Date: 3/12/25 10:59 am From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Atascadero Creek March 11
Late post. Yesterday I walked along Atascadero Creek from Patterson Ave to Ward Drive, timing my visit after the morning showers had ceased. There was a fair amount of activity and birding was pleasant in spite of the tremendous racket from chain saws and chippers on the far side of the creek. Orange-crowned Warblers were very active, singing and showing their Orange crowns much of the time. A Western Flycatcher made an appearance (first one I've seen this spring) and for a very brief period, a Hermit Thrush sang--something we seldom get to hear in the lowlands.
Big surprise was an adult Red-throated Loon dozing in the basin below the check dam near Ward Drive. There was no sign of oil or any other reason why this bird might have landed so far up creek.
Florence Sanchez
