I've been making a major effort to get a photo of the super secretive Ovenbird that is here in the OC. Here is my best effort! At least I got him in the frame this time!
Phaino! I kept looking for that dang ovenbird and then I spied the golden crown. Where did you see it? nita and I are heading down to S. Cal tomorrow. I hope to get a stop at Bolsa Chica and if time permits, Back Bay, Crystal Cove and Tucker.
What happened to the rodent eating GBH?
Great photos everyone and cool to see delhi dog representing from India.
This thread sees way more action then my local Audubon google.group.
TTR- the Ovenbird is in John Baca Park in Hunt. Beach. It's a hard get but...Park off of Ellis and walk down by the cement catch basin. The continueing Solitary Sandpiper should be in the basin. Immediately north of the basin walk (into the bushes)between the Toyon bushes on the basin side and the Toyon bushes on the "gulch" side.He is exceptionally secretive. The Ovenbird can be seen routing around in the leaf duff beneath the Toyon bushes on the basin side or the gulch side. Most of the folks that have been successful will go down in and just stand there where you can see both sides. In anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes the OB may present himself. The thing is there are two Hermit Thrushes nesting in there so make sure you see the top of the head.
It took me 8 visits before I ever saw him but yesterday I saw him twice, about 1/2 hour apart. I've seen him 3 times now but photos are diff. When I went there today with my wife Margy we struck out. She did score the Solitary S.
The other good score there is the Least Flycatcher which is usually seen further down the gulch. I've seen him twice towards the other end.
There are lots of Goldfinches, House Finches, Kinglets, A proud Kestrel, a bunch of Anna's and Allen's HBs and a Bell's Vireo.
It's a weird little spot and on the weekend lots of birders still trying to see em'. Best on a weekday at 8 am but the middle of the day is good too.
The local hotties are calling it the Patagonia Rest Stop.
The other great birding spot (besides Bolsa Chica)which is only 2 blocks away is the Hunt. Beach Central Park. It's a gay hookup spot but they don't bother birders! Lot's of locals run, ride and walk their dogs there every day, super cool park, lot's of habitat, tons of warblers, also a Pin Tail Wydah if you are lucky. Park in the library parking and head down towards the lake, then go around the brushy area to the south (both sides)and maybe into the Eucs on the hill. Possible Palm Warblers, Black and White Warblers, Mannikins etc.
I went for a drive today from Soldotna down to Homer. I made stops in Ninilchik, Anchor Point and other spots to look for birds, no species in particular. I had a great day, walked on the empty beach and picked up agates and saw about 20 species of birds. It was about 24 degrees and no wind until the Homer Spit. I did see an injured Bald Eagle and called the local wildlife person to let them know the location.
We recently got back from a great visit to Seattle with Darwin and Laurel. In the evenings there wonderful musical performances as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the UW Ethnomusicology Dept. During the days there were birding outings. The Skagit area is always good for Geese and Swans. There were large groups feeding in the fields.
Snow Geese and Trumpeter
Skkagit, WA
Credit: Tony
Trumpeter Swans
Skagit, WA
Credit: Tony
Of course, where there are wintering geese, there are Bald Eagles all about.
Bald Eagle
Skagit, WA
Credit: Tony
I’ll leave it to Darwin for photos of the owls. As there was last winter, there is an irruption of Snowy Owls south of their usual winter range. We saw 9 Snowys near a town called Stanwood. We also saw an incredible number of Short-eared Owls perching, flying, and stooping in the area.
The next day we visited Elliot Bay. There was a huge (~50) group of Barrow’s Goldeneyes. Here is a pair that was displaying in the marina.
Barrow's Goldeneyes
Elliot Bay Marina, WA
Credit: Tony
A few Harlequin Ducks were a ways off from the marina.
Harlequin Ducks
Elliot Bay, WA
Credit: Tony
In the marina, a Belted Kingfisher was foraging using the boats to perch.
Belted Kingfisher
Elliot Bay Marina, WA
Credit: Tony
This Glaucous-winged Gull (the predominate gull here) got a prize starfish.
Glaucous-winged Gull with starfish
Elliot Bay Marina
Credit: Tony
A California Sea Lion bull was hauled out on one of the docks.
California Sea Lion
Elliot Bay Marina, WA
Credit: Tony
The bird of the day was a Rhinoceros Auklet that came into the docks.
Rhinoceros Auklet
Elliot Bay Marina
Credit: Tony
Rhinoceros Auklet
Elliot Bay Marina
Credit: Tony
At the place we stayed right in Seattle there was an active Bald Eagle nest (no photos).This Golden-crowned Kinglet provided a rare close eye-level view.
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Seattle, WA
Credit: Tony
We made a trip over the Cascades on the last full day. We visited a Garry Oak forest reputed to be the Lewis’s Woodpecker capitol of Washington. It lived up to its reputation with at least 50 Lewis’s Woodpeckers flying all over.
Lewis's Woodpecker
Fort Simcoe, WA
Credit: Tony
Lewis's Woodpecker
Fort Simcoe, WA
Credit: Tony
We failed to find Bohemian Waxwings and Northern Shrike, which would have been lifers. The only possible lifer was a Harlan’s Hawk which will likely be re-split from Red-tailed Hawk
Harlan's Hawk
Fort Simcoe, WA
Credit: Tony
On the day of departure I made a quick trip to Alki point which is a pretty nice spot on Puget Sound for wildlife viewing. There were more Rhinoceros Auklets and Harlequin Ducks.
Harlequin Duck
Alki Point, WA
Credit: Tony
Harlequin Duck
Alki Point, WA
Credit: Tony
Sanderlings are common here.
Sanderlings
Alki Point, WA
Credit: Tony
Lots of Red-necked Grebes were offshore.
Red-necked Grebe
Alki Point, WA
Credit: Tony
I came across a Harbor Seal pup that was hauled out on the beach. The area was cordoned off and a docent was informing passersby about it.
Harbor Seal
Alki Point, WA
Credit: Tony
Pigeon Guillemots were in transition from winter to breeding plumage.
Pigeopn Guillemot
Alki Point, WA
Credit: Tony
[Edit]
Cyndie,
I'm jealous of all the Long-tailed Ducks. We were hoping to see bays filled with them in Estonia this spring, but we were a couple of weeks late.
Added in edit{ just notice Tony posted above, and there aren't many redundant photos. Also w.r.t Cyndie's rafts of Long Tailed Ducks: YEAH!!!}
Tony was just up for a visit and some Washington birding. We went to Skagit/Stanwood area (Geese, Swans and owls), birded around town the next day, and then went to Eastern Washington for to look for Lewis's Woodpeckers and Bohemian Waxwings. We got skunked on the Waxwings, but scored on the woodpeckers. Tony takes better photos but didn't have his camera out on the owl run, so I'll mostly post those.
If you're a glutton for punishment by overshare of unedited photos, you can see them all at:
just finished guiding a birding trip with a guy from Monrovia. Dr. David Comings. He's mostly into photography. He got some good stuff, but this is the only one he shared with me...a Masked Booby we saw crossing the Gulfo Dulce on a boat between Golfito and Pto. Jiménez. The picture quality isn't great, and I'm sure David wouldn't want to present it as an example of his work. It's just to document the record - Masked Booby is super rare anywhere near the coast. All the other ones I've ever seen here have been way out on pelagic trips.
Let us know!