Valters Videnieks is an avid nineteen-year-old birder from Latvia. Fascinated with birds from the age of seven, although his main curiosity earlier than that was marine biology, however on the time swimming along with sharks simply appeared method 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, wonderful birds, and new habitats. However at the beginning, 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 resulting from some shocking developments, I used to be supplied an opportunity to come back to California by a company referred to as “Level Blue Conservation Science”. It is a well-recognized, non-profit group concerned in chook analysis, habitat restoration, environmental surveys, and so on. So I’m at present working with them as a volunteer doing a number of chook analysis duties.
Level Blue’s Palomarin Discipline Station
I’ve been in California for a couple of week now and at present 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! All the things is thrilling past recognition as nearly all chook species listed below are “lifers” for me. Birds corresponding to 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 realm and with hopes so as to add some species to my record in addition to for example birds, I went on just a little drive in the 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 the direction of Bodega Bay. About midway we stopped and took just a little stroll on the Kortum path. With lovely costal-scrub habitat across the birds right here had 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 Discipline Station”, the place I will probably be spending the following couple of weeks ringing birds, drawing, and studying the strategies used for ringing right here within the States. Having a good time on the subject 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 had been feeding simply 2 meters from me
In my future posts, you may comply with updates from the Palomarin subject station relating to ringing, sketching, and photographs right here and there. I’ll attempt to deliver fascinating information, observations, and experiences to your nearest pc display screen. I additionally will probably be touring to a few bird-full locations worldwide sooner or later so I hope you get pleasure from! Thanks for studying:)
Black Phoebes typically sit on open branches so they’re a cooperative topic to look at and sketch
Cowl Photograph: Wrentit
