April Bird Walk at Rancho Los Cerritos Recap
By Carolyn Vance
Our last walk of the season wasn’t as birdy as I expected it to be, but we still saw 20 species! We had up close looks at Bushtits and were able to distinguish male from female. I learned that, during breeding season, males have black eyes and females have pale yellow eyes. We also got a fairly good look at a Hermit thrush and a better look at a Pacific-slope flycatcher (shown in the header photo). A small flock (17) of Cedar waxwings were seen flying over the Rancho. Other flyovers included nine Mallards, some way-up-high gulls and a couple of Ravens. We heard several birds that we never could see, including Red-shouldered hawk, House and Lesser goldfinch, Orange-crowned Warbler and a Robin.
This is the last walk put on by El Dorado Audubon, but the Rancho has now started a family-and-beginner-friendly walk the fourth Saturday of every month. It also starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 9:30 a.m. If you couldn’t attend one of our walks, and still want to bird the Rancho, this is your chance. For more information on their walk, go to their website at: www.rancholoscerritos.org. Many thanks to Merryl Edelstein and Jerry Millett for helping me out again in April and to Marie Barnidge-McIntyre, the Horticulturist for the Rancho, for having us in and helping.
Post photos ©Jerry Millett
Male Bushtit
Female Bushtit
Another great walk at the Rancho! We started the day with a pair of Ravens flying over the parking lot, calling to each other. Our next bird was a nice Hermit thrush, followed by a small flock of Cedar waxwings flying over. A pair of California Scrub jays flashed their blue wings at us as did the Western bluebirds. A Northern mockingbird stood silent watch over us, unusual for this bird. Luckily, the Black phoebes and Allen’s hummingbirds weren’t silent as they zipped back and forth across the Rancho.
constant motion, going branch to branch. Then leaving it, one-by-one, as Bushtits do, going to their next feeding spot. The last bird of the day was the California towhee that we had been hearing, but couldn’t find, until he popped up on an open branch of the Toyon tree at the top of the drive.
The most asked question of the day was: Why is that rust-and-green colored hummingbird an Allen’s and not a Rufous? Simple – Rufous hummers are only seen in this area in migration – spring and fall, so in winter-time you’re seeing Allen’s. Also, Allen’s have green on their back and Rufous’ don’t. Okay, okay – about 5% of Rufous’ show a little green on their back, but once again, our walk was in the middle of winter, when Rufous’ are in their wintering grounds. Check their range map in your favorite field guide for where they are now.
Cindy Crawford
Cindy Crawford