AV04/27 Top of the Tram 16th August 2004

It was a terribly select group which took the 10am tram in weather which was fine but almost chilly - at noon the temperature was 62 degrees!

We were not deterred by Ken Church's warnings of recent Diamondback findings, or the monumental excavations in Long Valley - a new pipe line appears to be in progress with backhoes, Bobcats and lots of noise. The specie list was pretty thin but we did have all three Nuthatches, Mountain Chickadees and a Wrentit. Woodpeckers were remarkable by their absence and for some reason we saw no Juncos. There was virtually no water to be seen (I was at Hidden Lake yesterday and that is quite dry) and the 'water hole' opposite the picnic site is quite dry. Nevertheless, all agreed that it was a very pleasant way to spend the morning, and cool at that!

As you know an outing to Big Bear is planned for Monday August 30th, leaving Big Morongo at 7.30am. If I am made aware of sufficient interest I will confirm the arrangements later.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com