Sweet Sweet Springs

The welcoming committee this beautiful morning was a California Quail family, mom, dad and four tiny fledglings resembling walnuts with itty bitty legs.  Bird song filled the air.  I had Sweet Springs to myself.

Nuttall's Woodpecker, singing it's flight song, dashed between the trees.  Two Tree Swallow sped overhead in their relentless pursuit of insects.  House Sparrow brightened the semi-sunny morning with it’s cheerful chatter.

High in the canopy, Black-headed Grosbeak sang its little heart out; on the far side of the preserve an answering song could be heard.  (Unfortunately, too breezy to record the song.)

Dark-eyed Junco scratched in the leaf litter.  Four Mallards fed in a channel; I doubt they noticed the melodious song of the Black-headed Grosbeak.  Faithful Black Phoebe was flycatching from her usual perch on a fallen eucalyptus tree. (the channels empty when tides are low)

I experienced birding nirvana for about a half hour in Sweet Springs this morning.  Before I departed for home, I gently educated a pair of gentleman from Mohave who were convinced the Mallards were Northern Shovelers.

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

Birding Coon Creek

                   The Coon Creek Trail Begins
Montaña de Oro State Park - Coon Creek is a coastal canyon at the south end of the park.  Round trip 5 miles. The trail follows the creek as it flows to the sea.

I volunteer for the state parks as a roving docent.  My duties involve walking the trails, answering questions, interacting with visitors, and in general being a presence in the park.  I know, sounds like a tough job, but someone's got to do it. 

 Yesterday morning roved with Mike (don't you love the pink socks).  The trail is narrow and has a few ups and downs and rocky areas and is more challenging than the Bluff Trail. The day was mild with no wind, a perfect day for a rove. 

As soon as we neared the creek, vegetation became intense.  In some areas the plants had grown over the trail. (photo, on right Hemlock, on left Mugwort)   In the willows between the trail and the creek, birds such as Wilson's Warbler, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Wrentit, and Bewick's Wren, were singing their hearts out.  Mr. Wilson has a piercing song.  In no uncertain terms he was communicating his territorial rights.  (Bird list at end of blog)

We stopped many times to listen to bird songs and to admire native plants.  Spring is a rare and fleeting time of year. I felt fortunate to be walking this beautiful trail.

Sticky Phacelia (above) was in dense patches on the steep hillsides. 

During our entire walk we were never without bird song.  I was hoping to hear the haunting song of a Canyon Wren.  Shortly after passing over the first bridge we heard the song.   On our return, the Wren was singing but at a distance.  The song sounded like it was coming from a high cliff or one of the many rocky outcrops, preferred habitats for the Canyon Wren.  Unfortunately, I was unable to get a usable video of the song.

I did manage to record a few other bird songs.  The video recordings are rather primitive, but the songs can be heard.  You might want to turn up the volume.  https://youtu.be/vHO55WtCkfY

My favorite plant was the prolific Thimble Berry which has a beautiful flower and large velvety leaves.  The berry will be red and edible.

 Bird List for Coon Creek - Wilson's Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Wrentit, Bushtit, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Purple Finch, California Quail, California Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Scrub Jay, Downey Woodpecker, Ann's Hummingbird, Red-tailed Hawk.

Birding the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden

The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is located in El Chorro Regional Park, across from Cuesta College and the Dairy Creek Golf Course.  Yesterday morning Bullock's Oriole and Hooded Oriole were seen in the garden.  

The morning was damp and foggy as I entered the Botanical Garden, not ideal conditions for birding.  Did I get a slight glimpse of an Oriole? No, though I did see 25 other bird species.  (See bird list at end of blog)

The American Robin was looking especially perky this morning, with its deep rufus (orange/red) breast and charming behavior of head tilting to find a worm.  Until recently I thought the Robin was listening for worms; raise your hand if you have had that same thought.  Instead of listening for worms, they are looking for them.  Bird eyes are located at the side of their head; unlike a human eye, a bird's eye does not move.  The Robin's classic head tilt directs the eye.  We are much like Robins.  When we see see a worm out of the corner of our eye; what do we do, we move our head to get a better view.

After birding the Botanical Garden, checked out nearby Dairy Creek and the campground which abuts the golf course.  The Dairy Creek Golf Course has become a habitat for our North American "Big Bird," the Wild Turkey. 

 I had  progressed only a few feet along the golf course path when I heard the first gobble.  For several minutes experienced birding nirvana as I observed the courting behavior of a colorful, male, Wild Turkey, gobbling his heart out while posing and strutting on the Golf course.  Unfortunately for this lone male, no female turkey was in sight. (above photo by Len Blumin)

Coincidentally, a few days ago, at Montaña de Oro, I recorded a Wild Turkey gobbling from his perch in a Eucalyptus tree.  (Yes, they can fly short distances.) The terrain was such that I could not get a view of the Gobbler, but he definitely sounded lonely.  At the moment of the recording I am about 1/2 way down Horse Camp road.   https://youtu.be/EDYNRhSWZ8g

The various habitats of El Chorro Park and the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden offer some of the best birding on the Central Coast.  Spring is a special time to bird. Dust off your binoculars and get out and about.

Bird list - Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Scrub Jay, Western Bluebird, American Robin, Wrentit, Bushtit, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, California Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Anna's Hummingbird, Eurasian Dove, Mourning Dove, Brewer's Blackbird, California Quail, Song Sparrow, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Cedar Waxwing, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Wild Turkey

Laguna Lake

Winter rains are slowly filling the parched Laguna Lake. Only a small portion of the lake has water - in some areas barely enough for the dabblers to dabble, yet dabble they do.

Sprinkled among the hundreds and hundreds of Mallard Ducks were American Wigeon, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, four seldom seen Gadwall, and a small flock of Ring-billed Gull. 

As  I followed the road along the edge of the lake there were White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Nuttall's Woodpecker; in the Eucalyptus Yellow-rumpled Warbler was numerous, and what to my delighted ears what should I hear but a Cassin's Kingbird.  In the Spring they nest in the Eucalyptus.  

I was concentrating on a sweet flock of Junco (above), looking for a Slate-colored Junco (no luck) when I head the excited honking of a large, 100 plus, flock of Canada Goose (below).  As they neared, the honking got louder. They were flying from the west end of the dry lake.  There may be a pond in that area, but it is hidden by vegetation.  They ended in shallow water not far from where I was standing.  The sound and sight of this large flock coming in for a landing was a special treat. 

On the way home looked for the Bald Eagle that had been seen several times perched on a snag in a tall Eucalyptus. And there it was!  Fortunately, traffic was light and was able to pull to the side of the road to get a splendid view of our National Bird. 

From Los Osos Valley Road turned off on Turri Road, a five mile rural road that winds gently thru rolling farm land.  In the area of the windmill and water trough, Western Meadowlark and Western Bluebird were close to the road, flitting after insects.  Males of both species were sporting their brilliant breeding plumage.  Another marvelous morning of birding the Central Coast. 

Birding South to North

This morning's bird-a-thon began at the Baywood Pier.  A great Egret was checking the Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teal, two Greater Yellowleg were in attendance.  Nearby were 16 Brant Goose.  A few days ago a Brant count was taken, a total of 163, a drastic decline from the typical numbers of 2,000 - 3,000.

Sweet Springs 32 species.  Favorites were - Wigeon, Black-bellied plover, and a noisy Kingfisher.

Continued my bird quest south a mile or so to the ponds at the Sea Pines Golf Course.  At the larger pond were two female Common Goldeneye, an A+ sighting; the smaller pond held 5 species, Mallard, Shoveler, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, and Pied Billed Grebe.  On the grass were several hundred coots or more. The local eagle has a taste for Coots.

Next stop,  El Chorro Park, 5 miles south/east of Morro Bay.  The numerous pepper trees were loaded with plump red berries.  America Robin, some with very deep red/orange breasts, were indulging in a berry frenzy; counted 50 Robins in and under this one pepper tree (photo).   Among the Robins were, Golden and White-crowned Sparrow, Hermit Thrush and several pair of Western Bluebird.   

 A few days ago birded Estero Bluffs with Harry and Norma Catchpole.   Our feathered friends were abundant -   Pelican, Cormorant, Turnstone, Surf Scoter, Western Grebe, Whimbrel,  etc.  At Villa Creek, the northern end of Estero Bluffs we experienced a lengthy sighting of a Pectoral Sandpiper, a first for the Catchpoles.  It was concentrating on eating flies and was not alarmed by our presence.  The best sighting of the day, and probably of the month was a male Peregrine Falcon diving on a poor little Forster's Tern; the Tern managed to elude the Peregrine (yeah for the little guy).   Happy Birding!