The Escondido CBC, held on January 2, wrapped up the Christmas bird count season.
If our current total of 158 species holds up, we will have broken our previous high by
two species. Participants have already posted highlights from a number of areas. Here
is a summary of our rarest 10% based on the number of previous records. As results
are preliminary, some corrections may be in order.
Swamp Sparrow, one at the Safari Park is a first record for this CBC (Brennan
Mulrooney, Matt Farley). The bird is not in an accessible area to the public.
Common Goldeneye, a male at Lake Wohlford (Trysten Loefke, Aidyn Loefke, Sue
Smith, Hank Ingersoll, Geoff Rogers), and a female at the Vineyard Golf Course in
south Escondido (Ed Hall, Dave Batzler). Two previous records.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, one at Collier Park in Ramona (Jay Desgrosellier). A stake-
out bird which is an eastern counterpart of the Red-naped and Red-breasted
Sapsuckers. Two previous records.
Black-throated Sparrow, one near the San Diego Archaeological Museum in the San
Pasqual Valley (Jim Beckman, Michael Beeve, Sonja Beeve, Jack Friery, Marty Hales).
Two previous records of this species which is typical of desert country.
Red-breasted Nuthatch, two, possibly three, at the Safari Park (Stan Walens, Nancy
Christiansen, Joni Ciarletta, Brennan Mulrooney, Matt Farley). Present since October.
Three previous records.
White-throated Sparrow, one near Highland Valley Road (Bruce Rideout). Four
previous records of this eastern bird.
Clark’s Grebe, fifteen at Lake Wohlford (Trysten Loefke, Aidyn Loefke, Sue Smith, Hank
Ingersoll, Geoff Rogers). Five previous records.
Least Bittern, two individuals heard at Lake Wohlford (Geoff Rogers). Five previous
records.
Cackling Goose, recorded by four different teams in Ramona, the Safari Park, and
Rangeland Road). Six previous records. Probably overlooked prior to this bird’s
recognition as a distinct species.
Rufous/Allen’s Hummingbird, Slowly spreading east of I-15. Seven previous
records. No adult males have been identified so far, but the consensus is the birds are
Allen’s.
Vermilion Flycatcher, one at the Vineyard Golf Course in south Escondido (Ed Hall,
Dave Batzler), one north of downtown Ramona (Jay Desgrosellier), and one near
Rangeland Road in Ramona (Phoenix Von Hendy, Beth Cobb, PJ Falatek, Ashley
Araiza). Seven previous records.
Scaly-breasted Munia, five at Kit Carson Park in south Escondido, seven more nearby
on Canyon Drive (Ken Weaver, Christine Rideout, Melissa Nickerson, Allison Davies,
Frank Fekel), two near the Vineyard Golf Course (Ed Hall, Dave Batzler), and six at the
Safari Park (Brennan Mulrooney, Matt Farley). This introduced bird is slowly spreading.
We recorded it in north Poway last year. Seven previous records.
Greater White-fronted Goose, two at the Safari Park (Stan Walens, Nancy Christiansen,
Joni Ciarletta), likely the same birds in the San Pasqual Valley (Jim Beckman, Michael
Beeve, Sonja Beeve, Jack Friery, Marty Hales). Seven previous records.
Gray Flycatcher, one in Ramona (Jay Desgrosellier). Seven previous records.
Eurasian Wigeon, one at the Vineyard Golf Course (Ed Hall, Dave Batzler). Nine
previous records.
Six teams recorded Ferruginous Hawks and three Zone-tailed Hawks were reported, an
adult and an immature at the Safari Park (Stan Walens, Nancy Christiansen, Joni
Ciarletta), and apparently another adult on Highland Valley Road (Bruce Rideout).
The latter may be the bird which shows up occasionally along Rangeland Road.
Approximately six teams each recorded Pine Siskins and Purple Finches verifying that
this is an invasion year for the two species.
Thanks to all participants for a great count.
Ken Weaver
Fallbrook
