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August 6, 2006

Elkhorn Slough: A Marine Superhighway

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is located halfway between Santa Cruz and Monterey in Moss Landing. I've seen more diversity of marine life here than any other place in Monterey or Santa Cruz, despite the fact that the Moss Landing Power Plant looms over the slough. It makes for some interesting photographs. We headed off to the slough to test our a new telephoto lens. Here are just a few of the birds we saw.

Long-Billed Curlew Elkhorn Slough Reserve, California

The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is one of the few California wetlands left and home to the Long-billed Curlew. According to the Audubon Society WatchList, the Long-billed Curlew is one of the largest and most threatened shorebirds in North America. Their long bills allow them to catch tasty insects.

The U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan lists Long-billed Curlew as a "Highly Imperiled" species of shorebird, based on population trends, relative abundance, threats on breeding grounds, and threats on non-breeding grounds.

More at: Audubon WatchList: Long-billed Curlew

A Pod Of Brown Pelicans Elkhorn Slough Reserve, California

Groups of pelicans are called pods and you'll often see them flying in formation. They like to fly up and down the Elkhorn Slough, often so close to the water that the ends of their long wings skim the surface. The Brown Pelican is the more common pelican species to be sighted in the area. The other is the rarer American White Pelican.

The Brown Pelican also has the honor of being the state bird of Louisiana. If you visit New Orleans, you'll find them carved on all the state buildings.

Least Sandpiper Elkhorn Slough Reserve, California

As you all know by now, I am not a birder. I try to identify all my photos with the proper species but birds still confuse me a bit. I'm pretty sure this is a Least Sandpiper. They look sortof like plovers to me - they're pretty small. But this one has yellow legs, and so I am thinking this is actually a Least Sandpiper. Its small size and yellow legs were my main indicator. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Least Sandpiper is the smallest shorebird in the world.

Western Gull Elkhorn Slough Reserve, California

Western gulls are pretty easily identified by the bright yellow bill with red spot on the end, with yellow irises, but of course it gets rather tricky because they look different when they are born, versus yearlings and two year olds.

Western Gull Elkhorn Slough Reserve, California

There are about 15 sub-species of gull that make their home at some point in the year at Elkhorn Slough. Some like the Glaucous Gull, Sabine's Gull, Swallow-tailed Gull, Laughing Gull, Little Gull, and Franklin's Gull are quite rare, while others like the Bonaparte's Gull, Heermann's Gull and Mew Gull are unusual but sighted on occasion. Still, the Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Western Gull, and Glaucous-winged Gull are quite common.

Western Gull Elkhorn Slough Reserve, California

Elkhorn gulls are pretty cheeky. You can walk up to them and they will not budge from their spot until the last possible moment.

Find out more about Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve on the NOAA website or at the Elkhorn Slough Foundation.

Posted by sorsha at August 6, 2006 3:52 PM