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My Birding Day: Point Reyes Part I

My Birding Day: Point Reyes Part I

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Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Point Reyes Fish Docks, 2019

A little over a week ago, I participated in my first all-day birding field trip, sponsored by Ohlone Audubon Society and led by local expert Bob Toleno. We birded all over Point Reyes, chasing after rare birds, and frequently stopping for photo ops from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. I was completely exhausted by the end, but it was simultaneously exhilarating.

We started the day at Bear Valley Visitor Center where we divided into carpools, did a quick bird count while standing in the parking lot, and watched a Bobcat nearby. It was chilly – the car registering in the 40s – a much welcomed relief from the never-ending heat wave of the summer.

Bobcat

Bobcat, Point Reyes Bear Valley Visitor Center, 2019

I was excited to learn that our first stop would be the Fish Docks. The day before, a Prairie Warbler and Ovenbird had been spotted there. These would be lifers for us, and I was sure that the addition of more than a dozen watchful eyes would guarantee some lifer, if not those two in particular.

We were given a short lecture on bird migration by Bob, one of many tidbits of birding ID and behavior that I would soak up like a sponge for the next 9.5 hours. Birds migrate at night and can’t see below them. When the sun comes up, birds can find themselves over the ocean. In an “oh crap” moment, they will reverse course back northward in search of land, shelter, and food. There are two places nearby that offer just that: Farallon Islands and Point Reyes, particularly the Fish Docks with a tiny concentration of trees. No wonder this spot is a rich treasure of interesting birds.

Every chip, every possible flash of yellow, every leaf movement was scrutinized by the group. Scopes were deployed surveying the ocean, cameras with long lenses were pointing every which way into the bushes and trees. It seemed like every bird was a Red-breasted Nuthatch. Their yank calls permeated the air as they crawled all over trunks and branches.

White-Crowned sparrow

White-Crowned Sparrow, Point Reyes Bear Valley Visitor Center, 2019

An otter was spotted devouring a cormorant. Western Gulls and Common Ravens were nearby for pickings. Aptly-named Elephant Seals – mainly females, kids, and an occasional young male – grunted on the beach. Lots of fun birds were spotted. But no Ovenbird. No Prairie Warbler.

Then came excitement: a report of a Yellow-green Vireo was spotted at another nearby location. We quickly adjusted our itinerary and set off towards the Mendoza Ranch.

My Birding Day: Rainy Weekend Birding Highlights

My Birding Day: Rainy Weekend Birding Highlights

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Red-Throated Loon

Red-Throated Loon, Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, 2019

Friday: It was cloudy out with scattered showers. We decided to check out Middle Harbor Shoreline Park at the Port of Oakland to see if the storms turned up any interesting birds stopping for rest in the Bay Area. We started the walk with only our binoculars, but soon ran back to the car to grab the camera and scope. A loon! A Red-throated loon at that! Despite its white-throated winter appearance, this bird has a distinctive red throat during breeding season. I have yet to witness the brilliant plumage of this particular loon, but hope to see it someday.

Western Gull

Western Gull, Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, 2019

Saturday: Rain, rain, rainy day. We set out to Lake Temescal to see we could sneak in a quick trip. Upon arriving, the rain settled into an annoying mist that instantly dotted up our glasses, binoculars, and camera. The moisture kept the park mostly free of human visitors; however, the bird activity was amazing. Sparrows were dancing about, herons were active, and we even spotted a Belted Kingfisher.

Double-crested Cormorants were eagerly trying to dry off their wings. Their feathers absorb water to allow for faster dives and swims. Absorbing water means fewer bubbles are produced on their wings, which would slow down their underwater speeds. As a trade-off, they need to dry them out, which is why you’ll see them spreading their wings at times.

Double-Crested Cormorant

Double-Crested Coromorant, Lake Temescal Regional Recreation Area, 2019

Sunday: We joined the Ohlone Audubon Society for another bird walk, this time at Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area. It was cloudy for the entire trip. It even showered on us for a time, but no umbrellas were deployed, only plastic baggies to cover cameras. The three-mile trip yielded an impressive list of nearly 70 species. Grebes, ducks, gulls, sparrows, swallows, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, thrushes, and more were spotted with this group. I enjoyed the brief pops of color from the Anna’s Hummingbirds that contrasted with the dreary grey that hung over our heads. The highlight of the trip was spotting several Canada Geese that had unusually white heads where we typically see black. This feature shared with nearly half a dozen geese stumped the experts until a phone field guide app yielded pictures that shared the same traits. Everyone was excited to learn about this new field marker.

Anna's Hummingbird

A Pop of Color from this Anna’s Hummingbird, Quarry Lakes, 2019

My Birding Day: Ohlone Audubon Society Bird Walk

My Birding Day: Ohlone Audubon Society Bird Walk

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I monitored the car’s external thermometer on this chilly morning as we drove towards Redwood Regional Park. It started off in the mid-40s but crept lower and lower the further we ventured into the silent forest of redwood trees. Just before parking and turning off the wonderous heat, I noted the temperature at 32 degrees. Realizing that this California girl did not properly dress for such chilly weather, I bravely stepped out of the car to greet members of the Ohlone Audubon Society. This would be my first bird walk with this group.

Icy Meadow

Icy Meadow, Redwood RP, 2019

The grassy meadow was white with frost. Leaves were lined with intricate geometric ice patterns. My right big toe was numb despite my double-layered socks, and I battled for the return of blood circulation for the next two hours. No amount of forcibly wiggling my toe or dancing around would return feeling back to my frozen appendage.

Nuttall's Woodpecker

Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Redwood RP, 2019

Despite the chill, the birds were abundant. Dozens of American Robins canvased a field actively working the ground for goodies. Occasional movements from our group set them off flying only to return moments later to continue their buffet. Pacific Wrens chirped loudly announcing their location followed by a bubbly song that mesmerized me. We strained our necks looking at Golden-crowned Kinglets dancing at the tops of the massive redwoods. A Red-breasted Sapsucker drilled away on a single limb for seemingly over an hour.

California Newt

California Newt Seen Through Water, Redwood RP, 2019

Birds are masters at adapting to cold weather. Either they migrate towards warmer climates, or they deploy a number of strategies to keep war while staying put. Fluffing up their feathers and morphing into a puffball allows air to be trapped between the wispy barbs of down feathers and keeps a bird warm. It’s like slipping under a comforter and warming up using your body heat. Birds may sometimes cuddle together to share warmth as another strategy. They also have biological methods of enduring the cold winter nights that puts them into torpor, a sort of hibernation-lite. The birds today were happy to be dining in the chill as I happily watched under four layers of tops and nine toes with feeling for the rest of the trip.