Birding the Elfin Forest on Christmas Day

 Looking down on the Elfin Forest from the top of the Elfin Forest boardwalk.
  
 December 25th, 2016 - The last birding blog of the year.   The Elfin Forest Preserve is densely populated with California Native plants.  Due to recent rains, the preserve flora are cheerfully expressing themselves with new growth. 

 The preserve's abundant Coast Live Oak has produced a robust crop of male catkins from which bees were gathering nectar and pollen.  Hear bees gathering nectar.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx66zU7UFGk&sns=em      Video also captured sounds of people walking by on the narrow boardwalk.   Many families were out for a walk.

 In the same area of the flowering oaks were flowering Fuchsia-flowering Gooseberry, a favorite of Anna's Hummingbird.  Several Anna's Hummingbirds were zipping back and forth, defending their territory.

As I meandered along the boardwalk, I spotted not one but two Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.  Not far from the Gnatcatcher, a California Thrasher and an Oak Titmouse were singing a duet.  Actually, they were making call sounds, perhaps establishing their territory.  

 Mixed Flock of ducks Year 2006 - The Eurasian Wigeon is circled

Morro Bay Estuary Birds -  The Elfin Forest offers excellent overlooks where one can observe ducks, raptors, and shorebirds, and with a scope, the entire estuary.  From the overlook I could see a variety of water fowl, shorebirds and wading birds.  Birds of interest were Dowitcher, American Avocet, Black-bellied Plover, and an Osprey eating her prey while perched atop half a sunken tire.  This proved to be my lucky day as I managed to get a clear and precise view of an Eurasian Wigeon.  Finding an Eurasia Wigeon is similar to finding a needle in a haystack. The male Eurasian looks exactly like the Northern except the Eurasian has a red head.  I was delighted! 
  

Elfin Forest Birds - White-crowned Sparrow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Scrub Jay, California Thrasher, Bewick's Wren, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, Anna's Hummingbird, California Quail, Turkey Vulture.

Morro Bay Estuary Water Fowl - Brant Goose, Green-winged, Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teal.  Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Eared Grebe, American Wigeon.  Thus ends the last Birding Blog for 2016.
                                 Happy New Year!

The Bald Eagle of Sweet Springs

I was at the Sweet Springs overlook this morning focused on the dark rufous head of an Eurasian Wigeon, a seldom seen winter migrant, when suddenly the shore birds, who had been peacefully feeding in the mud, took flight.  A mature Bald Eagle (photo by Roger Zachery) had catapulted out from his/her hidden perch in a large Eucalyptus on the edge of the bay. (expand below photo - perch noted by yellow arrow)  The Eagle soared low over the Bufflehead and Teal who did not seem the least bit concerned that a fierce predator was passing overhead.

 The Eagle was focused on a lone Eared Grebe.  As it neared the Grebe, the Eagle, preparing for his dive, circled to gain altitude, then he/she dove, but the delicate Grebe sensing danger plunged under the water, and just in the nick of time.

This magnificent predator was not to be defeated by a mere Grebe.  Circling and diving was repeated several times with no success.  Eventually the Eagle headed back to his/her perch.  About 10 minutes later, I had the pleasure of watching a repeat performance.   My conclusion from this observation -   the little Eared Grebe did not want to end end up as a Bald Eagle's breakfast.