Cliff Swallow nestlings

Cliff Swallow nestlings. Carlsbad, California. June 8, 2014. Greg Gillson.

Here's a close-up of two Cliff Swallow nestlings peeking from their mud nest under the eaves.

This is called an adherent nest, as it adheres to a vertical face, such as a wall or cliff. How many hundreds of mouthfuls of mud did the parents use to build this nest? The local San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy website has my answer: 900-1200 pellets.

These fully-feathered nestlings are probably capable of flight. But it's so much easier to stay home and be fed by your parents than set out on your own.

One-year old Blue Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeak. Carlsbad, California. June 8, 2014. Greg Gillson.

Earlier in spring I saw my first-ever male Blue Grosbeak. This bird is a male, just about one year old.

San Diego Year Bird #232: Least Tern

Least Tern and chicks. Carlsbad, California. June 8, 2014. Greg Gillson.

Actually, I first saw Least Terns on June 1, but couldn't get close enough for photos. But these on June 8 were very close to the highway at the mouth of Batiquitos Lagoon.

There are many beaches in San Diego County with signs and fenced off areas for nesting Least Terns and Snowy Plovers. I've seen terns, now, at several of these but, so far, no Snowy Plovers. I wonder where the easiest place is to see Snowy Plovers on beaches in the North County?

Nutmeg Mannikin--most sought-after?

Nutmeg Mannikin. Batiquitos Lagoon, Carlsbad, California. June 1, 2014. Greg Gillson.

My first photo of Nutmeg Mannikin was December of last year. Then I got another photo in February. So, here's another. This time a male and female of this former exotic (non-countable) species that has become established enough to be added to the AOU Check-list last summer. It is now a countable bird.

The day before it was added to the AOU list no one could have cared less about these wild offspring of escaped cage birds. Since the change to AOU listing status, I understand that this is now one of the most sought-after species by visiting birders to San Diego. Silly, I know. The games people play.

Female Nutmeg Mannikin.

House Wren

House Wren. Batiquitos Lagoon, Carlsbad, California. June 1, 2014. Greg Gillson.

Shades of brown and gray. Here's a pic of a House Wren. It's not a very good photo, but I'm running out of photos, so this is what we get. I'll have to get out with my camera again soon to replenish my supply.

House Wren is found year-round here. I'm not sure, though, if the birds here in winter are the same individuals that stay to nest, or are perhaps winter visitors from the north.