tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916447777056971449.post8747326135317013883..comments2024-03-06T05:17:56.336-05:00Comments on Biking for Birds: Oct 20 (Day 293) - Seawatching, HUGE rarity news, Mom and Sonia arrive!Dorian Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12770246226295859548noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916447777056971449.post-67728661359922736892014-10-21T20:04:43.615-04:002014-10-21T20:04:43.615-04:00How's the bike rig holding up prior to the big...How's the bike rig holding up prior to the big transit east? -DaveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916447777056971449.post-3472037240296602842014-10-21T18:18:18.771-04:002014-10-21T18:18:18.771-04:00Even up close Cassin's Murrelets just look lik...Even up close Cassin's Murrelets just look like small flying grey footballs.<br /><br />It sounds like you cleaned up in San Diego! There isn't really much more to find around there apart from maybe a wayward Blue-footed Booby down at the end of Seacoast Drive.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00315361108477186213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916447777056971449.post-34053833689180139042014-10-21T11:52:28.874-04:002014-10-21T11:52:28.874-04:00Thanks for the expanded rationale, Dorian. FWIW t...Thanks for the expanded rationale, Dorian. FWIW the first comment was mine and it wasn't intended in a snarky way, as one reader apparently interpreted it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916447777056971449.post-22316479699330185672014-10-21T09:15:45.256-04:002014-10-21T09:15:45.256-04:00Thanks for sharing you logic behind your call of C...Thanks for sharing you logic behind your call of Cassin's Auklet, I really have learned a tremendous amount from your posts this year! --adambirdwatching cat herderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08570484540360618695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916447777056971449.post-82103415469002664942014-10-21T08:36:12.355-04:002014-10-21T08:36:12.355-04:00Wow that was snarky and uncalled for. Way to be an...Wow that was snarky and uncalled for. Way to be an ass for no reason. Great report Dorian. Haters gonna hate Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916447777056971449.post-1538515407032408092014-10-21T03:19:05.963-04:002014-10-21T03:19:05.963-04:00It could - but it doesn't. There are a very li...It could - but it doesn't. There are a very limited number of alcids that occur here. At this time of year (and this year in particular since murre numbers are down because of warm water), Cassin's is the predominant auklet seen from shore in La Jolla. <br /><br />Common murre is much bigger and has loads of white underneath. Saw several of these today for size/color reference. Very easy to ID from a great distance. <br /><br />Rhino auklet is also much bigger and rarely occurs here. Same size as a murres which at same distance looked enormous compared to the Cassin's.<br /><br />Craver's murrelet has loads of white underneath and usually travels in pairs. Ditto for Scripp's and Guadalupe murrelet. A flock of 12 of any of these would be unprecedented from shore here (or anywhere!). One individual of any of these would be very noteworthy.<br /><br />Pigeon guillemot is rare here, doesn't flock, and would be much whiter if in non-breeding plumage or show white-wing patches if (unlikely) still in breeding plumage.<br /><br />So, yes, while I would have liked a better view, I am confident that these birds were Cassin's auklets. No even remotely possible species is as small, generally dark-bodied, and numerous as Cassin's auklets are at this place at this time of year.<br />Dorian Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12770246226295859548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916447777056971449.post-79411879863308839852014-10-21T02:27:43.370-04:002014-10-21T02:27:43.370-04:00Your Cassin's Auklet description doesn't s...Your Cassin's Auklet description doesn't sound very convincing -- it could equally describe almost any distant alcid flock. I guess we'll have to take your word for it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com