AV04/16 Pipe's Canyon 26th & Big Morongo 30th June 2004

I felt guilty about Saturday 26th at Pipe's Canyon. Seven of us, including Pipe's Ace Margaret Hoggan, set out hoping to show Phyllis (and family) and Barbara the much heralded Mountain Quail. Four of our party left of necessity to prior engagements and Murphy's Law prevailed; a few minutes after we parted the remaining Margaret, Dorothy and your scribe saw their first MQ, and subsequently more than a hundred. There were no very small chicks, the smallest being about six inches.

This morning at the preserve was most pleasant and not at all hot - less than seventy for openers! Ten Big Morongo Birders covered the Marsh, Barn and Mesquite Trails (no Park) and saw 35 species, including Bell's Vireo, several good sightings of Blue Grosebeak, and a particularly fine, close-up, view of a Chat in song (if song is the right word). Yet another Virginia Rail, this time a young chick with down rather than feathers, seen below the weir on Mesquite. We also saw a Bobcat near the Nature Centre (David), a Shrew (deceased) on the Marsh Trail, and a Raccoon which passed behind the feeders and crossed the driveway. There's no doubt, it's all happening on the Preserve!

We hear that Sharon Mattern has a comparative dearth of birds in Poipu,Kauai, compensated no doubt by the weather she enjoys. Wander Woman was last heard of in Canterbury and enjoyed the Mens Choir, and then the Boys Choir........

We have changed the timing of the Wednesday walks to 7am, with effect from July, and hope we see more and in comfortable weather. No specific planning yet, although we are hoping to visit the Malki Museum (since fixed for July 29th), and have tentatively reserved Monday July 19 and Thursday July 29; more to follow.

Enjoy your holiday and your summer - and Good Birding.....bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/15 Top of the Tram 25th June 2004

A very large apology to David Novick - I must have had one of my, not unusual, Senior Moments.

Nine Summer Birders caught the first tram at 10am in standard Desert Weather. Quite warm down below but around 70 at the top with not a cloud in the sky. We saw nineteen species and argued a little about a few more (we play safe now).

Stellar's Jay, Violet Green Swallow, Pygmy Nuthatch,
Mountain Chickadee, Western Bluebird, House Wren,
Western Wood Peewee, Dusky Flycatcher, Raven,
Clark's Nutcracker, Black Phoebe, Yellow Rump Warbler,
Western Tanager, Dark Eyed Junco, American Robin,
Red Tail Hawk, Hairy Woodpecker, Olive Sided Flycatcher,
and Cassin's Finch.

Ken Wright was on cloud nine when he got the Dusky Flycatcher in his scope and left shortly afterwards - it could not get better, as it were. Beginning Birder Gayle Smithson missed it, as did your scribe, but she did get a really good sighting of a pair of Clark's Nutcracker. All in all a very pleasant outing.

We heard from Mary Norlund, who was very pleased to find 'our' Mountain Quail at Pipe's Canyon.

Wednesday walks continue at Big Morongo at 8am. Nothing else scheduled at present except a check on Pipe's Canyon tomorrow Saturday 26th June, 8am. Our Desert Rose and Dorothy intend to join me; all are welcome.

You might like to have a look at our website
http://bigmorongobirders.blogspot.com/
We still have listing problems to address (hence the change in the specie list above) but any comments are welcome.

Good Birding...............bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

A very large apology to David Novick - I must have had one of my, not unusual, Senior Moments.

Nine Summer Birders caught the first tram at 10am in standard Desert Weather. Quite warm down below but around 70 at the top with not a cloud in the sky. We saw nineteen species and argued a little about a few more (we play safe now).

Stellar's Jay.................Violet Green Swallow.............Pygmy Nuthatch.............Red Tail Hawk
Mountain Chickadee......Western Bluebird...................House Wren..................Hairy Woodpecker
Western Wood Peewee..Dusky Flycatcher....................Raven...........................Olive Sided Flycatcher
Clark's Nutcracker.......Black Phoebe...........................Yellow Rump Warbler...Cassin's Finch
Western Tanager..........Dark Eyed Junco.....................American Robin

Ken Wright was on cloud nine when he got the Dusky Flycatcher in his scope and left shortly afterwards - it could not get better, as it were. Beginning Birder Gayle Smithson missed it, as did your scribe, but she did get a really good sighting of a pair of Clark's Nutcracker. All in all a very pleasant outing.

We heard from Mary Norlund, who was very pleased to find 'our' Mountain Quail at Pipe's Canyon.

Wednesday walks continue at Big Morongo at 8am. Nothing else scheduled at present except a check on Pipe's Canyon tomorrow Saturday 26th June, 8am. Our Desert Rose and Dorothy intend to join me; all are welcome.

You might like to have a look at our website
http://bigmorongobirders.blogspot.com/
We still have listing problems to address (hence the change in the specie list above) but any comments are welcome.

Good Birding...............bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/14 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 23rd June 2004

Summer birding on the Preserve is quite definitely different. We have a very small group of dedicated birders - five this morning, including David Novick back from fishing-induced injuries - and follow different routes than most walks during the 'season'. This morning we took the Marsh, Mesquite, then Canyon to the first Cottonwood copse, back to upper Mesquite and across to the park. Very pleasant indeed, and with much of the walk in the shade, quite comfortable.

We found forty species including a wonderful view of a Yellow Breasted Chat from the Marsh Trail; at the top of a willow, it faced the sun, and us, and posed and sang for ever. The Marsh also showed us a Brown Crested Flycatcher being fed, including what looked like a particularly tasty underwing-moth. We could have charged for this! We also saw a very young Cooper's close to the nest in the canyon - but were not bombed as some have been, found Bell's Vireo and Oak Titmouse on the Mesquite, and a good view of the Blue Grosebeak below the road to the Nature Centre.

Mark sent us pictures of Mountain Quail taken around the trail head at Pipe's Canyon (he hates to be left behind, being local) and Mary Norlund came down from Cheyenne looking for 'our' Mountain Quail as a life bird (stretching it, but it sounds good). I intend to return to Pipe's this coming Saturday to check on the progress of the chicks; 8am at the trail head if anyone would like to join. Big Morongo Birders intelligence is aware that MrsM is back in Yucca but is laying low for the moment; Wander Woman is already missing her!

Wednesday walks continue at 8am. Don't forget Top of the Tram on Friday 25th June. Meet at the tram at 9.45am, bring water and snack/lunch.
Good birding...........bb
Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/13 Big Morongo Walk Wednesday 16th June 2004

We thought the morning might be rather warm, but it was not and we had a very pleasant walk covering the Marsh Trail, barn, meadow and the park. Six Summer Birders found 35 species, including 'our' Vermillion Flycatchers and Blue Grosebeak as life birds for Alexa.
As we followed our usual bucolic Wednesday morning, 6,000 miles away in bustling St Ives, Cornwall, Mrs M and Wander Woman were making mayhem: I know St Ives and it's Art Colony and it may never be the same again!
Wednesday walks will continue at 8am

A number of our birders, taking advantage of our very extensive research, have been to Pipe's Canyon and caught the Mountain Quail; maybe we/they should consider a charge!

Don't forget our Top of the Tram walk on Friday 25th June. Car Pool at Big Morongo at 9am or meet at the tram at 9.45am to catch the first tram at 10am, fee about $20. Bring a picnic lunch and plenty of water, or whatever for what could be some good birding. I was there recently and had a really good sighting of a White-headed Woodpecker.

Queries and comments to me at 760 328 6750 cell 760 333 2366..........bb

AV04/12 Pipe's Canyon 9th June 2004

Well, it took eleven Big Morongo Birders including rookie Paul Anderson (who went home with a heck of an opening Life List) to lay to rest the saga of the Mountain Quail. On an absolutely perfect day, temperature around 60 and sunny, we started at 8am and saw a covey of Mountain Quail between the office and the picnic area, and then went on to see

Black Throated Sparrow, Gambell's Quail, Mountain Quail, California Towhee,
Cactus Wren, Ash Throated Flycatcher, White Throated Swift, Rock Wren,
Mourning Dove House Finch, Scrub Jay, Spotted Towhee,
Lesser Goldfinch, California Thrasher, Bushtit, Black Headed Gorsebeak,
Lawrences Goldfinch, Say's Phoebe, Red Tail Hawk, Mockingbird,
Scott's Oriole, Violet- Green Swallow, Ladderback Woodpecker.

The Mountain Qail were quite remarkable, many more than a hundred and Jeanne thought 'hundreds'. After the trail head we found them from about 1.3 miles out and mostly flushed from lush green areas with water. We saw chicks of all sizes, some as close as ten feet, including a group of six learning to fly. Four made it and two chickened out. We saw how distinctive the twin plumes were - much more so than most of the field guides indicate. This will be a hard act to follow!!

Our Birders Travels. Don & Sylvia saw Elegant Trogon and Flame-coloured Tanager in Arizona, before seeing a bunch of Condors in Grand Canyon, including one not banded or numbered. Cam is all birded and wildflowered up after a great time in Sierra Subettica in Spain. Isabel, volunteering at Rocky Mountain National Park, sent a wonderful story of a pride of Mountain Lions, one youngster being caught and released; no one was hurt, except for an Elk.

Next Date Friday 25th June. We plan to go to the Top of the Tram in Palm Springs. Car Pool at Big Morongo at 9am or meet at the tram at 9.45am to catch the first tram at 10am, fee about $20. Bring a picnic lunch and plenty of water, or whatever for what could be some good birding. I was there recently and had a really good sighting of a White-headed Woodpecker.

Wednesday walks continue at Big Morongo, June 16th at 8am.
Queries and comments to me at 760 328 6750 cell 760 333 2366..........bb

AV04/11 Big Morongo and Pipe's Canyon

We summer birders (missing Dorothy who was out of the loop, but is now in it) had an interesting walk on Wednesday, starting with a rare Barn Owl spotted by Midge as it flew by the parking lot.
We have had two separate reports over the last week of Yellow Billed Cuckoos seen on the Marsh Trail, so we started with the Marsh and went on to the Mesquite and Barn Trails. We tried hard but could not find the Cuckoo, but had good sightings of the Yellow Breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, and Ash-Throated Flycatchers - and the shade was much cooler!

Margaret Hoggan has reported seeing zillions of Mountain Quail chicks at Pipe's Canyon so next Wednesday 9th June we intend to bird there rather than at Big Morongo. Leave Big Morongo at 7.30am or meet at Pipe's Canyon at 8am. There may be some car pooling from Big Morongo. Don't forget water, but expect to be back before lunch.
We expect to resume Big Morongo walks on Wednesdays at 8am on 16th June.

We had a communication from Mrs M. She and Wander Woman, having 'done' London are now in Amsterdam testing the waters, and obviously doing some birding. I was surprised when Mrs M acknowledged that she was having problems IDing the birds - I guess it must be the unfamiliar specie list. All appears to be well.

Our web-site is not complete - we can't get the specie columns right - but the essentials are there. See what you think at http://bigmorongobirders.blogspot.com/
When we have sorted out formatting problems we intend to slim down the APB distribution list to those who commonly join us, and suggest to others that they keep in touch by reference to the web-site.

As always, comments and suggestions are welcome at 760 328 6750, cell 333 2366.
Good Birding...............bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com