Last evening Peter Schneekloth reported (among other things) a Palm Warbler in the creek at Refugio State Beach. This is a bird I have yet to see this year. As this looked like the best prospect for the day I left early and headed out there for the second time this week. I arrived without incident about 745AM and took up a spot standing on a large rock near the creek bed.
There was a good level of activity with birds coming to the water. Within just a few minutes I saw a rather dull brown warbler with a bright yellow area under its tail - the Palm Warbler! It flew down onto a rock about 10 feet from me, pumping its tail as Palm Warblers do. It took off before I could get my camera on it. I did see it again later but it was no more cooperative for the camera the second time around. Palm Warbler joins the list at #255!
Within moments of sighting the Palm Warbler I noticed a smallish light-breasted sparrow coming to the water. It was not close and kept hopping around among the plants but I did get good looks at it. It had a clean light breast, gray nape, patterned face and thin white stripe down the center of its crown. I got some rather poor photos which I studied a bit to confirm this is a Clay-colored Sparrow. An unexpected bonus bird and #256 for the year! In fact this is the first Clay-colored Sparrow I have seen anywhere.
I was not the only one thinking it would be a good idea to visit Refugio State Beach today. By the time I left around 9AM there were at least 4 other birders enjoying the steady stream of birds coming to the water.
Also today I surpassed the 3,000 mile mark for the Green Big Year.
Another fine morning with the birds!
Some photos from this morning:
After the addition of this 2 species, the year's total stands at 256
There was a good level of activity with birds coming to the water. Within just a few minutes I saw a rather dull brown warbler with a bright yellow area under its tail - the Palm Warbler! It flew down onto a rock about 10 feet from me, pumping its tail as Palm Warblers do. It took off before I could get my camera on it. I did see it again later but it was no more cooperative for the camera the second time around. Palm Warbler joins the list at #255!
Within moments of sighting the Palm Warbler I noticed a smallish light-breasted sparrow coming to the water. It was not close and kept hopping around among the plants but I did get good looks at it. It had a clean light breast, gray nape, patterned face and thin white stripe down the center of its crown. I got some rather poor photos which I studied a bit to confirm this is a Clay-colored Sparrow. An unexpected bonus bird and #256 for the year! In fact this is the first Clay-colored Sparrow I have seen anywhere.
I was not the only one thinking it would be a good idea to visit Refugio State Beach today. By the time I left around 9AM there were at least 4 other birders enjoying the steady stream of birds coming to the water.
Also today I surpassed the 3,000 mile mark for the Green Big Year.
Another fine morning with the birds!
Some photos from this morning:
Clay-colored Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow. Note gray nape (back of neck)
Lincoln's Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Today I rode a total of 48.2 miles
More later,
Glenn
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