BMB05/24 Big Bear 25th July 2005

After a slow start, collecting MrsM from Yucca and Margaret from Landers – and touring the spread – we arrived at the Discovery Centre to find Sig and Rick waiting patiently.

Thirty species of birds and a wonderful variety of flowers - and in some abundance. We found a good spot alongside the lake for watching shore birds and saw striking White-faced Ibis in breeding plumage.

We had a fine day, covering much of Big Bear and saw

We found a pair of Grey Squirrels desperate to ensure a growing population and judging by their tenacity they should have no problem.

A wonderful day with temperatures in the low 70s and a great performance by our all round team. Margaret led and listened, Sig did the stand-up comic, MrsM did a strip of sorts, and your scribe drove over a road that Margaret described as ‘easy’ – to Bluff Lake!.

All in all a fine day and some want to repeat in August.

Don’t forget Oak Glen Monday 1st August. Meet at Denny’s I10/Indian at 7.30am for car-pooling; bring water and a snack.

If you let me know you plan to join us, it would help me………….bb

BMB05/23 Covington Park 6th July 2005

Eleven Big Morongo Birders had a fine morning starting, for the first time, in the park and working towards the barn – or what was the barn – then North West along the foot of the slope where the houses are to the ballpark. We saw 41 species including two, maybe three Barn Owls and good views of a pair of Blue Grosbeaks. Two Virginia Rails were clearly heard but, sadly, not seen

We have plans for more outings;

Monday 25th July Big Bear Lake.
Car pooling at Yucca Valley Park’n Ride 7am, or meet at the Discovery Centre in Fawnskin at 8.30am. Bring picnic lunch and water.

Monday 1st August Oak Glen.
Car-pooling at Denny’s Indian and I10 at 7.30am. Bring a picnic and water. We will not cover the complete trail and the walk will not be too challenging; there will also hopefully be diversions for blackberries and perhaps raspberries.

It would be useful if you let me know if you plan to join, and may help ensure you don’t get left behind.

There is an impressive team of experts gathered from far and wide by BLM, making a detailed assessment of the damage to the Preserve in order to more clearly determine what needs to be done. Much of it appears to relate to stabilisation and related necessary seeding.

Good Birding…………bb