American Goldfinch perched with molting feathers at Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail, Bodega Bay, California

Sonoma County Birding: Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail

Last week, we spent a morning at the Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail in Bodega Bay. This trail is a short, easy loop around seasonal ponds with views of the nearby mudflats and salt marshes. Continue reading “Sonoma County Birding: Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail”

Red-winged Blackbird flying at and mobbing a perched Common Raven eating a dead rodent or mole

A Dining Common Raven and Some Bothersome Red-winged Blackbirds

During a recent runaround in Bodega Bay, we enjoyed a front-row seat to the drama of two Red-winged Blackbirds mobbing a Common Raven. Continue reading “A Dining Common Raven and Some Bothersome Red-winged Blackbirds”

Shorebirds loafing at Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay, quiz

Bird Quiz #3: Loafing Shorebirds

Earlier this May at Doran Regional Park, we enjoyed a variety of shorebirds in various stages of transition to breeding plumage. We watched them for over an hour as they foraged, rested, flushed from dogs, preened, scratched their faces, relocated, and loafed some more.
 
It was fun and challenging to pick apart the various species as they idled about, particularly when their bills were tucked away. So, we put together this quiz of mystery loafers! Continue reading “Bird Quiz #3: Loafing Shorebirds”

Savannah Sparrow at Bodega Head, Bodega Bay, California

Birding Sonoma County: Bodega Head and Harbor

Yesterday we enjoyed a runaround in Bodega Bay. The skies were gray most of the morning, but free of raindrops. We rounded the road into the Bodega Head parking lot only to discover we were the only folks around! It was just us and the Brewer’s Blackbirds. Continue reading “Birding Sonoma County: Bodega Head and Harbor”