Birding Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

 The Morongo Canyon Preserve is located directly off of the Twentynine Palms Highway (Hwy 62) in the high desert town of Morongo Valley, California.  The Preserve is a 31,000 acre native plant and wildlife habitat, situated in the transition zone between the high Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert section of the Sonoran Desert.  In other words, it is in the semi-high desert .

Natural Springs, when not suffering from drought, feed a desert oasis of native California Palm, Cottonwood, Willow, Mesquite, extensive patches of Alkali Goldenbush, (below) and a riparian habitat that create a cool and moist environment for birds, wildlife, and birders.  The Preserve is well known among the bird watching world; over 247 different species have been observed at Big Morongo.

 The weather was perfect for birding, a slightly warm morning accompanied by a cooling breeze.  Anticipating the temperature to be hot, Cathy, my Palm Springs friend, and I were delighted at the coolness.  Is Cathy looking at a bird?  No!  It's was a tiny bright green grasshopper.  In some areas birds were a bit sparse.

Unfortunately, drought and fire had taken a toll on the vegetation, but the hardy plants, especially the Mesquite and the California Palm, were coming back to life.

Best birds on our walk were Black-and-White Warbler and a male and female Phainopepla, the male was in flight, the female perched on a twig.  We were alerted to their presence by a one syllable call, similar to a whistle.  A primary source of food for the Phainopepla are mistletoe berries.  Both the Cottonwood and Mesquite trees are hosts to the parasitic mistletoe.

The Black-and-White Warbler was active in a blooming patch of Alkali Goldenbush that was humming with insects.

 Two feeding stations in the Preserve gave birders a chance to sit comfortably while practicing the art of birding.   Feeders held seeds, peanuts and suet; Hummingbirds had their choice of several feeders, and for birds with a sweet tooth, such as Woodpeckers, Orioles, and Tanagers, a hanging basket with a bowl of grape jell; water stations used by both birds and wildlife were numerous.  In the above photo, the black object keeps the squirrels out of the feeders. 

It was tremendous fun birding the feeders.  A few of the birds we saw were Black-chinned Hummingbird, Mountain Chickadee (uncommon), White-breasted Nuthatch, Fox Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and one very special bird.

We were sitting, chatting with other birders (above photo), enjoying the little brown, grey, and black and white birds when suddenly there appeared at the grape jelly feeder, a brilliantly red, Summer Tanager (photo below)  Well, that made our day - a first sighting for both of us. (the man in the center is using a monocular.)

Birding the Big Morongo Preserve was a rewarding experience that I hope to repeat next spring when Vermilion Flycatchers arrive to nest in the Cottonwoods.


The Big Morongo Preserve is included in the 154,000 acre Sand to Snow National Monument.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_to_Snow_National_Monument

An Extremely Rare Shorebird

On Tuesday a rare migrant was observed at the Alva Paul Creek Lagoon on Morro Strand State Beach.  By 9:00 Wednesday morning I was slogging down the sand trail to the beach and the lagoon.  Due to high tides the sand on the beach was firm and easy to walk on.  In the distance I could see the lagoon and two people whom I assumed were birders because they had a scope and binoculars and were focused on the lagoon.  I was nearly positive they were looking at the, newly arrived Buff-breasted Sandpiper.  It's usual migratory route is from it's Arctic breeding grounds, through the middle of the continent, to Southern South America.  To say the least, an amazing journey for a five ounce bird.

 

The day was damp and overcast, not a hint of sun.  The beach was active with Long-billed Curlew (above), Willet, Marbled Godwit, and thousands of Elegant Terns; mixed into the mass were Royal Terns; overhead flew two Caspian Terns.  I find the constant, rather boisterou chatter of Terns most amusing.  The chattering Terns along the lagoon in the video is a small example of the number of Terns that were on the beach.   https://youtu.be/F4Gzbgw54Yw
 

          Elegant Tern are enthusiastic bathers.

Upon reaching the lagoon the pair of local birders pointed out the juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper.  The precious little traveler was easy to see and did not seem bothered by our presence.  It had a speedy walk, different than our basic Sandpipers, the Western and Least Sandpiper.  Photo by Tom Edell, birder extraordinaire.

There are several high tides this week that will expand the size of the Alva Paul Creek Lagoon.  Will this rare sandpiper continue to grace us with her presence?  I'll find out on Sunday when I return to the beach and the bounty of migratory birds on the beach. 

Memorable Sightings

 
 Turri Road Ponds at the junction of So. Bay Blvd and Turri Road.
 Memorable sighting No. 3 -  I was anticipating seeing Greater and Lesser Yellowleg, but upon arrival what we did see was a delightful surprise - six Red-necked Phalarope plus a Logger-headed Shrike that sped by at eye level.

Phalarope are fun to watch as they are active feeders, spinning in circles as they feed on tiny insects.  Below is a photo I somehow managed to get, when for a brief moment, a Phalarope stopped spinning.

    Memorable sighting No. 4 -  Third Street Coastal Access 

A mixed flock of rather adorable, Semipalmated Plover, Marbled Godwit and Willet were feeding along the edge of the water - a very peaceful scene.  I mentioned to Mike that we should see a Black-bellied Plover, as one or two are often found in a mixed flock of shorebirds.  We found one by itself on a little sandbar.  It's beautiful black and white breeding plumage had already transitioned to quiet winter colors.  Photo of Black-bellied Plover in Winter Plumage.

    Memorable Sighting No. 2 -  Morro Bay State Park Marina

I was confident we would find a Spotted Sandpiper.  We were barely a few feet along the path when the tiny sandpiper appeared bopping along the edge of the water.  Translation of "bopping along" - Spotted Sandpiper teeter as they walk.  Chicks teeter as soon as they hatch.  The function of the teetering motion is yet to be determined.  Soon we discovered there were two Spotted Sandpipers, an adult and a juvenile.  The adult still had a few spot on its belly.  A great treat seeing these two little beauties.  If you squint, the belly spots can be seen.

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    Memorable Sighting No. 1 -  Morro Bay Marina Boardwalk

The primary reason for going to the marina was to see, at the least, one of the four or five Reddish Egrets that had been seen in the area of Morro Bay for about a week or so.  The Reddish Egret is one of the rarest egrets in North America.  It's easily distinguished from other Egrets and Herons by its shaggy appearance, reddish head and neck during breeding season, very active feeding behavior, and pink-and-black bill.  It is a resident breeder in Central America, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Gulf Coast of the U.S, and Mexico, and has slowly been making its way up our coast.

We were standing on the boardwalk with binoculars focused across the vast pickleweed to the edge of the receding tide.  A scope would have been helpful.  While looking for the Egrets three women, one with binoculars and a humongous camera, sat down on a nearby bench.  The woman with the camera asked if we had seen the Reddish Egret. "No," we answered.  She points into the hazy west. "They're out there, four of them."  By expanding the photo (click or touch) you can see two of the four Egrets, far left and right center.

 At this time of year they are without their roguish reddish head and neck.  What distinguished them to us was their athletic feeding behavior.  We observed them dash about, zig-zag, and leap with wings flapping, but they did have their quiet moments, strolling along the edge of the water with the shorebirds.  Certainly would be delightful to have the Reddish Egret as a regular winter visitor.  For your viewing please have included a 1.14 minute YouTube video on the feeding strategy of the Reddish Egret.
https://youtu.be/oPt70L1lAoM

On July 17 at San Simeon creek mouth local photographer Roger Zachary captured this excellent image of a Reddish Egret.

Birding the Bluff Trail

Bluff Trail Montaña de Oro - Coon Creek Cove - This is the farthest one can walk south on the Bluff Trail.  At this point the trail gently curves north/east, about .70 of a mile to the Coon Creek Trail Head and parking area.

I heard the Pigeon Guillemot’s high, piercing whistle before I saw them.  They are frequently seen conversing with each other.  It appears they have much to say.

 These hardy, compact sea birds arrive at MdO in mid-March to nest in the holes and niches found in the rocky cliffs of the Bluff Trail. 

Sharp claws on their webbed very red feet help them to climb the rugged vertical shale formations.  I was wondering if the Guillemot on the left was not fully mature, as its feet were not the bright red of an adult.  In mid-August they will return to the open sea.  Fortunately there are always a few that hang around for awhile.

The Bluff Trail birds were very cooperative.  Noticed a pair of, difficult to see, Wrentit chasing each other through the brush, Spotted Towhee seemed to be everywhere, California Thrasher, and Bewick's Wren were singing.  The highlight of the morning was a precious California Quail family with 11 tiny chicks, mom leading the way, dad taking up the rear.  I never cease to be amazed that these itty bitty creatures are independent foragers at birth.  I wish them all a long and fruitful life.

 

The Cormorant Saga - Part 3

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Hundreds of newly arrived Brown Pelican find respite on Gibson Beach.  On this third and final adventure observing the nesting Brant's Cormorant, I am joined by my friend Cathy from Palm Springs.  Fifty days had passed since my first observation.

Both parents are active in feeding and protecting the young.  The small area around their nest is sacrosanct, anyone getting into their space is firmly scolded, and if not moving off, the invaders are pecked.  Nest tidying, unwanted items such as scraps of food, odd twigs, bits of eggshells, and dead hatchlings are tossed out.  Edible items such as food scraps and dead hatchlings may be eaten.   Included in nest tidying is adding fresh material.

From what I observed the average number of chicks per nest was about 2 - 3.  At 3 weeks of age the chicks are too large to shelter.  The adult stands at the edge of the nest, ready at a moments notice to protect them.   At 6 - 7 weeks adults may leave the nest unguarded but return to feed and roost.  The below photo shows chicks of all sizes.  Chicks will fledge (fly) about 50 days after hatching.  Adults will continue feeding for a couple of weeks after the chicks fledge.  (click on photos to see details)

Below photo - Parents perched on edge of nest.

Quite a few late comers have arrived since my last visit.  They seem to have had no trouble finding nesting sites.  

We discovered several Pelagic Cormorant nests in Brandt's territory.  Notice the large hole in the center of the rock formation, a cozy nesting site for a pair of Pelagic Cormorant.

At Sea Lion Point, a mile north of Bird Island, we checked on the progress of the Pelagic Cormorants.  Three nests had chicks.  The one on the left had small chicks that the parent was sheltering, below photo.  Both Pelagic and Brandt's extend their wings when they have small nestlings.

While looking at the far left nest, below photo, Cathy noticed a Pigeon Guillemot fly out from the left.  We concluded that a Guillemot and a Pelagic can nest in close proximity without a problem.  A portion of the Guillemot's head, bill and white wing patch can be seen.  The nests are roomier than I thought.  The center nest shows two large youngsters, and what are they doing - begging for food.

More than likely this is the last of the Cormorant Saga at Point Lobos Natural Reserve, but I cannot make any promises.  I may return during the rainy season, if we have one.   I am wondering if the low oval on Bird Island (below) is formed by water.   (photo - black specks Cormorants, beige specks Brown Pelicans)

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.