February 8th, Palomar Audubon enjoyed another beautiful day at SJWA, Sunny, a tiny breeze, good birds, and good company. The Baker’s Goldfields are starting to bloom and should cover the valley soon, the untilled areas, that is. A little snow is left on top of San Gorgonio. San Jacinto was bare.  A Ferruginous Hawk perched high on a rock greeted us as we gathered in the parking area. Later, we saw one flying overhead. Good views in the scopes. Later, sharp-eyed Jessica spotted a Great Horned Owl looking pretty much like the willow trunk that it was leaning against. Later, we were treated again, finding two of the Great Horns snuggling so close together we thought at first it was just one owl. Then we saw a third ear, then a fourth. A really committed couple, one would say. At that point it was 75 degrees, while the species count was low and the day seemed bird quiet, our sightings were good. We can’t complain when catching Meadowlarks singing in the morning sun and Vermillion Flycatchers perching and pouncing just over our heads.   Many thanks to Steve Ellis, who kept the list, and the Participants who helped find the birds and provided scopes for great views.

Sally Sanderson
Trip Coordinator

p.s. We did not find the two Fulvous Whistling Ducks reported to be on one of the ponds on the adjacent Hunt Club property. Perhaps motivation for another trip to SJWA.

Here is the link to the eBird checklist. ebird.org/checklist/S299044435

Note from Steve Ellis: a few of us stayed after lunch to look for the Fulvous Whistling Ducks. After much searching, we did find them. See Mary Jo’s pictures in the eBird checklist in the following link.  ebird.org/checklist/S299044433