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.

SAN SIMEON STATE PARK LAGOON

9:30 am - Weather perfect.  Met Harry and Norma at San Simeon State Park Lagoon.  Passing over San Simeon Creek is Hwy 1.  The bridge is ideal for Swallows to paste their mud nests.  Some swallows were actually nesting inside the bridge, entering thru small round openings.  Nest building was in progress by Northern Rough-winged (photo below) and Cliff Swallow.

As we approached the Lagoon we were met by a Song Sparrow who let us know, with his splendid song, that we were infringing upon his territory.   Great-tailed Grackle entertained us from the Willows (so much for peace and quiet).  A pair of Brant Goose, a pair of Mallard (photo below) plus a Double-creasted Cormorant, one Curlew, and a handful of Least Sandpiper were along the edge of the Lagoon.

We were hoping to see Snowy Plover (photo by Mike Baird).  When they are not moving they are nearly impossible to see, as they blend in perfectly with their environment. Fortunately we saw several fly; once they land they are invisible.

Nesting season has begun for the Snow Plover, "a species of special concern." Usually, nests are built on flat, open beaches or dunes.  Nests consist of a shallow scrape or depression lined with beach debris   (small pebbles, shell fragments, plant debris).  Driftwood, kelp, and dune plants provide cover for chicks that crouch near objects to hide from predators.  State Parks protects the Plover by fencing off the nesting area with a single cord and signs, and placing wire protection over the nests.

One of our best sightings of the morning was a Pacific-slope Flycatcher.  First we heard it, then saw it flitting about in Willows by the creek.  I have often heard the bird, but this was the first time in years that I have actually seen the little darling.   Our next and last stop was Lynn's patio in Cambria. Lunch and, of course desert, was Yummie!!

ARCTIC LOON

The Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival is in full swing. Yesterday Tom Edell and Curtis Marantz identified an Arctic Loon (Gavia arctica) feeding in the pond at the mouth of San Simeon Creek. The Arctic Loon (photo by Maggie Smith) is an extremely rare visitor to the California Coast. The internet nearly had a meltdown with all the Loon chat.

About 11:00 this morning I dropped by festival headquarters. I enjoy looking at the scopes and dreaming about owing one some day (probably in my next life). Starting talking with a fellow birder and in a matter of moments we were on the road to San Simeon.

I just love birds that are easy to see, and this marvelous Loon was in full view in the middle of the pond. It sat low in the water and dove with ease. Fortunately it was oblivious to the photographers and birdwatchers that lined the pond.

Other attractions at San Simeon - A huge flock of Ringed-billed Gulls, 30 Black-belllied Plovers and, on the gravely beach an active flock of 30-40 Snowy Plovers; they were bathing and chasing flies. I had not seen one in over a year and seeing the little darlings was a real treat.

Yes, 2012 is going to be a great year for birding.

SAN SIMEON CREEK

So happy to be out and about. Weather overcast, no wind - a perfect Central Coast morning. San Simeon Creek flows by the campground, under Hwy One and ends in a small rocky lagoon on San Simeon State Beach. A berm of sand prevents the creek from flowing into the sea. I was looking for a Semipalmated Sandpiper - nearly identical to a Western Sandpiper. It had been seen among a small flock of Western Sandpipers. I am not very adept at finding a needle in a haystack. The area the peeps were feeding in had moist ground, small round rocks, and bits and pieces of kelp (see photo). Yikes!!
First I saw the obvious - Handsome Semipalmated Plovers in breeding plumage, Killdeer, 2 Short-billed Dowitcher, Caspian and Elegant Tern, 4 Snowy Plovers (always a treat), Grackle, Western Sandpiper. Finally spotted the Seimpalmated Sandpiper. Its bill is a little shorter, straighter and thicker than the Western. Anyway I think I saw it. Below is a link to a photo by Roger Zachery that shows the difference between the two sandpipers. The Semipalmated is upper right.
Western Sandpipers and Semipalmated Sandpiper | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Stopped at a few spots to check for Turnstones and Tattlers. Did see a couple of Oystercatchers and numerous Long Billed Curlew and one Whimbrel and many Heermann's Gull on Cayucos State Beach. Unaccustomed to the fresh air, I was overcome with a yearning for a Starbucks. Thus my first real day of birding, in nearly a month, came to a most pleasant end.

SAN SIMEON AND THERE ABOUTS

Saturday was overcast, mild with no wind. Checked out the creek at San Simeon State Park. First sighting were two (photo) adorable Northern Rough-winged juveniles. There were also hundreds or thousands of Cave and Cliff Swallows nesting under the Hwy. I bridge that crosses the creek. In the reeds were noisy Great-tailed Grackles, Marsh Wren, and the precious Common Yellowthroat. In the Willows, along the boardwalk, saw a Hutton's Vireo.

Across from San Simeon State Park is a short road that ends at a trail head. There is an opening in the fence and a sign that says, "dogs on lease permitted." The trail goes about a mile to the little community of San Simeon. I had heard from a friend that there were some great wildflowers, and indeed there were. The trail follows the edge of the bluff, quite moist in areas. The only birds I saw were Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Meadowlark and Savannah Sparrow. I was enchanted by the flowers. The Coastal Dandelion, Blue-eyed Grass, Lupin, Sheep Sorell, Filaree, Thrift, and Scarlet Pimpernel were numerous. The majority of the plants I could not identify, but I certainly enjoyed looking at them. (photo - reddish plant, Sheep Sorell; blue plant, Lupin; yellow, Dandelion.)

Coast Sun Cup (Camissonia ovata) was prolific along the edge of the trail.