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