Birding Impressions from California

Valters Videnieks is an avid nineteen-year-old birder from Latvia. Interested in birds from the age of seven, even though his primary interest before that was marine biology, but at the time swimming together with sharks just seemed way too scary:) Valters also has taken up an interest in bird illustration, audio recordings, and since 2023 has obtained a license to conduct bird ringing (banding).

California! Spectacular views, amazing birds, and new habitats. But first and foremost, why am I here? After finishing high school this year, I decided to take a gap year to travel around for some windsurfing competitions and go birding. But due to some surprising developments, I was offered a chance to come to California by an organization called “Point Blue Conservation Science”. This is a well-recognized, non-profit organization involved in bird research, habitat restoration, environmental surveys, etc. So I am currently working with them as a volunteer doing multiple bird research tasks.

Point Blue’s Palomarin Field Station

I have been in California for about a week now and currently have observed 63 species with many waterfowl, and passerines still missing from my list. For the first couple of days, I was overcoming jet lag living near the town of Sebastopol, in a wooded area so I got to see some local birds around the house! Everything is exciting beyond recognition as almost all bird species here are “lifers” for me. Birds such as California Quail (Callipepla californica), Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus), and Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) completely swept me off my feet.

Acorn Woodpeckers living dangerously

To explore the area and with hopes to add some species to my list as well as to illustrate birds, I went on a little drive towards the coast. The Russian River delta offered great views of Double-crested Cormorants (Nannopterum auritum), Western Gulls (Larus occidentalis), and superb thermal-wind glides by Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura).

After a cup of coffee at the town’s local cafe, the road led south towards Bodega Bay. About halfway we stopped and took a little walk on the Kortum trail. With beautiful costal-scrub habitat around the birds here were worth seeing! Great views of a Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius), Western Meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta), different kinds of sparrows as well as a White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) having a mouse for lunch.

White-tailed Kite

The area of Bodega Bay offered a chance to look at a couple of different wader and waterfowl species. The evening highlight for me was a group of White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) resting in the shallow water. A day to remember with many new species, a new “California State Parks” cap, and fond memories:)

After spending some time adjusting to the time zone, I have finally arrived at Point Blue’s “Palomarin Field Station”, where I will be spending the next couple of weeks ringing birds, drawing, and learning the techniques used for ringing here in the States. Having a great time at the field station, helping with the ringing of Wrentits (Chamaea fasciata), Ruby-crowned Kinglets (Corthylio calendula), Townsend’s Warblers (Setophaga townsendi), and many others. I’ve also had the opportunity to observe and sketch Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana) and Anna’s Hummingbirds (Calypte anna).

Sketches of Western bluebirds and Anna’s hummingbirds which were feeding just 2 meters from me

In my future posts, you can follow updates from the Palomarin field station regarding ringing, sketching, and photos here and there. I will try to bring interesting facts, observations, and experiences to your nearest computer screen. I also will be traveling to a couple of bird-full destinations worldwide in the future so I hope you enjoy! Thanks for reading:)

Black Phoebes often sit on open branches so they are a cooperative subject to observe and sketch

 Cover Photo: Wrentit