17July

 eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S91888836

Weather:  6:30 am 14C wind calm, 10:30 am 19C wind NNE 9, cloudy, clearing

Tide:  10 am 3.1m

Not a day for a big variety of species, but a very satisfying morning anyhow, filled with young birds and parents and even young mammals and parents.


A chipping sparrow, fetching a yummy grasshopper to her offspring...


There were several young robins.  This one was exceptionally cooperative and, I think, quite beautiful.


Walking toward the observation mound that overlooks the fields west of the shore, I heard what had to be a pileated woodpecker.  Not unusual herabouts, but worth attention.

Sure enough, there was an adult female and two newly fledged pileateds.  When I first looked, I didn't realise there were in fact two birds, but sure enough the adult was feeding one of the youngsters.


Then I noticed the second youngster sitting on the fence nearby, perhaps hoping for a share of the breakfast.


I watched as the two youngsters pecked at the fir tree, even sticking a tongue into a cavity.





I find it curious that most of the photos I've found of young pileated have the bright red crest, but these youngsters are kind of orangey.  I gather that plumage does vary regionally.  Further investigation is indicated. 

I spent quite some time watching this instructional session, until the birds moved into more dense foliage.

I headed off to my breakfast bench, but didn't get around to my sandwich.  Two women came up, very excited, telling me of an owl along the path, not far away.  From the description that one of them gave me, it sounded like a pygmy owl, which would be quite unusual for these parts and a "lifer" for me.  Breakfast forgotten, I walked up the path that had been described, explored several other areas, but--nope--no pygmy owl.  Oh well.  Back to a rather late breakfast.

I set out again, thinking that I'd had a pretty fine morning owl or no owl, only to hear voices from nearby, "Ohhh.  Loook!!! it's an OWL!"

Sure enough, I made my way (bushwhacking a bit) to the main path into the Estuary, only to find six people with phone cameras, exclaiming as a barred owl sat, calmly studying us.  



...Just look at those talons!  One of my friends was attacked by one of these some years back--they can be aggressive when they're nesting--fortunately he was wearing a hat, but having seen these, I think he was lucky to get away more or less intact.  

So, no pygmy owl, but a nice, obliging, calm barred owl.  A good day out.




 





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