Fall Birding - A Little Here and a Little There

Sweet Sweet Springs - The tide was high and the fog was meditating on its power to grant the people of peaceful Baywood the unique privilege of experiencing the sun's warmth.  

Nuttall's Woodpecker was active in a tall Cypress; Chickadees, Oak Titmouse were flitting through a stand of low growing oak.  In the pond numerous Mallards slept, preened and chatted about their recent travels; Song Sparrow darted through pond-side vegetation, and a great and Snowy Egret, perched high in a tall Eucalyptus, watched the action.

A noisy Belted Kingfisher (photo by Gary O'Neill) searched for lunch.

In a Channel, carved by time and tides, 26 Blue-winged Teal fed.  I consider them the "Early Birds," as every year they are the first small migratory duck to arrive in Sweet Springs.

Estero Bluffs State Park - Vila Creek - Blooming along the path to the beach and pond was Tar Weed and Mock Heather.  My friend Phoebe and I were hoping to see a migrant species that is seen only occasionally on the Central Coast, a Black-necked Stilt.  It would be a first sighting for Phoebe.

A few migratory shorebirds, Western Sandpiper, Godwit, Whimbrel and a few Long-billed Curlew were feeding along the edge of the beach.  Higher up the beach, Killdeer, a pair of Pectoral Sandpiper and four Turkey Vultures.  Numerous Snowy Plover were busy chasing kelp flies.  In the background of the top image in the collage, symbolic fencing can be seen.  The fencing, along with signage, encourages people to respect the Snowy Plover nesting grounds.   https://www.mbnep.org/2016/03/04/symbolic-fencing-helps-morro-bays-snowy-plovers/ 

We finally reached the pond where there had been several recent sightings of a juvenile Black-necked Stilt.  At the bend in the creek perched a Great Egret; a few feet out from the Egret was a pair of Mallards.  A few feet from the Mallards strode a black and white, pink legged Black-necked Stilt.  They can swim and dive but prefer to wade in shallow water.

The photo was taken by local birder/photographer Maggie Smith about two hours before we arrived at Villa Creek pond.  

Birding Villa Creek

The morning was grey, sea calm.  Villa Creek is located at the northern terminus of Estero Bluffs State Park.  Although easily accessible, it has yet to be discovered, with the exception of course, of the occasional birder.

At either end of the cove rugged promontories calm the incoming sea.

I was fascinated by the floral patterns the ebbing tide had etched in the sand.

Upon entering the beach my first sighting was of Snowy Plovers.  It is rather mind boggling how fast their tiny legs move when they are feeding on teensy, weensy black sand flies.

Not wanting to be left out, a Semipalmated Plover joined the fly feeding frenzy.

Villa Creek and its lagoon are out of sight from the beach, as the beach is lower than the lagoon.  I was birding with Mike.  He spotted an Osprey who was not the least concerned as to our presence on the beach. (Due to the zoom effect, the distant background appears closer.)

Heading toward the lagoon we saw Whimbrel and Long-billed Curlew.  I admit there have been many times when I have pondered the question, "Is it a Curlew or a Whimbrel?"  Can you tell which is which?

At the narrow end of the lagoon we saw Black Phoebe, Killdeer, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Western Sandpiper, and no ducks.  Overhead flew a pair of Black Oystercatcher, Red-tailed Hawk, and Turkey Vultures.  Accessing the further reaches of the lagoon meant tromping through a tangle of vegetation that included dry grass, a favored habitat for ticks.  I decided not to walk through the grass.  Mike, on the other hand ventured forth.  No ducks, but he did confirm my tick theory when he found he had six unwanted guests.  

The finale of birding Villa Creek and its environs was watching a Surf Scoter feeding in the surf.  The collage compares an Adult Scoter with the one I observed.  It was either a juvenile or an adult in molting (eclipse) plumage.  More than likely it was a juvenile.  I do intend on returning to Villa Creek, but will wait for a sunny day.