SAN SIMEON STATE PARK LAGOON

9:30 am - Weather perfect.  Met Harry and Norma at San Simeon State Park Lagoon.  Passing over San Simeon Creek is Hwy 1.  The bridge is ideal for Swallows to paste their mud nests.  Some swallows were actually nesting inside the bridge, entering thru small round openings.  Nest building was in progress by Northern Rough-winged (photo below) and Cliff Swallow.

As we approached the Lagoon we were met by a Song Sparrow who let us know, with his splendid song, that we were infringing upon his territory.   Great-tailed Grackle entertained us from the Willows (so much for peace and quiet).  A pair of Brant Goose, a pair of Mallard (photo below) plus a Double-creasted Cormorant, one Curlew, and a handful of Least Sandpiper were along the edge of the Lagoon.

We were hoping to see Snowy Plover (photo by Mike Baird).  When they are not moving they are nearly impossible to see, as they blend in perfectly with their environment. Fortunately we saw several fly; once they land they are invisible.

Nesting season has begun for the Snow Plover, "a species of special concern." Usually, nests are built on flat, open beaches or dunes.  Nests consist of a shallow scrape or depression lined with beach debris   (small pebbles, shell fragments, plant debris).  Driftwood, kelp, and dune plants provide cover for chicks that crouch near objects to hide from predators.  State Parks protects the Plover by fencing off the nesting area with a single cord and signs, and placing wire protection over the nests.

One of our best sightings of the morning was a Pacific-slope Flycatcher.  First we heard it, then saw it flitting about in Willows by the creek.  I have often heard the bird, but this was the first time in years that I have actually seen the little darling.   Our next and last stop was Lynn's patio in Cambria. Lunch and, of course desert, was Yummie!!

TRES RIOS WETLANDS - BIRDING ARIZONA

On a recent visit to family in the Phoenix area, I had the pleasure of birding the Tres Rios Wetlands. (above photo)  Much of the water in the wetlands is treated waste water that flows out of the Phoenix treatment plant into a large pond system, creeks, and man made water ways that meander through the desert, eventually terminating into wetlands.  In a few hours of birding I saw 48 species; not bad, considering most of the migratory birds had moved on.

In the vast pond system, which is fenced off from the public, saw numerous Green Herons.  From my experience, a birder is fortunate to see just one of these little beauties.  And to see one sitting on bobbed wire is a most unusual sight.   Close to the ponds was a Great Blue Heron Rookery in an old Cottonwood tree.  Create a habitat and the birds will find it, and they will breed.

 Birds of feather, do flock together --- In an area of trees and reeds were hundreds of boisterous Great-tailed Grackles; many of the males were in breeding poses with their head point skyward.  Another section of reeds was occupied by thousands of noisy Yellow-headed Blackbirds; and on an island in one of the larger ponds were 50 or so White Pelicans.  I have a video on the wetlands (about 1.40 seconds).    http://youtu.be/Gv6XKt3QyyQ 

This was my second visit to Tres Rios and I was not disappointed.


 

PRE-SPRING ON TURRI ROAD

This morning's birding jaunt on Turri Road was delightful.  The sky was blue with a warming sun.  As soon as I turned on to Turri Road, I spotted a Wrentit.  Most of the year Wrentits are seldom seen, as they keep to the brush, but when the weather warms and spring breeding season begins, the perky little darlings can be seen and easily heard.  I had the pleasure of watching two of them darting about scolding and singing, their Wren tails vibrating as they sang (so cute!).  A Bewick's Wren was doing much scolding as the two Wrentits carried on. (photo - private road I would like to explore)

About a mile up the road, the creek is accessible.   The water was bank to bank as the high tide and recent rains had filled it. There were Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Bufflehead and American Wigeon.  The thrill of the moment was watching a Green Heron fly by.

Another mile up the road is an ephemera pond (photo); though much used by cattle, there was enough water left for Green-winged Teal and No. Shoveler to be dabbling.  Along the mucky edge was a lone Greater Yellowleg and two Killdeer.

Using the barbed wire for a perch were Say's and Black Phoebe, and several Western Bluebirds.    On the way home stopped at the Audubon Overlook - on the bay floated a huge mixed flock of Scaup and Ruddy Duck (they travel together), along the shore all the various shore birds feeding in the wet sand.  In a few weeks the majority of  the ducks and shorebirds will take flight to their breeding grounds in the north. Takes awhile for me to adjust to the quiet emptiness of the bay.  Happy Birding!

LAGUNA LAKE PARK

 Open Space - The morning was glorious - Clear blue sky - Cool breeze out of the west.  To the north rocky Madonna Mountain, elevation 1,292 feet.  A pair of Turkey Vultures soared over the open space.  A vocal pair of Red-shouldered Hawks were playing a game of mating tag.

 I stopped to listen to the distant song of a Meadowlark.  Nearby was the call of an American Kestrel, North America's smallest Falcon (photo by Linda Tanner), and there it was, only a few yards away, diving out of the sky at sonic speed to snag a small mammal with its piercing talons, and off it sped. This amazing scene lasted about 3 seconds.

Walked over to the lake.  A migratory Snow Goose (photo, right) was keeping company with its city cousins, 4 large and very vocal domestic geese.  The small Snow Goose followed the foursome at a discrete distance except when stale bread appeared in someone's hand, then the Snow Goose was right in the middle of the melee.   Laguna Lake Park never disappoints.

ATASCADERO

This Morning drove over the hill to Atascadero to check out the birds at Atascadero Lake and the Sewer Facility.  Weather was cold, breezy, and as you can see by the photo, the clouds were fabulous.  Walked around the lake. Coots and Mallards were abundant.  Found interesting hybred Mallards.  There were two that had Mallard heads and totally white bodies (rather bizarre); another pair had mallard bodies and white head with a tuft at the top. (must be something in the water)

Around the lake are numerous Valley Oaks that supply the Acorn Woodpecker with acorns that the woodpeckers cram into the nooks and crannies of the tree's thick bark.  I could hear the Woodpeckers, but they were at a distance.  Yellow-rumped Warblers were busy and had a few sightings of the perky little Oak Titmouse.

The Sewer facility is located near the Salinas River bed.  In the past I had seen Wood Ducks in the filtration pond but today only one Mallard was present.  Nearby is the trailhead to a 5 mile segment  of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.  The trail goes from Sonora Mexico to San Francisco.  It is a narrow dirt path, much used by horses which may have had something to do with cutting the walk short plus large rain drops that had begun to fall.  Checking out the oaks as I trudged back to the car, I spotted a Great Horned Owl.  Wow, he/she was a beauty.  I was a happy camper.

EASY BIRDING - CLOISTERS PARK

 Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival - Easy Birding Cloisters Park - 9:00 to 11:00.  Weather - clear and breezy.  From near and far came seventeen fearless birders.  Breezy conditions did not deter us from identifying 30 species of our feathered friends.  The precious Sora was unbelievably cooperative and very easy to see and photograph. (Sora photo taken from overlook)  In the fields on the north side of the pond we had the best sightings ever of a flock of American Pipit. Across from the Pipits a flock of eye stunning Meadowlarks were feeding and swooping about.

At the end of the walk, about seven of us hung around the overlook for a few minutes, out popped our little Sora with its bright yellow bill. While focused on the Sora a new arrival was noted, a handsome Northern Pintail - an unusual sighting for the Cloisters Pond.  Pied-billed Grebe appeared at the same time.  The last two sightings were like frosting on the cake.

Birding with a group of new and experienced birders is a privilege and a heart warming experience.  I am looking forward to the next time. (Included is a link to a video on Cloisters Park)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qonAAVupD8s

NEW YEAR'S DAY BIRDING

New Year's Day 2013 - In pursuit of a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) that had been seen in the company of Robins and Cassin's Kingbirds feeding on Ivy Berries that grow along Arroyo Grande Creek in the charming little town of Arroyo Grande.(regretfully Scissor-tailed Flycatcher not in photo)

 A few moments after parking  I spotted the local photographers, their long lenses focused on the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Fortunately I got a good look before it took off.  The Flycatcher was larger than a Kingbird, gray above, whitish and salmon pink below, and of course, a long scissor-like tail - most impressive!  It is not everyday one gets to see the State bird of Oklahoma.

Next stop the San Luis Obispo Creek where it quietly meanders past the Avila Beach Golf Course on its route to the Pacific. The photo was taken from the Bob Jones Trail.  One can cross over the creek on a nearby foot, bicycle, golf cart bridge.  The bridge allows for excellent viewing of the water birds.  Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) and Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) winter in the creek. Both species are agile divers, spending much time feeding underwater.  The Hooded Merganser, the smallest of the three species of Merganser, has a third eyelid that protects the eye when swimming, much like a pair of goggles.  I hope these wonderful species hang around for the Morro Bay Bird Festival that begins on January 18th.

Happy New Year!