A long drive to Yosemite today, but the first stop was nearby at Carmel river-mouth. Here we easily picked up Hutton’s Vireo before moving to nearby Carmel River State Beach. This beautiful stop held Virginia Rail, a few Western Sandpipers, and a couple of hendersoni Short-billed Dowitchers.
We then headed north to Moss Landing, half way up the bay to look for Tri-coloured Blackbirds. I’d been given the details on the boat and told it was “guaranteed”. Indeed, even before we arrived at the Dairy Farm I was told about, we spotted some by the road-side, so after picking up some fruit to provide breakfast over the next few days from one of the many road-side stalls, we decided we had time for a brief visit to Salinas, the setting of Mice and Men. We then continued east towards Yosemite. With a Golden Eagle and a Sharp-shinned Hawk seen on the journey, we made a stop half way at Los Banos which was supposed to hold White-faced Ibis.
It was now mid-afternoon and very hot. Fortunately the reserve was aimed more at drivers than walkers and provided a few species such as Loggerhead Shrike and another Coyote, but no Ibises. With time pressing on we made a dash for Yosemite arriving just as it was getting dark. Fortunately the pools were open until late (it was very hot still) so we myself and the boys were able to have a dip. Unfortunately Michelle had relapsed somewhat so we just picked up pizzas to watch in front of the baseball whilst she slept. The boys then went to play with the Racoons!
27 August 2012
California Quail, Mourning Dove, Acorn Woodpecker, Hutton's Vireo, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, California Towhee Carmel River State Beach
27 August 2012
Canada Goose, Mallard, Brandt's Cormorant, Brown Pelican, Great Egret, Virginia Rail, Western Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Western Gull, American Crow, Barn Swallow, Song Sparrow Moss Landing
27 August 2012
Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Turkey Vulture, Killdeer, Rock Pigeon, American Crow, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Tricolored Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird Los Banos
27 August 2012
Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Double-crested Cormorant, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Western Grebe, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, White-tailed Kite, American Kestrel, Turkey Vulture, Black-necked Stilt, Mourning Dove, Black Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, American Crow, Western Scrub-Jay, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow, European Starling, House Finch, Brewer's Blackbird
