AV04/50 Lake Cahuilla 16th December 2004

This visit was arranged, with some unspoken reservations, on a casual mention of interesting birding and the fact that in thirteen years I had never been there. Thirteen Big Morongo Birders (including those from Savannah!) arrived by 8am to sunny skies and 62°, just a regular Coachella Valley day. We had a most enjoyable morning, helped by a rare visit from Sandy, and saw 44 species of a variety we do not see at the Preserve. Thanks to Steph for the specie list.

Eared Grebe
Great Tailed Grackle
White Pelican
Ring-billed Gull
Common Raven
Spotted Sandpiper
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Western Sandpiper
Mockingbird
Cactus Wren
Clarke’s Grebe
Say’s Phoebe
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher
Ladderback Woodpecker
American Coot
Snowy Egret
House Sparrow
Verdin
House Finch
Bufflehead
Mourning Dove
Caspian Tern
Black Phoebe
American Widgeon
Pied-billed Grebe
Common Merganser
Herring Gull
Least Sandpiper
Red-tailed Hawk
Vermillion Flycatcher
Rock Wren
Yellow-rumped Warbler
White-throated Swift
Redhead
Lesser Scaup
Ring-necked Duck
Ruddy Duck
Killdeer
Canvasback
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Anna’s Hummingbird
American Kestrel
Loggerhead Shrike


This was a fine haul and the lake a discovery for a return visit. Good to know that the folks at the campground take care of birders, and Jo asked for a specie list that could be passed out to interested visitors.

The hard core made it's way to Elmers where we had our usual modest brunch - eat your hearts out, MrsM, Dee, Wander Woman.......

See you on Saturday the 18th December at the Big Morongo Christmas Bird Count. Good Birding………….bb


Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net