Montaña de Oro State Park - Islay Creek is located in a lush
Canyon. From the road one is looking down into a creek that is dense
with Willows, Oaks and occasional Sycamores. On the other side of the
road, the north side, are the chaparral covered hills, favored habitat
for the entertaining songster, the California Thrasher. The above photo
was taken at the only access point on the creek. It allows one to
cross from the Reservoir Flats Trail to the Islay Road.
If
you enjoy birding by ear, spring is the perfect time to hike up the
Islay Creek Road. The male Swainson's Thrush flute-like sound can be
heard throughout the creek. It is difficult to describe the beauty of
two miles of Swainson's Thrush song.
The birds that
nest in Islay Creek may be difficult to see as the trees are dense with
spring growth, and you are standing above them, looking down. Once you
hear the Swainson's Thrush song you will never forget it. In the
video, accompanying the Thrush is the male Wilson's Warble, whose song
is not exactly dramatic, but it is persistent, forceful, and also not
easily forgotten. In the first frame of the video
you will hear Swainson's Thrush, accompanied by Wilson's Warbler; second
frame, you may need to turn up your sound to hear the quiet Pacific-slope
Flycatcher, accompanied by the call of a California Quail and the song,
once again, of the male Swainson's Thrush.
https://youtu.be/5RDe87x2PnQ
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