Hello! Most of my posts take place around San Diego County, (Mostly Lake Murray) unless otherwise noted.
For more posts and photos, I also post on Hubpages, a site that is a bit different than others. Thanks!: Shorebirdie on Hubpages

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Famosa Slough and Killdeer Land

Famosa Slough is a great place to see a variety of birds and even a few uncommon or rare birds. It's right there in the middle of Point Loma, so you don't have to drive far to see them.

First, a bunch of dowitchers flying away. There's always dowitchers flying around there. I believe these are short-billed dowitchers. However, your eBird list will be flagged if you identify them as such as they're very hard to tell apart from the long-billed dowitchers in winter.


A pair of mourning doves on a branch. The dove at the top eventually walked down and stroked the back of the other dove before pecking him to move.


Stilts, avocets, willets and yellowlegs:


One of the stilts:


Blue-winged teal:


American wigeon:


Famosa Slough is basically killdeer land in winter. There were probably a few hundred of them in there, watching me.




Sunday, February 12, 2017

Ducky, Ducki and a Little Bird

First, a rainbow from Lake Murray this morning:


This first picture is of a duck named after a friend's duck as well as a TV character. His name is Ming Ming (It means "little bright one") and he has been going missing quite often. However, he was seen today after being gone for a week or two. He doesn't fly, so I knew he didn't fly away.


We're barely into February and already Ducki is losing feathers on her neck. She only has one male who doesn't let anyone else close to her. It's really not that bad. She could also be molting.


I just wanted to show off this photo of a spotted towhee. I think this guy is new and he was making a very loud, vibrating call, not the "neer-errr!" call I usually hear.


The two older male Pekins have decided to break off from the regular group and go on their own. I found in in the reeds near where Mr. Pekin and Arthritis Duck was killed by coyotes. However, I did not see them today, nor did I see any signs that the coyotes got them. They are about the same age as the other two ducks when they were killed. The newest duck, Daisy, was also not seen. She is an imprint and I can totally see her going home with someone.