Mile 31 - Otter Point State Wayside, Bailey Beach - June 22, 2014

Report Details

Two live healthy Black Brant Geese at surf line. Positive identification! The only Brant I've seen on this beach in 20 years. They appeared to be first-year birds (not quite full size). (They differ from Canada Geese and Aleutian Canada Geese in not having a white chin strap or a full circumference white neck ring.) (They have a partial white neck ring.)These birds are very late in the migration back to the Arctic. By late April they should have been back to Izembek Lagoon (on the Alaska Peninsula). They may have gotten lost (separated from their migration flock).I hunted this species in the Pacific-side estuaries of Baja California for 15 years. They are one of the best-eating of any waterfowl.

Conditions

Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 1.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 5. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 3. Playing in sand: 3. Photography: 1. Tidepooling: 1.

Concerns

Apparent violations: driving pickup truck up to S. side of Otter Point.

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Vehicles

Cars/trucks on beach, prohibited: 1. ATVs/OHVs on beach, prohibited: 1.

Notable Wildlife

Two Black Brant

Driftline Content