On the Conservancy’s flagship preserve, Conservancy field staff photographed an interesting assembly of birds. They are resting on a low island, surrounded by a watered marsh complex. And appear to be pretty content.
What is interesting about this scene is that we see two “Covered Species” among the birds here. The Aleutian cackling goose (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia) is occupying about the same space as the White-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi). (The four egrets shown in the photo are not NBHCP Covered Species.)
This may be the first time we’ve seen these species so closely together. It’s a good sign the Conservancy’s mitigation efforts are yielding observable and tangible results.
