I've had a fun few days of migration birding (and whaling). With my buddy, Poppy - we managed a handful of very good birds and marine mammals this weekend.
First off, Friday afternoon was a surprise flurry of activity starting with 6-7 Grey Whales moving slowly up the coast just outside the Hollister Ranch area where I'm working. I was standing on a bluff overlooking the ocean, making an end of the day phone call. The whale's were no more than 20 yards offshore, which to me was mind blowing! The water was so clear, and the whales so close - that I could see them so well, in great detail with the naked eye. It was an incredible moment for me, and I was fortunate to be there at the right time. Just minutes later after jumping in the car the SB county Black Vulture appeared over head, seen easily from the highway. This might be the best bird of the weekend. It's only been reported 5 times this year, and I've been lucky enough to see it twice in the past few months.
Best birds of the weekend were: Pacific Wren (270) and Vaux's Swift (271) and Townsend's Solitare (272) at La Cumbre Peak with Kevin Saiki and new birding buddy Luke Depass. The Solitare's were neat, we were able to get great looks at them despite the incredible wind gusts up in the high elevations.
Today, (Sunday) proved to be a great success. Poppy and I waltzed around Lake Los Carneros and the surrounding Marshes. We had our pick of many migrants and local breeders. Best birds were:
Close up Black Headed Grosbeaks
American Goldfinches (273)
Closeup Western Tanagers (274)
Closeup Calliope Hummingbird female (275)
6-7 Yellow Headed Blackbirds (276)
Possible nesting Cinnamon Teal
Maybe the most handsome bird all day - breeding plumage Ruddy Ducks
It was special to get some great looks at the Western Tanagers - that species, after all, is my grail bird, the bird that shocked me in the Grand Canyon years ago with Kev, Pete, Dill, and Peffer. Fun to see it again and get all clammy handed about it, again.
This is great guys, we are getting close to our goal of 300 birds for the year. Whats more, I think we are all become much better birders as time goes on. I think having this blog, and having a goal like this is a major component of improving together. It's causing me to be more deliberate about my ID'ing, and learning songs/calls. It's also fun to report here with notable stories and findings. I feel myself getting better, and that is exciting.
I agree Matt - we have all become much better birders than Pete.
ReplyDeleteNice birding, Matt. I didn't realize nobody marked off American Goldfinch. Was the Caliope Hummingbird an adult male? That seems pretty notable to me. Are they very common in SB?
After we move, we need to make a trip up to the mountains. I have never seen a Townsend's.