KRV Birds Winter 2000/2001

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

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

Last Update: 1:15pm, PST, Wednesday, February 28, 2001.

Specific dates and sightings follow below after general 2000-2001 winter birding discussion...

Highlights:

Scott's Oriole (male) first of spring on Saturday, February 17th.

34 Evening Grosbeaks on February 11th.

All four sapsucker species on Kern Valley floor.

A Le Conte's Thrasher and four Sage Thrashers in Kelso Creek wash along with twenty Black-throated Sparrows and sixty-six Sage Sparrows.

Fifteen Bald Eagles and five Ospreys around Isabella Reservoir.

4500+ Clark's/Western Grebes, 2300+ Eared Grebes, and 1100+ Common Mergansers on Isabella Reservoir.

FOUR SAPSUCKER SPECIES IN A MORNING! The Kern River Valley in Kern County, California, currently has the makings of a morning or one day GRAND SLAM of the four species of sapsuckers found in North America: Williamson's, Yellow-bellied, Red-naped, and Red-breasted.

One Williamson's (female), one Red-naped, and up to three Red-breasted Sapsuckers have been frequenting the planted pines of the Main Dam Campground off of Highway 155 below Isabella Reservoir's main dam just north of the community of Lake Isabella since December 30th. BB.

If the Williamson's is missed in the campground, try the planted pine trees behind the U.S. Forest Service's Greenhorn Ranger District Visitors' Center which is located on the hill separating the main dam and auxiliary dam. The individual at this location is also a female. BB.

One juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was found in the residential area of the community of Onyx on January 6th and continues to be observed. TG. If you make the journey to the Kern River Valley to attempt the SAPSUCKER GRAND SLAM, check out Isabella Reservoir as well. It has had large numbers of water-associated birds this winter including 2300+ Eared Grebes, 4500 Western/Clark's Grebes, 600+ Double-crested Cormorants, 70+ Common Goldeneyes, 16 Hooded Mergansers, 1100+ Common Mergansers, 5 Osprey (determined from numerous reports of December 30th), and 15 Bald Eagles (determined from 25 reports on December 30th).

Winter 2000-2001 General Occurrence:

For a "snapshot" of wintering bird species and numbers in the Kern River Valley, view the complete results of this winter season's Kern River Valley and South Fork Valley Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs) by going to www.birdsource.org. Go to the same web site to view results for North Mojave Desert CBCs (Butterbredt Spring, China Lake, and Red Rock Canyon). Viewing these count results will help you plan your visit to the area covered by this bird sightings page.

Recommended Winter Birding Areas:

Around Isabella Reservoir (Engineers' Point between two dams, trees around Greenhorn Ranger District headquarters, Main Dam Campground, French Gulch Marina area, Tillie Creek Campground/North Fork Marina area, Lakeside Park in Wofford Heights, Riverside Park in Kernville, Camp 9 off Sierra Way, pullouts along Sierra Way, Stine Cove & Hanning Flat off Sierra Way, Kissack Cove off Hwy. 178 in Wofford Heights, briding from road below auxiliary dam). Allow a very full day.

Kern River Preserve & Weldon Valley Twelve Mile Long Hwy. 178, Kelso Valley Road, Kelso Creek Road road triangle (Kern River Preserve Headquarters & vicinity, Kelso Valley Road, Kelso Creek wash, Kelso Creek Road, Hwy. 178). Allow a very full day for both or 1/2 day for Weldon Valley.

Greenhorn Mountains (Hwy. 155 from Wofford Heights to 6104' Greenhorn Summit, Alta Sierra roads, Greenhorn Mtn. Park, Old State Road if snow free). Allow a very full day.

Kern River Preserve Headquarters Birds (within 400 meters/yards of headquarters):

Coming to Kern River Preserve Headquarters suet feeders: Nuttall's Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Mountain Chickadee, Oak Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, and Red-winged Blackbird.

Coming to Kern River Preserve Headquarters sunflower seed and thistle feeders: Mountain Chickadee, Oak Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, and American Goldfinch.

Coming to Kern River Preserve Headquarters ground feeding stations: 50-100 California Quail, 50-75 Mourning Dove, Spotted Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco, Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Tricolored Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, and House Finch.

Also Within 400 meters/yards of Headquarters: Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Turkey Vulture, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, White-tailed Kite, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle, American Kestrel, Killdeer, Barn Owl, Western Screech Owl, Great Horned Owl, Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Tree Swallow (Feb 20 arrival), Bushtit, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Marsh Wren, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, American Robin (Feb 10 arrival), European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, California Towhee, and Lesser Goldfinch.

Specific Dates & Sightings:

Tu, Feb 27 - Mo, Feb 19 - One of two Mountain Chickadees, present since Nov 10, was at Kern River Preserve Headquarters this morning. BB.

Mo, Feb 26 - An American Crow, present since Feb 17, was still at Kern River Preserve Headquarters. This species is very rare, and rarely reported, in the Kern River Valley. The handful of prior records have each been for one day only.

Su, Feb 25 - Perhaps due t a 5" snowfall on Sa, Feb 24, a flock of +/- Tricolored Blackbirds was feeding on ground dispersed bird seed with Red-winged Blackbirds in the yard at Kern River Preserve Headquarters. BB.

Th, Feb 22 - An adult male, two females, and an immature male Vermilion Flycatcher were reported from across from the 10th tee at the Sierra del Sol Golf Curse in California City. This is known nesting season location for this species straddles California city Blvd. with the golf course on the south and Central Park ball field, pitch-and-putt golf, and picnic area on the north. 30-40 Great-tailed Grackles were present, also. JH, LH.

We, Feb 21 - Two male and a female Williamson's Sapsuckers were at the entrance to the Keyesville South Recreation Area on the west side of Hwy. 155 just north of the community of Lake Isabella. JH, LH. (BB comment: This is within 0.5 miles of where two other female Williamson's Sapsuckers have been wintering. Doing the math, there are 4-5 individual Williamson's Sapsuckers in this relatively small area; a veritable flock!. JH, LH.

Mo, Feb 19 - A female Williamson's Sapsucker, first found on December 30, was observed in planted pine trees behind Greenhorn Ranger District Headquarters on the hill between the main and auxiliary dams of Isabella Reservoir off Hwy. 155 just north of the community of Lake Isabella. Two Tree Swallows, the first for the Kern River Valley this "spring," were also seen. MM, BB.

Mo, Feb 19 - Isabella Reservoir was still covered with birds (See above).

Mo, Feb 19 - An Osprey, twenty-one Oak Titmice, three Townsend's Solitaires, and eighteen Phainopeplas were observed at Tillie Creek Campground off the east side of Hwy. 155 at the south edge of Wofford Heights. BB, MM.

Mo, Feb 19 - Two Red-breasted Sapsuckers, two Canyon Wrens, and an American Dipper were observed off Hwy. 155 in the Main Dam Campground below Isabella Reservoir just north of the community of Lake Isabella. BB, MM.

Su, Feb 18 - Five Mountain Bluebirds were still frequenting the pasture bordering the entrance road to the Kern River Preserve. This species seems to be present at this location in the warmest and sunniest part of the day with one to ten individuals present at one time. BB.

Su, Feb 18 - The Winter Wren first observed by the small beaver dam alongside the trail leading west along the Slough Channel from the entrance road to the Kern River Preserve, Weldon, on Jan 6 was still present this morning. BB..

Sa, Feb 17 - A male Scott's Oriole reported from a private residence in the settlement of Cane Brake is the first reported this "spring." DL.

Th, Feb 15 - Fifteen to twenty Evening Grosbeaks were still present on the north edge of Tillie Creek Campground near the Post Office on the west shore of Isabella Reservoir in the community of Wofford Heights. JS.

Su, Feb 11 - A season high thirty-four Evening Grosbeaks were observed on the north edge of Tillie Creek Campground near the Post Office on the west shore of Isabella Reservoir in the community of Wofford Heights. JS.

Su, Feb 11 - A season high twenty-four Hooded Mergansers were counted in some small ponds bordering the west shore of Isabella Reservoir below Tillie Creek Campground in the community of Wofford Heights. JS.

Sa, Feb 10 - A Western Screech Owl was observed in a Wood Duck nest box at the edge of the pond east of the A. Brown Flour Mill on the Kern River Preserve. DT.

Mo, Jan 22 - At least one male Tricolored Blackbird was feeding with the Red-winged Blackbirds in the yard at Kern River Preserve Headquarters. This was the first Tricolored Blackbird to return to the yard this year. BB.

Fr, Jan 19 - A juvenile (Jul-Mar) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, first reported Mo, Jan 8, was still present in the community of Onyx. TG.

Fr, Jan 12 - Red-winged Blackbirds returned to the Kern River Preserve Headquarters yard and adjacent marsh and commenced singing. First of Spring. BB.

Mo, Jan 8 - A juvenile (Jul-Mar) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was observed in the community of Onyx.. TG.

Sa, Jan 6 - A Winter Wren was observed along the trail leading west along the Slough Channel from the entrance road to the Kern River Preserve, Weldon. BB.

Fr, Jan 5 - Up to twenty Evening Grosbeaks continue to be observed feeding in the trees near the amphitheater and fish cleaning station at Tillie Creek Campground on the west shore of Isabella Reservoir in the community of Wofford Heights. JS.

Su, Dec 31 - A Le Conte's Thrasher and four Sage Thrashers were observed in Kelso Creek wash downstream beyond the fence from the Kelso Valley Road crossing. JS.

Su, Dec 31 - The following species and numbers were observed among fifty-two species during a half day of birding the Weldon Valley area accessed from the twelve mile long road triangle formed by Hwy. 178, Kelso Valley Road, and Kelso Creek Road: Ferruginous Hawk 3, Prairie Falcon 1, California Quail 36, Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1, Nuttall's Woodpecker 2, Black Phoebe 6, Say's Phoebe 2, Western Scrub-Jay 8, Mountain Chickadee 15, Oak Titmouse 3, Bushtit 1, Cactus Wren 7, Rock Wren 2, Western Bluebird 6, Mountain Bluebird 19, Sage Thrasher 4, Le Conte's Thrasher 1, Vesper Sparrow 3, Lark Sparrow 58, Black-throated Sparrow 20, Sage Sparrow 66, Golden-crowned Sparrow 1, White-crowned Sparrow 523, Western Meadowlark 38, Brewer's Blackbird 330, .JS.

Su, Dec 31 - Up to eight Mountain Bluebirds were present in the pasture bordering the entrance road to the Kern River Preserve. mob.

Sa, Dec 30 - Six Evening Grosbeaks were observed feeding in the trees near the amphitheater and fish cleaning station at Tillie Creek Campground on the west shore of Isabella Reservoir in the community of Wofford Heights. BB.

Sa, Dec 30 - A female Williamson's Sapsucker, an adult Red-naped Sapsucker, and three adult Red-breasted Sapsuckers were observed in planted pine trees off Hwy. 155 in the Main Dam Campground below Isabella Reservoir just north of the community of Lake Isabella. Also present were two American Dippers. BB, MB, et. al.

Sa, Dec 30 - A female Williamson's Sapsucker was observed in planted pine trees behind Greenhorn Ranger District Headquarters on the hill between the main and auxiliary dams of Isabella Reservoir off Hwy. 155 just north of the community of Lake Isabella. BB, DT, JW, et. al

Observers: BB-Bob Barnes, MB-Michael Batelaan, RE-Rick Englehorn, TG-Terri Gallion, BG-Bruce Garlinger, MuH-Murrelet Halterman, JH-Joe Hart, LH-Lois Hart, JK-Jeff King, DL-Denise LaBerteaux, MM-Michael McQuerry, JS-John Schmitt, DT-Deb Tenzer, DT-Don Tolles, MW-Mary Whitfield, JW-John Wilson, mob-many observers

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

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