A Four-Wren Day in Morro Bay

We recently stopped in Morro Bay (San Luis Obispo County) for a day and enjoyed the birds and critters. Let’s set the scene… As we strolled the Embarcadero, barking California sea lions and squawking Western Gulls competed for “Most Enthusiastic Welcoming Committee,” while sea otters lounged lazily in the distance. Continue reading “A Four-Wren Day in Morro Bay”

Grasshopper Sparrow perched on skinny stalk with grass in background

Sonoma County Birding: Crane Creek Regional Park

First off, some news — we’ve obtained a permit to give group walks at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail. There are 2 spots left on our inaugural walk on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. For details, visit this Facebook Event page. To register, email us at ImBirdingRightNow@gmail.com.
 
Now, onto the birds! Earlier this week, we had a hankering to walk among some large oaks. Where did we end up? Crane Creek Regional Park! The rolling green hills, blue sky, puffy white clouds, and massive gnarled oaks made for an idyllic afternoon. Continue reading “Sonoma County Birding: Crane Creek Regional Park”

Female Western Tanager on a branch surrounded by oak leaves

2021 Christmas Bird Count #1: Eastern Alameda County (12/17/21)

This past Friday we joined our friend Adam Cimino for his section of the 2021 Eastern Alameda County Christmas Bird Count. We lucked out with a brilliantly sunny day for our walk along the Arroyo del Valle Trail. Over a 4-mile stretch of creekside trail, we ended up with 49 species — let’s explore some of the species we spotted. Continue reading “2021 Christmas Bird Count #1: Eastern Alameda County (12/17/21)”

Juvenile Rufous-crowned Sparrow perched on top of a fence post with green background

A Sparrow Sort of Day

Last week, we birded along Sweetwater Springs Road – a dry, rocky hillside habitat dotted with oaks. Immediately upon stepping out of the car, we heard a funny jumble of vocalizations we didn’t recognize. We discovered the source to be one of two juvenile Bewick’s Wrens chasing each other around a coast live oak – listen below. Continue reading “A Sparrow Sort of Day”

Hairy Woodpecker male perched on tree trunk covered in moss in Guerneville California

A Walk in Our Redwoods

We’re always attuned to the bird activity at our house, but since our beloved pup died this past October, it’s been hard to take long walks in the surrounding woods without our boy. But, needing to stay near home and away from others, we’ve mustered up the nerve to face bittersweet reminders and start exploring again.
 
Just a short walk from our front door is a county fire road that winds through the mixed evergreen forest. We very rarely cross paths with anyone up there, so it fits the bill perfectly for getting a dose of nature while practicing social isolation. Continue reading “A Walk in Our Redwoods”

Turkey Vulture perched on a branch against blue sky in Pleasanton, California

2019 Christmas Bird Count #3: Eastern Alameda County (12/20/19)

A sparkling, sunny morning greeted us in Pleasanton for our friend Adam’s section of the 2019 Eastern Alameda County Christmas Bird Count. Our team set out along the creekside Arroyo del Valle Trail to tally which and how many birds were around. Continue reading “2019 Christmas Bird Count #3: Eastern Alameda County (12/20/19)”