Birding Cottontail Creek Road

 When we first arrived at Cottontail Creek Road we turned East.  A short distance along the road the Creek flows under a small bridge.  From the extremely dense vegetation came a variety of bird songs.  It was rather overwhelming.  Singing was a chorus of Warbling Vireo, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Song Sparrow, and Wilson's Warbler.  Chasing after insects at the creek's edge were two Black Phoebe.  In a nearby field were American Robin and Western Bluebird.  Perched on barbed wire fencing was a Cassin's Kingbird.

 Above the creek was a huge oak were Nuttall's and Acorn Woodpecker and an Oak Titmouse family were active.

The West side of Cottontail Creek Road gently meanders along Whale Rock Reservoir and rolling ranch land dotted with grazing Black Angus Cattle. 
 
We (friend Mike and I) never saw another car nor another person - the only sounds, the birds and the breeze - a birding paradise.  After turning off Old Creek Road the car rumbled over a cattle grate.  In less than a 1/4 mile the reservoir appeared; we pulled over where we could see the gnarly oak trees.  A few years ago I had seen two Bald Eagles perched on the tree; unfortunately no Eagles were visible.

 In the reservoir we saw Coots, and Double-creasted Cormorant.  Overhead dashed Cliff and Tree Swallow.  Mike spotted the Bald Eagle.  Our national bird was soaring above us.  For several minutes we watched it soar.  Oh my gosh, what a treat.  It gained altitude as it soared, eventually disappearing over the hills.  Due to our lofty position above the lake, the only birds we could identify on the reservoir were Western and Pied-billed Grebe and juvenile Double-creasted Cormorant.  We had a marvelous sighting at the old cattle corral of a Red-tailed Hawk coming up from the ground with a snake clutched in its beak.

The most exciting part of the morning was yet to come.   After a couple hours of birding we were ready for a coffee break.  Not wanting to miss anything, we were moving at a snail's pace.  To our left were the hills dotted with rocky outcrops, when what to my eyes should appear but our Bald Eagle perched on an outcrop.  I pulled over, got out of the car.  Walking very slowly managed to get a photo.  Far from perfect, but it is my very first Bald Eagle photo.

I knew as soon as it sensed my presence it would fly off and it did.  Fortunately the Eagle flew down to the water, circled around a few times, dove down to the water, came up empty handed, and once again flew out of sight.  A fitting end to a perfect morning of birding the central coast.

BIRDING HERE AND THERE

The amount of rain we have received is rather amazing. Since Dec. 5th, nearly 14 inches, which includes last night's 2.10 in. Never let it be said that I am a fair weather birder. In between the showers I have managed to get out and about.

Friday - Whale Rock Reservoir and Cottonwood Creek Road - Rain pending - (the road belonged to the cows) - No eagles were present. About 10 White Pelicans in a tight group at the mouth of the north creek. Although we have received much rain, the reservoir was very low. There were numerous raptors soaring, and 3 colorful Kestrels. Several miles up the road were Yellow-billed Magpie - a rare sight, as they are seldom seen on the coast side of the hills.

Thursday - Elfin Forest - Calif Thrasher (photo) and Bewick's Wren were singing. Blue-gray Gratcatcher was playing hide and seek. The tide was just right to see all the ducks and shore birds. Most unusual were 2 Canvasback and a Eurasian Wigeon (red head), and hundreds of Dowitcher.



Today - Baywood - Thunder rumbling - In the vicinity of the pier - about 30 dabbling Blue-winged Teal. No shore birds. At the Baywood Point a small cluster of White Pelicans. In trees and shrubbery along Pasadena Ave., Red-breasted Nuthatch, Chickadee, Red-winged Blackbirds, Orange-crowned Warbler, American Goldfinch. I am looking forward to dry, warmer weather.