For fun I’ve compiled a series of tables comparing the species of birds seen in various Washington counties sorted by various criteria. Abundance codes are assigned to species of birds based on likelihood of being seen, code 1 birds common, code 2 uncommon, code 3 usually seen every year, code 4 seen several times over the Read More…
Author: Ed
Black Rail at Benicio SRA
Kay and I are on our way back to WA from Orange County. We left midday yesterday and visited Mic, our nephew at U.C. Santa Barbara for dinner. Today we went north to see Chris, another nephew at Cal Polytech at St. Luis Obispo. Had a nice brunch with him and had another great visit. Read More…
Bolsa Chica and Harriet M. Weider Regional Park
This morning I got up early enough to be at Bolsa Chica while it was still easy to get Ridgeway’s Rail, arriving abut 7:10 gate open at 7 AM). The rails did not disappoint, I saw at least 5 individuals. Surprising was a large flock of Red Knots in various stages of PA molt. Some Read More…
A Two Oystercatcher Day
Today I headed for Long Beach after morning traffic, getting to the Orange County side of the San Gabriel River at about 9:50. Targets for the day were three FOY birds and one was apparent immediately. There were an estimated 300 Elegant Terns calling and flying everywhere as soon as I got out of the Read More…
Big Morongo and Black Rock Canyon Campground
Today Kay and I headed east for what we planned to be an overnight 2-day trip to the Joshua Tree area and other places nearby. Turned out that it’s a very popular weekend everywhere near Palm Springs, rooms were hard to come by and high priced, and we decided to just drive home tonight. We Read More…
Figured Out Call Note: Hooded Oriole Chatter
Kay and I have been hearing a call note repeatedly in several different areas, but have been unable to get a visual to confirm here in SoCal. Kay has insisted it was the “Pid-er-ik” of Western tanager, but I’ve argued it is just not right. Today again I heard right from the front driveway as Read More…
Oak Glen Preserve and UC Riverside Botanial Gardens
Today I headed east to explore a new area Oak Glen Preserve in the San Bernadino Mountains foothills. Got there just as it opened at 8 AM, about 1 hour 25 minutes from Fullerton following google maps directions from eBird hotspot map. It was very birdy early, taperd off about 9 AM but still a Read More…
Carbon Canyon Regional Park
I got out for a mid-morning walk and birding at a real gem of a park, right nearby in Brea. Pretty birdy, diverse habitat, and I’ll likely go back with Kay. Surprises of the day were 11 Cackling geese flying low overhead as I parked, and Pacific slope flycatchers calling everywhere. I’ve been out almost Read More…
Anza Borrego and Salton Sea
Kay and I took a two day trip to Anza Borrego State Park and a drive around the Salton Sea. For me the highlights of the trip were not birds, but seeing the Colorado Desert in bloom. A desert in bloom is more subtle than seeing the wildflowers of an alpine meadow, but spectacular in Read More…
Irvine Regional Park Morning
Today I headed for Irvine Regional Park, getting there just at 8 AM when it opened and was amazed at the que at the check in kiosk. Obviously a very popular place on a sunny Saturday morning. I was hoping to find a couple of first for me CA birds here, Lewis Woodpecker and White-breasted Read More…