Birding Sweet Springs and . . .

Sweet Springs yesterday morning - Weather warm, no wind, and absolutely beautiful.  Silently floating on the peaceful bay were large flocks of Scaup, Bufflehead, and Ruddy Duck.  Below is a female Ruddy Duck.  

 I find it amazing that the adorable little Ruddy Duck nests in nest holes excavated by Northern Flickers. 

In the distance could be heard the cheerful chatter of Brant Goose.  

Perched along the edge of the channels was a pair of Northern Pintail, one lonely Cinnamon Teal, two American Widgeon, Blue-winged Teal, and the smallest of the dabbling ducks, Green-winged Teal. 

Mallards rested along the banks of the pond.  

It was a good day for seeing Passerines (perching birds).  I think the Quail may have been warming up for spring, as there was persistent calling.  Due to the abundance of native shrubs, Quail are numerous and if not seen can always be heard.  Feeding on the ground were White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Oregon Junco, and House Finch.  In the shrubbery were several Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Spotted Towhee, and a Blue-grey Gnatcatcher.  In the trees, Chestnut-backed Chickadee and the most precious bird of all, Bushtits.  Common Yellow-throat (below) was flitting along the edge of the pond.  

Now for Estero Bluffs - Lately I have been going at least once a week to the Bluffs.  Although I am focused on the rocks, there are always birds to be seen.

About half way up this multi million year old formation, Black Turnstone have found a safe haven.  The lower section of the rock is Greenstone, on the top weathered Sandstone, and possibly a little Shale on the lower right.  

Brown Pelican, Brandt and Pelagic Cormorant are packed like sardines on a huge rock formation located about 100 yards off-shore.  The composition of the rock is more than likely, Pillow Basalt (hardened lava  formed in the deep sea).  Stay tuned for more geology and birding.  And if humanly possible keep a positive attitude.

 

Birding Between Rain Storms

    Coreopsis at the entrance to Sweet Springs Preserve

Sweet Springs - The break in the clouds was brief.  The shower began just as I was entering the preserve.  My rain jacked has been getting a lot of use lately.  The pond was very quiet.  The only ducks were a male and female Mallard that appeared to be chasing one another with much splashing.  They both disappeared under the water.  I was clueless at that moment as to what was going on.  The male began to appear; underneath him the female.  He was clutching her head.  I thought, "Oh my gosh, he's going to drown her."  She survived.  This was my first experience observing the brief mating process of Mallards, if I had blinked, I would have missed the event.   

There were the usual birds with two exceptions -  The usual were - Bushtit, Song Sparrow, Junco, California Towhee, California Quail, Common Yellowthroat; Nuttall’s Woodpecker and Northern Flicker were busy drumming - Exception one, watching a Merlin (Falco columbarius) fly on to a perch in a tall deceased tree across from the pond. (below).   Exception two, listening to the song of a Purple Finch.  Purple Finch often hang out at the tip top of high trees and can be difficult to see.

Montaña de Oro - Spooners Cove and Bluff Trail -  My favorite sighting - 2 beautiful Peahens delicately nibbling on green vegetation growing in Spooner's Cove.  They paid no attention to my presence.  The Peahens arrived about two years ago.  I have a question.  How have they avoided being eaten by one of Montaña de Oro's many hungry predators?

The Peregrine appear to be in the nesting mode.  They have been seen mating, and the male is bringing her food.  The female spends much of her time perched on the point or close to the nest opening (below photo).  On the formation below were Brandt's and Pelagic Cormorant and three Oystercatcher.

Pelagic Cormorants are beginning to transition into their breeding plumage.  On some of the Pelagic their white flank patches can be seen.  This group of Pelagic Cormorants are located a short distance north of Corallina Cove.  They may nest on Morro Rock or on a Sea Stack near Morro Rock. 

Song birds along the Bluff Trail were also in the mating mode.  Much singing and chasing through the brush.  Spring is definitely in the air.  Meanwhile the rain ☔️ ☔️ continues.