Goal: To provide a motivating mix of bird species observations with reports of interest to all birders: beginning to expert, Kern County specialists, northern California & southern California, out-of-California (U.S. & International), listers and non-listers,...

Highlights Below: Least Bittern (July 6th), White-winged Dove (July 4th), Least Flycatcher (May 30th through June 9th), Bell's Vireo (June 14th through July 12th), Grasshopper Sparrow (June 2nd through July 10th)

Major Tip: Birding early (starting at dawn) and carefully (spending time) = birds seen...

Last Update: 7pm, Wednesday, September 4, 2002

Specific Dates and Sightings:

We, July 24 - The Bell's Vireo was reported again this morning in the trees at the northwest corner of the Kern River Preserve's Prince Pond west of Sierra Way. MAWH.

We, July 24 - The Grasshopper Sparrows first found June 2nd summering in a pasture just north of the East Unit of the Kern River Preserve were last reported on this date. BOBA.

Th, July 18 - Bank Swallow. An individual of this species was reported to be perched in the company of Tree Swallows and Cliff Swallows on a telephone wire over the field bordering th entrance road to Kern River Preserve Headquarters. Immature Tree Swallow and Rough-winged Swallow were eliminated due to the much smaller size of the bird observed than the nearby Cliff Swallow and the presence of a clear, crisp, and distinct breast band. This report is well within the the southbound fall migration time period for this species which peaks late July to late August according to Matt Heindel's book on east Kern status & distribution. Observer: TOMI.

Th, July 18 - Yellow-billed Cuckoo. A pair carrying nesting material was reported from the area in front of Kern River Preserve Headquarters this morning by researchers working on this species. A nest search will be conducted once site and nest fidelity is secured. Due to the eleven day incubation period, the six to seven day nestling period, and a fledgling period around the nest site, cuckoos should be present in the vicinity of Headquarters into mid-August. MUHA, TEGA, JUPI, & Adolph. 

We, July 17 - Yellow-billed Cuckoo. After an hour and fifteen minutes of patient waiting and listening, a pair of Yellow-billed Cuckoos was observed copulating in a mid-sized Fremont cottonwood bordering the south side of the Nature Trail c. 100m/yds. east of the Visitor Center at Kern River Preserve Headquarters. SAKO.

Su, July 14 - American Redstart. A calling & heavily molted immature male of this species was reported as being at Butterbredt Spring this morning. It was reported from the large cottonwood over the pond outflow where the small wooden board bridge is located. All but one tail feather was missing. It was described by the observer as "being pretty beat up." CANA.

Fr,  July 12 - Bell's Vireo. An adult male of this species was reported singing and seen by multiple observers this morning along the south side of the South Fork Wildlife Area behind the KOA Campground. This species has now been reported in four distinct locations since June 14th. It is still not known if this is a single, widely wandering individual or an indication of several individuals and recolonization of the area after decades of absence.  MUHA, SCBA, JUPI.

We, July 10 - Yellow-billed Cuckoo. This species continues to be heard and seen in the trees in the front yard and bordering trees at Kern River Preserve Headquarters. It has even been calling the last several nights (10pm, 11pm, Midnight). Rufous Hummingbird, Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, & Lazuli Bunting also present. BOBA.

We, July 10 - Bell's Vireo. An adult male of this species was reported singing and seen by multiple observers this morning in the South Fork Wildlife Area along the river about 500 meters (GPS) west of Patterson Lane as accessed via Hanning Flat. BUWI, MAWI.

We, July 10 - Brown-crested Flycatcher, Summer Tanager, Grasshopper Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Indigo Bunting, and Lawrence's Goldfinch continue to be reported from the East Unit of the Kern River Preserve. BOBA, BEBR, LYHE, HALA.

Tu, July 9 - Bell's Vireo. An adult male of this species was reported singing and seen by multiple observers this morning in the South Fork Wildlife Area along the river about 500 meters (GPS) west of Patterson Lane as accessed via Hanning Flat. TEBE & JOST, BUWI, MAWI.

Tu, July 9 - A Blue Grouse continues at Bald Mountain Lookout, Kern Plateau, Sequoia National Forest, in southern Tulare County. Clark's Nutrcracker also present. BOBA, HALA.

Tu, July 9 - Black-chinned, Anna's, Calliope, and Selasphorus (Rufous and/or Allen's) Hummingbirds continue at Blackrock Ranger Station, Kern Plateau, Sequoia National Forest, in southern Tulare County. BOBA, HALA.

Mo, July 8 - Grasshopper Sparrow. A juvenile of this species was reported to be in the grassland area just north of the footbridge at the Canebrake Ecological Reserve. JOST.

Sa, July 6 - Blue Grouse. A booming individual of this species was reported to be heard in Kern County from along the trail to Sunday Peak found north of Greenhorn Summit in the Greenhorn Mountains. Sunday Peak is the only known remaining location for Blue Grouse in Kern County (JIBL). TEGA, ROMA, BARE, JESE, SUST, DEWI, JOWI.

Sa, July 6 - Least Bittern. This species was reported as calling early this morning from the Kern River Preserve's Prince's Pond; a consistent location for this species in the South Fork Valley. LABE, KAEL.

Sa, July 6 - Bell's Vireo. This species was reported as calling from 100 meters west of the Kern River Preserve's Prince's Pond. JAMC

Mo, July 1 - American Redstart. An immature male of this species was reported as being at Butterbredt Spring this morning. BRKA.

SOUTH FORK KERN RIVER RAPID ASSESSMENT SUMMER BIRD COUNT

4am-1pm, Saturday, July 6, 2002

Area Covered: Canebrake Ecological Reserve (part), Kern River Preserve (part), South Fork Wildlife Area (part), Hwy. 178 Corridor (part)

Twelve Observers in Six Count Parties: Bob Barnes, Lance Benner, Kathi Ellsworth, Terri Gallion, Rozella Mattingly, Barbara Reifel, John Schmitt, Jeff Seay, Alison Sheehey, Susan Steele, Deb Wilson,  John Wilson.

Total Party Hours: 38.50

Species & Numbers: Pied-billed Grebe 1; Western Grebe 4; Aechmophorus species 210; American White Pelican 242; Double-crested Cormorant 3; Least Bittern 1; Great Blue Heron 16; Black-crowned Night-Heron 3; Turkey Vulture 46; Wood Duck 5; Mallard 9; Northern Pintail 2; Blue-winged Teal 1; Cinnamon Teal 2; Northern Shoveler 1; Redhead 3; Common Merganser 2; Ruddy Duck 1; duck species 30; Osprey 6; Cooper's Hawk 1; Red-shouldered Hawk 18; Red-tailed Hawk 26; American Kestrel 12; Prairie Falcon 1; Ring-necked Pheasant 3; Wild Turkey 3; California Quail 149; Virginia Rail 3; American Coot 9; Killdeer 1; Ring-billed Gull 10; California Gull 74; Caspian Tern 15; Mourning Dove 163; Yellow-billed Cuckoo 13; Greater Roadrunner 4; Barn Owl 4; Great Horned Owl 7; White-throated Swift 3; Black-chinned Hummingbird 246; Anna's Hummingbird 515; Rufous Hummingbird 3; Selasphorus hummingbird 7; Acorn Woodpecker 1; Nuttall's Woodpecker 53; Downy Woodpecker 14; Hairy Woodpecker 6; Northern Flicker 62; Western Wood-Pewee 82; Willow Flycatcher 20; Pacific-slope Flycatcher 1; Black Phoebe 39; Say's Phoebe 14; Ash-throated Flycatcher 62; Brown-crested Flycatcher 6; Western Kingbird 93; Loggerhead Shrike 1; Bell's Vireo 1; Western Scrub-Jay 8; Common Raven 247; Horned Lark 1; Tree Swallow 239; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 5; Cliff Swallow 19; Oak Titmouse 22; Bushtit 237; White-breasted Nuthatch 11; Rock Wren 13; Bewick's Wren 44; House Wren 119; Marsh Wren 2; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2; Western Bluebird 49; American Robin 28; Northern Mockingbird 26; European Starling 427; Phainopepla 2; Orange-crowned Warbler 2; Yellow Warbler 116; Common Yellowthroat 230; Yellow-breasted Chat 6; Summer Tanager 21; Spotted Towhee 6; California Towhee 11; Rufous-crowned Sparrow 1; Lark Sparrow 74; Black-throated Sparrow 1; Savannah Sparrow 27; Grasshopper Sparrow 3; Song Sparrow 575; Black-headed Grosbeak 7; Blue Grosbeak 83; Lazuli Bunting 91; Indigo Bunting 2; Red-winged Blackbird 568; Tricolored Blackbird 298; Western Meadowlark 35; Yellow-headed Blackbird 4; Brewer's Blackbird 182; Great-tailed Grackle 11; Brown-headed Cowbird 45; Hooded Oriole 1; Bullock's Oriole 71; House Finch 289; Lesser Goldfinch 119; Lawrence's Goldfinch 15; House Sparrow 49.

105 species, 6777 individuals.

Th, July 4 - White-winged Dove (3rd Kern River Valley record). Reported from this morning along the creek bed just outside the south side of Wofford Heights Park in the community of Wofford Heights (west shore of Isabella Reservoir). The dove was perched along the Forest Service open space portion of the creek below the residential area. This is the first report of this species on the Sequoia National Forest of this primarily Colorado & Sonoran Desert nesting species. JOSC.

We, July 3 - Red-breasted Sapsucker Status & Distribution Note. John Schmitt has been tracking a pair of Red-breasted Sapsuckers in the vicinity of Wofford Heigths Park and the adjacent residential area since they "should have left" for high-country, coniferous forest breeding grounds early this spring. The pair John has been tracking remained all spring and is still present. Today, John found a recently fledged young in the same area where the adults have been hanging out indicating nesting well away from and below characteristic nesting habitat. The adults were observed foraging this morning 200-300 meters to the northeast of the young individual. The community of Wofford Heights is at an elevation of 2600'-2700' on the west shore of Isabella Reservoir and below the chaparral zone of the east slope of the Greenhorn Mountains. JOSC.

Fr-Mo, June 28-July 1, Los Angeles Audubon Society Kern River Valley & Southern Sierra Field Trip Results with Bob Barnes (Details on specific sightings follow.)

Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great  Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, White-faced Ibis, Turkey Vulture, Gadwall, Mallard, Cinnamon Teal, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Northern Goshawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar, Blue Grouse, Mountain Quail, California Quail, American Coot, Killdeer, American Avocet, Willet, Ring-billed Gull, Caspian Tern, Black Tern, Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Barn Owl, Great Horned Owl, Spotted Owl, Lesser Nighthawk, Common Poorwill, White-throated Swift, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, Selasphorus hummingbird, Acorn Woodpecker, Williamson's Sapsucker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, White-headed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Hammond's Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, Plumbeous Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Steller's Jay, Western Scrub-Jay, Pinyon Jay, Clark's Nutcracker, Common Raven, Horned Lark, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Mountain Chickadee, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Pygmy Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Wrentit, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Hermit Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, California Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Brewer's Sparrow, Black-chinned Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Black-headed Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Indigo Bunting, (Kern) Red-winged Blackbird, Tricolored Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, Purple Finch, Cassin's Finch, House Finch, Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch, Lawrence's Goldfinch, & House Sparrow. 145 species.

Mo. July 1 - Calliope Hummingbird (one female), Red-breasted Sapsucker (7+), White-headed Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, MacGillivray's Warbler (several), Wilson's Warbler, & Green-tailed Towhee. Reported from Quaking Aspen Campground & Meadow, Giant Sequoia National Monument of Sequoia National Forest, Tulare County. BOBA, LAAS.

Mo, July 1 - Canyon Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Wrentit, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-chinned Sparrow, BLACK-THROATED SPARROW (BOBA & STSO), & INDIGO BUNTING (BRKA). Reported from between mileposts 2.0 & 2.5 on Mtn. 99 below Johnsondale/R-Ranch in the Giant Sequoia National Monument of the Sequoia National Forest, Tulare County. BOBA, LAAS.

Mo, July 1 - Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Willow Flycatcher, & Summer Tanager. Reported from Kern River Preserve Headquarters, South Fork Valley, Kern County. BOBA, LAAS.

Su, June 30 - Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe, American White Pelican (50+), White-faced Ibis (one), Osprey (adult & 3 young at nest), Northern Harrier, Golden Eagle (two), American Avocet (7+), Willet (one), & Black Tern (4 - STSO, et. al.). Reported from Isabella Reservoir's South Fork Wildlife Area south side, Kern County. STSO, BOBA, LAAS.

Su, June 30 - Red-breasted Sapsucker, White-headed Woodpecker, Dusky Flycatcher, Pinyon Jay, Pygmy Nuthatch, & Green-tailed Towhee. Reported from Lander's Meadow, Piute Mountains, Sequoia National Forest, Kern County. BOBA, LAAS.

Su, June 30 - Tricolored Blackbird & Hooded Oriole. Reported from Scodie County Park, Onyx, Kern County. BOBA, LAAS

Su, June 30 - Violet-green Swallow (adults & fledgling - confirmed breeding in Fremont cottonwood & red willow dominated riparian forest), Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager (pair), Blue Grosbeak, Tricolored Blackbird (several), & Lawrence's Goldfinch. Reported from the Canebrake Ecological Reserve, Kern County. BOBA, LAAS.

Su, June 30 - Lark Sparrow (several), Savannah Sparrow (several), Grasshopper Sparrow (3 singing males & one non-singing individual), Blue Grosbeak (several), Lazuli Bunting (several), Indigo Bunting (one singing male) & several Lawrence's Goldfinch. Reported from the East Unit of the Kern River Preserve. BOBA, LAAS.

Sa, June 29 & Su, June 30 - Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, & Lawrence's Goldfinch. All reported observed this morning from the front yard of Kern River Preserve Headquarters. BOBA, LAAS.

Sa, June 29 - Northern Goshawk, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Whit-headed Woodpecker, Cassin's Vireo, Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush, Hermit Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Red Crossbill, & Pine Siskin. Reported from Holey Meadow, Redwood Meadow, & the Trail of 100 Giants (Sequoias), Sequoia Giant Sequoia National Monument in the Sequoia National Forest, Tulare County. BOBA, LAAS.

Sa, June 29 - Brown-crested Flycatcher (pair), Blue Grosbeak (male), & Indigo Bunting (male). these species were reported from this morning from the South Fork Wildlife Area North Parking Lot off of Sierra Way. The flycatchers were in the trees just south of the dry riverbed and the bunting was singing from the trees next to the road in the northwest side of the parking lot. BOBA, LAAS.

Sa, June 29 - Northern Harrier. Reported from entrance road to Kern River Preserve Headquarters. LAAS.

Fr, June 28 - Blue Grouse. A booming and seen male reported from Bald Mountain Lookout, Sequoia National Forest, eastern Tulare County. BOBA, LAAS.

Fr, June 28 - Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird (abundant!), & Selasphorus hummingbird. Reported at the hummingbird feeders at Blackrock Ranger Station, Sequoia National Forest, eastern Tulare County. BOBA, LAAS.

Fr, June 28 - Williamson's Sapsucker, White-headed Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Clark's Nutcracker, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Townsend's Solitaire, Brewer's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, all three Carpodacus finches, Red Crossbill, & Lawrence's Goldfinch. Reported from Troy Meadow & Campground, southeastern Tulare County. BOBA, LAAS.

Fr., June 28 - Plumbeous Vireo. At least three individuals of this species were reported from the Chimney Creek Campground entrance area at its junction with the Chimney Peak National Back Country By-Way in the far southeastern corner of Tulare County. BOBA, LAAS.

Fr., June 28 - Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Front yard of Kern River Preserve Headquarters. BOBA, LAAS.

Fr, June 14 - Rose-breasted Grosbeak. A male of this species was reported this morning sitting & singing on a barbed wire fence strand separating a private ranch and the Kern River Preserve's East Unit east of Fay Ranch Road. BOBA.

Fr, June 14 - Bell's Vireo. A male of this species was reported as incessantly calling in Sequoia National Forest's South Fork Wildlife Area by an observer who has researched this species in Arizona. This individual was reported from the intersection of Patterson Lane (dirt - 4WD or walk-in) and the South Fork Kern River main channel. JAMC.

Su, June 2 -We, July 10  - Grasshopper Sparrow (3 singing males plus one non-singing individual). Reported as seen and heard (and recorded) from tall grassland bordering north edge of the East Unit of the Kern River Preserve. GEKE, TEGA.

Su, June 2 - Lawrence's Goldfinch. A a flock of 200+ individuals of this species were reported in one large flock feeding on fiddleneck on the East Unit of the Kern River Preserve. BOST.

Sa, June 1 - Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 4 individuals (2 in Sequoia National Forest's South Fork Wildlife Area - YBCU researchers, 1 just west of Kern River Preserve Headquarters parking lot - SUST, 1 along river north of the Kern River preserve Nature Trail at signpost #11 - SUST.). Present in numbers ten days to three weeks earlier than most years. 

Th, May 30 - Su, June 9 - Least Flycatcher (2nd Kern River Valley record). This species was first found May 30th and continued through  June 9th. It was located 300 meters east of Migrant Corner on the Kern River Preserve. Migrant Corner is reached by taking the trail east from the northeast side of the Sierra Way Bridge of the South fork Kern River. This is the second record for the Kern River Valley. Both sightings in spring,  both sightings within 150 meters of each other, both of incessantly "singing" territorial birds over several days. MAWH.

Key: BS-Butterbredt Spring  CC-California City  GH-Galileo Hill Park/Silver Saddle Resort

Observers: BOBA-Bob Barnes, SCBA-Scott Barnes, TEBE-Ted Beedy, LABE-Lance Benner, GOBL-Gordon Black,  JIBL-Jim Bland, BEBR-Bev Brock, DACO-Dan Cooper, KAEL-Kathi Ellsworth, GAFI-Gary File, TEGA-Terri Gallion, BRGA-Bruce Garlinger,  MUHA-Murrelet Halterman, JOHA-Joe Hart, LOHA-Lois Hart,  LYHE-Lynn Hemink, JOHU-Joan Humphrey, BRKA-Bruce Kautz, GEKE-Geoff Keller,  SAKO-Sandy Koonce, DELA-Denise La Berteaux, HALA-Harold LaFont, LAAS-Los Angeles Audubon Society, ROMA-Rosie Mattingly, BAMA-Barbara Maxwell, JAMC-Janine McCabe, TOMI-Tom Miko, CANA-Cathy Nishida, JUPI-Julie Pierce, BARE-Barbara Reifel, SYSC-Sylvia Schmidt, JOSC-John Schmitt, JESE-Jeff Seay, ALSH-Alison Sheehey, STSO-Steve Sosensky, BOST- Bob Steele, SUST-Susan Steele, JOST-John Sterling,  SCTE-Scott Terrill, MAWH-Mary Whitfield, BUWI-Bud Widdowson, DEWI-Deb Wilson, JOWI-John Wilson, TOWU-Tom Wurster...