Hi Everyone,

I think it was the threat of inclement weather and the driving distance, that only nine birders participated in yesterday’s, April 26, field trip at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve.  The morning was sunny and cool, but the winds picked up as we were finishing up the walk. We all had a great time and we found 50 bird species. Six species were found by Ryan Andrews and Lori after lunch while hiking a different trail. I think the impressive Hermit Warbler, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, and the beautiful Tanagers were the birds of the day.

Here’s our list:

Quail sp.

Turkey Vulture

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Eurasian Collared-Dove

White-winged Dove

Mourning Dove

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbird

Costa’s Hummingbird

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Hammond’s/Dusky Flycatcher

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Black Phoebe

Vermillion Flycatcher

Ash-throated Flycatcher

Cassin’s Kingbird

Cassin’s Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Western Scrub-Jay

American Crow

Common Raven

Verdin

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

House Wren

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Western Bluebird

European Starling

Phainopepla

Orange-crowned Warbler

Nashville Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Townsend’s Warbler

Hermit Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Wilson’s Warbler

Yellow-breasted Chat

Summer Tanager

Western Tanager

California Towhee

Song Sparrow

Black-headed Grosbeak

Lazuli Bunting

Hooded Oriole

House Finch

Lesser Goldfinch

Lawrence’s Goldfinch

House Sparrow

JIM BECKMAN, trip leader