Biking Around San Diego Bay

Yesterday, Sunday, we got up at 4:30 to go biking around San Diego Bay.  We arrived at Coronado around 6:30, enjoying no traffic, easy parking, and cool temperatures.  We didn't  actually go all around the bay like a couple years ago, but rode down the ocean side, around the southern end, and up to Chula Vista to the Living Coast Discovery Center.  We stopped numerous times along the way to look at birds in particular.

Most of the route has dedicated bike paths with frequent view points and interpretive signs.

 After just a few minutes we spotted this Osprey perched on a sign.

 Western Grebes resting near shore.  This species we treated frequently at IBR as they seemed to have a knack for getting oiled and washing up on beaches.

 A Great Egret stalking the shallow mud flats.

 Clark's Grebe.

 Snowy Egret

 American Avocet

 The San Diego Bay from the southern end looking northward.

 A Snowy Egret taking flight.

 A resting flock of  Black Skimmers.  Skimmers fly low over the water at night, skimming the water for small fish with their lower mandibles.

 Black Skimmers are in the tern family.  They often rest with their heads stretched forward on the ground.

We saw numerous terns diving for fish, and hundreds of them gathered around distant levees.  We saw several species of terns, including the small Least Tern.  The Navy has done a remarkable job of creating large fenced off areas for endangered Least Terns and Snowy Plovers to nest.  Breeding pairs of Least Terns have made a comeback because of this effort, and San Diego County now supports 60% of  the breeding population of  Least Terns.

 Gail spotted this spider with a wrapped up catch.

 Another Osprey, this time on a light pole.

 Barn Swallows made their nests on the walls of the Discovery Center.

Next to the swallows this Mourning Dove had her nest.

 Black-necked Stilt

Here's a rare bird, the Rufous-crowned Nightingale.

Paused for a snack with our 42 year old Schwinns.

An American Avocet above, and an unidentified shorebird below.

A Great Egret keeping an eye on us, while we pretend we're not looking at it - never works, they know!