BIRDING THE BLUFF

Montaña de Oro State Park - Bluff Trail - The day was perfect, wind silent, sky semi-cloudy.  At the small cove, often referred to as Smuggler's Cove, I was delighted to to see a pair of Black Oystercatcher (Bloy) nesting half way down from the top and a tad to the left of the cleft in the shale rock. (the happy couple in below photo)   A parent to be was sitting on the nest.  At the present time there are three nesting pair at Montaña de Oro (MdO).  Both adults incubate eggs and tend to the chicks. 

Fortunately I saw only five Pelagic Cormorant (below), as they are known to prey on Bloy eggs.

I have a special fondness for Pigeon Guillemots.  They arrive every spring to nest in holes in the eroding cliffs.  In August they will return from whence they came.  The Guillemots high pitched chatting was magic to my ears.  They feed tiny fish to their nestlings. 

In the cove Turkey Vultures were having a bit of a tiff over a well seasoned carcass.

The flowers were astounding!  In my many years at MdO I have never seen such a dense and brilliant display of Eriophyllum staechadifolium, commonly called Lizard Tail or Seaside Woolly Daisy.

Other Birds - Spotted Towhee (photo), always perched where it can be readily seen, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Common Yellow-throat singing, California Thrasher with an impressive repertoire, and hundreds of Brown Pelican flying north.  They often can be seen flying in a line, following the contours of the coastline.  Hint for the next time you are birding - Don't forget to look up.

 

Are MdO Birds Practicing Social Distancing?

Much like humans the answer is yes, no, or sometimes.

Montaña de Oro (MdO)  -  Everything about MdO was Beautiful.  Coastal chaparral vibrant with spring growth, dramatic cloud formations, few people, precious bunnies dashing across the trail, and my favorite MdO bluff birds -  Scrub Jay (below), Quail, Thrasher, Wrentit, Bushtit, Bewick's Wren - Brandt's and Pelagic Cormorant - Oystercatcher, and the newly arrived Pigeon Guillemot.

But the beauty of the morning did little to assuage my deep concern over the welfare of MdO's birds.  Were they practicing "social distancing?"

"Yes!"  for Pigeon Guillemots.  Monogamous Guillemot pairs, obviously aware of the global pandemic, were keeping their distance from other pairs of Guillemots.  I was delighted to see they had perfected the art of social distancing.

"No!"  for the Brandt's Cormorant.  Like some humans Brandt's are very social.  They love to party.

"Sometimes!" for the Pelagic Cormorant.  When nesting they practice social distancing.  After their chick fledge they hang out in flocks, often mingling with other species of Cormorants.

"Sometimes!" for Oystercatchers.  They nest individually, keeping all intruders at bay.  Though, in winter they often gather in flocks, sometimes with friends.  Oystercatchers do need to work on their social distancing skills.

"Yes!"  for the majority of bluff birds.  Social distancing is firmly fixed in their way of life.  After my morning observations I realized that regardless of what happens to the human population, the MdO birds will survive. 

Thought For the Day - "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives.  It is the one that is most adaptable to change."     Charles  Darwin

Nesting Pigeon Guillemot of Montaña de Oro

Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus Columba) begin appearing along the rocky coast of Montaña de Oro State Park in mid-March.  The season of breeding/nesting had begun.  The numerous cracks, crevices, and holes in the cliffs and rock formations offer to this plump sea bird, with the startling red legs, a variety of cozy nesting sites.  (red arrow points to a possible nest site)

The breeding range for the Guillemot is vast, from the North Pacific waters to Alaska and along the Pacific Coast through California.  In winter California Guillemots migrate north to the inland marine waters of Washington.

Pigeon Guillemots belong to the Auk family - related to Murrelet, Auklet, and Puffin.

From my observations at MdO I have come to the conclusion that it takes quite a bit of time for Guillemots to sort out their relationships.  Occasionally, I have seen them come ashore where they do bill touching, chasing, and posturing.   On one occasion I observed a pair mating.  If I had blinked I would have missed it.  Much of the mating ritual occurs in the water with much bill touching, and dashing about under the water.  Guillemots are quite vocal, their high pitched whistles are prevalent during courtship.

Guillemots are monogamists.  Notice how they are in pairs.

Both parents incubate and feed the young.  Hatching takes 33 - 38 days.  Nestlings are fed small fish and marine invertebrates.

There has been much coming and going into this crevice, noted by the red arrow.  The actual nest is difficult to see.  I am hopeful there is, or will be, an egg or two to hatch.  They are the only Auk that will lay two eggs.

Four to six weeks after hatching young will leave the nest by scrambling and fluttering down to the water.  After leaving the nest they are completely independent.  This transition between dependence and independence often happens at night.  They can dive and swim, but it will take two to three weeks before they are strong enough to fly.

The Pigeon Guillemot scales rock faces and cliffs by flapping its wings combined with the use of  sharp claws on its webbed feet.  

“Both sexes are alike in appearance, except for the Californian birds - females were found to have larger bills than males.” (a quote from Wikipedia)  I have spent quite a bit of time comparing Guillemot bills and see no difference between male and female.

The best place to observe Pigeon Guillemots is on the rocks and cliffs of the small cove below the last overlook on the Bluff Trail.  In the many years of observing Guillemots at MdO I have yet to see a juvenile, but remain hopeful of a sighting in the near future.

Birding the Bluff Trail

Bluff Trail Montaña de Oro - Coon Creek Cove - This is the farthest one can walk south on the Bluff Trail.  At this point the trail gently curves north/east, about .70 of a mile to the Coon Creek Trail Head and parking area.

I heard the Pigeon Guillemot’s high, piercing whistle before I saw them.  They are frequently seen conversing with each other.  It appears they have much to say.

 These hardy, compact sea birds arrive at MdO in mid-March to nest in the holes and niches found in the rocky cliffs of the Bluff Trail. 

Sharp claws on their webbed very red feet help them to climb the rugged vertical shale formations.  I was wondering if the Guillemot on the left was not fully mature, as its feet were not the bright red of an adult.  In mid-August they will return to the open sea.  Fortunately there are always a few that hang around for awhile.

The Bluff Trail birds were very cooperative.  Noticed a pair of, difficult to see, Wrentit chasing each other through the brush, Spotted Towhee seemed to be everywhere, California Thrasher, and Bewick's Wren were singing.  The highlight of the morning was a precious California Quail family with 11 tiny chicks, mom leading the way, dad taking up the rear.  I never cease to be amazed that these itty bitty creatures are independent foragers at birth.  I wish them all a long and fruitful life.