Snowy Egret Convention at Coal Oil Point
By Robert Bernstein
Snowy Egrets seem to be holding a convention at Devereux Slough at Coil Oil Point past Isla Vista!
Here are some of my recent photos there!
I did not grow up around such magnificent birds. To see just one is an endless treat for me.
But in recent weeks these beautiful birds have gathered in significant numbers in one set of trees
The birds are gathered, but they do fly around
Devereux Slough is a bird refuge that is beautiful and is home to many bird species
It also offers wonderful vistas
I am not sure how much longer this gathering will last. The area is best accessed from Isla Vista or from Storke Road by foot or bicycle. But motorists are allowed in specifically for bird watching and for
creating art. Parking is very limited for that purpose.
I practice my music at the bluffs near Isla Vista. So it is a regular joy for me to pass this area.
9 Comments
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Aug 23, 2018 10:04 AMLovely photos, thanks you!
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Aug 24, 2018 07:29 AMYou are so lucky to have seen all those beautiful Egrets. Thanks for sharing.
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Aug 24, 2018 11:13 AMThank you TWO ABBYS and FLICKA for the kind words. The gathering was still happening as of yesterday so you can still check it out yourselves! UCSB generally restricts motor vehicle access to Coal Oil Point. But they do make an exception for bird watching. The gathering spot is out near the end of the road near the gate.
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Aug 25, 2018 10:36 AMActually all the photos are by the water sampling platform and none at Coal Oil Point. The birds in the 6 th photo are Great Egrets and the 11 th shot fly-by is a Double-crested Cormorant. The Egrets are here all seasons except summer, these being fall arrivals. It should be noted that unless you have a permit you can not leave your car here and walk to Coal Oil Point. One must be near their vehicle or they will be cited by Campus Police.
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Aug 25, 2018 06:24 PMThank you for identifying some of the bird species DESTAG. Actually, that entire area is part of UCSB's Coal Oil Point Reserve (COPR).
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Here is a map of the Reserve showing how Devereux Slough is part of COPR
http://copr.nrs.ucsb.edu/sites/copr.nrs.ucsb.edu/files/maps/topo.jpg
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It is perfectly legal to drive to the spot in my photo marked by the informational kiosk. You can park there and view the birds. You are even allowed to stay and make paintings of the birds and scenery there. You just need to stay near your vehicle.
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I have never actually driven there because I always ride my bicycle there. Enjoy!
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Aug 25, 2018 08:07 PMYes I'm aware it's part of the Reserve, as I go there all the time, but Coal Oil Point is over a quarter of a mile from where these photos are taken and you can not drive to the point as you said below. As I said if you park here by the kiosk or the other ( first ) viewing spot a quarter of a mile back north on Slough Rd. you must stay near your vehicle.
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Aug 27, 2018 10:53 AMThe whole area is called Coal Oil Point. Why do you have to spoil your otherwise helpful comment by nit-picking in a way that is not even correct?
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Aug 27, 2018 10:53 AMThe whole area is called Coal Oil Point. Why do you have to spoil your otherwise helpful comment by nit-picking in a way that is not even correct?
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Aug 27, 2018 11:23 AMIt is not. Look at any map. This is like saying anywhere around UCSB is Campus Point...get it. This would confuse anyone if they thought they needed to get to Coal Oil Point to see the birds and tried to park here. If they want to go there they would have to park in IV and walk along the bluffs. Nothing nit picky about it. Just correcting a post that could get some birder from else where towed.