Alcid visitor – Marbled Murrelet in Mission Bay

[All photographs copyright, Gary Nunn 2014] – Following a confiding Ancient Murrelet discovery a few weeks ago, bird surveyor Lesley Handa delighted many local San Diego County birders again with news she had found a Marbled Murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus in Mission Bay on 01 December 2014! This discovery certainly caused a stir with local birders as well as the long lens “flaparazzi”. Diving among boat lanes in Quivira Basin marina, the small alcid intially played hide-and-seek with observers as it moved quickly around on long submerged forays. Luckily for the assembled observers it eventually swam calmly into a close boat channel in the marina where it provided fabulous close views. It has been some considerable time since this species was last “easily” seen in San Diego County. According to the San Diego County Bird Atlas (Unitt 2004) one or two birds appeared in November-December 1979. These birds were seen at the entrance to Mission Bay and at Imperial Beach pier. A long interval occurred until the next record when David Povey found one bird off Coronado on 15 December 2001. It appears the 2014 alcid incursion, down the California coast, is continuing this winter and unusual alcid species should be watched for carefully throughout the region.

Marbled Murrelet – Mission Bay, San Diego County, California 01 Dec 2014

Marbled Murrelet – Mission Bay, San Diego County, California 01 Dec 2014

Marbled Murrelet – Mission Bay, San Diego County, California 01 Dec 2014

Marbled Murrelet – Mission Bay, San Diego County, California 01 Dec 2014

Marbled Murrelet – Mission Bay, San Diego County, California 01 Dec 2014

Marbled Murrelet – Mission Bay, San Diego County, California 01 Dec 2014

Marbled Murrelet – Mission Bay, San Diego County, California 01 Dec 2014

3 thoughts on “Alcid visitor – Marbled Murrelet in Mission Bay

  1. Nice pictures Gary. Matthew Binns and I went down yesterday afternoon and got a few photos too. Mine are not as good as yours.

    By the end of the year, I’m going to spring for a new 7D MKII and a 300mm f2.8. Hopefully I’ll be able to compete a little better with you and Matthew.

    Best regards,
    Dave

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