Arenaria interpres

Dropped in on Woodley Island Marina on a whim this evening, to see what was about. Diversity was low on the bay--not a grebe or loon or pelican in sight, instead just a smattering of young gulls. Yet on the dock itself was sitting an unexpected gem: a couple of Ruddy Turnstones! It's a common species throughout much of the world (it's often referred to as simply "Turnstone") but here in Humboldt County it's fairly unusual. This is only the second time I've seen it here. Far more common is its close cousin, the Black Turnstone, of which the dock was hosting many more. Here you can see the differences in the two--the young Ruddy sports vibrant orange legs and a mottled white and brown plumage, while the Blacks are, well, black.

Week one of school nearly done--I think I might make it to Labor Day weekend. Then the real birding begins....