BMB05/17 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 28th May 2005

This last Saturday walk of the birding year found wonderful weather, with a temperature of 59 at 7am. We were ten, but well supported by Ed and Cindi and Ellen and Wayne, and on a quiet morning found 28 species. We were fortunate to again see the youngest of the three sibling Long-eared Owls which we have seen on the Preserve for some time now. The Summer Tanagers were very much in evidence and we had good sightings of the Yellow-breasted Chat - courtesy of Ed and his scope - and the Blue Grosbeak.

Saturday walks will resume in October and the Wednesday walks will continue throughout the summer at 7am. The early start is well worth it and even in the height of summer the Marsh trail is very pleasant indeed - come and join us!..............bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders.blogspot.com/

BMB05/16 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 30th April 2005

Twelve Big Morongo Birders, including several Beginning Birders, had a fine morning’s walk yesterday in perfect weather. The Preserve was exceedingly busy with half a dozen or so visiting birding groups from around Southern California – including Margaret with her team from the San Fernando Valley. We started on the Desert Willow trail looking for Lucy’s Warbler, which had been seen earlier, but without success. There was a remarkable number of Phainopepla on that trail, and we went only as far as the fast flowing watercourse, showing more water than anyone has seen previously.

We saw 42 species, including good views of the Blue Grosbeak, Summer Tanager, both Kingbirds and of course the young Vermillion Flycatchers. Margaret’s group had a count of 48 including a Plumbeous Vireo.

We have total of 69 species seen over the last week or so – check out our list at http://bigmorongo.org/a3Birds.htm

Good Birding…………bb