2-22-20
Great-tailed Grackles
I've always wanted to see and hear Grackles, but I didn't think they would be in California. It was really cool to see them in person! I also had never seen Muscovy Ducks, they're very unique and their plumage is absolutely gorgeous.
2-23-20
I like to check on the different species at the park from time to time. At this point there were still an array of Gulls, but by the end of the month most had migrated away. The geese are always there as well as the Mallards, it isn't hard to find their grace despite their conspicuousness. There are lots of interesting behaviors to observe and tons of variation in plumage in the ducks.
I came here looking for Yellow-billed Magpies. Being a corvid fanatic and knowing how restricted their range is, seeing them was really special to me. In the short time I was there, the magpies' intelligence was clear. I'm honored to share a planet with them and really care about their conservation. I hope I find a good way to help them survive the changing Earth.
I'll definitely be coming back. I met a ranger and she told me about their volunteer opportunities and how she saw a Golden Eagle a while before I arrived. I didn't see it as far as I know but I'm looking into volunteering there (after the pandemic and all that).
Surprisingly, my favorite bird on this trip is a tie between the magpies and Eastern Meadowlarks. The meadowlark songs are absolutely enchanting. This whole trip was full of wonder from the birds to the horses and their humans I ran into on the trail. I really miss horseback riding, once the health crisis is long over I'm rearing to get back in the saddle.
4-30-20
I biked to the park with my mom because she wanted to look for Gertrude. G had been coming by later and later while Ollie called after her all day. My mom got worried because someone in the neighborhood found a dead mother duck and an abandoned ducking. We didn't find her at the park, but we did find a duck with really unique plumage and a dead Canada Goose.
They died in a really strange pose; legs out flat as if in flight, wings closed but parted, and the neck was propped up in such a way that I thought it was still alive. It's gaze was hollow and distant like the eyes of corpses get but I wasn't sure. Sure enough, on the second round through the park I saw ants making their way into its eyes and nares.
As for Gertrude, I have a hunch. She had some bare spots on her bum which made me think she was lining a nest. By my calculations she has at least eggs by now. When she comes to our home she's so excited to bathe (the envy of every parent with a young child), but she also smells like-- it's indescribably gross. I think she's nested by a river with sewage in it.
Anyways she comes by around 5pm where Ollie comes over by at least noon. Maurice, the smaller of the competing males, seems to be allowed to stay on the lawn with them as long as he keeps his distance. I don't think Ollie sees him as a threat. He's attacked Gertrude a few times but Ollie drags him away by the feathers on his neck every time. I wonder if Ollie is mate guarding primarily or defending his resources.
