The Pigeon Guillemot - Montaña de Oro State Park

The Pigeon Guillemot - Cepphus columba - arrives on the Central Coast in mid-April and departs for the open sea in mid-August.  At Montaña de Oro (MdO) the numerous holes in the cliffs provide nesting sites for the arriving Pigeon Guillemot.

Eggs (1-2) usually hatch in about a month.  After 35-45 days the chicks fledge, flying out to sea.  They will no longer be dependent upon their parent's care.

The Guillemot on the far right is holding a small fish in its beak (click on photo for larger image).  The little fish is more than likely food for its nestling.

This year's Guillemot population at MdO appears robust.  Last Sunday the sea was calm with a low tide exposing the rocks (top photo).  I counted 40 plus Guillemot bobbing in the sea and 20 more perched on the rocks, and that was just in the area of Spooner's Cove (top photo).  It was a phenomenal day for observing the Guillemot.