Valters Videnieks is an avid nineteen-year-old birder from Latvia. Serious about birds from the age of seven, despite the fact that his major curiosity earlier than that was marine biology, however on the time swimming along with sharks simply appeared approach too scary:) Valters additionally has taken up an curiosity in hen illustration, audio recordings, and since 2023 has obtained a license to conduct hen ringing (banding).
California! Spectacular views, superb birds, and new habitats. However before everything, why am I right here? After ending highschool this yr, I made a decision to take a niche yr to journey round for some windsurfing competitions and go birding. However because of some shocking developments, I used to be supplied an opportunity to return to California by a company known as “Level Blue Conservation Science”. This can be a well-recognized, non-profit group concerned in hen analysis, habitat restoration, environmental surveys, and many others. So I’m presently working with them as a volunteer doing a number of hen analysis duties.
Level Blue’s Palomarin Area Station
I’ve been in California for a couple of week now and presently have noticed 63 species with many waterfowl, and passerines nonetheless lacking from my listing. For the primary couple of days, I used to be overcoming jet lag dwelling close to the city of Sebastopol, in a wooded space so I obtained to see some native birds round the home! All the pieces is thrilling past recognition as nearly all hen species listed here are “lifers” for me. Birds equivalent to California Quail (Callipepla californica), Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus), and Noticed Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) completely swept me off my ft.
Acorn Woodpeckers dwelling dangerously
To discover the world and with hopes so as to add some species to my listing in addition to for instance birds, I went on a bit of drive in direction of the coast. The Russian River delta supplied nice views of Double-crested Cormorants (Nannopterum auritum), Western Gulls (Larus occidentalis), and very good thermal-wind glides by Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura).
After a cup of espresso on the city’s native cafe, the highway led south in direction of Bodega Bay. About midway we stopped and took a bit of stroll on the Kortum path. With lovely costal-scrub habitat across the birds right here have been price seeing! Nice views of a Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius), Western Meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta), completely different sorts of sparrows in addition to a White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) having a mouse for lunch.
White-tailed Kite
The realm of Bodega Bay supplied an opportunity to have a look at a few completely different wader and waterfowl species. The night spotlight for me was a gaggle of White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) resting within the shallow water. A day to recollect with many new species, a brand new “California State Parks” cap, and fond reminiscences:)
After spending a while adjusting to the time zone, I’ve lastly arrived at Level Blue’s “Palomarin Area Station”, the place I might be spending the following couple of weeks ringing birds, drawing, and studying the methods used for ringing right here within the States. Having a good time on the area station, serving to with the ringing of Wrentits (Chamaea fasciata), Ruby-crowned Kinglets (Corthylio calendula), Townsend’s Warblers (Setophaga townsendi), and lots of others. I’ve additionally had the chance to look at and sketch Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana) and Anna’s Hummingbirds (Calypte anna).
Sketches of Western bluebirds and Anna’s hummingbirds which have been feeding simply 2 meters from me
In my future posts, you may observe updates from the Palomarin area station relating to ringing, sketching, and images right here and there. I’ll attempt to carry fascinating details, observations, and experiences to your nearest laptop display. I additionally might be touring to a few bird-full locations worldwide sooner or later so I hope you take pleasure in! Thanks for studying:)
Black Phoebes usually sit on open branches so they’re a cooperative topic to look at and sketch
Cowl Photograph: Wrentit
Autor a Visitor
