Birder's Guide to the Kern River Valley by Bob Barnes

Feel free to print out this Birders' Guide or any other information on the Valley Wild web site (for personal use only, please email Bob Barnes for permission to use in any other form.)

Geographic Area: A diamond-shaped area encompassing parts of California’s Inyo, Kern, and Tulare Counties…the North and South Fork Kern River watersheds and adjacent lands to Quaking Aspen in the northwest, to the junction of State Highway 395 and Nine Mile Canyon Road in the northeast, to the junction of State Highway 14 and Jawbone Canyon Road in the southeast, to the junction of State Highway 178 and the Kern River Canyon entrance - Breckenridge Mountain Road - Comanche Road junction in the southwest.

Land Management: U.S. Forest Service (USFS) portions of Sequoia & Inyo National Forests, U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), California Department of Fish & Game (DFG), Audubon California (AC), and private lands.

Protected Areas: One National Monument (300,000+ acre Giant Sequoia National Monument), Eight Federally Designated Wilderness Areas (North to south: Golden Trout – 300,000 acres, South Sierra – 65,000 acres, Sacatar Trail - 58,000 acres, Dome Land – 130,000 acres, Owens Peak – 78,000 acres, Chimney Peak 13,000 acres, Kiavah – 88,000 acres, Bright Star – 9,000 acres), two National Wild & Scenic Rivers (North Fork Kern River – 70+ miles and South Fork Kern River – 60+ miles), Jawbone Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern (including Butterbredt Spring), USFS South Fork Wildlife Area – 1200 acres, DFG’s Canebrake Ecological Area – 1200 acres, Audubon-California’s Kern River Preserve – 1127 acres, and Audubon-California's Kelso Creek Sanctuary - 156 acres.

Special Recognition: The lower 14 mile long South Fork Kern River riparian forest (Dominant tree species: Fremont cottonwood and red willow) is a Globally Important Bird Area; one of the first ten designated in the United States. This same stretch of riparian habitat is a National Natural Landmark and one of four Flagship Projects of the California Riparian Habitat Joint Venture. The area centered at Butterbredt Spring has been designated a Nationally Important Bird Area.

Special Birding Events in the Kern River Valley: late April Annual Kern Valley Spring Nature Festival (214 species in 1999), early July Annual South Fork Kern Rapid Assessment Summer Bird Count, July/August (selected weekends) Annual Kern Valley Hummingbird Celebration, late Sept Annual Kern Valley Turkey Vulture Festival (over 7,000 vultures in 1999, 158 total species in 2000), late Dec/early Jan, Kern River Valley Christmas Bird Count & South Fork Valley Christmas Bird Count (95-135 species per count, 120-160 species per two counts) These events feature open registration, daily field trips &/or field workshops, seminars, and social gatherings.

Significant Floral and Faunal Facts

*Highest mammal diversity (115+ species) in North America north of southern Mexico

*Highest plant diversity (over 2000+ vascular plant species) in California

*Highest butterfly diversity (135 species) in California

South Fork Kern River Watershed Bird Species Diversity and Breeding Status

*Total Avifauna – 333 species (1998 additions are Laughing Gull, Eastern Wood-Pewee, and Prothonotary Warbler. 1999 addition is Ovenbird. 2000 additions are Eastern Phoebe and Golden-winged Warbler.)

*Breeding Avifauna – 204 species (184 known, 16 suspected, 4 extirpated)

*Turkey Vulture – One of three largest known fall migration corridors north of Mexico (Average of 28,500 individuals counted each fall from September 1^st to October 20^th for the last six years.)

*Yellow-billed Cuckoo – 3 to 24 breeding pairs yearly (average range of 8-15 pairs)

*Owls – 9 breeding species

*Woodpeckers – 10 breeding species

*Flycatchers – 14 breeding species

*Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (25-40 pairs)

*Brown-crested Flycatcher (3-7 pairs)

*Red-eyed Vireo (At least one record of nesting and up to five individuals per summer over the last several years)

*Summer Tanager (30-50 pairs)

*Sparrows – 15 breeding species

*Icterids – 10 breeding species

*Lawrence’s Goldfinch – abundant breeder most years

Major Birding Areas: Audubon California’s Kern River Preserve (Headquarters area, Sierra Way Bridge & Prince’s Pond, Fay Ranch Road), south of the Kern River Preserve (Kelso Valley Road, Kelso Valley, NEW!!!!! Kelso Creek Sanctuary (156 acres of riparian forest, Joshua tree woodland, and steep rocky hillsides straddling Kelso Valley Road 15 miles south of Hwy. 178), Piute Mountains, Butterbredt Canyon & Spring, Jawbone Canyon Road), NEW!!!!! Canebrake Ecological Reserve (a trail dedicated in October, 2000, opened a portion of this 1200-acre area for the first time for public use), Walker Pass west side (Milepost 74), Isabella Reservoir & Campgrounds, Walker Basin/Breckenridge Mountain, Greenhorn Mountains (Old State Road, Sawmill Road, Greenhorn Summit, Rancheria Road, Portuguese Pass & Campground), Johnsondale Bridge to north end of the Western Divide Highway (MP 2-3 on Tulare County Road SM99, Double Bunk Meadow, Holey Meadow, Redwood Meadow/Trail of 100 Giant Sequoias, Quaking Aspen Meadow & Campground), Sherman Pass Road (chaparral above Johnsondale Bridge, Sherman Pass, Paloma Meadow, Bald Mountain Lookout), Nine Mile Canyon/Kennedy Meadows Road (Nine Mile Canyon, pinyon/sage country along Kennedy Meadows Road, Fish Creek Campground, Troy Meadows & Troy Meadows Campground), Chimney Peak Road (Chimney Peak Recreation Area, Chimney Peak Campground), Kernville (end of Burlando Road, Kern River Fish Hatchery).

Access: State Highway 190 from Porterville on the northwest (after snow clears), State Highway 395 and Nine Mile Canyon Road (southern Inyo County) from the northeast (after snow clears), State Highway 178 from the east (preferred – year round), Jawbone Canyon Road from the southeast (dirt road), Bodfish/Caliente Road (year round except for flood events/rock slides), State Highway 178 from the southwest (preferred – year round except for rock slides), State Highway 155 from the west (Maps are deceiving -lots of twists and turns, but wonderful if you have the time.).

Accommodations: Kernville, Kern County (at the north end of Isabella Reservoir), is a tourism-dependent community with lots of motels, restaurants, and stores. Kernville is 20-25 minutes from the Kern River Preserve. The community of Mountain Mesa has a motel (Lakeview) that caters to birders (birder rates, hummingbird feeders, etc.), three restaurants, and a Texaco mini-mart (Open: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily). Mountain Mesa is 10 minutes from the Kern River Preserve and 15 minutes closer to Butterbredt Spring than Kernville. Kernville is closer to the Greenhorn Mountains and the Western Divide Highway. NOTE: Detailed motel information may be found on our "Accommodations" web page.

Driving Time from Kernville (2700’): Going south and west…Isabella Reservoir (2600’) – 10 minutes, Old State Road, Wofford Heights – 10 minutes, Sawmill Road – 15 minutes, Greenhorn Summit (6102’) – 25 minutes, Portuguese Pass (7300’) – 55 minutes, Walker Basin – 45-55 minutes; Breckenridge Mountain 55-75 minutes; Going south and east…Isabella Reservoir – 10 minutes, Kern River Preserve (2600+’) – 25 minutes, Walker Pass MP 74 (4000’) – 50 minutes, Nine Mile Canyon Road – 80 minutes, Kelso Valley Road – 25 minutes, Kelso Valley – 55 minutes, Butterbredt Spring – 95 minutes, Junction of Jawbone Canyon Road and Highway 14 – 120 minutes by way of Butterbredt Spring; Going north and west…End of Burlando Road – 5 minutes, Fish Hatchery – 5 minutes, Johnsondale Bridge – 30 minutes, Holey Meadow/Redwood Meadow/Trail of 100 Giants – 55 minutes, Quaking Aspen Meadow & Campground – 75 minutes; Going north and east…Sherman Pass Road just before Johnsondale Bridge – 30 minutes, Sherman Pass (9200’) – 70 minutes, Bald Mountain Lookout (9400’) – 100 minutes.

What to Bring: Always start the day with a full tank of gas, water, snacks/meals, ice-chest, layered clothing (In summer, one can drive to areas ranging from 800’ to 9200’ in elevation.), insect repellent (spring, summer, and fall), hat, suntan lotion (year round), shoes to get wet should you so choose, binoculars, scope, camera (This area is remarkably scenic.), AAA maps of Inyo, Kern and Tulare Counties, and a Sequoia National Forest map (The Greenhorn Ranger Station is situated on top of Isabella Dam and the Cannell Meadow Ranger Station is located in Kernville off of Burlando Road. Forest maps are available at both locations and several local stores.).

Very Best Time to Visit: Late April through May for desert species, Western spring migrants, and Eastern vagrants at Butterbredt Spring (California City and Galileo Hill); late June through mid-July for Kern River Preserve specialties (Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Willow Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, Summer Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Tricolored Blackbird, and Lawrence’s Goldfinch) and breeders (4 day field trips usually yield 130-170 species…mostly breeding species!!! See "Events and Field Trips" web page.); the last week of September and the first week of October for up to three thousand Turkey Vultures daily, 10-15 raptor species, and outstanding Eastern vagrant & fall migration birding at nearby eastern Kern County desert oases; and January for 10-13 species of woodpecker and other wintering species found on the two late-December/early January Christmas Bird Counts.

July - August HUMMINGBIRD CELEBRATION!!!!! Visit the Kern River Preserve's hummingbird viewing area, bring your lawn chairs, and see scores of Rufous and Anna's Hummingbirds as they come to several multi-port hummingbird feeders in the front yard at Headquarters. There will, no doubt, still be several Black-chinned Hummingbirds present. Regular, but less commonly occurring species, such as Costa's, Calliope, or Allen's Hummingbird will show up for brief visits. At this time, four species days are routine, five species days are fairly common, and a few six species days occur at single feeding locations. A visit at the peak of numbers during August should be a worthwhile experience.

Vulture Count: For the final daily and total tally of the September 1 through October 20 Kern Valley Turkey Vulture & Raptor Count, go to the "Daily TV Statistics" page.

Specific Birding Tips/Species Accounts

* or *? - Indicates a species that is considered or suspected to be a nesting species in the geographic area described in the first paragraph of this document. Any of the following criteria have been observed: 1. A nest has been found with eggs and/or nestlings and attending adults (e.g.: Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe, Osprey, Northern Goshawk, Peregrine Falcon, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Willow Flycatcher, Vermilion Flycatcher, Plumbeous Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Bendire's Thrasher, Le Conte's Thrasher, Hooded Warbler) 2. Nestlings or very recent fledglings have been observed in vegetation or on the ground (e.g.: Pinyon Jay) 3. Adults have been observed feeding or with recently fledged young (e.g.: Lucy's Warbler, Grasshopper Sparrow) 4. Males and females of the same species have been found in the same location for several years (e.g.: Least Bittern, Lesser Nighthawk, Common Poorwill). Please submit by e-mail any records of breeding or nesting that you have observed in the past or encounter in the future in this same geographic area to Bob Barnes. Thank you.

There is a Birders’ Board at the Headquarters’ parking lot of Audubon California’s Kern River Preserve off of the north side of Hwy. 178 (1.1 miles east of its junction with Sierra Way at Milepost 57) in Weldon. The Birders’ Board has a list of the latest sightings and locations. In addition, locations where species of interest might be found are indicated on a map (i.e.: Consistent locations for the year for Yellow-billed Cuckoo*, Willow Flycatcher*, Vermilion Flycatcher*, Brown-crested Flycatcher*, Red-eyed Vireo*, Summer Tanager*, Indigo Bunting*, and Tricolored Blackbird*).

Winter Diversity: For complete results of the 2 January, 2000, Kern River Valley Christmas Bird Count (CBC) and the 3 January, 2000, South Fork Valley CBC, as well as nearly 1500 other CBCs around the Canada and the United States, go to the Audubon web site at http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/. Together, the Kern River Valley and South Fork Valley CBCs cover the Kern River watershed area from just west of Walker Pass on the east to the crest of the Greenhorn Mountains on the west; all in Kern County. The Kern River Valley CBC is centered on Lake Isabella (reservoir). The South Fork Valley CBC is centered at the heart of the South Fork Kern Fremont cottonwood/red willow forest along Hwy. 178. A perusal of the results of the two counts data will give viewers a comprehensive snapshot of wintering bird species and numbers in this area.

Late spring and early summer birding within a ¼ mile radius of the parking lot at Headquarters is excellent. Don’t be in a rush to leave the area around the offices and housing. Breeding species* regularly observed in close proximity to the Birders’ Board include: Red-shouldered Hawk*, Mourning Dove*, Yellow-billed Cuckoo*, Lesser Nighthawk*, Anna's Hummingbird*, Black-chinned Hummingbird*, Nuttall’s Woodpecker*, Downy Woodpecker*, Hairy Woodpecker*, Northern Flicker*, Western Wood-Pewee*, Willow Flycatcher*, Black Phoebe*, Ash-throated Flycatcher*, Western Kingbird*, Tree Swallow*, Oak Titmouse*, Bushtit*, Bewick's Wren*, House Wren*, Western Bluebird*, American Robin*, Yellow Warbler*, Common Yellowthroat*, Summer Tanager*, Savannah Sparrow*, Song Sparrow*, Blue Grosbeak*, Lazuli Bunting*, Red-winged Blackbird*, Tricolored Blackbird* Brewer's Blackbird*, Bullock’s Oriole*, House Finch*, Lesser Goldfinch*, and Lawrence’s Goldfinch*.

Bird Banding sessions, open to Preserve visitors, are conducted on most Saturdays from mid-May through the end of July. Go to the "2001 Events" web page for details.

Spring Diversity: To give you an idea of the richness of avian diversity in spring, the April 23-25, 1999 Kern Valley Bioregions Festival recorded 214 species of birds. Go to the Bioregions Festival web pages for a complete list.

Summer Diversity: To give you an idea of the avian richness and health of the South Fork Kern River's fourteen mile long Fremont cottonwood and red willow riparian forest, adjacent floodplain pasture land, and adjacent uplands in summer, following are the results of the 5am-11:30am, Saturday, July 10, 1999 - South Fork (Kern River) Rapid Assessment Summer Bird Count hosted by the National Audubon Society-California. 4000 acres of 8000 acres of habitat were censused by forty-two observers (including an impressive number of California's top birders) in thirteen territories on the 1127-acre Kern River Preserve, 1200-acre South Fork Wildlife Area, 1200-acre Cane Brake Ecological Reserve, and accessible private ranch land.

KEY: Bold Italics - National Partners In Flight ranking, BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS - CALIFORNIA PARTNERS IN FLIGHT'S RIPARIAN HABITAT JOINT VENTURE BIRD CONSERVATION PLAN TARGET SPECIES, (I)-Introduced Species.

Pied-billed Grebe 5, Double-crested Cormorant 3, Great Blue Heron 51, Turkey Vulture 30, Wood Duck 9, Mallard 49, Cinnamon Teal 5, White-tailed Kite 2, Cooper's Hawk 6, Red-shouldered Hawk 44, Red-tailed Hawk 38, American Kestrel 35, Prairie Falcon 1, Ring-necked Pheasant (I) 8, Wild Turkey (I) 19, California Quail 126 (PIF 20), Virginia Rail 8, Sora 1, American Coot 5, Killdeer 4, Spotted Sandpiper 3, California Gull 1, Rock Dove (I) 16, Mourning Dove 383, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO 20, Greater Roadrunner 5, Barn Owl 17, Great Horned Owl 9, White-throated Swift 47, Black-chinned Hummingbird 46, Anna's Hummingbird 41, Acorn Woodpecker 2, Nuttall's Woodpecker 145 (PIF 20), Downy Woodpecker 75, Hairy Woodpecker 23, Northern Flicker 137, Western Wood-Pewee 223, WILLOW FLYCATCHER 24, Black Phoebe 104, Say's Phoebe 9, Ash-throated Flycatcher 161, Brown-crested Flycatcher 8, Western Kingbird 84, Loggerhead Shrike 3, WARBLING VIREO 13, Western Scrub-Jay 35, Common Raven 168, Horned Lark 11, Tree Swallow 306, Northern Rough-winged Swallow 10, Cliff Swallow 18, Oak Titmouse 139 (PIF 22), Bushtit 470, White-breasted Nuthatch 33, Cactus Wren 15, Rock Wren 3, Canyon Wren 7, Bewick's Wren 135, House Wren 519, Marsh Wren 7, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1, Western Bluebird 151, American Robin 116, Northern Mockingbird 8, California Thrasher 1 (PIF 21), European Starling (I) 214, Orange-crowned Warbler 1, YELLOW WARBLER 263, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT 567, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT 29, Summer Tanager 47, Western Tanager 1, Spotted Towhee 23, California Towhee 72 (PIF 18), Rufous-crowned Sparrow 6 (PIF 18), Chipping Sparrow 6, Lark Sparrow 156, Black-throated Sparrow 4, Savannah Sparrow 48, Grasshopper Sparrow 7, SONG SPARROW 817, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK 18, BLUE GROSBEAK 204, Lazuli Bunting 298, Indigo Bunting 6, Lazuli x Indigo Bunting 1, (Kern?) Red-winged Blackbird 1224, Tricolored Blackbird 12 (PIF 19), Western Meadowlark 27, Brewer's Blackbird 42, Great-tailed Grackle 5, Brown-headed Cowbird 237, Hooded Oriole 4, Bullock's Oriole 200, Scott's Oriole 1 (PIF 18), House Finch 299, Lesser Goldfinch 244, Lawrence's Goldfinch 78 (PIF 24), House Sparrow (I) 50...Total individuals: 9412...

Participants: Bob Barnes, Rita Carratello, Ryan Chornock, Therese Clawson, Emily Cohen, Lori Conrad, Mark Conrad, Dan Cooper, Robbie Fischer, Mary Carmona Freeman, Nick Freeman, Bruce Garlinger, Kimball Garrett, Karen Gilbert, Robb Hamilton, Phil Heavins, Matt Heindel, Vernon Howe, Winona Howe, Joan Humphrey, Howard King, Jeff King, Denise La Berteaux, John Luther, Janet Lynn, Curtis Marantz, Guy McCaskie, Bill Moramarco, Joe Morlan, Chris Otahal, Don Roberson, Mike San Miguel, Jeff Seay, Susan Steele, Dan Stoebel, Deb Tenzer, Scott Terrill, Reed Tollefson, John Trochet, Kent Van Vuren, John Wilson, Tom Wurster...

South Fork Kern River Rapid Assessment Summer Bird Count,
5:30am-9:30am, Saturday, July 8, 2000

NOTE: The 2000 results following do not contain the complete count from the Cane Brake Ecological Reserve.

As in 1999, coverage was about 4,000 acres of riparian habitat and associated
uplands along the lower 14 miles of the South Fork Kern River.

Feel free to ask Bob Barnes for a further breakdown of species composition.
Due to the shorter time period for the count and the need to be back in Kernville for early afternoon WFO meetings, the results in hand are not as detailed as the 1999 count. Individuals counted were within 100 of last year.

Species diversity: 98 in 1999; 115 in 2000.

Species in 1999, but not in 2000: Cinnamon Teal, Sora, Spotted Sandpiper,
California Gull, Acorn Woodpecker, California Thrasher, Black-throated
Sparrow, and Scott's Oriole.

Species reported from count area during 2000 WFO meeting (July 5-9), but not
found during the count on Saturday, July 8: Blue-winged Teal, Golden Eagle, Spotted Sandpiper, California Gull, Acorn Woodpecker, Cassin's Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Barn Swallow, California Thrasher, American Pipit, Cedar Waxwing, Northern Parula, Black-and-white Warbler, Great-tailed Grackle, and Pine Siskin.

Kern River Preserve east end to Isabella Reservoir east shoreline, Hwy. 178
from east of Cottage Grove Cemetery east to Cane Brake, and partial results
from the Cane Brake Ecological Reserve.

KEY: Bold Italics - National Partners In Flight ranking, BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS - CALIFORNIA PARTNERS IN FLIGHT'S RIPARIAN HABITAT JOINT VENTURE BIRD CONSERVATION PLAN TARGET SPECIES, (I)-Introduced Species.

Pied-billed Grebe 1; Double-crested Cormorant 20; Great Blue Heron 13;
Great Egret 2; Black-crowned Night-Heron 15; Turkey Vulture 36; Wood Duck 1; Mallard 60; Gadwall 1; Redhead 13; Osprey 1; White-tailed Kite 4; Northern Harrier 1; Cooper's Hawk 3; Red-shouldered Hawk 29; Red-tailed Hawk 16; American Kestrel 16; Prairie Falcon 1; Ring-necked Pheasant (I) 3; Wild Turkey (I) 2; California Quail 132 (PIF 20); American Coot 6; Killdeer
1; Black-necked Stilt 1; Rock Dove (I) 1; Band-tailed Pigeon 2; Mourning Dove 330; YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO 12; Greater Roadrunner 2; Barn Owl 2; Great Horned Owl 13; Burrowing Owl 7; Long-eared Owl 3; Lesser Nighthawk 3; Black Swift 1; White-throated Swift 18; Black-chinned Hummingbird 26; Anna's Hummingbird 49; Selasphorus, sp., hummingbird 4; Belted Kingfisher 5; Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1; Nuttall's Woodpecker 126 (PIF 20); Downy Woodpecker 79; Hairy Woodpecker 10; Northern Flicker 107; Western Wood-Pewee 224; WILLOW FLYCATCHER (Extimus) 14, Pacific-slope Flycatcher 3; Black Phoebe 52; Say's Phoebe 4; Ash-throated Flycatcher 121; Brown-crested Flycatcher 6; Western Kingbird 80; Loggerhead Shrike 5; Hutton's Vireo 2; WARBLING VIREO 9; Red-eyed Vireo 1; Western Scrub-Jay 19; Common Raven 127; Horned Lark 26; Tree Swallow 247; Violet-green Swallow 32; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 36; Cliff Swallow 8; Oak Titmouse 103 (PIF 22); Bushtit 415; White-breasted Nuthatch 41; Cactus Wren 1; Rock Wren 3; Canyon Wren 2; Bewick's Wren 176; House Wren 217; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1; Western Bluebird 48; Swainson's Thrush 1; American Robin 89; Northern Mockingbird 11; European Starling (I) 814; Orange-crowned Warbler 2; Nashville Warbler 1; Lucy's Warbler 1; YELLOW WARBLER 372; COMMON
YELLOWTHROAT 340; Wilson's Warbler 1; YELLOW-BREASTED
CHAT 25; Summer Tanager 39; Western Tanager 2; Spotted Towhee 49;
California Towhee 14 (PIF 18); Rufous-crowned Sparrow 2 (PIF 18);
Chipping Sparrow 2; Brewer's Sparrow 1; Lark Sparrow 101; Savannah Sparrow 23; Grasshopper Sparrow 1; SONG SPARROW 1153; BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK 46; BLUE GROSBEAK 146; Lazuli Bunting 211; Indigo Bunting 11; Lazuli x Indigo Bunting 1; Red-winged Blackbird 406; Tricolored Blackbird 2 (PIF 19), Western Meadowlark 11; Brewer's Blackbird 50; Brown-headed Cowbird 167; Hooded Oriole 1; Bullock's Oriole 243; Scott's Oriole 1 (PIF 18); House Finch 362; Lesser Goldfinch 183; Lawrence's Goldfinch 82 (PIF 24); House Sparrow (I) 48...Total Individuals: 8221.

Seventy-seven observers in seventeen parties: Jim Abernathy, Tracey Alsobrook, Bob Barnes, Gordon Black, Bill Bouton, Nikolle Brown, Les Canterbury, Marian Cisneros, Lucie Clark, Therese Clawson, Oliver Coker, Luke Cole, Dan Cooper, Ken Corey, Mike Cunningham, Art Cupples, Jan Cupples, Ron Cyger, Jeff Davis, Jim Davis, Bill Deppe, Jon Dunn, Tom Edell, Al Eisner, Richard Erickson, Robbie Fischer, John Fitch, Ted Floyd, Carolyn Gann, Eliot Gann, Kimball Garrett, Paul Green, Dan Guthrie, Robb Hamilton, Rob Hansen, Bob Hargis, Suzanne Hargis, Clifford Hawley, Gjon Hazard, Jo Heindel, Matt Heindel, Tom Heindel, Rob Hewitt, Steve Howell, Joan Humphrey, Jim Jennings, Esther Kalinay, Sandy Koonce, Dave Krueper, Peter La Tourette, Clarann Levakis, Kelli Levinson, Lillian Light, Karen Mabb, Rolf Mall, Guy McCaskie, Joe Morlan, Dori Myers, Steve Myers, Tom Ryan, Ron Saldino, Mike San Miguel, Jeff Seay, Alison Sheehey, Dave Shuford, Barry Staley, Judy Sudgen, Phil Taylor, Debbie Tenzer, Steve Tucker, Ken Watanabe, Gerry Weinberger, Bud Widdowson, Brian Williams, John Wilson, Tom Wurster, David Yee.

SPECIES ACCOUNTS:

In winter (November-February) always bird Isabella Reservoir thoroughly. Common Loon is regular and, surprisingly, so is Pacific Loon. November/December storms have brought Red-throated Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Oldsquaw, Surf Scoter, and White-winged Scoter in past years.

Both Western Grebe* and Clark’s Grebe* nest in the South Fork Wildlife Area at the east end of Isabella Reservoir. Up to 4,500 Western/Clark’s Grebes winter on Isabella Reservoir.

Turkey Vulture* - This species migrates in fall through the Kern River Valley in numbers north of Mexico equaled only by Tehachapi Pass just to the south. From September 1^st through October 20^th Turkey Vultures are counted as they pass over a single census point located at the side of Kelso Valley Road 4.8 miles south of Hwy. 178 across from the Kern River Preserve. In both 1994 and 1995 over 27,000 Vultures were counted. In 1996 there were nearly 33,000 tallied. In 1997 over 28,000 were recorded. In 1998 over 25,000 were counted. In 1999 over 29,000 were tallied. In 2000 over 27,000 were recorded. Based on seven years of data collection, the height of migration is the last week of September and the first week of October. For example, 28,589 Turkey Vultures were counted on forty-three days from September 2^nd through October 20^thin 1997. 14,463 (50.6%) of those vultures were counted during the seven day period from September 28^th through October 4^th.

For results of the September 1 through October 20 Kern Valley Turkey Vulture & Raptor Count, go to the "Vulture Count" page.

Least Bittern* - Adults of both sexes of this species have been heard and observed several springs and summers at Prince’s Pond on the Kern River Preserve. It has also been observed at Flour Mill Marsh. You may have to work long and hard to add this one to your Kern River Valley list. Note: This species was not reported in 1999 or 2000.

Ducks used to be plentiful (In the 1970s and early winter counts on Isabella Reservoir of up to 2000 Mallards*, 2000 Canvasback, 1000 Ring-necked Ducks, 30000 Lesser Scaup!!!, 200 Common Goldeneye, 200 Bufflehead, and 10000 Ruddy Ducks*!!! were not uncommon). Now species diversity and numbers are much harder to come by. Ruddy Duck is now sometimes missed on Christmas Bird Counts! The best place to look for waterfowl is in the South Fork Wildlife Area, the east arm of the reservoir, and from Engineer’s Point (separating the two dams at the west end of the reservoir).

Wood Duck* - This species nests along both the last few miles of the North Fork and South Fork Kern Rivers before they empty into Isabella Reservoir. The Fish and Game Habitat Club of the Kern Valley has put up over thirty nestboxes on the Kern River Preserve.

Up to 3,000 Common Mergansers* winter on Isabella Reservoir. A favored "loafing" area is found on the north side of the reservoir along Sierra Way as one drives up the last very steep incline heading northwest toward Kernville. This is on the south side of the pass that separates the North Fork and South Fork Kern River watersheds.

Look for Red-breasted Mergansers in winter and spring on Isabella Reservoir.

Raptor numbers are at their highest the last week of September and the first week of October. One could expect to record up to 16 species during that period. Ten species of raptors were seen on several half-day trips at the September 26-28, 1997, Kern Valley Turkey Vulture Festival. Bald Eagles and Rough-legged Hawks (rarely) show up in the Kern River Valley later in the fall. Even so, over the seven years of the Turkey Vulture count 18 species of kites, hawks, eagles, and falcons have been recorded passing over the official census site. The rarest have been six Broad-winged Hawks (one in 1997, two in 1998, and three in 2000) and a single Zone-tailed Hawk.

Osprey* - One to three pairs of this species nest at Isabella Reservoir. Most often observed flying above the reservoir and Sierra Way between Camp Nine Campground and the South Fork Wildlife Area. About 25-50 individuals of this species are recorded yearly migrating south in September and October over the Vulture Count site located off of Kelso Valley Road about five miles south of the Kern River Preserve.

Zone-tailed Hawk - This species was observed in the South Fork Valley on April 1, April 28, May 25, and September 3, 2000 for a second Kern River Valley record overall.

Bald Eagle - This species arrives around November 15^th each year; numbering up to a dozen. They are most often seen in the north arm of Isabella Reservoir and along the North Fork Kern River just above, in, and below Kernville. They usually depart sometime between March 1st and early April.

Chukar* and Mountain Quail* are often observed in the vicinity of Butterbredt Spring in April and May. On July 1998 field trips both species were observed in large numbers (up to 100 per flock!) along the Chimney Peak Recreation Area Road from the switchbacks leading up from Cane Brake Creek (Chukar and Mountain Quail) to the Chimney Creek Campground (Mountain Quail).

Chukar* were heard daily and seen frequently in September and October 1998 at the Vulture Count Site found along Kelso Valley Road just north of its junction with Kelso Creek Road. In 1998 they were also observed in the Joshua tree woodland areas along Nine Mile Canyon Road in June and July.

Mountain Quail* were seen consistently at several locations along the upper half of Old State Road (starts off of Hwy. 155 just south of Wofford Heights) from mid to late April of 1997. In 2000 they were observed at Butterbredt Spring (observed on virtually all visits), along Chimney Peak Recreation Area Road (several flocks large and small in July), and Greenhorn Summit. The Kern River Valley Christmas Bird Count led the nation with 64 Mountain Quail tallied on the 1999-2000 count held January 2, 2000.

Shorebirds are hard to come by in the Kern River Valley. The twenty-seven species found on the Kern River Valley bird checklist came about as a result of numerous trips to the shores of Isabella Reservoir over the last 15-20 years. Ten species recorded by a single observer in any single day would be a good accomplishment. But, it is always fun to see what is about and to beef-up your day list!

Solitary Sandpiper - This species has been found yearly in late April in the flooded pasture at the southwest corner of the Fay Ranch Road bridge over the South Fork Kern River. In 1999 and 2000, it was found in late April and early May in the flooded meadow at the end of the trail to Migrant/Vagrant Corner east of the Sierra Way Bridge over the South Fork Kern River.

Common Snipe* breed uncommonly in the wet areas of the South Fork Valley. Most often heard, then seen, overhead.

Franklin’s Gull is a very rare migrant through the Kern River Valley. All records have fallen between late April and late May. Check all small gulls for this species.

Yellow-billed Cuckoos* arrive as early as the last week of May and as late as the third week of June. The usual arrival date is between June 10^th and 12^th. Sometimes they don't make themselves know until the end of June. To be safe come look for them at the very end of June through the third week of July. They will depart from early to mid-August. Check the Birders’ Board at the Kern River Preserve for dates and locations of each year’s sightings.

Greater Roadrunner* may be found in any of the open country around Isabella Reservoir and in desert habitat. Check the tops of the Kern Joshua trees as you drive along Kelso Valley Road and you should eventually see one…or several!!!

For Owls and Common Poorwill you are on your own unless you are on a guided field trip or make arrangements. One relatively small area is used for owling and reliably observing Common Poorwill at present. We could use your help in finding new areas so we don’t "overstay our welcome." Reports of sightings and hearings of owl species and Common Poorwill would be highly appreciated.

Nine of the ten species of owl recorded in the Kern River Valley and surrounding mountains (Greenhorns, Kern Plateau, Piutes, Scodies) are nesting species: Barn Owl*, Western Screech-Owl*, Flammulated Owl*, Great Horned Owl*, Northern Pygmy-Owl*, Burrowing Owl*, Spotted Owl*, Long-eared Owl*, and Northern Saw-whet Owl*. Short-eared Owl has only been recorded very rarely in winter.

Barn Owl*, Western Screech-Owl*, Great Horned Owl*, and Long-eared Owl* are known to breed on the Kern River Preserve and elsewhere along the fourteen miles of South Fork Kern River Fremont cottonwood/red willow riparian forest.

Barn Owl* is commonly found in the South Fork Valley. It is much less common elsewhere in the Kern Valley.

Western Screech-Owl* is a known resident of oak foothills and montane areas of the Greenhorn Mountains found on the west side of Isabella Reservoir.

Flammulated Owl* is a breeding season visitor that nests in appropriate habitat (said to favor "yellow" pines...Ponderosa and Jeffrey pines) in the Greenhorn Mountains and along the Western Divide Highway.

Great Horned Owl* is the ubiquitous resident of deserts, riparian forest, foothills, and montane areas.

Northern Pygmy-Owl* has been reported fewer times than any of the owl species except for Short-eared. The most recent breeding season record was a daytime hearing and sighting in late June, 1998, in single-leafed pinyon pine woodland along the Kennedy Meadows Road. One or more are usually found on Christmas Bird Counts.

Burrowing Owl* is now a scarce species in appropriate habitat along roads. It is now most often found by local residents hiking in the grass-covered side canyons of the South Fork Valley. Reports of all sightings of this species would be highly appreciated.

Spotted Owl* nests in appropriate habitat in the hills and mountains around the Kern River Valley. They have been found in the Greenhorns, Piutes, and along the Western Divide Highway.

Long-eared Owl* nests and is found yearly in the riparian forest of the South Fork Kern River. The total number of pairs is unknown, but is thought to be relatively high based on the habitat available.

Northern Saw-whet Owl* nests commonly in the montane habitat surrounding the Kern River Valley. It may be heard commonly, but is seen rarely.

Lesser Nighthawk* is observed consistently on field trips conducted from mid-May through the end of June. The best time and place to observe this species is after sundown looking west from the stretch of Fay Ranch Road located just north of the bridge over the South Fork Kern River. They often forage low to the ground in the dry field where the beehives have been situated the last several years. A second place is over Prince’s Pond. Every so often in June a Common Nighthawk shows up from breeding grounds in the upper watershed and feeds over the Kern River Preserve. Note: In early 1999, several acres of seemingly excellent Lesser Nighthawk habitat were cleared between Hwy. 178 and the shores of Isabella Reservoir. This species was detected in very low numbers, or not at all, during summer, 1999 field trips. Time will tell if the destruction of habitat was the cause of low numbers or "normal" year-to-year fluctuations in numbers.

Common Nighthawk* has been observed over Troy Meadows in the middle of the day at least twice and over Holey Meadow once; all on June field trips. This species is a very late spring arrival. It is not to be expected before the very end of May.

Common Poorwill* is heard readily at Chimney Creek Campground in June. Try driving the campground road itself and the Chimney Peak Road up and down from the campground entrance. They are often heard, but seldom seen, calling from the juniper covered hillsides along the south shore of Isabella Reservoir and from the hills surrounding Kernville. They are seen a few days each year along the entrance road into the Kern River Preserve.

Black Swifts* during June between 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. are consistently observed foraging over chaparral habitat and the canyon of South Fork Creek between mileposts 2 and 3 above the Johnsondale Bridge over the North Fork Kern River. Vaux's Swift and White-throated Swift are often observed here as well with or without the immediate company of Black Swifts. What a treat it is to see all three species of swifts flying together over this spot. For those of you who are county birders, the most consistent location for finding Black Swifts in Kern County is to go back downstream toward Kernville to the Kern County/Tulare County line at the north edge of the settlement of Riverkern. Watch for this species at this location during June and July evenings from 6pm on. If you see this species, you will probably be able to put it on two county lists in mere seconds of time.

Vaux’s Swift* are recorded almost daily the last week of April and the first weeks of May at Butterbredt Spring and over the Kern River Preserve. This species can be abundant (up to 10,000 individuals) on overcast days during this period.

White-throated Swifts* are present year round. They nest in the cliffs above the Cottage Grove Cemetery off of Hwy. 178 just east of the community of Onyx. The Kern River Valley Christmas Bird Count has twice led the nation in number of individuals tallied including 452 on December 28, 1996.

Hummingbirds come to feeders set up in the Headquarters' area of the Kern River Preserve and feeders throughout the Kern River Valley from March through September. Eight species have been recorded.

Broad-billed Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, and Allen's Hummingbird have been recorded in only the rarest of instances in the Kern River Valley. Reports of these species should include multiple observers, photos, and detailed descriptions to the extent possible.

Black-chinned Hummingbird* is a common nesting species of hummingbird found on the Preserve. This species usually starts to arrive for the nesting season at the very end of March or the first week in April. Commonly observed at the Preserve's hummingbird feeders from May through mid-August, but they become increasingly scarce in late August and September.

Anna's Hummingbird* is a common nesting species and less common resident on the Preserve. Commonly observed at the Preserve's hummingbird feeders.

Costa's Hummingbird* is a uncommon to common nesting species in the desert and dry hillside habitat of the Kern River Valley. This species is sometimes observed at the Preserve's hummingbird feeders when storms drive them off of the surrounding hillsides. The most reliable location for observing this species is at Butterbredt Spring where its numbers often reach "abundant" status during April and May.

Calliope Hummingbirds* are very reliably seen along the stream at Chimney Creek Campground in June and July. The campground is found off of the Chimney Peak Recreation Area Road which runs between Hwy. 178 and Kennedy Meadows/Nine Mile Canyon Road. Look for the males sitting on top of the dead portions of the willows that line the stream or on top of the smaller (10'-40') streamside evergreen trees. This species is also regularly observed along Fish Creek at Troy Meadows Campground and in the Group Camping Area of Quaking Aspen Campground.

Rufous Hummingbirds may visit the Kern River Valley in small numbers in the spring (March and April). They are abundant in the southern Sierra, Kern Valley, and the Preserve during fall migration (mid-July, August and September). Observation of hummingbird feeders in late August will yield dozens, if not hundreds, of individuals of this species.

Thirteen species (ten nesting* species) of woodpeckers have been recorded in the Kern Valley and surrounding mountains. They are Lewis' Woodpecker, *Acorn Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-naped Sapsucker, *Red-breasted Sapsucker, *Williamson's Sapsucker, *Ladder-backed Woodpecker, *Nuttall's Woodpecker, *Downy Woodpecker, *Hairy Woodpecker, *White-headed Woodpecker, *Northern Flicker, and *Pileated Woodpecker. Ladder-backed and Nuttall's hybridize here. Four species (Nuttall's, Downy, Hairy, and Northern Flicker) are resident on the Kern River Preserve.

Acorn Woodpecker* is a common resident species on the west side of the Kern River Valley/Isabella Reservoir in the North Fork Kern River watershed. There is a small resident population in the South Fork Kern River watershed along the upper reaches of Fay Ranch Road.

Red-breasted Sapsucker* is a resident species that is found in all of the mountain areas surrounding the Kern Valley. Look for them along the Trail of 100 Giants, Holey Meadow Campground, in the Greenhorn Mountains, Quaking Aspen Campground, and Troy Meadow Campground. A few individuals winter on the Kern Valley floor.

Williamson's Sapsucker* has been most reliably found at Troy Meadow Campground on the Kern Plateau. Other woodpecker species found here include Red-breasted Sapsucker, Hairy Woodpecker, and White-headed Woodpecker. Go downhill to the end of the campground road to the day parking lot next to the restrooms near Fish Creek. Williamson's Sapsuckers have nested in holes in several of the very large Jeffrey pine and lodgepole pine trees on all sides of the parallel parking lot. They have also nested in cavities along the trail leading downstream for about a quarter to a third mile to its end on a rocky outcropping looking down on Fish Creek. They are often observed while sitting at the picnic tables just up the hill from the restrooms. If this species is not found in this immediate vicinity, they are often found by walking in and out of the woods along the south (roadside) edge of Troy Meadow. Fish Creek Campground, located a few miles to the east of Troy Meadow Campground, is another reliable spot. If this species is still desired after checking the preceding, then carefully look for it during the drive from Troy Meadow to just west of Sherman Pass. Then proceed back to the Kern River Valley by going westward down to the Kern River at Sierra Way, twenty+ miles north of Kernville at the Johnsondale Bridge.

Ladder-backed Woodpecker* - In Joshua tree woodland, the resident species will almost always be the Ladder-backed Woodpecker, not the "look alike" Nuttall's Woodpecker. The Joshua tree woodland on both sides of Walker Pass, along Kelso Valley Road, at Butterbredt Spring, and along Nine Mile Canyon Road all hold Ladder-backed Woodpeckers.

Nuttall's Woodpecker* is a common resident species in virtually any non-desert riparian and oak foothill habitat of the Kern River Valley and surrounding mountains. The Kern River Preserve is an excellent location for finding Nuttall's.

The South Fork Valley is known as an area of *Ladder-backed X Nuttall's Woodpecker hybridization. Where riparian habitat and Joshua tree woodland interface is the area where hybrids are most likely to be found. If either is a life bird, state bird, county bird, trip bird, etc., for the birder, hybrids should probably be eliminated as a possibility before adding either species to one's list. Add to our understanding. Please report all hybrids.

White-headed Woodpecker* is a common resident species in the mountains surrounding the Kern Valley. The Kern River Valley Christmas Bird Count has even led the nation in numbers of this species. Locations where this species is likely to be found (especially if you know its call) include Landers Meadow edges in the Piute Mountains, Breckenridge Mountain, Greenhorn Summit and Alta Sierra in the Greenhorn Mountains, Holey Meadow Campground, Redwood Meadow Campground/Trail of 100 Giants, and Quaking Aspen Campground along the Western Divide Highway, and Troy Meadow Campground and Fish Creek Campground on the Kern Plateau.

Pileated Woodpecker* is a rare resident in the Greenhorn Mountains and along the Western Divide Highway. All sightings by birders over the last decade have come from Greenhorn Summit/Alta Sierra in the Greenhorns and Holey Meadow Campground/Redwood Meadow Campground/Trail of 100 Giants along the Western Divide Highway. This species is heard on about 25% of field trips made to these areas. It is seen on about 10% of field trips to these areas. Breckenridge Mountain, located just south of the Greenhorns, is said to be the southernmost breeding location for this species in California. An opportunity exists for birders to explore Breckenridge Mountain along the paved road that transects the mountain and add to our knowledge of this underbirded area.

Nineteen species (fourteen nesting species!) of tyrant flycatchers have been recorded in the Kern Valley and surrounding mountains. This list includes California's first accepted Alder Flycatcher, Kern County's first Eastern Wood-Pewee, five species of nesting Empidonax flycatchers (*Willow, *Hammond's, *Dusky, *Gray, *Pacific-slope), 1-2 pairs of nesting (actual nest only found one year) *Vermilion Flycatchers, a small nesting population (5-10 pairs) of *Brown-crested Flycatchers, Tropical Kingbird, 1-2 pairs of *Cassin's Kingbirds, and Eastern Kingbird. *Olive-sided Flycatcher is increasingly rare, *Western Wood-Pewee is ubiquitous and often abundant, *Black Phoebe is common, as are *Ash-throated Flycatcher and *Western Kingbird, and *Say's Phoebe is uncommon. There is one record of Eastern Phoebe (January 3-February 6, 2000).

Olive-sided Flycatcher* is an uncommon nesting species in the mountains of the Kern River watershed. It is regularly observed during spring migration in early to mid-May at both Butterbredt Spring (18 on May 19, 1999) and Migrant Corner of the Kern River Preserve.

Western Wood-Pewee* is a very common to abundant spring migrant and nesting season species in the Kern River watershed and vicinity. 350 individuals were recorded passing through Butterbredt Spring on the morning of May 19, 1999 and 223 individuals were counted on the July 10, 1999 South Fork Kern Summer Bird Count.

Southwestern Willow Flycatchers* (Federally Endangered extimus subspecies) are best "ticked" without violating Federal law by listening and observing them from the parking lot by the Birders' Board at Kern River Preserve Headquarters. Several pairs (8-20) of this species call, "sing," and nest all through the "Slough Channel" that you pass through as you enter the preserve. But, you are not to walk around in the habitat because that is a violation of the Endangered Species Act. To enjoy these birds without illegally disturbing them simply observe them from the parking lot or bird along the ranch road that leads west from the Headquarters area along the north side of the slough. Besides, this road leads one past habitat used by nesting Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Blue Grosbeaks, and Lawrence's Goldfinches. Willow Flycatchers usually first begin arriving about the 15th of May with late May through July being the best time to see one or more. If you know their song, the pre-dawn chorus heard from Headquarters throughout June is truly impressive.

Gray Flycatcher* is a regularly observed spring migrant at Butterbredt Spring and on the Kern River Preserve. It nests in "Great Basin" habitat (single-leaf pinyon pine) on the east side of the Kern Plateau, in the Scodie Mountains, and in the Piute Mountains. It is most often observed on field excursions along the Kennedy Meadows Road between Chimney Peak Fire Station (BLM) and Kennedy Meadows.

"Western" Flycatcher* is a common spring migrant in the area (200 at Butterbredt Spring on May 19, 1999.). It is a rare breeder at the Kern River Preserve (None were found on the July 10 1999 South Fork Kern Summer Bird Count.). The easiest place to observe this species during the nesting season is along the Trail of 100 Giants (Sequoias) found thirty-five miles north of Kernville.

Brown-crested Flycatcher* is a very rare spring and summer visitor to the South Fork Valley. Three to ten nesting pairs are estimated. Eight individuals were counted on the July 10, 1999 South Fork Kern Summer Bird Count; six on the 2000 count.

Perhaps the easiest place to observe Brown-crested Flycatchers is at the California Department of Fish & Game's 1200-acre Canebrake Ecological Reserve found along the South Fork Kern River off of the north side of Hwy. 178 ten miles east of the Kern River Preserve. A walking trail, allowing access to this scenic and bird-rich ecological reserve by birders and the general public for the first time, was opened in October, 2000. This species frequents the first strip of Fremont cottonwood and red willow trees the trail bisects, usually within 100 yards upstream of the bridge over Cane Brake Creek. The new trailhead may be found at the east end of the Joshua tree woodland and c. 200 yards/meters west of the sharp curve where Highway 178 is bordered by a rocky hillside on the south and the river forest on the north (25 mph sign).

Another Brown-crested Flycatcher location was found in spring of 1999 at Audubon California's newly purchased (May, 1999) 156-acre Kelso Creek Sanctuary w2hich is bisected by Kelso Valley Road for half a mile starting 15.2 miles south of Hwy. 178. This species was present May through July, 2000. All observations have been made by walking along Kelso Valley Road paralleling the creekside forest that borders the road. No observations have been made in the interior of the forest.

Brown-crested Flycatchers have been consistently found on the south side of the South Fork Wildlife Area (Sequoia National Forest), in the vicinity of Prince's Pond on the Kern River Preserve, and upstream from the Sierra Way Bridge.

The population of this species in the South Fork Valley is apparently increasing. In recent years this species has spread to the east side of the Sierra Way Bridge with one-three pairs in that location. The South Fork Valley is the known northwestern limit of the Brown-crested Flycatcher's breeding and nesting range.

Plumbeous Vireos* nest and are reliably seen at Chimney Creek Campground. In 2000 this species was heard consistently singing in June & July right at the entrance to the campground and a nest was found. This species was also observed from late June through July in the vicinity of camp space #20 and at camp space #32. They have been found all through the campground and above the campground for nearly a mile along Chimney Creek (First nest found in the southern Sierra Nevada). This species should not be missed if one camps at the campground, knows its song & calls, and spends a morning birding the area. Besides, the Calliope Hummingbirds and other species found there enrich the birding experience.

Warbling Vireo* is a very common to abundant spring migrant species in the Kern River Valley during the first three weeks of May. Up to 1400 individuals in a single morning have been observed at Butterbredt Spring in mid-May. It is a wide spread nesting species the mountains surrounding the Kern River Valley.

Surprisingly, Warbling Vireo is still an uncommon modern-day nesting species in the South Fork Valley with thirteen individuals censused on the July 10, 1999 South Fork Kern Summer Bird Count. They are most likely to be heard and observed along the South Fork Kern River in the first 400 meters (yards) upstream from the Sierra Way Bridge.

Red-eyed Vireos* have nested in only one location in California; in the Sequoia National Forest's South Fork (Kern) Wildlife Area. The SFWA borders and lies between Audubon-California's Kern River Preserve on the east and Isabella Reservoir on the west. During almost every year of the 1990s and in the year 2000 one to five Red-eyed Vireos have summered in the South Fork Kern River riparian forest between Fay Ranch Road to the east and Isabella Reservoir to the west. Nests of this species are only looked for in passing and an actual nest has been found in only one year.

Pinyon Jay* has been most reliably observed the last several years in the Jeffrey pine forest found along the north edge of Lander's Meadow in the Piute Mountains. This seems to be a nesting area as a grounded nestling was found in 1997 and recently fledged young being fed by adults have been observed several years. This species has been heard on virtually 100% of late April-July visits to this location. They have been seen on 90% of visits. Once again, knowing their calls is the key. Another excellent area for searching for this species is in the single-leaf pinyon pine habitat along Kennedy Meadows Road from Chimney Peak Fire Station (BLM) to above Kennedy Meadows just west of the South Fork Kern River. Flocks of up to 300-500(!) have been observed consistently from mid-June through July. If driving this stretch of road doesn't work, then stop every half mile and listen for their distinctive call. This species is less frequently observed in the area from Walker Pass westward for four miles along Highway 178 and in Joshua tree habitat along Kelso Valley Road.

Cactus Wren* is easily heard and seen in spring and summer in the Joshua tree/silver cholla habitat found along the lower two miles of the Chimney Creek Road, along Kelso Creek Road, and along Kelso Valley Road. An isolated nesting population is found very close to the Kern River Preserve by going north past the South Fork School and South Fork Kern River on Fay Ranch Road a little over two miles (to where it leaves the flatland and curves to the left to head up Fay Canyon). Soon you will see silver cholla on both sides of the road. Look for the wrens from here across to the dirt road on the east (First seen straight ahead before you as you come to the first curve in Fay Ranch Road as described above.) Learn the calls of the Cactus Wren. Check for them atop exposed portions of Joshua trees, silver cholla, and prominent shrubs.

Winter Wren* (one-three pairs) has nested most years along the small stream that runs through the Trail of 100 Giants (Sequoias) opposite Redwood Meadow Campground along the Western Divide Highway of Sequoia National Forest thirty-five miles north of Kernville. In 1998, this species apparently nested along the stream through Greenhorn Mountain Park just below Greenhorn Summit. This species has been found in very small numbers in fall, winter, and spring in the Kern River Valley, Butterbredt Spring, and eastern Kern County desert oases.

American Dipper* is best looked for in winter along the Kern River just below the dam at Main Dam Campground and near the bridge at Riverside Park in Kernville. In summer it is sometimes found along Fish Creek between Troy Meadow and Fish Creek Campgrounds. It has been found along Chimney Creek above Chimney Creek Campground. This species is often reported from along the Kern River above Kernville including from the trail leading four miles north from the Johnsondale Bridge.

Mountain Bluebird* nests at Troy Meadow. Western Bluebird nests at Troy also. It is often found in summer along the Kennedy Meadows Road east of the Kennedy Meadows store. There are plenty of Western Bluebirds there also. A few are found every winter in the South Fork Valley. Look for them in this season in grassy fields along Hwy. 178, Fay Ranch Road, Kelso Valley Road, the Kern River Preserve entrance road, and the grassy areas of the South Fork Wildlife Area.

Townsend's Solitaire* is found regularly in winter in and around Greenhorn Summit and Alta Sierra in the greenhorn Mountains. Known summering/nesting locations include Troy Meadow Campground and along Fish Creek below the campground, Greenhorn Summit/Alta Sierra, and Redwood Meadow Campground/Trail of 100 Giants.

Swainson's Thrush is a common spring migrant from the second week of May into early June. It has been readily observed in the Sierra Way Bridge area of the Kern River Preserve, at the Kelso Creek Sanctuary located on Kelso Valley Road 15 miles south of the Preserve, at Butterbredt Spring, and most commonly at Galileo Hill. 200-400 individuals in a single morning have been observed both at Butterbredt Spring and Migrant corner of the Kern River Preserve in mid-May.

Bendire's Thrasher* is a very rare breeder in Joshua tree woodland in the Kelso Creek watershed and Butterbredt Canyon above Butterbredt Spring. It is found virtually every year in the flats alongside Kelso Creek starting four-five miles south of the Kern River Preserve. The last nest found, in 1998, was within four miles southeast of the entrance to the Kern River Preserve. The population of this species found in this very small area of the far southern Sierra Nevada is disjunct by well over one hundred miles from its primary range in southeastern California, southern Utah, Arizona, western New Mexico, and northwest Mexico.

Le Conte's Thrasher* has been found in the washes along and in the Kelso Creek bed, around Butterbredt Spring, and in the flats of the Jawbone Canyon ORV Open Area. A nest has been found in the area of Cane Brake Creek between Highway 178 and the Chimney Peak Scenic By-way road west of Walker Pass. Be careful. California Thrashers occur virtually everywhere this species does except Jawbone. During the September-October, 1998 Turkey Vulture Count, California Thrasher was heard virtually every day on the hillslopes and a Le Conte's Thrasher was heard in the wash of Kelso Creek. This is not an easy species to find, being missed on the vast majority of field trips.

Phainopepla* is easily found in winter in Tillie Creek Campground in Wofford Heights on the west shore of Isabella Reservoir. In summer, it may be checked for in the foothills west and north of Isabella Reservoir. Look for it in association with mistletoe.

Wood warblers (to be expanded by single species accounts) are best observed the first two-three hours of daylight at Butterbredt Spring during the April 25th to May 15th spring migration period. Nine to eleven species of warblers are often observed on a single morning during this time period. If the day is particularly good for migration, scores to hundreds to over one thousand warblers may be seen. A three thousand warbler morning took place on May 19, 1999 (80 Orange-crowned, 12 Nashville, 700 Yellow, 12 Audubon's, 14 Black-throated Gray, 400 Townsend's, 16 Hermit, 22 Common Yellowthroat, 80 MacGillivray's, 1700 Wilson's, 16 Yellow-breasted Chat...Matt Heindel).

The best place to observe spring landbird migration on the Kern River Preserve is along the trail leading from the northeast side of the Sierra Way Bridge over the South Fork Kern River eastward to the wet meadow at Migrant/Vagrant Corner. The Kelso Creek Sanctuary may be very good during the April 25 - May 15 time period, also.

Species to be looked for: Orange-crowned Warbler*, Nashville Warbler*, Yellow Warbler*, Yellow-rumped Warbler*, Black-throated Gray Warbler*, Townsend's Warbler, Hermit Warbler*, MacGillivray's Warbler*, Common Yellowthroat*, Wilson's Warbler*, and Yellow-breasted Chat*. Several visits to these areas in spring may very well yield Black-and-white Warbler and American Redstart as well.

For vagrant eastern species the window of occurrence seems to most regularly fall between May 5th and June 5th with some vagrants being found into late June.

The Kern River Preserve is unusual in the fact that it has hosted several vagrant or near-vagrant summering warbler species over the years: Northern Parula, Black-and White Warbler, and American Redstart. The first nesting of Hooded Warbler* in California took place at the Kern River Preserve.

Yellow Warblers* nest abundantly in the Slough Channel riparian habitat next to the Kern River Preserve Headquarters' parking lot. As many as eight singing males may be heard within one hundred meters of a single spot. Another excellent location is on both sides of Fay Ranch Road just south of the bridge over the South Fork Kern River (Bird from the sides of the road. The land in the immediate vicinity of the Fay Ranch Road Bridge is private property. Do not go off of the margins of the road!). This species starts arriving at the preserve early; the last few days of March through the first week of April. They are a common migrant at Butterbredt Springs from the end of April through mid to late May. By June they are at several nesting locations on the preserve and in appropriate montane habitat; particularly around montane meadows. 263 individuals of this species were counted on the July 10, 1999 South Fork Kern Summer Bird Count.

Summer Tanagers* are an ornithologically prominent feature of the last fourteen miles of the South Fork Kern River before it terminates at Isabella Reservoir. California's largest nesting population (30-50 pairs!) is found here. As many as ten nests have been found in a single nesting season in the two mile stretch of riparian forest located between the Fay Ranch Road Bridge and the Sierra Way Bridge. The first birds arrive for the nesting season the last few days of April. The rest of the population migrate in throughout May. The last individuals leave for fall migration the last week of September and, rarely, into early October. This species is often heard and seen around the Kern River Preserve Headquarters, along the preserve's nature trail (Look for it in the exposed, leafless branch tops of the largest Fremont cottonwoods), around the Sierra Way Bridge area, Fay Ranch Road on both sides of the bridge (Bird from the sides of the road. The land in the immediate vicinity of the Fay Ranch Road Bridge is private property. Do not go off of the margins of the road!), and in the Sequoia National Forest South Fork Wildlife Area off of Sierra Way west of the Sierra Way Bridge over the South Fork Kern River.

Western Tanager* is a common nesting species in all of the mountains surrounding the Kern River Valley. If you go there, they will come. They are a very common to abundant spring migrant in the Kern River Valley during the first three weeks of May. 800-1200 individuals in a single morning have been observed both at Butterbredt Spring and Migrant Corner of the Kern River Preserve in mid-May.

Green-tailed Towhee* is quite common in June and July in the dry meadows found along the Kennedy Meadows Road. It may be found in the dry edges of Troy Meadow and in the shrubby areas edging Holey Meadow and Quaking Aspen Meadow along the Western Divide Highway.

Spotted Towhee* is a common nesting species and a less common resident. Look for this species in chaparral or shrub habitat at the upper end of Fay Ranch Road (Weldon), at the end of Burlando Road (Kernville), up Sawmill and Old State Roads (Greenhorn Mountains), along the Kern River Preserve Nature (River) Trail, and along the Preserve's trail to Migrant/Vagrant Corner.

California Towhee* is a common resident species throughout lowland habitats (except extensive grasslands). It is particularly common in chaparral, shrub, and Joshua tree habitats. Look for this species at the upper end of Fay Ranch Road (Weldon), at the end of Burlando Road (Kernville), up Sawmill and Old State Roads (Greenhorn Mountains), and along the Kern River Preserve's trail to Migrant/Vagrant Corner.

Brewer's Sparrow* has been commonly found in June and July in the sagebrush meadows located along the Kennedy Meadows Road on the Kern Plateau. In migration (late April to mid-May), it is commonly found throughout the desert habitat between Butterbredt Spring and the Kern River Preserve. A particularly good place is where the Kelso Valley Road crosses the Kelso Creek bed five miles south of the Kern River Preserve.

Black-chinned Sparrow* is most easily found in late May through July between Mile 2.6 and 2 on the road leading from the Johnsondale Bridge up to Johnsondale/R-Ranch. This species also nests on the north-facing slope at Highway 178 Milepost 74 west of Walker Pass, along the slopes on the switchbacks found going up the Chimney Peak Scenic By-way road, in Lamont Meadow alongside the Chimney Peak By-way road, and in the chaparral habitat on the slopes alongside the Sherman Pass Road above the Johnsondale Bridge. It has been found at the Milepost 74 location as early as late April.

Vesper Sparrow* nests at Troy Meadow (mid-June through July). You may have to walk most of the meadow to find a Vesper Sparrow among the much more numerous nesting Savannah Sparrows. It is an uncommon to rare winter resident in the Kern River Valley. Look for it on fence wires along the first few miles of Kelso Valley Road, across from the Kern River Preserve on the road to Paul's Place, and along the road that accesses the southern half of the South Fork Wildlife Area.

Black-throated Sparrow* - Easily heard and seen in spring and summer in the Joshua tree/silver cholla habitat found along the lower two miles of the Chimney Creek Road, along Kelso Creek Road, along Kelso Valley Road, and at Butterbredt Canyon and Spring. An isolated nesting population is found very close to the Kern River Preserve by going north past the South Fork School and South Fork Kern River on Fay Ranch Road a little over two miles (to where it leaves the flatland and curves to the left to head up Fay Canyon). Soon you will see silver cholla on both sides of the road. Look for the sparrows from here across to the dirt road on the east (First seen straight ahead before you as you come to the first curve in Fay Ranch Road as described above.) Learn the song of the Black-throated Sparrow. Check for them atop exposed portions of Joshua trees, silver cholla, and prominent shrubs. Note: An exciting discovery on recent South Fork Valley Christmas Bird Counts is that this species regularly winters on the desert washes along the east side of Kelso Creek and Kelso Valley Roads at the west base of the Scodie Mountains (Kiavah Wilderness). Numbers recorded each year have varied from a few dozen individuals to several hundred!

Rose-breasted Grosbeak - Check all "Black-headed Grosbeaks" that you hear at the South Fork from mid-May through July. There are several records of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks for May, June, and July. Two were present in October, 2000. No indication of nesting as yet, but... This species has also been recorded several times at Butterbredt Spring in May and June.

Black-headed Grosbeak* is a common nesting species throughout the riparian, foothill, and montane habitat of the Kern River Valley and surrounding mountains. It is a common to abundant spring migrant (mid-April to mid-May) in the Kern River Valley. 700-900 individuals in a single morning have been observed both at Butterbredt Spring and Migrant Corner of the Kern River Preserve in mid-May.

Blue Grosbeak* - This species is common in the South Fork Valley from May through July in weedy edges of the riparian forest. 204 were recorded on the July 10, 1999 South Fork Summer bird Count. This species is often heard and seen along Fay Ranch Road north of the bridge, by the first large Fremont cottonwoods along the Kern River Preserve nature trail, along the road that runs west from Kern River Preserve Headquarters, where the trail that runs east from the northeast corner of the Sierra Way Bridge comes to the large meadow north of the preserve, at the junction of Highway 178 and the entrance to the Kern River Preserve, and on and on and on. Soon you will be able to get out of your car, look at the habitat, and say, "Looks like a good place for Blue Grosbeak." And, you will probably be proved to be a prophet of excellent repute within a few minutes and oftentimes instantly!

Lazuli Bunting* - This species is common. It is easily found from May through July. Two hundred individuals were recorded at Butterbredt Spring on the morning of May 19, 1999. On the July 10, 1999 South Fork Kern Summer Bird Count, 298 individuals were counted on 4000 acres.

On the Kern River Preserve it seems to favor the young trees that make up the numerous restoration sites that total over three hundred acres. Often heard and seen along Fay Ranch Road north of the bridge, by the first large Fremont cottonwoods along the Kern River Preserve nature trail, where the trail that runs east from the northeast corner of the Sierra Way Bridge comes to the large meadow north of the preserve, and at the South Fork Wildlife Area parking lot off of Sierra Way. But, my favorite area for experiencing "knock your socks off" studies of this species is about twenty-five miles north of Kernville on the road to Johnsondale. Park off the road at mile 2.6 (between Mileposts 3.0 and 2.5) a mile or so above the Johnsondale Bridge over the North Fork of the Kern River. Walk uproad on the south side of the road that looks down on the canyon formed by South Fork Creek. The views of several Lazuli Buntings at eye level and from above on an early morning from late-May through mid-July is, in my opinion, incomparable. The birding from milepost 2.0 downroad to milepost 3.0 is excellent. This is THE SPOT for observing not only Lazuli Bunting, but Black Swift, Wrentit, Nashville Warbler, and Black-chinned Sparrow as well.

Indigo Bunting* - At least one or two individuals of this species occurs each spring. But, the fascinating thing is that this species may reach uncommon status some summers. In the last twenty years, up to twenty territorial males have been censused each summer in a few miles of the South Fork riparian forest! Most years there are between three and ten singing males. Six were counted on the July 10, 1999 South Fork Kern Summer Bird Count.

If this species is present in reliable spots, it is most easily found in June and July. On Audubon California's Kern River Preserve and the Sequoia National Forest's South Fork Wildlife Area it seems to favor the young trees that make up the numerous restoration sites; both planted and naturally regenerated. In recent years, Indigo Buntings have summered in the east end of the Preserve's Mill Field restoration site, on the Meadow Field restoration site, and along the north side of the main forest that borders the large meadow. This area is reached by walking to the end of the trail that runs east from the northeast corner of the Sierra Way Bridge. They have often been found in the area around and just to the west of the South Fork Wildlife Area parking lot off of Sierra Way. Follow any unusual bunting song, but pursue all buntings because the songs of the Indigo Bunting and Lazuli Bunting can blur in this location where so many of each species may be found in any given summer.

Tricolored Blackbird* - Several colonies of this species breed in the South Fork Valley. Depending upon the kind of water year, the colonies will move around. Sometimes they nest in the willows in the high water zone of Isabella Reservoir, sometimes in the marshes found in the large wet meadow (private land...bird respectfully and courteously) at the end of the trail that leads eastward from the northeast side of the Sierra Way Bridge, sometimes in the marsh (private land...bird from the road) off of Sierra Way just south and east of the bridge, sometimes in the marsh (private land...bird from the road) on the east side of Fay Ranch Road north of the bridge, and sometimes in the marsh just to the east of the entrance road to the Kern River Preserve. The most reliable nesting colony in recent years has been in a Himalayan blackberry patch (private land...bird from the road) found on the north side of Highway 178 just east of Sierra Way. To observe this colony park in the wide pull-off on the south side of Highway 178 immediately east of its junction with Sierra Way and walk eastward along the shoulders of Highway 178 to a point opposite the blackberry patch. Here, and actually anywhere in the South Fork Valley, watch for Tricoloreds flying to and fro on seemingly endless forays.

April and May are the prime months for finding Tricolored Blackbirds in numbers in the Kern River Valley. They winter here in numbers up to 600 individuals. But, they are usually found in areas inaccessible to the general public.

Although not the most scenic place to see Tricolored Blackbirds, the parking lot of the Kern Valley Plaza Shopping Center (Von's, Rite-Aide, Burger King) in the community of Lake Isabella has been the location of more than one birder's "life bird" Tricolored. Look and listen for them on the pavement, signs, and wires. Check out the fenced marsh along Erskine Creek Road behind the west end of the shopping center and check the large open meadow area across Lake Isabella Blvd.

Hooded Oriole* - Scodie Park in Onyx is excellent for this species from mid-March/early April through July. They nest in the palm trees found in the yards across the street from the south side of the park. View from the park side of the street. They often perch in the tops of the cedars in the park, in the tall trees in the neighboring yards, and on the wires strung between the telephone poles. Listen for the loud, meadowlark-like "weet, weet" call.

Up to five Hooded Orioles visited the main hummingbird feeder in the front yard of the Kern River Preserve throughout the 1999 breeding & nesting season. Wofford Heights Park north of Tillie Creek Campground on the west side of Isabella Reservoir is another annual location for this species.

Hooded Orioles are regularly found in the towns of Kernville, Weldon (South Lake), and Wofford Heights as well. Visiting birders could help better determine this species status in the last three towns and other areas of the Kern River Valley. Once again, follow the "weet." Let us know of your discoveries.

Scott's Oriole* - This breeding season species may be found in the Joshua tree woodland on both sides of Walker Pass (try the area around Hwy. 178 Milepost 74), in the Joshua tree/silver cholla habitat found along Kelso Valley Road starting five miles south of the Kern River Preserve, at Butterbredt Canyon and Spring, and in the Joshua Tree woodland along Nine Mile Canyon Road off of Highway 395 in Inyo County. The first Kern River Valley "spring" arrival dates for this species over the last three years were February 24, 1998, February 17, 1999, and February 21, 2000. Many birders often confuse this species song with that of the Western Meadowlark.

Red Crossbill* - This species may be found year round anywhere in the montane areas surrounding the Kern Valley . But, they are most easily seen in the drier mountains (Piutes, Scodies/Kiavahs, Kern Plateau). This species has been wonderfully reliable in May, June, and July the last two years along Piute Mountain Road (off of Kelso Valley Road) where it parallels Landers' Meadow in the Piute Mountains (found south of the Kern River Preserve), at Chimney Creek Campground, in the single-leaf pinyon pine habitat along the Kennedy Meadows Road (especially around Government Springs and the sign that says "Welcome to Kennedy Meadows" as one approaches from the east), and at Troy Meadows Campground.

Lawrence's Goldfinch* - This species is more numerous and consistently found in the South Fork Valley from early April through mid-June than anywhere I know. I believe they are more abundant here than anywhere else in their breeding range. Flocks of up to two hundred twenty-five have been found in the weedy field to the west of Kern River Preserve Headquarters in early June. A census conducted on July 10, 1999 recorded 78 individuals of this species. Their numbers become more scarce as July progresses. In 1999, this species was unrecorded in August. Small numbers were recorded in September. In 1998 the species first arrived at Kern River Preserve Headquarters on March 2 and in 1999 on February 24.

The best place for studying this species is at Scodie County Park in the town of Onyx. Look and listen for them in the cedars that line the south edge of the park, in the trees above the picnic tables in the southeast corner, on the grass, and on the basketball court at the water left by park sprinklers.

They nest in the yard of the Kern River Preserve Headquarters most years. They are often found at Butterbredt Spring in spring. If you are able, learn the flight call of this species. Soon you will find that they may be found anywhere from the 2600' Kern Valley floor up to 8,000' or more in the surrounding mountains.

Entry of species accounts is ongoing. I enter whatever strikes my fancy. I expect to eventually have species accounts for most, if not all, of the 330+ species that have been recorded in the Kern River Valley and environs. If you would like to request a species account to be posted sooner rather than later, send an e-mail to Bob Barnes with your request. I'll kick requested species up to the head of the list for entry. BB.

Prepared by:

Bob Barnes

P.O. Box 953

Weldon, CA 93283

W: http://valleywild.org

Bob Barnes & Associates • PO Box 953, Weldon, CA 93283 • E-mail: Bob Barnes

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This page was last updated on Saturday, August 25, 2007.