After a breezy and warm 50 mile ride on Saturday in the Solvang Century I took a couple of days off from the bike. This morning I got back on and rode up to Mission Canyon in hopes of collecting some spring migrants; specifically Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Wilson's Warbler, and Warbling Vireo.
I started out at Rocky Nook Park where a Pacific-slope Flycatcher was reported yesterday. I made my way up the creek bed until I heard the distinctive "chu-wee" call of the this flycatcher. It took a little while to get a visual on the vocalizer, which I eventually found in the trees over the creek. Though overcast and a bit far away, I managed a decent ID photo. Note how the eye-ring is thicker behind the eye, a good visual ID for this species.
I left Rocky Nook Park and headed for the Botanic Garden with 1 down and 2 to go! At the Botanic Garden I met my wife and our friend Chris who is visiting from Minnesota. We had a pleasant walk around the garden watching the birds doing their spring thing. We heard another Pacific-slope Flycatcher up in a Sycamore Tree but could not get a visual on it.
While walking down the trail Chris pointed out a little yellow bird in a bush in front of us, which turned out to have a nice black cap - Wilson's Warbler! Unfortunately this handsome little fellow did not stick around to get his photo taken.
We were unable to locate a Warbling Vireo, so I had to settle for 2 of 3 target birds for the morning. Not a bad outing at all, and I am looking forward to catching up with some more spring migrants soon!
Some photos from today:
After the addition of today's 2 species, the year's total stands at 190.
I started out at Rocky Nook Park where a Pacific-slope Flycatcher was reported yesterday. I made my way up the creek bed until I heard the distinctive "chu-wee" call of the this flycatcher. It took a little while to get a visual on the vocalizer, which I eventually found in the trees over the creek. Though overcast and a bit far away, I managed a decent ID photo. Note how the eye-ring is thicker behind the eye, a good visual ID for this species.
I left Rocky Nook Park and headed for the Botanic Garden with 1 down and 2 to go! At the Botanic Garden I met my wife and our friend Chris who is visiting from Minnesota. We had a pleasant walk around the garden watching the birds doing their spring thing. We heard another Pacific-slope Flycatcher up in a Sycamore Tree but could not get a visual on it.
While walking down the trail Chris pointed out a little yellow bird in a bush in front of us, which turned out to have a nice black cap - Wilson's Warbler! Unfortunately this handsome little fellow did not stick around to get his photo taken.
We were unable to locate a Warbling Vireo, so I had to settle for 2 of 3 target birds for the morning. Not a bad outing at all, and I am looking forward to catching up with some more spring migrants soon!
Some photos from today:
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Underside of an Orange-crowned Warbler
Northern Flicker
After the addition of today's 2 species, the year's total stands at 190.
Today I rode a total of 9.4 miles
More later,
Glenn
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