CHRISTMAS MORNING

Once again an extreme high tide brought the dabblers into the pickleweed. Most of the birds in the scene above are Northern Pintail and American Wigeon. Male Pintail have a long slim tail and a white breast. Male Wigeon have a black rear and a broad whitish stripe on its head. I was looking for an Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope). What distinguishes it from the American is a red head. Among the thousands of migratory ducks that come to Morro Bay there may 2 or 3 Eurasian Wigeon. After standing in the wet pickleweed for about a half hour I was rewarded with an excellent view of a male Eurasian Wigeon.

My next birding adventure was directly across the road in the brushy area at the Quarry Trail head. And I thought due to being Christmas Morning there would be no traffic. Wrong. Where was everyone going? There were supposed to be home opening Christmas presents and drinking eggnog.

Finally managed to get across the road unscathed. I plunged into the brush (virgin territory). A good representation of chaparral birds including Hermit Thrush, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, numerous Bewick's Wren, and over head, the treat of the day, an immature Bald Eagle.

On the way home I checked out downtown Baywood. Both coffee shops were closed; both Mexican Restaurants were closed. The Baywood Market was closed and unbelievably, the Merrymaker Bar was closed. There was a disappointed customer trying the door as I passed by. Stopped at the pier. My last sighting of the morning was female Peregrine Falcon perched in an old Cypress by the Baywood Motel.

SWEET SPRINGS OVERLOOK

The morning was fresh. Our glorious sun was playing hid and seek with huge cumulus clouds; rain was on its way. The tide was high. Brant Geese were feeding along the edges of the pickleweed. Behind the Brant were many hundreds of Ruddy Ducks. Feeding nearby were Scaup, Pintail, Widgeon, and Blue and Green-winged Teal. Further out in the bay were huge flocks of mixed ducks and Cormorants. Over head flew the noisy Caspian Tern.

Sunday marked the end of the 30 day Brant hunting season, Yeah! It is rather disconcerting to hear the blast of shotguns when one is quietly checking out the ducks. The season for ducks runs through January 27th. Morro Bay is designated a "Bird Sanctuary." Seems rather odd that hunting is allowed in a sanctuary.
Brant (above photo) are vocally expressive - always murmuring to each other. Perhaps they are discussing their yearly migratory flight from the northern coast of Alaska to Morro Bay. Their gentle sound touches my heart and makes me feel that all is right. (for the moment)

As I was exiting Sweet Spring, heard the high pitched "tsee" of a Brown Creeper. With little effort saw two adorable little Creepers working their way up a Cypress. The sun was now hiding behind the clouds. Definitely time for a cup of tea.

BIRDING HERE AND THERE

Last weekend went on a field trip with Harry and Norma to Oso Flaco State Park located about a mile or so north of the quietly charming town of Guadalupe.

To birders, the main attraction at Oso Flaco (skinny bear) are the two lakes and the user friendly boardwalk that angles across the larger of the lakes. We were hoping to see an American Bittern. To say they blend in with the reeds is an understatement. First of all they are the color of reeds and when an observer is nearby, they will stretch their neck up, pointing their bill to the sky. As a consequence they look just like a reed. When we approached the area where the Bittern had been seen, people were putting away their scopes (not a good sign). The bird had disappeared into the reeds. We birded for about two hours and on our return we tried again for a view, but no Bittern.

What we did see delighted Norma and Harry. It was their first sighting of a Sora Rail. It was feeding along he edge of the reeds. Without effort we saw two feeding and one resting. The majority of the ducks were, of course, on the far side of the lake. We identified 20 species of the usual species. Cinnamon Teal were numerous.

The path into the lakes is lined with willows, and dense brush (photo). Yellow-rumped Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet were numerous.

By the time noon rolled around were were not looking at a Menu, as they don't have one, in a unheated, down home Mexican Cafe in Guadalupe. We warmed up considerably when our delicious meal arrived. The Tortillas were home made and fantastic. The waitress was sweet and charming. I highly recommend the place, but unfortunately do not know its name. It is located in the center of town in the 900 block.

Local birding has been spectacular do to a few days of extreme high tides. As the tide moves into the pickleweed, the ducks come along for the ride - thousands of them. Along South Bay Blvd. you can to get an excellent view, as long as you do not mind cars racing by a few feet away. I could hold my binocs. stationary and watch scores and scores of Pintail, Shoveler, and Wigeon float by on the energy of the tide. Now, that is what I call fun!

FEASTING ON INSECTS

To the rear of the Spooner Ranch House is an old Buckeye shrub, grown into a tree. The tree may look scraggly, but there is always bird activity in and around it, regardless the time of year. The dense twigs provide little birds such as Warblers and Wrens a save haven, and many places to perch.
This morning tiny flying insects had hatched along the edge of the road beside the tree. As I approached, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Townsend's Warbler (photo), and Bewick's Wren were feasting on the insects. From a perch in the Buckeye they would dart out to catch insects in the air or on the ground and then fly back to a perch. Within a few minutes, a pair of Western Bluebirds and a couple of White-crowned Sparrow joined in on the feast. I could hear their teensy beaks clack as they snatched the insects out of the air. (I do love that sound) For several minutes I was in the midst of a these adorable birds. A Townsend's brushed right over my head and back the same way. They were landing inches from my feet (unfortunately too close for a photo). Needless to say, I was a happy camper.

RETURN OF THE MIGRANTS

Morro Strand State Beach - North Point - Sanderlings (Calidris alba ), visitors from the high Arctic tundra, are constantly on the move. Their feeding strategy is to feed in the shallow water left by receding waves; the waves never stop and neither do the Sanderlings; following the movement of the waves, they race back and forth.

Today was warm and magnificent with few people on the beach. From North Point I walked south to the Strand Lagoon, which amazingly, due to high tides and a slight amount of water in the creek, continues to exist. Along the western edge of the lagoon was a flock of 60 Black-bellied Plovers (unusual), a mixed flock of Elegant and Royal Tern, and scads of Long-billed Curlew and Whimbrel.

Next stop, The Cloisters - Maybe one or two birds. Intense growth of reed and willows make it impossible to see into the pond; does bother me a tad, for in mid January I will be leading in the Cloisters an "Easy Birding" walk for the Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival. Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival - California Bird Watching at its Best

After a perker upper at Starbuck's I headed out on Turri Road. About 2 miles east is an old windmill. Attracted to the water were American and Lesser Goldfinch (photo - click for larger image), Western Bluebird, Black and Say's Phoebe. Moving around in the dry grass a flock of Meadowlark, and perched upon an old fence post sat a colorful Kestrel.

Final stop - Audubon Overlook. Tide was perfect for viewing a few of our winter guests - No. Shoveler, No. Pintail, Bufflehead, American Wigeon, Ruddy Duck, Green, Blue and Cinnamon Teal - a never ending treat for me to see 3 species of Teal feeding together. Bird count for the day was 58. My next quest - an Eurasian Wigeon.

BIRDING THE BLUFF

Another ideal morning at Montana de Oro, perfect for birding the bluff (photo Corallina Cove). On the rocks at Spooner's Cove (lighting was not good for a photo) were hundreds of Brant Cormorant, and scores of Brown Pelican; in the water were Eared Grebe, and a large flock of Western and Clark's Grebe. This gathering of birds meant that a feeding frenzy had recently occurred. There goes another lost opportunity.

Along the dusty trail House and Bewick's Wren were active. Occasionally a White-crowned Sparrow showed its handsome head. On the rocks to the north of Corallina Cove one can always count on seeing Pelagic Cormorant. I found it interesting that there had been no Pelagic at Spooner's Cove; perhaps they do not associate with Brant.

After crossing the rickety bridge I headed up toward the Eucalyptus Grove. Had great fun enticing a Golden-crowned Sparrow (saw few last year) and a couple of Spotted Towhee to come out in the open. Both species were cooperative. Managed to get a photo of the Towhees, an immature and an adult. It is my opinion that many of our local species had late clutches, perhaps due to the prolonged spring rains. Tomorrow will check the Cloisters for Golden-crowned Sp.

SUNNY SUNDAY

Rounding the gentle curve to Spooner's Cove I was struck by the beauty of the scene (photo-Spooner's Cove-Montana de Oro). The Pacific, a tranquil deep blue, air warm; with barely a breeze. House Wren, Song Sparrow, and busy Black Phoebe were my only sightings at the creek. Continued onward, parking in front of the Ranch House. Checked out the Native Plant Garden, keeping an eye out for Rattlesnakes and Wasps. A Kestrel was perched on a utility pole and a Sharp Shinned Hawk flew by.

In the fall, native brush becomes woody, making it easier to see the usually secretive Wrentit. WRENTIT (Chimaea Fasciata) | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (Photo by Maggie Smith) While in the garden I observed two Wrentit cozy up to each other, wing to wing. They preened their chest feathers a few moments, then preened each other. This behavior continued for a few minutes until a 3rd Wrentit came upon the scene. As per my usual, the camera was in the car.

Chasing after ground insects were Yellow-rumped Warbler and Western Bluebird. House Wren, Townsend's Warbler in the Cypress. The tall pines in the campground were busy with Yellow Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Junco, Chickadee, Flicker, Nuttall's Woodpecker, and more Townsend's. (I'm sure I missed half the Warblers that were darting about)

I did take a photo of Mr. Townsend's Warbler. The out of focus yellow and black smear in the below photo is proof that I actually saw a Warbler. The camera was pointed straight up, hopefully sort of focused on something I thought was a Warbler.

Take a moment - Now stand up; put your head back as far as it will go; hold that position for five minutes; not losing your balance. That little exercise will give you an idea as to how it feels to look for Warblers.