Birding the Morro Bay Marina

 The morning was perfect.  The tide, having been quite high at 6:00 am was on the way out.  The pickleweed was very wet, not only from the tide but from the 1/2 in. of rain we received last night.  The mud was very wet, reflecting the sun light - ideal conditions for a variety of birds to feed. 

From the boardwalk one could see thousands of birds.  Feeding in the pickleweed were Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, and 300 or so Brant Goose.  The Brant chat continually as they feed - a soft and pleasing sound.    Can you find the Snow Goose?

 Of course, here and there is a Great-blue Heron, an Egret, a few Canada Goose, Avocet, flocks of Sandpiper, and scads of shorebirds; on a distant sandbar 18 Harbor seals sunned themselves and I had not yet walked 20 feet. 

Much fun watching two Long-billed Curlew engaged in a heated discussion.  A Merlin was perched atop of one of the two scraggly pine trees located on the bay side of the boardwalk. Twice it flew off, returning within a few minutes to the same twig - quite a treat as Merlin sightings are not frequent.  

While focused on the Merlin, deep in the brush came a flutter of activity and the alarm call of a male ( photo) Quail - a Cooper's Hawk had swooped down on a covey of Quail.   The Cooper's Hawk captures a bird with its feet and will squeeze it repeatedly to kill it.  Fortunately for the little covey, the Hawk was not successful.  The flurry of excitement happened in just a few seconds.   

In the Marina (above) were Bufflehead, Scaup, Surf Scoter, Eared Grebe, Kingfisher, an Osprey calling, and my very special, always feeding in the mud along the edge of the Marina........my favorite,.....a......Spotted Sandpiper.  Birding the Morro Bay Marina this morning was a premium experience. 

POINT BUCHON TRAIL

The Point Buchon Trail is located on PGE property on the south side of Coon Creek. I took the mile loop. It was windy and cold, but I persevered. There were the usual birds in the brush, Spotted Towhee, Calif. Quail, a singing Calif. Thrasher,and a busy Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.







On the bluff where the cattle were grazing were numerous Meadowlark. The short grass makes it easy to see their brilliant yellow breast. As I was gazing at these gorgeous birds a Peregrine Falcon flew in and scooped one up in her talons. The Meadowlark was loudly protesting as the Falcon flew off.

Birdwatching was not my only goal. I was hoping to see spouts from migrating Gray Whales. Barely on the trail five minutes when I saw several spouts and the back of a whale. Great birding and whale watching - the Central Coast provides!

SWEET SPRINGS - FRIDAY

Sweet Springs was peaceful this morning. Only one of the three juvenile Great Horned Owls was to be seen. Sightings: Junco, Spotted Towhee, Tree Swallow, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Song Sparrow, Common Yellow-throat, Snowy Egret. Out in the bay there was a small feeding frenzy - Great Egret, White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Caspian Tern (2 )were feasting on the small fish that come in to the bay on the incoming tide. Below is a another funky video taken with an iPod Nano.

PEREGRINES AND GREAT HORNED OWLS

North side of Morro Rock, Morro Bay, Calif. One nestling observed taking short flights, another nestling a bit hesitant at flying. The north side of the rock is more expansive than the south, and one has to be farther from this massive rock to gain perspective - hence the Peregrines can be a bit difficult to locate. For the next two weeks or so, as the fledglings learn to fly, there will be much Peregrine activity to observe on the North side of Morro Rock.

Sweet Springs, Los Osos, Calif. Fortune shined! Experienced a leisurely sighting of 4 Great Horned Owls which consisted of 2 owlets (3rd owlet not visible) and both parents.