Date: 11/13/24 6:11 pm From: Judy Neuhauser via groups.io <picaloki...> Subject: [slocobirding] Birds in restored habitat at MCAS Sweet Springs Nature Preserve
I've been interested in how the restored area of Sweet Springs East has been utilized by birds. This restoration has taken what had been essentially a pure veldt grass field with Cypress trees in a line along the eastern edge and has turned it into a diverse habitat of coastal dune scrub populated with natives such as Silver Dune Lupine, Coastal Buckwheat, Mock Heather, Black Sage, California Sagebrush,
Goldenbush, Golden Yarrow, Deerweed, Croton, and Horkelia. I've watched the overgrown veldt grass areas and have seen a few sparrows enter the grassy areas, but the activity is pretty low. This afternoon, I took 30 minutes and watched the restored area from the bench at the entrance at 4th St and Ramona: 12 species including Acorn and Nuttall's Woodpeckers in the Cypress trees, while the smaller bird like Ruby Crowned Kinglets,, Darkeyed Juncos, CA Towhees, 3 kinds of Sparrows - Golden-crowned, White-crowned and Song - Chestnut backed Chickadees, and three kinds of warblers: Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped, and Townsend's were working the shrubs: Silver Dune Lupine, Black Sage, Ceonothus, and California Sagebrush. A good portion of the sparrows were foraging on the ground. There were numerous birds that were so fast and dove into the thick bushes so quickly that I could not identify them. The area was hopping!
Anyone interested in helping out with the restoration of the Preserve in Los Osos are welcome to join us this Saturday from 9 AM - noon to help plant natives that were grown by the Los Osos Middle School students. Meet at the 4th St and Ramona entrance. Let's keep planting bird habitat!!
Judy Neuhauser
Los Osos, CA
