[SBB] Burrowing Owls, Black Skimmers, Merlin

Two BURROWING OWLS were visible on the grassy mound along the entrance road leading toward Shoreline Lake parking area. As walked toward the lake to look for waterbirds, a woman jumped out of a car and flagged us down. She asked if we knew where the Burrowing Owls could be found. Sure, we just saw them, we told her. We could show them where if they wanted, it was just up the path a bit. Really, she asked? She looked back at the driver and motioned for him to park. There were three tourists and a baby in their group, and we led them back to the Owl spot. Along the way spotted a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, a male and female ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD, a few BUSHTITS, and a large flock of WHITE PELICANS flying overhead. After seeing these first few birds, the woman exclaimed with great excitement that this was just like paradise... We continued walking with them toward the Owls and found two standing birds in the grass, easily seen from the bike path. The tourists were elated as we expected they would be. They repeated how truly wonderful this place this was. We had to agree and were delighted to have helped. After a few moments we decided to leave them so they could admire the Owls by on their own. Who knows what other wonders they found after that... She had said she wanted to see a Black Phoebe.

Kelly and I also went to Charleston Slough where we found the BLACK SKIMMER flock resting on their island and a group of BLACK BELLIED SKIMMERS (many of which actually had black bellies...) and a male MERLIN perched in a conifer at the end of Terminal Road. The Merlin was being dive bombed by a very brave BARN SWALLOW.