Second Bird Walk of 2017 Is Rewarded with Numerous Sightings

Scanning the trees past Blood Pits

   The new year is already resulting in great birding in the San Marcos natural areas. This time 27 different species were recorded including a Blue-headed Vireo, a Ladder-backed Woodpecker, an assortment of warblers, sparrows and 60 Black-bellied Whistling Ducks which make the top of our list.
   The early, drizzly start for 20 birders began with the birds calling. It took a few minutes for the first sighting and then it just cascaded into searching all the leafless trees. Loudest were the American Crows and best formation flying went to the Cedar Waxwings.
   Monthly birding walks are sponsored by the Greenbelt Alliance and led by Stephen Ramirez. This month he was ably assisted by Gabby Cole who also does a monthly bug walk. Each group has a Facebook page and are intended for area residents to get outdoors and enjoy the natural areas.

Ringtail Ridge natural area, 2017February04, 0730

27 species

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/print?subID=S34159525

60        Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis

2          Gadwall Anas strepera

1          Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias

1          Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus

1          Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura

2          Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons

2          Ladder-backed Woodpecker Picoides scalaris

2          Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe

1          Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius

4          American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos

X         Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis

X         Black-crested Titmouse Baeolophus atricristatus

1          House Wren Troglodytes aedon

X         Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus

X         Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii

1          Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea

X         Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula

1          American Robin Turdus migratorius

1          Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos

12        Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum

1          Orange-crowned Warbler Oreothlypis celata

X         Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) Setophaga coronata coronata

X         Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii

X         Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis

1          Pyrrhuloxia Cardinalis sinuatus

5          Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus

X         American Goldfinch Spinus tristis