Birding Tuesday

Sweet Springs -  From the East Overlook - Green-winged Teal, Willet, Godwit, Ring-billed Gull, and a large brace of Ruddy Duck with a smattering of Bufflehead.  To the west a smaller brace of Scaup.  Whether they were Greater Scaup or Lesser Scaup, I was unable to determine.  I am working on my Scaup ID skills.

From left to right, Lesser Scaup and Greater Scaup (google photo)  The lesser has a narrower, purplish  head and smaller bill.  The Greater is 1.5 inches larger, has roundish, greenish head, and larger bill.  I am quite convinced some birds intentionally make identification difficult.

The Pond - Watched 20 Blue-winged Teal splash down in the pond. (above)  They immediately began a vigorous, high spirited bath that entailed much splashing and dunking.  Also in the pond, Green-winged Teal, one Pied-bill Grebe, and two pair of Pintail.

The brilliant white breast of the Pintail is most evident when they are resting along the edge of the pond.  Below a male Kingfisher let itself be known as it landed on a branch.  Their distinct call is described as a loud, dry rattle.

West Overlook - Feeding along the edge of the bay, Willet, Godwit, Western Sandpiper, Greater Yellowleg, Great Blue Heron, and two Black-bellied Plover.  Looking up is a must when you want to see a Bald Eagle or an Osprey in Sweet Springs.  Looking up this fine morning produced a magnificent Bald Eagle.  Yeah!

Montaña de Oro - Black Oystercatcher Update - The family of three continue together.  Seeing this precious family warms my heart.  The juvenile, the one with the two tone bill, is feeding in a splash zone.  Oystercatcher photos by Gary O'Neill.

Sweet Springs Expands It’s Horizons

Yesterday was the Grand Opening for the "Accessible Trail and Viewing Platform" at the new Sweet Springs East.  The trail and boardwalk is about 2/3 of a mile round trip.  The boardwalk ends at the beautifully constructed viewing platform.

The viewing platform gives visual access to a section of the bay where migratory ducks and shore birds hang out, an area that has hitherto been out of sight.  (I can hardly wait to return for some serious birding.)

Earlier in the day, I birdied the usual Sweet Springs (above).   In the thickets of brush, digging thru leaf litter, were Junco, Song Sparrow, and White and Golden-crowned Sparrow.  The Golden-crowned Sparrow is a rather feisty feeder.  If another Golden-crowned gets too close, the interloper gets a quick peck on the butt.  
 
In the Eucalyptus trees, vivid black and yellow Townsend’s Warbler, Northern Flicker, pert Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and a sweet little Downey Woodpecker.  Belted Kingfisher was perched on a branch overlooking the pond.

 On my way to the overlook I heard a sound that was music to my ears, Brant Goose (about 100); the first of the season.  Along the edge of the bay, Blue-winged Teal Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Greater Yellowleg, and a beautiful Great Blue Heron.  Seeing the Brant and hearing their magical sound made my day.