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 Around the Bay and Beyond

Morro Creek - Cannot think of a better way to celebrate the first Monday in October than to go birding.  The weather was warmish and crystal clear.  In other words a perfect beach day.  Due to human and dog activity birds were scarce in Morro creek.

Up Morro Creek a tad, were six Red-necked Phalarope (below), a lone female Northern Shoveler, and a "daggle" of Mallards.  On occasion a male Mallard will mate with Shovelers, Teal, Wigeon and Gadwal, but not all at once.  Seeing a Mallard hybrid can be mighty confusing.  When a male Mallard is in the mood for mating, keep your distance.

Morro Bay Marina - The marina was peaceful.  The only migratory water birds were five Pied-billed Grebe.

I was hoping to get a view of one of the two visiting Yellow-crowned Night Heron that have been seen recently perched on the back of boats, but they were a no show.

Fortune shined when a Caspian Tern, looking for a fish, flew into the marina.  It hovered a couple of times but never dove.  Due to its bulky size, its very red bill, and its impressive wing span, 50-55 inches, the Caspian is often easy to identify.  It also flies higher than Elegant, Royal and Forster's Tern.

Montaña de Oro Bluff Trail -  I was south of Quarry Cove, about midway along the trail, looking for Black Oystercatchers (Bloys), when I spotted seven of them perched on a shale formation that jutted into the sea.  As the weather flows from summer into fall/winter, the Mdo Oystercatchers often hang out together.  I see these gatherings as a means for the young adults to find a mate.  And more than likely they also talk about the two legged monsters that invade their territory when they are nesting and trying to raise their young.  Photo of four of the seven taken by Gary O'Neil.

Afterthought - Last week stopped by Laguna Lake.  The blue green algae looked about the same.  Across the lake were 30 or more White Pelican and a very large flock of Canada Goose.  Before I got out of the car I saw a tiny bird in a willow tree.  I had not seen a scaly-breasted munia, commonly known as Nutmeg Mannikin for at least 20 years.  They are native to tropical Asia and were popular with the pet trade.  I would classify them as cute.

                                                                          

Keep your binoculars handy because one of those little seed eaters, that we frequently take for granted, may be a Nutmeg Mannikin. 

Birding Between Rain Storms

 Laguna Lake - The rain had just stopped and I was headed to Laguna Lake.  I believe I was the only birder in the county that had not seen the Vermilion Flycatcher.  It’s not that I hadn’t tried.  Upon arrival at the small fishing dock, actually the area where the little darling has frequently been seen,  I heard a sweet, yet unfamiliar song.  On are twig, at the top of a scraggly willow, perched the Vermilion Flycatcher. ( Photo of the Laguna Lake Flycatcher by Roger Zachary.)

This little traveler is considered a rare visitor to the Central Coast.  He may have journeyed here from East Texas or from suitable regions in the Eastern Ca. deserts such as Zzyzx, near Baker Ca. or the Big Morongo Preserve, east of Palm Springs, Ca. where the Vermilion Flycatcher has been known to nest.

Turri Road - The weather was blustery.  In recently plowed fields were large flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds.  Perched on fencing were Say’s Phoebe, Western Bluebird, and Lark Sparrow (below).

 Morro Bay Marina - Looks like the storm has passed - Seven species of underwater foragers, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Common Loon, Western Grebe, Eared Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-creasted Cormorant, and a cooperative male Belted Kingfisher (below).  I love birding the Marina as the water birds are in a confined space and much easier to identify.

Sweet Springs -  Two Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a Blue-grey Gnatcatcher frolicked in Silver Lupine bushes growing along the path to the east overlook.  Kinglet and Gnatcatcher can be difficult to observe as they are usually flitting thru dense foliage. 

In the shallower water, Cinnamon Teal, Blue-winged Teal (above), Green-winged Teal, and American Wigeon.  In the deeper water many hundreds of water birds.  Regardless of the weather birding the Central Coast is always a memorable experience.

My favorite photo of the day, California Towhee bathing.

Memorable Sightings

 
 Turri Road Ponds at the junction of So. Bay Blvd and Turri Road.
 Memorable sighting No. 3 -  I was anticipating seeing Greater and Lesser Yellowleg, but upon arrival what we did see was a delightful surprise - six Red-necked Phalarope plus a Logger-headed Shrike that sped by at eye level.

Phalarope are fun to watch as they are active feeders, spinning in circles as they feed on tiny insects.  Below is a photo I somehow managed to get, when for a brief moment, a Phalarope stopped spinning.

    Memorable sighting No. 4 -  Third Street Coastal Access 

A mixed flock of rather adorable, Semipalmated Plover, Marbled Godwit and Willet were feeding along the edge of the water - a very peaceful scene.  I mentioned to Mike that we should see a Black-bellied Plover, as one or two are often found in a mixed flock of shorebirds.  We found one by itself on a little sandbar.  It's beautiful black and white breeding plumage had already transitioned to quiet winter colors.  Photo of Black-bellied Plover in Winter Plumage.

    Memorable Sighting No. 2 -  Morro Bay State Park Marina

I was confident we would find a Spotted Sandpiper.  We were barely a few feet along the path when the tiny sandpiper appeared bopping along the edge of the water.  Translation of "bopping along" - Spotted Sandpiper teeter as they walk.  Chicks teeter as soon as they hatch.  The function of the teetering motion is yet to be determined.  Soon we discovered there were two Spotted Sandpipers, an adult and a juvenile.  The adult still had a few spot on its belly.  A great treat seeing these two little beauties.  If you squint, the belly spots can be seen.

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    Memorable Sighting No. 1 -  Morro Bay Marina Boardwalk

The primary reason for going to the marina was to see, at the least, one of the four or five Reddish Egrets that had been seen in the area of Morro Bay for about a week or so.  The Reddish Egret is one of the rarest egrets in North America.  It's easily distinguished from other Egrets and Herons by its shaggy appearance, reddish head and neck during breeding season, very active feeding behavior, and pink-and-black bill.  It is a resident breeder in Central America, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Gulf Coast of the U.S, and Mexico, and has slowly been making its way up our coast.

We were standing on the boardwalk with binoculars focused across the vast pickleweed to the edge of the receding tide.  A scope would have been helpful.  While looking for the Egrets three women, one with binoculars and a humongous camera, sat down on a nearby bench.  The woman with the camera asked if we had seen the Reddish Egret. "No," we answered.  She points into the hazy west. "They're out there, four of them."  By expanding the photo (click or touch) you can see two of the four Egrets, far left and right center.

 At this time of year they are without their roguish reddish head and neck.  What distinguished them to us was their athletic feeding behavior.  We observed them dash about, zig-zag, and leap with wings flapping, but they did have their quiet moments, strolling along the edge of the water with the shorebirds.  Certainly would be delightful to have the Reddish Egret as a regular winter visitor.  For your viewing please have included a 1.14 minute YouTube video on the feeding strategy of the Reddish Egret.
https://youtu.be/oPt70L1lAoM

On July 17 at San Simeon creek mouth local photographer Roger Zachary captured this excellent image of a Reddish Egret.

Where are the Dabbling Ducks?

Thursday morning at 10:00 the tide was very high (6.5).  At the Sweet Springs Preserve the extreme tide covered nearly all the pickleweed, filled in the channels and the ponds, with the exception of the tiny wetland where the springs bubbles forth. 

Usually coming into Sweet Spring on the incoming tide, dabbling ducks such as Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, Green and Blue-winged Teal (above) and Cinnamon Teal adapt their dabbling to finding tasty morsels in the flooded pickleweed.

For comparison, the above photo shows the flooded pickleweed at an average tide.” 

As I entered the preserve two female deer were feeding in the new grass growing along the edge of the boardwalk.  Both of the deer alerted to my presence.  In a few moments they disappeared into the brush. 

Coots were feeding in the grass.  I guess they wanted a change from the Sea Pines Golf Course where they usually hang out.  What I did not see were dabbling ducks.

Searching the pond I noticed a mixed flock of about 20 Teal, sound asleep on the edges of the wetland.  Perhaps they were exhausted from their flight to Morro Bay.  Usually ducks notice a close human presence.  These little darling did not even blink.

Scanning the far side of the flooded pickleweed I spotted a few more Teal,  but where was the bounty of dabblers I had been expecting?  For several years I've noticed that fewer water fowl are wintering in Morro Bay.

From the photo, taken at Sweet Springs in January 2007, there is no doubt in my mind that fewer ducks are wintering in Morro Bay.     Can you find the Eurasian Wigeon?

  I am hoping that the missing dabblers are busy feeding in another area of the bay.

Baywood Morning Birds

Yesterday a Red-necked Grebe, and seven Brant Goose, were seen in Baywood Cove in the area of the little pier and the Back Bay Cafe.  This morning at 8:00 I headed out the door with binoculars, camera and high hopes that I could find the water fowl that had been sighted yesterday. 

Luck prevailed.  The first birds I saw were 27 Blue-winged Teal (above photo and center of top photo). Along the edge of the sandbar (the tide was going out) were two Black-bellied Plover, a very Long-billed Curlew, several Marbled Godwit, and a Ring-billed Gull.

Tiny fish were jumping and 2 Eared Grebe were diving every few moments.  Seven Brant were moving in a straight line across the bay. One was in the lead. It was a beautiful sight.  Out a little further were, not one, but two Red-necked Grebe (above photo by Caleb Putnam) and two Pied- billed Grebe, plus 17 Western Grebe, and a Kingfisher perched on the top of a mast (below photo). Saturday, October 22, 2016 will go down in history as the "Day of the Grebe."

All these great sightings in just a few minutes.  With the beautiful morning came the people, dog walkers, children playing on the sand bar, dogs in the water, and a line of people waiting for coffee.  The old adage, "The early birds gets the worm," was certainly true this morning.

Birding Baywood

Birding Baywood - Weather perfect, slight breeze - The Audubon Overlook is located at the north end of 4th St.  Below is a view of Morro Bay taken from the overlook, when it is not foggy of course.  Morro Rock, to the far left,  and the hills are remnants of volcanoes created about 20 million years ago.

Four Greater Yellowleg, looking positively splendid in their transitional plumage, were preening themselves by the waters edge.

Six Whimbrel were sleeping, eight Godwit and a Long-billed Curlew were looking for edibles in the pickleweed, and a Black-bellied Plover accompanied a small flock of Western Sandpiper.  Dependable Black Phoebe was busy flycatching. 

Next stop, the 3rd St. Coastal Access, a sweet little path takes one down to the bay.

The path is lined with pink blooming mallow and blooming fennel which smells like licorice.  The fennel bulb can be grilled or braised.  I have yet to try it.  From here one can walk, if the tide is not high, to the Baywood Coffee shop and the Baywood Pier.  Forster's and Elegant Tern were, with great gusto, diving for fish.  Elegant Tern has a very piercing and sharp kee-rick call where as the Forster's has a loud, heavy k-yarr call.  The sounds coming from the Terns were positively delightful. 

Migratory Terns, mainly Elegant, with a smattering of Royal and the occasional Caspian, gather in large flocks on the Morro Strand Beach.  The adults are kept busy feeding the fussy juveniles.  Can you find the Royal Terns?

While the feeding melee was going on a Double-crested Cormorant and a Snowy Egret were having a disagreement over feeding rights.  As I walked along the edge of the bay, a Cooper's Hawk sped by and four Canada Goose honked as they passed overhead.  In the area of the Baywood Pier were eight Ring-billed Gull.  Birding Baywood was delightful!  Now, isn't that interesting, my walk ended at the coffee shop.

 Спасибо за чтение моего блога бирдинг.
Spasibo za chteniye moyego bloga birding.
Merci d'avoir lu mon blog d'observation des oiseaux.
Vielen Dank für meine Vögel beobachten Blog zu lesen.
Thank you for reading my birding blog

Early Birds

This weekend I had the pleasure of birding the Montaña de Oro Sandspit (above) and the Marina Boardwalk.  I was looking for Early Birds, birds that breed elsewhere and come to the Central Coast for the fall, winter, and early spring.


 Sandspit - A flock of 30 Brandt's Cormorant were resting on a rocky point.  Brandt's can be seen on the central coast all year, but they have been missing from Montaña de Oro's rocky shoreline.  I was rather happy to see them.

 On the beach 40 adult and one immature Herrmann's Gull (above).  Heermann's is classified as "Near Threatened," as 90% of their breeding is confined to Isla Raza in Baja California.

 At the edge of the surf about 30 Whimbrel (above) fed, dashing hither, thither and yon. 
Whimbrel breed in Alaska and Arctic regions of Canada and Greenland.

Although the morning was heavily overcast, fortune shined.  Above the high tide line were two endangered Snowy Plover.  In the wet sand, feeding on a bird carcass, were two Turkey Vultures.  Diving in the rugged surf about 10-15 Surf Scoter.

 Marina Boardwalk - Feeding in the pickleweed was a mixed flock of several hundred Whimbrel, Long-billed Curlew, and Willet (above).  Many were in transition between their breeding and winter plumage.  In the center of the bay rested about 50 amazing White Pelican (below).  They can weigh 30 pounds and their wing span can exceed nine feet.  They are fabulous to see in flight.

 In the brush two Bewick's Wren were active, heard White-crowned Sparrow and House Finch.  Black Phoebe was sallying forth from her perch on the boardwalk to snatch unsuspecting insects.  I am seeing fewer birds everywhere.  Unfortunately drought and global warming is taking its toll.