Archive for California Coastal Conservancy
San Gregorio Ranch Gets a Very Unusual Feathered Visitor
Local birders alerted us that at least one Harris’s Sparrow, whose normal winter habitat is a narrow strip of the Great Plains, has taken up at Cascade Ranch in the near POST-protected properties Whaler’s Cove and the Cowell-Purisima Trail. Rancher Nando Muzzi runs Cascade Ranch under a conservation easement held by the California Coastal Conservancy.
The handsome Harris’s Sparrow appears to have come west to enjoy some bugs, which are, in turn, feasting on rotting Brussels sprouts. (Yummy!)
Since the big sparrows are rarely seen anywhere near California, birders have been coming from far and wide to add the species to their “seen” lists. Both Mr. Muzzi and the property owner (and former POST board member), Steve Blank, are being kind enough to let birders onto the property to check old “Harry” out!
Some interesting facts about the Harris’s Sparrow: It’s the only bird in the world that breeds exclusively in Canada. It does so along the edge of boreal forest and tundra in north-central Canada. Sadly, the boreal forest is being hit hard by climate change, so the bird may be attempting to adapt.
In winter, the sparrows observe a very clear hierarchy to determine who gets first access to food: The oldest males get the worm — or seed, or bug. California is a very unusual place for them to end up, but since the birds often winter in agricultural fields and pastures, Cascade Ranch must have looked like the right spot to be.
If you do go ogle the Harris’s Sparrow, stop and take in the view at Whaler’s Cove or do the easy, beautiful coastal hike on Cowell-Purisima Trail!
You can also learn more about this and other birds on Cornell University’s incredible ornithology website.
A Walkabout on the Coast, Part 3
By Megan Hansen, Communications AssociatePart 3 – Cowell-Purisima
There is a feat of engineering and grace in the making at Cowell-Purisima, south on Highway 1 from Wavecrest. Tim Duff, project manager with the California Coastal Conservancy gives me a tour of the coastal-trail-in-progress. It’s clear that Tim is proud of the work: “I know I’m fortunate to call this my office, and I’m excited to be one of the first people to walk down the completed trail,” says Tim.
Cowell-Purisima Trail Construction (c) Chris Detwiller
Riding across the newly packed trail, the contrast between the hefty machinery used to create this 3-mile trail and the peaceful lushness of farmer John Giusti’s artichoke fields is striking.
Part way along the new trail segment, I find myself looking back at the lookout above Cowell Ranch Beach, the telescope glinting in the sunlight, Pillar Point still visible in the distance. At that moment, the importance of this project becomes clear. What was once an out-and-back trail will now continue curving gracefully along the coast, and I can easily picture the future trails that will rise up to meet it.
Cowell Ranch Beach (c) Robert Buelteman
This project was put on hold by the state bond freeze, but is back on track now that the freeze has been lifted. We will let you know as soon as it is open to the public. In the meantime, you can visit Cowell Ranch Beach on Saturday and Sunday, from 8AM to sunset. Beginning on May 1, Cowell Ranch Beach will be open 7 days a week.
If you missed them, here are Part 1 and Part 2 in the series. Check back for the final part, a stroll down Mel’s Lane.
POST
Jeff Powers
Paul Ringgold
Meghan Scanlon
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