Birding the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden

The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is located in El Chorro Regional Park, across from Cuesta College and the Dairy Creek Golf Course.  Yesterday morning Bullock's Oriole and Hooded Oriole were seen in the garden.  

The morning was damp and foggy as I entered the Botanical Garden, not ideal conditions for birding.  Did I get a slight glimpse of an Oriole? No, though I did see 25 other bird species.  (See bird list at end of blog)

The American Robin was looking especially perky this morning, with its deep rufus (orange/red) breast and charming behavior of head tilting to find a worm.  Until recently I thought the Robin was listening for worms; raise your hand if you have had that same thought.  Instead of listening for worms, they are looking for them.  Bird eyes are located at the side of their head; unlike a human eye, a bird's eye does not move.  The Robin's classic head tilt directs the eye.  We are much like Robins.  When we see see a worm out of the corner of our eye; what do we do, we move our head to get a better view.

After birding the Botanical Garden, checked out nearby Dairy Creek and the campground which abuts the golf course.  The Dairy Creek Golf Course has become a habitat for our North American "Big Bird," the Wild Turkey. 

 I had  progressed only a few feet along the golf course path when I heard the first gobble.  For several minutes experienced birding nirvana as I observed the courting behavior of a colorful, male, Wild Turkey, gobbling his heart out while posing and strutting on the Golf course.  Unfortunately for this lone male, no female turkey was in sight. (above photo by Len Blumin)

Coincidentally, a few days ago, at Montaña de Oro, I recorded a Wild Turkey gobbling from his perch in a Eucalyptus tree.  (Yes, they can fly short distances.) The terrain was such that I could not get a view of the Gobbler, but he definitely sounded lonely.  At the moment of the recording I am about 1/2 way down Horse Camp road.   https://youtu.be/EDYNRhSWZ8g

The various habitats of El Chorro Park and the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden offer some of the best birding on the Central Coast.  Spring is a special time to bird. Dust off your binoculars and get out and about.

Bird list - Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Scrub Jay, Western Bluebird, American Robin, Wrentit, Bushtit, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, California Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Anna's Hummingbird, Eurasian Dove, Mourning Dove, Brewer's Blackbird, California Quail, Song Sparrow, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Cedar Waxwing, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Wild Turkey

BIRDING HERE AND THERE

 Friday was a divine day at El Chorro Park, located about 5 miles east of Morro Bay.  Weather was warmish, no wind and gloriously quiet except for the sound of birds.  In the grassy area of the park observed several Northern Flicker, Bluebird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and numerous White-crowned Sparrow feeding on the ground.  Along the old, unused road that meanders up Dairy Creek, Chickadee, Bewick's Wren, American Goldfinch.   The action was overhead, three Red-tailed Hawks swooping and calling. 

This morning at Sweet Springs song birds were getting into the Spring Mode; boldly singing were Song Sparrow, Bewick's Wren, and American Goldfinch.  Gaily chattering was a large flock of Chestnut-backed Chickadee and in the trees, a flock of of beautiful, Cedar Waxwing (below Photo). 

As the tide comes into the pickleweed, the channels fill.  Ducks that feed in shallow water rest in the pickleweed until the tide recedes enough for them to resume feeding.  Resting along the edge of the channels was a large flock of Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal, plus No. Shoveler, Widgeon, Pintail, and one lonely White-fronted Goose.  On the bay a large flock of Ruddy Duck and their close associate, the Scaup.  Out further the divers, Bufflehead and Eared Grebe; a very peaceful scene.

Did not find the Bald Eagle that has been seen numerous times, but did get lasting looks at a Merlin and a Cooper's Hawk.   Birding is Sweet in Sweet Spring.

AUDUBON BBQ

El Chorro Park - Audubon year end BBQ - Definitely, a happening event with many enthusiastic birders attending. The weather, as you can see by the vivid blue sky, was devine. At 5:00 Mike Stiles, one of the top birders on the Central Coast, lead an hour birdwalk (photo). All he needs to ID a bird is a flick of a feather or a tiny peep.

I was surprised at the variety of beauties we saw. (birds, not birders) Best birds were a pair of highly visible, White-tailed Kites sitting in a tree, and an Ash-throated Flycatcher - most handsome with a perky crest and a long reddish-brown tail. Below is a link to the Ash-throated Flycatcher on Wikipedia (photo by none other than Joyce Cory). Ash-throated Flycatcher - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Great birding, delightful shared food and drink, and splendid comradery. What more could one ask for?

DAIRY CREEK

This morning adventure was a walk into the open space at El Chorro Regional Park - located about 5 miles south of Morro Bay, across from Cuesta College. Drive to the end of the park, ease thru the gate, and you are on your way. The trail is an old farm road. Much of the way it follows Dairy Creek. The Coast Live Oak forests are a sight to behold. Along the creek are huge old, dramatically gnarled Sycamores. (I do love the Sycamores)

The birds were most cooperative. We could hear Wild Turkey and Western Blue Bird was numerous. About a mile or so up the trail we came to a pond. Cassin's Kingbird was perched on a tall dead mustard stalk. Around the pond we saw Black and Say's Phoebe, and Killdeer. On the pond was a female Bufflehead, Pied-billed Grebe, and a pair of Mallards. In the willows were Juncos, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Oak Titmouse. The thrill of the morning was a Merlin and a great view of a White-tailed Kit. Another glorious day in paradise.