Calbirders and friends

This morning an adult Masked Booby was found at China Point, the southwestern
tip of San Clemente Island.  Birders present were Robb S.A. Kaler, Mike Luck
and myself.  The bird was first seen fishing offshore and was followed on and
off for about .5 hr.  It loosely associated with a large feeding flock of
Western and Heerman's Gulls that were following the many fishing boats
offshore. 
The bird kindly decided to fly directly toward us and perch on a nearshore
rock allowing me to take several digital photos through the scope.  The photo
will likely be posted on Joe Morlan's web page for Calbirders, and here it is
for
the rest of you.  This single shot shows the bill color rather well.

A subadult Masked Booby was present for several months last winter/early
spring at the north end of SCI, and I have my suspicions as to whether or not
this
may be the same individual returning for a second year.  I guess it's rather
unlikely though.

Other birds of note off China Point this morning were 3 Red-billed
Tropicbirds, a single adult Pomarine Jaeger, lots of Red-necked Phalaropes and
great
looks at the common species of shearwaters.  Lots of birds building up down
there
and anyone wishing to see a Red-billed Tropicbird in SoCal waters might want
to get on one of these fishing boats.

thanks

-------------------------------------------------
Brian L. Sullivan
PRBO Conservation Science
San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Project
2515 Camino del Rio South
Suite 334
San Diego, CA
92108

bsullivan@...
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