Date: 6/3/26 7:33 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Oso Flaco and Ocean Park, June 3
This morning, I drove to Oso Flaco (SLO County) for a treat of late spring birding. This willow wet land and pond area stays very active well into June and I was not disappointed., with singing "in your face" Wilson's Warblers, families of Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Swainson's thrushes both singing their flute-like melodies and hopping on the ground along with the Song Sparrows, and the stars of the day, Marsh Wrens.
These diminutive birds were sounding off everywhere as I neared the ponds. Once I got to the board walk, I spotted several nests, one in progress not 10 feet from the walkway and tended by perhaps the loudest singer of them all.
I saw no ducklings of any species, but the Tree Swallow flock at one point was huge (over 60 birds). The dune scrub was quieter than usual but the estuary at the beach had a nice mixed Gull flock, including 8 newly-returned (one assumes) adult Heerman's Gulls. It was more than worth the drive.
I returned home via Ocean Park, where I caught up with some of the same birds Nick reported previously in his "weird birds: post: At least 2 (and probably 3) Red-throated Loons, an Ibis, 4 adult Avocets, and a large mixed flock of Caspian and Royal Terns. I counted at least 3 Surf Scoters in the estuary as well. The most numerous ducks by far were Gadwalls. I was momentarily stumped by several striped young White-crowned Sparrows.
I also did a quick sea watch from the Surf train platform, but spotted nothing unusual in the ocean.
Florence Sanchez
