Date: 11/6/24 4:45 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Santa Ynez Valley Birding, Nov. 5-6
Yesterday I birded along Happy Canyon and Alisos Roads in search of wintering birds and fall color. The vineyards are not in full color yet, but the Santa Ynez River cottonwoods at the Highway 154 crossing are coloring up very nicely. As for birds, there were lots of sparrows and Western Meadowlarks in the dry field at the corner of Alisos and Happy Canyon, but they were hard to pick out once they dropped into the dry vegetation. Savannah Sparrows were the most common here. Closer to Westerly Farm, White-crowns predominated. I found a lot of Western Bluebirds all along Alisos Road, but no Mountain Bluebirds yet and no Lewis's Woodpeckers. Raptors were few. Best bird was a Loggerhead Shrike near the north end of Alisos Road.
Today I walked along Quiota Creek on Refugio Road. There was a lot of bird activity all along the road and it was a very pleasant place to bird. Most of the birds were expected winter residents of Oak and riparian habitats, but I heard at least one Steller's Jay (there may have been two more). I also spotted a fly-over Golden Eagle.
For fall color, I found it in the red poison oak and yellowing cottonwoods, but the big-leaf maples are just starting. They will be more colorful in another couple of weeks. The creek is still flowing.
Florence Sanchez
