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”

A Few Feathered Friends of Fall

Hello! Hope everyone is having a nice beginning to autumn!
 
We’re so lucky to live in an area with great birding year-round. Fall is an especially fun time for birding in the county — an exciting mix of spring-breeder stragglers on their way out, migrants passing through, and wintering birds just arriving! Here are a few birds we’ve had the pleasure of encountering recently. Continue reading “A Few Feathered Friends of Fall”

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”

Spotted Towhee with tail cocked up perched on a branch in Sonoma County Bay Area Northern California

1-Mile Radius Discoveries

When the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order was initially issued back in March and the county parks subsequently shut down, it became clear to us that non-essential travel was prohibited. Since we interpreted driving to see birds as sadly non-essential, we knew we had a lot of neighborhood-birding in store! Continue reading “1-Mile Radius Discoveries”

25 Birds of the Redwood Forest & Russian River (Spring Edition)

Coast redwoods and douglas-firs dominate our home patch near the Russian River in Northern California. A short distance from our front door, we can view the river from above and can also access a fire road that winds through the mixed evergreen forest. With spring breeding season in full swing, we wanted to share some species we’re fortunate to observe on a typical walk. Continue reading “25 Birds of the Redwood Forest & Russian River (Spring Edition)”

Juvenile and Fledgling Birds

New Kids on the Block – Juvenile Vocalizations

We’re firmly planted in the summer-birding-is-underrated camp. Not only does summer birding afford us the pleasure of watching young birds go from nestlings to fledglings to awkward little mini-mes, but it also allows us to investigate and document all those weird and confusing sounds. Continue reading “New Kids on the Block – Juvenile Vocalizations”