FIELD NOTES Doug BELL June 7, 1986 very clean american goldfinches - singing profusely. Varied thrushes were also singing. A small, almost uniform dark empidonax flycatcher. Two cowbirds. One hummingbird. In Trinidad harbor we saw 3 otters. Got very good views of them, as they were feeding on crabs and eating these on the rocks just below the pier. Chewing and some buzzing noises could be heard. These otter had uniform dark brown fur on back, somewhat lighter bellies, and light moust. Black eyes, longish, longitudinally flattened tail. Very active. They would come half-way, or almost completely out of the water to eat crab on a rock. Often stole each others crabs. At one point, 2 otters climbed up on a water-level dock, then slid back into the water. The 3 otters hung together as a group. June 8, 1986. Spent the night in Aosta, CA. At around 11:00 am we went up to Trinidad Harbor, checked to see about getting a boat to go out in Harbor for gull collecting, but it is too windy (Cale Force Winds). People also against our collecting them. Went back to Dune Beach, a county park, and walked up to the mouth of the Little River (Humboldt Co.). Good spot to see bathing gulls, but lots of people. Shot 2 Western Gulls (DAB 079, 080). Marsh Hawks seen at this dune area. After pushing the gulls Mom & I drove North. Checked at area @ Cold Bluffs Beach (good for Gulls, but need permission), and Lacks Coastal Drive (Flint Rock, Split Rock). Beaches inaccessible. Observed an osprey at Humboldt Lagoon - Drove twice, not successful.