Date: 1/13/25 9:41 am From: Lisa Myers via groups.io <lisa...> Subject: [centralvalleybirds] Panoche Valley Sunday Jan. 12
A group of friends birded Panoche Valley yesterday entering from 1-5. We
found *LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES* throughout our weekend including along the
stretch before we hit the reservoir. We also had great views of our
first of several *GOLDEN EAGLES* as it perched on the cliff face above
the road. And just before reaching the reservoir we found two *SAGE
THRASHERS* on the north side of the road.
Flocks of *HORNED LARKS* were everywhere throughout.
Scoping the reservoir is a stretch but we added *CANVASBACK*, and
*RING-NECKED DUCKS* just to mention a few birds on the water. While we
dipped on Vesper Sparrows and the Lark Bunting reported on Saturday, we
did have *WHITE-CROWNED, LARK* & *SAVANNAH SPARROWS *throughout our
day*. *A pair of*ROCK WRENS *were also observed.*
*
We had two *GREATER ROADRUNNERS*. The most cooperative was walking
through the dirt lot as we drove out of the west end of Shotgun Pass. As
we scanned the fields opposite the solar farm we found more *WESTERN
MEADOWLARKS*, and both a *BALD EAGLE* and *FERRUGINOUS HAWK* sitting on
the ground. And finally a flock of *MOUNTAIN PLOVER* were observed way
off to the west of Little Panoche Road.
We found no definitive Prairie Falcons, but had one male *MERLIN*,**a
few*AMERICAN KESTRELS*, *& NORTHERN HARRIERS* and loads of *RED-TAILED
HAWKS*.
We did not add much to our list when we headed up Recalde Road so we
turned around and headed home. We were losing sunlight, but before we
hit 25 we added *YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE*, and *ACORN WOODPECKER*. We also
stopped for a beautiful *BOBCAT*. It eventually disappeared into the
brush and then *CALIFORNIA QUAIL* and two *CALIFORNIA THRASHERS*
appeared in the same location. We also observed a Wild Boar running in
the distance.
A juvenile BALD EAGLE was at the Paicines Reservoir in addition to
*AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, & COMMON MERGANZERS *to name a few.**
Another in our group is finalizing the eBird reports and will post shortly.
Lisa Myers
Campbell
P.S. We did not find Mountain Bluebirds or Phainopepla on Sunday, but
had them both on Saturday when we birded *Lake Yosemite County Park*
located next to UC Merced. We also had Prairie Falcon here.
