Saturday, November 10, 2001
Rufous Hummingbird in Northampton County ~ November 9, 2001
Arlene Koch looked out her window in Williams Township and saw a hummingbird at the feeder. Being November, it was unlikely to be a Ruby-throated and more likely to be a "Selasphorus". She called and asked me to come down and get some photos of it. As expected for that time of year, the bird turned out to be an adult female Rufous Hummingbird.
Rufous Hummingbird in Williams Township, Northampton County. Note the rufous sides and tail. This adult female represents the 2nd record for Northampton County.
Rufous Hummingbird in Williams Township, Northampton County. Note the rufous sides and central red gorget spot. This adult female represents the 2nd record for Northampton County.
Tuesday, June 5, 2001
California Trip ~ May 27, 2001
Since Babe Webster and I had both separately birded southern California once before, we were generally missing only the ‘harder-to-find’ species. In fact, most of them (Flammulated Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Western Screech-Owl, LeConte’s Thrasher, and Sage Sparrow) were expected to be real ‘toughies’. The combination of searching for owls at night and birding the early morning hours meant finding time to sleep would be another challenge. Another “Red-eyed Birding Tour” was under way.
We took ‘US Air’ from Allentown to Los Angeles, with a plane change in Pittsburgh. We were happy to see no line at the Avis counter and were on our way in a 4-door Pontiac Grand Am (red again) just after noon, Pacific Time.
We hopped on the crazy I-405 (actually, the freeways aren’t crazy; it’s the drivers) and drove south to Upper Newport Bay. We found a few California Gnatcatchers (my first ‘lifer’ of the trip) on the brushy hillside at the intersection of Back Bay Drive and San Joaquin Hills Drive. Other notable birds seen in the area included Great Blue Heron, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Bank and Barn Swallows, Common Yellowthroat, and California Towhee.
From there, we drove the short distance to the Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Park. There, we found Green Heron, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Barn Swallow, Bushtit, Common Yellowthroat, California Towhee, Hooded and Bullock’s Orioles, and American Goldfinch. Nearby Carr Park held Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Black Phoebe, Barn Swallow, and Great-tailed Grackle.
Next, we set the auto-pilot for Ventura. After checking into a Motel 6 and picking up some supplies at a Von’s grocery store, we headed north to Foster Park. Before dusk, we found Turkey Vulture, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Violet-green and Barn Swallows, Western Scrub-Jay, Oak Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, and California Towhee. Our hopes for Western Screech-Owl were somewhat dimmed when we found the park full of noisy Memorial Day weekend campers.
We took ‘US Air’ from Allentown to Los Angeles, with a plane change in Pittsburgh. We were happy to see no line at the Avis counter and were on our way in a 4-door Pontiac Grand Am (red again) just after noon, Pacific Time.
We hopped on the crazy I-405 (actually, the freeways aren’t crazy; it’s the drivers) and drove south to Upper Newport Bay. We found a few California Gnatcatchers (my first ‘lifer’ of the trip) on the brushy hillside at the intersection of Back Bay Drive and San Joaquin Hills Drive. Other notable birds seen in the area included Great Blue Heron, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Bank and Barn Swallows, Common Yellowthroat, and California Towhee.
From there, we drove the short distance to the Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Park. There, we found Green Heron, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Barn Swallow, Bushtit, Common Yellowthroat, California Towhee, Hooded and Bullock’s Orioles, and American Goldfinch. Nearby Carr Park held Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Black Phoebe, Barn Swallow, and Great-tailed Grackle.
Next, we set the auto-pilot for Ventura. After checking into a Motel 6 and picking up some supplies at a Von’s grocery store, we headed north to Foster Park. Before dusk, we found Turkey Vulture, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Violet-green and Barn Swallows, Western Scrub-Jay, Oak Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, and California Towhee. Our hopes for Western Screech-Owl were somewhat dimmed when we found the park full of noisy Memorial Day weekend campers.
California Trip ~ May 28, 2001
We drove the short distance to Island Packers and took the boat trip to Scorpion Anchorage at the eastern end of Santa Cruz Island. I had purposely scheduled the boat trip to Prisoners Harbor well in advance so that we would land in prime Island Scrub-Jay area, but Island Packers screwed up that plan when they called me the day before we left home and said that the trip to Prisoners was cancelled and that our only option was to take the boat to Scorpion. Birding from the boat on the way to and from the island produced Western Grebe, numbers of Sooty Shearwaters, Brown Pelican, Double-crested, Brandt’s, and Pelagic Cormorants, Great Blue Heron, Western Gull, Caspian, Common, Forster’s, and Least Terns, Pigeon Guillemot, and one ‘lifer’ Ashy Storm-Petrel. Babe saw a pair of Murrelets that I never did.
After landing at Scorpion Anchorage, we quickly headed up Scorpion Canyon. The farther up we went, the more difficult it became to hike the rocky creekbed. We realized that the time was fast approaching when we’d have to turn back in order to make it back to the boat on time. Just as we started to turn around and head back, we heard a jay call. Soon after I spotted a jay way up near the top of a hill, several others flew in close by and gave us good looks. We went from defeat to success in a matter of minutes, getting our first Island Scrub-Jays.
Island Scrub-Jay near Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island, California.
Other birds found along our hike out and back included Brown Pelican, California Quail, Western Gull, Allen’s Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock and Bewick’s Wrens, Rufous-crowned and Song Sparrows, Western Meadowlark, Lesser Goldfinch, and to our surprise, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
A poor documentation photo of our unusual sighting of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak near Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island, California.
We were back on the mainland by around 2 PM.
Back in the car, we made a quick stop in Santa Barbara at the Andree’ Clark Bird Refuge. There, we found Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Cliff Swallow, and Common Yellowthroat.
We then headed north to Happy Canyon Road, east of the town of Santa Ynez. Along the road, we spotted Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, California Quail, Acorn Woodpecker, “Red-shafted” Flicker, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Western Scrub-Jay, Yellow-billed Magpie, Western Bluebird, Phainopepla, Lark Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, and Lesser Goldfinch. About 12 miles up the road, we birded the area around a small campground where a Northern Pygmy-Owl had been seen about two months earlier. Although we had no luck with the owl, we did find Steller’s Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, Western Tanager, House Wren, and my first Mountain Quail. The bird flew across the road and called from the hillside right next to the car.
We then had to make the long drive to Maricopa. It got dark by the time we reached Route 33 and crossed the very windy summit of Pine Mountain. I saw a Coyote run across the road near the turnoff to Quatal Canyon, where we took a short drive looking for Common Poorwill. We turned around after a few miles, finding only Black-tailed Jackrabbits, and continued on down into Maricopa, where we spent the night at Motel 8.
After landing at Scorpion Anchorage, we quickly headed up Scorpion Canyon. The farther up we went, the more difficult it became to hike the rocky creekbed. We realized that the time was fast approaching when we’d have to turn back in order to make it back to the boat on time. Just as we started to turn around and head back, we heard a jay call. Soon after I spotted a jay way up near the top of a hill, several others flew in close by and gave us good looks. We went from defeat to success in a matter of minutes, getting our first Island Scrub-Jays.
Other birds found along our hike out and back included Brown Pelican, California Quail, Western Gull, Allen’s Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock and Bewick’s Wrens, Rufous-crowned and Song Sparrows, Western Meadowlark, Lesser Goldfinch, and to our surprise, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
We were back on the mainland by around 2 PM.
Back in the car, we made a quick stop in Santa Barbara at the Andree’ Clark Bird Refuge. There, we found Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Cliff Swallow, and Common Yellowthroat.
We then headed north to Happy Canyon Road, east of the town of Santa Ynez. Along the road, we spotted Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, California Quail, Acorn Woodpecker, “Red-shafted” Flicker, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Western Scrub-Jay, Yellow-billed Magpie, Western Bluebird, Phainopepla, Lark Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, and Lesser Goldfinch. About 12 miles up the road, we birded the area around a small campground where a Northern Pygmy-Owl had been seen about two months earlier. Although we had no luck with the owl, we did find Steller’s Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, Western Tanager, House Wren, and my first Mountain Quail. The bird flew across the road and called from the hillside right next to the car.
We then had to make the long drive to Maricopa. It got dark by the time we reached Route 33 and crossed the very windy summit of Pine Mountain. I saw a Coyote run across the road near the turnoff to Quatal Canyon, where we took a short drive looking for Common Poorwill. We turned around after a few miles, finding only Black-tailed Jackrabbits, and continued on down into Maricopa, where we spent the night at Motel 8.
California Trip ~ May 29, 2001
We headed out at dawn to the corner of Petroleum Club Road and Kerto Road. There, we birded the desert sagebrush northeast of the intersection, getting great looks at the “canescens” form of Bell's Sparrow (a ‘lifer’ for both of us), and LeConte’s Thrasher (a ‘lifer’ for me and much better looks for Babe than the one she had seen on her previous trip with Bucks County Audubon). The sparrow was seen singing from the top of the sagebrush, and the thrasher was seen singing from the top of a metal post. Other birds found there included a few Burrowing Owls, Northern Mockingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, Brewer’s Blackbird, and Common Raven. As expected, ravens were seen practically everywhere during the trip.
After an excellent breakfast at Tina’s Restaurant in Maricopa, we made the long, steady climb toward Mount Pinos. Along the way, we saw a Prairie Falcon, Western Kingbird, Cliff Swallow, Western Scrub-Jay, Western Bluebird, California Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Brewer’s Blackbird, and Lesser Goldfinch.
When we reached the end of Mount Pinos Road, we hiked the gated road from the parking lot to the summit. We were surprised to find that we had the whole place to ourselves. There was no one else around. There, we heard Mountain Quail and Chipping Sparrow, and saw “Red-shafted” Flicker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, Violet-green Swallow, Steller’s Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, American Robin, “Audubon’s” Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, “Oregon” Junco, Brown-headed Cowbird, Cassin’s Finch, and the “Thick-billed” Fox Sparrow.
A stop at McGill Campground produced White-headed Woodpecker in addition to some of the species seen at Mount Pinos. We checked out the area at the back of the campground since we would be returning later that night to listen for owls. A quick attempt to find Northern Pygmy-Owl came up empty. As it turned out, we would be unsuccessful in finding this elusive owl.
We headed down Frazier Mountain Park Road and stopped at an elongated pond lined with tules. After carefully studying the blackbirds that were there, we determined that they were “Bicolored” Blackbirds. California Quail and American Coots were also noted there.
We checked into the EconoLodge in Gorman, ate at the adjoining ‘Sizzler’ (we did eat once in a while), and then took a nap before heading back up to McGill Campground. At the campground, we heard a few soft ‘toots’ at dusk, but struck out beyond that. At the Mount Pinos parking lot, we checked out the constellations and saw some 'shooting stars'.
After an excellent breakfast at Tina’s Restaurant in Maricopa, we made the long, steady climb toward Mount Pinos. Along the way, we saw a Prairie Falcon, Western Kingbird, Cliff Swallow, Western Scrub-Jay, Western Bluebird, California Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Brewer’s Blackbird, and Lesser Goldfinch.
When we reached the end of Mount Pinos Road, we hiked the gated road from the parking lot to the summit. We were surprised to find that we had the whole place to ourselves. There was no one else around. There, we heard Mountain Quail and Chipping Sparrow, and saw “Red-shafted” Flicker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, Violet-green Swallow, Steller’s Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, American Robin, “Audubon’s” Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, “Oregon” Junco, Brown-headed Cowbird, Cassin’s Finch, and the “Thick-billed” Fox Sparrow.
A stop at McGill Campground produced White-headed Woodpecker in addition to some of the species seen at Mount Pinos. We checked out the area at the back of the campground since we would be returning later that night to listen for owls. A quick attempt to find Northern Pygmy-Owl came up empty. As it turned out, we would be unsuccessful in finding this elusive owl.
We headed down Frazier Mountain Park Road and stopped at an elongated pond lined with tules. After carefully studying the blackbirds that were there, we determined that they were “Bicolored” Blackbirds. California Quail and American Coots were also noted there.
We checked into the EconoLodge in Gorman, ate at the adjoining ‘Sizzler’ (we did eat once in a while), and then took a nap before heading back up to McGill Campground. At the campground, we heard a few soft ‘toots’ at dusk, but struck out beyond that. At the Mount Pinos parking lot, we checked out the constellations and saw some 'shooting stars'.
California Trip ~ May 30, 2001
Just before sunrise, we drove the stretch from Gorman through Palmdale and headed up Highway N3 into the San Gabriel Mountains. Near the town of Vincent, our only Greater Roadrunner of the trip ran across the road. A little farther up, we turned onto Aliso Canyon Road and stopped at several places to listen for the “belli” subspecies of Bell's Sparrow. We never did hear any, but we did find California Quail, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Western Scrub-Jay, California Thrasher, and Spotted Towhee.
We continued a short distance up Highway N3 and turned onto Road 3N17 (the road to Mount Gleason). Only about a tenth of a mile from the highway, we stopped to check out the chaparral found there. On the uphill side of the road, we found a Bell’s Sparrow calling from several perches atop the brush, giving us great looks at it through a scope. I then discovered a trail that went up very close to its territory and was able to get a photo.
The "belli" subspecies of Bell’s Sparrow in the San Gabriel Mountains, California. This bird sang from a perch on a sage-covered hillside, giving us excellent views. It was seen along Road 3N17 near the junction of Highway N3.
A Wrentit was also found there.
Back on Highway N3, we stopped at a canyon overlook where we found White-throated Swift, Acorn Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Black-headed Grosbeak, and heard our only Canyon Wren of the trip.
We reached Highway 2 and headed east to the Chilao Visitors’ Center where we saw White-headed Woodpecker and Band-tailed Pigeon. As it turned out, we found both of the visitors’ centers at Chilao and Grassy Hollow closed. This seemed strange to us since it was after Memorial Day and now summertime. In fact, we encountered very few people during our stay in the San Gabriels, making it one of my favorite places on the trip. Clark’s Nutcrackers were seen at the turnout near Dawson Saddle. Eventually, we reached the Pines Motel in Wrightwood. The motel was lacking in many areas, but it was bearable.
After dropping off our suitcases, we headed back to Vincent Gulch Divide. While walking around the fenced edge of the large parking area, Babe almost stepped on a coiled Southern Pacific Rattlesnake, a subspecies of Western Rattlesnake! It never rattled and eventually moved a little closer to the fence where it coiled up again. A search for Calliope Hummingbird there and at the willows below Big Pines came up empty.
While slowly driving around the town of Wrightwood looking for hummingbird feeders, we found Band-tailed Pigeon, Anna’s Hummingbird, Acorn and Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, “Red-shafted” Flicker, Violet-green Swallow, White-breasted Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brown-headed Cowbird, and Bullock’s Oriole. Many of these birds were seen from Mrs. Bechtel’s backyard, a lady who we met while birding the area. She showed us photos of raptors that she used to rehabilitate while living in Alaska years before.
After dinner, we headed west to the exit road of Buckhorn Flat Campground along Highway 2. There, after dark, we heard at least 5 different Flammulated Owls calling. As we got closer to one of the owls, a large helicopter came over and circled several times as if they were searching for someone. After that, the owls stopped calling. We then headed a little farther west to a spot where I was told a ‘Flam’ had been heard earlier in the month. There, we heard a bird on both sides of the road, but could never get a look at it. A really bright ‘three-quarter’ moon probably didn’t help our chances.
We called it a night and headed back to Wrightwood, occasionally straddling or driving around the rocks on the highway from the many rockslides. About five miles from town, a deer ran across the road in front of the car. When I hit the brakes, the styrofoam cooler chest in the trunk tipped over, sending the melted icewater running into the trunk and down onto the back seat. I quickly stopped the car, realizing that there had to be a wet mess in the back. When I went to hit the trunk button on the key chain, I also accidentally hit the door lock button without knowing it. As we both got out to quickly put the things back in the cooler, I closed my door since my side was partly on the road. Luckily, Babe left her door open or we would’ve been locked out of the car with it sitting in the road, the lights on, and the engine running. We finally reached our motel in Wrightwood around midnight.
We continued a short distance up Highway N3 and turned onto Road 3N17 (the road to Mount Gleason). Only about a tenth of a mile from the highway, we stopped to check out the chaparral found there. On the uphill side of the road, we found a Bell’s Sparrow calling from several perches atop the brush, giving us great looks at it through a scope. I then discovered a trail that went up very close to its territory and was able to get a photo.
A Wrentit was also found there.
Back on Highway N3, we stopped at a canyon overlook where we found White-throated Swift, Acorn Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Black-headed Grosbeak, and heard our only Canyon Wren of the trip.
We reached Highway 2 and headed east to the Chilao Visitors’ Center where we saw White-headed Woodpecker and Band-tailed Pigeon. As it turned out, we found both of the visitors’ centers at Chilao and Grassy Hollow closed. This seemed strange to us since it was after Memorial Day and now summertime. In fact, we encountered very few people during our stay in the San Gabriels, making it one of my favorite places on the trip. Clark’s Nutcrackers were seen at the turnout near Dawson Saddle. Eventually, we reached the Pines Motel in Wrightwood. The motel was lacking in many areas, but it was bearable.
After dropping off our suitcases, we headed back to Vincent Gulch Divide. While walking around the fenced edge of the large parking area, Babe almost stepped on a coiled Southern Pacific Rattlesnake, a subspecies of Western Rattlesnake! It never rattled and eventually moved a little closer to the fence where it coiled up again. A search for Calliope Hummingbird there and at the willows below Big Pines came up empty.
While slowly driving around the town of Wrightwood looking for hummingbird feeders, we found Band-tailed Pigeon, Anna’s Hummingbird, Acorn and Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, “Red-shafted” Flicker, Violet-green Swallow, White-breasted Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brown-headed Cowbird, and Bullock’s Oriole. Many of these birds were seen from Mrs. Bechtel’s backyard, a lady who we met while birding the area. She showed us photos of raptors that she used to rehabilitate while living in Alaska years before.
After dinner, we headed west to the exit road of Buckhorn Flat Campground along Highway 2. There, after dark, we heard at least 5 different Flammulated Owls calling. As we got closer to one of the owls, a large helicopter came over and circled several times as if they were searching for someone. After that, the owls stopped calling. We then headed a little farther west to a spot where I was told a ‘Flam’ had been heard earlier in the month. There, we heard a bird on both sides of the road, but could never get a look at it. A really bright ‘three-quarter’ moon probably didn’t help our chances.
We called it a night and headed back to Wrightwood, occasionally straddling or driving around the rocks on the highway from the many rockslides. About five miles from town, a deer ran across the road in front of the car. When I hit the brakes, the styrofoam cooler chest in the trunk tipped over, sending the melted icewater running into the trunk and down onto the back seat. I quickly stopped the car, realizing that there had to be a wet mess in the back. When I went to hit the trunk button on the key chain, I also accidentally hit the door lock button without knowing it. As we both got out to quickly put the things back in the cooler, I closed my door since my side was partly on the road. Luckily, Babe left her door open or we would’ve been locked out of the car with it sitting in the road, the lights on, and the engine running. We finally reached our motel in Wrightwood around midnight.
California Trip ~ May 31, 2001
Morning stops at places with flowers between Wrightwood and Big Pines produced Anna’s Hummingbirds, but no Calliope. At Big Pines, we went down Highway N4 to the Arch Picnic Area. There, we heard Mountain Quail, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and Chipping Sparrow, and saw Hairy and Acorn Woodpeckers, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Violet-green Swallow, Steller’s Jay, Mountain Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, American Robin, “Audubon’s” Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak, Spotted Towhee, “Thick-billed” Fox Sparrow, “Oregon” Junco, and Cassin’s Finch.
Once again, we stopped at Vincent Gulch Divide and heard Mountain Quail, Olive-sided Flycatcher, “Audubon’s” Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak, and found White-throated Swift, Western Wood-Pewee, Violet-green Swallow, Mountain Chickadee, Western Bluebird, American Robin, Green-tailed Towhee, Cassin’s Finch, and several Anna’s Hummingbirds but, again, no Calliope. We also refound the rattlesnake about two fenceposts over from where Babe had almost stepped on it the day before. This time I managed to get a better photo of it.
Southern Pacific Rattlesnake by the fence at the edge of the Vincent Gulch Divide parking area in the San Gabriel Mountains, California. Babe almost stepped on this subspecies of Western Rattlesnake the day before!
A drive along East Blue Ridge Road to Blue Ridge Campground produced “Red-shafted” Flicker, Mountain Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, American Robin, and Green-tailed Towhee.
After a badly-needed afternoon nap and dinner, we headed back to the Buckhorn Flat area to try and get a look at one of the ‘Flams’. It was our experience that they tended to stay at least one tree back from where we were. This made getting a look at a perched bird almost impossible. However, we did manage to get to see one Flammulated Owl in flight through a fair-sized opening in the conifers across from the campground’s exit road. Again, we were surprised that only one car passed by during the three hours we were there.
On the way back to Wrightwood, I hit a good-sized rock from one of the rockslides; but, luckily, no major damage was done. We reached our motel a little after midnight.
Once again, we stopped at Vincent Gulch Divide and heard Mountain Quail, Olive-sided Flycatcher, “Audubon’s” Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak, and found White-throated Swift, Western Wood-Pewee, Violet-green Swallow, Mountain Chickadee, Western Bluebird, American Robin, Green-tailed Towhee, Cassin’s Finch, and several Anna’s Hummingbirds but, again, no Calliope. We also refound the rattlesnake about two fenceposts over from where Babe had almost stepped on it the day before. This time I managed to get a better photo of it.
A drive along East Blue Ridge Road to Blue Ridge Campground produced “Red-shafted” Flicker, Mountain Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, American Robin, and Green-tailed Towhee.
After a badly-needed afternoon nap and dinner, we headed back to the Buckhorn Flat area to try and get a look at one of the ‘Flams’. It was our experience that they tended to stay at least one tree back from where we were. This made getting a look at a perched bird almost impossible. However, we did manage to get to see one Flammulated Owl in flight through a fair-sized opening in the conifers across from the campground’s exit road. Again, we were surprised that only one car passed by during the three hours we were there.
On the way back to Wrightwood, I hit a good-sized rock from one of the rockslides; but, luckily, no major damage was done. We reached our motel a little after midnight.
California Trip ~ June 1, 2001
We slept for about three hours and got up at 3:30 AM to give the ‘Flams’ one last try since the moon wouldn’t be a factor at this time of the morning. At the spot west of Buckhorn Flat, the best we could do was get more looks at one flying around. A Great Horned Owl also called in the background. As it got light, we got nice looks at an Olive-sided Flycatcher on a snag and heard Mountain Quail. We then zonked out at the motel until checkout time.
We left Wrightwood and drove Highway 138 past Silverwood Lake into the San Bernardino Mountains. Following the “Rim of the World Highway” to Big Bear Lake, we took Highway 38 to the Grout Bay picnic area where we found Pied-billed Grebe, Ruddy Duck, Osprey, American Coot, Acorn Woodpecker, Violet-green Swallow, Western Bluebird, American Robin, and Brewer’s Blackbird. After stopping at the Big Bear Discovery Center, we took a short drive up Polique Canyon Road. After only a few miles, the road got a little too rough for our low-clearance car, so we turned around, checked into the Motel 6 in Big Bear Lake, and went to eat.
Next, we headed to Baldwin Lake. There’s supposedly a good spot for Calliope Hummingbird along Forest Road 2N02, but we couldn’t find the road using the Lane Guide’s directions. We finally got help from a woman who told us that Road 2N02 had been rerouted and could only be reached by using a road over a mile away. We eventually found the road; but, again, we found it too rough to attempt with our car.
We drove up Highway 38, over Onyx Summit, and down to Jenks Lake Road. Along it, we found Common Nighthawk, Western Bluebird, Western Tanager, and Brown-headed Cowbird, but had no luck with owls after dark. At one owl stop on the way back Highway 38, several loud growls that must’ve came from a bear that was much too close for our liking, kept us right next to the car.
After returning to Big Bear Lake, we drove the first few miles of Polique Canyon Road to look for Common Poorwill. As we started to get to the rougher parts, Babe heard one calling. I got out the spotlight and played the tape. The bird immediately increased the cadence of its calls. During a second play of the tape, the bird flew right over the car and landed in the road. After hearing it in three other states, I finally got to see my first Common Poorwill! With the bird still calling in the road and Babe holding the spotlight on it, I got out my camera and slowly walked towards it, snapping pictures every so often. Amazingly, I got within three feet of it! I slowly backed away and held the light for Babe while she, too, walked up to the bird. After she backed off, the bird finally got up and flew away. It was a sighting that I’ll never forget.
Common Poorwill near Big Bear Lake, California. I finally got to see this bird after hearing them on several occasions in a few different states. This bird was seen sitting on Polique Canyon Road. Despite slowly creeping up to within 3 feet of it, it never flushed. I took this photo using the car's headlights and slowly backed away, leaving the bird right where it was found.
We left Wrightwood and drove Highway 138 past Silverwood Lake into the San Bernardino Mountains. Following the “Rim of the World Highway” to Big Bear Lake, we took Highway 38 to the Grout Bay picnic area where we found Pied-billed Grebe, Ruddy Duck, Osprey, American Coot, Acorn Woodpecker, Violet-green Swallow, Western Bluebird, American Robin, and Brewer’s Blackbird. After stopping at the Big Bear Discovery Center, we took a short drive up Polique Canyon Road. After only a few miles, the road got a little too rough for our low-clearance car, so we turned around, checked into the Motel 6 in Big Bear Lake, and went to eat.
Next, we headed to Baldwin Lake. There’s supposedly a good spot for Calliope Hummingbird along Forest Road 2N02, but we couldn’t find the road using the Lane Guide’s directions. We finally got help from a woman who told us that Road 2N02 had been rerouted and could only be reached by using a road over a mile away. We eventually found the road; but, again, we found it too rough to attempt with our car.
We drove up Highway 38, over Onyx Summit, and down to Jenks Lake Road. Along it, we found Common Nighthawk, Western Bluebird, Western Tanager, and Brown-headed Cowbird, but had no luck with owls after dark. At one owl stop on the way back Highway 38, several loud growls that must’ve came from a bear that was much too close for our liking, kept us right next to the car.
After returning to Big Bear Lake, we drove the first few miles of Polique Canyon Road to look for Common Poorwill. As we started to get to the rougher parts, Babe heard one calling. I got out the spotlight and played the tape. The bird immediately increased the cadence of its calls. During a second play of the tape, the bird flew right over the car and landed in the road. After hearing it in three other states, I finally got to see my first Common Poorwill! With the bird still calling in the road and Babe holding the spotlight on it, I got out my camera and slowly walked towards it, snapping pictures every so often. Amazingly, I got within three feet of it! I slowly backed away and held the light for Babe while she, too, walked up to the bird. After she backed off, the bird finally got up and flew away. It was a sighting that I’ll never forget.
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