Vacation 2006 – Andrew Molera
Andrew Molera was chosen because of the following description found when googling for beaches to visit on the drive north: “Andrew Molera State Park is famous with bird watchers and the Ventana Wildlife Society has their office there. From this office several birding studies of the area are conducted…”
Twenty miles south of Carmel, and just north of Big Sur, the turn off to Andrew Molera was obvious from Highway 1. Camping at Andrew Molera is basic: camping gear must be carried about .3 mile from the parking area to the camp site, and there are no ablution facilities.
The Big Sur river flows through the park, with clear water over a pebbled river-bed, to the sea. The path from the parking area to the camping ground runs along thick vegetation, beside the river. Much of the lower-story vegetation is Poison Oak. The single camping site selected was surrounded by Poison Oak. Decided to stay two nights at $10 per night.
It was very windy for the first and second days. The third day of departure, the weather improved. Thus birding was not very successful (and this novice needs to learn more bird sounds), although some new species were seen. The vegetation and flora was outstanding, and the views wonderful. It would be a great place to stay during a good birding season.
At the campsite, there were some resident crows very observant of the food-morsel-dropping habits of campers. On awakening the first morning, a Spotted Towhee and Bushtits were heard in the tree above the tent. From different parts of the campground came sounds of Quail, Red-shouldered Hawk, Black-headed Grosbeak, Sparrows, Common Yellowthroat and many unknowns. The normally raucous Crows were silent. On opening the tent flap, a couple Crows were seen marching up and down close by, stopping now and then to cock heads from right to left looking for edibles.
New birds seen: Pelagic Cormorant, Common Merganser, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Wilson’s Warbler. On the last day, a passing bird expert identified the call of a Baltimore Oriole, but it could not be seen despite some effort. A couple more were heard when carrying camping gear to the car.
Slideshows
(Big Sur River mouth at Andrew Molera State Park)