BIRDING WITH BARBIE AND HELEN

 Barbie (no relation to the doll), Helen, and I birded around the neighborhood.  We stopped at 3 sites -  Sweet Springs, (photo) 3rd St., and Audubon Overlook. Even though it was overcast, we managed to identify 23 species.  Still a few winter migrants enjoying our mild climate - No. Shoveler, Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal, and a large flock of Avocet.  The Avocet  were quietly feeding when a another flock of Avocet flew in.  They became very vocal and moved toward each other as in greeting.  Below is a YouTube of their vocalizations.

A TIME OF TRANSITION

The majority of the winter migrants have left for their breeding grounds. The Blue-winged Teal (photo) from my observation are often the last to go. They breed throughout the western U. S. Their preferred nesting habitats include marshes and shallow ponds.

Teals are dabblers. They feed in shallow water, either skimming the water or dabbling below the surface. This lovely morning, Blue-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, and Northern shoveler were feeding out from the Audubon Overlook. In the shallower water a large flock of Avocet fed, bills swaying rhythmically. Many in transition to their breeding colors - their head and breast turning from white to a deep cinnamon.

On the bay was an Eared Grebe, looking exotic in its breeding plumage. Total species for this morning's birding, 27. Sweet Spring was alive with sound. Heard Pacific-slope Flycatcher (a spring migrant), Kestrel, Chickadee, Common Yellowthroat, and Kingfisher. The Kingfisher will soon be heading out. They usually nest in a tunnel which they excavate into a riverbank.

I have done much fiddling with youtube. Here goes another try. This movie is a semi-humorous attempt at birding around the Phoenix waste water treatment facility. Some of the photos are fuzzy (due to using an iTouch), but the music is jolly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCB7K3sZzAI

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Destination - My brother's house in Avondale, Arizona. First stop - Palm Springs. Purpose? Certainly not the golf courses. (Per Wikipedia there are 125) I had stopped in Palm Springs to experience a Palm Canyon. It was most fortuitous that Cathy (below photo), whom I had met on a Morro Strand Beach walk several years ago, is a Palm Spring's resident and is very familiar with the Indian Canyons. Our canyon of choice was Andreas. (photo) It is one of the three Palm Canyons located on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. A scenic trail leads through the canyon, passing through dense groves of California native fan palms (Washingtonia filifera).
The first bird we saw was the White-throated Swift. They nest deep in cracks or crevices of rocks. The rugged granite formations of the canyon allow the Swift numerous nesting sites. The palms, clad in long dense skirts of frond, made birding a wee bit of a challenge, but after we crossed the creek, birding looked up, as were out of the canyon, looking down into the Palms. We saw Verdin, Wilson's Warbler, 3 Nuttall's Woodpecker, Black and Say's Phoebe, Phanopepla, and Cactus Wren. Most memorable was a bright orange House Wren whose coloration matched that of one of the desert's most colorful and abundant plants, Desert Mallow. Thank you Cathy for a memorable walk.

Avondale, where my brother lives, is a suburb of Phoenix. To the south east is the Phoenix Waste Water Reclamation site. A huge pond complex, creek and wetland (not open to the public) is across the road from the industrial site.

As I was peering through the fence at the teeming throngs of Ruddy Duck, Northern Shovelers, a flock of Cattle Egrets, and more Yellow-headed Blackbirds one could possible see in a life time, a worker gentleman drove up; we started talking about the birds. He showed me where one could get partial access to this fascinating area. He said a permit was required, but I did not need one. What a nice guy.

As one walks along the road, to the right is the fenced pond complex. To the left are native plants, the waste water creek, and endless open space (This area was once were three rivers: Gila, Salt and Agua Fria came together). The creek is not accessible due to dense vegetation. The first item of interest besides the trillions of birds in the ponds and reeds, was an old Cottonwood Great Blue Heron Rookery (photo). I counted 18 active nests. Following the road were shallow ponds and dense reeds. Birds were easy to see: Numerous Black-necked Stilt (photo below), Dowitcher, Canada Goose, Cinnamon Teal, Common Moorhen, Greater Yellowleg. Not not bad for the Arizona desert.

On the way back, was thoroughly parched due to leaving my water bottle in the car, I looked up. Soaring overhead, with two Turkey Vultures, was a flock (9 or 10) of Black Vultures. They have silvery white wingtips and appeared a tad smaller, and blacker than the TV. Unlike Turkey Vultures the Black vulture depends on vision to find its food. Terribly thrilling for a fledgling birder, such as myself, to have a first time sighting. Thank you City of Phoenix Waste Water Facility.

Below is a link to a simi-humorous youtube on birding around a water treatment facility. Keep in mind I am a novice.

SPRING IN SWEET SPRINGS

Spring was in full bloom (photo) this Morning. Common Yellowthroat and Song Sparrow were singing their little hearts out. A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks were noisily chasing each other through the trees. Wildflowers were blooming - Humming Bird Sage, Wallflower, Phacelia, Coreopsis, Chinese Houses. Floating along in the bay was a large flock of Ruddy Duck; many of the males transitioning to their breeding colors - dark head, vivid white cheek, blue bill, a ruddy cinnamon body, and of course their "piece de resistance," perky tail feathers.

In the pickleweed, along the channels, were resting Shoveler, Cinnamon, Blue and Green Winged Teal, a solitary Canada Goose, and an assortment of Egrets and shorebirds. Above, a pair of Tree Swallows dashed about.
On the far side of the wetland two White-tailed Deer (photo) were quietly feeding. Fortunately for the deer, the boardwalk keeps people out of the wetland - has been at least three years since I had seen deer in Sweet Springs.

As I was leaving, I came upon a couple of friendly out of town birders. They had many questions. They asked me if I lived nearby. I said, "Yes." "You live in paradise," said the gentleman. I had to agree.

PEREGRINE UPDATE

Yesterday Bob, the Peregrine Falcon guy (south side of Morro Rock), Peregrine Falcon Perches - So. Side Morro Rock | Flickr - Photo Sharing! told me that brooding is in its 6th day. If all goes well hatching should occur in the first week of April. The nest is located in the area called "The Diving Board." Last year's successful nest was in the mail slot. Peregrine Falcon Aerie - "Diving Board" "Mail Slot" | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (move cursor over photos)

Bob said the other day, when the wind was fierce (40-50 mile per hour), a female Peregrine flew into the area. The parents went ballistic, an aerial battle ensued. The unwanted female finally got the message and flew off. When I head the story; I wondered if the interloper could have been the female that perches in the trees behind the "Back Bay Inn." She was in her tree when I walked by this morning.

Cool, windy weather this morning. Had a heck of a good time listening to an Oak Titmouse. I heard it for many minutes before I could find it. This little bird has a variety of calls. At first I thought the sounds might be coming from a talented Mockingbird. I played a Titmouse call for about 3 seconds and the little fellow went into overdrive. The following is a brief recording of his vocalizations. OakTitmouse - Baeolophus inornatus | Flickr - Photo Sharing! Do love the perky little passerines.

BIRDING PASO ROBLES

Spent a delightful day in Paso Robles birding with Harry and Norma. Moments after arriving at Harry and Norma's, their resident Phainopela made an appearance. The male is glossy black with red eyes and a perky, up-swept hairdo. Phainopela eat berries, and can consume more than 1,000 Mistletoe berries in a day. (photo - deciduous Cottonwood - green patches are Mistletoe)

We birded in three locations: along the Salinas River Bed, an Sycamore/Oak Woodland, the Paso Robles Cemetery.

Our first sighting at the Salinas River was of Turkey Vultures warming their wings. They flew off before I could get their photo. (the more focused I am on birding, the fewer the photos) White-breasted Nuthatch were active in the trees and in the grassy area were many Western Bluebird and White-crowned Sparrow. We saw 11 species.

Next stop, the Sycamore/Oak Woodland. Acorn Woodpeckers were prolific and very talkative. Our most fun was with the perky, little Oak Titmouse. I recorded its call, then played it back. Several responded.

In the bushes along the creek, that meanders through the woodland, were scads of Lesser Goldfinch and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Overhead soared Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawk.

Our final birding hotspot was the Paso Robles Cemetery. Best sighting was a small flock of Cedar Waxwing - They can become intoxicated from eating fermented berries in the winter.

Highlight of the day was lunch. Harry and Norma introduced me to the La Reyena Market on the corner of Oak and 24th. in Paso Robles. They have the best soft taco I have ever had the pleasure to consume.

BIRDING HERE AND THERE

In the last few days have seen three species of Falcon - Peregrine, Merlin, American Kestrel. This morning spoke with Bob (Peregrine Falcon Expert) at Morro Rock. He said the Falcons are mating several times a day. As I stood looking at the rock looking for a Peregrine, the male, at Mock speed, flew over my head. Bob said the male strafes the gulls which makes them dive under water.

The Merlin was on a Eucalyptus Branch in Sweet Springs, perhaps eying the sandpipers that were feeding in wet sand as the tide receded. It had been several years since I had seen one; I was thrilled to see this little beauty.

The American Kestrel, out smallest Falcon, was perched on a fence post in the open space area of Laguna Lake (photo). I often stop by there on the way to Trader Joe's. The morning was glorious. Horses were quietly grazing on the trail (photo). They did not even look up as I passed. In the vast fields were flocks of Meadowlarks; their white outer tail feathers flashed as they fluttered about the tall grass.
On the way to Trader Joe's, directly after the Costco/Home Depot shopping area is a field which usually has horses or cattle grazing. This morning, as I sped by, I saw what I thought were geese. When traffic allowed, I turned around and pulled off by a private road that goes into the property. Definitely, Snow Goose; they were going down a berm and out of sight. Slowly I edged along the private road to get a closer look as to were they were going, and there, in a depression was a pond with Snow Goose, Canada Goose, and many Northern Shoveler. I felt like I had found the goose that laid the golden egg.
(caution to novice birders - birding while driving can be hazardous to your health)