Birding Laguna Lake Park

Laguna Lake - The weather was perfect, warming sun with a slight breeze.  The hill, center left, is Bishop Peak.  The hill to the right is Cerro San Luis aka Madonna Mountain.

With boisterous enthusiasm a Great-tailed Grackle welcomed me to the park.

I had noticed, from a distance, a few water fowl; could not determine species, so found an area closer to the water.

A perky Marsh Wren was dashing through the reeds, loudly calling.  Perhaps my presence had disturbed him.  

The male Marsh Wren is quite vocal when it comes to protecting his territory.  He may build numerous nests in hopes of attracting a mate.  The more nests he builds, the more chances he has of success.

Singing from a Willow thicket were Song Sparrow, House Finch, and a handsome Pacific Flycatcher. (photo). The wind was picking up.  Tiny waves were lapping at the shore line.  Since most of our winter guests have returned to their breeding areas, birds on the lake were scarce - two Pied-billed Grebe, two female Northern Shoveler, one Canada Goose, and a lonely male Ruddy Duck. 

Across the lake a Sora was calling (photo taken at Cloisters Pond).  Like all rails, the Sora has big feet, making it easier to walk on floating reeds.  The Sora, when it emerges from the reeds, does not appear to mind huge two legged creatures staring at them. 

The treat for the morning was seeing a Lark Sparrow.  As I neared the barbed wire fence that separates the park from the open space, I could see a Lark Sparrow perched on the old fence, her tiny feet carefully placed between the forever sharp barbs.  I kept my distance - watched her find a morning morsel, and then fly off with a tiny insect securely held in her beak -  perhaps to her nestlings that were eagerly waiting her return. 

 

        

   

Birding Laguna Lake Park

Laguna Lake was full to the brim.  Unfortunately, the lake was experiencing a Blue Green Algae bloom.  Around the lake were caution signs, notifying people to avoid contact with the water.  If Blue Green Algae is ingested, it can cause unpleasant to serious health problems.  I was glad there were no birds on the lake.

Depending on conditions the bloom can last weeks or months.  I hope it is short lived and does not become seriously toxic.  I finally wrestled my thoughts away from the green water and returned to birding.  In a cozy picnic area Western Bluebirds were active.

A small flock of Bluebirds, including two juveniles were dashing about, feeding on tiny insects.  The adult Bluebirds, along with a Black Phoebe were using the border around the picnic area as a perch.

The juveniles (below) were perched on a scraggly Cypress.  I assumed they were waiting to be fed.  I was rather surprised when one of them sallied forth to snatch an insect midair.  Juveniles often appear larger than adults due to down feathers that are shed as they mature.

Other birds - Bewick's Wren, Calif towhee, Song Sparrow, Anna's Hummingbird, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Scrub Jay, Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk, and a flock of Lark Sparrow feeding in the grass along busy Madonna Road.  They were finding much to eat in the freshly mowed grass.

My usual sighting of Lark Sparrow happens when I am driving on a rural road and the little darling is perched on barbed wire, and there is nowhere to park; and if I did park the bird would fly off.  The Lark Sparrow photo was taken when I was walking on an unused rural road.  I only had about a second before it flew off.

In regards to the Algae Bloom, I called San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation.  They are regularly checking on the toxicity level of the lake.  Cyanobacteria is not present.

Birding Laguna Lake Park

This morning I thought it was about time I birdied Laguna Lake Park in San Luis Obispo.  The last time I visited the park was January 13th when winter rains were just beginning to fill the drought stricken lake.   Link to blog of January 13, 2016.     http://birdingthecentralcoast.blogspot.com/2016/01/laguna-lake.html

At 10am the lake was beautiful and the sky very blue - marvelous conditions for birding with two exceptions.   1) There was an Ultimate Frisbee competition going on, making it impossible to bird much of the park.   2) Wind!  Strong wind!  The wind made it difficult for the smaller birds and the Hawks to reach their intended destinations.  A Red-tailed hawk, pushed by the wind was moving sideways.

Cassin's Kingbird (above), about six of them, were attempting to perch in a old California (native) Walnut tree (below), but the wind was making it difficult.  Cassin's Kingbirds are flycatchers (eat insects, also berries and fruits).  They are known to be talkative which is helpful in identification, especially when the wind is blowing them hither, thither, and yon.  

 First sighting of the morning was four American White Pelicans (below) with an 8 - 9 ft. wingspan, coming in for a landing.

They landed gracefully near a large flock of Canada Goose.  Fortunately, I was standing by the edge of the lake when they flew over - a magnificent sight!

In the Eucalyptus trees (above) were Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawk.  Black Phoebe, always a favorite, was everywhere.  I think she was following me.  On the lake, American Coot, Mallard and Double-crested Cormorant - a flock, of Bushtits accompanied by a two Chestnut-backed Chickadee were flitting thru lakeside willows.  The wind eventually slowed down to a light breeze.  As I walked back to my car, I counted 8 Cassin's Kingbird in and around lakeside willows.  This was the first time I had seen a flock of Cassin's.  Perhaps they had come to Laguna Lake Park for the Ultimate Frisbee competition.  Personally, I prefer dog Frisbee.  (Google Image)

Laguna Lake

Winter rains are slowly filling the parched Laguna Lake. Only a small portion of the lake has water - in some areas barely enough for the dabblers to dabble, yet dabble they do.

Sprinkled among the hundreds and hundreds of Mallard Ducks were American Wigeon, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, four seldom seen Gadwall, and a small flock of Ring-billed Gull. 

As  I followed the road along the edge of the lake there were White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Nuttall's Woodpecker; in the Eucalyptus Yellow-rumpled Warbler was numerous, and what to my delighted ears what should I hear but a Cassin's Kingbird.  In the Spring they nest in the Eucalyptus.  

I was concentrating on a sweet flock of Junco (above), looking for a Slate-colored Junco (no luck) when I head the excited honking of a large, 100 plus, flock of Canada Goose (below).  As they neared, the honking got louder. They were flying from the west end of the dry lake.  There may be a pond in that area, but it is hidden by vegetation.  They ended in shallow water not far from where I was standing.  The sound and sight of this large flock coming in for a landing was a special treat. 

On the way home looked for the Bald Eagle that had been seen several times perched on a snag in a tall Eucalyptus. And there it was!  Fortunately, traffic was light and was able to pull to the side of the road to get a splendid view of our National Bird. 

From Los Osos Valley Road turned off on Turri Road, a five mile rural road that winds gently thru rolling farm land.  In the area of the windmill and water trough, Western Meadowlark and Western Bluebird were close to the road, flitting after insects.  Males of both species were sporting their brilliant breeding plumage.  Another marvelous morning of birding the Central Coast. 

Laguna Lake April, 19, 2015

 

Laguna Lake Park - On silent wings a vortex of Turkey Vultures soared overhead, riding the thermals; with their acute sense of smell they locate their next meal - they are nature's clean-up crew.  I headed directly to the lake.  The water appeared down, but not drastically low.  The above photo shows about 1/3 of the lake.

As I pulled into a parking space, my eyes were directed to a Greater White-fronted Goose, accompanied by two Snow Geese, marching across the road to the picnic tables; hoping (if a bird can hope) for a handout. 

From a dense cluster of willows sang Song Sparrow, Wilson's Warbler, and Common Yellowthroat - a most delightful serenade. I walked down the road for a wider view of the lake, to be more precise, a view of the lake bed - not a pleasant sight; a large portion of the lake had evaporated, a stark example of our on-going drought.  


On the far side a small flock of migratory water fowl lingered, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Ruddy Duck.  Feeding in the muck a flock of Western and Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, and two Killdeer. As the lake continues to shrink, and the water is confined to a smaller and smaller area, the birds will be feeding in a toxic soup.

On a more pleasant note, I was returning to my car when a Red-tailed Hawk swooped in, grabbed a Coot and flew into the trees.  If I had blinked, I would have missed the action.

Could not leave the park without visiting the horses grazing in the open space.  There were 17 females, 5 adorable colts and one very lucky white stallion.

Laguna Lake Revisited

        Laguna Lake August 19, 2013
Yesterday one of the top birders posted a list of eleven birds that he had seen at Laguna Lake.  This morning I set out to see how many of the eleven I could find.  I was aware the drought had affected the lake level, but was not prepared for the painful reality.  Laguna Lake was now a mere shadow if its former self.

         Laguna Lake September 9, 2014
The majority of the lake was dry.  The above photo was taken from the edge of the former lake.  For the moment there is a small area of water that supports a variety of water and shore birds.  From the list of eleven species I spotted seven. 

 American Avocet, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Western Sandpiper, and a Spotted Sandpiper fed in the muck along the edge.  About 35 White Pelican were resting on an emerging sandbar or flying directly overhead, low enough to hear the swoosh of their wings.  A large gaggle of Canada Goose were about, plus the resident Snow Goose. The morning birding left me with a troubling question.  What will happen to the birds when the water is completely gone? 

LAGUNA LAKE PARK

 Open Space - The morning was glorious - Clear blue sky - Cool breeze out of the west.  To the north rocky Madonna Mountain, elevation 1,292 feet.  A pair of Turkey Vultures soared over the open space.  A vocal pair of Red-shouldered Hawks were playing a game of mating tag.

 I stopped to listen to the distant song of a Meadowlark.  Nearby was the call of an American Kestrel, North America's smallest Falcon (photo by Linda Tanner), and there it was, only a few yards away, diving out of the sky at sonic speed to snag a small mammal with its piercing talons, and off it sped. This amazing scene lasted about 3 seconds.

Walked over to the lake.  A migratory Snow Goose (photo, right) was keeping company with its city cousins, 4 large and very vocal domestic geese.  The small Snow Goose followed the foursome at a discrete distance except when stale bread appeared in someone's hand, then the Snow Goose was right in the middle of the melee.   Laguna Lake Park never disappoints.

BIRDING LAGUNA LAKE

Arrived at Laguna Lake about 10:30 - the air was still, sun was bright; ideal conditions for checking out the birds.  About 100 Canada Goose (photo) were on the lake.  Separate from the Geese was a juvenile Snow Goose trailing 4 domestic white geese. Over the lake a couple of boisterous Caspian Terns were making their presence known.  Ruby-crowned Kinglets (most prevalent this year) and Yellow-rumped Warblers were flitting about in the trees.

The open space was delightful, only one doggie walker passed by.  Loggerhead Shrike ( photo), well known for its innovative use of barbed wire to impale its prey, was doing what it does best, catching insects.  A few posts down from the Shrike, was another insect eater, Cassin's Kingbird.  Saw several Meadowlarks in the fields, and circling overhead was a White-tailed Kite.  My cup runneth over.

Next stop Costco with its burgeoning population of Parking Lot-Boat-tailed Grackle.