ML646048925

Observation details

Long-staying bird found by Steve Tucker on 9/29. Pointed out to me this morning by Steve at the seal haul out view point (36.81253, -121.78961) around 0840, it then flushed with a few other birds, disappearing to the east seemingly over the highway. After scoping the sea ducks and much time checking the mudflats with the falling and then rising tide, we returned to stake out the roost site at the seal haul out. Numbers of SEPL built and shifted and finally, at about 1340, Ryan Terrill pointed out that it had returned, a relief for the 20 or so others present. The cinnamon wash on the forehead and throat made it easy to pick out this individual from the other birds. Dark orbital ring, all dark bill, thicker dark brown line connecting gape into cheek patch, slightly larger than SEPL when nearby otherwise this was tough to discern, and when actively preening the head shape gave a more blocky appearance as it was wearing a helmet (or a top hat as Steve said). [rst] - the bird appears to have a p8 that is incompletely grown in on the right side only. I first thought it was finishing prebasic molt, but the feather quality of primaries on both sides of that p8 seem similar, so I wonder if for some reason that feather just did not finish growing. It would be interesting to see flight shots from later in the winter to see if that feather finished growing and p9 and p10 get replaced, or if the right p8 stays ~90% grown as it appears to be.