In the first week of November, this Lesser scaup had joined the other winter residents in the marina.

By the end of November several of these birds are here, including a few females.

On November 2 the remarkable coots that can "hop" from the water to the dock seem to have returned from last year. The dock surface is sixteen inches above the water, and only a few individuals have the physical ability or the inclination to do this.

In the first week of November, Monday's feathers become lumpy and wet. This is similar to what happened to Missy on her second year, two years ago. The onset of this condition comes two or three weeks after arrival from migration, and resolves by itself after a similar period. Monday was only wet like this for two days.

This picture was taken November 12 showing Monday's feathers dry and clean. The cause and resolution of this problem is unknown. First thought was that this was caused by lack of preening and/or nervous tension. Beaky's mate is always in a somewhat stressful position. He has never really liked any of the females after his original mate left him in 2003. He is a bitter old coot.

This picture also shows how many waterfowl have necks that can reach longer than you may think. This is evident especially when a worm may be available.

This cormorant appeared weak and lethargic on November 4 and 5. The bird was hand fed raw fish and seemed recovered the next day.

Anyone might be sick now and then, considering what may come down the storm drain nearby.

The wild female that arrived on October 11 has learned to escape the gulls by hiding under the corners of the dock. Inside the boat slips the corners are braced with a wood gusset and covered with a sheet of plywood. This leaves a small space above the water where a coot can eat in peace. The gulls (so far) will not try to get into a small space like this.

The male coot that often stays near her is not a mate.

On November 10 Monday was seen doing the "hopping and flapping" display on the finger dock by the blue steps. Beaky Coot had done this in the past when he was isolated in the summer, unable to migrate with the other birds. One summer when Beaky suddenly saw a pair of mallards on the dock, he would run up to them making this odd display. This is the first evidence of this behavior in any other coot.

Starvin' Marvin, the ugly stupid coot, returned on November 12.

This will be his fifth winter here, making him four years old last summer. He is now entering middle age and is in prime physical condition. His personality has changed considerably over the years, but still has kleptoparasitic tendencies and is usually indecisive at any critical juncture.

Usually he will attack another coot to steal food, but will hesitate when food is freely placed in front of him. He never becomes tame.

Workers removed these power lines to the south bay power plant in November.

Chula Vista officials have been yearning for the removal of the South Bay Power Plant, which will eliminate one last roadblock to south bay redevelopment.

Redevelopment projects mean cash bribes in the form of campaign contributions for city officials in exchange for contracts and construction permits.

A wild bird protected by dozens of state and federal laws is tangled and hobbled by fishing line. You hate to see a live animal slowly tortured to death. But, what do you do? You make your choices and take your chances.

Three of the male blackbirds still come to eat every morning. They seem to have difficulty recognizing me when I am away from the boat. By the end of the month one of them has been able to overcome this problem and follows me around the docks.

The blackbirds seem to have an instinctive understanding of how to eat the worms by snipping off the head first.

Some of the Red Spike Ice Plant Cephalophyllum alstonii has escaped treatment with herbicide, and a young coot has found it.

The picture below shows new sprouts just coming up.

Migratory birds can find marginal food and moisture from the ice plant in the winter.

Without the ice plant and other ground cover, the rocks make a dangerous obstacle for birds, especially for juvenile ducks that fall and become trapped.

The biggest problem every winter is how to feed the coots. The requirements are to keep the wild and tame coots separate so they won't fight, and to avoid the attack of the powerful gulls. The coots starve during the day, but at least they get a chance to eat something once every 24 hours.

Signs that were shown in the September Stupid Sign of the Month that seem to defy existing "No Trespassing" signs that are posted in accordance with California Penal Code 602, disappeared for a few days.

Then they were back again.

Then they were gone again.

Both this sign in Marina Parkway, and the one at the north end of the parking lot now have mounts that allow them to be removed and replaced easily.

After all these years, why is this now a problem?

Free trash and hazmat pickup at your dock on Wednesday at 12:00.

This is a marina inspection, not a tenant inspection. Why would they post a sign?

What good is an inspection if everyone knows about it?

Where are these events, and who is the sponser? (This was posted at the marina)

Some of the wild coots that were able to jump up onto the dock last winter are now able to hop onto the boat. Click on this link to see cockpit.wmv, and how these birds "hop" into the boat's cockpit.

This is a remarkable feat of strength and agility for these birds.

The tame blackbird steals crumbs from the coots. Click on this link to see birdcrumbs.wmv, and how the blackbird does this.

Big Picture:

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A good coot fight is always satisfying.

As more coots arrive in fall migration, they fight to establish dominance and territory.

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