[EBB Sightings] VASCO CAVES R.P. TOUR

Yesterday I was one of 12 particapants(only 3 birders among them) on a EBRPD naturalist-guided tour(2 mile walk) of Vasco Caves Reg Preserve between 0830-1330. This is a spectacular reserve with beautiful rock formations, ancient pictographs, and excellent raptor viewing. I would recommend signing up for one of their guided walks which is the only way one can visit. The following list includes a half hour of birding at the nearby Round Valley Reg Preserve trailhead/parking lot as well as a brief stop at the Marsh Creek Res overlook(when this area opens it should be superb, lots of riparian and wetland habitat) 
   
  Canada Geese
  Mallard
  Pied-b Grebe
  Great Egret
  T. V.
  Red-t. Hawk
  GOLDEN EAGLE-repeated views of an immature at Vasco, soaring and later on the ground
  A. Kestrel-dive bombing the Red-tails
  PRAIRIE FALCON- wonderful eyelevel views of a pair flying around the Fairy Shrimp 
   Tanks(you will find out about these rock formations on the tour) They nest in the area
  N. Harrier
  Common Moorhen - counted 21! at Marsh Creek Res, but not a single coot was visible
  Killdeer
  Black-necked Stilt
  Greater Yellowlegs
  Dowitchers
  Semipalmated Plover
  Least sandpiper
  Rock Pigeon
  Mourning Dove
  BARN OWL - 1 flushed at the rocks
  White-throated Swift- they buzzed by at eye level at the Tank Rocks
  N. Flicker
  'Western' Flycatcher
  Say's Phoebe
  Black Phoebe
  Loggerhead Shrike
  Western Scrub-Jay
  A Crow
  C Raven (a pair nests at Vasco)
  Barn Swallow
  Oak Titmouse
  Bewick's Wren
  ROCK WREN- counted 8, they were easy to find at Vasco
  Western Bluebird
  A. Robin
  PHAINOPEPLA - 2 seen at Round Valley
  Yellow-rumped Warbler
  Calif. Towhee
  Lark Sparrow
  Savannah Sparrow
  VESPER SPARROW- great scope views, near the spring at Vasco
  Golden-crowned Sparrow
  White-crowned Sparrow
  Brewer's Blackbird
  Western Meadowlark
  House Finch
  Lesser Goldfinch
   
  David Diller
   

 		
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