Peanuts In My Pocket

We went birding at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve yesterday. The reserve encompasses saltwater marshes, mudflats, coastal dunes, and seabird nesting islands, supporting a wide array of wildlife. More than 300 bird species call the preserve home. It’s a birder’s paradise, especially at this time of year, featuring multiple species of terns, large flocks of willits, and visiting sanderlings.

What I enjoy most is that I can often identify a new bird species on each visit. On this trip, it was the sanderling, which I photographed as part of a large flock flying by. It’s not my best photo, but it helped confirm my 126th bird species of the year, so I’m happy with the result.

Sanderlings (Calidris alba) are small, energetic shorebirds often seen darting along sandy beaches, especially during migration and winter. They range between 7–8 inches in length and have short, straight black bills and black legs.

These birds breed in the High Arctic and migrate to coastlines worldwide during the winter. In North America, they travel thousands of miles, wintering from the U.S. coasts all the way to South America. While uncommon in this region at this time of year, sightings increase as summer transitions into fall. I saw two large flocks yesterday, my estimate is at least 200 birds.

I love getting out into nature and spending time actively exploring. My wife joins me on weekend trips, and this outing was special because my son Michael and his wife Ari joined us for their first birding experience. Michael managed to capture a close-up of a barn swallow, something I’ve yet to achieve myself, as they tend to be quick and elusive.

I took a few good shots on this trip. My favorites are:

Birding is a learning adventure. As I become more skilled at identifying birds, I find the hobby even more enjoyable, especially because it allows me to engage with others. Yesterday, I had a few chances to share my knowledge by helping others identify birds. The most common questions were about black-necked stilts. A beautiful pair stood within 30 yards of the footbridge, drawing a lot of interest.

I also received help, which is one of the aspects I love most about birding. Several people kindly pointed out birds they had spotted, including a majestic great blue heron. Enthusiasts are ever-present at Bolsa Chica, which contributes to the overall joy of the experience.

My only complaint? The small parking lot can be a challenge on weekends.