Return of the Winter Birds

Morro Bay - Sweet Spring East Overlook - The tide was slowly ebbing, perfect conditions for viewing the new arrivals.  There were shorebirds, wading birds, and water birds.  Wow!  Where to look first - A flock of 100 plus Least Sandpiper were busy probing the wet sand for tasty morsels.  Sprinkled among them were Sanderlings (below) easy to identity as they are larger and appear quite white in contrast to their smaller cousins.

On the periphery of the flock were two Semipalmated Plover - "semipalmated" refers to the bird's "half-webbed toes" which enable them to walk on mud without sinking.  Nearby were Great and Snowy Egret, two Killdeer, two Black-bellied Plover, two Greater Yellowleg, and a Partridge in a pear tree.

Such a beautiful day.  A small flock of Ruddy Duck floated peacefully; Bufflehead were doing what they do best - diving.  Overhead looking for an unsuspecting fish were two Caspian and five Forester's Tern.  Several Blue-winged Teal splashed down. (Sweet Springs Blue-winged Teal by Gary O'Neall)

Out on the bay, but close enough for a good look, were about 150 Black Brant Geese, accompanied by a few darker juveniles.  My first sighting this season of our iconic goose, and my first sighting ever of juvenile Brant.  (Brant by Mike Baird)

Brant used to number in the thousands.  Now, we are fortunate to have a couple hundred.  Notice that the center Brant in the above photo is eating Eelgrass which is their primary food source.  Today 90% of the Eelgrass has vanished.  Eelgrass is critical to the health of the estuary. (Brant in flight by Gary O'Neill)

Sweet Springs West Overlook - Feeding along the edge of the Bay were Willet, Godwit, and a Long-billed Curlew.  The female Curlew is larger and has a longer bill than the male.  For years I was befuddled over Curlew bills.  Some were really long and others seemed short.  For awhile I thought the short-billed Curlew were Whimbrels.  To confuse the situation, juvenile Curlew have shorter bills.  Birding does have its challenges.

West of the overlook in front of a rickety pier were more Brant.  (pier is on the far left of the photo)  Brant are long lived and mate for life.  When migrating non-stop from Alaska to Morro Bay they are beside each other; juveniles accompany their migrating parents.  Seeing the Brant and hearing their gentle chatter made my day. 
 
     For details on the collapse of Eelgrass in Morro Bay click on the following link.
https://archive.fisheries.noaa.gov/wcr/stories/2017/11_09112017_eelgrass_collapse.html

RETURN OF THE MIGRANTS

Morro Strand State Beach - North Point - Sanderlings (Calidris alba ), visitors from the high Arctic tundra, are constantly on the move. Their feeding strategy is to feed in the shallow water left by receding waves; the waves never stop and neither do the Sanderlings; following the movement of the waves, they race back and forth.

Today was warm and magnificent with few people on the beach. From North Point I walked south to the Strand Lagoon, which amazingly, due to high tides and a slight amount of water in the creek, continues to exist. Along the western edge of the lagoon was a flock of 60 Black-bellied Plovers (unusual), a mixed flock of Elegant and Royal Tern, and scads of Long-billed Curlew and Whimbrel.

Next stop, The Cloisters - Maybe one or two birds. Intense growth of reed and willows make it impossible to see into the pond; does bother me a tad, for in mid January I will be leading in the Cloisters an "Easy Birding" walk for the Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival. Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival - California Bird Watching at its Best

After a perker upper at Starbuck's I headed out on Turri Road. About 2 miles east is an old windmill. Attracted to the water were American and Lesser Goldfinch (photo - click for larger image), Western Bluebird, Black and Say's Phoebe. Moving around in the dry grass a flock of Meadowlark, and perched upon an old fence post sat a colorful Kestrel.

Final stop - Audubon Overlook. Tide was perfect for viewing a few of our winter guests - No. Shoveler, No. Pintail, Bufflehead, American Wigeon, Ruddy Duck, Green, Blue and Cinnamon Teal - a never ending treat for me to see 3 species of Teal feeding together. Bird count for the day was 58. My next quest - an Eurasian Wigeon.