BOARDWALK MANIA

In my last blog I said I would return to the boardwalk the next morning to experience the 6.8 tide (photo - Black Phoebe on posts). At 9:00 I was the only person on the boardwalk  As a result of this tide, the birds such as Savannah Sparrow and Yellow-rumped Warbler, that forage in the pickleweed (now flooded),  were in the brush along the boardwalk; as a consequence they were very easy to observe.  A major treat was seeing two pair of Palm Warbler.

Now, we need to fast forward - Yesterday I introduced 4 friends, two from out of town to the cornucopia of birds that can be seen from the boardwalk and trail.  Before we had set one foot on the boardwalk we had already seen 3 species of Grebe and a Kingfisher.  Thousands of shore birds were feeding and resting in the estuary.  A large flock of Brant Goose kept us company with their constant chatter.  Cormorants and assorted shorebirds swirled overhead. 

Three perky Blue-gray Gnatcatcher entertained us and, to our amazement we had wonderful sightings of two Palm Warblers - look for the bobbing tail.  As we exited the boardwalk onto the tail that runs along the marina, there bobbing along, was my little darling, the Spotted Sandpiper. One and a half hours of birding netted us 31 species, that is without a scope.  At the end of our walk we were in total agreement that we had just experienced birding at its best.

MORRO BAY MARINA BOARDWALK

Morro Bay State Park Marina - A totally accessible loop boardwalk and trail was completed about a month ago. The trail section goes along the marina to the point where it merges into a redwood boardwalk that follows the edge of the estuary, in a gentle meandering loop, back to the parking area.

Beginning in June I documented the construction of the boardwalk - the result, 5 little YouTube videos. I have included a link to part 5, the final video on the construction  http://youtu.be/wt2Vvbt6udA

Today, around noon, I walked the loop boardwalk and trail. The weather, totally divine, the birding great!  In the marina were numerous Western Grebe, Pied Billed Grebe, and one Clark's Grebe. Definitely a good Grebe Day!  Along the edge of the marina was the Spotted Sandpiper, a winter resident at the marina.  From the point, hundreds of shorebirds could be seen. - Sandpiper, Sanderling, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer; many Egret and Great Blue Heron. Dabbling and Diving Ducks in the channels.

Passed several birders that were delighted with the boardwalk. Along the estuary, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Black Phoebe chasing flies. Yum!  Did not see the Palm Warbler that had been seen this morning but did see a lone coyote stalking something way out on the estuary.  Hopefully, I will be back on the boardwalk at 9:00 Wed. morning to see the effects of a very high tide.







 

BIRDING LAGUNA LAKE

Arrived at Laguna Lake about 10:30 - the air was still, sun was bright; ideal conditions for checking out the birds.  About 100 Canada Goose (photo) were on the lake.  Separate from the Geese was a juvenile Snow Goose trailing 4 domestic white geese. Over the lake a couple of boisterous Caspian Terns were making their presence known.  Ruby-crowned Kinglets (most prevalent this year) and Yellow-rumped Warblers were flitting about in the trees.

The open space was delightful, only one doggie walker passed by.  Loggerhead Shrike ( photo), well known for its innovative use of barbed wire to impale its prey, was doing what it does best, catching insects.  A few posts down from the Shrike, was another insect eater, Cassin's Kingbird.  Saw several Meadowlarks in the fields, and circling overhead was a White-tailed Kite.  My cup runneth over.

Next stop Costco with its burgeoning population of Parking Lot-Boat-tailed Grackle.

SWEET SPRINGS - RETURN OF THE MIGRANTS

This morning a bevy of birds, migrating in for the fall/winter season, greeted me. Reliable old friends had, once again returned to the Central Coast. (photo - Sweet Springs High tide)

To the west of the Sweet Springs boardwalk leading out to the overlook was a White-tailed Kite sitting atop a shrub, Snowy Egret and Gr. Blue Heron, and a resident Bewick's Wren singing.  On the bay about 30 Ruddy Duck; many of the males still sported their breeding plumage, 5 Western Grebe, and 3 Scaup.

A mixed flock of ducks rested in the pickleweed along the main channel - Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Blue and Green-winged Teal. In the vicinity of the ponds, many Mallards and a Female Kingfisher.  Flitting about in the Cypress trees were Yellow-rumped and Townsend's Warbler. Oh, nearly forgot - the morning's weather was warm to hot - unusual to say the least.

EASTERN SIERRA BIRDING

Having never crossed over the Sierras on Hwy 120, I was looking forward to the experience. On Sat. at 5a.m. headed east, following Hwy 41, passed Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite and finally came to the turn on to Tioga Pass Road.  Pulled off the road numerous times to ooh and ah over the massive granite slopes, the acutely blue lakes, and the rugged mountain peaks. By the time I arrived at Tioga Pass, elevation - 9,943 ft. (3,030 meters), I was starving, as I had not wanted to take time to eat. As I was setting up my picnic on a rock (photo-yes the sky is that blue), saw a Stunning Black-backed Woodpecker on a nearby pine tree.  He sported a yellow cap and a long stout bill (very masculine).  His drumming sounded like a jackhammer. (hard not to miss). First time sightings are always exciting (camera was in the car).

 From Tioga Pass to Hwy 395 it is all down hill, 3,044 feet in 13 miles, about 7 miles at a 7% grade and on some of the sharper curves, no guard rails (Yikes!!).  Next stop Mono Lake's South Tufa State Park Reserve.  Fortune shined when I walked down to the water with the park interpreter. She was an avid birder and a few days ago a seldom seen bird had arrived.  A precious little Sabine's Gull (another first) was at the end of the boardwalk feeding on Alkali Flies, of which there are trillions. In the dense brush we got a glimpse of a Brewer's Sparrow.  White-crowned Sparrows were numerous.  On the lake were thousands of Eared Grebes and Ruddy Ducks feeding on Brine Shrimp.

Next stop was Niceley's Restaurant, the only open Restaurant in Lee Vining.  Fortunately, the food was good.  Sunday's destination was Devil's Post Pile, above Mammoth and Hot Creek, south of Mammoth.  Quite a few international tourists at Devil's Post Pile.  I looked at the rocks, took a few photos, and then concentrated on birding along the absolutely, glorious Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River; found an area where birds were dashing back and forth across a quiet flowing stream - the water was crystal clear. Was able to identify Hutton's Vireo and MacGillivray's Warbler. In the pines were numerous Red-breasted Nuthatch, a Brown Creeper (my favorite), and a White-headed Woodpecker.  Overhead Ravens soared.

 Onward and southward to my favorite place on the Eastern side of the Sierras, Hot Creek Geologic Site. The area is highly unstable.  At any time a scalding Geyser can erupt  in the creek or from one of the thermal pools.  There is some fencing which is in dire need of repair. Water temperature in the pools 93c/200f.  Along the edge of the creek are numerous steam vents and small bubbling hot springs.  A Great Blue Heron appeared focused on the abundant population of crickets.  Downstream were several Eared Grebe, a Lincoln Sparrow feeding along the edge of the creek, and a precious Rock Wren.

Due to the rutted gravel road back to the highway, I was driving slowly, which was fortunate, because I had another first sighting, three Black-billed Magpie sitting on a water tank - a very nice way to end the day.

BIRDING THE BEACH

Morro Strand Beach - Weather, overcast, temperature mild, no wind, and few people; in other words, Perfect!  My desire was to hone my Tern identification skills.  As far as I am concerned, definitely not an easy task. My problem is sorting the Elegant Tern from the Royal Tern.

The Elegant is larger than the Royal, and its bill is more orange-red and thicker and less down-turned; even knowing this, when I look at a flock of Terns, they look alike, unless there is a larger Royal Tern (the bigger one) standing next to the smaller Elegant Tern. Recently, a very talented birder told me, if I am remembering correctly, to look at the eye. On the Elegant Tern the black touches the eye, whereas there is a slight space between the eye and the black on the Royal Tern. In the above photo the three Terns, to the rear, appear to have a slight space between the eye and the black, so they may be Royal Terns (I think). My Tern ID skills still need honing.

Included in this flock was a most unusual Tern, one with red legs (right center). Elegant and Royal Terns have black legs. Unfortunately, I only noticed it when reviewing my photos. The sleeping birds are Long-billed Curlew (rear), Heermann's Gull (front).

Enjoyed seeing an Black Oystercatcher among a flock of Heermann's Gull.  Other birds of note - small flock of Sanderling and thousands of Sandpiper with a sprinkling of Semipalmated Plover resting on the beach. While observing the sandpiper, a small raptor sped causing the sandpipers to rise into the air in several swirling masses; they swooped back and forth in tight circular motions, much like a school of fish fleeing a predator. Just hearing the sound of thousands of tiny synchronized wings was an unbelievable treat,

BIRDING AT ITS BEST

Montana de Oro State Park - 9:00 am - The Weather was less than optimal, gray sky and drizzle. Fortunately, no wind. I had come out to see a rare migrant to our area, the Red Crossbill. This is one bird I thought I would never have a chance to see. Fortune shined!

A flock of a dozen plus were busily feeding in the Monterey Cypress on the south side of the Visitor Center. The odd shape of their bill allows them to extract seeds from tightly closed cones, such as those of the Monterey Cypress. They will feed hanging upside down like a Chickadee.

Other birds around the Visitor Center, Steller's Jay, Northern Flicker, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Bushtit, Wrentit, and Western Bluebird.

The Crossbill is not the only unusual bird in our area. An American Golden Plover had been seen along the edge of the bay near Cuesta Inlet. Within a few minutes of arrival I spotted her feeding cautiously in the pickleweed. There was no one else around, no dog walkers, which was nice. I was able to look at this graceful, solitary beauty with ease. I am including a barely acceptable photo. Clicking on the photo will give a slightly better image.
The American Golden Plover is amazing. It breeds in Arctic Tundra and has a migratory route of 25,000 miles; of this 2500 miles is over open ocean. Unlike the Black-bellied Plover who forages along the edge of Morro Bay, the American Golden Plover prefers pastures and dryer areas, so having the Golden Plover visit our area is indeed a treat.

Two new species in one day; be still my heart!