[EBB Sightings] Jewel Lake field trip

Dear Birding Friends:

Yesterday 12 of us gathered at the parking lot for our
regularly-scheduled, first-Friday-of-the-month field trip around Jewel
Lake.  As I waited for others, I heard my first Black-headed Grosbeak
of the season. The eucalyptus tree to the right of the Nature Area
entrance harbored a group of Cedar Waxwings who are likely to be coming
and going for the next couple of months. 

Naturalist Bethany Facendini joined us -- always are real pleasure -- 
until she had to leave to meet her first school group of the day.  As
we began our walk around the west slope along the Packrat Trail she
pointed out a new Hairy Woodpecker's nest hole.

Bird activity on this cool, foggy morning was quieter than on sunny
mornings, but the newly-arrived Wilson's Warbler was undeterred by the
gloom -- singing repeatedly and with vigor.  Further along the trail we
witnessed what might have been a territorial dispute with Wilson's
Warblers in pursuit of one another while displaying their full
repertoire of vocalizations. 

Several Buffleheads remain on the lake along with the resident
Mallards.
And though we didn't see it or hear its song, we heard the Winter Wren
calling from the dense underbrush near the lake shore.  On the far
side, one tree held several singing warblers -- both the Townsend's and
the Yellow-rumped who will soon be leaving.  After listening to its
song at several locations, we caught a brief glimpse of summer resident
Orange-crowned Warbler.  (Viewing birds against a bright-gray sky is
truly frustrating.)

And in the distance, we heard a California Quail calling, offering hope
that this much-beleagured bird may be nesting in the park.

Here's the list of the birds we either saw or heard.

Mallard
Bufflehead
Turkey Vulture
California Quail
Anna's Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker (nest hole only)
Black Phoebe
Steller's Jay
Scrub Jay
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Winter Wren
American Robin
Wrentit
Cedar Waxwing
Warbling Vireo
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Black-headed Grosbeak
Spotted Towhee
California Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch

Note:  Alan Kaplan and a friend were birding down Wildcat Canyon at the
same time.  The difference in the two lists reflect the riparian
habitat of Jewel Lake compared to the more open, grassy environment
found further down the canyon

Phila Rogers



 
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