WILDLIFE Habitat 2019 - 2021
Please credit all photographs: © FoCLB 2021
"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
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.
Click on images to view larger.
March 20, 2021
A Green heron (Butorides virescens) was grabbing breakfast this morning, near the bridge over the lagoon's outflow through the beach.
January 21, 2021
Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) actively flits around the sandy beach, a very busy bird.
November 23, 2020
Rare Bird visits the beach!!!
This White wagtail (Motacilla alba) first spotted by area birders in the inner Corcoran Lagoon area, was photographed today on the beach area, near the apartments. It has been spotted for several days.
The online Audubon field guide states: "One of the most common birds of open country across Europe and Asia, the White Wagtail enters North America only as a scarce and local summer resident of western Alaska. Those nesting in Alaska spend the winter mostly in southeast Asia. Outside of Alaska, only a very rare stray in the New World. Some of those strays reaching south to California on the Pacific Coast have been of the Black-backed form from extreme eastern Siberia."
Observation of the rare bird led some to remark that from afar it is reminiscent of a Killdeer. Audubon describes its feeding behavior which is similar to Killdeer feeding seen at Corcoran Lagoon Beach: "Feeds on ground or along edge of water. Forages by walking and picking up items, by making quick dashes to grab active insects, or by flying up to catch insects in the air."
This White wagtail (Motacilla alba) first spotted by area birders in the inner Corcoran Lagoon area, was photographed today on the beach area, near the apartments. It has been spotted for several days.
The online Audubon field guide states: "One of the most common birds of open country across Europe and Asia, the White Wagtail enters North America only as a scarce and local summer resident of western Alaska. Those nesting in Alaska spend the winter mostly in southeast Asia. Outside of Alaska, only a very rare stray in the New World. Some of those strays reaching south to California on the Pacific Coast have been of the Black-backed form from extreme eastern Siberia."
Observation of the rare bird led some to remark that from afar it is reminiscent of a Killdeer. Audubon describes its feeding behavior which is similar to Killdeer feeding seen at Corcoran Lagoon Beach: "Feeds on ground or along edge of water. Forages by walking and picking up items, by making quick dashes to grab active insects, or by flying up to catch insects in the air."
Photo by Keith Angell Photo by Pete Sole
May 27, 2020
A Willet (Tringa semipalmata) in the late afternoon (5:33 pm) rests away from the shoreline in the lagoon outflow water of Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
May 23, 2020
A breeding female Red-necked phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) floats in the lagoon water outflow close to the ocean, through Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
May 20, 2020
These photos, taken on May 20, are of a Common merganser (Mergus merganser) that has been beside the apartments for more than eleven days, as of June 1st. Sometimes it keeps company with Mallards. I've never seen it fly. Most of the time it is unnoticeable because it sits or sleeps very near to the apartment building directly adjacent to Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
May 15, 2020
A handsome mallard floats on lagoon outflow that crosses the beach in the late afternoon.
May 11 & 12, 2020
This lovely Bonaparte's gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) is one of the smallest species of gull, with one of the longest scientific names! This species visits Corcoran Lagoon Beach each year.
May 10, 2020
Mother's Day at the Beach!
A good time for this Canada goose family (Branta canadensis), despite having to deal moments later with an unleashed Golden Retriever and then with two more unleashed dogs. The Canada goose family left the beach, retreating to the inner Corcoran lagoon north of E. Cliff Drive.
A good time for this Canada goose family (Branta canadensis), despite having to deal moments later with an unleashed Golden Retriever and then with two more unleashed dogs. The Canada goose family left the beach, retreating to the inner Corcoran lagoon north of E. Cliff Drive.
Arriving in the safety of the inner lagoon, the parents were still attentive, eventually moving to even quieter waters where goslings could nap.
May 8, 2020
This breeding adult European starling enjoys scavenging at the beach. Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Sturnidae. Many Asian species, particularly the larger ones, are called mynas.
May 7, 2020
This Common merganser (Mergus merganser) shows well that it is simply a large duck! In or out of water.
April 26, 2020
Late morning bath for this Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) visiting Corcoran Lagoon Beach, making use of its shallow lagoon outflow water.
April 19, 2020
Semipalmated plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus) and a sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) feeding and resting this morning at Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
April 18, 2020
A female Northern pintail (Anas acuta) rests and preen in Corcoran Lagoon water, just north of E. Cliff Drive. She was gone the next day.
April 16, 2020
Still life ... with Killdeer and log and a duck's fanny in the air as it feeds.
April 13, 2020
Noontime resting, just north of E. Cliff Drive in Corcoran Lagoon. Snowy egrets (Egretta thula) on one log and Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) on another, seen in the foreground, er, fore water.
Mother duck with five ducklings. Life goes on.
April 9, 2020
This Common merganser pair (Mergus merganser) vacillated between the lagoon outflow through the beach (picture on right) and the inner lagoon (picture on left).
Meanwhile, a pair of Mourning doves (Zenaida macroura), high atop a wire, enjoyed the view.
Meanwhile, a pair of Mourning doves (Zenaida macroura), high atop a wire, enjoyed the view.
April 7, 2020
Migratory and resident shorebirds have benefited with fewer people (and dogs) on beaches everywhere during the Shelter in Place order given on March 17. Here, shorebirds feed undisturbed by walkers taking care.
April 6, 2020
Late afternoon along Corcoran Lagoon Beach. Shorebirds are free to feed and rest undisturbed for the first time in decades.
April 3, 2020
There were several species of shorebirds avidly feeding on exposed coastal shelf near 19th Avenue about 10 am. The Oystercatcher was asleep for almost an hour, balancing with one foot.
And at the surf line of Corcoran Lagoon Beach this Willet (Tringa semipalmata) rests momentarily.
April 2, 2020
Man and bird, both looking for something
This photo was taken at 10:45 am and the Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) sitting on the County's ordinance sign was engrossed in something on the sand below. The man (Homo sapiens) was equally engrossed in something farther away.
This photo was taken at 10:45 am and the Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) sitting on the County's ordinance sign was engrossed in something on the sand below. The man (Homo sapiens) was equally engrossed in something farther away.
We're not sure who installed the nesting protection, and no further activity was discovered, goose wise that is, but it is nice to see that residents care about wildlife at Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
March 30, 2020
A Brewer's blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) seems quite comfortable on the traditional bird nesting area of Corcoran Lagoon Beach.
January 28, 2020
This Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) was sitting on a wire that crosses East Cliff Drive, near the bridge, giving it a fine view of both the beach and the inner lagoon.
January 7, 2020
3:41 pm Red-shouldered hawk. Says it all!
January 2, 2020
Say's Phoebes (Sayornis saya) do like the beach!
This individual was observed this afternoon vacillating between the ice plant at the eastern edge of the beach to driftwood of the traditional Killdeer nesting area.
This individual was observed this afternoon vacillating between the ice plant at the eastern edge of the beach to driftwood of the traditional Killdeer nesting area.
September 22, 2019
This Surfbird (Afriza virgata) was feeding with a flock of about two dozen on the tide pool rocks at the west end of the beach at 9:00 am.
September 21, 2019 - 9:45 am
What's wrong with this picture?
Some things are beyond comprehension. People who do not care and for whom rules mean nothing, especially when they are drunk. This was the morning scene on the beach, apparently after a Friday night party, as migratory birds fed and rested in the lagoon outflow water. The birds may not be bothered, but we are.
Some things are beyond comprehension. People who do not care and for whom rules mean nothing, especially when they are drunk. This was the morning scene on the beach, apparently after a Friday night party, as migratory birds fed and rested in the lagoon outflow water. The birds may not be bothered, but we are.
September 13, 2019
Phalaropes have been in town for many weeks, up and down the coast. This photo of a Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobata) juvenile was taken in the morning, as it floated in the calm lagoon outflow that winds through the sandy beach.
September 9, 2019
Great Egrets (Ardea alba) under and 8:15 am
September 7, 2019
Killdeer and Sandpipers in late afternoon resting mode.
At 4:00 pm nine Red-necked phalaropes were busy feeding. About 7:00 pm, there were over two dozen of them. These birds were not bothered by human activity (photographers) but they were very wary of dogs on the beach, flying away when the dogs came within 80 feet, their feeding and resting disturbed.
September 5, 2019
Eight Red-necked phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus), 2 Great white egrets (Ardea alba), 5 Snowy egrets (Egretta thula), 38 Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus), 1 Marbeled godwit (Limosa fedoa), 3 Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), and 6 Semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) shared the beach this afternoon. If a sandpiper got too close to a phalarope, it was firmly chased away.
August 16, 2019
A flock of about a dozen Least sandpipers (Calidris minutia) graced the beach along the lagoon outflow to the ocean.
Tis' the season for terns once more! Here they are, resting and preening on the beach about 4:30 pm.
August 15, 2019
Eight avian species this afternoon at the lagoon outflow on the beach. Three Canada geese, 8 Killdeer, 1 Whimbrel, 10 Willets, 2 Caspian terns, dozens of Elegant terns, gulls and sandpipers.
June 23, 2019
Sometimes wildlife needs a helping hand. Here's a first person report that involves several helpers.
I was distracted for an hour and a half. I saw these guys walking up the road. I escorted them down the road directing traffic away from them. The first picture was taken as they crossed the intersection of 24th and 26th Avenues. The mother tried alternate routes through peoples front yards.
The ducklings could find holes through the fences but the mother couldn't - see second picture. So I spent most of my time handing the ducklings over the fence to the mother. At one point I asked a young couple passing by to help me. When we called Native Animal Rescue, they said the most important thing was to keep the family together. Eventually the mother and ducklings turned off down Hampstead and into the side of someone's house. Once again the ducklings got through a fence but the mother couldn't. I knocked on the front door of the house and enlisted the owner's help. He opened the side gate and told me that from there it was an easy walk to Corcoran Lagoon.
Poor little guy at the back was so tired (s)he kept falling down.
The last I saw of them the family was back together. Thus, a happy ending to this adventure story.
I was distracted for an hour and a half. I saw these guys walking up the road. I escorted them down the road directing traffic away from them. The first picture was taken as they crossed the intersection of 24th and 26th Avenues. The mother tried alternate routes through peoples front yards.
The ducklings could find holes through the fences but the mother couldn't - see second picture. So I spent most of my time handing the ducklings over the fence to the mother. At one point I asked a young couple passing by to help me. When we called Native Animal Rescue, they said the most important thing was to keep the family together. Eventually the mother and ducklings turned off down Hampstead and into the side of someone's house. Once again the ducklings got through a fence but the mother couldn't. I knocked on the front door of the house and enlisted the owner's help. He opened the side gate and told me that from there it was an easy walk to Corcoran Lagoon.
Poor little guy at the back was so tired (s)he kept falling down.
The last I saw of them the family was back together. Thus, a happy ending to this adventure story.
May 22, 2019
This migratory Red-necked phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) was sharing lagoon water on the beach with a Killdeer adult and juvenile. A few days later a birder spotted seven phalaropes in the inner lagoon.
Red-necked Phalaropes nest around arctic tundra pools and winter at sea. Phalaropes reverse the usual sex roles in birds. Females are larger and more colorful than males. Females take the lead in courtship, and males are left to incubate the eggs and care for the young. Red-necked Phalaropes nest around arctic tundra pools and winter at sea. https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/red-necked-phalarope
Red-necked Phalaropes nest around arctic tundra pools and winter at sea. Phalaropes reverse the usual sex roles in birds. Females are larger and more colorful than males. Females take the lead in courtship, and males are left to incubate the eggs and care for the young. Red-necked Phalaropes nest around arctic tundra pools and winter at sea. https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/red-necked-phalarope
May 18, 2019
Pigeons usually do not grace the beach and its lagoon outflow, but this handsome fellow (Columba livia) certainly added some color to the beach scene this morning, as he dipped his toes in the water.
May 13, 2019
Greater yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) in the outflow water of Corcoran Lagoon, which provides good habitat on the main beach.
May 12, 2019
At 5:25 pm a Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) visits Corcoran Lagoon Beach, first resting in the outflow, then eventually heading to the inner lagoon.
May 7, 2019
Safe Area for Birds
Report from an observer: I am spending about 5 hours each day, on Corcoran Lagoon Beach to keep the Killdeer chicks from harm by dogs allowed off-leash. I protect the corner of the beach near the east end of the apartments, where the lagoon water flows to the ocean. Other birds sense that it is a safe area for a while. I took the attached pic at 5.30 pm, May 7th.
Report from an observer: I am spending about 5 hours each day, on Corcoran Lagoon Beach to keep the Killdeer chicks from harm by dogs allowed off-leash. I protect the corner of the beach near the east end of the apartments, where the lagoon water flows to the ocean. Other birds sense that it is a safe area for a while. I took the attached pic at 5.30 pm, May 7th.
April 26, 2019
Godwit observed bathing in beach lagoon outflow water.
April 25, 2019
A small number of these beautiful Semi-palmated plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus) were feeding on the beach lagoon at 5:00 pm, along with a few Dunlins (Calidris alpine).
Dunlin Photos by Bruce Frye Semi-palmated plover
April 24, 2019
Whimbrels at home on Corcoran Beach Lagoon.
Semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) and Spotted sandpipers (Actitis macularius) spend an afternoon feeding and resting
Late morning near shore, a non-breeding adult Willet (Tringa semipalmata) joins several Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) for a rest in the shallow lagoon outflow. Undisturbed for now.
April 23, 2019
Three fifteen in the afternoon. Time for feeding for two Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) and a slew of Short-billed dowitchers (Limnodromus griseus). We've seen an occasional Dowitcher over the years, but there were close to 25 of them today. Later, another fifteen Whimbrels joined the other shorebirds. What a shorebirdy afternoon!
April 16, 2019
A quiet late morning in Corcoran Lagoon, north of E. Cliff Drive, finds a snoozing Mallard, a contemplative Egret and a watchful Canada goose performing a delightful avian still life.
April 15, 2019
A killdeer pair and an egret (upper right hand corner) gather at the Bird Nesting sign, reminding dog owners of the rules.
April 11, 2019
A flock of about 20 surfbirds (Afriza virgata), in breeding form, feeding on sand-crabs on the beach at 4:00 pm under a cloudy sky.
Photo by Bruce Frye
April 10, 2019
Shorebirds feeding in the late morning; Marbeled godwits' pink bills beautifully reflected in the shore waters)
April 7, 2019
A Killdeer joins a Willet for a bath in the lagoon outflow that traverses the beach.
March 24, 2019
This male Common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) floats on lagoon outflow water that traverses the beach. A female was also seen later in the day in the same area.
Low lagoon water just upslope from the shoreline of Corcoran Lagoon Beach. A Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) and Ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) share a quiet moment.
March 22, 2019
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) on inner lagoon
Photographs by Gerry Woodling
March 14, 2019
One of a half dozen Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) seen feeding at the shoreline today. Whimbrels have been frequenting the beach here for five weeks.
Surf Scoters (Melanitta perspicillata), sometimes referred to as a sea duck, are usually farther out from the shoreline. In this case they were only about 15' from the Corcoran Lagoon Beach shore. A female was with these two males.
January 23, 2019
A stunningly beautiful Merganser (Mergus merganser) pair grace the lagoon outflow that traverses the sandy beach.
Egrets find the shallow lagoon waters barely flowing through the sandy beach to their liking. Look at the pair of Egret legs in the upper left hand corner of the picture, as another comes in for an avian landing.