Acorn Woodpecker, Melanerpes formicivorus
The Acorn Woodpecker, Melanerpes formicivorus, has always seemed to me to have a bit of a mad look about it with its light eye and dark pupil. They are a widespread species, found from California to Columbia, They frequently breed in a colony with a number of breeding adults and non breeding helpers. They are named after there main food source, the acorns from Oak trees, which they accumulate in larder trees. They drill holes in the trees and force acorns into the holes for storage. Their dependency on acorns, which are available primarily in the fall, has caused them to move their breeding season to this time.
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California Quail
Within an hours drive north of San Francisco is the Point Reyes National Seashore, a fascinating place to spend some time. The Point Reyes Peninsula is separated from the rest of mainland California by the San Andrea Fault and there are places where you can see this directly as the ground has shifted in the past.
The visitor center has a trail that passes through open woodland where you can expect to see Nuttall’s and Acorn Woodpeckers, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Song and Savannah Sparrow, Bushtit, Spotted and California Towhees, Pacific Slope Flycatcher, and the Red-shafted form of the Northern Flicker. The California Quail is easily seen.
Bobcat
While driving through the campground this Bobcat made an appearance.
The road down to the lighthouse passes by some working ranches and you may see Red-shouldered Hawk, Western Meadowlark, Brewer’s Blackbird, and White-crowned Sparrow.
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Northern Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis
The Northern Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis, is one of the most interesting members of the Petrel family. It comes in a range of morphs whose abundance is separated by geography. In the Pacific are found dark and mid-gray birds while the Atlantic tends to have whiter types.
One of the interesting features was the colonization of the island of Britain by this species. It first started nesting in the Orkney Islands in the later part of the 19th century and gradually spread until it is now a well established resident.
 Northern Fulmar, White morph, Orkney |
 Northern Fulmar, Dark morph, California |
 Northern Fulmar, Dark morph, California |
 Northern Fulmar, Gray morph, California |
 Northern Fulmar, Dark morph, California |
 Northern Fulmar, White morph, Orkney |
 Northern Fulmar, White morph nesting, Orkney |
 Northern Fulmar, Gray morph, California |
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The Pink-footed Shearwater Puffinus creatopus, is a transequatorial migrant, breeding in islands off of Chile and migrating into the northern Pacific. It is commonly seen in pelagic trips of the Pacific coast of North America.
It is listed as vulnerable, suffering from the usual two causes; introduced predators on its breeding grounds and long-line fishing.
For an ARKive video of this species, click on the following:
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Buller’s Shearwater, Puffinus bulleri, is commonly seen on U.S. Pacific pelagics. It is easy to identify because of it’s distinctive m-shaped marking on the upper wings.
It breeds on islands off New Zealand and is a transequatorial migrant, moving into the northern Pacific.
The species has been classified as vulnerable but it seems to be in good shape now that feral pigs have been eradicated from its main breeding islands.
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Salton Sea Sunset
The Salton Sea is a large inland sea in southern California of high salinity. It was created after diversion schemes on the Colorado River ran into a major flood in 1905. This flooding event continued for two years resulting in millions of gallons of water pouring into the area which is the current Salton Sea.
It has become a major wintering area for many bird species. These include Western Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, Willet, Long-billed Dowitcher, Red-necked Phalarope, Black-necked Stilt and American Avocet.
One of my favorite species was Burrowing Owl, which can be found by checking out the banks of the irrigation ditches which line the roads.Also found in the surrounding fields are White-faced Ibis, Cattle and Great Egret, and Wood Stork.
 Burrowing Owl |
 Burrowing Owl |
In the drier areas you may see Western Kingbirds, Gambel’s Quail, and Abert’s Towhee.
The Yellow-footed Gull is rarely found anywhere else in the U.S. but here.
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The Laysan Albatross, Phoebastria immutabilis, is an uncommon and exciting sighting on pelagic trips from the U.S. Pacific coast. It is easily told from the darker more common, Black-footed Albatross, Phoebastria nigripes.
Click below for a view of a fledgling’s first flight
It’s main breeding area is in the Hawaiian Islands of Midway and Laysan, but has also breed on islands near Mexico and Japan.
See information on the Albatross facing extinction
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While in the Monterrey, California area for a seabirding trip in October of 2007, I took the opportunity to look for shorebirds at Bodega Bay and Moss Landing. Numbers were dropping off from the peak of fall migration, but their was a nice variety seen. (more…)
Three consecutive trips were being offered by Shearwater Journey’s, at the first of October/ 2007. This operater is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable in the world. The first two were from Monterey Bay and the last from Bodega Bay. The initial Monterey Bay trip stayed closer to shore and the second was longer and went further out. All were blessed with reasonable weather conditions. This mix proved helpful in producing a diversity of species. For example, while over a thousand Cassin’s Auklets were seen from the Bodega trip, none were seen on the other two. (more…)
