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Monthly Archives: December 2020

Hermit Warbler at Agua Dulce, 12/22

Along with the continuing Varied Thrush and Williamson’s Sapsucker, there is an adult male Hermit Warbler. Unusual for this time of year, it was feeding along the creek area near where I first spotted the female Varied Thrush. Approximate coordinates are:
32.862022,-116.435112.

Barbara Carlson
San Diego
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports

Genesee Highlands empid = Hammond's

Late morning Tuesday I checked out Paul Chad's report from yesterday of an interesting empidonax flycatcher at Genesee Highlands HOA Park in UTC. I quickly found the bird frequenting the southeast extension of the park and it appears to be a Hammond's Flycatcher. I did not hear it call, but it looks to me like a typical winter Hammond's in all respects.

Paul Lehman, San Diego

Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports

Lucy's Warbler

On Tuesday morning, there is a Lucy's Warbler in the upper section of San Dieguito Park in inland Solana Beach, close to the Rancho Santa Fe boundary. This is the smaller, upper section of the park which has a $3 entrance fee if you drive in, however there are a bunch of free, dirt parking slots just outside the gate. On Highland Avenue just north of Lomas Santa Fe and just south of Sun Valley Road. The park officially opens at 9:00 a.m., and I have no idea if it ever opens early or not. The Lucy's is frequenting the large tipu trees, which are loaded with yellow rumps and orange crowns and Ruby crowns.

On private property nearby there's a continuing bullocks oriole and a western tanager. Yesterday, up in southern Carlsbad, I had two or three Bullock's Orioles on private property, and at least one of Tito's Mountain Bluebirds continues at the big horse pasture on the northeast side of Batiquitos Lagoon. Scope needed.

Paul Lehman, San Diego

Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports

Dusky Flycatcher, University City, 21 Dec 2020

Had a vocalizing Empidonax this afternoon at the Genesee Highlands tiny HOA park. My sight impression leaned toward Hammond's, but wing-primaries extension seemed very short…

Consulted vocal playback on internet, and call notes good for Dusky, no good for either Hammond's nor Pacific-slope.

This HOA park is of course technically private property, but seems open to the casual non-resident visitor.

Paul Chad
University City
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports

Re: Varied Thrush continues – Aqua Dulce 12/21

Expanding on what Rodney posted, the Varied Thrush materialized on the big clump of boulders right next to the pump house where it stayed out in the open for several minutes, flew up high into the surrounding pines for a bit, then dove back down into the creek where it started following it North moving from bush to bush. At one point it dove down into the creek bed and we didn't see it again so I can only assume it continued moving Northbound.  I hope that is helpful if anyone else is looking for it. The female Williamson's Sapsucker showed up in some pines just southeast of the pump house right next to the barbed wire fence post, but disappeared almost as quickly as it appeared.

Also present was the persistent population of Cassin's Finches, the Red-breasted x Red-naped Sapsucker Hybrid that had been reported back in October by Lisa Ruby and Terry Hurst, as well as another Gray-headed Junco.
Purple Finches and Band-tailed Pigeons were in high numbers and when I first pulled into the parking lot a large group of birds flushed from the little center pine section, including what looked a lot like a Townsend's Solitaire to me, but I didn't get a clear enough view to confirm it.

https://ebird.org/checklist/S77809086

Andrew Newmark
Hillcrest, San Diego CA
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports

Congratulations! Thank You for Making the 2020 Christmas Bird Count One of The Birdiest EVER

Hello CBC Counters and Fellow Bird Lovers, 
In such a wild year, with talk of possibly canceling the Christmas Bird Count…you all came through, once again, in such a major way. 
With approx. 110 counters, we were able to tally 219 species!! This was our second all-time highest tally. Hats off to all of you. And big thanks to Justyn for pulling off a successful CBC despite the uncertainty and need to find innovative ways to get it done. 
As the new Executive Director, I feel as though there is a powerful force working behind the scenes to help San Diego Audubon in our efforts to protect birds, wildlife, and their wild spaces. That force is all of you. My heart is full of gratitude for the hard work and expertise you contribute to such critical projects like the CBC and throughout the year. In a normal year, I would have been able to enjoy a hot beverage and food with you post count while celebrating your findings and sharing my gratitude in person. Unfortunately, the entirety of my time as Executive Director has been filled with everything but normalcy. 
Until the day we are able to connect in person, know that San Diego Audubon is so very grateful for your contributions and needs you more than ever moving forward. Please reach out with ideas and topics of concern, to learn ways to volunteer further, and keep following us via eNews and Sketches. We are all in this together and I look forward to more shared successes. 
Happy Holidays, New Year, and thank you. 
Best wishes, 
Travis Kemnitz

Executive Director
4010 Morena Blvd., St. 100, San Diego, CA 92117
Office: 858-273-7800, 102 
Mobile: 619-807-4511
Website        Facebook        Instagram
Be the hope for birds, wildlife, and their habitats. Become a Friend today!

Our offices are closed and staff are working remotely. Due to increased electronic communications and COVID related priorities our response may be delayed. Thank you for your patience and please call my cell phone with any urgent matters. Please stay connected by signing up for our eNews mailing list and visiting our Newsroom. Together we will weather this storm and rise, stronger and birdier than ever. Sending my best wishes to you and your loved ones. 


Travis Kemnitz

Executive Director
4010 Morena Blvd., St. 100, San Diego, CA 92117
Office: 858-273-7800, 102 
Mobile: 619-807-4511
Website        Facebook        Instagram
 
Be the hope for birds, wildlife, and their habitats. Become a Friend today!

Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports

Varied Thrush continues – Aqua Dulce 12/21

Andrew Newmark refound the male Varied Thrush next to the pump house at around 9:30am. We spent a couple hours in that location before it showed up. Andrew also spotted the Williamson's Sapsucker after 10am in same general area. Desiree and I just missed it, missing a lifer. The usual mountain birds frequenting the water stream. List and photos to posted later.

Location: 32.857928,-116.433474

Rodney Gast
North Park

Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports