The Pigeon Guillemot - Montaña de Oro State Park

The Pigeon Guillemot - Cepphus columba - arrives on the Central Coast in mid-April and departs for the open sea in mid-August.  At Montaña de Oro (MdO) the numerous holes in the cliffs provide nesting sites for the arriving Pigeon Guillemot.

Eggs (1-2) usually hatch in about a month.  After 35-45 days the chicks fledge, flying out to sea.  They will no longer be dependent upon their parent's care.

The Guillemot on the far right is holding a small fish in its beak (click on photo for larger image).  The little fish is more than likely food for its nestling.

This year's Guillemot population at MdO appears robust.  Last Sunday the sea was calm with a low tide exposing the rocks (top photo).  I counted 40 plus Guillemot bobbing in the sea and 20 more perched on the rocks, and that was just in the area of Spooner's Cove (top photo).  It was a phenomenal day for observing the Guillemot.

THE ELEVEN BIRDS OF CHRISTMAS

What Birders do on Christmas Day.....
They bird and sing  "The Eleven Birds Of Christmas"

     Twelve Mallards Preening..
     Eleven Whimbrel Feeding..
     Ten Birders Birding..
     Nine Teal a-Dabbling..
     Eight Grebes a-Diving..
     Seven Eagles a-Soaring..
     Six Gulls a-begging..
     Five Golden Warblers......
     Four Fussing Jays..
     Three Snowy Plover..
     Two Precious Finch....
        And a Wrentit in the Scrub Brush......
            
         HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

  

MORRO BAY MARINA BOARDWALK

Morro Bay State Park Marina - A totally accessible loop boardwalk and trail was completed about a month ago. The trail section goes along the marina to the point where it merges into a redwood boardwalk that follows the edge of the estuary, in a gentle meandering loop, back to the parking area.

Beginning in June I documented the construction of the boardwalk - the result, 5 little YouTube videos. I have included a link to part 5, the final video on the construction  http://youtu.be/wt2Vvbt6udA

Today, around noon, I walked the loop boardwalk and trail. The weather, totally divine, the birding great!  In the marina were numerous Western Grebe, Pied Billed Grebe, and one Clark's Grebe. Definitely a good Grebe Day!  Along the edge of the marina was the Spotted Sandpiper, a winter resident at the marina.  From the point, hundreds of shorebirds could be seen. - Sandpiper, Sanderling, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer; many Egret and Great Blue Heron. Dabbling and Diving Ducks in the channels.

Passed several birders that were delighted with the boardwalk. Along the estuary, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Black Phoebe chasing flies. Yum!  Did not see the Palm Warbler that had been seen this morning but did see a lone coyote stalking something way out on the estuary.  Hopefully, I will be back on the boardwalk at 9:00 Wed. morning to see the effects of a very high tide.