This morning I got up early enough to be at Bolsa Chica while it was still easy to get Ridgeway’s Rail, arriving abut 7:10 gate open at 7 AM).  The rails did not disappoint, I saw at least 5 individuals.

Surprising was a large flock of Red Knots in various stages of PA molt.  Some nearly all gray still, some nearly all red breasts, some in between.  It seemed like maybe 60% were still in basic.

The knots were restless, and a count was tough as there were a good number of BBPL, peeps mixed in, and I eBirded just 40, but I suspect maybe up to 100.

Looked for a Snowy Plover but could not find one here.  A birder told me they are sometimes seen across the wetlands at Hariet M. Weider Regional Park, so I drove the mile or so over there to see.  No SNPL but got FOY Western Kingbirds instead.  Also fun to help him recognize the Pied-billed grebe song.

These photos don’t show well the smaller bill than the Cassin’s kingbirds that have been common all around this trip, but may show the white outer rectrices.

No Snowy there either, but added 3 FOY ABA Birds today, Ridgeway’s Rail, Red Knot and Western Kingbird.

Hoping to make it out some morning before we head north to get Red-crowned parrot.  Family arrives today, and we head north a week from tomorrow, so birding will take a back seat for a bit.