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My Birding Day: SIP Redwood RP

My Birding Day: SIP Redwood RP

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Pacific Wren

Pacific Wren, Adult

One of my favorite local parks is Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. I find it peaceful walking amongst the shadows of the tall trees along the stream. It’s hard to keep the day’s stressors in my head when I have nature’s comfort all around. That’s why I was so devastated when the park was closed down due to the pandemic.

The moment that the Bay Area announced that the shelter-in-place would begin at midnight, we rushed to Redwood to get in a quick park visit. (Side note, we also went to See’s Candies – apparently, I was more afraid of missing out on chocolate more than any other food item.) The Redwood trees gave me their unconditional care as I worked through the panic of the impending SIP. As we left, a sign was installed at the parking lot announcing its temporary closure.

Two months later, the parking lots were reopened. We waited for my Friday day off to visit in order to avoid the weekend crowds and the stress that comes along with staying distant from other hikers. I was relieved to find the park the same, minus one closed parking lot and only one set of restrooms available. The trees welcomed me back into their familiar realm.

We hiked for over two hours, listening to the birds, taking in the smells (although my sense of smell is spotty at best and I could only make out the Hemlock), feeling the constant dance of the warm sun and cool wind on my skin.

Pacific Wren

Pacific Wren, Fledgling Peeking Out Between Branches

I was delighted to watch a family of Pacific Wrens. Two adults and four cheeping fledglings trailing their parents in a quest for food. During our trip, we recorded a total of 11 wrens, most of them singing their dizzying yet delightful songs.

I’m so thankful that I can now return to my fav park!

OAS Trip: Redwood Regional Park

OAS Trip: Redwood Regional Park

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PHOTO CREDIT: PETER SHEN

This past weekend I co-led a bird walk for the Ohlone Audubon Society. We visited my favorite park: Redwood Regional Park, now named Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park.

Over 30 birders attended, which made me nervous about making sure we used the full three hours and keeping participants engaged. My fears were calmed after we spent a full 30 minutes just birding in the parking lot.

I saw more Varied Thrushes on this trip alone than I probably have in my entire birding experience! It helps to have several dozen extra sets of eyes. The top moment of the trip was when a Pacific Wren sang its little heart out for at five minutes or more while we all watched. I rarely see these mouse-like creatures, so it was a joy to sit and watch one for such an extended period of time. It was also a “lifer” for many participants, which made it all the more special.

Hermit Thrush

Hermit Thrush, 2020

Joining a bird walk with locals is a great way to learn more about birds, get to know an area, and meet people with a similar interest. You can look for local Audubon groups that sponsor trips or do a search on Facebook for other birding groups. If there is none, start your own! I’ve joined several Facebook birding groups that are out of state so that I can study the pictures and learn their local birds. If I’m planning to travel to that location, reviewing the discussions can yield insider tips on hot spots.

This weekend marked the one-year anniversary of my participation in Ohlone Audubon Society trips (I wrote about my first trip here). I’ve also been participating in the Fremont Birding Circle field trips for several years. I’ve met some wonderful people, and despite being an introvert, I always look forward to these bird group gatherings.

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.