Spent most of my day scouting my CBC area.
Mae Simmons was pretty dead. Shortage of songbirds might have been related to
the Sharpie. 17 Mallards were in the central pond. Finally found two Lincoln’s
Sparrows and a Song Sparrow. A Ruby-Crowned Kinglet joined a flock of about 15
Juncos that made an appearance as I was leaving.
The wind power center section of the Canyon Lakes was the most productive area
I scouted today. Highlights there were a female American Redstart that made a
brief appearance in the company of an Orange-crowned Warbler. 4 wren species
were spread around —Carolina, Marsh, Bewick’s, and Winter. The Winter Wren was
quiet, but didn’t appear dark enough to be a Pacific. It responded to Pacific
recording, but more so to Winter Wren. A Hermit Thrush was in the same bush. A
mixed flock contained the following: 1-2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 3-6
Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 4-6 Yellow-rumps, 1-2 Brown Creepers, and an
Orange-crowned Warbler. A Lincoln’s Sparrow and 4 Song Sparrows were the only
sparrows. One Redtail and a Cooper’s Hawk were the diurnal raptors while a
Great Horned Owl represented the night shift.
After a lunch break and some drive-by birding I hit the Purina Mountain Bike
trail. One Ruby-crowned Kinglet was the only bird in the wooded area. Along the
flats was a flock of Juncos, a few White-Crowneds, a few Song Sparrows and a
Bewick’s Wren. Three Field Sparrows were the highlight of a long hike. Two
Redtails and a Kestrel were flying from perch to perch. 10 Flickers were
perched high in the trees. 13 Turkeys rounded out the birds. A Coyote was the
only noteworthy mammal.
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