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Monthly Archives: February 2023

Rufous Hummer

Rufous Hummer
By {authorlink} – 5:30 pm

First I’ve seen in my yard this year.  Couple of males today.  Maybe not newsworthy but I loved seeing them!
Cheryl
Carlsbad

Re: Condition of Yellow billed Loon near Quivera Basin

Re: Condition of Yellow billed Loon near Quivera Basin
By {authorlink} – 6:21 pm

Hi Susan,
I saw the YBLO as recently as yesterday afternoon and as long ago as one or two days after it was first spotted.  However, it’s difficult to make any objective observations concerning its physical aspect, mostly because it was out in the channel yesterday (~350 m away) whereas it was as close as ~20 m when I first saw it. 
But with that said, it didn’t seem noticeably different to me, and its activity level seemed to be what it was earlier.  I viewed it for several hours the first time I saw it and for about 30 minutes yesterday.
I have photographs taken of the bird taken on both occasions and am happy to share them with you off-line.
Bird happy,
Carl Ebeling
S. Mission Hills

Condition of Yellow billed Loon near Quivera Basin

Condition of Yellow billed Loon near Quivera Basin
By {authorlink} – 5:42 pm

Hi San Diego Birders,  
     First of all,  thanks and mucho kudos to SD Audubon and Jen Haj  and SDAS staff and leaders  for a REMARKABLE  job throughout this climate-challenged Bird Festival.  Just amazing what you folks did!  I joined some trips this year and attended the festival with my visiting cousin from MN and we had a great time, with the staff even relocating my cousin’s cell phone after she lost it, for which we were so grateful!  
     But my specific question is:  Has anyone noticed that the YBLO seems a little emaciated this past week compared to what it was when first found? It seems like it is skinnier and may not be getting enough food.  Has anyone else noticed this?   It seemed alot skinnier to me since the day after it was first found.    Sue 
Susan Smith 

Seiurus Biological  Consulting 
Del Mar, CA 
seiurus@…

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Susan Smith
Seiurus Biological Consulting
Del Mar, CA

Swainson’s Hawks and Vultures in Borrego Springs

Swainson’s Hawks and Vultures in Borrego Springs

By {authorlink} – 1:33 pm

Today 2/27/23, we had 392 Swainson’s Hawks and 150 Turkey Vultures migrate NW from Borrego Springs. Several kettles formed at 8:30am including one with 250 raptors. Each evening we monitor incoming hawks and vultures. The evening site is located on Borrego Valley Rd. 1.8 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive. We meet around 4:45pm till darkness. Hawks and vultures entering the valley will find roost sites after the sun sets. The official count site is located on DiGiorgio Rd, 2.8 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive. We have an ALERT system to notify watchers when over 100 Swainson’s Hawks enter the valley in the evening. Contact Raptorhal@… to be on the ALERT system. 

Hal Cohen
Borrego Springs

Swainson’s Hawks/Turkey Vultures in Borrego Springs

Swainson’s Hawks/Turkey Vultures in Borrego Springs

By {authorlink} – 7:10 pm

We officially opened the data gathering season today at Borrego Valley Hawkwatch. We had a very early migration of Swainson’s Hawks (75) this morning along with almost 50 Turkey Vultures (TV’s).
This evening at least 150 TV’s and 100+ Swainson’s Hawks arrived just before 5pm. Both the vultures and hawks are in the Roadrunner Club in Eucalyptus Trees on the north side (between the Roadrunner and The Springs RV Park). Unfortunately the wind might pick up early. If so the hawks and TV’s will begin migration at 7am or so. Best viewing is probably at the evening site, 1.5 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive on Borrego Valley Rd or on DiGiorgio near the entrance to The Springs RV Park with WNW wind. 
Each day at 8am volunteers will be at the official count site on DiGiorgio Rd. 2.8 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive. Each evening (an hour before sunset) we meet on Borrego Valley Rd, 1.8 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive. You can check in at the official count site to see where the hawks might be roosting. 
Hal Cohen
Borrego Springs

Swainson’s Hawk Kettle in Encinitas

Swainson’s Hawk Kettle in Encinitas
By {authorlink} – 12:27 pm

About 12:10 my father asked what “all those birds” are and I was quite surprised to see what appeared to be a kettle of 58 Swainson’s hawks flying low over Escondido Creek near where it crosses Camino del Norte. I scoped them for 5-7 minutes and saw several dark individuals as well as light adults with a clear dark upper chest above a light breast. They rose in the sky and circled westward over the hills toward the coast. I would love to hear if others see this group along the coast as well. 

Betsy Miller Vixie
Olivenhain

SLENDER-BILLED GULL Robb Firld Mud Flats

SLENDER-BILLED GULL Robb Firld Mud Flats
By {authorlink} – 11:08 am

There is a SBGU in the San Diego River at the downstream end of the Robb Field mud flats. I’m viewing it from the north side of the river. Near the Bird Festival location.

Keers (as the MAMU says)
Kerry Ross
Bay Park
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