The Morro Bay 2019 Winter Bird Olympics

The Morro Bay 2019 Bird Olympics are coming to town.  I can guarantee they will be just as exciting or more so than last years Olympics.  To refresh your memory of 2018 Bird Olympics I have included a link.
http://birdingthecentralcoast.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-morro-bay-winter-bird-olympics.html

Olympic Athletes are arriving on the Central Coast daily.  Most of the athletes take several days resting and spending time renewing their energy supply before they begin practicing for their chosen events.  What amazes me is the amount of time they spend in frivolous pursuits such as gossiping, stealing food, and partying on the beach.   

 Don't wait till the last minute to secure lodging, as accommodations are going fast.  Come prepared for cold and wet or warm and windy weather, a bright sun and fog.  Bring binoculars, a scope if possible, snacks, definitely a flashlight, hand warmers and sunscreen.  All events are free, children 3 and younger are welcome as long as they are attached to an adult by a child safety harness.

                                 

Sweet Springs Expands It’s Horizons

Yesterday was the Grand Opening for the "Accessible Trail and Viewing Platform" at the new Sweet Springs East.  The trail and boardwalk is about 2/3 of a mile round trip.  The boardwalk ends at the beautifully constructed viewing platform.

The viewing platform gives visual access to a section of the bay where migratory ducks and shore birds hang out, an area that has hitherto been out of sight.  (I can hardly wait to return for some serious birding.)

Earlier in the day, I birdied the usual Sweet Springs (above).   In the thickets of brush, digging thru leaf litter, were Junco, Song Sparrow, and White and Golden-crowned Sparrow.  The Golden-crowned Sparrow is a rather feisty feeder.  If another Golden-crowned gets too close, the interloper gets a quick peck on the butt.  
 
In the Eucalyptus trees, vivid black and yellow Townsend’s Warbler, Northern Flicker, pert Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and a sweet little Downey Woodpecker.  Belted Kingfisher was perched on a branch overlooking the pond.

 On my way to the overlook I heard a sound that was music to my ears, Brant Goose (about 100); the first of the season.  Along the edge of the bay, Blue-winged Teal Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Greater Yellowleg, and a beautiful Great Blue Heron.  Seeing the Brant and hearing their magical sound made my day.
 

Birding Near - Birding Afar

        Sweet Springs Pickleweed at Low Tide 
Birding Near - Sweet Springs, a beautiful misty morning with an incoming tide.  The only sounds were those of the birds.  High in a tree came the penetrating sound of a Northern Flicker - music to my ears.

In the flooded Pickleweed 10 newly arrived Blue-winged Teal fed; with endless patience a Great Egret sought its prey.  (below photo)

 Along the edge of the bay Great Blue Heron and Snowy Egret.  Four Greater Yellowleg arrived, calling as they come in for a landing; Black Phoebe flycatched from a partly submerged snag.

In the reeds, Common Yellowthroat and Song Sparrow.  From a Eucalyptus on the edge of the water came the grating call of a Belted Kingfisher.   My euphoria was interrupted as an Osprey silently passed by - always a pleasure seeing this powerful raptor.  (photo by Jerry Kirkhart)  

Birding Afar - Mono Lake - Located on the Eastern side of California's Sierra Nevada mountain range, depending on road conditions 5 to 6 hours from the Central Coast. 

Mono Lake is a vital stop on the Pacific Flyway.  There is a possibility that some of the migratory birds that arrive in Morro Bay have stopped at Mono Lake to rest, molt and feast on the abundant alkali flies and brine shrimp that inhabit the lake. 

On the lake were thousands of Eared Grebes in winter plumage (above) and thousands of Ruddy Ducks.  Eared Grebe arrive at Mono Lake in greater numbers than any other species. Surveys have shown that there are nearly a million Grebe on the lake in the fall; they may double or triple their weight as they feast on the brine shrimp.  Some get too fat to fly and must lose weight before departing for their winter destination.  It is difficult to imagine an overweight Eared Grebe.

The Bald Eagle of Sweet Springs

I was at the Sweet Springs overlook this morning focused on the dark rufous head of an Eurasian Wigeon, a seldom seen winter migrant, when suddenly the shore birds, who had been peacefully feeding in the mud, took flight.  A mature Bald Eagle (photo by Roger Zachery) had catapulted out from his/her hidden perch in a large Eucalyptus on the edge of the bay. (expand below photo - perch noted by yellow arrow)  The Eagle soared low over the Bufflehead and Teal who did not seem the least bit concerned that a fierce predator was passing overhead.

 The Eagle was focused on a lone Eared Grebe.  As it neared the Grebe, the Eagle, preparing for his dive, circled to gain altitude, then he/she dove, but the delicate Grebe sensing danger plunged under the water, and just in the nick of time.

This magnificent predator was not to be defeated by a mere Grebe.  Circling and diving was repeated several times with no success.  Eventually the Eagle headed back to his/her perch.  About 10 minutes later, I had the pleasure of watching a repeat performance.   My conclusion from this observation -   the little Eared Grebe did not want to end end up as a Bald Eagle's breakfast. 

Sweet Springs Nature Preserve

 

Los Osos - 9:00 am.  Birds going about their daily business - on a twig extending out from the leaning eucalyptus, in the upper center of the photo, a Belted Kingfisher perched.  Busy in the vegetation around the pond, Song Sparrow and Ms and Mr. Common Yellowthroat; in the trees Chestnut-backed Chickadee frolicked.  The call of a Nuttall's Woodpecker came from afar.  Dabbling in the pond was the white domestic duck who thinks it is a Mallard.

Onward to the overlook.  To reach the overlook one needs to cross the bridge, continue on the path to the boardwalk, turn right and in a few moments the overlook appears; there is seating and a railing for resting binoculars.  (nothing worse than tired binoculars)

Feeding along the edge of the bay were Semipalmated Plover (could not see their toes), 2 Black-bellied Plover,  handful of Least Sandpiper, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Curlew, Willet, and Marbled Godwit.  In the distance a cluster of White Pelican.

I was hoping to find a Northern Waterthrush, an infrequent visitor to our area, but the little tail bobber (I added "bobber" to my computer dictionary which now makes it a real word) was a no show - matters not as I was delighted with the birds and the beauty observed. 

SUNDAY BIRDING

First on the agenda was Cuesta Inlet.  The morning was sunny, tide slowly moving in. I was hoping to see or hear an Olive-sided Flycatcher.  Took only a few moments to locate the Flycatcher, as the little darling was doing what it does best, flycatching.   From a perch the Flycatcher flies off to catch an insect and then flies back to the same or nearby perch.  I just stood still watching; eventually it was perched in an oak, close enough to see without binoculars.  What a treat!!

Sweet Springs Preserve could not have been better.  I was surrounded by a plethora of bird song; didn't know where to look first.  At least 4 Pacific-slope Flycatcher.  Juncos were very active.  From the quaint bridge that spans the two ponds, watched a Western Tanager, with his black and white wings, yellow body, and red head, harass a Song Sparrow that was bathing along the edge of the pond.  Mrs. Tanager and Mr. and Mrs. Common Yellowthroat were nearby watching the action.  Overhead, a flock of Cedar Waxwing fed on Eucalyptus blossoms.  Sweet Springs at its Best!

My next stop was the hardware store to purchase peanut butter suet.  Tiny Bushtits are nesting in a brushy small tree in my front yard, organic peanut butter suet is their favorite,  Nothing but the best for my nesting Bushtits.

SWEET SWEET SPRINGS

A few days ago a friend mentioned hearing an unusual bird song in Sweet Springs. (photo - Eucalyptus reflected in pond)  The morning was lovely, partially sunny, with a soft fog over the bay and the distant dunes.  Perfect conditions for checking out the action in Sweet Springs.  Numerous songs could be heard but nothing unusual.  To my delight, observed Willow Flycatcher and Pacific-slope Flycatcher in the Eucalyptus trees.  Had not seen either one of these little darlings for at least a year.  Both the Flycatchers have unusual songs, but they were not singing, just darting about eating insects.

To my added delight a couple of  the resident Common Yellowthroat, one on each side of the pond, were having a song fest.  Recorded a short video of a Yellowthroat song.  In the background may be heard (besides the swoosh of automobiles) Song Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrow.  http://youtu.be/YKgMfhwaKiQ

  

The Juncos were lively - youngsters chasing after parents in hopes of getting a handout. Hmm, sounds familiar. Thank you Sweet Springs.  You never disappoint. 

BIRDING WITH BARBIE AND HELEN

 Barbie (no relation to the doll), Helen, and I birded around the neighborhood.  We stopped at 3 sites -  Sweet Springs, (photo) 3rd St., and Audubon Overlook. Even though it was overcast, we managed to identify 23 species.  Still a few winter migrants enjoying our mild climate - No. Shoveler, Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal, and a large flock of Avocet.  The Avocet  were quietly feeding when a another flock of Avocet flew in.  They became very vocal and moved toward each other as in greeting.  Below is a YouTube of their vocalizations.