San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary and Upper Back Bay Newport

Posted on by Ed

If yesterday was exploring a new area, today was a visit with old acquaintances. I started at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary at about 8:20. From Fullerton took the 91 to the 55 to just past John Wayne Airport, and got off at Jamboree.

It was very birdy in the earlier morning, much less so after about 10:15 AM as it heated up. Swallows everywhere, mostly Tree but at least 3 Barn and a few NRWS. Played with the camera a bit more. I’m starting to get the knack of getting birds in the view finder, but can still not really tell if they are in focus. For now just trusting the autofocus.

Nice looks at both Clark’s and Western grebes, sorted thru many YRWA and found little else, one very brief look at a warbler I’ll leave unidentified, seemed to have a yellowish head and undertail coverts, but the head pattern wrong for Nashville, ?? No photo.

When I finished there about 11 AM it seemed like I was just too close to Upper Back Bay Newport to not go there, so I drove the 6 miles down Jamboree and drove the auto look and walked the canyon walking loop. Hot and midday but just really fun to return here. Great memories of my very early days of birding with Kay. The first bird on my ABA list is GBHE from here :.)

Today, not likely the same bird :.)
Today, not likely the same bird :.)

FOY birds for ABA today were Spotted sandpiper, Western sandpiper, Hutton’s vireo (in full song but not seen), Barn swallow and Northern rough-winged swallow. Brings me to 206 for the year.

It will be interesting to see if my CA year list gets higher tan my WA year list before I come back home Sunday. WA 147- CA 142 now. (all WA birds listable, I have EGGO on CA list so really 141.

Some photos I liked today:

Just before the Allen's hummingbird in the photo below took off on a display flight.
Just before the Allen’s hummingbird in the photo below took off on a display flight.

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Looked for a while. Initially correctly thought Willet, questioned myself, and finally he raised his head.
Looked for a while. Initially correctly thought Willet, questioned myself, and finally he raised his head.

Enjoyed close up looks at both GRSC and LESC. I think this is Lesser.
Enjoyed close up looks at both GRSC and LESC. I think this is Greater.

Note to self: I like the round head without peak at the back I like the bill shape, less concave at the base, I don’t really like the nail patter of the bill (?small suggesting LESC) and like the very white flanks and fine vermiculation of the back.