Birding Cloisters Park and Beyond

I entered the park at the east end of the path.  The wintry shrubbery was alive with birds, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Spotted Towhee, House Finch, Anna's Hummingbird, American Goldfinch, Bushtit.  White-crowned Sparrow was singing its little heart out; in the distance an answering song, sounded much like an echo.  Be still my heart.  So many birds and I had only walked a few feet.  Along the path were California Towhee, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and more White-crowned Sparrow.  Six Mallard were swimming peacefully in a narrow drainage ditch.

I was following the path to the beach. 

Extreme tides, together with the surge of powerful waves, had deeply eroded the dunes.  Few clusters of seaweed which was interesting; that meant no flies for the birds to eat.  Maybe that is why the only birds on the beach this morning were ones with longer bills that are able to probe the sand.

The shore birds were busy following the ebb and flow of the surf. Willet (photo), Godwit, Long-billed Curlew, Whimbrel.  Small flocks of Sanderling were busy feeding along the edge of the surf, and dashing here and there on the beach. (photo)

Their tiny feet moving so fast it was mind boggling.   The 13 second video shows how the Sanderling were dashing about the beach. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvwjobH6eEI

 As I was following the route waves (photo) had taken into the dunes, a small flock of Dunlin swooped overhead.  After a few twists and turns I came upon an area of small ponds, a remnant of the powerful surge that had forced its way into the dunes.  My sudden presence caused a flock of Western Sandpiper to take flight.

Back in the park there was a Willet in the grass and, one of my favorites, a Say's Phoebe perched on a bench.  The murky pond, was very quiet, three Coots, one male Mallard and a few Red-winged Blackbird.  Perhaps on my next visit to the Cloisters' pond the boisterous Great-tailed Grackle will be in residence and my sweet friend, the Sora, will make an appearance.

 

Pied-billed Grebe - Black Oystercatcher - Pigeon Guillemot

Update - Cloisters Pond - Good News!  At the back of the pond, a few weeks after my April 5th posting, four tiny Grebes appeared.  A week later an additional three little Grebes appeared at the font of the pond; all have grown to maturity.  Considering the hungry Hawks and Raccoons that frequent the area, their survival rate is amazing.

Update - Black Oystercatcher - Oystercatchers are nesting at Montaña de Oro.  A monogamous pair makes a nest by tossing rock flakes, pebbles, or shell fragments toward their chosen nest site.  Two eggs can be seen in a nest, located on a seamount about 100 feet from the cliff.  Only one egg is visible (nest circled in red).  Unfortunately, anytime a person walks out to the point, the Oystercatcher gets off the nest;  when the person finally moves on, the Oystercatcher returns to the nest.  The photo by Mike Baird shows the proximity of the nest to the people standing on the trail.  Unfortunately, the viability of the nest depends on how many people walk out on this popular trail and how long they spend looking at the view.  This area is also popular with fisherman.

Update - Pigeon Guillemots - The action continues - Guillemots are dashing between rocks and the water and the water and the holes in the cliff, but much to my disappointment I have yet to find a nest that I can actually recognize as a nest.  The Guillemots are numerous, so there is hope that some are nesting.   A juvenile Guillemot usually leaves the nest at night; they flutter and tumble from the cliffs to the sea.  Once in the sea, it will take another couple of weeks for their flight feathers to fully develop.  I am thinking positively that during those weeks, I will see a juvenile Guillemot before it fully matures and flies out to sea.  

I am afraid that our love of nature is taking its toll on the nature we love.

Pied-billed Grebe - Cloisters Pond - Morro Bay

 The Pied-billed Grebe - Podilymbus podiceps - (Photo by Mike Baird) is the most widespread Grebe in the New World, nesting from Southern Canada to Argentina.  There is barely a pond, lake, marsh, bay, estuary, or marina that does not have a pair of these stout-billed absolutely adorable divers.  Photo shows the Grebe in breeding plumage.  Most distinguishing marks are white eye ring, and a white bill with a black ring.

 The Pied-billed Grebe forages by diving from the surface; swimming under water propelled by the feet.  Diet consists of fish, and all types of aquatic life.  The above photo was taken mid March; The Grebe is clad in winter plumage.  Perhaps the little darling is a late bloomer.

A few days ago, at Cloisters Pond, noticed a nest in the reeds with a Pied-billed Grebe sitting on it.  The nest built by both sexes, consists of a dense mat of reeds and plant material and is usually situated so that it can be approached under water.  While I was watching the nest another Pied-billed Grebe appeared a few yards out from the nest.  Like magic it disappeared into the water.  A few moments later a little head popped up at the rear of the nest sitting Grebe.  The sitting Grebe moved off the nest into the water and the new sitter slowly and gently settled itself on to the nest.  Photo is of the second sitter settling down on the nest.   The expanded image shows the white eye ring.

Today, I checked on the nesting Grebes.  One Pied-billed Grebe in the water and none on the wet and muddy nest.  To be honest I felt sad, but I am hopeful the potential parents have constructed a new nest in a better location, and within a few weeks adorable young Grebes will be seen floating on Cloisters Pond.

Young Pied-billed Grebe at Cloisters Pond by Mike Baird.  A few seconds before the photo was taken, a gull had grabbed on to the Grebe, but this little defenseless Grebe managed to escape.
 You may find this video of a baby Grebe of interest.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UfA12eSZyw&feature=em-share_video_user