Gualala Birds

I’ve had a few exciting new finds this month… and one less than exciting.

Let’s start with the less than exciting find out of the way – and it’s my most recent.

I had been out walking the dog when I heard a large group of geese like birds flying southbound – Merlin Bird ID was already running, so I whipped out my phone to see Cackling Goose show up. The flock was pretty far away, but I was able to get a photo with enough detail to verify Cackling Goose,

Lifer # 126 – Cackling Goose

This bird… looks like a very common Canada Goose we see frequently — but they have a shorter head. A new lifer is a new lifer, so I’ll take it.

Now, the next trio are more exciting to me.

I love a good raptor, and this one didn’t disappoint. I had seen this hawk landing on this specific tree at a distance every night at 6pm, but never with my camera in hand. This particular night I was ready and was able to get a photo of him – again, at a distance, but good enough for id.

Lifer #124 – Ferruginous Hawk

I mentioned this guy in my initial blog post, but this was a real surprise to me.

He was a lone flyer as the sun went down… I give to you

Lifer # 125 – Tundra Swan

Finally, a bird that I recently capture at Walnut Creek California just a week before seeing him in Gualala. I was really excited to see him in Walnut Creek, even though he was 50 yards away. But in Gualala, I got close to him…. or rather, he got close to me ! The bonus is this bird meows like a kitten.

Lifer # 123 – Red-breasted Sapsucker

My journey with becoming a birder has coincided with me moving to Gualala, California in 2025. Well, that’s not totally true.

I actually started birding in 2014 – well, maybe less of a birder and more bird-curious. I was primarily a photographer who needed beautiful subjects. I joined a few local birding club outings and enjoyed the camaraderie, but never got serious about birding per-se. This fling lasted until early 2016 when I stopped looking at the birds.

What changed?

Two words: Step-daughter and eBird/Merlin Bird ID.

My daughter-in-law started birding early this year and it somewhat re-ignited my curiosity. My wife supported my idea of purchasing a “birding lens” for my camera, and next thing you know I’ve got Merlin Bird ID installed and I’m out staring at bushes for an hour at a time.

I’m still a beginner birder. My “life list” is at 126. I still only have a visual memory of maybe 20-30 of those birds, and an audio memory of maybe half that. I use age as an excuse – it’s harder to memorize things. But that doesn’t stop the enjoyment of seeing the birds and the enjoyment of hearing a Northern Flicker buried deep in the woods and recognizing its call.

I’m hoping to use this blog as a place to document those 1-hour at a time birding session I have, while being able to highlight my highs and lows while still a beginner.

Life Bird 125 was a lone Tundra Swan flying overhead – the fact I was able to recognize it as “this isn’t one of the normal birds I see” is exciting unto itself. And I hope to be able to share just a bit of that joy and maybe a nice photo once in awhile.

For now, I’ll share some recent sightings and maybe do some back-fill story telling.

Time to leave the nest.