Katie's Sightings

Local Birds!

Common Merganser — Mergus merganserThere weren’t many Common Mergansers on our river this year. Due to the high water last Spring, there weren’t many females that successfully raised their young. I did see two different females that had 7 and 8 ducklings. Unfortunately most of the young ducks didn’t survive. I’ve only seen two juveniles on the river with their mother, for the past two months. Lately I’ve only seen one lone adult (possibly a juvenile) on the river, that will probably leave for lower elevations soon. Common Mergansers do not stay here for the winter, they migrate down to the rivers, ponds, and lakes in California’s Central Valley.American Dipper — Cinclus mexicanus

American Dippers live here year-round. They hunt for aquatic insects and their larvae, small fish, and snails, in fast moving rivers and streams. A dense layer of downy feathers keeps them warm in the cold water. They also waterproof their outer feathers with oil. Using their tails as rudders, they swim with their wings! They do not have webbed feet, but have long, sharp toes for gripping slippery rocks! At night Dippers sleep in trees with dense foliage, with their bills tucked under their wings.Canada Geese — Branta canadensis

The Canada Geese in our neighborhood didn’t have any goslings this year! Not even one! They nest way earlier than the Common Mergansers and the river water was too fast, cold, and high last Spring. The adults, that may have been born here, stuck around all summer feeding on aquatic plants! Lately, they’ve formed largish groups of 9-12 adults, on the river. If the winter weather this year isn't too snowy, some of them may stay for the winter, or they may all head down to California’s Central Valley.Red-tailed Hawk — Buteo jamaicensis

Just yesterday I spotted a Red-tailed Hawk perched on a dead tree along the river corridor! I haven’t seen one in our neighborhood for quite a while! They usually hunt in meadows and fields for small mammals, snakes, lizards, and other birds. They use the perch-and-wait method of hunting. Once prey is sighted they will drop from their perch, flap-and-glide downward, thrust their legs forward when about 3m from prey, and grab prey with their feet.

Your questions and comments are appreciated. Please feel free to email me at northyubanaturalist@gmail.com. Thanks!