SOUNDS OF ISLAY CREEK

Islay Creek, Montana de Oro State Park - Yesterday morning, around 10:00 am, the creek was alive with sound. The little Nano did not capture the sound of the Flicker, but it did capture the intense singing of a Swainson's Thrush that was perched in a willow across the creek. One can also hear the single note of a male Calif. Quail. Not so distinct is the song of a Wilson's Warbler. (Calif. Quail photo by Mike Baird)

BIRDING THE NORTH CENTRAL COAST

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park was nearly deserted. Perhaps it had to do with the $10. parking fee. The only trail that was open was the one to the falls overlook. Photo shows 80 ft. McWay Falls flowing down granite cliffs at Partington Cove (see video at end of post). Pigeon Guillemots were nesting behind the falls. Two Condors soared overhead. Wilson's Warbler, Wrentit, and Olive-sided Flycatcher were singing in the dense brush along the path to the falls. A few miles north, and about 500 yds. past the Coast Art Gallery is a popular area for viewing Condors. Unfortunately, the dense fog made Condor observation impossible.

Point Lobos State Park. Fortunately the fog had lifted. Pelagic Cormorants were nesting on rocky promontories. It is amazing the eggs do not fall into the sea. Pigeon Guillemots were nesting in the cliffs. About a mile or so out were numerous feeding Humpback Whales. I have never seen such a display of breaching, spouts, tails and backs. One of the perks of bird watching along California's Central Coast is the unexpected nature sightings.

LAGUNA LAKE BIRDING

Photo of Cackling Goose (center) and Canada Goose feeding in the grass at Laguna Lake. In the open space area spotted a couple of Turkey Vultures, A Red-tailed and a Red-shouldered Hawk. Heard a Meadowlark and a Grasshopper Sparrow. Around the edge of the lake a couple of Song Sparrows, Common Yellowthroat, Black Phoebe, Great Blue Heron and an assortment of domestic ducks and geese. Laguna Lake Park is located in San Luis Obispo, West of Madonna Road.

PEREGRINE UPDATE

Morro Bay - The Morro Rock Peregrine Falcons have had a successful breeding season. The pair on the south fledged two and the pair on the north fledged four. The parents really had to hustle to feed four hungry mouths. At the present time the parents are teaching their progeny to hunt. They may be seen high above Morro Rock soaring and diving.

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.

BIRDING YOSEMITE VALLEY

One of the many fringe benefits of living on the Central Coast is its proximity (about 240 miles) to Yosemite National Park. The falls are fabulous due to the huge snow pack this last winter. Yosemite, Vernal, Nevada, and Bridalveil Falls feed into the Merced River; as a consequence the Merced is spreading out into the meadows creating wonderful habitat for birds such as the Spotted Sandpiper (my first sighting) and Mergansers.

American Robin and Black-headed Grosbeak were numerous, both singing at the same time which was music to my ears.

Saw a White-headed Woodpecker and a Red-breasted Sapsucker, but only heard the Pileated Woodpecker (more than one) calling across the Fen (marshy bog) near the Happy Isles Visitor Center. Just hearing its call was a thrill. I learned from a fellow birder that Pileated Woodpeckers make a rectangular hole. Also at the Fen saw: Yellow Warbler, several MacGillavray's Warbler, Western Tanager, Brown Creeper and to my delight, there was nonstop singing. Perky Steller's Jay were everywhere.

Had a wonderful view of a mother Common Merganser with six red-headed little ones. Acorn Woodpeckers were delightfully busy looking for insects in gnarled snags. What a treat to bird in the Yosemite Valley. Am looking forward to a return trip. Below is another TFK (terribly funky video).

BRANT AND CANADIAN GEESE

Photo-Brant Goose on Morro Bay-

Today, observed from the Audubon Overlook, located at the end of 4th St. in Baywood, 7 Brant Goose, and 8 Canadian Goose with goslings. The distance was quite far, so did not get a good look. Last year was the first time I noticed a family of Canadian Goose on the bay. At that time I wondered if they had nested in the rather hidden cove to the east of the Audubon Overlook. The Sweet Springs Owls continue to be popular with local birdwatchers and photographers.