Birding Fall 2004

(August-November, 2004 Fall Reporting Season)

Goal: To provide a motivating mix of bird species observations with reports of interest to all birders: beginning to expert, Kern County specialists, northern California & southern California, out-of-California (U.S. & International), listers and non-listers,...
Numerous links to other bird sightings pages are found below.

Submit observations or make inquiries to: Bob Barnes

MAJOR TIP: Birding early (starting at dawn) and carefully (spending time) = birds observed...

SPECIFIC REPORTS FOLLOW BELOW (Updated as of 1pm, Sunday, October 17, 2004):

APOLOGIES: Computer down 22 Jul 04 through 1pm, 14 Aug 04.

September 14-October 14, 2004 Kern River Valley Turkey Vulture Watch results, and the prior four years', are posted daily at: http://natureali.org/TV_daily_Stats.htm

KEY: KRP-Kern River Preserve, KRV-Kern River Valley, S&D-Status & Distribution

Th, 14 Oct 04 - A Gray Catbird was well-observed in the yard at the Kern River Preserve headquarters this evening at 6:30 p.m. This is the first record for the Kern River Watershed and, by extension, the Kern River Valley and the Kern River Preserve. ALSH, DARA.

Su, 10 Oct 04 - A Chestnut-collared Longspur was heard and observed in a flock of 150-200 Horned Larks on the exposed flats between the the peninsula below Wofford Heights Park and the North Fork Marina located a few hundred yards to the south. JOSC.

NOTE: This is the second record for the Kern River Valley.

Su, 10 Oct 04 - A Palm Warbler (western subspecies) was observed in with a flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers in the line of dead willows near the tip of the peninsula below Wofford Heights Park. JOSC.

NOTE: This is the second record for the Kern River Valley following the first record for the Kern River Valley documented by MUHA on 4 Jan 04 in the South Fork Wildlife Area at the east end of Isabella Reservoir. JOSC.

Sa, 2 Oct 04 - A Hutton's Vireo was observed in Tillie Creek Campground, Wofford Heights. JOSC.

Fr, 1 Oct 04 - A HY Bald Eagle was observed eating a carp on Isabella Reservoir below Wofford Heights. It was a Hatching Year individual with large, orange wing tags with the number 46 on each of them. JOSC.

NOTE: Subsequent communication revealed that "Bald Eagle #46" was fostered into a nest at Two Harbors on Catalina Island this past spring. It left the island sometime around 28 Sep 04, making the crossing to the mainland and well inland to Isabella Reservoir in Kern County by 1 Oct 04. PESH.

Fr, 1 Oct 04 - The first Merlin of the winter for the Kern River Valley was observed in Wofford Heights. JOSC

Fr-Mo, 24-27 Sep 04 - 10th Annual Kern River Valley Turkey Vulture Festival Official List of Bird Sightings: Ross's Goose, Mallard, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, California Quail, Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe, Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, White-faced Ibis, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, White-tailed Kite, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Goshawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Prairie Falcon, Virginia Rail, American Coot, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Barn Owl, Great Horned Owl, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Lewis's Woodpecker, Acorn Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Williamson's Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, Cassin's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Steller's Jay, Western Scrub-Jay, Pinyon Jay, Common Raven, Horned Lark, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Mountain Chickadee, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Bluebird, Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Sage Thrasher, California Thrasher, Le Conte's Thrasher, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Hermit Warbler, OVENBIRD, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, MacGillivray's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, California Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Brewer's Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Sage Sparrow, LARK BUNTING, Savannah Sparrow, Fox Sparrow (Large-billed & Sooty), Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Lazuli Bunting, INDIGO BUNTING, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow,...BOBA, TEGA, FRGI, GAPO, ALSH, ASSU.

Mo, 27 Sep 04 - A White-throated Sparrow was observed this morning at Prince's Pond on the Kern River Preserve. FRGI.

Mo, 27 Sep 04 - Today's Turkey Vulture Festival field trip from Kern River Preserve Headquarters to the Greenhorn Mountains and back resulted in the following species: Mallard, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe, American White Pelican, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Virginia Rail, American Coot, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Acorn Woodpecker, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Steller's Jay, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Horned Lark, Barn Swallow, Mountain Chickadee, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Western Bluebird, Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Spotted Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow,... BOBA, FRGI, JAMA.

Su, 26 Sep 04 - At least two Summer Tanagers were still present at Kern River Preserve Headquarters as of this morning. BOBA, ASSU.

Su, 26 Sep 04 - Today's Turkey Vulture Festival field trip from Kern River Preserve Headquarters to east Kern desert oases and back resulted in the following species: Ruddy Duck, California Quail, Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, American Coot, Killdeer, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Great Horned Owl, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Western Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Horned Lark, Barn Swallow, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Bluebird, American Robin, Sage Thrasher, Le Conte's Thrasher, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, OVENBIRD, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Sage Sparrow, LARK BUNTING, Savannah Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, INDIGO BUNTING, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch,... BOBA, FRGI, GAPO.

Sa, 25 Sep 04 - Today's Turkey Vulture field trips held within the Kern River Valley resulted in the following species: Pied-billed Grebe, Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe, American White Pelican, Turkey Vulture, Mallard, Cinnamon Teal, Osprey, White-tailed Kite, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Prairie Falcon, California Quail, American Coot, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Wilson's Snipe. Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Barn Owl, Great Horned Owl, Common Poorwill, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Acorn Woodpecker, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, Western Scrub-Jay, Pinyon Jay, Common Raven, Horned Lark, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, Western Bluebird, Northern Mockingbird, California Thrasher, European Starling, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Summer Tanager, Spotted Towhee, California Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch,... BOBA, JOSC, ASSU.

NOTE: Verified with the front desk on 24 Sep 04. Birders are welcome and encouraged to stay at the motel or in the bungalows Sunday-Thursday nights at the SILVER SADDLE RESORT at GALILEO HILL. The desk clerk said that without birders those nights are often "dead around here." Tell them you are a birder so you can get birders' rates. BOBA.

Fr, 24 Sep 04 - Today's Turkey Vulture Festival field trip to east Kern County desert oases resulted in the following species: Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe 1, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron 1, Great Egret 1, Black-crowned Night-Heron 2, White-faced Ibis 1, Turkey Vulture, Mallard, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Copper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, California Quail, American Coot, Killdeer, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Great Horned Owl, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Lewis's Woodpecker 2, Red-naped Sapsucker 1, Red-breasted Sapsucker 1, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Western Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher 1, "Western" Flycatcher 1, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Western Kingbird 1, Loggerhead Shrike, Cassin's Vireo 1, Warbling Vireo 1, Western Scrub-Jay, Pinyon Jay 50-60, Common Raven, Horned Lark, Barn Swallow, Bushtit, Verdin, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Rock Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Bluebird, Townsend's Solitaire 2, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Le Conte's Thrasher 2, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler 1, Hermit Warbler 1, OVENBIRD (2 SIDE BY SIDE), Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat 2, Western Tanager 2, Spotted Towhee 1, Chipping Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Sage Sparrow, LARK BUNTING 1, Savannah Sparrow, Fox Sparrow 1, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow,... BOBA, GAPO, JASA, ASSU, et. al.

Su, 19 Sep 04 - A female Black-and-white Warbler and a female American Redstart were among ten species of warblers found at California City this morning. Other warbler species present were Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler,  Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler,  MacGillivray's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and Wilson's Warbler. Several Cattle Egrets were also observed. GAFI, MIMC.

Sa, 18 Sep 04 - A Lark Bunting was observed on the lawn by the tennis courts at Galileo Hill/Silver Saddle Resort this morning. LASA.

Fr, 17 Sep 04 - Summer Tanagers are still present at KRP. The last individuals of this species are expected to depart for the winter during the first week of October. BOBA.

Th, 16 Sep 04 - A Northern Waterthrush was reported from Galileo Hill/Silver Saddle Resort this morning. Also reported were: White-faced Ibis, Wilson's Snipe, Red-breasted Nuthatch 2, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and Wilson's Warbler. BRKY, KEKY.

We, 15 Sep 04 - A HY female Painted Bunting was reported from Cerro Coso College this morning. Also present were a Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Black-and-white Warbler, and Blue Grosbeak. SUST.

Su, 12 Sep 04 - A White-tailed Kite was observed flying over the Kern River Preserve's Nature Trail from near trail marker #7. BOBA.

Sa, 11 Sep 04 - Summer Tanagers are still present at the Kern River Preserve. Species present in the Kern River Preserve Headquarters area: Great Blue Heron (fly-overs), Turkey Vulture, Mallard (fly-overs), Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, California Quail, California Gull (fly-overs), Mourning Dove, Greater Roadrunner (along entrance driveway just off Hwy. 178), Barn Owl, Western Screech Owl, Great Horned Owl, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Western Bluebird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Common Yellowthroat, Summer Tanager, Lark Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch. BOBA.

Fr, 10 Sep 04 - A flock of 30-40 Pinyon Jays was observed foraging in pinyon pine woodland alongside the south side of Hwy. 178 immediately west of Walker Pass this morning. This species is widespread in the South Fork Kern River watershed in fall and may be encountered just about anywhere, especially in the area between Walker Pass and Canebrake and along the desert portion of Kelso Valley Road. Some years a flock of up to 100 individuals works the gray pine area along the upper portion of Fay Ranch Road. BOBA.

Su, 5 Sep 04 - A fresh-plumaged Plumbeous Vireo and nine warbler species, including an adult male (ASY) American Redstart, highlighted a 9:45am-12:30pm visit to Galileo Hill/Silver Saddle Resort. There were no other birders seen on site. The Labor Day Weekend crowd was relatively small. Complete List: Mallard, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper (2), Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Hammond's Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Swainson's Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, American Redstart, MacGillivray's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, House Sparrow,...BOBA, ASSU.

Su, 5 Sep 04 - A visit to the Cerro Coso College campus in Ridgecrest this morning yielded Barn Owl, Verdin, Northern Flicker, Western Wood-Pewee, Common Raven, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Mockingbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, and House Finch. BOBA, ASSU.

Su, 5 Sep 04 - A Le Conte's Thrasher highlighted a visit to an Inyokern yard early this morning. Also present were Cooper's Hawk, California Quail, Mourning Dove, Costa's Hummingbird, Common Raven, Verdin, Northern Mockingbird, House Finch, and House Sparrow. BOBA, ASSU.

Sa, 4 Sep 04 - Three active and careful San Jose area birders visited the Kern River Preserve Headquarters mid-morning to study the hummingbirds coming to the twenty, thirty-ounce feeders set up in the front yard and the part of the yard behind and beyond the Visitor Center. They were rewarded with five species: Black-chinned, Anna's, Costa's, Calliope, and Rufous. Also found were an adult male Yellow Warbler and a HY male Black-throated Gray Warbler. LITE, RYTE, SCTE.

Sa, 4 Sep 04 - An adult male Summer Tanager was observed at the grape arbor at Kern River Preserve Headquarters. BOBA.

Fr, 3 Sep 04 - At least two Black-throated Sparrows were still present in the Joshua tree woodland found along Kelso Valley Road five miles south of Hwy. 178 in Weldon. BOBA.

Mo, 30 Aug 04 - At least one adult and one fledgling Willow Flycatcher (extimus subspecies) remain in the vicinity of the south end of the Slough Channel riparian forest along the entrance driveway to KRP. PHHE.

Su, 29 Aug 04 - A Western Kingbird was observed alongside Hwy. 178 just west of Fay Ranch Road in Weldon. MAWH.

We, 25 Aug 04 - A male Vermilion Flycatcher was still present off Fay Ranch Road at 7:30am this morning (see 3 April 04). BOBA

Fr. 20 Aug 04 - A male Vermilion Flycatcher was still present off Fay Ranch Road this morning (see 3 April 04). Also present were Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Loggerhead Shrike, Western Bluebird, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Blue Grosbeak 3, Lazuli Bunting 2, and Western Meadowlark. BOBA.

Fr, 20 Aug 04 - At KRP Headquarters this morning were Turkey Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, Barn Owl, Great Horned Owl, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Western Wood Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Oak Titmouse, Bewick's Wren, Western Bluebird, American Robin, Yellow Warbler 7, Common Yellowthroat 5, Summer Tanager, Song Sparrow, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch. BOBA.

Fr. 13 Aug 04 - One Common Loon was reported to be on Isabella Reservoir in the vicinity of French Gulch Marina and   second was reported from the middle of the reservoir. ASSU, RETO, et. al.

Fr, 28 Jul 04 - Two Common Loons in non-breeding (basic) plumage were reported for Isabella Reservoir near the Auxiliary Dam. ASSU.