This summer, while moving my spotting scope from the backseat to the trunk, the eye-piece fell off without me knowing. Without an eye-piece, a scope is futile. So I have been birding "scopelessly" for 3 months. However, having accumulated an impressive amount of tip money as a busboy, I was finally able to purchase myself a new scope, a Swarovski HD-ATS 65mm (high-end stuff!). When I got an email saying I had a new package waiting for me in the mailroom, I got extremely excited! I knew exactly what awaited me, and that my weekend would consist in playing around with my new toy (in spite of my extensive homework).
The first place I wanted to go birding with my spotting scope was the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. Only 5 minutes to bike there from Humboldt State University, it's extremely accessible and incredibly birdy. Right when my Zoology teacher excused the class, I ran to my dorm, dropped off my backpack and took my birding optics and biked off. The sun was out and the birds were singing. Red-winged Blackbirds hopped around in the reeds, and a Belted Kingfisher flew by, making its machine-gun-like rattling. Seeing and listening to all of this commotion really got me excited to put my scope to the test and see how effective it was. I came across this pond with a myriad of duck species. I was hearing Green-winged Teals peeping and Gadwalls quacking before I even got off my bike and looked through my binoculars. But before I did that, I set my scope onto the tripod. Once it was set, I looked through and my heart skipped a beat. The absolute clarity and sharpness was mind-blowing. The foraging anatids were crystal clear, and every single one of their features was noticeable. As I panned through the large duck flock, I came across a curious-looking wigeon. It was overall rufous, but had hints of green behind the eye. I would've called it a Eurasian Wigeon, but it just didn't look right. I realized later that it was in fact a hybrid American X Eurasian Wigeon, an annual migrant here in Humboldt, notably the marsh.
 |
| American X Eurasian Wigeon |
This was an unexpected find, but an interesting one at that. I then made my way to Klopp Lake, the largest pond in the marsh, along the edge of the bay. The two first birds that I noticed were two Surf Scoters. Typically sea birds, they only rarely part from salt water outside of the breeding season. So it was cool to these two fella's paddling and diving in this freshwater pond. On the island were countless numbers of Willets, Marbled Godwits and Long-billed Dowitchers congregating. Greater Yellowlegs made their 3-toned calls as they flew over and a Great Blue Heron grotesquely squawked when it landed on one of the islands, sending the bevy of shorebirds airborne. My first of fall Eared and Horned Grebes socialized with one another, and single female Hooded Merganser dove in the water, certainly pursuing some small fish or crustaceans. I then noticed on an electric tower a magnificent Red-shouldered Hawk. I couldn't pass up this opportunity, so I put my scope on it and began digiscoping, my new craze.
 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk |
I then made my way to the George Allen marsh, where the first birds I noticed were a group of 6 Wood Ducks, 3 males and 3 females.
 |
| Drake and Hen Wood Duck |
Aside from these stunning ducks, there wasn't much else. The sun was starting to set, so I retrieved my bike and began riding back to school. As I was heading back, I noticed something on the peripheral of my right eye. I stood out, but quite subtly. I put my bins on it, and to my excitement, there was an American Bittern standing perfectly still, scanning the water in front of it for possible prey. I was so excited to get this bird in the scope. Bitterns are personal favorites of mine, and this was just the third time I had ever seen this species. It didn't move, so it offered outstanding views through the scope.
 |
| American Bittern |
All in all, the birding this day wasn't quite out of the ordinary. It was just another regular day at the marsh (which is always a good time!). However, this was the first time I used my scope, so it made this day that much more special. The views I earned of regular species really did make this experience an exciting one. I now cannot wait for the next time I go out birding and get to use my scope once again.
 |
| My new Swarovski ATS-HD 65 mm! |
