Page 24 - Out Birding Spring 2024

California Birding - Central coast, May -June 2023
I was given a ticket for a Shania Twain concert for my 75th birthday and the place I chose to see her was the Hollywood Bowl! After several phone calls and visits to a travel agent, the trip was booked and included staying with an ex-pat netball pal. Although not a birder she chauffeured me to coastal locations, wetlands, local and National parks where she walked her dog where appropriate and she and her partner joined me at the concert.
Morro Bay became a favourite location, equi-distant between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the Central coast and on the Pacific Plate. In the bay, Morro Rock is one of 7 Morros, the fiery hearts of volcanoes eroded over time leaving the inner core, now a bird sanctuary. It supports large colonies of Western Gulls, Double-crested Cormorants, Brown Pelicans and Peregrine.
In the Bay we watched Brown Pelican and sea otter numbers build up during the three weeks, taking great delight watching the ‘kits’ lying along the mother’s belly or wrapped up in kelp to anchor them whilst mothers sourced food. Other mammals seen further north along the coast were Elephant Seals and Sea Lions. I scoped a Pacific Diver, Surf Scoters and Ruddy Ducks at Morro Bay on my first visit.
Morro Bay State Park Marine Reserve is a remnant of ancient Californian coastal eco- systems with estuary wetlands, salt marsh, perennial grasslands, eelgrass beds and maritime chaparral. It is the last estuary of its kind between N California and Mexico. Here I scoped Long-billed Curlew, Willet, Marbled Godwit, Wilson’s Phalarope, Kildeer, Gadwall, Western Grebe, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture and, on one spectacular occasion, a Bald Eagle.
Following the boardwalk I almost tripped over a pair of Californian Quail, and a pair of Mourning Doves. In the shrubbery Houses Finches and White-crowned Sparrows were numerous. I saw a stunning Anna’s Hummingbird, Barn and Tree Swallows and Great Egrets were nesting in the eucalyptus trees nearby.
A few miles inland in Atascadero, a community park adjacent to my friend’s estate became another of my favourite place to visit usually before and after day trips away. Whilst baseball , fitness training, dog training and leisure walks were being pursued I discovered a mulberry tree where bird life was abundant.
It was situated along a quiet stretch of the perimeter path and I identified 11 species eating the fruits: Cedar Waxwings, visiting for approximately 5 days, American Robin, Western Bluebird, Bullock’s and Hooded Oriole, Northern Mockingbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Phainopepla, Ash-throated Flycatcher, House Finch and, of course, Starlings.
There was a family of Red-shouldered Hawks at a nest site in the car park’s eucalyptus trees. Red-winged Blackbird, Black Phoebe, Oak Titmouse, Californian Scrub- jay, Brewer’s Blackbird and Band-tailed Pigeon frequented the community garden.
The Pinnacles National Park concluded my birding. Situated in the Gabilan mountain 24