Birding Laguna Lake Park

Laguna Lake - The weather was perfect, warming sun with a slight breeze.  The hill, center left, is Bishop Peak.  The hill to the right is Cerro San Luis aka Madonna Mountain.

With boisterous enthusiasm a Great-tailed Grackle welcomed me to the park.

I had noticed, from a distance, a few water fowl; could not determine species, so found an area closer to the water.

A perky Marsh Wren was dashing through the reeds, loudly calling.  Perhaps my presence had disturbed him.  

The male Marsh Wren is quite vocal when it comes to protecting his territory.  He may build numerous nests in hopes of attracting a mate.  The more nests he builds, the more chances he has of success.

Singing from a Willow thicket were Song Sparrow, House Finch, and a handsome Pacific Flycatcher. (photo). The wind was picking up.  Tiny waves were lapping at the shore line.  Since most of our winter guests have returned to their breeding areas, birds on the lake were scarce - two Pied-billed Grebe, two female Northern Shoveler, one Canada Goose, and a lonely male Ruddy Duck. 

Across the lake a Sora was calling (photo taken at Cloisters Pond).  Like all rails, the Sora has big feet, making it easier to walk on floating reeds.  The Sora, when it emerges from the reeds, does not appear to mind huge two legged creatures staring at them. 

The treat for the morning was seeing a Lark Sparrow.  As I neared the barbed wire fence that separates the park from the open space, I could see a Lark Sparrow perched on the old fence, her tiny feet carefully placed between the forever sharp barbs.  I kept my distance - watched her find a morning morsel, and then fly off with a tiny insect securely held in her beak -  perhaps to her nestlings that were eagerly waiting her return. 

 

        

   

Laguna Lake

Winter rains are slowly filling the parched Laguna Lake. Only a small portion of the lake has water - in some areas barely enough for the dabblers to dabble, yet dabble they do.

Sprinkled among the hundreds and hundreds of Mallard Ducks were American Wigeon, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, four seldom seen Gadwall, and a small flock of Ring-billed Gull. 

As  I followed the road along the edge of the lake there were White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Nuttall's Woodpecker; in the Eucalyptus Yellow-rumpled Warbler was numerous, and what to my delighted ears what should I hear but a Cassin's Kingbird.  In the Spring they nest in the Eucalyptus.  

I was concentrating on a sweet flock of Junco (above), looking for a Slate-colored Junco (no luck) when I head the excited honking of a large, 100 plus, flock of Canada Goose (below).  As they neared, the honking got louder. They were flying from the west end of the dry lake.  There may be a pond in that area, but it is hidden by vegetation.  They ended in shallow water not far from where I was standing.  The sound and sight of this large flock coming in for a landing was a special treat. 

On the way home looked for the Bald Eagle that had been seen several times perched on a snag in a tall Eucalyptus. And there it was!  Fortunately, traffic was light and was able to pull to the side of the road to get a splendid view of our National Bird. 

From Los Osos Valley Road turned off on Turri Road, a five mile rural road that winds gently thru rolling farm land.  In the area of the windmill and water trough, Western Meadowlark and Western Bluebird were close to the road, flitting after insects.  Males of both species were sporting their brilliant breeding plumage.  Another marvelous morning of birding the Central Coast.