BMB07/09 Bear Paw Ranch Monday 20th August 2007

When eight Big Morongo Birders went to Bear Paw it was not through downtown Yucaipa; Marguerite led us through Cherry Valley, Los Rios (Oak Glen) and Apple Valley via the ranger station on HWY38 on the most scenic route. Many thanks!

We had a fine morning, perhaps not as cool as we hoped but very pleasant. We quickly discovered that the best birding was around the feeders adjacent to the Ranger’s House and after covering the rest of the Preserve; that is where we had lunch and birded from a seat in the shade! We saw very many Acorn Woodpeckers and Mountain Chickadees.

W Scrub Jay	Band Tailed Pigeon	Dark Eyed Junco
Acorn Woodpecker	American Robin	Mountain Chickadee
White Breasted Nuthatch	Anna’s Hummingbird	Stellar’s Jay
Oak Titmouse	Rufous Hummingbird	California Quail
Black-headed Grosbeak	Western Bluebird	Lesser Goldfinch
Red-shafted Flicker	Western Tanager	California Towhee
Red-tailed Hawk	Wrentit

Barbara Lyons told us she has four Bald Eagles roosting in one of her Douglas Firs and ‘the Kingfisher’s babies have fledged so the parents are giving their kids flying lessons by racing around the front yard’.

Upcoming Events

Sunday 26th August - Salton Sea. Not for the faint hearted, we meet at Wister at 5.30am for a day with SBV Audubon. We already have seven takers from Big Morongo including Dee & Betty and your scribe; it’s not too late to join!

Friday 31st August - Big Bear. Meet at BMCP at 7am, Big Bear Discovery Centre about 8.30am. Bring picnic and water.

If you intend meeting at the trail head, as it were, please let your scribe know beforehand, otherwise you could be alone..............bb

BMB07/08 Oak Glen 10AUG07

We had quite a day at Oak Glen; glorious weather, temperature 68º, ripe blackberries (we left a few) and 27 species. A pretty hard act to follow.

Mallard	California Quail	American Coot
Band-tailed Pigeon	Mourning Dove	Acorn Woodpecker
Downey Woodpecker	Nuttall’s Woodpecker	Olive-sided Flycatcher
Red-tailed Hawk	Black Phoebe	Ash-throated Flycatcher
Stellar’s Jay	Scrub Jay	Common Raven
Bewick’s Wren	Western Bluebird	Phainopepla
Western Tanager	Black-headed Grosbeak	Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow	Red-winged Blackbird	Purple Finch
House Finch	Lesser Goldfinch	Western Wood – pewee

Stand by for more interesting outings – let me know if you plan to be there.....................bb

Monday 20th August - Bear Paw Ranch. Meet 7.30am at Denny's. Bring picnic and water.

Sunday 26th August - Salton Sea. Not for the faint hearted, we meet at Wister at 5.30am for a day with SBV Audubon. We already have takers including Dee & Betty and your scribe - call bb if you are interested.

Friday 31st August - Big Bear. Meet BMCP at 7am, Big Bear Discovery Centre about 8.30am. Bring picnic and water.

If you intend meeting at the trail head, as it were, please let your scribe know beforehand, otherwise you could be alone..............bb

BMB07/07 Big Morongo Update 01AUG07

Margaret completed her July statistical review, and we saw 57 species, the most for four years. Nothing remarkable, but we are seeing returning migrants and in the last few days a pair of Lazuli Buntings has been seen. We really did not need the Brown-crested which came to the feeders for breakfast, the first time for two or three years. For the last ten days or so we have been seeing Mom raccoon and eight offspring - believe me!! Donna provided the pictures which I hope will be attached.

Attendance at our walks is quite low, with a preponderance of docents and very few visitors, but for a couple of hours from 7am the Preserve is really very pleasant - particularly so when we start with the Marsh trail; sorry so many of you are missing this!

The fence along Indian at the bottom of the Canyon trail is being resurrected and Posted notices threaten dire consequences for any kind of trespassing - you have been warned!

Activity Schedule Update

Friday 10th August -Oak Glen. Meet 7.30am at Denny's I10 and Indian,Palm Springs. Oak Glen a little after 8am, and we have clearance. Back by lunch time, bring water and a snack.

Monday 20th August - Bear Paw Ranch. Meet 7.30am at Denny's. Bring picnic and water.

Sunday 26th August - Salton Sea. Not for the faint hearted, we meet at Wister at 5.30am for a day with SBV Audubon. We already have takers including Dee & Betty and your scribe - call bb if you are interested.

Friday 31st August - Big Bear. Meet BMCP at 7am, Big Bear Discovery Centre about 8.30am. Bring picnic and water.

All queries and complaints to email or 760 333 2366, but we do hope you are all enjoying your summer...............bb

Barry Parkes

Rancho Mirage CA