NOTE: THIS IS NOT THE START OF A THREAD. IF YOU WISH TO COMMENT, PLEASE SEND COMMENTS TO ME (jer72701@...). If folks want to have a discussion about this topic, we can do so elsewhere. Thank you

Fri., Jan. 10 Ventured up to the elephant seal rookery in search of Emperor Geese. No luck. There was, however, a GLAUCOUS GULL resting on the beach. Viewable from the end of the walkway to the left o

Species seen today at Oceano Lagoon: Spotted Towhee CA Towhee Common Yellowthroat Golden-crowned Sparrow Song Sparrow Great Blue Heron Ruddy Duck Northern Shoveler (19 individuals) Heard: Red-breasted

A beautiful afternoon at Santa Margarita Lake rendered many Western (and possibly a few Clark's) Grebes--much diving, calling, and bobbing of heads; many Ruddy Ducks; a few Bufflehead & Gadwall; Doubl

The bird I reported as a Phalarope was in fact most likely a Bonaparte's Gull. Thanks to Dave Keeling for pointing this out. Johanna Rubba Grover Beach

Ducks at Pismo included Ruddy, Gadwall, and Green-winged Teal. 2 Eared Grebes. There was also what appeared to be a Red Phalarope--black dot behind eye, Phalarope behavior. Johanna Rubba Grover Beach

Went to Montaña de Oro today in hopes of spotting Red Crossbills, but no luck. I walked the entire campground. It was a generous bird day there otherwise, with the usual suspects: Spotted Towhees CA T

Spent all day in Cayucos. Was far too windy at pier's end, so I set up on the concrete walls at the beach. Around 1 pm saw thousands of (I assume) shearwaters flying low over the water--they made dark

I was at Oso Flaco recently and found two puzzles. One was a Black-crowned Night Heron appearing to nibble at something just below the lake's surface. It didn't look like drinking, and I didn't see th

Walked the pier in hopes of seeing whales, but the fog was thick. Did see a winter-plumaged loon on the water a ways out from the pier. The darkness of the cap and back marked it as a likely Pacific L

Stopped at Turri ponds this afternoon with inferior binoculars. There were three phalaropes on the big pond near So Bay Blvd, too far to get enough detail to ID. At least one had a black band through

At least 7 "teenaged" Black-crowned Night Heron chicks were to be seen in front of a stand of reeds across from campsite 11 in the first camp loop. At first they were clustered near the reeds; later,

Lots of bird activity at the lagoon Wednesday afternoon, but it was hard to see much. Heard several Wilson's Warblers. Saw three Black-crowned Night Herons, including one juvenile. The prize was a clo

The bird I asked for help with yesterday matched closely the images and descriptions of BULLOCK'S ORIOLE that I found online and in my books. A few discrepancies: the bird was way smaller than I'd exp

Seen at Laguna Lake today, in trees near the shelter at end of park, a warbler-sized bird marked as follows: -long tail, YELLOW above & below (seen clearly as bird fanned it in flight) -warbler-type b

Spent the afternoon at Oso Flaco today. Saw 4-5 CINNAMON TEAL mating pairs. There were several Mallard families on the water, with ducklings in numbers up to 16, and of various ages, from quite tiny t

Related to Bob Chapman's observation of Cliff Swallows flying south--there are usually numerous Cliff Swallows in my neighborhood by now, buzzing around hunting insects early morning and early evening

A long walk on Pismo Beach this afternoon rendered some interesting birds. There were throngs of Whimbrels and Marbled Godwits, small numbers of peeps, and very few gulls. One observed gull appeared t

A visit to Oso Flaco rendered some late duck species: a couple dozen Ruddy Ducks, males in full breeding plumage, and 4 male and 3 female Cinnamon Teal. There was also one White Pelican. At the signpo

Heard along the Bob Jones trail last Friday, 3/15. Also spotted: Wilson's Warbler and Cedar Waxwings. Overall, lots of birdy noise goin' on!