As mentioned in my previous post I went birding with other Audubon Society members on Saturday (Jan 12). We went to an area I have never been to before. The geographical layout is one of rolling hills of oak woodland and open grassland. I was impressed with the list of possible species we could see in the Panoche Valley area, some that are unique to California (only to be seen in this area). Of those listed for the trip only six of them we did not see. Many of the species I did see were lifers for me. I'll list them at the end of this post.
Below is a photo of one of the Savannah Sparrows we saw. Another cute, cooperative and curious bird.
This photo is to show the difference between a Savannah Sparrow and a House Finch. Savannah Sparrow is on the left.
One of the "treats" for the day was to visit a place called Mercey Hot Springs, a camping facility located about 10 miles west of I-5 on the western edge of Fresno County, next to San Benito County. This facility has been "hosting" a family of long-eared owls. Entrance into the facility was $5, and well worth it to see these beautiful birds. Here are two of my best shots.
Another bird we had expected to see was a Lewis' Woodpecker. The group stopped early in the day where the bird has been sighted before, but we didn't see it at that time. On our way back to San Jose, my birding buddy and I went back to the location to see if we could spot the woodpecker. There were a couple of other birders stopped on the side of the road, so we thought that was a good sign. When we inquired, we were told that the bird had been there but then flew off. We decided to hang around for about 5 minutes to see if the woodpecker would return. And he did. Since the bird was quite a distance away, this was the best shot I could get.
Here is a list of birds I saw for the day. Those with an asterisk are my lifers.Yellow-billed magpie*
Another bird we had expected to see was a Lewis' Woodpecker. The group stopped early in the day where the bird has been sighted before, but we didn't see it at that time. On our way back to San Jose, my birding buddy and I went back to the location to see if we could spot the woodpecker. There were a couple of other birders stopped on the side of the road, so we thought that was a good sign. When we inquired, we were told that the bird had been there but then flew off. We decided to hang around for about 5 minutes to see if the woodpecker would return. And he did. Since the bird was quite a distance away, this was the best shot I could get. Here is a list of birds I saw for the day. Those with an asterisk are my lifers.White-tailed kite
Lewis' Woodpecker*
Long-eared owl*
American Robin
Oak Titmouse
Western Scrub Jay
Western Grebe
Mallard
Say's Phoebe
Rufous-crowned Sparrow*
Phainopepla*
White-throated Sparrow*
Raven (and a raven's nest)
Great Egret
Western Bluebird
Greater Roadrunner
Mourning Dove
Rock Pigeons
House Finch
White Pelican
Bald Eagle
Brewer's Blackbird
Red-wing Blackbird
Red-tailed Hawk
Kestrel
Merlin*
White-crowned Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow*
Horned Lark*
Ferruginous Hawk*
