Toasted Marshmallow: A Birder's Best Christmas Gift

Sometimes, birds get lost.  And when they are found by local birders, far from their expected range, their presence causes quite the stir of excitement in the birding community!  (Case in point: the incredibly rare Snowy Owl that turned up in Orange County, California, a few days ago.)  

While Southern California is a little out of my range for a quick day trip, the coast of Central California is not.  So, with Christmas behind us and a sunny day in the forecast, Eric and I packed up and headed over to Half Moon Bay in hopes of catching a glimpse of another very special rare bird from the north that has been hanging out on a popular beach for the last five or six weeks.  (Yes, I'm a little late to the party; it's been a very busy fall!)



Decidedly smaller than Southern California's famed Snowy Owl, this lone male Snow Bunting is no less charismatic!  Unconcerned by nearby birders, beach-goers and photographers, he has made a habit out of hanging out along the bluffs and creek mouth at Half Moon Bay's Venice Beach.  I was able to spend a whole hour with this little guy, watching in delight as he quietly foraged amid driftwood and beach wrack.  And let me tell you: this is one seriously endearing little bird!  Just look at that face!


Snow Buntings, six-inch long sparrow-like birds that walk rather than hop, breed in the high, snowy Arctic, dipping down into Canada and the northern United States during the winter where large flocks can be found in stubble fields and on shorelines.  An individual Snow Bunting this far south in California is most definitely a rare occasion and special treat!


Speaking of treats... the delicate rusty-tan markings on the pure white chest of the male Snow Bunting have earned them the nickname "toasted marshmallows", and I must say, I agree that there is a resemblance!  



Vagrant birds like this one are a bit of a mystery to ornithologists, but they are certainly a joy to find!  I wish this little guy a safe winter and a successful journey back north where he belongs!


Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2023 at 12:55 PM

    Really enjoyed your post and pictures Siera. Congrats on finding it.
    Jim Ross

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Siera NystromJanuary 6, 2023 at 8:20 AM

      Thanks, Jim! (I'll try to start posting more regularly again!! :) )

      Delete

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