Birding - California's Central Coast - Oct -2 -2008 - Morro Bay - from the coastal access at the north end of 3rd.  Observed 3 Black Skimmers feeding along the most eastern oyster bed.  They were where the Forster's Terns hang out. In addition saw, along the shore, a Spotted Sand Piper, Dowitcher, and  a Yellowleg on the same little piece of pickleweed.  Tide was coming in bringing lots of minnows.  Saw thousands of them floating in with the tide in Sweet Springs.  Blue-winged Teal resting in Pickleweed.  Photo was taken from the Audubon Overlook at the end of 4th in Baywood.
                           
    Birding - California's Central Coast - Sept -28 -2008 - 9:00 am.  Birding Islay Creek mouth.  Very overcast but still saw several warblers - Common Yellowthroat, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, plus a perky Song Sparrow and a Phoebe and a Wrentit.  Birding for a few minutes in the campground and saw a Say's Phoebe and Quail.  Heard a Calif. Thrasher and a Flickr and a great view of a Cooper's Hawk with his tail spread out..  Also on the beach were a few California Gulls.  If the sun had peeked out, we would have had more sightings - a very pleasant morning, indeed!
     Birding - California's Central Coast - August 31 - 2008 - Morro Bay Marina - east end - 40 - 50 Red-necked Phalarope.  In the channels along S. Bay Blvd. and in Los Osos Creek Phalarope to numerous to count.  This was observed around 11:00 at high tide.  Yesterday went Whale watching on the Pontoon, "Dos Osos."  We went about 6 miles out of Morro Bay and saw hundreds of Common Murre and hundreds of Sooty Shearwater. Numerous cavorting Harbor Seals and many great whale sightings, some close to the boat.  Swells were rather large which made photo taking difficult.  The below photo is by Mike Baird.  It is a Humpback Whale Tail.  Note the barnacles that have found a traveling home.  If only they could talk.
                        humpback whale tail by mike baird
    Birding - California's Central Coast - August 10 - 2008 - Morro Strand State Beach - One week after my last beach walk.  Many fewer people but more surfers.  Only saw 3 Semipalmated Plover, no Whimbrel.  Elegant Tern was very noticeable and vocalizing which I find delightful.    There were several flocks on the beach.  What alarmed me were two dead, Common Murr (I think) and several dead Brown Pelican.  Is this normal or not???
              
    Birding - California's Central Coast - August 8 - 2008 -  Birding around the edge of Baywood this morning, tide low - 2 Black-bellied Plovers still in breeding plumage (always a treat) - 2 Western Sandpiper, numerous Willet and Godwit, a few Long Billed Curlew, numerous Forster's and several Elegant Tern.  One Brant Goose.  The migrants are returning.
      Birding - California's Central Coast - August 2 - 2008 -  Finally got out for some birding on Morro Strand State Beach.  Weather mild with fog here and fog there - most delightful.  Migrants returning.  Sightings - West. Sandpiper - Whimbrel
Semipalmated Plover - Snowy Plover (the precious darlings). Heermann's Gull - Royal and Elegant Tern - Long-billed Curlew.  One Am. Oystercatcher resting  on the beach - Gr. Egret feeding in the surf (always a treat). B
            Below - Heermann's Gull                         
    Birding - California's Central Coast - June 22 - 2008 - Morro Strand State Beach - North Point - Very Low Tide - wonderful for observing the tidepool critters.  Four Mature Black-crowned Night Herons feeding in the surf and one Great Egret.   Caspian and Royal Tern passing by.  Small clusters of Herrmann's Gull at surf's edge.  Exquisite morning.
                   
 
                         

 

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