Yesterday- One More Time

I need to relive yesterday again- it was a pretty awesome day.

Around 7:30am, the Lab and I were walking around the reservoir. There was a decent amount of life present. Sounds from several species of birds, gulls, geese, and Great Blue Heron flying over in skeins, couples or singly. And it was snowing lightly. So, everything was viewed as if through a thin veil.

The trail was muddy, but the mud was firm because the temps were hovering around freezing. Fallen leaves from last autumn covered some stretches of the trail. We had a spectacular October, and winter literally started on November 2 with several inches of snow. Since we have had snow cover nearly continuously since that day, the leaves have neither broken down nor blown away.

There are a few narrow side trails that split off and wend through the overgrown shrubs and trees that line the water’s edge and allow some access to the water. The Lab loves these trails because at the end of each one is a treasure trove of broken branches and sticks that he can chew, toss into the air, or run up and down the beach with. He is essentially disinterested in birds, but sticks are endlessly fascinating.

From our vantage point at the water’s edge, we could see who was making all the sound. Floating in the water, standing on the sandbars, or sitting on the remaining ice, we saw Ring-billed and California gulls, Common Goldeneyes, Tundra Swans, Red-breasted and Common Mergansers, Mallards, Canada Geese, Redheads, Great Blue Herons, Northern Shovelers, Lesser Scaup, American Widgeon and hundreds of individuals that I was unable to positively ID.

Using Sound ID (Merlin App), I was able to determine that a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Long-billed Curlew were nearby. After basking in the glorious sights, sounds, and smells of nature for a bit, we started back for the parking area. As we approached the last big opening that gives a good view of the water along the trail, the unmistakable silhouette of a Double-crested Cormorant came into view – flew past within a few meters and disappeared off into the snowy veil that was beginning to obscure my view of the open water.

I didn’t have a lot of time before I needed to get to work- and I still needed breakfast and a shower, but I decided to take a detour to Lake Helena on my way home. The causeway that splits the lake into two lobes provides terrific bird viewing. Sure enough, just as I arrived a Bald Eagle was flying in. Unbeknownst to me, he had also been seen by an Osprey- who took mighty offense at his presence.

The two raptors clashed for a good 2 minutes or so and I watched it unfold from start to finish. In the end, the smaller, nimbler Osprey prevailed, and the Baldy flew off in the direction it had come from. The Geese were all upset about what was going on and erupted into nonstop commentary through the entire sequence. I don’t know if they were cheering one of the raptors on, yelling at both to go away, or just listening to themselves honk. They do like to honk.

Show over, I decided I needed to head for home/work. Although … there is that little pond on the frontage road….

I’m glad I chose the route that passes by the pond. Pelicans, like 25 of them, were feeding or drinking water, or something were on the pond. All of them had the dinosaur-like bump on the end of their bill that they have during the breeding season, and all were lifting their heads and opening their bills. It was a sight to see, and it made me wonder what the collective noun for a group of pelicans might be.

I skipped three other possible birding spots and made it to work on time- well, only 3 minutes late.

Then at the end of the workday, there was the 5-ish pm walk in Centennial Park. About a dozen Mountain Bluebirds were present and hobnobbing with the local Robins while foraging on the snowy ground. Bluebirds are stunning no matter their background, but bluebirds on snow are amazing.

Finally, there was the evening walk, again at the reservoir. Temp was still just above 32, but the snow had moved on and the visibility was perfect. Getting out of the car, a Northern Harrier flew over me as he circled the rea looking for rodents. Geese and Tundra Swans were calling, and a small flock of European Starlings were practicing all sorts of odd calls.

This walk, without the constraint of needing to get to work, was punctuated with long stops at the water’s edge listening to and watching all the life. I saw Tundra Swans run across the water to take off and I watched other Tundra’s flying and join the flocks floating and feeding. A very curious Muskrat climbed out of the water and stood on the ice watching the Lab- who was happily chewing a stick, before sliding back into the water and swimming away. I’ve never had a muskrat be so chill with both a human and a dog so nearby.

My soul restored after nearly six months of winter’s lack of birdlife- we went home and looked it up. One of the collective nouns for a group of pelicans is a ‘scoop”.

Such a nice day.