Sightings While Not Really Birding

Montaña de Oro (MdO) - Bluff Trail -7:30 am -31 days since the "lock down."  The morning was absolutely exquisite!  The sun was attempting to ease its way through the clouds.

First sighting - A flock of turkeys with three males engaged in a slow turkey trot.  Nearby females were not impressed.  I found their display most impressive.

Only a few cars were parked at the Bluff Trail head.  The trail appeared to have been trimmed a bit.  I had only gone a few feet when I saw a Wrentit, a Spotted Towhee, and a bunny nibbling on a stalk of California Sage Brush.

Smugglers Cove - Two years ago a pair of Peregrine Falcon attempted to nest in a horizontal hole located in Smugglers Cove.  Now, two years later, Great Horned Owls are raising two owlets in the same hole.  Yeah!  (photo of adult owl take by Gary O'Neill last Thursday)

The clouds were playing "hide and go seek" with the sun.  There were a few runners and a few walkers, but most of the time no one in sight.  A male Northern Harrier swooped low over the scrub brush.  Fiddleneck glowed in the morning light.

Islay Point - Very tranquil - Fiddleneck in the foreground -  Locoweed Center right.

Locoweed is an early bloomer and prolific along the coastal side of the Bluff Trail.  Locally it is referred to as Rattleweed.

The last time I walked by this railing a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk was perched on it.  This morning three Turkey Vultures were warming their wings prior to flight.  I see Turkey Vultures as  gentle, patient and beautiful.

Located a tad north of Quarry Cove is the rock formation where a pair of Oystercatcher, successfully, raised one nestling to maturity.  To my delight the pair appeared to be establishing nesting rights.  Bloy pairs often nest in the same area as the prior year.  The two Bloys are located on the upper edge of the light beige colored rocks.

During my walk I could hear the sounds of Oystercatchers.  Pigeon Guillemot bobbed in the surf.  Despite everything that is happening, our earth continues its seasonal cycles.  Spring abounds at Montaña de Oro.

An unexpected delight - On the way out of the park, barely past the Hazard Peak Trail head, an adorable Long Tailed Weasel crossed in front of my car.  Fortunately, due to an abundance of young bunnies along the roadside, I was driving slowly.   (photo by Gary O'Neill)

Birding With a Bleak Soul

The San Luis Obispo County "stay-at-home" announcement was on March 18, 2020 - feels like that was months ago.  Like many of our residents, I take walks, making a point of keeping six feet from other humans.  Actually, I'm more comfortable at 10 - 15 feet.  People wave, smile, and at times engage in pleasant conversation.

Saturday morning I threw caution to the wind and took off for the Audubon Overlook (6 blocks from my house) and nearby Turri Road.  Total driving distance about 6 miles.

Audubon Overlook - A Song Sparrow was gaily singing as I proceeded down the path to the overlook.  The morning was without flaw.  Across the bay (upper Photo), along the edge of the pickleweed, was a sizable flock of Brant Goose, their delightful chatter carried across the bay.  Photo shows the same flock of Brant feeding in pickleweed on a foggy January day.

Other Birds: Caspian and Forster's Tern, Willet bathing, and a Black-bellied Plover in gray winter plumage.  Out on the bay floated a large flock of mostly Ruddy Duck -  Rufus Hummingbird feeding on pink flowers of a mallow shrub was a special treat.  He was a beauty!

Turri Road Ponds -  On a tiny island, in the center of the photo, perched a Greater Yellowleg.  Upper right, eleven Green-winged Teal, and three Northern Shoveler dabbled.  A dabbling duck is a shallow water duck that feeds primarily along the surface or by tipping headfirst into the water.

   Now, you know the origin of the idiom, "bottoms up."

The next stop, about a mile up the road, is one of my favorite places to bird.  I have named it the cattle pond.  In the rainy season the pond fills.  What a privileged to be here, breathing in the scenery, the scents, and the sounds of the birds.

Five male Cinnamon Teal were feeding in the far section.  Streaking over the pond were White-throated Swifts and Swallows, along the edge two Willet searched for edibles. 

West of the pond is a dilapidated cattle pen.  The corner of the pen, with its old loading chute, scruffy little tree, and aging wooden fencing was attracting three species of birds.  American Goldfinch, House Finch, and California Towhee (photo) were flying in and out of the foliage.  From a section of barbed wire fencing two Cassin's Kingbirds sallied forth in pursuit of insects.  Wilson's Warbler sang from a willow thicket.

Best sighting of the morning was a Lark Sparrow (below) perched atop an old post.  Every few minutes he sang - this was first time I had heard a Lark Sparrow sing.  During breeding season males sing from elevated perches and that is just what he was doing - made my day! 

Afterthought:  As I jotted down my thought, I realized how privileged and fortunate I am to be able to drive to a peaceful rural area and spend time thinking only of birds and the beauty of the day . . . . .