BIRD FESTIVAL BIRDING

I led two walks for the Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival - The Cloisters and the Marina Boardwalk.

Cloisters Pond and Park  -  Nine enthusiastic birders showed up for the stroll through the Cloisters.  We were fortunate to see 31 species.  A flock of Western Meadowlark feeding on the lawn, gave us a beautiful view of their brilliant yellow breasts.  On the shrinking pond (the drought is taking a toll) were several Northern Shoveler, many Mallards, a Northern Pintail, and Pied-billed Grebe (Pied - having patches of two or more colors).  Resting in the reeds were Black-crowned Night Heron and Great Blue Heron.  Black and Say's Phoebe made an appearance; always fun to see the flycatchers. While ambling along the paths we were serenaded by a perky California Thrasher perched atop a Bush Lupine.

 The Morro Bay Marina Boardwalk and Trail - The weather was fantastic, temperature warm, tide high, and the bay like glass.  The marina is a cozy size which makes the feeding and resting birds easy to observe.  As soon as we stepped on to the path we saw Bufflehead, Greater Scaup, Ruddy Duck, and an Eared Grebe (photo).  An active discussion ensued over the difference between the Greater and Lesser Scaup.

Identifying Greater from Lesser can be a challenge, to say the least.  "In bright sunlight and at the right angle the Greater Scaup may show green iridescence on its head and neck.  The Lesser Scaup may also show green iridescence but can also show purple, which is never seen on the Greater Scaup." (a quote from birding.about.com.)

34 species were identified.  We were all in agreement that the best sighting was a small flock of Fox Sparrow.  They are the largest sparrow, brown to reddish brown, have a dark brown speckled breast, and scratch in the leaf litter for insects.  We were on the boardwalk when we spotted several digging in the sandy leaf litter.  They are known as enthusiastic diggers.  The little darlings were digging with such intense enthusiasm that the sand was flying - a first sighting for several of the birders.  A Merlin perched on a twig in a nearby Eucalyptus was our last sighting - a great way to end a memorable morning of birding the Marina Boardwalk.

CLOISTER'S POND

This afternoon around 2:30 visited Cloister's Pond.  I had heard from a friend that the reeds blocking the view of the pond had been trimmed.  The above photo was taken from the main overlook.  The reeds had been trimmed, a more complete job than last year, and the refuse removed (yeah!).  The trimmed area, the brown in the above photo, appeared to offer much to eat.  Two Sora, a mature and a juvenile were foraging and swimming back and forth - great sighting of both birds.  Busy seeking out tasty items were Song Sparrow, White and Golden-crowned Sparrow, and 2 Orange-crowned Warblers. On the sand peninsula a beautiful Killdeer was busy feeding.  In the reeds were numerous Red-winged Blackbirds; on the water one Pied-billed Grebe and numerous Mallards.

The viewing area to the north had also been trimmed - a real treat, as the reeds totally blocked off the view of the water (above photo).  At the present time only Mallards were to be seen, although in the far section of reeds several Black-crowned Night Herons roosted.  I am greatly appreciative for the reed trimming, as I will be leading a bird walk at the Cloisters for the Morro Bay 2014 Winter Bird Festival.

Might you be interested in  http://www.morrobaybirdfestival.org/  Attending the festival is a great way to spend a winter day or weekend.

This is the time of year for Warblers to be passing by.  Get out your binocs. and check out your back/front yard and any nearby park or moist area with trees and shrubs.   Enjoy!!

RAIL AT THE CLOISTER'S

Morro Bay - Cloister's Pond - Time about 4:00 - Weather cool and breezy. I'm standing at the overlook looking out into the pond hoping for a glimpse of a Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola). The only birds on the pond, that I can see, are 2 Pied-billed Grebes. Red-winged Blackbirds are singing. No Rail in sight, but to my right, from a tangle of reeds and willows, came the call of a male Rail. Yeah! Persistence does pay off (have yet to see the Eagle, though). Never did see the little guy, but his call came through loud and clear. To hear the call click on the Flickr link for a 22 second sound vid.
Virginia Rail | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

ESTERO BLUFFS STATE PARK

The Estero Bluffs State Park (photo) is along Hwy One north of Cayucos. (Weather: Coolish, cloudy, no wind) The shoreline is dotted with rugged rock formations and quite coves. Today we were the only people walking the trail (this park has yet to be discovered). Almost every rock had a harbor seal resting upon it. The sea was so quiet that the seals could rest on partly submerged rocks without floating off. They were all on their backs with their flippers pointing up, which was quite a humorous position. In the water around the rocks were, at least, 14 Red-breasted Merganser and several male Surf Scoter in their black and white finery. We saw one Spotted Sandpiper and a Black Oystercatcher.

Checked out Cloisters Park on the way home. At first it seemed very quiet, and as I hung around for awhile, the birds began to appear. Great view of a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Spotted Towhee, Golden-crowned Sp. Around the inside of the pond were numerous Black-crowned Night Herons. Conspicuous by their absence were Red-winged Black Bird, Grackle, Sora, Virginia Rail and Meadowlark. I am hoping that the missing birds will show up for the "Easy Birding Walks" on Jan. 15 and 16. (birding hint - bird calls found on iBird Explorer can be very useful)