Big Morongo Birders

Origins

2010-05-20T17:14:00.000-07:00

In the summer of 2003 Jane Mootz and Barry Parkes began arranging outings directed towards fellow birders from Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, in Southern California. Since then our circulation list has expanded somewhat but it remains very small and largely restricted to true Big Morongo Birders. A considerable number are part-time seasonal residents from the Pacific North-West, Midwest, and Canada.
Our interests are diverse - many are docents at Big Morongo - and Spring 2004 saw a number of wild-flower oriented walks which were well received. In addition, through the assistance of Dee Zeller, the Host of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, and others, we have been able to arrange access to areas which are normally closed to the public. We expect to continue to develop this programme and include plants and flowers, in addition to birds; we have an interest in Indian history and culture and this may well feature in future excursions.

Very many thanks to Patrick Casey for his help - and patience - in making this site more presentable than it otherwise would be.
Comments and suggestions are welcome, and in particular suggestions for future outings............bb

BMB 03/08 Salton Sea 14th January 2008

2008-01-17T19:32:00.000-08:00

Wednesday was rather unfriendly birding weather at the preserve – too much for your scribe – but the hard core, and you know who they are, found 31 species by virtue of not inconsiderable effort. Cold with wind surely can’t last for ever!

Monday at the Salton sea was a very different affair; fine weather, a group of 19 BMBs and not too many cars. All in all I am told, a fine birding day, and here is Margaret’s count:

Salton Sea
January 14, 2008

Turkey Vulture	Raven	White-tailed Kite
White Pelicans	Eurasian Collared Dove	Northern Harrier
Red-winged Blackbird	Brown-headed Cowbird	Snow Geese
Great-tailed Grackle	Verdin	American Coot
White-faced Ibis	American Kestrel	Yellow-rumped Warbler
Mallard	Double-crested Cormorant	Red-tailed Hawk
Northern Shoveler	Marsh Wren	Black Phoebe
Dark-eyed Junco	Vermilion Flycatcher	American Avocet
Dowitcher	Say's Phoebe	Great Egret
Snowy Egret	Loggerhead Shrike	Peregrine Falcon
Black-necked Stilt	Killdeer	Least Sandpiper
Marbled Godwit	Savannah Sparrow	Western Meadowlark
Green-winged Teal	Ring-billed Gull	Greater Yellowlegs
Eared Grebe	Great Blue Heron	Ruddy Duck
House Sparrow	Abert's Towhee	Gambel's Quail
Long-billed Curlew	Horned Lark	American Pipit
Willett	Burrowing Owl	Belted Kingfisher
Brewer's Blackbird	Cattle Egret

Total number species = 53.

Diary Update
Monday January 28th San Jacinto Wildlife Area. Meet for car pooling at 7am BMCP, 730am Palm Springs Denny's at Indian and I10.
Monday February 25^th Joshua Tree. Meet for car pooling at 7am Denny’s Palm Springs, Indian &I10 – 7.30 at Yucca Park & Ride, Kickapoo and 62 – 8am at Blackrock Visitor Centre, five miles south of HWY62/247 Junction. Time at Kickapoo and Blackrock approximate. The plan is to bird at Blackrock, Oasis of Mara, Luckie Park (home of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, but don’t hold your breath) and perhaps more. We will conclude our walk with lunch at 29 Palms Inn where, as many of you know, Bear is Executive Chef. Given the lunch arrangements will you please email me if you plan to attend?
Saturday March 1st Oak Glen. Meet for car pooling at 7am BMCP, 730am Palm Springs Denny's at Indian and I10

As always any queries call Dee at 363 7190 or your scribe at 328 6750................bb

BMB08/02 Schedule Update

2008-01-05T10:09:00.000-08:00

In the midst of several storms and generally inclement weather in the Coachella and Morongo Valleys, similar and deteriorating weather in San Jacinto, and following consultation with Dee, we have concluded that the San Jacinto Wildlife Area is already a quagmire. In consequence the walk at San Jacinto scheduled for Monday January 7th will not now take place and has been re-scheduled.

Diary Update
Monday January 14th Salton Sea. Meet for car pooling at 7am BMCP, 730am Costco Palm Desert at Monterey.
Monday January 28th San Jacinto Wildlife Area. Meet for car pooling at 7am BMCP, 730am Palm Springs Denny's at Indian and I10.
Saturday March 1st Oak Glen. Meet for car pooling at 7am BMCP, 730am Palm Springs Denny's at Indian and I10

As always any queries call Dee at 363 7190 or your scribe at 328 6750.

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

BMB 08/01 2007 CBC and Update.

2008-01-02T19:32:00.000-08:00

We had a fine Christmas Bird Count last month in very pleasant if cool weather. We had a small increase in the specie count but a drop of around 25% in the bird count. Thanks to Margaret, David and Betty for a job well done; all we need now is a solution to the time consuming confusion over the sign in routine.

This morning was very pleasant - sunny and cold (46) but fine with no wind. We had 41 species which is a substantial improvement on recent walks.

Diary Update

Monday January 7th San Jacinto Wildlife Area. Meet for car pooling at 7am BMCP, 730am Palm Springs Denny's at Indian and I10.
Monday January 14th Salton Sea. Meet for car pooling at 7am BMCP, 730am Costco Palm Desert at Monterey.
Saturday February 2nd Oak Glen. Meet for car pooling at 7am BMCP, 730am Palm Springs Denny's at Indian and I10

Please bring water, a snack or picnic and warm clothing; call Dee/Betty at 363 7190 for information. All will be full day outings except Oak Glen which should bring you back to Denny's by late lunch time.

Very best wishes to you all and good birding for 2008!............bb

Barry Parkes

bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

ranchobb@yahoo.com

BMB07/11 Big Morongo Update 27th November 2007

2007-11-27T19:59:00.000-08:00

Birding on the Preserve has been thin at best over the last few weeks, with specie counts no more than the low thirties, but our bracing winter weather is now bringing pink cheeks to many of our birders. Walks every Wednesday, and every Saturday save the first in the month, all start at 8am and of course all are welcome.

Our Web Master Patrick Casey recently introduced enhancements to the Web site - www.bigmorongo.org - and the section on birds is a major improvement. Go to 'Birds' on the menu: a click on a 'Blue' specie (seen recently) brings up the Cornell Institute profile complete with picture - a perfect feature for a beginning birder, and others.

Diary Update

Friday December 7th East Valley Hawk Watch. 730am. Meet behind the Beer Hunter La Quinta at Washington and HWY 111
Saturday December 15th Morongo Valley Christmas Bird Count. 7am BMCP Parking Lot. Volunteers needed to help cover our eight sectors within a 15 mile radius of the Preserve, beginners to experts. Pizza and sodas to those who stay the course. $5 fee to help cover processing costs of National Audubon Society. It will be cold at 7am, guaranteed!!
Monday January 7th San Jacinto Wildlife Area. Meet for car pooling at 7am BMCP, 730am Palm Springs Denny's at Indian and I10.
Monday January 14th Salton Sea. Meet for car pooling at 7am BMCP, 730am Costco Palm Desert at Monterey.
Saturday February 2nd Oak Glen. Meet for car pooling at 7am BMCP, 730am Palm Springs Denny's at Indian and I10

Please bring water, a snack or picnic and warm clothing; call Dee/Betty at 363 7190 for information. All will be full day outings except Oak Glen which should bring you back to Denny's by late lunch time.

Join and enjoy and, as always, pass on ideas for more field trips to Dee, Betty or your scribe.

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

Barry Parkes

bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

ranchobb@yahoo.com

BMB07/10 Big Bear Friday 30th August 2007

2007-09-01T16:09:00.000-07:00

We were a fortunate six Big Morongo Birders, who found Big Bear a cool 80 or thereabouts, and very much enjoyed the Discovery centre and Woodland Trail - OK, part of it! We checked out Discovery Road and the Lake - lucky we had scopes to see the distant water, and found Pelicans, Coots and Cormorants. Carried on to Mill Creek for lunch, dodging raindrops, following which we called at Moonridge to see Wild Wings. On our return we saw thunderstorms, lots of lightning, and almost saw the Pileated Woodpecker that Wild Wings reported, so don't bother to call the Rare Bird Alert. Margaret prepared this list of what we really saw, for which our thanks. Discovery Center, Woodland Trail, Division Road, Aspen Glen

Scrub Jay	Pygmy Nuthatch	Mountain Chickadee
Northern Flicker	Dark-eyed Junco	Band-tailed Pigeon
Purple Finch	Cassin's Finch	Steller's Jay
Western Bluebird	Wilson's Warbler	Townsend's Warbler
Mourning Dove	House Sparrow	Rufous Hummingbird
American Robin	House Finch	Acorn Woodpecker
Northern Shoveler	American Coot	Caspian Tern
White Pelican	Double-crested Cormorant	Pied-billed Grebe
Brewer's Blackbird	Red-shouldered Hawk	Lesser Goldfinch

Total species seen = 32.

Salton Sea 26th August. We joined SBVA for their Summer Salton Sea excursion and had a most enjoyable day. 19 birders (seven from Big Morongo) started at Wister at 5.30am: just think about that! After a very full morning - and a late lunch - we missed the Wood Stork, which had clearly fled from the day before, but we did see several Ruffs and had a wonderfull view of a Ruddy Egret. We all appreciated the support and help that John Green provided.

Early Warning!!

Friday 12th October 2007 Bear Paw Ranch in cooler weather. Meet at Denny's, Palm Springs, Indian and I10 for car pooling at 7.30am, bring picnic and water.

Good Birding......bb

Barry Parkes

bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

ranchobb@yahoo.com

BMB07/09 Bear Paw Ranch Monday 20th August 2007

2007-08-23T13:49:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-10T20:28:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-08T17:04:00.000-07:00

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.

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

BMB 07/06 Big Morongo Update

2007-06-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

Since the warmer weather arrived and we changed to a 7am start for the bird walks, Big Morongo has been pretty quiet. Of course it was not helped by the departure of the snowbirds, folks moving back to Portland, Seattle or Newport, or simply going to Italy or wherever on extended vacations. The hard core, numbering up to about ten birders, are seeing thirty to forty species in really quite pleasant weather. Today, we had a rare visit from Kurt, who had a hand in finding a similarly rare Ladder-back. We watched a Bell's Vireo bring up her young only to fear that a snake or another interfered before fledging. The Barn Owl we saw for so long, first in the Palm, then latterly in the Pine at the top of the park, alas is no more; once again nature takes it's course! The Cassin's Kingbird is here but the Western appears to be long gone.

The two-mile fence along Indian Avenue, which sealed the bottom of the Canyon Trail, has been removed and there is no obvious signage, but no further information has been forthcoming with regard to the Palmdale development. SB County has approved the installation of 45 X 330 foot high windmills between Miles Avenue on Indian Avenue and SH62.

Several of our stalwarts plan to join San Bernardino Valley Audubon in their 'Insane Jaunt to the Salton Sea' on Sunday August 26, led by John Green and hoping for several exotics, including a Burrowing Owl - really!! They plan to meet at Wister at 5.30am; some plan to drive, some to take advantage of Calipatria hostelries. If you are interested or would like a ride, contact your scribe.

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

BMB07/05 Top of the Tram 5th May 2007

2007-05-05T18:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday found a remarkably successful Top of the Tram visit, the first this year and rather earlier than is usual – no doubt accounting for the cold (46º) but sunny weather. It was an introduction to TotT for visitors from Toronto and Phoenix and we managed to keep them well occupied. Our specie count was a modest seventeen but, as Ian pointed out, it’s the quality that counts! All the visitors found Life Birds!

Band-tailed Pigeon	Acorn Woodpecker	White-headed Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker	Stellar’s Jay	Red-breasted Sapsucker
Clark’s Nutcracker	American Crow	Common Raven
Mountain Chickadee	Pygmy Nuthatch	Western Bluebird
Yellow-rumped Warbler	Townsend’s Warbler	Hermit Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler	Dark-eyed Junco

We saw many Bluebirds, Woodpeckers, and Nuthatches, but missed our ‘regulars’; Long Valley is bone dry and we did not find the swallows and swifts we have seen there in the past.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

The Preserve is having a great migration season and we are afraid you snowbirds got the timing wrong yet again. A disappointing showing of Vermilion Flycatchers this year, but many Orioles and Black-headed Grosbeaks are here. The very severe weather earlier in the year killed most of the palm fronds and the fresh ones remaining are close to vertical, seemingly unsuitable for Hooded Oriole nests, although one has been found. There is a Cooper’s nest in the copse in the Park which discourages others from nesting there.

Good Birding……………bb

BMB07/04 Oak Glen 3rd March 2007

2007-03-03T19:36:00.000-08:00

Reports of ten or twelve Big Morongo Birders, depending on who is believed, by all accounts had a very fine morning at Oak Glen. Very cold to start, with snow on the ground, but it soon warmed up!

Ring-necked Duck	Wood Duck	Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk	American Kestrel	California Quail
American Coot	Rock Dove	Band-tailed Pigeon
Acorn Woodpecker	Downey Woodpecker	Nuttall’s Woodpecker
Northern Flicker	Violet-green Swallow	Stellar’s Jay
American Crow	Mountain Chickadee	Oak Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Western Bluebird
American Robin	Wrentit	European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler	Common Yellowthroat	Spotted Towhee
California Towhee	Fox Sparrow	Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow	Dark-eyed Junco	Red-winged Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle	Cassin’s Finch	House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch	Scrub Jay

This is a most impressive list for Oak Glen, but a pity the Sora was missed. Many thanks to Harlan for leading what was described as a happy and funny morning – did Don have a hand in that – and to Jean for the specie list.

Congratulations to Pat Stoner, her assistants and our Junior Docents. Today’s annual Friends of BMCP garage sale raised $992 and was once again a great success.

We are advised that the Northern Saw-whet Owl recently seen at the Living Desert was found dead on Friday morning, near the front gate. One of it's wings was bloody but the cause was not obvious.

Good Birding……………bb

BMB07/03 Dos Palmas Friday 16th February 2007

2007-02-19T11:21:00.000-08:00

We did not know what to expect, but 24 Big Morongo Birders made our first visit to Dos Palmas and were blessed with fine weather, no wind and a preserve which was new to many of us. We were pleased to see Kurt on a rare visit, Martha on a first time with BMB, and Doris & Becky, both bird glancers.

American Widgeon	American Coot	Redhead
American Kestrel	Bufflehead	Cinnamon Teal
Ruby Crowned Kinglet	Ruddy Duck	Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup	Red Tailed Hawk	Mallard
Phainopepla	N Mockingbird	Verdin
Yellow-rumped Warbler	House Finch	White-throated Swift
Green Heron	Red-shafted Flicker	Abert’s Towhee
Common Raven	Song Sparrow	Black Phoebe
Eared Grebe	White Pelican*	Scrub Jay
Ring-billed Gull	Cedar Waxwing	Say’s Phoebe
European Starling	Brown Pelican*

* In dispute - brown and white are difficult to separate!!

All in all an excellent morning, if rather more walking than either Doris or you scribe cared for, but well worth a return visit. Sig had an unfortunate argument with a sand dune (sort of) but with a little help from the BMB heavies it became a minor glitch.

Many thanks to Dee for taking us by the scenic route, Mrs M for duty scribe, and Capn Sandy for giving me the list.

Oak Glen Saturday March 3rd 2007

Meet at Denny's, Indian & I10 Palm Springs for car pooling at 7.30am. Bring Water and a snack, but we will be back by lunch time.

Barry Parkes

bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

BMB07/02 Whitewater 22JAN07

2007-02-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

Our first walk at Whitewater since it was taken over by Wildlands Concervancy was very interesting, despite cold and very blustery conditions. Frazier Haney (lately of Pipe's Canyon) is the preserve manager and he and his team are busy taking most of the site back to it's natural state; they plan to open to the public around April, and we will return in the Spring.

Turkey vulture, 3	Raven, 4	Mallard, 6
Mourning Dove, 2	Starlings, 40	House Sparrow, 2
American Kestrel, 1	Rock Pigeon, 4	House Finch, 10
Brewer's Blackbird, 3	Say's Phoebe, 4	Scrub Jay, 3
California Towhee, 4	White-crowned Sparrow,40	Gambel's Quail, 4
Red-tailed Hawk, 3	Cooper's Hawk, 1	Western Bluebird, 4
California Thrasher, 1	Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 3	Northern Flicker, 2
Loggerhead Shrike, 2	Nuttall's Woodpecker, 2	Black Phoebe, 2
Song Sparrow, 2	Yellow-rumped Warbler, 4	Hermit Thrush, 2
Phainopepla,1	Northern Mockingbird, 1	California Quail, 10
Lesser Goldfinch, 1	American Coot, 20	Blue-winged Teal, 1
Common Yellowthroat, 1	American Robin, 1	American Pipit, 1
Bewick's Wren, 1	American Wigeon, 10	Pied-billed Grebe, 2
Crow, 3	Western Meadowlark, 1	Verdin, 1
Ferruginous Hawk, 1	Anna's Hummingbird, 1	Dark-eyed Junco, 1

Note that SBVA have a walk at San Jacinto Water Reclamation Facility on Saturday 3rd February at 8am. Big Morongo Birders are welcome.

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

Barry Parkes

bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

BMB07/01 San Jacinto 6th January 2007

2007-01-07T17:12:00.000-08:00

After numerous cancellations due to a fear of inclement weather, twelve Big Morongo Birders, i.e. all birders with an active connection to Big Morongo, had a wonderful day and saw more than sixty species. Thanks to Margaret for the list and notes

Bird List, San Jacinto Wastewater Treatment Facility and San Jacinto Wildlife Area
Saturday January 6, 2007

Golden Eagle	Red-tailed Hawk	Black-necked Stilt
Northern Harrier	American Kestrel	White-faced Ibis
Canada Goose	Common Moorhen	American Coot
Wilson's Snipe	Green Heron	Mallard
Cinnamon Teal	American Widgeon	Ruddy Duck
Fox Sparrow	Red-winged Blackbird	Common Yellowthroat
Song Sparrow	Black-crowned Night Heron	Tree Swallow
Virginia Rail	Cassin's Kingbird	Say's Phoebe
Yellow-rumped Warbler	American Pipit	White-crowned Sparrow
Black Phoebe	Ring-necked Duck	Eared Grebe
House Finch	Yellow-headed Blackbird	Killdeer
Savannah Sparrow	Redhead*	Great-tailed Grackle
Starling	American Avocet	Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Common Raven	Brown-headed Cowbird	Brewer's Blackbird
Burrowing Owl	Long-billed Dowitcher**	House Sparrow
Tri-colored Blackbird	Ferruginous Hawk***	Turkey Vulture
Least Sandpiper	Rock Pigeon	Horned Lark
White-tailed Kite	American Crow	Mountain Bluebird
Great Egret	Great Blue Heron	White Pelican
White-throated Swift	Western Meadowlark	Ring-billed Gull
Long-billed Curlew	Barn Owl	California Quail

Total number of species = 63.

* Redhead and canvasback similar in appearance. Redhead summers here, but
only "winters locally" few spots. Canvasback winters this area. Anyone certain?
** Long-billed and Short-billed Dowitcher very similar, and both are migrants or
winter residents in Southern California, but short-billed mainly along coast.
*** Ferruginous Hawk - similar to red-tail but paler. Seen in flight from below, lacks
dark leading edge of underwing present in red tail, etc.

Although it was cold at 8am -32!- there was no wind and it was a very pleasant sunny morning. We were welcomed by SBDV Audubon and hurried, in the nicest way, around the pond - rather similar to Linda's. It is rather strange that, although very clearly oriented toward education and wildlife, access is not at all easy. We had a good selection of birds and discovered that San Jacinto Wildlife Area was closed to birding, Wednesday and Saturday being devoted to hunting! After some discussion with those more familiar with the area than your scribe, Bill Moramarco volunteered to take us to Mystic Lake (which is part of San Jacinto Wildlife Area), which he did in spades. With his guidance, we found Tri-coloured and Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Ferruginous Hawks, the Barn Owl in an open field, Mountain Bluebirds and a host of others; we are indebted to him for making a wonderful day. Thanks to Sherri and Steve for putting it all together.

Thursday 11th January 2007 Salton Sea
Meet at Costco at I10 and Monteray in Palm Desert at 7am for car pooling ,intending to arrive at Wister, our first stop, around 8.15am. High Desert folks please get together to arrange car pooling. Bring water and a picnic, we will lunch at Sonny Bono.

Good Birding, and thanks to SBVA..........bb

Barry Parkes

bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

BMB06/20 Oak Glen Saturday 7th October 2006

2006-10-10T17:47:00.000-07:00

Our recent visit to Oak Glen was really very pleasant, with a starting temperature of 42º (!), no-one else around except for two ‘rangers’, and a specie count of 36, including a Black-throated Grey Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Cassin’s Vireo – and Cam found a Sora!. The count of 36 is greater than I recall in the past and that without any acknowledged eyes or ears!

We have two further outings scheduled;

Monday 16^th October to Big Bear. Car Pool at BMCP at 7am, Discovery Centre in Big Bear about 8am. Bring water and a picnic lunch for a full day. It could be cool!

Monday 23^rd October to Bear Paw Ranch, Car Pool at Denny’s, Palm Springs at Indian and I10 at 7.30amBring water and a picnic lunch for a full day and again, it could be cool!.

Please let me know if you intend joining either of these outings.

Sunny gave me the address of a blog which I found interesting and you might – she thought something you might like to look at when you aren’t in a hurry! Don’t be mislead by the Hummingbird website; it’s not what you thought it would be. Go to http://www.charliesbirdblog.com/~charlie/index.html

Good Birding………..bb

BMB06/19 Bear Paw Ranch Friday 11th August 2006

2006-08-11T19:02:00.000-07:00

We had a very fine morning birding at Bear Paw, arriving around 8.30am after taking the scenic route through Yucaipa and Calimesa. A temperature in the 80s and a specie count of 27 left us feeling rather pleased with ourselves, not least for the ten Mountain Quail which we saw crossing the road quite close by ahead of us - even MrsM had a good view, and a leisurely one at that!

Top of the Tram Monday 14th August 2006

If you would like a brief, easy bird walk around the three quarter mile trail in Long Valley, with no climbing and no rough trails, email me. We would probably also cover the area around the stream just beyond the Ranger Station, but nothing strenuous (but sadly I can do nothing about the ramp)

Oak Glen (Los Rios) Friday 18th August 2006

Meet at Denny’s Palm Springs, Indian and I10 at 7.30am, bring water for a short field trip, back in Palm Springs before lunch.

Heard that Mark and Karma were in BC recently and they sent a picture of flowers close to the summit of Mount Revelstoke (around 10,000 feet) 'which rival those in our best desert years'. We printed the picture and it is a sight to behold!

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

BMB06/18 Big Bear 28th July 2006

2006-07-28T17:23:00.000-07:00

The weather in Big Bear was glorious this morning, and more like Spring than Summer with temperatures in the low seventies. Birding was quiet but Division Road was quite fruitful with a number of NRW Swallows and several nests, some of them full of youngsters.

Bearpaw Ranch Friday 11^th August 2006

Meet at Denny’s & I10 in Palm Springs at 7am for car pooling. Consolidate at the parking lot of the Ranger Station at Yucaipa on Highway 38 around 8am. Bring a picnic and water: this could be an interesting day – we have not been for a couple of years.

If you would like to join please email me and I will confirm.

Top of the Tram Monday 14^th August 2006

If you would like a brief, easy bird walk around the ¾ mile trail in Long Valley, with no climbing and no rough trails, email me. We would probably also cover the area around the stream just beyond the Ranger Station, but nothing strenuous (but sadly I can do nothing about the ramp)

Oak Glen (Los Rios) Friday 18^th August 2006

Meet at Denny’s Palm Springs, Indian and I10 at 7.30am, bring water for a short field trip, back in Palm Springs before lunch.

Queries, call me at 760 328 6750 or cell 760 333 2366 or email. If you are weary of these messages, send an email and I will delete.

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

BMB06/17 Top of the Tram 25th July 2006

2006-07-26T17:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Ten Big Morongo Birders, including MrsM’s sister Kay and her beginning-birder friends Debbie and Janet, had a fine morning in the relative cool of Top of the Tram. We did not have a large specie count, which was no surprise, but we did see many Western Bluebirds and White-headed Woodpeckers, to say nothing of a Williamson’s Sapsucker! Tom and Dorothy carried on to Hidden Lake with Harlon and April and the diehards repaired to the Tram Deck for a jarrette before being pushed inside by a minor thunderstorm.

This morning our Preserve walk started with four Friends Board Members plus Dee in heavy overcast and high humidity – but the warm weather appears to have been broken – and not before time!. A visitor from England joined us and we had a specie count of 37.

Big Bear Friday 28^th July 2006

Meet at Big Morongo parking lot for car pooling at 7am or at the Discovery Centre in Big Bear at 8.45am or thereabouts. Bring a picnic lunch and water and we should have a full day of good birding.

This looks like a minimal attendance field trip but late cancellations make it too late to cancel.

Bearpaw Ranch Friday 11^th August 2006

If you would like to join please email me and I will confirm.

Queries, call me at 760 328 6750 or cell 760 333 2366 or email. If you are weary of these messages, send an email and I will delete.

Good Birding……..bb

BMB06/15 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Closed

2006-07-12T19:06:00.000-07:00

Preserve Closed

BLM today closed the Preserve until further notice, due to the fire which is raging over more than 35,000 acres from Pioneer Town to Morongo Valley. Many homes in Pioneer Town have been lost and MrsM tells me that Dave Miller’s new house is one of them: the fire is now threatening Morongo Valley; a voluntary evacuation order for homes west of 62 is in place but we have heard of no one being hurt. Dee and Betty are out of town until tomorrow evening.

Oak Glen Monday 10JUL06

We had a fine walk at Oak Glen on Monday with eight Big Morongo Birders, including three teenagers, saw 22 species. Starting a little after 8am, we soon found that an elevation of 4500 feet or so is no guarantee of cool weather! The upper lake is almost dry and the only water birds we saw were Mallards and Coots – no sign of the Sora. The blackberries are way behind and are unlikely to be ready before at least mid August.

Top of the Tram Tuesday 25JUL06

Meet at the Tram before 10am for a walk around Desert View with picnic – don’t forget water! There will be no Hidden Lake this trip but we should see good birding with little effort. My namesake saw several Red Crossbills around the mule pens near the Ranger Station recently.

Big Bear Friday28JUL06

Meet at Big Morongo Parking lot for car pooling at 7am or at the Discovery Centre in Big Bear at 8.45am or thereabouts. Bring a picnic lunch and water, and we should have a full day of good birding.

It helps if you let me know if you intend to join any of these field trips.

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

BMB06/14 Top of the Tram 30th June 2006

2006-07-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

On a fine morning, eight Big Morongo Birders, including the welcome return of Kurt, took the first tram and a walk round Desert View Trail. Very pleasant temperature, which would have been better from an 8am tram, and saw about 22 species. These included several life birds for some, such as Clark’s Nutcracker and White-headed Woodpecker.

Most of our party continued to Hidden Lake which still has water but no tadpoles; still a sight to behold and a first time for April, Barbara and Carol – always a pleasure. The lake experience was enhanced by a Golden Eagle which we watched around the shore of the lake and really good close-up sightings of a Red-breasted Sapsucker at the overlook.

Oak Glen

Monday 10th July, meet at Denny's at Indian and I10 Palm Springs at 7.30am for car pooling. Bring water and a snack, but we will be through before lunch. Maybe look for apple things before a return before lunch.

Good Birding........bb

BMB06/13 General Update

2006-06-13T18:14:00.000-07:00

Migration having wound down, our walks and our birds are not so busy as they recently were. On the Preserve, Vermilions are not so numerable as in the past, and two pairs of Cooper's are making an impact; one pair at the the new classroom deck has four healthy chicks which watch us down by the motor car, and Mom sits on the nest in the copse by the tennis courts and palms at the edge of the meadow.

Pipe's Canyon 2nd June 2006

A small group had a pleasant walk in quite warm weather, but it is fortunate that our interests spread beyond birds to flowers, butterflies, lizards and snakes, as our specie count reached an abysmal ten with no Mountain Quail seen or heard. It has to be said that our eyes and ears were not with us that day and the high spot may well have been the gourmet lunch following our walk.

Big Bear 10/11th June 2006

Eric and Ann Brooks, instructors at South Coast Botanic Gardens, and Margaret's mentors, very kindly invited us to join the field trip of their group to Big Bear. A very full two days of birding, reaching over 8,000 feet, brought a count of 69 species and your scribe saw a very fine immature Red Crossbill which posed for the scope for several minutes; sadly that was one that MrsM missed. Margaret provided the attached specie count listing for which we are thankful.

It was a great pleasure to spend two days with Eric, Ann and others of South Coast Botanic Gardens and we very much appreciated their hospitality.

Top of the Tram Friday June 30th
Meet at the tram around 930am for the first tram at 10am. We will take the one and a half mile Long Valley loop; bring a picnic lunch and water. There is a fair amount of water, though not so much as last year, and Hidden Lake is looking good; we might be persuaded to go there after the walk if people are interested.

Friends of Big Morongo now have very attractive embroidered polo shirts and caps for sale; as usual Betty is in charge.

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

Barry Parkes

bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

BMB06/12 Pipe's Canyon 02JUN06

2006-05-24T18:42:00.000-07:00

On Monday last Dee, at the request of BLM, took a small party to undertake a Bird Census at Box Canyon. It was a most interesting morning, notwithstanding it would have been more meaningful had it been undertaken a month earlier, and we found twenty species including a Willow Flycatcher which surprised some. Margaret produced a Specie List, with numbers, together with a list of plants which we encountered; Ironwood Trees were remarkable in their quantity and beauty – all were in full bloom. We are told that our eight hour exercise was much appreciated.

Friday 2^nd June Pipe’s Canyon

Meet at BMCP parking lot at 7.30am for car pooling or 8am at Pipe’s Trail Head. We will not do more than about three miles but those who wish could go further. Bring water, but we will finish before lunch and then have the option of either Pappy and Harriet’s or the Roadhouse. We have had young Quail in the low desert for several weeks and they have already been seen in Joshua Tree – we are hoping to catch them in Pipe’s Canyon although the flowers are unlikely to impress. Having said that, the Mallow around the junction of Mesquite and Yucca Ridge is only now breaking open!

Good Birding…………bb

Barry Parkes

bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

BMB06/11 West Fork Loop 21 April 2006

2006-04-21T19:22:00.000-07:00

You know by now that your scribe is not given to exaggeration, but it has to be said that the showing of wild flowers on the West Fork trail this morning was really quite remarkable and some said the best ever. The Canyon was good but did not compare with West Fork where the mountainside was, in part, completely covered and is well worth a visit. Of note in the Canyon were striking displays of Canterbury Bells stretching from the Canyon floor almost to the peaks.

We were nine birders with no acknowledged flower experts and spent four and a half very satisfying hours. The birding was good and the Black-chinned Sparrow we rarely see on the Preserve; the Virginia Rail we flushed close to the goldfish pond and the close-up view was very much a treat.

It was interesting to see Gene Cardiff who told us of the arrival of the Chats and Blue Grosbeak, although we did not see them.

The list which follows is courtesy of Margaret and much appreciated.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
Bird/Flower Walk to West Fork/Canyon Trails
Friday April 21, 2006

Bird List
Lesser Goldfinch	Pine Siskin	Black-chinned Hummingbird
Anna's Hummingbird	Nuttall's Woodpecker	Yellow Warbler
Bewick's Wren	Black Phoebe	House Finch
Lawrence's Goldfinch	Western Tanager	California Towhee
Spotted Towhee	Phainopepla	Hooded Oriole
Starling	Common Yellowthroat	Yellow-rumped Warbler
House Wren	Double-crested Cormorant	Black-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow	Wilson's Warbler	Verdin
Mountain Quail (heard)	Red-tailed Hawk	Ash-throated Flycatcher
Gambel's Quail	House Wren	Ladder-backed Woodpecker
American Kestrel	Raven	Lazuli Bunting
Oak Titmouse	Bushtit	Song Sparrow
Virginia Rail (Seen!!)

Visitor report, on other trails - Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue Grosbeak
(Gene Cardiff)
Flower List
Fillaree	White Tidy-tips	Chia
Wallace's Wooly Daisy	Notch-leafed Phacelia	Coreopsis
Pincushion	Desert Larkspur	Tackstem
Forget-me-not, sp. *	California Evening Primrose	Brown-eyed Primrose
Lupine	Scale Bud	Gold Poppy, sp *
Eriogonum, sp *	Desert Calico	Purple Mat
Whispering Bells	Bladderpod	Sand Blazing Star
Jimson Weed	Broad-flowered Gilia	Silver Puff
Wild Cucumber	Lacy Phacelia	Checker Fiddleneck
Indian Paintbrush	Desert Dandelion	California Buckwheat
Cheesebush	Creosote Bush

* One of several closely related species. Exact species not determined.

Nothing scheduled for the moment but we are thinking of a return to Pipe’s Canyon for flowers – and check out the Mountain Quail………….bb

BMB06/10 Barker Dam Friday 14th April 2006

2006-04-15T18:24:00.000-07:00

Twelve Big Morongo Birders had a very pleasant morning Friday at Barker Dam, managing to miss inclement weather which arrived later in the day.

We gave our Mr Smiley and others their first sight of the infamous Disney petrogliphs.

Barker Dam
Ash-throated Flycatcher	Common Raven	Turkey Vulture
White-throated Swift	Scrub Jay	Phainopepla
Gambel's Quail	Rock Wren	Brewer's Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow	Chipping Sparrows	Bewick's Wren
Say's Phoebe	Black-throated Sparrow	House Finch
Bushtit	Barn Swallow	Scott's Oriole
Mourning Dove	Yellow-rumped Warbler	Mallard
Coot	Cowbird	Bullock's Oriole
Tree Swallow	Mockingbird	Prairie Falcon
Raven	Wilson's Warbler	Costa's Hummingbird
Nashville Warbler
Also seen: Western Fence Lizards,
and blooming Claret Cup, Rock Pea, Amsonia, Nolina, and others.

This morning we were pleased to have a group from Great Outdoors Palm Springs join our regular Bird Walk, more particularly because of the significant work they did at the Preserve on trail restoration following the fire last June. They took a lively interest in our arriving migrants including the Western Tanager, Vermilion Flycatcher, Cassin’s and Western Kingbirds, and in our impressive array of wildflowers. We had good views of nesting hummingbirds and Lawrence’s Goldfinch, and a good view of a Long-eared Owl quite close to the Marsh Trail.

West Fork Loop Friday 21^st April 2006

Meet at the Preserve parking lot at 7.30am for the loop, with an extension to the rock pools. The flowers we are told are quite remarkable and it is some time since we checked out the canyon for bird species. Bring plenty of water – the desert is warming up……….bb

BMB06/09 Pipe's Canyon 27 March 2006

2006-03-27T18:05:00.000-08:00

Our walk at Pipe’s Canyon was a success, but more for pleasant weather with wonderful surroundings than an abundance of birds. More than twenty BMBs saw 20+ species with nothing remarkable save the Mountain Quail which Phyllis saw as she arrived.

National Trails Day on Saturday was a great success with a substantial attendance, estimated at around 300 with a substantial local involvement. We celebrated the re-opening of all the trails with a ribbon cutting and generally had a good time.

Friday 7^th April 2006 Coachella Valley Wild Bird Centre

Car pooling at Big Morongo parking lot 730am. Linda’s HQ at 8am or shortly thereafter; bring water but we will be through by lunch time (maybe Elmer’s?)

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

BMB06/08 Big Morongo Update

2006-03-18T18:12:00.000-08:00

The walk this morning was really most enjoyable. Far better weather than we expected: sunny, clear, no significant wind and 45º. We started as a group of eight, with representation from WA and NY, subsequently met and absorbed representatives of MD. Having no recognized recorders, your scribe produced a specie list after the event, showing 35. We did see the Barn Owl in the first palm tree in the park, and found the Vermilion (close by the skate park). We believe our East Coast visitors enjoyed themselves and had zillions of life birds: hope they return!

Several saw a red bird fly by the Nature Centre. This would be unusual for a Vermilion, could have been a lurid Finch, or it could have been a returning Tanager, but in any event, not book-able. Pam found a new HB nest South of the new Helmkamp Deck - great through the scope.

Pipe’s Canyon Friday 24^th March 2006. BMCP parking lot at 7.30am for car pooling, 8am at Pipe’s Canyon trail head. Bring water and maybe a snack, but we will be through before lunch – don't forget there is Pappy and Harriet’s! There should be plenty of water (!) and we hope for wild flowers.......bb

Barry Parkes

bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

BMB06/07 Louis Robidoux Nature Centre/Rancho Jurupa Park 3rd March 2006

2006-03-04T11:34:00.000-08:00

Eleven Big Morongo Birders arrived at Riverside in threatening weather but had a good walk before rain stopped play and we returned to the Centre. We were most fortunate to meet Park Interpreter Sherrie Chandler who welcomed us to the Museum and gave us a very interesting, impromptu, discourse on the Regional Park and guided us to Rancho Jurupa Park. Four of our party went there and found, the rain having miraculously stopped, interesting birding around the campground and lakes, adding some 15 species to bring our day's total to 47. Most definitely a day to repeat when we can more easily rely on the weather - we missed our picnic! Thanks, Margaret, for the specie list.

Kath has left us for the frozen North (or is it East?) but promises to return, and Cam was fortunate to have a good day during a too brief visit to the Desert. Pam & John are back for theirannual dose of high quality birding with weather to match. Doris has now completed Birding 101

Louis Robidoux Nature Center

Cooper's Hawk	Starlings	Northern Flicker*
Mourning Dove*	Red-winged Blackbird*	Black Phoebe*
House Wren	Turkey Vulture	Red-tailed Hawk
Violet-green Swallow	Red-shouldered Hawk	Rock Pigeon
Ruby-crowned Kinglet*	White-crowned Sparrow	House Finch
Anna's Hummingbird	Common Yellowthroat*	Mallard
Downy Woodpecker	Blue-gray Gnatcatcher*	Song Sparrow
Nuttall's Woodpecker	Yellow-rumped Warbler*	Bushtit*
Brown Creeper	Orange-crowned Warbler	Cattle Egret
Oregon Junco	Kestrel	Grackle*
American Crow	Western Bluebird*

* Also seen at Jurupa County Park
Total number of species in Rubidoux at L. Robidoux Nature Ctr. , 32


Jurupa County Park
(Additional species not seen in Rubidoux)

Coot	Great Blue Heron	Great Egret
Pied-billed Grebe	Ring-necked Duck	Barn Swallow
Rough-winged Swallow	Sharp-shinned Hawk	Ruddy Duck
Phainopepla	Scrub Jay	White-tailed Kite
Marsh Wren	Ring-billed Gull	Chipping Sparrow

Total number of Species at Jurupa County Park, 27
Total number of species at both locations, 47

Banding is in the news and Hummingbird banding on the Preserve resumes on Saturday 11th March. Turkey Vulture banding is already under weigh on the Preserve, lead by Pete Bloom, and in addition to banding, numeric markers are being attached to the wings and solar powered radio transmitters to the tail. Last week we had a return visit from Lauri who is involved in Bluebird banding in Northern Oregon.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Monday 13th March 2006. We will meet at 7.30am in the parking lot and cover the West Fork loop as a bird walk. By that time all the trails should be open - Dee tells me that all the trails are now complete, although some finishing work remains.......bb.

BMB06/06 San Bernardino County Museum 13th February 2006

2006-02-13T18:22:00.000-08:00

When 31 BMBs arrived at the Museum on what amounted to a very early summer day, they did not all expect the very full day that Gene Cardiff had prepared for them. A talk through the Museum, with a very great emphasis on birds, surprised the many first-time visitors who, as is usual, had insufficient time to study the wonderful displays – it certainly takes more than one visit. Lunch was taken ‘on the run’ by the river, where it was really quite warm and, among others we saw several Red-tailed Hawks – spring was in the air, a Great-horned Owl on the nest and a Burrowing Owl.

After our walk, we repaired to the basement library where Gene had prepared trays with about 250 skins from their very extensive stock, some of which were a hundred years old. He described his routine for working with skins, took us through a number of examples of closely aligned species and sub-species, and discussed both up-coming changes to the species list, and changes that in his view should be made. He concluded with his well practiced presentation on Coopers Hawks versus Sharp-shinned, always stimulating and a pleasure to all who were there.

We very much appreciate the time and effort that Gene gave us and hope that we can again persuade him to receive us in the future.

Good Birding………..bb

BMB06/05 Big Morongo Update 8th February 2006

2006-02-08T17:25:00.000-08:00

We had an interesting walk this morning in mild but blustery weather. A specie list of 41 was impressive and included our long term resident Grey Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Vermilion Flycatcher, first seen on February 1st and a female Bullock's Oriole.

The Marsh Trail is now open, and a very fine job our volunteers and CDF crews have done. All the new decking is Trex, which is longer lived than timber and will be used for future trail maintenance. Three bridges remain to be built to permit the opening of the Mesquite and Yucca Ridge Trails, and this should not take very long once the CDF crews are again available to us - at present they are busy fighting fires.

San Bernardino County Museum Monday 13th February 2006

Meet at Denny's, Indian and I10 at 9am for car pooling, to be at the museum for 10am. Bring water and a picnic lunch.

The museum, which is totally devoted to birds, is closed to the public on Monday and Gene Cardiff has agreed to give us a tour of the museum which will be followed by a picnic and a bird walk by the river. It will be a full day.

Our last visit two years ago was very well received, and those unfamiliar with the museum may wish to look at our last visit

http://bigmorongobirders.blogspot.com/2004_02_01_bigmorongobirders_archive.html

Normal admission arrangements will not be in place as the Museum is closed to the public, but a donation would be appropriate.

Any queries, email or call me at 760 328 6750, cell 760 333 2366.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

BMB06/04 Oak Glen 4th February 2006

2006-02-04T18:51:00.000-08:00

We were most fortunate; 16 Big Morongo Birders in perfect Southern California weather, temperature 50º, sunny and not a cloud in the sky. As a bonus, all save my namesake were making a first time visit to Oak Glen and were suitably impressed. Capn Sandy was a fine scribe and recorded 35 species, although we had problems with a hawk – we met a Ranger but she was unable to help.

Western Bluebird
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow

Lark Sparrow
House Finch
Red-shafted Flicker

Acorn Woodpecker
Stellar's Jay
Scrub Jay

Lesser Goldfinch
Mourning Dove
Dark-eyed Junco

Gambel's Quail*
California Quail
Red-wing Blackbird

Brewer's Blackbird
American Kestrel
Red-tailed Hawk

Oak Titmouse
Band-tailed Pigeon
Mountain Chickadee

American Coot
Yellow-rumped Warbler
European Starling

Bewick's Wren
Ring-necked Duck
Mallard

Spotted Towhee
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Black Phoebe

Loggerhead Shrike
White-breasted Nuthatch
Northern Mockingbird

American Robin
and a Ferruginous or Swainson's Hawk

Most went for the apple pie, though the store was surprisingly quiet, but your scribe had an appointment at the Yard House in Rancho Mirage where he had a surprise.

A gentleman in Palm Springs often gives sandwiches to homeless people there. This morning he put thirty of them in limousines and took them to lunch at the Yard House – quite a sight, and a suitable end to a most enjoyable morning.

San Bernardino County Museum Monday 13th February 2006

Meet at Denny's, Indian and I10 at 9am for car pooling, to be at the museum for 10am. Bring water and a picnic lunch.

The museum, which is totally devoted to birds, is closed to the public on Monday and Gene Cardiff has agreed to give us a tour of the museum which will be followed by a picnic and a bird walk by the river. It will be a full day.

Our last visit two years ago was very well received, and those unfamiliar with the museum may wish to look at our last visit

http://bigmorongobirders.blogspot.com/2004_02_01_bigmorongobirders_archive.html

Normal admission arrangements will not be in place as the Museum is closed to the public, but a donation would be appropriate.

Any queries, email or call me at 760 328 6750, cell 760 333 2366.

If you would prefer to be removed from this distribution please email.

Apologies to Ron and Elli – there was no conspiracy!

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

Barry Parkes

bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

BMB06/03 Big Morongo Re-Opened Trails

2006-02-03T11:10:00.000-08:00

Saturday saw the re-opening of the Canyon Trail celebrated by forty hikers enjoying a fine hike in wonderful cool weather. The reopening of both the Canyon and West Fork Trails, plus part of the Mesquite, is good news indeed. Unfortunately, work on the Marsh Trail, so critical to the Preserve, has been delayed as the CDF crews have been diverted to their primary raison d'etre of fire-fighting, but we hope the delay will be minimal.

With birders diverted to hiking, Erica and your scribe found 24 species including the Northern Parula, on a lengthy and leisurely walk!

Our walk schedule has been extended;

Oak Glen Saturday 4th February 2006

Meet at Denny's, Indian and I10 at 730am, Hi-desert at Big Morongo at 7am, for car pooling. Bring water and perhaps a snack, but we will be back before lunch.

San Bernardino County Museum Monday 13th February 2006

Meet at Denny's, Indian and I10 at 9am for car pooling, to be at the museum for 10am. Bring water and a picnic lunch.
The museum is closed to the public on Monday and Gene Cardiff has agreed to give us a tour of the museum which will be followed by a picnic and a bird walk by the river. It will be a full day.
Our last visit two years ago was very well received, and those unfamiliar with the museum may wish to look at
http://bigmorongobirders.blogspot.com/2004_02_01_bigmorongobirders_archive.html

Normal admission arrangements will not be in place as the Museum is closed to the public, but a donation would be appropriate.

Any queries, email or call me at 760 328 6750, cell 760 333 2366.
If you would prefer to be removed from this distribution please email.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

BMB06/02 San Jacinto Wildlife Area 16th January 2006

2006-01-19T05:10:00.000-08:00

We found perfect weather, at 830am or thereabouts, and an army of 34 BMBs in eleven vehicles found a lot to see at San Jacinto. The large numbers were better handled than at the Salton Sea last week, and a number of our visitors, Cam, Kelly and Jeanne among them, managed to squeeze in a final walk before their departure. Sig was ahead of the game and called to report Mountain Bluebirds before the main party arrived there - but we did see them later!

Cooper's Hawk	Raven	Brewer's Blackbird
Starling	House Sparrow	Rock Pigeon
Red-tailed hawk	Crow	Mourning Dove
Red-winged Blackbird	Cattle Egret	Horned lark
Grackle	White-crowned Sparrow	Savannah Sparrow
White tailed Kite	Western Meadowlark	Sage Thrasher
Northern Harrier	Loggerhead Shrike	Ring-billed Gull
Say's Phoebe	Black Phoebe	California Towhee
House Finch	Vesper Sparrow	Prairie Falcon
Coot	Yellow-rumped Warbler	Cinnamon Teal
Pintail	Green-winged Teal	Greater Yellowlegs
Black-necked Stilt	Common Yellowthroat	Marsh Wren
Northern Shoveler	Virginia Rail	Long-billed Dowitcher
Blue-winged Teal	White-faced Ibis	American Pipit
Song Sparrow	Killdeer	Least Sandpiper
Avocet	Spotted Sandpiper	Snipe
Sora	Gadwall	American Widgeon
Ruddy Duck	Eastern Phoebe	Common Moorhen
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Pied-billed Grebe	Bushtit
Spotted Towhee	Orange-crowned Warbler	American Goldfinch
Western Grebe	Lincoln's Sparrow	Snowy Egret
Red-shouldered Hawk	Turkey Vulture	Willet
Roadrunner	Mountain Bluebird	Osprey
Long-billed Curlew	Barn Swallow	Rough-winged Swallow
	Forster's Tern	Mockingbird

California Thrasher	Phainopepla	Lesser Goldfinch
Bewick's Wren	Western Scrub Jay	California Thrasher
Verdin	Mountain Chickadee	Hermit Thrush
Northern Flicker	Nuttall's Woodpecker	Red-breasted Sapsucker

Eighty six species is a lot of species, and it includes sightings to and from the hi-desert.

Oak Glen Saturday 4th February 2006

Meet at Denny's, Indian and I10 at 730am, Hi-desert at Big Morongo at 7am, for car pooling. Bring water and a snack if you are hungry, but we will be back before lunch.

We intend revisiting the Salton Sea shortly, but with a smaller group. If you are interested send me an email and I will keep you informed.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

Most of the trails on the Preserve have now been reopened, although the Marsh trail still has a gap after #26 - this is expected to be repaired by the end of the month. The Canyon Trail is now open but via what previously was the Barn Trail. The West Fork trail to the Canyon Trail provides an interesting loop to part of the Mesquite Trail, the whole of which is expected to be opened by the end of January, as is the Yucca Ridge. Up to date maps are available at the kiosk.

My thanks to Margaret for her work on the specie lists and paper work and to Mr Smiley for his (speedy) leadership, to say nothing of their eyes and ears making a wonderful combination..................Good Birding.........bb

Barry Parkes

bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

BMB06/01- 2006Update

2006-01-07T18:38:00.000-08:00

After a lengthy absence due to technical problems, a happy and healthy year of birding to you all!

The last couple of weeks has seen a significant improvement in the specie count at the Preserve and Wednesday's walk produced 31, including Golden-crowned Kinglets, showing the crown, and a number of Western Bluebirds. Last week the specie count reached a high of 41.

Don't forget,
Monday 9th January 2006 Salton Sea

Car pooling at Big Morongo 7am, then T/A Truck Stop (Burns Bros) at Dillon and I10 in Coachella at 7.30am or thereabouts. This will be a full day, bring water and snack/lunch – last January we had 85 species with only a little cheating. If you have radios please bring one – we work on channel 11-22 and they help a lot, particularly if we have many vehicles

Scopes will be useful.

Monday 16th January 2006 San Jacinto Wildlife Area

Car pooling at Big Morongo 7am, Denny’s Palm Springs Indian and I10 at 7.30am. This will be a full day, so bring water and lunch/snacks. Our last visit in January this year saw 75 species, so this could be a good day with a good specie mix (many water birds for those who are not familiar).

Scopes will be useful.

Dee and Betty have new email addresses;

Dee 'birddee@verizon.net'

Betty 'bjzeller@verizon.net'

And finally, MrsM and our Mr Smiley saw a Vermilion Warbler at the golf course in Yucca on Wednesday. This was after a (liquid?) lunch at the cafe in MV and you can discuss it with MrsM on Monday.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

BMB05/25 Oak Glen & Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

2005-08-03T17:43:00.000-07:00

We had a fine walk on Monday at Oak Glen. Very pleasant weather, but with a paucity of birds; we saw 22 species, which is fine and included a Great Horned Owl and Western Bluebirds. We did not see the usual flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds or Great-tailed Grackles, which we usually see around the pond – and in fact, did not see a Grackle at all! Note; don’t try using a scope on a floating platform.

Butterflies were abundant which was fortunate as Shawn was with us for the first time, and we saw Lorquin’s Admiral, Common Buckeye, Pale Swallowtail and Funereal Dusky wing among others. The Evening Primrose was very much in evidence at up to eight feet tall!

Today’s walk at Big Morongo started with a halfhearted attempt at a shower and turned out to be very pleasant. We saw more than thirty species including a Western Tanager, yet another good view of the Blue Grosbeak and of course the Vermilions.

We saw a CDF helicopter ferrying into our meadow fire teams, which had been fighting fires in the mountains overnight, to be bussed out from the park – the fires were distant but the men looked distinctly weary

Top of the Tram Friday 19th August. We plan to take the first tram at 10am, carpool at Big Morongo at 9am, and go to Hidden Lake, which is round-trip three miles from Long Valley with an elevation gain of less than 400 feet. Hidden Lake is very pretty with more water than for several years and with the best overlook of the Valley I have found – we will picnic there so bring a suitable snack and water; Margaret will have ample opportunity to feed the Stellar’s Jays.

Good Birding……….bb

BMB05/24 Big Bear 25th July 2005

2005-07-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

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

2005-07-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

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

BMB05/22 Oak Glen 30th June 2005

2005-06-30T18:21:00.000-07:00

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

BMB05/21 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Paradise Fire

2005-06-27T12:55:00.000-07:00

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

BMB05/20 Top of the Tram 20th June 2005

2005-06-21T16:01:00.000-07:00

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

BMB05/19 Pipe's Canyon 10th June 2005

2005-06-11T18:44:00.000-07:00

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

BMB05/18 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 1st June 2005

2005-06-01T17:35:00.000-07:00

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/

BMB05/17 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 28th May 2005

2005-05-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

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

2005-05-01T10:39:00.000-07:00

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

BMB05/15 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve update 18th April 2005

2005-04-18T11:29:00.000-07:00

It's all happening at the Preserve and Spring Migration is on a roll. Saturday eight BMBs had a fine walk, led by Jane Olson and Sandy Swan, and saw 42 species.

Migration is beginning to bite and we saw several more or less new arrivals, including Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cassin's and Western Kingbirds, a flock of Cedar Waxwings, Orange-crowned-, Yellow-, Black-throated Grey-, and Townsend's Warblers, Western Tanager,and Black-headed and Blue Grosbeaks. We found a Lesser Goldfinch sitting, and a Lawrence's building. The Vermillion Flycatchers are very much in evidence and the Western Bluebirds still around. We heard the Yellow-breasted Chat and have had several reports of sightings. It's a good time to visit the Preserve but please remember to park as tightly as you can - the parking lot soon fills.

Dee and Mike return today from a weekend around Bishop and Lone Pine chasing Grouse with Gene Cardiff.

MrsM is doing fine, walking with no sticks. Phyllis took her wildflower watching Saturday.

On the Wednesday walk we introduced Emily Glazebrook as a Beginning Birder and she returned to London the following day.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.com

BMB05/14 Section 6 & Pipe's Canyon 21st March 2005

2005-03-22T05:24:00.000-08:00

Six BMBs including the welcome return of Denny, and including flower hotshots Margaret and Betty had a wonderful morning at Section 6 and went on to visit Pipe’s Canyon, which raised more questions about how best to proceed.

Section 6 is immature, although there is plenty to see. Fiddleneck and Desert Dandelion abound, but many flowers are still in bud and a return visit in about two weeks would be fruitful. We mixed birds flowers and cottontails and here is what we found – although I am sure some were missed;

Canterbury Bells
Fiddle neck
Phacelia
Rock Wren
Gambel’s Quail
Cranesbill (Red-stemmed Filaree)
Desert Dandelion
Wallace’s Woolly Daisy
Scalebud
CA Tick seed
Chia
Desert Aster
Encilia
Lupine
Forget-me-not
Black-throated Sparrow
Fremont Pin Cushion
Indian Paint Brush
Purple Mat
Brown-eyed Primrose
Heliotrope
Lotus (Desert Rock Pea)
Chicory
Say’s Phoebe
Woody Bottle-washer?
Little Gold Poppy
Wishbone
White-throated Swift
Silver Puff
Gilia
Popcorn
Desert Mallow
Desert Tobacco
Sage Thresher
Red Tail Hawk (Pipe’s hereon)
Tidy Tips
Sand Verbena
Desert Almond
Golden Desert Trumpet
Baby Blue Eyes
Cactus Wren
Phainopepla
Scrub Jay

Pipe’s was a problem; part of the road to the trailhead has been washed away and access is via the ranger’s house. The wash has running water and quite dangerous rocks in it (at least Cadillacs don't like them). The trail is broken right at the start by running water, which is very pretty but does make for communication problems. There was no colour obviously visible and the canyon is clearly not mature in terms of flowers. The bottom line is don't feel guilty about missing it - but the hillsides down Pipe's Canyon Road from Old Woman Springs are covered with carpets of yellow.

Emily arrived yesterday and visited Section 6 with Mike in the afternoon. MrsM had hip replacement surgery yesterday and by evening was chirpy as you like and offering advice to the Eisenhower help. The signs are good.

Good Birding………….bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.com

BMB05/13 Anza Borrego 14th March 2005

2005-03-15T05:52:00.000-08:00

What can I say?

Twenty BigMorongoBirders left the truck stop at 7am and arrived at the Hawk watch shortly after 8am. We found an enthusiastic group of hawk watchers looking one or two miles to the east, trying to find some of the 150 Swainson’s Hawks which had arrived the night before. We watched, and looked through scopes at spots in the distance, said to be SWs, and moved to an area closer to the migrating SWs, where we did see some interesting kettles and migration. Several of our birders joined in trying to assist the Hawk watch team and having identified 141 Swainson’s Hawks migrating, the watch was suspended for the morning. Several of us agreed that this was an exceedingly steep learning curve, which we would hesitate to repeat.

At this point the vehicles scattered to the four winds, all, we think, via the excellent Visitor Centre. Some went to Henderson Canyon, some to the Salton Sea (where Dee and his army had lunch at Sonny Bono) but it seems many enjoyed their day, which is gratifying. Lucky MrsM was not there; she would have spoken directly. Apologies for the confusion - we will ensure better communication in the future.

Very fine flowers, limited in variety but good volume – lots of Indigo in flower, remarkably similar to Smoke Tree.

Nothing scheduled, but Good Birding……….bb

BMB05/12 Indio Hills 7th March 2005

2005-03-08T05:53:00.000-08:00

Twelve Big Morongo Birders had a very fine day in the Indio Hills, which were awash with colour ranging from green mountains to yellow/blue/purple swathes, which were a sight to see – and surpassed the fine showing we had last year. We ran the no-name trail off Dillon and led by the inestimable Mr Smiley successfully challenged the unpaved road to Frontage junction, then on to the lower park at Cottonwood Springs. We saw so many species and your scribe’s record, which is only partial, was around sixty. Having been shamed by Linda into continuing my list it is included in my email advice - if you would like a copy please ask.

More flower walks will be arranged shortly (we hear that Section Six is almost ready) but we should find interesting flowers on our scheduled visit to Anza Borrego on Monday 14th. Meet at the truck stop at 7am, bring lunch and water. I have been reminded that this will probably be a full day outing, so be prepared.

Good Birding………..bb

BMB05/11 Indio Hills and Anza Borrego

2005-03-02T17:49:00.000-08:00

Monday 7th March Indio Hills Wild Flowers. A repeat of last year's first flower walk, meet for car pool at Big Morongo, 7.15am and T/A Truck Stop (Burns Bros) at 8am. Bring water and a snack; we have no good feel for timing and will play it by ear.

Monday 14th March Anza Borrego. Intended as part of Anza Borrego hawk watch, very much with Swainson's in mind, but hopefully including interesting flowers. Meet for car pooling at Big Morongo 6.30am, T/A Truck Stop (Burns Bros) at 7am. Bring water and a snack; we expect to be back by lunch time.

We had a good walk this morning with twenty five birders (including three part-timers who left for the docent course). We saw 37 species including the Red-naped Sapsucker, several Lawrence's Goldfinch and one male Summer Tanager. Wonderful weather, and Spring is really on the way - and the Vermillion demonstrated that!

Your scribe visited Cibola last weekend and if you need to see Sandhill Cranes it has to be a good place to go. I saw close to a hundred in Alfalfa fields and flying, and dancing - quite a sight, with many Cattle Egrets mixed in.. Also lots of Kestrels, Meadowlarks, Cowbirds and zillions of GT Grackles. Many blackbirds mostly Red-wing and quite wonderful Yellow-headed. Interesting that the Cottonwoods there are fully leafed, and way ahead of those at Big Morongo.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.com

BMB05/10 Anza Borrego Hawk Watch Monday 14th March 2005

2005-02-28T17:49:00.000-08:00

For the past two years birders in Anza Borrego have been monitoring very substantial migration of Swainson’s Hawks, and we are told that this year they are earlier than they have been previously. On 20th February they had 221 Swainson’s and 75 Turkey Vultures.

We plan to visit on Monday 14th March to assist in the census and expect that we will also have an interest in wild flowers. Meet for car pool at Big Morongo 6.30am, T/A Truck Stop (Burns Bros) at 7am. Bring water and a snack, but we will probably be back by late lunchtime.

Call me with any queries 760 328 6750, cell 760 333 2366.

Good Birding - would you believe MrsM will miss it!............bb

BMB05/09 Wildflowers at Indio Hills

2005-02-16T18:44:00.000-08:00

Indio Hills Monday February 21st 2005

With so many flowers showing already, and even at higher elevations, we thought a look at Indio Hills sooner rather than later would be a good idea. Given the uncertainty with weather, in the event that the unsurfaced roads are treacherous we plan to look at Box Canyon. No real feel for the length of this first outing of the season, and suggest you bring lunch or a snack, and water.

Car-pool at Big Morongo 7am, T/A Truckstop (Burns Bros) at 8am. It would be helpful if you let me know if you plan to join us.

We had a good walk this morning at Big Morongo, 24 BMBs finding 37 species including rather more raptors than we usually see. We split the party, one group covered the Marsh trail hoping to see the Long-eared Owl (no luck) and the other taking the Mesquite loop to the park, where work continues on cutting back and clearing undergrowth. There is no telling where this will stop, but it is changing the character of the park in a way which will not help wildlife.

Desert Cities Bird Club expect their new web site to be up next week and their address will be
www.dcbirdclub.org

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.com

BMB05/08 UCR Botanical Gardens 11th February 2005

2005-02-12T19:34:00.000-08:00

Having asked MrsM some time ago to lead the UCR excursion, I was smug yesterday, given the dreadful weather in the high and low deserts, thinking “I can’t have missed much anyway”. How wrong! MrsM told me at length that four hardy BigMorongBirders had a fine day, notwithstanding some rain, though not heavy early in the day, and were re-introduced to the delights of birding from the SmileyMobile. In all they had 47 species at the Botanical Gardens, Fairmont Park, and en route to both in true Smiley fashion. The specie list included an interesting array of water birds, and if you would like a complete list please contact bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

Clearly a great success that will be repeated.

This morning nine BMBs spent a very pleasant two and half hours finding 31 species including a fine Scott’s Oriole, Pine Siskin and Vermillion, but no Barney or Sapsuckers.

The Town of Morongo Valley saw fit to bring to Covington Park a CDF team to take care of tree felling and clearing of undergrowth. This appears to have been indiscriminate and much of the nesting infrastructure has been destroyed. As an example, the copse below the three Palms (where Barney was) has lost more than fifty trees including all the trees with hollows in them, and only time will tell what damage this has done to our breeding and visiting programme. There was no prior consultation and no obvious concern for wildlife.

I leave you on this sad note, except to mention that Linda Charest is monitoring a Hummingbird nest in a grapefruit basket on the front steps of their place in Seniorsville. As of now, one egg of two has hatched. The eggs were laid two days apart and not incubated until the third day; Linda continues to monitor.

Good Birding…….bb

BMB05/07 Coachella Valley Wild Bird Centre 31st January 2005

2005-01-31T19:02:00.000-08:00

Fourteen BigMorongoBirders spent a very pleasant couple of hours at the Wild Bird Centre in sunny weather with a devastating wind – it made for difficult birding. We saw 31 species including a very low grade male Vermillion Flycatcher which looked rather like a bedraggled reject; vermillion beret on his head, and orange mottle on the breast. Dee, who was not there, tells me that it was a first-year male. If you would like the complete list, please contact

bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

Friday 11th February UCR Botanical Gardens. Meet for car-pool at Big Morongo 7am and at Denny's Palm Springs, Indian and I10 at 7.30. Bring water and a picnic lunch; we have no good feel for timing and will play it by ear. Admission is a suggested donation of $1 and parking should be free. You might like to look at their web site http://gardens.ucr.edu/. This visit was suggested as 'good birding' by Barbara Carlson, and she should know.

Margaret has drawn my attention to the 8th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count, which will occur February 18th thru 21st. Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society are involved and more information is available at www.birdsource.org/gbbc

Good Birding………….bb

BMB05/06 Pipe's Canyon - Schedule Change

2005-01-27T18:25:00.000-08:00

Given the condition of the Pipe's Canyon trails, and the forecast wet weather over the next couple of days, we have postponed our walk there until a date to be advised.

Monday 31st January, Coachella Valley Wild Bird Centre. Meet for car-pool at Big Morongo at 8am (should be good for those who work to Yucca or JT time) or at Linda York's at 9am. Linda is out of town at present. Bring water, but we should be through in time for a snack of some sort, probably at Elmer's. If anyone sees Marcia Johnson before Monday please tell her the revised timing, and let me know.

Friday 11th February UCR Botanical Gardens. Meet for car-pool at Big Morongo 7am and at Denny's Palm Springs, Indian and I10 at 7.30. Bring water and a picnic lunch; we have no good feel for timing and will play it by ear. Admission is a suggested donation of $1 and parking should be free. You might like to look at their web site http://gardens.ucr.edu/ This visit was suggested as 'good birding' by Barbara Carlson, and she should know.

Later in the spring, and in warmer weather, we plan to schedule a visit to
UC James San Jacinto Mountains Reserve.
This was suggested by Sig and looks to be an interesting proposition. Their web site http://www.jamesreserve.edu/ makes interesting reading and you may wish to 'bone up' a little - especially if you have a broadband connection.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.com

BMB05/05 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 22nd January 2005

2005-01-22T18:17:00.000-08:00

Seven favoured BMBirders gathered at the Preserve this morning after a long day at San Jacinto yesterday – so many could not take the pace! With a starting temperature of 38° but with clear skies and no significant wind, we hoped for the best with our visitors from Toronto and Salisbury.

We saw 31 species, not remarkable in itself, but the quality quite definitely was. Walking down the ‘authorised vehicles only’ trail, we saw a pair of Scott’s Orioles and a pair of Red-naped Sapsuckers in the Cottonwood in the middle of the meadow. We took the trail to the Nature Centre and in the pine to the left of the centre was something perhaps unusual; the scope – thanks David and Sandra – told us that it was a female Red Crossbill, not seen on the Preserve for many years. We had it in the scope for five minutes or more, but did not see a male. Working through the barn over the meadow we saw a male Vermillion towards the trees bordering the park. In addition to seeing Barney, we saw a Barn Owl in flight (top of the park) and also saw the Harris’ Sparrow (same place).

Pretty remarkable birding for one morning…………..bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.com

BMB05/04 San Jacinto Wildlife Area 21St January 2005

2005-01-21T18:48:00.000-08:00

Meeting at San Jacinto around 8.45am we were 26 Big Morongo Birders, including Paul and Dorothy who found us before their imminent return to Salisbury, England, in ten vehicles. We really should try to whittle down the vehicles!.
We had a good day with several animated discussions relating to identification but I don’t think we allowed anyone to get away with too romantic a supposed sighting. I recorded 75 species including all three Teals -Blue, Green and Cinnamon, arather super Vermillian, very close, a Sora, Common Merganser and many Red-tailed Hawks. If you would like a full list please ask bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

After a picnic lunch and a futile search for bluebirds – not many had seen them – we went to Lake Perris. This was a first for some, including your scribe, and a last for some, also including your scribe, but now we have at least been there and seen it. All in all a good and tiring day – good practice for Big Morongo tomorrow.

Monday 31st January Pipe’s Canyon. Meet at Big Morongo for carpool at 7.30am, or 8am at the trailhead. We will be finished before lunch but bring water. There may well be more water than we have become accustomed to. Note that with Pioneer Town road closed, Pipe’s Canyon should be approached via Old Woman Springs.

Good Birding………….bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.com

BMB05/03 Salton Sea 14th January 2005

2005-01-15T19:10:00.000-08:00

We arrived at Wister around 8.45 on a cool but clear day, in bright sunshine. The roads were clear, as was the trail through to the observation platform and tank – far better than most of us had feared. We saw, and had good views of the American Redstart out-, and in-bound but could not find the Vermillion.

It turned out to be a wonderful day for 24 BMBirders in nine vehicles, too many but we managed. All our usual roads were clear (sort of) and we had a rich haul of 86 species; if you would like a full list of what we saw, please contact bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net We tried the prison but it produced nothing significant.

We had no Bluebirds!!!! But we did have most others, including a Peregrine Falcon washing itself in a field pool on the approach to the Marina, and several Burrowing Owls. Finally the hardy seven of us, en route to Unit One, counted more than seventy Sandhill Cranes 100-150 yards off the trail. They were a wonderful sight and on our return we saw them dancing and spreading their wings - quite unforgettable, and what a pity that so many of our party missed them.

All in all a very satisfying and exhausting day, and well worth a repeat; we hope the Living Desert are so successful, and no doubt Kay will find the Mountain Bluebirds!

Reminders

Friday 21st January San Jacinto Wildlife Area. Meet for carpool at Big Morongo 7am or Denny's Palm Springs at Indian and I10 at 7.30am. Bring water and lunch.

Monday 31st January Pipe’s Canyon. Meet at Big Morongo for carpool at 7.30am, or 8am at the trailhead. We will be finished before lunch but bring water. There may well be more water than we have become accustomed to.

Yet again I have had to reconstitute my circular address list. I would appreciate an advice if you see something in error.

Good Birding………….bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.com

BMB05/02 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 12th January 2005

2005-01-12T18:46:00.000-08:00

Seventeen Big Morongo Birders gathered on a fine, sunny and calm morning with a temperature of 29°. This was a welcome break after five days of rain – and fog to boot – which brought the Preserve more than six inches of rain and damaged the entrance to the driveway. There was surprisingly little laying water and we had a very pleasant walk seeing 37 species. The Harris' Sparrow appears to have left us.

We are fortunate to have persuaded Kay and Jane to undertake a reconnaissance of the Salton Sea tomorrow, which will be of great help on our Friday visit there (actually they were going anyway). In view of the recent rains, we may well be unable to visit some of our usual haunts but still expect to have a full and satisfying day.

Friday 14th January Salton Sea. Meet for carpool at Big Morongo 7am, T/A Truck Stop (Burns Bros) at Dillon & I10 in Coachella at 7.30am. Bring water and lunch.

Friday 21st January San Jacinto Wildlife Area. Meet for carpool at Big Morongo 7am or Denny's Palm Springs at Indian and I10 at 7.30am. Bring water and lunch.

Monday 31st January Pipe’s Canyon. Meet at Big Morongo for carpool at 7.30am, or 8am at the trailhead. We will be finished before lunch but bring water. There may well be more water than we have become accustomed to.

As always, queries or suggestions are welcome. Email or call me at 760-328-6750, cell phone 760-333-2366.

BMB05/01 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 05JAN05

2005-01-05T18:48:00.000-08:00

Schedule Change

As a result of significant recent rain and a forecast substantial storm on Friday, we have with regret re-scheduled the San Jacinto Wildlife Area visit to 21st January, and will review the Salton Sea visit over the next week or so – rain is scheduled from Friday through at least Monday of next week. Our schedule now reads;

Friday 14th January Salton Sea. Meet for carpool at Big Morongo 7am, T/A Truck Stop (Burns Bros) at Dillon & I10 in Coachella at 7.30am. Bring water and lunch.

Friday 21st January San Jacinto Wildlife Area. Meet for carpool at Big Morongo 7am or Denny's Palm Springs at Indian and I10 at 7.30am. Bring water and lunch.

Seventeen BMBirders had a fine walk this morning with an 8am temperature of 30° (sorry Kelly). By 11am the temperature reached 51° and we had seen 35 species under a clear blue sky in brilliant sun and no wind. No surprises with the specie list, but it was good to see the Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwings, a host of Western Bluebirds, and the Red-naped Sapsucker. We did not see the Harris’ Sparrow, but there was considerable hawk activity, which led to little activity opposite the ballpark.

A good start to the New Year, which is perhaps remarkable in the middle of inclement weather – MrsM had snow in Yucca yesterday!

Good Birding…………bb

AV04/52 The Year in Review

2005-01-05T18:11:00.000-08:00

Our final bird walk of the year was remarkable only for the six brave participants and the inclement weather that they faced. Six Big Morongo Birders, at 43° in light rain, and a gusty wind (for pleasure!) saw 24 species including Barney in flight to the meadow, and his sister or brother in the cottonwood behind the yard in which we had seen the Harris’ Sparrow. It was with relief that we repaired to Morongo’s own fine dining establishment, which visit included a very low-key presentation of the ‘Intrepid Birder’ award to DD for attendance above and beyond…

The Year in Review

Although birding moves in seasons rather than calendar years, we had significant changes to birding at the Preserve this year and comment is perhaps appropriate. We extended Wednesday walks to cover the summer months, and to cover every Saturday except the first in the month (we did not want to compete with Linda). This worked well and although with limited attendees was well received by both hard-core locals and visitors alike.
We asked Margaret Hoggan, who has assumed the mantle of BMB statistician, for some statistics and comments on what she has gathered over the last fifteen months. In addition to our well known and well attended spring migration we have a fine showing of species in the summer, high temperatures notwithstanding, including such rarities as the Yellow-billed Cuckoo (well photographed by Mark Chappell on 4th July), the Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Black-and-white Warbler. Note also that specie counts this year are well up on 2003, for which the unusually heavy October rains may have some responsibility. We recorded 116 species in the year OCT 2003 to SEP 2004 since when we have already recorded 80 species.
We have a solid all-year-round Preserve for birding, and our very many visitors from around the country and over the water can always rely on finding an interesting walk. Margaret concluded
‘ So maybe there is no best season. Every season has a new display of birds, and each year is a little different than the one before’

Good Birding in 2005……….bb

Reminder

Friday 7th January San Jacinto Wildlife Area. Meet for carpool at Big Morongo 7am or Denny's Palm Springs at Indian and I10 at 7.30am. Bring water and lunch.

Friday 14th January Salton Sea. Meet for carpool at Big Morongo 7am, T/A Truck stop (Burns Bros) at Dillon & I10 in Coachella at 7.30am. Bring water and lunch.

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

AV04/51 Christmas Bird Count 18th December 2004

2004-12-22T19:11:00.000-08:00

On Saturday 18th December we had a fine Christmas Bird Count, using about 35 birders and this year using a dedicated team for Mission Creek. We found 74 species, the same as last year, though a different mix, from 7am to rather later than we might have been, after a pizza and salad celebration.

Birding this morning was a challenge. At 8am with a temperature of 50° and blustery winds Big Morongo was less than comfortable, and in poor condition to welcome back Kaybird. The wind calmed and we had a good morning with 35 species including a Brown Creeper, our Red-naped Sapsucker and a glimpse of the Harris’ Sparrow.

We send seasonal greetings to all, and our very best wishes for good health and good birding in 2005....bb

AV04/50 Lake Cahuilla 16th December 2004

2004-12-16T19:15:00.000-08:00

This visit was arranged, with some unspoken reservations, on a casual mention of interesting birding and the fact that in thirteen years I had never been there. Thirteen Big Morongo Birders (including those from Savannah!) arrived by 8am to sunny skies and 62°, just a regular Coachella Valley day. We had a most enjoyable morning, helped by a rare visit from Sandy, and saw 44 species of a variety we do not see at the Preserve. Thanks to Steph for the specie list.

Eared Grebe
Great Tailed Grackle
White Pelican
Ring-billed Gull
Common Raven
Spotted Sandpiper
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Western Sandpiper
Mockingbird
Cactus Wren
Clarke’s Grebe
Say’s Phoebe
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher
Ladderback Woodpecker
American Coot
Snowy Egret
House Sparrow
Verdin
House Finch
Bufflehead
Mourning Dove
Caspian Tern
Black Phoebe
American Widgeon
Pied-billed Grebe
Common Merganser
Herring Gull
Least Sandpiper
Red-tailed Hawk
Vermillion Flycatcher
Rock Wren
Yellow-rumped Warbler
White-throated Swift
Redhead
Lesser Scaup
Ring-necked Duck
Ruddy Duck
Killdeer
Canvasback
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Anna’s Hummingbird
American Kestrel
Loggerhead Shrike

This was a fine haul and the lake a discovery for a return visit. Good to know that the folks at the campground take care of birders, and Jo asked for a specie list that could be passed out to interested visitors.

The hard core made it's way to Elmers where we had our usual modest brunch - eat your hearts out, MrsM, Dee, Wander Woman.......

See you on Saturday the 18th December at the Big Morongo Christmas Bird Count. Good Birding………….bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

AV04/49 Activities Update

2004-12-13T18:25:00.000-08:00

A reminder, for those who rarely open email, plus an addition.

Thursday 16th December to Lake Cahuilla. Meet at Big Morongo for car-pooling at 7am and 7.30am at the Beer Hunter in La Quinta, Washington and Highway 111. Bring water and maybe a snack (but there have been murmurs of Elmer’s).

Saturday 18th December Christmas Bird Count Big Morongo 7am. All day, fun day, all welcome and pizza afterwards. No experience necessary - we give instant training!

Friday 7th January San Jacinto Wildlife Area. Meet for carpool at Big Morongo 7am or Denny's Palm Springs at Indian and I10 at 7.30am. Bring water and lunch.

Friday 14th January Salton Sea. Meet for carpool at Big Morongo 7am, T/A Truck stop (Burns Bros) at Dillon & I10 in Coachella at 7.30am. Bring water and lunch.

Any queries, email or call me 760 328 6750 cell 760 333 2366.

See you at the Bird Count - and good birding..........bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

AV04/48 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 8th December 2004

2004-12-08T18:28:00.000-08:00

With an 8am temperature of 41 our group of twelve had a fine morning, a little reminiscent of Saturday when Dee and I started with a heavy emphasis on raptors. We soon saw a Northern Harrier, a Sharp-shinned, Red-shouldered and several Cooper’s Hawks. Also of note were the Yellow-shafted Flicker, many Western Bluebirds, but no Robins. Barney is very much in evidence, now favouring the middle palm tree. Oregon- and Slate coloured Juncos were in evidence as was the Harris’ Sparrow which your scribe finally saw – with help from Mr Smiley.

David Novick was with us, thankfully as our recorder, back from a visit to Mexico with lengthy tales of exotic sightings to die for. Mrs M missed out again, slaving over a hot kitchen, and Wander Woman is wandering again, this time back to London and Amsterdam. We miss them all.

Don’t forget:
Thursday 16th December to Lake Cahuilla. Meet at Big Morongo for car-pooling at 7am and 7.30am at the Beer Hunter in La Quinta, Washington and Highway 111. Bring water and maybe a snack (but there have been murmurs of Elmer’s).

Saturday 18th December Christmas Bird Count Big Morongo 7am.

Friday 7th January San Jacinto Wildlife Area Meet for carpool at Big Morongo 7am or Denny's Palm Springs at Indian and I10 at 7.30am.

Good Birding………….bb

AV04/47 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 1st December 2004

2004-12-01T18:39:00.000-08:00

This was challenging weather at 8am - Desert folks take hard to temperatures of 41, and below 30 earlier in the morning. However, it was a glorious morning with not a cloud in the sky, and sunny; all 17 of us had layers on and tried to ignore the light wind.

We saw 28 species including the Harris' Sparrow which some saw, in the same corner of Laurie's yard. Barney the Barn Owl was absent from his Palm and is a sad loss, but we imagine still in the vicinity.

At the Cafe Dee and Betty, arriving last, were greeted with applause and thought it was caused by their late arrival: but Laurie Geeson was there to present them with an award of 'Citizens of the Month' from the Hummingbird Moon Lodge of Morongo, a group of charitable ladies. Also present were non-birding friends of Dee and Betty for whom it was a very pleasant surprise.

Congratulations to Mark and Karma whose first grand daughter, Maxine Finster, was born in New York this morning; all are well!

.....And Linda Charest was on the front page of The Desert Sun this morning fighting, (if figuratively), for sensible control of hiking trails in and around the Coachella Valley.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

AV04/46 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 27th November 2004

2004-11-27T18:51:00.000-08:00

We were eight birders, when we finally assembled, on what was another very fine morning. At the outset the temperature was 41, clear sky, sunny and no wind; this has to be one of the better parts of the year for weather, so long as the occaissional rain and snow can be avoided.

We saw 34 species, including a Brown Creeper, a Yellow-shafted Flicker spotted by Ed and Cindy, Pine Siskins, a Slate-coloured Junco and a Greater Roadrunner (not at all common, despite what the specie list says; we saw it en route to the ball park). Interesting that we saw many Western Bluebirds but no Cedar Waxwings.

Heard that Jeanne Howard took the scenic route to Seattle via Phoenix and checked out Cibola to see the Sandhill Cranes: most impressed! She also found a Gila Woodpecker and Le Conte's and Curved-billed Thrashers in Phoenix.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

AV04/45 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 24th November 2004

2004-11-24T18:55:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful morning for birding; clear blue skies and crisp, sunny weather, required layers of woolies but it comes no better. We saw 29 species and our 22 birders included the return of Catlady, who was fortunate to see a Yellow-shafted Flicker and Black-throated and Golden-crowned Sparrows. TheRed-naped Sapsucker and the Loggerhead Shrike are still in evidence, as are numbers of Cedar Waxwings and Western Bluebirds.

Thursday 16th December Lake Cahuilla Meet for carpool at Big Morongo 7am or at the Beer Hunter in La Quinta at Highway 111 and Washington at 7.30am.

Saturday 18th December at Big Morongo for the Christmas Bird Count. Details later.

Friday 7th January San Jacinto Wildlife Area Meet for carpool at Big Morongo 7am or at Denny's Palm Springs at Indian and I10 at 7.30am.

Have a super Thanksgiving - and Good Birding...........bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

AV04/44 Coachella Valley Wild Bird Centre 19th November 2004

2004-11-19T18:01:00.000-08:00

Finally!! Having intended for some time to take Morongo Birders to 'Linda's Place' we managed to have seventeen there this morning including Geralde on a first time visit (going dangerously close to Linda's giant Green Iguana). Wonderful weather, cool to begin at 8am but sunny and clear as is only to be expected.

We saw 46 species, short of David Novick's walk but nonetheless very satisfying;

Northern Shoveler

Mallard

Eared Grebe

Great Egret

Cooper's Hawk

Ring-billed Gull

Common Moorhen

Red-tailed Hawk

Lincoln Sparrow

American Kestrel

Pintail

Caspian Tern

Bufflehead

Northern Harrier

Say's Phoebe

Bonaparte's Gull
American Coot

Ruddy Duck

Cinnamon Teal

Mourning Dove

Rock Pigeon
Killdeer
Red-tailed Hawk
Black Phoebe
American Pipit
Song Sparrow
Green Heron
Lark Sparrow
Marsh Wren
Common Snipe
Common Raven

Yellow-rumped Warbler
White-crowned Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Western Meadowlark
Double-crested Cormorant
Lesser Goldfinch
Great-tailed Grackle
Spotted Sandpiper
Great Blue Heron
Long-billed Dowitcher
White-throated Swift
Red-winged Blackbird
Red-shouldered Hawk
Vermilion Flycatcher
Great Horned Owl
All in all an excellent morning followed by a modest brunch at Elmer’s – and well worth a return visit. Very many thanks to Linda, who promised to come soon to a Big Morongo Wednesday walk; we will be waiting!

We plan a visit to San Jacinto in early January (hi Cam!) and will advise soon. You can check us out on the web at http://bigmorongobirders.blogspot.com/

Good Birding……………..bb

AV04/43 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 13th November 2004

2004-11-14T07:13:00.000-08:00

It was on a fine and cool autumn morning that sixteen birders, welcoming Nancy and Amy, and Konnie, found a Preserve parking lot heaving with traffic – as though everyone thought it was Spring Migration! In addition to our regular Saturday bird walk, we had a Canyon Hike for twenty or so, plus various displays from Friends, Search and Rescue, and community volunteers, all helping celebrate the tenth anniversary of Joshua Tree National Park, The Desert Protection Act and BLM management of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve.

The morning saw a striking demonstration of nature at it’s best when, gathered by the feeders, the birders saw a Sharpie lift an anonymous (but live) bird from beneath the feeders and make off with breakfast: these are full service feeders!

In two hours or so around the feeders, parking lot, meadow and the park we saw thirty species

Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Gambel’s Quail
Mourning Dove
Barn Owl
Anna’s Hummingbird
Red-naped Sapsucker
Nuttall’s Woodpecker
Black Phoebe
Scrub Jay
Mountain Chickadee
Verdin
White-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Phainopepla
Loggerhead Shrike
Yellow-rumped Warbler
California Towhee
Lark Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Lincoln ‘s Sparrow
Oregon Junco
Scott’s Oriole
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Red-shafted Flicker

Of particular note were really good views of the Lark Sparrow, the Scott’s Oriole (opposite the ball park, in Laurie’s yard) and, of course, the Sharp-shinned Hawk saga.

We plan to visit Linda York at the Coachella Valley Wild Bird Centre in Indio on Friday 19th November. Car-pool at Big Morongo at 7.30am or meet at the Wild Bird Centre at 8am.

Thanks to my Word adviser, imported from Scotland, for lining up my specie list!

Queries or questions, call me at 760 328 6750 or cell 760 333 2366.

Good Birding………bb

AV04/42 Pipe's Canyon 5th November 2004

2004-11-07T11:35:00.000-08:00

Twelve birders, including Don and Sylvia returned from Colorado, started at 8am in fine sunny weather and a temperature of 50. We had a fine three-mile walk although the birds were rather thin on the ground, and found

Red-tailed Hawk White-crowned Sparrow Song Sparrow
California Towhee Bushtit Cooper's Hawk
Black-throat Sparrow Red-shafted Flicker Loggerhead Shrike
Scrub Jay Gambel's Quail Oregon Junco
American Kestrel Bewick's Wren Western Bluebird
Mountain Chickadee Ruby-crowned Kinglet Common Raven
Phainopepla.

Most enjoyable, and cleverly timed to make Pappy and Harriet's for a very fine lunch.

Good Birding......bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

AV04/41 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 3rd Nov 2004

2004-11-03T13:48:00.000-08:00

On a fine and cool morning, 22 birders spent a very pleasant couple of hours seeing 34 species, and of particular note were a Red-winged Blackbird, and a very rare Rose-breasted Grosbeak, both seen in the Park. We also saw a Townsend's Warbler in the large cottonwood in the meadow.

Friday 5th November to Pipe's Canyon. Meet at Big Morongo parking lot at 7.30am for car-pooling, or 8am at Pipe's Canyon trail head. Bring water and note that it should be cool; we should be finished before lunch time. For newcomers, we usually walk two to three miles.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

AV04/40 Salton Sea 24th October 2004

2004-10-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

After an early start, eleven birders arrived at Wister a little before 8.30am in fine and cool weather. We promptly found a male American Redstart on the Nature Trail and went on to see a total of 69 species.

House Sparrow Common Raven Red-winged Blackbird
N. Mockingbird American Redstart Abert's Towhee
Great-tailed Grackle Ring-billed Gull Great Egret
Snowy Egret Pied-billed Grebe American Coot
Cinnamon Teal White Pelican Ruddy Duck
White-face Ibis Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove
N Harrier Ruby-crowned Kinglet Black Phoebe
Killdeer Black-crowned Night Heron Common Yellowthroat
Osprey Clapper Rail White-crowned Sparrow
Verdin Marsh Wren Ladderback Woodpecker
Yellow-rump Warbler Brown-headed Cowbird Starling
House Finch American Kestrel Least Sandpiper
Burrowing Owl Greater Yellowlegs Western Sandpiper
Long-billed Curlew Say's Phoebe W Meadowlark
Green Heron Great-blue Heron Turkey Vulture
Loggerhead Shrike American Bittern Avocet
Stilt Sandpiper Peregrine Falcon Red-tailed Hawk
Double-crested Cormorant Common Roadrunner N Shoveler
Widgeon N Pintail Red-shafted Flicker
Yellow-headed Blackbird Brown Pelican Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow Cattle Egret Western Grebe
Common Tern Common Moorhen Clarke's Grebe
Spotted Sandpiper Common Ground Dove

After lunching at the Sonny Bono Centre we visited the Finney-Ramer Unit, a first for some of us; interesting but nothing worthy of note.

We headed home up 111 after a very full day of birding and a satisfying specie count, with the Redstart and the Stilt Sandpiper of particular note.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

AV04/39 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Oct 16th & 20th 2004

2004-10-22T13:33:00.000-07:00

An interesting morning for nine birders on Saturday - and Linda & Sharon are back! We competed for birding space with Gene Cardiff who had a class, and who managed to find a Yellow-shafted Flicker. We ourselves found a Black-throated Grey Warbler, which sent Gene scrambling, and our semi-permanent Barn Owl and Red-naped Sapsucker. The Red- and White-breasted Nuthatches were seen and we had a count of 30+ species.

Today was a different ball-game; we had eight birders, only one of which, Dave, was sensible enough to spend most of his time in his car or at the feeders. We seven, including Michael en route to New Zealand, covered the Kiosk, the Park, the Meadow (waterlogged in part) and the Nature Centre in pouring rain. As always we had a good morning, with the Barn Owl and Nuthatches still there, and found 19 species. The Preserve driveway was flooded, as were large parts of Morongo Valley, and Dee and Betty were sensible to be 'out of town'!

Over the last few days we had reports from visitors of a Purple Finch and an American Redstart.

A reminder for Sunday and the Salton Sea. Meet at Big Morongo at 6.15am, T/A truckstop (Burns Bros) at 7am, and bring a picnic and water. Call me with problems, 328 6750, cell 333 2366.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

AV04/38 Saturday Walks & Big Morongo Canyon 13th October 2004

2004-10-14T17:06:00.000-07:00

Our new Saturday Walks began quietly on the 9th, with six birders and a preponderance of leaders, but no harm in that. We had a pleasant morning, including a visit from Barbara, and expect to see attendance rising as the season moves along.

Wednesday 13th October saw fourteen birders ready to welcome Karma and Mark, back from Spokane, for a good morning's birding. We had around 35 species, saw the end of the Flycatchers, save for the Phoebe's, no Summer Tanager (but we had one Western). We did have Cedar Waxwings, Loggerhead Shrike and Phainopepla, together with Red- and White-breasted Nuthatches - quite a treat! We also saw Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush - a first for MrsM this season, and Pine Siskins, which she regularly spots. The Barn Owl continues to wait for us in the park and trying to see it, without falling over backwards, is an on-going challenge. Altogether a fine morning, which was followed by a small intimate lunch for fourteen at the new Roadhouse (on it's opening day). At 11.30 opening time there were forty people waiting outside; the staff and the menu were the same, only the venue was changed!

Sunday 24th October we plan a Salton Sea trip. Car-pool at Big Morongo at 6.15am and at TA truckstop (aka Burns Bros) at Dillon and I10 at 7am. We plan to go directly to Wister (Davis Road) and explore from there; bring a picnic and water and plan for a fairly full day. We will have scopes (ours and I expect Ken Wright's) and it should be a good day - and not too warm.

Call me with queries at 760 328 6750, cell 333 2366............good birding.

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

AV04/36 Malki Museum & Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Oct 5/6 2004

2004-10-03T17:46:00.001-07:00

Five Big Morongo Birders had a very pleasant visit to the Malki Museum, followed by a gourmet taco lunch at the Fields Road lunch stop, and it was rewarding to see MrsM finally manage to join one of her own outings! We hope to arrange a repeat outing in the Spring and tie it in to a tour of the canyons for wildflowers.

Yesterday we had thirteen birders at the Preserve, including a welcome short visit of Cam and Dave, and we spent three hours in rather too warm weather. In addition to seeing three Bobcats and four Mule Deer, we saw a remarkable 50 species of birds. We saw two Barn Owls, one of which was flushed from his cottonwood perch by screaming Scrubs, Red-naped Sapsucker, Red- and White-breasted Nuthatches, increasing numbers of Red-shafted Flickers, and after a long absence a Phainopepla! We had a late staying Ash-throated Flycatcher plus both Tanagers, but the star had to be an Evening Grosbeak which has been seen for the last several days; needless to say your scribe missed it.
See the full list of this week's sightings at http://bigmorongo.org/a3Birds.htm

The Student Conservation Association, working with biologists and BLM are seeking volunteers to be trained to observe the Bald Eagles at Lake Hemet. I know Dianne will be there but if others have an interest, please contact Emily at 951 658 9651 or email sca-fs-emily@yahoo.com

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

AV04/35 Big Morongo to Lake Hemet & Idyllwild via Hurkey Creek 29/30 September 2004

2004-10-03T17:46:00.000-07:00

For the last time this season, twelve Summer birders had a fine morning in cool weather on Wednesday finding 43 species across the meadow and the park - plus pleasing and lengthy sightings of a Summer Tanager at the feeders. Of note were good hawks - Cooper's, Red-shouldered, and Red-tailed; a Barn Owl, rare on our walks; Lark, Sage, White-crowned and Lincoln Sparrows; a Western Meadowlark and Violet-green, and Barn Swallows. The Tanagers and BH Grosebeaks are still with us, as was an Ash-throated Flycatcher.

On Thursday, ten of us assembled at Lake Hemet under the direction of Dianne, who was (voluntarily) under test to produce Eagles for us: she produced in spades and we saw two Bald Eagles plus Osprey, and Great Blue Herons seeking food on the lake and a total of 42 species.

Northern Harrier Great Blue Heron White Pelican
Red-winged Blackbird Bald Eagle Crow
House Finch Raven Osprey
Cedar Waxwing American Kestral Black Phoebe
Chipping Sparrow White-headed Woodpecker Yellow Warbler
Red-shouldered Hawk Phaneopepla White-breasted Nuthatch
Double-crested Cormorant Western Grebe Brewer's Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird Mallard Acorn Woodpwcker
Merlin Mountain Chickadee Oak Titmouse
Anna's Hummingbird House Sparrow American Robin
Stellar's Jay Scrub Jay Red-shafted Flicker
Western Bluebird Pygmy Nuthatch Dark-eyed Junco
Band-tailed Pigeon Lesser Goldfinch Red-tailed Hawk
Red-breasted Nithatch White-crowned Sparrow

Leaving Lake Hemet, a most charming spot, we called at Hurkey Creek campground which was good for Acorn Woodpeckers, Chickadees and Nuthatches, en route to Idyllwild, and Dianna's cabin where we stayed for a picnic lunch. It was quite delightful and with a zillion feeders on decks around three sides of the cabin, birds abounded. It was a fitting end to a super day's birding; thanks to Dee for suggesting it and Dianne for her hospitality.

In passing, and a benefit of the delay in releasing this report, Linda York's first walk of the season was a great success. Sandy led a group of ten (be thankful for small groups!) on a walk remarkable for the added shorebirds following the removal of some of the reeds. It was wonderful to see the Stilts returning in force, and we enjoyed seeing a Northern Harrier hunting in the alfalfa field.

Henceforth, all walks at Big Morongo will start at 8am.

Reminder for Malki Museum on Tuesday. Meet at Denny's Palm Springs at 9.30am. Call me if you would like to join us.

Apologies for the delay in releasing this report, blamed on 'technical problems'..........bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

AV04/34 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 22nd September 2004

2004-09-23T15:36:00.000-07:00

What a successful morning for our nine birders; Mike and Steffie were back from their pelagic trip to Monterey, had a fine time, and the weather at Big Morongo was wonderful. You folks in the frozen North might like to reconsider your positions!

We had 35 species, but of note were the first of the White-crowns (and Lincoln's and Chipping), the first solitary Red-shafted Flicker and would you believe a very good sighting of a Black-&-white Warbler. We had a Swainson's Thrush (and a dead one in the park) and a number of Western Wood Pewees, one of which spent several minutes on the same tree stump, giving us the opportunity to give it a thorough examination through the scope. The Vermillions appear to be gone, as are the Orioles, but the Tanagers and Black-headed Grosbeaks are still around.

All in all a fine morning.

We intend visiting Malki Museum on Tuesday 5th October, meeting at Denny's Palm Springs at 9.30am. This will be a short outing for those who missed it first time around, and we intend to lunch at the Taco Stand at the junction of Fields Road and I10.

Don't Forget Lake Hemet and Idyllwild on Thursday 30th September, car pool at Big Morongo at 7am, St Margaret's Palm Desert at 7.30am, and expect to meet at Lake Hemet around 8.15. Dianne Franco and Sig will meet us at Lake Hemmet. Dianne has experience of finding the Eagles and we never turn down experience. Dianne has also offered the deck of her cabin in Idyllwild, where we can have our picnic lunch with lots of feeders, birds and seating. Sounds like a good, and full, day.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

AV04/33 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 15th September 2004

2004-09-16T17:49:00.000-07:00

Eight Summer birders, including the welcome return of Bonnie and Wander Woman after extended absences, had a very pleasant and successful walk in weather which is becoming regularly pleasant and cool. I am told that the heat is behind us, but then I hear that every year (and then the over-seeding is burned off!!)

We saw thirty three species, including a repeat of the Red-eyed Vireo, Cedar Waxwing, Oak Titmouse, Loggerhead Shrike and agreed that it was a remarkable performance given the absence of Eagle-eye Smiley doing his Pelagic stuff in Monterey, and Margaret up in the Big City, but well backed up by MrsM.

Patrick Casey, the Webmaster of www.bigmorongo.org has released his latest enhancement of the preserve website. You can now see a reproduction of the 'Birds seen over the last week - or so' that appears in the kiosk, on the website. Birds seen appear in blue and you can see a 'last update', so you know if Dee is slacking. Well done Patrick!

We have an outing planned to Lake Hemet and Idyllwild
Thursday September 30th - all day. Car-pool at Big Morongo at 7am, and at St Margaret's in Palm Desert on Highway 74 at 7.30am. We expect to reach Lake Hemet around 8.15am and Sig and others may like to meet us there. Bring a picnic and water for a possibly lengthy day - we are looking for Eagles and whatever else we can find.

Queries to me below, or at 328 6750, cell 333 2366. Good Birding.............bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

AV04/32 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 8th September 2004

2004-09-09T17:08:00.000-07:00

More of our mild weather led to a most pleasant walk; it's just the lack of sleep for those who don't live in Morongo Valley and it's environs that presents a problem. The initial challenge to our ten birders, including our Mr Smiley who is progressing very well thank you, was to find a Red-eyed Vireo which others had reported.

We found 45 Species, including the aforementioned Vireo, which may or may not be a short-time record, but it was sufficient to impress our party - and this without walking the Marsh Trail. Of note was a Calliope Hummingbird sighting at the feeders, also banded by Barbara's team several days earlier; Willow and Pacific-slope Flycatchers, and Red-Breasted Sapsuckers, were also seen after some considerable time. Chickadees at the feeders and White-breasted Nuthatches in the park, continue to be easily found, and a Black-throated Grey Warbler was a new find.

The Fall Newsletter has been distributed to it's usual wide acclaim, thanks to Donna Thomas, and if you did not receive one but would like to do so, contact info@BigMorongo.org. or call me.

As always, please contact me with queries and suggestions by email or by telephone at 328 6750, cell 333 2366.

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net

AV04/31 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 1st September 2004

2004-09-02T19:14:00.000-07:00

Eleven birders, including Sharon and Dave back from Huntington Beach after a lengthy absence, spent a very fruitful three hours, after what might be called a 'fresh' start at 7am: the early mornings really are very pleasant. We started with the Marsh trail and were somewhat surprised to find a Yellow Breasted Chat - we have neither heard nor seen them for a couple of weeks. Marsh was good for warblers, and a noisy Summer Tanager, and crossing the meadow via the Barn was fruitful, including yet another sighting of the silent Ash Throated Flycatcher - I do hope we got that right!. The Park was bitty, but the walk up to the Ball Park was interesting and pushed up the count - but no Phaneopepla, yet again!

Unfortunately Angela and Ken, from Cumbria England, missed our walk on this their first visit to the Preserve and your scribe took them on a mini-walk to help them find Life Birds. We found half a dozen including a (silent) Chat, Ash-throated Flycatcher, flocks of Bushtits and of course our signature Vermilion Flycatcher.

Dee and Betty are back from the damp Pacific North West, refreshed and invigorated, and breathing new life into the Preserve.

No Outings planned, but if anyone would like to go to Wild-Wings Bird Walk on Saturday 11th September in Big Bear let me know: it will mean a 6.30am departure from Big Morongo.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/30 Big Bear Lake 30th August 2004

2004-08-30T18:59:00.000-07:00

Notwithstanding an early start in the Low- and Hi-Deserts, it was 9am when we started at the Discovery Centre on North Shore Drive. The feeder was very active with all three Nuthatches and many Mountain Chickadees and others. We called at Woodland Trail and the lakeside opposite and found an interesting mix of species, many we certainly do not see at Big Morongo. The low water levels are increasingly obvious and must have brought significant change to bird and animal life - and don't forget that Big Morongo, already at very low levels, relies on Big Bear for it's water supply!

We called briefly at Davidson Drive where Margaret's 'Dozens of Pinyon Jays' failed to appear, and went on to lunch at Aspen Glen followed by a drive up 2N10, but bird life was light in the middle of the day.


Brewer's Blackbird Pygmy Nuthatch Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Mountain Chickadee Scrub Jay House Finch White Pelican Stellar's Jay Wilson's Warbler Bushtit Acorn Woodpecker	American Kestrel Common Raven Great Blue Heron Black-necked Stilt Mallard Northern Harrier Caspian Tern Yellow-rumped Warbler Tree Swallow Western Bluebird Anna's Hummingbird

We concluded by visiting Wild-Wings, exploring an amazing collection of bird-related merchandise, and talking with Bill Downs. He provided us with useful advice for a future visit - perhaps for his last Bird Walk of the season, Saturday September 11th at 8am.

We have no activities planned at present, other than our regularly scheduled Wednesday walks at 7am, but you might like to check out our web site http://bigmorongobirders.blogspot.com/ With invaluable help from Patrick Casey, who manages the Preserve web site, we have cleaned up the specie lists which we often provide, although there is still way to go!

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/29 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 25th August 2004

2004-08-27T16:09:00.000-07:00

Five Big Morongo Birders, including Geralde, back from her Summer sojourn in Europe, gave the Marsh trail a very thorough examination and then moved over to the park. A 7am start and a mild morning led to a very interesting list of 37 species.


Cooper's Hawk Black-chinned Humbird Black Phoebe Western Kingbird Cactus Wren Warbling Vireo Wilsons Warbler Spotted Towhee House Finch Mourning Dove W. Wood-pewee Ash-throated Flycatcher	Gambel's Quail Anna's Hummingbird Say's Phoebe Scrub Jay Bewick's Wren Orange-cr Warbler Summer Tanager California Towhee Lesser Goldfinch White-br Nuthatch Bell's Vireo* Comm Yellowthroat	Virginia Rail* Rufous H'bird Vrm Flycatcher Mtn Chickadee Cal Thrasher McGillivray's Warbler W. Tanager Song Sparrow House Sparrow Black-headed Grosebeak Hooded Oriole * Heard Only

Dee and Betty are on vacation in Washington State. Mike Smiley had successful knee surgery yesterday; Betty tells me he is 'grumpy'. MrsM, banding at Motte, is on cloud nine after netting a pair of Calliope Hummingbirds.
Patrick Casey has developed a Bird Specie List for the Preserve web-site, similar to the one in the kiosk, which will highlight birds recently seen. This attractive module is presently being tested and will be released shortly.

Don't forget Big Bear on Monday 30th August. Car-pool from Big Morongo at 7.30am and for those who choose to go direct to Big Bear, meet at the Discovery Centre on North Shore Drive (HWY 38) at about 9am. Bring water and a picnic and expect to be back by around 4pm.........bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/28 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 18th August 2004

2004-08-18T18:42:00.000-07:00

Eight birders including Sharon, new from Redondo Beach, had a fine morning in comparatively cool weather. We found 38 species including Lazuli Bunting, Ash Throated and Willow Flycatchers, a Kestrel and a pair of Warbling Vireos. The Vermillion were noteworthy for looking rather ragged, and the colouring is moving more towards Salmon than Vermillion. We also found a Summer Tanager, after thinking that perhaps they had left us, and a four-point buck in velvet!

All in all a rich haul and well worth our early start.

We continue the Wednesday walks at 7am, and have booked Big Bear for Monday 30th August, leaving Big Morongo at 7.30am, but more later.

Thanks to Tom for rejuvenating my machine and making this report possible.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/27 Top of the Tram 16th August 2004

2004-08-16T17:33:00.000-07:00

It was a terribly select group which took the 10am tram in weather which was fine but almost chilly - at noon the temperature was 62 degrees!

We were not deterred by Ken Church's warnings of recent Diamondback findings, or the monumental excavations in Long Valley - a new pipe line appears to be in progress with backhoes, Bobcats and lots of noise. The specie list was pretty thin but we did have all three Nuthatches, Mountain Chickadees and a Wrentit. Woodpeckers were remarkable by their absence and for some reason we saw no Juncos. There was virtually no water to be seen (I was at Hidden Lake yesterday and that is quite dry) and the 'water hole' opposite the picnic site is quite dry. Nevertheless, all agreed that it was a very pleasant way to spend the morning, and cool at that!

As you know an outing to Big Bear is planned for Monday August 30th, leaving Big Morongo at 7.30am. If I am made aware of sufficient interest I will confirm the arrangements later.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/26 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 11th August 2004

2004-08-11T19:22:00.000-07:00

Eight birders, including Catlady on a welcome, if brief return to the desert had a good morning starting at 7am with a comfortable 75 degrees

We worked through the meadow and park as far as the ball park, which is still very quiet. A fine haul of 38 species impressed us all but a Great Blue Heron? We saw one flying North from the Barn and shortly afterwards a Lazuli Bunting and an Oak Titmouse. Regrettably no Blue Grosebeak which Catlady was hoping to see, and no Chats. We only went as far as the Nature Centre and discussed the Butterfly Garden which has been marked out with chalk.

Dates to Note
Monday 16th August. Top of the Tram, meet at lower tram 9.45am; water and picnic.
Monday 30th August. Big Bear, Car-pool from Big Morongo at 7.30am; water and picnic.
It would be very helpful if I were advised if you hope to join these outings, particularly in the Summer when so many of our folks flee to milder weather, and our numbers are slim.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/25 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 4th August 2004

2004-08-04T18:14:00.000-07:00

A mild morning and a 7am start made for a pleasant walk over the meadow and through the park. The Blue Grosebeak and Brown Crested Flycatcher are very much in evidence but the Ash Throated appear to have moved on. We saw the first Warbling Vireo in the park and are presently seeing Roufus, Anna's, Costa's and Black Chinned Hummingbirds at the feeders.

The Marsh trail was very quiet and the water levels are really quite low. We did not hear any Yellow Breasted Chats but did hear the Virginia Rail. From the trail in front of the Nature Centre we saw a six-point deer heading towards the barn

Monday 16th August 2004 We plan to re-visit the Top of the Tram for a one and a half mile walk for birding and picnic. Meet at the tram at 9.45am for the 10am tram.

Monday 30th August 2004 We plan to visit Big Bear Lake for birding and picnic lunch. Car-pool from Big Morongo at 7.30am and probably return mid afternoon.

As always, email or call me with queries and suggestions at 328 6750.

Barry Parkes
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net
On the web at http://www.bigmorongobirders.blogspot.com/

AV04/24 Oak Glen Preserve 3rd August 2004

2004-08-03T18:40:00.000-07:00

At 8.30am, Oak Glen at 62 degrees is hard to beat, as two more birders will attest!

Sunny, clear, and fresh - and you don't get that in the CV, although you may in the Hi-Desert, - we started through the California woods at a leisurely pace and found twenty birds. This could have been many more had there been the hot-shot birders we usually have; Dee, Margaret, Mr Smiley and MrsM were absent.

Red Wing Blackbird, American Robin, Gambel's Quail,
House Finch, Mountain Chickadee, American Coot,
Great Tailed Grackle, Black Phoebe, Acorn Woodpecker,
Spotted Towhee, Western Tanager, Mourning Dove,
Scrub Jay, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Black Headed Grosebeak,
Western Wood Pewee, Red Tail Hawk, Lark Sparrow,
Western BlueBird, Lesser Goldfinch,
..................and a turtle about 18 inches long.

A remarkable first year male Grosebeak, and a pair of very young Coot chicks with red bills and quite vivid yellow and rust plumage around the head and shoulders made our morning. Wonderful views of soaring Red-Tails.

We were alone on the trail, had a wonderful morning, and stroked the apples. Your scribe, celebrating a significant event, tried to prevent the sweetest, luscious, wild blackberries dying on the stem; he did not win, but went down fighting.

The schedule, with a soft 'sch', is clear but stand by.

You may notice that this comes from a new address. Both new and old are operative but I thought it appropriate that Big Morongo Birders had their own home. Good Birding...............bb

Barry Parkes
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net
Find us at http://www.bigmorongobirders.blogspot.com/

AV04/23 Malki Museum 29th July 2004

2004-07-29T18:35:00.000-07:00

When Ernie Siva gave us a fascinating grounding in Indian history, culture and music last year, Jane and I said that we must visit the Malki Museum soon. Soon became today - Big Morongo is not a speedy place.

Nine Big Morongan Birders met at the museum (on the way to which we saw a pair of Golden Eagles) and spent some time in the gardens and the museum proper, which have an interesting collection of artifacts and plants, and have a greater involvement in publishing than some of us had previously appreciated. Debra provided us with background of the activities held at the museum periodically and a history of the forty plus years of the museum.

We left to seek the 'foothills North of Banning' and via the most circuitous route imaginable stopped to bird at the dead centre of Banning. It was a most pleasant spot but we did not see many birds; very many young quail families, an anonymous woodpecker and an anonymous hawk - at long distance!

After what I am told was a truly memorable taco lunch at Fields Road we returned to the museum to meet Roy Mathews, a tribal member, who had volunteered to take us to the canyons North of the Museum. This was quite something; loaded into Roy's SUV and Dorothy's 4WD, we went way north through cattle meadows towards the foothills of the National Forest and stopped to overlook a small lake, with wading cattle, beyond which were wide meadows then Eagle and Sycamore canyons. Lots of Western Kingbirds throughout the foothills and also Lark Sparrows and Nuttall's Woodpecker. We diverted to an area known for it's very old, and quite striking Black Walnut trees. Several of them have fallen down in part, but continued to grow from a horizontal position, with root systems out of the ground! When I remarked to Roy that it would be a young boy's paradise, he told me that he brought his children there.

It was a memorable day and we are indebted to Debra and Susan in the Museum, and Roy Mathews for our excursion to the interior. Many thanks indeed.

Reminder for Oak Glen; Tuesday August 3rd, Denny's Palm Springs at 7.30am, bring water and picnic but fairly early finish.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/22 Big Morongo Canyon 28th July 2004

2004-07-28T17:35:00.000-07:00

Eight of our birders left the feeders at 7am and with a temperature of 70 degrees - true!! - went first through the meadow to the park, then around the Marsh Trail.

Last week the Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve were given a new Leica scope (with all the add-ons) by David and Sandra Junkin who, notwithstanding their home in Bliss, New York, are life members of Friends. We all very much appreciate their generous gift and this morning took it for it's first outing. We saw 38 species including a Lazuli Bunting but the first in the scope was a Blue Grosebeak in bright sunlight. The Grosebeak and many others posed for us which was fortunate; in the park was a very minor water leak which resulted in a wonderful display of Black Headed Grosebeaks, Bullock's and Hooded Orioles and many Western Tanagers. Vermillions were abundant, but too swift for this scope operator, and although we heard one (only) Yellow Breasted Chat we did not see it.

A very pleasant morning, and well worth continuing the Wednesday walks.

Tomorrow, Thursday 29th July we go to Malki Museum. Meet at Denny's Palm Springs at 8am or at Malki at 9am. Bring water and picnic snack. Tears for Mrs M and Wander Woman (last heard of in Chicago) who will miss it.

Note also Oak Glen Preserve on Tuesday August 3rd. Meet at Denny's Palm Springs at 7.30am with water and picnic snack.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/21 Big Morongo Canyon 21st July 2004

2004-07-21T18:55:00.000-07:00

In fine weather nine birders, including two youngsters being entertained by Granny, saw 31 species including good views of Kingbirds and Brown-crested Flycatchers over only the Marsh Trail. Bell's Vireo was still singing merrily - surely an in indication that they nested this year.

Our (Friends of Big Morongo) donated scope arrived today and Dee is already practicing counting whiskers on Mule Deer and pebbles at the top of the driveway - he is very pleased with it, and we look forward to sharing with him.

Malki Museum on 29th July. Meet at Denny's Palm Springs, I10 and Indian at 8.15am to be at Malki Museum for 9am. Take the Fields Road exit from I10 and go North; the museum is two or three miles on the left. We plan to tour the museum, then explore the foothills North of Banning for new birding opportunities and have an early lunch. We return to the museum for 12 noon when a resident tribal member, who was previously a ranger in the Palm Springs Indian Canyons, will take us to the canyons to the North. It promises to be an interesting day!

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/20 Barker Dam 19th July 2004

2004-07-19T18:11:00.000-07:00

Cool weather doesn't last for ever, but this morning was very pleasant.

Barker Dam had plenty of water, but hardly an abundance of species - we saw about 15 including a Loggerhead Shrike and a Turkey Vulture, neither of which we have seen much of in recent times. We saw very many young Black-throated Sparrows and Mourning Doves. Hawk-eye Dianne spotted a young male Big Horn Sheep lounging in the shade of a rock, short of the water; it was rather like Bambi with horns and straight from Central Casting. Possibly a left-over from when Disney painted the petrogliphs. A few minutes later Dianne found another sheep, this time a mature male with very handsome horns and a similar pose; not bad for a Morongo beginner!

Kay and Jane had what sounds like a super trip to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, notwithstanding weather which sounded a little extreme simply to avoid the Coachella Valley warmth. We are told of Gannet colonies and Atlantic Puffins - and Jane had healthy additions to her Life List. Sharon was in the Rocky Mountains and enjoyed seeing a White Tailed Ptarmigan with five 'adorable little chicks'.

We are still on schedule for Malki Museum on 29th July and are giving further thought to 'after the museum' activities following a recent visit by our Mr Smiley; we will advise you further.

Don't forget also, Oak Glen on Tuesday, 3rd August.

Comments and suggestions are welcome. Email or call 760 328 6750, cell 760 333 2366
Good Birding............bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/19 Big Morongo Canyon 14th July 2004

2004-07-14T17:30:00.000-07:00

Would you believe this was a cool day - not Joe Cool type cool, but 77 degrees type cool!!
Seven of us, half hoping to shut out Phyllis, who had better things to do, spent three hours over Marsh, Mesquite, Canyon and Mesquite trails, then Meadow and Park. We saw 28 species, including Bell's Vireo, several Blue Grosebeak and a banded, eight-year-old Summer Tanager. Some of us have given up on the Yellow Billed Cuckoo, leaving only Mark Chappell and his tipster (plus of course, Mark's pictures). Water levels throughout the preserve are well down and some 'streams' now have no visible water, as in part of Mesquite below the motor car, but all in all a very pleasant morning.

Reminders for future dates
Monday 19th July for Barker Dam (in Joshua Tree). Meet at 7.30am at Big Morongo for car-pooling. We go via Park Centre to collect Margaret and perhaps others around 8am for a short bird walk, less than two miles. Lorraine and your scribe were there yesterday and there is still water and bird life - it's a very pleasant walk. Bring water, snack and we'll be back before lunch.
Thursday 29th July for Malki Museum(in Cabazon), car pooling at Denny's Palm Springs, Indian and I10 at 8.15 to be at Malki Museum for 9am (where Lois and Monte may join us). If you have not already done so, please let me know if you intend to come along. Bring water and picnic lunch or snack. We are still working on activity beyond the museum.
Tuesday August 3rd for Oak Glen Preserve (near Apple Valley/Beaumont). Car Pool at Denny's Palm Springs, Indian and I10 at 7.30am. Bring water and picnic or snack; we will return early afternoon.

No social news except to welcome Midge and Sig after lengthy absences.

Call me with queries, 328 6750 or 333 2366. Good Birding.................bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/18 Big Morongo Canyon 7th July 2004

2004-07-07T17:49:00.000-07:00

Our first 7am start saw eleven birders, including two from Northern California, head towards the Mesquite and Canyon trails. On Sunday Mark Chappell saw a Yellow Billed Cuckoo and apparently reported it to the rare bird alert - which explained our visitors. The Cuckoo was seen in the Cottonwood with the Cooper's nest on the Canyon trail. Mark provided me with most impressive pictures of both the Cuckoo and a Cooper's Hawk.

Alas, we were not to see the Cuckoo but we noted a significant increase in bird chatter compared with the 8am start, and saw 37 species including Black-Tailed Gnatcatcher, Oak Titmouse and Blue Grosebeak. Some of our party saw a Bobcat with two kittens on the Marsh trail (your scribe missed them).

Linda Charest rescued two baby Snipe from a busy highway; they had been run over and blown around by three cars, but the wheels missed! Bill Simpkins found his Condor in Grand Canyon!

Our Mr Smiley will discuss with the Malki Museum people how best to fill out our day. We hope to include birding in addition to the Museum and a picnic lunch. If you plan to join us will you please let me know, so that we can give the museum an indication of our likely numbers.

Dates to remember; Monday July 19th, Barker Dam and Thursday July 29th Malki Museum.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/17 July Excursions - Barker Dam and Malki Museum, Cabazon

2004-07-03T12:24:00.000-07:00

Monday 19th July, Barker Dam. We are told there is water in the dam, and intend to meet at 7.30am for car-pooling at Big Morongo. Back in time for lunch, but don't forget water(and nuts and power-bars if they are your thing).

Thursday 29th July, Malki Museum. Meet for car-pooling at Denny's Palm Springs, Indian and I10 at 8.15am. This should be an interesting day and we hope to include some birding - details later.

Following this circular our distribution list will be slimmed down to those who normally bird with us (from time to time) leaving others to view the web site at their discretion
http://bigmorongobirders.blogspot.com/
Note that the web site is always updated before emails are dispatched. If you find that you no longer receive our emails but would prefer to do so, please let me know.

In Morongo and environs we have recently been experiencing very fine weather - MrsM, in Yucca, boasts of not needing to use her cooler - and the warmer weather appears to have shifted to Spokane, where Mark is having some sparkling birding and is frustrated because he can't share it with us. Denny and Sharon in Waterton National Park Alberta, joined for part of their stay by the Charests, sent a specie list which was quite wonderful; perhaps best described as a combination of Linda (York) and Dee with a few extras thrown in.

More information on Malki Museum will follow. Please let me have suggestions for future outings; we would like to return to Oak Glen and Top of the Tram but we need input!

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

AV04/16 Pipe's Canyon 26th & Big Morongo 30th June 2004

2004-06-30T16:39:00.000-07:00

I felt guilty about Saturday 26th at Pipe's Canyon. Seven of us, including Pipe's Ace Margaret Hoggan, set out hoping to show Phyllis (and family) and Barbara the much heralded Mountain Quail. Four of our party left of necessity to prior engagements and Murphy's Law prevailed; a few minutes after we parted the remaining Margaret, Dorothy and your scribe saw their first MQ, and subsequently more than a hundred. There were no very small chicks, the smallest being about six inches.

This morning at the preserve was most pleasant and not at all hot - less than seventy for openers! Ten Big Morongo Birders covered the Marsh, Barn and Mesquite Trails (no Park) and saw 35 species, including Bell's Vireo, several good sightings of Blue Grosebeak, and a particularly fine, close-up, view of a Chat in song (if song is the right word). Yet another Virginia Rail, this time a young chick with down rather than feathers, seen below the weir on Mesquite. We also saw a Bobcat near the Nature Centre (David), a Shrew (deceased) on the Marsh Trail, and a Raccoon which passed behind the feeders and crossed the driveway. There's no doubt, it's all happening on the Preserve!

We hear that Sharon Mattern has a comparative dearth of birds in Poipu,Kauai, compensated no doubt by the weather she enjoys. Wander Woman was last heard of in Canterbury and enjoyed the Mens Choir, and then the Boys Choir........

We have changed the timing of the Wednesday walks to 7am, with effect from July, and hope we see more and in comfortable weather. No specific planning yet, although we are hoping to visit the Malki Museum (since fixed for July 29th), and have tentatively reserved Monday July 19 and Thursday July 29; more to follow.

Enjoy your holiday and your summer - and Good Birding.....bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/15 Top of the Tram 25th June 2004

2004-06-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

A very large apology to David Novick - I must have had one of my, not unusual, Senior Moments.

Nine Summer Birders caught the first tram at 10am in standard Desert Weather. Quite warm down below but around 70 at the top with not a cloud in the sky. We saw nineteen species and argued a little about a few more (we play safe now).

Stellar's Jay, Violet Green Swallow, Pygmy Nuthatch,
Mountain Chickadee, Western Bluebird, House Wren,
Western Wood Peewee, Dusky Flycatcher, Raven,
Clark's Nutcracker, Black Phoebe, Yellow Rump Warbler,
Western Tanager, Dark Eyed Junco, American Robin,
Red Tail Hawk, Hairy Woodpecker, Olive Sided Flycatcher,
and Cassin's Finch.

Ken Wright was on cloud nine when he got the Dusky Flycatcher in his scope and left shortly afterwards - it could not get better, as it were. Beginning Birder Gayle Smithson missed it, as did your scribe, but she did get a really good sighting of a pair of Clark's Nutcracker. All in all a very pleasant outing.

We heard from Mary Norlund, who was very pleased to find 'our' Mountain Quail at Pipe's Canyon.

Wednesday walks continue at Big Morongo at 8am. Nothing else scheduled at present except a check on Pipe's Canyon tomorrow Saturday 26th June, 8am. Our Desert Rose and Dorothy intend to join me; all are welcome.

You might like to have a look at our website
http://bigmorongobirders.blogspot.com/
We still have listing problems to address (hence the change in the specie list above) but any comments are welcome.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

A very large apology to David Novick - I must have had one of my, not unusual, Senior Moments.

Nine Summer Birders caught the first tram at 10am in standard Desert Weather. Quite warm down below but around 70 at the top with not a cloud in the sky. We saw nineteen species and argued a little about a few more (we play safe now).

Stellar's Jay.................Violet Green Swallow.............Pygmy Nuthatch.............Red Tail Hawk
Mountain Chickadee......Western Bluebird...................House Wren..................Hairy Woodpecker
Western Wood Peewee..Dusky Flycatcher....................Raven...........................Olive Sided Flycatcher
Clark's Nutcracker.......Black Phoebe...........................Yellow Rump Warbler...Cassin's Finch
Western Tanager..........Dark Eyed Junco.....................American Robin

Ken Wright was on cloud nine when he got the Dusky Flycatcher in his scope and left shortly afterwards - it could not get better, as it were. Beginning Birder Gayle Smithson missed it, as did your scribe, but she did get a really good sighting of a pair of Clark's Nutcracker. All in all a very pleasant outing.

We heard from Mary Norlund, who was very pleased to find 'our' Mountain Quail at Pipe's Canyon.

Wednesday walks continue at Big Morongo at 8am. Nothing else scheduled at present except a check on Pipe's Canyon tomorrow Saturday 26th June, 8am. Our Desert Rose and Dorothy intend to join me; all are welcome.

You might like to have a look at our website
http://bigmorongobirders.blogspot.com/
We still have listing problems to address (hence the change in the specie list above) but any comments are welcome.

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

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/14 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 23rd June 2004

2004-06-23T17:57:00.000-07:00

Summer birding on the Preserve is quite definitely different. We have a very small group of dedicated birders - five this morning, including David Novick back from fishing-induced injuries - and follow different routes than most walks during the 'season'. This morning we took the Marsh, Mesquite, then Canyon to the first Cottonwood copse, back to upper Mesquite and across to the park. Very pleasant indeed, and with much of the walk in the shade, quite comfortable.

We found forty species including a wonderful view of a Yellow Breasted Chat from the Marsh Trail; at the top of a willow, it faced the sun, and us, and posed and sang for ever. The Marsh also showed us a Brown Crested Flycatcher being fed, including what looked like a particularly tasty underwing-moth. We could have charged for this! We also saw a very young Cooper's close to the nest in the canyon - but were not bombed as some have been, found Bell's Vireo and Oak Titmouse on the Mesquite, and a good view of the Blue Grosebeak below the road to the Nature Centre.

Mark sent us pictures of Mountain Quail taken around the trail head at Pipe's Canyon (he hates to be left behind, being local) and Mary Norlund came down from Cheyenne looking for 'our' Mountain Quail as a life bird (stretching it, but it sounds good). I intend to return to Pipe's this coming Saturday to check on the progress of the chicks; 8am at the trail head if anyone would like to join. Big Morongo Birders intelligence is aware that MrsM is back in Yucca but is laying low for the moment; Wander Woman is already missing her!

Wednesday walks continue at 8am. Don't forget Top of the Tram on Friday 25th June. Meet at the tram at 9.45am, bring water and snack/lunch.
Good birding...........bb
Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com

AV04/13 Big Morongo Walk Wednesday 16th June 2004

2004-06-17T17:47:00.000-07:00

We thought the morning might be rather warm, but it was not and we had a very pleasant walk covering the Marsh Trail, barn, meadow and the park. Six Summer Birders found 35 species, including 'our' Vermillion Flycatchers and Blue Grosebeak as life birds for Alexa.
As we followed our usual bucolic Wednesday morning, 6,000 miles away in bustling St Ives, Cornwall, Mrs M and Wander Woman were making mayhem: I know St Ives and it's Art Colony and it may never be the same again!
Wednesday walks will continue at 8am

A number of our birders, taking advantage of our very extensive research, have been to Pipe's Canyon and caught the Mountain Quail; maybe we/they should consider a charge!

Don't forget our Top of the Tram walk on Friday 25th June. Car Pool at Big Morongo at 9am or meet at the tram at 9.45am to catch the first tram at 10am, fee about $20. Bring a picnic lunch and plenty of water, or whatever for what could be some good birding. I was there recently and had a really good sighting of a White-headed Woodpecker.

Queries and comments to me at 760 328 6750 cell 760 333 2366..........bb

AV04/12 Pipe's Canyon 9th June 2004

2004-06-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

Well, it took eleven Big Morongo Birders including rookie Paul Anderson (who went home with a heck of an opening Life List) to lay to rest the saga of the Mountain Quail. On an absolutely perfect day, temperature around 60 and sunny, we started at 8am and saw a covey of Mountain Quail between the office and the picnic area, and then went on to see

Black Throated Sparrow, Gambell's Quail, Mountain Quail, California Towhee,
Cactus Wren, Ash Throated Flycatcher, White Throated Swift, Rock Wren,
Mourning Dove House Finch, Scrub Jay, Spotted Towhee,
Lesser Goldfinch, California Thrasher, Bushtit, Black Headed Gorsebeak,
Lawrences Goldfinch, Say's Phoebe, Red Tail Hawk, Mockingbird,
Scott's Oriole, Violet- Green Swallow, Ladderback Woodpecker.

The Mountain Qail were quite remarkable, many more than a hundred and Jeanne thought 'hundreds'. After the trail head we found them from about 1.3 miles out and mostly flushed from lush green areas with water. We saw chicks of all sizes, some as close as ten feet, including a group of six learning to fly. Four made it and two chickened out. We saw how distinctive the twin plumes were - much more so than most of the field guides indicate. This will be a hard act to follow!!

Our Birders Travels. Don & Sylvia saw Elegant Trogon and Flame-coloured Tanager in Arizona, before seeing a bunch of Condors in Grand Canyon, including one not banded or numbered. Cam is all birded and wildflowered up after a great time in Sierra Subettica in Spain. Isabel, volunteering at Rocky Mountain National Park, sent a wonderful story of a pride of Mountain Lions, one youngster being caught and released; no one was hurt, except for an Elk.

Next Date Friday 25th June. We plan to go to the Top of the Tram in Palm Springs. Car Pool at Big Morongo at 9am or meet at the tram at 9.45am to catch the first tram at 10am, fee about $20. Bring a picnic lunch and plenty of water, or whatever for what could be some good birding. I was there recently and had a really good sighting of a White-headed Woodpecker.

Wednesday walks continue at Big Morongo, June 16th at 8am.
Queries and comments to me at 760 328 6750 cell 760 333 2366..........bb

AV04/11 Big Morongo and Pipe's Canyon

2004-06-04T16:44:00.000-07:00

We summer birders (missing Dorothy who was out of the loop, but is now in it) had an interesting walk on Wednesday, starting with a rare Barn Owl spotted by Midge as it flew by the parking lot.
We have had two separate reports over the last week of Yellow Billed Cuckoos seen on the Marsh Trail, so we started with the Marsh and went on to the Mesquite and Barn Trails. We tried hard but could not find the Cuckoo, but had good sightings of the Yellow Breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, and Ash-Throated Flycatchers - and the shade was much cooler!

Margaret Hoggan has reported seeing zillions of Mountain Quail chicks at Pipe's Canyon so next Wednesday 9th June we intend to bird there rather than at Big Morongo. Leave Big Morongo at 7.30am or meet at Pipe's Canyon at 8am. There may be some car pooling from Big Morongo. Don't forget water, but expect to be back before lunch.
We expect to resume Big Morongo walks on Wednesdays at 8am on 16th June.

We had a communication from Mrs M. She and Wander Woman, having 'done' London are now in Amsterdam testing the waters, and obviously doing some birding. I was surprised when Mrs M acknowledged that she was having problems IDing the birds - I guess it must be the unfamiliar specie list. All appears to be well.

Our web-site is not complete - we can't get the specie columns right - but the essentials are there. See what you think at http://bigmorongobirders.blogspot.com/
When we have sorted out formatting problems we intend to slim down the APB distribution list to those who commonly join us, and suggest to others that they keep in touch by reference to the web-site.

As always, comments and suggestions are welcome at 760 328 6750, cell 333 2366.
Good Birding...............bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com