Some Interesting Birds

We have a MAPS program here locally that I go and work with every now and again. The acronym stands for Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship. It is a nationwide effort started in 1989 by the Institute for Bird Populations to study and come up with statistics for mostly passerines . Here are a few of the more unusual bird we have caught and banded. The first is a common bird, but not common in the mist nests, it's an Oak Titmouse. The second is also a common bird in the area, but we have never before caught one, it's an Ash-throated Flycatcher. The last bird is a bit more unusual for us this close to the coast. It was probably passing through on it's way to higher elevations locally, it's a MacGillivray's Warbler. It's a really fun program to be a part of and a great place to learn more about birds. You learn so much more when the bird is in hand. Just look at that partial eye-ring on the warbler. That kind of detail is so hard to see when looking through a hundred yards of willow branches.

Spring Time!

I drove to Tahoe this past weekend and it was snowing. Returning to the central coast I realized that Spring has definitely sprung. Here are a couple of pictures of what is out there for all of us to enjoy. The first picture is out in the valley near where James Dean was killed on Hwy 41. The second is of Most Beautiful Jewel Flower in Cayucos. Get out there and enjoy the weather and the flowers.

Magic Bird

Here's a male kestrel that apparently has a trick or two up it's sleeve (or wing). It got inside a locked ranch house and then got stuck. When I arrived at the site, it was sitting on the window sill looking longingly outside. Just outside was a female kestrel perched on a power pole. I walked right up to it and without much fuss picked it up and carried it outside. I placed it on my sleeve and it sat there vocalizing and staring at me. So I moved it to my finger and encouraged it to fly.  It sat on my hand for a good 30 seconds before taking flight. It flew right up to the female on the pole, they vocalized at each other and then flew off together over some trees. They both circled back and stayed in the area, perching on the powerlines over the grassy fields. I hope it got to eat something soon, because it looked as if it had been trapped for at least a couple of days. I still can't figure out how it got into a house with all the doors and windows locked.  I hear that they are cavity nesters and will sometimes search out new holes during mating season for potential nest sites.  Well, maybe it found a small hole into the house and couldn't find its way out again. 

Western Snowy Plover

It's almost that time of year again. When the snowy plovers begin their breeding season all along the west coast. This one was maybe a day or two old and already down by the waters edge at low tide. Laying completely still waiting for all danger to pass, it will stay until its parent (usually the male) gives the all clear. Cryptic coloration and the ability to lie completely still are their only form of protection at this stage. Dangers include predators (which are numerous), inclement weather, lack of food and loss of habitat. Please respect the fences and share the beach with these threatened birds.

Who Needs Eucs?

This one is for all those people that love the eucalyptus trees and think they should stay simply because the Monarchs need them. Without getting too political, what do you think the butterflies did before the eucalyptus trees arrived here? Monarchs in pine and oak. 

More Snakes

This little rattlesnake was easily moved off the trail with the aid of a couple small sticks to lift it carefully to a safer place. Safer for us as it was digesting a rather nice size meal by the looks of it in the middle of the trail. I have to admit, of all the snakes we have the rattlers are still my favorites. 

It's a Penguin!

I will never forget the time I was at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and some parents were showing their kids the "penguins."  Well I looked in and all I saw were murres, so I tried to educate the parents by saying "they're actually murres."  Well the father just gave me this blank stare and turned back to his kids and said come and look at the penguins. Common Murre on the sandspit in Montana de Oro. 

Anybody else like snakes?

I love snakes, well most snakes. As long as you don't bother them, they won't bother you. Most snakes, like this one are very curious creatures. I always say snakes are harmless, just stay away from the sharp end. This gopher snake was very curious about the camera.

Coast Horned Lizards

Sometimes erroneously called "Horny Toads" these critters live in the sandy coastal areas of our community.  Perfectly camouflaged, they lay in wait for their prey, usually ants (native ones), right beneath our feet. If you look closely you can sometimes see these little creatures scurrying about in the dunes and sandy coastal areas. These are just babies. 

Western Sandpipers

This picture is from a couple of years ago.  These birds were all there on Friday and gone by the weekend when they did the bird count.  Don't ask me who they were, because I don't remember which bird count it was (Christmas maybe). I just remember people telling me all the sandpipers were gone.  Here they are, more birds of a feather flocking together. Getting ready to head to the wintering grounds.