Tuesday, May 4, 2010

TUESDAY BIRDING

This morning Linda and I checked out the birds at the pond that is located about a mile north of Cuesta College. We were delighted and entertained by the boisterous antics of the Great-tailed Grackles. In the reeds were Tricolored Blackbirds and Red-winged Blackbirds. Over the pond flew a Northern Harrier. Cliff and Barn Swallows swooped by in their never ending pursuit of insects. On the pond were Ruddy Duck, about 5 females and one male, a Pied-billed Grebe, coots, a couple of Western Gulls, and a Double-crested Cormorant. On the edges of the pond were two Killdeer and a Snowy Egret trying to stir up something to eat with its bright yellow feet.

We spent the next couple of hours viewing birds on Pennington Creek Road, San Luisito Creek Road, and San Bernardo Creek Road. Oak trees covered with new spring growth. Tall lush grasses in the fields. Our best birds were a pair of Blue Grosbeak, a pair of Cassin's Kingbird, and White-throated Swift. Other birds of note - Meadowlark, Black-headed Grosbeak, Violet-green Swallow, Kestrel, Pacific Slope Flycatcher, & Western Kingbird.

We brought our birding fun to a close by going out to Morro Rock to get an update on the nesting Peregrine Falcons. Three chicks have been hatched. We did not see the chicks, but Bob, the Peregrine Falcon Guy had some great photos of the fuzzy little darlings. Fortune did shine as we saw both the male and female Peregrine. As always I can hardly wait for the next birding extravaganza.

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