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.  

Birding Dairy Creek

                   Dairy Creek Trail
 San Luis Obispo County, El Chorro Regional Park - A storm was brewing - cumulus clouds gathering, winds increasing in strength - A perfect morning on the Central Coast, and a perfect day to bird Dairy Creek.  The vegetation along the trickling creek (below) was thick with Oak, Willow, and California Bay -  dried young bay leaves can be used as flavoring (use sparingly).
       
 My first sighting was of six Canada Goose flying in the direction of Morro Bay.  A few moments later heard gobbling from a male Turkey, always a day brightener. 

Dense Stands of Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) cover the low hills (top photo).  Birds heard in the oaks and creek bed - Pacific-slope Flycatcher (heard frequently but never seen),  Wilson's Warbler (migrant), Bewick's Wren, Junco, Nuttall's Woodpecker, and a migrant Ash-throated Flycatcher (below).

 The Ash-throated Flycatcher is about the size of a robin (9-16).  Even at a distance it's bushy crest and pale grey (looks white at a distance) underparts, and smallish bill are recognizable.  In flight it's deep cinnamon tail and pale belly are very noticeable.  I believe the Ash-throated Flycatcher is well established along Dairy Creek.

About a mile up the creek, after crossing over a quaint, yet sturdy collapsed wooden bridge, the landscape opens into grasslands (above).  Waves of wind were rolling through the grass.   Ahead of me perched on a barbed wire fence were a pair of Western Bluebird and a Lark Sparrow.  The Lark Sparrow and the female Bluebird flew off and an Ash-throated Flycatcher landed on the wire.  When the flycatcher departed the scene, a perky looking California Towhee arrived.  In spite of the wind, I managed a fuzzy photo.  The male Bluebird is perched on the post, on the wire is the Towhee.  Notice the blackening sky, upper right.  

Time to begin the trek back.  I checked the wind velocity, gusts at 25mph, yikes!  Birding Dairy Creek on a windy day proved delightful.  Perhaps if I walk up the Creek about every two weeks I may get a sighting of fledglings perched on this popular barbed wire fence.  Now that would be a thrill!

Birding Turri Road

Turri Road* gracefully meanders over low hills to the Los Osos Valley agricultural area.  The road is narrow with few areas to park.  With several attempts I managed to back off the road into an unused overgrown lane that leads to private property (above). Willows were dense, a brushy field on the east, open fields to the north.

I had been birding about 20 minutes; experienced an excellent view of Mr. and Mrs. Blue Grosbeak, and a Common Yellowthroat; identified the distant chatter of a Western Kingbird and the persistent song of a Black-headed Grosbeak, but that was it.  I was about ready to try another location when one of the best birders in the county, drove up. 

Immediately, and I do mean immediately, she spotted a Warbling Vireo, Swainson's Thrush, Ash-throated Flycatcher (below) on a twig of a Coyote Bush, and a Lazuli Bunting by the edge of the road.  Her speed of identification was a sight to behold. Unfortunately, she was pressed for time and left after a few minutes.  Needless to say, I was delighted at my good fortune.

Continued on down the Road.  Perched on barbed wire fencing were two Cassin's Kingbirds, a Lark Sparrow, and Say's Phoebe.  In the fields -  Meadow Lark, Red-winged Blackbird and Western Bluebird.  For a complete list see bird list at end of blog.  Once again this peaceful country road proved to be a birding goldmine.  As soon as we get a sunny morning, I will return for another look at these beautiful little darlings.

 * Turri Road is located on the Central Coast of California between the Communities of Morro Bay and Los Osos.

Bird List:  American Kestrel, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Black-headed Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, Cassin's Kingbird, Western Kingbird, Common Yellowthroat, House Finch, Lazuli Bunting, Meadowlark, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Red-tailed Hawk, Song Sparrow, Swainson's Thrush, Turkey Vulture, Warbling Vireo, Western Bluebird, Wilson's Warbler

PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK

A change of pace was in order.  Wednesday morning Phoebe Adams and I headed north on Hwy 101 to the Pinnacles.  Rock spires, ramparts, and crags that bear no resemblance to the nearby foothills, dominate the landscape  Massive monoliths, sheer walled canyons and boulder-covered caves define millions of years of erosion.

Traffic was light; from King City we headed East thru typical California rolling countryside; the hills turning yellow from lack of rain.  We meandered along looking for birds.  To our delight we saw Yellow-billed Magpie, Western Bluebird, Baltimore Oriole, Blue Grosbeak, and a Cottonwood populated with Western Kingbird.

After checking out the charming visitor center/country store we continued a few miles further to the Bear Gulch Day Use Area where we headed up the Condor Gulch Trail. . . .

 . . . . toward the Overlook - noted for its excellent viewing of soaring California Condors.

Birding along the trail was fabulous.  Several Ash-throated Flycatcher; one carrying nesting material.  Oak Titmouse and singing House Wren were numerous.  In the canyon, Pacific-slope flycatcher, Wilson's Warbler, Purple Finch, and overhead, White-throated Swift.  We saw many soaring Turkey Vultures, but no Condors that I could positively identify due to their altitude. 

Phoebe had made yummie burritos for lunch.  While we enjoyed our meal, a Steller's Jay (photo- crest does not show) kept us company.  I tossed him/her a morsel of burrito.  I do know not to feed the wildlife, but sometimes I just cannot help myself.  I clearly heard the Steller's say, "thank you."

Before leaving the park, we stopped back at the Visitor Center.  I must admit a most fortuitous decision.  Upon exiting the car I spotted a teenage Condor soaring over the parking lot, a great sighting as it was in view for several minutes.  The Ranger in the Visitor Center told us that the  Condors roost on isolated rocky outcrops and usually soar on the afternoon thermals.  I highly recommend a visit to Pinnacles National Park.  I can hardly wait to return.

AUDUBON BBQ

El Chorro Park - Audubon year end BBQ - Definitely, a happening event with many enthusiastic birders attending. The weather, as you can see by the vivid blue sky, was devine. At 5:00 Mike Stiles, one of the top birders on the Central Coast, lead an hour birdwalk (photo). All he needs to ID a bird is a flick of a feather or a tiny peep.

I was surprised at the variety of beauties we saw. (birds, not birders) Best birds were a pair of highly visible, White-tailed Kites sitting in a tree, and an Ash-throated Flycatcher - most handsome with a perky crest and a long reddish-brown tail. Below is a link to the Ash-throated Flycatcher on Wikipedia (photo by none other than Joyce Cory). Ash-throated Flycatcher - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Great birding, delightful shared food and drink, and splendid comradery. What more could one ask for?