SATURDAY MORNING BIRDING

Cottonwood Creek Road above Whale Rock Reservoir. (photo - one of the many Turkey Vultures that were perched in a Sycamore Tree)

The weather could not have been finer. I was in paradise! The only sounds were the songs and tweets of many species of birds. After I turned on to Cottonwood Creek Road, crossed over the cattle guard (cattle wander freely), I stopped by a grove of huge old Oaks. A couple of House Wrens were in full mating mode, singing their beautiful song. Had no trouble seeing them as they were directly in front of me. Up the road a bit was another pair of House Wrens. I really like their cheeky nature.

Saw 30 species as I meandered about two miles up the road. Two mature Bald Eagles were perched in their usual oak tree by the water (Major Treat!).

The reservoir is about 80% full. On the water, near the reeds, were about 25 Western Grebe. Hopefully they will nest this year. The past few years the water has been too low for the Grebes to nest.

About a mile along the road is an open barn and corrals. A pair of Western Bluebird were once again nesting in an old post. An Ash-throated Flycatcher (a most fabulous bird) Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
was attempting to hang out in the same area as the Bluebirds. He/she was chased off several times by the Bluebirds. The Flycatcher finally realized, this was Bluebird territory.

List of sightings: Bald Eagle, West. Bluebird, Kingfisher, Red-winged Blackbird, Coot, Double-crested Cormorant, Calif. Quail, Say's Phoebe, Mourning Dove, Killdeer, West. Grebe, Am. Goldfinch, House Finch, Wrentit, Calif. Towhee, Wilson's Warbler, Bewick's and House Wren, White-crowned and Song Sparrow, Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier, Red-trailed Hawk, Ash-throated and Pacific Slope Flycatcher, Acorn Woodpecker, Scrub and Steller's Jay, Cliff Swallow, many Turkey Vulture. Conspicuous by its absence was Black Phoebe.

On the way home stopped by Morro Rock to get a Peregrine Falcon update. There was a biting cold wind. In the channel were Eared Grebe and Common Loon both in breeding plumage, also a pair of Surf Scoter. Bob, the Peregrine guy, said that at about day 30 the Peregrine pair abandoned their nest, mated again, and are in a new nesting site located below the first nest site. I have included a Flickr link to the location of the new nest. Peregrine Falcon Aerie #2 - | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

BIRDING HERE AND THERE

The amount of rain we have received is rather amazing. Since Dec. 5th, nearly 14 inches, which includes last night's 2.10 in. Never let it be said that I am a fair weather birder. In between the showers I have managed to get out and about.

Friday - Whale Rock Reservoir and Cottonwood Creek Road - Rain pending - (the road belonged to the cows) - No eagles were present. About 10 White Pelicans in a tight group at the mouth of the north creek. Although we have received much rain, the reservoir was very low. There were numerous raptors soaring, and 3 colorful Kestrels. Several miles up the road were Yellow-billed Magpie - a rare sight, as they are seldom seen on the coast side of the hills.

Thursday - Elfin Forest - Calif Thrasher (photo) and Bewick's Wren were singing. Blue-gray Gratcatcher was playing hide and seek. The tide was just right to see all the ducks and shore birds. Most unusual were 2 Canvasback and a Eurasian Wigeon (red head), and hundreds of Dowitcher.



Today - Baywood - Thunder rumbling - In the vicinity of the pier - about 30 dabbling Blue-winged Teal. No shore birds. At the Baywood Point a small cluster of White Pelicans. In trees and shrubbery along Pasadena Ave., Red-breasted Nuthatch, Chickadee, Red-winged Blackbirds, Orange-crowned Warbler, American Goldfinch. I am looking forward to dry, warmer weather.

WHALE ROCK RESERVOIR

Whale Rock Reservoir is located a few miles up Old Creek Road in Cayucos. My wish was to see a Bald Eagle. Luck was with me; I saw two adults. (Today's photo did not turn out. This one was taken 2 years ago and is the same tree the Eagle was sitting in this morning.) The second Eagle was on the north side of the lake near the shore. Other sightings, an American Kestrel, 2 deer and 4 plump wild pigs (see photo). On the way home stopped at Pecho Marsh hoping to see the Blackpoll Warbler. No luck. Will try again tomorrow.