I'm going to the WIndy City!!!

Oh man, so excited. After a TITANIC struggle with Expedia website for a few days(they always treacherously raised the amount at the last moment, about $30 lol. Did this time for flight as well, but my points finally got applied to Hotel today, so..!), finally nailed the cheapest possible combination.
3 nights for $193 and that includes roundtrip airfare! I'm not using a car rental this time. Why should I, when(just like NY, say, but tragically then I didn't know about birding)you can take a rail/ride to Birding hotspots at the Lakefronts :)

The date is, absolutely tailored to my birding needs; to see Mourning and Connecticut warblers, this time(last year at south of Houston at High Island, my target species were Kentucky, Worming and Swainson's warblers. It's all about timing, migration timing!). They only arrive at the Lakes in Mid May, especially Connecticut. So, 18-21, and hence, won't be able to attend NCAA at Lake Nona.

Those 2 plus Golden-winged, Cerulean, Kirtland's warblers would be my top 'hunting' list. Plus I haven't seen Chestnut-sided warbler, American Restart, Magnolia warbler, Black-throated Blue warbler, Blackpoll warbler, Blackburnian warbler, Canada warbler in alternate male plumage.

Other birds I haven't seen yet but hoping are thrushes like Veery and Grey-cheeked Thrush, also American Woodcock and Northern Bobwhite, Black-billed Cuckoo, King Rail, Henslow's Sparrow(maybe too late for this species, but one can hope!), Scarlet Tanager, Winter Wren and Sedge Wren(haven't actually seen it at Bolivar Flats last year), Black-capped Chickadee, American Bittern, White-rumped Sandpiper, Blue-headed and Philadelphia Vireo, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, Nelson's sparrow..

So theoretically, could snag about 20 more new species, that's actually comparable to Rio Grande Valley last winter. Couldn't go there(Golden-crowned warbler is no longer spotted, although Crimson-collared Grosbeak is still being reported), too bad.

So if you see a haggard-looking petite Asian guy tramping around the Magic Hedge during that time wielding a bino, do say hello!  Let us pray, for a successful and safe journey! Hoping for that warbler Fallout Jon Feenstra explained it to me...!

Pelagic birdng

August/September is all about Pelagic birding in So. Cal:

1. Two back to back Farallons trips LINK
   DATE: Aug 12, 2017 @ 7:26pm, 12 day(s) ago
   FROM: Alvaro Jaramillo

   Hello all,     Just a quick note after two back to back trips to the Farallon Islands on Friday and today. It was a bit choppy getting out there, but slow and steady did it and we arrived eager to see some birds and wildlife. On both days the Island was fantastic, with many Tufted Puffins, really great numbers of Cassin’s Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots and a few Rhinoceros Auklets amongst the larger numbers of Common Murres. The Blue-footed Booby was there on both days, and today we also saw a Brown Booby – Fantastic. Northern Fur Seals are going like gangbusters, I gather the best season they have had there. California Sea Lions, Steller’s Sea Lions, Harbor Seals and a couple of Grey Whales. The islands do not disappoint.     We are able to get out to deep water on the way back to port (Half Moon Bay) and it was fantastic on both days. Surrounded by Blue Whales and Humpback Whales! Yesterday apart from the Sooty and Pink-footed shearwaters, and Black-footed Shearwaters yesterday a group of 4 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels along with several Ashy Storm-Petrels were great to see. Today a real highlight was a super close fly by from a Laysan Albatross. It was close enough that the photos show a red color band which we will send in to determine where this albatross came from. Ashy Storm-Petrel showed up today, Northern Fulmars etc. Both were superb days, really, really fun birding. The Laysan was in SF County, Wilson’s SP in San Mateo County.    And as Alan Hopkins reported yesterday on SFBirds, he was able to get on a Cook’s Petrel which unfortunately none of us were able to see. It was choppy and difficult that that time. Pheew, I am tired, but happy tired! Lots more trips are happening this season, see you out there. Alvaro   Alvaro Jaramillo alvaro@... www.alvarosadventures.com

1. Really birdy pelagic today in San Mateo County LINK
   DATE: Aug 19, 2017 @ 7:31pm, 5 day(s) ago
   FROM: Alvaro Jaramillo

   Hello all,      We had some big but rounded swells out today, relatively calm winds and a superb day out from Half Moon Bay. There has been a complete change over in the birds from last weekend, and water has warmed up quite a bit both inshore and offshore. Rare birds for us today were two BROWN BOOBIES, one adult female on the Half Moon Bay weather Buoy, and another subadult on a floating log about 27 miles offshore. There were hundreds of Buller’s Shearwaters out there today, with amazing views. Farther offshore they outnumbered the other shearwaters, we have not seen Buller’s in numbers like this for a few years now. It is great to have them back. Three Scripps’s Murrelets were seen, as well as non-stop storm petrels. Inshore there were many, Wilson’s in with Ashy and a few Fork-tails. Farther out it was mainly Ashy. All three jaegers were found, Sabine’s Gulls, and both Common and Arctic Tern. We had a poorly seen all dark shearwater, that photos may confirm is a Flesh-foot, but unfortunately it was not seen well in the field. It was non-stop birds all day, one of those superb pelagics. Photos here - https://www.facebook.com/Alvaros-Adventures-201287513297811/pnref=lhc     So it looks very interesting out there. I am frankly surprised that a Hawaiian or Cook’s petrel did not show up, as the situation looked pretty nice. We shall see what happens tomorrow out of Bodega. http://alvarosadventures.com/boat-trips/pelagics/ Good birding, Alvaro   Alvaro Jaramillo alvaro@... www.alvarosadventures.com

1. AUG 4 & AUG 6 PELAGIC TRIP REPORTS LINK
   DATE: Aug 7, 2017 @ 2:16pm, 17 day(s) ago
   FROM: DEBRA SHEARWATER

   Howdy, Birders, Shearwater Journeys’ trips departing from Monterey Bay, August 4th and Sausalito to the Farallon Islands, August 6th, encountered extraordinary numbers and variety of seabirds and marine mammals. And, yes, “it’s all about food”— my favorite saying. Monterey Bay is teaming with bait fish and some krill. The area surrounding the Farallon Islands, out to the edge of the Continental Shelf was floor to ceiling in krill. The marine life associated with the prey items was divided accordingly! Both trips enjoyed flat, calm seas with visibility up to 10 miles. Highlights of our August 4 Monterey Bay pelagic trip included: BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS (8, excellent views), SOOTY (30,000+) and, PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS (34), ASHY STORM-PETREL (2, distant views), RED-NECKED (121) and RED (19) PHALAROPES, LONG-TAILED JAEGER (1, distant view), SABINE’S GULL (including 2 early juveniles, sitting on the water, excellent views), COMMON MURRE (1,025, many dads with chicks), and RHINOCEROS AUKLETS (62, good views). All birds were in Monterey County. Marine mammals included: BLUE (2), FIN (1), HUMPBACK (12) WHALES; RISSO’S (30) and PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED (100) DOLPHINS, DALL’S PORPOISE ( 8, bow-riding on the head of a blue whale). Other highlights included: MAKO (1, excellent views) and BLUE (4, great views) SHARKS. We retrieved 6 mylar balloons, but could not pick up the floating refrigerator (future potential booby habitat!) Highlights of our August 6 Farallon Islands pelagic trip included: MASKED (thought to be a sub-adult, hundreds of images), BLUE-FOOTED (1 on Sugar Loaf), and BROWN (1 sitting next to the Blue-footed) BOOBIES , BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS (2); NORTHERN FULMAR (1), SOOTY (10) and PINK-FOOTED (24) SHEARWATERS; RED-NECKED PHALAROPE (2700), and TUFTED PUFFIN (25), CASSIN’S (7000) and RHINOCEROS (10) AUKLETS, COMMON MURRE (18,000). Most birds were in San Francisco County, including the Masked Booby. We looked for the Parakeet Auklet, but did not find it. The Masked Booby flew across our bow shortly after leaving that location. Our excellent captain chased the booby and we had a chance to see it plunge-diving. Hundreds of images were made. A Common Murre was very vocal about this booby’s presence! Marine mammals included: GRAY (2), BLUE (4) and HUMPBACK (44) WHALES, HARBOR PORPOISE. We stopped the boat and were surrounded by tail-slapping, head-slapping and breaching humpback whales for 360 degrees. The fish finder showed krill from top to bottom along the shelf break. The albatrosses, shearwaters and fulmar flew in while we were sitting around taking photographs. The rather tattered fulmar swam right up to the gunwales. It was a magical marine scene that few will ever encounter. The weather was so good that we headed up to the north islands of the Farallon Island group— something I’ve only done once before. Spaces are available on the following trips: (leaders may be added to many of these trips) MONTEREY BAY: Aug 25 with Alex Rinkert, Jim Holmes, Debi Shearwater Sep 1 with Nick Levendosky, Mary Gustafson, Debi Shearwater Sep 7 with Nick Levendosky, Alex Rinkert, Jim Holmes, Mary Gustafson, Debi Shearwater Sep 8 with Mary Gustafson, Jim Holmes, Debi Shearwater Sep 10 with Mary Gustafson, Debi Shearwater Sep 14 with Debi Shearwater, TBA Sep 22 with Christian Schwarz, Hannah Nevins, Debi Shearwater Sep 23 with Nick Levendosky, Alex Rinkert, Jim Holmes, Steve Tucker, Debi Shearwater Sep 24 with Nick Levendosky, Jim Holmes, Debi Shearwater Sep 30 with Nick Levendosky, Alex Rinkert, Scott & Linda Terrill Oct 8 with Nick Levendosky, Alex Rinkert, Scott & Linda Terrill HALF MOON BAY: Sep 2 with Mary Gustafson, Debi Shearwater Sep 3 with Peter Pyle, Steve Tucker, Mary Gustafson, Debi Shearwater Sep 15 with Christian Schwarz, Dave Pereksta, Debi Shearwater Sep 16 with Steve Hampton, Debi Shearwater Oct 7 with Nick Levendosky, Alex Rinkert, Steve Hampton Many thanks to the wonderful folks, birders and birders-to-be, who joined us on these two fine pelagic trips. The leaders on August 4 included: Nick Levendosky, Abe Borker, Scott Terrill, Will Brooks, John Garrett, Debi Shearwater. The leaders on August 6 included: Gerry McChesney, Alex Rinkert, Christian Schwarz, John Garrett, Will Brooks, and Debi Shearwater. It IS all about food! Shearwaters Forever, Debi Shearwater DEBRA SHEARWATER Shearwater Journeys, Inc. PO Box 190 Hollister, CA 95024 831.637.8527 debi@... www.shearwaterjourneys.com www.shearwaterjourneys.blogspot.com Celebrating 42 Years of Seabirding with Shearwater Journeys

Kern area lodging

hotels/motels in the Kernville and Wofford Heights area.  

North of Kernville:
Corral Creek Inn
Falling Waters River Resort
Sequoia Lodge


Kernville:
Kern Lodge
Kern Riverfront Lodge
Kernville Inn
McCambridge Lodge
Piazza's Pine Cone Inn
Riverview Lodge
Sierra Gateway Cottages
Whispering Pines Lodge

Wofford Heights:
Barewood Inn and Suites
Lakeshore Lodge
Mount N Lake Motel



"In addition, there are more distant motels on the south side of Lake Isabella, campgrounds along the Kern River north of Kernville, and campgrounds in numerous places around the lake. "

Big Morongo/Salton Sea/Desert birding for 2 days itinerary/records

2017-06-01 14:13Big Morongo Canyon PreserveSan BernardinoUS-CAView or edit | Share | Delete

2017-06-01 10:07Palo Verde Ecological ReserveRiversideUS-CAView or edit | Share | Delete
2017-06-01 09:382nd Ave.RiversideUS-CAView or edit | Share | Delete

2017-06-01 08:30S-95NYumaUS-AZView or edit | Share | Delete
2017-06-01 07:52S-95N Walker GateYumaUS-AZView or edit | Share | Delete
2017-06-01 07:41Mittry LakeYumaUS-AZView or edit | Share | Delete

2017-06-01 07:03West PondImperialUS-CAView or edit | Share | Delete
2017-06-01 06:57All American CanalImperialUS-CAView or edit | Share | Delete
2017-06-01 06:34Laguna DamImperialUS-CAView or edit | Share | Delete
2017-06-01 06:19Laguna Dam South RV ParkImperialUS-CAView or edit | Share | Delete
2017-05-31 18:18Yuma West WetlandsYumaUS-AZView or edit | Share | Delete
2017-05-31 17:58Levee Rd N. of Figueroa Ave.YumaUS-AZView or edit | Share | Delete

2017-05-31 17:13Hwy 8E Rest AreaImperialUS-CAView or edit | Share | Delete

======
2017-05-31 14:58Cattle Call ParkImperialUS-CAView or edit | Share | Delete
2017-05-31 11:00Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR--Rock Hill TrailImperialUS-CAView or edit | Share | Delete
2017-05-31 10:55Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR--Union Tract / Visitor CenterImperialUS-CAView or edit | Share | Delete
2017-05-31 10:47Sinclair roadImperialUS-CAView or edit | Share | Delete
2017-05-31 09:56NilandImperialUS-CAView or edit | Share | Delete
2017-05-31 09:09Salton Sea--North Shore marinaRiversideUS-CAView or edit | Share | Delete
2017-05-31 07:52Coachella Valley Preserve--Thousand Palms OasisRiversideUS-CAView or edit | Share | Delete

Pasadena Pelagic

1. PAS Monthly Meeting and Fall Pelagic details LINK
   DATE: TODAY @ 7:27pm
   FROM: luketiller23

   Hi All, This Wednesday (May 17th, 2017) we will have Justyn Stahl, project manager for the Institute for Wildlife Studies’ San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike Monitoring and Release Project, giving a talk entitled Saving the Butcher – Recovery of the San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike. The San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike is one of the world’s rarest songbirds. Justyn's talk will discuss shrike ecology, the history of recovery efforts, provide an update on this year’s population size and feature photos of shrikes and other birds of note from San Clemente Island. PAS meet at Eaton Canyon Nature Center 1750 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena. Social time kicks off at 7:00pm and the program runs from 7:30pm until 9:00pm. In other news I am excited to announce that PAS will run their first eight hour dedicated pelagic this fall. We will depart from Dana Point and spend most our time at sea in Los Angeles County waters. The trip will run September 16th, 2017 between 7:00am and 3:00pm and will cost $65.00. PAS will be providing expert tour leaders for this trip to help pick out interesting species. Birds that might be encountered include a variety of shearwaters, jaegers, phalaropes, alcids, gulls and terns. One of our main targets will be the rafts of storm-petrels that gather off shore in September which may include both Black and Least. Uncommon and rare species discovered on similarly timed trips have included: Manx and Flesh-footed Shearwater, Arctic Tern, Red-footed and Blue-footed Booby and Craveri’s Murrelet among others. Early bird bookings will be available to purchase at our meeting on Wednesday. After that tickets will be available to purchase online through the PAS website. I will post a link to this and the LA County list once that link has gone live.

WFO at Colorado this August

http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/conference.php

From Lacobird;

1. Western Field Ornithologist in Pueblo, CO August 16-20, 2017 LINK
   DATE: TODAY @ 12:41pm
   FROM: hummer52ffo

   From Broad-tailed and Black-chinned Hummingbirds to Mississippi Kites, that’s what we will be finding at WFO’s Annual Conference in Pueblo, Colorado.  Do you like Pinyon-Juniper habitat That’s where we find, of course, Pinyon Jays. But even better, last year’s Western Scrub-jay was split, and Colorado’s species is the Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay. And  in prairie habitat—look for Curve-billed Thrasher, Greater Roadrunner, Scaled Quail, and maybe Ladder-backed Woodpecker.  If you fancy sparrows, listen and look for Cassin’s and Brewer’s Sparrows, along with Green-tailed Towhee.  Other woodpeckers can be found in the mountains—Lewis’s, along with Red-naped and Williamson’s Sapsuckers.  Other mountain birds are Plumbeous Vireo and Pygmy Nuthatch.  Flycatchers include Olive-sided, Dusky, and Cordilleran—(Can you tell a Cordilleran from a Pacific-slope Does it make a difference). You can find Black and Eastern Phoebes, Juniper Titmouse, Cassin’s Kingbird, and Canyon Towhee just west of Pueblo.  If all that sounds like exciting birdlife, it is. Don’t miss it! The annual WFO conference is a four day event that includes scientific presentations, workshops, field trips and other workshops.  Dr. Lauryn Benedict, an expert on animal communication and social behavior, will be our keynote speaker, speaking on “He Sings, She Sings: Female Songbirds in Your Backyard.” Her main research is of bird song for understanding how signals evolve in nature. To understand song function, she examines how individuals use vocal signals within environmental and social contexts. She also studies larger patterns of song evolution by measuring how songs vary through time and space, both within and between species. Some of her current projects examine the function and evolution of song and duets among Colorado wren species, New World sparrows, and Old World warblers. Lauryn is Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado. Lauryn also will be giving a workshop, “Birds from the Inside Out,” which will focus on how avian anatomy produces identifying characteristics.  Furthering our understanding of birdsong, Nathan Pieplow’s workshop is “Identifying Birds by Their Sounds.” Nathan is the author of the recently released Peterson Field Guide to Bird Sounds of Eastern North America. He also will be presenting his annual “Bird Sound Identification: Team Challenge.”  Of course, to learn identification visually, Ed Harper will be presenting his Bird Photo ID Panel.”  Other workshops will focus on how to find birds by learning “What do Birds Eat” by entomologist Dave Leatherman,  “How to Make, Edit, Share, and Publish Bird Vocalizations” by Ted Floyd, “The Ins and Outs of eBird: from the Basics to Advanced Use and Application,” by Scott Somershoe, and  “Identification of Shorebirds,” by Jon Dunn.  WFO returns to Colorado for the first time in many years, where there are many species that don’t occur in the Far West, including many species of workshop and field trip leaders! Within Colorado, a wide variety of habitats and species near Pueblo is one of the main reasons this venue was selected for WFO’s annual conference.  Another reason is accommodations at the Marriott Hotel. It is located by a walkway to the Pueblo Convention Center, where all activities will be held--workshops, banquet, reception, and exhibitors. Registration link: http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/conference.php Frances Oliver WFO Outreach Coordinator & Board Member

Hilarious Salton Sea trip info

Whittier Audubon:

Salton Sea Over-nighter Field Trip

January 21 - January 22

Event Navigation

• « January Program 2017: Six Legs Good
• Sycamore Canyon Saturday Mornings »

We are going to the Salton Sea! This is a great wintering spot for just about every bird there is. Between flooded fields, a huge, foul-smelling body of water, acres of disgusting mud, all surrounded by a desert hell-hole, anyone can see that it is a great place for birds. We will meet, and leave promptly from the Townhouse Inn & Suites 135 Main Street, Brawley , CA 92227 (formerly known as the Brawley Motel) at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, January 21. We will caravan through a bunch of places, stopping for lunch when the time is right. We will definitely have our traditional wine and cheese party, so bring something for that. We will try for a spot where we can watch the Sandhill Cranes come in to roost. Sunday, we will leave at the same time and bird our way in the general direction of home.
This area in winter is great for raptors, shore birds and all kinds of migrants. It is just south enough that all kinds of rarities show up. Because the ecology is so varied, we can expect to see a lot of species. Some of the roads will be unpaved, but should be fine for passenger cars with average clearance. It is probably best to leave the Ferrari at home.
Led by Jay Oberholtzer.

Buena Vista Audubon visits Cape May!

Fabulous.
May 15-20, 2016.
Gosh, the East does boast large warbler population(So. Cal does have variety, but still).
Far Warbler fans like me, this is a dream opportunity, for sure.
Cape May is best known for Raptor migration, methinks, but still, should be good.

This isn't even on the website, they must've added recently. On its paper, Lagoon Flyer(visited their nature center today, for the 1st time).

Price of $949 includes, 5 nights of accommodation and 14 meals(5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners)..hmm..so you have to pay separately for airfare..?!

They even go to France and Spain during April/May lol.

Let's join Pasadena Audubon's Wrentit Club!

http://www.pasadenaaudubon.org/?q=wrentitclub

LA county 250 birds, here I come.

--------------------------

Burrowing Owl & American Pipit at Santa Fe Dam

Brown Creeper at Arcadia County Park

Green-Winged Teal, Virginia Rail, Sora, American Pipit at Ballona Freshwater Marsh

Wilson's Snipe at San Gabriel Coastal Basin Spreading Grounds--north pond

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Nov 11, 2015 16:30 by Kathleen Waldron
- Woodlawn Cemetery (LA Co.), Los Angeles, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.017807,-118.4761333&ll=34.017807,-118.4761333
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S25797505
- Comments: "<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/37834207@N06/22768700650/in/dateposted-public/" title="Sizzor tailed Flycatcher Woodlawn Cemetery Santa Monica 3955"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5757/22768700650_eb235467cd.jpg" alt="Sizzor tailed Flycatcher Woodlawn Cemetery Santa Monica 3955" /></a>"


Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Nov 09, 2015 07:25 by Kurt Ongman
- Holmby Park, Los Angeles, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.0723909,-118.4296453&ll=34.0723909,-118.4296453
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S25797541
- Comments: "Continuing bird. North side of the lawn bowling area."

Now in what order should I tackle these locations lol.

Palomar Audubon San Jacinto Bird Trip

http://palomaraudubon.org/event/san-jacinto-wildlife-area-field-trip/


Palomar has good programs...


Lindo Lakes Field Trip

December 5 @ 8:30 am - 11:30 am

Lindo Lakes,

12637 Lindo Lane
Lakeside, CA 92040 United States

+ Google Map

(Thomas Guide: 1232-B3 / GPS: 32.856482, -116.918296) Rating: Easy to Moderate  (dirt trails, paved walkways) Directions: From North County, take I-15 south to Hwy.52 then east to Hwy 67. Head north, and take the Winter Gardens Blvd. Exit. Turn left on Woodside Ave (into Lakeside) and continue northeast to the Lindo Lake County Park. Stay on Woodside a short distance, turn right on Chestnut St. which then becomes Lindo Lane. Park in the small parking lot on the left, next…
Find out more »

Lake Elsinore Field Trip

December 12 @ 8:30 am - 11:30 am

Lake Elsinore,

500 Diamond Dr.
Lake Elsinore , CA 92530 United States

+ Google Map

(Thomas Guide: RC 866-H7 / GPS: 33° 39.313′, -117° 18.243′) Rating: Moderate (uneven dirt trails) Directions: Take I-15 north to Lake Elsinore and exit at Railroad Canyon Rd/Diamond Drive. Proceed west towards the Baseball Stadium past Lakeshore Drive and turn right on Pete Lehr Drive. Park at the Baseball Stadium, near the lake levee entrance.   Joining us will be PAS member and local Wildomar birder, Julie Szabo, who frequently birds this Riverside County birding hot spot.   Photos:  Lake…
Find out more »

San Elijo Lagoon Bird Walk

December 19 @ 8:30 am - 11:30 am

San Elijo Lagoon,

899 N Rios Ave
Solana Beach, CA 92075 United States

+ Google Map

(Thosmas Guide: 1167-E6 / GPS: 33.003535,-117.272469) Rating: Moderate (Dirt Trail, some hills) This is a good spot to view wintering waterfowl and shorebirds.   Bring a scope, if you have one. Directions: Take I-5 to Lomas Santa Fe Drive. Go west to North Rios Ave. Turn right (north) and go all the way to the end of North Rios Ave. Park and meet at the end of the street near the barricade. No restrooms.   Photos: San Elijo Lagoon Further…
Find out more »

Tijuana Estuary & 7th Street Bird Walk

December 26 @ 8:30 am - 11:30 am

Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge,

301 Caspian Way
Imperial Beach, CA 91932 United States

+ Google Map

(Thomas Guide:  1349-F1 / GPS: 32.575333,-117.125695 ) Rating: Moderate (Paved, boardwalk, and dirt trails) Good location for Yellow-crowned Night-heron and Ridgway’s Rail.  Bring scope if you have one. Directions: Travel south on I-5 from San Diego and exit west on Coronado Avenue, which becomes Imperial Beach Blvd. Turn left on 3rd Street to Caspian Way, turn left and then right to the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center parking lot. Restrooms at Visitor Center, but none on the trails. Will bird around the…
Find out more »

Pasadena Audubon Field Trip from December

They just published it on their website;


Legg Lake & San Gabriel River
Saturday, December 5, 2015 7:30 am - 11:30 am


In winter the Hahamonga monthly walk is replacd by the one a Legg Lake. These trips will cover several consistently good lake and park birding areas. Legg Lake has lots of water and scattered trees and has produced good waterfowl numbers and varieties as well as an impressive list of migrants and wintering birds. Time permitting we'll include the Pico Rivera spreading grounds or some other river locations, based on what's around. An excellent trip for beginning and young birders.


Meet in the Santa Anita Ave. parking lot, closest to the 60 freeway. Take the Santa Anita exit and turn south from the off-ramp (going south). The lake and parking lot will be on your right.


Ed Stonick and Darren Dowell





Christmas Bird Cound Circle Sweep
Sunday, December 13, 2015 7:30 am - 10:30 am


Join me for a tour of spots that are contained within the Pasadena CBC Circle. The circle takes in a wealth of interesting sites, a variety of habitats, and always turns up a great variety birds. After meeting at the Vina Vieja Park parking lot, we will decide where to head next based on recent reports and the sites that we would like to explore. Meet in the parking lot at Vina Vieja Park at 7:30 am. We will carpool where possible from there.


The entrance to Vina Vieja is on the south side of East Orange Grove Blvd between Canyon Wash Drive and Lomora Avenue.

Leader: Luke Tiller


Wintering Hawks in the Antelope Valley
Saturday, January 9, 2016 7:30 am - 1:00 pm or later


Put on your warm clothes and join us as we tour the west Antelope Valley in search of wintering raptors. Red-tailed and Ferruginous Hawks should be present in good numbers. We may also find Prairie Falcon, American Kestrel, and we may even turn up a Golden Eagle. It’s a great opportunity to study a variety of raptors and their plumages.


Bring binoculars, scopes, and cameras. Dress warmly, as it can be downright cold. Bring lunch, water (hot cocoa?), a map, and make sure you have a full tank of gas. We will be out until at least 1:00 pm.


Meet at Ave. S and Hwy. 14 in Palmdale, at the park-and-ride spot. Take the 5 north to highway 14 (toward Palmdale and Lancaster). Take the Avenue S exit in Palmdale, turn right, and make a right turn into the big parking lot. Look for birders.

Larry Allen, Frank and Susan Gilliland


The Urban Core
Sunday, January 10, 2016 7:30 am - 11:00 am


Far from the natural beauty of the local mountains, the space and solitude of the desert, and the tranquility of the scenic coastline, right in the middle of the crushing hardscape of Los Angeles lies one of the city’s few urban parks, the only park within walking distance for thousands of Angelenos. While birding is hardly what most people associate with MacArthur Park, it is quite possibly the best place in the County to observe gulls. Thayer’s Gull is a regular winter visitor, and various and mysterious hybrids are also often present. Further, as the only park around it attracts a surprising diversity of waterfowl and passerines. The morning of birding will begin here then continue at Echo Park Lake, another urban refuge a few miles away, and maybe some scoping of Silverlake Reservoir, if we’ve still got time.


Meet at the Levitt Pavilion in the northwest corner of MacArthur Park at 7:30AM. Metered parking there costs $2 for two hours.

Jon Feenstra


Redondo Beach Pelagic Birding


Sunday January 17, 2016
10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Join us for a whale watch and pelagic birding trip with Voyager Excursions out of Redondo Beach on Saturday, January 17 at 10 am. This is a public whale watch and, although the main objective will be gray whales, pelagic birder and cetacean expert Bernardo Alps will be the naturalist on board so we will also be able to stop and see birds.


Several experienced pelagic birders are coming and can also help identify what we see. We have a chance to see Rhinoceros Auklet, Common Murre, Cassin's Auklet, Scripps' Murrelet, Black-vented Shearwater, Pomarine and Parasitic Jaeger, Northern Fulmar, three loon species, three cormorant species, various gulls, rocky shorebirds, and more.


Regular price is $25 but our group has negotiated a price of $10. Contact Lance Benner at lbenner@charter.net to reserve your spot and special rate. This trip may fill up, so reserve early.

Lance Benner


Magpie Bird Study Group
San Gabriel Coastal Spreading Grounds
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
9:00 am - 11:30 am


Meet at the Mines Street entrance off Rosmead Bvld. just south of Whittier Boulevard. The group meets the third Tuesday of each month. We bird 9:00 am to about 11:30 am, have a sack lunch, and have a short business meeting. All PAS members welcome!


Julia Ray and Sid Heyman


Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge
Saturday January 23, 2016
7:30 am - noon


Be part of the lucky 20 Pasadena Audubon Society members to enter Seal Beach tidal salt marsh habitat. (What?! You’re not a member? It’s easy. Go to our website for more information and please join us.) We’ll look for several interesting species including Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Ferruginous Hawk, Light-footed Chilao Visitor Center Clapper Rail, Red Knot and others.


Sign-up is required. To reserve your space contact Susan at gillilandsusan@gmail.com before January 16, 2016 and provide the following information: Full name (first, middle initial, last), address (street, city, state, zipcode) and home phone number.


Only US citizens are allowed (per Navy rules). Bring government-issued photo ID.


Cameras are allowed but only for bird photography.


If you sign up and cannot attend, please let Susan or Frank know at least 24 hours ahead of time. There’s always a waiting list.


Meeting Location and Time: Meet at the parking lot located at 800 Seal Beach Blvd. at 7:30 a.m. We will bird from 8:00 AM until noon. From the 405 Freeway, take the Seal Beach Boulevard exit and head west. Continue for approximately 0.5 miles on Seal Beach Boulevard to the entrance of the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station (800 Seal Beach Boulevard). Spotting scopes and FRS radios are useful. Restrooms will not be available until about 8:30 am on the base, so plan ahead.


Frank and Susan Gilliland


Salton Sea
Saturday-Sunday, January 30-31, 2016
All day


The Salton Sea Trip is a great way to get your year-list cookin’! The sea is one of the premier birding areas in North America, but is in major transition at this time. On the weekend we usually end up with over 100 species and a few surprises. We will bird all day on Saturday and through lunch on Sunday.


This trip is limited to 12 PAS members (it’s easy to become a member on our website). Preference is given to those who were not on the trip the previous year and can do the entire weekend. Please email me for more information or to make reservations.


Ron Cyger

November interesting bird trips

SEA AND SAGE

DANA POINT HEADLANDS & HARBOR — Wednesdays: Nov. 4, & March 2 — (8:00 am to 12:00 pm)

Join Diane Etchison for a bird walk at Dana Point headlands and harbor. We will start at the headlands, which is home to many California Gnatcatchers and has great views of the ocean and harbor. Then descend to cover the lower side of the bluffs, the point, and Baby Beach where terns, loons, and grebes are often seen. The last area will be the mouth of the San Juan Creek where Gulls congregate.

Directions: Exit Fwy 5 at Pacific Coast Hwy and turn left at Dana Point Harbor Drive. Park in the lot at the corner of Golden Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive. We will car-pool up the hill to the headlands, back down the hill to the Ocean Institute parking area, and then to Doheny State Park. Be prepared to pay an entrance fee to Doheny State Park if you don't have a State Parks pass.

Diane Etchison, Leader

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POMONA

Saturday, November 7, 2015
Mt. Baldy Village and Vicinity

Join Dan for a trip to the Mt. Baldy area for species such as White-headed Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, nuthatches, Mountain Chickadee, American Dipper, and Townsend’s Solitaire. Meets 7:00 a.m. at Memorial Park (we’ll carpool from there) and trip is limited to 12 persons.  Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Call or email the trip leader if you plan to attend and to check trip status.  
Leader:  Dan Gregory (909) 944-2259 or danrcrenee@verizon.net

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PASADENA

North Slope San Gabriels
Saturday, November 14, 2015
7:30 am - early afternoon

We will explore areas on the northern slope of the San Gabriel Mountains, such as Grassy Hollow Visitor's Center, Jackson Lake, and locations in Valyermo. We will search for high-altitude species as well as wintering raptors. Ferriginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, and Golden Eagle are possible, as are Red-breasted and Red-naped Sapsuckers. Unusual species (e.g. Lewis's Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Swamp Sparrow) have been found in some years. Time permitting, we may look for Mountain Plovers or longspurs in the nearby Antelope Valley.

It may be cold, especially at higher elevations, so bring warm clothes. Also, bring lunch. We will meet at Pearblossom Park, which is at the corner of 121st st. East and East avenue V14 in Pearblossom, just south of Hwy 138 (Pearblossom Highway).

Mark and Janet Scheel


SEA AND SAGE

MORRO BAY

Come join us in Morro Bay, winter home to thousands and thousands of shorebirds, many species of raptors and passerines. We have planned a wonderful weekend of birding and exploration for you. Beginning on Friday afternoon, we will have a chance to take a leisurely harbor cruise to see some of the water birds up close, and to learn a little about the area. That evening, you may wish to dine at one of the many dockside restaurants in the town.

The next two mornings, we will meet early in order to have plenty of time to bird the local hot spots. We will be looking for shorebirds, do a little seabird watching, and bird some of the very bird rich riparian and woodland locations nearby. After lunch on Saturday and Sunday, you will be free to do a little exploring on your own. Perhaps you may wish to revisit some of the places we went as a group, maybe consult the San Luis Obispo Online Birding Guide, compiled by Morro Coast Audubon, or just spend a leisurely afternoon walking along the beach to enjoy the beauty of the area.

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PASADENA

Magpie Bird Study Group
Santa Fe Dam
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Meet in the first parking lot, directly ahead as you enter the park.

The group meets the third Tuesday of each month. We bird 9:00 am to about 11:30 am, have a sack lunch, and have a short business meeting. All PAS members welcome!

Julia Ray and Sid Heyman

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PASADENA

Big Santa Anita Canyon
Saturday, November 21, 2015
6:30 am - noon

Join us for a fall hike as we search for Pacific Wren, American Dipper, Canyon Wren, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Hutton's vireo, and other lower montane species.

We're planning to hike past Sturtevant Falls as far as the Cascade Picnic Area for a total of about six miles. Parking at Chantry Flat is crowded on weekends so please carpool and arrive early if possible.

Bring sturdy shoes, water, some food, sunscreen, a hat, warm clothing, and an Adventure Pass for your car. Heavy rain cancels but drizzle does not.

Leader: Lance Benner


SFV

Monthly Field Trip:
Ventura Harbor and Water Treatment Ponds
Sat, November 21, 8am – 11am
Where Monthly Field Trip: Ventura Harbor and Water Treatment Ponds

Description
Directions: From the San Fernando Valley, take the 101 Freeway to the city of Ventura, exit Seaward Avenue, turn left over the freeway, then immediately left (south) on Harbor Blvd. to Spinnaker Drive and proceed to the end. Look for birders in the last parking lot on the left.
Leader: Richard Barth, (310) 276-0342.


WHITTIER

Prado Dam Field Trip November 21

Our November field trip is going to be to the Prado Dam area. Exact logistics are still up in the air, so check back for additional details. Prado is good for gulls, waders, and songbirds.
There is a $10/vehicle charge to enter Prado Regional Park on the weekends, so carpooling will be a good plan.
Bring the usual gear — binoculars, hat, sunscreen, and a lunch. Weather can be pretty much anything this time of year, so just check the forecast.

Arizona trip by Whittier Audubon

Should follow this route when I go there

http://whittieraudubon.org/blog/

Gray Catbird alert at Rosecrans

Date and Effort

Thu Oct 15, 2015 1:45 PM

Protocol:

Incidental

Party Size:

5

Observers:

Jimmy McMorran

Comments:

N/A

Species

Hide Media

1 species total

1	Gray Catbird ID SHOT--

 

Are you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?

No

Kingbird roost

Kingbird roost, San Diego County, California, US ( Map )

Date and Effort

Thu Oct 15, 2015 4:00 PM

Protocol:

Stationary

Party Size:

2

Duration:

3 hour(s)

Observers:

Paul Galvin List , brendan galvin

Comments:

N/A

Species

3 species total

2	Rose-ringed Parakeet seen flying overhead and calling
2	Tropical Kingbird continuing birds
1	Eastern Kingbird continuing bird, seen with other kingbirds at roost

Why Madrona Marsh could be a good substitute for Hahamongna

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S24914743


Madrona Marsh, Los Angeles County, California, US ( Map )

Date and Effort

Sun Sep 06, 2015 7:45 AM

Protocol:

Traveling

Party Size:

3

Duration:

5 hour(s), 15 minute(s)

Distance:

4.5 mile(s)

Observers:

Tracy Drake

Species

Hide Media

52 species (+2 other taxa) total

1	Gadwall
27	Mallard
1	Great Blue Heron
4	Great Egret
23	Snowy Egret
2	Black-crowned Night-Heron
2	Cooper's Hawk
1	Red-shouldered Hawk
8	Western Gull Breeding Code F Flyover
1	California Gull
1	Glaucous-winged Gull large gull with white wings and pale trailing edge of the wings -- saw no black on the wings Breeding Code F Flyover
3	gull sp. Breeding Code F Flyover
1	Eurasian Collared-Dove
28	Mourning Dove
7	Anna's Hummingbird
14	Allen's Hummingbird
1	Belted Kingfisher Age & Sex Juvenile Immature Adult Age Unknown Male Female 1 Sex Unknown
1	Downy Woodpecker
1	American Kestrel
1	Willow Flycatcher
1	Empidonax sp.
7	Black Phoebe
1	Ash-throated Flycatcher
15	Warbling Vireo
1	Western Scrub-Jay
11	American Crow
2	Common Raven
8	Barn Swallow
22	Bushtit
2	House Wren
1	Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
3	European Starling
1	Tennessee Warbler Orange-crowned like bird with a pale yellow eyebrow, grey eyebrow, bright green back as compared with the rest of the body, and pale to whitish from the legs through the vent. There seemed to be a broken eye-ring and the bird had pale wing bars. I saw the bird well but was not able to make a photo. Age & Sex Juvenile Immature Adult Age Unknown Male Female 1 Sex Unknown
8	Orange-crowned Warbler
1	Nashville Warbler
8	Common Yellowthroat
2	Yellow Warbler
1	Black-throated Gray Warbler
4	Wilson's Warbler
1	Yellow-breasted Chat
1	Lark Sparrow
2	Savannah Sparrow
2	Song Sparrow
4	California Towhee
1	Black-headed Grosbeak
4	Blue Grosbeak Age & Sex Juvenile Immature Adult Age Unknown Male 1 Female 1 Sex Unknown 2
2	Lazuli Bunting
1	Red-winged Blackbird
1	Brown-headed Cowbird
43	House Finch
14	Lesser Goldfinch
77	American Goldfinch
16	House Sparrow
71	Scaly-breasted Munia

 

Are you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?

Yes

Now that Hahamongna is inaccessible, wonder if Descanso would be good..