Hi, Birders,

The weather Gods cooperated today giving us mild temperatures and no wind or rain. It was, however, overcast with muddy roads from prior rains–one slip, but no falls. The autotour road was chained off so we walked–first the loop around the first ponds and then down to the corner, where there used bo be a porta-potty. They really should put it back. All in all, about four and a half miles round trip. We old folks got slower and slower as we headed back to the picnic tables and lunch, bad knees, mending hips, sore backs, hungry bellies.  Where was uber? Or a friendly preserve ranger?

 

Many highlights– a bald eagle greeted us from a large rock while we waited to start the hike.  At the end of the trail and after a good bit of debate, we finally decided a large dark bird perched a good distance away was indeed a golden eagle. So a two eagle day. Many raptors, too. Peregrine came by a couple of times.

 

Mountain bluebirds and snipe in good numbers, 28 American white pelicans flying in various formations probably gaining height to move on to Lake Perris. Always an exciting sighting.

 

While we missed a few species and views of the snow covered mountains, there is always another day.

 

Thank you Steve Ellis for keeping the list and all of you for finding the birds and helping to make this a fun time.

 

Trip Leader:  Sally Sanderson