BIRDING THE PHOTOGRAPHIC HOT SPOTS

The Morro Bay Bird Festival begins tomorrow. At 8:00 Linda will be taking a group of 15 to several photographic hot spots that feature great scenery and great birding. This morning Linda and I took a trial run. We began at the Morro Bay Marina sand spit. In the marina were 2 Western Grebe and 3 Pied-billed Grebe that were being a bit feisty (the breeding season has begun). In the shrubbery we saw the usual, plus Song Sparrow, Meadowlark, Gray-blue Gnatcatcher, Yellow-rumped Warbler. Out in the mud flats were thousands of diving and dabbling ducks, cormorants, Brant, Sanderlings, Sandpipers, White Pelican.

Next stop, The Elfin Forest - The Fuchsia-flowering Gooseberry is beginning to bloom. We saw Calif. Thrasher (photo), Bewick's Wren, Gnatcatcher, Anna's Hummingbird. At the overlook (the tide was lowish), American Wigeon, Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal, Avocet, Dowitcher, Pintail, and scads of shorebirds. In the shrubbery and pine trees by the parking area were 2 Hermit Thrush and Junco.

Last stop Sweet Springs. A gentleman pointed out a Great Horned Owl. Well, that made the morning. A Kingfisher was in the area of the pond. From the overlook we could see thousands and thousands shorebirds, ducks, Terns, and a huge flock of Brant. The birding was beyond amazing. Without a doubt, Linda's photographic/birding event will be a tremendous success.