The Morro Bay Winter Bird Olympics

The 2018 Morro Bay Winter Bird Olympics occurs annually with little fanfare.  The participants train rigorously in hopes of qualifying for their favored event.  All events are family oriented and free to the public.

    *  Highlights of Events  *

High Dive - Carl Cormorant, from Monterey California, is drying his wings after a successful dive earning him first place in the High Dive competition.  His spectacular dive was from a height of 67.8 feet. 

The Golf Course Waddle - From flag to pond - Coot participants were arranged into teams of 60.  Winning requires each team member to circle the flag once, then head directly to the pond.  The Coots, having difficulty understanding the instructions, got off to a slow start.

Female Wet Sand Probing - Team members have a total of 30 seconds to display a sand crab clutched snugly in their bill.  Much to their surprise and delight Glenda and Gladys Godwit were awarded third place with a time of 28.21 seconds.  Since the female Godwit has a longer bill than the male (who would have figured), there were two probing events.

Three Tern judges had to disqualify the Nevada male Godwit Probing Team, as they were found to be using a forbidden chemical on their bill-tips to increase sensitivity.  After the decision the judges were heard to say, "The Winter Bird Olympics does have its twists and terns."

Synchronized Diving - Open to all diving ducks - Last year the mostly female Scaup team, from the West Coast of Siberia, came in third with a 5.3 out of 6 score.  Alexy Kuznetsov, the team captain, and the only male on the team, was confident they would receive a high score, and indeed they did - “7.0” - the highest score ever recorded at the Winter Bird Olympics.  The crowd went wild with joy.  The seven member team will take ample time resting and enjoying the fine cuisine in Morro Bay before they fly back to Siberia.

 Small Duck Dive and Eat - Open to all small diving ducks - The small duck is given 60 seconds to locate and consume an Aquatic insect.  With little effort Babs Bufflehead from the Muriel Lake region of Vancouver Island won the event with an unbelievable time of 38.8 seconds.  Babs said she owed her success to the undying support of her friends and family.

Snowy Plover Rock Hopping - Rock hopping has become the most popular event of the Winter Bird Olympics.  A successful hop is accomplished when both feet land on the rock.  If a foot touches the sand the team member has to start over.  The team with the most successful hops in 90 seconds is the winner.  Peter and Prudence Plover from San Simeon were dazed and speechless when they heard over the loud speaker they had won the event.   

Well, I think you have an idea of what to expect at the next Morro Bay Winter Bird Olympics.  It is a unique experience and something you will talk about for years.  If you are coming from out of town make your motel reservations early.  Bring warm clothing, food and drink, sun screen, and binoculars. A flashlight is essential, as many of the birds do their best performance at night or in the wee hours of the morning.

Where are the Dabbling Ducks?

Thursday morning at 10:00 the tide was very high (6.5).  At the Sweet Springs Preserve the extreme tide covered nearly all the pickleweed, filled in the channels and the ponds, with the exception of the tiny wetland where the springs bubbles forth. 

Usually coming into Sweet Spring on the incoming tide, dabbling ducks such as Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, Green and Blue-winged Teal (above) and Cinnamon Teal adapt their dabbling to finding tasty morsels in the flooded pickleweed.

For comparison, the above photo shows the flooded pickleweed at an average tide.” 

As I entered the preserve two female deer were feeding in the new grass growing along the edge of the boardwalk.  Both of the deer alerted to my presence.  In a few moments they disappeared into the brush. 

Coots were feeding in the grass.  I guess they wanted a change from the Sea Pines Golf Course where they usually hang out.  What I did not see were dabbling ducks.

Searching the pond I noticed a mixed flock of about 20 Teal, sound asleep on the edges of the wetland.  Perhaps they were exhausted from their flight to Morro Bay.  Usually ducks notice a close human presence.  These little darling did not even blink.

Scanning the far side of the flooded pickleweed I spotted a few more Teal,  but where was the bounty of dabblers I had been expecting?  For several years I've noticed that fewer water fowl are wintering in Morro Bay.

From the photo, taken at Sweet Springs in January 2007, there is no doubt in my mind that fewer ducks are wintering in Morro Bay.     Can you find the Eurasian Wigeon?

  I am hoping that the missing dabblers are busy feeding in another area of the bay.