I checked several locations on the North Coast this morning. On my way north I found two adult Snow Geese foraging in a plowed field on the inland side of Hwy 1 just north of the entrance for the Swallow Creek Ranch which is between the “fig tree” and Villa Creek parking areas for Estero Bluffs State Park. They were gone when I later drove by.
At the Hearst Ranch pasture along Hwy 1 and north of the main ranch entrance gate, a continuing flock of Greater White-fronted Geese (130 today), four Snow Geese (2 adults, 2 immatures), and one Cackling Goose were all foraging in feed spread for cattle. In addition, an adult Ferruginous Hawk, adult Bald Eagle, and a Prairie Falcon were scattered around the distant pasture fences and a mixed flock of blackbirds and starlings that included at least 100 Tricolored Blackbirds was foraging on both sides of Hwy 1. A scope is very helpful when checking these pastures from the Hwy 1 shoulder (no entrance to the fields).
Lots of birds seen from the San Simeon Pier but nothing of note. Leaving there I checked the small pond below the southeast edge of the Hearst Castle Visitor Center parking (dirt) lot where geese have recently been reported. No geese today, but there was a flock of about 10 Mountain Bluebirds foraging on the hillside beyond the pond. This flock drifted north to the main castle road. There are also Western Bluebirds in the area. This is the second recent report of Mountain Bluebirds along the coast in SLO County so hopefully some will show up in the Morro Bay count circle at a location like Turri Road where they’ve been found in the past.
The evaporation pond inland of the San Simeon Campground and visible from San Simeon Creek Road had 34 Greater White-fronted Geese and one Cackling Goose. These could have been the geese regularly found Santa Rosa Creek mouth as none were there when I checked it a little later.
