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Channel Islands National Park
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Birds
Western Gull Any visitor to the Channel Islands will make note of the tremendous number of birds on and around the islands. The islands are a major nesting and breeding area for sea birds. 60 species of sea birds feed in this area, while 11 breed on the islands.
The most plentiful bird, at least on East Anacapa Island, is undoubtedly the western gull. These birds are almost literally everywhere, walking around the land, perched on bushes, and flying about the sky over the island. These gulls are unusual seabirds in that they are able to move quite efficiently on land.
Gulls can be seen everywhere, in the sky and on the surface of the island.
The western gull actually lays its eggs on the ground. The entire reproductive cycle of the western gull can be observed on the island.
A lone gull stands on the surface of East Anacapa Island with the lighthouse visible in the distance.
Another gull stands amidst the ice plant near the edge of the island.
As mentioned above, gulls are able to move more easily on the land than many other marine birds.
Brown Pelicans A group of brown pelicans can be seen resting among a large number of gulls on East Anacapa Island, below. However, these birds breed regularly only on West Anacapa Island, a short distance to the west. During the late 1960's and early 1970's the population of these interesting birds plummeted, and the brown pelican was seriously endangered, many believe due to the effects of DDT. However, the animals have made a substantial recovery. As can be seen here the birds like to roost near near the water where they feed.
The brown pelicans are interesting to watch as they fish. They crash into the water from above, opening their large bills to scoop up a fish, and stash it in the ample pouch below the bill
Other Birds Another type of bird is shown with its feathers being ruffled by the winds which sweep across the channel and East Anacapa Island.
References
Information about Channel Islands National Park has been drawn from personal experience, data available in the park itself, and a number of other sources, including:
- America's Hidden Treasures: Exploring Our Little Known National Parks. (1992). Washington, DC: National Geographic Society.
- Boles, James, R., & Landry, Werner (Eds.). (1977). Santa Cruz Island: Geology Field Trip Guide. San Diego Association of Geologists.
- Daily, Marla. (1990). California's Channel Islands: 1001 Questions Answered. San Luis Obispo, CA: EZ Nature Books.
- Ehorn, Nancy. (1991).Channel Islands National Park. Honk Kong: Everbest Printing Co., Ltd.
- Gherini, John. (2005). Santa Cruz Island: A History of Conflict and Diversity. Spokane, WA: Arthur H. Clark Co.
- Holdman, Annette. (1990). Window to the Channel. Santa Barbara, CA: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
- Howorth, Peter C. Channel Islands: TheStory Behind the Scenery. (1982). Las Vegas: KC Publications.
- Lamb, Susan. (2000). Channel Islands National Park. Tuscon, AZ: Western National Parks Association.
- Lohuis, Derek. Channel Islands National Park Interpretive Guide, Eastern Santa Cruz Island. Western National Parks Association.
- Morris, Don. A Guide to Eastern Santa Cruz Island. Victoria, BC: Trafford Publishing Company.
- National Geographic's Guide to the National Parks of the United States. Fifth Edition. (2006). Washington, DC: National Geographic Society.
- National Parks of North America. (1995). Washington, DC: National Geographic Society.
- Our National Parks. (1989). Pleasantville, NY: The Reader's Digest Association.
- The Sierra Club Guides to the National Parks: California, Hawaii, and American Samoa. (1996). New York: Stewart, Tabori, & Chang.
- First Page for Channel Islands National Park -
- All photographs ©Patrick Holleran, Shannon Technologies, 1994-2010
- Commercial use of the images contained in this document without express written consent is strictly prohibited.
- Comments and other remarks can be sent via e-mail to parkvision@shannontech.com
