Poised for Flight: N California day trip

So we headed out of Arcata towards the southeastern portion of Humboldt County. The goal was to find a few birds that could only be located in one spot within the county. County birding is big here, that is locating as many birds as possible within certain counties. Some of the top California birders have achieved incredible feats and I was told that a few have found 200 birds in all counties, and 300 in the southern counties. Our goals for the day however, were much more modest Ash-Throated Flycatcher, California Towhee, and Rufous-crowned Sparrow were the birds we had hoped to find. After crossing Humboldt Redwoods State Park,we arrived at Alder Point Rd. and headed up through the mountains. The temperature was scorching hot as we made our way along the road and ticked off birds. Grasshopper sparrows were heard as were Lark sparrows, and Chipping sparrows. A california towhee was calling and later located representing the first target bird of the day. We parked in Alder Point and headed down the railroad tracks along the Eel River. Yellow-breasted chats and blue gray gnatcatchers were abundant along the river as were common mergansers with chicks. The we walked about a mile down the tracks and there was talk of a bridge crossing the river that would lead us to our destination however, I was in no way prepared for what would have to be done to find these birds. We rounded the final corner and then...

Hmm... Anyone know when the next train is due? Having seen the movie Stand By Me several times all I could think about was Vern crawling across the tracks scared half to death and then black smoke rising from the approaching train just around the corner. But that was not a real concern. The tracks were not in service and judging by the condition of the bridge I don't think it could carry the weight of the train much more than I questioned whether it could carry the weight of the 7 of us that were about to cross. I wanted to see those birds though and they were on the other side and there was only one way across.

The view from the beginning of the bridge across to the other side.

Don't look down, except to take a picture of your feet many feet above the river below. On second thought, you better look down because not all the railroad ties are there.

The view from the bridge looking down on the Eel River. I sure hope there isn't an earthquake right now. One nice thing was that Northern Rough-winged Swallows were nesting under the bridge and I got close up looks as they flew by inspecting me.

We all made it safely to the other side and were treated almost immediately by singing Ash-throated flycatchers including fledgling birds that were food begging. We located the young one and then watched as the parents flew in with food. Nearby were many cliff swallows that had built their nests on a cliff (imagine that) and were soaring over the river collecting insects before returning to the nests to feed the young. Below on the river's banks spotted sandpipers were also tending their nests. It is an exciting time of year to be a birder. Everything is raising young and I feel lucky to be able to spend my summer in the outdoors working with birds.

Cliff swallows feeding young in nests constructed on a cliff face.

We did not find the rufous-crowned sparrow but all in all it was a good day of birding with lots of adventure and a little bit of danger. We headed home and stopped off to see the Redwoods. They are truly amazing. Some are reported to be 2000 years old and it is strange to imagine that many of these giants I was photographing were flourishing as the same time that the Maya were flourishing in Central America. It is nice to know that many of these trees still exist and are protected.

Lucy Rowe and I admiring a fallen redwood. A fallen redwood is an important part of the ecosystem often lasting as long as 400 years before returning to the soil.