DAIRY CREEK

This morning adventure was a walk into the open space at El Chorro Regional Park - located about 5 miles south of Morro Bay, across from Cuesta College. Drive to the end of the park, ease thru the gate, and you are on your way. The trail is an old farm road. Much of the way it follows Dairy Creek. The Coast Live Oak forests are a sight to behold. Along the creek are huge old, dramatically gnarled Sycamores. (I do love the Sycamores)

The birds were most cooperative. We could hear Wild Turkey and Western Blue Bird was numerous. About a mile or so up the trail we came to a pond. Cassin's Kingbird was perched on a tall dead mustard stalk. Around the pond we saw Black and Say's Phoebe, and Killdeer. On the pond was a female Bufflehead, Pied-billed Grebe, and a pair of Mallards. In the willows were Juncos, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Oak Titmouse. The thrill of the morning was a Merlin and a great view of a White-tailed Kit. Another glorious day in paradise.