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!

THE ELEVEN BIRDS OF CHRISTMAS

What Birders do on Christmas Day.....
They bird and sing  "The Eleven Birds Of Christmas"

     Twelve Mallards Preening..
     Eleven Whimbrel Feeding..
     Ten Birders Birding..
     Nine Teal a-Dabbling..
     Eight Grebes a-Diving..
     Seven Eagles a-Soaring..
     Six Gulls a-begging..
     Five Golden Warblers......
     Four Fussing Jays..
     Three Snowy Plover..
     Two Precious Finch....
        And a Wrentit in the Scrub Brush......
            
         HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

  

RAINY DAY BIRDING

Rain or shine I was determined to go birding.  A huge flotilla of ducks was floating peacefully on the bay.  Brant Goose, Blue winged Teal, and the largest flock of Dowitcher I had ever seen were in the vicinity of the Baywood Pier. (photo - rainy Baywood)

Next phase of birding in the rain - Turri Road.  Northern Shoveler were feeding in the ponds.  Say's Phoebe and two American Kestrel were perched on fence posts, a few White-crowned Sparrow, and a flock of Lark Sparrow were in a recently plowed field.  Overall, very quiet and peaceful - a beautiful ride.

 Wishing for a bit more excitement, my thoughts turned to the nearby Sea Pines Golf Course where I had recently seen two species of goose. On the edge of the golf course I found a swarm of American Coot investigating ponds that were forming from water draining off the grass. The dips in the road were several inches deep, allowing the Coots to swim.














 I was marveling at the opportunistic nature of birds when a Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk swooped in. With deadly talons extended, the Hawk snatched up a coot and settled down by the fence to eat his/her meal (photo).  The close presence of the Hawk caused the Coots to close ranks (defensive positioning). They nearly flooded the street with their presence, causing sensitive motorists to take a different route.  The Hawk, intent on consuming its tasty meal, allowed me the opportunity to take photos through the chain link fence. Never let a little rain dampen your birding spirit. Additional Hawk photos may be seen on
 http://youtu.be/PfpYvdBPhcI

BIRDING SEA PINES GOLF COURSE

While on my walk this morning I heard a flock of Canada Geese heading south in the direction of Sea Pines Golf Course.  Suddenly I remembered a Greater White-fronted Goose (photo left) and a Cackling Goose (photo right) had been seen in the vicinity of the ponds at the Sea Pines Golf Course. Hurried home - five minutes later was peering through the chain link fence at a large flock of American Coot plus two charming geese.  The geese fed in close proximity to one another; perhaps an example of cross species friendship.

In spite of the very grey morning I saw 40 species - Thousands of ducks and shorebirds.  In various pines were Red-breasted Nuthatch, Chickadee, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Favorite sighting of the morning was of two local photographers with their tripods and humongous cameras waiting for the Peregrine Falcon that sometimes perches in the dead cypress near the Baywood Pier.  They were not having any luck; as I continued on I spotted the Peregrine in a nearby Pine, clearly visible to the men with cameras.  I do think this Peregrine is a tease.
   
https://www.youtube.com/edit?ns=1&o=U&video_id=j2alkP3MCLo 

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.