Wildflower Birding

Beautiful and descriptive are the names of California Spring Wildflowers - Tidy tip - Goldfields - Buttercup - Baby blue-eyes.

At 9:00 this morning joined three friends for a ride into the rolling hills of San Luis Obispo County - destination Shell Creek (above) and Bitterwater Road, areas know for beautiful displays of spring wildflowers.  

After a beautiful ride through the countryside we arrived at Shell Creek.  Goldfields and precious Tidy Tips (above) carpeted both sides of the road.  Along the edge of the road, Buttercup, Baby blue-eyes, and tiny white Popcorn Flowers.   

Perched by a water trough were White-crowned Sparrow and Say's Phoebe.  Counted 5 Raven. Always a treat to see Ravens, as they are rare along the coast.  Two were involved in nest building - Meadowlark sang continually. 

Bitterwater Road is located between Hwy 58 and Hwy 46.  It is rural except for a huge solar farm.  The wildflowers were about 1/2 way (20 miles) between 58 and 46.  Mustard the primary flower; was spectacular.  We pulled off the road for photos and lunch. (above) A small bird was singing a song I did not recognize.  It was a Horned Lark, only the second time I had seen this little beauty. 

We were getting ready to leave when a pair of raptors were sighted soaring on the thermals.  In a few moments one flew directly over our heads.  It was close enough to get a good look at, even without binoculars.   Oh my gosh it was a Ferruginous Hawk!
  (Photo by local wildlife photographer, Roger Zachary.)
 
The Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) is the largest of the North American Buteos* and is often mistaken for an Eagle due to its size and behavior; it is known as a most efficient hunter.  For example, the hawk will stand on the ground at a rodent burrow after initially locating it from the air.  As the burrowing animal reaches the surface, the hawk rises into the air and pounces upon it even while the animal is still underneath the earth. 

*Buteo - a bird of prey of a group distinguished by broad wings that are used for soaring.

As we headed home we were in total agreement that our Wildflower Birding day had been perfect.  We did stop one more time to photo the Black Angus Cattle feeding in a field of flowers.

Birding the Morro Bay Marina

 The morning was perfect.  The tide, having been quite high at 6:00 am was on the way out.  The pickleweed was very wet, not only from the tide but from the 1/2 in. of rain we received last night.  The mud was very wet, reflecting the sun light - ideal conditions for a variety of birds to feed. 

From the boardwalk one could see thousands of birds.  Feeding in the pickleweed were Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, and 300 or so Brant Goose.  The Brant chat continually as they feed - a soft and pleasing sound.    Can you find the Snow Goose?

 Of course, here and there is a Great-blue Heron, an Egret, a few Canada Goose, Avocet, flocks of Sandpiper, and scads of shorebirds; on a distant sandbar 18 Harbor seals sunned themselves and I had not yet walked 20 feet. 

Much fun watching two Long-billed Curlew engaged in a heated discussion.  A Merlin was perched atop of one of the two scraggly pine trees located on the bay side of the boardwalk. Twice it flew off, returning within a few minutes to the same twig - quite a treat as Merlin sightings are not frequent.  

While focused on the Merlin, deep in the brush came a flutter of activity and the alarm call of a male ( photo) Quail - a Cooper's Hawk had swooped down on a covey of Quail.   The Cooper's Hawk captures a bird with its feet and will squeeze it repeatedly to kill it.  Fortunately for the little covey, the Hawk was not successful.  The flurry of excitement happened in just a few seconds.   

In the Marina (above) were Bufflehead, Scaup, Surf Scoter, Eared Grebe, Kingfisher, an Osprey calling, and my very special, always feeding in the mud along the edge of the Marina........my favorite,.....a......Spotted Sandpiper.  Birding the Morro Bay Marina this morning was a premium experience. 

Birding Cloisters Park and Beyond

I entered the park at the east end of the path.  The wintry shrubbery was alive with birds, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Spotted Towhee, House Finch, Anna's Hummingbird, American Goldfinch, Bushtit.  White-crowned Sparrow was singing its little heart out; in the distance an answering song, sounded much like an echo.  Be still my heart.  So many birds and I had only walked a few feet.  Along the path were California Towhee, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and more White-crowned Sparrow.  Six Mallard were swimming peacefully in a narrow drainage ditch.

I was following the path to the beach. 

Extreme tides, together with the surge of powerful waves, had deeply eroded the dunes.  Few clusters of seaweed which was interesting; that meant no flies for the birds to eat.  Maybe that is why the only birds on the beach this morning were ones with longer bills that are able to probe the sand.

The shore birds were busy following the ebb and flow of the surf. Willet (photo), Godwit, Long-billed Curlew, Whimbrel.  Small flocks of Sanderling were busy feeding along the edge of the surf, and dashing here and there on the beach. (photo)

Their tiny feet moving so fast it was mind boggling.   The 13 second video shows how the Sanderling were dashing about the beach. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvwjobH6eEI

 As I was following the route waves (photo) had taken into the dunes, a small flock of Dunlin swooped overhead.  After a few twists and turns I came upon an area of small ponds, a remnant of the powerful surge that had forced its way into the dunes.  My sudden presence caused a flock of Western Sandpiper to take flight.

Back in the park there was a Willet in the grass and, one of my favorites, a Say's Phoebe perched on a bench.  The murky pond, was very quiet, three Coots, one male Mallard and a few Red-winged Blackbird.  Perhaps on my next visit to the Cloisters' pond the boisterous Great-tailed Grackle will be in residence and my sweet friend, the Sora, will make an appearance.

 

Laguna Lake

Winter rains are slowly filling the parched Laguna Lake. Only a small portion of the lake has water - in some areas barely enough for the dabblers to dabble, yet dabble they do.

Sprinkled among the hundreds and hundreds of Mallard Ducks were American Wigeon, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, four seldom seen Gadwall, and a small flock of Ring-billed Gull. 

As  I followed the road along the edge of the lake there were White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Nuttall's Woodpecker; in the Eucalyptus Yellow-rumpled Warbler was numerous, and what to my delighted ears what should I hear but a Cassin's Kingbird.  In the Spring they nest in the Eucalyptus.  

I was concentrating on a sweet flock of Junco (above), looking for a Slate-colored Junco (no luck) when I head the excited honking of a large, 100 plus, flock of Canada Goose (below).  As they neared, the honking got louder. They were flying from the west end of the dry lake.  There may be a pond in that area, but it is hidden by vegetation.  They ended in shallow water not far from where I was standing.  The sound and sight of this large flock coming in for a landing was a special treat. 

On the way home looked for the Bald Eagle that had been seen several times perched on a snag in a tall Eucalyptus. And there it was!  Fortunately, traffic was light and was able to pull to the side of the road to get a splendid view of our National Bird. 

From Los Osos Valley Road turned off on Turri Road, a five mile rural road that winds gently thru rolling farm land.  In the area of the windmill and water trough, Western Meadowlark and Western Bluebird were close to the road, flitting after insects.  Males of both species were sporting their brilliant breeding plumage.  Another marvelous morning of birding the Central Coast. 

The Christmas Bird Count

  

Beginning on Christmas Day 1900 ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an officer in the fledgling Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition - a "Christmas Bird Census," which would count birds during the holidays rather than shoot them. 

The data that has been amassed helps to guide conservation actions.  Today, changes and declines in bird populations directly relate to climate change, habitat loss, and the health of our planet.  

I signed up with the Morro Coast Audubon Society to Count my yard birds today. http://www.morrocoastaudubon.org/

The front yard is my primary birding area, as that is where the feeders are located.  On either side of the driveway are two seed feeders and two suet feeders.  Peanut crunch suet is the favored suet. The morning began with rain.  At 7:00 a.m. I was scraping mushy seeds out of the platform feeder, and resupplying.   Click on the above image to see the suet and platform feeder (upper left) that are located on the south side of the driveway.

                                                                           The early birds were White-crowned Sparrow (above), Golden-crowned Sparrow and California Towhee (below). The rain does not appear to affect their feeding strategy.  As the rain lessened more birds came out.  Around 11:00, when the rain stopped, Mr. and Mrs. Nuttall's Woodpecker appeared in the bottlebrush tree.  Ms Downey Woodpecker spent much time on the suet feeder in the bottlebrush tree.  I must speak to her about over eating.   (bird photos taken at Montaña de Oro)

On the opposite side of the driveway, Oak Titmouse was letting me have it in no uncertain terms, that the sunflower seeds needed replenishing. (Can you imagine taking orders from a tiny gray bird that weighs less than an ounce?)

Perky Bewick's Wren had a go at the suet while Ms Ruby-crowned Kinglet, flashing her Ruby Crown, came back for seconds and thirds. Overhead Mrs. Black Phoebe observed the action.  

At 2:00 the wind came up; it was time to call it a day.  This was a first. Never have I spent 6 hours looking at birds - including the over head birds which were Mallards, Gulls, and Turkey Vultures, the Total Bird Species Counted was - - 23!

Birding Morro Bay Marina and Sweet Springs

On the Central Coast, the fall/winter season is fantastic.  Migrating birds arrive daily - some species plentiful and other species diminished due to climate change.  Every bird that does arrive, whether a tiny Sandpiper, a Ruddy Duck or a Brant Goose, is a joy to behold. 

Morro Bay Marina - The tide was on the ebb (above).  Feeding in the soft, damp sand were Long-billed Curlew, Willet, Whimbrel, 12 tiny least Sandpiper, and my favorite winter migrant, a Spotted Sandpiper - a very dependable bird.  Every winter season, it is exactly where I expect it to be - feeding in the wet sand on the south side of the Marina.  Three Pied-Billed Grebe were constantly diving while a female Kingfisher dashed noisily back and forth.  In a tree at the east end of the Marina perched a Red-tailed Hawk.  

The high tide had inundated the pickleweed (below photo) leaving many little pools and rivulets of water.  Four Cinnamon Teal, one male, three females were feeding as they walked through the pickleweed; last year Cinnamon Teal were sparse.  Perhaps we will get more Cinnamon Teal this year. 

The scrub brush was quiet, California Quail (photo) White-crowned Sparrow, Bewick's Wren, Savannah Sparrow, and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher that was near enough to touch.  A great photo op. and my camera was in the car.

At Sweet Springs, earlier in the morning, a Warbler feeding frenzy was in progress.  As I entered the preserve a young woman had stopped to watch the frenzy.  She sat down by the trail and watched Yellow-rumped and Townsend Warbler dashing back and forth in pursuit of teensy flying insects that had just hatched. The Warblers landed many times in a small bush that was right beside her.  She was truly enjoying the happening.

In the pond, hanging out with the Mallards, were two pair of Green-winged Teal, the smallest North American duck.

From the overlook, a huge flock of ducks, Green and Blue-winged Teal, Ruddy Duck, Bufflehead, Wigeon, Northern Pintail (below), Northern Shoveler, and a rare bird to Morro Bay, a duck that breeds in prairie potholes,  the Canvasback - my first view of a Canvasback on Morro Bay (yeah!).

While concentrating on the ducks, I heard a familiar sound, Brant Goose (below), not the thousands that used to winter in Morro Bay, but a flock of eight. Their primary food, eelgrass has declined 97% in the last eight years.  The Morro Bay National Estuary Assoc. has an excellent article on the decline of Eelgrass in Morro Bay. 

http://www.mbnep.org/2015/09/03/understanding-eelgrass-decline-and-evaluating-restoration-activities/

It is painful to think of the Brant, as hunting season begins - Monday, November 9, and continues for 37 days.

Birding the Mojave Desert

Last weekend was a birding weekend away from the Central Coast, but not away from the migratory birds that spend the winter on the Central Coast.  I and five friends drove about six hours to Zzyzx and the Desert Studies Center where we would experience "The Birds of the Mojave Desert." (photo - Zzyzx pond, also known as Lake Tuendae) For more information on Zzyzx and the Desert Studies Center, Wikipedia is an excellent resource.  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Studies_Center

The Desert Studies Center is located 8 miles southwest of the small town of Baker and four miles in from Hwy 15.  As you can see in the above photo, there is a beautiful pond, lined with date bearing palms, many of them Washingtonia filifera, California's only native Palm tree.  The water and the fruit bearing palms are a great attraction to many species of birds.  Late Saturday afternoon we watched a migratory Red-naped Sapsucker feeding on small, yet sweet dates of a native palm. (photo by Judy West)

As we walked from the "Center" to nearby Soda Dry Lake (below photo), we observed Black Phoebe,  Phainopepla, Loggerhead Shrike, Raven, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Cedar Waxwing.  Leading into a spring hidden in a thicket of Tamarix was a trail of Bighorn Sheep scat.

Saturday was a full day of experiencing "Birds of the Mojave Desert."
Baker town park:  Feeding in the freshly mowed grass was a mixed flock of Pine Siskin, White-crowned Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow,  Lesser Goldfinch, Cow Birds.  Ravens were abundant. 

Shoshone: A beautiful little historic town, with ample spring water. The owner of most of the local property is revitalizing the town with a focus on ecotourism.  Protecting wetlands and riparian restoration is paramount.  On the edge of a new crystal clear town pond we saw a migratory Wilson's Snipe, and Pied-billed Grebe.  In a nearby palm observed a Red-breasted Nuthatch.   Robins were busy on the school Lawn.   For more information on Shoshone and the desert wetlands - http://mojaveproject.org/dispatches-item/reimagining-the-amargosa/

Salt Creek: An important riparian and wetland area; a short walk took us to the wetland where we saw Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and heard Common Yellowthroat, and Marsh Wren. (photo - getting ready to head out on the trail)

China Ranch: A date farm, deep in a canyon near the southern end of Death Valley; we downed delicious date shakes and birdied among the date palms (cloth sleeves protect the ripening fruit from birds).

Desert oases offer migratory birds a place to rest, refuel and ready themselves for the next leg of their journey.   Great sightings of Gambel's Quail. (female Gambel's Quail by Judy West)

The weekend of intense bird studies was fun and informative, and I will have lasting memories of the beautiful and remote oases that give food and shelter to migratory birds, and perhaps to birds that are headed to the Central Coast.