There are such a lot of fantastic locations to go birding in California. You could have the ocean, the mountains, desert habitats, islands, forests – it appears as if there are countless methods to entertain your self within the Golden State. I attempt to discover a method to escape the grey and gloom of my residence in Oregon every winter, and California has so many locations for a fast and simple journey. This 12 months, the Morro Bay Hen Competition offered me with respite from sideways rain pounding on the home windows and helped me with the minimal Vitamin D requirement an individual wants.
I’ve pushed Freeway 101 many instances however have one way or the other missed the ginormous rock that imposes over the beachy city of Morro Bay. Of the locations we birded across the county on our quick journey right here, this was probably the most attention-grabbing spots. Morro Rock stands slightly below 600 ft tall and is one among a number of volcanic plugs remaining from extinct volcanos. It has lengthy fascinated people, with the native tribes contemplating it a sacred website. Spanish explorers left diary entries about seeing it, and even right now, we can’t get sufficient of the attention-grabbing formation.
We visited Morro Bay in January, so it isn’t the nesting season for any of its breeders. Nevertheless, in case you did go to within the spring, you’ll probably see three cormorant species and two gull species, amongst different species. However the actual factor to see right here is the Peregrine Falcons.
Peregrine Falcons have been one of many species that was hit arduous by way of DDT as a pesticide within the Nineteen Fifties-70s. These chemical compounds have been transmitted up the meals chain and bioaccumulated in lots of species. DDT prompted a number of points within the meals chain, one among which was the thinning of eggshells that would not survive incubation. Because of the huge decline in these species, many conservationists and researchers mobilized to save lots of the species. Peregrine Falcons have been added to the California endangered species listing in 1970, with solely 5 breeding pairs remaining within the state. One of many two remaining nesting websites was at Morro Rock. A analysis group stepped in to change out the eggs with captive eggs that had not been uncovered to DDT. The wild eggs have been hatched in captivity and raised until they might be launched into the wild. Fortuitously, these conservation efforts and DDT restrictions labored, and we are able to now see this species extra generally within the wild.
Additionally alongside the strolling path across the rock are a number of Widespread Loons, Horned, Eared, and Pied-billed Grebes, and Brandt’s Cormorants. Shorebirds poke across the fringe of the water throughout low tide with attractiveness at Lengthy-billed Curlew, Black Oystercatchers, and Willets. My favourite was singing Canyon Wrens, skulking Rock Wrens, and sleek Say’s Phoebes. It’s a nice stroll when the wind just isn’t too sturdy! For those who hit it on the proper time, the solar setting over the ocean is value it, or stroll all the way down to the eating places and discover one with a west-facing window to look at the sundown with a glass of wine.
Morro Bay State Park is a well-liked vacation spot for all types of recreationists. On a sunny day, yow will discover households strolling, fishers, surfers, birders, SCUBA divers, and extra. The Peregrine Falcons definitely appeal to a crowd, however not like the ocean otters. From the strolling path, you possibly can simply see sea otters sleeping all wrapped up within the kelp, enjoying with their pups, banging rocks on clams to feed, and goofing off. This isn’t to be missed! Not solely are they cool, however they’re additionally cute!
Simply down the street is the Morro Bay Harbor, a manufactured harbor created when the US Military Core of Engineers constructed the substitute breakwater. It extends 4 miles south of the doorway at Morro Rock and creates a slower, brackish habitat for plenty of wading birds. We solely briefly explored this spot, but it surely deserves longer! Within the temporary time we birded this spot, we had nice appears at California Thrashers, Wrentits, Widespread Mergansers, and rather more!
The Morro Bay Hen Competition gave us an excuse to go to this unimaginable space with a lot to supply. We have been busy from daybreak to nightfall with birding competition occasions, exploring the realm’s lovely nature, and, in fact, sampling a couple of domestically made beers. However there may be extra to see, and I hope to return to the land of Three Stacks and a Rock once more!