Probably the highlight of our Pedro Point Headlands bird walk last Sunday with Leader, Paul Donahue was the two flocks of Cedar Wax Wings roosting near the top of an Eucalyptus tree. Dozens of them - flitting in and out of the tree for sometime before taking flight to new horizons.
The Wilson's Warblers were pretty fun too but the most unexpected surprise was a reddish colored Long Tailed Weasel running up and around in a Toyon tree. Who would expect this. Since we were all looking for a Wilson's Warbler in that tree we all saw it. Then we had a lively discussion about what it was that we saw! Reddish, thin long animal with a really long tail. Yep, a long tailed weasel! In addition we discovered a beehive up in a tree with lots of worker bees flitting around. Without binoculars it was almost undetectable.
The wildflowers are still beautiful and plentiful. Colonies of Douglas Iris in different hues of blue and purple can be found all over. Cow Parsnip, Indian Paintbrush, CA Lilac and even some Blue-eyed grass can be found.
Our bird count for the day includes...
BIRDS:
Turkey Vulture - 3-PPH
Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 heard only-PPH
Red-tailed Hawk - 1-2-PPH
Anna's Hummingbird - 2 females-PPH
Allen's Hummingbird - 1 female-PPH
Hairy Woodpecker - 1-PPH
Olive-sided Flycatcher - 3-heard only-PPH
Pacific Slope Flycatchers - 1-heard only-PPH
Black Phoebe - 2-firehouse
Steller's Jay - 1-PPH
Western Scrub Jay - 2-PPH
Common Raven - 4-PPH
Violet-Green Swallow - 4-PPH
Barn Swallow - 2-firehouse
Chestnut-backed Chickadee - 1-2-PPH
Pygmy Nuthatch - 6-PPH
Bewick's Wren - 1-heard only-PPH
Pacific Wren - 6-PPH
Wrentit - 3-PPH
Swainson's Thrush - 1-PPH
American Robin - 2-PPH
Cedar Waxwing - 25-PPH
Orange-crowned Warbler - 2-PPH
Wilson's Warbler - 4-5-PPH
Spotted Towhee - 3-PPH
Song Sparrow - 3-PPH
Dark-eyed Junco - 5-6-PPH
Brewer's Blackbird - 2-firehouse
Purple Finch -3-PPH
House Finch -2-firehouse
Pine Siskin -3-PPH
American Goldfinch -1-firehouse
House Sparrow - firehouse
If you want to hike up in the Pedro Point Headlands to check out the birds, wildflowers, bees, and native plants please join us at one of our Headland Work Days (this Sunday, May 20th - 9.345am - 1pm). We meet at the Pedro Point Firehouse on Danmann Road in Pedro Point and carpool to the site. You should wear long pants, long sleeve shirt, and sturdy shoes. Dress for warm or cold, bring gloves if you have them and also a reusable water bottle. We have water and snacks for after our work.
The only legal trail access to the Pedro Point Headlands is at the Green Gate off of Hwy 1. Unfortunately the Cal Trans work on the tunnel makes the access very difficult. Soon, when the tunnel opens there will be a foot path up to the headlands from the to be blocked off Devils Slide area.
The Bird Hike and Workdays on the Headlands are organized by the Pacifica Land Trust, funded by the CA Coastal Conservancy, and supported by the Pedro Point Community Association. For more information you can go to www.pedropointheadlands.org.
Our next workday will be on June 24th - same time and details.
