Leif Rydell

Travel, birding and taking photos as the main purpose.

California Nov-16

The last week in November I went to Los Osos, California to see my friend Jim who lives there. The main reason was actually because my son should do some internship there for a couple of weeks and needed my assistance to get there. As Jim had a normal working week, we didn't bird together more than a few days. My first day was a Sunday though, so this day we birded around Los Osos. The day was quite windy and at Morro Rock we did some sea watching and saw many Loons, Ducks and Shorebirds. Here Jim scanning the sea and below a juvenile Black Oystercatcher.

In the bay we saw some Gulls chasing a Sea Otter which had a clam on its breast, which was quite an amazing event.

We then continued to the wetlands further in where we had good views of Bushtits and Am. Pipits, Cooper´s Hawk and also a wintering Hermit Thrush.

This area is full of birds and even if I have seem them all before it´s still very nice making acquaintance with all these birds. Here both Say´s and Black Phoebe, House Finches and a Northern Flicker.

I also spent some time for myself which was great. The places I visited was almost deserted and I really enjoyed it. The first time I met Jim he took me to the Carrizo Plain which is a plateau a couple of hours drive from his home. Up here the landscape is steril but still holds lots of stunning birds. One of the first birds that showed up was the awesome Mountain Bluebird.

While taking photos of the Bluebird I realized the fields were full of birds. Hundred of Horned Larks were present and also different sparrows showed up. Here Savannah and the cute Lark Sparrow.

Also some raptors showed up and this Red-tailed Hawk seemed especially interested in me.

As you drive up here you will soon reach the salt lake (completely dry) where a specialty lives in the low brushes, the Sage Sparrow of which I was fortunate to see a family.

I searched in vain for Mountain Plover, which I saw last time here but many other birds showed well as this Ferruginous Hawk which together with the feeling of chosen loneliness ended a fantastic day

Next day I planned to walk the spit all the way to the jetty at Morro Rock. From the parking this is a very strenuous walk (I didn't´t understand how far it was until I reached the jetty). However, knowing I had good chance of seeing a Black Scooter (which has been observed earlier) in good light together with the knowledge of hundreds and hundreds of shore birds made it an easy choice. As you can see on the first photos they were plentiful and I had 7km of beach all for myself (talk about being privileged). You see the silhouette of Morro Rock at the horizons.

As shore birds are one of the groups of birds you like the most, this is just paradise. Long-billed Curlews and Marbled Godwits were plentiful and here I have two photos with their "faces" straight towards me, which makes it a little bit confusing which one is which. The third picture showing some Godwits at "take of".

Not so plentiful but easy to see was Grey Plovers and Western Sandpipers.

Even though the sanderling is more beautiful in breeding plumage they are very handsome in winter plumage looking almost as snow balls at the beach, here one alone sleeping.

Next picture shows a Dunlin, Sanderling and a Western Sandpiper which in a way is educational.

Also present in small number was the Samipalmated Plover which resembles the Common Ringed Plover we have here in Europe.

One of my absolute favorites is the Snowy Plover. The combination of the look and its peculiar behavior of running and "hiding" in small potholes when you approach is funny.

Turning my face towards the sea I saw many ducks and scooters and the Turkey Vulture patrolled the beach constantly.

I was very tired but happy when I returned to my car. By the way, I saw the Black Scooter but it was too far out for a decent photo.
Next day I decided to drive north towards to the Elephant Seal colony at San Simeon. My first stop was San Simeon Creek Campground where I walked the beach for an hour. Again I saw many Snowy Plovers but also some Ducks and gulls like this stunning Bufflehead. While walking the spit I saw some Least Sandpipers but this individ was not taking much notice on me.

I´ve been at the seal colony a couple of times before but it´s a pleasure to see them every time. Quite a few this time of the year but many were sleepy.

On the way back I stopped at Estero bay, Cayucos Point which is a splendid spot for "rocky shore birds". I had hoped to see wandering Tattler, which I only have seen briefly before, but no, the seems to be scarcer here than before. I saw one Surfbird and a group of Black Turnstones.

Next day Jim took a half day off and we drove to Avila Beach south of Los Osos. This is a very pleasant place I can recommend anybody to make a stop at. We were looking for a Red-naped Sapsucker that had been seen before but we had no luck. Normally quite secretive this Wrentit seemed to liked the sun which gave good opportunities for photos. Close by a Western Scrub Jay also enjoyed the sun.

In a small inlet I saw this Western Grebe.

We also birded Spooner´s Cove just south of Los Osos and saw some common but nice birds like these White-crowned Sparrows (ad + 1:st winter) and the Golden-crowned Sparrow which winters here.