Three American White Pelicans swimming in water together

Bodega Bay and a Bug Buffet

Last Friday during a break in the much-welcomed week of rains, we enjoyed a gorgeous day in Bodega Bay.
 
At Campbell Cove, we discovered several species appeared to be attracted to a particular coyote brush root. As we observed for a bit, it became obvious why — a constant stream of tiny, long-winged insects emanated from the root — a bountiful bug buffet for the birds!
 
Watch below as an Audubon’s Yellow-rumped Warbler and a Fox Sparrow vie for a spot at the table. Continue reading “Bodega Bay and a Bug Buffet”

Snaggy tree sticking up from golden grass hill with fog and oak trees in the background

More Dawn Birding

After experiencing such a magnificent dawn chorus at Santa Rosa Creek Trail, we craved more dawn birding! The following day, we arrived at Sweetwater Springs Road at 5:13 AM just before first light.
 
The special “dawn song” of a Western Wood-Pewee greeted us – a reward for waking before the sun. As with many other flycatchers, the dawn song is typically reserved for a short period before sunrise and sometimes at twilight. Continue reading “More Dawn Birding”

Trail cutting through green grass and yellow flowers with oak trees in the distance

Dawn Chorus at Santa Rosa Creek Trail

Last week, we rose extra early and headed out to enjoy the incredibly rich dawn chorus at Santa Rosa Creek Trail. We arrived at first-light and captured this dawn chorus recording at 5:40 AM – about 10 minutes before sunrise. Feast your ears on this magnificent avian symphony! Continue reading “Dawn Chorus at Santa Rosa Creek Trail”

Pacific-slope Flycatcher perched on thin branch with green leaves in background

Spring Birding at Santa Rosa Creek Trail

Last week, we enjoyed a wonderful and warm day of birding along Santa Rosa Creek Trail. Wildflowers have popped and the trees are relieved to have begun re-leafing. Continue reading “Spring Birding at Santa Rosa Creek Trail”

Lesser Goldfinch perched on skinny willow branch

February Birds

Though the area rain levels were disappointingly low in February, the flipside was an abundance of spring-like birding days. With the relaxation of shelter-in-place restrictions and beautiful weather beckoning us, we made it out several times to enjoy Sonoma County’s bird life. Continue reading “February Birds”

Eared Grebe with bright red eye swimming in water

An Afternoon in Bodega Bay

In the recent months of the pandemic, we’ve mainly stayed close to home to do our part to curb holiday spread and then because of the regional stay-at-home order during December and January (now recently lifted). This has meant foregoing our normally frequent visits to the bird-haven that is Bodega Bay.
 
Yesterday, at long last, we headed to the harbor for the first time in four months. A lovely winter day greeted us – sunny and mild, with barely any wind. Continue reading “An Afternoon in Bodega Bay”