Back to Birding Turri Road

Turri Road - This Morning I was birding with Linda who was on her very first birding adventure.  In mid September migratory birds are just beginning to arrive on the Central Coast.  Some stop for fuel and rest before continuing their journey, others stay through the end of the winter season.

Migrating Brant Geese by local birding photographer Mike Baird. 

We were slowly making our way up Turri Road when I noticed a white car parked in the road and a woman with a camera.  I was hoping she would be a friendly birding photographer.  Luck was with us.

I stopped beside her, "Might I ask what you are looking at?"  She replied, "Bald Eagles."  I said excitedly, "Bald Eagles," stressing the "s."  When she arrived two Bald Eagles were perched on a low hill.  Coincidentally, the hill happened to be the same one I had taken a photo of a few days earlier.  (By clicking on the photo you can see a Bald Eagle, though it does resemble a black and white blob, it is a Bald Eagle.)  Now the hill was bereft of Eagles.  The women pointed to the Sky - The Eagles were soaring over the landscape.  Linda's first sighting was a soaring Bald Eagle.

When we arrived at Hinds Summit a Meadowlark was singing.  Notice the sign, the elevation is in chains.  In the 17th century an English clergyman and mathematician Edmund Gunter invented a distance measuring devise, a chain that was 66 feet long and had 100 links.  It was known as Gunter's Chain and was used in land surveying.  It is still in use today in Great Briton and Canada for surveying land in rural areas.

From our comfortable perch on the hand hewn bench we watched a flock of Brewer's Blackbirds.  An American Kestrel was perched on a nearby fencepost.  Although the Blackbirds were fluttering all around him, the Kestrel was not dislodged from its post.  

As we meandered downhill to the ponds we saw Cassin's Kingbird, Western Bluebird, and Lark Sparrow.

Our good luck continued.  Several Red-necked Phalarope were feeding in the pond.  I find Phalarope amusing as they have a unique method of feeding. 

They swim very fast, in tight circles, creating little whirlpools, which brings plankton to the surface where they can grab them with their bills. This unique feeding method is known as "whirling." Feeding on the edge of the pond were the less exciting, but marvelous, Western Sandpiper and Semipalmated Plover.

Our final stop was the Morro Bay Marina.  We heard California Quail and the coarse ra-tat-tat of a Kingfisher; saw Great Blue Heron, two Pied-billed Grebe, and a marvelous view of an Osprey.   In the estuary were scads of Snowy and Great Egret, Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, and a variety of shorebirds.  In less than an hour and a half we identified 20 species.  Wow!  Linda definitely has great birding Karma. Can hardly wait for our next birding adventure.



               

 

Birding The Central Coast

Turri Road - A few minutes from San Luis Obispo, a few miles west on Los Osos Valley Road, a right turn onto a quiet rural road and you have arrived.  Spring green is the color of the day.  Brilliant patches of Buttercups, Lupine, and Poppies add color to the scene.  

Four Western Bluebird nest boxes were placed along the fencing.  Sallying fort from perches on the barbed wire fence was a pair of Bluebirds.  Hopefully they will soon be parents.

 

As I tootled up the road more Bluebirds and a pair of Cassin's Kingbird.  

Western Bluebirds are indigenous to the area and may be seen year round.  Don't forget to look up as they often perch on utility lines. 

Finally made it to the top of the hill.  Two male Meadowlarks, attempting to attract a female were singing, flicking their tails, and pointing their bill up.  They carried on for several minutes, sadly to no avail.  The female silently disappeared into the grass.  

I was admiring the view when I noticed a small bird perched on a well weathered post - A  Lark Sparrow, one of my seldom seen favorites.  Unlike many song birds, they walk on the ground rather than hop.

Next stop, " the ponds."  

To my delight there was a variety of birds, eight Greater Yellowlegs, one Green-winged Teal, a pair of Northern Shoveler, six Mallards, a Great Egret, a small flock of sandpipers, and a Cinnamon Teal resting on a clump of pickleweed.  With the exception of the Teal, they were all voraciously feeding.  (photo was taken a few days ago when there were no birds)  Many migratory birds use Morro Bay and its adjoining wetlands as a place to rest and refuel.

 

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.  

WINDY WEATHER

Fall winds were churning up the bay this morning.  At the Audubon Overlook was a assortment of shorebirds.  Most notable was a Black-necked Stilt (photo taken on Parkfield Road in SLO County).  The Stilt was a beauty; her graceful long legs were very pink.  She was among a mixed flock of Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher (photo), Western Sandpiper, and two Black-bellied Plovers.

The wind was such, that as the graceful Stilt attempted to move and feed in the shallow water, the wind blew her sideways.  The other birds, not having the height of the stilt were not blown about.  Black-necked Stilts have the second-longest legs in proportion to their body of any bird, exceeded only by Flamingos.

 Working my way through the Los Osos sewer construction, managed to get to Cuesta Inlet and Pecho Willows.  Although quite windy on the west facing side of the bay, it did nothing to hamper a feeding frenzy that had just begun.  The first to arrive were the Terns, next Double-crested Cormorant, and finally Brown Pelican.

I find the intense noise of the sewer construction extremely distracting on my limited birding skills.  Tomorrow morning; no later that 8:00, I am promising myself, that I will bird in peace and quiet, Islay Creek mouth, and the campground at Montana de Oro St. Park.

WHITE-FACED IBIS

Morro Strand Lagoon - For at least several days a White-faced Ibis (photo) has been seen foraging in the Morro Strand Lagoon. The lagoon (below photo) is easily accessible. I take the little trail at the south end of the campground that follows the creek to the beach.
No sun and a wet drizzle did not dampen my birding spirit. I was happy not to be looking for Warblers in a willow thicket. The White-faced Ibis was engrossed in feeding and paid little attention to the people on the beach. See video White-faced Ibis - Plegadis chihi | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Besides the delightful Ibis, there was a mixed flock of Elegant and Royal Tern with a few Caspian Tern, several Black-bellied Plover, numerous Semipalmated Plover, a few Whimbrel and scads of Long-billed Curlew - Without a doubt, this morning's birding was perfect!!

MORRO CREEK LAGOON

Morro Creek Lagoon, Morro Bay. Weather, cool, and cloudy, just perfect for birding. The photo was taken from a parking area above and to the south of the Lagoon. If this was a panoramic photo, Morro Rock would be on the left. On its way to the sea the Creek forms a couple of wide, yet shallow pools that provide bountiful habitat for a variety of shorebirds.

Fortune shined, and the birds were most cooperative. In and around the Lagoon were about 200 Red-necked Phalarope (spinning and probing), two Wilson's Phalarope, one Dowitcher (short or long-billed - hard to determine), several Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover, Western Sandpiper, and the shorebird I was hoping to see, the Pectoral Sandpiper.

It's not like I have not seen the Pectoral before; I just wanted to get a really good look at the little darling. Well, actually, it is not that little. It is a couple of inches larger that a Western Sandpiper, and it is usually (anyway when I have seen it) apart from the other sandpipers. I was focusing on a little cluster of Western when the Pectoral strode out of the reeds. Yes!!

As I neared my car, I noticed, perched atop a tall shrub on the bank of the creek, a Cooper's Hawk. Directly below him were four young house finch that were waiting for their parents to feed them. I have a feeling the hawk was thinking about breakfast.

BIRDING BAYWOOD

Yesterday I thought I would see how many birds I could observe without binoculars. Walked about 2 miles, staying close to the bay. Saw or heard 23 species. Best birds - Caspian Tern and Kingfisher.

Saw a man looking up and stopped to talk to him. He had just seen a Bald Eagle. Dang, missed again.

This afternoon, although it was quite windy, walked to the Audubon Overlook. In front of the overlook were Cinnamon, Blue and Green-winged Teal, a pair of Pintail, and a Marsh Wren in the reeds. The large flocks were off in the distance. Can you find the Blue-winged Teal in the top photo? (click on photo for larger image)

I am experimenting with a new camera, point and shoot, of course. It only weighs a few ounces, and can be carried in a pocket. The zoom, though, is limited to 4X, but for $99, I cannot complain.

BIRDING THE PHOTOGRAPHIC HOT SPOTS

The Morro Bay Bird Festival begins tomorrow. At 8:00 Linda will be taking a group of 15 to several photographic hot spots that feature great scenery and great birding. This morning Linda and I took a trial run. We began at the Morro Bay Marina sand spit. In the marina were 2 Western Grebe and 3 Pied-billed Grebe that were being a bit feisty (the breeding season has begun). In the shrubbery we saw the usual, plus Song Sparrow, Meadowlark, Gray-blue Gnatcatcher, Yellow-rumped Warbler. Out in the mud flats were thousands of diving and dabbling ducks, cormorants, Brant, Sanderlings, Sandpipers, White Pelican.

Next stop, The Elfin Forest - The Fuchsia-flowering Gooseberry is beginning to bloom. We saw Calif. Thrasher (photo), Bewick's Wren, Gnatcatcher, Anna's Hummingbird. At the overlook (the tide was lowish), American Wigeon, Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal, Avocet, Dowitcher, Pintail, and scads of shorebirds. In the shrubbery and pine trees by the parking area were 2 Hermit Thrush and Junco.

Last stop Sweet Springs. A gentleman pointed out a Great Horned Owl. Well, that made the morning. A Kingfisher was in the area of the pond. From the overlook we could see thousands and thousands shorebirds, ducks, Terns, and a huge flock of Brant. The birding was beyond amazing. Without a doubt, Linda's photographic/birding event will be a tremendous success.

WEDNESDAY BIRDING

High tides cause shore birds to move east toward South Bay Blvd. In order to view these birds one has to park on the east side of S. Bay Blvd., and when the coast is clear, dash across to the bay side. There was a variety of shorebirds and ducks in the lunar landscape of the pickleweed. My favorite sighting was of the recently arrived American Avocet. Watching them feed is a delight. They thrust their bills underwater, swinging them from side to side along the bottom to stir up aquatic insects. Other birds of note, Short-billed Dowitcher and a plethora of Black-bellied Plover. Only a few ducks - Pintail, the three Teals (Blue, Green, Cinnamon), Shoveler, Am. Wigeon, and Bufflehead.

In the thick brush between S.B. Blvd. and the bay were, Quail, Say's and Black Phoebe, Bewick's Wren (see above photo), Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.Next stop M.B. Marina, Caspian and Elegant Tern were diving for fish. Sitting on masts, Osprey and Red-shouldered Hawk. In the pines, Red-breasted Nuthatch and Chickadee. Along edge of the marina was a bobbing Spotted Sandpiper (photo). (I wonder if this is the same one I saw in Yosemite Valley in a marshy wetland this summer.)

Across the road in the Morro Bay Campground I could hear a Steller's Jay and numerous Nuthatches. This is definitely the year of the Red-breasted Nuthatch, as they are prolific.

BAYWOOD BIRDING

This morning's weather was cool and foggy. Most memorable birds around the Baywood Pier were: 2 Killdeer, one Ruddy Turnstone, one Short-billed Dowitcher, and one very light colored Godwit see photo). At the Pasadena Overlook were about 50-60 Western Sandpiper and a Caspian and Elegant Tern. At the Audubon Overlook: 3 Brant Goose preening, huge flock of American Goldfinch and a Selasphorus Hummer. Last stop was the Morro Bay Marina: Bob, the sea otter that comes in on the tide, was sleeping in his bed of kelp. Thousands of Willets, Long-billed Curlew, Godwit, and sandpiper in the pickleweed. Best sighting was of 6 Black Skimmer flying across the bay. Second best sighting was a Black Phoebe chasing a Western Sandpiper.

SUNDAY BIRDING

We drove up Turri Road. In the ponds were 10 Greater Yellowleg and 2 Killdeer. About a mile further, on the creek side, was a flock of American Goldfinch, and in a field of peas a pair of Western Bluebirds.

Our next stop was the Morro Bay Marina. We meandered through the brush, enjoying the antics of a large flock of Bushtits (see photo). Reaching the bay we sat on a rock and feasted our eyes upon Godwit, Willet, Long-billed Curlew and a huge flock of Sandpipers flying over the bay. White Pelican and Great Egret were on a sandbar. It is wonderful to see migratory birds returning to the Central Coast.


Our final destination was the Audubon Overlook at the North end of 4th in Los Osos. Our first sighting was of a small, mixed flock of Dowitcher and Willet. Before we could figure out whether the Dowitchers were Long-billed or Short-billed, they disappeared from view. To be honest, they disappeared from view because we had become distracted by a Virginia Rail who was feeding in the mud. Virginia Rails are few and far between around Morro Bay, so this sighting was an enormous treat.