Memorable Sightings

 
 Turri Road Ponds at the junction of So. Bay Blvd and Turri Road.
 Memorable sighting No. 3 -  I was anticipating seeing Greater and Lesser Yellowleg, but upon arrival what we did see was a delightful surprise - six Red-necked Phalarope plus a Logger-headed Shrike that sped by at eye level.

Phalarope are fun to watch as they are active feeders, spinning in circles as they feed on tiny insects.  Below is a photo I somehow managed to get, when for a brief moment, a Phalarope stopped spinning.

    Memorable sighting No. 4 -  Third Street Coastal Access 

A mixed flock of rather adorable, Semipalmated Plover, Marbled Godwit and Willet were feeding along the edge of the water - a very peaceful scene.  I mentioned to Mike that we should see a Black-bellied Plover, as one or two are often found in a mixed flock of shorebirds.  We found one by itself on a little sandbar.  It's beautiful black and white breeding plumage had already transitioned to quiet winter colors.  Photo of Black-bellied Plover in Winter Plumage.

    Memorable Sighting No. 2 -  Morro Bay State Park Marina

I was confident we would find a Spotted Sandpiper.  We were barely a few feet along the path when the tiny sandpiper appeared bopping along the edge of the water.  Translation of "bopping along" - Spotted Sandpiper teeter as they walk.  Chicks teeter as soon as they hatch.  The function of the teetering motion is yet to be determined.  Soon we discovered there were two Spotted Sandpipers, an adult and a juvenile.  The adult still had a few spot on its belly.  A great treat seeing these two little beauties.  If you squint, the belly spots can be seen.

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    Memorable Sighting No. 1 -  Morro Bay Marina Boardwalk

The primary reason for going to the marina was to see, at the least, one of the four or five Reddish Egrets that had been seen in the area of Morro Bay for about a week or so.  The Reddish Egret is one of the rarest egrets in North America.  It's easily distinguished from other Egrets and Herons by its shaggy appearance, reddish head and neck during breeding season, very active feeding behavior, and pink-and-black bill.  It is a resident breeder in Central America, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Gulf Coast of the U.S, and Mexico, and has slowly been making its way up our coast.

We were standing on the boardwalk with binoculars focused across the vast pickleweed to the edge of the receding tide.  A scope would have been helpful.  While looking for the Egrets three women, one with binoculars and a humongous camera, sat down on a nearby bench.  The woman with the camera asked if we had seen the Reddish Egret. "No," we answered.  She points into the hazy west. "They're out there, four of them."  By expanding the photo (click or touch) you can see two of the four Egrets, far left and right center.

 At this time of year they are without their roguish reddish head and neck.  What distinguished them to us was their athletic feeding behavior.  We observed them dash about, zig-zag, and leap with wings flapping, but they did have their quiet moments, strolling along the edge of the water with the shorebirds.  Certainly would be delightful to have the Reddish Egret as a regular winter visitor.  For your viewing please have included a 1.14 minute YouTube video on the feeding strategy of the Reddish Egret.
https://youtu.be/oPt70L1lAoM

On July 17 at San Simeon creek mouth local photographer Roger Zachary captured this excellent image of a Reddish Egret.

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.  


 

PISMO CREEK

For over a week a Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) has been seen along Pismo Creek. The creek meanders south (photo), veers west (right) and empties into the ocean. As I meandered along the creek I spotted, in the dim distance, an Egret. Anyway, I thought it was an Egret. After a thorough examination, I came to the conclusion it was a Juvenile Great Blue Heron. Other birds were, Caspian Tern, scads of Mallards, numerous Pied-billed Grebe, the occasional Double-crested Cormorant, and a handsome Turkey Vulture dining on Heermann's Gull. (photo)

I had a feeling that I was going to see this little darling. The Reddish Egret, though a different species, resembles the G.B. Heron, particularly at a distance, and on a very gray day, and particularly to a fledgling birder, such as myself.

On my return trip, I studied the edges of the creek. Finally spotted the Reddish Egret across the creek, directly below an R.V. Park. This time of year they are more grayish than reddish. (photo - pardon the poor quality). He preened for awhile which allowed me an excellent look. Now the Reddish Egret is engraved in my birding memory bank.

No Starbucks around, so went to Trader Joe's for a miniature cup of free coffee. My next challenge will be the Pectoral Sandpiper.