When we arrived at Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary, near the southern boundary of Camp Pendleton, low coastal overcast initially kept the temperature in the mid- to upper 60s.  But the sun soon broke through to a beautiful, mostly sunny morning with scattered small clouds.  The temperature rose into the low 70s with a refreshing ocean breeze – ideal for birding.  Under the leadership of docent John Haddock of the Buena Vista Audubon Society, we devoted quite a while watching an abundance of birds from a viewpoint overlooking the lake and among trees around the sanctuary’s office.  Waterbirds included a few Eared Grebes, Mallards, Ruddy Ducks, Northern Shovelers and several Wood Ducks.  There were lots of Cassin’s Kingbirds, Say’s Phoebes, Yellow-rumped Warblers and several kinds of swallows.  Snowy and Great Egrets flew gracefully back and forth above the lake.

       John brought to our attention a Green Heron, on the opposite lakeshore; and a Greater Roadrunner on a fence beyond the lake – both birds visible with the aid of his scope.  (Regarding the Green Heron, we are grateful to Skip Harvey for his excellent photos that enabled us to be certain this was a heron rather than a bittern.) And then there were the raptors:  Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, a Cooper’s Hawk, American Kestrels, and -- most exciting of all – a Ferruginous Hawk viewed beyond the lake with the scope.  At a nearby pond, we spotted a family of Cinnamon Teals and a lone Spotted Sandpiper.  We all agreed this was an exceptionally productive birding excursion!       

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