(March-May)

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,...

Major Tip: Birding early (starting at dawn) and carefully (spending time) = birds seen...

Last Update: 12:45pm, PDT, Tuesday, July 5, 2002.

"Kern River Preserve Headquarters Birds,"  "FIRST SPRING ARRIVALS/MIGRANTS" (at Kern River Preserve Headquarters, Kern River Valley, & East Kern Desert respectively), "Observers,"  and "Recommended Spring Birding Areas/Birding Strategies" follow below after "Specific Dates and Sightings"...

Specific Dates and Sightings:

Fr, May 31 - FIRST OF SPRING NESTING SPECIES Yellow-billed Cuckoo. South side of Sequoia National Forest's South Fork Wildlife Area (accessed by walking from the west end of the KOA Kampground property from the road frontage). Mary reported this individual as being a "cooing" bird. MAWH.

Th, May 30 - Su, June 9 - Least Flycatcher (2nd Kern River Valley record). This species was first found May 30th and continued through  June 9th. It was located 300 meters east of Migrant Corner on the Kern River Preserve. Migrant Corner is reached by taking the trail east from the northeast side of the Sierra Way Bridge of the South fork Kern River. This is the second record for the Kern River Valley. Both sightings in spring,  both sightings within 150 meters of each other, both of incessantly "singing" territorial birds over several days. MAWH.

Th, May 30 - Wood Duck, Common Snipe (winnowing), Western Screech Owl, Willow Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo (nesting), Yellow Warbler (abundant), Yellow-breasted Chat (4-6 pairs), Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Tricolored Blackbird, Lawrence's Goldfinch (200+). Kern River Preserve Headquarters area  (Headquarters, Nature Trail, entrance driveway, ranch road leading west from parking lot). BOBA.

We, May 29 - Brown Pelican. JOSC reports an older immature/sub-adult Brown Pelican on Isabella Reservoir. Te observation was made 6:30am-7am of a bird perched in a snag off Wofford Heights Park. The head was purely adult white. But, the underparts were white with dark flecks. JOSC.

We, May 29 - Northern Waterthrush. 1350-acre Canebrake Ecological Reserve (California Department of Fish & Game). The entrance to the ER is off the north side of Hwy. 178, 9.7 miles east of the entrance to the Kern River Preserve. The Kern River Preserve is at Milepost 57.00; Canebrake ER is at 66.70. Also present at Canebrake ER: Common Snipe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Tricolored Blackbird colony (c. 700 pairs), and Lawrence's Goldfinch. BUWI.

Mo, Apr 22, 7:12am - First of Spring Nesting Species Summer Tanager. An adult male Summer Tanager, first heard calling from the Fremont cottonwoods surrounding the yard at Kern River Preserve Headquarters in Weldon, was the first for this spring. BOBA, RETO, MAWH. 

SUMMER TANAGER STATUS & DISTRIBUTION NOTE: This report is four days earlier than the earliest dates from 1998, 1999, and 2001 for this striking South Fork Kern River nesting species. Kern River Valley birders refer to the adult male of this species as a "flying neon tomato." The South Fork Valley is the current northwest limit of breeding for this species in the U.S. The nesting population here is the largest contiguous one found in California with 35-100 pairs nesting per year. This species lingers into October. Its final departure in fall SEEMS to be correlated to the disappearance of the last yellow-jackets of the year. BOBA.

Sa, Apr 20 - First of Spring Western Wood Pewee & First of Spring Blue Grosbeak (3 adult males). Canebrake Ecological Reserve Public Access Trail. BOBA, TMBC.

Sa, Apr 20, 7:15am-11am - Tehachapi Mountains Birding Club filed trip with Bob Barnes to the Canebrake Ecological Reserve along its Public Access Trail. Entrance off the north side of Hwy. 178, 9.7 miles east of the entrance to the Kern River Preserve at teh last Joshua tree on teh north as one travels east on Hwy. 178. There is a sharp curve with a yellow 40 mph sign about 0.1 mi. to the east where the riparian forest comes right next to Hwy. 178.

Highlights: Three First of Spring adult male Blue Grosbeaks, three singing adult male Lazuli Buntings, several hundred Tricolored Blackbirds coming to and going from a colony in a Himalayan blackberry patch north of the trail.

Complete List: Turkey Vulture 3; Mallard 2; Common Merganser 2 (a pair); Red-tailed Hawk 1; American Kestrel 1; Wild Turkey 11; California Quail (heard only); Virginia Rail 1; Mourning Dove 3; Great Horned Owl 2; White-throated Swift 4; Black-chinned Hummingbird 1; Anna's Hummingbird 3; Belted Kingfisher 1; Acorn Woodpecker 1; Nuttall's Woodpecker 2; Downy Woodpecker 1; Northern Flicker 2; Western Wood-Pewee 1; Gray Flycatcher 1; Black Phoebe 4; Western Kingbird 4; Cassin's Vireo 4; Warbling Vireo 2; Western Scrub-Jay 5; Common Raven 2; Tree Swallow 4; Violet-green Swallow 2; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2;  Oak Titmouse 1; Bushtit 4; White-breasted Nuthatch 1; Bewick's Wren 1; House Wren 2; Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3; Western Bluebird 4; American Robin 1; European Starling 15; Phainopepla 1; Orange-crowned Warbler 1; Yellow Warbler 1; Yellow-rumped Warbler 25; Common Yellowthroat 4; Wilson's Warbler 1; Spotted Towhee 1; California Towhee 3; Lark Sparrow 1; Savannah Sparrow 12; Song Sparrow 8; White-crowned Sparrow 10; Black-headed Grosbeak 3; Blue Grosbeak 3; Lazuli Bunting 3; Red-winged Blackbird 15; Tricolored Blackbird 300+; Western Meadowlark 2; Brewer's Blackbird 4; Brown-headed Cowbird 4; Bullock's Oriole 9; House Finch 15; Lesser Goldfinch 5; Lawrence's Goldfinch 4; House Sparrow 4.  63 species.

Fr, Apr 19 - FIRST OF SPRING Vaux's Swift, FIRST OF SPRING Townsend's Warbler, FIRST OF SPRING Western Tanager - All Kern River Preserve's Migrant Corner Trail FIRST OF SPRING Hooded Oriole - KRP Headquarters. BOBA. FIRST OF SPRING A pair of Lazuli Buntings were observed in the Kern River Canyon. ALSH

Th, Apr 18 - FIRST OF SPRING A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Migrant Corner Trail.  Four Black-headed Grosbeaks feeding at one time on hanging suet feeder at KRP Headquarters. BOBA.

Mo, Apr 8  - FIRST OF SPRING KERN VALLEY Migrant Species: A singing Cassin's ("Solitary") Vireo was observed at Kern River Preserve Headquarters. BOBA..

Su, Apr 7 - FIRST OF SPRING KERN VALLEY Migrant Species: A singing Wilson's Warbler was observed at Kern River Preserve Headquarters. Also present was a calling Virginia Rail. BOBA.

Su, Apr 7 - A Snowy Egret, 4 Wood Ducks, 1 Black-necked Stilt, and 12 Greater Yellowlegs were feeding in the flooded pastures bordering the entrance road to the Kern River Preserve. BOBA.

Su, Apr 7 - FIRST OF SPRING KERN VALLEY Migrant Species: An Orange-crowned Warbler was observed along the Migrant Corner Trail, Kern River Preserve. BOBA. 

Sa, Apr 6 - Spring Migration: 123 Yellow-rumped Warblers and 37 Lawrence's Goldfinches (out of 50 present) were observed migrating northwestward out of the riparian forest along the Migrant Corner Trail, Kern River Preserve. BOBA. 

Sa, Apr 6 - FIRST OF SPRING KERN VALLEY Migrant/Nesting Species: A singing  Warbling Vireo and a Black-throated Gray Warbler  were observed along the Migrant Corner Trail, Kern River Preserve. BOBA. 

Sa, Apr 6 - FIRST OF SPRING KERN VALLEY Migrant/Nesting Species: A male  Black-headed Grosbeak was observed at Kern River Preserve Headquarters. BOBA.

We, Apr 3 - FIRST OF SPRING KERN VALLEY Nesting Species: A male Black-chinned Hummingbird was observed at Kern River Preserve Headquarters. NOTO, BOBA.

Tu, Apr  2 - FIRST OF SPRING KERN VALLEY Nesting Species: A Yellow Warbler was observed along the  Migrant Corner Trail, Kern River Preserve. BOBA.

Tu, Apr 2 - 186 American White Pelicans were observed on Isabella Reservoir; 140 in the South Fork, 46 in the North Fork. BOBA.

Su, Mar 31 - FIRST OF SPRING KERN VALLEY Migrant Species: A Townsend's Solitaire was observed along the Migrant Corner Trail, Kern River Preserve. BOBA. 

Sa, Mar 30 - FIRST OF SPRING KERN VALLEY Migrant Species: A singing Brewer's Sparrow was observed along the Migrant Corner Trail, Kern River Preserve. BOBA. 

We, Mar 27 - FIRST OF SPRING KERN VALLEY Nesting Species: A singing House Wren was observed along the dirt road leading west from Kern River Preserve Headquarters. BOBA.

We, Mar 27 - FIRST OF SPRING KERN VALLEY Nesting Species: A Common Yellowthroat was observed at Flour Mill Marsh. TEGA.

Tu, Mar 26 - FIRST OF SPRING KERN VALLEY Migrant/Nesting Species: A male Bullock's Oriole was observed at Kern River Preserve Headquarters. BOBA..

Mo, Mar 25 - FIRST OF SPRING KERN VALLEY Nesting Species: A Brown-headed Cowbird was observed at Kern River Preserve Headquarters. BOBA.

Sa, Feb 23 - FIRST OF SPRING KERN VALLEY Nesting Species: At least two Lawrence's Goldfinch  were observed along the  Migrant Corner Trail, Kern River Preserve.  BOBA.

Kern River Preserve Headquarters Birds observed during the March 1st through April 8th time period within 400 meters/yards of headquarters: Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Turkey Vulture, Wood Duck, Mallard, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Prairie Falcon, Wild Turkey (I), California Quail, Killdeer, Black-necked Stilt, Greater Yellowlegs, Mourning Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Barn Owl, Great Horned Owl, Black-chinned Hummingbird (Apr 3 arrival), Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird (Mar 20 first arrival), Nuttall's Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe,  Western Kingbird (Mar 29 arrival), Cassin's Vireo (Apr 8 arrival), Warbling Vireo (Apr 6 arrival), Common Raven, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, House Wren (Mar 19 arrival), Western Bluebird, American Robin (Feb 10  arrival), European Starling (I), Cedar Waxwing, Yellow Warbler (Apr 2 arrival), Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Common Yellowthroat (Mar 27 arrival), Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat,  Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco, Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco, Black-headed Grosbeak (April 6 arrival), Red-winged Blackbird, Tricolored Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird (Mar 25 arrival), Bullock's Oriole (Mar 26 arrival), House Finch, Pine Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch, Lawrence's Goldfinch (Feb 23 arrival),  American Goldfinch and House Sparrow (I)...BB.

FIRST SPRING ARRIVALS/MIGRANTS:

Kern River Preserve Headquarters...

Black-chinned Hummingbird, 3 Apr. BOBA.

Rufous Hummingbird, 28 Feb. STRU

Empidonax flycatcher, 27 Feb. BOBA

Western Kingbird, 27 Mar. TEGA.

Cassin's Vireo, 8 Apr. BOBA.

House Wren, 27 Mar. BOBA.

Yellow Warbler, 2 Apr. BOBA.

Common Yellowthroat, 27 Mar. TEGA.

Brown-headed Cowbird, 25 Mar. BOBA.

Bullock's Oriole, 27 Mar. BOBA.

Kern River Valley 2002  (vs. 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998)...

Black-chinned Hummingbird - 3 Apr 02...NOTO, BOBA (19 Mar 01...DL, 9 Apr 00...BB, 16 Apr 99...BB, 10 Apr 98)

Rufous Hummingbird - 23 Mar 02...MUHA.

Western Kingbird - 22 Mar 02...MUHA (20 Mar 01...TG, 26 Mar 00...JL, 22 Mar 99...SS, 18 Mar 98)

Cassin's Vireo - 8 Apr 02...BOBA.

Warbling Vireo - 6 Apr 02...BOBA.

House Wren - 27 Mar 02...BOBA (18 Mar 01...JS, 27 Mar 00...BB, 27 Mar 99...GB, BM, 20 Mar 98)

Townsend's Solitaire - 31 Mar 02...BOBA.

Yellow Warbler - 2 Apr 02...BOBA (31 Mar 01...BB, 8 Apr 00...RT, MW, 15 Apr 99...RT, MW, 2 Apr 98...BB)

Black-throated Gray Warbler - 6 Apr 02...BOBA, (14 Apr 01...BB, 12 Apr 00...BB, 17 Apr 99,  3 Apr 98)

Common Yellowthroat - 27 Mar 02...TEGA (23 Mar 01...BB, 27 Mar 00...BB, 28 Mar 99...TG, 24 Mar 98...BB)

Wilson's Warbler - 7 Apr 02 BOBA (17 Apr 01...BB, 31 Mar 00...BB)

Brewer's Sparrow - 30 Mar 02...BOBA (15 Apr 01...BB)

Black-headed Grosbeak - 6 Apr 02...BOBA (12 Apr 01...BB, 12 Apr 00...LP, 8 Apr 98)

Brown-headed Cowbird - 25 Mar 02...BOBA.

Bullock's Oriole - 26 Mar 02...BOBA (20 Mar 01...JS, 26 Mar 00...BB, 22 Mar 99...BB, 19 Mar 98)

Lawrence's Goldfinch - 23 Feb 02...BOBA (14 Mar 01...BB, 24 Mar 00...BB, 24 Feb 99...BB, MW, 2 Mar 98...BB)

East Kern Desert...

Key: BS-Butterbredt Spring  CC-California City  GH-Galileo Hill Park/Silver Saddle Resort

Observers: BOBA-Bob Barnes, TB-Ted Beedy, GB-Gordon Black,  MB-Michelle Brodie, DC-Dan Cooper, EC-Eunice Corn, CC-Cathy Cunningham, MC-Michael Cunningham, TE-Tom Edell, AE-Al Eisner, GF-Gary File, JF-John Fitch, MF-Mary Carmona-Freeman, TEGA-Terri Gallion, BG-Bruce Garlinger, KG-Karen Gilbert, MUHA-Murrelet Halterman, JOHA-Joe Hart, LOHA-Lois Hart, DH-Dave Harvey, AH-Andrew Howe, JOHU-Joan Humphrey, BK-Bruce Kautz, EK-Esther Kalinay, GK-Geoff Keller, KK-Kim Kuska, DL-Denise La Berteaux, JL-Janet Lynn, BM-Barbara Maxwell, TM-Tracy McCarthey, MMc-Michael McQuerry, MMi-Mark Miller, DM-Donald Mitchell, CM-Clark Moore, Jean Moore, KN-Kristie  Nelson, LEPA-Len Pardue, KPe-Kaaren Perry, KPh-Karen Phillips, BR-Blake Rodriguez, CR-Courtney Rodriguez, JR-Jim Roe, RR-Rose Anne Rowlett, STRU- Steve Russell, SYSC-Sylvia Schmidt, JOSC-John Schmitt, JSe-Jeff Seay, ALSH-Alison Sheehey, DS-Don Smoltz, SS-Susan Steele, MS-Mike Stone, PS-Pamela Stones,  TMBC-Tehachapi Mountains Birding Club, ST-Scott Terrill, MT-Miko Tollefson, RETO-Reed Tollefson, NOTO-Nora Tomlinson, TCAS-Tulare County Audubon Society, RW-Richard Webster, CW-Chris Wheatley, KW-Keith Wheatley, MAWH-Mary Whitfield, BUWI-Bud Widdowson, DW-Deb Wilson, JW-John Wilson, TW-Tom Wurster...

Recommended Spring Birding Areas/Birding Strategies: 

Note:  If you are going to cut your birding day short, it is highly recommended that you do so at the end of your birding day rather than at the beginning. The most successful birding in the Kern River Valley and vicinity requires an early start (30-45 minutes before sunrise). Spend the mornings in the low country and the afternoons in the high country. If you are able to spend several days birding this area, visits to the high country some mornings will likely prove more productive than afternoon visits.

Mornings/Half-Day/Full Day, Multi-Day Trips:

Friday - 1. Lower Chimney Peak Road 2. Chimney Creek Campground, 3. Kennedy Meadows Road 4. Troy Meadow Campground 5. Black Rock Ranger Station 6. Bald Mountain Lookout...Target Birds: 1. Cactus Wren, Black-throated Sparrow, Scott's Oriole 2. Plumbeous Vireo 3. Pinyon Jay  4. Williamson's Sapsucker, Clark's Nutcracker, Mountain Bluebird, Townsend's Solitaire, Red Crossbill 5. Calliope Hummingbird, Green-tailed Towhee 6. Blue Grouse, Clark's Nutcracker...

Kern River Preserve, Half-Day - 1. Arrive before sunrise at Headquarters. Check out the birds in and around the yard for several minutes. 2. Bird for 30-90 minutes west along the ranch road leading from the southwest corner of the parking lot. 3. Return to Headquarters for a birding break of 15-30 minutes in the yard. 4. Bird the Nature Trail for one to two hours. 5. Return to Headquarters for a birding break of 15-30 minutes in the yard. 6. Bird the entrance driveway out to the open pastures. 7. Bird the trail leading west along the agricultural ditch found halfway out forested portion of the entrance driveway for 30 minutes to two hours. 8. Return to Headquarters for lunch...Target Birds: Yellow-billed Cuckoo (after mid-June), Nuttall's Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Western Bluebird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Indigo Bunting, Kern Red-winged Blackbird, Bullock's Oriole, Lesser Goldfinch, Lawrence's Goldfinch...