Valters Videnieks is an avid nineteen-year-old birder from Latvia. Fascinated by 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 means too scary:) Valters additionally has taken up an curiosity in chook illustration, audio recordings, and since 2023 has obtained a license to conduct chook ringing (banding).
California! Spectacular views, superb birds, and new habitats. However at first, why am I right here? After ending highschool this yr, I made a decision to take a spot yr to journey round for some windsurfing competitions and go birding. However because of some stunning developments, I used to be supplied an opportunity to come back to California by a corporation known as “Level Blue Conservation Science”. This can be a well-recognized, non-profit group concerned in chook analysis, habitat restoration, environmental surveys, and many others. So I’m at the moment working with them as a volunteer doing a number of chook analysis duties.
Level Blue’s Palomarin Subject Station
I’ve been in California for a few week now and at the moment have noticed 63 species with many waterfowl, and passerines nonetheless lacking from my record. 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 received to see some native birds round the home! Every part is thrilling past recognition as nearly all chook species listed below are “lifers” for me. Birds resembling California Quail (Callipepla californica), Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus), and Noticed Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) completely swept me off my toes.
Acorn Woodpeckers dwelling dangerously
To discover the world and with hopes so as to add some species to my record in addition to for example 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 excellent thermal-wind glides by Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura).
After a cup of espresso on the city’s native cafe, the street 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 value 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 world of Bodega Bay supplied an opportunity to take a look at a few completely different wader and waterfowl species. The night spotlight for me was a bunch 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 Subject Station”, the place I will likely 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 plenty 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 pictures right here and there. I’ll attempt to convey attention-grabbing info, observations, and experiences to your nearest pc display. I additionally will likely 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
