Yesterday (9 October 2016), we enjoyed fantastic views of a beautiful immature Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) offshore of Bodega Head. Although I've observed many kittiwakes off the coast of Massachusetts, this is the first I've seen in Sonoma County.
Black-legged Kittiwakes are small pelagic gulls. Bolander and Parmeter (2000) describe them as uncommon and sporadic winter visitors to our offshore waters. After departing breeding areas to the north, the usual arrival time in our region is early November, so this sighting is on the early side.
P.S. Click here for a few more kittiwake photos from Chatham, MA, last year.
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