[EBB Sightings] Ventana Wilderness

Just returned from a few days at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in the Ventana Wilderness. The region was heavily impacted by the Big Sur fires of last year, so it was interesting to see how the bird life was affected. My informal survey totaled 26 species last year, 36 this year. Not sure whether lack of cover due to all the burned out trees either made it easier to see birds or they tended to concentrate in the riparian valleys less impacted by the fires. 

Observed nests of the following: Bushtits (beautiful!), Orioles, Black Headed Grosbeaks and Black Phoebe. Observed Warbling Vireos, Bushtits and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers agressively chasing off Stellar's Jays from their nests or nest areas. 

Good birding!

Bullock's Oriole
Black Headed Grosbeak
Scrub Jay
Stellar's Jay
American Robin
House Wren - numerous
Canyon Wren
Ash Throated Flycatcher
Olive Sided Flycatcher
Black Phoebe
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Lazuli Bunting
Lawrence's Goldfinch - numerous
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Northern Flicker
Acorn Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Mourning Dove
Mountain Quail - heard
California Quail
Swainson's Thrush
Western Bluebird
California Towhee
Spotted Towhee
Chickadee - heard 
Junco
Bushtit
Costa's Hummingbird
Anna's Hummingbird
Warbling Vireo - numerous
Western Wood Peewee
Cassin's Vireo
Western Tanager
Blue Grouse
Black Swift