It was another pleasurable day. Ten birders made the trip and it was very convivial group. We saw pretty well all the special birds that we don’t get closer to home. Dee Zeller (the preserve host) and others who manage the preserve were extremely pleased that we heard the Virginia Rail, since he has been seen infrequently over the past couple of years.

For those who stayed overnight, we were blessed in seeing a dozen or so more species in and around the town of Yucca, Black Rocky Canyon Campground or back at Big Morongo. These included: a Scott’s Oriole, California Thrasher, Rock Pigeon, Roadrunner, Black-headed Grosbeak, five Brown-crested Flycathers, Black-throated Sparrow, a dozen more Western Tanagers, a Warbling Vireo, four more Ladderbacks, five additional Summer Tanagers, Northern Flicker, twenty White Pelicans, female Kestel in her nest that consisted of a tree cavity. Another tree cavity was the active home to a couple of Nuttal’s Woodpeckers. The Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper’s Hawk also were viewed. Phainopepla’s and Lawrence’s Goldfinches were present both days. Momma Great-horned Owl and all three of her babies were on display on the Sunday.

Gambel’s Quail 2
Eurasian Collared-Dove 4
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 4
Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Anna’s Hummingbird 15
Costa’s Hummingbird 2
Virginia Rail 1
Turkey Vulture 9
Great Horned Owl 4
    Comments:Mamma and three owlets in Covington Park
Black Phoebe 2
Vermilion Flycatcher 3
Brown-crested Flycatcher 1
Bell’s Vireo 12
California Scrub-Jay 3
Verdin 3
House Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 2
Cactus Wren 1
Western Bluebird 6
California Thrasher 1
Phainopepla 3
House Finch 12
Lesser Goldfinch 20
Song Sparrow 1
California Towhee 5
Spotted Towhee 1
Yellow-breasted Chat 5
Hooded Oriole 6
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 8
Wilson’s Warbler 1
Summer Tanager 2
Western Tanager 2
House Sparrow 4

Leader:  Doug Walkley