Birding Santa Rosa Creek and More

I'll begin with, "More."  I have never seen a Greater Roadrunner * in my local area.  This morning about 11:00, I was leaving Montaña de Oro when a Roadrunner sped across the road.  A few moments later another one.  Fortunately I was going slowly or I could have hit the second one.  It is a rare treat to see one Greater Roadrunner, but two?  Be still my heart.

 Now, on to the usual, but not usual birding  -  Yesterday, Santa Rosa Creek Lagoon, Cambria Ca.  Santa Rosa Creek flows from the hills, through Cambria, eventually forming a charming lagoon on the north side of Shamel Park (above).  The lagoon and the ocean are separated by a berm of fine gravel that has accumulated over time.  As one walks along the lagoon, the ocean is not in view.

 Our first sighting was of a Green Heron. (above)**  The Heron was in plain sight which enabled us to watch it feed and move in and out of the vegetation.  Killdeer were foraging along the edge of the lagoon and a classic Great Blue Heron was perched on a log. 

As we progressed along the gravely beach, a solitary Tern came into view.   Now comes the discussion, is it an Elegant, a Royal, or a Caspian.  Our first thought was, it was a Royal.  We needed to get a closer view to confirm our suspicions. 

When it comes to Bird ID, more input is not only fun but helpful. We got into a lively discussion with a charming woman who had been photographing birds with a 400mm lens.  In my estimation, the humongous lens, meant she was a serious photographer and probably an expert in bird ID.   Eventually we concluded that the Tern (below) was probably, possibly, or may be a Royal.  

In the same area as the Tern were two Spotted Sandpiper and a beautiful and distinctive Bonaparte's Gull in breeding plumage; Bonaparte's Gull (below) is much smaller than a Western Gull.

The special treat of the morning was a fantastic view of five Baird's Sandpiper feeding with gusto along the edge of the lagoon.  They were taking a brief fuel stop on their migratory flight from Alaska to South America.  Although the morning was overcast, fortune shined.  We watched the precious little Baird's Sandpiper*** at our leisure. 

 Sometimes while birding, serendipity happens.  Yesterday morning I was birding with a friend named Mike Baird.

Photos - *    Greater Roadrunner Estrella Park, Phoenix AZ.
             **   Green Heron Tres Rios Wetlands, Phoenix AZ.
            ***  Baird's Sandpiper by Kaaren Perry

Birding Morro Bay Beach

Morro Bay Beach - Weather coolish, cloudy and breezy.  As you can see in the photo the beach was very quiet.  I was hoping to see two winter visitors, Bonaparte's Gull and Mew Gull.  Fortunately there were only a few gulls on the beach, making it easier to spot the little migrants as they moved between a small beach pond and the edge of the surf. 
 
Bonaparte's Gull at 12-13 inches in length is the smallest gull (photo above).  Both gulls breed in Alaska and Northern Canada and winter along the west coast.  A fascinating aspect of the Mew Gull (photo below) is that it is the only gull that nests in trees.  And you will never guess who Bonaparte's Gulls are named after  -  Napoleon's brother, Charles Lucien Bonaparte who was a leading ornithologist in the 1800's. 

When trying to ID the Bonaparte's Gull and the Mew Gull keep in mind they are about 1/2 the size of a common Western Gull and are often alone or on the edge of a group of Gulls. 

Other beach birds - Feeding in the breaking surf was a mixed flock of Surf Scoter, female Bufflehead, and Eared Grebe.   Farther out was a flock of Western Grebe.   After a chilly hour of birding the beach it was time for a cup of tea.

MONDAY MORNING BIRDING

Birded with Linda this morning. Between the 3rd St. Coastal Access and the 4th St. Audubon Overlook we saw, all the usual shorebirds and ducks. A flock of Brant Goose were close to the shore. Best birds were Pectoral Sandpiper (feeding by itself, directly in front of us - see photo), Avocets, and a Kingfisher.

Next stop, Turri Road Ponds. At the first pond was a Bonaparte's Gull. The small, most adorable gull, was feeding in the style of a Phalarope. Bonaparte's Gull was named after a nephew of Napoleon who was a leading ornithologist in the 1800's. It is the only gull that regularly nests in trees. At one point the Bonaparte's and a Greater Yellowleg were resting on a small patch of Pickleweed in the middle of the pond.

Morro Bay Marina - We were delighted to get a close look at a Red-throated Loon. At the mouth of the marina was a Common Loon and a Spotted Sandpiper. Great Morning!