First let me say that I am more jealous than I should admit to. Mike,
going down to Monterey, one of my favorite cities and then to also be
attending the opening of the new wing of the Aquarium. What an
opportunity! I took groups of people on birdwatching trips to monterey
over a ten year period. I always made a point of wandering on all three
piers, the Fisherman's Wharf in the middle, Commercial pier on its
right, and the Coast Guard Pier a little ways to the left. I haven't
been there in over a year but the last few times I went down the
Rhinocerous Auklets were quite easy to see from the wharfs. You could
even watch them dive and chase fish. Quite often I could get three of
the loon species, and all three cormorant species should be around .
Maybe even all six species of grebe in the harbor. If the jellyfish
are around then the fulmars can be in the harbor also. If you can get
down to the Pacific Grove golf course there's a pond called Crespi
Pond right on the golf course and right next to the road. In the past
the pond has had both Sora and Virginia Rails. If you walk across the
road to the ocean side there/s great kelp beds that feed everything
from Wandering Tattlers to Surfbirds and sometimes a European Ruff or
Reeve (sp?). Have a great time.

Jim Rosso
Issaquah