After I arrived home from the Great Crane Chase, I got an email alert that reported a Blue Grosbeak being seen on More Mesa. (Ironically, just about the time as I was riding past this spot on the way home) This would be a great bird to add to the year's list, as they are rather sporadic along the South Coast. There is a reliable spot for Blue Grosbeak in Santa Barbara County but it is a 60 mile bike ride from my house.
So, all in all, it would be great to get this bird taken care of now and close to home. I had received advice earlier in the year that More Mesa would be a good spot to find this bird, which was surprising to me. After actually dealing with of some of the things I neglected earlier in the day, I set out for More Mesa (3rd outing for the day, I believe a Green Big Year first).
I arrived and made my way across the open space towards the area where the bird was reported. There was a good bit of bird activity, lots of House Finches, Swallows, and Kingbirds. I kept my eye out for a blue bird with brown wings sitting on top of a bush.
I spied a dark bird sitting in the midst of a dead Fennel plant, got the binocs on it, and Bingo - Blue Grosbeak! It was not particularly cooperative with the camera but I did get shots to prove the the bird exists.
A nice and rewarding finish to an exciting day!
Blue Grosbeak
After the addition of this afternoon's 1 species, the year's total stands at 218.
This afternoon I rode another 15.8 miles for a total of 48.4 miles today. I am tired.
More later,
Glenn
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