A family holiday in San Francisco gave
me the excuse to put down my binoculars and camera for a short while and
broaden my range of interest. From a focus on the wild-side, I turned to a
fascination for incarceration. Actually, Alcatraz was a treat for my son who
has developed an interest after an Alcatraz-based zombie computer game found
its way into his hands. Thus, an early start found us on the ferry across to “The
Rock”.
Since this is a bird-based blog and
not a zombie shoot ‘em up, I will concentrate on the outside of the prison.
After all, I had brought my camera, “just in case”. Most information sites
mention that the island is a protected area and go on to highlight a few bird species
that breed on Alcatraz; Western Gull,
Brandt’s Cormorant, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-heron and Pigeon Guillemot. All were easy to find and each showed evidence of
imminent breeding.
A formation of Brown Pelicans flew across the bay as we walked along Fisherman’s
Wharf towards Pier 33, boarding point for the Alcatraz ferry service. Western Gulls were extremely common, to
the exclusion of all other gulls as far as I could see.
A few Double-crested Cormorants and Western Grebes were seen on the ride
out and Pigeon Guillemots swam
around the landing stages when we arrived.
The prison was closed down in 1963
and has provided a safe breeding place for birds ever since. It was named island
“de los Alcatraces” in 1775 by Spanish explorer Lt. Juan Manuel de Ayala for
the large numbers of seabirds breeding there, but it is commonly thought that
he was referring to the Western Gulls rather than the gannets that are a better
translation, or the pelicans preferred by some.
Western Gulls are still prolific on
the island. They could be seen along the roof and many were seen on the rubble
fields that used to be the officers’ housing and parade ground.
A path runs down the side of the
island that looks back towards the city. Along here, a heronry holds Black-crowned Night Heron and breeding
Snowy Egrets.
Geranium, or is that pelargonium
flowers, attracted Anna’s Hummingbirds.
A flat gravelly expanse at the bottom
of the slope serves as a nesting area for the Brandt’s Cormorants which were displaying their white dorsal and
neck plumes and showing off with their blue skinned throats.
From the island, there is a good view
of the waters of the bay.
Surf Scoters
were seen towards the Golden Gate Bridge, but for the bridge itself, we had to
wait for better viewing conditions. A large number (perhaps 150+) of
Western/Clark’s Grebes were seen. They were loosely associated rather than
flocked together, but I was unable to establish which species I was looking at
from the distance. Both species are common on the bay, so quite possibly both
species were represented here.
Bird list for Alcatraz;
Canada Goose 2, Mallard 3, Western
Grebe 3, Brandt’s Cormorant 60, Double-crested Cormorant 3, Brown Pelican 8,
Great Blue Heron 1, Snowy Egret 8, Black-crowned Night-heron 4, Western Gull
200, Pigeon Guillemot 25, Anna’s Hummingbird 3, California Towhee 4,
White-crowned Sparrow 8, House Finch 6.
Alcatraz can only be accessed through
Alcatraz Cruises. Tickets cost $30 as at April 2014.
Departures from Pier 33 run every 30
minutes from the “early bird” sailing at 08.45. The last outbound ferry sails
at 15.50 with the final return trip at 18.30. Visitors can return to the
mainland on any ferry.
Visit the dedicated USA and Canadapage for more posts from San Francisco, including; Golden Gate Park, Sutro Baths and the Nudist Beach.
Birding, Birdwatching, San Francisco,
California.
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