Sightings - May, June, and July 2026
Hudsonian Godwit, MacKerricher State Beach, 5/17/2026. Photograph by Peter Pyle.
It has been three months since the last report, so I will not cover all the sightings, but will include many of the more interesting ones. Both Short-tailed Albatross and Cook’s Petrels were seen from a repositioning cruise ship about 40 miles offshore on May 6 (SS). Nearer home, an obliging Harlequin Duck was found on Virgin Creek beach 5/9 (LW). During a pelagic trip, also on 5/9, Murphy’s Petrels were seen by many observers. A truly unexpected Hudsonian Godwit was reported near the mouth of Ten Mile River on 5/11 (GL) and refound at Inglenook Creek 5/17 (PP). This is very rare; in 2009 there were possibly 7-9 Hudsonian Godwits near Virgin Creek Beach. Otherwise, these have not been reported in the county. These birds breed in the far north (notably Hudson’s Bay and western Alaska) and usually pass through the central flyway on migration to and from southern South America.
A Franklin’s Gull was flying north up the beach at MacKerricher State Park on 5/17 (PP). A late Iceland Gull was reported from Virgin Creek Beach on 5/18 (LW). At the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, I initially mis-identified a vireo (as Warbling Vireo) but Lisa Walker had good photos that enabled correct identification as Red-eyed Vireo on 5/20 (LW, RA). Unfortunately, the bird did not stick and was not seen again. While out on a fishing trip several good birds were reported only a few miles offshore, including, two Hawaiian, and 4-5 Murphy’s Petrels, a Short-tailed Shearwater, and a Tufted Puffin on 5/22 (PP). Two reports from a NOAA research vessel raised excitement for pelagic birding when a Masked Booby was seen on 5/24 and a Red-billed Tropicbird on 5/25 (TM). These are both very rare this far north.
Tufted Puffin, 7/20. Photograph by Roger Adamson.
The end of May included another all-day pelagic trip on the Kraken with Richard Thornton, and it did not disappoint. Best birds included a Least Tern, Black Storm Petrels (maybe three), twenty-nine(!) Murphy’s Petrels, two distant Hawaiian Petrels, a Manx Shearwater, and a Nazca Booby. The Nazca was a “county bird” for several of the “old hands” who have been birding Mendocino County for decades and it was a “life bird” for many other participants.
Near the Glass Beach Parking in the low willows a Northern Yellow Warbler was seen on 6/12 (LW). These birds are not usually found mid-summer on the coast. Also on 6/12 a Black Swift was seen near Newport Ranch among a mixed flock of aerial insectivores (PP). On another all-day pelagic trip, a Black Storm-Petrel was one of the best sightings along with an unexpected pair of Ancient Murrelets in breeding plumage and 23 Murphy’s Petrels, including an unusual MUPE with a white belly on 6/14 (many participants). During a second June pelagic trip a Manx Shearwater was possibly the best bird on 6/26. Back on land, a pair of Lawrence’s Goldfinch were seen near Point Arena on 6/26 (MO). These are very unusual to see on the coast; they breed in central and southern California in arid areas.
At Lake Cleone a Sharp-shinned Hawk was reported on 7/10 (PP). From another pelagic trip a Wilson’s Storm-Petrel was briefly seen by many observers on 7/20. Wilson’s Storm-Petrel breeds in the Southern Ocean but disperses widely to the north during the southern winter and so is seen here in our summer. Last, also on the 7/20 pelagic trip we had skua/jaeger “slam” with all three jaegers and a South Polar Skua; in addition a breeding plumage Tufted Puffin flew close by the boat giving great views to many participants. The presence of the puffin at this time of year leads us to speculate whether there might be a breeding site not far from Noyo.
Nazca Booby, 5/30. Photograph by Roger Adamson.
Thanks to all who reported sightings: Steve Shultz (SS), Lisa Walker (LW), Greg Lambeth (GL), Peter Pyle (PP), Roger Adamson (RA), Tavi Maes (TM), McKay Olson (MO).
