Thursday, May 5, 2011
Gualala Point Island - a rocky island off the Sonoma Coast
Gualala Point Island is a beautiful rock island that sits off the far north end of The Sea Ranch. It is an important rookery for seabirds. Right now the island is bustling with renewed life. Brandt's and Pelagic Cormorants are building nests. Black Oystercatchers are mating. While watching the island, hundreds of Loons, mostly Pacific but some Common and a few Red-throated streamed by. You can see this island from Gualala Regional Park. Just head west to the ocean next to the Sea Ranch access trail and it will reveal itself as if by magic.
Are the Pigeon Guillemots still there? They nest on the smallest of shelves on the rock island faces. It's fun to watch them return with food for their chicks. I like seeing them flare their bright orange feet just before they plop onto their tiny nests.
ReplyDeleteYes, there were Pigeon Guillemots too. I believe they were just arriving though. The island is amazing - there is so much going on!
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