Return of the Winter Birds

Morro Bay - Sweet Spring East Overlook - The tide was slowly ebbing, perfect conditions for viewing the new arrivals.  There were shorebirds, wading birds, and water birds.  Wow!  Where to look first - A flock of 100 plus Least Sandpiper were busy probing the wet sand for tasty morsels.  Sprinkled among them were Sanderlings (below) easy to identity as they are larger and appear quite white in contrast to their smaller cousins.

On the periphery of the flock were two Semipalmated Plover - "semipalmated" refers to the bird's "half-webbed toes" which enable them to walk on mud without sinking.  Nearby were Great and Snowy Egret, two Killdeer, two Black-bellied Plover, two Greater Yellowleg, and a Partridge in a pear tree.

Such a beautiful day.  A small flock of Ruddy Duck floated peacefully; Bufflehead were doing what they do best - diving.  Overhead looking for an unsuspecting fish were two Caspian and five Forester's Tern.  Several Blue-winged Teal splashed down. (Sweet Springs Blue-winged Teal by Gary O'Neall)

Out on the bay, but close enough for a good look, were about 150 Black Brant Geese, accompanied by a few darker juveniles.  My first sighting this season of our iconic goose, and my first sighting ever of juvenile Brant.  (Brant by Mike Baird)

Brant used to number in the thousands.  Now, we are fortunate to have a couple hundred.  Notice that the center Brant in the above photo is eating Eelgrass which is their primary food source.  Today 90% of the Eelgrass has vanished.  Eelgrass is critical to the health of the estuary. (Brant in flight by Gary O'Neill)

Sweet Springs West Overlook - Feeding along the edge of the Bay were Willet, Godwit, and a Long-billed Curlew.  The female Curlew is larger and has a longer bill than the male.  For years I was befuddled over Curlew bills.  Some were really long and others seemed short.  For awhile I thought the short-billed Curlew were Whimbrels.  To confuse the situation, juvenile Curlew have shorter bills.  Birding does have its challenges.

West of the overlook in front of a rickety pier were more Brant.  (pier is on the far left of the photo)  Brant are long lived and mate for life.  When migrating non-stop from Alaska to Morro Bay they are beside each other; juveniles accompany their migrating parents.  Seeing the Brant and hearing their gentle chatter made my day. 
 
     For details on the collapse of Eelgrass in Morro Bay click on the following link.
https://archive.fisheries.noaa.gov/wcr/stories/2017/11_09112017_eelgrass_collapse.html

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.