[EBB Sightings] Todays Audubon field trip at Jewel Lake

Greetings:

Sixteen of us had a delightful walk around Jewel Lake seeing many migrants.  As usual we gathered at the Environmental Center parking lot at 8:30 where it was deliciously cool, proving again that Wildcat Canyon has its own microclimate -- cold when elsewhere its cool, and cool on the warmest days.  The grass wet with dew was an additional refreshment.

As is often true, the area around the parking lot produced some of the best sightings of the migrants -- Townsend's, Wilson's, and Yellow Warblers perfectly lit by the low morning sun.  Swainson's Thrushes and Black-headed Grosbeaks are still around and you wonder whether these are birds that spent the breeding season in the area, or individuals who are passing through on migration.  We were surprised to see two of our winter residents -- a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and the Townsend's Warbler, begging a similar question -- early arrivals or migrants moving south? Whatever might be the answer, early September is a wonderful time to be out in the field.

Other migrants included Western Tanagers and lots of Warbling Vireos who have an affinity for the white dogwood berries (as noted yesterday by Denise Wight).

Jewel Lake has shrunk away from its banks, exposing mounds of silt usually covered by water.  A Great-blue Heron maintained a statuesque pose on a protruding stumps while a few Mallards paddled around. Dragon  flies darted about harvesting insects.  At the dam, only enough water oozes out to support bright-green algae in the spillway -- a lethargic scene that really makes you yearn for an early rain.

By the time we made the return trip through the oak-bay woodland along Pack Rat Trail, the growing heat quieted both bird watchers and the birds alike.  

Altogether we recorded 33 species -- no Redstart, though. And keep you eye out beginning mid-month for the first Golden-crown Sparrows!    

 --Phila Rogers