Dickcissel at Marine Nature Study Area in Oceanside...

Yesterday, I read a report that a Dickcissel had been spotted around the feeding stations at the Marine Nature Study Area in Oceanside. Needing this bird for the year, I decided to head over this morning to see if I would be lucky enough to get a look. When I got to the Nature center I found two other birders at the center, one of them was Sy Schiff, a well known birder. Sy had seen and photographed the Dickcissel and told me where to look. At the center, there is a room with windows where one could get a good look at the feeding stations and that is where I setup for the wait. After about 20-30 minutes I saw the Dickcissel; it had flown in and was foraging on the ground below the feeders. I got very good looks and was very pleased that I had seen the bird. I stayed around and eventually got some photos...though I could have had more, but for the presence of a Merlin, which made the birds very skittish. I have to thank Kim Fessler who works at the Nature center for being a terrific host; Kim took time out from her schedule to tell me about the center and the species sighted there. I could sense Kim's passion for what she does and appreciated her enthusiasm; If you are planning on going out there, I would suggest taking some bird seed for the feeding stations as the folks there seem to be doing that venture all on their own and the cost of bird seed can accumulate. The Nature center is now on my list of places to bird and I can't wait to get back out there and do a complete tour of the pond.