California Trip - April 30th-May 3rd - Part 1
May 27, 2023 16:13:24 GMT -8
Dave, oldfulica, and 10 more like this
Post by Bentley on May 27, 2023 16:13:24 GMT -8
I started off the trip sweet by picking up some alcids at the Edmonds Public Fishing Pier. Through braving the cold I managed a Marbled Murrelet*, a pair of Rhinoceros Auklets*, quite of few Pigeon Guillemots, and five Purple Martins over the water. With two lifers in the first three hours of the trip I was looking forward to where I end up next.
My next stop was in Roy, Washington where Northern Bobwhites* had been introduced for hunting. I managed to hear one singing in the grass couple meters off the road. I also picked up some House Wrens and a Chipping Sparrow there.
On my way into Oregon I noticed a late Northern Shrike on the side of the road and a Band-tailed Pigeon. Also in surprising abundance were American White Pelicans, I must have totaled 50~ along the highway near Astoria. Just outside of Astoria, I distracted myself from a large flock of pelicans and noticed a flock of 45 Short-billed Dowitchers* among other shorebirds. Once arriving at my destination, Haystack Rock, home of nesting Tufted Puffins* and Common Murres. After searching the rock for 30 minutes repeatedly, I was beginning to lose hope. Especially since there was Bald Eagle circling the rock scaring all the Western Gulls. But then as I was shortening my tripod back up I see black alcid, with a clown face, and its namesake tufts.
Tufted Puffin at Haystack Rock by Bentley Colwill
I wanted to check a spot west of Portland for Mountain Quails but no luck, did manage a Ruffed Grouse though.
Starting out the second day just north of Eugene was a turn east towards the sage desert, noted a few Red-shouldered Hawks along the way. Although Fort Rock State Park is not the most numerous in birds it does have its specialties. I managed to lay my eyes on Green-tailed Towhees*, a Prairie Falcon, many Loggerhead Shrikes*, and a Sagebrush Sparrow*, among other common sage birds.
Green-tailed Towhee at Fort Rock SP by Bentley Colwill
Went back north fifteen minutes to check for Pinyon Jays at Cabin Lake. They have bird blinds with feeders which attracts a high concentration of Ponderosa specialty birds. Dipped on Pinyon Jay, but got to see a pair of White-headed Woodpeckers* to make up for it.
On the way towards our next stop, managed a Horned Lark, some Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and a herd of 30~ Pronghorns.
Klamath Lake is known in Oregon birding as one of the most reliable spots for Clark's Grebes and Forster's Terns*. It was amazing to watch both Clark's* and Western Grebes courting. There were also 5 American White Pelicans at close range allowing for good photos ops.
American White Pelican at Putnam's Point by Bentley Colwill
Once we entered California, I was greeted by Willets, Sandhill Cranes, Wild Turkeys*, a Yellow-billed Magpie*, and Great-tailed Grackles*; before getting to our stop for the night.
Started off the morning early to check for Lesser Nighthawks outside Sacramento at Capay Open Space Park. This was a shockingly productive spot for my life list. Managed to hear a Lesser Nighthawk singing* on the river rocks, a flock of Ash-throated Flycatchers* was present, saw a Acorn Woodpecker in flight*, heard a Nuttall's Woodpecker*, and some Oak Titmice, a flock of 25 Tricoloured Blackbirds* flew over low. Also got lucky with a Green Heron.
On my way to San Francisco the highway goes through San Pablo Bay NWR where I got a Snowy Egret*, some Redheads, and a few Black-necked Stilts.
Once in San Francisco I went to Fort Mason Park. Almost immediately I managed a Black Phoebe*, two California Towhees*, an Allen's Hummingbird*, and a flock of Red-masked Parrots*. While scanning Alcatraz Island for cormorants I stumbled upon nesting Western Gulls, a Common Murre, and numerous Pigeon Guillemots.
Black Phoebe at Fort Mason Park by Bentley Colwill
Red-masked Parakeet at Fort Mason Park by Bentley Colwill
Those parakeets do not shut up, I do not know how residents sleep peacefully. Also saw a Black-crowned Night-Heron on my way out.
Quick check for Wandering Tattler was fruitless.
I wanted to stop at Joseph D. Grant County Park for a chance of Lawrence's Goldfinch. Heard a California Thrasher singing near a herd of Wild Boars with piglets. Managed my Lawrence's* in a mixed flock of all three goldfinch species. Got eyes a female Wild Turkey while hearing a male singing. I found a rare-for-the-area Vermillion Flycatcher* while I was there. Couple photogenic California Scrub-Jays were there too.
California Scrub-Jay at Joseph D. Grant CP--ranch house area by Bentley Colwill
Vermilion Flycatcher at Joseph D. Grant CP--ranch house area by Bentley Colwill
Took a detour through a long winding, steep, slanted road with no shoulder in hopes of better views of a Yellow-billed Magpie. Google Maps said the route would take 3 hours and 30 minutes but due to the road been so funky it ended up taking 5 HOURS! Google Maps needs to get it together. I did manage my Yellow-billed Magpie though, five actually.
Yellow-billed Magpie at Del Puerto Canyon Rd.--lower canyon (mile 3.4-8.0) by Bentley Colwill
Last stop of the day was in Pinnacles National Park on the Condor Gulch Trail. Want to take a wild guess and I'm looking for here? Got to see two condors sporadically as they flew between the cliffs mixed in with Turkey Vultures, didn't manage any photos of those ones though. Was cool to see an Acorn Woodpecker cache tree along the trail.
Acorn Woodpecker at Pinnacles NP--Condor Gulch Trail by Bentley Colwill
While leaving the park I spotted a large raptor in the distance. Got the scope out a noted the fingers and white armpits, another condor. As I tried to photograph that induvial more and more showed up till there were six of them present. Truly a magnificent sight to say the least.
California Condor at 2504 Pinnacles Highway, Paicines, California, US (36.488, -121.154) by Bentley Colwill
Started the morning off right by sitting in the sand watching Snowy Plovers* at Estero Bluffs State Park. I think I found my new favourite bird. They are the most adorable, energetic birds ever. Tiny, little things with short stubby that run at the speed of sound. Also got to see a Long-billed Curlew next to a Whimbrel and got some nice comparison shots. High numbers of Cliff Swallows and spotted two rare migrant American Pipits on the sand.
Snowy Plover at Villa Creek--Estero Bluffs State Park by Bentley Colwill
Long-billed Curlew at Villa Creek--Estero Bluffs State Park by Bentley Colwill
Was very pretty along the way down Highway 101, got a shot of the flowers and the ocean at Estero Bluffs.
Cliff Swallow at Villa Creek--Estero Bluffs State Park by Bentley Colwill
I checked Whale Rock Reservoir for Rufous-crowned Sparrows*. I walked the 3/4km with nothing until I heard one singing and got my eyes on him. Very photogenic induvial! A pair of Blue Grosbeaks* flew in while I was photographing the sparrow.
Rufous-crowned Sparrow at Whale Rock Reservoir--south end by Bentley Colwill
Rufous-crowned Sparrow at Whale Rock Reservoir--south end by Bentley Colwill
Went east in search for LeConte's Thrasher, Bell's Sparrows, and Rose-ringed Parakeets.
I checked Petroleum Club Road for the thrasher with no success. The Bell's Sparrows* at the location got my joy high though. Got distracted by a Cooper's Hawk calling until I realized it was a loop to keep birds away from the substation.
Went into to Bakersfield's Beale Park in search of Rose-ringed Parakeets*. I had thought I heard them multiple times but they were all mockingbirds. Until finally I located them in a tree. A local saw me watching the birds and said that they had escaped from a zoo in the 80s during a wind event.
Rose-ringed Parakeet at Beale Park by Bentley Colwill
Back towards the ocean now. I stopped at Rancho Potero in Conejo Open Space Park in search for Grasshopper Sparrows. I heard a Grasshopper Sparrow* within the first minutes, kind of hysterical considering how long I searched for one in the Okanagan last year. I continued up towards the hill ridge since I was there I may as well stick around a bit. Got a Wrentit* calling, another Lesser Nighthawk, Blue Grosbeak, and on my way down the hill a small flock of three Nanday Parakeets flew over, allowing me to buy some time by crossing off a stop for tomorrow.
Here's the trip report for the first couple days: ebird.org/tripreport/134202
My next stop was in Roy, Washington where Northern Bobwhites* had been introduced for hunting. I managed to hear one singing in the grass couple meters off the road. I also picked up some House Wrens and a Chipping Sparrow there.
On my way into Oregon I noticed a late Northern Shrike on the side of the road and a Band-tailed Pigeon. Also in surprising abundance were American White Pelicans, I must have totaled 50~ along the highway near Astoria. Just outside of Astoria, I distracted myself from a large flock of pelicans and noticed a flock of 45 Short-billed Dowitchers* among other shorebirds. Once arriving at my destination, Haystack Rock, home of nesting Tufted Puffins* and Common Murres. After searching the rock for 30 minutes repeatedly, I was beginning to lose hope. Especially since there was Bald Eagle circling the rock scaring all the Western Gulls. But then as I was shortening my tripod back up I see black alcid, with a clown face, and its namesake tufts.
Tufted Puffin at Haystack Rock by Bentley Colwill
I wanted to check a spot west of Portland for Mountain Quails but no luck, did manage a Ruffed Grouse though.
Starting out the second day just north of Eugene was a turn east towards the sage desert, noted a few Red-shouldered Hawks along the way. Although Fort Rock State Park is not the most numerous in birds it does have its specialties. I managed to lay my eyes on Green-tailed Towhees*, a Prairie Falcon, many Loggerhead Shrikes*, and a Sagebrush Sparrow*, among other common sage birds.
Green-tailed Towhee at Fort Rock SP by Bentley Colwill
Went back north fifteen minutes to check for Pinyon Jays at Cabin Lake. They have bird blinds with feeders which attracts a high concentration of Ponderosa specialty birds. Dipped on Pinyon Jay, but got to see a pair of White-headed Woodpeckers* to make up for it.
On the way towards our next stop, managed a Horned Lark, some Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and a herd of 30~ Pronghorns.
Klamath Lake is known in Oregon birding as one of the most reliable spots for Clark's Grebes and Forster's Terns*. It was amazing to watch both Clark's* and Western Grebes courting. There were also 5 American White Pelicans at close range allowing for good photos ops.
American White Pelican at Putnam's Point by Bentley Colwill
Once we entered California, I was greeted by Willets, Sandhill Cranes, Wild Turkeys*, a Yellow-billed Magpie*, and Great-tailed Grackles*; before getting to our stop for the night.
Started off the morning early to check for Lesser Nighthawks outside Sacramento at Capay Open Space Park. This was a shockingly productive spot for my life list. Managed to hear a Lesser Nighthawk singing* on the river rocks, a flock of Ash-throated Flycatchers* was present, saw a Acorn Woodpecker in flight*, heard a Nuttall's Woodpecker*, and some Oak Titmice, a flock of 25 Tricoloured Blackbirds* flew over low. Also got lucky with a Green Heron.
On my way to San Francisco the highway goes through San Pablo Bay NWR where I got a Snowy Egret*, some Redheads, and a few Black-necked Stilts.
Once in San Francisco I went to Fort Mason Park. Almost immediately I managed a Black Phoebe*, two California Towhees*, an Allen's Hummingbird*, and a flock of Red-masked Parrots*. While scanning Alcatraz Island for cormorants I stumbled upon nesting Western Gulls, a Common Murre, and numerous Pigeon Guillemots.
Black Phoebe at Fort Mason Park by Bentley Colwill
Red-masked Parakeet at Fort Mason Park by Bentley Colwill
Those parakeets do not shut up, I do not know how residents sleep peacefully. Also saw a Black-crowned Night-Heron on my way out.
Quick check for Wandering Tattler was fruitless.
I wanted to stop at Joseph D. Grant County Park for a chance of Lawrence's Goldfinch. Heard a California Thrasher singing near a herd of Wild Boars with piglets. Managed my Lawrence's* in a mixed flock of all three goldfinch species. Got eyes a female Wild Turkey while hearing a male singing. I found a rare-for-the-area Vermillion Flycatcher* while I was there. Couple photogenic California Scrub-Jays were there too.
California Scrub-Jay at Joseph D. Grant CP--ranch house area by Bentley Colwill
Vermilion Flycatcher at Joseph D. Grant CP--ranch house area by Bentley Colwill
Took a detour through a long winding, steep, slanted road with no shoulder in hopes of better views of a Yellow-billed Magpie. Google Maps said the route would take 3 hours and 30 minutes but due to the road been so funky it ended up taking 5 HOURS! Google Maps needs to get it together. I did manage my Yellow-billed Magpie though, five actually.
Yellow-billed Magpie at Del Puerto Canyon Rd.--lower canyon (mile 3.4-8.0) by Bentley Colwill
Last stop of the day was in Pinnacles National Park on the Condor Gulch Trail. Want to take a wild guess and I'm looking for here? Got to see two condors sporadically as they flew between the cliffs mixed in with Turkey Vultures, didn't manage any photos of those ones though. Was cool to see an Acorn Woodpecker cache tree along the trail.
Acorn Woodpecker at Pinnacles NP--Condor Gulch Trail by Bentley Colwill
While leaving the park I spotted a large raptor in the distance. Got the scope out a noted the fingers and white armpits, another condor. As I tried to photograph that induvial more and more showed up till there were six of them present. Truly a magnificent sight to say the least.
California Condor at 2504 Pinnacles Highway, Paicines, California, US (36.488, -121.154) by Bentley Colwill
Started the morning off right by sitting in the sand watching Snowy Plovers* at Estero Bluffs State Park. I think I found my new favourite bird. They are the most adorable, energetic birds ever. Tiny, little things with short stubby that run at the speed of sound. Also got to see a Long-billed Curlew next to a Whimbrel and got some nice comparison shots. High numbers of Cliff Swallows and spotted two rare migrant American Pipits on the sand.
Snowy Plover at Villa Creek--Estero Bluffs State Park by Bentley Colwill
Long-billed Curlew at Villa Creek--Estero Bluffs State Park by Bentley Colwill
Was very pretty along the way down Highway 101, got a shot of the flowers and the ocean at Estero Bluffs.
Cliff Swallow at Villa Creek--Estero Bluffs State Park by Bentley Colwill
I checked Whale Rock Reservoir for Rufous-crowned Sparrows*. I walked the 3/4km with nothing until I heard one singing and got my eyes on him. Very photogenic induvial! A pair of Blue Grosbeaks* flew in while I was photographing the sparrow.
Rufous-crowned Sparrow at Whale Rock Reservoir--south end by Bentley Colwill
Rufous-crowned Sparrow at Whale Rock Reservoir--south end by Bentley Colwill
Went east in search for LeConte's Thrasher, Bell's Sparrows, and Rose-ringed Parakeets.
I checked Petroleum Club Road for the thrasher with no success. The Bell's Sparrows* at the location got my joy high though. Got distracted by a Cooper's Hawk calling until I realized it was a loop to keep birds away from the substation.
Went into to Bakersfield's Beale Park in search of Rose-ringed Parakeets*. I had thought I heard them multiple times but they were all mockingbirds. Until finally I located them in a tree. A local saw me watching the birds and said that they had escaped from a zoo in the 80s during a wind event.
Rose-ringed Parakeet at Beale Park by Bentley Colwill
Back towards the ocean now. I stopped at Rancho Potero in Conejo Open Space Park in search for Grasshopper Sparrows. I heard a Grasshopper Sparrow* within the first minutes, kind of hysterical considering how long I searched for one in the Okanagan last year. I continued up towards the hill ridge since I was there I may as well stick around a bit. Got a Wrentit* calling, another Lesser Nighthawk, Blue Grosbeak, and on my way down the hill a small flock of three Nanday Parakeets flew over, allowing me to buy some time by crossing off a stop for tomorrow.
Here's the trip report for the first couple days: ebird.org/tripreport/134202
