BIRDING THE BOB JONES TRAIL

 The Bob Jones Trail - Warm sun filters through the Sycamore and the Coast Live Oak.  Heavy with leaves, the trees provide a variety of birds with endless opportunities to feed, nest and perch. ( Scroll down for a Bob Jones Trail map.)

The unusually heavy January rain flooded the trail.  Trees, and all the flora along the creek that had suffered from years of drought were now dense with healthy green foliage.  Finding a bird in dense vegetation can be difficult, if not impossible, but this morning I was birding by ear - no binoculars and I was using an App.

 I had added to my phone the Free Merlin Bird ID App created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  To say the App is fabulous and fun to use is an understatement.  I was near the creek when I though I heard a Kingfisher, (above) opened the Merlin ID App, clicked on "Sound ID;" Merlin, nearly instantly, identified Kingfisher plus House Finch, Spotted Towhee and Bewick's Wren.  Each recording comes with a list of the bird's various songs and calls.  The Merlin App is very helpful, especially when vegetation is dense or you would love to know the identity of a tiny bird singing from atop a tall tree.  

The highlight of the morning was a magnificent view of a Steller's Jay.  It was about 20 feet from me digging through leaves when it hopped onto the trail, pecked for a few moments at what looked like a cracker crumb and then flew into a nearby Oak.  I was delighted to see, up close, a Steller's Jay, as I had not seen one for several years. 

Eventually the topography along the trail changes; vegetation is less and the creek can be seen.  I was fortunate to see two Green Heron; one patiently perched on a sandbar, the other on a twig hanging over the creek.  Their song is a sharp croak and when disturbed a piercing shriek. 

Within an hour of birding I had observed or heard 15 species - The memorable birds were Nuttall's Woodpecker and Acorn Woodpecker, Hooded Oriole, Pacific Flycatcher (nest's in the creek), Bewick's Wren (singing), and a flock of Chestnut Chickadee (no Chestnuts but bushels of Acorns).

I really like the Bob Jones Trail as it is shaded, has a variety of birds, and midway along the trail is the Woodstone Marketplace with a charming trailside patio and excellent coffee.  Guess where I go after birding the Bob Jones?

Trail Map. The (1) is the location of the Woodstone Marketplace.  

           

A Raptor Kind of Day

The morning was beautiful!  I was driving slowly up Turri Road looking for Raptors and what ever else I could find.  First sighting was a Red-shouldered Hawk perched in a willow close to the road.  The ephemeral cattle pond (photo) that appears after a rain, held three Cinnamon Teal, and a Greater Yellowleg.  The hills were just beginning to green out.

Perched in a willow thicket across from the pond was a Cooper’s Hawk. (above)  In the vicinity of the windmill watched a Sharp-shinned Hawk fly in and out of twiggy willows.  Twice lately I have seen a Sharp-shinned chase birds into a large bushy tree near my bird feeder.  The Sharp-shinned has amazing maneuverability. 

In the fields and perched on barbed wire fencing were Meadowlark (many singing), Western Bluebird, Say's Phoebe, Song Sparrow, and numerous Lark Sparrow (below), a favorite of mine.  

High above, soaring with Turkey Vultures, a Red-tailed Hawk.  It always pays to look closely at soaring Turkey Vultures, as there could be among them a visiting Black Vulture that can be identified by its dark brown head and white wingtips.  An American Kestrel was the  final raptor of the morning.  It was perched on a fence post eating something small and furry.  The American Kestrel is the smallest, most colorful falcon in North America. 

After Turri Road I checked out a portion of the Bob Jones Trail which begins in Avila Beach.  Besides walkers and bikers, the bridge (photo) is used by golf carts, as the golf course is on both sides of the creek.  From the bridge saw several Common Goldeneye, numerous Pied-billed Grebe, Coots, and three Canada Goose.  About a half mile up the creek had a marvelous sighting of a Green Heron.  It was in the shadows, perched on a little branch that extended over the water.  Its greenish, rufous coloration blended in perfectly with the creek side environment.  The Green Heron photo was taken from a small bridge that crosses over San Simeon Creek in San Simeon State Park.  When looking for Green Heron, persist.

Birding Santa Rosa Creek and More

I'll begin with, "More."  I have never seen a Greater Roadrunner * in my local area.  This morning about 11:00, I was leaving Montaña de Oro when a Roadrunner sped across the road.  A few moments later another one.  Fortunately I was going slowly or I could have hit the second one.  It is a rare treat to see one Greater Roadrunner, but two?  Be still my heart.

 Now, on to the usual, but not usual birding  -  Yesterday, Santa Rosa Creek Lagoon, Cambria Ca.  Santa Rosa Creek flows from the hills, through Cambria, eventually forming a charming lagoon on the north side of Shamel Park (above).  The lagoon and the ocean are separated by a berm of fine gravel that has accumulated over time.  As one walks along the lagoon, the ocean is not in view.

 Our first sighting was of a Green Heron. (above)**  The Heron was in plain sight which enabled us to watch it feed and move in and out of the vegetation.  Killdeer were foraging along the edge of the lagoon and a classic Great Blue Heron was perched on a log. 

As we progressed along the gravely beach, a solitary Tern came into view.   Now comes the discussion, is it an Elegant, a Royal, or a Caspian.  Our first thought was, it was a Royal.  We needed to get a closer view to confirm our suspicions. 

When it comes to Bird ID, more input is not only fun but helpful. We got into a lively discussion with a charming woman who had been photographing birds with a 400mm lens.  In my estimation, the humongous lens, meant she was a serious photographer and probably an expert in bird ID.   Eventually we concluded that the Tern (below) was probably, possibly, or may be a Royal.  

In the same area as the Tern were two Spotted Sandpiper and a beautiful and distinctive Bonaparte's Gull in breeding plumage; Bonaparte's Gull (below) is much smaller than a Western Gull.

The special treat of the morning was a fantastic view of five Baird's Sandpiper feeding with gusto along the edge of the lagoon.  They were taking a brief fuel stop on their migratory flight from Alaska to South America.  Although the morning was overcast, fortune shined.  We watched the precious little Baird's Sandpiper*** at our leisure. 

 Sometimes while birding, serendipity happens.  Yesterday morning I was birding with a friend named Mike Baird.

Photos - *    Greater Roadrunner Estrella Park, Phoenix AZ.
             **   Green Heron Tres Rios Wetlands, Phoenix AZ.
            ***  Baird's Sandpiper by Kaaren Perry

Birding Oso Flaco Lake

Oso Flaco Lake is a small fresh water lake tucked inside the vast Oceano Dunes.  The lake is located about 4 miles northwest of the town of Guadalupe, California USA.  Since it is a state park there is a $5 fee, but free parking is available before the entrance.  photo - Cormorants perched on posts - the dunes are behind the trees.  The lane that leads to the lake is dense with willows and is the habitat for numerous resident and migratory species.

For the last two weeks birders and photographers have been flocking to the lake, primarily to view two species, one quite small and one quite large, Sternula antillarum, and Egretta rufescens commonly known as Least Tern and Reddish Egret.   Reddish Egret photo by Roger Zachary

The seldom seen Reddish Egret is a great attraction.  It's feeding behavior is amusing, as it runs through shallows with long strides, leaping and raising one or both wings.  It does not appear to be bothered by the birders and photographers on the boardwalk.

The California Least Tern is local and endangered.  It is the smallest Tern in North America (above - Least Tern chick).  Like the endangered Snowy Plover, the Least Tern nests in depressions in the sand dunes.  Every year the Tern chicks perch on the boardwalk railing while they wait to be fed by a parent.  Between the parents and the chicks, the sound can be quite raucous.  Below - chicks waiting to be fed.  To the right adult Terns.   

Another fun sighting was watching three Green Herons, 2 juveniles and a parent.  The juveniles were fussing at the parent who was letting them know, in no uncertain terms, that they were big enough to feed themselves.

I doubt anyone could have imagined how important a boardwalk railing would become to an endangered species.

I highly recommend birding Oso Flaco Lake, as it is one of the premier birding areas on the Central Coast.  


 

Birding San Simeon Lagoon

Met up with Harry and Norma Catchpole at Shamel Park in Cambria. The first bird of the day was a Spotted Sandpiper.  It's cute little rump bobbed up and down as it walked along the edge of the narrow Santa Rosa Creek Lagoon.  Four Great Egrets were roosting in the willows that lined the creek.  Over the sea, Brown Pelican flew.  No doubt about it, we were going to have a great day of birding. (above photo - San Simeon State Beach) (below photo - Harry & Norma at Santa Rosa Creek)

Our goal of the morning was to bird the San Simeon Creek Lagoon.  We were hoping to see the White-faced Ibis that I had seen in the lagoon two days ago. A boardwalk leads over a wetland to the beach.  We had only walked a few feet when we spotted four female deer walking along the edge of the wetland. We looked at them; they looked at us, and with cautious optimism they meandered on their way.

The lagoon was shallow; along the edges lay a thick layer of algae.  Immediately, sharp eyed Harry spotted a Black-necked Stilt with a broken leg.  The Stilt was able to fly and appeared to have no difficulty feeding.  While looking for the Ibis we watched, a sub-adult or first year Peregrine Falcon Bathing; now that was a treat.  As we continued watching,  three Turkey Vultures landed close to the Falcon.  We were quite sure we heard the Peregrine say, “too close for comfort,” as she flew north.

As we walked along the edge of the lagoon looking for the Ibis or anything with wings, we were amazed by a Great Blue Heron who was not in the least bit bothered by our presence.

Besides Mallards and Coots, the only birds we noticed were Killdeer, a Spotted Sandpiper and a Great and Snowy Egret.  Giving up on the Ibis search we headed over the beach to the water's edge.  Not wanting to waste a birding moment, we looked for Snowy Plover as we trudged through the gravely sand. Yeah, we spotted two of the little darlings.  When not moving the Snowy Plover tends to be invisible. (below photo - Snowy Plover)

 

 Along the edge of the water, a mixed flock of Whimbrel, Willet, Godwit, Long-billed Curlew, and one lonely Black-bellied Plover.  Missing from the beach were Gulls and Terns.

Located at the south end of the boardwalk is a small bridge over San Simeon Creek.  Willow branches dip into the still water - a perfect habitat for Green Heron.  It took us awhile to locate the Green Heron, as it was in the shade and bent over the water. While we watched it snag a fish with its stiletto like bill, a King Fisher was dashing back and forth across the peaceful creek.

Before lunch, which is always an important part of the day, we wanted to check out the bird activity from San Simeon Pier.  At a distance we saw a small collection of Common Murre,  and fortunately, one Murre very close to the pier, which allowed us an intimate view of the little darling.  Out to sea were thousands of Shearwater, flying by in a stream were Brown Pelican.

Resting on the shore was a small flock of Elegant Tern.  While we were looking at them, a Peregrine Falcon swooped down, causing them to take flight.  The powerful Peregrine took after one of the Terns.  Repeatedly, the Peregrine dove on the Tern, talons ready to grab on to its victim.  Feathers flew, and by some miracle the Peregrine accepted defeat and flew off.

Thought for the day - One Good Tern Deserves Another

On the 8/24 blog,   http://birdingthecentralcoast.blogspot.com/2015/08/morro-bay-return-of-sandpipers.html    The question - "How many Dunlin do you see in the photo?  Are the smaller birds Western or Least Sandpiper" The answer - 9 Dunlin and Western Sandpiper.

TRES RIOS WETLANDS - BIRDING ARIZONA

On a recent visit to family in the Phoenix area, I had the pleasure of birding the Tres Rios Wetlands. (above photo)  Much of the water in the wetlands is treated waste water that flows out of the Phoenix treatment plant into a large pond system, creeks, and man made water ways that meander through the desert, eventually terminating into wetlands.  In a few hours of birding I saw 48 species; not bad, considering most of the migratory birds had moved on.

In the vast pond system, which is fenced off from the public, saw numerous Green Herons.  From my experience, a birder is fortunate to see just one of these little beauties.  And to see one sitting on bobbed wire is a most unusual sight.   Close to the ponds was a Great Blue Heron Rookery in an old Cottonwood tree.  Create a habitat and the birds will find it, and they will breed.

 Birds of feather, do flock together --- In an area of trees and reeds were hundreds of boisterous Great-tailed Grackles; many of the males were in breeding poses with their head point skyward.  Another section of reeds was occupied by thousands of noisy Yellow-headed Blackbirds; and on an island in one of the larger ponds were 50 or so White Pelicans.  I have a video on the wetlands (about 1.40 seconds).    http://youtu.be/Gv6XKt3QyyQ 

This was my second visit to Tres Rios and I was not disappointed.