I did not go birding today, but did see a new bird for the year!
As my son and I are signed up to ride in the Solvang Metric Century (67 miles, lots of hills) next weekend I thought today would be a good day to go for a training ride. I intentionally left my binoculars at home - when I bring them along I tend to do more watching and less pedaling.
While I was on Foothill Road riding on the bridge that passes over Stevens Park I could not help but notice the 3 White-throated Swifts flying overhead. Swifts can be distinguished from swallows by their shorter tail, and their shallower and more erratic wingbeat - their flight appears more clumsy and not as graceful as a swallow. Even without binoculars I could clearly see their white undersides and flanks. Their chattering calls were easily heard. New bird for the year!
Sorry no photos today.
After the addition of today's 1 species, the year's total stands at 185.
As my son and I are signed up to ride in the Solvang Metric Century (67 miles, lots of hills) next weekend I thought today would be a good day to go for a training ride. I intentionally left my binoculars at home - when I bring them along I tend to do more watching and less pedaling.
While I was on Foothill Road riding on the bridge that passes over Stevens Park I could not help but notice the 3 White-throated Swifts flying overhead. Swifts can be distinguished from swallows by their shorter tail, and their shallower and more erratic wingbeat - their flight appears more clumsy and not as graceful as a swallow. Even without binoculars I could clearly see their white undersides and flanks. Their chattering calls were easily heard. New bird for the year!
Sorry no photos today.
After the addition of today's 1 species, the year's total stands at 185.
Today I rode a total of 51.1 miles
More later,
Glenn
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