The Cormorant Saga - Part 2

Point Lobos State Natural Preserve - Wednesday Morning 10:30 - after 154 miles, mostly on Highway 101, I found myself looking at probably a couple thousand nesting Brandt's Cormorant.  Thirty-four days had passed since my last visit to the rocky rookery.

 The rookery was bustling with activity.  Some of the juveniles appeared as large, if not larger than their parents, and like typical teenagers they were constantly begging for food.  At first all I saw was a mass of black.  Through binoculars, I began to see the nestlings.  At birth they are without feathers and sightless.  Within a week they are covered with fluffy down.  A nestling, needing to eat frequently, often has its bill extended up toward a parent's neck.  This action will stimulate the parent to regurgitate.  The nestling will feed by inserting its bill into the parent's throat.

I saw more juveniles than little ones because the little ones were tucked away under the adults.  Sometimes a tiny head would appear.  Tending the young is shared by both parents.  Nestlings are dark grey with whiteish speckles, particularly on their wings. (for details click on images)

Can you locate the three juveniles in the center of the above photo?

The nests, glued together with excrement, form a concretion.

         Nestlings lower center of above photo.

On a rock face, below the hustle and bustle of the rookery, was a Black-crowned Night Heron and a solitary Brant's Cormorant.  It was clear to me that they did not believe in the adage, "Birds of a feather flock together."

 

Pelagic Cormorants were located one mile north at Sea Lion Cove.

White excrement marks the nest sites; ten were occupied.  No little ones could be seen.  Compared to the Brandt's, the scene was serene.

In about two weeks I am planning on taking another jaunt to Point Lobos.  Hopefully, Pelagic chicks will be active.  On every visit to the Point Lobos Preserve I have shown my docent, state park pass and entered without having to pay a $9.00 fee.

Birding Cottontail Creek Road

 When we first arrived at Cottontail Creek Road we turned East.  A short distance along the road the Creek flows under a small bridge.  From the extremely dense vegetation came a variety of bird songs.  It was rather overwhelming.  Singing was a chorus of Warbling Vireo, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Song Sparrow, and Wilson's Warbler.  Chasing after insects at the creek's edge were two Black Phoebe.  In a nearby field were American Robin and Western Bluebird.  Perched on barbed wire fencing was a Cassin's Kingbird.

 Above the creek was a huge oak were Nuttall's and Acorn Woodpecker and an Oak Titmouse family were active.

The West side of Cottontail Creek Road gently meanders along Whale Rock Reservoir and rolling ranch land dotted with grazing Black Angus Cattle. 
 
We (friend Mike and I) never saw another car nor another person - the only sounds, the birds and the breeze - a birding paradise.  After turning off Old Creek Road the car rumbled over a cattle grate.  In less than a 1/4 mile the reservoir appeared; we pulled over where we could see the gnarly oak trees.  A few years ago I had seen two Bald Eagles perched on the tree; unfortunately no Eagles were visible.

 In the reservoir we saw Coots, and Double-creasted Cormorant.  Overhead dashed Cliff and Tree Swallow.  Mike spotted the Bald Eagle.  Our national bird was soaring above us.  For several minutes we watched it soar.  Oh my gosh, what a treat.  It gained altitude as it soared, eventually disappearing over the hills.  Due to our lofty position above the lake, the only birds we could identify on the reservoir were Western and Pied-billed Grebe and juvenile Double-creasted Cormorant.  We had a marvelous sighting at the old cattle corral of a Red-tailed Hawk coming up from the ground with a snake clutched in its beak.

The most exciting part of the morning was yet to come.   After a couple hours of birding we were ready for a coffee break.  Not wanting to miss anything, we were moving at a snail's pace.  To our left were the hills dotted with rocky outcrops, when what to my eyes should appear but our Bald Eagle perched on an outcrop.  I pulled over, got out of the car.  Walking very slowly managed to get a photo.  Far from perfect, but it is my very first Bald Eagle photo.

I knew as soon as it sensed my presence it would fly off and it did.  Fortunately the Eagle flew down to the water, circled around a few times, dove down to the water, came up empty handed, and once again flew out of sight.  A fitting end to a perfect morning of birding the central coast.

Bird Island - The Cormorant Saga - Part 1

Bird Island - May 10, 2018 - Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Monterey County California

The fully accessible trail to Bird Island is a .8 mile round trip.  The views are spectacular - Monterey Pines, an amazing variety of delicate spring wildflowers, white sand coves (above photo), harbor seal moms and pups, and Bird Island, famous for its breeding colony of Brandt’s Cormorant. 

 Brandt’s Cormorant nest in colonies, large congregation of individuals that build their nests in a particular location.  In the above photo Brandt's are clustered together in an oval depression on Bird Island.  When expanding the photo you can see quite a few well established nests. The Brandt have been nesting on Bird Island for many decades.  On the far left of the photo a Brandt's Cormorant can be seen carrying construction material for his nest.  In my opinion the occupied depression is the prime real estate on Bird Island.

The male chooses the nest site.  In the above photo a male is displaying his vivd blue gular pouch with high hopes of attracting a mate.  Males begin nest building before finding a mate.  Nests consist of  seaweed, eelgrass, alga and nearby vegetation.  Unfortunately, while he is off gathering, a rival male may steal some of his nesting material. 

Females move among the advertising males with thin, up-stretched necks.  As a female approaches a group of males (center), there is a sudden increase in displays.

After they pair up, males continue gathering nesting material while the females builds the nest; guano will glue the nest together.  Both the male and female defend their nest site from interlopers.  When a nest exchange is made the eggs are turned by the new sitter.  Incubation (28-31 days) is carried out by both parents.  Care is taken during a nest exchange because Western Gulls are waiting for their chance to snatch an egg or a nestling.  Rarely are eggs left unattended. 

 The Brandt's smaller, slimmer relative, the Pelagic Cormorant, nests near Bird Island on the sheer sides of steep cliffs; they are not as social nor gregarious as the Brant's. (Pelagic Cormorant photo by Mike Baird)  

Their mating displays are similar to their larger cousin, with the addition of wing flapping to show off their beautiful white flanks. 

Once they find a nest site they tend to be faithful to it for the rest of their lives.  Nests become large due to reuse.  They lay 3 - 5 eggs - would love to get a photo of Pelagic Cormorant nestlings crowded into their precariously positioned nest.  Hmm, maybe a return trip is in order for late June.

Peregrine Falcons at Montaña de Oro Update

Peregrine Falcon juvenile (2008 photo by Mike Baird) fledged on Morro Rock in Morro Bay Calif.  Morro Rock is approximately 10 miles north of Montaña de Oro (MdO).  The Morro Rock Peregrine could be related to one of our MdO Peregrines.

Now it is 26 days after the Peregrine Falcon posting of April 2nd - The question whether the Peregrines will nest in the Smuggler's Cove cliff site at MdO remains unanswered.  This morning at 10:21 there were no Peregrines in sight.  At 10:42 the pair arrived. The lonely male (below) went into the possible nesting site; after a few minutes he perched in the opening. 

The female, who appeared to be preening, was located (below) in the mating, feeding area (see post of April 2)  http://birdingthecentralcoast.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-peregrine-falcons-have-arrived.htm

Peregrine Falcons generally reach breeding maturity at two years of age.  Since the MdO female is a sub-adult and not fully mature, her chances of producing fertile eggs and nesting are slim.  But I continue to have hope that our pair of Peregrines will raise a family.

The Peregrine pair on the north side of Morro Rock began incubation on March 12th.  And the Peregrine pair on the south side of the Morro Rock had yet to nest as of the 12th.  Perhaps delayed nesting is not that unusual and eventually the MdO pair will nest in the not too distant future.
             Stay tuned for the next episode.

For info on the Peregrines of Morro Rock go to  http://pacificcoastperegrinewatch.org/

Central Coast Splendors - Birds and Flowers

The goal of the morning was to look for spring wildflowers on the Junge Ranch Trail - located about 1/4 mile north of San Simeon Creek.  The scenic one mile trail hugs the coast.   In 2004 the Junge Ranch property was added to the Hearst San Simeon State Park. 


San Simeon State Park -  From the Washburn parking/picnic area -  A few steps to the boardwalk, turn toward the sea and you have arrived at the San Simeon Beach Lagoon.  Overhead sped hundreds of Swallows feeding on insects and gathering droplets of mud.

The swallows were building mud nests that were tucked under the bridge where the deck meets the the huge bridge supports.  Now for the sometimes hard part of birding, identification - an easy task if Swallows were ground feeders.  Finally, after much pondering, I concluded they were Cliff Swallow and Northern Rough-winged Swallow. (I do enjoy the pondering)

 What took me by complete surprise was the size of the lagoon.  Winter/Spring storms had opened the lagoon to the sea.  Gone was the natural gravel berm that kept the ocean at bay.  The Lagoon was now considerably larger. 

On the far side of the lagoon, standing in shallow water, were five Caspian Tern, possibly taking a break on their flight north to East Sand Island in Oregon’s Columbia River Estuary where a huge breeding colony of Caspian Tern is located. 

 While observing the Terns four Bufflehead, 3/M, 1/F splashed down. I was rather surprised when they landed directly in front of me.  (above photo male Bufflehead) Only observed one precious Snowy Plover. 

 Next stop, the Junge Ranch Trail to look for wildflowers

     Chocolate Lily - Fritillaria biflora (2-3 in.)
Some of the flowers are tiny and barely noticeable.  I used binoculars to locate the  inch Chocolate Lily patch. 

 California Native wildflowers are bountiful on the Junge Ranch Trail. 
Some of the Wildflowers were: Blue-eyed Grass, Sun Cups, Thrift, tiny Redmaids, Butttercup, Fiddleneck, California Poppy, and one very special flower. 

           

 The special flower was alone in it's universe, one small lavender flower, a flower I had never seen before.  It was a Monterey Mariposa Lily (Calochortas uniflorus), considered a rare plant due to its limited distribution.  Coincidentally I'll be visiting Point Lobos in Monterey in a few weeks and guess what I will be looking for, yes, a Monterey Mariposa Lily.  (and birds of course)

           Seaside Daisy - Erigeron glaucus

The Seventeenth Day Of Spring 2018

 Turri Road - San Luis Obispo County - (photo taken through Windshield)

By the 17th day of Spring the majority of the Central Coast water fowl and shorebirds have taken off for their breeding grounds, but there are always a few that would rather stay on the Central Coast year round, and can't blame them.  Eventually though, they too will fly off, leaving Morro Bay with a feeling of emptiness. 

 Turri Road - Today, in the ponds that fill from high tide and seasonal rain were six Cinnamon Teal, three Green-winged Teal and a Greater Yellowlegs. 

About two miles up the road, an unexpected treat; along the bank of the roadside cattle pond, two Canada Goose accompanied by a Greater White-fronted Goose, two Mallards, and three Cinnamon Teal; dabbling in the pond, 10 cinnamon Teal with three Mallards.  Due to fencing and vegetation, photography is limited at the pond.  Can you find the third Cinnamon Teal?  

Singing in the willows across from the pond were spring migrants, Pacific Flycatcher and Wilson’s Warbler.

Turri Road gracefully meanders to a slight summit, then plummets into the agricultural area of Los Osos Valley.  Fence and field birds - hundreds of Brewer’s Blackbird, Say’s and Black Phoebe, Western Bluebird, and adding music to the bucolic scene an entertaining Meadow Lark.

The Peregrine Falcons Have Arrived

 Montaña de Oro State Park Ca - Smuggler's Cove

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is the fastest member of the animal kingdom.

Two weeks ago at Smuggler's Cove overlook, rover friend Sara with her husband Gary, observed two Peregrine Falcons.  An adult Peregrine had just brought food to a younger Peregrine that appeared to be a juvenile.   (* Note -  To be technically correct only the female is called a Falcon.  The male Peregrine is called a tiercel, which means "one-third" because the male is 1/3 smaller than the female.)
 
 Photo of the Peregrines taken by Gary O’Neill.  Since the top Falcon had adult plumage and the lower, typical juvenile plumage, I took it upon myself to assume the lower bird, that was being fed by an adult, was an older juvenile, particularly due to its size and flying ability.  I was quite certain the two Peregrines were a female adult and a juvenile, with gender to be determined.  (Birding hint - Never Assume)

After observing the Peregrines several times, I was in a total kerfuffle as to gender, so I dashed off an email, with photos, to a friend whom I recently learned had published a book on “The Peregrine Falcons of Morro Rock.”  From his reply I learned that the dark bird was an adult male, not a female, and the lighter colored bird with the horizontal stripes was not a juvenile, it was a sub-adult female, not fully molted to adult plumage. 

Viewing larger images of the photos is suggested.  Above annotated photo, viewed from left to right - nest, perch,  eating and mating area.  Below photo by Gary - sub-adult female in perch hole.

Today, 9:00 am. the fog had lifted, the morning was beautiful.  As I approached the overlook the male was flying in with food for the female who was vocalizing as he approached.  After handing off the food, he perched nearby.  Birds are the Peregrine's primary source of food.

Eventually she flew up to the aerie (nest), and he flew to the eating area to have a brief snack. (next two photos by Gary) When he left, she returned.  They mated three times in an hour.  Handing off food vocalizing, and frequent mating are part of the courtship ritual - mating is for life.

Eventually the Peregrine pair flew to the nest site.  In the photo below the female is inside, the male is facing her.  They are vocalizing and bowing to each other which is part of the courtship ritual.  The female, 1/3 larger than the male, is the dominant member of the relationship. 

 A few moments later she left the nest site for a perch on the buff.  (below photo) The next moment they were in flight, headed north - joining them was another Peregrine Falcon.  The male has no tolerance for interlopers in the vicinity of his nest.

Male at nest empty nest site (below photo by Gary).  Perhaps, the next time I visit Smuggler's Cove, the nest will be occupied with a brooding female.  I can hardly wait for the next episode - - - - To be continued. . . .