Wednesday 26 April 2017

Southern California Birding continues....




Today we left our hotel in Pasadena early in the morning to get up into the hills behind LA for some birding. The main area that we went to was around the Chilao Visitor Centre [see map above for location].
White headed Woodpecker - BOD

White headed Woodpeckers - Lovin' it!


Merriam's Chipmunk - Mammal Lifer!

Merriam's Chipmunk - Mammal Lifer!

Cassin's Finch

Cassin's Finch

The centre was supposed to have feeders to attract birds down however we found out upon arrival it is only open on weekends. Still birding around there was good although a little quiet. I got two lifers; White headed Woodpecker and Hermit Warbler. In addition we saw Dark eyed Juncos, Acorn Woodpeckers, Californian Scrubjays and Steller's Jays plus Olive sided Flycatcher, Mountain Chickadee, Oak Titmouse and Western Bluebirds.

Band tailed Pigeon


We drove up to near Buckhorn Flats Campground however it was still closed for the season. WE did walk a little around that area and heard Fox Sparrow, but saw Cassin's Finches, Pygmy Nuthatches, Black throated Warbler to name a few.

Returning to Chilao we went for a stroll around the campground area and got White breasted Nuthatch, Hairy Woodpecker, in addition to much of the species listed above.

Leaving the mountains we headed east and north before doing some birding at Apollo Park near Lancaster. Here there were some migrants coming through; Yellow-rumped, Wilsons, Townsends amd a Black throated Grey in addition to Pacific Slope Flycatcher, Western Wood Pewee and Ash throated Flycatcher. Waterbirds here included Black necked and Western Grebes plus Ruddy Duck, Cinnamon Teal and Mallard. Californian and Ring billed Gulls were present with Spotted Sandpiper plus Least Sandpiper. We also found a Barn Owl roosting thanks to some local information.
Yellow rumped Warbler

Western Wood Pewee



Eared Grebe [Black necked]
Black throated Grey Warbler
Another migrant - Western Kingbird
Californian Ground Squirrel


One more stop, a little far afield, gave us tremendous views of some 500 Tricoloured Blackbirds. This is basically a Californian Endemic, closely related to the abundant Red-winged Blackbird. Also on this marsh were Great Egrets and at least 5 Sora. Coot, Ruddy Duck and Cinnamon Teal were present also. A Western Tanager was also a nice find here.
Tricolored Blackbird
Tricolored Blackbird - female
Tricolored Blackbird
Californian Quail

Finally stopped at Mojave after a good day and getting ready for some desert birding tomorrow!!

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