Bird Island - The Cormorant Saga - Part 1

Bird Island - May 10, 2018 - Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Monterey County California

The fully accessible trail to Bird Island is a .8 mile round trip.  The views are spectacular - Monterey Pines, an amazing variety of delicate spring wildflowers, white sand coves (above photo), harbor seal moms and pups, and Bird Island, famous for its breeding colony of Brandt’s Cormorant. 

 Brandt’s Cormorant nest in colonies, large congregation of individuals that build their nests in a particular location.  In the above photo Brandt's are clustered together in an oval depression on Bird Island.  When expanding the photo you can see quite a few well established nests. The Brandt have been nesting on Bird Island for many decades.  On the far left of the photo a Brandt's Cormorant can be seen carrying construction material for his nest.  In my opinion the occupied depression is the prime real estate on Bird Island.

The male chooses the nest site.  In the above photo a male is displaying his vivd blue gular pouch with high hopes of attracting a mate.  Males begin nest building before finding a mate.  Nests consist of  seaweed, eelgrass, alga and nearby vegetation.  Unfortunately, while he is off gathering, a rival male may steal some of his nesting material. 

Females move among the advertising males with thin, up-stretched necks.  As a female approaches a group of males (center), there is a sudden increase in displays.

After they pair up, males continue gathering nesting material while the females builds the nest; guano will glue the nest together.  Both the male and female defend their nest site from interlopers.  When a nest exchange is made the eggs are turned by the new sitter.  Incubation (28-31 days) is carried out by both parents.  Care is taken during a nest exchange because Western Gulls are waiting for their chance to snatch an egg or a nestling.  Rarely are eggs left unattended. 

 The Brandt's smaller, slimmer relative, the Pelagic Cormorant, nests near Bird Island on the sheer sides of steep cliffs; they are not as social nor gregarious as the Brant's. (Pelagic Cormorant photo by Mike Baird)  

Their mating displays are similar to their larger cousin, with the addition of wing flapping to show off their beautiful white flanks. 

Once they find a nest site they tend to be faithful to it for the rest of their lives.  Nests become large due to reuse.  They lay 3 - 5 eggs - would love to get a photo of Pelagic Cormorant nestlings crowded into their precariously positioned nest.  Hmm, maybe a return trip is in order for late June.

Drove north on Hwy 1 to Pacific Grove. Feeding along the creek at San Simeon State Park, were 8 Dowitchers. Were they Long-billed or Short-billed Dowitchers? The long-billed variety is more likely to be seen near fresh water than the short-billed, so perhaps they were Long-billed Dowitcher and then again, perhaps not. I do enjoy the conundrums of birding. A male Kingfisher was diving for his breakfast (at least I had no trouble identifying him).

Point Lobos State Park - Windy, clear, and beautiful. Many Cormorants, Pelicans, Sea Lions, numerous Yellow-rumped Warbler and a few White-crowned Sp. Did not see any shore birds. The swells were large and crashing against the rocks.

Pacific Grove - (photo) There is an excellent path that winds along the entire coast of Pacific Beach. (every other person in Pacific Grove, regardless of age, jogs) The waves had deposited large piles of kelp on the rocks. Feasting on kelp flies were flocks of Black Turnstone. There are nearly the same color as the wet kelp and when not moving can be difficult to see. Joining in on the yummy feast were numerous Yellow-rumped Warbler (my those little guys get around) and Black Phoebe.

Came across a birder with a scope. He showed me my very first view of a Northern Fulmer (exciting). They were flying by and bobbing in the swells.

Asilomar State Beach - On the rocks were Black Turnstone, Surfbird, Willet, Sanderling, and Whimbrel. Two of the Whimbrel had sky blue legs which I found rather unusual. On the way back home I thought I saw a Reddish Egret in a small pond near Abandoned Motel State Park. By the time I was able to turn around and take another look, it was gone. I have to work on my, birding while driving, skills.

BIRDING THE NORTH CENTRAL COAST

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park was nearly deserted. Perhaps it had to do with the $10. parking fee. The only trail that was open was the one to the falls overlook. Photo shows 80 ft. McWay Falls flowing down granite cliffs at Partington Cove (see video at end of post). Pigeon Guillemots were nesting behind the falls. Two Condors soared overhead. Wilson's Warbler, Wrentit, and Olive-sided Flycatcher were singing in the dense brush along the path to the falls. A few miles north, and about 500 yds. past the Coast Art Gallery is a popular area for viewing Condors. Unfortunately, the dense fog made Condor observation impossible.

Point Lobos State Park. Fortunately the fog had lifted. Pelagic Cormorants were nesting on rocky promontories. It is amazing the eggs do not fall into the sea. Pigeon Guillemots were nesting in the cliffs. About a mile or so out were numerous feeding Humpback Whales. I have never seen such a display of breaching, spouts, tails and backs. One of the perks of bird watching along California's Central Coast is the unexpected nature sightings.