breeding) plumage, were foraging in the Corcoran lagoon outflow on the beach. Notice how they shared the place with other bird species (Killdeer, duck, goose).
July 5, 2015
Snowy egret beauty in the inner Corcoran Lagoon at 7:30 pm
July 3, 2015
Mr. and Mrs. Goose and their three children are doing fine.
June 20, 2015
Green heron (Butorides virescens), seen at the ocean end of the outflow on Corcoran Lagoon Beach, from early morning until after sunset.
June 8, 2015
Common mergansers (Mergus merganser) using the lagoon outflow on Corcoran Lagoon Beach (8:15 am).
Canada goose family and Mergansers seem compatible, but the geese will chase off crows. Smart birds.
May 29, 2015
The geese seem to hang out on the outflow side of the road until between 10:00 am and 10:30 am. When the geese are on the same side of the outflow as the protected nesting site area, the killdeer retreat there. When the geese swim back to the inner lagoon, the killdeer return to the edge of the outflow. The geese don't seem to mind people but are very alert when dogs are in sight.
May 23, 2015
Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) at inner lagoon, close to the beach.
May 21, 2015
Just can't get enough pictures of this lovely Canada goose family (Branta canadensis),
seen here in the Corcoran Lagoon outflow area on Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
seen here in the Corcoran Lagoon outflow area on Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
May 14, 2015
Early in the morning a Green Heron (Butorides virescens) was at Corcoran Lagoon Beach, overlooking the lagoon outflow.
7:00 pm Killdeer at the end of the lagoon outflow on Corcoran Lagoon Beach
May 11, 2015
Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia) on edge of Corcoran Lagoon outflow.
May 9, 2015
Canada goose (Branta canadensis) pair with four goslings at outflow on Corcoran Lagoon Beach
May 6, 2015
7:15 pm Black-necked stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) and a Surf scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) spend a lot of time foraging and swimming in this season's expanded lagoon that is covering a lot of Corcoran Lagoon Beach. Birds go where the habitat is. Smart critters.
April 13 and 14, 2015
Lovely egrets looking like poetry in motion
April 12, 2015
Double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), swimming in the lagoon outflow water on the beach.
April 9, 2015
Breakfast time (9:00 am) for Snowy egrets with feet in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
April 8, 2015
9:15 am A foursome looking for breakfast in the lagoon outflow on Corcoran Lagoon Beach. Great egret, Snowy egret, Whimbrel, and Great blue heron.
Great blue heron in a rare appearance in the lagoon outflow.
These birds usually stay at the inner lagoon area.
These birds usually stay at the inner lagoon area.
April 7, 2015
Corcoran Lagoon Beach hosts Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia) for a morning visit, while a Great egret (Ardea alba) is reflected in the lagoon outflow as it looks for breakfast.
April 6, 2015
Snowy Plover at Corcoran Lagoon Beach nesting area!!!
Snowy plovers (Charadrius nivosus) have not nested at Corcoran Lagoon Beach since their last nest in 2000, due mostly to lack of shorebird nesting protection management. This changed in 2013 when Friends of Corcoran Lagoon Beach (FoCLB) formed specifically to assist the County in implementing its Local Coastal Program (LCP) policy to protect shorebird nesting areas on County Beaches.
With protection of a small area of the beach located close to E.Cliff Drive, the bird nesting seasons of 2013 and 2014 produced a total of four nests, 16 eggs and 15 successfully fledged Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) chicks. The work by FoCLB included installation of signs (bilingual), a simple cordon to delineate the area, exclosures of nests when necessary, daily monitoring and photo-documentation of the results.
The area is small and beach visitors are able to continue to access the beach from four different directions without disturbing the birds. The educational value for beach visitors has been an added benefit.
Although all bird species, whether endangered or not, are covered by the County General Plan LCP, when we started our work we did not know if Snowies would ever nest again at CLB. The area is not designated "critical habitat" for this endangered bird and most avian ecologists think that CLB is not really very suitable habitat for successful nesting by Snowies, given the amount of use of the beach.
Snowy plovers may have a different thought. This year, the third season of nesting area protection, a Snowy plover finally visited Corcoran Lagoon Beach! A known female (leg bands identify her), who has nested three or four times at the Pajaro River mouth, stopped by and settled in for most of a day on April 6th. She has not been seen since and probably continued to her normal nesting area. Still, it was remarkable that she appeared at CLB. We welcomed her like a long lost family member!
Snowy plovers (Charadrius nivosus) have not nested at Corcoran Lagoon Beach since their last nest in 2000, due mostly to lack of shorebird nesting protection management. This changed in 2013 when Friends of Corcoran Lagoon Beach (FoCLB) formed specifically to assist the County in implementing its Local Coastal Program (LCP) policy to protect shorebird nesting areas on County Beaches.
With protection of a small area of the beach located close to E.Cliff Drive, the bird nesting seasons of 2013 and 2014 produced a total of four nests, 16 eggs and 15 successfully fledged Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) chicks. The work by FoCLB included installation of signs (bilingual), a simple cordon to delineate the area, exclosures of nests when necessary, daily monitoring and photo-documentation of the results.
The area is small and beach visitors are able to continue to access the beach from four different directions without disturbing the birds. The educational value for beach visitors has been an added benefit.
Although all bird species, whether endangered or not, are covered by the County General Plan LCP, when we started our work we did not know if Snowies would ever nest again at CLB. The area is not designated "critical habitat" for this endangered bird and most avian ecologists think that CLB is not really very suitable habitat for successful nesting by Snowies, given the amount of use of the beach.
Snowy plovers may have a different thought. This year, the third season of nesting area protection, a Snowy plover finally visited Corcoran Lagoon Beach! A known female (leg bands identify her), who has nested three or four times at the Pajaro River mouth, stopped by and settled in for most of a day on April 6th. She has not been seen since and probably continued to her normal nesting area. Still, it was remarkable that she appeared at CLB. We welcomed her like a long lost family member!
5:00 pm There were fifty birds between 19th Ave and 23rd Ave. -- these five egrets and forty-five other shorebirds of several species.
April 3, 2015
With no unleashed dogs at the east edge of Corcoran Lagoon Beach this morning, these two Snowy egrets were free to use the sandy beach for their natural egret communications. Other avian species were also observed, feeding and resting, offshore, near shore and along the shoreline.
Marbled godwits (Limosa fedoa) in the lagoon outflow at 10:00 am.
10:00 am Snowy egret watches Marbled godwits in the outer lagoon outflow area.
March 29, 2015
Surfbirds (Calidris virgata) at shoreline feeding
March 12, 2015
4:46 pm A Canada Goose (Branta canadensis maxima) swimming in the lagoon outflow on Corcoran Lagoon Beach
March 8, 2015
Mallards taking an early evening stroll along the east cliff boundary (below 23rd Avenue) of Corcoran Lagoon Beach. Maybe looking for nesting real estate?
March 5, 2015
5:22 pm Female Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus serrator) inland at Corcoran Lagoon close to E. Cliff Drive
March 1, 2015
Great egret (Ardea alba) at shoreline of 34th Avenue beach at 9:45 am
Great egret's sky ballet (2:35 pm)
February 20, 2015
Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) off shore Corcoran Lagoon Beach
February 15, 2015
Mid-afternoon. Birds are free of harassment and able to rest at CLB.
February 1, 2015
Two successful nesting seasons at the Corcoran Lagoon Beach protected shorebird nesting site has resulted in triple the Killdeer population that existed in 2012. We look forward to another successful nesting season this year.
January 21, 2015
A gathering of Killdeer this morning at their usual nesting site on Corcoran Lagoon Beach. They stayed around the entire day.
Two Buffleheads (Bucephala albeola) at the inner lagoon
January 18, 2015
Oh my. Killdeer already at their nesting site...so early in the year. Home, sweet home.
January 13, 2015
10:00 am...just moments before a dog owner threw a ball toward these shorebirds for his unleashed dog. Guess who flew away?
11:00 am Sanderlings (Calidris alba) feeding at the shoreline of Corcoran Lagoon Beach
January 10, 2015
Marbled godwits (Limosa fedoa) and Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) share the sandy restaurant of Corcoran Lagoon Beach with a lone sea gull, just before noon. Their feeding was interrupted by unleashed dogs.
January 9, 2015
Mid-morning at Corcoran Lagoon Beach. Snowy egret (Egretta thula) and Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus)
January 6, 2015
Morning Egret Party at outflow to the sea at Corcoran Lagoon Beach
January 4, 2015
4:30 pm Great blue heron at 34th Avenue beach
January 3, 2015
What a show of bird species at the shoreline of Corcoran Lagoon Beach this morning! These photographs were taken at 10:12 am. Sadly, at 10:30, a woman with a ball-thrower and an unleashed dog took only minutes to clear the beach of about 200 birds. That report is found here http://llascc.weebly.com/off-leash-dog-reports.html
January 2, 2015
5:20 - 5:50 pm More than a dozen Marbled godwits (Limosa fedoa) and one Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) at Corcoran Lagoon Beach. Eventually the activity on the beach became too disruptive for foraging and they flew over to Sunny Cove Beach.
December 29, 2014
10:00 am Shorebirds feeding on a wintery day, close to the rocks near the east side of Corcoran Lagoon Beach
December 13, 2014
11:00 am Ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) at Corcoran Lagoon Beach between storms
December 3, 2014
"It's easy to fly. Try it. Just flap your wings like this." "There...you're getting it!"
November 9, 2014
Pelicans, Cormorants, Gulls enjoy feeding near shore at Live Oak beach near 26th Avenue
October 6, 2014
10:00 am Corcoran Lagoon Beach (in front of apartments). These three killdeer appeared to be having a conversation. They were not making the same sounds as each other and always one at a time.
5:30 pm Oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani) at 19th Ave. area of Corcoran Lagoon Beach
October 5, 2014
11:20 am A shoreline crab (possibly Pachygrapsus crassipes) seen near the bridge in the lagoon outflow on the beach.
October 2, 2014
9:40 am This lovely Great egret (Ardea alba) enjoyed a hastle-free walk from the upper lagoon outflow to the shoreline.
September 23, 2015
10:30 am Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) and Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) at Corcoran Lagoon Beach, in front of the apartments.
5:30 pm Black Turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala) at tide pools at 19th Ave. beach. Chased off by an unleashed dog just seconds after I took this picture.
Nesting Season Begins at Corcoran Lagoon Beach!
March 6, 2014
10:30 am Female Killdeer making herself look pretty for male.
March 12, 2014
March 13, 2014
2:30 pm The first eggs of the season at Corcoran Lagoon Beach
April 3, 2014
It has been a tough season so far for nesting birds at Corcoran Lagoon Beach. The original Killdeer nest in the ice plant area was abandoned, leaving three eggs in place. That nest was occupied on March 18th. During the night of March 18th someone was setting off M1's on that beach. The nest was found abandoned the following day. Since the 19th the eggs have disappeared. The two mallards, who had begun to build a nest, are dead on the side of the road.
After fits and starts and a lot of stormy weather that saw the sky open and dump a lot of rain and blow things around, the resilient Killdeer have come back to celebrate spring with another nest. Here one of a pair sits on the nest, while the other is feeding down by the lagoon outflow.
After fits and starts and a lot of stormy weather that saw the sky open and dump a lot of rain and blow things around, the resilient Killdeer have come back to celebrate spring with another nest. Here one of a pair sits on the nest, while the other is feeding down by the lagoon outflow.
April 6, 2014
Signs and a cordon protect the general area of the Killdeer nest. Keith remarked: "Smart bird. I can walk up to the rope at the closest point the rope is to the nest and the bird doesn't budge. This morning I couldn't see the bird, so I ducked down to go under the rope to count the eggs (there were three on 4/4). Before I could go under the rope the bird rose up to warn me and I didn't enter the cordon."
April 13, 2014
11:00 am These pics were taken out on the beach a long way from the current killdeer nest. This female is displaying for a mate. We hope she got lucky.
6:45 pm Notice that the Killdeer pair are adding bits of seashell and pebbles to their nest.
April 18, 2014
8:05 pm This picture of footprints in the sand shows how the cordon around the nesting area is working. So far there have only been two intrusions of which we are aware. One was a man with an off-leash dog who entered and was picking up driftwood. The other was two children, whose adult family members, walking on East Cliff, let the kids enter the cordon. The children were alerted and asked to leave.
April 19, 2014
Morning Another Killdeer was spotted within the nesting protection cordon, looking contemplative by its cinder camouflage. This bird was east of the first nest that has birds sitting on eggs.
8:45 am Killdeer on edge of outflow. I don't know why it is trying to disguise itself and at the same time displaying it's rear end. I can guess though. A lot of tweeting going on all over the area.
April 20, 2014
A mallard pair decided to investigate the killdeer nest. The killdeer remained on the nest but called in back-up. The mate returned to the area and and maneuvered in front of the mallards and prevented them approaching the nest. The sitting killdeer was unperturbed, confident that the mate could handle the situation. Later the female mallard returned to the mound area as if seeking a nesting area. This time she kept well away from the killdeer.
April 21, 2014
1:00 pm Four eggs in the Killdeer nest! Today two crows came near the nest and the sitting Killdeer called in reinforcements. For a few seconds both Killdeer were away from the nest. One crow got around them and jumped on the nest only to be viciously attacked by both Killdeers. Eggs were intact after the melee. When things are normal the sitting bird takes no notice of me but when there has been some excitement such as yesterday and today it takes awhile for them to settle down and I can't go near the cordon. I never go inside.
3:00 pm An exclosure has been installed for one occupied Killdeer nest. The birds are content with the design, used successfully last year. With protection in place, the bird only has to guard the front entrance. Last year I witnessed the sitting Killdeer attack one dog and two birds as they approached the front entrance of the exclosure.
April 28, 2104
I was expecting eggs to hatch today. Incubation period is 22 to 28 days. Today is 24 days. Both birds were around the nest acting excited, I couldn't even approach the cordon. The bird came off the eggs often. They can feel the heat of the chicks and do that to cool the eggs. The sitting bird was tilting it's head down and making Killdeer noises. I had never seen that before.
April 29, 2014
This morning the Killdeer is more settled. Two ducks landed near the nest, within 15 seconds the mate came over the road and saw them off.
April 30, 2014
8:30 am Must be getting close hatching time. First pair of eggs incubating for twenty six days. One killdeer on the nest and two others guarding it. The pair in the picture were watching seven or eight house finches and wouldn't let them near the nest. The crows haven't been back since the Killdeers beat them up last week.
May 1, 2014
The Hatch! Bird on nest (4:10 pm) about an hour before the first one hatched. In the second picture (6:30 pm) the still wet new borns can be seen, with a just emptied egg. Parents have already removed other egg shell; the are observed flying to the inner lagoon with egg shell pieces.
May 2, 2014
7:25 am Killdeer chicks still huddled in the nest, before they made their first steps.
Update: We have four lively puff ball Killdeer fledglings! They are already good at camouflage; it is very difficult to find them to photograph. Bonus: swallows are beginning to use the cordon rope to perch on.
May 3, 2014
Noon These two day old Killdeers seem to be all legs!
May 4, 2014
Morning The new Killdeer family has left the cordon area. All four babies made it to the big area of sand in the inner lagoon. There was some opposition from the Egrets but the Killdeer handled it ninja style and won the territorial fight. I don't know how they travelled but killdeer chicks can swim. The killdeer do not venture out while the Caspian Terns are there.
May 7, 2014
The last three days the adult Killdeers have been fighting over territory both on the mound and out on the lagoon spit. The chicks are doing fine out on the spit. Each has it's own character. One is shy and doesn't wander too far from the family area in the inner lagoon; two tend to hang out together; and one is very adventurous, even wading out into the water.
Evidently when they left the nest on the mound, they moved across the road to the edge of the lagoon, swam out to the small island, moved across that and then swam from there to the spit. Not bad for less than two days old.
This evening, I took this picture of a Killdeer on the mound. First time that I've seen a Killdeer up there in the evening since the first family departed. This adult bird is now occupying the old nest. I expect eggs within the next ten days.
Evidently when they left the nest on the mound, they moved across the road to the edge of the lagoon, swam out to the small island, moved across that and then swam from there to the spit. Not bad for less than two days old.
This evening, I took this picture of a Killdeer on the mound. First time that I've seen a Killdeer up there in the evening since the first family departed. This adult bird is now occupying the old nest. I expect eggs within the next ten days.
May 11, 2014
9:34 am Killdeer present on the mound more frequently. New courting behavior observed.
May 12, 2014
7:00 am Thankfully, all four Killdeer chicks were alive this morning, after the disastrous flushing by an off-leash dog last evening. They were hard to see because the sand bank was all churned up from the episode (see video HERE). Today, one of the adults stood back watching the chicks. Every few minutes, the adult would open it's wings and two chicks would come running and the adult would embrace them both.
May 24, 2014
5:00 pm This Killdeer knows something.
May 25, 2014
10:55 am The second nest of the season is established within the protective cordon. Note the amazing camouflage!!
June 17, 2014
7:25 pm A seven week old Killdeer (on left) with parent. While the young from the first successful Killdeer nest are growing up, another Killdeer pair are minding their nest in a protective exclosure. We expect the new hatchings any day.
June 18, 2014
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) and Killdeer on the sand dunes among the native pink sand verbana (Abronia umbellata).
June 20, 2014
Second successful Killdeer nest of the season! Two chicks hatched mid-day June 19, the third on the 20th. In the pictures below, the male is sitting on remaining two eggs, while one day old chicks explore their surroundings. Later in the day, both adults started to round up the three chicks to get them to the inner lagoon.
Below, Killdeer adults go to the concrete barriers that line E. Cliff Drive, trying to get chicks to gap in barrier. One adult would occasionally go into the road and had some close calls with traffic. I was ready to flag traffic down, but the Killdeer felt threatened when I stood up. They gave up for a while and I left.
Eventually, the birds made three three attempts to cross the road. During the second attempt there were two off duty County workers with me. When I saw the chicks going towards the concrete barrier and a parent up on the wall, I told the two workers what was happening. They both ran out on to the road, one to the toilet end and the other up to 23rd Avenue in order to stop traffic if the chicks came thru the K-rail.
The birds are particularly sensitive and will not tolerate anyone near the K-rail or cordon. There is also something else going on. Four times yesterday other Killdeers entered the cordon and then was a contretemps between the occupiers and the interlopers. A territorial battle perhaps.
Eventually, the birds made three three attempts to cross the road. During the second attempt there were two off duty County workers with me. When I saw the chicks going towards the concrete barrier and a parent up on the wall, I told the two workers what was happening. They both ran out on to the road, one to the toilet end and the other up to 23rd Avenue in order to stop traffic if the chicks came thru the K-rail.
The birds are particularly sensitive and will not tolerate anyone near the K-rail or cordon. There is also something else going on. Four times yesterday other Killdeers entered the cordon and then was a contretemps between the occupiers and the interlopers. A territorial battle perhaps.
Later that evening, I was out on the road, just walking, not looking for birds and an adult hopped up on the K-rail, within six feet of me and did the broken wing display. Then an adult appeared out on the road. Almost got hit a couple of times, once by two cars going in opposite directions, but she popped into the air between them. Another time she flew over the wall to attack a leashed dog and almost got hit by car. A bystander said that it looked like she actually made contact with the side of the car. The adults were not tolerating any dogs walking along East Cliff. They are still super sensitive and don't want anyone on their side of the road (near K-rail).
June 21, 2014
The family finally made it over the road, some time between 8:00 am and 10:00 am. I found their foot prints around the east end of the K-rail. Amazing birds!
August 22, 2014
Killdeer Epilogue
We saw nine killdeer on the nesting site mound on the beach. I have never seen more than seven and that was few a weeks ago. The next day we saw at least ten killdeer near the lagoon outflow. This morning we saw six killdeer at Moran Lake. We've never seen killdeer there before. For the most part, they seem to fly in threes. These must be the surviving siblings from each nest - testimony to our shorebird nesting site protection actions.
© FoCLB 2014
