Thursday, June 30, 2005

BMB05/22 Oak Glen 30th June 2005

After car-pooling from Denny’s, it was a pleasant 68° at Oak Glen and we had a most enjoyable walk covering the whole trail for the first time. Nothing unusual, but we did see both Scrub and Stellar’s Jays with very many of the former. Nineteen species in all .


There were flowers in abundance, young apples on the trees, and very young blackberries and flowers all along the canyon trail. It was a great day for butterflies and we were fortunate to have a butterfly whiz with us, who identified nine species including a very striking Zebra Swallowtail which was a life butterfly for your scribe.

All in all a fine morning ending with a gourmet picnic lunch, and a call on Annette with thanks for her help. Oak Glen is a wonderful spot; what a pity some missed it.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Paradise Fire

Greg Hill of BLM gave docents and volunteers an update yesterday and escorted us to parts of the Preserve most of us had not previously seen since the fire. The devastation on the Mesquite Trail is quite remarkable and yet the stairs, which the Eagle Scouts, built last year, are untouched. There are already signs of recovery with fresh green shoots on the bulrushes.

Wednesday Bird Walks

The Preserve remains closed and is likely to remain so for months rather than weeks. With immediate effect the Wednesday Walks will start from Covington Park, meeting in the Park parking lot at 7am, and will cover the park and adjacent areas.

Good Birding………………bb

Monday, June 27, 2005

BMB05/21 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Paradise Fire

The fire is out and the fire fighters have all left the Preserve, which remains closed until further notice.

Dee and BLM personnel have been reviewing the affected parts of the Preserve and BLM will shortly produce a damage assessment report, together with a determination as to how best to repair the damage.

Dee Mike and I toured the preserve, or rather those parts not damaged by fire, this morning and my reading of how it went follows

The fire swept down between the barn, destroying it, and the hillside; how the few houses there escaped is quite amazing. The fire swept down to about 27 on the Marsh Trail (just as the marsh itself commences) and devastated the Mesquite Trail, leaving the steps from Marsh Trail to the Barn. Dee described Mesquite as ‘Scorched Earth’ and that is what it looks like. The fire swept down to the Canyon Trail and appeared to go East and West taking out some of the Canyon Trail and doing a lot of damage to Yucca Ridge. The west Fork was burned and the Ridge fire extended well to the east. Fire reached to within 50 yards of the Nature Centre – and less to Dave’s trailer and the tractor parked there.

But we have much to be thankful for. There is one complete trail untouched, Desert Willow/Marsh. The Marsh Trail is good from one thru twenty-six; we heard a Rail, Chats and a Bells Vireo this morning and saw Summer Tanagers and a Ladderback. The Marsh Trail is also good from the Kiosk to below the Nature Centre and the Park and meadow are untouched; Yerba Mansa is in bloom down by the Morongo Fault.
For all this we are thankful.

Midge Hood and Gil McDonald are both out of circulation fighting cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and we wish them a speedy recovery and a return to birding.
Oak Glen 30th June 2005. We plan to meet at Denny's, Indian and I10 at 730am. Bring Water and a picnic. Should be an early finish and if apple followers wish to continue, we can do that

I will keep you advised…………..bb

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

BMB05/20 Top of the Tram 20th June 2005

Perhaps a first tram at 10.15am kept our specie count down but we had a fine morning, quite warm and comparatively clear. There were many Rock Wrens in Long Valley, which appeared to be nesting. We picnicked at our usual spot but although there was a lot of water, there were
few birds, save for a very curious American Robin.

We saw 15 Species, including many Rock Wrens, Clark's Nutcracker, Townsends Solitaire, and the Robin which we have not seen on the Preserve this season.

Some of us continued to Hidden Valley, which, as expected, was a sight to behold and a first time for Margaret. Afterwards we repaired to ToT for well earned Beer and Coke.

Thursday, 30th June Oak Glen

I fear that I left Mission Creek too late in the season – it may be rather warm by now. We have clearance to visit Oak Glen on June 30th; if you would like to join me please let me know, preferably by email, and I will let you have details.

Good Birding……..bb

Saturday, June 11, 2005

BMB05/19 Pipe's Canyon 10th June 2005

Six Big Morongo Birders met at 8am for our first walk following extensive wet weather and damage to trails at the Preserve. The weather was fine and rather warmer than we expected, but the water levels comparatively low. We were surprised to see about a dozen varieties of wild flowers including Canterbury Bells, White Sage (5’ tall!), Indigo Bush and Eaton’s Firecracker. Many lizards were in evidence and we found a 2-3’ Rosy Boa. Following advice from Ranger Frazier Haney we found about eighteen Mountain Quail; two adults, two small chicks and the remainder ‘teenagers’. This enabled MrsM to tidy-up a life list, which was sadly lacking. In all twenty birds, including a Loggerhead Shrike and a number of Ash-throated Flycatchers, but the stars had to be the Mountain Quail, which were not easy to find and would be exceedingly difficult to photograph.

Don’t forget our visit to the Top of the Tram on Monday 20th June. Catch the 10am tram, bring water and a picnic.

More to come, but in the meantime Good Birding...........bb

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

BMB05/18 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 1st June 2005

Twenty birders had a very pleasant - and extended - walk in cool weather; 62 at 7am but warming quite quickly. We started from the kiosk and saw so much in the large snag beyond the abandoned water tank that we almost called off the walk. In addition to routine House Finches etc. we had a number of Summer Tanagers, Western Kingbirds, Western Bluebirds and Vermillion Flycatchers. A Blue Grosbeak sat on the fence by the gate to the meadow for some time and our beginning birders had a fine view through the scope. We failed to find the Long Eared Owl and checked the Marsh Trail to 26 but after hearing several Chats failed to see any. Lots and lots of Flycatcher activity. We took the Mesquite trail and the loop to the top of the meadow and the park, and in all saw 40 species before repairing to the Cafe for a small intimate breakfast for 18.

Friday 10th June: Pipe's Canyon

Car Pool from Big Morongo at 7.30am, at the trail head for 8am. Margaret reports that the water levels are now manageable and also that she saw Mountain Quail (which ties in with what we saw last year). Bring water and a snack but we expect to finish in time for lunch on the way back to Yucca and Morongo.

Monday 20th June: Top of the Tram

Meet at the lower tram station in time for the 10am tram. We plan to take the mile and a half loop and have a picnic en route. Bring water and something for your picnic.
I am told that for all practical purposes the snow is gone, but I shall be up there Sunday and if there is any change I will let you know.

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

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