Bob Barnes & Associates presents:
Valley Wild in the beautiful Kern River Valley Kern County, California
2007 NatureFest Schedule at a Glance
BIRD SIGHTINGS
Kern River Valley & North Mojave Desert Noteworthy Bird Sightings
Birding Winter 03/04
(December-February)
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...
SPECIFIC OBSERVATIONS & FIELD TRIP REPORTS FOR THE SEASON (Updated as of 9am, Sunday, February 29, 2004) MAY BE FOUND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FOLLOWING FIVE, SHORT PARAGRAPHS OF WINTER BIRDING INFORMATION.
In order to help you in planning the integration of the Kern River Valley into your winter birding schedule, the following information is provided...
Birding in Winter: Internet review of the results of the five Kern River Valley and Northern Mojave Desert Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs) - Butterbredt Spring, China Lake, Kern River Valley, Red Rock Canyon, and South Fork Valley via http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/ - give a comprehensive overview of local winter avifauna. Some 150-175 species may be expected over the five days of these late December/early January CBCs. These five CBCs have, one or another, led the nation one or more times in numbers of Mountain Quail, White-throated Swift, Williamson's Sapsucker, White-headed Woodpecker, Pinyon Jay, Common Raven, Lark Sparrow, and Sage Sparrow. The Kern River Valley CBC has hosted up to six thousand wintering Western and Clark's Grebes, 1500 Common Mergansers, and 20 Bald Eagles. The South Fork Valley CBC has tallied impressive numbers of Black-throated Sparrows, Sage Sparrows and up to 2500 Tricolored Blackbirds.
Recommended Winter Birding Areas - include Scodie Park in Onyx, Tillie Creek Campground in Wofford Heights, Main Dam Campground below Isabella Reservoir, all around Isabella Reservoir and its other campgrounds, the Greenhorn Mountains via snow-cleared State Highway 155, and Canebrake Ecological Reserve (a mixed flock of 1200 blackbirds including 800+ Tricolored Blackbirds.
Greenhorn Mountains - Alta Sierra, Greenhorn Summit, Hwy. 155 corridor, Old State Road, Rancheria Road south to Shirley Meadows Ski Area, Sawmill Road, ... to search for montane and chaparral species including: Northern Goshawk, Mountain Quail, Band-tailed Pigeon, Spotted Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Red-breasted Sapsucker, White-headed Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Steller's Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper. Golden-crowned Kinglet, Townsend's Solitaire, Wrentit, California Thrasher, Phainopepla, Spotted Towhee, California Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco, Purple Finch, and Cassin's Finch.
South Fork Valley - Canebrake Ecological Reserve, Fay Ranch Road, Hwy. 178 corridor, Kelso Creek Road, Kelso Valley Road, Kern River Preserve, Onyx, Prince's Pond, Sierra Way,...
Wofford Heights - Isabella Reservoir access, Live Oak Campground, North Fork Marina, Tillie Creek Campground, & Wofford Heights Park. Excellent combination of side-by-side areas to spend two hours to a full morning searching for species including: grebes, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, herons & egrets, waterfowl, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Prairie Falcon, California Quail, gulls, Acorn Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Western Scrub Jay, Oak Titmouse, Western Bluebird, California Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's Warbler), Spotted Towhee, California Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco, Blackbirds (Red-winged, Tricolored, Brewer's), Purple Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.
Su, 29 Feb 04 - One of two female Williamson's Sapsuckers was found present at Scodie Park in Onyx along with a Red-breasted Sapsucker. TEGA.
Sa, 28 Feb 04 - Tricolored Blackbirds are present in the short pine trees and on the ground in the parking lot around the Burger King in the Kern Valley Plaza in Lake Isabella. They are in the company of numerous Brewer's Blackbirds. Although this is not the most glamorous location for observing this species, it is quite dependable. BOBA.
Sa, 28 Feb 04 - The White-throated Sparrow continued at Central Park in California City. MIMC.
Sa, 28 Feb 04 - A Slate-colored Junco and a Pink-sided Junco continue in a private yard in Weldon. ALSH.
Fr, 27 Feb 04 - A Horned Grebe, female Red-breasted Merganser, eleven (8f, 3m) Hooded Mergansers, and eight Common Goldeneye (4f, 4m) were observed at French Gulch Marina. BOST, SUST.
Fr, 27 Feb 04 - At Scodie Park in Onyx at least one of the two female Williamson's Sapsuckers continued. Also present were a Steller's Jay and a Townsend's Solitaire. BOST, SUST.
Th, 26 Feb 04 - The Northern Shrike was relocated today. It was found halfway between the Tillie Creek Campground road and Isabella Reservoir, directly down from campsite #114. TEGA.
Tu, 24 Feb 04 - At Scodie Park in Onyx two female Williamson's Sapsuckers were observed. Also present were a Red-breasted Sapsucker and Townsend's Solitaire. TEGA, ALSH.
Tu, 24 Feb 04 - At French Gulch Marina (Isabella Reservoir) the following were found: Common Mergansers, Eared Grebe, American White Pelican, and Bonaparte's Gull. TEGA, ALSH.
Su, 22 Feb 04 - A female Williamson's Sapsucker continued at Scodie Park in Onyx. Also present were a pair of Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Western Scrub-Jay, Oak Titmouse, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Western Bluebird, Northern Mockingbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and California Towhee. JOHA, LOHA.
Tu, 17 Feb 04 - At Scodie Park in Onyx a female Williamson's Sapsucker was observed by Bakersfield's Tuesday morning bird club. BRKY, KEKY
Tu, 10 Feb 04 - Hutton's Vireos are being encountered frequently in the tallest and most mature oak stands along the Keyesville Road off Hwy. 155 across from Main Dam Campground (Isabella Dam). The area just before the Keyesville historic marker seems to be particularly good. At least three territories have been determined with singing starting after the sun comes up around 8am. Also present in this area have been Golden Eagles, Western Screech-Owls, Northern Pygmy Owl, and Long-eared Owls. JOSC.
Su, 8 Feb 04 - A pair of Blue-winged Teal (MIMC) and a White-throated Sparrow (GAFI) were observed at California City. The sparrow was at the base of the waterfall on the east side of Central Park. GAFI, MIMC.
Su, 8 Feb 04 - FOS: A flock of 50-70 Tree Swallows over Wofford Heights were the first reported this spring. JOSC.
Sa, 7 Feb 04 - A Townsend's Solitaire at Tillie Creek Campground in Wofford Heights continued. GAFI, MIMC.
Th, 5 Feb 04 - The female Williamson's Sapsucker continued (see 3 Jan 04) at Scodie Park, Onyx. Also observed at Scodie Park by three New Hampshire birders and one Ohio birder was a Red-breasted Sapsucker. BOQU, et. al.
Th, 5 Feb 04 - A flock of 120 Western Bluebirds at Tillie Creek Campground in Wofford Heights impressed three New Hampshire and one Ohio birder. BOQU, et. al.
Su, 1 Feb 04 - The immature Northern Shrike continued (see 20 Jan 04) in Wofford Heights. JOSC.
Su, 1 Feb 04 - Two Peregrine Falcons were observed in Wofford Heights at Isabella Reservoir. JOSC.
Su, 1 Feb 04 - Two Townsend's Solitaires and a few Purple Finches were found at Tillie Creek Campground in Wofford Heights. MIMC.
We, 28 Jan 04 - The immature Northern Shrike continued (see 20 Jan 04) in Wofford Heights. GAFI, BRKY, KEKY.
We, 28 Jan 04 - The female Williamson's Sapsucker continued (see 3 Jan 04) at Scodie Park, Onyx. GAFI, BRKY, KEKY.
Su, 25 Jan 04 - The immature Northern Shrike continued (see 20 Jan 04) in Wofford Heights. BRKY, KEKY.
Sa, 24 Jan 04 - The immature Northern Shrike continued (see 20 Jan 04) in Wofford Heights. BOST, SUST.
Sa, 24 Jan 04 - A Townsend's Solitaire was found at Tillie Creek Campground in Wofford Heights. BOST, SUST.
Sa, 24 Jan 04 - The following were spotted in the Main Dam area of Isabella Reservoir: Common Loon, Pacific Loon 2, Hooded Merganser 9 (1 male, 8 females), and Common Goldeneye 13 (2 males, 11 females). BOST, SUST.
Sa, 24 Jan 04 - Osprey and Bald Eagle were both observed at Isabella Reservoir. BOST, SUST.
Sa, 24 Jan 04 - The female Williamson's Sapsucker continued (see 3 Jan 04) at Scodie Park, Onyx. BOST, SUST.
Tu, 20 Jan 04 - An immature Northern Shrike was found on the west shore of Isabella Reservoir in Wofford Heights this morning in the area bounded by Tillie Creek Campground on the north, Isabella Reservoir on the east, the dirt road to the North Fork Marina on the south, and the road off of Hwy. 155 that leads to Tillie Creek Campground and the North Fork Marina. Go past the entrance to Tillie Creek Campground and towards the North Fork Marina until you come to the group of trees and picnic area with a large, portable bridge stored above the high water line. This bird was observed in the area below the bridge towards the shoreline. This is the third record for the Kern River Valley. JOSC.
Su, 4 Jan 04 - A well-observed Palm Warbler was identified among numerous Yellow-rumped Warblers in the depths of the Sequoia National Forest's South Fork (Kern River) Wildlife Area. This is the first record for the Kern River Valley. MUHA.
Su, 4 Jan 04 - Two Red-breasted Mergansers were observed among 600+ Common Mergansers from Sierra Way on the South Fork watershed arm of Isabella Reservoir. This is the second winter record for the Kern River Valley. JOWI.
Su, 4 Jan 04 - Four Williamson's Sapsuckers (1 adult male, 3 females) were observed along Rancheria Road from Shirley Meadows Ski Area down to 6102' Greenhorn Summit and along the upper first mile of Old State Road in the Greenhorn Mountains. BOBA, NABR, & CHPE.
Su, 4 Jan 04 - Results of the 32nd Annual Kern River Valley Christmas Bird Count included: Canada Goose 2; Wood Duck 14; Gadwall 162; American Wigeon 52; Mallard 239; Northern Shoveler 3; Northern Pintail 4; Green-winged Teal 215; Ring-necked Duck 2; scaup species 1; Bufflehead 33; Common Goldeneye 29; Hooded Merganser 5; Common Merganser 799; RED-BREASTED MERGANSER 2 (JOWI); Ruddy Duck 18; Mountain Quail 3; California Quail 1057; COMMON LOON 1 (BRKY, KEKY); Pied-billed Grebe 19; HORNED GREBE 2 (JOWI); Eared Grebe 2035; Western Grebe 533; Clark's Grebe 486; Aechmophorus species 1900; American White Pelican 76; Double-crested Cormorant 369; Great Blue Heron 23; Great Egret 1; Osprey 9; Bald Eagle 12; Northern Harrier 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk 4; Cooper's Hawk 6; Red-shouldered Hawk 9; Red-tailed Hawk 49; Ferruginous Hawk 3; Golden Eagle 2; American Kestrel 19; Merlin 1; PEREGRINE FALCON 1 (MUHA); Prairie Falcon 1; Virginia Rail 1; Sora 1; American Coot 217; Killdeer 58; AMERICAN AVOCET 1 (MALA, STWI); Greater Yellowlegs 1; Spotted Sandpiper 1; Least Sandpiper 50, sandpiper species 30; Wilson's Snipe 4; BONAPARTE'S GULL 2 (GAFI, MIMC); Ring-billed Gull 188; California Gull 337; HERRING GULL 6 (JOWI); gull species 918; Rock Pigeon 48; Band-tailed Pigeon 41; Mourning Dove 117; Greater Roadrunner 8; Barn Owl 4; Western Screech-Owl 3; Great Horned Owl 45; BURROWING OWL 1 (JOWI); White-throated Swift 172; Anna's Hummingbird 15; Belted Kingfisher 7; Acorn Woodpecker 210; WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER 4 (BOBA, NABR, CHPE); Red-naped Sapsucker 5; Red-breasted Sapsucker 14; Nuttall's Woodpecker 34; Downy Woodpecker 7; Hairy Woodpecker 16; White-headed Woodpecker 8; Northern Flicker 46; Black Phoebe 29; Say's Phoebe 7; Loggerhead Shrike 11; Steller's Jay 59; Western Scrub-Jay 444; Common Raven 1230; Horned Lark 335; Mountain Chickadee 29; Oak Titmouse 203; Bushtit 408; Red-breasted Nuthatch 24; White-breasted Nuthatch 50; Brown Creeper 9; CACTUS WREN 1 (JOWI); Rock Wren 46; Canyon Wren 18; Bewick's Wren 53; House Wren 5; MARSH WREN 1 (JOWI); American Dipper 9; SAGE THRASHER 1 (BRBU, DABU); California Thrasher 9; European Starling 479; American Pipit 187; Cedar Waxwing 46; Phainopepla 54; Orange-crowned Warbler 3; Yellow-rumped Warbler 346 (1 Myrtle); PALM WARBLER 1 (MUHA); COMMON YELLOWTHROAT 1 (JOWI); Spotted Towhee 251; California Towhee 138; RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW 1 (JOWI); CHIPPING SPARROW 1 (GAFI, MIMC); VESPER SPARROW 3 (JOWI); Lark Sparrow 125; Savannah Sparrow 8; Fox Sparrow 94; Song Sparrow 230; Lincoln's Sparrow 10; White-crowned Sparrow 2356; Golden-crowned Sparrow 277; Dark-eyed Junco 1489 (including 2 Gray-headed, 3 Pink-sided, and 2 Slate-colored); sparrow species 4; Red-winged Blackbird 2726; Western Meadowlark 43; Brewer's Blackbird 1239; GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE 1 (MALA, STWI); Brown-headed Cowbird 2; Purple Finch 14; CASSIN'S FINCH 1 (GAFI, MIMC); House Finch 627; Lesser Goldfinch 47; American Goldfinch 13; and House Sparrow 663. 137 species. Observers: BOBA, DABA, TEBE, NABR, BRBU, DABU, GAFI, TEGA, BRGA, FRGI, ROGI, MUHA, BRKY, KEKY, DELA, MALA, BAMA, MIMC, MAMI, CHPE, BARE, JOSC, MASC, ALSH, BOST, SUST, SAWE, STWI, DEWI, JOWI, PEWO.
Sa, 3 Jan 04 - A female Williamson's Sapsucker was found in Scodie Park (Kern County), Onyx. TEGA.
Mo, 22 Dec 03 - A well-observed Le Conte's Thrasher highlighted a birding transect from Inyokern to Landers Meadow (6400') in the Piute Mountains that yielded the following species: Inyokern private yard - Cooper's Hawk, California Quail, Mourning Dove, Costa's Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Le Conte's Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, American Goldfinch, and House Sparrow. En route - Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Red-tailed Hawk (abundant), American Kestrel (very common), California Quail, Mourning Dove, Northern Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike (several), Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Oak Titmouse, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, California Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Tricolored Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, American Goldfinch, and House Sparrow. Landers Meadow - Nuttall's Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, White-headed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, Common Raven, Mountain Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Pygmy Nuthatch and Dark-eyed Junco. BOBA, ROZA, TIZA.
Su, 21 Dec 03 - An hour of owling in the South Fork Valley yielded observations of both Barn Owl and Great Horned Owl. BOBA, ROZA, TIZA.
Su, 21 Dec 03 - A Ferruginous Hawk was observed perched on the ground in the pasture across from Paul's Place in Weldon. BOBA, ROZA, TIZA.
Su, 21 Dec 03 - Observed in the immediate vicinity of Greenhorn Summit (6102'): Acorn Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, White-headed Woodpecker, Steller's Jay, Common Raven, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Dark-eyed Junco. BOBA, ROZA, TIZA.
Su, 21 Dec 03 - Observed along the first 200 meters of the Whiskey Flat Trail at the end of Burlando Road in Kernville were: California Quail, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Acorn Woodpecker, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Bluebird, Wrentit (heard only), Northern Mockingbird, California Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, California Towhee, Lark Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch. BOBA, ROZA, TIZA.
Su, 21 Dec 03 - An immature Bald Eagle was observed on a snag from the North Fork Marina. Also present were, Eared Grebe, Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant. Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Mallard, California Quail, American Coot, California Gull, Acorn Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, White-crowned Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, and House Finch. BOBA, ROZA, TIZA.
Su, 21 Dec 03 - A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was observed in the first group of pine trees on the first left spur road off the main road into Main Dam Campground which is found immediately below Isabella Reservoir's main dam. Also present at either the Main Dam Campground or the BLM Launch site just across Hwy. 155 were: Wood Duck, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, California Quail, Mourning Dove, Acorn Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Oak Titmouse, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, American Dipper, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, California Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, and House Finch. BOBA, ROZA, TIZA.
1-3 Dec 03 species observations at Kern River Preserve Headquarters: Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove*, Great Horned Owl, Nuttall's Woodpecker*, Downy Woodpecker*, Hairy Woodpecker*, Northern Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Western Scrub-Jay*, Common Raven*, Oak Titmouse*, Bushtit, White-breasted Nuthatch*, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Bluebird, Spotted Towhee*, Lark Sparrow*, Song Sparrow*, White-crowned Sparrow*, Golden-crowned Sparrow*, Dark-eyed Junco*, House Finch*, Lesser Goldfinch*, and American Goldfinch.* *Coming to suet, sunflower, thistle, or ground feeders.
Su, 30 Nov 03 - Following are the results from a birding trip around Isabella Reservoir: Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe ("lots"), Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Wood Duck (m & f), Mallard, Gadwall, Common Goldeneye (3m & 11f), Ruddy Duck, Osprey (3), Bald Eagle (2), Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, American Kestrel, California Quail, American Coot, Spotted Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Acorn Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, California Thrasher, European Starling, California Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, California Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, and House Sparrow. BOST, SUST.
OBSERVERS: BOBA-Bob Barnes, DABA-Darrell Barnes, TEBE-Teresa Benson, NABR-Nancy Bruce; BRBU-Brenda Burnett, DABU-Dan Burnett, GAFI-Gary File, TEGA-Terri Gallion, BRGA-Bruce Garlinger, FRGI-Frank Gibson, ROGI-Ron Gillentine, MUHA-Murrelet Halterman, JOHA-Joe Hart, LOHA-Lois Hart, BRKY-Brenda Kyle, KEKY-Ken Kyle, DELA-Denise La Berteaux, MALA-Max Lathum, BAMA-Barbara Mansfield, MIMC-Michale McQuerrey, MAMI-Marya Miller, BOQU-Bob Quinn, CHPE-Chuck Peck, BARE-Barbara Reifel, JOSC-John Schmitt, MASC-Mark Schmitt, ALSH-Alison Sheehey, Bob Steele-BOST, Susan Steele-SUST, SAWE-Sandra Weiser, STWI-Steve Williams, DEWI-Deb Wilson, JOWI-John Wilson, PEWO-Peter Woodman, ROZA-Rocio Zajic, TIZA-Tim Zajic.
Bob Barnes & Associates • PO Box 953, Weldon, CA 93283 • E-mail: Bob Barnes
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