This morning Locke and I visited the ghost town of Electra on the Mokeulmne river to try and snag some more water birds, we did see an unidentified sandpiper, but, during our visit I came to a decision.
Until I have a good camera, which is supposed to happen sometime in the next month, there isn't really a point in having a blog about a big year. After all I could claim that I saw just about anything and without proof, there really is no point.
That said, I will continue to bird and scout out new locations, but until I get my new camera Little Big Year is on hiatus.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Another scorcher. If I ever do another big year, which I will, I will definitely start the year in a different season. After living in Humboldt for seven years I find this heat unbearable.
Locke and I started out extra early today (8:00) after his breakfast to check out the impound dam near Sutter Street and the Middle School. The impound damn was built in the early 1900's in order for the Argonaut mine to store they mine tailings. Before this the mines were allowing the sediments they drudged up from below the earth to run down the various streams that feed the central valley. Naturally, farmers in the valley became upset when the streams that irrigated their crops became clogged with the tailings, hence the impound damn. These days the western end of the dam is clogged with toxic soil (a process using cyanide was used to leach the remaining gold ore out of the tailings was developed in the earlier part of the last century) and the eastern end, at the head of the damn is marsh land. Unfortunately we couldn't manage to get close enough of to the marsh to see any new birds, but we did see a very upset Red-tailed Hawk and some very angry Red-winged Blackbirds. At the middle school we were visited by some Common Ravens, but the main reason we went to the school was to try to get a bird's eye view of the marsh, which it turns out, you can't get from the school.
All is not lost though, during the walk I noticed a spur off one of the cul-de-sacs that seemed to overlook the marsh and a largish pond too. So perhaps tomorrow we'll attempt to check that out.
Locke and I started out extra early today (8:00) after his breakfast to check out the impound dam near Sutter Street and the Middle School. The impound damn was built in the early 1900's in order for the Argonaut mine to store they mine tailings. Before this the mines were allowing the sediments they drudged up from below the earth to run down the various streams that feed the central valley. Naturally, farmers in the valley became upset when the streams that irrigated their crops became clogged with the tailings, hence the impound damn. These days the western end of the dam is clogged with toxic soil (a process using cyanide was used to leach the remaining gold ore out of the tailings was developed in the earlier part of the last century) and the eastern end, at the head of the damn is marsh land. Unfortunately we couldn't manage to get close enough of to the marsh to see any new birds, but we did see a very upset Red-tailed Hawk and some very angry Red-winged Blackbirds. At the middle school we were visited by some Common Ravens, but the main reason we went to the school was to try to get a bird's eye view of the marsh, which it turns out, you can't get from the school.
All is not lost though, during the walk I noticed a spur off one of the cul-de-sacs that seemed to overlook the marsh and a largish pond too. So perhaps tomorrow we'll attempt to check that out.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Phew, what a hot past few days. Over the holiday weekend we were desperate to escape the weather so we drove up the mountain to Silver Lake and Hope Valley. Luckily we saw a few new birds as well as having a wonderful mini-vacation.
At Silver Lake I was anticipating some Mountain Chickadees and Achille swore he heard them whenever he would be off by himself somewhere. He came back from the toilets announcing their presence so I headed up to the toilets and began searching the lodge poles and junipers for some birds. Immediately some movement caught my eye and I spotted a small warbler with a yellow spot on his head and a yellow throat: a Yellow-rumped Warbler which I cannot recall is on my list or not. As we were leaving the lake to walk over to the Kit Carson Lodge we suddenly noticed a Bald Eagle perched above the beach we had just been lounging on. Score! As a small side-trip on the way to the lodge we went down into a small gulley where a very shallow pond is formed by snow run-off. We spotted a female Bufflehead on the pond all by her lonesome.
Later we headed further up the mountain to Hope Valley where I hoped to spot some Willow Flycatchers but alas, again I was left unhappy with zero new birds for that part of the trip. At one point I was certain I was tracking a Mountain Bluebird in a lodgepole but then noticed the cougar tracks near bye and realized that I was a large prey item. Suddenly birding seemed unimportant and I hurried back to the car where my baby was sleeping and my husband was waiting paitently.
The first new bird I spotted that day was actually back in Jackson at Safeway where I realized that the Barn Swallows swarming around the water tower where joined by Bank Swallows.
So 3 new species for that day, not great but we'll head back up the mountain again soon.
Last night I spotted a Barn Owl out back so, four new species in 7 days. Not good at all.
At Silver Lake I was anticipating some Mountain Chickadees and Achille swore he heard them whenever he would be off by himself somewhere. He came back from the toilets announcing their presence so I headed up to the toilets and began searching the lodge poles and junipers for some birds. Immediately some movement caught my eye and I spotted a small warbler with a yellow spot on his head and a yellow throat: a Yellow-rumped Warbler which I cannot recall is on my list or not. As we were leaving the lake to walk over to the Kit Carson Lodge we suddenly noticed a Bald Eagle perched above the beach we had just been lounging on. Score! As a small side-trip on the way to the lodge we went down into a small gulley where a very shallow pond is formed by snow run-off. We spotted a female Bufflehead on the pond all by her lonesome.
Later we headed further up the mountain to Hope Valley where I hoped to spot some Willow Flycatchers but alas, again I was left unhappy with zero new birds for that part of the trip. At one point I was certain I was tracking a Mountain Bluebird in a lodgepole but then noticed the cougar tracks near bye and realized that I was a large prey item. Suddenly birding seemed unimportant and I hurried back to the car where my baby was sleeping and my husband was waiting paitently.
The first new bird I spotted that day was actually back in Jackson at Safeway where I realized that the Barn Swallows swarming around the water tower where joined by Bank Swallows.
So 3 new species for that day, not great but we'll head back up the mountain again soon.
Last night I spotted a Barn Owl out back so, four new species in 7 days. Not good at all.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
We got up early (for us) this morning and went for a jog out on French Bar road. The road was free of other people and cars and there were plenty of birds out and about, Western King Birds, Western Blue Birds, Phoebes and Orioles, all the usuals were flying around catching up the morning bugs. The only unusual bird I spotted was a pair of Western Wood Pewees, which are newer to me as of a couple of weeks ago but unfortunately no new birds were added to my list this morning.
After Locke's nap and lunch we headed out to Volcano, quickly, as to avoid the bad weather later in the day. We started out behind the St. George hotel but we didn't get lucky until we went over to the Volcano Park in Soldier's Gulch.
Volcano is so named because during the California Gold Rush the major mining conglomerates basically stripped all the top soil out of the valley to collect the gold dust and powder that had settled into the soil during the period when the Mokeulmne River ran through this part of Amador. The resulting landscape, in some place 30 feet lower than originally, resembled a volcanic landscape. The pioneers who settled in the region named it thusly. The original European discoverers of this area were a group of soldiers who had been moving through the valley and found the area rich in gold. They decided to spend the winter but were unable to survive the unusually harsh weather that year. The following spring Mexican miners found the bodies of the soldiers and buried them on a hill over Sutter Creek which still runs through town; hence Soldier Gulch.
But I digress, Locke and I were playing hide and seek around a large rock in the center of the park when I spotted a bright yellow bird flit overhead into a maple tree. There was no doubt what the bird was once I got a good look at it, a Yellow Warbler. The Yellow Warbler is definitely a lifer for me and therefore another bird added to the list.
The bad weather is supposed to continue part way into tomorrow so I'm not sure where we are going to head out to. I'm thinking Pardee Reservoir and a small pond near the Coast to Crest trail to try to rustle up some water birds.
After Locke's nap and lunch we headed out to Volcano, quickly, as to avoid the bad weather later in the day. We started out behind the St. George hotel but we didn't get lucky until we went over to the Volcano Park in Soldier's Gulch.
Volcano is so named because during the California Gold Rush the major mining conglomerates basically stripped all the top soil out of the valley to collect the gold dust and powder that had settled into the soil during the period when the Mokeulmne River ran through this part of Amador. The resulting landscape, in some place 30 feet lower than originally, resembled a volcanic landscape. The pioneers who settled in the region named it thusly. The original European discoverers of this area were a group of soldiers who had been moving through the valley and found the area rich in gold. They decided to spend the winter but were unable to survive the unusually harsh weather that year. The following spring Mexican miners found the bodies of the soldiers and buried them on a hill over Sutter Creek which still runs through town; hence Soldier Gulch.
But I digress, Locke and I were playing hide and seek around a large rock in the center of the park when I spotted a bright yellow bird flit overhead into a maple tree. There was no doubt what the bird was once I got a good look at it, a Yellow Warbler. The Yellow Warbler is definitely a lifer for me and therefore another bird added to the list.
The bad weather is supposed to continue part way into tomorrow so I'm not sure where we are going to head out to. I'm thinking Pardee Reservoir and a small pond near the Coast to Crest trail to try to rustle up some water birds.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Today was another strange and unproductive day. Locke woke late and then took a 3 hour nap after lunch which derailed our plans to head out to Volcano for some birding. After dinner though we headed down to Howard Park for the last few minutes of day light and then over to the Sutter Hill transit station, where there is a small pond, for the sunset.
No new species for the day and rain in the forecast for tomorrow and Wednesday. My plan is to head out extra early for a jog down French Bar and then too drive up to Volcano before lunch.
No new species for the day and rain in the forecast for tomorrow and Wednesday. My plan is to head out extra early for a jog down French Bar and then too drive up to Volcano before lunch.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
We didn't spot any new birds today, more of that "responsibility" stuff I mentioned.
We spent the day fixing up the house and garden, at least we finally have the Swamp Cooler set up and a weed-free front walk.
This evening we did make it to Volcano to enjoy the summer weather but we didn't rack up any new birds.
We spent the day fixing up the house and garden, at least we finally have the Swamp Cooler set up and a weed-free front walk.
This evening we did make it to Volcano to enjoy the summer weather but we didn't rack up any new birds.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
We set out on Middle Bar Road this afternoon, a beautiful day with only mild heat, but unfortunately also only a couple of new birds to add to the list.
The Bridge was really busy today with loads of fishermen taking advantage of the nice weather and swollen river. They all complimented us on our "beautiful little girl", Achille says it was because I dressed the baby in a white jumper with blue sandals. We didn't correct them. Right away we saw a flock (a gaggle?) of Canada Geese swimming against the current towards us. Not an uncommon bird certainly, but one of our personal favorites. In college I helped with Achille's wildlife project on the Aleutian Cackling Goose so this particular species is in our hearts.
The usuals were all there, the ever-present Lesser Goldfinch and Black Phoebes and quite a few Acorn Woodpeckers as well, nothing in the trees was too interesting to note. However we stopped in a shady spot overlooking the river where we noticed a pair of small waterbirds calling to eachother and diving. A quick peek through the binocs revealed them as Pied-billed Grebes. A species I was very surprised to see as I did not know that they lived around here. We also saw a Western Pond Turtle basking nearby and a mamma Mallard leading her 5 young ducklings downstream where they attempted a water take-off unsuccessfully.
Our goal was to make it all the way up to the gold mine near Paloma but we turned around after a couple of hours so we could pursue our other duties for the day which included trying to persuade the boy to eat and sleep. He got his 18 month shots yesterday and he's been extra crabby today.
Tomorrow I plan on heading out to Volcano to do a little geocaching and of course, birding.
The Bridge was really busy today with loads of fishermen taking advantage of the nice weather and swollen river. They all complimented us on our "beautiful little girl", Achille says it was because I dressed the baby in a white jumper with blue sandals. We didn't correct them. Right away we saw a flock (a gaggle?) of Canada Geese swimming against the current towards us. Not an uncommon bird certainly, but one of our personal favorites. In college I helped with Achille's wildlife project on the Aleutian Cackling Goose so this particular species is in our hearts.
The usuals were all there, the ever-present Lesser Goldfinch and Black Phoebes and quite a few Acorn Woodpeckers as well, nothing in the trees was too interesting to note. However we stopped in a shady spot overlooking the river where we noticed a pair of small waterbirds calling to eachother and diving. A quick peek through the binocs revealed them as Pied-billed Grebes. A species I was very surprised to see as I did not know that they lived around here. We also saw a Western Pond Turtle basking nearby and a mamma Mallard leading her 5 young ducklings downstream where they attempted a water take-off unsuccessfully.
Our goal was to make it all the way up to the gold mine near Paloma but we turned around after a couple of hours so we could pursue our other duties for the day which included trying to persuade the boy to eat and sleep. He got his 18 month shots yesterday and he's been extra crabby today.
Tomorrow I plan on heading out to Volcano to do a little geocaching and of course, birding.
