Looking for the New Arrivals at San Andres Trail

This is the time of the year when we first started to see the pair of nesting Blue Grosbeaks last year at the San Andres Trailhead of the Coast to Crest Trail at San Dieguito Lagoon. Eve and I decided to check out the area to see the new arrivals there and to keep a lookout for the Blue Grosbeak. It's that time of the year for the migrating birds to show up and we will be on the alert for any new visitors. 

There was no hint of Blue Grosbeaks but lots of Song Sparrows and Common Yellowthroats singing around the west entrance to the trail. I didn't spot much but noticed a flycatcher that I could not get a clear look at for a good ID. When Eve arrived later after checking on the Del Mar Ospreys, I described the flycatcher to her and we were now both on the hunt for this flighty bird. We decided to head back to the bridge area near the entrance to the trail when we spotted a very long snake crossing the trail. It appeared about 4 feet long. This may be a common Garter Snake or a Ribbon Snake but quite relieved it was not a Rattlesnake. It had a yellow stripe running down its back.

We finally spot the Flycatcher. He appears to be the Ash-throated Flycatcher. 

The Sibley Guide to Birds describes the Ash-throated Flycatcher as having a whitish throat, very pale yellow below, whitish wingbars, whitish edges on secondaries.

The dark color on his tail extends across the tip of the tail feathers just like this guy's tail in this photo.

Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cierascens measures 8.5 inches long with a wingspan of 12 inches.

Noticing a movement in the willows, I search with my lens and found this little sparrow. We both agreed that he may be a Lincoln's Sparrow.

Lincoln's Sparrow , Melospiza lincolnii measures 5.75 inches long with a wingspan of 7.5 inches. 

This photo shows the buffy malar, the finely streaked buffy breast.

Looks similar to Song Sparrow but smaller with smaller bill and shorter tail. 

Crisp blackish streaks on sides. 

Buffy eyering.

 

Slender bill. 

As soon as Eve said she had to get going, another bird that we were looking for popped into the nearby willows. So she stayed awhile longer to help me track this warbler as it fluttered across to another willow tree.

Wow, this is a Yellow Warbler, Setophaga petechia measures 5 inches long with a wingspan of 8 inches. This one is an adult female. the adult male has reddish streaks on his side and chest. 

A closer look at this beautiful yellow bird. 

The Sibley Guide to Birds says that they have a short tapered tail with the yellow going all the way to the tip. This photo shows the yellow-colored feathers on his tail underside going all the way to the tip. 

We started to walk towards the trail entrance when Eve heard a Hooded Oriole calling on the south side of the trail. I saw the adult male singing but the shot was quite backlit because of the direction I had to take this photo. He soon flew off going north to another area of Del Mar. Laughing that it seemed as though the birds always showed when one of us said we had to get going.  Now she was late and she really had to go home. I decided to stay for one more good search of the willows.

Finding nothing new and ready to walk out of the trail area, I spot this little fledgling House Finch begging for food. He is so focused on begging and trying to get fed that I am able to move closer for a good look at this youngster.

The male parent of the fledgling is also on the branch and the baby is begging and begging for food. 

The male House Finch approaches the fledgling and starts to regurgitate food. 

The fledgling encourages his dad to regurgitate by flapping his wings and making his begging calls. House Finches only eat seeds and plant materials. The only insects that they eat will be the occasional ones accidentally ingested when eating seeds and plant matter. 

The male House finch starts to regurgitate. The fledgling anticipates his meal and opens his mouth in a begging manner. 

Dad is a bit cautious because I am right below him taking these photos. The fledgling is impatient and starts to flap his wings again begging dad to hurry up with the meal. 

Here it comes, you can see the food being presented by the adult male House Finch to his youngster. The male will be supplying the new fledgling for several weeks with food while mom is probably looking for a new mate to start another clutch of eggs . The female usually lays two clutches but as soon as the fledglings leave the nest, it is up to dad (the male ) to help feed the youngsters for another two weeks. 

When the female House Finch chooses her mate, she chooses the brightest red-colored male she can find. The bright red color on the male is from the type of food they eat. The brightly colored male is able get this bright colors by choosing the food with the most pigments in his food materials that turn his feathers red. Some believe that the female chooses the brightest colored male, hoping for the male to be more capable of successfully raising their young because he is able to find and feed himself the best pigmented foods therefore he will be able to feed the best to his offsprings.

Getting a good feeding, the youngster appears to settle down. He soon follows his dad to another willow tree down the trail practicing his flying skills. Soon he will be on his own and will know where to find and forage for best eating seeds. It's time for me to head for home but will come and check again for the Grosbeaks soon. 

Have a beautiful weekend everyone!