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”

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”

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”

Ash-throated Flycatcher at Sonoma Valley Regional Park, Sonoma County, California

Sonoma County Birding: Sonoma Valley Regional Park

We visited Sonoma Valley Regional Park for the first time last week with our friend Malcolm. The lovely 202-acre park in Glen Ellen features oak woodlands, meadows, open grasslands, and riparian areas along Black Canyon and Sonoma Creeks. Continue reading “Sonoma County Birding: Sonoma Valley Regional Park”