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Month: November 2018

Species Spotlight: Song Sparrows

Species Spotlight: Song Sparrows

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Song Sparrow, 2016

Song Sparrow, 2016

A common sparrow in the Bay Area is the aptly-named song sparrow. This little, striped, brown bird has a variety of songs and calls ranging from a dancing musical tune to a slightly raspy cheep call that to me sounds like a bit like a wren.

When I first began birding, it was challenging for me to identify this LBJ (little brown job) as it can stick its tail straight up like a wren! A key field marker is the blend of blurry stripes down its chest that frame a bigger splotch in the middle. Song sparrows also has a thick “eyeliner” behind its eye and a general brown stripy look with a white chest.

Song Sparrow, 2017

Song Sparrow, 2017

I often find song sparrows rummaging on the ground in bushes or climbing around cattails like a marsh wren. They are not too shy and can pose prettily for glamor shots. If you find one, spend a little time observing it and wait for it to sing a song.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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I have much to be thankful for: a great husband and family, healthcare, a roof over my head, access to healthy food, rain, and of course birds. Take a moment away from the stress or busyness of orchestrating the perfect Thanksgiving meal and watch some birds.

Thanksgiving reminds us of turkeys and in the past few years I’ve observed many wild turkeys on my various outings. When I’m strolling through a park and hear loud noises that sound like a bobcat recklessly falling downhill through a pile of dried leaves, I know I’ve stumbled upon a noisy flock of turkey foraging for food. I’ve spotted turkeys taking quick naps on the UC Berkeley campus and have even seen them in quaint little neighborhoods in the city sitting on a car parked on the street (and probably scratching the paint). They have started to become a nuisance to some residents.

Wild Turkeys

Wild Turkeys, Coyote Hills RP, 2017

My favorite turkey story takes place at Coyote Hills Regional Park. It’s an unusual day if I don’t see, or hear, turkeys rummaging in the hills at Coyote. One sunny day, my husband pulled the car into an open parking slot near the visitor center and we were greeted by a displaying tom. The turkey approached the front of our car and stared a deep, mean glare at us. We decided to stay put in the car until he moved on knowing that these guys can get pretty aggressive. We eventually stepped out of the car and watched as a photographer lowered himself to the ground to get that perfect shot of the display. The turkey slowly sauntered over to the photographer and I could hear the excited clicks of the camera grow more rapid. Someone cautioned the photographer to be careful, but I’ll bet he was getting great close-up shots. The turkey got within striking range, lifted up its wing, and smacked the photographer in the arm causing him to fall over and scramble away. Don’t mess with a tom looking for love!

Happy Thanksgiving!

California Wildfires

California Wildfires

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I step outside to an unfamiliar grey-orange cloud draping itself across the horizon. My brain tries to make sense of the air and pretends that it’s the iconic San Francisco fog rolling in from the bay. My watery eyes and burning lungs argue that the heavy fog is actually smoke.

Smokey Gomes Park, 2018

Gomes Park in the Smoke, 2018

The Bay Area has been covered in smoke for a week and Friday was so far the worst day with an AQI of 246 in Oakland (0-50 is good air, 300+ is hazardous). The deadly Camp Fire continues its wrath, destroying everything in its path. Simultaneously, LA is battling fires. California feels like it’s in the midst of an apocalypse, and sadly the destruction is dismantling lives.

Birding typically offers me an escape from life’s worries. Each day this past week, I slip on my N95 disposable mask, breathe in its plastic-smell that I hope is properly filtering the smoke, and squint my burning eyes in search of birds. Some days it seems like the bird activity is minimal. I wonder if this is due to the fires.

Western Gull, Moss Landing 2018

Western Gull Against Smoky Sky, Moss Landing, 2018

One thing I’ve noticed is how eerily quiet it is, like stepping into an acoustically-treated room. When I hear a bird chirp, its voice is magnified against the deadened air.

I was delighted to see a hundred European starlings whistling in a whirlwind of mimicry upon a telephone wire. A Bewick’s wren pops out of a bush expressing its feelings with a crabby call that sounds like glass marbles scraping together. A distant call in the distance alerts me to a peregrine falcon flyover, and I catch sight of it just in time to watch it glide through the orange haze.