Before and After Work in Santa Barbara Today

Posted on by Ed

I had a short day at work today, not starting until 9 AM and getting off at 3 PM. This allowed me to go for a walk this AM at Devereux Slough (checklist) and this afternoon to check out the Goleta Wastewater Treatment Ponds (checklist) and Goleta Beach County Park after work.

This morning Devereux was really pretty quiet, just a few common shorebirds, herons, egrets, and not much else really. It was surprisingly dry.

The Goleta STP though was excellent shorebirding with good looks at Wilson’s Phalarope

Wilson's Phalarope, with unstreaked gray back, mostly light face and needle-like bill.
Wilson’s Phalarope, with unstreaked gray back, mostly light face and needle-like bill.

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and a Solitary Sandpiper

Solitary Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper

along with good numbers of Western Sandpipers

Western Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper

mixed with the Black-necked stilts, Least Sandpipers, Semi-palmated plover, Killdeer, ducks, DC Cormorants, and Western Gulls.

A short walk at Goleta Beach County Park was pretty quiet too, but the nice breese and open ocean made a nice end to the day.