Heermann's Gull - Juveniles Missing

A recent posting to a birding group reported that no juvenile Heermann's Gull (Larus heermanni) were being seen on the Calif. West Coast.  (photo, adult Heermann's Gull in winter plumage)  Heermann's breed in the early spring in large colonies on islands off the West Coast of Mexico.  After the breeding season they move north along the pacific coast to Southern British Columbia.  Beginning in mid-summer large flocks of the Heermann's can be found on the Morro Strand State Beach.

Yesterday I decided to check out the Heermann's flocks to see if I could find a juvenile or the next stages of development, a 1st winter or a 1st summer.  I do enjoy a challenge. 

At first I had a problem with the flocks having to relocate due to the number of people on the beach and children who enjoy chasing birds.  Finally the flocks settled down and I was able to have a prolonged look.  Normally, younger Heermann's are scattered throughout the flock  (below photo of a 1st winter or 1st summer).  I could find only six 1st winter/1st summer and no juveniles.  The above photo represents about 1/10 of one flock. 

My observations prompted the thought, "Why a lack of youngsters?"  Perhaps environmental conditions, such as warmer water temps, algal blooms, and acidification are having an adverse effect on the ocean food chain.  What ever the reason, there were fewer young Heermann's Gull than in prior years.

On to the other birds.  To my delight, there was a variety of shore birds, Semipalmated Plover (a favorite), Long-billed Curlew, Whimbrel, Caspian and Elegant Tern, and Ring-billed Gull.  Off shore were several Eared Grebe and Surf Scoter.  Most enjoyable was watching several Marbled Godwit feeding on tiny flies on the sand that had been churned up by horse hoofs. (above photo)   

If you look at the larger image of the Godwit, you will see a distant relative of the jellyfish, Velella velella, the little bluish, transparent things in the background.   They are free-floating hydrozoans that live on the surface of the open ocean.  At certain times of year the wind propels them to shore.  At the present time there are millions of Velella velella on central coast beaches.  Happy birding!

  

Birding Cayucos

Cayucos - Weather warm, humid, semi-cloudy (photo of Morro Rock taken from Cayucos Beach).  The morning could not have been more perfect.  Feeding along the edge of the sea were Whimbrel, Long-billed Curlew (center photo), and Willet.  Off the beach were Surf Scoter, Western Grebe and a sprinkling of Eared Grebe in breeding plumage.

Next stop was at the northern end of Cayucos, a narrow little residential street with an overlook that looks down on a pocket beach with rock formations.  Somewhere in the rocks is a Oystercatcher nest that is easily viewed from the overlook.  Every other birder in town has seen it.  Could I find it?  No!  I tried various angles, walked down a private driveway hoping to get a view of the rocks, but no luck.  I really wasn't disappointed as I have seen them several times in MdO.

What I did observe was a feeding frenzy with Brown Pelican, 3 species of Cormorant, 3 species of Tern, gulls, and 2 Sea Lions; the chaos was marvelous.

Next stop, the Cayucos Pier, an historic landmark built in 1872 by Captain James Cass, the founder of Cayucos.  It was built out of Cambria Pines Logs for a cost of about $15,000.  The pier closed in 2013 due to damaged pilings; rebuilding is scheduled for next month.  In the meantime the precious old pier is being enjoyed by a variety of birds, mainly the very vocal and elegant, Elegant Tern, plus a few Forster's Tern and the big daddy of Terns, the Caspian.  Gulls, Western and Herrmann's are here and there and a few Brown Pelicans (photos were shot through chain link fencing).

In the foreground of the long shot are several immature Elegant Tern.  At the end of the pier the Brown Pelican perch.  I do hope the birds are not too traumatized when rebuilding begins.

Final stop of the morning was at the Turri Road Ponds.  Last week 12 Wilson's Phalarope had been seen.  Great fun to watch them spin as they feed, but the only birds feeding this morning were 6 Greater Yellowlegs.  As I turned away from the ponds I noticed a large bird feeding on the dry hillside, a female Wild Turkey;  first one I have seen in this area, snapped a few photos.  I was about to get in my car when the Turkey swooped over my head and into a dense stand of weeds near the ponds - the treat of the day.  A swooping Wild Turkey is a sight to behold - the perfect end to a perfect morning of birding the Central Coast.

A Birding Change of Pace

Since June, I have been a participant in the docent rover program at Montaña de Oro State Park (MdO).  "What is that," you ask.  Roving is a fairly new program at MdO.  Rovers either rove the trails or people an information table at a trail head.  I rove the trails,  answering questions, interpreting nature, and have a cell phone if an emergency should arise with visitors or wildlife; sometimes, the visitors are the wildlife.  (click on the photo for a larger image)

 On June 27th. a dead Humpback Whale came ashore at Hazard Beach, one of the more remote beach areas of MdO.  The following morning Mike, a fellow rover, and I were down at the site.  Two whale researchers from Santa Barbara were gathering data.  It appeared that a severe wound to the tail, above the flukes, contributed to the death of this peaceful denizen of the deep.  For a brief video on my observations go to  http://youtu.be/cvSGR77Mx28

 Observing this magnificent mammal was, to say the very least, an experience of my lifetime.   A few days after the first visit I was back at the site, along with many photo taking visitors (the teens were being photographed by their mother).  News of the whale's arrival had spread fast.  In the process of decomposition, gases such as ammonia, methane, and sodium nitrate build up causing the whale to bloat and turn over; now its under side was exposed and the severity of the wound to the tail could be seen.  More than likely the humpback had become entangled - a recent study showed that entanglement in fishing gear is the primary cause of Humpback Whale death.  I have a one minute video that shows the whale in the process of decomposition.  http://youtu.be/jhUdQV6waVI

While on the beach had the pleasure of seeing a few Snowy Plover, Oystercatcher, a large flock of Heermann's Gull, Willet, Whimbrel, and a Great Egret feeding in the surf.  Oh, I must not forget the 50 or more Turkey Vultures circling over the area.

I have not been active at MdO for a couple of years and it is good to be back.

 



 

Birding Islay Creek

Yesterday Morning walked about a mile and a half up Islay Creek in Mondaña de Oro State Park.   Weather was mild and sunny.  The creek, located on the south side of the trail, is dense with a robust growth of vegetation consisting, primarily of Willow, Cottonwood, Bay and a few Oaks.  As one progresses up the road, the creek is deeper and farther away.  The adjoining hillsides are covered with lush chaparral; beauty and tranquility prevail.

I was birding by ear - no binoculars.  Wilson's Warbler, one of my many favorites, was carrying on something fierce.  Wrentit sang every time Mr. Wilson paused.  In the distance Swainson's Thrush was singing. See photo borrowed from Wikipedia (thank you very much).

As I progressed up the creek the Swainson's Thrush was dominant, nearly drowning out Orange-crowned Warbler, Pacific-slope Flycatcher and the precious Western Wood-Pewee.  From what I heard this perky, migrant Thrush had found a home in Islay Creek.

To hear the song of the Swainson's Thrush I am including a link to a 22 second video.   The loudest sound is a Calif. Quail.  The flute like sound is the song of the Thrush.

http://youtu.be/U6ijBBgJ-3o

Birding Sweet Springs, Cerro Alto, and Turri Road

Sweet Springs - 8:00 am.  I was greeted by a robustly singing White-crowned Sparrow.  Feeding in the pond was a lone, Blue-winged Teal and a pair of Mallards.  Song Sparrow was scratching in the leaf litter, Spotted Towhee was singing.  Best birds were, Tree Swallow, Cedar Wax Wing, and a Purple Finch singing from the top of a tall Cypress.  The highlight of the visit was a lingering look at a Pacific-slope Flycatcher and a Western Tanager.

Cerro Alto - A National Forest campground off Hwy 41, between Morro Bay and Atascadero.  The road to the campground (photo) follows a creek that is densely vegetated with Willow, Oak, Sycamore, California Bay, and Poison Oak.  Wilson's Warbler, singing with intense gusto, flitted through the shrubbery.  Wilson's and Orange-crowned Warbler were numerous, House Wren was active.  As I progressed up the road the singing became intense.  In spite of the cacophony, was able to identify, Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager, and Warbling Vireo.  The walk to the small camping area is beautiful but watch out for the poison oak. 

 

Turri Road -  Yesterday two Blue Grosbeak were seen where the creek comes close to the road; I had no luck finding them.  Continued up the road to the fallow pea field where two years ago I had seen a Blue Grosbeak.  Lazuli Bunting was singing from a large tangle of Willow (photo).  I stationed myself across the road from the Willows, as I did not want to spook the 5 inch little darling.  Finally noticed movement and was sure the bird would show his self when a band of cyclists sped by.  The singing stopped.  I waited, eventually relocating to the other side of the road.  While waiting, observed a pair of Lark Sparrows mating on a twig of a nearby Coyote Bush (a first time sighting).

After a few more minutes of quiet, the Lazuli Bunting perched on an outer twig and began to sing. I could see him perfectly.  Success!  As I was getting into my car 37 motorcycles passed by (I counted).  From now on I will only bird Turri Road on weekdays.

A SPRING WALK ALONG THE BLUFF TRAIL

Montaña de Oro was spectactular yesterday morning; powerful waves pounded the rocky cliffs.  Along the Bluff Trail the abundant coyote bush sparkled from last night's brief rain.  I was traveling light, only a camera and my trusty iPod Touch.

The Pigeon Guillemots were calling to each other; they have a very high pitched whistle.  The water was so rough it was difficult to see them.  Soon they will be nesting in the cliffs.  Heard and saw several Calif. Quail.  Wrentit were singing about every quarter mile. 

 A flock of Pelagic Cormorant with a few of the larger Brandt's Cormorant were doing their morning preening.  I do believe I have never seen this rock without a flock of Pelagic Cormorants on it.  Not in the photo, lower down the rock, was a pair of Black Oystercatcher.  Both the Pelagic and Brandt's Cormorant nest on Morro Rock.  The Pelagic also nests on narrow ledges of Montaña de Oro's cliffs.  Counting the gulls and Cormorants, only observed 10 species of birds. 

From my observations along the trail, land birds were scarce; the on-going drought is taking its toil on our bird population.  Birds that were missing, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow (always singing this time of year), Bewick's Wren (no males singing from atop a bush), Say's and Black Phoebe (no insects for them to eat), Anna's Hummer (nothing blooming), and no Hawks.  Along the Bluff Trail spring was silent.

ARIZONA BIRDING - WHITE TANK MOUNTAINS AND MORE

Goat Camp Trail - White Tank Mountains.  I walked the gently meandering trail about a mile and a half through the most beautiful Arizona landscape I have seen.  In the above photo notice the abundance of holes in the Giant Saguaro; only two species of birds excavate these cavities, Gila Woodpecker and Gilded Flicker.  The Flicker often digs several holes before finding just the right one for a nest; and each year excavates new nest holes.  Due to the abundance of holes several species of birds nest in the Saguaro cavities, for example: American Kestrel (saw one perched atop a Saguaro), Cactus Wren, Purple Marten, 3 species of owl.  I had the thrill of seeing both the Gila Woodpecker and the Gilded Flicker excavating nest holes in the Giant Saguaro.

Spring was showing its colors, Brittle Bush (Encelia farinosa) (above), many species of tiny flowers, creosote bush, poppies, and some cacti were blooming.  The abundance of Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus (below), known as the jumping cactus, tends to keep one on the trail.  Get anywhere near the Cholla and a clump of it will magically attach itself to your body.  To seed itself, the Cholla drops little spiny clumps.  If you take a misstep, one will grab on to your shoe or leg (ouch!).

My trip to Arizona was to visit family who live a bit west of Phoenix.  Nearby are two of my favorite birding areas,  the Tres Rios Wetland and Estrella Regional Park.

The Tres Rios Wetland  is located off 91st St. across from the Phoenix waste water treatment facility.  Birds of note were, Thousands of Yellow-headed and Red-winged Blackbirds nesting in the reeds; Cinnamon Teal, Ring-billed Duck, an Osprey perched in a Cottonwood, precious Verdin nesting in Palo Verde Trees, and the treat of the day, 2 soaring Black Vultures.

Estrella Park, 18 miles Southwest of Phoenix offers 33 miles of trails.  On a two mile hike observed Gambels Quail, Phanopepla, Gila Woodpecker excavating a hole in a Saguaro, and the bird of the day, a first time sighting of a Black-tailed Gnatcatcher.  Birding was excellent in Arizona.