Breaking Bird News

                    

***The 2020 Morro Bay Winter Bird Olympics has been cancelled.  Unusually stormy weather along the Pacific Flyway caused many of the migrating athletes to abort their flights.  At the point of desperation, seeking food and rest, a rag tag flock finally found respite at the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in the Sacramento Delta.  A smaller flock from Alberta Canada came down at Mono Lake on the eastern side of the Sierra.  They immediately chowed down on the abundant supply of brine flies.

Unfortunately, Alexy Kuznetsov (center of photo), the captain of the Siberian Scaup Synchronized Diving Team, was struck by lightening while crossing the Bering Strait.   RIP Alexy

The news is not all bad.  Local Black Oystercatchers (Bloys) will be presenting, for the first time, "The Black Bloy Competition."  Montaña de Oro State Park (MdO) will host the competition along its rocky coastline.  The date is January 3, 2020 - from dawn to dusk Bloys from MdO and Point Buchon will demonstrate their extraordinary athletic abilities. (below photo by Gary O'Neill)

From left to right Briana, Brayden, and Bruce Bloy.  Admission is free - Parking limited.  Refreshments and Bloy memorabilia available at the Ranch House and Quarry Cove.

***This is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance to actual events is entirely coincidental.

Return of the Winter Birds

Morro Bay - Sweet Spring East Overlook - The tide was slowly ebbing, perfect conditions for viewing the new arrivals.  There were shorebirds, wading birds, and water birds.  Wow!  Where to look first - A flock of 100 plus Least Sandpiper were busy probing the wet sand for tasty morsels.  Sprinkled among them were Sanderlings (below) easy to identity as they are larger and appear quite white in contrast to their smaller cousins.

On the periphery of the flock were two Semipalmated Plover - "semipalmated" refers to the bird's "half-webbed toes" which enable them to walk on mud without sinking.  Nearby were Great and Snowy Egret, two Killdeer, two Black-bellied Plover, two Greater Yellowleg, and a Partridge in a pear tree.

Such a beautiful day.  A small flock of Ruddy Duck floated peacefully; Bufflehead were doing what they do best - diving.  Overhead looking for an unsuspecting fish were two Caspian and five Forester's Tern.  Several Blue-winged Teal splashed down. (Sweet Springs Blue-winged Teal by Gary O'Neall)

Out on the bay, but close enough for a good look, were about 150 Black Brant Geese, accompanied by a few darker juveniles.  My first sighting this season of our iconic goose, and my first sighting ever of juvenile Brant.  (Brant by Mike Baird)

Brant used to number in the thousands.  Now, we are fortunate to have a couple hundred.  Notice that the center Brant in the above photo is eating Eelgrass which is their primary food source.  Today 90% of the Eelgrass has vanished.  Eelgrass is critical to the health of the estuary. (Brant in flight by Gary O'Neill)

Sweet Springs West Overlook - Feeding along the edge of the Bay were Willet, Godwit, and a Long-billed Curlew.  The female Curlew is larger and has a longer bill than the male.  For years I was befuddled over Curlew bills.  Some were really long and others seemed short.  For awhile I thought the short-billed Curlew were Whimbrels.  To confuse the situation, juvenile Curlew have shorter bills.  Birding does have its challenges.

West of the overlook in front of a rickety pier were more Brant.  (pier is on the far left of the photo)  Brant are long lived and mate for life.  When migrating non-stop from Alaska to Morro Bay they are beside each other; juveniles accompany their migrating parents.  Seeing the Brant and hearing their gentle chatter made my day. 
 
     For details on the collapse of Eelgrass in Morro Bay click on the following link.
https://archive.fisheries.noaa.gov/wcr/stories/2017/11_09112017_eelgrass_collapse.html

Birding Around the Bay and Beyond

Morro Creek - Cannot think of a better way to celebrate the first Monday in October than to go birding.  The weather was warmish and crystal clear.  In other words a perfect beach day.  Due to human and dog activity birds were scarce in Morro creek.

Up Morro Creek a tad, were six Red-necked Phalarope (below), a lone female Northern Shoveler, and a "daggle" of Mallards.  On occasion a male Mallard will mate with Shovelers, Teal, Wigeon and Gadwal, but not all at once.  Seeing a Mallard hybrid can be mighty confusing.  When a male Mallard is in the mood for mating, keep your distance.

Morro Bay Marina - The marina was peaceful.  The only migratory water birds were five Pied-billed Grebe.

I was hoping to get a view of one of the two visiting Yellow-crowned Night Heron that have been seen recently perched on the back of boats, but they were a no show.

Fortune shined when a Caspian Tern, looking for a fish, flew into the marina.  It hovered a couple of times but never dove.  Due to its bulky size, its very red bill, and its impressive wing span, 50-55 inches, the Caspian is often easy to identify.  It also flies higher than Elegant, Royal and Forster's Tern.

Montaña de Oro Bluff Trail -  I was south of Quarry Cove, about midway along the trail, looking for Black Oystercatchers (Bloys), when I spotted seven of them perched on a shale formation that jutted into the sea.  As the weather flows from summer into fall/winter, the Mdo Oystercatchers often hang out together.  I see these gatherings as a means for the young adults to find a mate.  And more than likely they also talk about the two legged monsters that invade their territory when they are nesting and trying to raise their young.  Photo of four of the seven taken by Gary O'Neil.

Afterthought - Last week stopped by Laguna Lake.  The blue green algae looked about the same.  Across the lake were 30 or more White Pelican and a very large flock of Canada Goose.  Before I got out of the car I saw a tiny bird in a willow tree.  I had not seen a scaly-breasted munia, commonly known as Nutmeg Mannikin for at least 20 years.  They are native to tropical Asia and were popular with the pet trade.  I would classify them as cute.

                                                                          

Keep your binoculars handy because one of those little seed eaters, that we frequently take for granted, may be a Nutmeg Mannikin. 

Birding Laguna Lake Park

Laguna Lake was full to the brim.  Unfortunately, the lake was experiencing a Blue Green Algae bloom.  Around the lake were caution signs, notifying people to avoid contact with the water.  If Blue Green Algae is ingested, it can cause unpleasant to serious health problems.  I was glad there were no birds on the lake.

Depending on conditions the bloom can last weeks or months.  I hope it is short lived and does not become seriously toxic.  I finally wrestled my thoughts away from the green water and returned to birding.  In a cozy picnic area Western Bluebirds were active.

A small flock of Bluebirds, including two juveniles were dashing about, feeding on tiny insects.  The adult Bluebirds, along with a Black Phoebe were using the border around the picnic area as a perch.

The juveniles (below) were perched on a scraggly Cypress.  I assumed they were waiting to be fed.  I was rather surprised when one of them sallied forth to snatch an insect midair.  Juveniles often appear larger than adults due to down feathers that are shed as they mature.

Other birds - Bewick's Wren, Calif towhee, Song Sparrow, Anna's Hummingbird, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Scrub Jay, Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk, and a flock of Lark Sparrow feeding in the grass along busy Madonna Road.  They were finding much to eat in the freshly mowed grass.

My usual sighting of Lark Sparrow happens when I am driving on a rural road and the little darling is perched on barbed wire, and there is nowhere to park; and if I did park the bird would fly off.  The Lark Sparrow photo was taken when I was walking on an unused rural road.  I only had about a second before it flew off.

In regards to the Algae Bloom, I called San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation.  They are regularly checking on the toxicity level of the lake.  Cyanobacteria is not present.

Birding the Bluff Trail

               Buckwheat - Eriogonum parvifolium
Montaña de Oro St. Pk. -  As I walked down the Badger Trail to the Bluff Trail, Spotted Towhee were singing (below).  In the distance a California Thrasher sang.  I have to admit I have a preference for birds that perch on top of a tall bush and announce their presence by singing.

Overhead two juvenile Red-tailed Hawks soared.  In the dense brush Bewick’s Wren sang.  Feeding along the edge of the trail was a family of five California Quail, two adults and three youngsters.

 

A few days ago I saw a pair of Quail with nine chicks about the size of walnuts.  California Quail lay 12 - 16 eggs.  The nest is a shallow scrape on the ground beneath a shrub.  It is amazing considering all the predators in the park, such as snake, raccoon, weasel, bobcat, and coyote that any Quail chick survives.

On the rocks South of Quarry Cove, Black Turnstone and Surf Bird (above).  A rather large appearing male American Kestrel was perched atop Grotto Rock.  They mostly eat insects and grasshoppers, but will eat small mammals and birds.  Unfortunately, within the sight line of the Kestrel was a pair of Oystercatcher with their two small chicks.

Sara, Gary, and I have been following the progress of the two hatchlings.  When the chicks are small one parent is always close.  The other parent is either nearby resting or off foraging.  On Monday the 12th, there were three black dots on the shale, a parent with the two chicks.  (center of foggy photo - click to enlarge image)

Tiny chicks are vulnerable to predators.  They can easily be snatched by Gulls or Raptors, of which there are many flying over the bluffs.  The chicks, especially when they are located close to a splash zone, can be swept away by a rogue wave.

On the 15th the chicks were missing.  In the last few days neither chicks nor parents have been seen.  So far this year at Montaña de Oro only one nestling has lived long enough to fledge.  I certainly hope that next year the Montaña de Oro Oystercatchers have better luck. 

     One of the parents.

Gary O'neill Photos - Quail, Surfbird, Black Oystercatcher with chicks, parent Oystercatcher

Bird Island - Brandt’s Cormorant - Part 4

     View From Bird Island Trail

Point Lobos State Preserve - June 27 -  Bird Island - A beautiful half mile trail leads to excellent views of the off shore rocks and the Cormorants.  Coincidentally, it was exactly one year since my last visit.  When I arrived at Bird Island the Cormorants were nesting and feeding their young; compared to last year there was a significant difference in population size.  The photo shows the difference between last year and this year.  Enlarging the image is helpful in seeing details.

                  Top photo 2018 - Lower 2019
The oval depression (below) is the prime real estate on the island and gets filled up quickly with the early nesters.  Many will return to the same nest they occupied the year before.

                                   2018
 Last year the oval area was packed; Brandt’s were everywhere.  This year the prime real estate had ample room to spare (below photo).  Perhaps they nested early, and the birds that I observed are the late comers, or could it be there are just fewer nesting Brandt’s, or last year's rainy season caused a change in their breeding cycle and they nested early.

         
 All by herself - Hopefully her mate is nearby, otherwise survival of her two nestlings is nil.  Nearby, predatory gulls and raptors were waiting for a chance to snatch an egg or a nestling.

I have to admit my recent Bird Island observations have left me in a curfluffled state of mind.  To satisfy my curiosity, I’m thinking that next year, on June 27 I will return to Point Lobos and its intriguing Bird Island.

Nesting Pigeon Guillemot of Montaña de Oro

Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus Columba) begin appearing along the rocky coast of Montaña de Oro State Park in mid-March.  The season of breeding/nesting had begun.  The numerous cracks, crevices, and holes in the cliffs and rock formations offer to this plump sea bird, with the startling red legs, a variety of cozy nesting sites.  (red arrow points to a possible nest site)

The breeding range for the Guillemot is vast, from the North Pacific waters to Alaska and along the Pacific Coast through California.  In winter California Guillemots migrate north to the inland marine waters of Washington.

Pigeon Guillemots belong to the Auk family - related to Murrelet, Auklet, and Puffin.

From my observations at MdO I have come to the conclusion that it takes quite a bit of time for Guillemots to sort out their relationships.  Occasionally, I have seen them come ashore where they do bill touching, chasing, and posturing.   On one occasion I observed a pair mating.  If I had blinked I would have missed it.  Much of the mating ritual occurs in the water with much bill touching, and dashing about under the water.  Guillemots are quite vocal, their high pitched whistles are prevalent during courtship.

Guillemots are monogamists.  Notice how they are in pairs.

Both parents incubate and feed the young.  Hatching takes 33 - 38 days.  Nestlings are fed small fish and marine invertebrates.

There has been much coming and going into this crevice, noted by the red arrow.  The actual nest is difficult to see.  I am hopeful there is, or will be, an egg or two to hatch.  They are the only Auk that will lay two eggs.

Four to six weeks after hatching young will leave the nest by scrambling and fluttering down to the water.  After leaving the nest they are completely independent.  This transition between dependence and independence often happens at night.  They can dive and swim, but it will take two to three weeks before they are strong enough to fly.

The Pigeon Guillemot scales rock faces and cliffs by flapping its wings combined with the use of  sharp claws on its webbed feet.  

“Both sexes are alike in appearance, except for the Californian birds - females were found to have larger bills than males.” (a quote from Wikipedia)  I have spent quite a bit of time comparing Guillemot bills and see no difference between male and female.

The best place to observe Pigeon Guillemots is on the rocks and cliffs of the small cove below the last overlook on the Bluff Trail.  In the many years of observing Guillemots at MdO I have yet to see a juvenile, but remain hopeful of a sighting in the near future.

Rural Road Birding

Toro Creek Road - The morning was beautiful! We were barely off Hwy One when we began to see flycatchers. Farms on both sides of the narrow road, cattle and horses peacefully grazing in the fields, clusters of huge rocks, tall Eucalyptus and dense Monterey Cypress (below photo) - plenty of habitat for birds to nest and feed.

As we stepped from the car we saw Cassin’s Kingbird perched on barbed wire fencing.  Within a few moments we had identified a Female Hooded Oriole, Say’s Phoebe, Meadowlark, Western Bluebird (photo), Red-winged Blackbird, and Northern Rough-winged Swallow. 

Toro Creek Road has a rich history.  In the year 1857 the Reverend Alden Bradford Spooner, one of the early settlers and the first Protestant Minister in San Luis Obispo, began farming 150 acres of government land about three miles up Toro Creek.  In the good old days, the 20 mile trip into San Luis Obispo, which Spooner made frequently, required an overnight, usually spent at a friend's or relative's house.

Santa Rita Road - The road passes over Santa Rita Creek which feeds into Whale Rock Reservoir, located in the hills above Cayucos.  The area where the road passes over the creek (photo) was our destination.  Not much of the creek can be seen, as surrounding vegetation, such as willow, Sycamore,  Coast Live Oak, Blue Berry Elder, Nettles, and Poison Oak make identification rather challenging, but we persevered. 

Due to the presence of mature oaks, we saw Nuttle's and Downy Woodpecker.  Spotted Towhee was highly visible. (below) I do like birds that are not shy about showing off their beauty.

Heard but not seen, except for a fleeting glimpse, Warbling Vireo, Wilson's Warbler, Pacific Flycatcher, and my recent favorite, the Ash-throated Flycatcher. (below)

I have used this photo several times as it is the only presentable photo I have of this beauty.  This Ash-throated could be related to the one we heard singing, as the photo was taken about a mile from Santa Rita Creek.  We did have a little excitement when a brightly colored American Kestrel took off after a Red-tailed Hawk.  The much smaller Kestrel dove on the Hawk, managing to make contact a few times.  Yeah, for the little guy! 

I do like birding rural roads.  It's as if the birds are waiting for you to come by.  And there is wire fencing and the occasional post to perch on, and there are the creeks where a variety of birds can bath, nest and find insects to feed their nestlings.