KRV Birds Winter 2004/2005

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 2pm, 24 February 2005)

KEY: KRP-Kern River Preserve, KRV-Kern River Valley, S&D-Status & Distribution

Mon, 24 Feb 05 - A female Williamson's Sapsucker was observed and heard in Circle Park in Kernville. The bird was foraging in a locust around 1 pm but flew over the buildings toward the Greenhorn foothills in Kernville. TEGA.

Sat, 1 Jan 05 - 3+ Red-breasted Sapsuckers, 2 Williamson's Sapsuckers, a White-headed Woodpecker, and several Mountain Chickadees were some highlights of a visit to Scodie Park in the South Fork Valley community of Onyx. Onyx is located on the south side of Hwy. 178, five miles east of the entrance to the Kern River Preserve, and sixty-two miles east of Hwy. 99 in Bakersfield. To reach Scodie Park from the west, take Hwy. 178 east one block beyond the Chevron gas station, turn right to the park which is on the right at the end of the block. ALSH, SAWI.

Sun, 19 Dec 04 - Suet feeders at the Kern River Preserve in Weldon continue to attract Nuttall's Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, and Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker. Hanging hummingbird and seed feeders and seed on the ground are attracting Cooper's Hawk, California Quail, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Oak Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch, and American Goldfinch. Also present in and around Kern River Preserve Headquarters are Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Bushtit, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Western Bluebird, and Hermit Thrush. BOBA.

Sat, 18 Dec 04 - 7am. The adult Northern Shrike was seen by Tillie Creek in Wofford Heights today. It was northeast of the pavement strip mentioned in other posts which means it was just southeast of the Tillie Creek Campground. It sat up in the top of a small tree, but would also disappear into the middle of the tree and then was almost impossible to see unless you knew exactly where it was. JOLU.

NORTHERN SHRIKE DIRECTIONS: The Northern Shrike has been found in the Kern River Valley by taking Hwy. 178 (east or west) to Hwy. 155 towards Wofford Heights. Approximately six miles is Wofford Heights with Tillie Creek Campground on the reservoir side of the main road upon first entering the community. Turn right off Hwy. 155 toward Tillie Creek Campground. Turn right at the T intersection (left will lead into the fee campground proper). A few feet ahead on the left is a u-shaped parking area that runs around a chain-link fenced exclosure. Park here on either side of the exclosure. The Northern Shrike has been seen in the willows between Wofford Heights Park and the North Fork Marina. It typically is found along Tillie Creek, utilizing the entire riparian strip from the campground edge to the shoreline. JOSC.

Fri, 17 Dec 04 - The Tillie Creek/Wofford Heights Northern Shrike was observed and photographed today from along the dirt road leading from the parking area described in the directions above down to the marina. BOST, SUST.

Mon, 13 Dec 04 - The Northern Shrike that wintered aside Tillie Creek Campground in Wofford Heights last winter has returned. The bird is a now a full adult (vs. immature plumage last winter). JOSC.

OBSERVERS: BOBA-Bob Barnes, TEGA-Terri Gallion, JOLU-John Luther, JOSC-John Schmitt, ALSH-Alison Sheehey, BOST-Bob Steele, SUST-Susan Steele, SAWI-Sandra Wieser.

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