Another glorious, sunny start to the day but it clouded
over by late morning and the wind picked up dramatically but it was a good days
birding; I spent all day at Santa Ana NWR where there weren’t too many new
birds with a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK over the centre first thing, a cracking drake
WOOD DUCK with other ducks on Pintail Ponds, a pair and a couple of 1st
winter GREY HAWKS seen around the reserve, a pair of LESSER GOLDFINCHES seen
along the Cattail Trail and an Empidonax
Flycatcher seen briefly, also along the Cattail Trail and photographed which,
after discussions with a helpful Park Ranger, we worked out that it was a
YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER – probably an early migrant. One of the day’s highlights was however
great views of a RACOON as it paddled across a pool at first light!
Other
birds around included the now usual selection of bush birds such as
Black-and-White Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers, a single Nashville Warbler,
White-eyed Vireos, Altamira Orioles, Green Jays, Plain Chachalacas, Black-crested
Titmouse, Great Kiskadees and Couch’s Kingbirds while a few raptors included a
Cooper’s Hawk, a couple of Harris Hawks, a ringtail Northern Harrier and a
couple of Red-tailed Hawks.
There
was a good selection of ducks on the pools but surprisingly no Herons and
Egrets while waders included Black-necked Stilts, Greater Yellowlegs, 2 Lesser
Yellowlegs, a few Wilson’s Snipe and a few Killdeers.
Black-crested Titmouse
Racoon record shot!
Grabbed shot of a 1st winter Grey Hawk
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - I wonder if all Rangers, as well as chasing Yogi Bear are trained in sorting out Empidonax Flycatchers? This one was!
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Northern Harrier
Lesser Goldfinch
American Kestrel
Green Kingfisher
Waders
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Orange-crowned Warbler
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